Thursday, August 17, 2017

Supreme Court Justice Headlining at Trump Hotel



(Duck hunting reference: Scalia and Cheney)
The “Defending Freedom Luncheon,” hosted by the nonprofit Fund for American Studies, is an invitation-only event to celebrate “the constitutional framework that has protected our free society and made America exceptional,” according to the group’s website.

[...]

Steve Slattery, the executive vice president of TFAS, said there was no political motivation in booking the Trump Hotel for the event.

  Politico
Oh, sure. Sure. Never crossed our minds.
The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) "offers transformational programs that teach the principles of limited government, free-market economics and honorable leadership to students and young professionals in America and around the world." [1] TFAS is an associate member of the right-wing State Policy Network (SPN).

[...]

Although SPN's member organizations claim to be nonpartisan and independent, the Center for Media and Democracy's in-depth investigation, "EXPOSED: The State Policy Network -- The Powerful Right-Wing Network Helping to Hijack State Politics and Government," reveals that SPN and its member think tanks are major drivers of the right-wing, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)-backed corporate agenda in state houses nationwide, with deep ties to the Koch brothers and the national right-wing network of funders.

[...]

A set of coordinated fundraising proposals obtained and released by The Guardian in early December 2013 confirm many of these SPN members' intent to change state laws and policies, referring to "advancing model legislation" and "candidate briefings." These activities "arguably cross the line into lobbying," The Guardian notes.

[...]

Between 2010 and 2015 FAS received $1,053,574 combined from DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund. The twin Donors organizations are advertised as a way for very wealthy people and corporations to remain hidden when "funding sensitive or controversial issues," creating a lack of accountability.

  Sourcewatch
...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

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