We’ve talked about these scumbags a good pit, so you all should realize that this is objectively good news:
The two top executives of Wounded Warrior Project were fired Thursday by the board of directors.
Americans donate hundreds of millions of dollars each year to the charity, expecting their money will help some of the 52,000 wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But CBS News found Wounded Warrior Project spends 40 to 50 percent on overhead, including extravagant parties. Other veterans charities have overhead costs of 10 to 15 percent
Wounded Warrior Project’s Chief Executive Officer, Steven Nardizzi, and Chief Operating Officer, Al Giordano, were fired after a meeting Thursday afternoon in New York.
Good.
Elizabelle
Good to hear!
Authentic Journalism Al Giordano must be sad to share his name with a grifter.
redshirt
The reporter Al Giordano?
eemom
Was just googling to confirm they’re not the same person.
Shell
Fittin’ that this was the charity Trump chose to publicize.
Benw
@redshirt: this is his twin from an evil universe. The goatee is a dead giveaway.
redshirt
@eemom: I’m sure Cole will clarify later in this thread…. lol.
raven
Fucking scum sucking bandits.
Peale
@redshirt: nope. But I bet that’s confusing
Mnemosyne
A reminder that if you do feel a strong urge to Support Our Troops via charitable donation, Fisher House is a fine place to direct your money. They provide housing and services for the families of veterans who are undergoing treatment at VA hospitals around the country.
slag
That’s ok. They’ll be moving on to their plush new gigs at Trump Enterprises any day now.
eemom
They actually got involved in my son’s high school LAX team a couple of years ago — “sponsoring” a game or something like that. I even had their bumper sticker on my car for a while, which said “The greatest injury of all is being forgotten”.
I do remember being surprised at how few veterans actually showed up at that game.
raven
@Mnemosyne: Good outfit.
Davebo
The board of directors fired them not because they were blowing tons of money on bullshit. They’ve known about that (or should have) for a long time.
They fired them because CBS found out about it.
Hopefully this “charity” just goes away but if it survives all of it’s board members need to go away.
BillinGlendaleCA
@eemom: Your son’s high school has a shitty airport team?
Mnemosyne
@raven:
My mom doesn’t like getting actual presents anymore since she says she has too much stuff already, so my Christmas present to her every year is a donation to Fisher House in her name.
LAO
@srv: they may be scumbags but they haven’t committed an actual crime.
raven
@Mnemosyne: Well done.
daverave
Thought for sure that this was going to be a Ben Carson thread based on the title.
MomSense
@Benw:
His ALternate.
I miss Fringe
robert thompson
I knew they were bad juju when I watched a commercial that featured Sarah Palin as their spokesperson. That was a clue that somethin’ was up. Trump’s involvement confirmrd it.
Davebo
@srv:
Chairman of the board of directors is Anthony K. Odierno.
Does that name ring a bell?
Enhanced Voting Techinques
Article said the firings were to appease the 1% mega doners who are outraged their money went to parties. It’s nice to see being rich doesn’t necessarily mean losing one’s soul Koch brother’s style.
SiubhanDuinne
@Mnemosyne:
Very nice. I’m going to start asking for donations to Planned Parenthood in my name whenever someone asks what I want for birthday or Christmas. (Sigh. There are SO MANY good causes….)
Booger
@redshirt: Nah, I think we’re talking about the detective from Homicide: Life on the Street.
BillinGlendaleCA
@LAO:
Details, details…
robert thompson
@Davebo: Would that be the general officer who thought random artillery barrages would pacify the Tikrit area?
Eric S.
@BillinGlendaleCA: I had a hard time translating LAX too and I’ve never even been there.
LAO
@BillinGlendaleCA: I know, right?
NotMax
Exclusive footage of an executive board meeting.
SFAW
@Booger:
And his Danish-born son, Gus Fring?
BillinGlendaleCA
@Eric S.: I’ve had the misfortune of being there many, many times. I fly out of Burbank when I can.
slag
@LAO: Here’s a question for a lawyer. Can Nathan Fillion reasonably sue this person for using his image in her flagrant misrepresentation of Obama’s remarks: https://twitter.com/SalenaZitoTrib/status/708038788250001409?
Davebo
@robert thompson:
Bingo
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
What raven said at #7. I’m experiencing a few withdrawal symptoms which may limit my construction of original thoughts.
Ultraviolet Thunder
@BillinGlendaleCA:
Newark is the worst. Every trip through there provides fresh stories of pathetic ineptitude.
LAX is just too big to be managed by a stranger on foot.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Davebo: He also gave Colbert a haircut.
