ACORN: The Official Thread

[VampElvis]

Yes a corrupt polician from Chicago whose rise was just on false promises a catchy slogan and a whole bunch of people not questioning anything, and a half-wit who might not even be legally sane if actually tested.

I feel so warm and fuzzy inside thinking of our chosen leaders

That made me laugh

 

[VampElvis]

You do realize voter registration fraud is a misdemeanor right? Do their practices suck? Yes. Is it really worthy of round the clock news coverage, or even any news coverage like Matt is saying? No, not really.

But when a publicly funded, national organization shows a repeated disregard for these laws does it warrant a congressional investigation? You bet Rosie O'Donnell's ample buttocks it does.

 

[StorminNorman]

You do realize voter registration fraud is a misdemeanor right? Do their practices suck? Yes. Is it really worthy of round the clock news coverage, or even any news coverage like Matt is saying? No, not really.

The fraud I am concerned about is that of the taxpayers. It's a criminal organization.

 

[souvlaki]

The fraud I am concerned about is that of the taxpayers. It's a criminal organization.

Until there is actual evidence of real voter fraud (which there is none) the only thing ACORN as an entity is guilty of as far as I'm concerned is hiring idiots. The only purpose the voter registration fraud probably served was a regional manager or two encouraging signups with the purpose of boosting their signup numbers. To my knowledge all those problems were handled internally already, and their commission based paying system has been eliminated. If this happens again in 2010 or 2012 I'll probably agree with you, but right now investigating this is as much a waste of taxpayer money as giving money to ACORN itself. We give money to all kinds of companies with bad business practices, and all of them have their fair share of idiots working in high positions. Do they all warrant congressional investigations?

 

[Wiseman]

Until there is actual evidence of real voter fraud (which there is none) the only thing ACORN as an entity is guilty of as far as I'm concerned is hiring idiots. The only purpose the voter registration fraud probably served was a regional manager or two encouraging signups with the purpose of boosting their signup numbers. To my knowledge all those problems were handled internally already, and their commission based paying system has been eliminated. If this happens again in 2010 or 2012 I'll probably agree with you, but right now investigating this is as much a waste of taxpayer money as giving money to ACORN itself.

So you are saying that there is no actual evidence even though there have been plenty of allegations............and you are also saying that there is no need to investigate.


That makes sense, I mean just because you see smoke inside your house, that doesn't mean you should check and see if something's on fire. I'm sure it's fine

 

[souvlaki]

So you are saying that there is no actual evidence even though there have been plenty of allegations............and you are also saying that there is no need to investigate.


That makes sense, I mean just because you see smoke inside your house, that doesn't mean you should check and see if something's on fire. I'm sure it's fine

Do you not know the difference between voter registration fraud and voter fraud? There is a huge difference between registering Mickey Mouse to vote, and Mickey Mouse actually showing up to vote.

 

[Handsome Rob]

Do you not know the difference between voter registration fraud and voter fraud? There is a huge difference between registering Mickey Mouse to vote, and Mickey Mouse actually showing up to vote.

I know the difference. I also know what is the same: In each instance, it is FRAUD.

Either one affects the integrity (perceived and actual) of our voting system. And, a perception of integrity is just as important to the voting process as actual integrity--particularly when it comes to voting.

 

[souvlaki]

I know the difference. I also know what is the same: In each instance, it is FRAUD.

Either one affects the integrity (perceived and actual) of our voting system. And, a perception of integrity is just as important to the voting process as actual integrity--particularly when it comes to voting.

One is a misdemeanor, one is a felony. One occurs ALL THE TIME because by law ALL APPLICATIONS have to be turned into the Registrar of Voters, fake or not, the other, well... only 1% of all cases of voter fraud have actually been successfully prosecuted. One effects the outcome of an election, the other doesn't. There is a huge difference.

 

[Handsome Rob]

One is a misdemeanor, one is a felony. One occurs ALL THE TIME because by law ALL APPLICATIONS have to be turned into the Registrar of Voters, fake or not, the other, well... only 1% of all cases of voter fraud have actually been successfully prosecuted. One effects the outcome of an election, the other doesn't. There is a huge difference.

