The American Spectator

Norwegian Shooter| 3.19.10 @ 6:19PM

"For some reason they're releasing the story in pieces"

Maybe because they're making it up as they go?

"but they're pretty convincing, so I expect the rest will be, too."

Can you read yourself?

Debbie Schlussel| 3.19.10 @ 6:41PM

You know who's unreliable? John Tabin, who--this morning posted excerpts of my column and endorsed them--and then did a 180 when Sean Vannity threatened his boss Bob Tyrell, the editor of this once great publication. It's hilarious that repeating a CYA press release put out by the rip-off charity at issue is now "debunking." Tabin didn't even read the "debunking" yet b/c it's still being put up piecemeal, since there's actually no "debunking" going on at all. You can't debunk Freedom Alliance's tax forms, unless you are admitting they committed tax fraud.

In fact, the Freedom Alliance “response” doesn’t answer any of the questions I raised and goes on to lie more. They don’t address why they gave a triple amputee only $200—and in fact there are many of these examples provided in their tax return addendum, but I only cited a few for brevity’s sake. They also lie and claim that they gave a lot more money to charity b/c they categorize it as “program expenses.” But I’m sorry—calling $3 million in consulting fees, printing, and postage “program expenses” doesn’t change the fact that it still went to their cronies, not to a fund and not the soldiers who only got on average less than $900 apiece. It also doesn’t change the fact that out of the money spent (I didn’t use the money they claim they raised for their scholarship fund) the vast majority goes to those kinds of expenses.

Also, the “scholarship fund” is really a war chest for something else. We’ve been at war since 2001, when we went into Afghanistan, and we’re winding down in Iraq. Unless the kids were born in 2001 or thereafter, many of these kids are in college now and Freedom Alliance is giving them a pittance toward their college tuition, while they continue to build this massive warchest. With a giant multi-million dollar fund, why aren’t they giving the kids a free, complete ride to college? And how many kids of deceased troops will there be in the future? Enough to exhaust a multi-million dollar fund? Doubtful.

Moreover, because they hoarded millions of dollars, their returns show the fund shrunk by several million dollars with bad investments and market losses. That money could have put these kids through college for the entire time. What’s their excuse for the soldiers with no limbs and with severe burns? Are they waiting for two decades from now when technology is better? $165 for a soldier who is blind and his face blew up? No excuse for that. Their “response” is simply a non-response and an attempt to cover up the fraud. How sad that John Tabin and the American Spectator are going along. Tells me a lot about your journalistic integrity: You have none.
DS

Missy| 3.19.10 @ 6:50PM

Tabin has made a fool of himself, and he should know better, but the real skunk here is you, Debbie. I've never really cared about you one way or another but now I can't stand you.

I hope Sean Hannity sues you--you deserve it.

Go away, whack job.

Nick| 3.19.10 @ 6:53PM

Missy,

Don't hold back.
Please, tell us how you really feel! Ha-ha!

Missy| 3.19.10 @ 7:18PM

There's a lot at stake right now and to say I'm worried about the fate of our country is a huge understatement.

Schlussel deserves a caning for lying about Sean.

Hannity annoys me at times, but I've always thought he was a decent man. He's a Catholic for heaven's sakes!

Norwegian Shooter| 3.19.10 @ 7:39PM

Missy,

How do you link the fate of our country with Sean Hannity? The same goes for Catholicism and decency, for that matter.

And I would hope you would wait for Schlussel to lose a libel lawsuit before you call for caning. It's the decent thing to do.

Missy| 3.19.10 @ 8:10PM

I don't know what cave you've been living in or what rock you've been living under, but Sean Hannity is an important voice on the Right and Leftists would use any lie and/or smear to silence him (and Fox News).

We need strong conservatives like Sean to stop the Marxist juggernaut that is threatening to destroy our country.

Don't preach to me about decency, troll; liberals like you wouldn't know decency from a hole in the ground. Not very decent of Debbie to launch a fraudulent and malicious diatribe against Sean, wouldn't you agree?

Hypocrite.

Norwegian Shooter| 3.20.10 @ 11:04PM

Is there one original thought in your head?

Do you think that if Hannity is taken down from this incident, that he is un-replaceable?

