Other than their recent agreement that there shouldn't be broadband taxes, Google and the incumbent phone operators (AT&T, Verizon) just don't get along. They're on completely different sides of the fence when it comes to issues like network neutrality and truly open wireless networks.

Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge pens a piece on how the phone companies are sending their sock puppets after Google to attack their credibility wherever possible. Some are even testifying before Congress as "objective experts" in opposition to Google's $3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick:Cleland, who's employed as a policy agent and lobbyist by the phone companies, is offended that someone would highlight that he's a for-hire PR man dressed up as an objective expert. "Mr. Brodsky is not the first person to come after me for my provocative forward-thinking and unconventional views, nor will he be the last," says Cleland at his blog.

The telcos aren't the only folks firing up their astroturf machine to attack Google. A new leaked e-mail this week embarrassed Microsoft by showing that they hired a PR firm to create a new organization dubbed "Initiative for Competitive Online Marketplaces" tasked primarily with casting doubt on the Doubleclick deal.

The result of these attacks, of course, will be Google's inevitable use of similar tactics, though they'll be up against a formidable opponent. The phone industry has perfected their PR and lobbying game to the point where they're able to use the Department of Justice as a PR agent. The loser in the end will be the consumer, as it's increasingly more difficult to find the telecom truth amidst all the public relations and lobbyist smoke.

Meanwhile, well-lobbied lawmakers have made it abundantly clear they couldn't care less.