POSER PATRIOTISM: "......supposed to be helping the troops"

Remember, grew from these two wars after quickly abandoning the missions and those sent to accomplish after 9/11, the U.S. Navy Veterans Association. The personal and political slush fund that collected millions and did virtually nothing for Veterans' but was highly praised, with photo ops even, by those pols benefiting from the contributions and 'patriotic' supposed purpose of.

Fast-forward to 1998. A man calling himself Bobby Thompson showed up in Tampa and by 2002 had founded U.S. Navy Veterans Association in a rundown duplex in Ybor City. The charity claimed it had branches nationwide and Thompson told people he was a former military intelligence officer. The charity claimed it collected nearly $100 million in donations over the next eight years. But it funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to conservative political campaigns and did little for veterans.

Thompson, who lived in the other half of the charity's roach-infested duplex, regularly put on a blue blazer to hobnob with top Republicans at pricey dinners. He got his picture taken with Karl Rove, John McCain and twice with President George W. Bush. read more and do a search on, plenty more out there>>>

“Why in 2009 were we still using paper?” VA Assistant Secretary Tommy Sowers “When we came in, there was no plan to change that; we’ve been operating on a six month wait for over a decade.” 27 March 2013

There are and have been plenty of others very similar in past years and in past wars, the Country served is more then willing to give to but not willing to Demand they Sacrifice when they send our Military into invasions and occupations. Sacrifice as to paying for these wars and especially the long term results from. Easier to ignore the issues or deny they exist, finally being addressed under the Shinseki VA administration with no added funding, deficits mean budget still mostly borrowed, by those served, cheaper too. but give a few bucks every now and then and feel 'patriotic', even brag to family and friends about. Why even the well known National Veterans Groups, reactive and not pro active, principle leaderships get healthy compensation then joining the meme's of attacking the mostly dedicated Veterans Administration workers, even in Congress, and not Demanding those served should be Sacrificing as they demand the Military and their Families do. Never checking out if these groups are legit, many are and fight for the same dollars to continue being actually using the most of the funds for the intended purposes, but taking the word of pols or famous in the arts as being so as trusting words pulling at that 'poser patriotism' of symbols and speak with american flags waving.

Sen. Bernie Sanders told Conservatives: “If you can’t afford to take care of your veterans, than don’t go war. These people are bearing the brunt of what war is about, We have a moral obligation to support them.” February, 26th, 2014

08/05/14 - Conservative group accused of US troop aid scam
Kim Barker, reporter for the New York Times, talks with Steve Kornacki about her report on Move America Forward, a charity she says lied about its supposed mission to help deployed U.S. troops, enriching its founders instead.

“We are dealing with veterans, not procedures—with their problems, not ours.” —General Omar Bradley, First Administrator of the Veterans Administration

Pro-Troop Charity Misleads Donors While Lining Political Consultants’ Pockets

Move America Forward has collected millions to send care packages to U.S. troops. But its appeals often rely on images and stories borrowed without permission, and its assets have been used to benefit political consulting firms and PACs.

Aug. 5, 2014 - In February 2013, Move America Forward announced an ambitious fundraising goal. The charity, launched in part by one of the most prominent figures in the Tea Party movement, had adopted the 800 Marines in a battalion fighting in Afghanistan and wanted to send them all care packages.

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Move America Forward calls itself the nation's "largest grassroots pro-troop organization," and has recruited a bevy of Republican luminaries, including former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney, to support its efforts.

Yet an examination of its fundraising appeals, tax records and other documents shows that Move America Forward has repeatedly misled donors and inflated its charitable accomplishments, while funneling millions of dollars in revenue to the men behind the group and their political consulting firms.

In several instances, the charity has taken images and stories from other groups and from veterans themselves without permission to use in fundraising appeals.

Last year, Move America Forward even solicited funds by claiming a partnership with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the largest hospital for wounded service members in the country. No such partnership existed, Defense Department officials say.

The charity's funds and other assets also appear to have been used to subsidize three conservative political action committees, records show. read more>>>

Nation's "largest grassroots pro-troop organization": Conservative Con!!

""If military action is worth our troops’ blood, it should be worth our treasure, too" "not just in the abstract, but in the form of a specific ante by every American." -Andrew Rosenthal 10 Feb. 2013