LAO
@slag: Not a civil lawyer (or person for that matter), the answer is no. He is a public figure. But I’m sure other better informed attorneys can answer your question better.
Davebo
@BillinGlendaleCA: @BillinGlendaleCA:
Seems his son gave thousands of people a haircut.
The guy lost an arm in Iraq and I’ll give him that but this is beyond negligence.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Ultraviolet Thunder: I’ve only been to JFK in New York, so I’ll trust you on that. I have the hatred of 1000 suns for DFW, speaking of too big.
redshirt
JetBlue does have a lot of legroom in their regular coach seats.
Big JetBlue fan here. Boston to West Palm is a nice ride.
robert thompson
@Davebo: I suspected so. Out of all the charred military careers and reputations from the debacle in Iraq Odierno was the last man standing and therefore will go down in some histories as a competent war leader, even though hw wasn’t. At least NY Times Ricks had a low opinion of him.
redshirt
@BillinGlendaleCA: I think we should trust UT completely on travel matters because he’s literally been to every airport in North, South, and Central America.
BillinGlendaleCA
@LAO: You seem rather civil by Balloon Juice standards…OK, point taken.
Roger Moore
@Davebo:
This. The BOD is hoping to keep the grift going for a while longer by throwing some executives under the bus.
slag
@LAO: See. That seems wrong to me somehow. Musicians reasonably get pissed when certain politicians use their songs. I feel like actors should get similar rights over their own work.
BillinGlendaleCA
@redshirt: I’d wager that I’ve been to a few he’s missed.
LAO
@BillinGlendaleCA: lol. It’s a riff on my standard joke: civil lawyers aren’t. Which is a terrible joke, now that I see it written.
redshirt
@BillinGlendaleCA: You dare tempt Airport God?
LAO
@slag: I could be wrong. I don’t think I am but, as I said before, I’m sure a civil lawyer could give you a much better answer that mine. (I think it has to do with ownership/copyright laws).
Mike J
@redshirt: I’m limited to North America and Europe.
BillinGlendaleCA
@redshirt: I do(I don’t think he gets out west that often).
Baud
@slag:
The answer is, yes, he can sue.
LAO
@Baud: I’m curious, not combative, on what theory?
redshirt
@Mike J: One of the minor Airport Gods. God of Good Connections.
BillinGlendaleCA
@LAO:
And you claim to be a lawyer?
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
BillinGlendaleCA
@redshirt: I’ve been to a few in Asia and the Pacific.
Davebo
@Ultraviolet Thunder:
Frankfurt is a nightmare as is Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta.
For a large airport I think Schiphol is the best I’ve seen.
Baud
@LAO: On the theory that anyone can sue anyone for any reason.
Gimlet
According to the pro-Cruz PAC, Norris, 75, was to attend a rally along with the GOP presidential hopeful, radio host Glenn Beck and Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin at an “American rally” in Concord, North Carolina. However, as rumors of a Norris endorsement of Cruz swirled, the “Walker, Texas Ranger” star apparently backed out of the event.
Kristina Hernandez, a spokeswoman for Keep the Promise I, confirmed that Norris “will no longer be appearing” at the event held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Mnemosyne
@LAO:
IANAL, but California does have laws regulating how you can use someone’s image, even if they’re a public figure. I think it has more to do with commercial uses, though (like making it look like a public figure endorses your product when they don’t). Creating a GIF from an existing TV show probably wouldn’t count.
We have an occasional annoying situation here at the Giant Evil Corporation when we want to use a photograph that was very obviously taken for publicity purposes using company employees in a book or for other commercial use and they tell us we can’t do it because we don’t have a signed release from the person. The photo was taken in 1947, OF COURSE they didn’t sign a release. Feh.
slag
@LAO: No doubt you’re correct. There’s just something about how frequently people get away with lying, grifting, and general assholery that bugs me.
LAO
@BillinGlendaleCA: you are all over me tonight … Not that I’m complaining ?
Immanentize
@LAO: LAO, you of all people should know one can ALWAYS sue. The better question is the likelihood of prevailing. But where?
Trial?
Appeal?
Settlement??
redshirt
@BillinGlendaleCA: Who hasn’t?
Eric S.
@Ultraviolet Thunder: MIA is my bane (OK, home town O’Hare is also terrible). Maybe it is all the tourists and infrequent flyers but I’ve been through true 3rd works airports that work better.
eemom
I guess I should have said lax?
I may not know anything about sports, but I do know that that abbreviation for lacrosse IS a fucking THING.
LAO
@Mnemosyne:
I think you’re probably right.
Eta: sorry I missed the I. You did not start your post with anal!!!
