Soldier Charity Faces Closure: Corporate Donations Dry Up

Soldier Charity Faces Closure: Corporate Donations Dry Up

October 1st, 2008 by CJ

Booksforsoldiers.com has sent thousands of care
packages to our troops deployed outside the US since March 2003. But Booksforsoldiers.com is in dire financial need now, and may close. The site must raise $22,000 by October 31 or it will stop taking new requests on December 1, finish filling remaining care package requests for the holidays, and cease operations December 31.

"It's a bad economy," says Storm Williams, the founder and webmaster. "Times are tough for all non profits." Williams says they had an aggressive fundraising campaign that started the first of 2008.
Corporations they had previously relied upon have been unable to repeat their support this year. "By April, we received a stack of letters that began with, 'we deeply regret not being able to donate this year.'"

Starting in May, they tried again, managing to shrink a $53,000 deficit to $22,000 by September's end. They also asked for help from deployed troops, sending them US flags to fly in Iraq and Afghanistan to give as thank-you gifts for the more generous donors. "We are so grateful," said David, one of the site's moderators trying to drum up fundraising. "Soldiers and Marines have flown flags for us, sending them back with certificates signed by their Commanders. It's an activity we used to arrange for the members. It was a lot of fun, 2-3 times a year and most importantly, for free. Now it's just to survive."

"Right now, we are just looking to get donations....

Go read the rest at A Soldiers Perspective here. Thanks, CJ.


[UPDATE: BlackFive has issued their readers a challenge. Go here to see what that challenge is - how you can meet it. I know you can :) ]

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Every day Heroes

Meet Staff Sergeant Stephen Gouak:

As an explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team leader of the United States Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant Stephen Gouak has one of the most hazardous jobs there is, going closer to bombs, not farther away. During his tour in Iraq, Gouak led his team in disabling 190 IEDs, 1 suicide truck bomb, and over 45 weapons caches with a net weight of 6,300 pounds. His team’s tremendous efforts saved many lives.

One particular instance stands out from his time there. In July 2007, his team got a call to assist another EOD unit collecting explosives after a fierce firefight. Once there, his group began recovering and disarming munitions in the area. They found more than 110 IEDs, plus suicide belts still on the dead bodies of the enemies. Altogether, the bombs weighed nearly 400 pounds. The team began to load up the explosives to be removed from the area. Suddenly, insurgents attacked again. For two hours, the American forces endured a barrage of small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Gouak led the team’s in their defense against the ambush.

A horrible thought struck him: What if the enemy rounds hit the pile of ordnance? Realizing the catastrophe that would ensue, Gouak seized the initiative, and evacuated the bombs from the area. Because of his quick thinking and steadfast courage, Gouak stopped what could have been a disaster for the troops there that day.

Thanks to Staff Sergeant Stephen Gouak’s actions during his deployment, his team cleared an extraordinary amount of explosives. Without these efforts, many lives, coalition and Iraqi, would have been lost. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his overall achievements in Iraq. (source)

Thank you for your service, Staff Sergeant Gouak!

*cross posted in all the usual places!*

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Myth vs Fact

Myth	Fact
Islam: Religion of peace.	Malik's Muwatta Book 21, Number 21.6.18: Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said from Amr ibn Kathir ibn Aflah from Abu Muhammad, the mawla of Abu Qatada that Abu Qatada ibn Ribi said, "We went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the year of Hunayn. When the armies met, the Muslims were put in disarray. I saw a man from the idol worshippers who had got the better of one of the Muslims, so I circled round and came up behind him, and struck him with a sword on his shoulder-blade. He turned to me and grabbed me so hard that I felt the smell of death in it. Then death overcame him, and he let go of me." He continued, "I met Umar ibn al-Khattab and said to him, 'What's going on with the people?' He replied, 'The Command of Allah.' Then the people took hold of the battle and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Whoever has killed one of the dead and can prove it, can strip him of his personal effects.' I stood up and said, 'Who will testify for me?' and then I sat down. The Messenger of Allah repeated, 'Whoever has killed one of the dead and can prove it, can strip him of his personal effects.' I stood up and said, 'Who will testify for me?' then I sat down. Then he repeated his statement a third time, so I stood up, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'What's the matter with you, Abu Qatada?' So I related my story to him. A man said, 'He has spoken the truth, Messenger of Allah. I have the effects of that slain person with me, so give him compensation for it, Messenger of Allah.' Abu Bakr said, 'No, by Allah! He did not intend that one of the lions of Allah should fight for Allah and His Messenger and then give you his spoils.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'He has spoken the truth, hand it over to him.' He gave it to me, and I sold the breast-plate and I bought a garden in the area of the Banu Salima with the money. It was my first property, and I acquired it in Islam."
Tafsir

