Fraternal Order of Police endorses Bush

[Romulus]

http://www.grandlodgefop.org/press/pr040910.html

*snip*

Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, today announced the organization's endorsement of President George W. Bush in his reelection effort.

"For the past four years, President George W. Bush has proved himself to be one of the very best friends that rank-and-file law enforcement officers have ever had," Canterbury said from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the group's National Board is meeting this weekend. "We are fortunate to have this man in the White House and we are proud to give him our endorsement today."

For a candidate to receive the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police, he must receive a two-third majority of the National Board, which comprises one Trustee from each of the organization's State Lodges. President Bush received the unanimous endorsement of the National Board.

"Our National Board, and the more than 318,000 members of the F.O.P., are very well acquainted with the President's record with respect to law enforcement because he has made the F.O.P. a partner in crafting national law enforcement policy," Canterbury said. "He has always been there for the rank-and-file officer, and we are eager to be there for him in November."

Edited to add:
"Canterbury described numerous important regulatory and legislative victories that were achieved by the Fraternal Order of Police with the help of the President and his Administration. His cited three of the most important as the passage of the "Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act," the most significant expansion of the Public Safety Officers' Benefit program in a generation; the enactment of the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act," which exempts active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms; and the adoption of new regulations giving law enforcement officers, firefighters, and paramedics stronger overtime protections."



*snip/more*

[slackmaster]

1. I thought they supported the now-defunct AWB

Maybe they don't really care very much about its demise, otherwise they should have endorsed Senator Kerry.

[FatSlob]

2. I doubt it figured into their deliberations.

Unfortunately, there is a false perception among many cops that Bush is more on their side than Senator Kerry is. I'm not real surprised, as Republicans have been beating in public perception on crime issues for years. Also, Cops tend to be a conservative bunch. No big deal, nobody really votes based on police opinion anyway.

[EST]

3. Perhaps this proves my uncomfortable theory

that the police have a huge investment, both mental and physical, in there being at least a fair sized chunk of crime. After all, if there were no crime, there would be no police, no need for them. Fundamental group ego theory.

Damn it all! This was one time I so sincerely hoped to be wrong. Paragraph four-There shall be no end to idiocy and the the fundamental human right not to have to think. Sub article three-sure the game is crooked, but if you want to play...

[JeremyN]

13. Well Actually

Most cops don't give a hoot about the AWB. Only the ones that fall prey to the rhetoric about it. I don't put much stock in what police chiefs say either. They are deskbound adminstrators who work in a building full of cops. What have they ever had to worry about?

[Fovea]

4. The natural alliance

of men who stuff socks in their underware, I guess.

[lcordero]

5. Reverse psychology in action

They know that cops aren't all that popular with the rest of the voting public. Most of their unions don't see a pay raise in the future with Bush in office.

[MrBenchley]

6. Interesting that one of our "pro gun democrats"

posts this informal fraternal group's valentine to the Worst. pResident. Ever.

Especially since he failed to notice that the nation's real police officers' union has endorsed the Democratic candidate.

"Said IBPO President David Holway, “John Kerry has been a friend of law enforcement officers for nearly thirty years, first as a prosecutor and now as a United States Senator, and the IBPO looks forward to working with him as President. After three and a half years of disappointing leadership under George Bush, we need to change course in November and elect a President with a real record of supporting police officers and a lifetime of standing with law enforcement.”"

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0514.html

Guess it was more important to put up a love letter to pResident Toot than it was to put up real news.

[Romulus]

7. nice try, Benchy

but the FOP is the THE LARGEST rank-and-file law enforcement officer organization in the US. Sorry if you didn't know that. "Informal fraternal group" -LOL

What is more important than underhanded personal attacks is for people to know WTF is going on out there.

Engaging in 4th grade name-calling sure is funny, but not very productive in making sure DU'ers know how the election2004 wars are playing out.

Unless pro-gun-control "democrats" are really not what they seem . . .
and enjoy obfuscating the tactics of BushCoInc so Democrats wind up getting blindsided . . . .

edited to add:

More info on the FOP, for those who may be curious:
http://www.grandlodgefop.org/history/index.html

From that small beginning the Fraternal Order of Police began growing steadily. In 1955, the idea of a National Organization of Police Officers came about. Today, the tradition that was first envisioned 89 years ago lives on with more than 2,100 local lodges and more than 310,000 members in the United States. The Fraternal Order of Police has become the largest professional police organization in the country. The FOP continues to grow because we have been true to the tradition and continued to build on it. The Fraternal Order of Police are proud professionals working on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government.


http://www.grandlodgefop.org/lodges/index.html
(state lodge listing)

[MrBenchley]

8. Gee, it's not a union....and they sent a loveletter to pResident Fuckwit

which you felt compelled to share with us all....

