Comments (38)

Anonymous wrote on January 21, 2008 10:06 AM:

Freedom's Watch will be in existence just long enough to have an impact, be found by the IRS NOT to be a legitimate charity (their website only indicates that they PLAN to register as a 501c), pay some fines, and disband.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

Helpknot wrote on January 21, 2008 10:33 AM:

Of course it should be noted that so far in this election cycle, Sembler and his family have all donated exclusively to the Romney campaign, according to fundrace.

The Sembler Company made and continues to make its money off the creation and management of retail properties incluuding that mainstay of the American Dream, the stripmall.

Sembler's wife, Betty, is an active Drug Warrior who has made no bones about broadcasting her long held belief that pot smokers are funding terrorists.

The two of them were instrumental in founding a chain of private and allegedly non-profit teen drug abuse treatment centers, Straight Inc., which were forced to shut their doors in 1993 after years of allegations of severe abuse and the use of highly questionable treatment modalities that appeared to be based on those used in Synanon, a highly abusive and destructive cult.

Mel was not only the US Ambassador to Italy under the current President Bush, but also served as Ambassador to Australia under the first President Bush.

He served as a fundraising chair for the Scooter Libby Defense Fund, and serves as a national finance co-chair for Mitt Romney.

My chronic PTSD, intially caused by extensive sexual abuse, was radically worsened because of the abusive treatment I recieved while I was a client of the Straight program. When I revealed to the program, during my pre-admission interview, that I had been sexually involved with a Episcopal pastor for over two years, they told me that it was my own fault; that I had manipulated the pastor by offering him sex in exchange for drugs; failed to inform my parents of the revelation; and failed to notify law enforcment of the situation.

And it only gets worse the further you dig into what happened at Straight.

Yup, these are the guys to 'Watch Freedom', watch it erode that is.

warren terra wrote on January 21, 2008 10:34 AM:

Sheldon Adelson: The George Soros of the right wing, only richer.
For more on Adelson,
http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2008/01/betting-on-red.html

BTW, how many illegals work in Adelson's casinos?

debatepro wrote on January 21, 2008 10:51 AM:

We need a presidential candidate who has the ability to pull independents and republicans into over to our side of the isle and vote democratic. The primary effect will be to help democrats down the ticket. This can help circumvent some of the advantage 250 million dollars in attacks will bring to the republicons.

We need to create majority that is larger than 50+1 if we are really interested in a progressive agenda.

skylab wrote on January 21, 2008 11:06 AM:

These guys have bought themselves a big microphone all right. Many thanks for the background, given in the comments, on these low lifes. When the GOP tells you there's class warfare being practiced in this country, ironically, they are right. The GOP has been practicing it almost non-stop since McKinley and Taft. Its time for progressives to re-take the field. Its why I am caucusing for edwards on 2.05.08

cal1942 wrote on January 21, 2008 11:08 AM:

Anonymous is right, they'll depend on the glacier slow regulatory apparatus to slip away.

This is a time for wealthy Democrats to be organized to counter this group.

A major load of that selfless Hollywood money sure could help.

Slaid Cleaves wrote on January 21, 2008 11:10 AM:

Did they get permission to use Stephen Colbert's logo?

OxyCon wrote on January 21, 2008 11:28 AM:

The way you head off this group of millionaires before they have any lasting impact is to focus attacks against the individuals who make up the group. Take Ari Fleisher for example. He's a proven liar who spent everyday he was in the Bush administration telling known falsehoods and he quit right when Patrick Fitzgerald found out that he was involved in the outing of a covert CIA agent, otherwise known as an act of treason. Throw in the fact that nobody likes him and he gets booed off of every stage except, in extreme right wing circles.
Then move on to the gambling mogul millionaire, Adelson. Since when did gambling become a "family value"?
Bob Perry? Lie much pal? Swift Boat scumbag! Swift Boat Perry.
These people want to operate in the public realm? Then it's time to make their personal lives public property.
Let them see how much fun that is. Ask Richard Mellon Scaife how much fun it is for everyone to find out he boffs two bit hoes in run down trailer park hotels behind his wife's back.

wetzel wrote on January 21, 2008 11:48 AM:

Adelson may be scaling that $250 million back a bit as the election nears. Las Vegas casino companies are perched on the abyss. Adelson's fortune is in for a big hair cut. Not only are Las Vegas casinos at the epicenter of the next leg down in commercial real estate, but Southern California retirees have lost $1 trillion in home equity. There is no play money left.