Both affect the outcome of an election--one in actuality and perception (voter fraud), the other in perception only (registration fraud). Both cause damage to the voting system.

Or, do you believe that the only way an outcome of an election can be affected is by whether or not "fake" or "dead" people vote?

 

[souvlaki]

I understand what you are saying btw, Handsome Rob, I just don't get why people freak out about ACORN like they are guilty of everything under the sun. Voter registration fraud happens a lot simply because of the laws regarding destroying applications. Does ACORN have issues? Yes. But they've also apparently been solved internally. Should that be taken into consideration when they put in their application for federal funding? Of course. But I think people saying there is some vast conspiracy involving the Obama White House and the liberal media because congress has better things to do with it's time than investigate a misdemeanor is bordering on wing nut crazy.

 

[souvlaki]

Both affect the outcome of an election--one in actuality and perception (voter fraud), the other in perception only (registration fraud). Both cause damage to the voting system.

Or, do you believe that the only way an outcome of an election can be affected is by whether or not "fake" or "dead" people vote?

Okay, I get your point. On the other hand I don't remember congress investigating claims of voter intimidation back in 2000, 2004, or 2008 either. That in my opinion has far more of an effect on an election than the perception of high registration numbers.

 

[VampElvis]

I'm perturbed by this ACORN situation, but I'm almost angry that they dropped the charges on the Black Panthers in PA. THAT had an impact; or at least I believe it did.

 

[Kelly]

Geeeeeez people, chill out and discuss.

 

[Kelly]

I understand what you are saying btw, Handsome Rob, I just don't get why people freak out about ACORN like they are guilty of everything under the sun. Voter registration fraud happens a lot simply because of the laws regarding destroying applications. Does ACORN have issues? Yes. But they've also apparently been solved internally. Should that be taken into consideration when they put in their application for federal funding? Of course. But I think people saying there is some vast conspiracy involving the Obama White House and the liberal media because congress has better things to do with it's time than investigate a misdemeanor is bordering on wing nut crazy.

I could really care less about voter registration fraud, it happens in every election. But, they have been a part of alot of things that don't bode well with me. Probably the biggest is their involvment in the Fannie/Freddie crap.....they were the organization that pushed for alot of what was written in the legislation to allow some pretty shady housing deals to people that couldn't afford the loans they were getting....Considering that is the base of the problems we see today.......I can't help but have a queasy feeling in my stomach to think they are going to have a hand in anything specific to the National Government, as in our Census, etc. Just don't feel good about that....nor do I plan on answering any of the questions except how many people live in my house if they are the organization heading this up......

 

[souvlaki]

I could really care less about voter registration fraud, it happens in every election. But, they have been a part of alot of things that don't bode well with me. Probably the biggest is their involvment in the Fannie/Freddie crap.....they were the organization that pushed for alot of what was written in the legislation to allow some pretty shady housing deals to people that couldn't afford the loans they were getting....Considering that is the base of the problems we see today.......I can't help but have a queasy feeling in my stomach to think they are going to have a hand in anything specific to the National Government, as in our Census, etc. Just don't feel good about that....nor do I plan on answering any of the questions except how many people live in my house if they are the organization heading this up......

What is the penalty for refusing to answer the census questions out of curiosity?

 

[Bathead]

What is the penalty for refusing to answer the census questions out of curiosity?

Hm? Don't believe there is any. I think.

 

[Hobodeluxe]

The Regional direction in Nevada was charged with Voter Registration Fraud.

The fined ACORN for its workers being found guilty of Voter Registration Fraud.

Seven men charged in Pennsylvanian have claimed that they were pressured by the organization to fulfill quotas

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/politics/19471568/detail.html

Even Souvlaki admitted how flawed and stupid their organizational practices were. They system for registering voters intentionally festers Voter Registration Fraud.

by "charged with" you mean convicted right?

as for "pressure to fill quotas" that's not exactly directing them to forge signatures.

you're seeing this vast conspiracy where there is none. This whole effort by the right to make these accusations and repeat them ad nauseum is part of an agenda to eliminate them as a voter registration group.
They register too many minorities/poor people for some people to accept I guess.

