Pro-War Group Offering Cash For Frats To Demonstrate At VP Debate

In hopes of organizing a robust demonstration for the vice presidential debate this Thursday in St. Louis, the pro-Iraq War (and ostensibly pro-McCain) organization, Vets for Freedom, is resorting to offering local college fraternities hundreds of dollars if their members come and hold signs.

In an email obtained by the Huffington Post, Vets for Freedom field staffer Laura Meyer offered a fraternity at St. Louis University a "sizable donation" - plus free lunch - if it could use their pledges to demonstrate outside the VP debate.

"I was emailing you today," wrote Meyer, "because I am trying to find people who would be willing to hold up signs for a few hours in the afternoon this Thursday outside the VP debate site. It's only for a few hours and you can gain a lot from it.... first off, lunch for any guys who agree to volunteer will be on me. Secondly, they will get lots of media attention! My organization did a similar thing in Mississippi last week and a ton of them were on TV. Meaning, the guys could wear their [REDACTED] gear while holding up our signs and get attention for their frat. Also, they will get to hang out with a bunch of really cool Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.

"Lastly, and here's the kicker.... if you guys can get us at least 20 volunteers for those few hours, my organization will make a sizable donation to your fraternity. If you use pledges you could look at it as 'free money and free publicity'. If this sounds like something you may be willing to help us out with, please let me know ASAP!"

Reached by phone, Meyer said the total amount of cash the frat could earn was between $200 and $250 for organizing 20-plus members. She also noted that the program was a success in generating publicity during last Friday's presidential debate.

Judy Mayka, a spokesperson for the national chapter, said that the practice of paying for demonstrators had been going on without their knowledge and would subsequently end.

"Obviously this was not a direction from national and we have contacted the Missouri staffers and volunteers and told them it is not appropriate in our policy," she said. "And those who choose to attend the vice presidential debate should not be compensated."

As for the payments made for volunteers during the Mississippi presidential debate, Mayka added: "We will be looking into that."

The practice of paying volunteers is perfectly legal, and having scores of rowdy pro-war supporters cheering on the backdrop of TV sets can be an effective way for Vets for Freedom to disseminate its message.

But keep in mind, some of the people demonstrating outside the VP debate had a choice to make: take the money from Vets for Freedom or subject themselves to a night of hazing and binge drinking. On Thursday, we will see how many chose the former.

Comments

[sueno]

10:56 AM on 10/02/2008

What a shame!
The GOP have to pay people to root for their candidate!
Same people who rigged the voting machines during the last election-

[chulanow]

03:36 AM on 10/02/2008

Obama's $100K Englewood garden grant being probed

The Watchdogs: A $100,000 state grant for a botanic garden in Englewood that then-state Sen. Barack Obama awarded in 2001 to a group headed by a onetime campaign volunteer is now under investigation by the Illinois attorney general amid new questions, prompted by Chicago Sun-Times reports, about whether the money might have been misspent.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/index.html

[likeicare]

06:18 AM on 10/02/2008

chulanow --

And this compares to Caribou Barbie's fleecing of Alaskan taxpayers to install a tanning bed in her home, and billing the state a per diem to sleep in her own bed . . . how?

Comapred to John Insane's tab for the Keating Five Scandal, $100K, even if it was misspent, is chump change! It's what McSame flips for lunch with Cindy, dumbasss!

[gloriasolideo]

06:30 AM on 10/02/2008

Dude: learn to read! It's not Obama's granting of the money that's being probed, but that the recipients did not properly follow through on their obligation to build the botanical garden.

From the SunTimes article: "Madigan's office has notified Obama's presidential campaign of the probe, which was launched this week. But Obama's actions in awarding the money are not a focus of the investigation, Smith said."

Your accusation is baseless smear.

[thecanadian]

03:33 AM on 10/02/2008

New Solution for the gutter rats. For every post they make - lets donate to Obama!
$25.00 anyone
Just did mine!

[chulanow]

03:35 AM on 10/02/2008

Works for me..... :)

[chulanow]

03:38 AM on 10/02/2008

Okay canadian....that $75 so far.....please go donate to Obama.

