Dreadful right-wing Salvation Army checking 'residency' of kids who need toys in El Paso

[Bluebear]

Merry Christmas to one and...well, not all....

Jesus would not have gotten a toy either, as his parents were "non-residents" from another area.

=====

El Paso, TX - Requirements for those getting help from one local organization have some folks wondering if this is an immigration check rather than helping those in need this holiday season....

Captain Keith Bottjen with the Salvation Army said, "The people who are coming in, they're truly needy and it's good to be able to help."

Their wishes are hung on trees at malls and stores around the city.

There is, however, a catch not many know about.

"Unfortunately, due to grants and other restrictions we have to go a little farther and prove residence and stuff like that," Bottjen said....

The Salvation Army also verifies the immigration status of anyone who comes to their shelter.

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=11602889

[Divine Discontent]

1. I'm sooooooo grateful that my Lord & Savior always asked for place of birth when spreading His word

and that this "Salvation" Army is doing His work just as He did while here!

Such LOOOOOOVE in those people.

Oh, and sorry, if you wanna be a part of them, but are GLBT, you'll have to go find something else to assist with in their glorious charity work.

[ima_sinnic]

2. I'd planned to give the SA a donation this Xmas, but will write & tell them why not

instead, I will donate to an organization that is sincerely interested in helping other human beings, not only those of a particular nationality with some bullshit excuse. Giving should have no artificial bounds, especially when it comes to children.

[BolivarianHero]

3. I have some old clothes to give away...Guess which charity will not be getting them.

Honestly, it's really kind of pathetic...They're violating the spirit of the Christian doctrine of sanctuary and transgressing the fundamental concept of Christ's message being one which transcends the arbitrary constraints of race and nation. Even if you want the government the prosecute illegal immigrants, why should their children be punished for something over which they have no control? The radical right and the censorship crusaders implore us to think about children when they are generally the ones who are the least likely to heed their own words.

[Skelly]

28. The need to research first

To all who do not plan to give to the SA because of this, please do some additional research into this issue. Most (nearly all) charities require some form of id. As in this case, it is usually done to prevent fraud. Unfortunately, there are those who would take advantage of many charities otherwise (applying at multiple locations, getting gifts for children they do not have so they can be resold for cash that goes for things donors do not intend to support, etc). The charities only want the items to go to the intended recipients. On further examination of this particular instance, the SA has stated no child, no matter what their immigration status, would be denied services. I do not agree with all of SA's policies, but to NOT give because of the posted OP (when you have previously supported them) is something you may want to re-think.

[Bluebear]

30. It's not only that. It is their anti-gay lobbying too.

there are many charities that are not so odious in those areas.

[Skelly]

50. I agree

And for those individuals who do not donate for that reason, this is a non-issue. But to those who DO donate to SA, to NOT do so because of a not totally accurate post would be a mis-justice. (not sure that is a word, but I think I communicated my meaning)

[NutmegYankee]

70. I do not donate to SA because of their equality opposition.

I called the OP out on the post, but he "ignored" me, LOL. He ignored me without even realizing we are actually on the same side. Such is DU these days.

[Echo In Light]

4. Funny how rule-crazy conservatives are the only ones really worry about "stuff like that."

[AndyA]

5. Nice. The Salvation Army will not be getting any money from me this season.

I will let them know why not, too.

The little kids should not be punished for this. And if you're illegal you aren't entitled to shelter from the cold? I would think the only requirement for that would be that you're human. Apparently the dolts in charge at the SA aren't human.

[beyond cynical]

6. Right Wing...?

When I donate, it is my intent to help the citizens of my country. If I wanted to help the world, I would donate to UNICEF or something like that.

Is there something wrong with that?

[Bluebear]

35. 'When I donate, it is my intent to help the citizens of my country.' Well good for you

My charity doesn't come with a condition.

[proud2BlibKansan]

47. It's Christmas and they are children

I don't care WHERE they live. They are children.

[SallyMander]

65. +1000000 nt.

[EndersDame]

74. So only kids that popped out of a vagina within US borders deserve christmas presents?

[beyond cynical]

90. Not at all...

I have no problem with you or your cohorts giving your property to whoever you want to give it to. The only requirement is that you reciprocate and allow the Salvation Army to follow that same policy.

[likesmountains 52]

86. yes...

[heliarc]

102. Nationalism is what's wrong with that IMHO.

Same problem I have with Volk Fascism in Germany leading up to the rise of the Third Reich.

Draw your petty lines. Poverty doesn't know borders.