BillinGlendaleCA
@LAO: Hence the disclaimer.☺
ETA: Most attorneys that I know(and worked for) are litigators, so it might skew my impression of the legal profession.
LAO
@Immanentize: I hear you. For the record, I have never sued anyone. Been a defense attorney since day 1.
NotMax
@Davebo
Gotta be better than the new Berlin airport, which may have to be torn down before ever opening.
BillinGlendaleCA
@redshirt: Heh, 1 in Japan, 3 in Korea, 2 in French Polynesia, and 4 in Hawaii.
Immanentize
@LAO: me too, my friend, and I suspect my “days” number more than yours! SAD!
Mnemosyne
@Eric S.:
LAX is the worst major airport in the US. Believe me, I’ve flown in and out of ORD many times and it’s a frickin’ paradise compared to LAX. Need to use the bathroom before you get on the plane? Good luck finding one in the American terminal.
Roger Moore
@Ultraviolet Thunder:
The design sucks because it’s from before modern security. There are separate terminals for different airlines, each with their own security, so you may have to leave security, catch a bus, and go back through security in a different terminal if you have a connecting flight on a different airline. Not to mention that many of the terminals lack a well designed space for the security lines. And that it’s operating at well above designed capacity, so it’s always crowded and has terrible traffic, exacerbating the problems discussed above.
BillinGlendaleCA
@eemom: LaX might have generated less confusion.
Eric S.
@eemom: LAX is definitely a valid abbreviation for lacrosse. No argument. It’s just those of us that are/were road warriors see that and automatically think Los Angeles International Airport.
Obdurodon
@eemom: So if you used to play lacrosse then you’re an ex-lax player?
LAO
@Immanentize: 19 years. ot: do you practice in the 11th circuit? Got an argument coming up and have no idea what to expect.
Immanentize
@LAO: I really like this better. It is shorter, therefore more web efficient and more fun: “Am Not A Lawyer!!”
LAO
@BillinGlendaleCA:
It’s a fair assumption, we’re generally pretty awful people. I follow a strict no dating lawyers rule!
Mnemosyne
@LAO:
Hey, it added interest to the thread, at least.
Immanentize
@LAO: shit, you make me reveal — 30’years. Mostly fifth and first. Some earlier 11th (90’s). And most recently a lot of USSC
And Mass SJC. Only defense. A bunch of death penalty and juvenile.
redshirt
So 35 lawyers enter a chat room…
LAO
@Mnemosyne: it wouldn’t take much for us to take this thread in whole new direction. Lol
BillinGlendaleCA
@NotMax: Gawd, that’s worse than when DIA opened. (I really like DIA, but it was a CF when they first opened it.)
Immanentize
I’ve noticed that about this amazing community….
Baud
@Immanentize: You’ve noticed anal?
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@Immanentize: Let’s not get to talking about the days, please, folks. I was aghast at my appearance in a photo when our client was sentenced Tuesday. Co-counsel, who’s slightly older, wears his age better, perhaps because he’s very tall and usually impeccably dressed.
I’ve no experience in the 11th Cir., so I’m no help.
LAO
@redshirt:
Mnemosyne
@LAO:
True story: my dad was a real estate lawyer, and when I was a little girl, I once said I wanted to be an attorney. He said, No, absolutely not, being a lawyer is a terrible job. I know, I am one. He preferred paying for me to go to film school (twice!) over law school.
(He owned a title insurance company, so he never really practiced as a lawyer, but he really, really didn’t like the law stuff.)
Immanentize
@LAO: I always followed a no lawyer dating rule. I found I would more happily practice my cross examination skills on my lawyer partner…
Immanentize
@Baud: not that there is anything wrong with that!
Immanentize
@Mnemosyne: so lucky!!! I went to film school and became a lawyer. Oofda
Roger Moore
@slag:
Musicians usually have the copyrights over their own performances, and often over their music and lyrics, so they have some legal ground to pitch a fit. The copyright for TV and movies is generally owned by the production company, so the actors have little legal grounds for complaint.
LAO
@Immanentize: ok. Thanks for fessing up though.
@a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): I had hoped.
Feeling very fish out of water.
redshirt
@Immanentize: And if you’d sign here… and here….. and… here.
Immanentize
@a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): experience lines??
Roger Moore
@Davebo:
Changi in Singapore is really nice.
Baud
@Immanentize: This is supposedly a family blog.
LAO
@Mnemosyne: My mom went to law school when I was a kid, she even took me to a couple of classes. About 10 years ago, I sat her down for a stern talking to- how the hell could she let me become a lawyer, when she knew how crappy a career it was. To this day, we barely talk. (Not really).
