Perhaps, MoveOn members would consider exposing FreedomsWatch.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

It's a RW propaganda gig with few members, immediate big donors and directed by former administration members (for example, Ari Flescher and Brad Blakeman).

See info here:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Freedom%27s_Watch

(snip)(sources edited out for easier reading)

Freedom's Watch is a new White House front group of prominent conservatives with a pro-Israel agenda masquerading as a grassroots movement (i.e. astroturf). Formed only two weeks prior, it began a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign on August 22, 2007 "to urge members of Congress who may be wavering in their support for the war in Iraq not to 'cut and run'."

It has been described as "a covert 'cut-out' organization" and an "outfit dedicated to keeping the war industry thriving." "A sort of shadow White House communications shop has emerged to help the beleaguered president sell his unpopular war to the American people," Jake Tapper and Avery Miller wrote August 22, 2007, at ABC News.

(snip)(sources edited out for easier reading)

On August 23, 2007, Ronald Kessler of the right-wing online publication NewsMax was among the first to introduce Freedom's Watch and its pro-war ad campaign.

As Terry Krepel of ConWebWatch pointed out September 17, 2007, Kessler reported "that 'the total assets of the organization and the largest sources of funds are not being disclosed,' but he made no attempt to explain why (though he attacked George Soros for funding liberal groups)."

On September 7, 2007, as Krepel points out, Kessler again provided no information about Freedom's Watch's founders and funders, although many others in the media had on August 22, 2007. Kessler simply "claimed the group 'has more funding than MoveOn.org and other George Soros operations."

Krepel then informs that one founder's name "should sound quite familiar to NewsMax readers", as John Templeton, Jr. is "the son of John Templeton, whose financial analysis NewsMax has been touting for years -- as far back as 2005". In fact, Krepel informs, NewsMax's Christopher Ruddy wrote August 17, 2007, in NewsMax's MoneyNews that his relationship with Templeton went back to a first visit by Ruddy with Templeton in 2004.

"So, there's some linkage here," Krepel wrote, "through Templeton, between Freedom's Watch and NewsMax that NewsMax should have disclosed in some form (though it didn't disclose its funding from Richard Mellon Scaife to its readers until we started calling them on it). Kessler, meanwhile, should demonstrate a little less fealty to his conservative buddies and show a little more journalistic initiative."

It is pretty obvious that an orchestrated attack has taken and is taking place against MoveOn and Democrats.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. And Freedom's Watch has a new commercial

attacking moveon. :mad:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

2. The RW rag knew in advance the ad would be published: came up with big bucks for attack ads.

It's so new that, as far as I know, no information can yet be obtained about its funding.

As the sourcewatch article posted asserts, its obviously another 'shadow government' type operation.

This organization certainly orchestrated an attack against both MoveOn and the Democrats.

[daninthemoon]

3. Saw it last night. Talk about the kettle calling... I'm sure the Senate

is preparing a censure vote as we speak. Right? Wouldn't surprise me to see them actually have a vote to endorse them. Disgusting

[bdamomma]

7. all the more reason for Move On.org to confront them

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

4. Is there additional information on this FreedomsWatch I am missing?

I've googled, of course, but wonder if DUers have checked into this and exposed other information on this group.

[EFerrari]

8. hootnholler, DeepModem Mom and I were talking about this

I think last week end. You did a fine job! Thanks!

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

11. Thank you. I'm still trying to dig up more info.

These orgs have to submit quarterly reports, I believe. This one appears to have been created shortly after the last reporting period this year and hasn't even been in existence for three months. I wonder if it will suddenly disappear off the radar. I guess that wouldn't matter. It will still have to report receipt of funds.

Cornyn certainly is tied to this org,...took the talking points right off its page. The organized effort in this situation seems absurdly obvious to me but extracting the information from these RW power-mongers is almost always a challenge because they intentionally cover their tracks.

[EFerrari]

12. It's definitely a BushCo bullhorn -- they love to pose

as "grassroots" orgs.

Btw, I went to their site and thanked the bastards for helping recruit people and fundraise for MoveOn.

:hi:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

17. *LOL* You are clever. Hey, I found some info re the board and donors at,...

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/12626.html

(snip)

Mike Allen notes some of Freedom’s Watch’s backers.

Freedom’s Watch aims to do for the GOP what the MoveOn political action organizations have done for Democrats. , who was a member the White House senior staff in Bush’s first term, said Freedom’s Watch is designed as “a never-ending campaign – a stable, credible voice of reason on generational issues that won’t rise and fall with election cycles.”

