The response of the tobacco industry to its health critics was the model for every subsequent defense against attack on industry by health and environmental groups. Whether you agree with the validity of the attacks or not, the rhetoric is always the same. These actions were originally carried out by company lawyers and PR types, but after it became politicized, a whole cottage industry of independent corporate apologetics has arisen. I wonder who finances them.
This infighting can become quite ruthless. Remember when Ralph Nader went to war with GM? GM agents broke into his house looking for materials to use against him and conducted a campaign to smear him, he took them to court and won. I'm not a big fan of Ralph's, but when the pesticide industry attacked Rachel Carson they really pissed me off.
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Dress rehearsal