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The Spectacle Blog
4 PM UPDATE:
Readers:
Information regarding Freedom Alliance that appeared earlier in
this spot was innacurate or misleading and has been removed. Any
further mention of this material as having appeared in this post
will either mention or disavowal or be deceiving to
readers.
— R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
Click here for the update to this story.
Click here for the statement released by Freedom Alliance.
3:30 PM UPDATE: Just to be clear, the story below appears to be fundamentally flawed. You’ll see that if you follow through the links at the bottom, but I wanted to add a note up here so no one is misled.
This is disgusting. Apparently Sean Hannity’s Freedom Concerts, which are supposed to raise money for the children of soldiers killed in action and for severely wounded veterans, are scandalously inefficient:
In fact, less than 20%–and in two recent years, less than 7% and 4%, respectively–of the money raised by Freedom Alliance went to these causes, while millions of dollars went to expenses, including consultants and apparently to ferret the Hannity posse of family and friends in high style. And, despite Hannity’s statements to the contrary on his nationally syndicated radio show, few of the children of fallen soldiers got more than $1,000-$2,000, with apparently none getting more than $6,000, while Freedom Alliance appears to have spent tens of thousands of dollars for private planes. Moreover, despite written assurances to donors that all money raised would go directly to scholarships for kids of the fallen heroes and not to expenses, has begun charging expenses of nearly $500,000 to give out just over $800,000 in scholarships.
It gets worse the deeper Schlussel digs:
The stories of injuries to troops and how much Freedom Alliance gives them–$200 for a soldier from a poor neighborhood who lost three limbs–is heartbreaking. Soldiers with traumatic brain injuries, severe wounds to the face from disfiguring burns and explosions, and multiple amputations got $1,000 or less, with only a handful of exceptions.
Click through for all the details. As Schlussel points out, reputable charities are expected to run with overhead of no more than 25%; these concerts are running with overhead of as much as 96%. I suppose it’s possible that Hannity himself wasn’t aware of what the balance sheet looks like, but a source tells Schlussel that Freedom Alliance founder Oliver North confronted Hannity at one point about how much of the charity’s money was being spent on private jets, luxury SUVs, and hotel suites. If that’s true, Hannity has a lot of explaining to do.
UPDATE: I’m hearing from reliable sources that Schlussel’s suggestion that Freedom Alliance pays for Hannity’s travel expenses is wrong. There’s little doubt that, if the numbers she cites are correct, the charity is seriously mismanaged, but it might not be as bad for Hannity personally as Schlussel’s report makes it look. Stay tuned.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Further exculpatory information here. Schlussel’s story seems to be falling apart.
View all comments (139) | Leave a comment
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S.L. Toddard| 3.19.10 @ 10:28AM
Is it supposed to be news that Sean Hannity is a scumbag? He steals from the children of soldiers slain in the wars he enabled (from thousands of miles away in luxurious safety).
At least we know his eternity in hell is assured.
Troll Watch| 3.19.10 @ 10:36AM
Say hi to him turd.
Troll Watch| 3.19.10 @ 3:41PM
Say hi to Debbie instead. Sean won't be joining you.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 4:15PM
What about Tabin?
Troll Watch| 3.19.10 @ 4:46PM
Ok. Him too. It is disappointing that R. Emmett Tyrrell took it off and that Tabin has not apologized. I was just having fun with Turd but while I am at it how about Bob? He apparently is no longer making the claims that he translated the Pentateuch from its original Aramaic. He was just listening to a Rabbi and got it screwed up. I am beginning to think that he hasn't been personally curve fitting the AGW temperature data either. What do you call a guy that is constantly misrepresenting himself to make himself look smart? Pathetic.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 7:30PM
Yes, old Bob can back pedal with the best of them--he backed off his hysterical cries of Globaloney Warming, too! It was amusing to see how easily Ran smacked Bob down; Bob started to whine. What a laugher.
Bob's an atheist--he already has a special place saved for him in the old inferno. :)
Mike D| 3.19.10 @ 10:38AM
Toddard -
Right... because of this, you whole world-view has been validated. How's Obama doing on the hippie-peace front? The One is going to get us in a much larger conflict at this rate.
S.L. Toddard| 3.19.10 @ 11:36AM
I don't think he's "going to get us in a much larger conflict". I still think he should be impeached, and possibly indicted for war crimes.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 12:58PM
You want Obama indicted for war crimes? Care to elucidate us further?
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 7:31PM
Speak up, Toddard--I can't hear you.
tonypal| 3.19.10 @ 10:52AM
I guess you recognize your own kind.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 12:59PM
Predictable.
