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July 25, 2006

How A Couple People Can Create A Major Hubbub

Here is another reason why it matters so much when people like Howard Rich and his very small group of extremist libertarian friends create a myriad of fake groups that create the appearance of broad-based support for their actions: because then it is really easy to issue press releases signed by lots and lots of astroturf groups (which are really the same few individuals over and over again) and thereby influence unwitting members of Congress to take action on your behalf. Then all your different astroturf groups can issue their own press releases about their having signed the original press release and create even more hubbub about your issue.

In this case, the original press release was entitled, "53 Organizations Request Senate Action on Eminent Domain Abuse; Lack of Senate Action Leaves Homes, Businesses, Churches Vulnerable." Note that the subject is one of Howard Rich's top three ballot measure topics for this year. The contact person listed was Scott A. LaGanga, who just happens to be State Coalitions Manager for Americans for Tax Reform. And, naturally, Freedomworks jumped all over the opportunity to announce, "FreedomWorks Joins Huge Coalition Letter on Property Rights."

Huge - as in a small group of individuals sitting on multiple Boards of astroturf groups and thereby being able to sign the "Coalition letter" over and over and over again. Nifty, isn't it?

Posted by Becky at July 25, 2006 01:43 PM