The Republic, Blah Blah Blah...
@LAO:
Hard to say until you actually go over the books…
The 1st article Cole links to points out that one of their tax returns says they took in over $234MM… doesn’t say over what period of time… even if that’s over five years, that’s still potentially over $40MM/yr and if they were spending 40% to 50% on ‘overhead’, that comes to $16MM to $20MM/yr…
That level of expense might have been ‘legal’… and… it’s awfully easy to wonder if there wasn’t something more going on there too, when that much cash goes away on a regular basis…
Only way to really know is a really thorough audit…
Immanentize
@Baud: and John is our Blog Dad and family model. I love this place.
Baud
@Immanentize: Don’t worry. We’ll take care of that in due time.
Immanentize
@LAO: so, I cop, I make new lawyers (I teach law). It is a conflicting position.
Mnemosyne
@Immanentize:
I once met someone who graduated from Harvard Medical and then decided to get a master’s degree in film. I lost track of him, though. My two degrees got me a secretarial job in entertainment, so it’s not like I’m living the high life anyway. But I probably still enjoy my job more than I would have being a lawyer.
@LAO:
A lot of lawyers I know say that law school was amazing and studying the law was really enjoyable. It’s practicing it that sucks.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@Immanentize: Mostly trial work. Criminal at both tables, including appeals. State and federal civil, also with appeals.
LAO
@Immanentize: aren’t law students the worst!
Baud
@a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): So pretty much everything.
Immanentize
@Mnemosyne: so I was not so much into film making as film analysis. Specialty was Soviet sphere film makers. And my production teachers were all avant guards pioneers. Semiotics was big stuff then. Actually perfect stuff for law school preparation.
The saddest thing is that I used to have a different, broader way of seeing. You remind me of what one loses…. As one of my favorite teachers said — like a knife, law school sharpens the mind by narrowing it.
Immanentize
@LAO: I actually love law students. Pilgrims. But I don’t teach at an elite school. My students hide their fear and ignorance in arrogance. My job is to give them a little un-learning.
Immanentize
@a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Respect!
Truegster
@Davebo:
For f-ng real, Ray odierno’s son is on the board..
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@Immanentize: I teach at a med school. Those students don’t always hide that stuff so well.
@Immanentize: Aw, shucks. It’s just what I did. Though I do have some comical stories.
The Republic, Blah Blah Blah...
@Truegster: So Odierno, Sr is chairman of the board, and Odierno Jr is also on the board?
Gee… that’s not a possible red flag or anything, is it?
LAO
@Immanentize: @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q):
You both are quite impressive!
Davebo
@NotMax:
Holy Cow! I hadn’t heard that one. So much for superior German engineering eh?
Davebo
Lawyers? Meh!
I can tell you dating a federal judge can be a nightmare. Looking down on “little judges” that have to seek re-election.
What’s the difference between God and a Judge?
God doesn’t think she’s a judge.
Booger
@SFAW: That’s the one! What a family, amrite?
J R in WV
@Davebo:
Atlanta isn’t bad once you know how it’s laid out. Charles deGaulle is wonderful, a beautiful place to wait for your flight.
JFK is terrible, it looked like a set out of Mad Max the last time we were there. One terminal was being torn down by giant excavators, piles of rebar and broken concrete.
Interestingly, we were waiting at the Air France terminal when a bunch of limos arrived, and the AF staff was waiting with arm-loads of flowers for whoever it was. No doubt someone famous, but we’re not into society or stardom, and so didn’t know who they were.
The flowers probably didn’t make up for the devastated terminals, though. Worst ever, like in a 4th world country.
redshirt
Back when I ran the City I only took the Concorde to Paris. Then from there who knows.
J R in WV
@NotMax:
Wow, I had heard there were problems, but putting too much mass on the roof – not so gut! Really embarrassing, worse than the VW emissions fraud, that was on purpose, the airport is by F’ked Up Badly!!
Davebo
@J R in WV:
Gotta disagree about CDG. It’s not the airport itself so much but the people. There are no lines for a flight, just a “wedge”.
But it’s been maybe 6 years since I was there. Perhaps since then they’ve learned how to que up.
John W.
Good!
Once I was a cynical asshole. Now, I’m an optimistic asshole.
Fired isn’t good enough. The bastards should be jailed or forced to live in Fargo.
jw
sukabi
@srv: funny, thought BoD stood for Bastard of the Day… Board of Directors works too.
Uncle Cosmo
@J R in WV:
Sounds like someone went through the specs & decided to save euros by replacing every occurrence of rebar with FUBAR…