Far less egregious than Bush (and Obama hasn't stopped it) giving out money for "faith based initiatives" in a quid pro quo for the churches'/religious organization's membership contact lists and political coordination.

 

[Kelly]

What is the penalty for refusing to answer the census questions out of curiosity?

It is a fine, I believe, of up to $5,000.....but I have never heard of anyone actually getting fined for not answering......

It will be interesting to see when people don't answer more than the number in their household and if they get fined. For some reason, I think fines will be given out with this census.....not sure why I believe that, but I do....

 

[Kelly]

Hm? Don't believe there is any. I think.

Yes there is....it's a fine. Points above....

 

[StorminNorman]

by "charged with" you mean convicted right?

as for "pressure to fill quotas" that's not exactly directing them to forge signatures.

you're seeing this vast conspiracy where there is none. This whole effort by the right to make these accusations and repeat them ad nauseum is part of an agenda to eliminate them as a voter registration group.
They register too many minorities/poor people for some people to accept I guess.

Far less egregious than Bush (and Obama hasn't stopped it) giving out money for "faith based initiatives" in a quid pro quo for the churches'/religious organization's membership contact lists and political coordination.

Yes, why would the right not want to oust a partisan, corrupt organization?

I don't buy into the Beck theory that Obama and ACORN are trying to destroy the American economy in hopes of building a socialist utopia (for one it wouldn't work here anyway) - but the company is clearly corrupt.

 

[Kelly]

agreed.....


And I don't think everyone in the organization is corrupt. I think many,truly want to do good in their community, but the leadership IMO, has more to do with power, than helping our urban communities.

 

[Matt]

Until there is actual evidence of real voter fraud (which there is none) the only thing ACORN as an entity is guilty of as far as I'm concerned is hiring idiots. The only purpose the voter registration fraud probably served was a regional manager or two encouraging signups with the purpose of boosting their signup numbers. To my knowledge all those problems were handled internally already, and their commission based paying system has been eliminated. If this happens again in 2010 or 2012 I'll probably agree with you, but right now investigating this is as much a waste of taxpayer money as giving money to ACORN itself. We give money to all kinds of companies with bad business practices, and all of them have their fair share of idiots working in high positions. Do they all warrant congressional investigations?

Yes, they do. If a murderer kills someone do you say, "Lets wait and see if they do it again before we investigate,"? Your biases are showing big time Souv. If a crime was committed, even by dumb employees, then we as tax payers who have given money to their organization have the right to know who did it and to what extent the corruption reached.

 

[StorminNorman]

agreed.....


And I don't think everyone in the organization is corrupt. I think many,truly want to do good in their community, but the leadership IMO, has more to do with power, than helping our urban communities.

Bingo.

 

[SuBe]

You know the story by now. Some independent filmmaker and a 20-year-old flatbelly walk into an ACORN office in Baltimore. They're there for some tax help. ACORN, you see, will help people with tax forms ...for a fee. He tells the ACORN workers that he's a pimp and the girl is his prostitute. They need help in reporting her income. The ACORN workers don't bat an eye ... they suggest that she should report here income as a performance artist. Then it gets good. They tell the ACORN staffers that they're bringing in some "very young" girls from El Salvador and the girls will be turning tricks for them. Now understand what we're talking about here .. slavery. These young teens will be held and forced to work as teen hookers for this guy. What did the ACORN workers do? They offered some advice to the "pimp" and his "prostitute" on how to hide these girls and get some tax write-offs for their care.

This is ACORN folks. These are the people who are under investigation throughout the country for voter fraud. These are the people who nurtured our President as he community activated his way to the White House. These people are crooks. Their very reason for being is to destroy the fabric of our country in order to prepare us to be a nation of government.

