This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Category: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

  • How IAVA money helps veterans

    Someone calling themselves “Arthur Friend” emailed this to us today, doing the legwork that we’re too lazy to do for ourselves. But it illustrates perfectly what we’ve been saying about IAVA’s money benefiting only one Iraq or Afghanistan veteran – Paul Rieckhoff;

    Saw the discussion the other day on This Ain’t Hell about IAVA, and wanted to share this with you guys. Not sure why you didn’t just look it up yourselves, but a friend of mine sent me IAVA’s most recent tax filing a while back. I may actually still be a member, not sure, but I don’t do anything with them anymore. The filings are interesting though. Like you, I wondered exactly what they did with their contributions ($3,854,206 in 2009). Their revenue has been up every year, but if this article at HotAir is right, they could take a hit.

    These numbers are from 2009, and the salary portion at least has skyrocketed. Paul got paid $120k in 2009 allegedly, but we know that went up significantly, unless they are planning on paying the Chief of Staff more than the CEO. IAVA has a page up for hiring, and they say they are looking for a CoS who will make “$120k to $150k plus benefits.”
    Anyway, first, where do they spend their money?
    From their 2009 form 990: [Link to .pdf]

    On the salary side, they only list six salaries in their filing, of which only 1 is a veteran and still working for IAVA, Paul.

    Paul Rieckhoff: ($120,000) As far as salaries go, this isn’t as high as one might expect. Don’t get me wrong, he won’t starve to death, but for a CEO this is certainly reasonable, and probably on the low side. In fact, I expect when the 2010 form 990 is filed, this will be closer to $175k.

    Paayal Mahajan: ($115,493) NOT A VETERAN.
    According to IAVA:
    Paayal Mahajan, Director of Human Capital. Prior to joining IAVA, Paayal managed diversity initiatives for the United States Tennis Association and multicultural membership for the Girl Scouts of the USA. She also has an extensive background in radio and broadcast media. She graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior. After setting up and running IAVA’s Membership Department for the last two years, Paayal is now running IAVA’s Human Capital department.
    IAVA’s second highest paid employee is a diversity guru whose job it is to sell free memberships.
    Patrick Campbell ($79,104) Apparently not with IAVA anymore, but he was (I think) their Legislative Director. Other than Paul, he was the only other one in their top six salaries that was a veteran.

    Devon Collins: (78,750) NOT A VETERAN.
    According to IAVA:
    Devon Collins, Director of Operations. Devon has been with IAVA since 2005, serving as IAVA’s Director of Operations for over three years. Devon is responsible for growing the organization through development initiatives and in-house management of IAVA. She graduated Rollins College with a degree in Sociology.
    Per her LinkedIn profile, this is her one and only job since graduating.

    Daniel Atwood: ($75,883) NOT A VETERAN
    According to IAVA:
    Daniel Atwood, Director of Digital Engagement. As Director of Digital Engagement, Daniel is responsible for expanding IAVA’s online visibility to reach both veterans and civilian supporters using new media platforms. Prior to joining IAVA, Daniel worked as a legal assistant at a New York law firm and has held positions as a computer specialist and academic mentor. Daniel graduated from Trinity College with a BS in Computer Science.
    Here’s his LinkedIn profile, but you just read the majority above.

    Christine Stevens: ($69,583) NOT A VETERAN
    According to IAVA:
    Chrissy Stevens, Communications Director. Chrissy is responsible for increasing media outreach and executing the message of IAVA. Before joining IAVA, Chrissy spent two years working for Governor Eliot Spitzer, with one year on Spitzer’s 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign and the second as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Lady in the Governor’s Executive Chamber. Chrissy graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Legal Studies and a minor in Public Policy.

    So, there you have the top six, which is all they list. They have one veteran, one that quit, and 4 that are non-veterans with backgrounds like working for Elliot Spitzer, just graduating college, a legal assistant and another in charge of diversity for US Tennis. Jobs that couldn’t possibly be filled by bona fide trigger-pullers who are too stupid and inexperienced to handle such things.

    There’s a lot more in there, but this should get you guys started.

    Thanks, Mr. Friend. What is there that I could possibly add?

  • IAVA and Miller hates veterans

    You’ve probably seen this disingenuous commercial from Miller Beer;

    In the commercial, the spokesperson claims that if you send them your Miller bottle caps, they’ll donate a dime to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. That’s not exactly true – they donate a dime to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Notice all of the T-shirts with tire tracks on them in the commercial. Those are the “branded” merchandise of IAVA. Apparently, the twelve packs of Millers has the “brand“on them, too. While it’s partially true that the dime will go to benefit an Afghanistan or Iraq veteran, it’ll be one of those 13 veterans employed by IAVA…or one of the 26 non-veteran employees. I wonder how many of the people in the commercial were veterans.

