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November 13, 2012, 06:47 PM | #1 | ||
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Wounded Warrior Project = Anti-Firearms Industry
I've been following closely several exchanges on both Thunder Ranch and Tom Gresham's Gun Talk pages on FB about the Wounded Warrior Project. It seems that after much digging around, Mr. Gresham had indeed discovered the the WWP has a policy in place that deems it against their values to do business or participate with any entity involving firearms and the related industry.
The hypocritical thing is that WWP routinely accepts donations from the firearms industry, such a very large recent donation from Khar Arms......also, WWP only actually gives about 15% of every dollar donated to use for what it should be used for. Below is an exchange between Tom Gresham and the WWP as posted on FB: Quote:
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Here is a site that has info and ratings on different charities: http://www.charitynavigator.org/inde....view&cpid=531 |
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November 13, 2012, 07:33 PM | #2 |
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Interesting it sounds like political correctness run rampant. After spending a few years in Human Resources I know that a lot of organizations make errors in judgment by attempting to do what they initially believe is the right thing. I hope that is the case here and after reexamining their position they will evolve.
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November 13, 2012, 09:29 PM | #3 |
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The way I see this organization, is that if that is something they believe in, fine. I have friends/family with similar thoughts on what I stand for. I'll support their cause, but as soon as they start trying to push for changes in guns on a broad scheme, they fall from my graces.
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November 13, 2012, 09:44 PM | #4 |
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I'm assuming WWP is a non-profit entity, as such, they're probably non-partisan (if you're a 501c4 my guess is you have to claim non-partisanship). I don't see why this should be a problem and to denegrate those that have served our country is dispicable to me.
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November 13, 2012, 09:52 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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November 13, 2012, 10:16 PM | #6 |
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I've got to say I'm conflicted. WWP is a good cause. While I don't care for that policy, this is one of those matters where we'll have to agree to disagree.
Though nobody's suggested it, it's not feasible (or always constructive) to boycott an organization because it's not sympathetic to firearms ownership. It's not as if they're advocating against it.
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November 13, 2012, 11:01 PM | #7 | |
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I see it like this and maybe I'm a little off base . Just because you go on a program to promote your organization or product . Does not mean you endorse all if any of the programs content or there sponcers .
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November 14, 2012, 05:08 AM | #8 | |
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Gun Talk does promote a political agenda regardless of the firearms issue. However, not only does WWP talk money from gun companies, but also sends wounded warrior on hunting trips, the same it claims are facing issue related to guns.
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November 14, 2012, 08:32 AM | #9 |
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I will not be supporting the Wounded Warrior Project.
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November 14, 2012, 08:38 AM | #10 |
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My concern for our wounded returning warriors overrides my uneasiness with the organization's odd position toward firearms companies. As a retired Army officer, who fortunately never suffered any combat related injuries while serving, I have great compassion and concern for the brave men and women who come home to a lifetime of challenges and impairments to their lives. Wounded Warrior Project supports this great heros and I have been a sponsor for several years now. If WWP ever crosses the line, and becomes an active anti-2nd Amendment focused organization I would change my position, but just their unwillingness to work with firearms manufacturers does not negate the good work they are doing for the wounded individuals. But that's just me and my personal take on this situation.
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November 14, 2012, 10:38 AM | #11 |
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The fact that they exclude religious organizations and firearms companies is baffling.
Two of the very liberties that our wounded heroes have fought to protect. Astounding. Too bad. They're doing a good thing. I wonder why they left out the other amendments? Maybe it should say: WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, from any person who has refused a warrantless search, from anyone who has refused to quarter soldiers, anyone who has invoked the right to not testify against himself, any person involved with the press, any person who has attended a rally, anyone who has petitioned the government or from alcohol or firearms companies.
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November 14, 2012, 11:49 AM | #12 |
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I am not an accountant, but a cursory look at their financial statements showed less than 20% of expenditures being for administration and fundraising and over 80% to programs. If I am missing something, I would appreciate someone pointing it out, but I don't see where the statement that "WWP only actually gives about 15% of every dollar donated to use for what it should be used for" comes from.