"people to know WTF is going on out there....making sure DU'ers know how the election2004 wars are playing out"
Yeah, pro-gun shitheads are lying their asses off, with the help of the usual suspects. What else is new?

[Romulus]

9. great example

of a pro-gun-control "democrat" making no sense at all . . .

unless that was the whole point . . . .

[MrBenchley]

10. I'm not the one posting love letters to pResident Shithead

and trying to pass them off as a union endorsement....or as news about "what's going on."

[FatSlob]

11. You are evidently not the one making sense, either.

Get a grip.

[MrBenchley]

12. I leave it to "pro gun democrats" to post nonsnese

and disgraceful and dishonest right wing nonsense as well....

[MrSandman]

14. Obviously a phony NRA front organization...

Aren't they all?

[MrBenchley]

15. Gee, sandman....

Who would be surprised, given the number of horseshit "second amendment" groups there are?

Just as I'm sure few are surprised to see one of our "pro gun democrats" posting this group's love letter to pResident Stupidasshit, and other "pro gun democrats" trying to defend it.

[Algorem]

16. Their the ones you give money to so they give you a sticker to put on yer

car which is supposed to dissuade cops from busting you for DUI,etc.,right?Yeah,they're about Bush's speed. http://www.livejournal.com/users/medipol/2004/06/05/

[MrBenchley]

17. You'll notice the REAL police union endorsing Kerry

is of no interest to our "pro gun democrats"...

Are you surprised? Me neither.

[Quint57]

18. Sorry but your wrong...

The FOP is a REAL police union. Both the FOP and PBA are recognized by PERC in Florida as collective bargaining units.

I don't believe that the IBPO has representation in more than a few states. The FOP is in 45 states and I am not sure about the PBA.

[MrBenchley]

19. Nope...it's not a union and even says so....

"Is the FOP affiliated with any Labor Unions AFL / CIO?

NO. The Fraternal Order of Police has no labor union affiliations. The Fraternal Order of Police is first and foremost a fraternal organization for the benefit of it members. A number of agencies in Nebraska use their local FOP lodge as a bargaining unit."

http://www.nebraskafop.org/

"The group explored membership affiliations with the Fraternal Order of Police, the Police Benevolent Association, and the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO. Eventually, the officers chose to affiliate with the IUPA because it was a true labor union. "

http://www.greensboropoa.org/history.asp

And that still doesn't address the salient point...why are pro gun democrats posting this valentine to Chimpy McCokespoon by a scab group?

[Quint57]

20. ok...

So if they are recognized by the state as a collective bargaining unit would they not be considered a union??? They represent the members in labor negotiations, grievances and so one.

In states were there is no collective bargaining they serve only as a fraternal organization right?

[MrBenchley]

21. So even though they say they're not a union...

you still want to pretend they are....ho-kay.

Piss on them and the fuckwit they endorsed.

[Quint57]

22. I 'm not pretending anything..

I know for a fact that they represent their members in contract negotiations and grievances because I am a past IAFF union official and have sat side by side with them in meetings.

Whether they are affiliated with the AFL-CIO makes no difference at all. They are still the largest professional police organization in the country and do represent their members in labor issues.

[MrBenchley]

23. They say THEMSELVES they're not a union...and the real question is

why the fuck do we have to hear about their love letter to the unelected fuckwit?

[FatSlob]

41. WRONG: LINK FOR YOUR PLEASURE.

http://www.fop.org/whowe.htm

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council represents more law enforcement professionals and more law enforcement bargaining units than any other union in Illinois... and for good reason. The FOP Labor Council has the best record in the state for winning for you!

When you join the FOP Labor Council you have a solid team of labor professionals working full time on your side... no matter how big or how small your unit may be. The FOP Labor Council has a full-time in-house staff of attorneys, negotiators and field representatives whose only job is to represent you and your fellow members in the law enforcement community. In an emergency, they're as close as a single call to our 24-hour hotline.

We Understand Your Needs Better Than Any Other Union.

It just makes sense to join the FOP Labor Council. We helped write the laws that protect law enforcement professionals throughout the state. We work full-time to make sure those laws are enforced for you. Representing law enforcement professionals is our only job.

We're Member - Driven!

[MrBenchley]

43. Now here's what a real union has to say....

http://www.iupa.org/newsroom/fop.html

You can post until you're blue in the face, but it is a lodge, not a union.

But it sure is nice to see how desperately our pro-gun democrats defend their love letter to pResident AWOL.

[FatSlob]

46. Nobody defends that, funny guy.

We just point out that you are flat out wrong.

All FOP are lodges, some are also unions. Trying to say otherwise is like saying that the earth is flat.

