QUESTIONS ABOUT SPIRIT OF AMERICA: Michael Ubaldi addresses questions here, and arrives at a conclusion here. “Omar and Mohammed Fadhil have answered questions about their brother’s accusations against the Spirit of America, their observations confirming my supposition that Jim Hake’s charity has accomplished what is possible in an often difficult environment. Additional criticism of the Spirit of America echoed Ali’s complaints that the organization did not acknowledge offers or requests for other works projects from individual Iraqis; but such ‘shortcomings’ in the field of charity are best explained by limited time and money, and the wisdom of confining a scope of operations to what is practical rather than expanding out of sentiment.”

I’ve given them money, and free ads, so I’m glad to hear that. I hope they’ll work the kinks out.