Republicans and ACORN

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Republicans are trying to pretend ACORN is part of some grand Democratic conspiracy. What are they actually doing? Registering new voters - the horror, the horror.

Most hypocritically Republicans have been working with ACORN for years. Earlier today I posted a picture of John McCain at an ACORN rally. (Here is another one on the left.) According to a Miami-Dade Community College press release,

The rally will feature sponsors of the bill, prominent leaders representing various constituencies, and immigrants themselves. Sen. John McCain, chief co-sponsor of the legislation, will be the main speaker." The release notes the event "is being sponsored by the New American Opportunity Campaign (NAOC), a coalition of local and national advocacy organizations, in partnership with ACORN.

And according to the Sun-Sentinel, McCain was the "principal speaker" at the "immigration reform town hall rally" organized by "the Archdiocese of Miami, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, ACORN, People for the American Way, and the Service Employees International."

Why would McCain speak at such an event? Maybe because ACORN was backing his immigration bill. The ACORN website states,

"Fortunately, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) have introduced a good immigration reform bill, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (S. 1033)." ACORN "strongly supports this bill and will work hard to make it become law."

John McCain Wasn't alone among Republicans who have worked with ACORN. Texas Governor Rick Perry worked closely with the group.

According to the Houston Chronicle,

the Houston chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, has raised its profile and earned the respect of local officials." The article notes, "the group's proudest moment came last week when Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill that makes important changes in the use of contracts-for-deed, a form of home lending that withholds a title from buyers until they have fully paid their loan.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist? He wasn't "bothered' by ACORN FL registration efforts and even signed a voting rights bill promoted by ACORN. According to the Orlando Sentinel,

Both Gov. Charlie Crist and Secretary of State Kurt Browning have said they don't mind ACORN being active in Florida's election process. When reporters asked Crist if there was a problem with ACORN here, he said, 'No.'

The New York Times reported, ACORN supported a law signed by Governor Crist which,

changed the rules last year to restore the voting rights of about 112,000 former convicts.

And according to Governor Crist's own website, Laura Goodhue, ACORN's Florida policy director, and Travis Munnerlyn, an ACORN member, contributed to the agenda and presented for the Governor's "H.O.P.E." task force.

Chris Shays? He supports ACORN too. Shays put out a press release stating,

Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) today announced the availability of free tax assistance for low- and moderate-income residents of Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.

ACORN is among the centers recommended by Shays.

Michael Bloomberg? He kissed ACORN's New York leader while announcing an affordable housing plan. The scandalous moment was caught on film.

What was all the excitement about? According to the July 1, 2005 edition of City Limits,

Bloomberg finally made good on a decades-old promise to include affordable housing in the development--though, as Alyssa Katz reports, it took an army of organizers to get there. The real prize for the mayor graces our cover: a warm smooch from ACORN's Bertha Lewis for his modest plan to protect or create 65,000 affordable units.

And when Bloomberg visited New Orleans, the Times-Picayune notes the

only time on his schedule when the public can see him will be at the 10:30 a.m. dedication of the ACORN Community Center at 1024 Elysian Fields Ave.

Arnold Schwarzenegger? According to the San Francisco Chronicle on 7/9/08, Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB1137,

a bill designed to help California homeowners avoid foreclosure." He was joined by "members of community group ACORN, which helped draft the measure.

And the Mercury News reported the

governor signed three copies of SB 1137, giving one to Perata, one to Dellums and one to a beaming Dorothy Hicks, an east Oakland resident and Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) activist.

Senator Mel Martinez even awarded a grant to ACORN:

According to the Times-Picayune on 10/3/03 the,

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez recently announced that his agency has awarded grants to Xavier and Tulane universities as well as ACORN and the city of New Orleans. The money will be spent to remove lead, educate the public about the dangers of lead-based paint and support research.

