About That Erik Prince And DeVos Family Connection
TPM has a story up about Blackwater co-founder Erik Prince. I wanted to share a bit of information about his family connection to the DeVos family, that seemed to get dropped from Josh’ piece.
Josh did a great job of painting both families as “major funders of Republican and conservative causes,” but he left out the most important part of their gifts.
For example, the foundation contributed $4 million to the Grand Rapids Christian School Association in 2000. The foundation also established and continues to fund the Urban Leadership Initiative, a national program designed to “identify and train emerging youth ministry leaders in local urgban communities.125″ However, DeVos cautions that the foundation’s social service grantmaking is intended to help people move out of poverty, not to “make ‘em too comfortable there.”126″ Almost all of the grants are unrestricted.
That was upgrades to Grand Rapids Christian High school. This is the Center for Arts and Worship
Josh, via his link to Media Transparency, fails to explain to his readers, that the DeVos families have given millions of dollars to fund projects that have no ties to any religious organization:
The $250 million Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital will replace the existing Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital that
that opened in 1993. It is in part because of the DeVos family’s generousity that I have a 12 year old nephew. At the age of 9 months he lost a kidney rather than his life to cancer.
Because of the various foundations, often led by the DeVos families, and the donations, big and small, we have transformed the West Michigan area into a diverse business region. The DeVos family, nor Erik Prince, has never tried to hide their religious affiliations.
The story would have had more impact had Josh actually tied the religious gifts to the Republican party and then tied it up in a pretty bow and delivered the smoking gun on how Blackwater has anything to do with this….
Oh did he say Waxman was in charge? Let’s hope Nostrildamus does a better job than this.
more reaction at memeorandum
Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Perri Nelson’s Website, DeMediacratic Nation, Jeanette’s Celebrity Corner, Adam’s Blog, Right Truth, The Populist, Webloggin, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, Faultline USA, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Wake Up America, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe. 
October 2, 2007 - 07:42 AM on October 2nd, 2007
I’m pleased that your nephew is well and good for the DeVos for contributing to the hospital.
But that will only be considered during sentencing. Other good acts do not justify possible sweetheart deals and public corruption that may have vaulted Blackwater and their co-founder Erik Prince into their position as a major government contractor. And a major government contractor who seems to be operating in an extra-legal fashion.
Anyone who believes in honesty and good government will be in favor of taking a look at how these contracts were awarded and how Blackwater is operating to fulfill them.
I’m sure you agree.
October 2, 2007 - 08:38 AM on October 2nd, 2007
What sentecing? When is the trial? Where are the actual legal charges that have been brought up against Erik?
Given how you feel on the subject, I am sure that you will have no problem condeming Jack Murtha and the sweetheart deals that he awards to those that pay him a kings ransom…How about we work together and expose both?!?
October 2, 2007 - 09:25 AM on October 2nd, 2007
1, Ed, I love how you libs wander the boards with your faux outrage at anyone not liberal. When it comes to truth, hard facts, and actual trials for actual crimes, you people have no clue. If you libs actually went after your own dirty laundry like William Jefferson or Harry Reid with all the vigor and venom you go off on your tangents with, then there wouldn’t be the Culture of Corruption permeating the Democrat party.
October 2, 2007 - 05:33 PM on October 2nd, 2007
Heroes 2, Bionic Woman 1
We are now two weeks into the second season of the Heroes TV series, and I am happy to report that the series is maintaining its quality. There is still the sweetness, plenty of dramatic tension, and multiple AHA moments….
October 2, 2007 - 06:17 PM on October 2nd, 2007
Beyonce Cancels Malaysia Concert to Avoid Muslim O
Beyonce Knowles has canceled her scheduled tour stop in Malaysia because the muslim country demanded she change her attire and show to comply with koranic laws.
October 2, 2007 - 07:05 PM on October 2nd, 2007
Troops Returning from Iraq not Allowed to Disembar
I�m so sick of the hypocrisy of the progressive lunatics on the left. They claim to support the Troops but go out of their way to treat them as pariah for their very existence. If you call them on their treatment of the Troops they have meltdowns and…
October 2, 2007 - 09:11 PM on October 2nd, 2007
People Don’t Trust Government
On Tonight’s Podcast: A new Gallup survey shows people don’t trust government in larger numbers. And who can them blame them with the antics of high powered Congressman Jack Murtha (D-Pa) and Silvestre Reyes (D-TX)? Also $200,000 + a year a…
October 2, 2007 - 09:17 PM on October 2nd, 2007
Popourri of Military Good News (for a change)
I posted these yesterday, which means I am late to the gate. I still have about 10-15 more articles to post. I would, however, like you take a look at these in the time being: Troops in Afghanistan Hold 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.
