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You've heard of Truth in Advertising, right?
Did you know that there's no truth-in-advertising law governing federal political candidates? Candidates have a legal right to lie to voters about almost anything they want---and usually do. That's why most of those campaign promises never see fruition.
No wonder the political action committee formed by Michael Schiavo is a federal PAC. Just like his book, "Terri: The Truth", he apparently thinks he can say whatever he wants without any consequences to pay for the distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies in his PAC pleas.
 An appeal for $20,000 spewed forth from TerriPAC last week, fronted by Derek Newton who calls himself the director.
He claims that TerriPac has 3,000 members and he wants 200 of them to give $100 a piece because if they don't, then he and Michael won't have any money to get even with those radical right-wingers for demonizing poor Michael for killing his disabled, helpless wife.
It's an urgent call to action. Michael Schiavo wants your money. He spent all of Terri's trust fund, earmarked for her rehabilitation and instead used it to help George Felos fund his euthanasia hobby, his "right-to-die" movement.
"We're only a few weeks away from entering the summer campaign season. Right wing political leaders are already finalizing their plans and our allies are already calling on us to help them stand up to the conservative attacks we know are coming".
Huh? Is Derek Newton paranoid or what? There have been no outward signs of his statements. He wants $20,000 to be "ready for battle"? How much of that is earmarked for Newton's pocket?
According to the reports filed by TerriPac with the Federal Election Commission, some $18,516 in receipts was received by the PAC through March 31 and $13,411 was disbursed. And who was the biggest recipient? None other than Derek Newton, his associates and/or subsidiaries, dipping in for nearly $4,500 so perhaps the biggest answer to the TerriPAC money dilemma is for Derek Newton to get his hand out of the PAC cookie jar.
Of the $18,516 taken in, only $3,000 of that went to the candidates, two $1,000 donations to two Congressional candidates, a $500 donation to a Texas Congressional candidate and $500 to Jim Davis, Florida gubernatorial candidate.
The FEC reports indicate that Newton and Schiavo disbursed $1,728 to Frederick Polls of Arlington, Va., although there's no indication of the subject matter polled or the results. Another $1,000 went for the production of some yet unseen video, travel and office expenses for someone named Danielle Black and then there's website expenses and PayPal.
Newton exclaims, "We've already given thousands of dollars to progressive candidates". Well, I guess that's marginally true. The reports indicate that a total of $3,000 has been given to four candidates, how progressive they are is questionable.
He claims "We've already received tens of thousands of dollars from supporters from literally all across America". This statement is next to a money gauge which indicates that less than $10,000 of their $30,000 goal has been reached. According to their FEC report, they haven't received "tens of thousands", they reported receiving $18,516, not really much considering their claiming 3,000 "members".
"If we don't succeed, no one will hold them (those damn right wingers) responsible for the way they politicized Terri Schiavo and demonized Michael Schiavo".
Politicized Terri Schiavo? Isn't that EXACTLY what Michael Schiavo is doing, exploiting his deceased wife?
Newton is a Democratic political consultant. Take a look at Newton's past clients. John Kerry, Ron Saunders, Jimmy Morales---bunch of losers but Newton sure knows how to spend money.
Newton has been quoted as saying the organization is nonpartisan. That means that they're not ashamed to take money from anyone. "Its leaders will pick races where they can make a difference and where candidates were outspoken in the controversy over life and death issues such as Ms. Schiavo's", Newton said.
So, how much is Newton getting paid for his exploitation of Terri Schiavo. Who are "its leaders", Michael and Brian Schiavo, both of them known for their explosive temperaments? Sounds like TerriPAC is being conducted more like a grudge match then a well-reasoned selection of political candidates.
Newton said they were going to use most of the money raised for advertising in about 10 to 12 races nationally and 10 to 12 in Florida. Well, maybe they ought to consider registering with the Florida Division of Elections if they're going to be diddling around in state elections. Here it is June and of the 20 to 24 races Newton and Schiavo said they were going to be supporting, so far they've only contributed to four campaigns.
In one report we read, Newton was quoted as saying Schiavo wouldn't be pocketing any of the money but yet at the "election center" on the site it says "your donations being put to work to pay for television and radio ads, direct mail or personal appearances for Michael Schiavo in the states and districts of political leaders who chose their own political gain over personal privacy and the rule of law".
In regard to those videos for which $1,000 were expended, do they "star" Michael Schiavo and where and when are they going to be broadcast?
From what has been seen so far, it's not Michael Schiavo's political action committee, it's Derek Newton's. Derek Newton registered the domain name for TerriPAC, handles the website. Michael Schiavo's name does not appear on any of the filings with the Federal Election Commission and despite it being required, thus far, treasurer Brian Schiavo, who is responsible for filing reports and the paperwork, hasn't registered the PAC with the Florida Division of Elections. The address listed for TerriPac isn't that of Schiavo but rather than of Derek Newton.
If ever there was a model for a reason why the Truth in Advertising law should be extended to federal political candidates, it's TerriPAC. 5-31-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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