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Dammit America! What The Hell Are You Doing To Us?: Part Two

From AOL News

'Palling Around With Terrorists'
Palin Rips Obama for His Past Ties: Do You Think Her Remarks Are Fair?

This article from AP's Jim Kuhnhenn appeared on the AOL News front page today. I have posted portions of it below. The bold text is mine. This is what we're up against. This, my friends, is what passes for objective journalism in today's America. Could there be any better example of the blatant bias of our leftist media?

How many Americans view articles such as this one uncritically as straightforward reporting? How many Americans swallow this garbage whole? AP's arrogant contempt for the precepts of fair and balanced reporting, it's arrogant contempt for the intelligence and judgment of the average American reader is so assured that they do not even bother attempting to disguise their outrageously skewed 'reporting'. They assume -- with some degree of accuracy -- that they will not be seriously challenged. They assume -- with some degree of accuracy -- that it is they who are running this show.

"Do you think her remarks are fair?" AOL News ask its readers before the article even begins. And there is no shame, no sense of honor, no sense of decency involved in this cynical manipulation of the truth. There are no moral boundaries, no lines that will not be crossed. Articles such as this one -- and there are so many more to choose from -- are what cause me to lose confidence in our righteous cause, to lose confidence in the future of America itself. This is what I'm talking about. This is the ugly truth. We're playing against a stacked deck. The game is fixed. The outcome has been predetermined.

I have -- despite the obvious pessimism that permeates these articles -- not yet lost all hope. I still 'believe in miracles'. But, considering the fact that much of America gets all of its news from morally tainted sources such as these, can only be disheartening. I am not 'giving in' or 'giving up'. I am not a 'defeatist'. But I am shocked and angry. I am disgusted and outraged by what we are becoming, but what we are allowing ourselves to become. Aren't you?

If we, the Republican Party, and, yes, the American people, lose this election, if the dire predictions which we have been so vehemently expressing over these past months and years do indeed come true, if America itself really does lose its meaning and its vital sovereignty, then these traitorous leftist MSM propagandists will bear a major portion of the responsibility for this colossal disaster. They are as complicit in this leftist coup as the Marxist ideologues they pander to. - rg

Palin Says Obama Pals With Terrorists
By JIM KUHNHENN,
AP

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (Oct. 4) - Republican vice presidential
candidate Sarah Palin on Saturday accused Democrat Barack Obama of "palling around with terrorists" because of an old association with a
former '60s radical, stepping up an effort to portray Obama as unacceptable to American voters. [...]
Palin's reference was to Bill Ayers, one of the founders of the group the Weather Underground. Its members took credit for bombings, including nonfatal explosions at the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol, during the Vietnam War era. Obama, who was a child when the group was active, served on a charity board with Ayers several years ago and has denounced his radical views and activities.
[...]
The Republican campaign, falling behind Obama in polls, plans to make attacks on Obama's character a centerpiece of candidate John McCain's message in the final weeks of the presidential race.

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Dammit America! What the Hell Are You Doing To Us?