[MrBenchley]

47. Now who DO you think you're kidding, fat slob?

The only reason you're even pretending this fraternal lodge is a union is so you can piss on the real police union endorsing John Kerry...and prop up this lodge's love letter to the unelected drunk.

[FatSlob]

49. I'm sorry that you feel so angry about being wrong.

But there is nothing I can do about it. It is obvious that there are multiple unions. All FOPs are fraternal, some are also unions. It is as plain as your nose. You shouldn't be running Pell-Mell all over the board claiming otherwise. Nobody is going to actually decide to vote for the shrubbery based on what a police union/fraternity says. You should just admit to being wrong, and chill out.

[skippythwndrdog]

44. Next time you get stopped by a cop

do you want to repeat that post to his/her face?

Didn't think so.

[MrBenchley]

45. Yeah, skippy, I'd be happy to say

that I think their union ought to be supported and that the sort of fuckwits who put assault weapons back on the street and made the cop's job more dangerous are trash....

[skippythwndrdog]

50. A perfect example of the anti-RKBA mindset.

Typical anti crowd tactic. All bluster, no balls. When all else fails, bend the truth to fit the agenda. Sarah would be proud to know that so many anti's are following her footsteps.

[MrBenchley]

51. Yup, skippy, I don't think making cops lives more dangerous

just so some nutless weeny can play rambo is a good idea.

[skippythwndrdog]

52. That's your opinion. We all know about opinions.

But you happily insult them and their union behind the relative anonymity of a blog.

edited to add: Here's a reminder of your statement: Piss on them and the fuckwit they endorsed. Go ahead, say that to a cop, any cop, and see what happens.

[MrBenchley]

53. Yup...we know RKBA ones are worthless

because the cause is a load of crap.

[skippythwndrdog]

60. The usual dodge and non-answer.

How did you ever get a driver's license, assuming that you have one, given your aversion to answering questions?

I guess this one won't be answered either.

[library_max]

61. Well, what do you expect? He already showed that they're not a union.

So how do you expect him to respond to posts that continue to pretend that they are?

[skippythwndrdog]

69. Gee, Max

They bargain collectively in my state. They have a strike fund. They provide attorneys and arbitrators to the membership. The have member representatives (stewards).

If it walks like a duck...

[FatSlob]

100. I'm sure you no longer believe this.

[MrBenchley]

101. fat slob desperately fighting to give this "endorsement" validity

for reasons that he's trying to pretend aren't apparent.

A love letter to pResident Turd from a fraternal orgazination best known for a consumer scam...wonder why so many of our "pro gun democrats" keep wanting to pretend this is more important than a REAL police union endorsing John Kerry (as the firefighters and pretty much every other real union around did)? Me neither.

[FatSlob]

102. I'm sorry that you feel so angry about being wrong.

But running pell-mell around the board saying that the moon is really made of limberger cheese is a further blow to your already damaged credibility. Your freeper insinuations are quite absurd, but that is what we have come to expect from you. Please, work on a counter to those who will use the FOP endorsement to support the shrubbery, instead of being absurd.

[MrBenchley]

103. Want a counter?

Fine. The real police union supports Kerry, as do the firefighters and every other REAL union. This group that doesn't is a fraternal group, not a union, and it's best known for consumer fraud.

[FatSlob]

104. You can say it, and you'll be wrong, but if that is what you want...

...to use, feel free. My personal counter will be "If you want to base your vote on the opinion of a group of cops, feel free. I choose to look at the overall issues and make my decision that way."

[MrBenchley]

107. "I choose to look at the overall issues and make my decision"

Guess you can't even pretend you're going to vote for Kerry without prompting....

[Name removed]

112. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MrBenchley]

64. It's all the answer you deserved....

"How did you ever get a driver's license"
The clerk didn't ask feeble-minded and dishonest questions trying to prop up right wing horseshit, skippy....

[skippythwndrdog]

70. Here's the answer you deserve.

I'll come down to the sub-basement to play on your field.

PPHHHBBBTTTTTT!!!

[skippythwndrdog]

71. Here's the answer you deserve.

I'll come down to the sub-basement to play on your field.

PPHHHBBBTTTTTT!!!

[skippythwndrdog]

63. So it IS a union now!

that I think their union ought to be supported

[MrBenchley]

65. Nobody ever said the IBPO isn't a union, skippy...

although for some bizarre reason we had "pro-gun democrats" trying to piss on the union.

[skippythwndrdog]

67. The discussion is about the FOP

or had you forgotten

[MrBenchley]

68. My post wasn't about the FOP, which is a lodge and not a union

It was about the IBPO, which IS a union, and has endorsed John Kerry.

