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Title: Barbara Bush's Katrina donation ignites debate
Source:
Houston Chronicle
URL Source: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/dis ... pl/headline/metro/3744991.html
Published: Mar 24, 2006
Author: Jennifer Radcliffe
Post Date: 2006-03-24 23:25:28 by Peetie Wheatstraw
Keywords: donation, Barbara, Katrina
Views: 402
Comments: 17
As Barbara Bush spent two hours championing her son's software company at a Houston middle school Thursday morning, a watchdog group questioned whether the former first lady should be allowed to channel a donation to Neil Bush's Ignite Learning company through Houston's Hurricane Katrina relief fund. "It's strange that the former first lady would want to do this. If her son's having a rough time of it, couldn't she write him a check?" said Daniel Borochoff, founder of the American Institute of Philanthropy, a Chicago-based charity watchdog group. "Maybe she isn't aware that people could frown upon this." Some critics said donations to a tax-deductible charitable fund shouldn't benefit the Bush family. Others questioned whether the Houston Independent School District violated district policy by allowing the company to host a promotional event on campus. HISD officials said the event at Fleming Middle School, where Bush met with 40 educators and business leaders, did not violate policy. The school is among eight area campuses that received Ignite "Curriculum On Wheels" systems because of Bush's donation of an undisclosed amount to the Bush-Clinton Houston Hurricane Relief Fund. She gave specific instructions that part of the money be sent to the Scottish Space School Foundation. She asked that group, in turn, to use the money to buy eight Ignite systems — valued at $3,800 each — for Harris County schools with large numbers of Hurricane Katrina evacuees, according to Bush and fund officials. "I said to George one day: 'Maybe it's sort of selfish of me, but I'd like to give something that I could see the results of,' " she told the crowd. "The thing I knew about was the COW." She said she hopes the donation will encourage other companies and individuals to give both time and money to public schools strapped by Hurricane Katrina. Bush said her son's company could not have afforded the donation on its own. "They gave a lot. They couldn't give more," she said. "They'd love to give more, but they're a little, small company." Steve Maislin, president of the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which is administering the $979,000 relief fund that Bush donated to, said the donation was made legally and properly. "Mrs. Bush wanted to support the local hurricane effort," he said. "She could have done it directly. She chose to do it through here to get the word out about the fund." Fleming rolled out the red carpet for Bush. Colorguard members from Wheatley High School and band members from Kashmere High School performed. Three Hurricane Katrina evacuees who now attend Fleming spoke about why they enjoy using the Curriculum on Wheels. "It makes me laugh," said Bryson Smith, a 15-year-old Fleming student. "I really do enjoy the COW." While HISD has a policy that prevents the district and its schools from endorsing or promoting the "merit of a brand name or trademarked products," Houston officials defended the event. "HISD employees talk about the value of instructional products all the time. Fleming Middle School thanked former first lady Barbara Bush for helping provide an instructional program that they found of benefit," deputy press secretary Adriana Villarreal said. "Students had the learning opportunity of confidently standing up at a podium, speaking articulately and explaining to former first lady Barbara Bush what they learned from the instructional program." Nancy Lomax, a longtime parent activist in HISD, said the district shouldn't have allowed the event to be held during school hours. "HISD as a matter of policy does not endorse products. I think they're getting way off course, their own moral course," she said. "I can understand that HISD is in an awkward position to accept a gift from a powerful person, but at the same time to turn it around and make it a dog and pony show is disgusting." Ignite, which currently says it does businesses with 81 districts in 13 states, has been under scrutiny since its inception in 1999. Reports show that the company received funding from foreign oil sources, computer magnates and friends of the Republican family. The Austin-based company got its foot in the door in HISD in 2003, when Neil Bush and the HISD Foundation agreed to raise $115,000 in private donations to foot half of the bill for the software. Susan Ohanian, a former public school teacher and Vermont-based author who tracks educational issues, said she was stunned by Bush's donation. "The public has a very hard time understanding that some money is not worth it," she said. "I've never heard of anything like this so blatant: Pull at your heart strings with Katrina victims and then make sure your son profits from it."
