Verizon tries to downplay sponsorship of Hannity's rally for mountaintop removal

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Here's what they told The Charleston Gazette's Ken Ward:
"Basically, this was a decision at the local level to support the community. It did not involve the company's political positions at all.
In this particular situation, we are supporting the event because it's a local event. It wasn't an effort to take a position on any particular issue."

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WVBlue reacts:
There are more gaping holes in their explanation than the average horror movie plot:

(1) This isn't some local arts festival or veterans parade. Don Blankenship's Youtube invite to the event says, "We're going to have Hank Williams and have a good time but we're also going to learn how environmental extremists and corporate America are both trying to destroy your jobs."

(2) The projected crowd size dwarfs any local event for Southern West Virginia. (At the very least, an accurate description is a regional multi-state event.)


(3) International figures Ted Nugent and Lord Monckton are both notorious for controversial views (to put it mildly). Nugent is the emcee, Monckton is one of prominently featured speakers.

more:
http://wvablue.com/diary/4938/verizon-wireless-hits-a-dead-zone
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The petition against this bullshit (PLEASE sign it!!):
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27824

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AP's half-assed story:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/09/01/business-mobile-telecommunications-financial-impact-us-friends-of-america-rally-west-virginia_6837165.html

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Jeff Biggers: Verizon Wireless Dumped Glenn Beck: Will It Dump Bizarre Big Coal Sponsorship?
http://www.alternet.org/rss/the_wire_provided_by_huffington_post/87331/jeff_biggers:_verizon_wireless_dumped_glenn_beck:_will_it_dump_bizarre_big_coal_sponsorship/
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Thanks to those who've been helping out on all of this and passing me info.
More updates to come.

[DCKit]

1. Kick

Verizon sucks Cox Cable. Poorly.

[DCKit]

2. Kick

Verizon sucks Cox Cable. Poorly.

[anigbrowl]

3. This is kickable

[burrowowl]

4. Kick! Good for Sending to

:kick:

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

5. .

bumping for the morning