My task was to comb the diaries and try to put the information we have learned about gopusa all in one diary. Many people have contributed to this, but because information was duplicated I'd rather just credit the "users at KOS" Thank you all
GOPUSA.COM
MISSION STATEMENT:
GOPUSA is a privately-held corporation based in Houston, TX. The goal of GOPUSA is to spread the conservative message throughout America. Through its e-mail magazine (The Eagle) and its web site, GOPUSA is committed to providing conservative news, information, and commentary in a professional and comprehensive manner. GOPUSA strives to be the first source Republicans and conservatives turn to for information, both at the state and national levels.
GOPUSA is also dedicated to providing the tools which allow others to spread their own conservative message. From web site design and other multi-media services, GOPUSA is making it possible for more conservative voices to be heard. (from the Web Site)
How Large is GOPUSA?
To Omega List Company who sells the membership list gives a number of 50,000. It is possible that the 50,000 names are all the names of everyone who has EVER joined GOPUSA/Talon/ MillionsofAmericans. That is how list companies inflate their lists, by not scrubbing old users and duplications. Other places much higher numbers are claimed such as 600,000. I tend to think that people feel freer to exagerate when they are doing PR, as opposed to selling a product.
HISTORY TIMELINE
- September 27 1999, GOPUSA3-DOM Created
December 1999, GOPUSA (according to Bobby Eberle, see interview) started as a Web-design company for Republican candidates. Not much activity and lacking success they reevaluated direction in Spring 2000.
- September 2000, the GOPUSA became Internet news/information/commentary company.
- November 2000, following election, Bruce Eberle, starts Election Integrity 2000 (later known as MillionsofAmericans.com). In the following two weeks, 335,656 petitions delivered to Sec. of State Katherine Harris in support of Bush. In later articles, they claim that 600,000 petitions were gathered. (more on activities in box below)
- January 1, 2003 The GOPUSA news archives began
- January 15, 2003 Gannon byline in GOPUSA
- February 28, 2003 Gannon in White House
- March 29, 2003, Talon News registers its domain name
- April 1, 2003, the site goes live
- April 3, 2003, Guckert goes to work in White House as Talon reporter
- September 2003, GOPUSA Conference
- March 24, 2004 merger of www.millionsofamerican.com with www.gopusa.com (see letter below)
Activities of GOPUSA
GOPUSA has continued in the same vein as MOA including advocacy articles, petition drives, fundraising and other similar activities. They have also sponsored conferences. TalonNews was set up to appear to be a news rather than advocacy site. There also some questionable involvement in campaigns such as the Dasle/Thune race. More later.
Election Integrity 2000/ MillionsofAmericans activities
Following the November 2000 election, Election Integrity 2000 (later known as MillionsofAmericans.com) is created. In the following two weeks , 335,656 petitions are delivered to Sec. of State Katherine Harris urging her to Certify the Bush Victory in Florida.
Petition for constitutional amendment Keeping God in Pledge of Allegiance, MillionsofAmericans.com goes to work asking Congress for a constitutional amendment. 133,139 sign it.
" Jesse Helms announces his plans to retire, and MOA posts a "Thank You" card at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Bruce Eberle's brother, Bob, and the MillionsofAmericans.com webmaster, Jordan Gehrke present the senator with the card and thank him for his long career of service, and his willingness to champion the conservative cause. Over 22,656 readers signed the card."
52,444 sign a card to Rush on news of his struggle with deafness.
"The start of something big--Aschcroft and beyond. January 2001
Bush nominates Sen. John Ashcroft, and the Left is enraged. They go on the attack, calling Ashcroft a racist, and some Senators even go so far as to vow a fillibuster on the Senate floor. Election Integrity 2000, now working under a new name, MillionsofAmericans.com, goes back to work. 275,428 petitions are signed and delivered during a news conference with the Senate Leadership. Ashcroft is confirmed by a narrow margin, and it's starting to become clear just how strong a voice average Americans can have with MillionsofAmericans.com. Click here to see what we did for Jesse Helms."
Election Projects 2000-2002
Elections campaigns in California, New Jersey, and Virginia.
