Yes Men Statement on Chamber Lawsuit
"We've finally made it," says Andy Bichlbaum (aka Hingo Sembra) of the Yes Men. "We're officially part of the the Extreme Left-Wing Agenda.
"At least that's what you'll learn if you click through to the Google ads keyed to the phrase 'Yes Men' that have popped up overnight steering people to a fundraising page for the Chamber. Or if you received the email solicitation they sent out to their supporters, claiming 'we're under attack,' a message which also directs to a fundraising page.
"We can see why they might need those funds: after all, this year alone they've already spent a mind-boggling $50+ million on lobbying fees. But it's still pretty ironic that the Chamber would ask for money for its effort to punish criticism, given that they are so publicly opposed to frivolous lawsuits and publicly in support of free speech.
"The Chamber complains that we've misled the public. But the Chamber misleads the public every day when it claims to speak for 3 million business, effectively masquerading as a populist lobbying organization - when a closer look reveals it represents barely a tenth of that. In fact, the Chamber repeated that debatable number in the press release sent out announcing the lawsuit against us. Now that's chutzpa!
"Bragging about their size is only the tip of the iceberg, of course. Among many other things, the Chamber routinely undermines American democracy by spending millions to oppose sane climate legislation, health care reform, and employee free choice - not to mention so-called 'grassroots' campaigns to kill banking regulations on derivatives trading. That's right: the Chamber is lobbying to prop up the same system that left the American economy in a shambles.
"No wonder 63% of Americans distrust the news: powerful business lobbies and their massively funded PR campaigns are subverting the media every day, expensively and effectively, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars a year. It's shameful that the Chamber has decided to lash out at a public interest group like ours for trying to push back and call attention to the Chamber's outrageous positions."
The Yes Men Fix the World
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Comments
Thanks for existing Yes Men. Like Bruce Springsteen after 9/11 "We need you now".
Give us a debate on TV (without the close combat with business cards - although this def has Python's Flying Circus potential) ...you would win this by lightyear distance. Just fear no rep of this funny Chamber from the Church of Corporate Interest would turn up... (or would there be live TV from court sessions?)
Yay, we pissed them off. Lets give the internet some popcorn and watch the Chamber make an ass of them self's. =D
Can you satire-fake their fundraising page? (where I miss the C-word btw).
I, for one, look forward to reading discovery material and depositions obtained from the Chamber of Commerce in this lawsuit. I expect the Yes Men will have a full and vigorous defense that will require significant discovery of all sorts of material regarding strategy, planning, positions, etc... of the Chamber of Commerce, and it's going to be fun to read!
I actually thought that the "Friends of the Chamber of Commerce" site was a satire, and I was all, "good job once again, you guys". You mean to tell me it's not?
In Yes Men veritas
Slowly slowly catchee monkey. They would rot in hell, except there is no hell, so let them worry themselves to death. And to think their mothers warned them what would happen if they told lies! Hasta la victoria siempre!
We believe in the Yes Men because we know they are right and they have the balls to stand up to the status quo.
We know the Chamber lies and is full of the scum of the earth, who appear to rule our fair country now, and we ask you, Yes Men, to please, NOT BACK DOWN!
At this juncture, with so much at stake, you must never stop fighting.
In the end, common sense and the truth must win over... not a tall tale, but a true story of a David and a Goliath.
thanks again yes men!
we should all call our local and state COCs and ask them to make public statements on this situation. I just called my local (regional) COC and asked them point blank if they were a member of the USCOC. They said yes (of course). I support MANY of my local businesses, and know many of these owners personally. I also know that many of these people do not agree with the stance and tactics of the USCOC, but they benefit from being a member of the local COC. I have considered joining my local COC, but have always hesitated due to their ties to the national COC. If my local COC were to make a bold move and remove themselves from USCOC, then I would be impressed (and surprised, since I don't see them doing this).
I agree completely. I am ignorant, however, of how to gain access to such court documents. Please elaborate, anyone, who knows about such access to "discovery material and depositions" in court cases.
Thank you.
Yes Men Rock Hard
don't take any guff from these f***ing swine!
It looks like the chambers mouthpiece ( legal council ) may be building its case on their own misrepresentations of The Yes Men -
"The defendants are not merry pranksters tweaking the establishment," said Steven Law, general counsel for the chamber, according to the Associated Press. "Instead, they deliberately broke the law in order to further commercial interest in their books, movies and other merchandise."
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/28/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry...
Presenting a dichotomy in interpretation of The Yes Men without even listening to The Yes Men ? Rather than weighing the greater and lesser crimes it looks like their lawsuit exists solely in the fact of attention from a third party- the courts.
Sigh. Well, should we start preparing our defense ? And perhaps not play all our cards at once but prepare for the long haul ?
It looks like the chambers mouthpiece ( legal council ) may be building its case on their own misrepresentations of The Yes Men -
"The defendants are not merry pranksters tweaking the establishment," said Steven Law, general counsel for the chamber, according to the Associated Press. "Instead, they deliberately broke the law in order to further commercial interest in their books, movies and other merchandise."
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/28/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry...
Presenting a dichotomy in interpretation of The Yes Men without even listening to The Yes Men ? Rather than weighing the greater and lesser crime it looks like their lawsuit exists solely in the fact of attention from a third party- the courts.
