Opinion
It's about time ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), the much-beleagured organization right-wingers love to hate, pushes back against the efforts by the right to bring its efforts on behalf of the poor to a halt. And it's about time the liberals push back on ACORN's behalf, as well.
It's also about time somebody asks: What do the right-wingers have against helping the poor -- which is what ACORN does?
Some of the accusations leveled by the right-wingnuts against ACORN includes its involvement in criminal activities -- but it appears that, this time, those trying to bring ACORN down may be in some hot criminal water themselves. Pot, meet kettle.
ACORN has recently been the target of ambush "journalism" by right-wing Townhall.com "contributor", Hannah Giles, and conservative filmmaker, James O'Keefe, who posed as a prostitute and pimp and slithered into a few ACORN offices to try to get workers to say something incriminating on a hidden tape. They got their video of ACORN workers in Baltimore, allegedly advising this "pimp" and "prostitute" how to game the tax system to set up a brothel, which, as noted by my Examiner colleague (with whom I strongly disagree), was first posted on Andrew Breitbart's new website, biggovernment.com, and has been liberally played on Fox News.
And therein lies the problem. The ACORN workers in question have denied the conversations took place, and ACORN's attorneys subsequently sent letters to Roger Ailes, President of Fox News, on September 10th and September 11th. You can read both letters here.
In the September 10th letter, the attorneys stated in no uncertain terms that the videotape had been doctored, and demanded that Fox "cease publication of these tapes unless it can produce proof that the conversations actually took place." The letter also asks Fox to "take your responsibility as a news gathering organization seriously." I have seen no evidence that Fox has honored either of these requests.
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In the letter sent to Ailes on September 11th, ACORN's attorneys notified Fox of their conclusion that the "filming and broadcast of the conversations at the Baltimore ACORN offices violates §10-402 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Maryland Code, which makes it unlawful to wilfully intercept, endeavor to intercept, or procure any other person to intercept any oral conversation unless all parties to the communication consent." The letter also demands the Fox "immediately withdraw the videos from the air and from the internet until a court rules on the lawfulness of the distribution and broadcast of the videos."
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ACORN, finally, seems to have had it with the smear campaigns and hate-filled rhetoric and those who may even be willing to risk violating the law to bring ACORN to its knees. The liberal public needs to hijack the ACORN conversation and return it to sanity -- turn it away from the "voter registration fraud," turn it away from the "criminal" accusations, and turn it back to the foundation of the organization, which is its successful efforts to empower impoverished people in impoverished communities.
Tell me again what the right has against helping poor people?
Comments
They say they help poor people. The videos show how easily Acorn workers, at more than one location, they will aid horrible acts against humanity, specifically, child prostitution. Is that helping poor people, or exploiting their suffering? This is what organizations like Acorn, and the left in general, have done to the poor for generations.
Let me get this straight. Because two people showed ACORN workers providing advice on cheating the tax system and running a disguised prositution center that smuggles illegal minors into the US, they are against "helping the poor?" Are police against "helping the poor" when they do a sting operation? Does "helping the poor" mean showing them how to break the law?
Your article shows not only your malice towards people who like a world with a little less corruption, but it shows that your hack skills as a journalist make you less worthy to publish your material than a fifth grade elementary student.
Who the hell would believe that two people uncovering the truth are against "helping the poor?" If I am against abortion, do I want women to die?
You assume that the video is misleading, but quote ACORN's letter to Ailes as though it were completely forthright. Without any additional evidence, if you doubt one you have to doubt the other. Furthermore, ACORN is not the only anti-poverty initiative in the US. If a conservative organization stood to receive government funds, surely you would want it brought under public scrutiny first. There is no reason to grant ACORN any special immunity, and a taxpayer's demand for such scrutiny does not constitute any breach of morality.
If the video tapes were doctored and the employees are innocent of wrong doing, then why has Acorn dismissed some employees after the story broke? Is Acorn firing employees to give the impression of remedial action? It sounds like the employees who were dismissed may have legal grounds for wrongful termination AGAINST Acorn. Ironic huh?
