2009.11.09
Editorial: Astroturf taints the public debate
Undermining an essential trust
Astroturf -- phony grass-roots commentary -- poisons public debate by casting doubt on even genuine expressions of opinion.
Coal industry lobbyists said "sorry," but they hardly seemed chastened in recent testimony before a congressional panel that looked into a bogus letter-writing campaign that captured all too well the political tenor of the times. The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity had hired a public affairs company, which in turn had hired a subcontractor to generate grass-roots opposition to the American Clean Energy and Security Act -- a bill to lower greenhouse gas emissions and known in some circles simply as "cap and trade." Instead of channeling genuine outrage, the subcontractor produced astroturf, phony public comment made to look genuine, this time of a particularly vile kind.
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OMG. Using this flimsy letter thing with Periello to try to undermine the avalanche of grass-roots objectors who voiced their sentiments about the anti-0bama agenda last Tuesday. Pathetic.
Virginians and Americas don't want a socialist government. When are you people going to get that? Maybe after next year's elections.
Comment by Suzie — November 9, 2009 @ 10:17 am
#1 You might want to read it again. They say money talks and in this case it is screaming. The coal companies have the money to paid law firms to make it look like a grass roots organization. They do it all the time like with things like the tea bag nuts. They fund the money to get what.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 9, 2009 @ 10:56 am
Suzie, they won't even get it after they lose in 2010.
It's funny to hear leftists call the Tea party people "astro" when the SEIU, ACORN, ANSWER is at EVERY leftist event/protest. They even have unis. The Left CREATED/perfected astro-turfing.
God bless you Suzie for daily speaking the truth against the lies and deception from the Left. Keep it up!
Comment by T Witten — November 9, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Virginians and Americans want a Democratic government as evidenced by the national election that made Barrack Obama President and put control of the House and Senate in the hands of Democrats. Republicans proved after eight years they had no clue. Yes, Republicans, those remaining, have Rush and Beck and their blathering rabid followers, but they are but a small minority. The most recent election in VA was no more than a poorly run campaign in a bad economy. Had Deeds followed his President's coattails he may have been elected, but he chose to go it alone and it failed. End of story.
Comment by Richard — November 9, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
@ 4 ~ whatever helps you sleep at night.
Comment by Uptheriver — November 9, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
@3...
Liberals have just as much of a right to make fools out of themselves as do the conservatives. Stupidity in certain circles knows no boundries.
Care for some cheese to go with the whine?
Comment by Will — November 9, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
#4 - Barack Obama, with help from the mainstream media, hoodwinked 52% of America into voting for him last year. Many of those voters now see what us in the other 48% saw all along - that he doesn't have a clue.
The House and Senate went under Democratic control after the 2006 elections...seems like the economy started tanking shortly afterward. Yet it's all Bush's fault.
A majority of Americans don't want healthcare reform or cap & trade. If the Dems insist on ramming it through anyway, they'll pay in the next two elections. Wait and see.
Comment by Rick — November 9, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
"The House and Senate went under Democratic control after the 2006 elections...seems like the economy started tanking shortly afterward."
Rick hits the nail on the head.
Although I will agree that our BAD economy was a HUGE reason the Dems lost. That, and the massive spending and taxes planned by 0bama.
Barry has a year to fix it all or 2010 will be another 1994 and he will be doomed. The economy alone is enough, especially with his STATIST policies.
See Ya Barry!
Comment by T Witten — November 9, 2009 @ 6:40 pm