Catholic Blog... Celebrities?

So there has been some murmuring of late on the blogs that I read about "Catholic Blog Celebrities." Now the word CELBRITY is not used per se but that is meaning behind the message. While I was on hiatus, I didn't check my RSS reader, so I had quite a bit of CATCHING UP TO DO and this was one of the "themes" that caught my eye.

The argument was that these personalities are so big that they have become something contrary to their purpose. One of the arguments raised was that someone like Father Z. shouldn't be asking for or listing his Amazon Wish List online; or that the list in and of itself is excessive, in that it lists big ticket items. I am not sure if the person was more upset that he was listing such items or actually getting them. [I have made a post about Amazon before... WISH LISTS] Obviously this "problem" is purely the law of numbers. More people read Father Z's website than Blogger X's. Therefore there is a greater chance that someone will donate to Father Z. than Blogger X. Also, Blogger X's contribution while GREAT and IMPORTANT, doesn't always attract those that are WILLING to donate or gift. On top of that, the COLLAR helps, period.

Now some have poked fun at the idea of Father Z. asking for money for Bird Seed. Now, I won't get into that argument, because I don't think it is fruitful on this blog, and I also think that it is a pretty cut and dry issue and people can make up their own mind. But what about someone like Mark Shea? He supports himself via blogging, book writing, and speaking? Should he not get such things via Blog "Tips"? I mean, let's say you work at Store X, and you sell widgets. You get paid hourly, and then go out and buy an iPod or a Porsche. Isn't that your choice? Should I the consumer tell you or get to dictate how you spend your money? Of course not.

Now, do I think there is some inequity in "Tipping"? Maybe... but again it comes down to NUMBERS. There are many Catholic bloggers that have "stories." As I talked about in my previous post I thought long and hard about putting a Pay Pal or Amazon link on the blog for "Tipping." At first I had Pay Pal but took it off. I did leave the Amazon list up, but list only items RELEVANT to the blog or my personal life that would then relate back to the blog. Not because I think that other items shouldn't be on a list like that, I just choose to operate in a certain fashion.

What do you all think? Should Catholic Bloggers, especially the celebrity types have such Wish Lists? Are there correct and incorrect things to have on such lists? Is a person WRONG in some ethical way for buying such things for a person which lists them?

Personally... someone can get me this:

Winchester: Extreme Weather Rifle

Whomever gets this for me, will receive a share of the meat I take with it for the duration of my use of this weapon :)

-Posted by: Joe

A question for readers regarding "Blog Tipping"...

((**UPDATE**)):

This post was written in response to an inquiry someone had regarding Blog "tipping." I DID NOT INTEND FOR IT TO BE AN APPEAL. I really just wanted to know why people "tipped" bloggers and it was written out of sincere curiosity.

So I have a question for readers. "Why do you give/tip the bloggers that you do?" This isn't meant as a complaint or whine about those who give graciously to bloggers, it is an honest question.

You see, I know that bloggers like: Fr. Z, Mark Shea, and others get a lot of what they "earn" from their blogs. I know specifically those two gentlemen deserve such gracious and charitable gifts, but I wonder what encourages you to give?

I know for example, that when I started my blog, someone suggested that I put a paypal tip button as well as an Amazon Wishlist button on my sidebar "just in case." I felt really odd about it, because it seemed awkward. The argument for such a thing was that if someone really enjoyed the blog, it would be the equivalent of them buying me a cup of coffee, a drink, or a meal. I know that I publish this blog for my own enjoyment, and the enjoyment of anyone who takes a liking to it. Sure there is a little bit of "ego" which spills into it, but the same as any "labor of love."

I was just curious if folks out there had a METHOD to the madness. I don't usually make any appeals for my tip jar or wishlist, because I don't depend on those for any type of subsistence. [I guess I could start especially with a baby coming- I might actually get some new books :) ... ooo I wonder if I can figure out a way for readers to donate FIREARMS to me; hmm... maybe some posts on such a thing!] I just wondered if it was the APPEAL? The purpose to which the funds/gifts would be used? The quality of the blog? ETC?

I know that when I give to a charity I really look into who I am giving my money to, and how it will be spent. I guess in that regard giving to a religious blogger seems to be a safe endeavour. How about "gifting" things? Is it the item you like or the persons "need" for it?

I don't think I will start any "appeals" only because I would rather have others receive the kindness of the blogosphere readers out there because I am pretty content with my station in life. [Yet, for those wealthy readers who need a tax shelter you can always give to the Joe Likes to Read Catholic Books and Shoot Guns Foundation of Goodness Charity :)] I just wanted to know what "encourages" or "gets" people to give. I think it is a neat thing that there are those bloggers out there that receive such charity and kindness from people, on a regular basis and in substantial enough amounts to make life a little easier.

So let me know your rationale! And for those that give GOD BLESS!!!