Crawford Peace House In Trouble

[Van23]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070407/ap_on_re_us/peace_house_woes


This is really disheartening and embarrassing. I'm willing to bet that this is just a case of sloppy bookkeeping, not fraud. Nevertheless, Loofah O'Reilly and other right-wing hit men will just start frothing at the mouth over this.

This also leads to a pet peeve of mine. When are progressives gonna learn how to handle money?!?! I can't tell you how many progressive issues/groups I've been involved with in which little or no financial bookkeeping is done, checks are lost or cashed three MONTHS later, people are not reimbursed in a timely manner for jobs done, etc.

Air America is another great example. Ed Schultz was right to rip the network a new one a few weeks ago.

One thing I'll say about conservatives. Things like Enron aside, at least righties know how to run friggin' businesses! They don't get so caught up in the "Grand Idea" that they lose track of daily operations.

[peacetalksforall]

1. Do you mean idealists are involved in agendas and don't mind the

pennies?

PNAC idealists involved in an agenda lost billions upon billions.

[WiseButAngrySara]

10. Excellent point. ....n/t

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[liberalnurse]

28. Let me put it this way,.....

for lack of being permitted to come straight out and express my assessment of the OP/thread....

Someone needs a compass or GPS module ,,,because they have obviously pulled into the wrong parking garage.

[AlCzervik]

3. "at least righties know how to run friggin' businesses!"

uh-huh, sure, you have a nice night now.

[bilgewaterbill]

4. Strong words but wrong words. "Things like Enron aside.."

That's like saying, "Aside from some recreational butchery, Jack the Ripper was a nice guy."

[AlCzervik]

6. well done sir, well done.

:toast:

[Van23]

8. I'll admit it's not scientific,

but it has been my experience. Green Party--check I wrote cashed three months late; check I wote to Rolling Thunder--lost; check I wrote to a progressive paper I subscribed to two years ago--kept getting invoiced OVER AND OVER for a payment I sent....etc.

[CTyankee]

5. As someone who has worked in "cause" related nonprofits, I can tell you

that my take on this is that small nonprofits operate with leaders who are advocates for their cause, not MBAs. It is unrealistic to think differently about them. Once the nonprofit gets large enough it can hire more professional staff, but disorganization and mismanagement are pretty much the way it is with small nonprofits. Plus you have the turnover rate which is high in nonprofits so that adds to the problem.

It is sad but I think it is ever so. Nonprofits themselves have looked into this problem, it is nothing new to them. There is a national group of nonprofits that often run workshops on how the small agency can cope and manage day to day business.

This is hard to do. Please understand that people sign up for these causes because they want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE and not be a green eye shade bookkeeper.

[Van23]

9. I agree

that making a difference is important. But you can't ignore things like money without looking incompetent and/or crooked.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CTyankee]

16. You are overstating the problem. Enron mismanagement is a FAR greater problem

affecting FAR more people in this country than some small nonprofit, in terms of mismanagement. Your priorities are skewed. You should be talking about the abuse of great power that the RW power groups have had over our media. This is where your CONCERN should lie, if you are a progressive. If you are not a progressive, I suggest you take your grievances elsewhere.

[Van23]

18. I don't disagree

All I'm saying is progressive groups--especially Cindy Sheehan--are going to be in the public eye. That needs to be kept in mind.

[CTyankee]

23. Eyes on the prize, buddy.

This brouhaha or whatever it is is basically a diversion from our task as progressives, if I understand your position as you have explained it on this thread.

But political movements start at the local level and it is most often the case that the people running them are gifted at non business activities. HOWEVER, these people play an important role in changing the direction of our country. Look at civil rights, womens rights, immigrants rights, gay rights, etc., and you see a long line of people who actually CHANGED the way American thought about what it was doing. And they didn't change their minds because the activists were good at organizational management!

Put this in perspective, Van. That has to be "kept in mind" too.

[Van23]

24. OK.. ,you are right..

I get cynical very easily. Whenever I see stuff like this, I tend to blow it out of proportion and assume the worst.

What happens with the Peace House will not stop our movement. It's just a drop in the bucket. This will probably all be forgotten by the end of next week.

:)

I just get defensive when I'm automatically labeled a Freeper for venting. I support progressive causes, so that's why I get so PO'ed whenever I read stuff like this about the Peace House. I have high standards for us. I don't expect anything but corruption from Minutemen, PNAC, Christian Coalition, etc. It doesn't suprise me when they get busted for something.

[CTyankee]

27. Don't worry. The freepers just hit and run and you didn't do that.

We've just got to keep on keeping on as the saying goes. I had 32 years working in causes I cared about and I wouldn't have it any other way, even with the bumps in the road.

DU is a group of committed individuals. Don't let our paranoia get you down. Please understand that we have freepers here trying to undermine our work so we are alert to that. You have been a very responsive person. That's good. I appreciate hearing your concerns...

