Forum Post: The Death of Citizen Koch
Posted 10 years ago on May 23, 2013, 11:28 a.m. EST by shoozTroll
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No, not the super citizens.
The documentary.
"Citizen Koch," a documentary about money in politics focused on the Wisconsin uprising, was shunned by PBS for fear of offending billionaire industrialist David Koch, who has given $23 million to public television, according to Jane Mayer of the New Yorker. The dispute highlights the increasing role of private money in "public" television and raises even further concerns about the Kochs potentially purchasing eight major daily newspapers.
The film from Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin documents how the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision helped pave the way for secret political spending by players like the Kochs, who contributed directly and indirectly to the election of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker in 2010 and came to his aid again when the battle broke out over his effort to limit collective bargaining.
Originally slated to appear on PBS stations nationwide as part of the "Independent Lens" series, "Citizen Koch" had its funding pulled after David Koch was offended by another PBS documentary critical of the billionaire industrialists.
Proving once again, how easily offended by the truth, some people can be.
When the Koch Brothers' political operatives talked 169 members of Congress into promising not to take any action on the climate crisis, they weren't factoring Climate Patriots like you into the equation.
But we did. And we built a simple tool to help you figure out where your members of Congress stand. Find out if they signed the pledge—and tell them just what you think of the Kochs' climate obstruction.
Most Americans are surprised to hear that America currently has NO LIMITS on carbon pollution from power plants. That's not responsible.
But, when our elected officials sign the Koch brothers' climate obstruction pledge, they are putting politics over principles and putting our very planet in danger.
Tell your members of Congress to stand up to the Kochs, and to oppose their climate obstruction pledge.
Heather ShelbyThank you for your activism and support, HeatherShelbySignature Heather Shelby Action Network Coordinator
Share this message on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
In Compliment: What do you do when you're a billionaire and scientific facts about climate change can hurt your bottom line? You fund a massive network of disinformation. And if that doesn't work, you try to buy some newspapers.
Oil tycoons Charles and David Koch are behind nearly every major effort to stall climate progress in the United States. They bankroll anti-science "think tanks", pay "experts" to publish faulty reports—and now they're trying to buy a chain of eight major newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times.1
UCS members are fighting back—exposing Koch-funded "authorities" and sending thousands of letters to newspaper owners asking them not to sell to these ideologues. Our campaign has reached a fever pitch. Will you help?
Stand up for science and fight the Koch machine—donate today >>
It's tough to even track all the ways Koch money permeates America's dialogue on clean energy and climate change. But no one out there is doing a better job than UCS. And we're not just tracking it. We're doing something about it: The Koch Brothers stop at nothing to undermine climate science and clean energy... UCS members stop at nothing to defend them...
Koch-funded campaigns attack progress on renewable energy in state after state—opposing solar development in Georgia and wind power in Ohio through misinformation campaigns, citing inaccurate statistics.2
UCS members give lawmakers the facts. Just this year, you've sent tens of thousands of letters that make the case for renewable energy—and we're winning in state after state, including the Kochs' home state of Kansas.3
The Koch Brothers bankroll anti-science "think tanks" like the Heartland Institute, infamous for its billboard campaign equating climate scientists with Osama bin Laden and the Unabomber.4
UCS exposes the money behind these groups—and publishes science-based reports, trusted by policymakers, that answer tough questions on global warming, extreme weather, nuclear safety, and agriculture.
They hire "experts" to distort science to protect their bottom line. A Koch-owned company was just taken to task for planting misinformation in scientific journals to hide a product's cancer-causing risk.5
Our experts stand up for science in the media, in statehouses, and on Capitol Hill, correcting distorted science through interviews and testimony.
They go after big media. The Kochs are looking to buy eight trusted papers, including the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, where their influence could distort the truth about climate change and energy policy.6
UCS members hold a spotlight up to disinformation in the media. Together, we've exposed Fox News and The Wall Street Journal for their distorted coverage of climate science, and uncovered media outlets that fail to warn readers about conflicts of interest.7
The Koch Brothers will keep fighting until there's no fight left. That's how they operate.