"Past projects include, work in California for Bill Simon in the Republican Primary for Governor, as well as with Ward Connerly and his California Racial Privacy Initiative. Efforts were also undertaken in Alabama and Michigan to limit the expansion of Casinos. Not to mention efforts for Brett Schundler in New Jersey during the 2001 Republican Primary.
The work doesn't stop there though. It continues well into 2002, playing an active role in the midterm elections, working on nearly a dozens different races, at the federal, state, and local levels. The MOA plan last year was to support the President, and we did, by not only supporting his agenda, but by raising money for him at the end of the last election cycle.
The work continues now into 2003 and beyond. MillionsofAmericans.com will continue to push the President's agenda legislatively, working to pass his economic plan, and to confirm conservative judges." (quotes are from GOPUSA web site)
PEOPLE OF INTEREST:
Current GOPUSA Board and Interesting Connections
Bobby Eberle ----------- ? > Bruce Eberle, Eberly Communications Group
some sources indicate they may be brothers; others disagree, we need definative research on this
Kerri Houston -> Malcolm Wallop -> Cheney
Charlie & Melissa Weldon ------> worked for -> Enron
Richard Powell of Austin is also linked -> Scott Mc Clellon through his mother, Comptroller, Carole Keeton Strayhorn of Austin.
No direct evidence, but could a Republican activist/fundraiser whose business involves selling to Texas Public Schools not know one of the major Republican politicians in Austin?
Media Matters for America Democracy for Colorado, "He was the mayor's son in town, everybody knew who he was," the source added, referring to McClellan's mother Carole Keeton Strayhorn."
Board of Directors
Bobby Eberle -- Bobby Eberle received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1990. This was followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in Houston, Texas in 1993 and 1995, respectively. Bobby was a delegate to the 1996, 98, and 2000 Republican Party of Texas State Conventions and was a delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. In 1998, Bobby was named to Outstanding Young Men of America.
Bill Fairbrother -- Bill Fairbrother earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science from Baylor University in 1988. This was followed by a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from Indiana University in 1990. Bill currently serves as Chairman of the Williamson County, Texas Republican Party and has previously served as a Precinct Chairman and chairman of the county Technology Committee. Bill has been active in politics since 1984 when he joined the Baylor University College Republicans. Since then, he has served as a delegate to four Republican Party of Texas state conventions and an alternate delegate to one convention.
Steve Findley -- Steve Findley is the President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Titan Dynamics Systems, Inc., a military technology corporation, located in Marshall, Texas. Steve currently serves as a member of the Rules Committee with the Texas State Republican Executive Committee, and was a delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Steve has also served as a delegate to several Republican Party of Texas state conventions, as well as numerous county conventions.
Terri Hillhouse -- Terri has seven years experience working to build Internet communities, ranging from very large community sites to several conservative political sites. She has a long history as a volunteer and has held multiple offices within various public school organizations over the years. Having always been a conservative, Terri came late to serious political activism. She is very interested in restoring family values and preserving our American system for future generations. She believes that the Internet is the best way to spread the grassroots conservative message.
Kerri Houston -- Kerri Houston is a public policy analyst and expert in media, marketing and external relations for public policy institutes. Based in Dallas, she is director of American Conservative Network, a state outreach project of The American Conservative Union (ACU). Prior to joining with ACU to start the American Conservative Network project, Ms. Houston was executive director of State Policy Network, a member organization of free market state-based think tanks. In this capacity, she served as facilitator for the 37 state public institutes in assisting them to meet their communications, publications and governmental outreach needs.
Richard Powell -- Richard is the founder and president of JPX Interactive Technologies, Inc., a comprehensive technology integration firm offering consulting, deployment and integration services in the business, government and education market segments. He is a former policy advisor(sic.) to Texas Governor Rick Perry, and is active in national, state and local political and civic causes. Richard is a graduate of St. Edward's University.
Charlie Weldon -- Charlie is currently employed with UBS Warburg Energy in Houston as a natural gas commodities trader. In 1995, Charlie became a Board member of the Weldon-Stacey-Blake Corporation and currently serves as Vice President. Responsibilities include corporate portfolio management, shareholder relations, and corporate financing activities.
