Comments on: We Berate, You Deride – A look at Steven J. Milloy’s current affiliates and backers

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:32:19 +0000

Incredulous,

The reason why quacks and hacks like these guys get play is because the selfsame corporate interests they shill for often have control over the media outlets most people have access to–and they want to make sure their views reach the optimal audience.

It’s a vast, multilayered web of influence that ensures the average person is subjected to the viewpoints the corporatist state wants us to hear.

By: Incredulous

Incredulous — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:42:11 +0000

Really, I don’t understand why these quacks continue to get any play in the mainstream media. They’re proven paid hacks for corporate interests – nothing more.

By: jeff

jeff — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:48:48 +0000

Interesting post, interesting family tree.

Jeff

By: Brian Angliss

Brian Angliss — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:34:02 +0000

I happy to report that we've been linked at the blog for ExxonSecrets.org. We love dirt on Steve "JunkMerchant" Milloy

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:19:05 +0000

HAH! That’s brilliant! Since their philosophies are actually failures in the real free market, they use the fund for corporate welfare and getting recognized by the pundit class.

The hypocrisy of these people is utterly boundless.

By: Brian Angliss

Brian Angliss — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:39:34 +0000

Many Ron Paul fans wouldn't really care, but some would. It would depend on whether their libertarian impulses led them to a caretaker role (rare) or were tempered by a moral impulse against letting their freedoms infringe on the very lives and freedoms of others (uncommon). I may not be a big fan of hard-core libertarianism, but I've met more than a few to took it to the next step and said "the U.S.' freedom to pollute ends when it infringes on the freedom of others to live without the effects of our pollution." One interesting thing I came across while researching the Free Enterprise Action Fund is that the fund is underperforming the S&P500 even though it's invested in a large number of the S&P500 companies (Portfolio). The difference is that the FEAFund invests in the companies who aren't following SRI and CSR guidelines (because Milloy and Borelli are anti-CSR/SRI advocates) There's an article about this specifically at Slate: A very curious right-wing mutual fund

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:09:25 +0000

Astounding work, Brian. This is a credit both to your incredible abilities as a researcher, and your ability to connect the dots and see the larger picture.

The web of influence among the conservative (and libertarian, don’t forget) upper echelons is tangled, deep, and dark, but you’ve shone some much-needed light.

Well done, sir.

Oh, and I wonder how the Ron Paul drones will take to the notion that their savior has a guy who helps propagate a right-wing mutual fund AND global heating denials on the payroll. You might want to put that hook out there if you want to get these articles more traction.

By: Brian Angliss

Brian Angliss — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:08:10 +0000

I’ve looked pretty deeply on the global warming/bogus science side of Steve Milloy, but there’s a whole other side to him that I haven’t covered, namely his work against corporate social responsibility and socially responsible investing. I’ll probably dive into that side of Milloy eventually.

By: Dr. Slammy

Dr. Slammy — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:51:25 +0000

This whole series has been just phenomenal. It’s important for how it throws back the curtains on DemandDebate and Milloy specifically, but there are also a lot of generalizable lessons about how conservative astroturfing works. I think if you can get your head around this network of deceit you’ll be better prepared to deal other kinds of disinfo and noise machines.

Really outstanding work, Brian. We’re in your debt.

By: Scholars and Rogues » We Berate, You Deride - A closer look at the background of Steven J. Milloy, executive director of DemandDebate.com

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:19:22 +0000

[...] – DemandDebate.com’s survey on the scientific consensus surrounding global heating Tomorrow: A look at Steven J. Milloyâ€™s current affiliates and backers [...]

By: Scholars and Rogues » We Berate, You Deride - DemandDebate.com’s survey on the scientific consensus surrounding global heating

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:16:30 +0000

[...] look at the background of Steven J. Milloy, executive director of DemandDebate.com Wednesday: A look at Steven J. Milloyâ€™s current affiliates and backers [...]