Posted on 06/14/2005 8:04:29 AM PDT by SheLion
When the American Cancer Society last year paid to air television ads warning of the dangers of secondhand smoke, it didnt disclose the expenditure because, it contended, the ads werent supporting a proposed smoking ban working its way through the Legislature.
The states Public Disclosure Commission disagreed and the society eventually reported the money it spent on the ads.
But that wasnt enough for the commission, which Thursday approved a $3,500 fine against the society for missing deadlines to report the money it spent on the ads and other so-called grass-roots lobbying intended to generate support for smoking ban proposals.
According to a report from the commissions staff, the violations are significant, since the $64,200 the commission spent pushing the smoking ban wasnt disclosed until after the 2004 legislative session ended. That means people watching the ads some of which featured former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop urging them to ask their legislators to support the ban didnt know who was paying for them.
The smoking ban proposals, which would have prohibited smoking in bars, restaurants and most other non-tribal businesses, failed. An initiative that would have done the same thing failed to make the ballot last year, though a similar one this year appears more likely to make the Nov. 8 ballot, thanks in part to nearly $600,000 in backing from the Cancer Society.
But the society has also missed deadlines for reporting its contributions to the initiative this year, according to the commissions report. As part of the agreement approved Thursday, if the society commits another violation or fails to meet other conditions, it will trigger an additional $4,000 in fines.
The commission Thursday also fined the American Heart Association $400 for missing deadlines to report nearly $15,000 it spent pushing the smoking bans.
And it fined Breathe Easy Washington, the group that pushed last years failed smoking ban initiative, $400 for missing deadlines to report $8,500 in contributions it received last year.
Kenneth P. Vogel: 360-754-6093
Fraud is the word that comes to mind...lobbying paid for out of donations for research, and presented as "public education".
If cancer goes away, so do their do nothing, propagandizing, no-heavy-lifting jobs.
That's exactly it!!!!! No more cancer, then they lose their cushy jobs and overstuffed wallets! Makes me want to throw up with what they are doing with that money!
don't donate to the united way for one
That is a good start.....however, I do not believe these organizations should be doing any lobbying at all if they receive any money whatsoever from the taxpayers in any shape or form.
You are correct. I was the director of candlelighters. Parents of children who have/had cancer in Humboldt County. It was like pulling teeth for the cancer society to assist us in anything. Go down to your local cancer society ane all you see is non smoking ads. They are obsessed with it. I knew this all along. all they spend their money on is administration and non smoking ads.
The cancer organization were 98% of all monies go to research patient assistance is the leukemia society.
Thanks for your most informative post and thanks for the wonderful work you are doing.
I have not had any direct dealings with the ACS but your post enlightened me quite a bit.
Not one dime from me,not one dime!
Well said.
And they wonder why we're pissed off at them.
You bet!!!! Gotcha added! :)
They are a bunch of bottom feeder low-lives! I can't stand any of them. And the United Way is another one!
Lets not ignore the salaries being paid to the pseudos heading up this questionable organization........
Just like all these other alleged do-good foundations, the folks at the top are rolling in dough while the folks the fund was intended to help are still dying and exhausting their life savings.........
In my opinion, the American Cancer Society is the most over rated non-profit org in existence today..........
You're not alone-I read that post by inquest several times, and still haven't quite decided what the point was. Wish some folks would simplify.
Ok, 2nd comment was much better, but I doubt if it would stop the usual suspects, as they've got those millions they stole from the tobacco companies in the infamous settlement. Not quite sure if said monies would be effected, but they'll be able to find a way around it. And churches have been doing it for years.
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