[Pithlet]

103. Yes. n/t

[Sukie]

7. I think it is ridiculous to call the SA right wing.

There is nothing right wing about a charity. This particular one is perhaps run by someone who has put their own selfish intentions into how they run it, but not donating to the SA in general over this wouldn't solve the problem of the needy. I help at a food closet for my county and we aren't supposed to give food out to people from other counties. They don't have to prove need, just that they are from our county, usually with a drivers lisense. I hated this provision, but since the funds come from the county, I sort of understand. If I get the chance, I try and sneak people who don't qualify at least one meals worth of food.

[tishaLA]

10. how about their rabidly anti-gay policies then?

[Bluebear]

23. :crickets:

[medeak]

11. SA saved friend after 3 rehabs....always donate

and will continue to do so. Am with you...one bad apple.

[proud2BlibKansan]

75. Your friend must be an American citizen

[medeak]

91. hey..long time no see

good to "see" you again! ;-)

[Bluebear]

16. It's a right wing evangelical anti-gay monstrosity

[Bluebear]

19. "Salvation Army cites Bush in helping it strengthen anti-gay hiring"

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-461275.html

[viscrente]

88. agreed

The SA is a wonderful charity... They just want to make sure that people that are from this country are supported and not taking things back to Mexico.

Besides.... Is it necessary to politicize EVERYTHING!!!

[Lavender Brown]

108. The Salvation Army is doing the politicizing

by punishing children for their parents' immigration status. :thumbsdown:

[TCJ70]

8. Selective reading is fun...

...let's read the whole thing. In regards to helping kids with toys at Christmas time:

"A child's social security card, birth certificate, or his or her report card is all that's needed." This is about proving that you live in El Paso and that the child really is who you say they are, not that you are a United States citizen. It also doesn't say that the birth certificate has to be from the United States. I've worked with The Salvation Army for a long time and have seen all kinds of ID's from all kinds of places come through the toy shop. It's a matter of identification not citizenship.

As for the shelter thing, if there are other services provided with the shelter, residency may be a qualifying factor when it comes to helping get people jobs. If they use that information to refuse shelter, shame on them, but that is not stated anywhere in the article.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. The Salvation Army is doing this all over the country

There was a local story here where I live and Bill Press and Thom Hartman both discussed it yesterday.

The Salvation Army has apparently issued a directive that only US citizens are to receive their services, and that includes children receiving Christmas presents.

There is no stretch of the imagination that can justify this. How appallingly racist. I will never again place even a penny in a Salvation Army kettle.

[TCJ70]

22. I already forwarded this story to the people I know in the SA...

...to let them know what's being put out there. As I said before, if this really is an immigration check, that's stupid. If it's a proof of address and identification thing, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Being pretty involved, I haven't seen anything saying that US paperwork is required, only identification. From what I saw in the article, a report card is proof enough to get through the line. A parent should at least have access to one of those, no? It also said that if even one of the children has ID, all the children qualify. You don't even need ID for all the kids.

[Bluebear]

24. When you call, you might ask your people why they refuse to hire gay people.

[TCJ70]

27. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of that either...

...but I'm not ready to throw out the baby with the bathwater just yet.

[Bluebear]

29. For me, there are plenty of charities that don't have a 'catch' for me to help.

[hfojvt]

31. I notice you don't name any.

[Bluebear]

32. Are you being an asshole or would you like to know who I donate to?

[hfojvt]

41. Why can't both of those be true?

I was planning to give $100 to the Army. Is there a better place for my money?

[Bluebear]

43. The former I knew about lol

I kid, I kid.

Besides political schtuff, (such as Amnesty) personally I donate to a local food bank here, folks hit by unemployment. Likewise I also like Goodwill Industries. The Marines Toys for Tots program seems to be a nice one.

[AnneD]

85. Two great international charities that I donate to.....

Nothing but Nets, $100 will get 10 families a mosquito net for them to sleep under to prevent malaria or www.heifer.org which will buy a nanny goat that will give milk and be used to build herds for villagers. They also help build flocks of other animals too. The gift of full tummy is always better than a toy to a hungry child.

[Cid_B]

93. I just sent the SA 10 bucks to counter everyone who didn't read the whole thing...

Jeez...

[asjr]

9. Since S.A. no longer has its original mandate

of helping others they may as well put up their kettles and bells and call it a day.

[cark]

12. Completely unfair representation.

This is a charity actually doing good work for poor people. The article clearly explains the reason for this policy. Donations are low and they want to try and keep the donations in El Paso.