[skippythwndrdog]

72. The thread is about the FOP endorsement.

You attempted hijacking, distortions, and misdirection won't change that.

Go write another inane column.

[MrBenchley]

74. And my post was about the IBPO, which is a real union, endorsing Kerry

And no, it's still quite apparent our "pro gun democrats" are struggling to defend this fraternal lodge's love letter to pResident Turd...and looking like fools in the effort.

"Go write another inane column."
I've sure got a shitload of inanity to draw from, thanks to our dishonest RKBAers....

[MrSandman]

75. Maybe its members are phony officers...

Extreme law and order gun control advocates wouldn't say negative things about real police officers.

[slackmaster]

77. I'll bet a few of them belong to the Pink Pistols

:eyes:

[skippythwndrdog]

80. I'll wager you're correct.

Phony union, phony cops, phony organization. It all fits. IT'S A CONSPIRACY!!!

Wherever did I put my tinfoil hat?

[MrSandman]

90. Conspiracy is deep...

I heard an announcement for a meeting on the official police communication freq yesterday.

Was it a plant or did they illegally transmit on a restricted freq?

[MrBenchley]

87. Maybe the entire RKBA cause is a load of crap....

and right wing crap at that.

[Romulus]

24. More info

At least DU poster feels that personal attacks against this thread starter are the way to deal with the fact that the FOP, with 310,000 law enforcment members in 2,100 lodges in 43 states and D.C. has decided to endorse Bush.

Rather than figure out how DU'ers can address this PR issue for Kerry when some yobbo brings it up at the water cooler, the poster keeps yammering about an organization called the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) that HAS endorsed Kerry this time around after endorsing Bush over Gore in 2000.

IBPO is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union, and also with the AFL-CIO.

What is lacking is a clear idea of just how many law enforcement officers are actually members of the IBPO. Unlike the FOP, the IBPO seems to hide this info. Unless the IBPO is comparable or larger than the FOP, then it will be a FACT that an org that supposedly speaks for MOST law enforcement officers in this country has (again) supported Bush over the Democratic candidate.

Rather than attack other DU'ers, maybe some posters can get this info on IBPO membership numbers . . . . seeing as how the IBPO info at this point is a distraction akin to the "Guard memo" forgery debacle . . .

[FatSlob]

25. It seems that every local dept. is FOP

They are the Union in SW Ohio. Bench is mistaken again. IBPO is small potatos. Here is the list of Deptartments where the FOP is the Union in Ohio. They represent over 8000 officers in Ohio. Bench, you are plain wrong, FOP is the biggest police union, but it isn't the union everywhere. http://www.fopohio.org/frames/olcframe.htm is the Union website in Ohio.

A
Ada
Adams County
Akron Metro Parks
Allen County
Alliance
Ashtabula City
Ashtabula County
Athens City
Avon
Avon Lake

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Bay Village
Bellaire
Bellbrook
Belmont County
Blue Ash
Broadview Heights
Brook Park
Brown County
Bucyrus
Butler County
Butler Township

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Cambridge
Campbell
Canal Fulton
Canton
Carlisle
Carroll County
Celina
Central State University
Champaign County
Chester Township
Cheviot
Chillicothe
Clark County
Clearcreek Township
Clermont County
Cleveland Metro Parks
Cleveland RTA
Cleveland
Cleveland State-University
Colerain
Columbiana County
Columbus
Conneaut
Coshocton County
Crawford County
Cuyahoga Falls

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Darke County
Deer Park
Delaware
Delhi Township
Dover
Dublin

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East Cleveland
East Liverpool
East Palestine
Eastlake
Eaton
Elyria
Erie County
Euclid

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Fairborn
Fairfield County
Fairlawn
Five Rivers Metro Parks
Forest Park
Franklin City
Franklin County
Fulton County

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Gallia County
Gallipolis
Garfield Heights
Girard
Greene County
Green Township
Greenfield
Grove City
Guernsey County

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Hamilton County
Harrison
Harrison County
Heath
Highland County
Hilliard
Hillsboro
Hocking County
Hubbard
Hubbard Township
Huber Heights
Hudson City
Huron
Huron County

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Independence
Ironton

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Jackson City
Jackson County
Jackson Township
Jefferson County

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Kent
Knox County
Kettering

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Lakewood
Lancaster
Lawrence County
Lawrence Township
Lebanon
Lima
Lima Parks
Lorain County
Louisville
Loveland

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Macedonia
Madeira
Madison County
Mahoning County
Mansfield
Marietta
Marion
Marion County
Martins Ferry
Marysville
Mason
Maumee
Miami County
Miami Township - Clermont County
Miami Township - Montgomery County
Miamisburg
Middletown
Milford
Millcreek Parks
Monroe
Monroe County
Montgomery City
Moraine City
Morgan County
Morrow County
Mt. Vernon
Muskingum County