P. Carswell| 3.19.10 @ 3:11PM
S.L. Toddard, I guess you had better check your facts before you insert both feet in your mouth. Will you be appologizing to Sean Hannity?
sandra| 3.21.10 @ 4:06AM
SHUT UP YOU SCUMBAG LIBERAL!! YOU COULD NOT EVEN HOPE OR DREAM TO BE HALF THE MAN SEAN HANNITY IS, WHAT IS WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE SO JEALOUS OF HANNITY, HE HAS A GREAT RADIO SHOW AND HIS SHOW ON THE HUGE RATING FOX NEWS, AND THIS RUMOR HAS ALREADY BEEN DEBUNKED, SHAME ON THIS WOMEN WHO WROTE IT, AND SHAME ON DAVID FRUM, AND THE SO CALLED CONSERVATIVES WHO FELL FOR IT, ESPECIALLY TABIN WHO DID NOT RESEARCH IT BEFORE HE POSTED HERE, WHAT AN IDIOT. JUST SHOWS YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE THAT IS JEALOUS ALSO OF SEAN. HOW SAD TO SUCH A GOOD MAN.
mainemomma| 3.21.10 @ 11:19AM
Gotta wonder about folks that can only communicate while shouting. All caps... yep. Sorry if your sean-sweetie is getting some heat. Poor baby...
Now, why don't you find out how much money is really getting spent on the heroes.. vs. expneses?
jeff| 6.18.10 @ 3:21PM
i herd him state he donated $500,000.00 of his own money to the Freedom charity - and I also heard him say he donates what he should make back to the Freed0m charity - my question is: how much from those donation does he take as "tax" write off? How much of a refund does he get after all these donation? I will bet you my TAX bill that I pay more in taxes then he does!
Chuck| 11.9.10 @ 9:37PM
I'm so damn tired of you people that sit back on you unemployed ass, and start accusing a man and his corp. who steps up and starts a program that helps our Military and families. You better back up and check your source of information!!!! All the information I find is saying that you are totally full of obama crap that knows only how to lie, cheat, steal and commits treason time after time. So wake up AMERICA !!!! PURSUE TRUTH. DEFEND LIBERTY Hillsdale College.
Mike D| 3.19.10 @ 10:37AM
If that is true, it is particularly upsetting. Even if Hannity is unaware of this problem, he should have known about it. This is disgusting and totally irresponsible.
Also, why didn't the MSM pick this up? Do they not do investigative reporting at all anymore? Not even for conservatives?
PhilB| 3.19.10 @ 1:37PM
If Hannity is going to advertise on Hannity.com that he raised $10 million for scholarships when this is obviously a falsehood, he doesn't get a pass. This is blatant self-endorsement.
"Great American" my arse.
PhilB| 3.19.10 @ 1:38PM
http://www.hannity.com/pages/freedom-concerts
Nobama| 3.19.10 @ 2:32PM
You sound like an arse, Phil.
PhilB| 3.19.10 @ 3:22PM
If I had feelings, you might have hurt them. However, I am not the one perpetrating a scam on the American public using disabled and fallen soldiers.
The lie is on his website. Plain as day.
Nobama| 3.19.10 @ 4:18PM
Of course you don't have any feelings; you'd have to have a heart to have feelings, troll.
Stop your lies--you're just another useful idiot for the Left.
jeff| 6.18.10 @ 3:24PM
All net proceeds from ticket sales (after musical talent, production, promotion and venue expenses) the best part is they dont tell you what is left over? also who is in control of the money?
MTB| 3.19.10 @ 2:37PM
Agree, Mike. O'Reilly took George Clooney to task for raising millions of dollars for Hurricane Katrina, but not following up to find out how and where that money was spent. If Hannity is hawking for the Freedom Alliance, he is responsible for following up to make sure that the money is going where he says it is going. If not, either make it right or get out of it altogether.
SANDRA| 3.21.10 @ 4:13AM
ANOTHER LIBERAL, ANYONE WHO KNOWS SEAN KNEW THIS WAS A FALSE LIE, YOU LIBS LOVE IT WHEN SOMEONE SO POPULAR HAS A RUMOR OR SMEAR AGAINST THEM, YOU ALL JUST HATE IT THAT THERE IS NO LIBERAL THAT EVEN COMPARES TO THE POPULARITY OF SEAN, GET OVER IT. SHAME ON ANYONE WHO DID NOT INVESTIGATE IT BEFORE THEY JOINED IN THE SMEAR. SAD
liz| 7.13.10 @ 8:49AM
SANDRA...perhaps if you turned Jerry Springer down on the teevee you wouldn't have to scream so loud.
Grzmlyk| 3.19.10 @ 10:45AM
I will confess my stomach is Hannity-intolerant.
Ever hear his radio show? If you took a shot of whiskey every time he misused the word "literally," you'd be shitfaced inside of 90 seconds. On the other hand, if he stopped saying the word, it would cut 30 minutes from his radio show off the top.
He's a dogmatic, egomaniacal bully, and I always wonder what's going in in the minds of the credible people he interviews (including the stable of Fox regulars) as he hectors, interrupts, filibusters, hijacks the topic to talk about himself, or asks the most pedantic and prosaic of by-the-numbers questions.
The interviewees smile and pay him obeisance, but I HOPE they are at least saying to themselves, "This guy's a vainglorious moron, but this is the price I gotta pay to be part of the pundit universe - and in any case, it's a scintilla more tolerable than appearing on O'Reilly."
