Nasty Politics

dirty politics, most likely not even an incompetent version of nasty. 

That fundraising tactic "hi there, we are from the (fill in FOP/PAL/Firefighters) has been around forever.  There are differnt versions, some are just dailing for dollars,some are to send a kid to the (fill the circus, etc.), some even use the to buy "needed equipment" dodge.  They are professional fund raisers, usually hired at a national level by some obscure organization sort of related to police/fire.  Google any charity rating vehicle, these groups are rated very low.

I think it is a bit of a stretch to tie them to any nasty politics. It is good however, that the Sheriff got his PIO out in front of it so people don't give up their hard earned dollars to this boiler room type of "fund raising"

charitynavigator.org

They have a rating system for most charity's I have looked up.

I have to agree about the phone calls and soliciting funds. These people can be obnoxious and rude. It would be a clear indicator of them not knowing how to pronouce his name that they are not from our area. Most likely paid solicitors. 

Anybody with eyes could see the signs that have popped up all over the county and clearly state in big letters "Endorsed by the FOP". They don't have Beseler's name on the signs.

I agree its good they are telling the people so people don't give up their hard earned dollars to this boiler room type of "fund raising" groups. I would venture to say by the time it reaches any group named it has been plundered.

Thanks clayvoter for the web site

Stryker

I'm glad to see that I am not the only one talking about the Beseler Bashers. I didn't realize that it had gone so far as to have 'solicitors' calling folks indicating that they are working for Beseler.

There are a number of folks out there that get an account here, log on, throw a crap covered rock and then leave. Some are gone for good and some come back on occasion but you don't see them very often. Just long enough to stir up more crap.

Mike Heemer

Mike H.,

I really think the solicitors have nothing to do with the  Sheriff's race, but I will agree to disagree!

However, I during any campaign, mud and rocks come from both directions--although sometimes people "sling and stir"  with more skill and more finesse.

As always in Clay, it is going to be a long and winding road until the elections (Hmmm...do I hear strains of my beloved Beatles????)

Off to work.........have a great day bloggers.

Mike

I think I must agree with Angela and clayvoter. I don't get the taste of dirty polotics in my mouth on this one. These types of scams have been around a long time, I think it's just another phone scam for money.

TRUTHHURTS

Clay/TH/Angela;

Y'all could be right. It might be that it was just a cheap shot if the opportunity arose, it could be that it was just one or two individuals hoping to get extra money by dropping a name or as you indicated it could have been some scammers.

There was a short article in the T/U this morning about it. I got a call Monday evening from someone saying they were from FOP raising money but they never mentioned Beseler.

The call was irritating but there was no 'aggressive' solicitation. Who can say for sure? But I'll give them a 'buy' on this one.

That's one of reasons I wish the 'Do Not Call' list covered everybody. 

Mike Heemer

it is very suspect!!  I also got a call and the individual on the other end wasn't as cordial as yours Mike H., of course that could be because I shot questions at him that he could not answer!!  At first he told me he was a member of the CCFOP, but had absolutely no idea who the president is!!  Red flag!!  In his initial 'speel' he did say "hired by" Sheriff Beseler pronouncing it 'Bess-ler  and I knew that was not true as the Sheriff's Office does not solicite.  He later recanted, after I asked for the third time if he was a member of the CCFOP, and said he was not a member.  He, at best, was not prepared......at least not for me .  Missed the short article in TU this morning...could be I had not had my first cup of java .....will look for it. 

I don't know if it is connected to the campaign...so like you Mike H. I'll give them a 'buy'. 

Stryker

I think clayvoter is right. During campaigns mud and rocks come from every direction. I've seen Beseler bashers and I've seen Taylor bashers on the blogs. I've seen one or two about Abernathy. Beseler is the incumbent and is in a position to get the most mud coming his direction.

I saw this on the local news last night about the memo and alerting citizens that these calls are not from Sheriff Beseler or anyone who represents him, and to just hang up.

These callers are very nice at first because they want your money. If you ask questions or say no then the comments turn to rude and obnoxious. I guess this is the reason behind the Beseler memo and the suggestion to just hang up.

Jacksonville FOP Lodge 5-30 and the State Lodge hire a solicitation service to fund raise for them. The FOP gets a small portion of the contribution. Clay FOP 104 does not solicit by telephone. These knuckleheads call Clay County Businesses and residents and get money and the local lodge never sees one penny. They stir up residents who call and complain to CCSO about their conduct on the telephone. They are rude and obnoxious. I have received a couple of their calls and have played the game with them. They will tell you all kinds of great things that are not true. I then load the cannon full of questions and finally call Bull S$$$ and hang up the phone.

I recommend you do the same.

I received my telephone solicitation yesterday.  Actually it was the second call I received in the last two weeks.  With the first one, the man identified himself but then asked if my parents were home.  I said no and did not clue him in so he said he would call back. 

He or someone else called back yesterday and gave me some of their presentation, something about programs for the children and he would like to send out my decal.  I said something I have used for years when contacted by the Fraternal Order of Whoever. 

I said, “Not this year.”

It implies that I contributed last year.  I did contribute one year, before I knew better, a long time ago.  The response also implies that I may give again; that prevents them from being more forceful and trying to convince me.  It has worked every year but one when the guy wanted me to contribute as little as $15.00.   

Sometimes I say, “I’m sorry, not this year.”  One statement serves better than the other when you can tell that the caller is ready to persist.  If they do, just keep repeating the same thing.  I can very rarely make myself hang-up on anyone.

Because of the info presented here, when I got my "FOP" solicitation last night,  I was ready! It said Utilities on my caller ID. 

The caller got the lodge number right (104)and then they answered the President of the FOP was Bessler (at least they pronounced the name right).  After I said they were batting .500, (which would be wonderful for Uncle Rich's beloved Cubbies) I requested that our number be taken off their list permanently.  The caller was not agressive.

Knowledge is Power!