I, like many of you, read about the sacrifice made by Pat Tillman with a combination of pride and shame -- pride that I have shared a country with someone so brave, and shame that I have never walked away from so much for a cause I believe in. Most of us can't join the armed forces in their liberation of Iraq, but we can still make a difference in meaningful ways, by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Spirit of America project, which equips American civilians and servicemen with basic tools to help people in war-torn countries like Iraq as they struggle to rebuild their societies.

Examples of current needs that you can help fill include start-up equipment for Iraqi news stations, school supplies for Iraqi school children, and tools for Iraqi tradesmen. These are the kinds of requests that typically fall through the cracks at larger aid agencies. Every dollar you contribute, outside of minimal operations costs, goes directly to purchase the requested supplies, which are then shipped directly to the Americans abroad for distribution to the people they are helping.

As an added bit of fun, if you click through to this link by Thursday, you will help a cabal of liberty-oriented bloggers in their friendly contest with other groups trying to raise money for this worthy cause. Don't miss this chance to show the America-is-an-evil-empire crowd where our hearts really lie.