Christmas is supposed to the season for giving, so I'd like to take the opportunity to remind everyone to remember others at this time of year. Below are a couple of links to worthy causes. If you've enjoyed reading No Right Turn this year, or are simply naturally generous, please consider flicking them a few dollars to help them in the year ahead.
If you support human rights, then please consider donating to Amnesty International (online form here). They are a strong, consistent, and impartial voice for human rights worldwide: for the release of prisoners of conscience, for an end to torture and disappearance, and an end to the death penalty. They do good work, and they get results. Amnesty's ability to shine a spotlight on human rights abuses and mobilise public opinion has saved thousands of people from torture,imprisonment, and death.
Or, if you think supporting fundamental human rights is "too political" (or, more amusingly, "anti-American" - torture being an American value according to the Bushites), then please consider supporting the SPCA. This time of year they have a lot of abandoned and neglected pets to deal with, and they need all the help they can get. You can make a donation here, or if you want to volunteer your time, there's a contact list here.
Finally, if you'd like to directly help people in developing countries, Oxfam has some interesting ideas here. Why not buy someone a goat for Christmas?
These are causes which appeal to me, but there are countless others out there which are equally deserving. I have no way of knowing whether any of you will donate or not, but I'm hoping that you will. It's Christmas, after all.