I don't mind taking your money......eventually we'll get it back when Obama pays us to go campaign.

:)

[chulanow]

03:27 AM on 10/02/2008

OBAMA TRIED TO STALL GIS' IRAQ WITHDRAWAL

WHILE campaigning in public for a speedy withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Sen. Barack Obama has tried in private to persuade Iraqi leaders to delay an agreement on a draw-down of the American military presence.

According to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Obama made his demand for delay a key theme of his discussions with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad in July.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/09152008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama_tried_to_stall_gis_iraq_withdrawal_129150.htm?page=0

OBAMA WILL SAY OR DO ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED........INCLUDING RISKING THE LIVES OF OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS.

[thecanadian]

03:30 AM on 10/02/2008

Good bye ! Go peddle your nonesense elsewhere. Oh I forgot you probably need the $1.00
paycheck that McCain is paying you for every post - you poor little poor gutter rat.

[chulanow]

03:32 AM on 10/02/2008

I see you are another one of the Obama cult followers who can't handle the truth.

By the way....its Obama who pays his bloggers....so you are barking up the wrong tree.

[eXcommunicate]

11:40 AM on 10/02/2008

The NY Post story was refuted by Chuck Hagel and other Americans who were at the meeting. Debunked. Try again.

[thecanadian]

03:20 AM on 10/02/2008

Thanks for the email addresses. Will send two links 1 below and link to this HuffPo article.
From the Veterans THE FACTS about McCain.

If you care about our veterans and this country of ours...

...Don't vote for John McCain.

McCain voted against our troops MANY times in the senate.

John McCain voted AGAINST 20 million dollars for veteran care facilities.

John McCain voted AGAINST $322 million for safety equipment for our troops in Iraq.

John McCain voted AGAINST $1 billion dollars in new equipment for the National Guard.

John McCain voted AGAINST Jim Webb's G.I. Bill.

John McCain voted AGAINST $430 million for veterans outpatient care.

Barack voted FOR all of these troop support initiatives.

They deserve better than McCain.

We deserve better than McCain.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

Obama VS. McCain: Who Should You Vote For?
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/matt ...

[chulanow]

03:31 AM on 10/02/2008

OBAMA the GREAT HYPOCRITE!

Little did America know that Obama was going behind our back and asking the Iraqi's to STALL THE U.S. TROOP WITHDRAWAL until AFTER the election.

Obama didn't see a problem in risking the lives of our sons and daughters as long as it helps him get elected.

[PamperedHousecat]

12:48 PM on 10/02/2008

I think you got that mixed up with Ronald Reagan, who made sure the announcement of the hostages being freed in Iran, didn't come out until his inaugration, even though they had already been freed.

[Jezreel]

02:58 AM on 10/02/2008

You just can't make this stuff up. I mean, really, paying Frat members to particiapte in a pro-war demonstration for a war that they probably don't support.

[scarlettm512]

12:08 PM on 10/02/2008

As far as I'm concerned, you can't be a frat boy and be pro-war. If they really supported it, they'd put college aside and join up and do their patriotic duty. But, I guess they have "other priorities". If you believe that a war is a worthy enough cause to ask someone else to risk his/her life for it, then you ought to be willing to risk yours. No BS about them being a "volunteer" army and you can support the troops back home (with your $3 support the troops bumper sticker). Every person of enlistment age who supports the Iraq war should sign up to go. Every parent of enlistment aged kids who support the war should encourage their kids to go. If not, they need to shut the heck up about it. The only ones who have the right to support this war are the ones who are putting their own lives on the line or have loved ones serving. I can respect their position because they are walking the walk. The rest are just hypocrites.

[RobinSeattle]

02:34 AM on 10/02/2008

I wonder if the Reverend Moon has anything to do with this. Back in the 1980's, Moon would send out pro-Republican counter protesters to leftwing events. The Moonie protesters were real pieces of work, let me tell you. Little more than thugs, really.

[JMartinBurke]

02:15 AM on 10/02/2008

The frat boys who attend the protest for war should man up and enlist in the arms services. There would be no more of a pathetic scene than a bunch of male college students who protest for the war, but choose to not fight.

