Manufactured Protesters Are Killing Democracy

With all the "tea bagging", "birthers", and corporately organized protests, I'm tempted to merely mock them. Their fake outrage is dangerous. It is ironic they use their first amendment speech to disrupt the same rights of other Americans. They have changed the course of events, and not in a good way.

The "Brooks Brothers Riot" of the 2000 Bush-Gore recount in Miami-Dade is a perfect example. The polling headquarters was flooded with "plants" demanding the vote count be stopped. Republicans always want to stop the vote count; it's a part of their strategy. When there is a large turnout, or when all the votes are counted, that usually bodes well for Democrats. At least ten of the Brooks Brothers Fake Rioters were staffers from Washington DC. Full name roll here.

Number 8 is Duane Gibson. He has some close Alaskan ties, and is admitted to the Alaska Bar. Duane Gibson was a former top aide to Sen. Ted Stevens and was also a top aide to Rep. Don Young. When he left Don Young's office in the summer of 2002, Gibson was senior counsel. He joined Jack Abramoff at the lobbying firm of Greenberg Traurig.

According to this website:

Gibson was named in grand jury subpoenas of documents relating to "agents and associates" of Abramoff. [Records Expose Young-Abramoff Ties, Anchorage Daily News, 4/20/2008]

Gibson received public money via Ted's earmarks for the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board, which awarded grants totaling $293,000 to the Alaska-based dog-treat company Arctic Paws, owned by Duane Gibson and his brother, Brett. [Stevens Stops Backing Controversial Board, Roll Call, 5/9/2007]

In 2005, Gibson sponsored a "coffee break" as part of the pro-mining convention and is a registered lobbyist for the Pebble Mine. He is listed as a guest at two "Kenai River Classic" fundraisers as part of the Livingston Group.

Mr. Gibson has a right to make a living, just like everyone else. I don't agree with his political position, and that's fine. His participation in the disingenuous "protest" that helped bring us George W. Bush, is a vulgar display of anti-patriotism. The faux mob wasn't there to make sure their votes were counted; they were liars, manipulating the democratic process.

The astro-turfing of protests is dangerous. Locally, we had bus loads of Wasilla, gay-fearing X-ians flood Anchorage Assembly meetings to protest a LGBT protection ordinance in a town they don't reside. Fox News sponsored the Tea Bagger Tax Protests. Corporate lobbying-run groups like Freedom Works and Americans for Prosperity are creating the illusion of grass roots protests at the health care town hall meetings. The "Tea Party" movement flies in the face of what the true patriots in Boston stood for. Where were these citizens when the previous administration was spending trillions of citizen tax dollars on an illegal war? Or when billions of dollars-cash on pallets delivered on C-130s to Iraq disappeared -- a fraud now thought to be bigger than Madoff's ponzi scheme? Where were they when the loop holes for corporations slid through?

Monday, the Alaska legislature will meet in Anchorage for a special session prompted by the resignation of the governor. The schedule includes over-riding the veto of the federal stimulus funds for weatherization and energy assistance. $28.6 million dollars are at stake for Alaskans -- the same Alaskans Palin awarded $740 million in "energy assistance" not even a year ago.

Once again, there is a "Tea Party, Decaffeinated -- say no to stimulus" planned.

Their flier reads:

"The purpose of this rally is to insist Alaska's legislature sustain the governor's veto of the federal stimulus energy funds. This action will reduce Alaska's responsibility for the national debt and assert Alaska's right to reject intrusion by the Federal government into State and Local affairs"

Newsflash, Teabaggers. The governor quit. It won't lessen our responsibility for national debt; California could spend it, and we'll still pay it back! For every dollar Alaskans submit in taxes, we get back $1.83 from the federal coffers. Stop pretending like you didn't vote all those years for Ted Stevens and Don Young because they stood up for reducing federal funds spent in Alaska! BTW, you wear seat belts, have car seats, wait until 21 to legally drink, and have speed limits set by federal guide lines...what's wrong with putting some weatherization around your door? Really? Oh, that's right, the president is black. I guess warmer homes and jobs aren't really needed in Alaska.

The flier goes on:

"Bring your signs, flags, and friends."

How about this, bring your signs and your friends, but leave the flag out of it. I'm sick to death of the xenophobic, fear-based, blather wrapping itself in the flag and carrying a cross. Jesus wasn't a Republican. I know, shocking. His works included "healing the sick" and "feeding the poor." I'm sure you would have hated his health care plan, it was free. Socialist! Jesus wasn't an American. There are brave soldiers buried in Arlington under the Muslim Crescent. Their blood for your hate speech. That's rich.