I have nothing against an organization helping the poor. I contribute to several such charitable groups. However, I do have a problem with an organization that, per the video tapes, appears to attempt to help an individual whose stated job by definition degrades/abuses females - minors too at that! You actually support an organization that would enable a pimp?
The author of this article isn't very bright
This is NOT about the right being against poor people. What the video appears to show is an organization helping an oppressor and exploiter of young women. How can you defend the actions of any group that does that? Any person of compassion, and especially all women, must take a stand against such exploitation. Ban Acorn now!
Please explain to me what fomenting a child sex ring that exploits poor Salvadoran children has to do with "helping the poor"
Under indictment in how many states - 14? over 440,000 acknowledged instances of voter fraud - by ACORN - and just wonder how many in actuality? 270 businesses registered to one New Orleans address? 60 Minutes did specials on ACORN? Doe the author endorse child prostitution as a viable career choice? Income tax evasion as an acceptable practice? Pray tell me their innocence in these matters.....
Two brothers - one a convicted felon - at the top of ACORN; and a plethora of dubious allegations & this author thinks this crooked organization should go after Fox? Ya know, I bet Fox does too. Can you even imagine "Discovery?" Time to bring their misdeeds to light - I bet Fox is just licking their lips.
This truly is the mentality of liberals: Do what you want - illegal or not. If the conservatives say anything about it; well, they're hateful/racist/ or the favorite "It's a smear campaign". How dare conservatives use their (Dems) own words/actions against them? ..Unbelievable
Why not admit ACORN has deviated from its original charter? There are lots of other good organizations to support that help the poor. ACORN has a bad track record and "liberals" are afraid to admit it. I don't think ACORN can be or should be saved. Even if it discolves, the same people will just pop up in a new group.
"They say they help poor people. The videos show how easily Acorn workers, at more than one location, they will aid horrible acts against humanity, specifically, child prostitution. Is that helping poor people, or exploiting their suffering? This is what organizations like Acorn, and the left in general, have done to the poor for generations."
Exploits suffering so they can help them at a later date so they can stay in BUSINESS. If they just helped everybody there would eventually be no need for ACORN.
Hannah Giles, the girl who played the part of the prostitute said on Fox News she couldn't believe the people "fell" for the ruse.
This was a practical joke played on innocent and unsuspecting ACORN employees, which has led to them being humiliated and attacked in public. There is no evidence of ACORN or ACORN Housing otherwise promoting something as ridiculous as an underage brothel. The ACORN employees were duped into supporting the scheme and in fact in the Baltimore video the tax preparer actually has to check the code list, which indicates to me and hopefully any other thinking person that she had never encountered this situation before. People are conned into making bad moral judgments all the time.
Without any evidence of ACORN ever actually supporting this type of business, these videos are relegated to the category of political theater -- a farce promoted by the extreme right wing of this country. People who are outraged are being manipulated.
Hey Julie,
Would the actions of the ACORN workers have been any less contemptible if the reporters were Democrats? Is there only impropriety if those committing the acts are conservatives? Are you even freaking serious?
Do you liberals band together in your delusions? Illegal is illegal - no matter who it is that does the criminal activity.
Are you for real? Do you foster guilt feelings over having had an education, decent food, and housing; is that why there is so much sympathy for criminal behavior? Or do you see yourself as one of the "Elite" - so much above everyone else that those poor, fortunates couldn't ever be as accomplished as you so they need SOOOOOOOOO much help? Either way, get counseling. You need some reality orientation.
Common Sense
Tell me again what the left has against human rights for Central American girls trapped in protitution?
"There is no evidence of ACORN or ACORN Housing otherwise promoting something as ridiculous as an underage brothel."
Really? I thought there was a video of it.
Tom:
"Innocent" people do not counsel pimps and prostitutes:
"Loose lips sink ships".
"Innocent people do not loose their jobs if they have committed no wrongdoing. The fact that you see these women as "innocent" when they think they're helping people to commit the crimes of tax evasion, obtaining illegally gained loans, and helping to further the nasty business of exploiting female children for prostitution says more about you than anything else. It also explains why we have such imbeciles running this country.
