[ExI] Astroturf - Is anything 'real' out there?

Thu Aug 4 19:11:14 UTC 2011

On Thu, Aug 4, 2011 at 11:07 AM, Richard Loosemore
<rloosemore at susaro.com> wrote:
> On 8/3/11 12:27 AM, Kelly Anderson wrote:
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 2, 2011 at 3:02 AM, BillK<pharos at gmail.com>  wrote:
>>>
>>> With all these cashroots campaigns, "Follow the money!"  Where does
>>> their funding come from? Though that can sometimes be very difficult
>>> to find out.
>>
>> A rather large number of them can be traced back to George Sorros...
>> at least the left leaning ones...
>
> Laughable.
>
> Can you cite your evidence that "a rather large number of" the astroturfing
> organizations are traceable back to George Soros?

Sure, in fact it is very easy.

George Soros And His Open Society Institute gave at least $21,223,500
To 23 Groups working against President Bush’s Legislative Agenda and
$5,235,000 to groups that blocked Bush appointees.

For example, the Alliance For Justice Building Grassroots Network To
Oppose The President’s Nominees. “[AFJ President Nan] Aron said her
office had been flooded with calls from students, lawyers and
activists ‘who were involved in get-out-the-vote work and now want to
turn their attention to the Supreme Court.’ … Like the Presidential
election, a Supreme Court nomination fight will feature polling, paid
television advertising and grass-roots organizing. Ms. Aron said she
had been ‘on the road for weeks,’ recruiting volunteers and trying to
build networks in various states.” (Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Prepping For
The Next Big Battle: The Supreme Court,” The New York Times, 12/8/04)

“[Common Cause Spokeswoman Mary] Boyle Said That During The Past Four
Years, Soros’ Open Society Institute Had Given $600,000 To Common
Cause’s Education Fund – The Group’s 501(c)(3) Arm.” (Ben Pershing,
“Gillespie Issues Challenge To BCRA Backers,” Roll Call, 11/18/03

Common Cause President Chellie Pingree Kicked Off A Major Capital Hill
Rally In Support Of Democrats Filibustering Judicial Nominees. “‘A
longtime Senate procedure should not be scrapped simply because it is
inconvenient to the goals of one political interest,’ Chellie said.
‘It’s an abuse of power to strip the Senate minority of a tool
designed to protect its rights - rights both parties have defended
throughout the Senate’s history.’” (Common Cause Website,
www.commoncause.org, Accessed 4/11/05)

MoveOn.Org:

George Soros Gave $2,500,000 To MoveOn.Org Voter Fund. (Political
Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed 3/18/05)

MoveOn PAC Launched A National Cable TV Spot Asking, “Just Who Made
Dick Cheney ‘King’” Of The Nominations Process. (National Journal
Website, “Ad Spotlight,” www.nationaljournal.com, 3/16/05, Accessed
4/1/05)

Democrats Supported MoveOn PAC By Participating In Pro-Filibuster
Rally Despite Moderate Democrats Urging To Distance The Party From
MoveOn. (Byron York, “Right On, MoveOn!” National Review Online,
3/17/05)

NARAL Pro-Choice America:

George Soros’ Open Society Institute Contributed $200,000 To NARAL
Pro-Choice America In 2004. (Open Society Institute Website,
www.soros.org, Accessed 4/25/05)

NARAL Pro-Choice America Website: “Don’t Let Frist Eliminate The
Filibuster! Our Ability To Save The Supreme Court From President Bush
Could Hang In The Balance ... Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN)
Is Hatching A Plan To Allow President Bush To Pack The Courts With
Extremist Judges.” (NARAL Pro-Choice America Website,
www.prochoiceaction.org, Accessed 4/22/05)

People For The American Way: (This is a big one)

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Contributed
At Least $450,000 To People For The American Way Since 1999. (Open
Society Institute Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/5/05; Capital
Research Center Website, www.capitalresearch.org, Accessed 4/5/05)

According to Wikipedia... Soros gave $3 million to the Center for
American Progress, $2.5 million to MoveOn.org, and $20 million[51] to
America Coming Together.

Soro's own web site gives a list of some of the initiatives he is
involved with...
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/mena
This includes a plan to change the US foreign policy towards the Middle East.

