Reverse magnetism

Well, knock me over with a feather: "Support the troops" yellow ribbon magnets don't necessarily support the troops. This story focuses on a Cincinnati woman, Tamara Deal, whose husband in Iraq:

"There are yellow ribbons on almost every car now, and I'm just wondering where people are buying them from."



Tamara says many stores selling "support the troops magnets" are not really supporting the troops.



"I asked one, the manager had no idea, she said she had no idea where the money went."

The writer of the story reports that one major retailer, Walgreens, "tells me 50 percent of their magnet sales goes to the USO, which helps military families." (No word on whether he asked any other retailers, and, if he did, what they said.)

But with almost every discount store now selling ribbons, Tamara asks you to buy only from charities, veterans groups, and stores who confirm your money will help soldiers and their loved ones.

The reporter's concluding message:

My advice? Before buying a support the troops ribbon, ask how your purchase will support the troops.



If you can't get a straight answer, look for an organization that will tell you exactly how it's helping.



So don't waste your money.

Yes. Thank you. My point exactly. And as for supporting the troops, I made my donation directly to the USO; I don't have a car, so I don't have anywhere to put a magnet anyway, but even if I did, I'd rather put my money into a direct donation than into an outward show of support. (If I wanted an outward show of support, I'd go into my gift-wrapping supply box and tie my own damn yellow ribbon around my car antenna.)