[Van23]

34. Thanks!

I'm just trying to offer constructive criticism here. God knows I'm not trying to tear down Cindy Sheehan or anyone else.

[ClassWarrior]

7. Are y'all recycling those two old chestnuts again?

Fraud at Crawford Peace House!! AAR in trouble!! This is hugh!!11! I'm series!!1111!!!!1111!!

:rofl:

NGU.

[Van23]

12. I don't think it's fraud

but try convincing Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and the millions who watch FOX "news". You know this is going to be their lead story on Monday.

[Lerkfish]

13. and let me guess, you count yourself among those millions

the sad thing is these guys are so transparent.

[Van23]

15. See my post above

for an answer.

[Saturday]

19. I agree, I hold the same opinion

that we need not give Limbaugh, Hannity, etc ammunition to hit us. I think this will be all over their shows next week.

[Change has come]

38. Does it really matter what those asshats say?

They are liars who are paid to "hate" us.

[Maestro]

17. This definitely works both ways.

Reichwingers have their hand in ruining economies, Shrub and Cheney and Wolfowitz et al., plus nutjob reichwing fear mongering organizations like these puny men, the MinuteMen.

Minuteman Project In Turmoil Over Financial Allegations
Leadership Fight Splits Border Group

By Sonya Geis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 13, 2007; Page A03

LOS ANGELES -- The Minuteman Project, an anti-illegal-immigrant organization that has monitored the southern border, is embroiled in a nasty legal fight over accusations of financial improprieties that has splintered the group and probably will sideline it during the busiest time of the year for border crossing.

Former leaders of the Minuteman Project accuse founder Jim Gilchrist, 58, of using $300,000 of the group's money to support his pet causes, including promoting a book he co-wrote and funding an unsuccessful run for Congress in a 2005 special election. Last month, saying they are the group's board of directors, they took over the Minuteman Project Web site and bank accounts, and fired Gilchrist as president.

More here

[Van23]

22. This is good.

I just hope more people find out about it.

[KoKo]

20. ROFL...you gotta be kidding...

Using RW Talking Points to sound the ALARM for Left Wing? "Sloppy Bookeeping..not fraud (you insinuate) and "Loofah O'Reilly...using Left Wing Jargon...

THEN...you insinuate that "Left Wingers" can't handle Money! :rofl:

I didn't need to go beyond the first to start laughing...but I DID READ THE REST....and YOU HAVE GOT TO BE...well...I won't say...but

:rofl: How hard it must be to face the truth for some...it must be GUT WRENCHING!

[Van23]

21. I know my experince is not a scientific survey,

but that has been my experience.

[Solo_in_MD]

29. HIs point about people who work for causes may not understand how to keep books is well founded

Its a major problem for many non-profits and charities. The trick is to get a progressive CPA in early to avoid giving fodder to our enemies. Nothing not progressive about taking that position.

[Van23]

35. Amen, brother!

[Solo_in_MD]

40. Responsibility and concern about perception annoy the doctrinaire

but they live in their own reality.

Had you condemned the people that would have been different, but your call to avoid screwing up so that we are correctly perceived as responsible people is a good thing.

The doctrinaire love to attack those less pure than themselves, but are really the movements worst enemy since they cast all of us as untenable flakes. Hang in there.

[cliss]

25. Don't be surprised if it was sabotage.

Remember the Adventures of "Cruella De Ville", Katherine Harris? During her campaign, there were lots of things happening, "Ladies fight in Harris's Office".
"Harris yanks payroll expenses"
"New fighting in Harris's office"

It was so obvious.

Re: Money Management. Please don't give these creeps so much credit. Enron was no exception. The Repubs run ALL their corporations like that. Enron just got caught, that's all.

[Van23]

26. That's a Definite Possibility!

[bbinacan]

31. Please know that not all

DU folks are as judgmental as you've experienced here. You bring a valid discussion and I appreciate your thoughts. Welcome to DU!

[Van23]

36. Thank you!

[Horse with no Name]

30. Nice.

The difference in Democrats and Republicans is that Republicans ALWAYS cover up their messes and make sure nobody ever sees them.
Progressives, however, don't mind their laundry being aired.
With that said, there were some really good ideas here about what should be done with the money when it was donated.
There was a fairly large chunk by one donor.
I only hope that it was used to actually pay the house off.

[stillcool]

32. You know the problem is...

apples and oranges. You're comparing global corporations with government backing, and Wall Street, vs. the Crawford Peace House? The political...hell..the entire apparatus of government and those that own it, is a fraud.

John Wolf, who co-founded the Crawford Peace House in 2003 in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom white-clapboard house just across the railroad tracks from downtown, denied allegations of wrongdoing. He said the claims were by only a few people and would not hurt the work of the Crawford Peace House, which is planning a fourth anniversary celebration Sunday.