John, promoting a brothel during the course of normal business, not when two con artists show up at their door. (They planned it all out beforehand and even had scripts that cleverly weaved in the story during the course of the meeting.)
Ruth, I think they should have been fired. But I also don't blame them for falling into Hannah and James's trap, and I certainly would not start accusing ACORN of engaging in these illegal activities until I have evidence other than this video. If ACORN has been found to funnel any money at all into illegal endeavors I would be the first one to speak out.
When I worked for the federal government we had an Ethics Code that included a provision that not only do we not perform illegal acts but we must avoid actions that could give the impression of improper conduct. Perhaps Acorn could issue such a code for its employees to help guide their conduct. I know it should be common sense but unfortunately it obviously isn't to some.
Tom:
It wasn't a very deceptive "con". At no point do they parse words or attempt to make the fictitious child appear to be anything but a brothel. The ACORN employees also point to specific aspects of US tax law and advise the "con artists" on how to make their "business" appear legitimate with respect to these laws. This, to me, says that they were thinking about what they were saying and were fully aware of what they were doing.
James O'Keefe said bring it on (when asked about a lawsuit).
So ACORN bring it on you chicken $#!+ morons.
Fox has lawyers too,they are not worried about you acornhead mofos!
There will be more incriminating evidence coming out about Acorn because the people working for & running acorn are so damn stupid you could walk into one of their offices tommorow & they would blab off about illegal activities agan.
John, promoting a brothel during the course of normal business, not when two con artists show up at their door. (They planned it all out beforehand and even had scripts that cleverly weaved in the story during the course of the meeting.)
Ruth, I think they should have been fired. But I also don't blame them for falling into Hannah and James's trap, and I certainly would not start accusing ACORN of engaging in these illegal activities until I have evidence other than this video. If ACORN has been found to funnel any money at all into illegal endeavors I would be the first one to speak out.
We are a nation of laws and the people who created these tapes have broken them. They should be convicted of the felony they perpetrated and given the maximum 5 year jail sentence.
Ethically, what the producers of this tape did was wrong as well.
ACORN exemplifies American greatness. They are a group of hard-working people that don't make much money, have no resources, and they accomplished monumental tasks for the poor. Its a great American organization and should be honored as such, instead of being terrorized by extremist right wing groups who are too politically biased to see or admit the truth.
This is just another example of Republicans dragging the country downhill. Their policies and tactics have created an economic meltdown, failed to catch Osama Bid Laden, and permanently shipped millions of jobs overseas. Now they don't want us to fix our broken healthcare system. Its time for Democrats and Centerists to stand up to this small group that is destroying our great c
At a time when we need to come together as a nation to tackle the large problems we face, extremists from the right-wing continue to promote this kind of divisive activity. They do it on purpose with no factual or moral ground to stand on. Only political. Its time for Democrats and Centrists to stand up to these minority extremist groups who are aiding the downfall of our great country. Yes, they are ruining our great country and they spotlight should be turned on them for doing so.
A group of hard-working people that don't make much money, have no resources?
Are you nuts?
ACORN got $53 million in federal funds since 1994 & are now eligible for up to $8 billion more.
Actually no I'm not nuts. But if you think they are going to get 8 Billion your the one that clearly is nuts. Based on what you've already written, I think you have already show us that. :)
CEJr: 53 Million? 8 Billion? Where are you getting your information from? Can you cite your information from a credible source?
Justin - The story isn't about someone out to get Acorn. It is about a few Acorn employees making some very poor decisions. Decisions for which Acorn fired them (that is unless Acorn fires innocent people, but then you know Acorn better than me). There is NEVER any justification for anyone or group to help promote child prostitution. Acorn should hang its head in shame and establish safeguards to prevent such bad judgements from happening again instead of whinning. End of story.
No CEJr, I doubt you can cite your sources. But ACORN has in fact cited the exact law that these two right wing extremist have broken. Maybe we should consider them right wing terrorists as they willing to break the law to instill fear and further their own political goals in the process no matter who gets hurt.