Planned Parenthood:

Soros’ Open Society Institute Contributed $950,000 To Planned
Parenthood Federation Of America Since 2002. (Open Society Institute
Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/25/05)

Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $11,050,000
To Groups Opposing President Bush’s Plans To Strengthen Social
Security.

America Coming Together:
Billionaire Financier George Soros Was Largest Individual Contributor
To America Coming Together, Donating $7,500,000. (Political Money Line
Website, www.tray.com, Accessed 4/26/05)

ACT Email: “This Coming Tuesday Your Time Is Urgently Needed To Stop
President Bush And His Republican Allies From Dismantling Social
Security. Please Join ACTivists In Your Area … For One Of The Many
Rallies Around The Country Scheduled To Coincide With The Senate
Finance Committee’s First Official Hearings On Social Security
Privatization.” (America Coming Together Email, “ACT On Tuesday To
Save Social Security,” 4/23/05)

Campaign For America’s Future:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Was Top Contributor To Campaign For
America’s Future, Donating $300,000. (Political Money Line Website,
www.tray.com, Accessed 1/8/05)

“Americans United To Protect Social Security, As The Group Will Be
Known, Is Being Spearheaded By The American Federation Of State,
County And Municipal Employees, The AFL-CIO, And Two Liberal Advocacy
Groups, The Campaign For America’s Future And USAction. Another
200-Odd Interest Groups Are Also Supporting The Effort.” (Chris
Cillizza, “Coalition To Battle Social Security Plan,” Roll Call,
2/17/05)

Center For American Progress:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Reportedly Pledged $3 Million To
CAP. (Amy Westfeldt, “Billionaire Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is –
Toward Ousting Bush,” The Associated Press, 6/10/04)

Several Liberal Groups Met To Organize Efforts Against The President’s
Plan To Strengthen Social Security. “The myriad outside groups that
oppose President Bush’s plan to overhaul Social Security met in
Washington, D.C., … . Representatives from … The Center for American
Progress … Attended [the meeting].” (Chris Cillizza, “Private Account
Critics Huddle,” Roll Call, 4/14/05)

Democracy For America:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Was Top Donor To Democracy For
America’s 527 In 2004 Cycle, Giving $250,000. (Political Money Line
Website, www.tray.com, Accessed 3/11/05)

Democracy For America Chairman Jim Dean: “And We Will Be Getting Into
The Fight To Stop George Bush From Dismantling Social Security.”
(Democracy For America Email, “Hello There,” 2/16/05)

Jim Dean: “We Hoped That Putting A Human Face On Social Security Would
Help Shape The Debate Over The Republican Plans To Privatize And Phase
It Out. … With Your Help, We’ll Make Sure That Every Politician
Understands The Real Impact Of The President’s Plan.” (Democracy For
America Email, “The Social Security Story In Your Community,” 3/10/05)

Democracy For America Executive Director Tom Hughes: “The Best Thing
That We Can Do To Stop The Bush Plan To Phase Out Social Security Is
To Focus On The Individual Americans Whom The Program Protects. In The
Coming Months We Can Be The Clearinghouse For Personal Testimony About
Its Success. Will You Help?” (Democracy For America Email, “What’s
Your Story?” 3/1/05)

ProtectYourCheck.Org:

“The [Former Clinton Aide Harold] Ickes Organization Will Twin Its
Efforts With The Ongoing Operations Of Americans United To Protect
Social Security, A Grass-Roots Organization Being Run By A Handful Of
Former Democratic Senate Campaign Operatives.” (Chris Cillizza, “New
Group To Join Social Security Battle,” Roll Call, 3/16/05)

·        In 2004, Ickes Helped Found America Coming Together. (Richard
Lacayo and Joel Stein, “The Outside Players,” Time, 11/15/04)

o       Billionaire Financier George Soros Gave $14.5 Million To ACT.
(Katharine Q. Seelye, “Anti-Bush Billionaire Plans To Give More,” The
New York Times, 9/29/04)

“Under The Immutable Laws Of Political Spending, However, The Money Is
Already Going Elsewhere. And This Time, It Is Likely To Go To
501(c)(4) Organizations, Known In Short As C4s, Named For The
Subsection Of The Internal Revenue Service Code Which Allows Their
Formation.” (Byron York, “New Campaign-Finance-Reform Follies,”
National Review Online, 4/19/05)

·        “A New Group Known As ProtectYourCheck.Org, Put Together By
Harold Ickes, The Former Clinton Deputy White House Chief Of Staff Who
Was One Of The Leaders Of The Anti-Bush 527 Effort Last Year, Is A C4.
It Plans To Raise $15 Million To Fight Social Security Reform. Where
Is That Money Coming From? Ickes Is Not Required To Say.” (Byron York,
“New Campaign-Finance-Reform Follies,” National Review Online,
4/19/05)

ENERGY BILL

Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $2,815,000 To
Groups Opposing National Energy Legislation.

