In the first few months of 2005 Friends of Democracy, sometimes in cooperation with other non-profit Iraqi organizations, sponsored several political and educational events in various parts of the country.

• Sponsored two election debates in Samawa with the Cultural Parliament Agency. The first debate was broadcast on January 30, 2005 on Samawa’s local TV station, the Al-Hura and Diyar TV stations, and on Japan’s Natasha news agency. The second debate was covered by the Al Sabah newspaper.

• Conducted a local opinion survey in Samawa with the Samawa Student Board.

• Sponsored a play about the democratic transformation in southern Iraq. The Al-Sharqiya TV station first offered financial support if the play focused on the lack of electricity and water and the suffering that went along with it. But the students at the Beauty Art College insisted the play focus instead on the good things that also were happening. Friends of Democracy then stepped in and supported the play instead.

• Held an educational session for kids in the city of Amara under the Iraqi Child Parliament Suport program.

• Held a seminar at Political Science College about democracy.

• Sponsored how-to-blog lectures in Hilla and Erbil at local Internet cafes.

Before, during, and after the Iraqi election in January Friends of Democracy, in a cooperative effort with Spirit of America, brought you ground level election news from the people of Iraq. The project was so successful we decided to keep going. We re-tooled the site to bring you ground level views on a whole range of topics from the people and bloggers of Iraq.

On the new site we are publishing English translations of selected articles from Iraq's new and expanding Arabic-language blogosphere. If you don't understand Arabic you won't be able to read regularly-updated authentic Arabic-language blogging anywhere else on the Internet. We'll be adding new articles almost every day. So please be sure to bookmark the site, tell your friends and family, and – if you have your own blog – help spread the word.

There are a number of expressions I've learned over the years, some of them too 'colorful' to use here, that apply to some coverage in the mainstream media of the bloggers at Iraq the Model who we know and who we are assisting with Friends of Democracy (see here and here). Since it is getting some attention, we thought we should comment.

Here in So. California there is an expression that applies to the article in question: "No brains, no headaches." Which, in this case, is the nicest way of saying we doubt that those behind the story will ever suffer any sort of discomfort over this.

Jeff Jarvis does a good job of dealing with this article: "Sarah Boxer's story on IraqTheModel in today's New York Times Arts section is irresponsible, sloppy, lazy, inaccurate, incomplete, exploitive, biased, and -- worst of all -- dangerous, putting the lives of its subjects at risk." Read Jeff's thorough discussion here.

There are many, many Iraqis who are risking their lives working for freedom, democracy and peace in their country. They are struggling against the worst kind of enemy.

It's a shame that, in the case of the bloggers at Iraq the Model, the difficult work they are doing with Friends of Democracy gets no attention in the New York Times but quite a bit of ink is devoted to irresponsibly putting their lives at risk.

Don't send aspirin, send in the Scarecrow.

-- Jim Hake

ps: I addressed the question of our (non-existent) ties to politics and government here.

With Spirit of America, what you see is what you get. Our mission and activities are exactly what we say they are. We have no hidden agenda. Our intention is do all we can with the support of the American people so that freedom and peace prevail. We are more open about our finances than any other organization. We publish our financials for every month showing our project expenses down to the check level. You can see them here.

Our donors We have more than 12,000 donors who in have contributed more than $7 million in cash and measurable donated goods. We don’t ask our donors who they work for, therefore we generally don’t know. Our largest cash donation in 2004 was $50,000 from an Internet entrepreneur. Our largest donations of goods - in the $1mm range – have been medical supplies and equipment from InMed and Triad Hospitals. We do not share or publish the personal information people give us – including names of our donors – unless they give us explicit permission and except as required by law (e.g., for tax filing purposes). That is our Privacy Policy.

Our relationship with Cyber Century Forum Cyber Century Forum, a nonprofit organization, provided the nonprofit, 501c3 status we needed to get Spirit of America off the ground. This allowed us to immediately begin operations without the expense and delay of forming a new, independent nonprofit. From August 2003 through November 2004 we operated as an independent project under the auspices of Cyber Century Forum. Spirit of America kept separate accounting and separate bank accounts. Our finances were never mingled except that for Federal tax reporting purposes in 2003, Cyber Century Forum reported our combined finances. Since Spirit of America was not, at the time, an independent entity, we did not file separate tax returns. We never received direct financial support (i.e., money) from CCF although CCF did provide some administrative services and did the accounting work in filing the combined 2003 tax return. You can find Cyber Century Forum’s tax returns from 1998 to 2003 at the bottom of this page.