Sorry folks, but even as they clean up in the ratings, the Fox prime-time line-up has devolved into pabulum. I still think there are nuggets of valuable information provided - when O'Reilly, Hannity and Van Sustren let their more intelligent guests get a word in - but I really, really miss the days of Bill Buckley's Firing Line.
Bob| 3.19.10 @ 11:05AM
I'm with you 100% Grzmlyk. True fiscal conservatism should be supported with intelligent dialog because any real objective analysis shows that it is better for this country than liberalism. That's why I rail against those at AmSpec who do the same thing as Hannity -- disregard objective analysis and factual data. Bush got away with not acting as a conservative because he dealt with ideology and not facts and data. While Reagan was an extremely good President, the net effect of his reign on the national debt was poor. That is just factually true. Most people here don't realize that the CBO rated the Bush tax cuts as raising the debt by $1.3 trillion. Why would any fiscal conservative want to raise the debt by that much? The way to lower the tax burden is to cut spending, but not even Reagan made the government smaller.
If people stopped these socialism and Marxism dumb rants against Obama, a cogent, intelligent, and effective campaign could be waged against what he and other liberals are doing to this country. But when the majority of people see that the banner of conservatism is being held by Hannity, Beck, Limbaugh, and Palin, it makes conservatism a joke. In the end, that only hurts our country.
I, too, miss Bill Buckley...
Androver| 3.19.10 @ 11:39AM
Thank you for saying this, Bob. We have two parties that constantly lie to us, and keep us divided by splitting us along largely imaginary ideological lines. I recognize that things like abortion and gun control are contentious issues, but they're being used as wedges so we don't all get together and demand responsible politicians that don't lie to us.
This game of "our blatant hypocrisy isn't as bad as your blatant hypocrisy" has to stop. There is no true small-government party anymore; there's just one that pays more lip service to small government than the other.
Bob| 3.19.10 @ 12:03PM
While I'm more of a fiscal conservative than most who post here at AmSpec, because of my atheistic beliefs and support for choice (a function of limited government), you see the character assassination against me by the super religious zealots who now control the Republican party. They relish in calling their opponents ideological names which is a hallmark of religious fundamentalism. This is proof that the Republican party is no longer the party of fiscal conservatism. The truth is that if the party concentrated on fiscal conservatism, and not rail against those of us who want a secular party, this country would have a great chance of becoming fiscally sound and great again.
Ran / Si Vis Pacem | 3.19.10 @ 11:45AM
Gee Bob...
... I'm with you, pal. Imagine an @ss who lies - say about having translated the Five Books Of Moses from the original "Aramaic"? People with respect for factual data are so very difficult to find.
Bob| 3.19.10 @ 11:56AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Aramaic
Ran / Si Vis Pacem | 3.19.10 @ 12:18PM
Bob, lad, please take the time to read your own link. It demonstrates that you are indeed a liar, and a poor one at that.
The simple fact is, no part of the original Five Books of Moses aka Humash aka Pentateuch - were written in Aramaic. Translations from the original Hebrew intoAramaic followed centuries later.
Never mind the feeble Wiki gharbazh - Go read Friedman's "Who Wrote the Bible?"
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 12:33PM
LOL. Never let up, gentlemen. Bob is a cur.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 12:51PM
SoCon,
Does this mean I can take the day off?
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 1:02PM
You've certainly earned it, Nick! You deserve a bonus, too. Ha!
Have a good weekend. :)
Bob| 3.19.10 @ 1:36PM
Listen, Ran, I'm not going to argue with you as you know far more about this than me. I studied this over 50 years ago as a 10-year old kid and remember my Rabbi explaining what in the Torah was written in Hebrew and what was Aramaic. I was intrigued as I had always thought the Torah was written in Hebrew. There is a difference between lying and remembering something as a child. Let's just say that YOU are probably right in this case -- I can only vouch for what I remember. By the way, I admitted you were right long ago, but you seem to have so much hate for we atheists that you can't let it go. You just prove my case that the Republican party is not for fiscal conservatives, it is for religious fundamentalists. Thank you for proving my point once again...
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 2:30PM
Bob, the 'RINO' who voted for Obama , doth protest too much, methinks (my apologies to the bard).
No hate here, Bob--better watch that projection.
Projection is a pillar of Leftist thought.
Ran / Si Vis Pacem | 3.19.10 @ 3:07PM
Thank you for the clarification, and I now extend my apology for calling you a liar.
I'm agnostic, Bob, despite the fact that I put on tallit and t'fillin in the mornings. Heh - I'm not alone either. So please don't now ascribe unto me something, in error.
The point of religiosity amongst agnostics and many theists alike is twofold: Jefferson it was, I think, who said "better honest questioning than blindfolded fear" - words to that effect. I agree.
