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I’m just going to admit up front that this post is kind of dumb, but the New York Times recently ran a piece called “24 Hours in America: documenting moments across the country, large and small, quiet and indelible.” It does not pretend to be a representative look at jobs or anything else, but something about the list of jobs struck me anyway. Here they are:

  • Fisherman
  • Teacher
  • Ferry boat driver
  • Hydroelectric mechanic
  • Rancher/Rodeo organizer
  • Minister
  • Barber
  • Tribal chief
  • Cinematographer
  • Football coach
  • Peanut farmer
  • Boutique owner
  • Blackjack dealer
  • Bing Kong elder
  • Case manager at refugee agency
  • Barbeque owner
  • Manager at lunch meat manufacturer
  • Hotel worker, aspiring comic artist
  • Oil field worker
  • Airplane mechanic
  • Volunteer hotline operator for transgender peer support
  • Bakery operations manager
  • Border patrol agent
  • Wildlife biologist

I realize it’s almost impossible to guess what’s on my mind, but is there anything about this list that seems a little odd? Like something very common is missing? All guesses are welcome in comments.

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We’re falling behind our online fundraising goals and we can’t sustain coming up short on donations month after month. Perhaps you’ve heard? It is impossibly hard in the news business right now, with layoffs intensifying and fancy new startups and funding going kaput.

The crisis facing journalism and democracy isn’t going away anytime soon. And neither is Mother Jones, our readers, or our unique way of doing in-depth reporting that exists to bring about change.

Which is exactly why, despite the challenges we face, we just took a big gulp and joined forces with The Center for Investigative Reporting, a team of ace journalists who create the amazing podcast and public radio show Reveal.

If you can part with even just a few bucks, please help us pick up the pace of donations. We simply can’t afford to keep falling behind on our fundraising targets month after month.

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