The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan sold out the ordinary American’s interest here a long time ago.

The most unappealing thing of theirs is this attitude that somehow they have the community’s interest at heart behind whatever they do. In reality, it is a very exclusive and elite group, and a very narrow agenda.

They patted these people on head like nice puppies for years, it’s time for them to behave or go to the pound.

Well, that settles it — they’re all liberally biased!

I’m sure we can all remember the many, many instances when the Bush White House manipulated the press and the press totally rebelled! Remember how skeptical the liberal media was of Bush’s aircraft-carrier PR stunt? Anyone? Anyone?!?

speaking on the condition of anonymity while questioning the wisdom of the White House strategy

Will House Blue Dogs start appearing on teevee in silhouette and with voice-modifiers? Will House Blue Dogs ask their mechanics to disable the OnStar in their Buicks? Will House Blue Dogs ever stop being weenies?

some o/t caught over at Sargent’s place:

Liberal Groups take direct aim at Emanuel in letter

Veal Pen Gone Wild ?

Glad to see you bring this up. Here in my small town in upstate New York, we have a terrific local chapter of the Chamber run by a smart and progressive guy, and he’s doing his best to make it clear that the various chapters around the country aren’t necessarily under the umbrella of the National Chamber. They have the option to join, but many of them don’t. Our local chapter has nothing to do with the corporate shills from the National chapter, and we are fiercely independent. I’m beginning to think that maybe we ought to drop the Chamber designation altogether and take up a new brand, just to avoid affiliation with those jerks.

But beyond the health insurance and membership costs, I do not to wish to join an organization with financial ties to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber fights against legislation addressing global warming, health care reform, financial reform, and net neutrality, among many others. Just about every time I phone my senators and congressman to ask them to vote a certain way, I can open a newspaper and find that the U.S. Chamber is advocating an opposite position. And contributing money to this effort does not seem to make any sense to me. Companies like Nike, Apple, and Pacific Gas & Electric have also realized the futility of continuing their membership. So it is for this reason, in addition to the health insurance and membership costs, that I will not be rejoining the Chamber.

He wrote back that the local chamber acts independently of the U.S. Chamber and does not take part in how they operate, but did not mention anything about financial ties to the U.S. Chamber. I have asked if the local chamber contributes dues or other payments to the U.S. Chamber, but have not received a reply yet (as I just sent the email question).