The Washington Post 04/12/12 Tom Hamburger
“Trayvon Martin Shooting spurs protests against companies with ties to legislative group”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trayvon-martin-shooting-spurs-protests-against-companies-with-ties-to-legislative-group/2012/04/12/gIQAs8HuDT_story.html
In recent days, advocacy groups have targeted more than a dozen corporations over their financial support for the conservative organization that encouraged states to pass the “Stand Your Ground” legislation cited as a defense for George Zimmerman, the man charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 shooting.
The advocates are celebrating decisions by several major food and beverage companies to sever financial ties with the organization, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, McDonald’s, Kraft Foods and Wendy’s have cut their support for the group, although all played down any connection to the Florida shooting.
The ALEC controversy is now sparking a broader debate about corporate participation in politics and the polarized state of political discourse. At a minimum, it has strengthened calls for companies to develop clear policies explaining their spending.
“I would caution companies to be very aware of where their money is going,” says Nell Minow, director of GMI Ratings, which provides corporate governance information to investors, corporate auditors and regulatory agencies. “Companies are going to realize they can take a real reputational hit with this kind of affiliation.”
Ron Scheberle, executive director of ALEC, said Thursday that the attacks are part of an “intimidation campaign . . . to silence our organization” led by left-wing activists opposed to the group’s free-market agenda.
The list of companies now targeted includes AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Diageo, Wal-Mart and the industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
Common Sense Review
When this incident came out and people were hollering “Racism” yet Zimmerman was Hispanic, I thought there is an underlying issue that will be brought up.. In a discussion with a group, I said this will be a gun issue.. It is coming out, I am kinda right…
The one thing I didn’t like about this article is it didn’t say who were the organizations intimidating ALEC companies? After some research I found some of them…
Common Cause.org (Motto: Holding Power Accountable) Has a preprinted protest for anyone to sign up , in a “Keep It Simple Stupid” format. The message in the letter:
Stop risking your company’s reputation. Your association with the American Legislative Exchange Council aligns you and your stockholders with a partisan drive to deny millions of Americans their right to vote, an attack on public schools, and the proliferation of “Stand Your Ground” laws that promote vigilantism.
You company probably joined ALEC to get help in lobbying for legislation that impacts your business. But ALEC’s agenda these days puts the pursuit of private profit ahead of the public interest. It pulls business leaders like you into a radical ideological crusade involving issues that have nothing to do with your company.
The undersigned urge you to join leaders of Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft Foods, Intuit and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in withdrawing from ALEC. Be a good corporate citizen. Protect your company’s good name.
As well as, on their “10 Things you can do to Help”, #6 “Be a Mentor to a Young Person or Help Out at a local School”… I have a feeling they are not encouraging the study of the Constitution or Founding Fathers…
People for the American Way, whose mission statement is “People For the American Way is dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American: Equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way.”
Board of Directors include
• Alec Baldwin, Actor
• Kathleen Turner, Actress
• Rev. Timothy McDonald, McDonald is deeply rooted in struggles for civil rights, economic and social justice
• Deborah Rappaport, president of the Rappaport Family Foundation, make investments in and provide operational support to entrepreneurial progressive organizations and individuals, with a particular focus on increased voter participation and increased progressive voices in the media.
Progress Now,(Motto: Building Online Progressive Movement… Translation… “We are going to get your kids”)
Mission: “ProgressNow State Partners serve as non-stop, multi-issue advocacy organizations. Year-round, we promote progressive ideas and causes with creative earned media strategies, targeted email campaigns, and cutting-edge new media. Working with our allies, we have significantly improved the communications effort of the entire progressive community in our states.”
Executive Director Denise Cardinal was press secretary for sitting North Dakota Democratic Senator Kent Conrad..
It is time to put these Progressive organizations in their place…. Time to Army up…
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