The board consists of Blakeman; Fleischer; Mel Sembler, a Florida Republican who was Bush’s ambassador to Italy; William P. Weidner, president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corp.; and Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

The donors include Sembler; Anthony Gioia, a Buffalo businessman who was Bush’s ambassador to Malta; Kevin Moley, who was Bush’s ambassador to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva; Howard Leach, a former Republican National Committee finance chairman who was Bush’s ambassador to France; Dr. John Templeton of Pennsylvania, chairman and president of the John Templeton Foundation; Ed Snider, chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, the huge Philadelphia sports and entertainment firm; Sheldon Adelson, chairman of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and ranked by Forbes magazine as the third wealthiest American; and Richard Fox, who is chairman of the Jewish Policy Center and was Pennsylvania State Chairman of the Reagan/Bush campaign in 1980.

Mike Allen, Politico, explored the group back on 8/22/07: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0807/5479.html

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

18. Ah, I guess I missed all the info that was revealed on this FreedomsWatch.

The politico article I just cited reveals,...

(snip)

Opponents of the war say they have uncovered Freedom’s Watch buys in 33 television markets, from Albuquerque, N.M., to Bangor, Maine, to Little Rock, Ark. In many cases, according to the opponents’ tally, the advertisements will air in the districts or home states of Republican incumbents who have wavered in their support for the administration on Iraq. The two biggest expenditures appeared to be in Philadelphia and Washington. There are smaller ad buys in places like Bend, Ore. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), who faces a tough race, was among the first GOP senators to call for an end to the war.

Blakeman would not confirm the buys, calling the list “propaganda by our enemies."

Can you believe these RW freaks! They call fellow Americans "enemies" ONLY because those Americans are revealing information about an organization seeking to petition additional support for a war that benefits corporacrats? Bastards! That is behavior equally as obnoxious as any dictatorship.

WOW!!! :wow:

[EFerrari]

19. Awesome! I tried to find this and couldn't.

:applause:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

24. Aw shucks *blush*. Well, at least now I feel secure in my belief this was an organized attack,...

,...on both MoveOn and the Democrats.

Even more interesting is that this brand-spanking-new, well-funded, RW org is seeking to destroy any moderate Republican candidates or representatives wavering on the Iraq War path imposed by our right-wing corporatocracy.

I would have been better prepared for the events of the last week or so had I known about this back in August but I just wasn't on top of all that. Oh, well. At least, now I know what FreedomsWatch is: a RW-funded, government-backed/tied, propaganda rag.

[hootinholler]

36. Your Google-foo is much stronger than mine sensei!

I didn't find jack on funding for these guys and spent most of a Saturday afternoon at it. Still not confirmed that is who is really funding them, but it's a pretty good guess.

I want to puke every time I see one of their ads exploiting a gold star mother, or a disabled vet.

-Hoot

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

39. Next quarterly report should show some info. I'd sure like to contact those exploited by these ass-

holes. The ONLY PEOPLE they draw in are either the very rich or the most disheartened/disenchanted/disenfranchised among our people which has grown exponentially since the RW corporacrats have taken control over this nation. That's why they, the corpora-fascists work so closely with the theocratic fundamentalists who literally convince the most desperate among us to give their last dollar to BUY a place in heaven AFTER THIS LIFE.

I've seen it. It's horrible. It is disgusting that focus upon the "will" of the poor, disabled, disenfranchised and challenged dominates over the "POWER" of the rich and influential who exploit ANY ONE they can exploit.

[bdamomma]

5. that's a pretty good idea!

[EFerrari]

6. These people are kicking the wrong can.

I wonder how many new members and how much cash MoveOn got yesterday. Just about everybody I know either signed up or donated.

Thanks, Ari!

[bdamomma]

9. yes, sfexpat2000 I was wondering about that myself

how much money did they bring in yesterday.

[hootinholler]

37. Half a mil.

A cool 500 large.

-Hoot

[budibudinski]

10. Forward to Senator Boxer...She fought to keep ad watching out of

the Senate..Here they are..Sen. Boxer and the 25 or so that actually knew what this censure was really about...deserve to have this ammunition in their pocket for future ref. and whenever approached by a fellow Dem, who defvends their NO vote, or a talking puppet repug.


Please give Sen Boxer some of this to enhance her fuel supply.

[EFerrari]

14. Welcome to DU, budi.

:)

[EFerrari]

13. These jerks are the new Swiftboaters. Can we kick this

so people can see?

[AuntPatsy]

15. Sure I will kick it up for you and for us all. The enemy has no desire t lose

and will do anything to ensure victory, we can't afford to be lax in our guard for even one moment in seems.

[EFerrari]

16. Thank you, AuntPatsy.

:hi:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

21. They call themselves "grassroots". ROTFLMAO.

:rofl:

Each is either rich and/or connected with this administration. How the heck is that "grassroots"? Oh, yes, I forgot. This lot of corporate elitists seek to "create" reality for the rest of the country. Therefore, what they characterize as "grassroots" must be "grassroots" because the only reality is the one they create.

Yah. That makes perfect sense,...don't it! :silly:

[blogslut]

20. Their website WHOIS is private

I find that very interesting. Moveon doesn't have a private WHOIS

[EFerrari]

22. Imho, we need to keep an eye on "Freedoms Watch".

We know how these people move, in populist drag and funded from the top. :shrug:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

25. Best characterization EVAR: ",..in populist drag and funded from the top."!!!!

:applause:

dayum, sfexpat2000!!! You are GOOD!!!

