Violence predictably follows right-wing hysteria about ACORN
By David Neiwert Friday Oct 17, 2008 3:00pmJust as surely as night follows day, violence is being directed at ACORN offices and officials in the wake of the flood of right-wing demagoguery about its vote-gathering efforts:
An ACORN community organizer received a death threat and the liberal activist group's Boston and Seattle offices were vandalized Thursday, reflecting mounting tensions over its role in registering 1.3 million mostly poor and minority Americans to vote next month.
Attorneys for the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now were notifying the FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division of the incidents, said Brian Kettenring, a Florida-based spokesman for the group.
Republicans, including presidential candidate John McCain, have verbally attacked the group repeatedly in recent days, alleging a widespread vote-fraud scheme, although they've provided little proof. It was disclosed Thursday that the FBI is examining whether thousands of fraudulent voter-registration applications submitted by some ACORN workers were part of a systematic effort or isolated incidents.
Kettenring said that a senior ACORN staffer in Cleveland, after appearing on television this week, got an e-mail that said she "is going to have her life ended."
A female staffer in Providence, R.I., got a threatening call from someone who said words to the effect of "We know you get off work at 9," then uttered racial epithets, he said.
John McCain has played a leading role in whipping up this frenzy of hatred. In Wednesday's debate, he charged:
We need to know the full extent of Sen. Obama's relationship with ACORN, who is now on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy.
This is consistent with the hateful language being spewed from the right by the likes of Lou Dobbs, who has taken to routinely characterizing ACORN as a "radical left-wing activist group" as well as "a Democratic Party adjunct".
In fact, the hysteria's being generated across a broad spectrum of the Right, from Outer Malkinite Wingnuttia to Inside Beltway Villagers, from McCain and Palin to the frothiest freepers.
And we can see what's coming, too: We're being set up for a running yammer from the right after Obama wins questioning his legitimacy because of a supposedly "tainted" vote. Conspiracy theories and talking points from the right will circulate, driving up the temperature and feeding the right-wing populist frenzy.
And they're not even waiting until Election Day to begin.
Login or Register to post comments.
I seriously do not comprehend how Lou Dobbs can look his wife in the eye each day. He obviously doesn't respect the fact that she is a Latina.
I was really afraid of this. Inciting racism and hatred can only result in harm. This is truly disgraceful and a very sad day for America.
It's like Krystallnacht all over again.
Conveniently emphasizing voter fraud without explaining that it is voter registration fraud and what that implies. Nothing. It implies nothing.
As Amy Goodman writes "Mickey Mouse Won't Try To Vote".
I am petrified of what will happen on election night and the days thereafter. It is going to be one hell of a scary time.
They a coaxing a Genie out of a bottle and he may not go back in.
I think McCain sees it and goes through cognizant moments of clarity as to what he is doing...he tries to quell it but then loses it again and starts fanning the flames again.
Seems to me that ACORN can connect the violence directly to Palin and McCain. I believe this kind of act is a felony as is 'conspiracy to incite violence."
If that doesn't work, and the government is stupid enough to let this kind of thing slide these muthah fuckers better get ready because I for one am NOT going to be intimidated by a bunch of Nazi thug wannabes. And I venture to guess that I am not the only LIBERAL who believes in my right to bear arms.
Seems to me that ACORN can connect the violence directly to Palin and McCain. I believe this kind of act is a felony as is 'conspiracy to incite violence."
If that doesn't work, and the government is stupid enough to let this kind of thing slide these muthah fuckers better get ready because I for one am NOT going to be intimidated by a bunch of Nazi thug wannabes. And I venture to guess that I am not the only LIBERAL who believes in my right to bear arms.
Greatest threat to America since the the Third Riech and Al-Qaeda Combined.
Practice some mind control people. (Wingers)
Seriously the Acorn people aren't out to harm you and send you off to a homosexual training facility get a grip.
If only they could focus that
energy on helping the homeless.
http://www.filthyrichmond.com/2008/10/help-my...
"And we can see what's coming, too: We're being set up for a running yammer from the right after Obama wins questioning his legitimacy because of a supposedly "tainted" vote. Conspiracy theories and talking points from the right will circulate, driving up the temperature and feeding the right-wing populist frenzy."
Why should Dems care what the right wing nuts do after Obama becomes president? They break the law they go to jail. Do you think they gave a damn about what the left was doing these painful past 8 years with freaking moron as president?