We all know this is purely political and that right-wing extremists like Mr. O'Keefe have a long history of trying to bring down this community organization. This producer also produced similar videos at planned parenthood clinics because he is an anti-abortionist. These videos were on Youtube, until they pulled them because they were made illegally. Looks like Mr. O'Keefe has not learned his lesson and Im sure the courts will take note of that.
The producers have broken the law....again. What contributing member of great society defends someone who breaks the law?
Tom:
It wasn't a very deceptive "con". At no point do they parse words or attempt to make the fictitious child appear to be anything but a brothel. The ACORN employees also point to specific aspects of US tax law and advise the "con artists" on how to make their "business" appear legitimate with respect to these laws. This, to me, says that they were thinking about what they were saying and were fully aware of what they were doing.
Justin - "What contibuting member of a great society defends someone who breakes the law". Acorn is against enforcement of existing immigration law and the deportation of illegal aliens. Yet I thought, per your posts, you were attempting to support Acorn. Please make up your mind. Either you are for adhearance to the law or against it. Your logic is confusing your readers. Well?
Chris-This is, in fact, a planned plot to try and frame ACORN in a poor light. It was a planned plot that has unfortunately worked. You forget that there was never any real prostitution ring or primp to begin with. It was made up, by a man who has a history of pulling the same prank on Planned Parenthood because he doesn't like the idea of abortion.
I'm sure ACORN is ashamed of these two employees who showed extremely poor personnel moral character during this sting operation. They played right into the producers hands. The fact that the staffers were immediately fired is proof that the organization does not condone that behavior in any way. I'm sure they feel ashamed, wouldn't you be if someone working in your company behaved in such a manner on such a public forum? But to suggest the organization condones that behavior is simply not true.
Chris I have presented facts and clear logic hear. You are the one that is attempting to fame ACORN as if they are breaking laws, when they are not.
Why don't you just come out and say that your against the group for ideological reasons, that have nothing to do with current events?
Chris-Lets be clear here: ACORN broke no laws. However, the producers who created this tape did, in fact, break the law.
We are a nation of laws and the producers broke the law by entrapping people on film without letting them know they were being recorded.
Justin - I'm not against the organization. However, I am against blind loyality that ends up allowing "the ends to justify the means". Ultimately it also undercuts the creditability of any organization that allows such a mindset. That is what is happening to Acorn now. Their good work will be over shadowed by more sensational headlines. Acorn should have just taken responsibilty, fired the workers, and instituted new ethical guidelines w/o the all the crying. Thanks.
Tom:
It wasn't a very deceptive "con". At no point do they parse words or attempt to make the fictitious child appear to be anything but a brothel. The ACORN employees also point to specific aspects of US tax law and advise the "con artists" on how to make their "business" appear legitimate with respect to these laws. This, to me, says that they were thinking about what they were saying and were fully aware of what they were doing.
Chris- Again, the workers were in fact fired because the organization does not condone such behavior or promote some kind of "mindset" as you suggested in your recent post. It would be courteous of you to stay current on the issues if your going to debate them in a public forum.
The real issue is that this group is a victim of a crime perpetrated by a repeat offender. ACORN is right to be upset because the prank has escalated and led the Census Bureau to cancel its relationship with ACORN for fear of Political fallout from the right. We have now lost the services ACORN offers the country when it VOLUNTEERS to take the census in the largest cities in the country.
ACORN has a right to be upset at this prankster for seeking to publicly harm its image and so should anyone else that knows the law and can judge right from wrong. This criminal prank has escalated into a serious situation in which the producer may face 5 years jail time for his criminal activity
Justin - Sorry, I'm not trying to off topic. My point is that perception is everything. Debating if a law was or wasn't broken by Acorn or their workers doesn't matter. For example, someone chats up a decoy police officer playing the role of a hooker. The police arrest you. Your girlfriend becomes your exgirlfriend. She (as in the public re: Acorn) doesn't care if it was entrapment or if the police officer wasn't really a hooker. Your head will be handed to you. That is what is happening to Acorn. Splitting hairs doesn't matter, perception is NOW reality for Acorn. Nice commenting with you.