Secondly, our Natural Rights - if indeed from Providence - are then truly unalienable; Our Constitution - which merely enumerates some and protects them from Governmental abuse, has validity. If one would deny the Creator one then has completely undermined the fundamentals of Natural Law and of Liberty.
I am not comfortable with the certitude of either the atheists nor the theists - but I truly respect theists, Christian and Jewish. I see the blossoming of our kids into adults and at those times I can understand people of profound faith.
Understand, too, that SoCon has you figured-out, as have we all. Your autohagiographical exaggerations and misspeaking, shall we say, haven't exactly bolstered your credibility.
...back to our regularly scheduled program...
Let's wait to see what Hannity has to say about this. Schlussel may not have accurate or complete data at her disposal.
ron alcorn| 3.19.10 @ 12:41PM
Story is untrue http://www.charitynavigator.or.....orgid=6590
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 1:04PM
Someone has lots of 'splainin to do if this accusation against Hannity is a lie.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 11:09AM
Grzmlyk,
"If you took a shot of whiskey every time he misused the word 'literally,' [...]." Ha-ha!
I complain about that to my dad all the time! The only reason I hear Hannity is because he's on after Rush. He's gotten worse the last few months.
A couple of months ago, I started telling my dad (we work together), "As soon as he says 'literally', I'm turning him off." I'm not exaggerating, Hannity rarely lasted the first minute of the show!
Not to mention, he is no better than San Fran Nan or "The Swimmer" Kennedy, or John Kerry when it comes to being a CINO, Catholic In Name Only. Okay, he might be a little better. But, he publicly dissents from the Church's teaching on the immorality of using contraceptives.
Grzmlyk| 3.19.10 @ 11:42AM
Hi Nick:
Yeah, that "literally" thing is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I do the same thing - turn him off as soon as he says it. I concur, it's always within 60 seconds, if not sooner.
Not being Catholic, I hadn't thought about Hannity's apostasy, but I understand how that would rankle Catholics.
But I agree with you entirely - the problem is he is not a thinker AT ALL - you don't have to be an intellectual (which is even worse than being a dogmatic poodle), but you also can't be a credible conservative pundit just because you've chosen your adamant beliefs as a way to prove to your dead father that you're a real man - and that's what I believe is behind Hannity's beliefs - not actual thought. If I hear "I'm a Reagan Conservative" one more time. . .
And his vanity is off the charts. His current book is nothing but a rather obvious attempt to steal some of the thunder back from Beck, who has become a mass marketing phenomenon. I can practically see Hannity seethe with jealousy. Notice how he's never once mentioned Beck, when, for better or worse, Beck is the current darling of Fox News (O'Reilly is leaning on Beck now for ratings).
Not to rain on the agreement parade with Bob above, but although I find Limbaugh's shtick obnoxious, I think he is an excellent analyst, and when it comes to understanding the motivations behind politics and the moves on the chessboard before they're made, Limbaugh is without peer. BTW, that's an area where I believe Krauthammer has a huge blind spot; although Krauthammer has excellent insights into policy, I believe he sees politics as some abstract game that is amusing but has no real-world ramifications. Worse, I believe Krauthammer is somwhat enamored of Obama. I don't think Krauthammer would smirk quite so much at Obama's shenanigans if one of the provisions of Obamacare was to liquidate all paraplegics who are over 60 years old.
Anyway, I wouldn't put Rush in the same category as the others.
I also think Palin is a decent human being who is what she appears to be and should not be pilloried because she isn't an elitist intellectual. She may not be the savior conservatives are waiting for, but I do not understand the vitriol and neverending hatred that are daily devoted to her.
And although I also cannot somach Beck and think he is indeed an unhinged, narcissistic, exhibitionistic loony whom I am convinced is the love child of Howard Beale and Lonesome Rhodes, he ain't lyin' when he puts forward facts of history.
End of Rant. No thesuari were used or harmed in the typing of the above.
Nobama| 3.19.10 @ 12:39PM
Krauthammer is a Progressive--I no longer listen to what he has to say.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 1:00PM
Grzmlyk,
I, LITERALLY, couldn't have written that better myself! Ha-ha!
I couldn't resist.
I do agree with everything (especially Krauthammer), except Beck. He has grown on me. And anyone who can get the ratings he gets, teaching the history of the Progressive era, has got real talent.
I don't think Hannity has had Beck on once, that I know of.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 1:10PM
Beck is a phenom, that's for sure; he expects his viewers to do a lot of heavy duty reading. Not a fluff book among 'em!
Grzmlyk| 3.19.10 @ 1:27PM
I think Beck is useful (unlike Hannity), but, honestly, I've always had this visceral revulsion for him - going back well before his days as a phenom.
I can't stand the drama queen stuff - the theatrics, the unctious (sorry, Will, you'll have to look it up) sincerity - and when he's on split-screen with someone he's interviewing - even if it's someone he agrees with - he's making "look at ME, look at ME" faces throughout their comments. Huh?
But again, he is shining a much-needed light on progressivism, and I do commend him for that.
