Lawrence, who is the FTPLS? I suspect the news agency who originally published their press release realized they aren’t a real organization and pulled the release.
Let’s see if you even publish this comment or if you will be the one to censor free speech…

Spencer:

First, I find it interesting that you — a complete stranger who is too cowardly to even list a last name — lectures me on a “dubious personal ethics code”. As far as I know, you do not know me, you have never met me, and you are not in a position to judge my personal ethics. Based on your petty comment, I would not want you in a position to judge a 3rd grade talent competition.

But since we are casting aspersions, it sounds to me like you are a member of the Iowa CCI or other payday lending opponent, who is more interested in pressing forward their ideological agenda and bullying local businesses with baseless press releases, than an upstanding person interested in open dialogue.

The FTPLS needs no more credentials — public or otherwise — to have a right to exist. Certainly the fact that the Iowa CCI is engaging in tortious interference with legitimate business, perpetuating easily-debunked myths, and seeking to harm the free choices of thousands of Americans, I find it ironic that CCI considers itself legitimate or above the law.

As for “suspect connections” — what about a private equity firm is it that makes it “suspect”, exactly? Would it be any more suspect than a coward who hides behind the anonymity of the internet to throw petty insults? Or would it be more suspect than an organization that — as I said — harasses local businesses that provide a highly popular, useful service?

How would the Iowa CCI feel, I wonder, if it were besieged by people who thought they should be shut down? Perhaps every payday lender and payday loan customer should pay a visit to CCI and deliver their own letter TO LEAVE THEM ALONE?

So Spencer, whenever you are ready to set aside the foolishness, come into the open and tell us who YOU are and who you represent, maybe then we can get somewhere.

Until then, I will stay here, up on the moral high ground.

To BNN–

From your editorial policies page:

“If you believe that something you read on BNN is offensive or factually incorrect, then please leave a comment about it on the post in question. You do not need to register at the site to write a comment.”

Meyers is factually incorrect because he’s quoting a press release from a group that doesn’t exist. Meyers is being offensive because he’s lying and because he’s insulting people who call him on his lies.

I don;t care about the payday loan industry, if poor and desperate people want to make deals taht leave them poorer and more desperate, that’s they’re problem. What I care about is that your apparently misleading people by making up an organization that doesn’t exist except as a web page.

BNN– do you care that one of your bloggers is lying to your readers?

And by the way, Mr. Strain– I think your really Meyers. What were you sayimng about Spencer being a coward because he wasn’t giving his real name?

Sorry, I prefer ony to talk to people who really exist, Mr. “Strain.” Your the one whose good at making up imaginary organizations, I try to live in the real world.

Mr. Strain -

1. Are you aware that the office number listed for you is a fax number?

2. Why does a Google search of your organization and name turn up nothing?

(apologies for the previous, I accidentally hit send prematurely)

Anybody do a reverse search for the office number listed for “Jackon Strain”? You’ll never guess…

The dePloomb family needs psychiatric assistance.