By Merry Schrumpf & Archie L Thomas, Hamilton
The “green decoy report” is the commissioners’ basis for requesting the attorney general and governor to investigate dark money funding of various conservation organizations.
A Google search for “source of green decoy report” (Sourcewatch.org) revealed the following:
Source of report
Public front names: Green Decoys, Big Green Radicals.com, MT Outdoor Coalition
1st sub level public project name: Environmental Policy Alliance
2nd umbrella level: Center for Consumer Freedom
3rd final controlling/funding level: Berman & Co., a Washington DC marketing and lobbying firm.
Possible sources (dark money) funding: Milwaukee based Bradley Foundation, Donors Trust, Donors Capital Fund, Employment Policies lnstitute, Cola-Cola Co., Cargill, Inc., Monsanto, Tyson Foods, Outback Steakhouse, Wendy’s, Brinker’s International, Dean Foods and other undisclosed funds directed through sub levels 1, 2 & 3.
We request the commission implement the following: Amend county’s request to include all organizations responsible for funding and producing the “green decoy report” including the Montana Outdoor Coalition.
1. It is not OK in the name of Ravalli County to become the investigative arm of red dark money because the commissioners like, condone or ignore red dark money but suspect blue dark money.
2. It is not OK for the commissioners to investigate the credibility of opposition groups claiming blue dark money interference when basing their allegations solely on reports commissioned and presented by MT Outdoor Coalition and funded by Washington DC red dark money.
3. It is not OK to list only opposing conservation groups, argue over the terms “any” and” all” while claiming this is not about the WSA debate. This is disingenuous at best, plum silly at least or down right dumb sounding for most of the public.
4. Without including the “green decoy” organization in their request, any investigation will be completely illegitimate.
5. This investigation is a complete over reach of county function, a nonproductive self-generated public dispute, corrosive to the function of local government and public discourse, in addition to a waste of county/state resources.
In conclusion, we ask this commission to focus on enabling inclusive community dialogue and day to day county business. Stop staging political theater for state and national Republican party candidates. You carry their election year water buckets, yet candidates ignore Ravalli County resident’s thirst for more funds, meaningful public dialogues or better ways to serve the common public good.