The Sunday weather forecast in posh Rancho Mirage, CA is splendid: Cool and sunny. The democratic action forecast is just as grand: A sizable “Uncloak the Kochs” rally will greet a secretive meeting of funders of far-right politics, sponsored by energy multibillionaires Charles and David Koch. Feel free to join the fun from about 1:30pm to 3:30 pm–details below or here.
The chief sponsor is Common Cause, not exactly a fringe group; others include the California Nurses Association, the Courage Campaign and the Center for American Progress. OilWatchdog’s parent, Consumer Watchdog, offered a bit of help in the planning. T-shirts and a fine, funny Koch history chart courtesy of The Other 98%
Want to know more about the Koch Brothers? Check out OilWatchdog’s “Meet Koch Industries” special section and CAP’s investigative work on the brothers’ activities–funding the Tea Party and its candidates, denying global warming, supporting the Supreme Court case called Citizens United that lets the Kochs and other corporate giants anonymously finance political campaigns. Also, in California, funding a 2010 ballot measure aimed at killing the state’s green-energy initiatives.
The Kochs also have pals in very, very high places–including Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, who have attended similar Koch gatherings in the past.
Whatever goes on in Rancho Mirage will be peaceful but pointed. What I’m looking forward to is an 11 a.m. panel discussion including former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, UC Irvine law school founding dean Erwin Chemerinsky, investigative reporter Lee Fang of Think Progress, and Van Jones, whose activism on green jobs for the working class has been ground-breaking.
Greenpeace kicked things off Friday, launching its giant green blimp over Rancho Mirage, carrying a “Koch Brothers: Dirty Money” banner. Common Cause will have a video livestream of the panel and rally. OilWatchdog will be live-blogging/tweeting the 11 am. panel.
Or, if you can, show up and join the enjoyment:
Koch Busters Rally
Sunday, January 30, 2011 from approximately 1:30-3:30pm
The River parking lot, at the intersection of Rancho Las Palmas Dr. and Bob Hope Dr., opposite 41000 Bob Hope Drive, near where the “Billionaires’ Caucus” is taking place.