Hey, I think Alec Baldwin is a whack job, too, but I love to listen to what he has to say about old movies. He knows his stuff.
Speaking of which, I implore all denizens of this site to watch the movies "Network," "A Face in the Crowd" and the 1949 version of "All the King's Men" if you haven't already. Combined, those three flicks tell you all you need to know about today's culture, the rise of Obama and the state of our political discourse.
As for Nobama's comment, it really breaks my heart, but I think you've put your finger on Krauthammer's problem. UGH!
And for those of you laying into Bob, please, please, do not stop until his number of postings equals his value: ZERO.
Conseravative???? As Sylvester the Cat said, "It is to laugh!"
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 2:49PM
Grzmlyk,
"Network", prescient movie.
Saw it as a teenager in the 80's. Then I watched it a few years ago in my 30's. It was ahead of it's time. Or, maybe, even prophetic.
Love the part when the Angela Davis/Patty Hearst commie terrorist is negotiating for her residual payments on reruns! Classic.
Plus, William Holden was a great actor. Even in the "Omen II."
Grzmlyk| 3.19.10 @ 2:54PM
William Holden ROCKS. He's in several of my fave movies.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 4:22PM
Bill's a babe--but no one can hold a candle to Clark (Gable not Kent!). Sigh. I loved 'Gone With The Wind'.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 5:20PM
My favorites from him are:
Bridge on the River Kwai
Stalag 17
Sunset Blvd.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 7:33PM
Great movies!
will| 3.19.10 @ 11:20AM
A writing tip - put away the thesaurus. Otherwise, good points.
kingsmill| 3.19.10 @ 10:55AM
Hannity should have the CBO score the numbers, they may be able to put on shine on the (alleged) corruption.
kingsmill| 3.19.10 @ 10:57AM
Hannity should have the CBO score the numbers, they may be able to put a shine on the (alleged) corruption. (correction)
Shame on You!| 3.21.10 @ 3:29AM
Sean, you're a real A-Hole.
Sean | 3.19.10 @ 11:04AM
Another neocon turning out to be a scumbag. Not surprising. I am sure he is now pushing for war against Iran.
Donna| 3.19.10 @ 12:15PM
Can we just see if there's ANY truth here before we hang him? Beck was accused of making money off every piece of gold sold by the company he advertises....a false claim. He gets paid to ADVERTISE...nothing more.
Donna| 3.19.10 @ 12:19PM
BTW, Hannity drives me nuts saying "you know" . And Obama and most everyone in the White House says "uhhh" a lot when they're lying. The teleprompter covers the lies up nicely most of the time. Gee, that must be the reason he uses it so much. I thought the only reason was because he has an empty head...it's twofold!
Becky| 3.19.10 @ 11:08AM
Developing.........................................?
maire| 3.19.10 @ 11:11AM
I am not a Hannity fan either, but isn't this concert series "charity" more like a concert promoter donating his proceeds to a charity.
Its focus is promoting Hannity, his books and his "philosophy", whatever that is.
It is not, and has not been promoted (last year, anyway), as an actual charity, such as Red Cross or Salvation Army.
No way could a commercial concert promoter's proceeds come close to equaling what a charity concert (with the venue discounted or donated, entertainers donating their time, food vendors donating, etc.) proceeds would be.
Has Hannity compared these concerts to "charity" concerts? Or does he just say that the proceeds will be donated?
I have not listened in a long time, because he just rambles and promotes his books, it seems.
But last year he said that the "proceeds" were going to the foundation, not that these were charity concerts, and I do think that there is a distinction, and I understand it. It is like when a book author donates his or her proceeds. It does not mean the book sale itself is a charitable endeavor.
Debbie S. can criticize Hannity about a lot of stuff, but I don't think these concerts should be judged against true charitable endeavors.
It is just that the promoters are donating whatever they receive over and above expenses.
That said, if they are inflating expenses to enrich themselves, that is a problem, and should be disclosed by Hannity.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 11:25AM
Maire,
Your last sentence is the most relevant point.
If he is flying his family around in private jets (something he has regularly criticized limousine liberals of doing), and charged it as an expense, he is a #1 hypocrite.
And in big trouble. The MSM will be all over this now.
TruthBeTold| 3.19.10 @ 12:56PM
I am not a Hannity fan and find it very sad indeed if he is actually making money off of concerts promoted as being for charity.
However, he only criticizes the liberals who take private jets when they say other people shouldn't take private jets. The global warming is going to kill us all, but I'm special so it's ok if I make extra pollution types. The one's who have a fit over business people using company jets and then use their own private jets.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 1:08PM
TruthBeTold,
I seem to remember Hannity, along with O'Reilly, going after liberal celebrities for the fees they charged to charity events, for the attacks of September 11th and hurricane Katrina.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 1:15PM
Unlike liberal hypocrites, I hold those on my side of the political spectrum accountable for their actions.
If Hannity screwed up he has to make amends.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 2:41PM
SoCon,
I'm with you. But, it appears there is more to the story.
