$10,000 Polygraph Wager

[George W. Maschke]

Jim Murray, a poster on the Texas Fishing Forum message board, reports that "[a]n individual...has agreed to put up $10,000 against $5000, for anybody that can 'beat the box' on a polygraph administered by Pat O'Burke of San Antonio." My response is posted below:

http://www.texasfishingforum.com/.ubb/Forum1/HTML/002343-4.html

[BSDetector]

Now George is called the "professional polygraph beater" on the fishing bulletinboard.  That really is fishy since George has never beaten even one test.  He has however flunked two of them.  But he has told the fishermen that he is willing to bet $5000.00 that he can beat the polygraph.  I think we should start a clock until George actually puts his money where his big mouth bass is.

[Anonymous]

BS Detector,

Hey, Bozo, I don't think George intends on impersonating a fisherman, just facilitating a bunch of them in revealing a polygrapher to be the clown that he is...  

[G Scalabr]

I think we should start a clock until George actually puts his money where his big mouth bass is.

"BS Detector,"

I believe that he has already gone quite far in accepting. Legally, a contract=offer+acceptance. Mr. Murray's friend has apparently made an offer. George has accepted, contingent on logistical issues pertaining to construction of the challenge.

Surely you would not suggest that he accept unconditionally before the specifics have been laid out. In any case, George has certainly stepped a lot closer than any of you or your brethren have come to Drew's challenge.

Perhaps instead of taking anonymous potshots, you 'graphers can contribute constructive suggestions as to how the challenge should be set up.

As far as a clock goes, we will be happy to put up a second one counting down to the date of the Texas challenge once the specifics are drawn up. Similarly, once Drew's challenge is accepted pending finalization of specifics, we will be happy to suspend the current clock.

[suethem]

How are they going to find an honest polygrapher?

[Saidme]

George

I had a little bit of respect for you until this little stunt.  You target the professional polygraph community (federal, local, and state) by chasing down an examiner who tests fisherman in a van (I think that's what the guy said).  I believe know how foolish that makes you sound.  That's like attacking lawyers in general because of the ambulance chasers (although you may attack lawyers).  Any profession is going to have their bad apples that give them a bad name.  Hell, Dr Drew was a FBI scientist.  Just because one of his peers is a convicted scoundrel doesn't mean we're going to throw out the whole shooting match.    

[Anonymous]

Saidme,

With the serious flaws surrounding any form of CQT polygraphy, you might as well join your buddy in the van.   His practice may be more fishy but hardly much more disreputable than yours...it just involves less overhead and hypocricy...

[George W. Maschke]

Saidme,

If I'm not mistaken, polygraph examiner James Patrick O'Burke of San Antonio is a captain in the Texas Department of Public Safety. (There is no indication, however, that he is the one who has allegedly stated his willingness to bet $10,000 that he can't be beaten.)

[guest from canada]

Said me,

You call yourself a cop?  Do a little investigating before you accuse george.  George happened upon a thread in a professional bass fishermans message board where a participant was accused of cheating via some sort of childish, mob mentality fiasco.  A person on the Bass board said they have a contact who would put up the 10 grand to anyone who could beat this polygrapher.  George did not initiate any of this.  He mearly brought the wager to his polygraph board.  Also the polygrapher does not work out of a van.  He was approached by the Bass tourny's chair as he was supposedly the most prestiguous, knowledgeable polygrapher around.  You jump to conclusions to readily.  Sorry I forgot that is what you do for a living...  I appologize.

[Saidme]

George

Does this mean you're going to put up 5K and get involved with this challenge?  What about Dr Drew?

[Saidme]

I had a chance to read a little bit of the fishing website.  It was frightenly similar to this board.  A lot of bitching, moaning and whining.

[George W. Maschke]

I posted a question for Jim Murray on the Texas Fishing Forum message board regarding the polygraph wager he had mentioned:

http://www.texasfishingforum.com/.ubb/Forum1/HTML/002409.html

It appears that he will not be putting me in touch with the person he claims offered to make this bet.

[orolan]

George,
Touchy bunch of guys, aren't they

[George W. Maschke]

Orolan,

Apparently so.