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| Time to confront the mailer of anti Toy; Contact information for all to call | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 31 2007, 11:03 PM (2,487 Views) | |
| Blue Skies | Oct 31 2007, 11:03 PM Post #1 |
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[size=7]Time to express our outrage over the Laura Toy hit piece (s)[/size] The Treasurer of the Citizens for a Better Tomorrow is listed on the Independent Political Committee cover page, October 25, 2007, is Todd Cook. His residential phone number and his mailing address phone number is listed on this filing with the Secretary of State as 517-487-0315. When calling this number you will get a company called Main Street Strategies. I am encouraging as many people as possible to call this publically accessible phone number, recorded on filings with the State of Michigan in a public document, and ask for Todd Cook. The message to leave if he is not there is simple: Why do developers from West Bloomfield along with a company in Lansing Michigan want to spend thousands of dollars on a Livonia City Council election. You don't live in Livonia. You don't work in Livonia. Stay out of Livonia. If enough people call they will get a sense of how upset Livonia is about these horrific campaign pieces of literatue being sent out about Laura Toy. This phone number was obtained from a public document required when setting up a PAC. |
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| Renee Chesney | Nov 1 2007, 07:34 AM Post #2 |
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I am as disgusted with the pieces as you are, but we know why it was done. The Democrats come up with these fancy little PAC's called Citizens for this and Citizens for that and their pieces are disgusting. At least Wayne 11 puts their name on campaign against pieces, they put their sources for their information and they are funded and from the areas they target. While you may not like their pieces against Maureen, you know where they are coming from and who they are coming from. The Dem PAC's created specifically for highly controversial pieces have no business in our community. |
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| Blue Skies | Nov 1 2007, 07:43 AM Post #3 |
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Actually my post had nothing to do with partisanship. It has to do with having Livonia residents take a stand. It is something that both sides can agree on. We should all object to outside influences mailed out. I tried to identify the name of the head of the Wayne 11 but the names listed on their website are incorrect I have been told and not wanting to give out names and phone numbers of people not actually responsible for the mailing I posted the name and phone number of the person responsible for the PAC heavily funded by developers out of West Bloomfield. In researching the group attacking Laura Toy I have not been able to connect it to any party affiliation. So I will not be drawn into a discussion about party this or party that. This is simply an opportunity to tell one PAC to stay out of Livonia. Regardless of their party affiliation. So I am asking folks to call the Citizens for a Better Tomorrow, Todd Cook, and ask about his reasoning. And then post his response. Everything is not partisan and we should all find common ground to work from. This is one. |
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| Vanna White | Nov 1 2007, 07:51 AM Post #4 |
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I agree 100%. These mailers full of lies and unjustified attacks are disgusting. it certainly does not make it better when we know where they come from. Either way they are wrong and they need to be stopped. |
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| gfr | Nov 1 2007, 07:59 AM Post #5 |
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I agree Blue Skies, This organization who sent this out has no business trying to influence the Livonia City Council Race. Even though the opinions on this board are often very different and heated. I assume they are being given by citizens whose opinions are relevant to this community. I was crushed when she was not re-elected to the senate. Even though she won the Livonia votes, she didn't fare as well in the outlying areas of the district she represented. I am personally pleased that she is willing to continue to serve this city (albeit in a much less glamorous way) go through another election and spend the money to do it. We will be very well served with her on City Council. Perhaps this is why an outside organization needed to find a way to butt-in-ski. Something to fear perhaps? I appreciate you posting Mr. Cook's contact information. I will be using it today to ask him how much time off of work he'd need to take if his mother was suffering through a terminal disease. |
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| Xena | Nov 1 2007, 08:33 AM Post #6 |
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See for yourself how good Renee is at TOTALLY twisting the truth around so her side looks good. Amazing Renee, you have a natural ablity here. Why not use it for the good of mankind, instead of wasting it on this bs. By the way, the REPUBLICANS, your friends, are the ones who have sent the last THREE pieces of lieing, disgusting mailers we have recieved. |
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| Mrs.M | Nov 1 2007, 09:29 AM Post #7 |
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The Democrats come up with these fancy little PAC's called Citizens for this and Citizens for that and their pieces are disgusting. Was Citizens for Livonia's Future a Democratic group??? I know it was a grassroots organization. Maybe those others are astroturfers. |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| LPS Reformer | Nov 1 2007, 09:32 AM Post #8 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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And here I thought we were run by the Masons.
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| Xena | Nov 1 2007, 09:39 AM Post #9 |
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There were people of ALL parties represented on CFLF. God forbid I actually made friends with more Republicians. You know who you are.
