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EDIT TO ADD 12-14-07: Mr. Jay Agg, National Communications Director for AMVETS, has contacted me personally and has posted a comment in this thread, I want to thank Mr. Agg for his response and I also want my readers to know, Jay has been the only official from the list of charities receiving an ‘F’ that I have heard from on this matter…

To the gentleman from Alaska that keeps trying to post figures and so forth about the PVA, you’re NOT an official of PVA and your link to Fishing in Alaska or whatever it is, is the reason I am not letting your comments thru, I detect a bit of commercialism on your part, if you want to see the PVA’s viewpoint on this blog, have THEM contact me and have them submit their comments, facts and figures from an official site and an official position like Mr. Agg did…

EDIT TO ADD 12-13-07: I have sent emails to all sites that garnered an ‘F’ in this report, 3 of the site had no email available and one was returned as undeliverable, no mail there I guess

Here are the figures on how well some of the Veterans Charities are doing on a grading level, I am shocked at the grades received by several of these highly regarded charities, this is truly a disgusting situation and I hope this list and the story just below will wake a few folks up…

How many of you have the guts to re-post this list and the story below?? How many are going to take the stance of the Bush Bots and just blow it off and say all is well??

The American Institute of Philanthropy, a leading charity watchdog, issued a report card this month for 29 veterans and military charities. Letter grades were based largely on the charities’ fundraising costs and the percentage of money raised that was spent on charitable activities. The charities that received failing grades are in bold type.

Air Force Aid Society (A+)
American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation (F)
American Veterans Coalition (F)
American Veterans Relief Foundation (F)
AMVETS National Service Foundation (F)
Armed Services YMCA of the USA (A-)
Army Emergency Relief (A+)
Blinded Veterans Association (D)
Disabled American Veterans (D)
Fisher House Foundation (A+)
Freedom Alliance (F)
Help Hospitalized Veterans/Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (F)
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (A+)
Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation (F)
National Military Family Association (A)
National Veterans Services Fund (F)
National Vietnam Veterans Committee (D)
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (A+)
NCOA National Defense Foundation (F)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (F)
Soldiers’ Angels (D)
United Spinal Association’s Wounded Warrior Project (D)
USO (United Service Organization) (C+)
Veterans of Foreign Wars and foundation (C-)
Veterans of the Vietnam War & the Veterans Coalition (D)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (D)
VietNow National Headquarters (F)
World War II Veterans Committee (D)

SOURCE:
Veterans Charities - How They Fared

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TULSA, Okla. — Embattled Oral Roberts University president Richard Roberts, facing accusations he misspent university funds to support a lavish lifestyle, has received a vote of no confidence by the tenured faculty at the evangelical university.

The resolution was approved by faculty Monday and obtained late Tuesday by The Associated Press. Faculty plan to distribute the nonbinding document to the school’s Board of Regents and the faculty assembly at an upcoming meeting.

Donald Vance, a professor of biblical languages and literature who voted with the majority, said the vote by a quorum of faculty was “nearly unanimous,” but he declined to give the exact tally.

“It’s essentially how the university has been run,” said Vance, who has taught at the 5,700-student school for 13 years. “We see the Board of Regents as allies wanting to do the right thing, but we’re not sure they know everything and we’re not sure they knew how the faculty felt.”

Jeremy Burton, a spokesman for Oral Roberts University, declined to comment on the vote Tuesday.

Richard Roberts has been on temporary leave while an investigation into the school’s finances continues.

Full Story Here:
Oral Roberts Univ. President Gets No Confidence Vote

As promised, HERE, and I DO keep my promises, any news that be can found concerning these megachurch folks will be published on my blog…

I have held off on using the words charlatan, cheat, con, con artist, fake, fraud, imposter, phony, pretender, rip-off artist or sham so far, at least not as accusations, but Oral Roberts himself, and now his son, have been plagued for years by accusations of impropriety, and the hits just keep rolling in…

Several years ago, Oral Roberts used his celebrity to solicit several million dollars from his followers, Oral Roberts to the Rescue?, maybe extortion isn’t exactly the correct word, but it’s close in MY opinion, anyone that can con his flock into believing that Gawwwwd is going to call him home if they don’t pony up $8 million bucks in a hurry has a pretty blind and trusting bunch of followers, and they deserve what they’re getting for representation right about now…

And now a vote of NO CONFIDENCE from the Board of Regents of Oral Roberts University against Richard Roberts??