    And I wonder how Miller got away with filming the commercial without Rieckhoff’s knobby head in there somewhere.

    Our buddy Alex Horton tweeted this morning;

    I feel ya, Alex.

    I’ll be honest, I never drink Miller…even if someone buys it for me…but I’ve turned away advertising and publicity for other organizations who support IAVA (including the singing group 4Troops who donates part of their CD sales to IAVA), and I’ve told them why I’m turning them down. I hope you join me in my lifetime boycott of IAVA and Miller Beer. And tell your local vendor why you’re not buying Miller.

  • IAVA’s 5th Annual Heroes’ Gala

    Yeah, we got an invitation last night from Paul Rieckhoff to attend IAVA’s Annual Heroes’ Gala in New York City.

    We’re thrilled to announce that NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams will again serve as our Master of Ceremonies. And this year, we are proud to honor Corporal Aaron Mankin, Iraq veteran, wounded warrior and spokesperson for UCLA’s Operation Mend, with the IAVA 2011 Veterans Leadership Award. And here’s the really big news: IAVA will also be recognizing committed supporter Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, with the IAVA 2011 Civilian Service Award! You won’t want to miss that.

    Yeah, ya know how thrilled they are? They’re charging $5000/couple.

    We hope you’ll be there to join our audience of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, dedicated supporters, and distinguished members of the veterans’ community for this incredible night.

    Yeah, even at the cheap seat, obstructed view cost ($500 per), how many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will be in the audience? To see Brian Williams and Stephen Colbert? Seriously? If I sent $500 directly to Stephen Colbert and Brian Williams, they’d probably come to my house and make me a sandwich after they got done ironing my shirts. For $5000 they’d build my garage.

    That’s what I mean when I say that all IAVA does is take in money without a thought for the troops.

    Your participation will help IAVA tackle startlingly high unemployment and suicide rates among returning vets. Your attendance will help ensure that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families receive the honor, care and support they deserve throughout their lives.

    Really? How is IAVA “tackling” those problems, Paul? By writing how they’re not really heroes in the New York Times? The only job you’ve ever got for a veteran is your own.

    I don’t know how many times I’ve read on this blog about veterans who joined IAVA because they believed the excellent ads and then never heard another word from IAVA.

    Hollywood-hugging, pole-smoking charlatans.

    Fat f**king chance that I’ll be there, Paul. Unless Blackfive is springing for one of those $1/4 million tables.

  • IAVA and Craigslist hate Blue Star Families

    OK, they probably don’t hate Blue Star Families but that’s my pay back for Paul Rieckhoff’s “Miley Cyrus Hates Veterans” post. Anyway, pay attention here while I roll out this turd.

    Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist had a contest to benefit veterans’ organizations…a worthy enterprise. According to someone who calls himself “Anonymous Friend” and sent me this tip, the competing organizations had to have at least four reviews on the “Great Nonprofits” rating website that helps keep nonprofits honest by disclosing what people think about them. I haven’t seen the rules for the contest, so I have to take the tipster’s word for it. Here’s IAVA’s page on Great Nonprofits. Notice they only have one review…and SURPRISE! it was written by Craig Newmark. (I have screen shots of all of this shit because Rieckhoff has a habit of altering shit when I write about it). So I went over and checked Guidestar, another nonprofit organization information clearing house and there was only one review there, too, and guess who wrote it;

    Anyway, IAVA won the contest by getting the most donations and Newmark gave them $40,000 even though they didn’t even qualify by Newmark’s own rules. In fact, of the four competitors only Blue Star Families were qualified and they came in last place;

    So, it’s Newmark’s money and he can give it to whomever he wants, right? Well, do you think that any of those other organizations would have participated or that the donors would have given money if they had known that Newmark is on IAVA’s Board of Directors?

    So not only is Newmark writing reviews to help IAVA qualify for his contest, he has a vested interest in IAVA winning his money. Ever wonder why companies sponsoring contests have that disclosure about not allowing employees and families to participate? It’s to avoid embarrassing moments like this and not fostering the appearance of favoritism. It may not be illegal, but it certainly doesn’t look like some people who are thinking about veterans first. And it all looks purposely deceptive.

    And by the way, if I were a member of IAVA, I’d be asking what all of this money is paying for. Has anyone seen IAVA under Paul Rieckhoff spend their money on anything besides ads that make promises they don’t deliver? You’re expected to heal just because you’re carrying a membership card. WTF has IAVA done for anyone besides Paul Rieckhoff? I think Reickhoff is becoming a liability to the organization and it’s time for someone less interested in himself and more interested in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.

  • Ann Wright: Those Jooos tried to kill us

    You probably remember Ann Wright whom I’ve written about before. She’s a major drama queen and member of Code Pink, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans For Peace. She also sat on the board of OpTruth, the precursor of Paul Rieckoff’s Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Well today she’s in Greece awaiting her personal invasion of the Gaza Strip.

