ACORN Falls Off the Money Tree
The Senate took a saw to ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) and cut off a funding stream by denying the Department of Housing and Urban Development from granting funds to the community organization effort.
This decision is coming off of a string of videos surfacing since last Wednesday, causing ACORN to suffer bad publicity due to multiple workers being caught on tape by 2 conservative activists posing as a prostitute named Kenya and her pimp dressed in flashy attire and a hidden camera. In the videos ACORN employees gave advice on house-buying and how to account on tax forms for the woman's income, list 13 year old El Salvador being brought in illegally for a child sex operation as dependents and even instructing the two how to filter the money made in the illegal business venture into "the pimp's" campaign fund.
The final vote: 83-7
And who do you suppose would ever try to defend such actions you ask?
Why none other than the following:
- Dick Durbin (D-IL)
- Roland Burris (D-IL)
- Robert Casey (D-PA)
- Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
- Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
- Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
I like how Ed Morrissey put it... can we assume that Illinois and Vermont are especially sympathetic to child-whoring pimp assistance? As Ed also reported:
...in the beginning of the vote it appeared that Democrats might resist. Initially, a half-dozen Democrats cast votes in opposition to the amendment. A few more cast votes against it as the rest of the Senate voted, but the tide appeared to shift. More and more Democrats signed onto the amendment, and votes started changing. One male voice could be heard in the chamber saying, “I want to change my vote!” Among those who changed their votes: Tom Udall (D-NM), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Herb Kohl (D-WI).
Republicans are putting added pressure on the group by calling for added congressional hearings and IRS audits of ACORN following the release of three videotapes, with a rumored 4th to be released today. Should make for some interesting television from what I hear.
On a side note, I'm wondering if Obama will ever comment on any of this. Given our media's extensive reporting (note the lack of seriousness in my fingers) on this matter, I'm sure it'll happen any day now.
I am quite happy to see my Representative Steve King (R-IA) taking such an active role in all of this. As he put it, "If you see that it's endemic, that it's at least three cities will help support and organize and provide for lending to homes of prostitution for underage girls that come from foreign countries that are likely illegal, how many drugs are being dealt out of houses facilitated by ACORN?" Further more, I highly doubt ACORN is doing anything to prevent it from happening once they know what's going on.
ACORN offerered up this wonderful nonsense in a statement from ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis: "We’re disappointed that the Senate took the rare and politically convenient step of supporting eliminating some federal funding for a single organization, one that has been the target of a multi-year political assault stemming variously from the Bush White House, Fox News, and other conservative quarters."
Uh, yeah... right. Good judgement mixed with the witnessing of despicable actions has nothing to do it. (How does it go? ::chuckle::) Good luck suing those two youngsters who cracked your ACORN organization Bertha. I look forward to hearing more of your desperate spin.
Permalink | tagged ACORN, Bernie Sanders, Bertha Lewis, Dick Durbin, Obama, Patrick Leahy, Roland Burris, Scandal, Senate, Vote 
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Reader Comments (41)
I'm still undecided whether this picture of Obama is photo shopped?
Well, this is a familiar wingnut-style sort of “reasoning”: anyone who thinks it might be overreacting to block an entire organization from bidding for federal money (the ‘Tardicans’ THIRD attempt to do so this year, btw), is a per se defender of child prostitution and tax fraud.
Nice “logic.” By that reasoning, anyone who thinks Blackwater a legitimate bidder for funds is a per se defender of the drunken murder of civilians.
Stop being ridiculous, skinny. You know full well Durbin, et al. aren’t defending child prostitution and tax fraud. Come off it. Or is sputtering hissyfit indignation just the sweet crack of Wnuttery you
can’tdon’t wanna kick?Hahahaha... RIGHT! In the left wing world, helping a pimp and hooker get housing to work the field, start up a sex trade by importing illegal immigrants, cheat taxes by stating said illegals as dependents and then even show them how to filter said funds into a political campaign (I'm sure he wasn't running as a Republican, able to receive such extensive help)...
... yes helping with that ISN'T defending child prostitution or tax fraud.... not even campaign fraud. Nope, not at all. With that kind of thinking, it's no wonder the left doen't think ACORN was gulty of voter fraud. Too funny.
So, then, using this same rationale, we'll all agree to prohibit KBR, Blackwater/Xe, and Wackenhut from all future government contracting opportunities?
I think it's prudent to cut off federal funding until the organization is thoroughly investigated.
More of the same liberal operating procedure. HRW Suspends Nazi Memorabilia Enthusiast. But nothing to see here. We, the leftist truthers, care about the poor and the oppressed!
Normal people who care about honesty/decency would have risen to call for investigation into such a corrupt organization like ACORN. The silence and the excuse of the left speaks for itself.
Good LoveDoggy, chasing after the latest nonsensical Reichwing Hissyfit!
Good Doggie! Here's a biscuit!!