The rallying cry of the astro-turfed crowd is simply "No!" Many citizens show up because of their ideology, and I support their right. The posers, like Mr. Gibson almost a decade ago, have abused and eroded our civil discourse into mob scenes.

There is a group of pro-weatherization, energy stimulus money folks showing up the morning of the special session at the Egan Center. If you are inclined to show up as a body of support, please do. Please email your state representatives and ask them to cast their vote to make Alaska better, warmer and employed.

You should know who is behind the faux outrage. Follow the money. Here is just one example.

Here's an update from MoveOn:

All across the country, right-wing extremists are disrupting congressional town-hall meetings with venomous attacks on President Obama's plans for health care and clean energy.

• Friday night in Tampa, Florida, a town hall meeting erupted into violence, with the police being called to break up fist fights and shoving matches.
• A Texas Democrat was shouted down by right-wing hecklers, many of whom admitted they didn't even live in his district.
• One North Carolina representative announced he wouldn't be holding any town-hall meetings after his office began receiving death threats.
• And in Maryland, protesters hung a Democratic congressman in effigy to oppose health-care reform.

BTW, AKM & I are still WORKING ON THIS.

Follow Shannyn Moore on Twitter: www.twitter.com/shannynmoore

Comments

[GeorgePrescottMcBush]

Don't these idiots know about facial recognition technology?

[skatoolaki]

So beautifully put - especially about Jesus not being a Repub and the point of Muslim soldiers buried at Arlington. Once again, dead on target, Shannyn! The way these posers and fear-mongers go on makes me sick, and, also, sad to think that people may view all Americans as crazy and hate-filled as these idiots.

[guinganbresil]

Pushing the meme that the protests against the proposed healthcare (cap and trade, etc.) legislation is "manufactured" and "astroturfed" does not do the cause any good.

The perception will be that the Obama Adminstration and the Democratic Congress is either:

1 - Out of touch with the American people - a large sector (perhaps a majority) disagree with the direction the legislation is going (check the polls or step out of the echo chamber)

or

2 - Is perpetrating the "Big Lie" in attempt to pull one over on the American People.

or

3 - Is "Projecting" - This is bolstered by the videos that are now circulating of fights instigated by SEIU members, calls for paid positions to support the Adminstration's positions, statements like "Get in their faces", and "we will punch back twice as hard"

I would hope the Omama Adminstration is not remembered for cracking down on free speech.

[ElementalPraxis]

Excellent post. The blanket smears against those who have identified the flaws of the Obama health care plan reveal the true colors of this administration: they intend to emphasize the 'bully' in 'bully pulpit'. The same anti-democratic tactics used by Bush to stifle dissent against his wars are now employed by the Obamanauts to slander skeptics of more big government and more monopolistic control placed in the hands of Washington, ready to be used by the financial cartel that stands behind the visible government.

[Vinca]

I believe a lot of those LOUD protestors are manfactured. Some might even have been paid. They tried to shout down Sebeilus and Arlen Spectre. Some were probably legitimate protesters.

[S1m0n]

Democracy's not that fragile.

[mrskorn]

Will anyone comment on the president's request to report any fishy emails or posts about healthcare? Does this bother you or not? Why do you think he needs this information?

[mrskorn]

Lookie! You can even get paid to go out spread the word....grass roots, yup.

http://www.melissaclouthier.com/2009/08/09/health-care-obamas-mercenaries-vs-freedom-fighters/

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/etc/1303066561.html

Anyone have any links to similar paid positions on the right?

[PostModernPatriot]

http://advantageconsultants.org/index.html

[mrskorn]

Once again, this site is non partisan. It is neither left or right wing in its advertising.
Zzzzzzz.

[guinganbresil]

Some clients:

Motorola Corporation
Boy Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of America
American Cancer Society
The Gathering/USA
Sheridan House
For Giving Foundation
Live the Dream Foundation
Sportsmen’s National Land Trust
Florida Hospice & Palliative Care
Mote Marine Laboratory
The Florida Bar
Friends of Florida’s Waterways
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Adopt A Pet
Sons of Confederate Veterans, Florida Division

[PostModernPatriot]

Oh, sure, Advantage Consultants owner, Doug Guetzloe is completely non-partisan.

You mean non-partisan like this, right?

