U.S. Government

Industry Celebrates Obama's Climate Caution, Enviros Self-Censor

by Bob Burton — April 15, 2009 - 4:22am

Despite Barack Obama's bold rhetoric on global warming, the administration is pursuing a more timid line both domestically and in international negotiations leading to the COP15 conference in Copenhagen in December. John M.

Main Source: 
New York Times, April 10, 2009

The Secret Affair of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Philip Morris

by Anne Landman — March 27, 2009 - 2:40pm
  • Topics: Politics, Tobacco, U.S. Government

    • The best-kept secret in the halls of Congress -- until today -- may have been the extent to which New York's new senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, helped cigarette maker Philip Morris during her former employment as an attorney with the global law firm Davis, Polk & Wardwell. Information about her relationship with the cigarette maker wasn't included in her official biography or her campaign materials, but on Friday, March 27, 2009, the New York Times published an article describing in detail how Gillibrand, under her maiden name Kirsten Rutnik, was involved at high levels in the legal affairs of Philip Morris.

    In 1998, as an attorney at Davis Polk, Gillibrand served on Philip Morris' Privilege and Crime Fraud Committee, an elite group of attorneys from both inside and outside Philip Morris. Some of Gillibrand's colleagues on the Committee were full partners in their respective law firms, which reveals the respect she earned in her service to the company.

    Army Continues Anti-Explosive PR in Afghanistan

    by Diane Farsetta — March 19, 2009 - 12:47pm

    The U.S. Army, which recently canceled PR work in Iraq, is looking for a firm to do media campaigns in Afghanistan. The contract is worth $10 million a year, for up to four years.

    Main Source: 
    O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), March 19, 2009

    Six Years Later, Iraqis Ready for the U.S. to Leave

    by Diane Farsetta — March 19, 2009 - 11:08am

    Six years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, "violence and insecurity are no longer the main concern of most Iraqis," according to a poll conducted for the BBC and other news organizations. The poll results (pdf) show that Iraqis' top personal concerns are unemployment and rising prices.

    Main Source: 
    BBC News, March 16, 2009

    U.S. No Longer Needs PR Boost in Iraq

    by Diane Farsetta — March 12, 2009 - 1:41pm

    In February, the U.S. Army asked for proposals to boost its Iraq public affairs work with "three civilian PR specialists and two Arabic-speaking media monitors to work in Iraq and two staffers stateside." Then, the deadline for proposals was extended to mid-March.

    Main Source: 
    O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), March 10, 2009

    An Economic Depression or a Very Bad Banana?

    by John Stauber — March 3, 2009 - 8:20am

    The New York Times notes that "the economy is spiraling down at an accelerating pace, threatening to undermine the Obama administration’s spending plans, which anticipate vigorous rates of growth in years to come. ...

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, February 28, 2009

    GM Looks for a PR Bailout

    by Diane Farsetta — February 26, 2009 - 1:46pm

    General Motors has hired Michael Whouley, among the Democratic Party's "most respected organizers of grass-roots politics," in "a sign the company's fight for survival has become as much about politics and public image as business acumen," reports the Detroit News.

    Main Source: 
    The Detroit News, February 20, 2009

    Lobbyists Fuel Perchlorate Debate

    by Diane Farsetta — February 16, 2009 - 2:55pm

    "For decades prior to passage of clean-water laws in the 1970s, defense firms routinely dumped perchlorate, used in rocket fuel to generate an intense burn, into the ground and waterways. The substance has tainted water supplies in at least 26 states," and is linked to such health threats as "neurological impairments for infants." Military companies and U.S.

    Main Source: 
    Mother Jones, February 2009

    Wooing the World via the Web

    by Diane Farsetta — February 16, 2009 - 1:32pm

    "We've barely scratched the surface as to what we can use to communicate with people around the world," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told department staffers, arguing for greater and more innovative use of the Internet.

    Main Source: 
    NationalJournal.com, February 11, 2009
    Syndicate content