Winston,
Are you missing your adult supervision in CNC? Since you are thirsting for more Kool-Aid, being a Kool-Aid drinker has its perks! The famous Obama Kool-Aid drinker (who is Obama 's favorite blogger) got special treatment. But nothing to see here. We, Van Jones truthers, care about the rule of law!
Charlie Gibson and ABC didn't know about the ACORN scandal. The fake outrage for all things Tea Party etc... seems so phony. These people are willing to serve as propagandists now.
Oh, indeed. I've stopped even caring to check out whatever particular "scandals' you're bloviating breathlessly about at any given moment. It must be a function of your always marked but now accelerating attention impairment.
Chase your own wingnut sticks, Doggy. I ain't your monkey.
MSNBC is out there criticizing the entrapment these two people implemented in catching ACORN... once again carrying the water for the far left. Maybe we'll be fortunate enough to see Olbermann and Maddow use the words "sputtering hissyfits" to explain the feelings of normal thinking people... that's certain to work. That'll save ACORN/Obama.
Apparently, MSNBC/NBC doesn't seem to remember their "to catch a predator" series, in which they implemented the EXACT SAME FUCKING PROCEDURES while filming their show. Oh the sweet absurdity. I'll give CNN some credit because they've at least made a slight effort in covering this story (probably wishing they hadn't run Glenn Beck out of the building right about now) but the other networks should be completely ashamed of their reporting.
I ain't your monkey.
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We know, you are simply an Obama/Van Jones truther! So I know that you are not interested in anything other than the usual Obama/Van Jones Kool-Aid.
ACORN has been a corrupt organization for a long time! More Acorn Voter Fraud Comes to Light
Congressional Democrats still want the group to be eligible for federal money. Nothing to see here again. We, the Van Jones truthers, care about the electoral process!
Apparently, MSNBC/NBC doesn't seem to remember their "to catch a predator" series, in which they implemented the EXACT SAME FUCKING PROCEDURES while filming their show.
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They are all Van Jones/Obama truthers now.
The exact words O’Donnell used were: “I think it should be noted, to be fair, though, that this might be viewed as entrapment.” And if you know what “entrapment” means, I don’t see, frankly, how that’s even arguable; it most certainly might.
Actually I can think of several important distinctions. If you put a little thought into it, I’ll bet you could, too.
More ACORN
And maybe a comment from the Obama administration? After all, as Theresa notes in her own words, ACORN is currently working with Washington on passing health care reform, AND the president himself--a former ACORN attorney--said these groups would play a part in "shaping the agenda" for his administration.
Really? Because if I'm not mistaken ACORN would be totally for old men having sex with underage girls... given the video evidence. Just saying. (actually, now that I think about it... the Rathke brothers kinda look like some of the people that were busted on that Chris Hansen special)
Maybe if I hid my head in your sandbox for a while I'd see the light.
The exact words O’Donnell used were: “I think it should be noted, to be fair, though, that this might be viewed as entrapment.” And if you know what “entrapment” means, I don’t see, frankly, how that’s even arguable; it most certainly might.
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Sure, we, the Obama/Van Jones truthers, understand the plight of underage minority girls. This type of exposure hurts their employment! We need to defend ACORN against these attacks on their service to the poor underage minority girls.
Entrapment is irrelevant. The kids that did the videos aren't law enforcement.
Let's not lose sight of the real issue here. ACORN has consistently shown a tendency to cavalierly engage in illegal and immoral activity.
1) If there's evidence that ties regional/national ACORN folks to criminal activity, nail 'em. I did see that one ACORN official (as opposed to the part-time temporary jobbers) did plead guilty to setting illegal quotas for voter registration; I hope he gets the maximum penalty.
2) Congressional "investigations" have never accomplished much, especially since Congress can be quick to grant immunity in exchange for testimony; I'd much rather see straightforward investigations by the appropriate law enforcement agencies. If we really want to nail folks breaking the law--and see them penalized appropriately--then it's a job for the police, not the Congress...
3) As far as NBC/MSNBC is concerned, I would suggest that the difference between their "To Catch A Predator" series and these incidents is that (after the second installment of TCAP) law enforcement was directly involved, and safeguards were put in place to avoid entrapment charges. The folks in this case didn't do anything to involve LE agencies (I wish they would have, just so the clowns in the video could be properly busted.)
4) Until such time as the national organization may be cleared, I think it completely reasonable to cut off any eligibility for Federal funds. Normally, this wouldn't happen until there was actual evidence against the national organization, but this has reached the 'appearance of impropriety' stage at which politicians start looking for cover.
5) As far as the voter registration fraud indictments are concerned, I think a key point is going to be how many of the fraudulent registrations were self-reported. I mentioned (in another ACORN thread) that the registrar of voters in at least one case has stated that she never would have known of the fraud had ACORN not reported it themselves.
6) We do need to keep in mind that any chapter-based organization is subject to this sort of thing. Given malfeasance by individual chapters, do we automatically indict the entire organization?
