Good Morning.
A terrific Friday, for sure. Weather guys say the weekend's gonna be hot along the Carolina coast. A lot of sunshine, at least for Friday and Saturday, with above normal temps. Then, that little mess that's been a problem over the midwest will show up and drop some rain. Some say a "lot" of rain. Temps will be cooler, and the cool front will likely suck up some of the moisture leftover from that Caribbean system (what's this one's name? Starts with an M) and add it to our mix the first half, or more, of next week. Hope it comes in, gives us the moisture we need, then leaves before next weekend's King Mackerel Tournament out of the Southport area. I am scheduled to be shooting with Southern Sportfishing's Captain Andy Everhart. And, I'd like it to be dry inside the boat, with relatively calm seas. When it's too pretty, it seems the fish don't cooperate.
Ok, what's in the news? Apparently, it's all politics. With six weeks to go, the dems are grasping at straws. It seems many running for office are distancng themselves from Obama as the president's popularity wanes. A new wave of republicans, meanwhile, is speaking up and speaking out. The former republican VP nominee, Ms Palin, is the loudest voice out there. There's a lot of speculation that she will seek the presidential nod. But, as one TV reporter chirped this morning, she would be giving up a lot of her power even if she's elected. As an outspoken critic, much akin to Rush, the reporter noted, her words are more powerful in her current role than they would be as the Big Cheese.
Whatever.
The November election, though, will either be the beginning of a republican takeover, and a sign of what's going to happen in 2012, or it will cause republicans to regroup and find out what's wrong with their philosophies. Democrats, meanwhile, are on the defensive. A strong win in November will allow the party to breathe a sigh of relief, and give them a chance to convince voters that they are doing the right thing as Obama's re-election plans unfold.
Again, whatever.
By the way, I am a registered Independent. I do my own thinking. Just in case you wanted to know.
I got another of those solicitation calls at 8:00 last night. Yep..."Hi, Mr.___ (they had my name wrong). I'm calling on behalf of the (firefighters, state troopers, police officers, tree huggers...you get the picture). We would appreciate your support" (in the form of money).
This is the point where I, without fail, ask my first...and usually last...question: "Are you a paid professional solicitor". North Carolina law (and, likely other state laws, as well) REQUIRE them to reveal this. "Require" means that if they do not, truthfully, give it up, then they have violated a law.
Last night, the caller said..."what?", to which I repeated my question. He said, "just a minute", covered his mic, and came back on the line in about 15 seconds, and fessed up. "Yes, I am a paid solicitor".
My response is always the same: thank you, I am not interested, and add this number on your "do not call list". In most cases, they comply without comment. Last night's caller wanted to argue. I asked if he understood me. He said he did, then I chose the ultimate solution to that problem. I simply hung up.
See ya.
Ok, so you ask: what's the problem with donating to these organizations? Absolutely nothing. But, give whatever you're comfortable with DIRECTLY to the organization. As a television reporter, and later as a news manager, I was involved in investigating and reporting on "paid professional solicitors". Several times, over several years. Turns out, according to the North Carolina Department of State, that the organizations net between seven and ten percent of the total amount collected by the "paid professional solicitors". 90-plus percent of the money you give goes to the solicitors for "expenses". I mean, someone's gotta pay their salaries, their printing costs, their phone bills...get the picture. There is ovehead. A lot of overhead. Think about it next time you get a call like this. If you contribute 100 of your hard earned dollars, the "paid professional solicitors" get between $90 and $93.
Our reports found out that most of the groups using "paid professional solicitors" had no clue as to how much money was actually collected. They only knew that they got X-number of dollars, and they had to do nothing to get it. That is, other than lend their name to the "cause".
What a racket!
Again, these are good organizations, and they count on donations. But, if you're inclined to give, then stop by your local volunteer fire department and write them a check. That way, you're assured that every dime you give will go to the right place.
(Hmmm...sounds like the "paid professional solicitors" took a lesson from Washington: give us your money, i.e. taxes, and we'll use up a lot of it for overhead, then we'll give you a little bit back. Think about that every time you see your congressman in a grip-and-grin photograph in the local paper or on television news giving a check to a fire department or rescue squad or some other truly deserving organization. If we had kept the money in the first place, without Washington taking the "dealers' cut, those groups would get even more money)
Raeford Brown
Daily Facts and Opinions
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