Nature Conservancy - Fraud and Theft!
By Sheriff Mike Cook
Many times in the past I have made comments about the Environmentalist's using the cause and their organizations to get large sums of money and make themselves rich. Each time I get e-mails and letters from people who say I was totally wrong and way off base. I have even stated that the concern for the movement had been totally absorbed by those who were after the money and not the cause. Again I was chastised by those who believe the cause was pure and that people within the cause wouldn't use it for that purpose. Well now I get to say I told you so.
There is now a Senate Committee in Congress investigating the Nature Conservancy. If you don't know, the Nature Conservancy is a non-profit charitable organization. They have been taking the money they get and buying land all over America. They buy this land then add development restrictions to it, then it is resold for less money. The buyers of this land then make tax-deductible gifts to the nonprofit, Nature Conservancy. Does this rouse your curiosity yet?
Now here is the big one. It seems this organization has been making large, no interest loans to their employees. Such as a $1.5 million loan to President Steven J. McCormick and a $500,000 mortgage extended to California state director Graham Chisholm. Boy, wouldn't you and I like working for an organization like that? Some sources say the loans are then "forgiven" and they don't have to pay it back.
Now the Senate committee is also asking for the land sales records to government agencies, including appraisals and any profits banked by the Natures Conservancy. They are also asking for records and a list of grants from other nonprofit organizations like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Forest Foundation, and the National Park Foundation.
I don't know about you, but I smell something real bad in all this. It is my belief that I was right on the money when I said they are in this for the big bucks and nothing else. What makes me mad, and should make you mad as well, is that they are doing a lot of this with our tax money! They are abusing the system to get everything they want, using taxpayer money to do it with, and they don't pay any taxes.
With any kind of luck, they will get what is coming to them in the way of justice. But what will be done about all the damage they have already caused? Will the government go back and right these wrongs? I don't think that will happen at all. Those people will probably walk away with a big grin and all the money and land.
We try to raise our children the right way and tell them crime doesn't pay, and that honesty is the best policy. Then they see things like this and former President Clinton beating the system by lies, cheating, and crime. How in the world can a parent prove to a child that this is wrong when people who do it are never punished for what they do? This must come to a stop, and the people of America had better wake up and demand a stop to it or we will be lost forever. I still believe that truth, justice, and the American way are the best, however I think they are slowly proving that it no longer exists in Washington D.C.
One answer is to be careful who you donate money to, who you vote for, and to become involved. Everyone has been upset at one time or another when hearing about organized crime or if they were a victim of crime. Well, this is the same thing. You and I are not only the victims, we get to pay for it!. As victims we have a right to demand justice and I believe we should. Write letter's, send e-mails, or make phone calls and demand justice. You will feel better and be able to point out the right thing to your children for a change.
God Bless America.
God Bless our troops, still in harms way.
Michael E. Cook, Coos County Sheriff, Retired.
this was posted especially for it!!!, I know sherrif
Mike is one of his favorites
By Sheriff Mike Cook
Many times in the past I have made comments about the Environmentalist's using the cause and their organizations to get large sums of money and make themselves rich. Each time I get e-mails and letters from people who say I was totally wrong and way off base. I have even stated that the concern for the movement had been totally absorbed by those who were after the money and not the cause. Again I was chastised by those who believe the cause was pure and that people within the cause wouldn't use it for that purpose. Well now I get to say I told you so.
There is now a Senate Committee in Congress investigating the Nature Conservancy. If you don't know, the Nature Conservancy is a non-profit charitable organization. They have been taking the money they get and buying land all over America. They buy this land then add development restrictions to it, then it is resold for less money. The buyers of this land then make tax-deductible gifts to the nonprofit, Nature Conservancy. Does this rouse your curiosity yet?
Now here is the big one. It seems this organization has been making large, no interest loans to their employees. Such as a $1.5 million loan to President Steven J. McCormick and a $500,000 mortgage extended to California state director Graham Chisholm. Boy, wouldn't you and I like working for an organization like that? Some sources say the loans are then "forgiven" and they don't have to pay it back.
Now the Senate committee is also asking for the land sales records to government agencies, including appraisals and any profits banked by the Natures Conservancy. They are also asking for records and a list of grants from other nonprofit organizations like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Forest Foundation, and the National Park Foundation.
I don't know about you, but I smell something real bad in all this. It is my belief that I was right on the money when I said they are in this for the big bucks and nothing else. What makes me mad, and should make you mad as well, is that they are doing a lot of this with our tax money! They are abusing the system to get everything they want, using taxpayer money to do it with, and they don't pay any taxes.
With any kind of luck, they will get what is coming to them in the way of justice. But what will be done about all the damage they have already caused? Will the government go back and right these wrongs? I don't think that will happen at all. Those people will probably walk away with a big grin and all the money and land.
We try to raise our children the right way and tell them crime doesn't pay, and that honesty is the best policy. Then they see things like this and former President Clinton beating the system by lies, cheating, and crime. How in the world can a parent prove to a child that this is wrong when people who do it are never punished for what they do? This must come to a stop, and the people of America had better wake up and demand a stop to it or we will be lost forever. I still believe that truth, justice, and the American way are the best, however I think they are slowly proving that it no longer exists in Washington D.C.
One answer is to be careful who you donate money to, who you vote for, and to become involved. Everyone has been upset at one time or another when hearing about organized crime or if they were a victim of crime. Well, this is the same thing. You and I are not only the victims, we get to pay for it!. As victims we have a right to demand justice and I believe we should. Write letter's, send e-mails, or make phone calls and demand justice. You will feel better and be able to point out the right thing to your children for a change.
God Bless America.
God Bless our troops, still in harms way.
Michael E. Cook, Coos County Sheriff, Retired.
this was posted especially for it!!!, I know sherrif
Mike is one of his favorites
