We see the energy industry pushing the slogan “Get it Right” in some much of their comments and communications. We now see a website that has a similar name…http://www.getitrightalberta.ca/home.asp Coincidence? Perhaps!
Is this really an independent group of concerned citizens who are behind the site? Or is there something else going on here? Watch the video on the site of the news interview. The “guest” is clearly vague about the pointed questions as to who these folks and what this “citizens initiative” is about.
This may be an old school and popular American PR technique very often used by big business interests. Big Tobacco and (Big Oil?) have been notorious for using this tactic. They form these “ghost sites” and phony organizational fronts to try and create an impression that there is a grassroots concerned citizen’s movement. That movement just happens to be 100% aligned with the cause and claims of the business or industry sector.
It is kind of like the Quebec police who were caught masquerading as protesters at the recent meetings between Harper and Bush. The keystone kops were clearly trying to incite a riot so their comrades could move in with full force to “quell” the “uprising.” At least they got caught and eventually “fessed up!”
I don’t know if that is the case with this website but my Liberal friend Davberta has done some digging as to who is behind this site and he asks some critical questions. Visit him and follow the links through the site – then make up your own mind as to who is pulling the strings on this puppet.
More respect and credibility is being forfeited here by the energy sector if they are using these misleading and manipulative tactics on trying to avoid paying a reasonable and fair share royalty amount.
They would be better advised to set up a Facebook group in support of their cause. It would show some creativity and integrity too.
Is this really an independent group of concerned citizens who are behind the site? Or is there something else going on here? Watch the video on the site of the news interview. The “guest” is clearly vague about the pointed questions as to who these folks and what this “citizens initiative” is about.
This may be an old school and popular American PR technique very often used by big business interests. Big Tobacco and (Big Oil?) have been notorious for using this tactic. They form these “ghost sites” and phony organizational fronts to try and create an impression that there is a grassroots concerned citizen’s movement. That movement just happens to be 100% aligned with the cause and claims of the business or industry sector.
It is kind of like the Quebec police who were caught masquerading as protesters at the recent meetings between Harper and Bush. The keystone kops were clearly trying to incite a riot so their comrades could move in with full force to “quell” the “uprising.” At least they got caught and eventually “fessed up!”
I don’t know if that is the case with this website but my Liberal friend Davberta has done some digging as to who is behind this site and he asks some critical questions. Visit him and follow the links through the site – then make up your own mind as to who is pulling the strings on this puppet.
More respect and credibility is being forfeited here by the energy sector if they are using these misleading and manipulative tactics on trying to avoid paying a reasonable and fair share royalty amount.
They would be better advised to set up a Facebook group in support of their cause. It would show some creativity and integrity too.
The getitrightalberta.ca website is a classic example of astroturfing. A phony grass-roots movement backed by industry. Yawn.
ReplyDeleteI notice that your blog has attracted an uptick in anon posts attackig you. Doubtless, this is just part of the information campaign by the oil industry. Predictable.
Uhhhhh, Ken hate to tell you but your "advice" to Industry has been taken.. there is a facebook group
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12110905623
That didn't take long. Only 60 members as of 9:51am Oct 4th.
Like many facebook groups this looks like a place to digitally "shake your fist" and not too much more. It's unfortunate that it couldn't be used for some real dialogue about the issue.
Some of the rightwinger are slaves at heart, defending the oil companies and the Klein government for giving away our resources so cheaply and cheating us over and over again. Just like Klein sold the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary, I believe it was for about a quarter of its worth.
ReplyDeleteI have to give credit to Stelmach for not just covering the whole thing up, though maybe that was not possible. But he was a member of Klein's cabinet, and they should all wear a scarlet "C" for corrupt or crooked.
Hi Bill - I hardly think it was my advice that caused the Facebook group for form but I am not surprised it happened.
ReplyDeleteThe Astroturf (a phony "grassroots" website) approach is very off-putting for serious and influential cyber-citizens. These tactics inevitably get found out and do more harm than good for the "cause" and the credibility of an advocacy group - be it Big Tobacco, Big Oil or an Over-the-Top NGO.
How can you post on your website the following: "I exercise my right to freedom of speech through this site" but you wont allow others to. Turn off your moderating and allow albertans to get to the heart of this discussion! You clearly are not "interest in real democracy."
ReplyDeleteAnon at 1:28 - why don't you start your own blog and we will come there to see if you have anything worthwhile to say.
ReplyDeletePlease do not be anonymous though -it would impede your credibility.
I hardly think this Blog is so important that it is the vehicle to "allow Albertans to get to the heart of this discussion."
Pray tell what is "real deomcracy" - where everyone agrees with you and you get to make all the decisions for the rest of us?
Democracy is messy - deal with it!
Ken:
ReplyDeleteWho cares who is behind the "Get It Right Alberta" web site. They have as much right to state their opinion as you do. Perhaps it is easier for you and the media to attack their integrity than to deal with their arguments. And don't use that old line about being anonymous with me. That's your usual line when you have no reasoned response to an argument.
Who cares who is behind Astroturf sites? Everyone who believes in honesty, transparency, integrity, accountability, responsibility, freedom, openness, dialogue and yes - democracy and citizenship should care who is behind this website...for all those reasons.
ReplyDeleteThey have as much right to state their opinions...even anonymously if they choose. However, if they want to be believed and have their opinions taken seriously they ought not to engage in such misleading and secretive practices.
The rest of us get to judge them and weight those opinions for credibility and integrity - especially under such circumstances.
The rest of us can decide it this site is informative and persuasive or simply pure propaganda.
I don't know who they are and what their motives are or how knowledgeable or informed they are. So I ignore them or se them as background noise that simply interferes with the real conversations that are going on.
Dealing with the arguments of the secret society of anonymous commentators has been quite easy. That is because they are usually so poorly articulated and provides so little substantive evidence to support them.
I do know one thing and that the cost of freedom is vigilance. If I can't verify information or if opinions are from people hiding behind electronic curtains of anonymity or smokescreens like Astroturf sites - then I drastically discount the content and context of such comments - including yours.
Creekside has more about this;
ReplyDeletehttp://creekside1.blogspot.com/2007/10/getitrightorelsealbertaca.html