I hope Hannity is on the up and up. I really do.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 2:51PM
Looks like there's been an update--seems the story is a lie.
Shame on you, Tabin.
ncatty| 3.19.10 @ 11:13AM
Limbaugh is a an entertainer first but that doesn't mean he is not a clear thinker. Hannity is painful to listen to, so I don't do it much. The Beck show is to be avoided at all costs.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 1:24PM
Get past the bells and whistles of Glen Beck's show and you'll find that he imparts a great deal of valuable information. Beck's obvious love and admiration for America's Founding Fathers won me over.
It took me awhile to warm up to him, but I see Glenn Beck as an irreplaceable source of knowledge now.
Pingback| 3.19.10 @ 11:20AM
Let’s Get Hannitized | FrumForum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Derek Leaberry| 3.19.10 @ 11:22AM
"That's unbelievable! That's amazing! I am a great American. 'Great One', help me," said the Star.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 11:32AM
Mr. Leaberry,
I, literally, can't believe you wrote that!
This is the only flaw I can find with Mark Levin and Ann Coulter. They seem to be good friends with Hannity.
It's too bad, really. I used to like Hannity. Unfortunately, he succumbed to Matthews and O'Reilly Syndrome- Big-headedness.
james wilson| 3.19.10 @ 11:43AM
"Literally" falls a distant third, behind "ya know" and "I mean".
His own audience was begging him for years to stop kissing the asses of Bush and Rove. Now his buddy Karl (Specter) Rove is on full time at Fox.
J.C.Eaton| 3.19.10 @ 11:49AM
I'm surprised yet pleased to read that others view Hannity the same way that I do. Shrill, repetitive in the extreme,patronizing, shrill, not particularly thoughtful, hyper, shrill, obsequious to Fox regulars, obsequious to people whose actions and words run totally contrary to what he "professes"e.g. Sharpton, Rangel,et al. His ad flack used to say Hannity had the second largest listenership inradio. I thought:"you impudent pup, you ain"t ever getting any higher. Despite that, I'd be very disappointed and surprised if he were making out on these ostensibly beneficent tours. He's still, in all events not very smart....and very, very shrill. Makes my teeth hurt.
Ran / Si Vis Pacem | 3.19.10 @ 12:07PM
That Frum should jump on Hannity is a bit humorous... For all of his considerable flaws, Sean has accomplished far, far more to advance the objectives and ideals of conservatism than Frum could ever hope.
To top it all off, despite the stupidity of the Freedom Concert's management and over-spending, are their any counter-bets that Freedom Concerts still managed to donate vastly more in one year to a worthy cause than all the fundraising Frum has done cumulatively over his entire lifetime?
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 12:51PM
I agree, Hannity has been a staunch defender of conservatism for a long time, and I have admired his courage. I like that you defend Sean without giving him a pass for POSSIBLE mis-deeds, Ran.
I want to hear Hannity's explanation before I condemn him.
Tim| 3.19.10 @ 12:11PM
If it's true he should be horse whipped.
Sandy| 3.19.10 @ 12:19PM
Naw, he consulted the dictionary of 50 cent words and found one he really likes- "specificity."
Ron| 3.19.10 @ 12:49PM
I'll wait to hear Hannity ...and maybe see another look into the numbers before drawing ANY conclusions. Since I hate slander, I hope this is true, despite the disappointment I would have in Hannity.
LibertyMT| 3.19.10 @ 12:58PM
The left AND Michael Savage have been pointing this out for years. All this info is out in the public, most conservatives just haven't been willing to take it seriously. I'm willing to bet that's still true, and that by next month Hannity will be right back to milking people through this scam 'charity'.
KS| 3.19.10 @ 1:03PM
If you're at all familiar with Debbie Schlussel, she accuses Sean Hannity--she calls him Sean Vanity--of stealing her stories and generally can't stand him. I would take her story with a huge grain of salt.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 2:35PM
KS,
It appears you may be correct. Stay tuned.
Commoner| 3.19.10 @ 1:09PM
All hail S.L. Toddard, Judge, Jury and Executioner!
ak| 3.19.10 @ 1:09PM
When we eat our own they win. How sad to see this at this time when we need all Americans fighting against the transformation of America into a communist country. Why now of all time does this come out against a man who has done more for his country exposing the relationships Obama has with Rev Wright and others of like ilk.
Methinks someone is trying to sow discordamongst the American people.
orlandocajun| 3.19.10 @ 1:16PM
$500k for expenses to give over $800K sounds OK with me. That's $800k more than they had to start with. It takes money to put on a production like that. Are people expecting Hannity to foot that bill too? I'm missing something.
Jane| 3.19.10 @ 1:19PM
Sad to see an AmSpec writer resorting to heresay by a known hater of Hannity. Nice job. Also sad to see supposed conservatives jumping on the heresay & bashing bandwagon.
Get your own shows, guys!
