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Here’s a fun example of astroturfing in its purest form: A woman attending a town hall event for Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI), and–while loudly raising objections to the Democrats’ health care reform proposal–insisting she’s just a regular concerned citizen. Except, she’s actually a GOP official.
Heather Blish was vice-chairman of the Kewaunee County GOP until 2008. She actually worked for Kagen’s opponent, and, according to her own resume, is affiliated with the Republican National Committee.
I’m shocked. Will the Republicans disavow Heather Blish as a liar?
Or slap her wrist for getting caught?
The Republicans have become embarrassingly pathetic. Buckley and Reagan are rolling over in their graves.
The Republicans have never recovered from Lincoln’s death.
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I’m from Green Bay – the city that hosts this news channel. NBC26 is known as the most sensationalist news channel in town. They frequently overstate “facts”. For example, a truck hauling liquid nitrogen crashed and spilled on the road. A few hours later, while reporting from the scene, they said “This could be very dangerous. If the chemicals from this spill react badly with something in the environment, there could be an explosion”.
Now, you and I know that Nitrogen is inert. But that’s a lot less exciting to state on the evening news.
I’m not saying this story isn’t true or meaningful. I’m just saying consider the source.
Talk about posting a non-issue. Bordering on Idiocracy, Eideard!
According to Blish’s Linkin page, she seems to have left the Republican party in Feb 2008. Not two years, just a year and a half ago.
So, now because she used to be a part of the GOP she cannot ever have a concern or voice an opinion.
And what about the two guys who wouldn’t wait their turn? What about the guy who took “an awful long time”.
They’re not ObamaBots! They’re asking real questions! Quick, discredit them in any way possible! Do a “Joe the Plumber”! Don’t listen to what they say, just bury them in dirt!
Democratic Party Democracy at it’s best.
Oh, and since innuendo and dirt is the order of the day, let’s look at the station, WGBA-TV, and Kristoffer Engebretson.
“Since the beginning of 2009, the station has dropped most syndicated programming from their schedule … and replaced those shows with paid programming … On July 24, 2009 it was announced that the majority of the news staff would be eliminated … All reporters and photographers were to be replaced with Video Journalists responsible for reporting, shooting and running the live remotes.”
VIDEO JOURNALIST??? Yea, real investigative reporting here, yup.
Shame on Eideard for even posting this dribble…
[ed..should be “drivel” not dribble]
She used to worked for the political machine. Does this mean she is not allowed to go to public meetings and voice her opinions?
Forgot the link.
Reagan?!?…
Reagan was a neo-con.
With his so-called “supply-side econmics” and “trickle-down theory”, he was nowhere near being a republican.
The left-wing editors of DU come through with another limp-wristed hit piece.
Is this so-called news article supposed to be a superb example of in-depth journalistic investigation skills?
A former republican-insider attends a Town Hall!
I’m shocked, shocked. How could this person get through the phalanx of Obama censorship police.
Remember the good old days when the left supported any and all forms of protests…
For instance: The outrage the press had toward the Minneapolis/St Paul police (during the RNC convention). The media reported on the jackbooted quazi-military who had the audacity to try to stop some peaceful citizens who were caught with molotov cocktails.
And the innocent townspeople who were throwing 50 pound bags of cement from an overpass at the RNC buses heading to the convention.
Nothing wrong with that type of protest. But to catch a GOP person trying to enter a townhall – well that goes beyond the pale!
#5 She can go to the meetings, just not allowed to have a opposing opinion.
Believe there was a mini-scandal during last year’s election cycle where some Dem. operatives where posing as ‘undecided voters’ and were able to ask questions at the candidates debate.
A retired homosexual army officer springs to mind. He was ‘undecided’ but managed to preach to McCain. Turns out he was a big democrat supporter.
So? She’s still a citizen, and a member of the community. Shes not only allowed, but its her duty to ask questions and be heard.
I agree its lame if the GOP sent her to spread FUD. But it doesn’t mean she shouldn’t be there or be allowed to speak.
Of course it a GOP infested scam in cahoots with the Insurance industry.
This issue is a Trillion dollar business for the Health Insurance industry.
Stealing a page from the Nazi party is not lost on these shameless thugs.
Thank god that the Left never infiltrates any town halls meetings with their people. That’s because the left/democrats are honest people who would never lie, always read a bill before passing it, pay their taxes, and always faithful to their spouse. The Democrats are the new moral majority. And remember, the Dems/Left know that health care is a right unless it’s too expensive to treat you or you are too old as what will happen under the the bill the house put forth.
Btw, why is it that Obama can’t explain the bill?
I am the mob and I am have never been part of any group.
Why the HELL shouldn’t she be able to discuss this legislation she objects to??? What the F is WRONG with you people? Was Joe the Plumber breaking some rules as well??
I realize this is the theme of he day being pushed by the Democratic Party higher-ups to focus on ‘astroturfing’ and tell people that the rotests are fake(projection anyone?), but this is what Democrats do all the time. Obama’s townhalls have been filled with these types of people asking planted questions.
http://tinyurl.com/mll8h4
http://tinyurl.com/lowsvl
>Reagan was a neo-con.
Does the word neo-con have any meaning other than a Republican I don’t like, to be used interchangeably with ‘nazi’ and ‘fascist’?
The embassy in Beirut is bombed, and Reagan withdrew the troops.
Dallas has it right. I’ve even seen Astroturfers on local (New Mexico) web sites that were defending the current health insurance situation, which is very profitable for the insurance companies. The percentage of people in this state that have health insurance is very low and getting lower, because of the rising cost of premiums, and the health insurance company practice of dropping coverage on someone who files a claim.
I’ll presume the astroturfing is happening elsewhere as well.
I’ve not seen republicans this organized since Clinton got the BJ from that intern.
When the community starts organizing against the organizer, the whole rigmarole goes to hell. Not that these extremists showing up at town-hall meetings are real members of the “community.” Have you noticed how tailored they are? Dissent is now the hautest form of couturism. Sen. Barbara Boxer has denounced dissenters from Obama’s health-care proposals as too “well-dressed” to be genuine. Only the emperor has new clothes. Everyone knows that.
http://tinyurl.com/nwhs3m
Oh boohoo, she said she left the Republican party 2 years ago, instead she left 1 year ago. Whatever her motives or who she’s working with, she is still a citizen of this country.
Here’s breaking news: The guy speaking at the event in favor of Obamacare, Congressman Kagen, is getting paid by the Democratic party to convince those people to vote for Obama’s plan. OH MY GOD, where’s the outrage? News story at 11!
You’re all hypocrites.
Funny how many right wingers hang out, and take the time to post on, this shamelessly biased pinko site!
Do they get paid by the hour or by the post?
There are those who think that once your connected to a group you can never say anything without being associated with that group. I personally don’t believe it, and that belief is in no way associated with the AAA!
How quickly attitudes change.
A year ago, the libs just adored “Community Organizers”.
Worshiped or adulate might be a better description of the Obama supporters. But the polls indicate they are changing their tune.
Bob Dylan: The Times They Are A-Changin’
Sad, really sad.
These anti-reform protesters are vociferously defending a corporate system that will drop them from their insurance coverage at the first available chance. Instead of standing there and demanding lower costs and increased coverage, with some assurance that they will be able to afford medical care when they actually need it.
Pathetic non-thinkers, uneducated on the facts about a corporate health system where profits come first and patient needs come last.
Instead of demanding that the US healthcare be improved so that they can be sure that it will be readily available to them throughout their lifetime, the shoot themselves by demanding that insurance companies have even more power over their lives. Stupid…. really really stupid.
#12 – Dallas
Re: “Stealing a page from the Nazi party…”
You tow the Obama-party line like a champ.
