Enviro. lobbyist apologizes for threatening to expose lawmakers positions

[Rose Siding]

Guess these state reps (2 Rs and a D) REALLY didn't want the folks at home to know how they were voting! What other leverage do public interest groups have besides exposure for opposing policy that violates their interests?

snip>
Schaufler said Blevins visited him, Bruun and several other lawmakers in their offices warning that the Oregon Environmental Council would run radio and newspaper advertisements against the lawmakers in their respective home districts.

Blevins, in his letters to Schaufler and Bruun, said he was only trying to give the lawmakers a "heads up" about the council's plans.
...
At the same time, Blevins said the advertisements were accurate in pointing out that pesticides are being used throughout Oregon — including in playgrounds — and that the public will be in the dark without the reporting law.

"The content of the ads is entirely truthful and accurate," he said.
...
The state's pesticide use reporting program has been stalled for years because of opposition from the pesticide and agricultural industries. The budget deal reached this week by House and Senate leaders contains money to put a compromise version of the program into effect.

http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2005/07/28/news/oregon/thuore02.txt

[phantom power]

1. government secrecy is out of control

they no longer think we even have the right to know how they fucking vote on our laws.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Well, there's a lobbyist who just doesn't get it.

You don't succeed with politicians by threatening to tell the truth about their positions.

You succeed by offering them a big enough bribe to make them re-consider their positions.

That's just Lobbying 101.

[Nikki Stone 1]

3. Cynical but true

Damned whores in Congress.