So Bush an company are up to it again with another Astroturfing campaign, and I think this search string for this one is my favorites.
If you’re not aware, “astroturfing” is the practice of going to measures to give the appearance of FAKE GRASS-roots support, hence the name “astroturf”. I’m sure the cleverness makes you want to fall off the sidewalk!
Anyhow, Googling this phrase: “New job figures and other recent economic data show that America’s economy is strong and getting stronger - and that the President’s jobs and growth plan is working. The Labor Department announced that employers added 288,000 new jobs in April. In total, over 1.1 million jobs have been added since August, with 8 consecutive months of gains.” shows not only 860 or so results fron newspapers all across the country, but also a link to GeorgeWBush.com, where the form letter originated. 100% true and accurate information, I’m sure.
These letters are sent in by “normal people” like “you and me” and published usually in the Opinions section of local newspapers. The average Joe just voicing their opinion. It’s what a Democracy is based on, isn’t it?
But sometimes the average Joe just doesn’t know how to express himself. So, that’s where the GOP steps in, writing letters for their members to carbon copy and ship off to their local Editor-in-Chief to be read by all who venture to the Op/Ed page.
This has been going on forever, I’m sure, but now thanks to things like Google, we can track messaging back to the source a little bit better than before.
Ah yes, propaganda is fascinating, isn’t it?
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