-----------

"Unfortunately, due to grants and other restrictions we have to go a little farther and prove residence and stuff like that," Bottjen said.

Salvation Army officials say this is not an issue of immigration. They only need to know if the children getting the toys live here.

"It is a difficult thing to decide because when people come in and they need help and you're looking at the kids and you're looking at the need and you're fulfilling the need," Bottjen explained.

A child's social security card, birth certificate, or his or her report card is all that's needed.

The intention isn't to take away the spirit of Christmas, just to keep the donations in El Paso.

[Bluebear]

17. The SA is an evangelical anti-gay behemoth.

[cark]

25. That still does good work to help the poor.

Christianity in general is antigay and since SA is Christian based what do you expect? Just because they don't meet your purity test doenst mean that they don't do good work helping people.

[Bluebear]

26. "Purity test", wow that's new! Sorry, not one more dime to SA from me.

Charity should not come with a catch.

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. Not unfair at all

How could any human being with a heart care where a child in need was born or where that child sleeps at night?

I can't even begin to imagine how heartless you would have to be to decide you don't want to help a child at Christmas because his parents don't live where you think they should. How incredibly cruel.

[Bluebear]

46. I have always held you dear.

You always get it. :loveya:

[proud2BlibKansan]

49. As do you

You either get it or you don't I guess.

[AnneD]

14. Let me be the fly in the ointment here.....

the story originates in El Paso. We have rather porous borders here. They want to make sure all the needy kids in El Paso get the gifts first and that is only fair. You can walk across the bridge into Mexico, it is that easy.

I can't tell you how many times pregnant women come across the border almost totally dilated (I don't know how they can walk) and land in the ER just in time to give birth. El Paso has the busiest maternity units in the country. The National Guard recently gave free health clinics and had many Mexican Nationals and few if any local poor. They took a lot of flack for that.

Call me Scrooge, but I am glad they are asking. I would want toys to go to our needy first. They can start a sister program across the border if there is a need (and there probably is). I know there already are some groups that cross the border with toys.

edited to add: any charity that helps the poor, the addicted, the homeless, the people that most other charities shun is not all bad. They have not strayed from their mission but try to service as many as they can. It is still worth giving to and those fair weather posters that shun them now probably never gave any way. I will still give because they are probably the most Christ like of all the charities now. I knew a SA worker once and have been a supporter ever since. Their workers live on almost nothing and will practically give the shirts off their back to help. They also helped greatly when we were flooded out. I have never and will never forget their kindness.

[Bluebear]

18. OK you are a Scrooge. And it is happening nationwide, not just in El Paso.

[Mudoria]

20. Please don't confuse some Du'ers with facts..

it will inhibit their ability to "poutrage".

[Bluebear]

21. thanks for piping in. PS, using "poutrage" makes you an ass,

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

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

[Bluebear]

59. !!

:rofl:

[WolverineDG]

39. You should have heard the screams here locally

when one of the school districts started clamping down on address fraud. Like, OMG, the district only wants kids whose parents actually live in the district & pay school taxes to attend school. How *DARE* they charge outsiders tuition!!!!111 That's racist!!!!

:eyes:

dg

[proud2BlibKansan]

53. I don't see how that relates to giving children presents at Christmas

:shrug:

[WolverineDG]

56. Requiring proof of residence in an area

to get something seems to make people hit the "racist" button a lot. It's not racist, but a sign that funding for education (or gift giving) is really tight & forcing schools & charities to make cuts when they'd rather not.

dg

[proud2BlibKansan]

57. Sorry but I can't relate to wanting to see proof of residence to get a Christmas gift for a child

School enrollment, sure. Christmas gifts, no way.

[WolverineDG]

60. So how do you solve the problem of not having enough toys for every child?

Because it's clear to me, from the brief google search that I've done, donations are way down & demand is way up. Give them a solution instead of a kick in the ass. All I hear on this thread is yelling about giving every kid a toy & nothing about how to actually make that possible.

dg

[proud2BlibKansan]

61. First come first serve

Simple enough.

Personally I plan to adopt an additional family this Christmas. The need is indeed great. And I will not be checking residence or citizenship. :)

[WolverineDG]

80. And then you'd complain that there weren't enough toys

Been there, done that....do the best you can to be as fair as you can, & you still have people saying you were unfair.

dg

[proud2BlibKansan]

51. I'm calling you Scrooge

It's Christmas and these are children. End of discussion.