I can imagine probably make the Right Wing Conspiracy that hounded Clinton his entire 8 years look tame by comparison.
From DAY ONE the right hounded Clinton and continued for 8 freaking years.
Obviously, Election 00 was a last desperate grasp for power that unfortunately worked.
American people must have been totally asleep. Or to busy to notice.
I really couldn't give a rat's ass about the right's hurt feelings.
I'm concerned about the people they're going to hurt when they lash out.
people on the left, Obama himself (god forbid!!) and others who are unAmerican because we don't see life through their very clouded glasses.
This is why we need Obama: an FDA with integrity and better healthcare so everyone can afford the meds they so desperately need.
I really want wingers to take a chill pill. It's the patriotic, pro american thing to do.
I can't decide whether we are truly a banana republic or a throw back to the Jim Crow era.
I think we're experiencing a little of each. This is certainly not the America I grew up in. Well, actually, I am seeing shades of things I barely remember during the civil rights era.
How far we have not come, sometimes.
But after the BIG WIN, I doubt very much that the right wing will be able to stir up any enthusiastic support in the witch hunt against ACORN.
If we couldn't get justice for the truth, how will they get it for a lie?
I would also like to see a bodyguard of citizens arranged for the opening and closing times of each Acorn office that gets a threat. I would happily go down to the barricades for these folks.
ACORN speaks for the poor and underpriveliged and won't let corporate America exploit them. Is it any wonder that Repubs and their Corporate masters will do everything they can to destroy it?
Regarding ACORN: McCain said it was "destroying the fabric of democracy" - but Slate explains how this fabricated controversy is covering up Republican voter suppression.
Investigate. Report.
http://www.slate.com/id/2202428/?
Why in the world is there not a more concerted effort to expose this ACORN "voter fraud" fraud for what it is: true fraud and a cover for the disenfranchisement of thousands that the Repugs are attempting to perpetrate?
In the last debate, McCain set himself up to be exposed by whipping this issue up to a frenzy. This is making a mountain out of a molehill and more. It is concerted fraud. And if the average "Joe" is explained in terms that they can understand, they'll realize that the Repugs are conning them, which will not only help the Dems in 2008, it might put this particular crap tactic to bed for future elections, as well.
I agree, it's a fraud to cover their unAmerican and criminal disenfranchisement they think they can get away with. I hope we see Olberman and Maddow talk about this point.
under the radar, like so many other issues and mountains made from molehills that start on the talk radio monopoly completely undetected by the Dem party (because it gives thinking people headaches) and then get passed to teh mainstream where they become important distractions. this crap couldn't happen if we still had a Fairness Doctrine or if progressives stated listening, callling complaining boycotting picketting their LOCAL talk stations and sponsors.
LA Times endorses Obama, (inspite of Jonah Goldberg)
. . . We need a leader who demonstrates thoughtful calm and grace under pressure, one not prone to volatile gesture or capricious pronouncement. We need a leader well-grounded in the intellectual and legal foundations of American freedom. Yet we ask that the same person also possess the spark and passion to inspire the best within us: creativity, generosity and a fierce defense of justice and liberty.
The Times without hesitation endorses Barack Obama for president.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorial...
John McCain distinguished himself through much of the Bush presidency by speaking out against reckless and self-defeating policies. He earned The Times' respect, and our endorsement in the California Republican primary, for his denunciation of torture, his readiness to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and his willingness to buck his party on issues such as immigration reform. But the man known for his sense of honor and consistency has since announced that he wouldn't vote for his own immigration bill, and he redefined "torture" in such a disingenuous way as to nearly embrace what he once abhorred.
Indeed, the presidential campaign has rendered McCain nearly unrecognizable. His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate was, as a short-term political tactic, brilliant. It was also irresponsible, as Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory. The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking -- if that's the appropriate word -- would drive the White House in a McCain presidency. Fortunately, the public has shown more discernment, and the early enthusiasm for Palin has given way to national ridicule of her candidacy and McCain's judgment.
Action begets reaction and the hatred which Palin and McCain have touched off is unforgivable. They are intent on plunging this country into another civil war.
Since their hate-filled, empty accusations against ACORN and Obama have now taken a turn for the criminal, it's time for the People of the United States to sue the McCain/Palin campaign for "criminally inciting violence" and hold them accountable for any injuries which occur.
This hate-stoking by these two irresponsible fools is going to result in serious problems in this country and perhaps even another civil war.