Real Clear Politics Poll 4 October 2008

Election 2008
Obama 49.2
McCain 43.4
Spread Obama +5.8

RCP National Average
Favorable Ratings
+20.2
+10.8
Obama +9.4
Intrade Market Odds 65.6 33.7

Electoral College
Obama 264
McCain 163
SpreadObama +101

RCP Electoral Count

No Toss Up States
353
185
Obama +168

Battleground States
Obama 49.0
McCain 44.6
Spread Obama +4.4

Colorado
Ohio
48.0
46.0
Obama +2.0
Florida
48.6
45.6
Obama +3.0
Pennsylvania
49.9
42.0
Obama +7.9
Missouri
46.8
48.5
McCain +1.7
Virginia
49.0
46.6
Obama +2.4

Despite Sarah Palin's stunning performance in the VP Debates, despite that fleeting sense of optimism and the re-energizing of the Republican base, the Obama train is barely delayed on its seemingly inevitable rush to the White House.
Despite these growing concerns of Barack Obama's dubious history:

Still More Questionable Obama Associations
From Susan Duclos' Wake Up America
Friday, October 03, 2008

Rezko, Wright, Ayers, Meeks, Pfleger, ACORN....the lists go on and on and on and today reports show their is another person associated with Barack Obama who is now under investigation.
The FBI is investigating a former Illinois state senator who is a poker-playing buddy of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.According to Chicago authorities, the FBI visited the offices in Joliet, Ill., of a Will County auditor to ask questions about Larry Walsh, a longtime friend of Mr. Obama's, and his chief of staff Matt Ryan.Mr. Walsh, who served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2005, was endorsed by Mr. Obama in his county executive election bid. With the support of some of Mr. Obama's U.S. Senate volunteers, he easily defeated incumbent Republican Joseph Mikan.Will County auditor Steve Weber confirmed that his office had been asked by the FBI to assist in an investigation, but he did not elaborate on the specifics.Two FBI agents out of Chicago reportedly spent more than an hour in the Will County offices on Wednesday morning. Exactly how connected is Barack Obama with Larry Walsh and Will County? Glad you asked!!!

Commentary has more information garnered from answer center, Barack Obama, under the header of "What earmarks has Senator Obama requested for fiscal years 2006 and 2007?"
And Barack Obama? Well he sure got a lot of earmarks in there for Will County, although we do not know whether these are the immediate concern of or related in any way to the investigation. In Obama’s earmark disclosure you will find:
In 2006, Obama requested that Will County receive $1.3 million to support its Flood Studies for Unincorporated Will County.In 2006, Obama requested $800,000 for the Will County Sheriff’s Office Wireless Communications Technology Upgrades.

In 2006, Obama requested $1,953,331 for Will County’s Ridgewood Water and Sewage Project.In 2005, Obama requested $2 million for the Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, to establish a Center for Academic and Community Learning, which is designed to address the significant educational needs of the less advantaged in the Will County region by providing academic assistance not only for students on campus but also for residents of the surrounding communities.Another reference appears to relate to the Will County Health Department’s mental health program which I am informed got another $1.95 million.

A little more history brought to you by Sun Times, South Town Star.Exactly how many of these associations are going to be exposed, just to see the mainstream media deliberately try to ignore the amount of criminal and questionable characters that are friends and associates of Barack Obama?

Despite all of these damning revelations:
Why the Debates don't Matter

Despite all of the scandals: The Gwen Ifill Scandal and the Obama Democrats Contempt for America

Despite all of the accumulating danger signals: Obama's Endorsements From Our Enemies

Despite the incriminating disclosure of his secret attempts to manipulate our military in Iraq for his own personal political gain: Will the Most Damaging Obama Scandal of all be Buried Alive?

Despite his obvious contempt for justice: Obama's Gloves

And despite all of the logical projections of how an Obama presidency would almost certainly destroy America: Elect Obama, Destroy America the Obama train rolls on.

Don't you see? None of it matters. The jury has already made up its mind, they have already determined the verdict. They are burning with the hot flame of passionate righteousness. They are going to send a great message to the world. They are going to change the way this world sees us. They are going to embrace this new vision of America. An America no longer intolerant and racist, a less selfish America, more aware of the concerns of the world around us. An America contrite and humbled. This is their glowing vision of change. And nothing we can do or say will alter their fateful course. No arguments, no matter how convincing or logical, no accumulation of damaging evidence will sway them. America will, it seems, be inevitably diminished, and the world applauds. All of our impassioned entreaties have fallen on deaf ears.

Am I becoming a defeatist? I don't even know anymore. I am becoming numb and resigned to our fate, to our loss, to our demise. I am dumbfounded and I am angry.

Dammit America! What the hell are you doing to us?

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