People in the News for February 3, 1998

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998 | 10:39 a.m.

Since the business of America is duping a distracted and unwitting populace into buying unnecessary and badly made products, the news that Florida is suing sweepstakes wieners Dick Clark, Ed McMahon and American Family Publishers for "deceptive practices" barely moves the needle on our So What? meter. Nonetheless, Florida officials, exhibiting a regulatory zeal perhaps better focused on developers ruining the Everglades, are going after American Family for mailings that allegedly trick people into buying needless magazines and thinking they're big winners. "The bottom line is this is a ruse. And we want them to stop their deceptive practices," says a spokesman. The state says most of the 20 million pieces of junk mail the company sends in Florida annually violate some state law or another. Along with a fine of $15,000 per tainted mailing, state officials want the sweepstakes notices rewritten to make it clear contestants don't have to buy magazines in order to win. "Our mailers are not deceptive," the company insists. "They're designed to bring fun, excitement, and a legitimate chance to win millions to mailboxes across America." Florida's isn't an isolated complaint; attorneys general in 21 states are looking into American Family's advertising practices.

Briefly

Clinterngate exclusive!

It's the question on all of America's lips: What do the Judds think of the White House sex scandal? Ashley Judd: "We have to sit tight and pray for our leaders. ... We absolutely do not know enough." Wynonna Judd: "I think we're all guilty of something, and I do well to take care of myself!" Whatever gene bestowed this thoughtful wait-and-see attitude on the Judd sisters clearly wasn't inherited from their mother, Naomi: "I'll pay to send (President Clinton) to Sierra Tucson sexual addiction clinic," she says, seeming a tad convinced of his guilt. "The first thing he should have done is to come forward and say, 'I have made a serious personal mistake ..."' She thinks Clinton's actions are sending kids the wrong message. "I've literally been losing sleep over it," she says.

Compiled by Scott Dickensheets