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2008/09/doug-guetzloe-l.html

"I heard from several readers who were astonished to see political consultant Doug Guetzloe (pictured) on CNN Friday morning, weighing in on the state of the presidential race in Florida.

CNN's John Roberts interviewed Guetzloe, who was introduced as a conservative radio host. The readers were galled when Guetzloe started lambasting Sen. Barack Obama."
This is really interesting tho:
http://politicalconsultantmisconduct.blogspot.com/2008/01/doug-guetzloe.html

[guinganbresil]

I still don't see any evidence that Doug Guetzloe has been doing 'astroturfing'.

Doug Guetzloe may be a partisan. Doug Guetzloe may run Advantage Consultants. That does not mean they are "astroturfing." (note it doesn't rule it out - you just haven't shown it - I looked at the website and didn't see any evidence of work against Obamacare - unless you count American Cancer Society, Florida Hospice & Palliative Care or Adopt A Pet...)

Even IF Advantage Consulting WERE organizing protest action, how does their magnitude compare to the effort put forth by the Administration, SEIU and ACORN?

I still think Pelosi & Co. are PROJECTING mightily.

[Texas4Obama]

The ASTROTURFERS that are violent and/or causing a disturbance in public should be arrested for Disorderly Conduct. Once a couple handfuls of them are arrested then the rest of them might settle down and lower their voices enough to have a real conversation.

[rxvette]

To all you GOP individuals out there...

If universal healthcare is so BAD then why is the U.S. the only advanced nation without it? Moreover why hasn't one single country gone back to a for profit capitalistic private healthcare system and abolished their own universal care system?

How can you rage against reform because it will "RESTRICT everyone's choices" and yet you also are against reform because it doesn't RESTRICT covering abortions?

If government healthcare is so bad then why aren't you proposing that we strip veterans of their VA and Tricare benefits? Why don't you propose stripping the poor of their Medicaid benefits? Why don't you propose stripping seniors of their Medicare benefits? Why of all people hasn't one single GOP member voluntarily given up their own government health care benefits package yet? Why haven't you proposed forcing all the above mentioned individuals into the private health insurance market if government health care is so awful?

One more thing as ultraconservative as you GOP supporters are why haven't you advocated one of your core values.... Everyone needs to take personal responsibility for living a perfect healthy lifestyle and eating a perfect diet so we can all reduce long term costs to the health care system?

I'm a medical professional and would love to hear your answers. Just so you know I've actually spent hours researching how to best achieve universal care in America and here is my very well referenced article regarding this - http://bit.ly/9QLV8

[johnashman]

I read and agree. I do have an answer that does virtually everything you want - http://64.203.97.61/SolutionsLab/Solution.aspx?Guid=2d50363e-00be-44e8-9251-9a6589ba820d

All of the advantages of single payer, but with more free market competition and innovation. And it pays for your health club membership.

[oldgeek1]

Its called mob mentality, hardly new. I suspect people are still surprised that we have not fixed stupid.

[jac355]

Free speech is one of the greatest rights we have. It must be supported for everyone. Period. However, when that "free speech" is bought and paid for, or intentionally used to deny the same to others, it is no longer free. It is now being held hostage by the GOP for political reasons and for personal profit. All of these right wing nut jobs screaming loudly that you can't trust government are the very same right wingers that have worked in government and made themselves wealthy in the process. So who can we trust, really?

[mrskorn]

And you really don't think that no one is bought and paid for on the left? Uh, how about big money from the unions...SEIU. Read up.

[Non Sibi]

The SEIU appears AS THEMSELVES, and for their self-interest. Not as astroturfers five tiers down from insurance and healthcare lobbyists, who, by the way, are spending 1.3 million per day to block this.

[SonofLiberty1]

hey I would love to be paid to tell my story:)

[PostModernPatriot]

Doug Guetzloe of Advantage Consultants (the firm that pays people to "outblog others"_) is most certainly NOT non-partisan.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2008/09/doug-guetzloe-l.html

"I heard from several readers who were astonished to see political consultant Doug Guetzloe (pictured) on CNN Friday morning, weighing in on the state of the presidential race in Florida. CNN's John Roberts interviewed Guetzloe, who was introduced as a conservative radio host. The readers were galled when Guetzloe started lambasting Sen. Barack Obama."

http://republicanpartypurge.com/?tag=doug-guetzloe

http://www.veoh.com/collection/Floridareport/watch/e135448YESYHf4E

Also, check out recessrally.com. The insurance companies are behind some of the faux "patient advocacy" agencies at the bottom of the page. Now, that doesn't say they are paying people to protest - but they (insurance companies) are behind riling people up and organizing these protest events.

