Allen Gwinn 2007-05-13 23:26 City of Dallas
ANONYMOUS CALL BASHES OAKLEY, WELLS AND HILL
Early Saturday, many voters received a surprise anonymous call (hear it for yourself below) from an unknown source. The call, sent as a recording using an automated call device played the message:
"Today is election day. Please listen to this important message before voting. Ed Oakley has a radical gay agenda for Dallas. Max Wells wants to raise your taxes, and the FBI is investigating Don Hill. Dallas needs strong, conservative leadership. Not Oakley, not Wells, not Hill."
People in Dallas reported receiving the calls between 9:30 and 10:00 AM.
According to the Texas Ethics Commission, such unidentified calls are illegal and may violate other State and Federal laws as well. The sender, and his campaign, may also be liable (according to the Commission) for damages caused to the target of the message.
More information regarding "political advertising" can be found in this brochure on the Texas Ethics Commission's website.
Click here to play the message (MP3 format)
Anonymous (not verified) 2007-05-19 19:12
Okay, what a disgusting misuse of a phone.
Why does it have to be a candidate to make this an issue?
If the phone call is ILLEGAL, and it broke LAWS, it is NOT a civil case, then, is it?
Since it went on FCC regulated lines, why are they or the FBI not investigating?
[Ed Note: It is a Texas ADAD law that comes into play. It was a local election. There may be more coming on this story this week.]
Bonnie 2007-05-14 08:08
That the telephoned hit piece comes under political advertsing isn't the question; nor is, so much ~ who ~ commissioned it.
The real question is, will those with the power and duty to investigate, do so?
[Ed Note: Ahh, the best question asked to date! However, the really interesting remedies all seem to be civil--in other words, one (or more) of the targets suing the people who produced the ad. There's already been one such similar lawsuit (successful, I might add) over a very similar issue. So the candidates, themselves, taking action is probably the best thing that could happen.]
Anonymous (not verified) 2007-05-13 17:04
My call came from a "private" number. How can you find out who did it?
[Ed Note: Ahh, remember that your "editor" has a background in systems and telecom. There are ways. If one of the candidates wants to pursue it, I'll tell them how to proceed--and right now, one has expressed interest. We'll bring you more (if) as we're able.]
Mike Orren Reports...
Allen Gwinn 2007-05-13 14:06
Mike Orren over at Pegasus News reports that Allen Gwinn over at Dallas.Org reports that Dallas voters got a mystery call in an effort to derail Ed Oakley!
Mike wants a copy too.
We're willing to pay ... ten dollars and ... hang on ... 53 cents if you send it to us first!
Beat that, Mike!
Cheap? I'll show you cheap!
Allen Gwinn 2007-05-13 20:07
Hang on... let me dig in my other pocket. Ah HAH! Found another quarter! We're up to $10.78! Beat THAT!
Hey, wait a minute. Jo Dee Messina! Grand Funk! Foghat! So if I share my recording do I get all that stuff?!!
Besides, Mike, you're not that old. You wouldn't appreciate Grand Funk.
Funky (and Phone Stuff)
Mike Orren (not verified) 2007-05-14 08:10
Well done, Allen! The recording voice sounds creepier than the one from the video store telling me I have late movies.
And you'd be surprised at my musical tastes.
Besides, Grand Funk's drummer, Don Brewer, was a big help to us on an investigative piece last year.
[Ed Note: I still want free tickets! Your show looks awesome!]
