Name: Soso Whaley
Profession: Striver
Corporate Front Group: The Competetive Enterprise Institute
CEI is managing Whaley's aggressive publicity campaign
http://www.cei.org/dyn/newscenter.cfm
In an April 18, 2004 interview Whaley said she was glad her relationship with CEI was under wraps
One thing Whaley said she is thankful for is that none of her many interviewers have brought up on-air the fact that her project is endorsed by the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a nonprofit organization "dedicated to the principles of free enterprise and limited government."
Whaley is an adjunct fellow at CEI, and the organization is helping her handle her busy public relations schedule. But Whaley said she receives no financial backing from it. In fact, the only monetary compensation she will accept during the 30 days will be the free plane ticket and hotel room provided by the "Sharon Osbourne Show."
Keeping CEI at arm's length is intentional, Whaley said. She describes CEI as a think tank that debunks reports put out by special-interest organizations that use "fear mongering" to convince the public a certain product or practice is bad. In her case, Whaley said she is concerned about organizations that attempt to make villains out of food.
"They (CEI) look at everything in an academic, logical way," Whaley said. "They use the scientific method."
However, the topic of where the institute gets its funding can become controversial, she said. Oftentimes when an organization's data is challenged by CEI, the organization points out how CEI is funded by companies like General Motors and Exxon, Whaley said. The topic of the source of CEI's funding often has nothing to do with the issue at hand, and draws attention away from the real debate, she said.
"All people have taken money from cigarette companies at some point in time," Whaley said. "Who cares about oil money, cigarette money, celebrity money? The only way we can survive is by making money."
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/04182004/news/11297.htm
The Competitive Enterprise Institute stands against consumer rights
CEI:
- Opposes anti-spam legislation
- Supports privatizing National Parks
- Opposes the Clean Water Act
- Opposes the Clean Air Act
- Opposes any and all environmental regulations
- Opposes FDA efforts to improve pediatric drug safety
- Oppose food labeling
http://www.cei.org/dyn/issues.cfm
The Competitive Enterprise Institute and the American Council On Science And Health have combined their efforts to attack Super Size Me
On May 4, 2004 Soso Whaley announced her involvement with Ruth Kava, PhD. For more on Ruth Kava and the American Council On Science And Health click here.
Whaley authored a CEI calendar that denies the facts on overpopulation, deforestation, global warming, endangered species, and biotech food.
http://www.cei.org/gencon/003,03957.cfm
Competitive Enterprise Institute CEI - The Competitive Enterprise Institute is a non-profit public policy organization dedicated to the principles of free enterprise and limited government. Also available on the CEI website is Soso Whaley's "The World Will Not End Tomorrow" calendar. 2004 copies are gone, but 2005 is in the works. The Calendar for Optimists. Overpopulation, deforestation, global warming, endangered species, and biotech food.
http://www.countrypondfishandgameclub.com/guns_links_nh.htm