Please, be honest. You must know this.

[AvidReader19]

I was at a Town Hall in Mt Vernon, WA yesterday, and there were many "plants" there. The talking points are crazy and are just meant to incite violence and passion from mostly "over65ers" thinking they will lose their medicaire in favor of insuring "Illegal aliens" (though some used other terms) and that the new plan includes allowing children under the age of 2 with defects to die and withholding care for those over 55. It is really hard to fight ignorance when it is grinded in daily on the fake news outlets, Fox and CNN. We need campaign finance reform first, then when the corporations get out of our elections and our representatives aren't beholden to them, we can truly have change.

[PostModernPatriot]

I have a problem with everyone being forced into some kind of health insurance plan.

Under HR 3200, every American will be required to have health insurance coverage.

If you don't have it thru your employer and can't afford private insurance you'll be forced into a situation of applying for "credits" from the IRS to buy private insurance.

This is not freedom of choice. It's a bonanza for insurance companies.

I believe good health care should be made *available* to everyone. I DO NOT believe every American should be forced to be insured.

This is ridiculous.

[SamEllison]

If you have no health insurance and you go to the hospital in need of care,
who should pay for it if you can't afford the treatment to save your life?

Presently I would, because I have health insurance that I pay for.

I think we should ask people to sign wavers of treatment if they refuse to
pay for health care insurance.

Or go to single-payer and we all pay together.

[SamEllison]

That would be waivers, spell check doesn't work
when you correctly spell the wrong word!

[brt929]

Single payer is my first choice. The insurance companies can still bilk money out of the public by selling supplements, Long Term, and dental.

We know you meant waivers- don't be so self-conscious, everyone makes typos.

[medicare4all]

Single payer -- medicare for all, financed by general funds (taxes), sharing the burden and the risks. Much cheaper than the present model which privatizes only the profits and socializes the risks. It's the only model that makes sense, which is why all other countries operate this way (universal, publicly funded health for primary care, which is BY LAW not for profit. Electives are handled by the private sector, for profit) We have the most expensive health care in the world, not universal, with worse outcomes of treatment than 36 other industrial countries -- lower life expectancy, higher newborn mortality, worse outcomes for treatment, most expensive pharmaceuticals on the planet).

Single Payer -- everyone in, nobody out. Medicare for all ages, starting now.

[Pyrum]

Not only that, but if someone opts out of the governmental plan and chooses private insurance, that person is required to pay an extra income tax.

[ElementalPraxis]

To characterize the brewing anger across America as 'right wing' is laughable. It is made up of people from across the political spectrum who have abandoned both major parties because both major parties are servants of globalized finance.

We know we've been ripped off, and we no longer trust either party to put America first.

[Schalaine]

Do you have an economic background? Why do you think the United States can stand alone? Of course we are part of global financial markets. Do you want to go back in time? Because it is apparent from your post you have no clue about the intricate balance of the financial markets. By the way, I don't know a lot, but I do know, we can not go it alone. The world is too inter-connected.

[ElementalPraxis]

The United States in 1900 was the most self-sufficient nation on Earth. One hundred plus years of being infiltrated by globalist financial parasites, and our manufacturing sector is on its last legs, we are buried in debt we can't service, and the economy we have left is a donut economy: service workers and paper pushers clumped together at the bottom, and a speculator class at the top, with the broad middle class a fading memory.

Yes, globalization sucks. Sorry to bust your bubble. Unless you like the rapidly expanding gap between richest and poorest, unless you like concentration of wealth and political influence into the top of the pyramid, you have little to cheer about when it comes to globalization. It destroys sovereign nations and makes them obedient to usurers, currency manipulators, trade predators, and labor exploiters. Globalization is another word for 'global new feudalism'.

[Clovie]

Really? You think there are a lot of left wing people out there trying to stop improvements to the healthcare system, following the instructions of Americans for Prosperity (big business) and their ilk?

The "brewing anger" that is displayed at these town hall meetings is what's laughable. It's completely manufactured- by the RIGHT wing. If there are left wing groups being bused into other districts and given instructions on how best to disrupt/shut down town hall meetings so constituents aren't able to have an exchange with their representatives, please- share with the group. If they exist, they should be called out, too. Good luck with finding some.