[Bluebear]

52. Settled.

:hug:

[EndersDame]

78. So if the women give birth here in the US the kids are citizens

And lucky for them since they popped out of their mom's vagina on this side of the border so they would be deserving of Xmas presents in your eyes!

Another question, are Mexican mothers less deserving of medical care than American citizens?

I ask as some one who grew up in the Rio Grande Valley

[proud2BlibKansan]

87. If their children don't deserve Christmas presents. of course the moms don't deserve health care !

Sheesh. This isn't rocket science.

:sarcasm:

[Bolo Boffin]

15. Got to check a green card before giving a kid a damn toy

Sorry, Mr. Bellringer, my cash is going to Goodwill.

[SidDithers]

33. They opposed marriage equality in Canada...

appearing before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, to put in their 2 cents that "The Salvation Army's belief about marriage is that it ought to be a covenanting together of one man and one woman for life in a voluntary union characterized by faithfulness, mutual affection, respect, and support."

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=839046&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=37&Ses=2

Fuck 'em. They don't get my money.

Sid

[Bluebear]

34. They did the same in Scotland, saying it created "pretend families"

[Occulus]

37. They oppose marriage equality AND NON-DISCRIMINATION LAWS

They're fucking bigots and they'll never get a dime from me again, no matter how much good they do otherwise.

[WolverineDG]

36. As someone who lives on the border, I''m glad they verify where the kids actually live

We've got enough kids here who need help & I see nothing wrong with making sure that the kids on the Angel Tree live in the US.

dg

[Bluebear]

38. Good for you. My charity doesn't come with conditions.

My god, so what if it's a Mexican kid who got the toy?

[WolverineDG]

40. So give to an international organization, like I do as well

If it means that much to you, why don't you start your own organization? Oh wait, that would mean you'd actually have to do some WORK, instead of just sitting around whining about another organization that actually does something.

dg

[Bluebear]

44. Wow, what a very rightwing thing to say. 'Whining? Actually do some WORK?'

I forgot, us liberals don't work, do we? Piss off and /ignore.

[WolverineDG]

48. I'm not the one whining about an organization that does a lot of good work

for the poor. But since you'd rather whine about it than actually go out & DO SOMETHING yourself (such as set up your own organization that will give puppies & ponies to everyone), I'd say you are the asshole.

:eyes:

dg

[walldude]

105. All their good work comes with conditions...

I'm sure Jesus would be thrilled.

I see groups of people like... BIKERS and ROADIES and GAMERS who make charity runs and have toy drives and there are no conditions, if your kid needs a toy for Christmas they get one.
These are the people I help out.

It's funny how Bikers, Roadies and Gamers hold the high moral ground against what is supposed to be a charitable religious organization..

[proud2BlibKansan]

67. My family adopts several families every Christmas

And we don't care where any of them were born.

My union adopts families. We don't care where they were born.

My DFA group collects donations for Christmas charities. We don't care that they may be giving to children who are not citizens or don't live in our county.

I have already sent out a family email about the Salvation Army and we will NOT be donating a dime to them this year. This is just a mind blower to me, that anyone would actually support depriving a CHILD from having a merry Christmas because of where they were born. An absolute mind blower.

We talked about this at school today too. The Salvation Army is on our neighborhood and has adopted several of our families over the years. We in turn have done volunteer work there. Not any more. Not one teacher was willing to lift a finger or drop a coin in any of their red buckets after hearing about this. It's just beyond despicable.

It's Christmas and these are kids. That's all I need to know. :)

[Bluebear]

68. Just heard about "Foundation Beyond Belief" from another member here

http://www.foundationbeyondbelief.org/node

So far I like what I see~!

[proud2BlibKansan]

72. Here's a neat story

About 5 years ago I was a regular on a local discussion board with a mixed group of liberals and wingnuts and a few middle of the roaders. One of the middles was a pretty nice guy who used to live here but had moved to the east coast. He would side with both the right and the left and got along with just about everyone on the board.

At Christmas, we got into a heated discussion about charities and which ones were politically correct. So I said just make your own charity and adopt a family like I do every year. Well the wingnuts attacked me, called me a liar and said no way did I really do this, liberals were selfish, etc etc. I didn't even bother to defend myself, it was so hateful I just moved on to another thread.

A few days later I got a PM from the middle guy who said he was so touched that I adopted families and he thought it was such a great idea but he was too busy to find any families to adopt. He asked if he could send me $100 to help buy presents for my adopted family. So I said sure, gave him my address at school (still unsure if I could really trust a stranger I met online) and he actually sent me a check for $100.