“BushGreenwatch Is A Project Of Environmental Media Services, A
Nonprofit Communications Clearinghouse, With Support From Moveon.Org,
The Online Advocacy Group.” (Bush Greenwatch Website,
www.bushgreenwatch.org, Accessed 4/21/05)

Campaign For America’s Future:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Was Top Contributor To Campaign For
America’s Future, Donating $300,000. (Political Money Line Website,
www.tray.com, Accessed 1/8/05)

CAF Email Against Energy Plan Promotes Apollo Plan, “That Will ...
Free America From Over-Reliance On Unstable And Undemocratic Oil
Regimes … Create Millions Of New Jobs Here In America … Protect Our
Natural Environment Through Real Investments In Pollution-Reducing
Technologies … Reduce Gas Prices By Helping Americans Reduce Oil
Demand …” (Campaign For America’s Future Email, “The REAL Price Of
Gas,” 4/21/05)

CAF Has Fill-In-The-Blank Email On Website: “Just Say No To Big Oil,
And Yes To American Energy Independence!” (Campaign For America’s
Future Website, www.ourfuture.org, Accessed 4/21/05)

Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $2,121,500 To
Groups Opposing Tort Reform.

Alliance For Justice:

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Contributed
$535,000 To Alliance For Justice Since 1999. (Open Society Institute
Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/5/05; Capital Research Center
Website, www.capitalresearch.org, Accessed 4/5/05)

Alliance For Justice Ran Ad In Roll Call Opposing Tort Reform.
(Alliance For Justice Advertisement, Accessed Via Alliance For Justice
Website, www.allianceforjustice.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

Consumers Union:

Since 2001, Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute
Gave At Least $325,000 To Consumers Union. (Capital Research Center
Website, www.capitalresearch.org, Accessed 4/26/05; Open Society
Institute Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

Consumers Union Senior Product Safety Counsel Sally Greenberg:
“Consumers Union Is Greatly Disappointed That Members Of The Senate
Have Chosen To Side With The Largest Corporations In America – Many Of
Whom Lobbied Heavily For This Bill – And Against The Interests Of
Regular People Seeking Access To Justice.” (Consumers Union, Consumers
Union Calls Vote Today In Senate On Class Action Bill A ‘Sad Day For
Consumers,’” Press Release, 2/9/05)

Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law:

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Gave At
Least $263,000 To Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law. (Open
Society Institute Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

“The Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law Calls Upon Senators
To Amend The Class Action Bill To Insure That America’s Workers Are
Protected. Senate Bill S. 5, The So-Called ‘Class Action Fairness
Act,’ Is Anything But Fair To Workers And Victims Of Discrimination.”
(Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law, “Lawyers’ Committee
For Civil Rights Under Law Urges Senate To Exempt Civil Rights And
Wage And Hour Cases From Class Action Bill,” Press Release, 2/3/05)

Leadership Conference On Civil Rights:

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Gave At
Least $808,500 To Leadership Conference On Civil Rights And Its
Education Fund. (Open Society Institute Website, www.soros.org,
Accessed 4/26/05)

“Prior To Voting On [Tort Reform], The Senate Also Voted Against An
Amendment (40 To 59) That Would Have Exempted Civil Rights Suits And
State Law Wage-And-Hour Cases From The Bill, Thereby Preventing Those
Cases From Being Moved To Federal Courts. … The Leadership Conference
On Civil Rights (LCCR) Had Expressed Its ‘Extreme Disappointment’ Of
The Vote Against The Amendment, Saying It Was ‘A Dark Day For The
Rights Of Workers And Ordinary Americans.’” (Leadership Conference On
Civil Rights Website, www.civilrights.org, 2/15/05, Accessed 4/26/05)

Natural Resources Defense Council:

Soros’ Open Society Institute Gave $5,000 To Natural Resources Defense
Council. (Open Society Institute Website, www.soros.org, Accessed
4/21/05)