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 1:26PM
Jane, I understand your point but not everybody bashed Sean.
serfer62 | 3.19.10 @ 1:29PM
You think literally is bad...how about when he reads something. You never know when the sentance ends...
sharprightturn | 3.19.10 @ 1:34PM
So is this bash Hannity day or something?
Schlussel has good points on occasion, but she has hated Hannity from day one.
I think Hannity should clearly state where the money has gone, but to pile on someone who champions freedom and the American way over one blogger's viewpoint is silly.
john c.| 3.19.10 @ 1:43PM
Hannity IS NOT spending tax dollars like scumbags like pelosi, reid and the muslim obama.
I don't believe the figures in this article anyway.
martin j smith| 3.19.10 @ 1:57PM
What I have not see yet is this: An e-mail or other attempt to actually interview Hannity and what his response to this is. So, while I am no great fan of SH, in fact I really get annoyed by his smarmy approach, I want to see efforts to confront him and his response. Then I will be more interested, However I do not like him for other reasons as noted.
Sara| 3.19.10 @ 2:19PM
Schlussel has an ongoing grudge against Hannity. I would not trust anything I hear from her, because it isn't objective.
Pingback| 3.19.10 @ 2:26PM
Grounds For Impeachment? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
leftist scumbag| 3.19.10 @ 2:41PM
As a commie, liberal, facist, bigoted, bleeding heart, intellectual snob (i.e. slightly left of center on socail issues), I just wanted to post to say this is the first time I agree with many of the comments here on Hannity. Putting aside the current "controversy" surrounding his charity, I too find him utterly void of original thought. At least Limbaugh and Beck seem to share intellectual curiosity. Hannity always seems to be just stinging along a ton of catch phrases to get him to the next commercial break. Super boring to listen to.
I'm also surprised you guys think Krauts is a progressive? I can see his Obama love, but I just don't get the same sense from him on encouraging any "leftist" policies. Perhaps I'm wrong, would love to hear more.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 2:56PM
LScumbag; your self-identification is a refreshing--and rare--wisp of honesty from a liberal.
Your acknowledgment that liberals are scumbags is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
leftist scumbag| 3.19.10 @ 3:02PM
Anytime. I'm glad I could so easily affirm your rigid and intolerant belief system.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 4:25PM
I'm rigid because I complimented you on YOUR honesty? Wow, it doesn't pay to be nice to you libs, I guess.
Touchy touchy, troll.
Nick| 3.19.10 @ 5:14PM
SoCon,
These "Hannity" threads have exposed an undeniable fact.
True Conservatives give people, who deserve it, the benefit of the doubt.
Those of us who have a problem with Hannity, for whatever reason, wrote we would give him a chance to explain.
Toddard and 3/5 Bob immediately convicted him, with Toddard condemning Sean to eternal damnation. Says a lot about their character.
To be fair, if this had been a liberal, I'm sure I would have ripped them up one side and down the other, before finding out if it was true. I also would have apologized for it.
But, that is only because we know liberals are lying weasels. And we know Hannity is an honest guy.
SoCon| 3.19.10 @ 7:36PM
All true, especially your last two sentences.
As a Conservative, I must stand for principle first.
Nick| 3.20.10 @ 12:24AM
Oops!
I must issue a retraction, as a responsible blogger and bomb thrower.
3/5 Bob didn't convict Hannity, only Toddard did. 3/5 Bob just droned on and on as usual, and I stopped reading after the first sentence.
But, come on, can you blame me? Who actually reads 3/5 Bob's garbage all the way through, anymore?
SoCon| 3.20.10 @ 1:25AM
Nick, hey now! Don't you dare go wobbly on me concerning Bob!
I'll never be able to say enough mean things to and about him to make up for all the crud he threw at Sarah.
I don't read all of his baloney, either; he's usually just bragging about himself or his charts and graphs anyway. LOL
Nick| 3.20.10 @ 8:10AM
SoCon,
NEVER!
As you can see, I, unlike 3/5 Bob, am more than capable of admitting my mistakes.
And, I would never let that mental-midget hold something like this over me.
Susie Q| 3.19.10 @ 2:46PM
Debbie Schlussel is a drama queen of the Peggy Noonan/Kathleen Parker variety. She takes every opportunity to ridicule Sarah Palin, Hannity, and other conservatives. She's not worth the trouble she wants to cause.
niner| 3.23.10 @ 3:46AM
Schlussel is a very jealous person. She hates Palin Bachmann, Malkin S.E. Cupp not to mention the many Conservative men. They are all stupid to her!
Yaliesue| 3.19.10 @ 2:47PM
Tabin commenting on this before getting the facts is what's disgusting. Tabin needs to apologize to Hannity because Sean seems to be one of the most generous individuals around. Shame on Tabin and American Spectator for posting this trash. And why isn't Tabin's retraction printed on this page?
ZerObama| 3.19.10 @ 3:00PM
Tabin accuses Schlussel of smearing Hannity?
Nice try, Tabin.
Tobi| 3.19.10 @ 3:11PM
Sean Hannity -The Slanderer on Chief is heading to Jail. He may have broken the Charity laws, interstate commerce laws, IRS regulations etc etc.