Corporate Officers
Bobby Eberle, President and CEO -- Bobby Eberle received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1990. This was followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in Houston, Texas in 1993 and 1995, respectively. Bobby was a delegate to the 1996, 98, and 2000 Republican Party of Texas State Convention and was a delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. In 1998, Bobby was named to Outstanding Young Men of America.
Terri Hillhouse, Vice President, Operations -- Terri has seven years experience working to build Internet communities, ranging from very large community sites to several conservative political sites. She has a long history as a volunteer and has held multiple offices within various public school organizations over the years. Having always been a conservative, Terri came late to serious political activism. She is very interested in restoring family values and preserving our American system for future generations. She believes that the Internet is the best way to spread the grassroots conservative message.
Melissa Weldon, Secretary -- Melissa Weldon is the proud mother of two boys, Hunter (age 7) and Blake (age 2). She has been involved in church activities her entire life and has focused primarily in music activities such as choir singing and musical productions. Melissa has also spent extensive time assisting in children's ministries.
Kathleen Eberle, Treasurer -- In 1998, Kathleen received her Doctorate of Medicine degree and is now in her last year of residency in neurology in the Baylor College of Medicine system. Following her residency, Kathleen plans to enter into private practice. Kathleen now serves as the Treasurer of GOPUSA.com, Inc. (although she has put in considerable "volunteer" work for the company in an unofficial capacity since its inception as the wife of the President and CEO of the company, Bobby Eberle)
July 9, 2001 - corporate officers:
Bobby Eberle -- President and CEO
Bill Fairbrother -- Vice President, Special Projects
Jorge Uresti -- Vice President, MediaWorks
Melissa Weldon -- Secretary
Kathleen Eberle -- Treasurer
GOPUSA Senior Writers
Christopher G. Adamo
Gary W. Aldrich
Gregg Bish
Horace Cooper
Carol Devine- Molin
Bobby Eberle
Rick Erickson
Doug Patton
Barbara J. Stock
Longer Bios, Connections and interesting tidbits:
During our investigation of Guckert the board of directors page is scrubbed. Of special interest is Steve Findley as his names was scrubbed before the whole board of directors page was deleted. Could it be because of his business connections?
Steve Findley - President, CEO and Chairman of Titan Dynamics Systems, Inc. Titan is essentially a subsidiary of Carlyle Group. By way of Allied Defense Group (which owns Titan Dynamics Systems) there is a direct tie to the Carlyle Group. One of the Board of Directors at Carlyle (J.H. Binford Peay III) owns Allied Defense Group, who in turn owns Titan Dynamics. By extension they have direct, unimpeded access to (and very likely have full knowledge of) GOPUSA and their partners
Melissa Weldon worked for Enron - and in the nefarious trading operation.
Associate with Enron Corporation in Houston covering natural gas market research, commodity structuring, and natural gas trading; Board member of the Weldon-Stacey-Blake Corporation, currently serving as Vice President and overseeing corporate portfolio management, shareholder relations, and corporate financing activities.
Charles Weldon Also worked for Enron.
Kerri Houston connections. Not only is she on the board of GOPUSA, but Jeff Gannon frequently used her as a source. He uses her here to criticize Subways, and here as an expert on Macedonia.
Her bio on the Fontiers of Freedom website, says
"Kerri Houston, Vice President of Policy
Kerri Houston is a public policy analyst and expert in media, marketing and external relations for public policy institutes. Her areas of expertise include tax, social security reform, and healthcare. Prior to joining Frontiers of Freedom, Ms. Houston served as National Field Director for the American Conservative Union. She was also executive director of State Policy Network and director of external affairs for Dallas' Institute for Policy Innovation. A strong proponent of individual and economic liberty, Ms. Houston is a Brain Trust columnist for Investor's Business Daily, and her opeds have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Dallas Morning News, Forbes magazine, Intellectual Ammunition, and numerous other print, internet and institutional publications. She has appeared on Fox News and MSNBC, and was a frequent guest on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. Ms. Houston is a member of the National Paycheck Protection Working Group and an advisor to the Texas Conservative Coalition's Health and Human Services Task Force. She serves on the Board of Directors for GOPUSA.com and the Board of Advisors for The Project for California's Future. She was also nominated to serve on the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security. Well known for her dedication to presenting public policy in a way that will "pass the dinner table test," Ms. Houston brings a sharp wit and a practical spin to her areas of expertise."
