When Michael Bloomberg launched Everytown for Gun Safety, the former NYC Mayor touted his gun control group as a “grassroots” anti-NRA org. The irony of that debut – unveiling a [supposedly] populist anti-gun movement financed by a single $50 million cash donation – was lost on the mainstream media. But TTAG readers responded with keen insight, posting comments that basically proclaimed “I don’t think the word ‘grassroots’ means what former Michael Bloomberg thinks it means. Or wants it to mean.” Here’s more proof, if proof be needed, that Mayor Mike’s grassroots anti-gun group is actually a lush crop of freshly extruded Astroturf . . .
Ten days after Michael Bloomberg announced a $50 million investment in gun control and proclaimed the National Rifle Association should be afraid of him, the Bloomberg-backed Everytown for Gun Safety group is taking the fight directly to NRA — picking up a chunk of the tab for hundreds of activists and gun violence survivors to attend the annual NRA convention in Indianapolis.
The group said that more than 100 mothers and 20 survivors of gun violence will arrive in Indianapolis on Friday. Everytown is covering the cost of the mothers’ hotels in Indianapolis, and paying the travel and lodging expenses for a group of 20 survivors to be in Indianapolis this weekend, an Everytown spokesperson told BuzzFeed.
Everytown would not disclose how much it was spending on the weekend, but said funds are from a combination of group’s money and fundraising efforts leading up to the convention.
Here’s the thing: if we assume that 20 of the roughly 35 anti-gunners in the picture above were paid to make the scene, that means Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (Everytown’s female-oriented subsidiary) only assembled 15 self-propelled protestors. As opposed to some 60k people who showed up at the NRA Convention on their own nickel.
‘Nuff said?
[h/t DrVino]
I bet most of the additional 15 are paid living billboards too.
Most of ’em look wide enough.
The best grassroots money can buy.
my math must be off. If he paid for 100 mothers plus 20 “survivors” (I doubt it was gang bangers since Shannon doesn’t like to associate with those she considers “the help”), then that is 120 people. 35 in the photo. ummm, I know Common Core is out there, but I think they are short 85. Where the hell are they? Ok so one or two took the picture. Are the rest shopping, perusing the NRA Convention, sleeping in, or couldn’t shannon get more to attend when it is in her backyard? Hell – they could rent a limo bus and do better. sad.
actually, it is better. read the press statements about the $50M donation. I don’t believe Bloomy put the full amount in. I recall seeing he was only fronting $15M this year, well behind the cash he is putting up for other “causes” . . . . .
now, do Shannon’s, ahem, enhancements get counted as part of that amount or is that an in-kind donation? COMMENT MODERATED 🙂
Holiday Inn Express has the all you can eat morning breakfast buffets. Why would the other 80 want to leave when you can eat yo your heart’s content instead of standing around with Shannon Watts and the dim bulb brigade?
I would pay dearly for pics of them getting loaded and unloaded on the buses and doing a count for the missing
NRA should have a sign up for them saying “Special Everytown(TM) Entrance” at the convention site so they can beat the crowds and get to the booths and back to the bus before it leaves them
Okay, that’s it. Now I want to see a picture of WLP with Watts. Seriously. I’m not kidding. I bet it could happen.
I’d bet money that if Wayne LaPierre were to don some awkward touristy clothes(oversized white t shirt tucked into pastel shorts that end above the knee, boonie hat, fanny pack, etc) and approached Watts acting like a simpering liberal supporter and kissed her ass for 30 seconds, she wouldn’t know him from Adam, and be glad to take a picture with him.
Even better, make that shirt display a giant NRA shield sans text for added irony. Once she realized the magnitude of the mistake she made, she would most likely never pose for another photo with the peasants until the end of her career.
Hey, I’d have hired on if I got word early enough. Have Bloomy pay for me to attend the convention? You bet! I’d guess the missing “protestors” are inside enjoying the exhibits and speeches. But I’m sure they will thank Bloomy and whoever contributed the other 75 cents supporting these goofs.
I’d like to go to Nashville next year. Don’t really want the 14hr drive much better to snooze on a nice comfy bus (with Internet so can cruise TTAG). I wonder if Bloomie will take reservations now. Need to get a hotel booked soon if Indy is an indicator on hotel demand.
A fool and his money……..
Why bother showing up, when the guy keeping track and paying the bill, is on the 1-2-3-many level?
But even forgetting all the math nitpicking, putting aside that some of the protesters were paid to do so, discounting that the picture is short a bunch, lets just give them the 120 figure they like.
That is still 120 versus 60,000! What, a ratio of 500 to 1 isn’t impressive enough on its own? That means they were .2 percent. THREE percent is considered “insignificant” by statisticians, so what is .2 percent? Does discounting them down to 15(4000 to 1, or .00025 percent) really make them look any MORE of a minority?
That said I still realize that it’s true, plus makes for a good headline as well….
If they weren’t paid, virtually NOBODY would ever show up for these MSM “big events”!
Holy Crap!
There must be tens of ’em!
I have been swayed and shamed. Not necessarily in that order.