Tim Pawlenty sign into law a bill partially drafted by ACORN. According to the Northwestern Financial Review,

The legislature passed two bills designed to help home-buyers get a fair deal on their mortgages. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the first bill April 20 and was set to sign the second bill as this issue goes to press." The article notes, "The legislation was drafted according to recommendations made by a predatory lending study group established by Swanson prior to the legislative session. The study group contained representatives from the banking industry and the mortgage brokers association, as well as consumer advocates from organizations such as Illegal Aid and ACORN.

Even Mitt signed into law a bill supported by ACORN. According to the South Coast Today, Governor Mitt Romney signed a law that "cracked down on the practice of 'loan flipping.'" The article notes state legislator John Quinn, who authored the bill, held "nearly two-years-plus of hearings and meetings" with ACORN and that ACORN supported the final bill.

And of course Joe Lieberman has met with ACORN. According to the Washington Daybook on 02/09/06, Joe Lieberman met with members of the ACORN Katrina Survivors Association.

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/707

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Republicans are trying to pretend ACORN is part of some grand Democratic conspiracy. What are they actually doing? Registering new voters - the horror, the horror.

Most hypocritically Republicans have been working with ACORN for years. Earlier today I posted a picture of John McCain at an ACORN rally. (Here is another one on the left.) According to a Miami-Dade Community College press release,

The rally will feature sponsors of the bill, prominent leaders representing various constituencies, and immigrants themselves. Sen. John McCain, chief co-sponsor of the legislation, will be the main speaker." The release notes the event "is being sponsored by the New American Opportunity Campaign (NAOC), a coalition of local and national advocacy organizations, in partnership with ACORN.

And according to the Sun-Sentinel, McCain was the "principal speaker" at the "immigration reform town hall rally" organized by "the Archdiocese of Miami, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, ACORN, People for the American Way, and the Service Employees International."

Why would McCain speak at such an event? Maybe because ACORN was backing his immigration bill. The ACORN website states,

"Fortunately, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) have introduced a good immigration reform bill, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (S. 1033)." ACORN "strongly supports this bill and will work hard to make it become law."

John McCain Wasn't alone among Republicans who have worked with ACORN. Texas Governor Rick Perry worked closely with the group.

According to the Houston Chronicle,

the Houston chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, has raised its profile and earned the respect of local officials." The article notes, "the group's proudest moment came last week when Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill that makes important changes in the use of contracts-for-deed, a form of home lending that withholds a title from buyers until they have fully paid their loan.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist? He wasn't "bothered' by ACORN FL registration efforts and even signed a voting rights bill promoted by ACORN. According to the Orlando Sentinel,

Both Gov. Charlie Crist and Secretary of State Kurt Browning have said they don't mind ACORN being active in Florida's election process. When reporters asked Crist if there was a problem with ACORN here, he said, 'No.'

The New York Times reported, ACORN supported a law signed by Governor Crist which,

changed the rules last year to restore the voting rights of about 112,000 former convicts.

And according to Governor Crist's own website, Laura Goodhue, ACORN's Florida policy director, and Travis Munnerlyn, an ACORN member, contributed to the agenda and presented for the Governor's "H.O.P.E." task force.

Chris Shays? He supports ACORN too. Shays put out a press release stating,

Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) today announced the availability of free tax assistance for low- and moderate-income residents of Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.

ACORN is among the centers recommended by Shays.

Michael Bloomberg? He kissed ACORN's New York leader while announcing an affordable housing plan. The scandalous moment was caught on film.

What was all the excitement about? According to the July 1, 2005 edition of City Limits,

Bloomberg finally made good on a decades-old promise to include affordable housing in the development--though, as Alyssa Katz reports, it took an army of organizers to get there. The real prize for the mayor graces our cover: a warm smooch from ACORN's Bertha Lewis for his modest plan to protect or create 65,000 affordable units.

And when Bloomberg visited New Orleans, the Times-Picayune notes the

only time on his schedule when the public can see him will be at the 10:30 a.m. dedication of the ACORN Community Center at 1024 Elysian Fields Ave.

