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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 - 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 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.