The Energy Citizens' company picnics, such as the one we crashed Tuesday in Houston, have been getting a lot of attention through the Netroots, in national publications, and even last night on Rachel Maddow (where one of our videos was featured, even if credit was not given -- thanks Rachel, we love you!!)
Though the Netroots has gotten the message loud and clear: these are really just company picnics, not uprisings of real grassroots support, there has still been some hedging on the part of the traditional media -- who is still reporting that "many of the people attending the demonstration were employees of oil companies who work in Houston and were bused from their workplaces."
But the truth is that the Houston rally was attended ONLY by energy company employees and retirees (at least that's the way they wanted it). It's no big surprise that a few rabble-rousing enviros were kicked out, but when even those that oppose cap and trade were turned away- that should raise major red flags about the true nature of these events. This isn't even Astroturf anymore, this is asphalt.
But don't take my word for it, listen to the anti-cap and trade folks from Freedom Works that were from yesterday's rally:
Even though we were denied access, our intrepid Citizen Sarah was able to blend in with a crowd walking in and starting talking to energy company employees about climate change legislation. You know, Energy Company Employees Can Say the Darndest Things:
Look for:Global Warming Deniers!(*SHOCKING!*)
People Who Have NO IDEA What is actually in the American Clean Energy & Security Act
Misrepresentations about the bill--and our energy policy and energy sector-- all spouted back like they got the memo of Big Oil's talking points!
And.... a guy from a natural gas company who really understands what made the climate bill bad: too much special interest influence and lobbying! (irony, much? But he does have a point....)
And if you want some more firsthand impressions, check out my vlog on the event:
For more updates, keep your eye on www.TexasVox.org