Arnold Schwarzenegger? According to the San Francisco Chronicle on 7/9/08, Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB1137,

a bill designed to help California homeowners avoid foreclosure." He was joined by "members of community group ACORN, which helped draft the measure.

And the Mercury News reported the

governor signed three copies of SB 1137, giving one to Perata, one to Dellums and one to a beaming Dorothy Hicks, an east Oakland resident and Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) activist.

Senator Mel Martinez even awarded a grant to ACORN:

According to the Times-Picayune on 10/3/03 the,

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez recently announced that his agency has awarded grants to Xavier and Tulane universities as well as ACORN and the city of New Orleans. The money will be spent to remove lead, educate the public about the dangers of lead-based paint and support research.

Tim Pawlenty sign into law a bill partially drafted by ACORN. According to the Northwestern Financial Review,

The legislature passed two bills designed to help home-buyers get a fair deal on their mortgages. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the first bill April 20 and was set to sign the second bill as this issue goes to press." The article notes, "The legislation was drafted according to recommendations made by a predatory lending study group established by Swanson prior to the legislative session. The study group contained representatives from the banking industry and the mortgage brokers association, as well as consumer advocates from organizations such as Illegal Aid and ACORN.

Even Mitt signed into law a bill supported by ACORN. According to the South Coast Today, Governor Mitt Romney signed a law that "cracked down on the practice of 'loan flipping.'" The article notes state legislator John Quinn, who authored the bill, held "nearly two-years-plus of hearings and meetings" with ACORN and that ACORN supported the final bill.

And of course Joe Lieberman has met with ACORN. According to the Washington Daybook on 02/09/06, Joe Lieberman met with members of the ACORN Katrina Survivors Association.

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/707

So is this by way of defending ACORN for attempting to help people human traffic young girls into the USA for prostitution? I mean explain that. So what Republicans kiss #### just like the Democrats, big surprise. I wouldn't give you a nickle for either party which is why I am libertarian. But there is no way they will be kissing up to ACORN next election. Wanna bet?

[Ban Hammer 13,716]

so steven, you're trying to defend an organization that aids child prostitution?

[dalegg 143]

This seems to be the foundation of every Democratic argument about what they do wrong now- "They did it, so we get to do it too". I thought the idea was to be better. Wasn't that in the campaign?

[thepizzadude 26]

I think he is just trying to play the "people hate ACORN because they are Repubs" when he should be understanding that people hate ACORN because the whole group is made up of liars and cheaters and it has been proven on many occasions in the past few years, and it just didn't start with OBAMA.

Posted: July 13, 2008 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/edito...EYzAoIy5e0xJsHO

The folks at the far-left radical activist group ACORN are embroiled in a financial corruption and cover-up scandal that they managed to keep hidden from their donors and political partners for eight years.

The New York Times reports that Dale Rathke - whose brother started the group back in 1970 as a vehicle to help low-income people "take back what's rightfully theirs" - embezzled nearly $1 million from ACORN back in 1999 and 2000.

As Michelle Malkin wrote on these pages last month, the group recently ^settled the largest case of voter fraud in Washington state history - having submitted thousands of bogus voter-registration forms.

ACORN has been implicated in similar schemes in 14 other states - including Ohio, where a worker traded crack cocaine for fraudulent registrations.

Back in the '80s and '90s, ACORN's tactics included trespassing, illegal seizure of private property, physical harassment, intimidation and outright extortion.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/o...-acorn-scandal/

Team Obama called Republican accusations "cynical," but it was forced to get fully engaged in defense of the $832,598 payment it made to ACORN and answer extensive questions from reporters.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124182750646102435.html

Democrats are split on how to deal with Acorn, the liberal "community organizing" group that deployed thousands of get-out-the-vote workers last election.

On Monday, Nevada officials charged Acorn, its regional director and its Las Vegas field director with submitting thousands of fraudulent voter registration forms last year. Larry Lomax, the registrar of voters in Las Vegas, says he believes 48% of Acorn's forms "are clearly fraudulent." On Thursday, prosecutors in Pittsburgh, Pa., also charged seven Acorn employees with filing hundreds of fraudulent voter registrations before last year's general election.

http://www.rottenacorn.com/activityMap.html

Above link is nice to look at...