From grannyhelen's diary:
"So she is on the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security. Interesting. But I think she is only a henchman (hench-wyman?). Along with George Landrith and a few others, she is basically carrying out the will of Malcolm Wallop.
This is where it gets interesting. Wallop has all sorts of connections to Cheney, aside from both being from Wyoming. He spent many years working for Cheney. When Cheney was looking into who should be Bush's Vice Presidential candidate, enter Malcolm Wallop in an interview with Cal Thomas, pushing Cheney as the best choice and full of integrity. Also, when Cheney's energy plans hit a snag, he called on Wallop's Frontiers of Freedom to attack the tax exempt status of environmental groups here.
I've seen him referred to frequently as a friend of Cheney's, but I haven't found any hard evidence.
He also served on the Rumsfeld Space Commission. Here is his bio from Rightwatch. The sourcewatch page for Fontiers of Freedom has more info on this think tank. "
From SF Chronicle article on Dina Powell, explaining personnel management and the headhunters of the Oval Office.
"Four people know who have gotten the nod -- Bush, Vice President Cheney, political adviser Karl Rove and Powell. Powell prepares the paperwork and actually makes recommendations on hiring, according to Josh Bolten, director Office of Management and Budget. "She is the quarterback of the whole process."
The process of identifying, then hiring, presidential talent requires "all kinds of research and a lot of discipline," says Clay Johnson, the president's old friend from Midland, Tex., who first handled personnel during the truncated transition in 2000 and then was Powell's boss until January 2003, when she succeeded him.
Powell, who is married to public affairs executive Richard Powell, and has a 3-year-old daughter, worked her way through the University of Texas by serving as a full-time legislative assistant to a state senator. After graduation, she took an internship with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.), intending to go on to law school. Instead, she moved over to work in the office of fellow Texan Dick Armey, then the House majority leader.
Later, she went to the Republican National Committee, where she coordinated congressional affairs and helped lobbying offices that wanted to recruit Republicans. When Johnson came looking for assistants who knew Washington, she was recommended by Dick Armey."
PARENT COMPANIES AND THE MONEY TRAIL
I refer to these companies as parent organizations because it appears that Omega List Company may actually have made money from selling the lists of membership names.This is contrary to their claim that they are solely supported through contributions. There are also links to Newsmax.
From MediaCitizen:
"Talon News is an on-line news service owned by Bobby Eberle. He said Mr. Eberle told him Talon News is an all-volunteer news service, though since Mr. Guckert's application was submitted, a stipend was arranged that would provide more than half of Mr. Guckerts [sic] income in an effort to comply with the gallery's requirement that correspondents be paid, full time employees of the organization for which they are applying. Mr. Keenan said Talon News is the primary news supplier for GOPUSA, also owned by Mr. Eberle, and provides its news service at no charge to other organizations".
Eberly Communications Group and The Omega List Company
ECG, Inc. also owns Fund Raising Strategies, Inc. and seems to prefer the name Eberle & Associates.
1420 Spring Hill Road, Suite 490
McLean, Virginia 22102
Voice (703) 821-1550 Fax (703) 821-0920
e-mail : info@BruceEberle.com
past clients, according to the Center for Media and Democracy, have included:
Pat Buchanan's 1992 campaign for president; Stacey Koon, one of the Los Angeles police officers convicted in the 1991 beating of Rodney King; Ollie North during his losing Senate bid in 1994; Paula Jones, the former Arkansas state worker whose lawsuit accused President Bill Clinton of sexual harassment; and conservative Missouri Senator John Ashcroft...