Mr. Driscoll, Do You believe the crap You are spoonfeeding what I can only hope is a small, limp brain lefty few? Or is it closer to true that Your words were as half-heartedly written as they seem?
Either way I am pourin' out my Kool-Aid and poppin' open a good old can of the Conservative Cola after reading Your IQ damaging article!
Thanks Alot Man!
You should thank these "extremists" for at least fishing out employees who don't even think twice about child prostitution and sex trafficking and go well out of their way to assist in falsifying documents, and other illegal activity.
This is an organization that receives federal funds, our tax payer dollars. When an organization receives our tax dollars, there needs to be a certain level of transparency. It can only be for the good of ACORN that this is released, so they work harder to improve their operations and put more effort into hiring better employees.
Anyone who attempts to justify these ladies' actions is sick and a brainless dolt. While these two young adults' tactics were sneaky, they were never manipulative. The transcripts are clear, and these workers were disgusting. It would be one thing if this was just one office, but now there are three different offices who have assisted these journalists in conspiring illegal activity.
Julie Driscoll is the embodiment of everything that is wrong with our culture and society today.
You can opine about this all you want, but the fact is ACORN is done. Defending this group at this point puts you in the very small minority. The best thing the political left could do is sever all ties with ACORN or they will go down with the ship. Trying to defend ACORN by turning things around and blaming the people who exposed this nonsense is laughable. I know it's hard to let go and admit defeat on this one, but defending ACORN only makes YOU look stupid.
ACORN is exactly what it's name implies. A nut case.
Ms. Driscoll really seems to be out of touch with reality. This has nothing to do with the poor. ACORN is a criminal enterprise. They have been involve in illegal voter registration in at least 14 states with something like 30 guilty pleas. Now they are caught promoting tax evasion and a prostitution ring. Wow, I cant believe the media isnt going after this organization. The media in this country has become complicit in the destruction of our society.
That a liberal will still defend ACORN says it all. I suppose there are people who defend the mafia as well. Sigh.
ACORN'S Brooklyn, NY office has also been exposed today.
Let's not forget Obama was a legal counsel for ACORN. I wonder if this is part of the "counseling" he advised them on?
Surely you cannot be opposed to a complete bipartisan investigation of ACORN by congress. It will either exonerate them or destroy them. It is our tax dollars and by damn we have a right to know where it is going. Time for accountibility?
All groups will have individuals who do bad things. The defining difference between Liberalism and Conservatism, though, has to do with what happens when one is caught. When a conservative is caught doing soething unethical, the group denounces them and nearly always the offender steps down. It's the ethical thing to do.
When a liberal is caught, the immediate reaction is to find someone to blame. I think that's because of the concept of moral relativism which seems to be endemic amongst liberals: the end justifies the means, so if a liberal get caught it must be because of some evil, bad person.
This attitude prevails, from the lowest Acorn employee to the President of the United States. Everything is someone else's fault. Whether it's Bush, or racism, or bible-thumpers, there's always someone to blame.
I know AJ can grow up to be anything he wants, and I'll love him no matter what, but I pray he doesn't grow up to be a liberal. I pray I'm a better parent than that.
surely, this lady cannot be serious with a defense of the indefensible? She is exactly what is wrong with America. Unreal. Not even Obama is going to defend this.
ACORN needs to be stopped. ACORN is a danger to our society. Did she even watch the video tapes. My god, what kind of family must the author of this opinion grown up in?
Conservatives want to help the poor, help them help themselves. Help them gain the skills and knowledge to live a proud life. There will always be some folks who are unhealthy or too feeble, let us help them live a respectable life. Across America you will find many more working poor who have Conservative values than identify with the Liberal viewpoint. The unrealized elephant in the room is that great number of the middle class is but one generation removed from the working poor. These citizens had stories of the great depression drilled into their heads. The value of education, hard work and most importantly, self sufficiency driven into their soul. These people believe in less government. One of the biggest reasons is so the working poor can have an opportunity to pull themselves up to middle class. They believe in limiting the Governments ability to regulate them down. They are for Americans first and foremost. Rebuild America, employ Americans, take care of our own.
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