The Liberator wrote on January 21, 2008 11:51 AM:

What a bunch of war profiteering shameless scumbags. How did America come to this, to be run by a mafia? This will not stand.

Michael Jones wrote on January 21, 2008 11:54 AM:

Freedom Watch-200 people with a million bucks. Move On- 2,000,000 people with a hundred bucks. My involvement with Move On gave me hope in the democratic process. 2008 is shaping up to be a test of my new found optimism.

danger wrote on January 21, 2008 12:06 PM:

These assholes are ridiculous. They'll really stop at nothing to win this election, and stoop to the lowest levels imaginable.

I say we are in open war with these people. It's going to be the ugliest election season. Luckily, regardless of who is the GOP candidate, I have an arsenal of T-shirt designs ready to smash in these guys faces. Who wants a t-shirt that says Guantanamo Bay Hotel & Casino?

TheraP wrote on January 21, 2008 12:31 PM:

Oligarchy, Inc. = Freedom's "death" watch

moondancer wrote on January 21, 2008 12:31 PM:

When a group is based on bankrupt ideology, and is lead by the corrupt and amoral, then cheating and lying is the equalizer.
Caging, revamped Jim Crow laws, and unlimited spending by the same people that have looted the treasury is the face of the modern GOP. They will do anything to win...anything.

Dennis wrote on January 21, 2008 12:38 PM:

Certainly MoveOn cannot match the millions of dollars with its grassroots approach. But the fact that it has accomplished what it has to such an extent that the Right has to resort to its present method of raising money rather than becoming an opposing grassroots movement on an even playing field shows that the Right is running scared of the American people, of which MoveOn is just a symbol.

You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

Mr Kranky wrote on January 21, 2008 12:39 PM:

@Slaid Cleaves: It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how hard the people at the Colbert Report try to satirize right wing graphic design sensibilities, they always seem to get outdone by the real thing.

What?! wrote on January 21, 2008 12:55 PM:

You know this is a jewish group, right?

And, many of the its executive board's members also lead jewish conservative council (or some such name).

And that Bebe Netanyahu of Israel is close friends and a benefactor of Adelson.

And, from newspalestine blogspot: " A few weeks before the Annapolis meeting, a congressional letter requesting increased aid for the Palestinian Authority -- which would help it meet some of its obligations toward achieving peace -- was endorsed by AIPAC, surprising many in Washington lobbying circles. (The Israeli government had not opposed the aid.) That decision earned AIPAC a sharp rebuke by one of its most important donors, billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who said, "If someone is going to jump off a bridge, it is incumbent upon their friends to dissuade them." Adelson, reportedly the third richest person in the United States and a prominent donor to the Republican Party, is also a major donor to the Zionist Organization of America, a group that, although lacking anything near the clout that AIPAC wields, is still influential among Middle East hawks in the GOP."

And we know from crooksandliers about 9iu11ani money and jets from Adelson...and who is Rudy's crazy 'bomb Iran' foreign policy advisor? Right. Be afraid, very afraid!

eve mazoe wrote on January 21, 2008 1:09 PM:

With the record breaking turnout of Democrats and Independents voting in this years elections, the GOP have given up on retaining the White House. Their only hope now is to continue the gridlock and fierce bipartisanship within the Congress, and blame it on the Democrats.

"Meet the new boss; same as the old boss"

Anonymous wrote on January 21, 2008 1:10 PM:

What does this say about the party of "moral virtures?" That it would embrace vice for the sake of retaining power.

melior wrote on January 21, 2008 1:12 PM:

Much as I'd like it to be true in Adelson's case, Las Vegas casinos are unlikely to be on the verge of a "haircut" as wished for by a commenter above.

