Ah, here's a definition.

[link|http://gopher.quux.org:70/pygfarm/dict.pyg%7C/jargon/DEFINITION/astroturfing|Just had to Google a bit]

Excerpt:

DEFINITION of 'astroturfing'
From Jargon File (4.3.3, 20 Sep 2002)

astroturfing n. 1. The use of paid shills to create the impression of a
popular movement, through means like letters to newspapers from
soi-disant `concerned citizens', paid opinion pieces, and the formation
of grass-roots lobbying groups that are actually funded by a PR group
(AstroTurf is fake grass; hence the term). 2. What an individual posting
to a public forum under an assumed name is said to be doing.

I say:

Posting under an assumed name obviously doesn't apply here. So let's deal with definition number 1.

Paid shills. Does that mean they're paid to shill? Or just shills that happen to have gainful employment of some kind? Because soldiers get paid. To fight, that is. Or just to soldier, if they're lucky.

But wait a minute. [link|http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=shill|What counts as a shill?]

Excerpt:

n.

One who poses as a satisfied customer or an enthusiastic gambler to dupe bystanders into participating in a swindle.

I say:

One who poses? [link|http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=pose|What does that mean?]

Excerpt:

1. To assume or hold a particular position or posture, as in sitting for a portrait.
2. To affect a particular mental attitude.
3. To represent oneself falsely; pretend to be other than what one is.

I say:

Well, I don't see what's so nefarious about definitions 1 or 2. And definition 3 clearly doesn't apply. So what's the beef?

Note well: definition 3 is all about lack of sincerity, so SINCERITY DOES COUNT.

v. First and third person singular past indicative was, (wz, wz; wz when unstressed)second person singular and plural and first and third person plural past indicative were, (w\ufffdr)past subjunctive were,past participle been, (bn)present participle be\ufffding, (bng)first person singular present indicative am, (m)second person singular and plural and first and third person plural present indicative are, (\ufffdr)third person singular present indicative is, (z)present subjunctive be
v. intr.

1. To exist in actuality; have life or reality: I think, therefore I am.
2.
1. To occupy a specified position: The food is on the table.
2. To remain in a certain state or situation undisturbed, untouched, or unmolested: Let the children be.
3. To take place; occur: The test was yesterday.
4. To go or come: Have you ever been to Italy? Have you been home recently?
5. Used as a copula in such senses as:
1. To equal in identity: \ufffdTo be a Christian was to be a Roman\ufffd (James Bryce).
2. To have a specified significance: A is excellent, C is passing. Let n be the unknown quantity.
3. To belong to a specified class or group: The human being is a primate.
4. To have or show a specified quality or characteristic: She is witty. All humans are mortal.
5. To seem to consist or be made of: The yard is all snow. He is all bluff and no bite.
6. To belong; befall: Peace be unto you. Woe is me.

[link|http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=is| Source ]

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