Big investigations abound, an extravagant lifestyle is lived, an opulent estate is exploited, and a school of higher learning is $52.5 million in debt, I guess Gawwwwd is gonna call old Richard Roberts home soon if he doesn’t raise $50 million or so pretty quick, but he’s going to have to be a lot more convincing than his Pop ever was if he hopes to draw in that kind of money, no one is going to dig that deep to save what can only be described as a questionable ministry, will they??

The really sad part of this whole thing is, there are folks that give a lot more money than they can afford to give, just to support these people in the style to which they have become accustomed, and I know that the hearts of the givers are likely in the right place, even if their minds aren’t, but for the very life of me I can’t understand how anyone that claims to be a man of Gawwwwd can do this kind of thing to those that put their trust in him to lead their church and/or university, how can these so-called Men of Gawwwwd stand there with straight faces, and a look of total sincerity as they tell their followers: Gawwwwd wants YOU to give me X amount of dollars so that I can continue this glorious ministry…

And the part that really floors me is this, there are trusting people, maybe desperate peoplem that fall for it, every day, and they just keep on sending in the bucks in hopes of buying divine salvation…

Salvation?? Maybe so, there has to be salvation for some, I certainly hope that their dreams of everlasting life aren’t dashed against the rocks, but to those that would bilk their followers out of their hard earned money and then waste that money on everything but Gods work, if YOU are a real believer in the Bible that you so fervently use as you preach to make that ill spent money, be warned, there will be a really HOT corner of HELL waiting for people like you!

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(CBS/AP) Congress is looking into the collection boxes of some of the nation’s best-known televangelists.

Their tax-exempt ministries take in millions and now Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is asking whether these churches really are non-profits.

Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar is one of the televangelists who was asked to provide financial information.

“We don’t have any problems complying to a valid request,” Dollar told CBS News’ The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen.

But he questioned whether it was appropriate for the Senate Finance Committee “to become a tax examiner and to get involved in the information of private, nonprofit organizations when the IRS has already been assigned that responsibility.”

Asked about some specific assertions by Grassley, Dollar denied that two Rolls-Royces were purchased by the church for him and his wife.

“That’s not true. First of all, we don’t have two Rolls-Royces,” he said. “And secondly, the one Rolls-Royce that was purchased was purchased by the donors, or the members of the church, and it was a surprise to me. I had no idea they were doing it.”

Full Story Here:
Televangelist Defends Spending

Look, if the people that attend this guys church want to give their money to buy him and his wife a Rolls Royce, that’s their business, and I’m pretty sure it’s a nice ride, way the hell over rated in my opinion, but expensive, a show off, a lot like a trophy wife, that sort of thing…

Here’s something that I have to wonder about, wouldn’t a preacher be OK with living a normal, upper middle class lifestyle?? Wouldn’t that provide all the comforts needed?? Many of these mega-church guys are living an opulent lifestyle, one that could support MANY poor and underprivileged people, it seems to me that some folks, preachers included, are a lot more concerned with living a luxurious lifestyle in a palatial setting than they are with helping the less fortunate, and that’s good I guess, it’s their business and I am not trying to tell them how to live, IF they are rich themselves and paying for that lifestyle out of their own pockets from their own earnings, but I personally see it as pretentious to live that lifestyle as a preacher when the sole point of your ministry is to maintain that lifestyle for yourself…

I have nothing against anyone living a sumptuous lifestyle but when that person is a tax exempt organization, as these mega-churches are, well, it tends to throw up a few red flags for me, their leaders don’t have to live in abject poverty but living in the ostentatious style that many do just seems to project the wrong image in MY opinion…

They don’t have to live in poverty but don’t beg ME for money and then hang a new diamond necklace on your wife…

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From AP - Acting on tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he’s investigating the finances of six well-known TV ministers.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said those under scrutiny include faith healer Benny Hinn, Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar and one of the nation’s best known female preachers, Joyce Meyer.

Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.

In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations.

“The allegations involve governing boards that aren’t independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces,” Grassley said.

