Apparently, right wing blogger Debbie Schlussel has been upset with Fox News' Sean Hannity for some time. Back in 2007 she claimed that he plagiarized some of her work, and she's been nipping at his heels ever since. She's now stepped up her attacks and is accusing him of using more money from his Freedom Concerts to fly around on private jets and expensive SUV's than he gives to the children of wounded and deceased soldiers:

For the last several years, Sean Hannity and the Freedom Alliance “charity” have conducted “Freedom Concerts” across America. They’ve told you that they are raising money to pay for the college tuition of the children of fallen soldiers and to pay severely wounded war vets. And on Friday Night, Hannity will be honored with an award for this “Outstanding Community Service by a Radio Talk Show Host” at Talkers Magazine’s convention.

But it’s all a huge scam.

According to its 2006 tax returns, Freedom Alliance reported revenue of $10, 822, 785, but only $397,900–or a beyond-measly 3.68%–of that was given to the children of fallen troops as scholarships or as aid to severely injured soldiers.

Freedom Alliance’s 2007 tax returns aren’t much better. Out of $12,459,317 it raised that year, only $895,347–or just 7%–went to seriously wounded troops and scholarships for fallen troops. 53% went to expenses, including $1,464,627 in postage and $1,151,428 in printing. $604,995 went to “professional fees” and “consultants.” Out of millions paid for Freedom Concert tickets and raised in fundraisers by Hannity listeners, only $596,500 went to college scholarships for soldiers who died in battle, and only $299,897 went to horribly injured troops. 208 student children of the fallen got an average of $2,868 apiece for tuition, though many got only $1,000 or less. 382 soldiers with serious injuries got an average of $785 each. Read on...

Ed Schultz covered this on his radio show today and others are starting to take notice. Can you imagine the outrage if this was Rachel Maddow's charity? Fox News would be running a 24/7 jihad against her and MSNBC. I will reserve passing full judgment as all the facts aren't known, but Mr. Hannity needs to get out there and refute them asap.

*sigh*

NY Times: (reg. req'd.)

The 110th Congress opened with the passage of new rules intended to curb the influence of lobbyists by prohibiting them from treating lawmakers to meals, trips, stadium box seats or the discounted use of private jets.
But it did not take long for lawmakers to find ways to keep having lobbyist-financed fun.
In just the last two months, lawmakers invited lobbyists to help pay for a catalog of outings: lavish birthday parties in a lawmaker's honor ($1,000 a lobbyist), martinis and margaritas at Washington restaurants (at least $1,000), a California wine-tasting tour (all donors welcome), hunting and fishing trips (typically $5,000), weekend golf tournaments ($2,500 and up), a Presidents' Day weekend at Disney World ($5,000), parties in South Beach in Miami ($5,000), concerts by the Who or Bob Seger ($2,500 for two seats), and even Broadway shows like "Mary Poppins" and "The Drowsy Chaperone" (also $2,500 for two).

The lobbyists and their employers typically end up paying for the events, but within the new rules.

Instead of picking up the lawmaker's tab, lobbyists pay a political fund-raising committee set up by the lawmaker. In turn, the committee pays the legislator's way.

NY Times offers this little menu of Lobbyist/Congress get togethers.

I was wondering when a right wing apologist would ask this question. Who would have thought it would be Michelle Malkin? "Where are Hollywood and the Live Aid people? Answer: Nowhere to be found yet."

Yes sir, only a couple hours after the disaster that is Katrina, Michelle expects Hollywood and musicians to have concerts and telethons already coordinated. Those Hollywood weirdos and music types sure are an evil and uncaring bunch as they destroy the fabric of our society.

1) Hollywood: ...the special will feature Leonardo DiCaprio and other celebrities.

2) Live Aid people: "Three Louisiana-born stars --Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis and
Tim McGraw will headline a televised charity concert to air live on Friday for victims of Hurricane Katrina, NBC said on Wednesday..read on."

Do you think President Bush will get his new "fangled " guitar and jump on stage to do a little jamming with the band? Michelle had a really nice post going too. They have always come through before so why the rush to throw them under the bus?

Atrios: In Defense of Green Day

DC Media Girl wonders what's up with that too.

One of the biggest efforts is by AOL Music, which will host live feeds of the concerts in six cities: London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Toronto and Philadelphia. Anyone can log on and watch the shows for free, not just AOL members.

Download | play -QT only

Live 8 is an effort to raise awareness about poverty and to encourage leaders of the G8 nations to forgive the debts of poorer nations, increase aid to Africa and embrace fair trade. The event is timed to coincide with the G8 summit in Scotland on July 6.

Many bloggers are flying there right now; our own John from AmericaBlog: About to board the plane to Scotland. Met and had a great talk with Melissa Fitzgerald, the woman who play's CJ Craig's secretary on West Wing (dark hair, very pretty)...read on

I wish I could go but I can't travel or play right now. My good friend is playing with Crosby, Stills and Nash and he told me they tried to play in Germany, but their own show started too early for them to make it. What a gift music is to the living condition and hopefully this event will do some good in Africa while laying the ground work for future world events such as these.

This looks pretty interesting.

On July 2, 2005, Live 8 will become the largest interactive event the world has ever seen. Worldwide concerts featuring the biggest names in music-U2, Destiny's Child, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Tim McGraw, Madonna, Sting and more-along with one million spectators and millions of viewers. All coming together with one purpose-to make poverty history.

I would hope they will be able to add some jazz and classical music to the event. live8