Special Industry Relationships Cyber Century Forum’s 2003 tax return notes a $109k investment in Schlumberger. CCF has held 2,000 shares of Schlumberger as an investment since 1998. Some have noted this and asked if the oil industry (or any other industry) exerts some special influence over our operations. The short answer is no.

Regarding CCF's investment Spirit of America was not involved with CCF in 1998; their investment in Schlumberger at that time pre-dates our existence by five years.

Nonetheless, Spirit of America would accept donations by oil and oil service companies, if they were offered. In fact, we would welcome such donations; we've all spent a lot on gas over the years and it would be nice to get a % of those expenditures coming back to a great cause. We would use such donations (and donations by any company, industry or industry group) to fund Spirit of America projects - just as we use individual donations today. If you are interested in making a donation, click here, or email staff@spiritofamerica.net.

No US Government Ties We do not seek or receive any funding from any government entity. We would not accept it if it were offered. Our organization is based on the voluntary support of the American people. Spirit of America is genuine “people power” at work. We are not a political, lobbying or policy organization.

I (Jim Hake) do not receive government money, either. I have never been employed by any government entity or agency. I did have an internship with Science Applications in 1977 and Science Applications did government work at the time, although I was not involved with it. And, from 1982-87 I was employed by Rational Software (since acquired by IBM). Rational sold its products to U.S. defense contractors, among others.

The only money I’ve received from the government is a tax refund. I volunteer my time to Spirit of America. I’m able to do so because I’ve been blessed with good financial fortune, which came on the heels of a lot of hard work. I don’t intend to take a salary from Spirit of America but its possible I’ll change my mind some day.

No Political Agenda It has been suggested that Spirit of America reflects someone’s political agenda. This is silly, too. It doesn't. We are a non-political, non-partisan organization. We don't positions on political or public policy issues.

Speaking personally, my work to advance the Internet in the 1990s was endorsed by then Vice President Al Gore, Speaker Newt Gingrich and Colin Powell, among many others. I am a registered Independent. I’ve never made a political contribution. You can search on this at Open Secrets which publishes all political donations (hint: search on “Hake, James” in California) because, by law, they are a matter of public record. I vote for President based on who I believe will do the best job leading our country.

As for the rest of Spirit of America staff, I don’t know what their political affiliations are or if they make political contributions. I have never asked. That is their business and I respect their privacy. If they were to use Spirit of America to promote their political views, after one warning they would be fired.

We receive enthusiastic support from people all over the political spectrum - support from Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Libertarians. Our supporters voted for Bush, Kerry, and Howard Dean. I know this because some of our donors have told me.

To read the views of two who opposed the US policy in Iraq see Dan Gillmor and Mitch Ratcliffe.

Our work is nonpartisan. Anyone who wants to help the people of Iraq and Afghanistan or those who call to the American people to achieve freedom, democracy and peace should feel comfortable supporting our projects. Our goal is to provide a rare common ground for those who believe in our mission and share our objectives. Dan Henninger of the Wall Street Journal talked about this on PBS last April. It is far more important than partisan politics.

Jim Hake

UPDATE: we will not proceed with the rally idea.

Based on lots of great input, we have decided not to pursue the rally idea at this time ... maybe something like it in the future. Thanks to everyone that made comments.

We are looking into some ideas for how we can express the support of the American people in a way that fits better with the time and resources we have.

Jim Hake December 20, 2004

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SoA volunteers in NY suggested what looks like a very great idea. We’d like your feedback. The idea is to hold a rally on January 22nd – 8 days before Iraq’s election - to show support for those working for democracy in Iraq. This would be to support Coalition troops and the Iraqis building democracy, running for office and those about to vote. It would demonstrate the American people’s support of democracy and a free Iraq.

In ways that are hard to measure, such a rally could provide encouragement and moral support to the brave Iraqis that are struggling for a free and democratic country. It would show them and our troops in Iraq that the American people stand behind them (even in cold January weather).

In our recent “road show” with Omar and Mohammed – founders of Friends of Democracy - someone asked if America could supply three things to Iraq, what is needed most? Omar's answer: "Support, love, and encouragement." Material things will help, he said, but mostly Iraqis need to know that we are standing with them.

Imagine 10 or 20,000 people standing in solidarity with the people of Iraq. The idea would be to have one large rally (NY or DC) and to encourage as many other smaller ones as people wanted to organize.

WE NEED YOUR COMMENTS 1. Is this worth trying? 2. Can you help? Do you have any big rally experience? 3. Do you know organizations that could help turn people out? 4. Better NYC or DC?

Great post on Friends of Democracy over at Iraq the Model.

Here is a photo of a lecture on the Iraqi elections by Friends of Democracy to women at the College of Physical Education.