[chulanow]

01:58 AM on 10/02/2008

This is nothing new..........the Obama campaign has been paying people to do grassroots work for quite some time. As far back as the Hillary/Obama primaries. People were also paid to go caucus.

So no one should be shocked.....this has become a part of politics.

[Mikecoatl]

02:25 AM on 10/02/2008

Paid to caucus? Evidence?

[Jezreel]

02:55 AM on 10/02/2008

Thank you Mike!

[rosiebond007]

02:55 AM on 10/02/2008

NOT - NO EVIDENCE

YOU ARE MAKING THAT UP.

[chulanow]

03:05 AM on 10/02/2008

Sorry....it's true Obamas 527's pay people to do grassroots campaigning. He is no different than every other politician.

[topthemaddness]

01:44 AM on 10/02/2008

It is pretty sad that they need to pay people to support them on their Pro-War Pro-McCain thing.

[barkanomics]

12:02 AM on 10/02/2008

These people frighten me. It really sounds like an invitation to violence. I would never show up with a Biden sign knowing that some quasi-brown shirts would be there. Anyone who is "pro-war," well, what can you say to that?

[wdw101]

02:26 AM on 10/02/2008

gee, they would be "pro-war" if they support their country in a time of war......

[thecanadian]

03:28 AM on 10/02/2008

If your IQ is under 25 - what do you expect! They couldn't find their way to the recuiting office.
Nice example of manhood aren't they. McCain should be proud - but then they will get along won't they. Gutter rats together. Come on up to Canada little man - we will see what lies you tell then! Am sick of these filthy people! Troops are dying - their blood is on the MCthug group!

[DebbieinPhx]

11:49 PM on 10/01/2008

Is anyone else just getting sick and tired of all this dishonest garbage? I sure am. So I decided to start my own little HONESTY WAR. Here’s how it works…

Send an email to each and every Major Mainstream Media Outlet and ask them if they intend to cover the story about how a McCain group (527) is PAYING for fake supporters to hold up signs at the debates. I include a link to this article and ask them nicely to consider covering this underhanded nasty and dishonest campaign shennigan. I also asked this rhetorical question, “Do you think there is ANYTHING this campaign won’t stoop to lying about?”

I kindly invite all my HuffPo Blogging buddies to do the same.
[e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail];
[e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail];[e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail];[e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]

[DebbieinPhx]

11:51 PM on 10/01/2008

PS: I did not send anything to Fox Noise... I figured after O Reilly's inference today that Nancy Pelosi was Hitler and Hannity's guest (this horrible shrew of a woman) who was claiming that Obama was the anti Christ... to H3LL with them.

[chulanow]

02:01 AM on 10/02/2008

Obama's 527 campaigns are doing the exact same thing, so are you also going to ask the media to also cover why Obama has been paying people as well?

I doubt it.....Obama supporters seem to blinded when it comes to the messiah.

So I guess, I'd better just use the links you provided and write them myself.

[wdw101]

02:28 AM on 10/02/2008

good point

[Mikecoatl]

02:29 AM on 10/02/2008

You know, we're all getting awful damn tired of punks like you riding on Obama without promoting an alternative candidate, whether it be McCain or a third party like Barr or Nader. You really should just crawl back under the rock where you came from.

[Nia1999]

11:39 PM on 10/01/2008

correction, non=profits risk losing their non-profit status for participating in political organizing.

[DebbieinPhx]

11:59 PM on 10/01/2008

Ok, here's what I've found thus far:::: fraternity and sorority organizations can qualify as nonprofit organizations, provided that they adhere to basic guidelines of net earnings distribution, etc. Unlike other tax-exempt organizations, however, their investment income is taxable.

[Nia1999]

11:38 PM on 10/01/2008

Aren't fraternaties non-profit organizations. If so, they rish losing their non-profit status for participating in a political organizing.

[DebbieinPhx]

11:53 PM on 10/01/2008

oooh, good one... Are there any Frat Rats here?? Who would know???

[NYC07]

11:30 PM on 10/01/2008

Paying Frat Boys , I guess the GOP is searching for its next George Bush.