Hmmm, take a tax-free 85K Halliburton position vs a NPO.

[Just Me]

I'd like to start a NPO as I face imminent unemployment but have no benefactor or economic security. Why not do a year contract with Halliburton in Iraq, tax free, more money than I've ever made, pay off student loans, have a small cookie-jar collection left over for me and my son's future.

:shrug:

[lonestarnot]

1. Do you value your life? How bout your arms, eyes, legs?

[Just Me]

5. Yes. I value their lives, too. eom

[lonestarnot]

7. To whom are you referring?

[Just Me]

10. Those other than my own. n/t

[lonestarnot]

19. Well if you don't value your life, how bout your soul. Want to sell out

to the Haliburton Satan? LOL Be my guest, but don't say we didn't warn you.

[Just Me]

22. Why assume my "soul" would be sold?

:shrug:

My soul is intact no matter what. Taking such a position could not destroy my soul. I may very well connect with and empower those who feel/are oppressed in a more impactful way than I do here. Why not? Maybe, I could make a greater difference, in a positive way, there rather than here....who knows? You don't KNOW. Neither do I.

I do KNOW one thing, though,...my soul is mine,...and forever intact, never sold, never soiled. Got that?

'kay!

[C_U_L8R]

2. It's your life...

[benburch]

3. Because you are far too likely to die doing the Iraq gig.

It is about to become hell on earth over there, and I don't think you want to leave your son an orphan.

[Just Me]

6. My family is close. He would never be "an orphan".

To the contrary, he would cared for quite well.

[benburch]

8. So this is some sort of death wish on your part?

Because that is what it amounts to.

[Just Me]

11. You assume. n/t

[benburch]

13. I just say how it looks from here.

That's why I asked rather than told.

I wouldn't do what you are contemplating for a zillion dollars. You are more valuable to your boy alive than dead even if he would be well off should you be killed there. And what if you die on your very first day there? He'd have nothing and you'd be gone.

[Just Me]

16. You assume,....

,..."dead", that I'll come back "dead". That's an assumption that is way out in left field.

Look, I am able to make a difference no matter where I go. Right?

Here, I have little $$$ value in spite of my education, in spite of my human advocacy, in spite of my human compassion.

On edit: I do, sincerely, appreciate your vocal value of my life,...and the fear associated with the possibility it could be lost in this choice I consider,...okay? :hug:

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Well--for one thing, you could get killed.

$85 K isn't a whole lot of $$ for putting yourself at that much risk.
For another, you'd be contributing your efforts to advancing Murka's Evil Empire.
And for a third, you'd be surrounding yourself with mercenary assholes.

If you can get past these minor points, hey, go for it.

[Just Me]

9. I could get killed hitting a deer.

I am not required to "advance" anyone's "Evil Empire". I would still have the capacity to advance basic human interests. I don't HAVE to surround myself with "mercenary assholes".

Too many assumptions.

[C_U_L8R]

12. If you got your heart so set on it ...then go

and if you make it back, you can tell everyone if it was worth it

(i'd imagine it wouldn't be worth it if you didn't make it back)

[Just Me]

14. It seems the only viable economic alternative, right now.

I'm busting my ass trying to find another way,...but, the alternatives leave me facing another round of abject poverty. No, thanks. I never considered taking a position with "the dark side" as a means to accomplish making a difference and making a living. However, considering I have no benefactors, no economic independence, inadequate "networking", etc. to succeed in making a difference and make a living,...my choices are somewhat limited.

[OwnedByFerrets]

15. Sounds like you already have your mind made up

and just wanted someone to agree with you. Not too many here are going to do that, methinks.:shrug:

[Just Me]

17. No.

I just know what it's like to do "entreprenuerial". I've tried it and failed several times. I am still planning on trying, again. However, if I can't insure some inkling of economic stability for the sake of my son, I've decided there are other choices I wouldn't have previously considered that could fulfill both my need for a meaningful life and to provide for my son.

[lonestarnot]

21. This is just bullshit. You son would rather have you and be poor than

have what's left of the money.

[Just Me]

23. My son wants a future.

And, YES, he wants me in it. We love eachother, dearly, and he doesn't like this suggestion/consideration, either. He and I are all we've ever had through this difficult life.

On the other hand, poverty steals a lot from people. You know it, I know it, and my son knows it, too. He and I, we've been through it, together. I will not choose a year contract if my son says he can't handle a year away from me. This is an option on the table of survival, a possibility to still make a difference and make a living. Do you understand that?

[lonestarnot]

24. I understand that you want a brighter future together, as do me and my

son, but Halliburton? Blah blah blah. Devil's footsoldiers are not an option for a brighter future. Stealing from people? That offers a brighter future for you? hmmmmmf. There are other ways.

[pitohui]

18. have they actually offered you this job?

because a friend of mine thought the same and halliburton laughed him out of the office

if you are qualified, do go for it, but there is a long line of people for these jobs apparently, i was surprised, but the pay is great and lots of well qualified people are in competition

sometimes the most important thing you can do in time of crisis is not to be a nuisance, and if getting good $ to care for you and your son helps you succeed in that goal, i think you're doing the right thing

on reading the thread, i didn't mean to be callous by saying nothing abt the physical risk you might be taking, my assumption was that you were quite well aware of that and in any case others have already offered their thoughts on that matter

[Just Me]

20. Nope. I did get a solicitation (which was weird), via email.

I never considered something like that an option, really (on the other hand, never considered working for a "Republican" an option, either *LOL*). But, life deals out cards over which we have no control. Wouldn't it be magical if we got the cards we wanted?

Anyhoots, I've got these cards and,...have a pair of deuces, if that. I have to play with what I'm dealt. Doesn't require me to be narrow in my choices. I am prepared to be open and creative. Even the cards dealt don't dictate who I am.

[noamnety]

25. What happens to your son

if you come back alive, but with PTSD? Are you prepared for him to have to deal with that?