ResistNet

ResistNet is a website, http://www.resistnet.com/, that says it is "the online community for patriotic citizens who are opposing the Obama-led socialist agenda with a patriotic, idea-based, conservative resistance." ResistNet.com calls itself "the official social network of Grassfire Nation." In 2011, the web site resistnet.com redirected to http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/, which was promoting a "Defeat Barack Obama Radiothon" and a petition against raising the national debt ceiling. A "Start Here New Member Guide" web page on Patriot Action Network says the site is in the throes of changing its name from ResistNet to Patriot Action Network.

The sites ResistNet and PatriotActionNetwork.org were created by a group called Grassfire.org,, a conservative issues advocacy group that was assisted, at least until 2004, by Shirley & Banister Public Affairs. Shirley & Bannister served as a "contract publicist" for Grassfire.org, according to a 2004 report by Public Citizen, who received the information in an email from Max Pulsinelli, a Shirley and Bannister Public Affairs account executive, dated May 18, 2004. The president of Shirley & Bannister Public Affairs is Craig Shirley, a long-time Republican PR operative.

The "National Coordinator" of both grassfire.org and ResistNet is Darla Dawald. Dawald blogs at Patriot’s Heart Media Network.

Resistnet also links prominently to http://www.flipthishouse2010.com, another website of the "Grassfire Nation." FLIP, as used on the website, is an acronym for: "F-Free Markets, L-Limited Government, I-Individual & Family Liberties, P-Private Property & Prosperity." While the site claims not to be partisan, its proponents want liberal and progressive politicians to lose elections.

ResistNet lists the following "Resources, Links, Partners, and Like-Minded Organizations"

 * An American Revival
 * Anystreet.org http://www.modernconservative.com/index.php
 * [asamom.org] "A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots"
 * Moms for America http://www.mom4america.org
 * Question Obama http://QuestionObama.com
 * Independence Caucus http://www.ourcaucus.com
 * Tea Party Express
 * 912 Project http://www.912citizens.com a conservative activist group organized by Fox News Channel commentator Glenn Beck and which has been extensively promoted by Fox News

Website
http://www.resistnet.com

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Craig Shirley
 * Front groups
 * Grassfire.org Alliance