As for decency, you're the one who called for Schlussel to be caned.

Missy| 3.21.10 @ 12:35AM

I guess presumption of innocence is only for liberal morons like you and not for Sean Hannity, right, NS? Sounds like you've already judged him guilty without one ounce of proof. Hater.

Gee, that's an original thought or rather a self-serving thought, hypocrite. Quite indecent of you.

Debbie's not the only one who should be caned--I'm talking to you, troll!

Norwegian Shooter| 3.21.10 @ 10:59PM

I have not accused Hannity of anything, let alone a crime, as your comment implies.

Are you able to answer a direct question?

JP| 3.19.10 @ 9:14PM

He is a Catholic who endorses artificial birth control, and argued with a Catholic priest that use of the artificial birth control was a matter of conscious for Catholics (which obviously it is not). Whether Sean and his wife uses artificial birth control is thier business. But to "preach" that using artificial is not a mortal sin gives scandal, and could lead others to sin.

My respect for Hannity went down considerably since then.

Commoner| 3.19.10 @ 9:20PM

Too bad for you, man. God doesn't judge people according to whether or not they are Catholic, but according to whether or not Jesus is their Lord.
'Nuff said.

Colin Pettorsson| 3.19.10 @ 10:44PM

True, however a faithful Catholic believes God judges him/her according to their adhering to Church teaching which we believe to be the will of Christ the founder of the Catholic Church, not merely the teachings of ordinary human beings.

Commoner| 3.20.10 @ 1:44PM

Ordinary human beings are the ones whom God chooses to serve Him. Murderers, in fact, as Paul used to kill Christians. These men were "moved by the Holy Spirit and spoke from God." They wrote the Bible. I will go with the Bible as my authority, not a mere Religion.

Missy| 3.19.10 @ 10:07PM

No one said Hannity's a saint, JP; just a strong conservative voice who also helps the troops.

You hold him to a higher standard than many Catholic Religious aspire to; I hold them responsible for chaos in our Church--not Sean.

Juliet| 3.20.10 @ 12:03AM

If only our Catholic clergy lived up to the lofty expectations you have for Sean Hannity.

Sara| 3.20.10 @ 3:45PM

Bearing false witness is one of the big ten.

No Hypocrites| 3.20.10 @ 5:47PM

Matt. 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."

Elwin| 3.21.10 @ 10:36AM

"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." I Corinthians 2:15

Tillie| 3.21.10 @ 2:35PM

How do we decide who is "spiritual?"
There's the rub. Your word is NOT enough.

Who gets to cast the first stone?

Warrior| 3.19.10 @ 8:46PM

Debbie, you should have shown your boobs when Howard Stern asked you to. Other than that you appear to be useless.

Philly| 3.19.10 @ 9:23PM

Debbie,
You really need to get a grip, woman. Take it from one who knows.
Let go of your gripes towards Sean, and others if you have them. It's destroying you!

axbucxdu| 3.21.10 @ 12:21AM

So "ds80", conducting a system identification exercise of your own? Well then, here's my response to the latest stimuli: Whatever passes for conservative thought these days would be a hell of a lot more legitimate to genuine conservatives if that thought wasn't constantly corrupted by neo-con agitators such as yourself and your latest press subject. Piss off to you both.

And I'll expect that anti-semite retort by sun up this time...

june| 3.21.10 @ 1:37PM

Hey Debbie! Why don't you tell everyone how you were banned from the pages of World Jewish Daily, WorldNetDaily and Townhall.com years ago for writing yellow journalism pieces? And how Fox won't let you on their airwaves because you are a nutcase? And how you call everyone who disagrees with you an Anti-Semite? (Even though most that refuse to print your ignorant, error-filled columns don't know you are Jewish until you call them that)? Or how you've had a vendetta against Hannity for years because he was among the first to realize that you are unbalanced and thus shut off communications with you? Or how people involved in Michigan politics on both sides of the political aisle where you live roll their eyes at the mention of your name because to know you is know that you have "issues"? The real crime in what happened in the pages of the respected American Spectator is that Tabin ran your piece without checking it out first - even though he knows your are unreliable. I expect that kind of poor judgment from rags, not from American Spectator. And Tabin's twitter feeds seem to say something other than an apology to Hannity and Spectator readers like me. American Spectator - why are you protecting Tabin? Are you afraid of a lawsuit by him if you fire him for poor journalism? Or, are your afraid Debbie will sue you? Please do the right thing - fire Tabin for not having done his homework, and for causing irreparable harm to Oliver North, Sean Hannity, the Freedom Alliance and those who work hard to help vets. You have to condemn both Debbie and Tabin and distance yourself from both to restore your credibility. But I think it can be done - if you act swiftly.

