Forum Post: Astroturf movement?
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 28, 2011, 1:33 a.m. EST by Loekei
(5)
from Absecon, NJ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
That name kinda makes me giggle, for one... but for another... I hear a lot of people griping about these so-called shadow backers of the #OWS movement... but never see any definitive proof.
Seriously. Where the hell are these people getting their information? And maybe instead of blindly raging about it, post it where people can find it so that they can make informed decisions.
In short, pics or it didn't happen. I figure if you can't provide some factual proof, then quit shooting your mouth off, ya know?
I welcome anyone to a good-natured debate over the subject, and kindly request a lack of name calling.
And if someone could please explain to me wtf "Kamp Alinsky" is supposed to mean, I would really appreciate it.
Here is one fine example of astroturfing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8tbrYFoPEg
Excellent video, albeit a bit long (I confess to skipping around a bit after I hit the 3 minute mark.)
I have it bookmarked for later, and am definitely going to pass that one along. Thanks!
It is unlikely that you will find 'definitive proof', because if there are shadow backers, they are smarter than to leave an obvious trail.
I don't know if it was set up as astroturf from the beginning. (although the July adbusters issue makes me wonder) but I am convinced there is an attempt by MoveOn to co-opt the movement. I have reached this conclusion from their actions vis a vis the Occupy movement and attempts to blur the lines between Occupy and them. It looks to me like the strategy is primarily to create the appearance, if not the reality, that the movement is an arm of the Democratic party and thereby create division among the American people so they don't work together in their common interests. (BTW, I am a registered Dem who didn't vote for Obama.)
So far, it seems to be working out that way, but I still have hopes that there is a spark to action that will transcend party lines. Whether that will be part of OWS or spring from it, remains to be seen.
That does seem to me to be the most logical explanation. And I agree with you wholeheartedly on that final point.
And for the record, I'm a registered Republican who did vote for Obama... with reservations.
Just ignore them every side in politics claims that their supporters are grassroots protesters who are simply expressing their opinion and that all the dissenting opinions are secretely just plants to pressure the people to conform to their evil Socialist/Liberal/Libertarian/Fascist/Neo-Monarchist ways.
I've noticed that, haha. You'd think they'd have come up with some better slurs by now, you know? The problem is that there's a lot of people who are seriously buying into that sort of thing. Or, like some of the women I work with, are at that position in life where they simply can't be bothered with something that isn't immediately affecting them.
Or so they hear. It's pretty infuriating. And yet I keep trying to get them to at least listen about it, if only because I love me a project. Sigh.