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New Philadelphia
New Lexington
Newark
Newton Falls
Noble County
North Canton
North Olmsted
North Ridgeville

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Oakwood
Ohio University
Olmsted Township
Ontario
Oregon
Ottawa County
Oxford

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Painesville
Pataskala
Paulding County
Perkins Township
Perry County
Perry Township
Perrysburg
Pickaway County
Pike County
Piqua
Port Clinton
Preble County
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Reading
Red Center
Reynoldsburg
Richland County
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Ross County

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Salem
Sandusky
Sandusky County
Scioto County
Shaker Heights
Shawnee Township
Shelby County
Sidney
Silverton
Springboro
Springdale
Springfield City
Springfield Township - Hamilton
Springfield Township - Summit
St. Bernard
St. Clairs Township
St. Clairsville
Stark County
State Unit 2
State Unit 46
State Unit 48
Steubenville
Stow
Streetsboro
Struthers
Sugarcreek Township
Summit County

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Tallmadge
Tipp City
Trenton
Troy
Tuscarawas County

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Uhrichsville
Union County
Union Township
Upper Arlington
Urbana

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Van Wert County
Vermillion

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Warren City
Warrensville Heights
Washington C.H.
Washington County
Wellston
West Carrollton
West Chester Township
Westlake
Whitehall
Willard
Williams County
Willmington City
Wood County
Wright State University
Wyandot County
Wyoming City

[MrBenchley]

27. Let's hear from the FOP themselves, fat slob....

"Is the FOP affiliated with any Labor Unions AFL / CIO?
NO. The Fraternal Order of Police has no labor union affiliations. The Fraternal Order of Police is first and foremost a fraternal organization for the benefit of it members. A number of agencies in Nebraska use their local FOP lodge as a bargaining unit."

http://www.nebraskafop.org /

"Bench is mistaken again"
Guess the FOP is themselves on this issue. Better write and tell them YOU think they're wrong.

Ain't it swell how our "pro gun democrats" have gone from openly pimping for Chimpy to running down labor unions? Anybody else surprised? Me neither.

[FatSlob]

29. From the Ohio FOP union site:

Read below, bench, you are wrong. Collective Bargaining sure equals Union. One doesn't have to be part of the AFL-CIO to be a union. Please, don't be absurd.

Directly from http://www.fopohio.org/frames/olcframe.htm

Welcome

With the advent of Collective Bargaining in Ohio in 1984, the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council Inc. was developed by the FOP State Lodge of Ohio to address the labor relations needs of its members.

The Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council Inc. is dedicated to the betterment of law enforcement personnel and support personnel through representation of its members in collective bargaining and other labor relations matters. The FOP/OLC engages in collective bargaining activities governed by 4117 O.R.C. for the purpose of improving wages, hours, and conditions of employment and advancing the rights and promoting the security of the members.

Representing 8000 members in 450 bargaining units, the FOP/OLC is the largest, most experienced organization representing law enforcement in the State of Ohio.

(end quote)

on edit. I don't think it matters if the FOP endorsed bush. Nobody will change his vote because of it. I find it to be irrelevant. However, absurd rants that the FOP isn't a union and that they don't represent cops aside, it is expected. Cops tend to be conservative

[MrBenchley]

31. They're not a union, fat slob, and they're endorsing pResident Toot

But feel free to pimp for both of them.

[FatSlob]

32. Hahahahahahaha

You are funny. I finally get the joke. I finally get your humor. You are imitating the kind of Kindergarten arguments that the Republicans use.

are so, are not, are so, are not, are so, are not times infinity. Good one Bench, I'm surprised it took me so long to get it.

[MrBenchley]

34. A lodge is not a union and pResident Fuckwit is a turd....

and fat slob tries desperately to pretend he doesn't look foolish AGAIN.

[FatSlob]

35. Way to go, you just said that a group that represents members

in collectve bargaining isn't a Union. You are funny. Keep up the humor. You're cracking us up. You are even better than John Stewart. Either you are one of the preeminent humorists on DU, or wholly blind to anything that doesn't fit with your view. I'm pretty certain that I've figured you out as a humorist...despite what everybody else says. Good work, keep up the amusement for us.

BTW, you don't need to state the obvious about pResident fuckwit...we all know that, so don't try to make something we all agree on an arguement for you.

[MrBenchley]

36. fat slob, even THEY say they're not a union...because they aren't.

"Either you are one of the preeminent humorists on DU, or wholly blind to anything that doesn't fit with your view."
Or I'm just not a trigger happy loony totally divorced from reality and unable to tell the difference between a fraternal lodge that states itself that it is not a union, and a union.