I think they missed a good publicity opportunity, and I find their attitude towards firearms to be hypocritical, but their position is not openly hostile towards 2A issues. Choosing not to promote firearms as not the same as overtly opposing firearm ownership. Firearms ownership has been associated with certain political views, albeit erroneously, and they may well wish to avoid the appearance of endorsing any particular stance in order to remain open and receptive to all who need their services. |
November 14, 2012, 11:59 AM | #13 | ||
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That position is, IMO, much closer to "overtly opposing firearms ownership" than it is to "choosing not to promote firearms".
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November 14, 2012, 12:07 PM | #14 |
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Agree with Brian Pfleuger on this completely. Are there any other similar group(s) to support?
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November 14, 2012, 12:12 PM | #15 |
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It kind of sounds to me like they are oppossong firearms ownership without actually coming out and saying it in order to keep from alienating potential donors that happen to be owners of firearms.
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November 14, 2012, 03:18 PM | #16 |
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I'm going to have to +1 all three of the ^ above comments
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November 14, 2012, 04:07 PM | #17 | |
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It's a shame that that is their policy. I respect the right of any company or organization to do/not do business with whomever they wish. But their reasoning of guns promote suicide is just silly.
I would have more respect for them if they said we don't do business with the firearm industry because firearm ownership can be taken as a political issue and we do not want to even come close being regarded as politically motivated. At least then, they may have some basis for their claim. But then they would have to say we don't do business with abortion clinics, etc. But I digress. After looking at the link the OP present, www.charitynavigator.org, it looks like there are better organizations to donate to other than the WWP, anyway. It looks like their workers take a big chunk of the donations that come in now add that with their silly explanation of firearms, I won't donate to them. Edit: I bet if they were to promote inside the firearms industry, they would make a killing in donations. Think about it. A Colt 6920 Magpul/WWP edition. Half of the profits get donated to WWP. So many people would buy that gun its silly to think it would stay in stock.
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November 14, 2012, 04:36 PM | #18 |
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Has anyone tried to contact upper administration? Sometimes we find lower level PR or legal folks putting in policies that seem strange at best.
Is there a contact with the top ranks? That's the place to contact. I seem to recall that the San Antonio PD had a Wounded Warrior shooting event just a bit ago with some experts helping the vets with firearms and getting back into shooting. I'll look for the link and story.
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November 14, 2012, 04:41 PM | #19 | |
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This just went up on their Facebook page:
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November 14, 2012, 05:00 PM | #20 | |
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M1 for Vets. It's a very small, low key 'organization'. Mostly made up of a whole bunch of extremely loosely organized CMP affiliated clubs around the country. Really just a bunch of shooters doing it for other shooters. Here's the website but, like I said, it's a small group and the site gets updated on an irregular basis. http://www.m1forvets.com/Home_Page.html |
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November 14, 2012, 05:06 PM | #21 | |
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That explanation seems to fly in the face of the statement on their site, the email explanations and the direct refusal to appear on GunTalk. Which is to be believed?
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November 14, 2012, 05:38 PM | #22 |
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OK, I am convinced, and withdraw my previous attempt at justifying their position. I guess I was so in favor of their purpose that I wanted to see it their way.
If anyone has insight into their finances, I would welcome a PM. If I am missing something, I would like to know how to better evaluate other charitable organizations. |
November 14, 2012, 05:43 PM | #23 | |
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The statement on their site seems very convincing. This comes from their 'how to do a fundraiser for us' page at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org...uidelines.aspx
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pax |
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November 14, 2012, 05:52 PM | #24 |
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Simply Rugged Holsters mentioned this on their Facebook page also.
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November 14, 2012, 07:06 PM | #25 | |
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The majority of there statement seems to be your normal corporate PR/PC to back peddle some of the statements in the email exchange . If they would not have included the last paragraph . I would have said they were just covering there a--. The fact they said
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