AT&T Suggests To 300K Employees To Lobby the FCC

Several readers sent in the news that AT&T's top lobbyist sent a letter to all 300,000 employees urging them to give feedback to the FCC as it gears up for rulemaking on net neutrality. He even supplied talking points approved by the PR department. The lobbyist, Jim Cicconi, suggested that employees use their personal email accounts when they weigh in with the FCC. Pro-net-neutrality group Free Press has now likened Cicconi's letter to astroturfing: "Coming from one of the company’s most senior executives, it’s hard to imagine AT&T employees thinking the memo was merely a suggestion."

Please People, You're Spreading Misinformation

[eldavojohn]

This is getting blown way out of proportion and has a simple explanation:

You also have to BCC your immediate manager to remain employed.

Re:There FCC!

[CrazyJim1]

What, people's voices don't count once they've been influenced by others? If so, we have to rethink this whole democracy thing.

We're AT&T!!!

[Locke2005]

If you don't like it, see figure 1!!! [cs.tut.fi]

Re:Verizon did this as well

[NoYob]

I see.

John, I'm a Verizon internet cop. Put you hands on your monitor, spread your legs, and wait for the Verizon security team to show up.

Thank you for your cooperation.

P.S. You really didn't think that posting as an "AC" would hide your identity from us did you?!

Re:Please People, You're Spreading Misinformation

[Tackhead]

This is getting blown way out of proportion and has a simple explanation:

You also have to BCC your immediate manager to remain employed.

I am writing on behalf of a Jim Cicconi at AT&T. He can always be found
hard at work in his office. He lobbies independently, but never stoops to
donating to opposition party members. Jim is consistent in that he only
lobbies in order to help America innovate in telecom, but never
offers bribes in exchange for their support. Jim often takes extended
measures to complete his lobbying, sometimes skipping coffee and lunch
breaks. Jim is a dedicated individual who has absolutely no
vanity in spite of his leadership skills, record of high accomplishments,
moral scruples and knowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Jim can
be classed as a top-tier lobbyist, and his recommendations cannot
be easily dispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Jim be
appointed to regulatory office, and that this appointment should be
executed as soon as possible.

Attempting to influence public policy by means of astroturfing is an art; one sometimes has to
read between the lines.

Re:Please People, You're Spreading Misinformation

[geekoid]

The accusations the Jim raped and murdered a 12 year old girl are false. I patently refuse to believe the wide spread rumor that Jim raped and murdered a 12 year old girl, such speculation that Jim raped and murdered a 12 year old girl have no basis in fact, no matter what any court may say.

If you are offended, then you missed the joke.

Re:So?

[Trails]

Actually, he can tell. You see, Bill Gates has developed a new email tracking software, so if you forward that to the fcc, you could win $100,000

Re:Verizon did this as well

[socsoc]

No, you have to pay .002 cents

Re:Difference is the union has more power over you

[silverkniveshotmail.]

The union that "represents" my co-workers and myself make human sacrifices of those who speak less than favorably of them, many of my co-workers have been killed. I am also forced to spend 60% of my income directly to funding abortions.

Now what was that about the AT&T? I forgot.