When you have a beef about something, I recommend one route before posting to the whole list--e.g., how about trying to dig up some facts & figures, please? Can you say "Google"? :)
Here's some links that I found informative... Charities Review COuncil of Minnesota: http://www.crcmn.org/donorinfo/police_fire.htm ... which states, "The organization chose not to participate in a Council review, either by declining the Council's request or by not responding to the Council's repeated requests for information." & The link was too long to guarantee being "linkable," but the BBB of MN has (note--possibly current only through 1995?): "Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) was founded in 1923. It is a non-profit tax exempt organization under IRS code 501C (4), but is not a charity. .... "The association lobbies on behalf of the police profession and encourages high standards among police officers. The association has contracted with Midwest Publishing Inc. headquartered in Southfield, Michigan to solicit advertising from businesses to be placed in the Minnesota Police Journal and solicits individuals for sponsorships. ... "The Better Business Bureau contacted MPPOA on September 29, 1993 for information regarding the association's latest programs and fund raising costs. The company stated the costs and programs were the same as 1992. In 1992 the company did not supply all the requested information. 1995 information has not been sought. Professional fund raisers such as Midwest Publishing Inc. normally take from 65-80% up-front fees from monies collected. The remaining funds normally are given to the organization for use in its on-going programs. ..." ... It is always advisable to ask questions to ensure that your donation will be used wisely. The Better Business Buerau provides reports only, and as matter of policy does not endorse any company, product or service." Personal experience: When I was a lowly volunteer in Lyndale, looking for ideas to quash crime for little or no government handout money, I happened to get a call from the MPPOA. The perk for a donation was a book that "had the answer to America's drug problem" or words to that effect. I asked specifically if it'd help us with the drug dealing that had overrun Grand, Pleasant, Pills, Blais, Nic & 1st Avenues from Lake to 35th St. in 1992. I was assured it would be very helpful. Being between jobs, I asked if I could flip through the book to be sure first. They gave me their address and I drove down. From one glance at the cover it was clear to be another howler of brinksmanship lit, "here's nasty photos of these drugs, if you're kids have these in their room, look out!!" kind of stuff--not helpful, just angering. Anyway, I said I wasn't sure, and they said take it anyway, no donation necessary. So I did. It wasn't helpful. My impression then was, "best of intentions, middling follow-through, half-hearted sales pitch" for a group devoted to the items listed in their site at-- http://www.mppoa.com/objects.htm ...where I learned that... 16% of it's active members seem to favor residency requirements (from their 2002 Member Opinion Study, can be downloaded from above), 69% favor unbuckled seatbelts as a primray offence (meaning you could be stopped for it alone), 49% favor dropping the blood alcohol legal limit to .08... 17% are Democrats...63% don't make contributions to political parties or candidates nor did they ever contact their legislature, and 15% didn't know who that might be... 54% don't want concealed-carry to be passed as law... Drum roll......... 65% are likely or very likely to retire before reaching age 55... I love Google. Luther Krueger Lyndale 8th Ward & SAFE civilian with the MPD _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