NRDC Letter To U.S. Senators: “Our Organizations Are Opposed To The
Sweepingly Drawn And Misleadingly Named ‘Class Action Fairness Act Of
2005.’” (NRDC et al., Letter To United States Senators, 2/7/05)

Public Citizen:

Since 2001, Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute
Gave More Than $180,000 To Public Citizen. (Capital Research Center
Website, www.capitalresearch.org, Accessed 3/16/05)

Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook: “The U.S. Senate Today Has
Given Banks, Credit Card Companies, Insurers, Hmos, Drug Manufacturers
And Other Big Corporations A Green Light To Defraud And Deceive
Consumers Without Fear Of Being Held Accountable. Passage Of The Class
Action Legislation Will Mean That Many Class Action Lawsuits Will Not
Be Heard In Either State Courts Or Federal Courts.” (Public Citizen,
“U.S. Senate Gives Green Light To Market Fraud And Deception,” Press
Release, 2/10/05)

BANKRUPTCY

Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $2,825,000 To
Groups Opposing Revising Bankruptcy Laws.

Consumers Union:

Since 2001, Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute
Gave At Least $325,000 To Consumers Union. (Capital Research Center
Website, www.capitalresearch.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

CU Letter To House Members: “Consumers Union, The Non-Profit,
Independent Publisher Of Consumer Reports®, Strongly Urges You To
Reject The Bankruptcy Legislation Expected To Be Considered This Week
On The House Floor. Contrary To The Claims Of Its Sponsors, The
Legislation Is Not Narrowly Focused On Bankruptcy Abuses.” (Consumers
Union, Letter To U.S. Representatives, 4/10/05)

MoveOn.Org:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Gave $2,500,000 To MoveOn.Org Voter
Fund. (Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed 3/18/05)

MoveOn.Org PAC: “Last Week, The House Of Representatives Passed
Bankruptcy Legislation (302-126) That Will Make Life A Lot Harder For
A Lot Of Good People. Usually Congress Wouldn’t Feel Any Consequences
For A Vote Like This, But Moveon PAC Has Developed Radio Ads That Will
Shine A Bright Light On The Legislation And The Representatives Who
Supported It – Dissuading Wrong Votes Next Time.” (MoveOn.Org PAC
Website, www.moveonpac.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

BUDGET

 Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $3,337,000
To Groups Opposing The President’s Budget.

Campaign For America’s Future:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Was Top Contributor To Campaign For
America’s Future, Donating $300,000. (Political Money Line Website,
www.tray.com, Accessed 1/8/05)

CAF Website Features Fill-In-The-Blank Email To Congress: “President
Bush’s Indecent Budget Proposal Slashes Education, Health Care And
Essential Services For The Most Vulnerable Americans While Lavishing
More Tax Breaks On The Wealthiest. None Of Bush’s Cuts Will Happen
Though If Congress Rejects His Budget.” (Campaign For America’s Future
Website, www.ourfuture.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

Center For Community Change:

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Gave At
Least $3,037,000 To Center For Community Change. (Open Society
Institute Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/26/05; Capital Research
Center Website, www.capitalresearch.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

“[T]he Center For Community Change Launched ‘Jericho,’ A 30-Second TV
Spot … The Ad Features Snippets From Bush’s First Inaugural Address In
2001 … Statistics On Poverty, Homelessness And Hunger Appear On Screen
As An Announcer Says The New Budget Will Show If Bush’s ‘Actions Live
Up To His Words.’” (Meg Kinnard, “Group: Will Bush Budget Actions
‘Live Up To His Words’?” NationalJournal.com, nationaljournal.com,
2/3/05)

PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION/LACI’S LAW

Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $1,150,000 To
Groups Opposing Outlawing Partial-Birth Abortions.