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/blogs/com...s/58611182.html

# ACORN has evaded taxes, obstructed justice, engaged in self dealing, and aided and abetted a cover-up of the $948.607.50 embezzlement by Dale Rathke, the brother of ACORN founder Wade Rathke.

# ACORN has committed investment fraud, deprived the public of its right to honest services, and engaged in a racketeering enterprise affecting interstate commerce.

# ACORN has committed a conspiracy to defraud the United States by using taxpayer funds for partisan political activities.

# ACORN has submitted false filings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Labor, in addition to violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

# ACORN falsified and concealed facts concerning an illegal transaction between related parties in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)

I'm tired and this is enough....What exactly is needed to prove this group is NO GOOD whether they be liberal, conservative or clowns in the proverbial car....

[Ling Ling 22]

so steven, you're trying to defend an organization that aids child prostitution?

Come on Charles, he's defending an organization that attempts to help people...NOT the few idiots they hire that don't know left from right or right from wrong.

Do you really think Acorn has a sign that says, "come on in and ask us about child prostitution"?

We've seen an edited video. If the video in it's entirety shows the same result...then I want to see their heads roll. Even without seeing the entire video, clearly they're stupid, and should be fired at a minimum.

[Ban Hammer 13,716]

so steven, you're trying to defend an organization that aids child prostitution?

Come on Charles, he's defending an organization that attempts to help people...NOT the few idiots they hire that don't know left from right or right from wrong.

Do you really think Acorn has a sign that says, "come on in and ask us about child prostitution"?

We've seen an edited video. If the video in it's entirety shows the same result...then I want to see their heads roll. Even without seeing the entire video, clearly they're stupid, and should be fired at a minimum.

just one of many - read pizza dude's post right above your reply.

if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck..........

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This seems to be the foundation of every Democratic argument about what they do wrong now- "They did it, so we get to do it too". I thought the idea was to be better. Wasn't that in the campaign?

No. The point is that ACORN is not some evil group that the extreme Right wants to paint them as. They are a grass roots group that are not corrupt by design whatsoever. You can take any organization and find problems of individuals within that organization, but I'd love to hear a Right Winger say why they hate ACORN besides these stupid anecdotal testimony - they did this, they did that. Come on, just look at other grass root organizations in the country - the Heritage Foundation for example. If the Right Wingers were really judging such political groups based on such things, they would be going after groups like the Heritage Foundation...but they don't. Instead, Republican politicians seek the endorsement of such a group.

Hypocrisy just goes on and on among the Right Wingers. The never ending selective outrage....yawn.

[HAL 9000 96]

I'd love to see what the Feds have on ACORN as an organization. Likely nothing. What the actions of individuals do absolutely reflects on the organization as a whole... but when its institutional, then evidence that reflects that must be produced beyond innuendo and sting ops. Punish the corrupt. Also, punish the selective reasoners.

[DEDixon 39]

[Pooky 3,849]

This seems to be the foundation of every Democratic argument about what they do wrong now- "They did it, so we get to do it too". I thought the idea was to be better. Wasn't that in the campaign?

No. The point is that ACORN is not some evil group that the extreme Right wants to paint them as. They are a grass roots group that are not corrupt by design whatsoever. You can take any organization and find problems of individuals within that organization, but I'd love to hear a Right Winger say why they hate ACORN besides these stupid anecdotal testimony - they did this, they did that. Come on, just look at other grass root organizations in the country - the Heritage Foundation for example. If the Right Wingers were really judging such political groups based on such things, they would be going after groups like the Heritage Foundation...but they don't. Instead, Republican politicians seek the endorsement of such a group.

Hypocrisy just goes on and on among the Right Wingers. The never ending selective outrage....yawn.

