Angel Food Ministries scandal
February 28, 2009
Via the Tennessean:
Nationwide, the Georgia-based Christian nonprofit delivered about 6 million boxes of food last year, with the help of volunteers at more than 5,000 churches like Dalewood.
Now the future of those deliveries may be in danger.
On Feb. 11, the FBI and IRS raided Angel Food’s office in Monroe, Ga. And a review of the agency’s tax filings shows a series of questionable financial practices by founder Rev. Joe Wingo and his family.
In 2006, Wingo, his wife, Linda, and their sons Andrew and Wesley, all received massive pay raises. Those salaries jumped $322,755 to more than $2.1 million. Joe Wingo, as CEO, received $588,529, at a time when Angel Food sold about $96 million in food boxes.
By contrast, America’s Second Harvest, now known as Feeding America, which had revenues of $663 million, paid CEO Vicki Escarra $390,856 that same year.
Despite calling itself “A Food Ministry with a Servant’s Heart,” Angel Food also leases a corporate jet for travel.
That’s a stark contrast to Feeding America.
“We travel coach,” Feeding America spokesman Ross Fraser said.
[...] Still, there are questions about Angel Food’s finances, especially over loans made to the Wingos. They’ve received more than $1.4 million in loans from the organization while also serving on Angel Food board of directors.
This is why I never donate to any charity or organization [like a church] that doesn’t put its financials up for public scrutiny. Just saying you’re all Jesusy doesn’t make you a reliable steward of other people’s money. When will people get that? Probably never.
UPDATE: Joe Wingo has done this before.
I Love Rorschach
February 26, 2009
This has less than three thousand youtube views right now, and that’s a travesty because this is fantastic.
Hall of Black Presidents
February 25, 2009
[source / direct link]
Fat Tuesday fast food freebies
February 24, 2009
Jack in the Box (store locator) is offering 2 free tacos today all day.
IHOP Restaurant [locator] is offering a free short stack (3 total) pancakes today between 7am and 10pm to celebrate National Pancake Day.
Coupon for a free Arby’s roast burger with any drink purchase (expires March 9th): http://arbys.fbmta.com/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=27917289331
Found all of these freebies at slickdeals.
Dramatic Cupcake Dog – Revelation
February 24, 2009
You can view the original video here. Stains the Australian Shepherd is taught the “away” command while being taunted with a plate of cupcakes. Here’s the remix of that clip (with music by Clint Mansell):
Christian Bale vs Joaquin Phoenix at IFC Spirit Awards
February 23, 2009
Here’s a clip (NSFW language) from this year’s Spirit Awards:
I’m pretty sure it’s Steve Coogan in the batman suit and director Frank Coraci playing Joaquin.
More free (and legal) mp3’s from Deep Elm Records
February 22, 2009
Deep Elm Records is offering another free album download with 15 songs, this month only.
Click here for the direct link to the album. Track listing below:
Nearly 100,000 people protested in Dublin today
February 21, 2009
Via france24:
Nearly 100,000 people marched through Dublin on Saturday to protest at government cutbacks in the face of a deepening recession and bailouts for the banks.
Ireland’s Prime Minister Brian Cowen is under pressure from Brussels and ratings agencies to squeeze a ballooning budget deficit, but plans to introduce a pension levy on public sector workers and freeze their pay has hammered his approval ratings and those of his party to record lows.
[...] But in Dublin, a crowd estimated by police to be between 85,000 and 100,000 people, accused the government of leaving teachers, nurses, civil servants and construction workers with the bill for Ireland’s economic woes and letting banks and property developers off the hook.
“My family will be down 500 euros ($628.8) a month because my husband and I both work in the public sector,” said Sheila O’Shea, a primary school teacher who was also protesting at education cuts that have hit classes for special needs children.
“There is absolute burning vitriol that we feel at the savage way they have hit the most vulnerable in society.”
Posters reflected the sentiment with slogans such as “You made the most. Pay the most!” and “We won’t pay for the greed of the super rich”.
This seems . . . familiar.
Oh, and here’s another picture:
