In search of the Pied Piper

In  two curious articles Dagens Nyheter has been trying to dish the dirt on who is behind the opposition in the blogosphere to Swedens new FRA law.  That's the one that says the state can monitor all cross border communications all the time.

It is in a sense a good question -  political 'rent a mobs' have been a part of politics since roman times.  But is it relevant here?  People on all sides of the political spectrum have spoken out against this law and it's implications for personal privacy.  It would come as no surprise to find that those that object to it include people with intellect, initiative and resources - and that some of those are prepared to actively oppose it.  And yes, some of the people that think it's wrong might have spoken with one another and said "What the f*** are we going to do about this crock of s***."

Does that make a storm in the blogosphere into a conspiracy?  I think not. If PR companies could readily manipulate what a stream of individuals choose to write about then I'm sure the relevant question would be 'How much money and resources did the government lay down to generate a favourable tide of opinion to support this?'.  

Though perhaps that is still a relevant question - just how much has the goverment spent to try and 'form' public opinion on this question.  And just as pointedly - how much has the FRA spent to promote the introduction of this law.  What is their mandate to try and form public opinion after their own interests (It is not after all for them to decide what is in the best interests of either the state or the population).

And for that matter... the one group we know is being paid to write about this are journalists - own up guys.  What's your agenda?