Tillie| 3.21.10 @ 2:30PM

Interesting post--Tabin comes out smelling bad here. I'll never believe the garbage he writes again.

Tabin gave AmSpec a black eye.

Linda| 3.19.10 @ 7:05PM

Why publish something unless you have checked the evidence, or at least talked with the target of your story. Why not call Hannity for verification first? Tabin, your credibility is shot, and the American Spectator should verify your columns before printing.

Missy| 3.19.10 @ 7:14PM

I agree. Tabin should be reprimanded.

maire| 3.19.10 @ 7:32PM

What is WITH her and that amputee????

That is money that person would not have had otherwise. If Debbie thinks she could do a better job, she should set up her own concert series and/or promote a group she thinks does a better job at charitable work.

I agree, people should know how the charity is spending its money. According to IRS filings, that information is public. So she disagrees with how it is spent.

OK - we get it.

But that does not require anyone to agree that Hannity is guilty of any moral, spiritual, eithical or legal failing with respect to his work with that group.

Good grief.

derekcrane| 3.19.10 @ 7:35PM

Schlussel should have investigated a little more before she made these accusations. Producing these concerts cost a fortune despite the donated talent. Costs include rental of the venue, insurance, rental and construction of the sound and lighting system, security, public relations personnel, cleanup and other expenses. Many of these expenses require consultants, like the sound system, to assure that it works for the specific space. The annual audit should provide anyone with the specific beneficiaries of the expenses. And I am sure that she didn't take the time to review it. derekcrane

Warrior| 3.19.10 @ 8:49PM

Mr. Tabin:

While the others appear to be above making a mistake. I believe your blog above and apology shows integrity. Some of us seem to forget, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Juliet| 3.19.10 @ 10:37PM

Tabin was slow to apologize, Warrior; a little criticism doesn't hurt. Maybe he'll be a little more careful before he buys into another smear next time.

He's a big boy and should be held accountable.

Warrior| 3.20.10 @ 2:08PM

I respect your opinion and would hope all us big boys learn from our mistakes. My opinion is to give him the benefit of the doubt.

TJ| 3.20.10 @ 3:41PM

At least Tabin apologized. You won't ever see that from Ms. Debbie. Because you see, she's "always" right and never lets the facts get in the way...

Don't hold your breath expecting an apology from her. You'll die.

Sara| 3.20.10 @ 3:46PM

Deb suffers from perpetual victim rage. It's sad because it fogs her very sharp brain.

Juliet| 3.20.10 @ 5:50PM

Warrior, like the benefit of the doubt Tabin gave Hannity? FactCheck is a good thing--BEFORE you smear someone.

Reader| 3.19.10 @ 9:28PM

Mr. Tabin,
I accept your apology.
Beware, and be steadfast in defense of the truth, not hear-say in the future!

Kirstin| 3.19.10 @ 10:22PM

With Schlussel it's always "Sean Vannity" or "Michelle Fraudkin." Does she care about the veteran's children or is she out to get Hannity?

Bridget| 3.19.10 @ 10:32PM

She only cares about her nasty self. She's a liar and she should be ashamed of herself.

TJ| 3.20.10 @ 3:42PM

Yes, she is a nasty woman. And by her using these monikers, makes her even more juvenile and petty. And that's exactly what she is...petty.

Pat| 3.19.10 @ 11:02PM

It is Jews like Debbie Schlussel, that make me believe that we should have just chased Hitler back into Germany and left him to his devices. The would would be such a better place.

Spicy Joker| 3.19.10 @ 11:44PM

Pat B.?

Juliet| 3.20.10 @ 12:09AM

Another liberal anti-Semitic bigot--go back to HuffPo where you belong, moron.