News in the alternate reality:
Joe Wilson needs to apologize
Joe Wilson needs to apologize again
Joe Wilson needs to bake Obama cupcakes
Joe Wilson should have make up sex with Obama
Wingnuts are sputtering lunatics everyday, including 9-12
George Bush joked about Hillary Clinton's ‘fat keister’
Bernanke: U.S. Recession is 'Very Likely' Over
(no.... seriously this time... we promise)
and most importantly...
...Joe Wilson is a big fat doodooo poopy-head racist hatemongering neocon bastard.
(yet ironically, nothing about ACORN on these lefty sites, minus them blaming Fox News)
I agree with your points Wes, with the exception of #6... Although largely overlooked, ACORN abuses have been repeatedly reported across the nation over an expanded time frame.
... dare I add, and repeatedly ignored by the moonbat media.
You may dare indeed, sir.
We do need to keep in mind that any chapter-based organization is subject to this sort of thing. Given malfeasance by individual chapters, do we automatically indict the entire organization?
----------------------------------------------------
Remember Abu Graihb? I score this as another typical liberal operating procedure. More recently, they even have leftist plants to smear the whole Tea Party movement. Another example of leftist trutherism for me.
So has Blackwater, except in their case with lethal results.
Should Blackwater (or "Xe') be barred from seeking federal dollars?
Is arguing that they shouldn't the same as condoning the drunken murder of civilians?
are we talking about Ted Kennedy?
If those things have indeed occurred, then action against them is warranted, I'm not arguing that point. But should ACORN's behavior be overlooked and excused just because we can point to some other entity's bad behavior?
Oh man, this is just getting better and better by the day.
http://biggovernment.com/2009/09/15/exclusive-acorn-illegally-operating-in-maryland/
wow... that's amazing BEEF...
and in Obama's backyard nonetheless.
(worthy of again, no comment)
Roman made a great point in that article:
Too true.
Here is the "news entrapment" at NBC to defend ACORN.
I was making a different point, GR, namely: one could argue that Blackwater ought not be eligible for federal funds because of serious misbehavior by several of its employees and agents.
Now, I think there are probably pretty good arguments to be made either way. But if someone argued that Blackwater ought to remain eligible to bid on federal contracts, and I told them making such an argument was effectively defending drunken rowdies raping and murdering civilians, they'd tell me I was completely FOS and rightly so.
Skinny and Ed Morrissey say any legislators who reject an ACORN funding ban, therefore support tax evasion and child prostitution. (Actually they don't even TRY to pass that off as "logic," they just sneak it in as their premise.)
Well, that's stupid. That's just letting offensive and insulting invective replace reasoning amd logic. And the offense isn't to liberals or Democrats, it's to everyone with a working brain.
I note that "Baltimore Organizing and Support Center's" registration is current and valid. I also note that, about a year ago, UppityWoman found a dozen ACORN affiliates in various states of incorporation and licensing in Maryland, from "forfeited" to "good standing."I'm not saying that they're wrong, but I hoped they checked for things like name changes. According to City Paper's article:
Again, I'm not saying that this is wrong, but we probably shouldn't make too much of it until we've made sure that they didn't change their name or register under a different name. This may not be a smoking gun. Given that I could have an identical certificate printed and posted in 3 minutes for "Texaco Refining and Marketing, Inc." (but we all know that there are Texaco stations in Maryland), I wouldn't be waving this one around just yet.
If the evidence points up the ladder, follow it. If not, nail the responsible parties and be done with it.
"Skinny and Ed Morrissey say..."
now if I could get people to throw my name in with Malkin, Beck and Limbaugh...
.. . . I'd feel high class. Everyday would be a great day.
Whineyturd and Wessy= "Heckyl and Jeckyl"......... Blah, blah, blah!
They'd defend Satan as long as he was a demo-RAT!
Tazzmaz, who's defending them? I've said, repeatedly, that the people responsible need to go to jail. I've said that law enforcement needs to investigate and go wherever the evidence takes them. I've said that, if national or regional ACORN officials are shown to be involved, they should be nailed.
How that turns into "defending" them is beyond me.
Well, the Rafke bros should be indicted with RICO charges,....'cause it's plain as the nose on your face, but so far the silence from the 'RATs in congress and the judiciary has been deafening,....I wonder why?....Hmmm.
It surely wouldn't be 'cause they are wrapped around the Emperor like a glove, now would it?
Darrell Issa wanted to investigate the ACORNholers but the 'RATs ignored him.
As I mentioned in another thread, I'm not a big fan of "Congressional investigations" into stuff outside of government; they have an annoying habit of granting immunity in exchange for testimony.
I don't want to see Issa grandstanding as a fake prosecutor, and I don't want to see [insert Democrat here] grandstanding in defense. I want the whole thing handled by law enforcement. When it comes to this kind of stuff, I trust a MD/CA/DC grand jury way more than I do either side of Congress.
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