"My own beliefs have changed from when I was tasked with that project," and "today I would not have that paragraph in a document about the environment."
And with those words (and a couple more) Frank Luntz, considered by many (including DSBlog) to be one of the godfather's of the PR spin machine attacking the science of climate change, offers up his most frank admission of error to date. Here's the clip:
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Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
Although all public relations professionals are bound by a duty to not knowingly mislead the public, some have executed comprehensive campaigns of misinformation on behalf of industry clients on issues ranging from tobacco and asbestos to seat belts.
Lately, these fringe players have turned their efforts to creating confusion about climate change. This PR campaign could not be accomplished without the compliance of media as well as the assent and participation of leaders in government and business.
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... sophist is still pretty pleased with himself for the skill he was able to muster in creating that memo. And, I have to admit, where the mangling of language is concerned, it was a work of art.
But I'm not sure that he deserves praise - or much by way of forgiveness - for having been literate and clever in the way he advised a whole generation of Americans to stand longer on the railway tracks, the ample evidence of an oncoming train notwithstanding.