Byron Bunch| 3.20.10 @ 6:34AM

Perhaps the most offensive comment I have seen on the net outside of Jew Watch or theKKK or something like that. Pat, your post should be deleted and you should be never permitted to post again here.

RickS| 3.20.10 @ 10:44PM

Pat, please take your anti-Semitic back to DKos where it belongs. You Democrats and your hate. I mean, I understand you people founded the Klan and did all the lynchings of African-Americans, and Bull Connor was one of yours, but really the hate has to stop.

bobbyvand| 3.21.10 @ 2:45PM

Is Pat actually Patrick Kennedy? Better yet is Pat drinking heavily again? (would would) you climb back under the Koz blog you came out from under plz?

Man w/ Guns| 3.19.10 @ 11:18PM

Debbie,

Thank you for the story. The reaction by the Hannity shrills is strong evidence you're getting down to the bone on this. God speed and some of us Libertarians are behind you 100%.

Juliet| 3.20.10 @ 12:07AM

Wish you clowns cared half as much about the corrupt democrat thieves who are stealing us blind and destroying our country. Yet, you waste your time sniping about Sean Hannity's charity for the our vets' kids. Shame on you.

Some libertarian.

JmsA| 3.20.10 @ 2:04AM

Wow! I just checked Ms. Schlussel's website. This lady pulls no punches. This is bound to get very interesting, and no doubt the whackos at msnbc, etc., are going to try make something of it. Ultimately, though, who cares! As far as Mr. Hannity is concerned, I just learned about this fracas, so I will make no comment other than express my wish he'd limit the appearances of the self-professed progressive, socialist, whatever he wans to call himself, Bob Beckel-- in his show. Now Sean, is that too much to ask?

joe h.| 3.20.10 @ 9:47AM

I agree. Beckel, Penny Lee, Kirsten Powers, and that annoying black "preacher" who talks above everyone else on the great, great panel should go. I love and adore Pat Caddell and Doug Schoen and would like to see more of them.

ClassicFilm| 3.20.10 @ 8:00AM

There was a time that Debbie was not as vicious, not as unhinged, not as convinced that when she has flatulence, there is no odor. I miss that Debbie... I don't recognize this vindictive shrew who has attacked so many with just wisps of evidence, supported by a friend of a friend of a friend, and comforts herself that the world is wrong and she is right.

Wish the old Debbie would come back. She used to be a REAL journalist. I stopped reading her ages back.

And to Pat... what a dark, hateful, vile statement to make. Freedom of speech gone amok down the bigotry path, but it's the statist's way, so no surprise there.

Aara| 3.20.10 @ 9:49AM

Sounds to me like Debbie has a crush on Sean and was spurned. You don't make up stories about FOUR STAR RATED charities such as Sean's just to get some attention from the public. Sounds to me like Debbie was spurned and is carrying a grudge.

AK| 3.20.10 @ 11:06AM

I wrote yesterday in support Of Hannity and against a obvious smear from this blog against him. Now you come out and apolagize, but damage has been done to this good man and he desearves much more then your short paragraph.
Make sure you check sources from now on and act in a upstanding way or you will lose mush more then readers folks! http://biggovernment.com/falli.....n-hannity/

Marilee| 3.20.10 @ 11:20AM

In regard to the scholarship fund, most states offer free tuition for military dependents, leaving the scholarships to pay for books, room, etc. Also, even though things are winding down, we still have troops overseas that are married with young families. Its easy to see the need for $$ for these children 15 years out.

Gerry| 3.20.10 @ 12:06PM

Schlussel, you are what you are. (Hint: The word is also used to label a female dog.)

The credibility of this site has taken a major hit by relying on the word of this psychopathic liar.

Again, to put all doubts to rest, American Spectator should link to the report at http://charitynavigator.org

Liberal Reader| 3.20.10 @ 12:53PM

If these charges are true, why aren't MSNBC and the liberal blogosphere all over them?

Sounds like BS to me.

Like I say, I can think of 100 ways to criticize Sean Hannity, but I just don't believe he'd swindle charitable donations meant for children of war vets. He seems like the kind of person who'd rather go up in flames than do such a thing.

Troll Watch| 3.20.10 @ 2:48PM

The short term memory of liberal reader is apparently shot. He doesn't remember all the Palin lies that they were all over. I don't care what he thinks good or bad. He is a prevaricating troll. By the way I always liked his Jeremiah persona better than his liberal reader persona.

Tillie| 3.20.10 @ 5:53PM

Jeremiah swore like a sailor; hurled F-Bombs left and right--Liberal Reader is the kinder, gentler Jeremiah. LOL!

Troll Watch| 3.20.10 @ 7:15PM

I have gotten the liberal reader to swear like a sailor including f-bombs. On a couple of occasions he reverted from his new personality. Both times were very satisfying and obviously the old Jeremiah. Trolls are very flexible but dependably dim.

Tillie| 3.20.10 @ 9:15PM

What a clever Troll Watcher you are. Clever, indeed.
Such small things amuse use, don't you agree?

Troll Watch| 3.20.10 @ 11:10PM

You are very amusing tillie. I imagine you are not small however.

Troll Watch| 3.20.10 @ 11:10PM

You are very amusing tillie. I imagine you are not small however.

Tillie| 3.20.10 @ 11:16PM

Shut up, impostor! Blow off, b@stard troll!

I imagine you are quite small, though. lol

Troll Watch| 3.20.10 @ 11:19PM

Your slip is showing.

Beauteous Tillie| 3.20.10 @ 11:49PM

Shut up, punk. Get a life.

Tillie| 3.20.10 @ 1:17PM

Since when has the truth ever mattered to MSNBC and the liberal blogosphere?

Sheila| 3.20.10 @ 2:08PM

Schlussel has made a habit of baseless attacks on various conservatives and bloggers in the past; for Tabin to have accepted her claims on face value was poor journalism at best. Hannity is neither a saint nor a true conservative (he's much more a "rah-rah Republican regardless), but he is arguably a decent man who is not out to swindle anyone, and who genuinely wants to help our troops. Whether or not his charity is efficiently run or organized to maximize the percentage of funds raised given to the soldiers, I truly do not know; I am chary at best at giving to any organized charity for just that reason. This is a tempest in a teapot instigated by an unreliable female with a gripe who wants attention and seeks journalistic credibility. Tabin gave it to her and thus surrendered his own. Decline and fall.

TJ| 3.20.10 @ 3:39PM

Debbie has a habit of shooting from the hip, and if you don't agree with her, you're an anti-semite, a whore, and a liar. If you post a comment on her website that she doesn't agree with, she will delete your comments and then block your IP.

So much for facing the truth. People called her on the lies and insults she hurled at Steven Crowder, and in fact, he was right - and you could prove his facts about the Detroit video by doing simple Google searches for headlines.

Debbie is a scorned woman and mad at the world, and she thinks she is owed something. When in fact, she continues to alienate everyone around her.

A little growing up and admitting you're wrong once in a while would do her some good. Instead, she continues to smear people, call them liars (without proof), etc.

stacy| 3.20.10 @ 5:49PM

Libertarians aren't conservative. They think pot should be legal, as well as drugs in general, also abortion, and basically everything else. They are actually liberals and that's why they cannot stand other conservative people, like Sean and also Sarah Palin. So beware.

Tillie| 3.20.10 @ 5:55PM

Agreed. Libertarians demand all of the privileges without the attendant responsibilities.

I don't trust them.

Richard Baker| 3.21.10 @ 12:21PM

This woman went to the Kitty Kelley School of Literature. You know, make it up/lie and dare someone to respond.

byron bunch| 3.21.10 @ 12:51PM

Debbie S. made unfounded comments which another reporter, John Tabin who was kind of egged on by Frum picked up on. He retracted and apologized.

Hannity can take care of himself. This whole episode has turned into a tempest in a TPot. Where is the outrage from liberal bloggers and journalists when they make absolutely unfounded charges at conservatives?

Lets move on. On balance Hannity got good publicity, not bad.

Smitty| 3.21.10 @ 2:27PM

It turned out well for Hannity--ONLY because so many of us rushed to his defense.

As a Conservative, I take nothing for granted.

office 2007| 3.26.10 @ 9:28PM

Is Office 2007 professional better than Office 2007 ultimate ?