However the the biggest crime he has committed is that he has tarred and shamed the entire conservative media. He should resign from FOX news ASAP
ZerObama| 3.19.10 @ 4:26PM
Go back to your crack pipe, moron--it's under the rock you call home.
Pingback| 3.19.10 @ 4:14PM
Hannity Hit by Ugly Attack from RIGHT-Wing Blogger (for a Change) | NewsReal Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
derekcran| 3.19.10 @ 7:17PM
Bottom line: Schlussel obviously never took a course in accounting. She only included the revenues and expenditures during a single year but does not include money which was invested in accounts to be used when the children of the soldiers actually attend college. F-
It makes no sense. Why would anyone like Sean Hannity risk his entire successful career on talk radio and Fox News for a few free rides in a Gulfstream, some meals in 4-star restaurants and a stay at a top hotel? His listeners and viewers would seriously disavow anyone who would steal from the children of our killed warriors. I am with Hannity on this one -- this accusation is merely a malicious spin on some numbers. derekcrane
Missy| 3.19.10 @ 7:38PM
She's a fool for accusing Sean of something that could be so easily fact-checked and verified. She's a whack job.
Nick| 3.20.10 @ 12:26AM
Oh noooooo!
The spammers have gotten to Missy!
Is no one safe?
Missy| 3.20.10 @ 1:28AM
Creepy! I don't like it. Keep looking over your shoulder, Nick. You could be next.
Pingback| 3.19.10 @ 11:25PM
Sean Hannity Freedom Concerts - Big Time Scam - Page 2 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Steve F| 3.20.10 @ 4:50AM
I would donate money to Fisher House Foundation. More than 60% of their revenue goes to charitable grants, including scholarships.
Take a look at their numbers: http://www2.guidestar.org/orga.....tion.aspx#
When you look at Freedom Alliance who spends more publications and postage than their grants, I rather my donations go to the families, not BS.
Patriot| 3.20.10 @ 10:01PM
Freedom Alliance holds several patriotic concerts every year that bring joy to many Americans all over the country. They also offer funds to benefit the lives of wounded vets and establish scholarships for their children.
It's a win win for everybody. Only a cretin would object to the good deeds of this fine organization.
Shame on you.
Sandra| 3.21.10 @ 4:33AM
TOTALLY AGREE, I CANNOT BELIEVE THE COMMENTS HERE, YOU WOULD THINK ITS A LIBERAL BLOG, I NEVER COME TO THIS MAGAZINE ANYMORE, NOW I SEE WHY, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO AMERICAN SPEC?? THESE PEOPLE ON HERE ARE NOT REPUBLICANS, SHAME ON ALL OF THEM FOR WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT SEAN, SHAME ON YOU!!! AND QUIT LYING AND ACTING LIKE YOU ARE ANYTHING NEAR A GOP, I HOPE THESE ARE NOT TEABAGGERS THAT ARE GIVING MOST OF THE TEABAGGERS A BAD NAME. KOOKS!! TRYING TO START A THIRD PARTY.
Tillie| 3.21.10 @ 2:47PM
They're mostly crappy trolls. Liars, all.
Joe| 9.22.10 @ 6:07PM
Sandra, you sound like a complete looser trolling this blog! Oooo, maybe people are tired of the looney right-wingers like you that spout off like a throwback from the Beverly Hillbillys. Go sing your hymns and curse the outsiders for not believing everything you believe. Freak.
Gerry | 3.20.10 @ 11:53AM
Is is news that Schlussel is a lying scumbag?
Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 11:14PM
Hannity’s Freedom charity is ‘huge scam’: conservative blogger links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.22.10 @ 10:54AM
Schlussel’s Anti-Hannity Allegations Investigated and Found ‘Fundamentally Flawed’ | links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
StewartIII | 3.22.10 @ 12:04PM
NewsBusters: Schlussel's Anti-Hannity Allegations Investigated and Found 'Fundamentally Flawed'
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/k.....undamental
niner| 3.23.10 @ 3:52AM
Schlussel, is a fake Conservative. She is a hater. She is a wack job.Debbie belongs in the Daily Kos and Media Matters camp. She loves to slander Hannity and Sarah Palin!
Pingback| 3.23.10 @ 6:39AM
Right On Right Violence To A Soundtrack Of Lee Greenwood « Around The Sphere links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
office 2007 | 3.26.10 @ 9:31PM
Is Office 2007 professional better than Office 2007 ultimate ?
David| 4.5.10 @ 6:01PM
Sean Hannity should be sitting in jail by now. Where is justice. Why did he freeze his blog just a few days after this story broke. We are all becoming aware of the true character of this shock jock thug.
Joe| 9.22.10 @ 6:03PM
Reading all your comments are hilarious. Why is the right so angry? So much name calling but what can we expect? The right is backing uneducated idiots like Palin and ODonnell. Sean is a clown and unfortunately he spins his opinion as news fact. The days of actual fact checking is dead.