White House Warns Rush: Nazi Talk Puts You On “Thin Ice”
Orwell called this newsspeak
Let’s have an open debate NOT!
An organization supported by Obama, Biden and 190 members of Congress, Health Care for America Now”, instructs Democrats to confiscate signs and leaflets brought to Obamacare events by “rightwing extremists,” that is to say Americans opposed to totalitarian health care.
HCAN will organize brownshirt thugs — called “marshals” — to patrol crowds with local police assistance to make sure no opposition can be voiced.
This is getting funnier by the minute. I will repeat my earlier assertions. None of this would have happened if they stayed in session and just passed the bill on party lines. Are the Democrats so stupid that they can’t count their votes and realize they can pass whatever they want? Apparently.
Now this.
I wonder if the Dems actually want to pass this but would rather let it deteriorate so they can blame the Republicans.
You people aren’t getting the point. She’s the one who got up and said she has no affiliations. She sat there and lied about it with a straight face. She wanted it to come off on TV as someone who just came in off the street not someone who’s a paid political operative. She “didn’t pay her dues this year”. That’s laughable. She’s a liar. She friggin works for these people. The congressman at the meeting didn’t pretend he wasn’t a democrat. If she wants to debate the issue fine, she has every right, but if she’s lying about who she is and her motivations from the start, how could you take as genuine anything else she has to say.
I thought that Captain Kangaroo was dead?
Here are facts about the Health Care (HC) Bill, don’t miss the last four.
Pg 22 of the HC Bill mandates the Government will audit books of all employers that self insure.
Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill a Government committee (good luck with that!) will decide what treatments/benefits a person may receive.
Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill YOUR HEALTHCARE WILL BE RATIONED!
Pg 42 of HC Bill The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC Benefits for you.
PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill HC will be provided to ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise.
Pg 58 HC Bill Government will have real-time access to individual’s finances and a National ID Healthcard will be issued!
Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Government will have direct access to your bank accounts for funds transfer.
PG 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in Unions & community organizations (read: ACORN).
Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Government will create an HC Exchange to bring private HC plans under Government control.
PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill Government mandates linguistic appropriate services. Example Translation for illegal aliens.
Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Government will use groups, i.e. ACORN & Americorps, to sign up individuals for Government HC plan.
PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill Specifics of Benefit Levels for Plans. AARP members your Health care WILL be rationed.
PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill Medicaid Eligible Individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.
pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue Government on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Government Monopoly.
pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill Doctors/ AMA The Government will tell YOU what you can earn.
Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public option plan. NO CHOICE.
Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for HC for part time employees AND their families.
Pg 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay.)
Pg 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Admin (the GOVERNMENT) will have access to ALL Americans’ finances and personal records.
PG 203 Line 14-15 HC “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax” Yes, it says that.
Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Government will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected.
Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill Doctors doesn’t matter what specialty will all be paid the same.
PG 253 Line 10-18 Government sets value of Doctor’s time, professional judgment, etc. Literally, value of humans.
PG 265 Sec 1131 Government mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries.
Pg 317 L 13-20 OMG!! PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Government tells Doctors what/how much they can own.
Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion Government will mandate hospitals cannot expand.
Pg 354 Sec 1177 Government will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs people!
PG 425 Lines 4-12 Government mandates Advance Care Planning Consultations. Think Senior Citizens end of life prodding.
PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Government provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in how to die.
PG 427 Lines 15-24 Government mandates program for orders for end of life. The Government has a say in how your life ends.
PG 429 Lines 10-12 “advanced care consultation” may include an ORDER for end of life plans. AN ORDER from the Government to end a life!
qb said, on August 8th, 2009 at 6:08 am
The Republicans have become embarrassingly pathetic. Buckley and Reagan are rolling over in their graves.
I think you meant Goldwater. The Republicans start becoming pathetic with Reagan.