Okay then. Well that settles it fellas. Let’s start the Constitutional convention up and get to rewriting out all the icky bits.
Ugh, the bearded ladies are back too….
I wonder how much it cost to pay the guys who have to sweep up the street after this carnival has been through town?
They cost extra
I think the two on the end might be the hired guns in drag.
Which end?
Yes
WOW! So that’s where part of the 50 million is going to.
Just remember, B’s contribution is deductible. In relative terms it is no more than a financially average man’s donation of $1,000 to his church over the course of a year.
Heeeheeeheee, MDA gets even funnier… I really need to go do something useful. All this laughing can’t be good for my health. 🙂
laughter is the best medicine
Hey, MDA really is good for something after all!
Shannon made me famous. Everyone knows who I am now. 🙂
Dude, you’re a rock star in the POTG crowd!
(BLUSH)
I want to buy the ‘Dirk Diggler” movie! but I’m looking for the FAMILY version is there a copy like that out there?
Sorry I’m kill’in myself over here.
DK you are even known at my church, man you do rock! And we are a traditional church too.
The last rally we had in Hartford, CT which was grassroots (the CCDL is broke compared to the NRA even, say nothing of Bloomberg) had more out of state people travel on their dime…yet the media ignores our side.
What’s the going rate for a paid Bloomie protestor? I’m a little strapped for cash. He he.
Here’s a grassroots idea.
What if we all tore a page from the dictionary with word and definition of grassroots on it (or a printout from dictionary.com or some such) and mailed it to Bloomberg / Everytown’s corporate address.
No hate speech; nothing written in it at all. Just the definition of grassroots, perhaps highlighted in Zombie Day-Glo Green.
we all know MDA’s corporate address. . . . it is still listed in their state of Indiana corporate registration/filing.
I wonder which will happen first, Bloomberg learns the limits of his money, he runs out of it, or he resorts to something illegal to “win”?
Bloomberg’s only funding this thing as a poke in the eye to Republicans from GW Bush’s crowd. Ever since his beloved Mz. Taylor had her FDIC nomination pulled due to (among others) the NRA’s objections he’s been eager to slow gun sales.
I don’t really think he care’s about this stuff or he’d put real money into it. I bet he’s more interested in getting more time to spend in his Bermuda, London, and Swiss homes. Ah, the sacrifices he’s made.
He also needs to fend off an attack on the financial data/information biz from open-source upstarts. He drove Reuters out of the business, so I bet he’s up to the task.
So let me get this straight, if we join EFGS/MDA whatever…Bloomberg sends me and the wife to NRA shows…so she can hold a sign and snap a pic, while I am inside petting the guns…hmmm.
I was thinking the same thing. Hell, can we bring the kids, too?
Of course, because this is all for the children, right?
for a free vacation, I would even have my kids hold up silly signs (while they roll their eyes or laugh at the midget billionaire)
Great minds think alike.
As long as you’re only petting them-remember, it’s a family organization!
If Bloombug had been a Native American chief, General Custer would have had a long life.
that is an insult to Native Americans, indeed
Sorry Dirk, only intended to slam Bloomingbugs antic, have infinite respect for Native Americans.
I didn’t say you insulted them, I meant it would be an insult to them if he was one of them. Besides, I am part Native American – no offense taken
Be gracious to the protesters. Let them speak when appropriate and within the regular schedule. They get nothing special. Let them trip on their own feet and fall, no pushing.
Absolutely. Always let them talk.
“Never interrupt your enemy while he is making a mistake.” ― Napolean Bonaparte
Seriously, if someone is paying your way to attend this kind of thing, your passion for the issue at hand is in question. I’m sure some of those folks are legitimately committed to the anti-gun cause, but how many of them are just along for the ride? It’s kind of a freebie vacation and all you have to do is stand outside and hold a sign for a couple hours. Sort of like one of those timeshare presentations that dangle dinner at a fancy restaurant to get you there. Friggin’ weak.
don’t forget the catered lunch (that was mentioned in one of the news articles) and as an added bonus, you get to join 10,000 other friends and listen to Joe “Double Barrel” Biden address you on a special teleconference line. . . .
And you get to Be a Part of Something, which, I suspect, is the most important component for a lot of these people.
sort of like waiting up all night in line to get into the Thanksgiving Black Friday sales of worthless Chinese crap?
Are you on the hook until they drum up 10,000? It could take forever! And would Biden have live ammo?
I love Nap Town. In fact, I hope to move there. But anyone enticed by a vacation to Indianapolis – that does not involve attending the NRA convention or a major sporting event – has some serious issues.
as an added bonus, you would be much closer to being able to publicly heckle and humiliate Shannon with such frequency that you and her bodyguards (big goons #1 and #2) would know you and your family/friends on a first name basis. that my friend is living high on the hog
You missed the “NRA not diverse enough” whiners in the other threads? Nashville = country music = not going to attract gangbangers and dopers.
Couldn’t those two on the far left (funny that) be wearing British uniforms? That would be more historically accurate.
Is that another 1st Ammendment zone?
Nah, that’s the cows their trying to clear out. No free grazing. Bloomberg as Bundy.
