Last week I told you that RAN supporters shut down interactive features on General Motor’s new greenwashing website, gmnext.com.
We posted pictures of student activists
at the Detroit auto show protesting automakers on the site and
thousands of RAN supporters flooded GM with comments supporting the
students and asking the giant automaker to take real steps, not just
greenwashing PR, on climate and green jobs.
Within a matter of hours GM shut down comments on the site.
Then, Christopher Barger, Director of Global Communications
Technology for GM, came to our blog and wrote that they turned of the
interactive features because “‘dialogue’ does not mean ‘open to
demagogues.’” One of his employees–who it seems didn’t realize that her
IP address identified her as part of the GM PR machine–going by the
name “betty” also commented on our blog and started a lively
conversation.
I know, hilarious.
Anyhow, Mr Barger also promised that they “are planning to have an
open forum — possibly even a series of them – in the coming weeks where
we will address green jobs, the quest for 100 mpg cars and other
pressing environmental issues.”
Well, to give him credit, GM has announced the first of those forums.
Mr. Barger left a note on our blog and everyone who left a comment on the site got an email today announcing that:
“GM executive Brent Dewar will be on hand to answer your
questions about GM’s environmental policies and initiatives. The chat
will take place Wednesday, February 6 from noon to 1 p.m. EST. To
access the chat, go to http://www.gmnext.com/LiveChat.aspx and register with your e-mail address. On the day of the chat, click the “Enter Chat” button and join the conversation.”
Great! Let’s ask some questions! I’ll be in the chat and I hope to
see lots of RAN supporters there asking GM why they are doing so little
about global warming, green jobs and social justice.
Don’t expect a lot of candor or honesty, we are, afterall, dealing
with the PR apparatus of one of the biggest corporations in the world.
Instead, I expect more of the same–greenwashing slogans and little real
action.
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