Planned Parenthood:

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Contributed
$950,000 To Planned Parenthood Federation Of America Since 2002. (Open
Society Institute Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/25/05)

“Planned Parenthood Federation Of America (PPFA) … Announced Today At
A Press Conference That They Have Filed A Lawsuit In A San Francisco
Federal Court To Challenge The So-Called Partial Birth Abortion Ban
Act Of 2003, A Federal Abortion Ban That Was Passed By Congress On
Oct. 20 And Has Been Sent To President Bush For His Signature.”
(Planned Parenthood Federation Of America, “Planned Parenthood Files
Lawsuit To Block Unconstitutional, Reckless Abortion Ban,” Press
Release, 10/31/03)

“Today The House Is Set To Take Action On The So-Called ‘Unborn
Victims Of Violence Act.’ The Bill Creates A Separate Crime For Harm
Done To A Fetus – At Any Stage Of Development – In The Commission Of
Certain Federal Crimes, Or Crimes Committed On Federal Property. … The
Bill The House Will Consider Today Has Been Dubbed ‘Laci And Connor’s
Law’ …” (Planned Parenthood Federation Of America Website, “The Born
Victims Of Politics,” www.saveroe.com, 2/26/04, Accessed 4/26/05)

NARAL Pro-Choice America:

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Contributed
$200,000 To NARAL Pro-Choice America In 2004. (Open Society Institute
Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/25/05)

“The NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, The Leading National
Advocate For Personal Privacy And The Right To Choose, Today Announced
The Launch Of A New Television Ad Campaign In Response To President
Bush’s Planned Signing Tomorrow Of The So-Called ‘Partial Birth
Abortion’ Ban Legislation.” (NARAL Pro-Choice America, “NARAL
Pro-Choice America Launches Ad Campaign As President Signs First
Criminal Abortion Ban,” Press Release, 11/4/03)

“The ‘Unborn Victims Of Violence Act’ Is A Deceptive Bill That
Threatens Women’s Rights. Although Supporters Of The Bill Claim That
Their Goal Is To Protect Women From Acts Of Violence, Their True
Intent Is To Undermine Roe V. Wade.” (NARAL Pro-Choice America
Website, “The ‘Unborn Victims Of Violence Act’: A Misguided Bill That
Threatens Women’s Rights,” www.naral.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

JOHN BOLTON NOMINATION

Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $3,000,000 To
Groups Opposing John Bolton Nomination To Be U.N. Ambassador.

Center For American Progress:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Reportedly Pledged $3 Million To
CAP. (Amy Westfeldt, “Billionaire Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is –
Toward Ousting Bush,” The Associated Press, 6/10/04)

“Two Groups Explicitly Associated With George Soros – The Open Society
Policy Center And The American Progress Action Fund – Are Working With
Citizens For Global Solutions To Defeat Bolton.” (Accuracy In Media,
“Aim Says ‘Follow The Money’ To George Soros And One-Worlders Against
John Bolton,” Press Release, 4/12/05)

Citizens For Global Solutions:

“Citizens For Global Solutions Used To Be Known As The World
Federalist Association (WFA), A Group That Favors World Government And
Global Taxes On American Citizens To Pay For It. The Organization … Is
Leading The Opposition To Bolton Through Television Ads And A ‘Stop
Bolton’ Web Site …” (Accuracy In Media, “Aim Says ‘Follow The Money’
To George Soros And One-Worlders Against John Bolton,” Press Release,
4/12/05)

“Two Groups Explicitly Associated With George Soros – The Open Society
Policy Center And The American Progress Action Fund – Are Working With
Citizens For Global Solutions To Defeat Bolton.” (Accuracy In Media,
“Aim Says ‘Follow The Money’ To George Soros And One-Worlders Against
John Bolton,” Press Release, 4/12/05)

Open Society Policy Center:

“[Soros] Opened A $2-Million Office In Washington … And Created The
Open Society Policy Center, Which Will Focus On Foreign Policy And
Civil Liberties.” (Ian Wilhelm, “Soros, In Major Shift, Will Focus
Giving On Advocacy And Globalization,” The Chronicle Of Philanthropy,
6/27/02)

“The Open Society Policy Center, Former U.S. Ambassadors And Other
Groups Will Hold A Press Conference On Monday, April 4 To Announce
Their Opposition To John Bolton’s Nomination As Ambassador To The UN.”
(Open Society Policy Center Website, www.opensocietypolicycenter.org,
Accessed 4/20/05)

ALBERTO GONZALES

Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $2,763,000 To
Groups Opposing Alberto Gonzales’ Nomination To Be Attorney General.

Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law:

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Gave At
Least $263,000 To Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law. (Open
Society Institute Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/26/05)

“The Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law … Urged Senators On
The Judiciary Committee Not To Confirm The Nomination Of Alberto
Gonzales For United States Attorney General Until There Has Been A
More Probing Examination Of His Views On Civil Rights Law
Enforcement.” (Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law,
“Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Urges Senate Committee Not To
Confirm The Nomination Of Alberto Gonzales Until More Is Known About
His Commitment To Civil Rights,” Press Release, 2/3/05)

MoveOn.Org:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Gave $2,500,000 To MoveOn.Org Voter
Fund. (Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed 3/18/05)

MoveOn.Org Ran Ad Against Alberto Gonzales. “Call your Senator today
and say no to torture. Say no to Alberto Gonzales.” (MoveOn.Org,
“Horrified,” Press Release, 1/6/05)

ATTACKS AGAINST MAJORITY LEADER TOM DELAY

Soros And His Open Society Institute Have Given At Least $7,890,000 To
Groups Attacking Majority Leader DeLay.

Campaign For America’s Future:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Was Top Contributor To Campaign For
America’s Future, Donating $300,000. (Political Money Line Website,
www.tray.com, Accessed 1/8/05)

“The Campaign For America’s Future Unveiled A New Television Ad Today
That Urges Congress To ‘Wash Its Hands’ Of Rep. Tom DeLay,
Highlighting The Controversy Surrounding The House Majority Leader,
Who Is Increasingly Seen As A Liability To His Party.” (Campaign For
America’s Future, “New TV Ads Highlight Tom DeLay’s Corruption,” Press
Release, 3/30/05)

Center For American Progress:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Reportedly Pledged $3 Million To
Center For American Progress. (Amy Westfeldt, “Billionaire Puts His
Money Where His Mouth Is – Toward Ousting Bush,” The Associated Press,
6/10/04)

“DropTheHammer.org Is A Campaign Of The American Progress Action
Fund.” (DropTheHammer.org Website, www.dropthehammer.org, Accessed
4/20/05)

Common Cause:

“[Common Cause Spokeswoman Mary] Boyle Said That During The Past Four
Years, Soros’ Open Society Institute Had Given $600,000 To Common
Cause’s Education Fund – The Group’s 501(c)(3) Arm.” (Ben Pershing,
“Gillespie Issues Challenge To BCRA Backers,” Roll Call, 11/18/03)

“Eight Watchdog Groups, Which Banded Together In 2003 As The
Congressional Ethics Coalition, Held A News Conference [January 3,
2005] To Protest The Proposed Changes [In House Ethics Rules] …” (Mike
Allen, “GOP Abandons Ethics Changes,” The Washington Post, 1/4/05)

Common Cause President Chellie Pingree Accused Tom DeLay Of Trying To
“Fix The Ethics Process.” “‘If he can’t somehow transcend the politics
and fix the ethics process, then he will be seen as just a partisan
player,’ said Chellie Pingree, President of Common Cause, a group that
advocates replacing DeLay as the House’s no. 2 Republican.” (Matthew
Daly, “Lawmaker Takes Job As Ethics Investigator,” The Associated
Press, 4/7/05)

Common Cause Circulating Petition Calling For Tom DeLay To Step Down.
“Tom DeLay is ethically unfit to serve as a leader of the people’s
House. America has higher standards than to let someone with his track
record lead an institution as important to our democracy as the United
States House of Representatives. We believe the time has come for Rep.
DeLay to step down.” (Common Cause Website, www.commoncause.org,
Accessed 4/11/05)

Democracy 21:

Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Contributed
$310,000 To Democracy 21 Since 1999. (Open Society Institute Website,
www.soros.org, Accessed 4/6/04)

“Eight Watchdog Groups, Which Banded Together In 2003 As The
Congressional Ethics Coalition, Held A News Conference [January 3,
2005] To Protest The Proposed Changes [In House Ethics Rules] …” (Mike
Allen, “GOP Abandons Ethics Changes,” The Washington Post, 1/4/05)

 Democracy For America:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Was Top Donor To Democracy For
America’s 527 In 2004 Cycle, Giving $250,000. (Political Money Line
Website, www.tray.com, Accessed 3/11/05)

Democracy For America Email: “We’re Buying Billboards In The 22nd
Congressional District, And If Your Slogan Is Selected, It Will Be
Part Of Democracy For America’s Big Splash In Tom DeLay’s Backyard.”
(Democracy For America Email, “Beware Of Falling Congressmen?”
4/12/05)

MoveOn.Org:

Billionaire Financier George Soros Gave $2,500,000 To MoveOn.Org Voter
Fund. (Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed 3/18/05)

MoveOn.Org PAC: “It Is Time To Fire Tom DeLay As House Majority
Leader. Please Sign Our Petition Urging Congress To Remove DeLay From
His Leader Post.” (MoveOn.Org PAC Email, “Help Fire Tom DeLay,”
4/6/05)

Public Campaign:

Since 2001, Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute
Has Given $750,000 To Public Campaign. (Open Society Institute
Webpage, www.soros.org, Accessed 3/30/05)

“Eight Watchdog Groups, Which Banded Together In 2003 As The
Congressional Ethics Coalition, Held A News Conference [January 3,
2005] To Protest The Proposed Changes [In House Ethics Rules] …” (Mike
Allen, “GOP Abandons Ethics Changes,” The Washington Post, 1/4/05)

“A Copy Of The Letter, Which Called On House Leaders ‘To Reinstate The
Old Rules,’ Was Provided To The New York Times By The Public Campaign
Action Fund, A Private Group That Monitors Campaign Fund-Raising And
Has Long Been Critical Of Mr. Delay.” (Philip Shenon and Sheryl Gay
Stolberg, “10 Ex-G.O.P. Lawmakers Attack Changes In Ethics Rules,”

The New York Times, 4/15/05)

“The Public Campaign Action Fund, A Nonprofit Funded In Part By
Billionaire George Soros, Is Spending $25,000 To Sponsor An Online
Petition Drive That Calls For Delay To Resign.” (Mary Curtius, “Delay
Fires Up GOP Troops For Counterattack,” Los Angeles Times, 4/3/05)

“The Daily DeLay Weblog, Maintained By The Public Campaign Action
Fund, A Liberal Group …” (Richard E. Cohen, “Doubts Over DeLay,”
National Journal, 12/18/04)

Public Citizen:

Since 2001, Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute
Gave More Than $180,000 To Public Citizen. (Capital Research Center
Website, www.capitalresearch.org, Accessed 3/16/05)

“Eight Watchdog Groups, Which Banded Together In 2003 As The
Congressional Ethics Coalition, Held A News Conference [January 3,
2005] To Protest The Proposed Changes [In House Ethics Rules] …” (Mike
Allen, “GOP Abandons Ethics Changes,” The Washington Post, 1/4/05)

> The fact that you might *prefer* the people you do not like to be
> responsible for them does not change reality.

I personally suspect that there are just as many right wing
astroturfing social networks funded by rich Republicans. George Soros
is just a really great example of this because he as SO MANY different
little organizations in his networks. I have counted over 100
different organizations that have accepted Soros money to lobby for
left wing issues.

As a libertarian, I applaud the fact that Soros can do this! While I
may disagree vehemently with his politics, I will defend his right to
them.

> Of all the many astroturf situations I have heard about over the last
> decade, the overwhelming majority were right-wing or libertarian funded.

So where is your list?

> The only time I have heard a journalist do a He-Said-She-Said and try to
> mention a supposedly left-wing astroturf, to balance mention of a right-wing
> one, that organisation was one that I (and many other people I know)
> actually joined, and actively support with email protests .... hence
> manifestly not a cashroots organization at all, but a genuine one.

So the only "genuine" organization is one that you belong to? Now
THAT's funny. I suppose then that the Tea Party movement is not a
"genuine" organization for you. I'm sure Sarah Palin is throwing her
billions into cashroots causes... LOL.

Soros is up to his neck in this stuff, and anyone who says otherwise
is really ignorant of the situation. Not that there is anything wrong
with that, but to deny it is silly.

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=498740
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_Coming_Together  (even sounds astroturfy)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Society_Institute
http://www.soros.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_American_Progress
November 2008 article in Time stated that "not since the Heritage
Foundation helped guide Ronald Reagan's transition in 1981 has a
single outside group held so much sway."[4] (They helped write the
Obama Care Bill)

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=498740
So what looked like a wildfire grassroots movement really was a
manipulation from OSI's glassy Manhattan offices. The public had no
way of knowing until the release of OSI's 2006 annual report.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soros_Foundation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Society_Foundations

Shall I go on? I think not.

Soros isn't behind all the stuff that the right wing accuses him of,
but he is definitely a big time player.

-Kelly