"BTW, you don't need to state the obvious about pResident fuckwit...we all know that"
DO we? I guess that's why we've got a thread that quotes extensively from a valentine to him from a "pro-gun democrat." And just look at all the threads from our gun-crazy contingent attacking Chimpy McDipstick and the Republicans...oh wait, they're scarcer than hens' teeth, although there was at least one "enthusiast" who tried to pimp for the all GOP Second Amendment Caucus. Who was that again? Oh yeah....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=54661

[FatSlob]

37. Good one!

:yourock:

[MrBenchley]

38. All of mine are good ones, fat slob

and all of yours are lacking honesty, fact or decency.

[FatSlob]

39. I get it.

Humor by absurd exaggeration. :yourock:

[MrBenchley]

40. Nope, actual fact instead of trigger-happy fantasy

[FatSlob]

42. Here's actual fact for you.

If you want, keep up the chuckles by continuing to deny the obvious.

http://www.fop.org/whowe.htm

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council represents more law enforcement professionals and more law enforcement bargaining units than any other union in Illinois... and for good reason. The FOP Labor Council has the best record in the state for winning for you!

When you join the FOP Labor Council you have a solid team of labor professionals working full time on your side... no matter how big or how small your unit may be. The FOP Labor Council has a full-time in-house staff of attorneys, negotiators and field representatives whose only job is to represent you and your fellow members in the law enforcement community. In an emergency, they're as close as a single call to our 24-hour hotline.

We Understand Your Needs Better Than Any Other Union.

It just makes sense to join the FOP Labor Council. We helped write the laws that protect law enforcement professionals throughout the state. We work full-time to make sure those laws are enforced for you. Representing law enforcement professionals is our only job.

We're Member - Driven!

[MrBenchley]

48. And the grand lodge that endorsed pResident Toot, fat slob, what are they?

They're a fraternal lodge. Not a union.

[FatSlob]

78. Actually, they are a headquarters.

The "Grand Lodge" speaks for the smaller lodges, and provides support. The overall organization was founded as a social/benefit society. It later branched into union activities when members decided to unionize, and wanted to put the union under the FOP umbrella. These union arms are often called "FOP Labor Councils"

[slackmaster]

81. Positive proof the FOP isn't a "fraternal lodge"

They don't wear funny hats.

:dunce:

[FatSlob]

82. Chuckles.

Do Police hats and smokey bear hats count?

[slackmaster]

84. Those aren't funny

Fezzes, Dunce caps, Bowlers, Porkpies, and Wizard hats are funny.

Berets, Fedoras, helmets (except the old German pointy ones), police hats, and Smokey Bear hats are not funny. They're serious.

[FatSlob]

85. What is a "porkpie"

[slackmaster]

86. Similar to a Boonie or what some people call a Fishing Hat

Like Colonel Henry Blake wore in the early seasons of the M*A*S*H television series.

I usually call them a Stupid Guy Hat.

Stetsons are not funny.

Pith Helmets and Mortarboards are very funny.

[skippythwndrdog]

93. There ya go. Pickin' on my fishing hat.

Have to admit, I wouldn't be caught dead in it away from water, though. It was my granddads.

[MrBenchley]

26. Gee, rom, it's still a love letter to pResident Fuckwit...

and you've graduated from trying to defend this ugly little valentine to trying to attack the police officers' union. That's some swell "pro gun democrat" values, by cracky!

"Rather than figure out how DU'ers can address this PR issue for Kerry when some yobbo brings it up at the water cooler"
Gee, I'd do so by pointing out that the real police union endorsed Kerry...as did the firefighters and just about every other real workers' rights group.

Or I'd wonder aloud who the fuck cares what a bunch of scabs thinks.

Or I'd point out the other sort sof idiot also thinks assault weapons back on the market a good idea...and what scummy ideas they also promote.

"IBPO is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union, and also with the AFL-CIO."
And the AFL-CIO ended up on the NRA's idiotic enemies list. You remember the NRA, rom, they piss all over workers' rights with great regularity.

"Unlike the FOP, the IBPO seems to hide this info."
Also, unlike the FOP, the IBPO doesn't have to try to fool anyone into thinking it's a union.

[Romulus]

28. unbelievable

Now pro-gun-control "Democrats" are pimping for orgs that hate Gore . . .

[MrBenchley]

30. Who the fuck DO you think you're kidding, rom?

The IBPO endorsed the chimp in the last election...but didn't attack Gore in any way. And now they've switched to John Kerry.

Now if you want to see somebody who hates Gore, you ought to go to the gun loony groups, like NRA. That malignant fuckwit Heston even called for his inbred imbecile hordes to lynch Al.