Sigh. Well, should we start preparing our defense ? And perhaps not play all our cards at once but prepare for the long haul ?
I like what you are doing. But it would be nice if you found some time to shine a light on companies that are profiting while having a largely positive impact on society. Free enterprise works but there must obviously be checks and balances in place to prevent abuse on a large scale. I guess what I am looking for-as a fan- is affirmation that you do believe in the capitalist system we have in America if in fact we were able to make wholesale improvements on climate change and the financial sector just to name a few.
Hey Yes Men,
It's time you played a prank on Sarah Palin and those evil folks over at Fox News!!
Hey fellow Yes Men, check out the "official" Yes Men Comic at http://www.worldwar3illustrated.org
Inspired by a scene cut from the recent film due to budget constraints, it's a seafaring satire featuring Mike and Andy, Cheney, Rove and hmmm.... I hear Sarah Palin will make an appearance in the next page, coming soon!
Enjoy--
Yes yes yes to The Yes Men!!!! The Chamber is a sham.
Hi,
If you really want to disturb the "system", the corporations, the lobbies, talk about 911 (Septembre 11th, 2001 in other words). This is really a case where all our european medias and gouvernements were involved for covering it up. It would be a piece of cake for you to attract attention of a large public.
Thanks
--GV
Do a search for "FOX News Whistle blowers. UNBELIEVABLE!!!" on YouTube.
2 reporters tried to expose Monsanto and were fired from Fox news for not lying to the public(you and I).
Anyway, they took Fox news to court, where the same government that's behind Monsanto, Fox, and THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE made a ruling that it's not illegal to present false news!
So, according to THEIR OWN LAWS, the Yes Men did nothing wrong.
They're a sick bunch of people, these corporations.
Peace :)
I am a Metal Sculptor and by default, the owner of a (very) small business -- I'm actually Light Industrial and Manufacturing... just the thing AMERICA NEEDS.
I'm also a member of the local Chamber of Commerce.
I joined the Chamber years ago for nearly the same reason every other small business owner joins -- as as way of networking and marketing what I do for a living.
IT DRIVES ME INSANE (insaner?) that part of my dues go to support the National Chamber of Commerce and I wish there was a way I could support my LOCAL chamber without giving the national bastards some of my money. The national Chamber does not support my BEST interests.
KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT, YES MEN! I love you.
James
I am a Metal Sculptor and by default, the owner of a (very) small business -- I'm actually Light Industrial and Manufacturing... just the thing AMERICA NEEDS.
I'm also a member of the local Chamber of Commerce.
I joined the Chamber years ago for nearly the same reason every other small business owner joins -- as as way of networking and marketing what I do for a living.
IT DRIVES ME INSANE (insaner?) that part of my dues go to support the National Chamber of Commerce and I wish there was a way I could support my LOCAL chamber without giving the national bastards some of my money. The national Chamber does not support my BEST interests.
KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT, YES MEN! I love you.
James
http://myleftnutmeg.com/diary/12158/why-i-resigned-membership-in-the-cha...
This letter is to inform you that I am canceling our company's membership in the Milford Chamber of Commerce.
Our company's participation in the Chamber over the past six years has been interesting, providing me with access to committees I would never have had a chance to serve on without the sponsorship of [President of the Chamber of Commerce] and the Chamber.
My inclusion on the Parking Task Force, my Chairmanship of the Scholarship Committee, my involvement with the Legislative Action Committee and our yearly visits to Hartford in concert with CBIA, my membership on the Board of Directors of the Chamber, working with you on various membership outreach and networking efforts (and all those community relations ribbon cutting events we have done together), were all activities in which I eagerly participated.
My office staff, partner, and co-workers enjoyed their volunteer work creating the slide shows for the scholarship and annual awards events, as well as hosting you at our office during one of the many renovations at the Taylor Library building.
However, it has recently become untenable to continue to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Members of our local Legislative Task Force agreed to move forward in support of Healthcare Reform and now the National Chamber has been airing television attack ads on politicians who support this issue. I cannot continue to financially support an organization that operates against my own interests.
Additionally, it has come to my attention that the US Chamber of Commerce has recently issued comments opposing the EPA's effort to limit greenhouse gases. Along with the attack ads on Congressman Chris Murphy of Connecticut for his stance on Healthcare Reform, New Standard Institute, Inc. has decided to resign our membership effective immediately.
[Personal stuff deleted]
New Standard Institute, Inc.
cc: [Names deleted]
Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, US Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20062
co-workers enjoyed their volunteer work creating the slide shows for the scholarship and annual awards events, as well as hosting you at our office during one of the many renovations at the Taylor Library building.
Law Degree | Online biology degree | Nursing school
that part of my dues go to support the National Chamber of Commerce and I wish there was a way I could support my LOCAL chamber without giving the national bastards some of my money. The national Chamber does not support my BEST interests.
Online Music degree | political science school
The suit filed in federal district court cites trademark and copyright infringement and said that the Yes Men group staged the press conference stunt for financial gain."The acts are nothing less than commercial identity theft masquerading as social activism," the lawsuit complaint says. "These infringing and fraudulent acts are antithetical to public debate on important issues, because they prevent the public and the press from knowing the true position" of the chamber "and they disguise the true motives of the person who took that property." Regards Car Leasing | a href="http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/discount-vouchers"> Discount Vouchers
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