Keller @ Large: Veterans Charity Has No Shame

BOSTON (CBS) -- In the last 36 hours, CBS News, The New York Times, and the WBZ I-Team have reported on the appalling spending practices of the Wounded Warrior Project, one of our country's most prominent charities.

They've documented millions of dollars donated to help struggling vets wasted on lavish parties, unnecessary travel, and perks, all fueling a 40 percent spending rate on overhead that is far higher than other charities devoted to veterans.

Read: CBS Investigation Raises Questions About Wounded Warrior Project

How many times have we heard this same outrageous story of egomaniacs and sharks taking control of a well-meaning charity and bleeding its resources? It's a larger, more corporate version of the occasional fraud we encounter who pretends to have a terrible illness so they can scam the community and party with the proceeds.

I'm not sure there is language suitable for air that can describe the anger and contempt I feel for people who would do this. They debase themselves, betray those who rely on them, and exploit the well-meaning citizens who send in their donations in an effort to help.

It's bad enough when a contractor rips off the military with gross overcharging, or a worker rips off the system with a fake disability. Greed and selfishness are facts of human nature, I get that. But there has to be a special place down below reserved for people who would exploit disabled veterans, or for the bureaucrats who covered up the scandalous lead poisoning of citizens' drinking water in the Midwest.

Shame is a powerful force. It helps guide us to do the right thing and think of others. But it seems too many people have no shame whatsoever.

Share your thoughts on this via email at keller@wbztv.com, or on twitter, @kelleratlarge.