Eric Carlson's News Articles

Op-Ed

Morello Returns to Union Town

by Eric Carlson — August 22, 2011 - 9:09am

Throughout the winter protests against Governor Scott Walker's labor-bashing agenda, the halls of the Wisconsin Capitol were alive with the sounds of steel drums, cowbells, and daily sing-a-longs. Eventually, a muse would emerge to channel Madison's musical energy into a powerful new protest song.

With lyrics like, "When they put the governor on trial, I will be in the front row" and "...the kids locked in the capital are fighting till the end," Tom Morello's "Union Town" became the de facto anthem for the thousands of protesters fighting the Walker agenda, who heard it almost every morning on local radio stations. On September 5th, the Rage Against the Machine frontman and labor rights advocate, will return to Madison with Tim Mcilrath of Rise Against and Wayne Kramer of Detroit's MC5 as part of their recurring Justice Tour, with all profits from their show benefitting nonprofit media center The Nation Institute.

News

Protesters Spotlight Corporate Influence in State Politics at ALEC Annual Meeting

by Eric Carlson — August 7, 2011 - 1:48pm
  • Topics: Activism, ALEC Exposed, Corporations, Democracy, Ethics, Labor, Politics, Secrecy

    • As they sometimes say in the South, it's all about taking care of bid'ness.

    But don't tell that to the group of 100 or so protesters, who on Friday afternoon marched on the Marriott hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA), where corporate lobbyists were voting with state lawmakers on "model" legislation at the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) 38th Annual Meeting.

    The protest, organized in part by Louisiana State University's Student Labor Action Project, the Defend Ohio Campaign, and activists from across the country, began at the Hale Boggs Federal Building in downtown NOLA. That same day, members of the local community also gathered to celebrate the conviction of five police officers on charges stemming from the notorious Danziger Bridge case. A federal jury found the officers guilty of civil rights violations in the shootings of unarmed citizens.

    News

    Journalist Kicked out of ALEC Conference, Threatened With Arrest

    by Eric Carlson — August 5, 2011 - 7:32am
  • Topics: ALEC Exposed, Journalism, Corporations, Ethics, Lobbying, Secrecy

    • In late July, shortly after the launch of ALECexposed.org, Lousiana State Rep.Noble Ellington, a Republican from the state's 20th district and the national chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council, spoke to NPR about the recent spate of criticism leveled at his organization. When discussing the behind-closed-doors process used to craft ALEC model legislation, Ellington dismissed concerns raised by NPR, assuring interviewer Terry Gross that the public "have an opportunity to talk to their legislators about the legislation -- so I don't see how you can get more transparent than that."

    News

    ALEC Model Bills Create Hardship for Average Americans

    by Eric Carlson — August 4, 2011 - 8:33am
  • Topics: ALEC Exposed, Corporations, Ethics, Labor, Lobbying, Politics, Secrecy

    • On Wednesday morning, a group of Americans from across the political spectrum, and the country, held a press conference in New Orleans to highlight the devastating impact of the "model" legislation voted on by corporations through the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

    The event, hosted by People for the American Way and moderated by Center for Media and Democracy Executive Director Lisa Graves, was held directly across the street from ALEC's 38th annual meeting, where corporate lobbyists and state legislators gathered to attend Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindall's PhRMA-sponsored keynote address.

    Op-Ed

    3 Tips on Exposing ALEC's Influence in Your State

    by Eric Carlson — July 29, 2011 - 10:03am
  • Topics: Citizen Journalism, Activism, ALEC Exposed, Corporations, Democracy, Ethics, Politics

    • (Editor's note: The Center is deeply grateful for all the research into ALEC politicians underway, especially by Daily KOS bloggers, and we are offering the tips today in light of the many questions people have asked about how to help with this research.) The Center for Media and Democracy recently unveiled a trove of "model" bills voted on behind closed doors by corporations and politicians through the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Many of these bills and provisions have been introduced in state houses across the country without any mention of the ALEC connection and have become legally binding. In addition to the analysis of the more than 800 pieces legislation on "ALECexposed," CMD released a list of lawmakers from across the U.S. who serve as ALEC "Chairmen" in each state.