From the Eberly Communications Web site:
"Welcome To Omega List Company
Omega is an industry leader in charitable and political direct mail lists. We have a consistent record of growth and profitability over the past 25 years. Today, we broker over 70 million names each year for an ever growing list of satisfied clients. As the industry leader, we are confident that we can assist you with your direct mail list needs.
To browse the directory of lists we broker click here. For information about brokerage services and fees contact Mike Hiban at (703) 821-1890.
Featured E-mail List - GOPUSA | 500,000 Opt-In E-mail Names
GOPUSA is one of the premier conservative websites, started by conservative activists for conservative activists; GOPUSA represents a one-stop source for the latest conservative news, information, editorials, online petitions, polls, forums and more. These activists have signed petitions and/or requested to receive a subscription to the weekly e-magazine The GOPUSA Eagle.
Get these conservative activists behind your cause today
For more information contact Mike Hiban at (703) 821-1890 or by using our online contact form.
Usage includes:
Newsmax.com
Accuracy in Media
World Net Daily
Republican Party of Texas
Judicial Watch
American Conservative Union
Conservative Book Club
National Republican Senatorial
Committee
Heritage Foundation Americans for Fair Taxation
Parents Television Council
Washington Times
National Weekly RNC
Human Events Book Service
Robinson for Congress
Bob Barr for Congress
Human Events
Plus over 50 more organizations.
Evidence that Talon News and GOPUSA are the same organization:
Guckert/Gannon publishes his articles on GOPUSA switching over to Talon when it is created without a pause. The articles are then published in both places.
Identical posts example:
"MY COMMENT YESTERDAY
WOULD SOMEONE SAVE THE PAGES ON TALON NEWS & FR
20-Year-Old Republican Website Owner Sued by Former Democrat Senator
Posted on 07/31/2003 8:07:58 AM PDT by prairiebreeze [since 2003-01-20]
Look at time of post: 07/31/2003 8:07:58 AM PDT
The post is, verbatim to the dot and text lay-out, identical to Talon News article of Jeff Gannon date: July 31, 2003. Still wonder which of the articles was published first as Talon News has no time stamp.
Jeff Gannon [since 2003-06-23] on FR
Notice URL of TALON NEWS:
http://www.gopusa.com/news/2003/july/0731_probush_responds.shtml
Significant: Talon News = GOPUSA.com
Caption of article: probush_responds "
Domains:
talonnews.com
Registrant:
Eberle, Bobby
(24065026I)
2620 Sunday House Dr.
Pearland, TX 77584
US
Phone: 281-412-2184
Fax: 999 999 9999
Domain Name: TALONNEWS.COM
Administrative Contact , Technical Contact :
Eberle, Bobby
(24065026I)
bobby.eberle@gopusa.com
2620 Sunday House Dr.
Pearland, TX 77584
US
Phone: 281-412-2184
Fax: 999 999 9999
Record expires on 29-Mar-2006
Record created on 29-Mar-2003
Database last updated on 09-Jul-2004
www.talonnews.com is hosted by GOPUSA
No only is Talon news's domain name run by GOPUSA, the www.talonnews.com web site runs on a GOP USA server, listsrv.gopusa.com [65.17.231.174].
gopusa.com
65.17.231.173
GOPUSA.com, Inc
2620 Sunday House Dr.
Pearland, TX 77584
US
Eberle, Bobby (OLRVSDLMDI) bobby.eberle@GOPUSA.COM
GOPUSA
4738 Kinglet
Houston, TX 77035
US
Master, Host
hostmaster@DATAPIPE.NET
DataPipe
609 WASHINGTON ST
HOBOKEN, NJ 07030-4907
US
NS1.DATAPIPE.NET 64.27.65.13
NS2.DATAPIPE.NET 64.27.64.76
GOPUSA3-DOM
Created: 27-Sep-1999
Updated: 30-Jan-2005 01:05:21 EST
Expires: 27-Sep-2007
Source: whois.networksolutions.com
Altered Records
"According to whois records, talonnews.com is owned by Endeavor Media Group in Houston TX -- a company with a PO Box and a fake phone number listing. When checking on endeavormediagroup.com in whois, the same info comes up -- but endeavormediagroup.com is a Forbidden domain. Also, googling "endeavor media group" gets you nothing. It's like this company doesn't exist. And it didn't -- until Monday.