[library_max]

105. Since the FOP is largely (not entirely) an organization for RETIRED cops

can anybody find figures of how many of those "310,000 law enforcement members" are active duty cops and how many are retired? Active-duty cops need a union, but retired cops can get along fine with just a lodge. If you go to their website, you will see that although they have a page for legislation, they don't have one for collective bargaining.

Not that anyone would suggest that organizations supporting Bush are not necessarily routinely honest . . .

[Romulus]

114. good catch

I emailed the FOP's "research" division and asked them for the breakdown.

I'll post what they tell me (if they tell me :eyes:)

[slackmaster]

33. San Diego POA is affiliated with PORAC

Peace Officers Research Association of California, which is friendly to the FOP.

http://www.sdpoa.com/about.asp

http://porac.org/archives/7.04pres.htm

The SDPOA also supported HR.218, which passed this year giving retired LEOs the right to carry concealed weapons everywhere in the USA.

[library_max]

54. Gee, lets' see how many right-wing sites we can cram into this one thread.

The porac thing is simply one long love letter to President Reagan. Did this become RepublicanUnderground and did I just miss the memo?

[MrBenchley]

56. Maybe we can find other right wing groups that endorse pResident Toot

and post big chunks of their love letters too....just so "DUers will know what to say around the water cooler", you understand.....

[slackmaster]

57. Do I need to put a disclaimer on everything I post?

The topic of the thread is the Fraternal Order of Police.

Some participants (well, at least ONE) are claiming the FOP isn't representative of police officers in the USA.

I live in the 6th largest city in the USA.

I posted links to my local PD's officer's association, and noted that they are affiliated with PORAC which is apparently connected in some manner with the FOP.

I did not post this as an endorsement of the FOP, PORAC, SDPOA, the GOP, the NRA, George W. Bush, or anyone. I'm simply pointing out that the FOP does represent the police in my city.

Fucking crucify me already, library_max.

:argh:

[MrBenchley]

58. Poor poor slack....

busted posting right wing crap again....

[library_max]

59. Are you saying that you couldn't have found any other PORAC document

showing who and what PORAC is (which the document you cited didn't particularly do anyway) that wasn't a love letter to Ronald Reagan? Come on. Who's kidding who?

[MrBenchley]

66. What makes it doubly phony

is that you can't find that page through the PORAC home page...there's no link to archives.

http://www.porac.org/index.html

[slackmaster]

76. I chose that PORAC page because it referred to the FOP...

...which is the main subject of this thread.

I want to PORAC's site specifically to see if they had any connections to FOP. You too can follow the Web journey I took:

1. Go to PORAC's home page - http://www.porac.org for beginners - and click the "Search PORAC" button in the middle. This will take you to the Search page at http://www.porac.org/searchform.html

2. Enter "FOP" and execute the search.

You will see that the only page that comes up is the one I linked to. So there.

A lot of police officers are Republicans and a lot of them support Bush. We have to face that reality.

If you want general information about PORAC I'm sure you are smart enough to figure it out, library_max. I was just trying to keep the thread on topic and not degrade into another stupid, pointless flame war.

[skippythwndrdog]

73. Fucking crucify me already, library_max.

It's their way.

[library_max]

106. Okay, go ahead and cite phony-baloney right wing organizations.

That's your way.

[library_max]

55. What's your point?

The FOP is an organization of lodges, not a police union, despite their claims to the contrary. I'll borrow one of MrBenchley's links that demonstrates this: www.iupa.org/newsroom/fop.html

However, whoever they are, why are you posting their endorsement of pResident Bush? Did I log into Free Republic by mistake, or what? Whose side are you on here?

[MrBenchley]

62. I guess it's so that when we're standing at the water cooler

and some twitchy gump who lies consistently about gun issues and gun rights issues comes up to us to say that the police union endorses Bush, we'll be too confused about whether or not it's really a union to know that claim is horseshit. Even though the union actually endorsed John Kerry.

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[slackmaster]

83. I vote for hard-headed

:tinfoilhat:

[MrBenchley]

89. Yeah, and that vote's worth so much, too....

What was that Robert Benchley said? Oh yeah....


Slackmaster (#32): "The presence of a few idiots in Nazi uniforms need not spoil a family outing."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=22105

"slackmaster
47. I will concede that now that I've read it I don't see anything at all wrong with the GOP's platform."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=20403&mesg_id=20484&page=


"slackmaster
38. It's the Big Lie strategy"
"slackmaster
58. Nice try but it's still based on a major LIE"
"slackmaster
65. If I may be so bold as to speak for the entire "RKBA crowd"
We aren't saying they are lying."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=20875&mesg_id=20875

[MrBenchley]

88. I guess I was right on the money about right wing liars trying to pretend

that the police union didn't endorse John Kerry...