There's only one way to respond. When they distort the facts, we say so and tell the truth. When they lobby lawmakers, we flood offices with constituent calls and letters. When they try to hide their trail of influence and money, we shine a spotlight. When others duck, UCS members stand up, stand together, and fight back—with science on our side.
This fight needs your support right now. Make a special gift today.
There's no time to waste.
Sincerely, Kathleen Rest Kathleen Rest, PhD, MPA Executive Director
FIGHT BACK. DONATE NOW.
http://blog.ucsusa.org/corporate-counterfeit-sciene-both-wrong-and-dangerous-152; http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/business/media/koch-brothers-making-play-for-tribunes-newspapers.html
http://blog.ucsusa.org/ohio-experts-endorse-states-renewable-energy-and-energy-efficiency-standards-161
http://cjonline.com/news/2013-02-28/norquist-pitch-renewable-energy-mandate-rejected
http://blog.ucsusa.org/whos-the-crazy-one-here
http://blog.ucsusa.org/corporate-counterfeit-sciene-both-wrong-and-dangerous-152
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/business/media/koch-brothers-making-play-for-tribunes-newspapers.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/global_warming_contrarians/news-corporation-climate-science-coverage.html; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elliott-negin/unreliable-sources-how-th_b_3255192.html
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
You're not allowed to mention that, under penalty of being attacked by bots!!!
See.
they did attack.
bots shmots - I don't care - let em howl at the moon - it won't phase me.
You just keep going, DKA, but, I, for one, am sorry about your points.
BTW - I generally don't talk about this on the open forum as I don't want the fool (s?) to get any recognition or enjoyment from being mentioned. What would be really funny is if this jerk (s?) was so obsessed as to bring my score as far negative as it was positive at one point in time. That really would be a true show of obsession - Hey? {:-])
Like I say don't respond to this comment as I would prefer to ignore the schmuck (s?).
Points shmoints - as long as I can still contribute - then - I do not care. {:-]) Thanks though for the sentiment.
( Take it down to zero schmucks it don't mean nothen - well nothen except that you are obsessed ).
You just keep going :).
And U 2. {:-])
Does distortion abortion really help.(?)
In my reading, I see you have a hard time doing anything else. Please, try not to be an example. Critical thinking is vital, but cannot be done with distortions.
Moon schmoon?
phase craze - moon schmoon - howlers.
A howler is a kind of monkey..........................;)
Now don't be insulting the monkeys with that kind of comparison - bad enough to insinuate mad dogs - mad dogs have an excuse - rabies. {:-])
Hey......yer the one that called 'em howlers.
I'm just sayin'..............LOL
Besides, monkeys have better morals.
OK OK My Bad {:-]) - now enough about them - they do not deserve the attention. See my earlier comment:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-death-of-citizen-koch/#comment-996503
OK, but the only thing I have on the Koch's today, is that they have backed out of buying the Tribunes. They've withdrawn their bid on the remaining newspapers.
Hopefully, that's a good thing but you have to wonder what else they will do with the money they offered.
Campaign funding - they love campaign funding.
There's always important "charity" work to be done at ALEC.
They've lost some funding and it needs to be made up for to keep things on schedule.
Those pesky public schools and their "union thug" teachers unions have got to be taken care of.
Not to mention, student loan profits.
http://inthesetimes.com/uprising/entry/15446/students_confront_alecs_assault_on_higher_education/
All anyone should need to see and consider is this:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/that-about-sayz-it-all/
"And yet - there still seems to be a lot of people who are wondering why the world is going down the toilet"
HEY!!!!
Toilets cost good money these days, you're going to have to flush yourself elsewhere!!
Sorry. I couldn't resist.
I like the cartoon. I've seen it elsewhere too.
But you know there's no profit in that.