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| Mrs.M | Nov 1 2007, 09:41 AM Post #10 |
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing Astroturfing is a neologism for formal public relations campaigns in politics and advertising that seek to create the impression of being spontaneous, grassroots behaviour. Hence the reference to the artificial grass AstroTurf. The goal of such a campaign is to disguise the efforts of a political or commercial entity as an independent public reaction to some political entity—a politician, political group, product, service or event. Astroturfers attempt to orchestrate the actions of apparently diverse and geographically distributed individuals, by both overt ("outreach," "awareness," etc.) and covert (disinformation) means. Astroturfing may be undertaken by anything from an individual pushing their own personal agenda through to highly organized professional groups with financial backing from large corporations, non-profits, or activist organizations. From the Public Relations Society of America Member Code of Ethics 2000 [excerpt]: DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Core Principle Open communication fosters informed decision making in a democratic society. Intent: To build trust with the public by revealing all information needed for responsible decision making. Guidelines - A member shall: Be honest and accurate in all communications. Act promptly to correct erroneous communications for which the member is responsible. Investigate the truthfulness and accuracy of information released on behalf of those represented. Reveal the sponsors for causes and interests represented. Disclose financial interest (such as stock ownership) in a client's organization. Avoid deceptive practices. Examples of Improper Conduct Under this Provision: Front groups: A member implements "grass roots" campaigns or letter-writing campaigns to legislators on behalf of undisclosed interest groups. Lying by omission: A practitioner for a corporation knowingly fails to release financial information, giving a misleading impression of the corporation's performance. A member discovers inaccurate information disseminated via a Web site or media kit and does not correct the information. A member deceives the public by employing people to pose as volunteers to speak at public hearings and participate in "grass roots" campaigns. Techniques A form of propaganda, astroturfing attempts to affect selectively the emotions of the public, whether trying to win a campaign, be the top music record seller, be the top book seller, or gain political support. Astroturfing techniques usually consist of a few people discreetly posing as mass numbers of activists advocating a specific cause. It has become easier to structure an astroturfing campaign in the electronic era because the cost and effort to send an e-mail (especially a pre-written, sign-your-name-at-the-bottom e-mail) is so low. Companies may use a boiler room full of telephones and computers where hired activists locate people and groups that create enthusiasm for the specified cause. Also, the use of psychographics allows hired supporters to persuade their targeted audience. Toy is a contender for the incumbents' seats. It would make sense for them to try and eliminate challengers. |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Mrs.M | Nov 1 2007, 09:45 AM Post #11 |
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Maybe Citizens for Livonia's Future were all Democrats in disguise :ph43r: The Masons?? I didn't see anyone with the ring. |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Al Beabak | Nov 1 2007, 09:55 AM Post #12 |
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No rings, no secret societies, no party affiliations. In fact, quite a diverse group of citizens from all walks of life is what I saw. Except for those strange tattoos
:lol:
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| gfr | Nov 1 2007, 10:07 AM Post #13 |
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So I called Main Street Strategies. Mr. Cook is unavailable and does not have voicemail. The person who answered the phone knows absolutely nothing about the mailer and can't imagine why I was referred to them regarding it. |
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| Vanna White | Nov 1 2007, 11:10 AM Post #14 |
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I have one of those rings. It belonged to my great grandfather. He was a mason, as was my grandfather. I think he was 16th degree muckity muck or something like that. I missed my portion of the national treasure somehow, but I liked the movie. :lol: |
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| mmmmkay? | Nov 1 2007, 11:18 AM Post #15 |
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Called there also. Just keep calling everyone, maybe they will get the message? mmmmkay? |
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| Extra Olives | Nov 1 2007, 11:24 AM Post #16 |
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Here's something for you to think about, Renee, before you go off making half cocked accusations. Mind you, this is just a THEORY, but I believe it is possible that there are those running for re-election to the city council, or associated with those running for re-election, who are concerned that Laura Toy will do very well in the election. Whomever gets the most votes, wins the presidency. Did it ever occur to you that maybe someone from that team just wants to ensure that Toy does not take first place???? I'm not making any accusations. My point is, based on what little we all seem to know about this mailer, you cannot just leap to the conclusion that it was someone from the "Democratic" side. Until I know more, I will not point the finger at anyone or any group. |
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| Blue Skies | Nov 1 2007, 11:25 AM Post #17 |
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Meet Mr. Cook. Taken from the web site of Main Street Strategies. They have the same phone number as the phone number as the one listed on the Secretary of State filing by Todd Cook. I have called also and been told they know nothing. So here is Todd Cook's cell phone number as listed on his web site: 517-281-4042 [size=7] Todd Cook[/size] Todd Cook has over 15 years of experience in political affairs, crisis communication, and grassroots developments. From 2002 to 2007 he served as Vice President of Government Relations for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. In that position he was responsible for directing the chamber’s local and state lobbying efforts as well as running the chamber’s political action committee. His work in this arena was cited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a best practice for chambers across the country. Prior to this he served as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan House Minority Leader. Cook’s other government experience includes tenures as Deputy Communications Director for the Michigan House Speaker, Legislative Aide to a Vice Chair of the Michigan Senate Finance Committee, and staffer to a U.S. Congressman. His non-governmental experience includes time in both Washington and Detroit for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Cook served as SEIU’s Central Region Political Director where he worked with State Directors in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio in creating issue/political education programs, provided direct lobbying support at municipal, county and state level, and coordinated efforts between the state programs and national programs. I really do not expect them to answer any questions at the office but their number is the one listed for contact information regarding the filing posted with the Secretary of State. |
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| livoniarocks | Nov 1 2007, 02:57 PM Post #18 |
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You did just point your finger at the other council candidates. |
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| Whatever | Nov 1 2007, 03:16 PM Post #19 |
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Hmmmmm?...not just council candidates |
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| livoniarocks | Nov 1 2007, 03:26 PM Post #20 |
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Where did he/she mention anyone but the council candidates? |
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