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Interlocking D.C. Circles
Monday, 29 December 2008 17:52
I'm deliberately not making judgments on the names below, some of whom are thoughtful, some make honest mistakes, and some are delivering exactly what their paymasters expect. I am not suggesting anything sinister with this list. But I think this is a useful list, because I would doublecheck the original sources before using any of the circular references for important work. Incidentally, there is a similar informal network among the consumer-focused policy advocates, which would be a good follow-up article. We all know each other, exchange ideas, review each other's work, and often provide aid. For example, I provided technical backup to some of the lawyers testifying at FCC hearings in favor of net neutrality.

Interlocking D.C. Circles, Most of Whom Have Provided Strong Support to Key Carrier Goals

This crowd have often worked together for common goals. Several are friends of mine, most honorable, and nearly all believe they are providing a public service.

Paymasters

Jim Cicconi AT&T

Tom Tauke, Verizon

(Two of the very best persuaders in the world. I learn a great deal watching them.)

Kyle McSlarrow, National Cable Association

Steve Largent, CTIA – The Wireless Association

Mike Gallagher, Entertainment Software Alliance and their peers at USTA, TIA, and other trade associations

Connected to Sam Simon, who is paid by Verizon and others to develop policy initiatives

Sally Greenberg, National Consumers League

Robert D. Atkinson, APT and ITIF

Daniel Phythyon

Advocacy Groups

Larry Irving and Bruce Mehlman, IIA

Brian Mefford, Connected Nation

Brett Swanson, Adam Thierer PFF

David McClure, USIIA

Steven Titch, Heartland Institute

Leroy Watson, National Grange

Analysis For Hire

Larry Darby, Darby Associates

Jeff Eisenach (one of the brightest)

Stephen Pociask, president of TeleNomic Research

Bell-funded work is sometimes right and sometimes not, but I'd certainly want independent confirmation before using it as the basis of a report. Especially a report about how to spend tens of billions of public dollars.