I found another family to adopt since I had the extra money and went out and spent the $100 and mailed the receipts back to the guy. He hadn't asked but I thought it seemed like the right thing to do. So he posted this long thread telling everyone on the board that I had indeed adopted the family, he took pictures of the receipts and posted them on the board.

A few months later that board was shut down. The fights had become so horrible. The end point was when two guys agreed to meet a park and fight. No I didn't go but still laugh about that. Anyhow, before the board shut down the middle guy and I exchanged email addresses and have been corresponding ever since. And every year since then he has sent me a check for $100 to help with my Christmas donations.

It gets better. This guy was a lifelong Republican from a Republican family. Voted for Bush, supported the war, etc. But he was honestly the most reasonable Bush voter I ever met online and actually kept his mind open. By the end of Bush's term, he hated him, regretted his vote and switched to Independent. Last year I went several months without hearing from him and emailed him one day to say hi. He emailed me back to tell me he had been busy volunteering on the Obama campaign. And he had convinced his parents and his brother to vote for Obama too.

This year he was laid off and has been working hard on health care reform. He is going to rallies and sent me pics of the teabaggers in his city and even compared them to some of the wingnuts we had conversed with on the board where we had met.

So a casual relationship online led to a conversion. And it all started with a discussion about charities at Christmas. :)

[WolverineDG]

82. Good for you

Must be nice to have bottomless wallets.

dg

[proud2BlibKansan]

83. Generous friends and family

It's easy to raise a couple hundred dollars. Shopping and gift wrapping and delivery are the hard parts.

[walldude]

106. Must be nice to have a bottomless wallet...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Congratulations, you have taken over Operation Mindcrimes mantel of the biggest, most clueless jerk on DU.

[NutmegYankee]

63. Bluebear - Your charity DOES come with conditions...

Condition 1: Do you support Homosexual equality? No? Then no money for you.


You spent half the thread making that clear!

[Bluebear]

64. "Homosexual", eh? And I was referring to the kids getting the toys. Finally,

piss off and /ignore.

"Homosexual" indeed.

[NutmegYankee]

66. WTF is your problem?

That would be the correct term.


I do not give to the SA because of their equality position. I just don't lie about it.

[walldude]

107. Yeah the condition that they don't discriminate.. I guess that makes BB

a hypocrite... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

62. Santa Claus doesn't check for green cards

Thank God.

[TexasObserver]

42. The Good Samaritan story redux. This time, he walks on by.

It's the NEW Christianity.

[Swamp Rat]

54. Giving gifts to children should never come with strings attached.

eom

[Are_grits_groceries]

55. They won't give a poor kid a toy.

THEY'RE KIDS! One iota of compassion would probably mean more to them than all the gold in the world. There are few things lonelier than a child at Christmas who nobody has given a damn about. I'm sure a lot of the parents try, but they don't have anything either.

ONE act of kindness can sometimes carry someone a long way with a hopeful memory to hold on to. It's not just a toy sometimes. It's a tiny recognition that someone sees them for a minute, and thinks they do matter in a big ol' world.

I'm still trying to get over this. A toy. A donated toy. Even a ball would probably mean something because it was a Xmas gift.

These people are going to hear chains rattling at the ends of their beds soon. Some people on this thread will hear them too.

If people are so mean-spirited that they begrudge a kid a TOY, Gawd help us all. ONE thing that might bring a bit of kindness to a child. THIS IS ABOUT COMPASSION AND CHILDREN.

We have sunk to a low of pettiness and meanness that people like Sessions, Inhofe, Foxx, Limbaugh, and Beck live on. I'd rather live in a box on the street than be like them one iota.

Quit counting what they have and count those who have not. They wouldn't give Baby Jeebus anything either.

[proud2BlibKansan]

69. +1

[KamaAina]

71. This would seem to be inconsistent with the marketing of the "El Paso/Juarez area"

which will be on display during the Sun Bowl football game in a few weeks.

Apparently the Salvation Army hasn't gotten the message that they're operating in one of the few truly binational metropoli in the world. The sister agency there to the one I'm sitting in right now, for instance, not only considers Juarez to be part of its service area, but by extension, all of Mexico, since there are no similar agencies there.

[JI7]

73. do they verify the status of those who donate ?

[arikara]

76. SA is not a nice organization

Haven't been for years, if ever.

