What [liberal donors such as Soros are] doing is, theyre creating the misery, and theyre coming out and organizing all these peopleunder the guise of labor unions or something as innocuous sounding as, you know, Iraqi [sic] and Afghanistan Veterans Foundation [sic]but it is Soros and Communist and radical money and they are tying and duping people in as much as they can, Beck said, referring to an organization whose activities include lobbying for veterans policy on Capitol Hill, giving away N.F.L. and concert tickets to veterans, and working to improve mental health.
I called up I.A.V.A.s executive director and founder, Paul Rieckhoffwho served as a first lieutenant in Iraq from 2003-2004to see if the supporters of I.A.V.A. are really as Communist as Glenn Beck says they are. The I.A.V.A. receives no money from MoveOn.org, he told me. Were happy to take MoveOns money if theyll send it, and were happy to take Fox Newss money if theyll send it, too. Veterans affairs shouldnt be a partisan issue. Its all about Americans uniting behind our veterans. As for the spread like you wouldnt believe after the parade? Rieckhoff explained that it had been sponsored by Microsoft and Health Net.
Glenn, after you issue the I.A.V.A. an apology, do your homework. Your first lesson? This video from when Paul was a guest on your show.