Astroturf

Gas Guzzlers Group Burns Cash

by Bob Burton — October 18, 2007 - 8:48pm

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

YouTube Wars - Freedom's Watch vs. IVAW. Which is Real Grassroots, Which is a Front Group?

by John Stauber — August 23, 2007 - 8:22am
  • Topics: Astroturf, Internet, Front Groups, Terrorism, Politics, Propaganda, War / Peace

    • What's the difference between a slick pro-war front group exploiting Iraq veterans to pour gasoline on the fire in Iraq, and a grassroots group of Iraq veterans leading the battle at home to end Bush's war of occupation?

    Watch these YouTube videos and decide for yourself.

    The latest addition to Bush's pro-war lobby is Freedom's Watch, and they have

    Pro-War PR Front, Move America Forward, Caravanning to DC

    by John Stauber — July 20, 2007 - 6:56am
  • Topics: Astroturf, Iraq, Front Groups, Terrorism, Public Relations, War / Peace

    • The pro-war front group Move America Forward has announced that it will caravan across the United States September 3 - 17 on a trip to DC to lobby for the war in Iraq.

    Bush's Pro-War Front Group, 'Vets for Freedom', Rallies with Republican Senators

    by John Stauber — July 17, 2007 - 9:28am
  • Topics: Astroturf, Activism, Iraq, Front Groups, Lobbying, U.S. Government, War / Peace

    • Vets for Freedom (VFF), the well-funded pro-war lobby group, is cranking-up its PR campaign on behalf of President Bush's war in Iraq with a news conference held July 17th in the US Capitol. A slate of pro-war Republican Senators including Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl, Lindsey Graham, along with former Democratic (now independent) Senator Joe Lieberman, all participated with Pete Hegseth and other VFF lobbyists.

    In June 2006, I reported that:

    Citizen journalists on SourceWatch have been investigating and exposing the many Republican connections and the partisan pro-war political agenda behind Vets for Freedom,

    Invasion of the Franchise Snatchers

    by Diane Farsetta — May 11, 2007 - 1:41pm

    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.

    Main Source: 
    Nieman Watchdog, May 7, 2007

    Democrats Mum on Astroturf Lobbying Disclosure

    by Diane Farsetta — April 27, 2007 - 3:26pm

    Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) "seized on the recent FBI raids of the businesses of the wives of Reps.

    Main Source: 
    Washington Post blog, April 24, 2007

    AT&T, Verizon Reach Out and Co-Opt Someone

    by Diane Farsetta — April 16, 2007 - 12:22pm

    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,

    Main Source: 
    Nieman Watchdog, April 4, 2007
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