In this city they have done things like firing all the employees of a nursing home they run so that they could re-hire at less than half the wage. These employees were mainly middle age women. I know someone from another charity who sent a down and out client over to SA to get a pair of shoes, after checking first to see if they had some to fit. He came back shoeless because SA insisted he had to pay but he had no money. The thrift stores are way over priced, their used t-shirts cost the same new, yet everything is donated so why the need for big profit? I guess its to pay for their glossy advertising, every bus has a big SA ad on it here. I also know a person who used to drive for them. He said often rich people die and leave lots of stuff to the SA, he was always told that the best antiques and things get taken directly to the officer's house, which by the way he (never she)gets to live in for nothing too. They are fundamentally right wing, they hate gays and do little to nothing for women either. They go head to head with the legitimate food bank for donations, even though they only give out one hamper a year. They often co-opt other organization's good campaigns a short time after the original to confuse the donors. They are a truly vile organization.

Yes, they may do some good but only for their selected clientele. I put notes saying things like "I love my gay aunt" into their kettles, I prefer not to take my feelings out on the poor souls they con into standing there ringing bells and asking for donations. They are volunteers and think they are doing a good thing after all.

[EndersDame]

77. Isnt the Salvation Army also anti gay?

[bobbolink]

79. Maybe many of you don't realize that this, and MORE, is the policy of SHELTERS.

Homeless people wanting to get into shelters are treated as criminals..... background checks, fingerprinting, probably blood tests, for all I know.

Stop blaming this on the right wing... this is the way it is now.

So, when you hear there are people who refuse to go to shelters, stop saying that its only because they "don't want to obey rules". Its just as often because they are treated as criminals.

[EndersDame]

81. A friend in High School was homeless after she was kicked out for coming out

She stayed a few nights with my family and said that she was almost raped in the Salvation Army and would rather take her chances on the street

[bobbolink]

92. I really wish that someone was collecting all of these stories!

Really, "progressives" swear that there is so much "help" available, and those of us who dare to complain about how these agencies treat us get accused of being "ingrates".

I wish that EVERYONE ON DU would have to be in a shelter for a while..... then I think there would suddenly be big changes.

Please give her my regards, and tell her her story needs to be heard!

[EndersDame]

97. that is why I hate it when they say we dont live in the real world because we do and it is harsh!

After my dad decided he didnt want to pay childsupport (that my mom counted on for rent) we were forced to live in a motel room (mom + 3 teens) while we were waiting for gov't help! Luckily her sister decided to take pity on us so we didnt have to go to a shelter and be split from my brother. Most people on this site have never dealt with that reality nor have they dealt with the reality of trying to fight off an infection with fish antibiotics from Petco because we dont have the money to go to the doc and get real meds.I would wager most havent seen the reality of a grunt coming home and being suicidal either.

As to my friend she eventually moved in with a girlfriend and i havent heard from her since I hope she is ok.

[David Zephyr]

84. Pathetic.

What a shitty organization my GLBT tax dollars support.

[era veteran]

89. No equality= no money from us

We used to donate but quit. I tell the bell ringers why.

[Lisa0825]

94. On the news today, it was reported that they caved to public pressure and stopped. nt

[Bill McBlueState]

95. I would have expected Christians to be familiar with the Good Samaritan story

I'm not a Christian, but I sure as hell hear references to that story a lot.

"Who is my neighbor?"

"Pretty much everyone. Nationality doesn't matter."

How is the Salvation Army missing such an obvious part of that Jesus guy's message?

[onager]

96. Maybe they know this old Southern Xmas story...

It was a cold Xmas Eve and a black couple stopped at a motel in a little Georgia town.

The desk-clerk took one look at them and said: "I'm sorry, but we're full up."

"That sign outside says 'Vacancy.'"

"Not anymore, it don't."

"Look, man, my wife is pregnant and we've been driving all day. We'll pay double your usual rate."

"Well...in that case, OK. But first you have to answer a few questions. Are you Christian?"

"Yes, we are."

"What holiday are we celebrating tonight?"

"Christmas. The birth of Jesus."

"Who was the mother of Jesus?"

"Mary."

"And where did Mary give birth to the Baby Jesus?"

"In a stable."

"And why was Jesus born in a stable?"

"Because they couldn't rent a room from some motherfucker like you."

[tomm2thumbs]

98. 'Jesus Wept...'

[bobbolink]

99. And the "aware" "progressives" told him to grow a skin and get over it.

[TCJ70]

100. Update:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7152889

[baldguy]

101. "After protests..."

How con-VEEEE-nient.

[malaise]

104. One of the locals waved a kettle at me today

and I told them not a penny because of this story.