Reach Out and Misuse Someone's Name
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
No
Main Source:
Astroturf
Invasion of the Franchise Snatchers
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
While "attending an open meeting of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities," Bruce Kushnick saw "something odd. Three guys are standing in the back by the exit door and they keep shaking the hands of the speakers, most of whom testified that Verizon should get a new, statewide franchise." The three guys were Verizon employees, and many of the speakers were from groups that receive Verizon funding. Such telecom astroturf is spreading, warns Kushnick.
No
Main Source:
Mr. Butts Happy About Defeating Oregon Cigarette Tax
Submitted by Anne Landman on
No
Main Source:
Democrats Mum on Astroturf Lobbying Disclosure
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) "seized on the recent FBI raids of the businesses of the wives of Reps.
No
Main Source:
AT&T, Verizon Reach Out and Co-Opt Someone
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Telecom analyst Bruce Kushnick writes that "Astroturf and co-opted groups representing the deaf, disabled, black, low income and others" are "touting a plan to loosen cable franchise rules for the phone companies." He asks, "What do these groups" -- including the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Consumers for Cable Choice, Video Access Alliance,
No
Main Source:
Ex-NATO Commander Trades Military Power for Lobbying Power
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"General James L. Jones, who retired last month as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces in Europe, has joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a lobbyist," reports O'Dwyer's.
No
Main Source:
Pombo's Clear-Cut Path to the Revolving Door
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"Former [U.S.] House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo has joined a lobbying and public relations firm that backed his attempts to rework the Endangered Species Act and open the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve to oil drilling," reports Josh Richman.
No
Main Source:
Turf Changes Favor Corporate "Grassroots" Lobbyists
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"When Congress reeled in traditional lobbyists in January, it gave a boost to lobby firms and trade associations that specialize in swaying lawmakers by stirring public sentiment in their districts," writes Jessica Holzer. House and Senate bills "ban gifts and trips from lobbyists," but "lobbyists escaped having to disclose their grassroots activities when the Senate ...
No
Main Source:
Illinois Power Company Cash Lines "Consumer Group" Coffers
Submitted by Jonathan Rosenblum on
An apparent astroturf group calling for an end to an electricity rate freeze received $10 million for its programs from ComEd, the largest power company in Illinois. An administrative law judge with the Illinois Commerce Commission has ordered an investigation of financial ties between the company and the group Consumers Organized for Reliable Electricity (CORE).
No
Main Source:
More Nukes? Moore Spin
Submitted by Bob Burton on
Patrick Moore, a former environmental activist who left Greenpeace twenty years ago and is now a PR consultant, argues "it is now far more effective to work with governments and industries to encourage positive change." As a consultant, Moore has dismissed concerns about the impact of logging in the Amazon, supported Newmont Mining over controversies at its mines in the U.S., Ghana and Peru, defended the use of PVC in plastics and e
No
Main Source:
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