UPDATE: Liberals Step Up!
Though very pro-military by definition, Valour-IT prides itself in being non-partisan at a time when the military is being pulled in partisan directions. If you think "we shouldn't be in Iraq or Afghanistan, it's Bush's fault they're wounded, and besides, the government should be taking care of the wounded (that's what taxes are for)," we won't argue with you. We might even cheer that third point.
We simply have a question: What are you going to do about it? They are wounded today, and nothing we do is going to change that reality. But we can support them as they make the first step in recovery, by helping them reclaim their connection to the rest of us, by giving them a laptop.
Sure, the government should be doing it and it's important to take the issue to Congress. But that takes years, and we're talking about someone in a hospital bed today. Hell, it took a year for the DoD to catch up with Valour-IT and realize their CAP program should be providing the voice software instead of us--which they now do (we provide the laptop to the wounded warfighter).
Now, Michelle Malkin has accused liberal bloggers of not truly caring about the troops, and she's put her money where her mouth is. She's already given a donation, but for every liberal blog that signs up with and blogs in support of Valour-IT, she's going to donate an extra $50 (up to 10 blogs).
She's now pointing out that she hasn't had to pony up a dime on this challenge. Prove her wrong, fellow bloggers. Not only do you get to donate your time/money to a great (tax-deductible) cause and support the troops in an immediate and direct manner, but you can "put MM in her place," too. ;)
--FbL
[Update: I am compelled to note that the closest thing to a resident lefty here at the Castle is Alan of GenX@40 - who has given several generous donations over the years, and that in our first year, at least, we had several stealth donations from second tier lefty bloggers - who still wish to remain nameless. One of them is still a well-known lefty blogger, who still wishes to remain anonymous - I checked. Which, sadly, is a reflection on the state of how the puritans of either side treat their own (I know, I work with a Dem politician, believe me, I know the perils of apostasy) who openly stray from the orthodoxy. Michelle can contribute another $50 if she'd like (but it will have to be on the basis of my word - and I'd like her to give it to the AF Team) - the lefty blogger did their donation via my good offices - which means they won't get to take the tax deduction, either. BTW - if Michelle gives another $50, that's only *half* the donation we got from the lefty blogger. -the Armorer.
FbL sez: Well said, John. Our resident lefties were definitely on my mind when I wrote that, and I know they have donated to Valour-IT in the past. My intention was not to slight them in any way or particularly call on them for donations. Rather, my hope was to draw them out to actually blogging for Valour-IT. Good (sad) point about reasons for wishing to remain anonymous... I'll check, but I think the stipulation was that they blog Valour-IT.]
[Heh. Princess Crabby dropped in on Cliff and left a challenge - which Cliff responded to in comments here, which I will edit to bring into compliance with the Rulez regarding personal attacks. I've issued a counter-challenge to Cliff - I'll match his *donation* - he doesn't have to blog a thing - up to $500, and I won't take the tax deduction, making it revenue-neutral, which should please a progressive blogger... I would note, though, that Cliff points out at least one lefty blogger who has blogged Valour-IT, if not perhaps in the way we intended. And he did leave Princess Crabby's comment up, with the Army donate button. - the Armorer]
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