ResistNet
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This article is part of the Center for Media & Democracy's spotlight on front groups and corporate spin. |
ResistNet is a website, http://www.resistnet.com/, that says it is "the online community for patriotic citizens who are opposing the Obama-led socialist agenda with a patriotic, idea-based, conservative resistance." ResistNet.com calls itself "the official social network of Grassfire Nation." In 2011, the web site resistnet.com redirected to http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/, which was promoting a "Defeat Barack Obama Radiothon" and a petition against raising the national debt ceiling.[1]A "Start Here New Member Guide" web page on Patriot Action Network says the site is in the throes of changing its name from ResistNet to Patriot Action Network.[2]
The sites ResistNet and PatriotActionNetwork.org were created by a group called Grassfire.org,[3], a conservative issues advocacy group that was assisted, at least until 2004, by Shirley & Banister Public Affairs. Shirley & Bannister served as a "contract publicist" for Grassfire.org, according to a 2004 report by Public Citizen, who received the information in an email from Max Pulsinelli, a Shirley and Bannister Public Affairs account executive, dated May 18, 2004. [4] The president of Shirley & Bannister Public Affairs is Craig Shirley, a long-time Republican PR operative.[5]
The "National Coordinator" of both grassfire.org and ResistNet is Darla Dawald. Dawald blogs at Patriot’s Heart Media Network.
Resistnet also links prominently to http://www.flipthishouse2010.com, another website of the "Grassfire Nation." FLIP, as used on the website, is an acronym for: "F-Free Markets, L-Limited Government, I-Individual & Family Liberties, P-Private Property & Prosperity." While the site claims not to be partisan, its proponents want liberal and progressive politicians to lose elections. [6]
Contents
ResistNet lists the following "Resources, Links, Partners, and Like-Minded Organizations"
- An American Revival
- Anystreet.org http://www.modernconservative.com/index.php
- [asamom.org] "A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots"
- Moms for America http://www.mom4america.org
- Question Obama http://QuestionObama.com
- Independence Caucus http://www.ourcaucus.com
- Tea Party Express
- 912 Project http://www.912citizens.com a conservative activist group organized by Fox News Channel commentator Glenn Beck and which has been extensively promoted by Fox News[7]
Website
Resources and articles
Related Sourcewatch articles
References
- ↑ Patriot Action Network Patriot Action Network home page, accessed May 18, 2011
- ↑ PatriotActionNetwork.org New Start Member Guide, organizational website, accessed May 18, 2011
- ↑ ResistNet ResistNet Radio Show, accessed August 13, 2009
- ↑ Public Citizen The New Stealth PACs: Tracking 501(c) Nonprofit Groups Active in Elections; Selected Consulting Relationships, Shirley & Bannister Public Affairs, web site, accessed May 18, 2011
- ↑ Public Citizen/CongressWatch The New Stealth PACs Report, 2004, 150 pp at Page 99
- ↑ December 17 Blogtalkradio at Patriot's Heart Network [1]
- ↑ Links page of ResistNet
