AT&T senior executive vice president Jim Cicconi is very proud of all the support for the company’s proposed merger with T-Mobile. He raved about the support the merger is getting from organizations like the NAACP, the AFL-CIO, the Cattlemen’s Association, and more. Check it out:
So far the AFL-CIO and five major unions with a total membership of over 15 million workers have filed in support of our deal. Support for the transaction is also coming from some of the most respected organizations in America, including iconic names like the NAACP and LULAC. We have strong support from those representing people with disabilities and the disadvantaged. Groups representing rural interests, including The National Grange, the Cattlemen’s Association, state chapters of the Farm Bureau, and the Rural Health Association are backing our deal. The Sierra Club has publicly recognized the benefits of our transaction, and high tech industry leaders like Microsoft, Corning, and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group have all made clear their endorsements.
It’s funny that he completely failed to mention that AT&T has financial ties to numerous organizations “supporting” the merger. Cicconi would have you believe that the merger would be beneficial to numerous ethnic and social organizations. The reality is that the support was purchased. Thankfully The Washington Post is here to keep him honest. Here’s a clip from the newspaper’s findings:
Aside from money spent directly on lobbying government officials, industry observers say, AT&T is receiving support from several political leaders, trade groups and organizations such as the NAACP and at least one affiliate of the National Urban League. All have direct financial ties to the telecom giant.
Among the 14 governors listed by AT&T as supporters of the proposed merger is Bobby Jindal (R) of Louisiana. AT&T is a key sponsor of the Supriya Jindal Foundation, a charity of the governor’s wife.
The Urban League of Portland sent a similar letter to the FCC, saying the merger could help minorities gain faster access to broadband through a more robust, combined company. AT&T donated $125,000 to $249,999 last year to the National Urban League’s annual convention, the group said on its Web site.
I’m probably being naive, but I expect more from organizations like the NAACP and the National Urban League. It’s disappointing that they can be bought so easily. It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that executives like Cicconi are allowed to fool the public and tell half-truths about company support.
What do you think of the whole deal? Does it leave you feeling dirty? Does it make you feel that Jim Cicconi has a private sweatshop in his backyard?
His statement is misguided but he did not lie about anything (that's how he can sleep lol). Money makes the world go round.