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#1. To: Peetie Wheatstraw, robin, RICO (#0)
Thanks for Prohibition and the war against drugs. Thanks for a country where nobody's allowed to mind their own business. Thanks for a nation of finks. Yes, thanks for all the memories-- all right let's see your arms!- William S Burroughs
Bingo! Everytime the mother of Dubai Dubya is on national television she exposes her complete disconnect from reality, and good and decent people.
Why should we hear about body bags, and deaths...I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that? ~Barbara Bush on ABC's "Good Morning America," March 18, 2003.
unitary oblisse?
Thanks for Prohibition and the war against drugs. Thanks for a country where nobody's allowed to mind their own business. Thanks for a nation of finks. Yes, thanks for all the memories-- all right let's see your arms!- William S Burroughs
yes, if that means the behavior of a vicious, evil, self-serving bitch, then yes
Why should we hear about body bags, and deaths...I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that? ~Barbara Bush on ABC's "Good Morning America," March 18, 2003.
The Bush family truly is the bland face of evil.
Thanks for Prohibition and the war against drugs. Thanks for a country where nobody's allowed to mind their own business. Thanks for a nation of finks. Yes, thanks for all the memories-- all right let's see your arms!- William S Burroughs
My only hope is that this "old bag" lives until the end of Jorge's dictate so as to not have a "state funeral" for this vile and evil one...
Maybe she'll be kidnapped by Iranian terrists working with Bill Clinton.
Thanks for Prohibition and the war against drugs. Thanks for a country where nobody's allowed to mind their own business. Thanks for a nation of finks. Yes, thanks for all the memories-- all right let's see your arms!- William S Burroughs
Oh Christ! And then become a martyr for the 'con cause? Spare me the thought, will you? ;)
It ain't a Bingo! She was quoted as saying she's not at liberty to disclose the amount they "donated", while MSM talks up their "generosity". These crimminals will do as they please, manuevering around tax and donation laws, flat out cheating, daring somebody to challenge 'em. See, laws don't apply to them. No wonder junior's such an arrogant fu*k.
lol!
Why should we hear about body bags, and deaths...I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that? ~Barbara Bush on ABC's "Good Morning America," March 18, 2003.
That Bingo was meant for her continued lack of awareness between right and wrong, as I mentioned after the Bingo.
Why should we hear about body bags, and deaths...I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that? ~Barbara Bush on ABC's "Good Morning America," March 18, 2003.
May she enjoy the fruits of her labors, ala, Marie Antoinette.
Lack of awareness between right and wrong? Highly unlikely. Expectation of entitlement is more like it.
Neil's monument to his mother.
"I woke up in the CRAZY HOUSE."
Yes indeed.
Why should we hear about body bags, and deaths...I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that? ~Barbara Bush on ABC's "Good Morning America," March 18, 2003.
Can you believe she has the audacity to crow about it? She's so entrenched in her own superiority, she doesn't have the sense to shut her mouth.
#2. To: Dakmar (#1)
"Maybe she isn't aware that people could frown upon this."
#3. To: robin (#2)
#4. To: Dakmar (#3)
unitary oblisse?
#5. To: robin (#4)
#6. To: Dakmar (#5)
#7. To: Dakmar (#5)
The Bush family truly is the bland face of evil.
#8. To: Brian S (#7)
#9. To: Dakmar (#8)
Maybe she'll be kidnapped by Iranian terrists working with Bill Clinton.
#10. To: robin (#2)
Bingo!
#11. To: Dakmar, BAC, Weekend Badye, Badeye After Five (#8)
Maybe she'll be kidnapped by Iranian terrists working with Bill Clinton.
#12. To: angle (#10)
#13. To: Brian S (#6)
#14. To: robin (#12)
#15. To: Peetie Wheatstraw (#0)
"The thing I knew about was the COW."
#16. To: angle (#13)
May she enjoy the fruits of her labors, ala, Marie Antoinette.
#17. To: Peetie Wheatstraw (#0)
"I said to George one day: 'Maybe it's sort of selfish of me...'
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