Posts Tagged ‘conservatism fights back’

The Acorn falls from the tree

Posted: September 16, 2009 by datechguy in internet/free speech, opinion/news
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With yet another tape now on smuggling illegals across the border the paradigm has shifted.

Acorn was undoubtedly hoping that suspending business and starting an internal investigation would buy time and give cover to House Democrats to justify either delaying or voting against defunding them under the “all the facts aren’t in yet” theory.

But with governors and states and pols happy to take a swing at them some like AHNULD (with apologies to Frank J) get free brownie points that they desperately need and John Stewart hitting them and the media the MSM can no longer ignore the story (hell even Charles reported on it, well linked to Acorn’s CEO’s press release and put “sting” in quotes) . Even Gibbs is backing away.

Yesterday Hoyer said this:

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters Tuesday that the behavior shown on the videotapes was “despicable,” but that it isn’t clear whether problems at Acorn are isolated. If such behavior is widespread, Hoyer said, “I think we need to look very carefully at the assistance that we give.”

Now that we have three states and DC and 5 tapes with likely more to come that position is not tenable. Once the actual smuggling of illegals was part of the story the game was over. If the democrats in Congress are in any way smart they will ram through a 400-35 or some lopsided bill to de-fund acorn NOW and be seen doing it. If they do not then the blue dogs will end up joining republicans to attempt to force a vote and Nancy Pelosi doesn’t need that added to her plate.

One last thing: Conservatives in General and the GOP in particular need to remember that the midterms are still 14 months away and a lot can happen in that time. If the GOP members of congress overreach in the same way as the Democrats have then all the advantages they currently enjoy can go poof.

Some early reporting today

Posted: September 16, 2009 by datechguy in internet/free speech, opinion/news
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Well the New York Times has a story on the subject, how about that:

The undercover videos showed a scantily dressed young woman, Hannah Giles, posing as a prostitute, while a young man, James O’Keefe, played her pimp. They visited Acorn offices in Baltimore, Washington, Brooklyn and San Bernardino, Calif., candidly describing their illicit business and asking the advice of Acorn workers. Among other questions, they asked how to buy a house to use as a brothel employing under-age girls from El Salvador.

Mr. O’Keefe, 25, a filmmaker and conservative activist, was dressed so outlandishly that he might have been playing in a risqué high school play. But in the footage made public — initially by a new Web site, BigGovernment.com — Acorn employees raised no objections to the criminal plans. Instead, they eagerly counseled the couple on how to hide their activities from the authorities, avoid taxes and make the brothel scheme work.

The Article has a bit of a slant, I wouldn’t expect otherwise but at least reports the basic facts. It was accessible on their web site as the 3rd article on the politics page. I don’t know if it is in the paper proper.

The AP has a video story up:

An a “print” story that we take from the Kansas City Star:

A Republican lawmaker wants the Justice Department to investigate ACORN, the embattled community organizing group.

Sen. Mike Johanns of Nebraska wrote Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday requesting the investigation. He cites reports that the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now may “have been engaged in illegal activity.”

There are several stories in the NY papers concerning scrambling in the State Legislature:

In the State Senate, Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) called for a halt of any state funding to ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), the affiliated New York Agency for Community Affairs, and other groups doing business with them. “The possibility that our tax dollars are being misused for potential criminal activities must be investigated and the flow of tax money must be stopped,” Skelos wrote in a letter asking Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to freeze all funding to the group.

ACORN and its affiliates were slated to receive about $500,000 in the 2009-10 budget, largely through grants from the legislature’s Democratic majorities to aid homeowners facing foreclosure. No funds have yet been allocated, the comptroller said.

A source familiar with ACORN’s state funding said Cuomo would not approve new contracts until the conclusion of a separate criminal probe by the Brooklyn district attorney.

Considering California’s budget issues I can’t see how their local funding survives.

Yesterday I thought the Senate vote would be meaningless because the house will back them up. Now I’m not so sure. If the house votes to go after Wilson and ignore Acorn they it is going to be a disaster.

Update: Glenn agrees that the times story is “surprisingly complete and fair“.

Who are you going to believe; Us or your own eyes?

Posted: September 16, 2009 by datechguy in internet/free speech
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So asks the Acorn Co-Founder concerning their latest killer tape:

Wade Rathke, ACORN’s co-founder and former chief organizer, blasted FOX News on Tuesday for its “unfair” coverage of a group he said has served as a champion for social justice since 1970. Rathke, in an interview, said FOX News should “be careful and fair about how it looks at the organization’s work.”

“It’s a wonderful organization. I do nothing but wish for its success,” he said. “You have to look at the motivation of some groups.”

Now there really isn’t much else they can say, not only do they have to defend the meal ticket of the organization but if people decide to talk to avoid charges then a fellow who left just a year ago might have some legal problems.

How long can the MSM can continue to keep quiet on this? You can only play the Joe Wilson card for so long. Even NPR felt compelled to give it some coverage before today’s stuff.

The media has to decide if it is going to be relevant or not. It is going to be interesting to see what happens over the next three days.

Morning Joe notices Acorn…Update: Welcome Rush Listeners!

Posted: September 15, 2009 by datechguy in opinion/news
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How do you know the Acorn story is getting Big? MSNBC (well morning joe) decided to cover it. They played clips of the films and beat their breasts over not covering the story.

It was the 6 o’clock hour but but with yesterday’s Morning Meeting it was a start.

The question is would it have been covered if it hadn’t been for the Senate vote? And would that vote have every happened if it wasn’t for “Those Damn Pictures?” I suspect that senators wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to change votes if it wasn’t for the video:

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).

Rats off a sinking ship. Thomas Nast apparently lives and post regularly at Big Government and the Machine had best beware.

Update: He brings it up in hour two and Chuck Todd pooh pooh Van Jones as a minor player. Joe is having none of it and promises to bring it up again on the radio with Todd.

Update 2: Charlie Gibson will need another Palin interview to recover from this.

Update 3: Welcome Michelle Malkin readers, take a look around, Get details on the Robert Stacy McCain/Charles Johnson brawl and why McCain is the richest man in the blogosphere, Discover the 1% rule, find why President Obama gets two thumbs up and will never send troops against tea party protesters, if Hannah Giles Bikini photos will get you a bunch of hits on your blog and read my reviews of Michelle’s Culture of Corruption and Newt’s latest novel due out next month.

Update 4: Michele gives Norah O’Donnell a history lesson.

Update 5: Oh that explains it. Michelle Malkin’s top story was linked directly by Rush and My link is the first trackback on her page. No wonder my hits are through the roof. So welcome fellow dittoheads take a look around. If you are football fans take a peek at my review of That First Season: How Vince Lombardi Took the Worst Team in the NFL and Set It on the Path to Glory due out October 15th. See when the worm started to Turn on the President months ago. Find the purpose of his speech last week, Discover why Sarah Palin is “She who must not be quoted” and is also the next Ted Kennedy (in a good way), discover why a death panel is actually Council guidance and see what candidate the people who brought you Tom Ridge is thinking of (don’t be drinking when you click on the link) and have you heard this one? It’s a Killer!

Oh I tend to be an early riser and I’m one of those rare Massachusetts conservatives so check back tomorrow for some links and commentary. Oh and if you need remote computer tech support I’m your man and can fix your machine right from where I sit.

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