Watch out for Op-Ed astroturf : AZ IMC

Working together these folks from all walks of life can give the impression of a groundswell of grassroots approval for complex policy proposals they have not read and probably do not understand. They do this because they have faith.

Sue Miller, the concerned and hard working assistant director of security for Desert Diamond Casino thinks the media should share her faith in the Bush economic growth package. She’s willing to bet on it. To her credit she personalized her version of these talking points more than most. Here’s her letter.

Arizona Daily Star, Tucson AZ, 1/16/2003

Believe in Bush

President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. His economic growth package takes us in the right direction by accelerating the successful tax cuts of 2001, providing marriage penalty relief and providing incentives for individuals and small businesses to save and invest.

I am not one of the rich people who will supposedly benefit from this plan but rather a concerned and hard-working citizen who believes in this president.

Instead of attacking the president, the media should help to support and further unite our country in this time of crisis.

Sue Miller

Assistant director of security Desert Diamond Casino
http://www.azstarnet.com/star/thu/30116thursletrpckg.html

Bellow is the full version submitted and printed under 11 names in 11 papers and some advise on how to respond when you spot this kind of thing. Thanks to http://atrios.blogspot.com/

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Bush tax is proposal is the right way to go

January 8, 2003

Dear WHEC,

When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us in the right direction by accelerating the successful tax cuts of 2001, providing marriage penalty relief, and providing incentives for individuals and small businesses to save and invest.

Contrary to the class warfare rhetoric attacking the President’s plan, the proposal helps everyone who pays taxes, and especially the middle class. This year alone, 92 million taxpayers will receive an immediate tax cut averaging $1,083 and 46 million married couples will get back an average of $1,714. That’s not pocket change for a family struggling through uncertain economic times. Combined with the President’s new initiatives to help the unemployed, this plan gets people back to work and helps every sector of our economy.

Sincerely,

Kyle Klink
32 Medallion Drive
Rochester, NY 14626-3206
http://www.10nbc.com/index.asp?template=item&story_id=6220

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Bush tax cuts help economy, create jobs

David Bednarski, Wausau EDITOR: When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us... http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhopinion/280902175259552.shtml

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Genuine leadership

TREVOR CARLSON, Santa Rosa EDITOR: When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us... http://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/letters/14letts.html

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President Bush is delivering the right proposal at the right time

Derick Mfoafo Lynchburg, VADear Lynchburg Ledger: When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us... http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:EWHDmaFTfAAC:http://www.theledgeronline.com/opinion/letters/+%22When+it+comes+to+the+economy,+President+Bush+is+%22+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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Bush plan shows leadership
DAVID O’GRADY Jericho When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes... http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:w465eLRUlg0J:rutlandherald.nybor.com/Editorial/Article/59085.html+%22When+it+comes+to+the+economy,+President+Bush+is+%22+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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Bush tax cuts commendable
SANDRA RAUSCHHUBER , BOULDER CREEK
When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us... http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:_8x-qo2pUB8J:http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2003/January/15/edit/let.htm+%22When+it+comes+to+the+economy,+President+Bush+is+%22+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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Edward T. Kranick, APPLETON — When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us... http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:HR3ZPCuV2PwJ:http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/opinion_8046680.shtml+%22When+it+comes+to+the+economy,+President+Bush+is+%22+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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Bush plan gets people back to work, helps every sector of our economy
By Scott L. Herrin, Jan 8, 2003
When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he has proposed takes us... http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:Eheb6DL90FYJ:http://www.themercury.com/stories/article.9366.aspx+%22When+it+comes+to+the+economy,+President+Bush+is+%22+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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Sarah Kocal Grayslake, -Genuine leadership- When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us...
http://216.239.37.100/searchq=cache:i2i6qHhkKggJ:http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/opinions/letters/w10letters.htm+%22When+it+comes+to+the+economy,+President+Bush+is+%22+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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Michael Snyder, Merced, Jan 9, 2003 -Bush economic plan worthwhile-
These are more uncertain times than we have experienced as a nation in quite some time. When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us... http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:kD5z6pxRVwgJ:http://www.mercedsun-star.com/opinions/276746677936322.shtml+%22When+it+comes+to+the+economy,+President+Bush+is+%22+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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NICK KOSZYKOWSKI, Dodgeville -... or genuine leader?
To the editor: When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership. The economic growth package he recently proposed takes us... http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:BIhRwyt1ep0C:http://www.upgroup.com/gazette/Archives/aletters.html+%22When+it+comes+to+the+economy,+President+Bush+is+%22+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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Editors are usually unhappy about publishing astroturf letters, but for some reason they're unable to spot even painfully obvious ones like this one. Maia Cowan has this advice:

If you see the Astroturf letter in a newspaper, write to the Letters Page editors to let them know they've been scammed. Include the list of newspapers where the identical letter has appeared. It may help them recognize and avoid other form letters.

Write your own letter to provide facts to counter the disinformation in the form letter.

When you write your own Letter to the Editor, choose a few crucial facts and focus on them. Try to keep the letter to about 150 words, the average acceptable length. Use your own wording. Be polite. And remember, spelling counts.
http://failureisimpossible.com/dosomething/sod.htm

I would sure appreciate having the captions under photos to be printed in bold block letters instead of italics. For people with diminished eye sught it is near impossible to read them with comfort. The Phoenix paper uses that feature. Thanks for any consideration.

George Mason
190E Busby Dr.
Sierra Vista, Ax 85635