Some interesting tactics to use when being shined on by corporate jerks

[Fumesucker]

I just read this post by "spocko" over on Glenn Greewald's column on Salon.. I think this is freakin' brilliant and had to share it with you.. I kind of have a suspicion that this is the same "spocko" that got the reich wing radio show shut down in San Francisco (I think) a while back.

http://letters.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/25/blue_dogs/view/index11.html?show=all


I've been on the other side of this "press can't get into the party" game, or the "it's private property". game.

* If you can't get in do the next best thing, expose the people who are keeping you out. (See tactics below)

* Get a guest list (with photos) or find someone who knows what the guests look like and then call out their names as they go into the party. "Congressman Blank of Texas! Why are you afraid to talk to the press?"

The goal isn't to get them to talk to you, but to show their face while they are going into the brothel (er I mean event). Show their embarrassment about it and their fear of talking to the media. Did someone ACTUALLY cover their head with a jacket? Wow. That is what people do when they have been accused of a crime and are coming out of a courtroom. Not a good image for their progressive competition to have. Send this photo to the local press and the progressive competitor in their city.

Tactics to get to the "No Press" decider.

When the private security guy says you can't come in ask,

"Okay. What is your name? How do you spell that? The company you work for is? And the name of your supervisor is? How do you spell that?"

At that point they will call over level one supervisor. When they arrive do the same with names, spelling and company then say,

"Fine, can I speak to the person ABOVE the security who made this decision? I think they actually want me to attend."

At this point you should get a PR person or a party planner.

Keep pushing the "Who made this decision ABOVE you?" question. Keep getting names and spelling and who they work for who made the decision. If this sounds a little like Roger and Me that is correct, and if you remember that movie you will see just how poorly most companies handle this request for them to explain their policies to deal with the media. Those images make the brand look bad, and they HATE that. As you move up the decision chain you might get someone who figures out that it is not good PR to hide from the press. "I don't understand why you are embarrassed to let credentialed press in?"

Also, when you get to the party planner or PR person you can ask to get a list of who is attending. They will decline. Ask if you can confirm the attendance of people that you spotted outside. If they are going to treat the event like an illegal activity then you need to treat your investigation like a prosecutor.

"Why won't you give the list to me? Are you embarrassed? Should congressmen be embarrassed for attending? Is something illegal going on? If you don't have anything to hide why is everyone coming in afraid to talk to the press?"

And finally, even if you don't get any further than you did this time, you will have gathered names and footage that can be used in the future by progressives who are running against them.

[Fumesucker]

1. Hmm... 23 views and two recommends... Not too shabby a ratio..

So.. Kick.