Gambling is historically speaking one of the most recession-proof of sectors.

bunny99 wrote on January 21, 2008 1:14 PM:

How did we get here? Because nobody had the guts to stop them so now precious millions will be spent in a battle against them. I hate all of these distractions.

I blame the Democrats for not standing up against the hubris of this administration when they had the chance right after the mid-terms. They could have exposed so much crap if Pelosi and Reid really wanted to deflate this hijacking. Instead, they chose to compromise and go along so conservatives and the right wing media wouldn't call them names, while behind the scenes they'd continue to get corporate campaign dollars. I never saw anyone other than Kucinich, doggedly trying to go after these guys. No Hillary, no Obama, no desire to really take back the country. No, too busy playing it safe. Sorry, but I don't see much hope for this country.
We're in a major free fall, and the Democratic nominess are triangulating over their admiration for Ronald Reagan. Not a good sign. I'd say the chance of anything seriously changing with any of the frontrunners looks pretty slim, and that includes ending the war. I'm not buying any of it.

Thomas Lees wrote on January 21, 2008 1:24 PM:

Boycott the Venetian and other Adelson casinos!

Jim wrote on January 21, 2008 1:39 PM:

The Washington Post article doesn't mention it, but I believe Mrs James Carville has her blood stained brass talons in this group as well, helping to coordinate their efforts with Cheney.

JakeInFlorida wrote on January 21, 2008 1:43 PM:

Oh, Dear! "A Jewish Group!" (says 'What?!' above)

So, you think Jews can't be stupid war mongers, right-wing nut jobs, or supporters of the Military-Industrial Complex without it having something to do with their religion?!

Sounds a lot like the "Blame it all on the Jews" attitude/philosophy, doesn't it?

I'm sure it would surprise you to learn that generally, most US Jewish citizens are more in line with Democratic and Progressive political ideas and ideals.

Sorry! This ain't part of the 'Global Jewish Conspiacy.' You're just as twisted as they are....

IMHO

P.S. No. I'm NOT Jewish. I am Baptist.

JohnJ wrote on January 21, 2008 1:49 PM:

This is why we need to stop our partisan ways toward the repugs! /snark

brian wrote on January 21, 2008 2:05 PM:

Have you listened to Right Wing Radio lately ?

The Right Wing has nothing new. It is refreshing to hear them repeat the same tired old crap. The repeaters of the crap sound bored too.

Their tone remains the same, however : sneering, scowling, scornful ...

Old and boring - excellent ...

bean counter wrote on January 21, 2008 2:27 PM:

Is it just me or does anyone else see the image of the outstretched arm with the blue gloved fist in their logo? Seems like a thinly veiled message in what should be considered a desecration of our flag. Isn't there some sort of law against that?

Daveg wrote on January 21, 2008 2:29 PM:

JakeinFlorida,

The point is, these particular people are Jews who are acting based on their Jewishness and in particular on their alliance to Israel.

Also, most of the neocon;s who lied us into this war and stove-piped the false WMD info were Jews with close ties to Israel.

So, you can act high and mighty, but you should face up to the fact that, in this case, Americans are dying based on the lies and political $ of Zionist Jews.

I am I not even mentioning the NYT, Judith Miller, etc.

BBpd wrote on January 21, 2008 3:02 PM:

Welcome to the Capitalocracy.

In case anyone still had any doubts about who underlies the Republican Party. If the other side has a majority of the voters, you can still buy power... oh, I'm sorry you can still buy "Freedom."

Freedom to overide a majority of your countrymen who might want something different from you.

alfonsobedoya@hotmail.com wrote on January 21, 2008 3:13 PM:

>>> BTW, how many illegals work in Adelson's casinos?

In Nevada, not many, and they get fired if caught by HR. Playing footsie with illegal labor would distract him from his mission of being The King of Las Vegas (and Macau).

