The tobacco companies were "harped on" for protecting their interests, and i doubt that many people found the harping to be absurd. Personnally, i see a great deal of similarity in the defensive techniques employed by those industries. Plus, I would think that you'd be use to people pointing out the energyCo-funded-scientific-naysayer lobby connection by now.

>>>>>>http://www.desmogblog.com/discredited-friends-of-science-emerge-as-the-natural-resources-stewardship-project
>>>>>
>>>>>One side is funded by environmental groups and the other by energy interests.
>>>>>
>>>>>So what?
>>>>
>>>>Surely you jest.
>>>
>>>Actually, yes, that was a joke to demonstrate the absurdity of constantly harping on energy companies for protecting their interests. Apparently too subtle. Maybe I should've compared them to union's giving money to Pelosi.
>>
>>Are you impressed with how the tobacco companies protected their interests... back in the day?
>
>Actually no. They ended up looking foolish and getting creamed by lawsuits.