Didn't even need a water cooler to find one, either....

Hahahahaha....

[Romulus]

91. see post #24

which may have been lost in the flood of blather by those who would rather call names than provide relevant counterinfo . . .

unless that was their point all along . . .

[MrBenchley]

92. Rom, are you going to post every right wing loony's love letter to Chimpy?

We've yet to see you provide any sort of "counter info"...nor did anybody call you names....

[gatlingforme]

94. The National FOP is a political group just like the FBI NAA, Nat'l

Sheriff's Assoc, the Illinois Sheriff's Assoc.... yada yada yada....ALl the guys at the top make the money and the rest get screwed... these organizations are a bunch of frat boys with agendas

[E. Tackleberry]

95. I agree....

Posted by gatlingforme.

"these organizations are a bunch of frat boys with agendas"


Much like unions....




...Tackleberry

[MrBenchley]

96. MORE union-bashing from our "pro-gun democrats"....

Is anybody surprised? Me neither.

[gatlingforme]

97. Many officers do not agree with the National FOP by the way. Could

you add some substance to your post? like what is your point as usual other than bashing pro-gun people.?

[MrBenchley]

98. All the more reason why we didn't have to see

this bunch's love letter to pResident Turd.

What more substance did you want? The post I put up speaks for itself.

[library_max]

110. I think MrBenchley was replying to tombstone-boy, not to you.

I think he was agreeing with you. The union-bashing he referred to was the anti-union remark by the late Tackleberry. Anyway, thanks again for your edifying posts. I gathered as much from the FOP website (that the FOP is a political organization, not a collective bargaining organization aka a union), but I'm glad you have the superior knowledge to confirm it.

[E. Tackleberry]

99. For the record Benchly...

..I'm not a pro-gun Democrat, I'm a pro-gun Independent.




...........Tackleberry

[library_max]

108. Another RKBAer earns his "wings" /nt

[MrBenchley]

111. It's ruined "Police Academy" movies for me (snicker)

[library_max]

109. Thank you for setting the record straight, gatlingforme.

Just ignore the tombstone.

[gatlingforme]

113. LOL, I read his reply and wondered when it will happen. It has and

as Martha Stewart says, that's a good thing. His reply irked me when he quipped about the unions. The FBI NAA, etc.. are mostly RW PACs under the auspices of "non-prof" org. They really do not care much for the average rank and file. The IL. Sheriffs assoc. did do some good for Domestic Violence procedures (upgrading) though.

[Romulus]

115. *update and thread hijack/rant*

Well, it turns out the FOP has come back with another announcement re:their opposition to Kerry. In other news, the FOP responded to my email and said it is still working on a way to distinguish the retired members from active working members, so no info there. The IBPO never responded to two emails for information on its membership numbers.

All this FOP anti-Kerry thing (and the IBPO's rudeness) has done is confirm my gut belief, based on both 33 years of personal experience (incl. interning at a fed LEO agency) and talking to my RW LEO brother, that there are WAY too many in the U.S. law enforcement community who could give a rat's ass about Democrats, minorities, the poor, etc (i.e "perps" or "future perps" in their eyes) :eyes: I'll be damned if I will bow down and kiss their asses just because they are LEO's . . .

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=38194

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today Chuck Canterbury, the President of the nation's largest police labor organization, called on John Kerry to stop making misleading statements regarding his support from the law enforcement community. Both on the campaign trail and in Wednesday night's debate in Tempe, AZ, Senator Kerry has alluded that he has the support of the majority of these brave men and women.

"As the elected leader of the largest organization representing America's Federal, State and local law enforcement officers, I believe it's important to point out yet again that we do not support his candidacy for President," Canterbury said. "And to be perfectly frank, the groups which do support him actually share the same membership rolls and, taken together, probably comprise less than one-quarter of our nation's police officers."

Canterbury further noted that unlike the organizations which Senator Kerry touts, F.O.P. members as a whole decided that the Fraternal Order of Police would endorse the reelection of President George W. Bush.

*snip*

The Fraternal Order of Police is the nation's largest law enforcement labor organization, with more than 318,000 members.

Acording to BLS, there were 840,000 police officers and detectives in 2002.

[MrSandman]

116. This surprises you how...

...that there are WAY too many in the U.S. law enforcement community who could give a rat's ass about Democrats, minorities, the poor,...

That is one of the advantages of rural life...the LEO's live in the community they work in. Instead of responsibility for a sector they patrol entire jurisdictions and so many people know them.

[gatlingforme]

117. very well put you are absolutely correct. LEOs in rural areas

must have a much broader access to many different people.