Lobbying

Queueing for Concert Tickets? No, Congress

by Judith Siers-Poisson — October 27, 2007 - 11:08am

Passers-by might think that the people camped out at dawn to ensure a seat in a Congressional committee hearing are a shining example of democracy in action. In fact, chances are that they are a perfect example of what's wrong with our democracy. They may be professional "line standers" -- people who get paid by lobbyists to arrive early and hold a place in line for industry reps that arrive just before the hearing starts. Democratic Sen.

Main Source: 
McClatchy Newspapers, October 17, 2007

Anti-Tax Lobby Not Just in Kansas Anymore

by Diane Farsetta — October 22, 2007 - 12:28pm

"According to the Americans for Prosperity Web site, some 28 Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature signed a 'no tax increase' pledge with the organization," along with two Democrats, writes Dave Zweifel. He blames pressure from no-tax groups on delays with Wisconsin's state budget, now more than three months overdue.

Main Source: 
The Capital Times (Madison, Wis.), October 22, 2007

Teflon Lies Stick to DuPont

by Diane Farsetta — October 22, 2007 - 10:55am

"On Jan. 11, 2005, DuPont publicists invited reporters to the company's Washington Works plant south of Parkersburg (W. Va.) for a major announcement," reports the Charleston Gazette. DuPont claimed that a new study proved "there are no known human health effects associated with exposure to PFOA," also known as C8, a chemical used in Teflon and other nonstick products. DuPont promoted the study "as having the seal of approval from ...

Main Source: 
The Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), October 14, 2007

Gas Guzzlers Group Burns Cash

by Bob Burton — October 18, 2007 - 9:48pm

The Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America (SUVOA) industry front group paid the PR firm Stratacomm $440,000 in the first half of 2007 to lobby the U.S. government. Stratacomm boasts a range of auto industry clients. Later this year, the U.S.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, October 18, 2007

More U.S. Lobbyists Talking Turkey

by Diane Farsetta — October 15, 2007 - 4:40pm

As the U.S. House of Representatives considers a controversial resolution "recognizing as 'genocide' the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians in the former Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago," the Turkish government is increasing its Washington DC lobbying.

Main Source: 
Asia Times, October 16, 2007

Oil Execs Continue to Motor Around U.S.

by Diane Farsetta — October 15, 2007 - 12:57pm

Media activists in Grand Rapids, Michigan attended Shell Oil president John Hofmeister's recent talk there, on "How the US Can Ensure Energy Supply for the Future." Hofmeister "stated up front that he was on a 50 city tour and that Grand Rapids was number 45," according to Media Mouse.

Main Source: 
Media Mouse, October 5, 2007

Employee of the Month, Even Before He Started

by Diane Farsetta — October 15, 2007 - 11:47am

"Three months prior to the announcement that Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Jeffery S. Merrifield would be joining the Shaw Group Inc. as Vice President of its Power Group, Mr. Merrifield vigorously championed several major policy initiatives that directly benefited his future employer," states the watchdog group Project on Governmental Oversight (POGO) in a press release.

Main Source: 
Project on Governmental Oversight, September 25, 2007

McDeaths

by Bob Burton — October 10, 2007 - 7:41am
  • Topics: Food Safety, Crisis Management, Cause-Related Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Journalism, Corporations, Ethics, Health, International, Lobbying, Public Relations, Secrecy

    • An extract from Bob Burton's Inside Spin: The Dark Underbelly of the PR Industry.

    Brian Page, a 42-year-old railway worker, had been busy before Easter 1992 buying furniture for a house he had just moved into at Mt Pritchard, a south-western Sydney suburb. On their way home, his daughter Melissa wanted to stop at McDonald's in Fairfield for lunch. Shortly after returning home, Brian Page began vomiting and had diarrhoea. As Page's symptoms were initially indistinguishable from a bout of the flu, his doctor gave him a medical certificate and sent him home. Page took to bed for the next three days but on the fourth day went back to work, even though he wasn't feeling well. His boss noticed that Page was unable to write properly and seemed disoriented and confused by his work. He was so concerned about Page that he called a taxi and sent him home, but by then Page recognised something was seriously wrong and went straight to Liverpool Hospital. What was unknown to Page and his doctor was that he had been exposed to Legionella bacteria. If detected early, Legionnaires disease can be treated with antibiotics. Untreated, it can be a killer. Two days after being admitted to the intensive care unit of Liverpool Hospital, Page died. On what would have been his 43rd birthday, more than 100 family and friends attended his funeral.14

    Alexis Debat: One Well-Connected Faker

    by Diane Farsetta — October 4, 2007 - 1:56pm

    Over the past month, former ABC News consultant / reporter and self-described "terrorism analyst" Alexis Debat has been exposed for "having published fake interviews with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Alan Greenspan,

    Main Source: 
    Mother Jones, October 2, 2007
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