Endeavor Media Group, LLC (39068802O)
info@endeavormediagroup.com
P.O. Box 891354
Houston, TX 77289
US
Phone: 999-999-9999
Record expires on 07-Feb-2008
Record created on 07-Feb-2005
Database last updated on 07-Feb-2005"
GOPUSA.COM SPONSORED CONFERENCES 2004
GOPUSA.com Conference 2004
Conference Speakers
Just to mention a few:
* Ronald W. Dworkin, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
* Rick Erickson, Executive Director, Americans for Military Readiness
* Jeff Gannon, White House Correspondent, Talon News
* Martin Gillespie, Coordinator, RNC GOP Catholic Outreach
* Tim Goeglein, Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Liaison
* Bo Harmon, Deputy Communications Director, National Republican Congressional Committee
* Kerri Houston, Vice President of Policy, Frontiers of Freedom
* Thomas P. Kilgannon, President, Freedom Alliance
* G. Gordon Liddy, Radio Talk Show Host and Former Presidential Advisor
* Mark Montini, President and CEO, CampaignSecrets.com
FOR THE COMPLETE LISTING of SPEAKERS
Scott McClellan, just the past few days on Jeff Gannon, Talon News & GOPUSA: "Hardly know them, it's just a modern news organisation, I don't make the choices". Is this possible, considering this who's who of conservatives?
GOPUSA.com Conference 2003
* James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Defense and Homeland Security, Davis Institute, The Heritage Foundation
* The Honorable John Cornyn, U.S. Senate, TX
* Chuck DeFeo, eCampaign Manager, Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.
* Tim Goeglein, Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Liaison
* Pete Jeffries, Communications Director, House Speaker Dennis Hastert
* Mark Montini, President and CEO, CampaignSecrets.com
* Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform
* Jack Spencer, Senior Policy Analyst, Defense and National Security, Davis Institute, The Heritage Foundation
* Genevieve Wood, Vice President of Communications, Family Research Council
SCANDALS AND POSSIBLE ILLEGALITY:
Anti-Semitism
Besides the anti-gay and anti-liberal articles there were accusation of anti-Semitic articles:
Conservative Calumny: GOPUSA, a conservative Web site, was criticized all over the blogosphere and at Salon.com last week for publishing, briefly, a column on financier George Soros that many found antisemitic.
Soros recently brought down the ire of conservative commentators by agreeing to spend millions on various Democratic efforts to defeat President Bush. The GOPUSA columnist, however, trafficked in something way beyond mere commentary, which the site tacitly acknowledged when it pulled the column after a day.
"Satan Lives in George Soros," wrote the pseudonymous columnist, who publishes weekly at the site under the pen name "Sartre."
"The fiction which is interdependency has a prolocutor in the congregation of Moloch. His name is George Soros. No other single person represents the symbol and the substance of Globalism more than this Hungarian-born descendant of Shylock. He is the embodiment of the Merchant from Venice. ... If Soros is correct when he says a `supremacist ideology' guides the White House, what would you call the practices of the archfiend of Free Enterprise? The Soros deception would make Shylock proud. ... [I]t's not about antisemitism! [Out-going Malaysian Prime Minister] Mahathir Mohammad was just stating the truth."
Democrats went ballistic.
"Suddenly deleting such vile antisemitism from this Republican site -- with no explanation, and no apology -- simply won't cut it," the executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, Ira Forman, said in a press release. "Virulent antisemitism causes very real damage, and GOPUSA must acknowledge this."
Serial stalker/writer Rachel Marsden
.
Visit Rachel's official website at http://web.archive.org/web/20040203211211/http://www.rachelmarsden.com/.
"AKA "Elle Henderson", this enthusiastic GOPUSA commentator and GOP "Babe of The Week" - known otherwise as an alleged serial stalker, and as the "Canadian Anne Coulter" - seemed to be in a rather casual line of work, as depicted below. The contrast between her GOPUSA bio and the picture below, the front page of her recently scrubbed website - roughly contemporary with the now sanitized GOPUSA site - is intriguing and suggests, in line with a colorful, picaresque past - romantic and otherwise, that this is a multifaceted woman, one of many dimensions.Diaries :: Troutfishing's diary :: "
Ilana Mercer, at Antiwar.com.