What did ACORN have to say when the video surfaced? They called it "gotcha journalism." What in the hell does that mean? I guess it means that a journalist checks out an organization that is receiving boatloads of public funds to see what they'll do if presented with a clear-cut plan for sex slavery and child exploitation. Then the journalist finds that the organization seems willing to actually help the bad guys get away with their scheme! Then the journalist spreads the word ... and this is "gotcha journalism?" Well then I guess you can say that I love "gotcha journalism."
Oh ... and ACORN fired the two workers that were involved in this mess. But don't expect anything to change here. It will be ACORN business as usual. And prosecution? Are you kidding? Do you think that the federal government would even consider prosecution for aiding and abetting? Are you forgetting who's in the White House and who is running Justice?
http://boortz.com/nealz_nuze/index.html

Second Video Shows ACORN Officials Helping 'Pimp,' 'Prostitute' in Washington Office

One day after two ACORN officials in Baltimore were fired for offering to help a man and woman posing as a pimp and prostitute to engage in child prostitution and a series of tax crimes, another secretly shot videotape has surfaced that shows the same couple getting similar advice from ACORN officers in Washington.

The newly released videotape, shot on July 25, shows ACORN staffers explaining to the pair how they can hide the woman's professed work — prostitution — and get a loan that will help them establish a brothel.
James O'Keefe, a 25-year-old independent filmmaker, posed as the pimp while visiting the ACORN office, accompanied by 20-year-old Hannah Giles, who posed as the prostitute. On a videotape provided to FOXNews.com, they are seen receiving guidance to establish the woman as the sole proprietor of a bogus company to mask the nature of her business.
"She's not going to put on (the loan application) that she's doing prostitution ... she doesn't have to," the ACORN staffer says. "You don't have to sit back and tell people what you do."

• Click here to see video.

The ACORN staffer is heard suggesting that O'Keefe can purchase a houseand as the landlord, if he is ever questioned by authorities, he can say he was unaware of the illegal business going on inside.

"[W]hen the police ask you, (tell them) you don't know where (the money is) coming from," the staffer said. "We are looking out for you."
The ACORN employee later suggests that O'Keefe, who said he had a budding political career, not linger at the house in case people "put the dots together" and leave him "smeared and tarnished" by his association with his prostitute girlfriend. She should keep her business "low key," the employee said.
An ACORN spokesman told FOX News the group would need to look at the full tape and transcript before commenting.



One day before the Washington video was shot, O'Keefe and Giles sought help from ACORN workers in Baltimore, who told the pair how to falsify tax forms and seek illegal benefits for 13 "very young" girls from El Salvador that they said they said they wanted to import as prostitutes.

As he did in the taping in Baltimore, O'Keefe told the Washington officers that he had plans to bring as many as 10 women from El Salvador to work as prostitutes in Giles' "business."

"There's like 10 girls," O'Keefe says. "There's ten El Salvodoreans."
The ACORN staffer replies, "I understand what you are saying."

ACORN — the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now — calls itself a network of families "working together for social justice and stronger communities," according to its Web site.

The organization has been accused by conservatives and Republicans of committing fraud in voter registration drives around the country, and reaction to the videotape came swiftly after its release on Thursday.
"Taxpayers should be outraged that their money has gone to an organization that, in addition to facing charges of voter fraud and tax violations, is willing to facilitate prostitution," said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.

"As this video confirms, ACORN continues to operate as a criminal enterprise."

The first videotape, made in the Baltimore offices of ACORN, was made public Thursday on the political blog BigGovernment.com. That night, after portions of the video were aired throughout the day on FOX News, the group fired the two women who assisted O'Keefe and Giles in Baltimore.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,549241,00.html

Related Stories

• ACORN Officials Videotaped Telling 'Pimp,' 'Prostitute' How to Lie to IRS
• STORY: ACORN Officials Videotaped Telling 'Pimp,' 'Prostitute' How to Lie to IRS

 

[chaseter]

Isn't ACORN in charge of the Census now?