    Editorial

    ALEC Hotels

    by Eric Carlson — July 16, 2011 - 10:44am
  • Topics: Activism, Corporations, Democracy, Politics, Public Relations, Secrecy, U.S. Government

    • The American Legislative Exchange Council's Annual Meetings and Task Force Summits are held in some of the nation's top travel destinations, at swanky hotels where state legislators and corporate executives enjoy lavish accommodations and exclusive excursions. A registration form for ALEC's 21st Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida invited members to "come and experience endless sandy beaches, sunny days, beautiful sunsets and the cool gulf breezes," at the posh Hyatt Regency, which features more than 17 golf courses within 35 minutes of the hotel. In fact, a golf tournament and clinic sponsored by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was one of the event's top activities.

    News

    "Darling" of Big Tobacco Promotes Kid-Friendly Tobacco Products

    by Eric Carlson — July 1, 2011 - 12:43pm
  • Topics: Advertising, Right Wing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporations, Ethics, Tobacco, Wisconsin Protests

    • At the end of May, as the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee (JFC) worked day after day and late into the night voting on changes and amendments to the state budget bill, Joint Finance Co-Chair Alberta Darling (R-River Falls) quietly slipped a small provision into the massive budget bill that has received little attention.

    Her motion would change the way moist snuff and other smokeless tobacco products are taxed from a valuation based on volume to one based on weight. The measure not only provides a big tax break for companies like Altria/Phillip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, it aids Big Tobacco in their latest outreach effort to kids.

    News

    Wisconsin State Senate Passes Budget in Party-Line Vote

    by Eric Carlson — June 16, 2011 - 8:08pm
  • Topics: Activism, Corporations, Democracy, Labor, Wisconsin Protests

    • The Wisconsin State Senate passed the Assembly's version of the budget late Thursday night after nine hours of spirited debate, sending the $66 billion spending plan to Governor Walker for his signature.

    The Republican-controlled Senate approved the measure 19-14 along strictly partisan lines. Lawmakers debated late into the evening amid audible reactions from gallery spectators and a boisterous rally on the front steps of the Capitol. Several audience members in the Senate chamber were removed during the course of the debate for disrupting the legislative session.

    News

    Protesters Peacefully Gather in DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch's Office

    by Eric Carlson — June 15, 2011 - 3:46pm
  • Topics: Activism, Democracy, Politics, Wisconsin Protests

    • Dozens of Walkerville activists marched from the Wisconsin state Capitol to Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Mike Huebsch's offices at noon on Wednesday, June 15, to protest the former GOP state representative's archaic Capitol security measures.

    CMD learned while examining the drafting files at the Legislative Reference Bureau that Huebsch's DOA gave the drafting orders for the collective bargaining section of the budget bill. Huebsch's top political appointee, Cynthia Archer, served as a top aide to Scott Walker when he was Milwaukee County Executive.

    The group roared "Who's House? Our House!" as they entered the Department of Administration building on East Wilson Street. Protesters weren't able to schedule a meeting with Huebsch -– considered by many to be Governor Scott Walker's top ally, and the architect of his 2011-2012 budget –- but still managed to hang "unWANTED: Mike Huebsch" signs in his personal office and throughout the building.

    News

    Thousands Protest at Capitol Against Walker Budget, Supreme Court Ruling

    by Eric Carlson — June 15, 2011 - 1:23am
  • Topics: Corporations, Democracy, Economy, Labor, Politics, Wisconsin Protests

    • Crowds of protesters who flocked to the Wisconsin state Capitol June 14 anticipating Assembly action on the divisive collective bargaining bill, which essentially eliminates collective bargaining for public workers, were shocked to learn the Supreme Court had reinstated the law in a hotly contested 4-3 decision.

    Speakers at a planned 5:00 p.m. rally were quick to lift the faltering spirits of the Wisconsin Democracy Movement. Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, told the crowd of thousands, "We're going to be here every day. We didn't pick this fight, but if it's a fight they want, it's a fight they're going to get."

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