Posted on 03/24/2005 3:25:36 AM PST by billorites
Every weekday morning, listeners across the country tune in to radio host Don Imus to hear his trademark rants about politics, Hollywood, sports and Iraq.
Mr. Imus and his wife, Deirdre, opened the 4,000-acre ranch, nestled in the mesa country of northern New Mexico, in 1999 to help sick children. Its stated mission is to give "children with severe illnesses an opportunity to experience the life of an American cowboy."
The ranch has also burnished Mr. Imus's image. With his signature scowl, gruff voice, 10-gallon hats and tendency to refer to some public figures as "creeps," "thugs" and "fascists," Mr. Imus, 64 years old, has built a top-10 national radio show with 3.25 million listeners a week. It is also simulcast on MSNBC television. The ranch has helped shine a spotlight on his softer side, transforming Mr. Imus and his wife into two of the country's best-known philanthropists. They've donated more than $1 million to the ranch over the past four years and raised $20 million for its start-up and operations. Celebrity donors, including TV-news star Barbara Walters, former New York Stock Exchange Chief Richard Grasso and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, receive praise on Mr. Imus's show.
Yet the charity's large budget, and the Imus family's personal stays at the ranch, are drawing scrutiny from tax officials and regulators. The ranch's expenses totaled $2.6 million last year, while it hosted only about 100 kids -- an unusually high dollar-to-child ratio, charity experts say. The Imus family stays at the ranch all summer with the children, but they also visit for weeks at a time during holidays as well as dropping in for occasional weekends, Mr. Imus says...
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
So, you're saying the Imus ranch doesn't host kids with cancer?
No good deed goes unpunished. Not much of an Imus fan but go back far enough in his career to remember his "shock jock" years. He turned his life around and now is giving back in a meaningful way ... give the guy a break.
Liberal Scam Ping
1) The Imus family uses a chartered jet to travel to their ranch -- this was disclosed by a lawsuit by one of their nannys.
Does the charity pay for the chartered jet to the Ranch for Children?
2) It is claimed that Imus purchased the property that the ranch is on with his own money for $1.5 million.
See linky: http://www.organicstyle.com/feature/0,8028,s1-41-30-36-548,00.html
However, the ranch property was leased by the state of New Mexico to Imus. Imus was sued by the state for failure to get approval before destroying 19th century buildings on government land.
See linky: http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/News/9808/04/showbuzz/
Appears to be another Liberal facade, masking reality.
Trump has built up a "rep" for handling money. If you haven't noticed, his gambling properties in Atlantic City have gone bankrupt twice. Donald started out with a $20 million bankroll by his dad. He is an expert in self promotion...the latest evidence is The Apprentice show.
If not this what? Whittaker Chambers? Amelia Earhart? Autism? GI Insurance? McCain? Mercury? Thimerasol? His illnesses?
He has his button with the 'scream' for callers he doesn't like.
I wish I had a button for "STFU" for Imus sometimes!!
Imus is a con artist. His ranch was featured in Architectural Digest. He has built a luxurious vacation/retirement home, which is partially funded by public donations and protected as a tax-exempt organization. You can bet that he and his family will be spending more and more time at the ranch as Wyatt gets older. Mr. Frank is the messenger.
Imus is a shame - its about time that he goes down with JJ, Sharpton and the rest of the liberal trash.
No. He pays for that himself.
Imus and his wife voted for Kerry last election. Deidre voted for Kerry because Teresa is a contributor and/or board member for a number of charities, which Deidre is associated with.
LOL!! So what? He's flying kids in from all over the world, he's there when they're there, he's doing something nobody else is doing.
Frank's a Northeastern jerk who likely doesn't do a damned thing for terminally ill kids.
Do you?
What are you doing for terminally ill kids?
For a one week experience.
Much of the left despises DI because of the politically incorrect humor dispensed on his show. I don't know this particular reporter, but I do know that WSJ reporters lean dramatically left, in stark contrast to the paper's editorial page.
1) "Does the charity pay for the chartered jet to the Ranch for Children?
No. He pays for that himself."
How do you know? Do you have access to his personal expenses and charitible tax documents? Please provide your source of this knowledge.
2) The children attending the ranch are not terminally ill. The children are typically the brother or sister of a child who died from SIDS. The children must pass physical requirements to attend the ranch for 7 days (not 9 days).
"How long will I be at the ranch?
Seven complete days. You leave on the morning of the eighth day."
"What are the physical limitations?
You must be physically fit enough to work and ride a horse. The work can be demanding and you should consider that when making your decision whether to come to the ranch."
See the official requirements yourself here: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3359675/
Donating to Riley Children's hospital in Indy....what are you doing?
$26,000 for 1 week, wow I'm impressed /sarcasm
Actually, Imus as said recently that he can't breathe at the ranch - I guess the elevation is high. That would really impact on how much time he spends there.
Pray for W and Terri
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.