We are the champions, my friend
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end...
The scrappy underdogs have won it!
In the epic battle to raise more money for Camp Quest -- the kids' camp for children of atheists, freethinkers, humanists, and other non-supernaturalists -- Team Awesome/ Beat PZ -- made up of me, Hemant Mehta of Friendly Atheist, Jen McCreight of Blag Hag, JT Eberhard of WWJTD?, Digital Cuttlefish at The Digital Cuttlefish, Sikivu Hutchinson at Black Skeptics Group, Adam Lee at Daylight Atheism, The Chaplain at An Apostate's Chapel, C.L. Hanson at Letters From a Broad, and Matt Dillahunty at The Atheist Experience -- has raised $13,550.06. $1,868.73 of which was matched by the Stiefel Freethought Foundation. For a total of $15,418.79.
And PZ Myers at Pharyngula, Lone Squidly Overlord, has raised a paltry $13,016.01. $1,640.00 of which was matched by the Stiefel Freethought Foundation. For a total of $14,656.01.
Raising -- just so we don't lose sight of the actual point of all this -- a grand total between all of us of $30,074.80 for Camp Quest, the kids' camp for children of atheists, freethinkers, humanists, and other non-supernaturalists.
WE ARE VICTORIOUS!
Yes, yes, I know. PZ tried to play us. In a pathetic attempt to save face, with the prospect of humiliating defeat bearing down on him, PZ tried to throw the match -- asking his minions to support our team instead of his, and pretending that Team Awesome's noble offer to make fools of ourselves in public was his master plan all along. Yeah, right. Nice try. Kind of sad, really.
So yes. Ahem. Re that "making fools of ourselves in public" bit.
[looks around frantically for an exit]
Yes, I'm on it. At the Secular Student Alliance conference in July, I will take to the karaoke stage, and pop my karaoke cherry. I will post the video, on this blog and on Facebook. I will do a solo -- no, I don't yet know what song -- AND I encourage any and all members of Team Awesome who are at the conference to join me on stage for a stirring rendition of "We Are The Champions." PZ is speaking at the conference as well, and if he's man squid enough, he'll attend the Karaoke Victory Ritual as well, and suck up his defeat in person.
Altruism is so much fun. Many, many thanks to everyone who played. Thanks to everyone on Team Awesome. Thanks to the Stiefel Freethought Foundation. Thanks, even, to our worthy opponent PZ Myers, who made this an epic and hilarious battle. And most of all -- thanks to everyone who donated to Camp Quest. For either team. This is a truly worthy cause, and we've improved the lives of a whole bunch of freethought families. If godlessness really means that we have no moral compass and can just do whatever we want to do, then apparently what we want to do is help other people.
And because I can't finish this on a sappy note, I'm going to finish with a stirring round of rubbing it in.
We are the champions
We are the champions,
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions
Of the WOOOOORLD!
As far as I'm concerned, you're getting off easy, Greta. At least karaoke only lasts a few minutes!
I volunteered to grow a beard for an entire month, and it's hot here, damn it. Leaving work today felt like stepping into a warm kettle of soup. But - sigh - it's for the children, so I guess I have no choice, do I?
Posted by: Ebonmuse | June 01, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Drat! I'll be on vacation the weekend of the SSA conference. I'm just sure I would have had no trouble convincing my wife to let me drive up to columbus to see an atheist blogger sing karaoke!
Congratulations, I'll be sending my kids to Camp Quest Ohio when they're old enuff, so I know my chip in will be appreciated!
Posted by: Lou Doench | June 01, 2011 at 04:58 PM
It's been really fun watching the epic battle occur (I donated under Team Beat Those Squid Lovers)...I'm sure you'll do just fine on the karaoke stage.
Just think of the children and you'll get through it!
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 02, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Greta:
I appreciate your writing.
Thank you.
Mike Schmidt
Farmer, Infantryman, Roofer, Scientist, Engineer, ditchdigger.
Posted by: Mike Schmidt | June 21, 2011 at 09:14 AM