Teach 'em just enough to be semi productive desk jockys and keep 'em on the hook for the rest of their lives. Marriages, mortgages, car payments, babies, insurance, cell phones, cable TV, _.
And so much more!!
Stuff to relieve the stress, too........................:)
Ah, yes...........21st century, schizoid man.
EDIT: Silly me, I forgot computers and high speed internet. gotta get those ads through, might as well make the end user pay for it...........:)
Tell me again how we don't all need a raise?
And yet - there still seems to be a lot of people who are wondering why the world is going down the toilet.
it does not seem fair
course, I was believed points should be assigned by response
here's a link to the New Yorker story about "Money, Power..." and link to post:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/05/27/130527fa_fact_mayer?currentPage=all
http://occupywallst.org/forum/park-avenue-money-power-and-the-american-dream-why/
Meanwhile, they don't have a problem with this.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/05/24/fox-news-host-incites-violence-against-democrats-audio/
The trailer is out here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJvM-rKmDZY
It's getting a bit of needed exposure.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/426582/may-22-2013/-citizen-koch-?utm=share_twitter
RT.com is a great place to get documentaries. Maybe Russian Television can pick it up.
It may get at least an art theater release.
And maybe you'll be able to rent it on video.
http://www.citizenkoch.com/
Some people that actually care have picked up the cause.
http://www.ringoffireradio.com/2013/05/21/private-money-is-enough-to-silence-public-television/
Cheeseheads aren't too happy about yet another quashing of the truth about what happened, and is still happening there.
http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/city-life/citizen-koch-filmmakers-claim-pbs-killed-their-doc-to-please/article_12817724-9c77-5f96-81ef-e330f8e06dd3.html
Hopefully?
HBO or Showtime picks it up and runs the hell out of it.
It needs to be seen.
This doesn't happen in a democracy, but we're not living in a democracy. We're living in a plutocracy where the rich control everything.
http://www.freep.com/article/20130523/NEWS01/305230154/
The EM threatens.
The response is that the art is a public trust.
http://www.freep.com/article/20130524/BUSINESS06/305240065/
There is NO public trust in the minds of the people that would even suggest selling it off.
The hearts of the greedy are hardened, shooz. And, the commodification of art, in general, is a sad thing. I wish them luck in what will not be an easy battle.
You're correct. There's not much more to be said about it.
I'm very disappointed in public broadcast news
half of its about stock shares
They're up, they're down, they're down, they're up.
It's like they're playing vertical tennis with the money.
Stealing some on both ends.
Well it ( "THE" REPORT ) is in practically every news (?) program daily - so that tells the general public just how vital the stock market is.........( fiction pedaled for fact )
This is why God made CD players, although I hear they are starting to phase them out.
Sure bout time - the assholes are probably kicking themselves for waiting so long - I mean with downloading music - who needs the expense of employing people to make and distribute CD's?
I still have a working 8 track recorder............:)
And one 80min blank tape......................................LOL
The good ol days - hey pop in a cartridge would ya - it's to quiet and nothing good is on the radio..................
You gonna donate to the Smithsonian?
I hope to hook it into my computer someday............................:)
See if any of the old tapes will go around one more time for MP3's sake.
Definitely a different sound quality.
Yeah, but they still sound better than stock reports.
Most anything does.
The rebirth of the movie we are all waiting for!!
Crowd funding to the rescue.
"Citizen Koch," a highly regarded documentary about the billionaire Koch brothers and the growing influence of money in politics after the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, suffered a major setback earlier this year when PBS pulled the film and the $150,000 in funding that had been promised. Scrambling to find a way to distribute their film, Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin turned to Kickstarter in a highly successful move that recently surpassed the funds they had previously expected to receive from public television.
