From Stark
Some type of organization that is backing the Gateway Pacific Terminal project appears to be trying to recruit grassroots supporters by telephone.
Two local notables–Tim Douglas, former mayor, and Lisa McShane–contacted me today to express their concerns about the effort. They reported getting a phone call that started out sounding like an opinion poll on SSA Marine’s project, which would ship coal and other cargoes from a new pier proposed at the site near the end of Gulf Road, south of the BP Cherry Point refinery.
As they tell it, the purpose of the poll seemed to be to sound out the recipient on his or her willingness to lobby elected officials and attend rallies in support of Gateway Pacific. They both report that the effort seems to be targeting local Democrats, although they acknowledged they had no way of knowing if other people were also being targeted.
McShane said everyone on the Democratic Party’s list-serv seemed to have gotten the call.
Douglas is backing Dan Pike’s reelection bid in the mayor’s race, while McShane has endorsed Kelli Linville.
“It seems like it was from project supporters,” McShane said in an email. “It was stated as a poll but wasn’t. It seems to be an organizing tool. It strikes me as unethical to tell someone they’re answering a poll but then use that information collected for organizing.”
I emailed SSA spokesman Gary Smith for a comment.
“I’m afraid I don’t have any information I can share on this,” he replied in an email.
I received a number of calls about this yesterday. For those interested here are the four questions that they asked:
First question: Are you familiar with the SSA Marine proposal?
Second question: Are you in support of or opposed to the proposal?
Third question: Would knowing that the State Department of Ecology will require SSA Marine to meet all environmental laws and regulations change your opinion?
Fourth question: Why are you opposed to SSA Marine?
If the callers received negative responses to the above the next step was for them to hang up. This action is questionable on a whole host of levels.
Someone asking questions, how much worst can it get?
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
The obvious problem in not that questions were asked but that this was represented by callers as a poll. That on its face is deceitful. It is not the optimal way to initiate a relationship and it reflects poorly on entity conducting the exercise.
I was sitting at my computer and a young college student was looking over my shoulder the other day when posting to the Herald Comments section on an article about the Coal Port. His comment “Oh, they are Astroturfing”. I said hunh? He sent me an email later explaining that large corporations often employ companies that specialize in creating the impression of a grass roots movement when there is none. There are lots of proven examples out there where this has been done. Just google it. The student said he knew right away. Posts the are immediate, are very well informed on the issues but distract by name calling and trying to make the issue not the issue but the person that posted the issue. The anonymous nature of posts like these lend themselves to this sort of thing. The student also noticed that when someone would make a direct and meaningful comment that it would get ‘buried’ by and avalanche of rapid fire responses that push the honest item off the bottom of the page. Apparently this approach is often used by corporations in this type of battle and that a good deal of it is automated. Wonder if the Herald has any reporters that might want to investigate such activities?
If they don’t Frank maybe I can help!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
These folks are also referred to as “sock puppets.” They employ multiple personalities using thumb drives and other devices that thwart “cookies.” Lots of them on this campaign. They are normally new posters that only comment on a narrow topic or specific issue and promulgate the myths forwarded by the interests they are supporting. Real people use real names and also use legitimate and open means when contacting folks.
Hey Bob don’t forget trolls!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
Locally we call it AFYTURF!
I like that, wish I had some on me head!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
I think this poll might be Carl Weimer’s doing.
He’s a shifty one, he is.
You may have something there, Aman:
When you get one of these calls and the guy on the other side sounds like he’s wearing a Fedora, Carl could come to mind! Then I’s listening for his dog!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
Way to change the subject there!
It’s Blame Everything On Carl Weimer Day…
I received a call on August 1 at 2:44PM from this number: 253 348-9202. [Area Code crescent from Auburn to Federal Way, south of Seattle]
Two questions; Was I aware of the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal, and was I in favor of it or against.
Obviously, a nervous young man, unsure of what to ask and how to phrase it, awkward sign-off.
My answers were yes, then no.
Several weeks ago, I completed a legitimate telephone survey that included questions about this issue. I hope this sham poll will not interfere in any way with legitimate efforts to survey voters or citizens.
I received the exact “poll’ described by Bob Ferris. Another disturbing factor is that before answering any questions, I asked who had sponsored and paid for the poll, and the person who telephoned me indicated that they did not have that information. Normally, I would have hung up, but given the controversy surrounding SSA, I was curious about the questions.
I was also left with the impression that this was an attempt to challenge those who opposed the coal terminal, because if SSA meet environmental standards, what possible rationale would be left for oppositon? That is why they were not really interested in the answers to the final question… the point was to make the opposition question themselves.
As for me, SSA just wasted their money, although I was disappointed that the poller did not want to hear me elaborate on the deficiencies of the SEPA process.