Front Groups

The Cashroots Conspiracy Behind FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity

by John Stauber — September 18, 2009 - 1:26pm

The Guardian notes the cashroots behind right-wing Astroturf: "When Obama beat Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries,

Main Source: 
Guardian, September 18, 2009

Front Group Defends Tar Sands as "North American Energy"

by Diane Farsetta — September 8, 2009 - 1:16pm

Tar sands oil, "which is mined and boiled off instead of pumped out of the ground, is some of the dirtiest petroleum on Earth," with three times the greenhouse gas emissions of conventional oil. Yet the Consumer Energy Alliance recently launched an ad campaign supporting tar sands oil.

Main Source: 
Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minnesota), September 4, 2009

A "Watchdog" that Likes Corporate Treats

by John Stauber — September 8, 2009 - 7:30am

"For America's No. 1 taxpayer watchdog, as Citizens Against Government Waste calls itself, the jet engines seem easy prey. The federal government is already spending billions for Pratt & Whitney to develop engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Why spend billions more for General Electric to do the same?

Main Source: 
St. Petersburg Times, August 24, 2009

Attack of the Living Front Groups: PR Watch Offers Help to Unmask Corporate Tricksters

by Anne Landman — August 28, 2009 - 1:14pm
  • Topics: Astroturf, Front Groups, Corporations, Energy, Health

    • Fake "grassroots" groups have started springing up like toadstools after a rain, and this time they're coming at us from every angle: they're on TV, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube: "Americans for Prosperity," "FACES of Coal, "The "Coalition to Protect Patients' Rights," "Americans Against Food Taxes," the "60 Plus Association," "Citizens for Better Medicare," "Patients First" ... It's making our heads spin! Issues affecting some of the country's biggest industries, like health insurance reform, a proposal to tax sodas and sugary drinks, and the FDA's possible reconsideration of the plastic additive Bisphenol A, have boosted corporate astroturfing up to a dizzying pace. With all these corporate fronts coming out of the woodwork, how can citizens tell true grassroots organizations from corporate fronts operated by highly-paid PR and lobbying firms? Here are some tips to help readers spot this kind of big-business hanky-panky.

    Faceless Coal

    by Bob Burton — August 28, 2009 - 12:16am

    The recently launched coal industry front group, the Federation for American Coal, Energy and Security (FACES of Coal), has been in the news for its ties to a PR firm, the Adfero Group.

    Main Source: 
    Front Porch Blog (North Carolina), August 26, 2009

    Another Day, Another Coal Industry Front Group

    by Sheldon Rampton — August 26, 2009 - 8:32am

    The Federation for American Coal, Energy and Security (FACES of Coal), is the latest "grassroots" organization to join the public conversation on behalf of the coal industry.

    Main Source: 
    Huffington Post, August 25, 2009

    Soft Drink Industry Using Smokin' PR

    by Anne Landman — August 24, 2009 - 2:15pm

    Soft drink companies are joining the list of corporations scrambling to use tobacco industry public relations tactics to influence legislation, in this case to scuttle a proposal to tax sodas and sugary drinks to help fund health care.

    Main Source: 
    San Francisco Chronicle, August 16, 2009
    Op-Ed

    Cash-Roots, Manufactured Anger, and Hot Air over Health Care

    by Lisa Graves — August 17, 2009 - 10:00pm
  • Topics: Astroturf, Front Groups, Health

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    Protesters or Faux-Testers?

    This summer's health care town hall meetings have been turned into high-profile media opportunities for people shouting talking points crafted by anti-health reform front groups. These confrontations make "good news" but don't make for good policy. I don't doubt the sincerity of the anger of some of these seriously misinformed protesters, so I wouldn't label the lot "faux-testers," but these flames have been stoked by lie upon lie.

    Oil Industry Front Group Rallies for Global Warming

    by Diane Farsetta — August 12, 2009 - 1:37pm

    "Taking a cue from angry protests against the Obama Administration's health care restructuring, the oil industry is helping organize anti-climate bill rallies around the nation," reports Ian Talley.

    Main Source: 
    Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire" blog, August 11, 2009

    Fake Grassroots Letters Oppose Climate Bill

    by Diane Farsetta — August 4, 2009 - 3:24pm

    "As U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello was considering how to vote on an important piece of climate change legislation in June, the freshman congressman's office received at least six letters from two Charlottesville [Virginia]-based minority organizations voicing opposition to the measure," reports the Daily Progress.

    Main Source: 
    The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Virginia), July 31, 2009
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