[Billthedrill]

They got slammed pretty well in the comments, and deservedly so. Does influence peddling become purer by being renamed? I wouldn't mind not being invited to these affairs as a mere citizen - frankly, most of these things sound stupefyingly boring anyway - but I am a "stakeholder" because it's my tax money these clowns are throwing around and it's getting harder to earn.

The real question is impossible to answer honestly - do these affairs result in changes in policy? If they do then we have a real problem. Just as the classic defense against bribery charges is "well, I'd have done that anyway," so for this sort of corruption as well. Best to avoid it altogether, IMHO, but none of these high rollers will be listening to me, and I guess that's really the point, isn't it?

[abb]

The real question is impossible to answer honestly - do these affairs result in changes in policy?

Actually, the question is quite easily answered. Lobbyists of all description for all sorts of causes spend untold billions to influence policy at all levels of government. Is this money being spent for fun or because it buys influence?

You know the answer.

[abb]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/second_wapo_doc_offers_more_info_on_salons.php
Second WaPo Doc Offers More Info On Salons

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec09/payforchat_07-06.html
Washington Post Under Fire Over Pay-for-access Plan

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/07/wapo-ombud-nothing-to-see-here-move-along/
WaPo Ombud: Nothing to see here, move along

http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0709/WaPo_flier_wasnt_only_salon_offer_.html?showall
WaPo flier wasn’t only ‘salon’ offer

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/07/the_dc_alon_circuit.php
The DC $alon Circuit

http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0709/WaPo_brass_talk_salons_with_staffers.html
WaPo brass talk ‘salons’ with staffers