08/11/2003 Archived Entry: "Canada's 'Republican Babe of the Week'"
"CONSERVA-HOTTIE OR CONSERVA-FRAUD?: (Via Relapsed Catholic)
"If her name seems familiar, however, it is not likely to do with any piece of commentary she may have written. In 1996, while attending Simon Fraser University near Vancouver, Marsden alleged the school's swim coach had raped her. In 1997, following an internal SFU inquiry, the coach, Liam Donnelly, was fired.
He was soon reinstated, however, after putting forward evidence that cast doubt upon Marsden's credibility. Marsden admitted to having frequently sent Donnelly gifts and sexually explicit e-mails. She claimed they were intended to draw him into a discussion of his alleged sexual harassment. According to Donnelly, Marsden had been stalking him for months."
[...]Marsden was later accused of harassing the former head of SFU's own harassment office, Patricia O'Hagan, and, later, SFU criminology professor Neil Boyd. Last fall, Marsden was charged with criminal harassment of former Vancouver radio personality Michael Morgan, 52.
Bruce Eberle, illegal fundraising and paying conservative commentators
Eberle's fund-raising activities have also drawn repeated charges of ethical misconduct, the most notorious of which was a campaign in the 1980s that used phony prisoner-of-war sightings to solicit money from veterans for former Air Force Col. Jack Bailey's "Operation Rescue," which claimed to be on the verge of saving American POWs still being held in Vietnam.
[...]Republican Senator John McCain offered similar sentiments. "In my opinion they are criminals and some of the most craven, most cynical and most despicable human beings to ever run a scam," McCain said. "They have preyed on the anguish of families, and helped to turn an issue which should unite all Americans into an issue that often divides us."
Eberle Communications Group, Inc., which is involved in Tom Delay's fundraising scandal.
Eberle and Omega were busted for selling data lists to Ashcroft when he was a senator.
GrannyHelen found this interesting article by Sheldon Rampton of the Center for Media and Democracy, where he talks about Bruce Eberle's Omega List Company and its practice of paying conservative commentators to endorse clients and their causes:
"On a section of the website that has subsequently been removed, Omega List was quite straightforward about the fact that it pays conservative commentators to endorse clients and their causes. A series of web pages featured conservative radio show host Blanquita Cullum explaining exactly how the system works and how other radio hosts could get in on the gravy. "You do what you do best!" she said. "Get on the air and talk to your listeners! Drive them to your website by conducting a daily survey or a contest on the topic of your choosing."
Eberle's "polling wizard" software, installed on the site, would then capture the names of respondents so that they could be hit up for money. "What happens next is a cakewalk," Cullum continued. "Omega will call you with an opportunity to send an endorsement e-mail to your list . . . and receive a royalty for lending your name to a cause, organization or product you believe in. . . . Omega gives you their specialized software absolutely FREE and presents you with an opportunity to earn an extra $25,000 or more annually."
It is interesting to note that GOPUSA.com's membership list is a part of Omega List's offerings.
Documents:
Bruce's letter of March 24, 2004 speaks of the wonderful merger of www.millionsofamerican.com with www.gopusa.com:
"The good news is that www.millionsofamericans.com is now combining forces with www.gopusa.com to bring you even better reports and news on hot conservative topics. Bobby Eberle (of what you might call the "Texas branch" of the Eberle clan) founded www.gopusa.com several years ago. With news sources across the nation and in key places, Bobby Eberle has created one of the best outlets for conservative news and insight in the nation and today www.gopusa.com has some 50,000 opt-in subscribers.
In fact, he has done such an outstanding job that he will now be sending conservative commentary and action items to you. I'm stepping aside to let this talented and well-informed young man take the helm of www.millionsofamericans.com and I am confident he will do a great job - giving you the same top quality conservative news and giving you an opportunity to have a powerful impact on events that affect our nation."