I work for Sheldon, and had to provide everything but my mother's birth certificate to get in the door.

And, yes, he IS an a**hole. We joke that the mock Cistine Chapel cieling painting on the port cochere USED to be of Sheldon, but the Vatican protested.

But he leaves most of The Help alone, relying upon his droogs for the dirty work.

goodgirlroxie wrote on January 21, 2008 3:13 PM:

I just sent the following letter to my representative, Lyyn Woolsey, and to my senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

Dear Rep. Woolsey, Sen. Boxer, and Sen. Feinstein,

Re: Freedom's Watch

There is a new pro-war Republican party attack machine called Freedom's Watch which is heavily-funded by right-wing Bush supporters, using its resources to finance slick advertisements aimed at poorly-informed T.V.-watchers to discredit citizens and citizen-backed organizations such as MoveOn.org that oppose the policies and actions of the Bush/Cheney administration. I encourage you to speak out against the phony message Freedom's Watch is delivering during this pivotal campaign season. Freedom's Watch reminds me of the propaganda machines behind the Nazi party's rise to power in the 1930s.

We cannot and should not stop Freedom's Watch from delivering its false message of nationalism and prolonged war, but we can condemn it and expose it as what it actually is, a front group for various big-money donors for President Bush's past campaigns.

Thank-you.

katy wrote on January 21, 2008 3:40 PM:

Can't some of these wealthy Democrats get together and buy a newspaper or two so we can start getting some of this crap out in the open? People are going to continued to be snowed if "we" can't get this information out to the American public.

What?! wrote on January 21, 2008 4:29 PM:

Daveg,
Thanks for answering jakeinflorida for me. I'm not an anti-semite by any means, but people need to understand this group of people! VP Cheney was in Las Vegas to visit the home of Adelson a few months ago. He flew in and out!

jakeinflorida, please 'google' "adelson and israel support" and start reading. I think you'll see that what Daveg says is true.

topsight wrote on January 21, 2008 5:14 PM:

Mel Sembler...Straight

http://www.rickross.com/groups/straightinc.html

'spit therapy"?

Patrick wrote on January 22, 2008 12:21 PM:

That IS the question. As A Dutch having lived in the US for five years I do *not* understand this. Instead of Obama/Clinton clashes, democrats should really bundle some efforts and counterweigh the money invested by republican billionaires.

In the end, there is only so much airtime money can buy... the point is to create think tanks, to have press outlets etc etc.. that helps to show a different perspective.

These crooks will not sleep a minute less, if America looses its prestige and its reputation in the world. If Government gets bankrupted and if nature and the climate goes to hell. They will be able to buy their little "pockets of paradise on earth"

Don wrote on January 22, 2008 1:34 PM:

Moveon could probably raise half that amount of money for similar purposes...however, the Moveon
name has been so "demonized" by the Right, with the help of the MSM, that it's TV AD effectiveness is mitigated. So, instead, how about the formation of a similar group to the Repugs, with a good catchy name like "Moving America Forward", and sollicit the same kind of $50-$100 donations from the Moveon
list and sites such as this.

What concerns me with this group is not the impact on the Presidential election, but its intent to flood smaller Congressional districts, especially rural areas, etc, where they will absolutely monopolize the message. I take some solace from the fact that the DNC is aware of what's going on, but it's possible that the Repubs are just trying to bankrupt the DNC/DCCC by making them spend a ton of money in these races. So, how about it....why can't we put together a national Prog grassroots 507, or whatever?

Hillary apologist quote artist wrote on January 22, 2008 5:18 PM:

"This ain't beanbag."

Meah Bottoms wrote on January 26, 2008 5:54 PM:

My Democratic contributions will be to MoveOn. They will need it. I like the idea that someone like Romney who has squandered his own fortune, will lose it. Hopefully this group of rich arrogant cowards who would rather spend money smearing people than anything else will just throw their money to the wind. People are sick of the manipulations, lies, and smearing, and we are onto such machinations. You are out Republicans. There are too many of us.