"Anti-Terrorism" Becomes a Bludgeon Against Activists

A well-funded business front group, the Washington Legal Foundation, is one of many using September 11th to condemn the patriotism of public interest activists. In today's biweekly "In All Fairness" ad in the New York Times, WLF's Daniel Popeo condemns "self-anointed consumer protection groups, working closely with profiteering plaintiff lawyers," "Naderite food police" and "no-growth activists," saying that "in the post-September 11 world we can no longer afford to put the narrow agendas of a 'public interest' elite ahead of our own national interests." Look for this rhetorical attack to heighten in the months ahead as corporate front groups exploit tragedy and war for political gain.