(Guest post by Greg Forster)
For those of you who have been following the announcements over the past week of this year’s nominees for the Al Copeland Humanitarian of the Year Award – we want to hear from you!
Whom would you nominate to recieve “the Al” – what person has made the largest net contribution to the happiness of humanity in a field of endeavor not traditionally recognized by the people who give out awards as contributing to the happiness of humanity?
Just leave a comment on any of the Al Copeland nomination posts with your nomination. If your suggestions strike our fancy we may compose a new post featuring your nomination. And make sure you tell us why you think that person is worthy of “the Al.”
Oh, and let us know which of this year’s nominees you think should win! Our panel of prestigious judges (well, OK, Jay) is not bound to respect the majority vote, any more than the Nobel committee is bound to respect basic common sense. But unlike the Nobel committee, our judges are at least interested in hearing what you think!
Get your nominations in by WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28. Why that deadline? Because in honor of the Halloween holiday, we plan to announce the winner of “the Al” on Friday, October 30.
Halloween captures the spirit (so to speak) of the Al Copeland Humanitarian of the Year award almost perfectly. It’s a ton of fun and it’s harmless, and it therefore makes a large net positive contribution to the happiness of humanity. Yet the snobs and the do-gooders – whom Michael Miller of the Acton Institute once remarked should be called “mean-wellers” because on balance they rarely do more good than harm – don’t value that as a contribution to humanity.
So reserve your seat at the head table, get your tux out of mothballs, and get ready to join us for the big awards banquet next Friday.
And until then, don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard!
Jay P. Greene's Blog 
Just to refine the criteria — it should be for improving the human condition, not happiness. Related but different.
Well, I meant “happiness” in the sense of Aristotelian eudaimoneia rather than the Benthamite sense of preference satisfaction. So I think we’re on the same page.
Right on brother greg
Hank and Debbie Perret are wonderful people whom invest not only money but have dedicated lots of time and effort to make this non profit orginization work.In remembrance of their son Jonothan “MILES” Perret they have gained national recognition for their efforts.
Thank you for you