October 2, 2007 - 10:33 PM on October 2nd, 2007
There’s a reason why Blackwater is the top private security contracting firm working for the US. They have the highest recruiting standards and therefore only accept the best trained and qualified applicants. In any organization the size of theirs, some less than perfect individuals will get in, or some of the people who get hired will occasionally do stupid things. Their minimum hiring standards for security officers deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan include 8 years of active duty, 1 year in either Iraq or Afghanistan, Ranger, Special Forces or Navy Seal training, and pass a physical and mental exam. Those are far higher standards than the average soldier being deployed to the theatre of operations. Unlike other security firms, two to three week training courses do not over ride their minimum requirements. Blackwater also maintains a multiple square mile trainign facility in Moyock, NC as well as a new training facility in (I believe) Ohio.
Yes I do get their weekly update on news articles related to counterterrorism activities around the globe.
October 2, 2007 - 11:03 PM on October 2nd, 2007
There’s No Substitute for Live Ordnance
There’s no substitue for pressing the button, hearing the “whoosh” and seeing the weapon intersect the target with your own eyes.
…
October 3, 2007 - 04:17 AM on October 3rd, 2007
[...] is Wired, Faultline USA, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Right Voices, Wake Up America, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven [...]
October 3, 2007 - 05:46 AM on October 3rd, 2007
9, FAO, I believe it is in Illinois near the old Savanna Military Reservation and ammunition plant. There are letters to the editor from wetpants liberals that want to shut down the Blackwater operation and put their killers in prison.
The thing is that Blackwater has higher standards for their employees than the Democrat politicians they guard.
October 3, 2007 - 05:54 AM on October 3rd, 2007
[...] Times, The Bullwinkle Blog, Conservative Cat, Faultline USA, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Right Voices, Wake Up America, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven [...]
October 3, 2007 - 05:57 AM on October 3rd, 2007
The Knuckleheads of the Day award
Today’s winners are Tri-Valley High School Principal Robert Worden and security guards Mike Bunce and David Drown.
October 3, 2007 - 06:52 AM on October 3rd, 2007
Congress Should Worry About Its Own Punctuality
A terrorism drill will be conducted as Congress has required since 2000 and this drill is raising questions about our preparedness especially since the after action report (AAR) from the 2005 drill has not been made public. The lawmakers are concerned…
October 3, 2007 - 07:15 AM on October 3rd, 2007
Blackwater USA
The company trains more than 40,000 people a year, from all the military services and a variety of other agencies. The company markets itself as being ‘The most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stabili…
October 3, 2007 - 08:07 AM on October 3rd, 2007
Veteran Cuts Down Mexican Flag
Ms. ZH sent me this link from Channel 4 KRNV:
This afternoon we received a call from a viewer who said a business near downtown Reno was flying a Mexican flag above an American flag… which is in fact illegal.
This, after photos and comments a…
October 3, 2007 - 08:46 AM on October 3rd, 2007
Carla Freeman- No justice
Its a sad state of affairs when a country with 12 million illegal aliens presently residing in it, finds it necessary to deport foreign born widows of US citizens. All because these less than 100 women who were legally trying to get status in the US,…
October 3, 2007 - 09:20 AM on October 3rd, 2007
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October 3, 2007 - 10:51 AM on October 3rd, 2007
Dark Stain on America’s Image; Pillow Fights are
“Besides having an army for hire, brave kids who are paid to fight so that most Americans are not personally touched by war, we have the real mercenaries.â€
October 3, 2007 - 01:41 PM on October 3rd, 2007
Mid-week Linkfest
Trackposted to
October 3, 2007 - 07:11 PM on October 3rd, 2007
[...] Faultline USA, Woman Honor Thyself, Pirate’s Cove, Republican National Convention Blog, Right Voices, The Yankee Sailor, and Gone Hollywood, thanks to Linkfest Haven [...]
October 3, 2007 - 10:53 PM on October 3rd, 2007
Formal end to the war near…
There is a formal end to the war very near. No not that war, the 1950-1953 Korean War. Fooled ya! The leaders of North and South Korea will end their summit on Thursday with a pledge to seek talks with
October 4, 2007 - 09:58 AM on October 4th, 2007
[...] Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Republican National Convention Blog, High Desert Wanderer, Right Voices, Wake Up America, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven [...]
October 5, 2007 - 02:08 AM on October 5th, 2007
Phony soldiers include Tom Harkin, Dan Rather and many more
Ignoring John Kerry, who is to me the most blatant about trumping up his war record (Christmas in Cambodia? Not!), there is a large list of people who have used the exaggeration of service, or whole cloth creation for that matter, to enhance thei…