:applause:

[budibudinski]

30. Now THAT could make a wonderful Moveon AD..

introducing their competition.

Freedom Watch.. populist drag and funded from the top."!!!!
---------------------
and include a list of WHO Supports It.

[budibudinski]

26. Agreed. Must Keep a Close Eye on Freedom Watch..

They are keeping a close eye on us. We need to stay a step ahead of them since they have now shown what they intend to do with truth and the upcoming election. They are working to discredit all real threats to the truth & keep it from reaching the public.

They are using the power of the Congress to do their dirty work.

IMO our Dems in the Senate need to be made aware of this group and their MO. Who they are and who they will use.
The Dems should not be so complacent as to think the Rove machine has stopped operating just because the little nazi has disappeared from view.

[EFerrari]

27. You're right. The Dems in the both houses need to know about these

bastards.

We need to email Pelosi and Reid because they have a distribution network.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

29. Definitely. Just because they left their posts at the WH does not mean they ended their deception-

machine. To the contrary, they clearly intend to keep that RW machinery running no matter what the consequences to their own nation. Hell, they don't care about their own nation, never did.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

23. Why does that ring a bell? I know I've read,...wait a minute,...

,...*thinking*,...isn't that the server that was used by Rove et al via the RNC?

Maybe, my memory is failing me but I swear I remember reading something relevant about WHOIS.

Anyway, I found a great deal of information that has already been discovered by MoveOn and other progressive organizations. Its posted above.

[budibudinski]

28. bookmarking this page..Thanks for this info..I am sure I will be

referring to it often.
Yep, Pelosi, Reid, Boxer, Feinstein, and all the dems who voted NO, should be reminded what is up ahead for our democracy if they do not take a fucking serious & united stand.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

31. Found it! GWB43.COM AND THE MISSING EMAILS!

I knew I remembered something about the whois server.

This site provides a slew of info: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Gwb43.com

I also found Up2Late's journal about this issue at: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Up2Late/95

[EFerrari]

32. kick

[EFerrari]

33. Thank you for the recs.

:kick:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

38. Thank you for the support!

I really appreciate that!!!!

:hi:

[EFerrari]

43. My pleasure!

:kick:

[Ignis]

34. Smells like a Templeton!

Krepel then informs that one founder's name "should sound quite familiar to NewsMax readers", as John Templeton, Jr. is "the son of John Templeton, whose financial analysis NewsMax has been touting for years -- as far back as 2005". In fact, Krepel informs, NewsMax's Christopher Ruddy wrote August 17, 2007, in NewsMax's MoneyNews that his relationship with Templeton went back to a first visit by Ruddy with Templeton in 2004.

Please see the June/July '07 issue of _Free Inquiry_ magazine for a great expose on "Sir" John Templeton and his motives.

http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=fi&page=index_27_4

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

40. Yup. There is, actually, a very concise network involved in this attack on our nation.

Thank you.

Oh! And Rupert Murdoch, of course, the power-media-mongrel and total global fascist-type capitalist is involved, as well. I'm not surprised. These fascist-like ideologues hang together because they assume their value is way above the likes of you or me.

Figures.

[Ignis]

46. So sad, yet true.

The problem is that the name Murdoch leaves a bad taste in the mouth of most progressives, while Templeton still gets a free pass for his "philanthropic" activities and foundations--which are really just a front for anti-science and pro-right-wing causes.

Of course, you can always expect the oligarchs to work together to bolster the oligarchy.

[Emit]

35. Here's a thread with some info from the other day

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1838429

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

41. Thank you, Emit. Maybe, we can get better on top of these activities.

I wish I would have had more information BEFORE all that transpired the last couple weeks. I wasn't on top of this information.

These people are out to win, no matter what the cost to this country or its citizens. They just do not care about ANYTHING other than winning control over this country. They are so drunk with power and profit, they will KILL a nation,...they will KILL their own children's future because they have NO INVESTMENT IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN THEIR OWN POWER AND PROFIT.

The only way to curb this destructive lot is to expose them and their abuses, over and over and over,...and fucking over, again. They have to be UNARMED from their power over others because they are so destructive.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

42. I hope this is considered relevant information worthy of kicking.

I've seen an onslaught of ads by this so-called "grassroots" org and know democracy is, once again, being bought and sold by those who have the money/power to rule.

[KharmaTrain]

44. Bob Perry = The GOOP Soros x 10

Be assured this scumbag's money is involved...along with the Eberlys and some of our other astroturfers.

[EFerrari]

45. We need to do a rundown on these guys and put it in our back pocket.

I for one am woefully ignorant of where the money comes from. And since they can't actually get a real grassroots effort going, they need to rely on big money.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

47. "astroturfer"?

:shrug: I'm not familiar with that one.