Sucker Bait Doesn’t Catch Fish But It Sure Nets Plenty Of Clams
A few months ago, my daughter entered my office upset.
She’d returned one of those magazine clearinghouse come-ons, and, voila, was now one of six finalists for a cash prize of $10,000. However, there was a problem. Contestants had to be 18 to win. And she was seven years shy.
I quickly pointed out another problem.
Ed McMahon, Dick Clark, et al, are Shinola salesmen, trying to trick John Doe into buying second-rate magazines, I said. The chances of winning their contests, no matter what the advertising hype promises, are next to nil.
Ask Californian Richard Lusk, 88, who twice has flown to Florida, believing he had won, or was one of two finalists for, an $11 million sweepstakes. Now, the Florida attorney general has filed suit against McMahon, Clark and their marketing companies, accusing them of unfair and deceptive trade practices.
American Family Publishers, of course, believes the suit is “without merit” - just like the breathless claims clearinghouse companies annually make to 11-year-olds and countless others.
Don’t tell Oprah about Idaho’s taters
Hey, if Texas cattlemen can sue Oprah for dissing beef, Washington farmers had better watch what they say about potatoes. An Idaho law bans people from bad-mouthing its spuds, which we all know are the creme de la creme. Well, almost everyone. Recently, I heard Washington growers bragging in a radio ad that “watatoes” are the world’s best. I’d have been outraged if North Idaho could get Gem State taters. But we can’t. Only Washington ones. And the watatoes are pretty good. So, sue me.
Tater Tots
Give Gov. Phil Batt another Sweet Potato for traveling to Sun Valley to tell the all-black National Brotherhood of Skiers that Idaho isn’t a haven for racists. Sure, we have “a handful of malcontents,” Batt said, but so does every other state. Bingo … The Idaho Tax Commission set Indian relations back years when it proposed to tax reservation shoppers, without notifying the state’s five tribes. The tribes learned about the bill when it reached the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Sneak attacks like that undercut the good rapport forged between the state, under Batt, and the tribes … FYI: State Sen. Jack Riggs’ attempt to win Highway 95 reconstruction funding is dead on arrival, if it arrives. So say my sources. Local Republican would be lucky to win 15 of 70 House votes. Too bad.
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.