[ElementalPraxis]

"The "brewing anger" that is displayed at these town hall meetings is what's laughable. It's completely manufactured- by the RIGHT wing. "

Breaking news: every movement that emanates from either major party is manipulated by powerful financial interests. Every single talking point on health care that you're getting from the controlled media originated in some corporate board room or in some think tank funded by corporate wealth.

[mrskorn]

It is hypocricy to say that these citizens are ruining democracy. Democracy is killed when voices are suppressed, which is what the left is trying to do. How is this any different than SEIU and ACORN? Didn't even BO suggest 'getting in their faces' to get the points across?

Please. Both sides do what they do and this is no different than plenty of other left wing protests. Besides, it seems that the people going in to stop the "right wingers" are the ones punching people in the face and grabbing people's signs. Who is being disruptive?

Are you reporting dissenting voices here to Obama's snitch line. How's that for trying to silence the opposition? Does this policy not concern any of you?!

[silverball]

...funny...i don't recall seiu or acorn sending out talking points on HOW to disrupt townhall meetings....do you???....it's not about NOT having or listening to dissidents...it's about being able to LISTEN to dissidents....get real and pay attention to the structure of how these "dissidents" are getting their talking points...or even their transportation in many cases....

[mrskorn]

Talking points here....this is from Health Care for America...part of the SEIU group-

http://www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org/files/flash/seiu.html

They have a whole site on how to respond in a town hall meeting. Looks a little disruptive to me. Direct quotes:

"we should shut them down with chants that counter their message"

"Don’t wait for the reporter to approach you. You must approach the reporters and be assertive in shaping the narrative that they write."

"You must bring enough people to drown them out"

"We need to stack our folks in the front to create a wall around the Member, and we need to stake out the best spots for visibility and signs"

"Line up a number of people who feel comfortable interrupting"

Here is the website. Check it out for yourself.

http://healthcareforamericanow.org/site/fight

I have yet to find anything comparable on the right. If you have a link to the right's talking points that actually shows they advocate disrupting a meeting, I'd love to see it. Also, do you have a link to show they provide transportation? Back with facts please.

[Cil]

"Democracy is killed when voices are suppressed"

YES!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!

YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOO RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!

But oh Soooooooooooooooooo wrong!!!!!!!! Now pleeeeeeeease,
apply your logic to what these RAMPANT SHOUTING, MOB LIKE
DEMONSTRATORS are doing in their effort to STOP CIVIL TOWN
HALL DISCOURSE!

YIPES! Talk about talking through both sides of YOUR MOUTH!

[bobwalters]

No, "dissenters" here are not reported to Obama's snitch line. They and their photographs (and any other identifying and location information that can be determined) are being reported to the mother ship parked behind the moon. When the turmoil dies down a bit, all those so identified will be transported to the mother ship, where the Anunaki physicians and scientists will reprogram their brains (if they're salvageable) to turn the "dissenters" into robotic automatons with implanted antennae capable of receiving signals from the mother ship. They will then be transported back to their original locations, with no memory of the abduction/­modificati­on process.

At the appropriate time, Obama will transmit a signal to the mother ship, and the automatons will be activated to begin devouring all Republicans, conservatives of whatever political party or nationality, their friends, relatives, spouses and children, so the world can be transformed into a liberal mixed-race Muslim gay paradise. You'd better rush right out and get both a new identity and your tin-foil hat and tin-foil shoe liners -- the mother ship's signals can go through both heads and feet -- if you wish to escape this most horrid and fearsome of fates.

[mrskorn]

That's the tactic. Make fun of his 'call to snitch' but the fact is, our pres is acting like big brother.

As the White House explained in a special online bulletin:

“These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@white­house.gov.­”

Just exactly why do they need this and what will they do with the info?
Do you really see nothing wrong with this? I have not heard any on the left comment on this.

[Clovie]

First, please take a minute and find out what ACORN actually does and not just what you think they do based on Fox's "reporting."

Second, it's pretty clear that the disruption­/incitemen­t of violence is coming from the right. The people doing it aren't smart enough to be ashamed of their behavior. They give their real names when interviewed, which are easily traced to the Republican party (one lady was pretty high up in the X County Republican Party, despite saying that she had no political affiliation). This isn't about the right voicing their opinions- they should, just as the left and everyone in between should. The problem is just what Shannyn pointed out, that they're using their 1st Amendment rights to stifle the rights of others. It's pathetic. They know that they can't win on the merits of their arguments, so they resort to shouting the loudest.

[mrskorn]

Acorn is being investigated for fraud in 13 states. Pleeeeeeease!