Via Wikipedia
Astroturfing is the practice of masking the sponsors of a message or organization (e.g., political, advertising, religious or public relations) to make it appear as though it originates from and is supported by a grassroots participant(s). It is a practice intended to give the statements or organizations credibility by withholding information about the source’s financial connection. The term astroturfing is derived from AstroTurf, a brand of synthetic carpeting designed to resemble natural grass, as a play on the word “grassroots.” The implication behind the use of the term is that there are no “true” or “natural” grassroots, but rather “fake” or “artificial” support
It seems like Charter School advocates engage in this slimy and dishonest behavior. Here’s an example from a StudentsFirst created group:
Eager to amplify voices in support of education reform, StudentsFirst has backed an initiative to nurture — and compensate — a new crop of online activists. The organization, founded by former D.C. Chancellor Michelle Rhee, has been providing staff support and fundraising help to the Truth Campaign, which publishes a blog highly critical of teachers unions. The Truth Campaign, in turn, urges supporters to get active promoting ed reform on social media. When they do, they can earn money from the campaign, though Recruitment Manager Drew Hazouri won’t say how much. He won’t say, either, where the group gets its funding — only that StudentsFirst has been supportive. “Our mission is to create voices,” Hazouri said. “We’re creating a community.”
Studentsfirst is a sponsor of Families for Excellent Schools. Hmmmm.
What about this one?
The Truth Campaign for Teachers (TCT) is looking for:
·3-5 New Mexicans who are willing to blog at least twice/week on a variety of pro-reform issues
·3-5 New Mexicans who are willing to comment on/promote content on social mediaBloggers
Ideal candidate is passionate about education reform and is willing to be vocal about issues like the ones StudentsFirst supports.
·TCT would supply them with:
– Daily emails with suggested content and they would choose which topics to write on
– Before posts are final, a TCT write will provide feedback on post to form a compelling blog post
– (Help set up blog if person does not have one yet)
· Prefer that individual is willing to be named but we can work with anonymous bloggers as well
· Trying to get as many volunteers as possible
I hope Charlie Baker and his minions don’t go this dishonest route in Massachusetts, but it looks like there is some history in their behavior.
http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/our-impact/k12-education/supporting-the-high-quality-choice-movement
Our nation is in the throws of an opioid epidemic. Our nation’s wealth disparity fuels part of this as cultures with higher disparity experience higher rates of drug use.
We have a flood of dark money in politics.
We have our public schools under attack.
Welcome to the Sackler Family, America’s newest Billionaire Family, the OxyContin Clan who are now funding a campaign attacking public schools in Connecticut.
It all ties together in a depressing and perverse way.