These guys are just hacks, period. No need to overanalyze it IMO.

I still don’t understand why you pulled the Measure D post, but I’m not going to ask why anymore. My guess is that this operation is funded by FreedomWorks Foundation (that’s who pays Kinnan’s salary, and he’s in charge of the online division according to his bio) and since FWF is charitable, it has rules about what it can and cannot do in the political realm. But that would mean that the main website if Freedomworks, Inc., which is structured differently and can play in politics if it wants. Or maybe there’s even a separate entity called FreedomTalks structured some other way.

I don’t know if that’s true or not, but if you guys really wanted to stay above the fray and position yourself as serious policy guys, then I would think you’d want to disclose all of this for the benefit of your readers. I’m not saying you have to publish donor lists or something, but you should explain the relationship this blog has with FW, Inc. and/or FWF. There’s nothing inherently insidious about operating FW Inc. one way and FWF another way, either.

I’m not alleging any funny goings-on or anything, but let’s face it: the more your disclose, the more trusted you will be. The less you disclose, the more suspect you appear. Just look at all the hullaboo in Oregon two years ago over your association with Manix. Hell, you guys and Russ Walker even fashioned two ballot initiatives to—get this—regulate lawyer’s fees. That’s right, anti-regulation FreedomWorks bankrolled a campaign to introduce anti-capitalist market regulation. Russ Walker’s stock took a big hit with that one.

In other words, start putting your money where your mouth is. Be honest about who you guys are and what you’re trying to do.

Ah yes, when in doubt…bash the French. Look at it this way…you can buy a whole lot of those “Freedom Fries”, that I’m sure you love so much, with your tax rebate.