As of Thursday, the "Citizen Koch" crowdfunding effort had attracted around $170,000 from nearly 3,400 donors. The average donation was just over $50, with contributions ranging from $1 to $5,000. The campaign -- which catapulted past its initial $75,000 goal after just three days last month -- has quickly become one of Kickstarter's most successful.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/08/citizen-koch-documentary_n_3727038.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
Good news: the Koch's are beatable, but it takes more than just watching a movie
http://occupywallst.org/forum/launch-of-green-tea-coalition-drives-a-wedge-throu/
How's that doing in your backyard?
In mine? It's having no effect at all.
Quite the opposite. Koch/ALEC is barreling ahead at full speed.
I found that thread to feel like the regulator valve on a boiler that's about to blow.
I will accept such victories, as can be had.
But.
The pressure in the boiler is still high.
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Well, it's true they don't promote the psychopath point of view, but with a complete lack of federal funding, they won't have a choice.
That way you won't have to hear about pollution induced cancer, or three eyed fish, and more importantly, the Koch's and their cohorts can better control their "image".
Their control has reached, even to here, but they will always want more.
That's what being a psychopath is all about.
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They can't afford it?
For sure we know they're not decent.
Because - they are not - decent
Wow! Thanks for the heads up. If I watch any mainstream news at all, it's the local weather. And they can usually fook that up as well. Just keep people informed. It really is an info war.
Unfortunately, the guy that coined the term is off his rocker.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/23/maddow-will-weather-weapon-talk-finally-drive-gop-away-from-alex-jones/
Yah, the weather thing seems outlandish. However, other shows such as National Geographic have done shows on what's been done in the name of national security. Question everything, doubt nothing without absolute verifiable proof. The History Channel did a show on the JFK assassination and stated as fact 'No theories have been able to disprove the Warren Commission Report.' Excuse me? The Warren Commission reports the fatal wound as a bullet to the back of the head-the report is online. The MacGruder film alone shows that to be completely false. What I'd like to know is where is all the evidence the MacGruder film is a fake. There is none. The guy himself says he knows where the shot came from and the film is authentic So much for any truth from our history books or the History Channel. In the end, it's the people in positions of power we should worry about-being off their rockers!
Replacing one person that's off his rocker with Alex Jones, doesn't help anything at all.
Prisonplanet is a springboard for all kinds of folks that are off their rockers.
It makes it infinitely worse.
they have a lot of money
it would be wise for the IRS to audit them
And their various front groups and political "laundries" too!!!
Oooops. they tried that. It isn't working out that well so far.
the government apologized again to me today again
That's nice.
What for?
Tax evasion
The government doesn't pay taxes.
or collect them
It's been privatized.
http://www.wnet.org/about/officers/
Good to know what group is really about.
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It gives the term "public" broadcasting a whole new meaning, doesn't it?
It sure does. Looks to me that it's being run by a bunch of douche bags.
The "public", can't afford to run a public station anymore.
The cost of being on the air is going up, and federal monies that allowed it have cut to the bone..
Even so..........
But it wasn't always this way. On November 7, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Public Broadcasting Act.
The act set up public broadcasting in the United States, by establishing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which led to the creation of the Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, and National Public Radio.
After signing the act into law, Johnson said that, “It announces to the world that our Nation wants more than just material wealth; our Nation wants more than a 'chicken in every pot.' We in America have an appetite for excellence, too. While we work every day to produce new goods and to create new wealth, we want most of all to enrich man's spirit. That is the purpose of this act.”
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/16538-the-corporate-dictatorship-of-pbs-and-npr
That's what's been gutted.
I used to get a kick out of hunting down the money behind the shows on PBS. So, you could find money coming from the Army and see that they sure as hell weren't going to be giving the entire side of it. But, when this crap recently started about not funding NPR there was a decided shift and they make no pretense about how white washed their material is. That said, all that this does is show that each and every officer has sold itself down the river and........don't bother running marathons to ask for contributions from the public. On your knees is it? Fine, there you will stay..
In this day and age of PAY TV, the public has little left to give.
Ya, well, at this point, neither public television or public radio news or information can be taken seriously. I don't want to use their information for back up. I am not going to lower my criteria because they did.