Why would anyone go after the Heritage Foundation, Steven? Time for you to put up or shut up. Show some evidence that the Heritage Foundation is connected with anything along the lines of the misdemeanours linked to ACORN.

Oh, and your lame-assed association of the National Heritage Foundation, a completely different organisation, doesn't count. But then you knew that already, didn't you.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

This seems to be the foundation of every Democratic argument about what they do wrong now- "They did it, so we get to do it too". I thought the idea was to be better. Wasn't that in the campaign?

No. The point is that ACORN is not some evil group that the extreme Right wants to paint them as. They are a grass roots group that are not corrupt by design whatsoever. You can take any organization and find problems of individuals within that organization, but I'd love to hear a Right Winger say why they hate ACORN besides these stupid anecdotal testimony - they did this, they did that. Come on, just look at other grass root organizations in the country - the Heritage Foundation for example. If the Right Wingers were really judging such political groups based on such things, they would be going after groups like the Heritage Foundation...but they don't. Instead, Republican politicians seek the endorsement of such a group.

Hypocrisy just goes on and on among the Right Wingers. The never ending selective outrage....yawn.

Why would anyone go after the Heritage Foundation, Steven? Time for you to put up or shut up. Show some evidence that the Heritage Foundation is connected with anything along the lines of the misdemeanours linked to ACORN.

Oh, and your lame-assed association of the National Heritage Foundation, a completely different organisation, doesn't count. But then you knew that already, didn't you.

You did it now, Steven! You pissed off the little teddy bear!

[Pooky 3,849]

You did it now, Steven! You pissed off the little teddy bear!

ROFLMAO

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

so steven, you're trying to defend an organization that aids child prostitution?

He doesn't have the ability to criticize anything the Messiah is associated with.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This seems to be the foundation of every Democratic argument about what they do wrong now- "They did it, so we get to do it too". I thought the idea was to be better. Wasn't that in the campaign?

No. The point is that ACORN is not some evil group that the extreme Right wants to paint them as. They are a grass roots group that are not corrupt by design whatsoever. You can take any organization and find problems of individuals within that organization, but I'd love to hear a Right Winger say why they hate ACORN besides these stupid anecdotal testimony - they did this, they did that. Come on, just look at other grass root organizations in the country - the Heritage Foundation for example. If the Right Wingers were really judging such political groups based on such things, they would be going after groups like the Heritage Foundation...but they don't. Instead, Republican politicians seek the endorsement of such a group.

Hypocrisy just goes on and on among the Right Wingers. The never ending selective outrage....yawn.

Why would anyone go after the Heritage Foundation, Steven? Time for you to put up or shut up. Show some evidence that the Heritage Foundation is connected with anything along the lines of the misdemeanours linked to ACORN.

Oh, and your lame-assed association of the National Heritage Foundation, a completely different organisation, doesn't count. But then you knew that already, didn't you.

Hahaha...oh boy. The National Heritage Foundation is a Right Wing Group. They may not have legal ties to the Heritage Foundation, but I would bet that many members of the Heritage Foundation are also associated with the National Heritage Foundation and if we're going to play this game of guilt by association - they're practically one in the same. Lame-a$$? Is it any more lame-a$$ than these tea baggers calling Obama a Communist, Socialist, Fascist, Muslim, terrorist? Lunacy abounds...yet one side seems to carry on with it without much outcry from the very people who consider themselves to the Right. All it would take is for some prominent Republican Leaders to denounce these over-zealous nonsensical nutjobs like Glen Beck and he would be politically impotent. The continued silence from the Right - the lack of integrity for truth is appalling and sad. Although they went after Clinton when he was in office, I have never seen so much hatred and despise over a sitting president in my lifetime....and I can remember all the way back to Nixon. So if you want decency for fairness and truth, than demand it all around...and stick around to denounce the ludicrous threads that abound here coming from Right Wingers. Because I've gotten to point where I believe that fighting fire with fire is just about the only thing that with nullify the lunatic fringe on the Right.

Edited September 13, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano