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GLAAD Leaders Pay Price For Shilling For AT&T
Top Boss Forced to Resign, AT&T Lobbyist On Board Being Pressured

As we noted last week, AT&T is using thousands of organizations to parrot support for their planned $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile. A political tactic for years aimed at creating the illusion of broad support for usually anti-consumer policies, such groups usually have no problem selling both their group reputation and constituent interests downstream by repeating talking points -- to keep AT&T donations coming. For the first time that we can remember, there has been a price paid for selling your constituents out for a buck. The head of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has been forced to resign, and a former AT&T lobbyist on the board is also being pressured because of AT&T shilling:

quote:
Following the resignation of Jarrett Barrios as president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation on Saturday, gay activists are calling for reassessment of the group’s policies and for more heads to roll over its backing of AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. . . Influential members of the gay community say they believe Barrios’s resignation is a positive for GLAAD, but that the organization may need to further clean house and revisit its advocacy for causes unrelated to gay rights.

Aravosis called for the resignation of another GLAAD board member, Troup Coronado, a former AT&T official and lobbyist. Coronado’s bio on GLAAD’s website said that from 2008 to 2010 Coronado worked as AT&T’s vice president for external affairs in Los Angeles. AT&T had identified Coronado as a lobbyist for the company as recently as 2006, but the company said in its 2008 filing that he was no longer representing AT&T as a lobbyist.
As we've noted, we've been watching this sort of stuff for years, with constituents usually utterly oblivious to the fact that a group that's supposed to be representing their interests -- is instead busy supporting incumbent telco policies that are almost always anti-consumer in nature. AT&T's heavy-handed tactics in trying to get the T-Mobile deal acquired is pretty clearly educating many people to a tactic that had usually only existed on the periphery of public awareness.
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RDC17
join:2011-05-15
Vienna, VA

1 edit

RDC17

Member

Minorities love this deal!

Who wants to see a combined AT&T - T-Mobile? So far hispanics, cattle ranchers, and the gays do! Its just a matter of time until the NAACP slaps their seal of approval on this one.....

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru

MVM

Re: The minorities love this deal!

said by RDC17:

Who wants to see a combined AT&T - T-Mobile? So far hispanics, cattle ranchers, and the gays do! Its just a matter of time until the NAACP slaps their seal of approval on this one.....

Apparently "the gays" don't want to see that.
kingfisher
Premium Member
join:2007-07-17
Webster, NY

kingfisher to RDC17

Premium Member

to RDC17
»blogs.kansascity.com/unf ··· ger.html

Already endorsed by NAACP Kansas City
ackman
join:2000-10-04
Atlanta, GA

ackman to RDC17

Member

to RDC17
Yours was a pretty ignorant, hateful, and demeaning remark that added nothing to the context of the article. Well done.
RDC17
join:2011-05-15
Vienna, VA

1 recommendation

RDC17

Member

Re: The minorities love this deal!

Huh?

It's a DSLR fact that hispanic cultural groups, cattle rancher associations, and now GLAAD have either said they are or wanted to say they are in favor of the deal, probably in exchange for a nice monetary gift from AT&T.

AT&T knows how to play their cards. If the government strikes down the deal, they can say that the government is against minority interests. That will surely rustle some feathers!

Sorry I'm not as politically correct as you are, but I'm not wearing a white robe and hat.
Expand your moderator at work
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina to ackman

Member

to ackman
I think you drew conclusions that aren't there. I see the OP edited the post so perhaps I didn't see what you did. Based on the current, edited post, how is it hateful to lump Hispanics, cattle ranchers and gays together with the NAACP in the context of being pro merger? The reply is in context to an article that claims many groups are supporting causes that have no connection to the real reason they exist. Considering the typical interest these groups represent, the OP is drawing attention, with sarcasm, that these groups alone seem to support AT&T's position and how that means there is probably very little real support. Not because these groups are irrelevant but because it's pretty far-fetched to believe these groups support something that's so drastically disconnected from their core causes.

joako
Premium Member
join:2000-09-07
/dev/null

joako

Premium Member

Re: The minorities love this deal!

They are lumped together because they've accepted monetary compensation in exchange for publicly voicing pro-AT&T views.
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina

Member

Re: The minorities love this deal!

Is that really the issue? If these groups have genuine reasons to support the merger, having AT&T pay them to be vocal and even motivate their base is not a disservice to their members nor does it have any ethical implications. Although it might be hard to defend, there's nothing improper.

In my opinion, the real connection is the suspension of incredulity required to accept that they have genuine reasons to support the merger. Sans the Cattle Ranchers, these groups are typically pro regulation and watchdog large corporations for rights violations. They generally oppose large mergers because of lost jobs that they believe might unfairly target their base.

Regarding Cattle Ranchers, they usually own lots of ground and a portion of their members may actually profit from leasing ground to cell towers. The consolidation of the two companies will likely negatively affect these leases. At best, this is an extremely weak connection but it's a con, not a pro.

Nanymous
@sonic.net

Nanymous

Anon

Re: The minorities love this deal!

Really?

If a company pays an auditor to cook the books, that's ethical?

The emphasis is that these pro-merger organizations are not QUALIFIED to make any vocal or motivational claims.

There's a reason you cannot give legal advice without licensure...
Cobra11M
join:2010-12-23
Mineral Wells, TX

Cobra11M to RDC17

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to RDC17
said by RDC17:

Who wants to see a combined AT&T - T-Mobile? So far hispanics, cattle ranchers, and the gays do! Its just a matter of time until the NAACP slaps their seal of approval on this one.....

O heck ya we (cattle ranchers) down here in texas want to see the merger!!!!!, NOT!!!, for one i live in texas and ive been here for my whole life, all i can say is im pissed.., AT&T covers texas like no other, got great coverage, and for them to say that they need T-mobile to finish thats complete bull
Expand your moderator at work
dscline
join:2001-09-01
Atlanta, GA

dscline to RDC17

Member

to RDC17
Huh? Where are you getting this? I don't see anything in the article that talks about whether or not anyone likes this deal. What it says is "the gays" weren't too happy with the lobbying and unfounded endorsement that was going on. In fact, it makes it sound like "the gays" are the first group to stand up against such lobbying.

You seem to have completely missed the point of the article.
RDC17
join:2011-05-15
Vienna, VA

RDC17

Member

Re: Minorities love this deal!

It doesn't say, but the president endorsed the deal on behalf of his organization, and now GLAAD has decided that the money isn't worth supporting a deal that has nothing to do with the mission of their organization.

»allthingsd.com/20110620/ ··· his-job/
dscline
join:2001-09-01
Atlanta, GA

dscline

Member

Re: Minorities love this deal!

said by RDC17:

It doesn't say, but the president endorsed the deal on behalf of his organization, and now GLAAD has decided that the money isn't worth supporting a deal that has nothing to do with the mission of their organization.

Exactly. The president of a single gay and lesbian oriented organization endorsed the deal. Then when others got wind of it, they questioned it, to the point of his submitting his resignation. One man does not equal "the gays". In fact, one single organization does not equal "the gays". The fact that this resulted in his resignation shows how much he does NOT speak for the group, much less the entire gay and lesbian community.

Again, your take from this article is baseless.

Alvar
@comcast.net

Alvar to RDC17

Anon

to RDC17
I'm hispanic and I don't support this deal! Stop type casting me!

PhoenixDown
FIOS is Awesome
Premium Member
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY

PhoenixDown

Premium Member

A consumer group to watch out for this stuff?

DSLR has been good about keeping tabs on the shilling (at least in the technology space) but what about big pharma and the rest?

Maybe there needs to be an advocacy group whose mission is to keep tabs on this stuff and to put pressure on the groups that are shilling.

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru

MVM

Re: A consumer group to watch out for this stuff?

said by PhoenixDown:

DSLR has been good about keeping tabs on the shilling (at least in the technology space) but what about big pharma and the rest?

The site caters to the broadband, wireless, and related industries. I don't see much of a reason to keep tabs on other very unrelated industries. Perhaps you could start MedicineReports.com or DrugReports.com...

MarkMPM
@rr.com

MarkMPM

Anon

Re: A consumer group to watch out for this stuff?

This is part of the larger issue of big powers masquerading as Grass Roots. It is a major force for deceit, usurpation, and disenfranchisement of the general populace. And it's not just big corporations. Take for instance the far-right pretending to represent the Republican mainstream.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9 to PhoenixDown

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to PhoenixDown
said by PhoenixDown:

Maybe there needs to be an advocacy group whose mission is to keep tabs on this stuff and to put pressure on the groups that are shilling.

There's no money in consumer advocacy. As soon as some true motivation pops up for "consumer shilling", then the playing field can level out. Don't count on that happening though
sonicmerlin
join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH

sonicmerlin

Member

Re: A consumer group to watch out for this stuff?

said by openbox9:

said by PhoenixDown:

Maybe there needs to be an advocacy group whose mission is to keep tabs on this stuff and to put pressure on the groups that are shilling.

There's no money in consumer advocacy. As soon as some true motivation pops up for "consumer shilling", then the playing field can level out. Don't count on that happening though

What is "consumer shilling"?
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: A consumer group to watch out for this stuff?

What is corporate shilling?
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88 to openbox9

Member

to openbox9
said by openbox9:

There's no money in consumer advocacy. As soon as some true motivation pops up for "consumer shilling", then the playing field can level out. Don't count on that happening though

The USSR will support consumer shilling websites for a glorious people's revolution in the USA.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4 to PhoenixDown

Member

to PhoenixDown
LMAO!

Thanks for the laugh!
GraysonPeddi
Grayson Peddie
join:2010-06-28
Tallahassee, FL

GraysonPeddi

Member

Minor Incident For AT&T

AT&T will probably treat this as a minor incident. Heh heh.

OSUGoose
join:2007-12-27
Columbus, OH

OSUGoose

Member

Re: Minor Incident For AT&T

but are they taking it seriously?
GraysonPeddi
Grayson Peddie
join:2010-06-28
Tallahassee, FL

GraysonPeddi

Member

Re: Minor Incident For AT&T

AT&T does not care if GLAAD leaders are taking it seriously or not. AT&T enjoyed what they have gotten from GLAAD regardless of that. AT&T only cares about money.

OSUGoose
join:2007-12-27
Columbus, OH

OSUGoose

Member

Re: Minor Incident For AT&T

It was a joke on AT&T, was AT&T taking it seriously, a typical responce when something AT&T is doing and gets complaints, the PR firm responds towards the end that "they are taking this seriously"

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 recommendation

FFH5

Premium Member

Stick to Gay rights advocacy?? I doubt it

GLAAD, but that the organization may need to further clean house and revisit its advocacy for causes unrelated to gay rights.

I'll believe that when I see it. They will still advocate for other liberal causes. The uproar over AT&T is because they are supposedly the deserved to be attacked EVIL corporation.

HappyAnarchy
@iauq.com

HappyAnarchy

Anon

Re: Stick to Gay rights advocacy?? I doubt it

said by FFH5:

I'll believe that when I see it. They will still advocate for other liberal causes. The uproar over AT&T is because they are supposedly the deserved to be attacked EVIL corporation.

Of course they will. That is because liberal causes tend to align with gay causes. For example, support for the homeless is a big liberal thing - gay youth is significant portion of the homeless population. Drug rehab and less harsh drug laws are a liberal thing and there is a drug problem in the gay community. Sex education is a liberal platform and is absolutely vital for the health and welfare of gay youth.

This is not because AT&T are evil, it is because AT&T making more money and having more power isn't of direct benefit to the gay community. Last I checked, a significant portion of AT&T stockholders or upper management was gay.

Thespis
I'm not an actor, but I play one on TV.
Premium Member
join:2004-08-03
Keller, TX

Thespis

Premium Member

Re: Stick to Gay rights advocacy?? I doubt it

said by HappyAnarchy :

Last I checked, a significant portion of AT&T stockholders or upper management was gay.

Where did you check this? Link?

n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY

n2jtx

Member

Group Comments

I spent some time on the FCC website reading comments from various organizations and it is really sickening. They also basically parrot the same AT&T talking points almost to a letter in some cases. The FUD they are spreading is mind numbing. Hopefully more members of these organizations will wake up and realize they are being sold out by their leaders. One of my favorites is that the T-Mobile spectrum will allow AT&T to expand rural coverage (as if they didn't have more spectrum than god already) and that prices will be lower due to economies of scale (AT&T and VZW customers want to chime in on their lower bills?).

I would love to believe the FCC would see through all the garbage in the comments filed by these organizations and instead pay attention to the thousands of comments from individuals deriding this merger. Sadly, money talks and BS walks.

