Dave Maass

So, the idea is to get newsrooms to send books from their review piles to us so we can ship ‘em to Liberia. There, the books will be distributed for free to reporters, probably as prizes for journalistic achievement or as compensation for attending training seminars. Here’s the press release I wrote up:

Inline version of the text also after the jump.

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Great news: Semantics King Jr has filed the paperwork, payed the fees (thanks to y’all generosity) and received non-profit incorporation for NewLiberian.com in the state of Minnesota. We haven’t achieved tax-exempt status–that will take years–but through a partnership with the Niapele Project, we’re now able to accept tax-deductible contributions.

Now that we’ve reached this landmark, we’re hashing out where to take the site next. We’re long overdue for a design overhaul, we’re discussing a journalists’ book drive and we would love to raise some funds to compensate and recruit more local writers in Liberia, Ghana and Accra.

Hit us with your ideas.

Semantics King Jr. and I need to raise $209 to pay NewLiberian.com’s incorporation fees.

This is a big step towards becoming a formal news organization. The Niapele Project is advising us on the process and accepting tax-deductible donations on our behalf. I’ll have more information for you about NewLiberian.com’s history and future as I prepare for a Facebook campaign. (I’ve got more than 400 friends, so really, all I need is an average of 50 cents.)

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from donating now–just click on the widget’s “Chip In” button.

Obviously, there’s a question of conflict of interest when it comes to journalists soliciting money. For the record, I don’t think I’ll be able to see who these contributions are coming from. Well, it turns out I will be able to see who donated (so far just friends, family and old-school supporters). If any of my “sources” want to contribute, please do not send a contribution so large as to make me feel uncomfortable.

No shit, the president of Liberia sat down with John Stewart:

I’m not often given gifts. I’m just not on mutual gift-giving terms with many people. The people who do want to give me a gift usually give me gift cards instead. They say I’m hard to shop for.

I don’t think I’m really that hard to shop for. My sister asked me the other day what I wanted for under $20. I said as many G2 gel pens as $20 minus postage will buy. Easy. You can get ‘em at Walgreens.

This year, I was given a total of $70 in Amazon.com cash from my Aunt Sharon and my friend Nouf. I’m pretty amazed at what that was able to buy. So many goodies on the way. (Thank you so much, the both of you!!)

1) Hitler’s Degenerate Art - The Exhibition Catalogue - First published in 1937 as “Entartete Kunst Austellungsührer’

This is pretty much the only book on my list. I’ve had to leave so many books behind after each of my intercontinental moves, that I’ve stopped feeling sentimental about owning books. I’m fine with the library. Fine with giving away good books that I don’t plan to read again. Instead, I have a small collection that I’ll carry everywhere, forever.

This book goes in that stack.

I’ve wanted this catalog ever since it was released in December. I would’ve asked for it for Hanukkah, but, for obvious reasons it just seemed inappropriate.

Jonny, the figure in my banner, is a derivation by Art Spiegelman from the Entartete Musik poster, the companion show to Hitler’s Entartete Kunst exhibition. I’m not much of a historian, but this one episode of history is really close to my heart (about 13 inches). That’s why I’m so excited; this is the other half of the degenerate story: the visual arts.

2) Liberia Flag - Polyester, 3 ft. x 5 ft.

Amazon.com hasn’t been just about books for a long time. I know I need wall art, especially now that I have a new roommate.  All I’ve got is framed photos, my map of Arizona’s lost mines and ghost towns, and a brutal political I bought outside the DNC. It’s supposedly from Shephard Fairey’s printhouse.

I love the wealth of meaning in this Liberian flag, its history, pain, promise. It’ll remind me everyday of my commitment to return to West Africa. I’m looking forward to the reaction of friends first entering the room, that double take when they notice the single star.

But, the $2.99 will be officially well spent the day Semantics comes to visit and we get drunk in my room and sing All Hail Liberia. (Too bad the Lone Stars didn’t qualify for the 2010 Cup).

3) My Name is Nobody - Movie Poster - 27 x 40

Read into the poster whatever you like. Is it perfect for wallowing in self-pity? Absolutely!

Is it an existential reminder that life is a what you can laugh at? Yup!

Does it serve as justification for embracing my slobhood? Damn right!

And it’s just one of my favorite films of all time.

(Plus, it’s just pretentious enough to be endearing, right?)

4) Private Stash: A Pinup-Girl Portfolio by 20 Cartoonists

OK, this was a suggestion from my friend Ashley, who’d bought it for one of our mutual friends. It’s a whole lot of sexy ladies drawn by a whole lot of dorky cartoonists I like. It folds out and it will be going along the wall, perhaps in the living room.

I kinda wish I’d bought two of them so I could hang both sides on the wall.

5) Outward Hound Pet-a-Roo Carrier

This is a replacement for the one my parents bought a few years ago, which is on its last threads. That one is blue, but my new one will be green.

Shuddup. I don’t want to hear about it. I love my terrier and I love having her on my scooter. Pbbbbth.