He said the Peace House has an accountant and has kept diligent records, which soon will be posted in its Web site. He said most of the $285,000 raised in 2005 was spent on food, van and bus rentals, gas and a large tent for the rallies at several events.

"All of this money was given to us to take care of people who came here, and that's what we did," Wolf said Friday. "If somebody has fantasies, I can't affect that."

The Crawford Peace House bank account had only $3 in early August 2005, but Sheehan's monthlong vigil in ditches off the road leading to Bush's ranch brought thousands of people and donations from across the country. Because the rural campsite was small, most protesters spent much of their time at the Peace House, which also became headquarters for Sheehan, whose son died in
Iraq in 2004.

Wolf said he plans to turn in the franchise tax report next week — nearly a year late — to the Texas Comptroller's Office to regain the Peace House's corporate charter. The report was not filed sooner because the house's volunteer director was overwhelmed with other tasks and was confused about whether the paperwork had to be filed if no taxes were owed, he said.

[Leopolds Ghost]

33. I've been involved in a community project for years

And for YEARS have fought "fellow lefties" who wanted to stiff our rent instead of work on trying to make it, volunteered and then refused to do any work at all because "it's not like we're getting paid", refused to handle or collect money responsibly, refused to seek damages from the parties responsible when stuff got broken, refused to assist financially themselves even when obligated to, etc. It seems to be how America Works these days. Even "for profit" businesses can't survive because they are taught that anything not directly profitable should be dispensed with, including all the little things that make your operation a success, and valuable to the community.

To be fair, there are many other people involved who have been every bit as diligent or more diligent than I know how to be, but it only takes a few people who are only semi-functional and unfortunately, idealistic endeavors such as a cooperative house tend to attract people who are seeking to be part of something because they are only semi-functional in the "outside, business" world. This would always be true, and nothing's wrong with it, but the number of functional, organization-minded Americans who consider it socially acceptable to be involved in cooperative community service, or indeed do anything with their lives other than make money for them and their family, has drastically decreased.

[Van23]

37. The vast majority

of people who are engaged in community activism are honest and responsible people. It just takes a few bad people to embarrass us.

About ten years ago, I was living in Columbus Ohio working the annual Hempfest. A couple guys in a progressive political group I was with at the time actually walked into a classroom at the local university, took a couple of chairs to use during the event without asking anyone, then tried to make off with them after the event!

I basically tore them both new ones and told them to put them back. They gave me the old "the university has lots of money" "they won't miss a couple chairs" blah blah...

I told them we need to set an example. Theft is theft..period. How can we speak out against Republican corruption if we don't act ethically ourselves?

[Kingofalldems]

42. Thanks for your concern

[underseasurveyor]

39. Oh brother

:rofl:
Whatever!!!11!!!!1!

[Decruiter]

41. I so much desire not to get into this fray, but now I must.

I know the founders, I've been around since Johnny Wolf arranged for the purchase of the Peace House and all of us in Dallas had to keep it a secret.

Sara and Sandra (Sandy) are making unfounded allegations and trying hard to create dissension and chaos. It is so wrong on so many levels.

I hope that DU stands with Cindy and the Peace House. Another post was made earlier and someone made a post about what happens with ego. I do not have the time to go find that thread but that poster nailed it and then some.

I have much more to share and could easily put all this to rest, I'm just too tired right now. I'll watch to see if this continues to escalate or just die a decent death. I'll be happy to share with DU what I know later today, I'm hoping it will just stop (although it appears not to be and I am going to be forced to make a public statement, not just at DU, this Sara person is seriously out of control). I'm just really sorry that these two have come out at this time to do this. It is just so not right.

Everything the two of them are alleging is absolutely NOT TRUE!

Peace to you all and have a good Easter.

[CTyankee]

43. Nasty fight at Planned Parenthood before Griswold v. Connecticut

Estelle Griswold, executive director of the then-called Planned Parenthood League of CT, get into a big wrangle with certain members of her board of directors about the time that they challenged the CT law forbidding the sale of contraceptives in the state. PPL had for years had volunteers driving CT women over state lines to New York to help them obtain birth control. Finally, PPL (along with some prominent members of Yale Law School) decided to challenge the law. They began to prescribe contraceptives to patients in open defiance of the state law. The New Haven Police were summoned by an ardent foe of birth control who made it his business to find out these things and the clinic was shut down, Griswold and her Clinical Director were arrested and charged. We know what happened after that, with the culmination of Griswold v. CT. In the ensuing years that decision has been used in subsequent Supreme Court decision to affirm not only reproductive rights, but gay rights as well.

My point is that during the most important, exciting, and history making work of that organization there was backbiting, resentment and open anger against Estelle Griswold by certain factions resulting in several resignations from the agency's Board of Directors. Yet that organization changed history in the United States.

Cindy Sheehan and her devoted followers will no doubt go down in history as laying the groundwork for the ending of the Iraq War. We must keep all this in perspective.

I very much appreciated reading your post. My thoughts are with you.