    Luckily for her, the Israelis warned Grecian authorities that the boats the hippies were about to sail were unsafe. Earlier today, Medea Benjamin said it was a trick to delay them. Now it turns out that the Israelis were right;

    “It was pure luck that the damage to the Irish boat was discovered,” said Ann Wright, a spokesman from “The Audacity of Hope”, an American activists’ boat also docked near Athens.

    “The damage to the propeller could have caused the ship to sink and those on board to drown. Quite simply it was act of terrorism.”

    Of course, the whole point of terrorism is to kill or injure people, ask those Palestinians you’re going to rescue, Ann. What would be the point of Israel’s sabotaging and then warning you about the damage? I’m no naval genius but, I’m still trying figure out how a propeller could sink the boat.

    [Israel] is offering to allow the flotilla to dock at the Israeli port of Ashdod and to escort the aid on board to Gaza by land.

    Damn sneaky Jooos, being all nice and everything letting the hippies have their way.

    The Turkish Mavi Marmara, which was due to be the flagship once again, pulled out at the last minute, under what appeared to be pressure from the government in Ankara.

    It must’ve been the Joos in Turkey thatpulled the boat out of the flotilla…oh, wait…

    “The delay has been orchestrated by the Israeli state and we urge the Greek government to exert itself as a sovereign country,” Mrs Wright, 64, a former colonel in the US army, said.

    “The Israeli state is doing everything within its capability to stop us from making this journey, from sabotage to tying us up in bureaucracy. Well it won’t work. We are determined.” She hinted that the flotilla might depart without the necessary paperwork.

    Delaying them by offering to escort them to port and distributing their cargo?

  • On like Donkey Kong

    One of my ninjas sent me this Tweet from a twit;

    Yes, I’m the hater of logos. Apparently, I’m Reickhoff’s next target, now that he’s been beat by Miley Cyrus because I think his new logo looks gay on some guy’s butt in a picture on Rieckhoff’s Facebook avatar. I suppose he’ll be writing that I hate veterans, too.

    Dan Gomez is the guy I ripped up the other day. So now the big guns at IAVA are coming for me. You can see I’m shakin’.

    I wish I could tell Rieckhoff the name of my ninja.

    The ninja writes; I just can’t believe he’s unable to take a step back and say “man, I have a picture of a dude’s ass where my face should be.”

  • Rieckhoff branded

    I love making fun of Paul Rieckhoff, the executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, mostly because he makes it so easy. Someone sent me this screenshot of his Facebook page last night.

    Now, I don’t think Paul is gay, but, putting some dude’s butt on his Facebook page doesn’t dispel any rumors to the contrary. I’m pretty sure it’s not Reickoff’s spandex-encased glutes – they haven’t invented Spandex that strong yet. Especially, some dude’s butt with tire tracks across the back. Is that supposed to allude to a certain level of high speed traffic? And a tramp-stamp that says “seize the day”?

  • When “Hero” rings hollow

    Dan Gomez of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) had an opportunity to write a column in the New York Times…and he blew it. The title of his piece is “When “Hero” Rings Hollow” and he started it out alright, but he should have ended it after he wrote this part;

    Even though I didn’t participate in any solitary acts of heroism, like jumping on a grenade or being the guy who got Osama bin Laden, there are many who would say I am a hero for doing what others would not while putting myself at extreme risk.

    That’s the way most of us see it. Not many of us think we did anything out of the ordinary or anything that one of our buddies wouldn’t have done for us. Listen to Sal Giunta. But then Gomez goes off on a tear;

    Calling everyone a hero is unfair to the real heroes who accomplish extraordinary things. It’s also unfair to the rest of us who do important work, only to have it wiped away by being equated to the work of everyone else. Yes, people’s hearts are in the right place when they call us heroes. But I’d much rather a person struggle to understand what military service is all about, rather than just assume it’s all heroic, all the time. In a country where so few people serve in a military that plays such a prominent role in global affairs, a little understanding can go a long way.

    Is it really “unfair” and being “equated to the work of everyone else”? Seriously? Gomez defined heroism as doing what others wouldn’t do…but, ya know what…that’s kind of the essence of heroism. Admiral Halsey once wrote “There are no extraordinary men…just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.” But, it takes a special person to seek out extraordinary circumstances – the people who volunteer to confront those circumstances…run towards the sound of the guns…are the best our country have to offer and deserve to be called heroes.

    Sure it would make them feel uncomfortable, but not so uncomfortable that they would run to the New York Times and write a column that makes the $8/cup coffee crowd feel better about their own inadequacies. “Hero” only rings hollow when hollow people make it sound so.