Coursey is just part of the game

[Charles Behney <charlesaugust@theriver.com>]

http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/content/zdnn/0410/306168.html

Dear Dave:

Disinformation is a time honored tradition that has brought us the USS
Maine incident, the Gulf of Tonkin hoax, and other public relations
stunts that have resulted in loss of life. That is just a part of the
game. What we call 'public relations,' the Europeans call 'propaganda.'
R.R. Carrie coined the term 'public relations' to create a kinder,
gentler John D. Rockefeller. His advice: Give a dime to children every
time you see a camera lens.

My advice: send Bill Gates a bill for your impartial commentary. He will
pay out of pocket expenses, and give you an ATTABOY.

CAB

>               Microsoft's PR effort is just part of
>               the game
>               By David Coursey, ZDNN
>               April 10, 1998 3:09 PM PDT
>
>                                  News lead of
>                                  the week,
>                                  courtesy of the
>                                  L.A. Times on
>                                  Friday:
>
>                                  "Microsoft
>                                  Corp., stung by
>               the public relations fallout from
>               antitrust investigations of its business
>               practices, has been planning a
>               massive media campaign designed
>               to influence state investigators by
>               creating the appearance of a
>               groundswell of public support for the
>               company."
>
>               I just love it when reporters
>               (sometimes including myself) rev
>               themselves into moral-indignation
>               mode over how political theater is
>               played. They act as if they
>               themselves aren't a part of the Greek
>               chorus, something I find a tad
>               disingenuous.
>
>               So, Microsoft wants to encourage its
>               friends to make a loud noise on its
>               behalf -- do you really think Netscape
>               hasn't been trying to do the same
>               thing? Or any other group with
>               interests in Washington? If you think
>               Microsoft is political bad news,
>               compare computing/software
>               generally to the telecommunications,
>               broadcast and cable industries. Their
>               political efforts make Microsoft look
>               like the proverbial 98-pound weakling.
>
>               Make no mistake: Microsoft's
>               Washington woes long ago
>               transcended the law and rose into the
>               realm of public policy -- that is,
>               making law -- and that's a highly
>               political process. So Microsoft is
>               playing politics -- even in a bit of a
>               ham-handed way -- what's wrong with
>               that? It's not just a good idea; it's the
>               game.
>
>               (For extra points, go see a double
>               feature of "Wag the Dog" and
>               "Primary Colors," or rent Michael
>               Moore's "Canadian Bacon" on
>               videocassette).
>
>               Industry commentator David Coursey
>               is editor and publisher of
>               coursey.com.
>