Former President George W. Bush billed a charity for wounded military veterans $100,000 in speaking fees three years ago, a new report says.
The organization also provided Bush with private jet travel to Houston at a cost of $20,000.
Laura Bush, the former president’s wife, additionally pocketed $50,000 after appearing for the group in 2011, ABC reported.
Helping a Hero fundraises for homes that are specifically adapted for military veterans with lost limbs and other severe injuries, it said.
The group specifically helps those who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.
– From the Hill article: George W. Bush Charged $100K for Speech at Wounded Veterans Event
Only in America could it been seen as acceptable for the man most directly responsible for causing young veterans their wounds, to turn around and charge $100,000 to speak in front of a charity for those same veterans.
While one could argue (though it’s becoming increasingly hard these days with evidence of Saudi Arabia’s role in 9/11), that the invasion of Afghanistan seemed justified at the time, the invasion of Iraq was nothing short of a horrific war crime. Iraq had nothing to do with September 11th, and everyone with half a brain knew that. The Iraq war continues to be a gigantic crime scene. One in which thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis were killed. For absolutely no reason.
Many of those who survived Bush’s imperial adventures abroad, came back to destroyed lives as well as severely damaged emotional states. So much so, it is estimated that at least 1.5 veterans under the age of 35 commits suicide every single day. For those left over, the ones who somehow figured out a way to move on despite their emotional and physical scars, George W. Bush has a generous gift for you. Yes, the man who wrecked your lives for no reason other than ego, stupidity and the enrichment of his corporate backers, is willing to take some time off from his busy schedule of painting portraits of world leaders to talk to you. For a fee of $100,000 and $20,000 in travel expenses for private jet that is.
From the Hill:
Former President George W. Bush billed a charity for wounded military veterans $100,000 in speaking fees three years ago, a new report says.
Bush charged Texas-based Helping a Hero that amount in 2012, according to ABC News.
The organization also provided Bush with private jet travel to Houston at a cost of $20,000. Laura Bush, the former president’s wife, additionally pocketed $50,000 after appearing for the group in 2011, ABC reported.
Helping a Hero fundraises for homes that are specifically adapted for military veterans with lost limbs and other severe injuries, it said.
The group specifically helps those who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Helping a Hero told ABC the $170,000 in total costs were worth it because the Bushes helped the group raise record funds in 2011 and 2012.
I can’t believe the charity had the nerve to justify what Bush did in this way. This is the lamest excuse imaginable. Bush would have had the exact same positive financial impact to the charity had he spoken for free. But no, Bush wanted to earn money, showing absolutely zero compassion or respect for the vets he sent into combat.
Many vets are well aware of how badly they have been used and abused by the U.S. government, and have spoken out. See:
Another U.S. Veteran Passionately Pleads – “Please Don’t Thank Me for My Service”
A Marine’s Incredible Letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein
Meet Brandon Bryant: The Drone Operator Who Quit After Killing a Child
Now, back to the Hill article:
Former Marine Eddie Wright, a former member of Helping a Hero’s board, criticized the former first family on Wednesday.
“For him to be paid to raise money for veterans that were wounded in combat under his orders, I don’t think that’s right,” Wright said.
“You sent me to war,” he said. “I was doing what you told me to do, gladly for you and our country and I have no regrets.”
“But it is kind of a slap in the face,” added Wright, who lost both of his hands during a rocket attack in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.
Classy as usual.
For some related thoughts on Iraq, see:
America’s Disastrous Foreign Policy – My Thoughts on Iraq
Finally, here is the brilliant Bill Hicks on the first Iraq war:
In Liberty,
Michael Krieger
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Is this a financial website or have you gone the way of CNN? You don’t know a thing about Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other conflict. Its easy to judge people from the comfort of your arm chair. Making real time decisions knowing that people will die is a mans job….. which your not.
1) This isn’t a financial website, nor does it claim to be one. Where does it say it is a financial website?
2) Which conflict did you serve in, Iraq or Afghanistan? Please provide your name, unit and some examples of the manly work you did in combat.
If you can’t answer #2 then you are, as suspected, just another troll running his mouth.
Mike, thanks for posting this. You did a favor to all of us veterans.
Great article! Here’s something from Nancy “half a brain” Pelosi:
“Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.”
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998.
The hits just keep on coming! Here’s something from John “half a brain” Kerry:
“I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force — if necessary— to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.”
Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002.
And let’s not forget Hillary “hang ’em out to dry in Benghazi” Clinton:
“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.”
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
She should be the next president of the US, don’t ya think? What great insight and judgement she has shown over her “career”. What was that she has done? I can’t really think of anything but since she’s a woman (I think) she should be President. Anyone with half a brain will vote for her.
How many dead and wounded were Kennedy and Johnson responsible for with their Viet Nam debacle?
The Greatest Story Never Told-Who Really Started World War II 🙁
https://dublinsmick.wordpress.com/2015/05/12/the-greatest-story-never-told-who-really-started-world-war-ii/
Michael Krieger = leftist POS
Never been called a leftist before. I must be doing something right to confuse partisan clowns so much they have to resort to childish and simplistic name calling.
Somewhere out there, is a Neocon-focused blog (or FB page) that has linked to this article, aghast that some serf would have the temerity to call out His Highness Geo. Bush the II for this horribly tone-deaf (at best) – or viciously money-grubbing & hypocritical (at worst) – act of charging wounded veterans to speak to them.
It has all the hallmarks of such, anyway…the linked references to those damn libtards and their complicity in the crime.
Luckily, people on the street are waking up. The Neocons, the Neolibs, the whole Neo-f***ing-lot-of-them can go take a flying f*** at a rolling donut for all I care.
We are going to vote them ALL out, and if they wont let us do that…well, then we will find another way.
Possibly, including woodchippers. (because a well trimmed national lawn needs lots of mulch in the median dontchaknow)
Keep fighting the good fight – the awake will soon outnumber the asleep!
What about the organization that prefers to spend 100.000$ on GWB rather than on those they should help?
Mike, Giving President George W. Bush the benefit of the doubt, even though he did nothing to stop over sixty years of the abusive application of the state secrets privilege and related policy abuses, can you find out how on much on a year by year basis he has given to organizations that help veterans?
Exactly what I’d expect from Bill Clinton’s “brother from another mother.”
At first I read the headline as ‘George W Bush was charged $100K to speak at an event’ — which would have been both hilarious and fantastic. Too bad it’s the usual other way around.