OSUGoose
join:2007-12-27
Columbus, OH

OSUGoose

Member

Re: Group Comments

actual in some cases tmobile had the better coverage in bum puck nowhere than AT&T did

djdanska
Rudie32
Premium Member
join:2001-04-21
San Diego, CA

djdanska

Premium Member

Re: Group Comments

said by OSUGoose:

actual in some cases tmobile had the better coverage in bum puck nowhere than AT&T did

If t-mobile actually wants to invest in an area, they tend to build out very well. It's the places they don't invest that get crappy, highway only coverage. If there is a roaming carrier that has good coverage in a rural area, they tend to let the roaming carrier handle it. I've noticed that with them.

DataRiker
Premium Member
join:2002-05-19
00000

DataRiker

Premium Member

About to cancel T-mobile

I will be cancelling my T-mobile service the second this actually goes through.

I wonder how many others will be doing the same?

••••••••••••••

t3ln3t
@rr.com

t3ln3t

Anon

floating peices of poo, in the pool!

Back when I was an SBC/at&t employee, 'the company' would regularly send out e-mails to EVERY employee with e-mail access, urging them to click some link, which would send a pre-written e-mail to designated representatives in the Congress. Often, you were not even able to read the e-mail you were sending to elected representatives!

oh yeah, and let's not forget, at&t is the company that threatens to fire you, if you do NOT donate some percentage of your paycheck, automatically to United Way ... so 'the company' can boast near 100% employee contributions.

at&t is clearly crossing some lines, in my opinion. If they're willing to pimp out employees in this manner, why should we expect 'the company' to act in an honorable fashion, when it comes to local/state/federal activities?

When my employment was threatened, because I chose NOT to let my employer dictate or even know/track my charitable contributions, I told my boss at the time, "If you think this is appropriate, you've got another thing coming! Go ahead! Fire me!" He didn't ...

The fact is, at&t is a dinosaur from the 19th century, that DOES NOT act in an honorable manner, in it's business practices. They frequently abuse employees, AND local/state/federal regulations. So long as it either generates revenue, or saves 'the company' money on something, they'll do it!

I'm SO thankful I don't do one iota of business with at&t! If/when the T-Mobile deal goes thru, I'll be additionally thankful I don't do business with T-Mobile either!

Death to Ma Bell!
down with at&t!
Lerch and Darth Felo can eat my shorts!

CableConvert
Premium Member
join:2003-12-05
Atlanta, GA

1 recommendation

CableConvert

Premium Member

GLAAD Members Should be Commended

I'm surprised that nobody has given the members of this organization kudos for removing officers that would act against the interests of their members. I wish more organizations had a membership engaged enough to know what their leadership is up to.
gorehound
join:2009-06-19
Portland, ME

gorehound

Member

Re: GLAAD Members Should be Commended

i have no issues with gay/lesbians.i have some friends who are same sex,my art has some fans who are,and they are still human beings like the rest of us.
good to them for taking the right stance.we do not want to see this BS Merger go thru.
slckusr
Premium Member
join:2003-03-17
Greenville, SC

slckusr

Premium Member

how do you

send the news in for a tip. i had this linked in the old article and wasnt sure who to send it to.

DataRiker
Premium Member
join:2002-05-19
00000

DataRiker

Premium Member

Re: how do you

You could just PM Karl Bode

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru to slckusr

MVM

to slckusr
said by slckusr:

send the news in for a tip. i had this linked in the old article and wasnt sure who to send it to.

Click here: »/news

Or click on the link clear at the bottom of the homepage that says "got some news?".

Bosnie
@comcast.net

Bosnie

Anon

Communications Workers of America

talk about shills...the very union that is supposed to represent AT&T workers interest, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) bends over backward to make AT&T look good, sending out press releases for them, testifying on their behalf. I wonder how many CWA members are aware of these shameful tactics?
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Communications Workers of America

they all are but those are Unions and they wouldn't lie.
tim92078
join:2010-07-15
San Marcos, CA

tim92078

Member

I'm glaad they forced him to resign.

I was on their mailing list until I got the email message from them about AT&T. My response was brief: "How does signing our organization's name to verbiage written by AT&T's PR department in support of an anti-competitive merger further our cause, exactly?"

I unsubscribed right after that.