Hell there all out of work, all of them are BO’s friends. I know they are most likely on extended unemployment, welfare and they are do gooders, although they look like they have been fed well. I know it must be the moron group. There I go again, it’s a bunch of libs. Keep safe out there, I’m looking for some ole T shirts.
Hell, throw in a case of beer and I’d go attend their little shindig. Indiana recognizes my weapons carry permit. Maybe I’d even luck out and get a photo bomb with Shannon.
I am trying to time my photo bomb to mardi gras and getting her to work for beads. . . . 🙂 Comment Moderated
so far we have confirmed:
1. hotels – paid
2. transport – paid (some by limo)
3. catered lunch
4. stipend for attendence
= “#AstroTurfing”
Isn’t that Forrest Gump in the back?
Am I the only one who noticed there is only one, maybe two black people in this group? Doesn’t that make EveryTown RAAAACCCISSSTTTT!!?
Dirk Diggler!!
The Man!!
The Myth!!
The Legend!!
Shannon Watts new booby bounce tester!!
We bow humbly to you oh Great Dark Knight of Gun-Dom!!!
Wow we better be afraid 35 vs 60,000 .Can’t wait for the chanting and kumbyaing.All those Meanies at the NRA! When will the Facebook blogs start with the 13 likes?I think a group of 25 or maybe 35,000 NRA members should go outside and surround them,then they would have something to talk about ! Especially when 35,000 people simultaneously start LAUGHING at them.Gee wouldn’t that be a news flash!
I bet those 15 feel pretty dumb. You know, knowing they could’ve gotten paid at least.
only 35? But… but… Dear Shannon was just on TV saying over 350 attended!?!?! Or did that number include the media, body body guards, people photo-bombing from the NRA convention, and people paid to show up, but didn’t?
source on 350: Youtube. “MSNBC Jansing & Co. 20140428”.
They only had 15 XXXLs in that t-shirt order?
100 or so “protesters” showed up? That’s more like a patch of crabgrass than a grass roots “movement”.
Idiots and their sycophants aside, what’s really sad is being stuck in an era where there is even the notion floating around, that “protesting”, aka standing around like some European / Middle Eastern stooge with ones fist in the air, has some potential meaning at all.
Not only are they 85 people down from what they announced, but even with the full “strength” of 120 “protestors” (READ: strictly paid sock-puppets) compared to 60,000 convention goers, that’s still a ratio of about 500-to-1. If that is seriously the best “grass-roots” support that Nanny Loonberg can buy with all of his billions, we’ve seriously got this in the bag, folks.
It gets even more embarrassing for them when, with the actual real showing being just 35, the ratio goes up to 4,000-to-1. Approximately.
Even a Common Core math student can figure that out… eventually.
Every comment here is precious. RF’s ban on ad hominem attacks has unlocked a secret treasury of wit in us!
Next time EveryMom Demands Illegal Mayors Sensibly Go Down Town For Action™ “protests” somewhere, I would really like to see what happened if someone (on video, obviously) were to approach Watts and either ask her about, or introduce themselves as Dirk Diggler.
She HAS to know, doesn’t she?
Hell, bring a group, and have an “I am Spartacus!” moment.
^This: Show up in greater numbers than the protesters while wearing “I am Dirk Diggler” tee shirts and offer the moms all the action they can handle. If we can find enough young guys to get on board it will be like a cougar cruise. Lets see how many stay for the protest and how many prefer to retire to their hotel rooms. At the very least it ought to be a hilarious moment of making fun of something that begs out for derision.
Annual meeting probably had more pro 2a people in line for the bathrooms than every town had authentic participants.
Where is the roped off free speech zone for anit guntard protesters anyway?
somebody needs to tell the gentleman with the colonial flag that holding a British flag would be more appropriate for the crowd hes standing with.
What? How could you miss out on this opportunity? This article is perfect for the “I do not think it means what you think it means” meme….
Bloomberg obviously doesnt know the meaning of “Grassroots”….
In addition to the Thousands of NRA members who paid their own way, other TRULY Grassroots Orgs showed up as well as a line up speakers to counter protest MDA in support of Gun Rights! We showed up with Open Carry Indiana and had many of us open carrying AR15s and open and conceal carrying our side arms. We had ZERO problems, had a peaceful event, yet Shannon’s ARMED security assaulted a member of the media just for asking Shannon questions that put Shannon in the hot seat to have to answer for her LIES, her countless LIES! Here is a link to that event. The video of the speeches will be released shortly!
https://www.facebook.com/events/232314346960306/
Visit our web site http://www.moms-with-guns-demand-action.org
I have a friend that was there when this pic was taken. If you look at this pic closely you’ll see 4 people with green bags. Those are Cabela bags. You can only get those by going in the convention… only way to get in the convention is to be an NRA member… which means 4 of them might have become NRA members HAHAHA
The other 85 paid protestors went into the gun show to buy guns and ammo on Bloomejerks dime. LOL! Clown!!!
It was probably lost on Bloomer and his astroturf movement that there were 18,000 women there attending the NRA convention.