Full Story Here:
Grassley Probes Televangelists’ Finances

Well sweet Jeeeeezus, the good Lawwwwd didn’t say a word about these ministers living in poverty, Gawwwwd wants his preachers to have nothing but the very best, Gawwwwd wants ALL of His children to be prosperous and Gawwwwd holds up these wonderful individuals as examples of His glory and as an example of what the good life can look like if YOU follow Gawwwwd in the way these folks have, and it helps if you have a good line of BS and can talk your flock into allowing you to live in the lap of luxury…

I have seen the so-called great and mighty fall in disgrace, we had Robert Tilton here in Dallas and his fall was disastrous, and of course everyone remembers Jim and Tammy Faye, and then there was Ted Haggard, his wasn’t nearly as much about money as it was trouser trout and cocaine, but it was ugly none the less…

Big churches are big business and all too often the guy or gal as the case may be, the one at the top sometimes gets that feeling that they are above it all, that don’t do what I do, do what I SAY do syndrome starts working, and many give in to the temptations of flesh, drugs, booze, cars, jewels, gambling and many other worldly seductions…

When Bishop Terry Hornbuckle, pastor of the prominent Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Arlington, Texas, was recently arrested and indicted on charges of sexually assaulting three women and charged with felony possession of 1 to 4 ounces of methamphetamine, scores of faithful churchgoers were left shaking their heads and wondering how this could possibly have happened at their church, to their pastor. What, they were left to ponder, had gone wrong? And how could such an anointed and sincere preacher, who seemed to have everything, just throw it all away? SOURCE

How indeed?? Maybe the devil made him do it, maybe he’s just a man and temptation got the better of him, maybe he was a BS artist from the start and got caught up in all of it, who knows, it’s not my place to judge but when some asshat gets up on TV and looks into the camera with that oh so sincere smile, cocks his head to the side and does the well rehearsed, and remember now, we love you but our ministry can’t continue unless you make that donation, you know you feel the hand of Gawwwwd urging you to write that check, don’t resist the hand of Gawwwwd, all the while wearing suits that cost more than most folks make in a month, with a wife standing there just dripping in jewelry, and BOTH of them driving the biggest luxury car that can be had, well, sorry, I just don’t buy into this whole thing, not their brand of salvation, and I hope the Senate takes em ALL to the woodshed, but there is one thing I feel that must be said regarding the Senate, their finger pointing and their declaring someone to be less than fiscally responsible, don’t you think they need to sweep their own dirty doorstep first??

All of these people, preachers and Senators alike, and all the rest of us too, we will answer to a higher authority at some point in time, and I am guessing that is going to be one hell of an interesting day…

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NEW ORLEANS - After struggling for months to come up with $1.1 billion for stage one of New Orleans’ hurricane rebuilding plan, city officials faced with growing public frustration intend to move ahead with a drastically scaled-back first step of $216 million.

The blueprint being released Friday by city Recovery Director Ed Blakely is far more modest than the one he issued in March. But he said it will at least get the rebuilding started and give the public desperately needed signs of progress — which, in turn, will encourage private investment in New Orleans.

“Plans help you make progress,” Blakely said.

The plan — the general outlines of which were approved by the City Council earlier this year — is not the radical remaking of the city urged by some urban planners who wanted to see a New Orleans with a much smaller footprint, and with people moved out of flood-prone areas.

Instead, it largely embraces Mayor Ray Nagin’s settle-where-you-will philosophy, while also endorsing the removal of blight and the creation of parks, affordable apartments and vibrant communities.

All I can come up with is one thought, New Orleans is SINKING, why do these numb-skulls want to dump billions of dollars into rebuilding it?? It’s not going to be there that much longer, why should the taxpayers of this nation have to finance a half-assed rebuilding and a massive cash theft?? That’s what you’ll get if you hand Louisiana politicians $6.1 billion dollars, and I think someone in the Federal government may have realized that little fact…

And let’s face one more fact, that $6.1 billion would take away from Mr. Bush’s war effort in Iraq, he can’t allow that to happen now can he??

By one estimate, rebuilding New Orleans could cost $14.4 billion in private and government money and take at least a decade.

Well, look at the bright side, spread over a decade that’s only $1.4 Billion a year, not too bad if you say it really fast, I just wonder how many hurricanes will hit New Orleans in that 10 year period?? Do you suppose that there will be a Cat 4 or 5 blast New Orleans off the map and take those billions of dollars with it??

But two years after Katrina laid waste to much of the metropolitan area, the rebuilding is slow, stymied by red tape, bureaucratic infighting and what some see as a lack of political leadership.

Lack of political leadership?? Wait a minute, the have ‘Chocolate Ray’, the Dark Knight of New Orleans, and his faithful minion, Chief Warren J. Riley, and oh yeah, the re-elected William ‘Cold Cash’ Jefferson himself, how much more competent leadership can you possibly have?? Throw in Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and hell, you have a ‘four of a kind’, 4 Dems, ALL crooks with their hands out taking anything and everything that’s not nailed down, how can the MSM be so cold hearted as to call that a ‘lack of leadership’??

That is New Orleans leadership at it’s very best…

Full Story Here:
New Orleans scales back on rebuild

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