What’s strange is that lobbying actually has any effect at all as everyone knows this is the case! Maybe it is just the lobbyists that carry suitcases of money that have any effect!

I still think bringing religion in is bad form. From here the slippery slope would be Christians can’t be defense attorneys because sometimes you have to represent guilty people to get your paycheck.

Also you have to realize that he didn’t just go to bat for his client. He said that he reviewed the merger and decided that it would be bad for customers. Assuming he reviewed the same merger while working for the other side, he would have to say the merger is good for customers.

Lack of integrity. Plain and simple. He’s willing to come to whatever conclusion brings a paycheck. That’s not the way all lobbyists work, just the ones that have no interest in an issue other than a paycheck.

YOu’re exactly right. And it isn’t even just sat radio vs traditional radio. It is also sat radio vs portable music. The iPod has done more to depress radio listenership than Sirius and XM I’d wager. Satellite radio has plenty of competition even with a merged XM/Sirius.

I don’t see how this is a Ashcroft issue. A lobbyist is paid to shill for their client. It doesn’t necessarily mean it is the personal view of the lobbyist themselves. If anything this should be a proof of why we need to get rid of lobbyists. But it shouldn’t be personal. And bringing his religion into it was pretty low.

On a related note, I am looking forward to this merger going through. I prefer XM, but have to sign of for Sirius too every football season since they have my favorite team!

But it clearly doesn’t. If it did then why would the NAB care? The market is not satellite radio, it’s radio. If it was only satellite radio then a group that “represents traditional radio broadcasters” wouldn’t care. Maybe the merger is good, maybe it’s bad, but it should be viewed in a broader context than satellite radio.

But it clearly doesn’t. If it did then why would the NAB care? The market is not satellite radio, it’s radio. If it was only satellite radio then a group that “represents traditional radio broadcasters” wouldn’t care. Maybe the merger is good, maybe it’s bad, but it should be viewed in a broader context than satellite radio.

I don’t see how this is a Ashcroft issue. A lobbyist is paid to shill for their client. It doesn’t necessarily mean it is the personal view of the lobbyist themselves. If anything this should be a proof of why we need to get rid of lobbyists. But it shouldn’t be personal. And bringing his religion into it was pretty low.

On a related note, I am looking forward to this merger going through. I prefer XM, but have to sign of for Sirius too every football season since they have my favorite team!

YOu’re exactly right. And it isn’t even just sat radio vs traditional radio. It is also sat radio vs portable music. The iPod has done more to depress radio listenership than Sirius and XM I’d wager. Satellite radio has plenty of competition even with a merged XM/Sirius.

Also you have to realize that he didn’t just go to bat for his client. He said that he reviewed the merger and decided that it would be bad for customers. Assuming he reviewed the same merger while working for the other side, he would have to say the merger is good for customers.

Lack of integrity. Plain and simple. He’s willing to come to whatever conclusion brings a paycheck. That’s not the way all lobbyists work, just the ones that have no interest in an issue other than a paycheck.

What’s strange is that lobbying actually has any effect at all as everyone knows this is the case! Maybe it is just the lobbyists that carry suitcases of money that have any effect!

I still think bringing religion in is bad form. From here the slippery slope would be Christians can’t be defense attorneys because sometimes you have to represent guilty people to get your paycheck.