Americans are angry and very angry at them right now for what they're doing. McCain & Palin are regressing this country back to the days of "witch hunts (complete with her personal Witchdoctor Rev. Muthee) and riots. They have brought the people to a crescendo of anger at this point (both against Obama and against the two of them). There will be lashback by the american people.
I feel it's time for our law enforcement organizations to become vigilant during their terror rallies and file a "cease & desist" order against McCain and Palin or they will both be held personally responsible for any violence which occurs.
I don't remotely agree that another civil war it at hand. But I would expect some isolated violence and I sure agree that McCain should be held responsible if any perpetrators are proven to have been whipped up by his campaign's fires of hate and division.
I respected McCain back prior to this year. Little did I know what a monster he really is.
PERFECT EXCUSE for Bush to lay down martial law.
He won't dare.
I'm kinda torn on this - if the people turning in these phony registrations hadn't been all about the money - in other words, had been honest - this wouldn't be happening and there wouldn't be any ammo.
They could only vote once if they registered 100 times and if they register as Mickey Mouse the will be turned away at the polls. Smarten up people.
I understand the process and the difference. I'm simply stating there are consequences when people lie just to get a few bucks. Hasn't there been enough lying in the past eight years?
okay, I'll step down from my morality soapbox.
By law, they have to turn in all of the registrations, even the "joke" ones. It's doubtful if anyone would have been aware of the fraudulent ones if ACORN hadn't pointed them out so they could be deleted.
Voter registration fraud is an entirely different animal than actual "voter fraud". The illegal purging of voters closer than 90 days of an election is DEFINITELY VOTER FRAUD.
However, by the rules of ACORN, any and all registrations need to be turned in which results in a nominal payment to the person acquiring the voter registration.
Now, here's where the distinction lies: Dead people and phony people WILL DEFINITELY BE SHOWING UP AT THE PRECINCT TO VOTE, will they? So, voter registration fraud is one thing but these people will not affect the election one iota - because they do not exist.
The GOP of smoke & mirrors is actually attempting to rig this election by throwing up the ACORN smokescreen to villify Obama. Fact is, ACORN is non partisan so it goes without saying that this voter registration was also bipartisan - both republican and democrats out there getting fake registrations to earn a few bucks.
The illegal problem is what the GOP has been doing in swing states - illegally purging voters arbitrarily from the voting rolls. They were stopped by the Ohio Supreme Court and nailed for eliminating some 200,000 voters illegally. NOW THAT CONSTITUTES BONA FIDE CRIMINAL VOTER FRAUD.
ACORN is simply about "voter registration fraud" - it has nothing to do with the election because dead people won't be showing up to vote.
What the Republicans are doing is ELECTION FRAUD.
If it wasn't ACORN, they'd find something else to work people up over. The right is what they are and McCarthyism or Fascism or whatever you want to call it, will rear its ugly head everytime. Fact of life. Pity.
voter fraud gets swept under the rug?
Well most of the Big Media is owned and run by Right Wingers. With a couple guys who may feel a little tinge of guilt and regret on occasion but not often enough.
Not only is the mainstream media continuing to pimp for McCain and shove things under the rug, but they, too will find themselves in class action lawsuits when people realize that they've been lied to.
Our media is being scrutinized for their culpability in spinning the Bush propaganda and lies which have led to the war crimes of 5,000 of our innocent soldiers in Iraq. The media played the role of "propaganda megaphone" as you recall throughout Bush's lying spree.
They're doing it to the people again now. There are a few class actions lawsuits against some of the media biggies right now for "derelection of the duty of bringing us the truth" right now. More lawsuits will accrue as a result of the intentional disregard for factual information against the mainstream media.
This giant media lawsuit is being organized right now throughout the country. I'll try to post a few urls for you to jump on the bandwagon.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_campaign_...
GOP will back down and say okay okay we're sorry we made a mistake don't let this get out into the media sorry guys.
Then keep doing the same thing.
Haha this is such Hypocrisy coming from the Left considering the same was said after Gore lost the 2000 election..
Most of this what you refer to as hypocrisy is anyone who isn't a coward, bully, or con artist gop style are simply people reaching the end of their patience from 8 years of taunting as well as one month before an election waking up to find out 45% of their lifetime savings and investments have gone down the tubes because of a half assed ex baseball team owner who has never run a successful business in his life.
went to see W today !it was bullshit , if you go see it wear rubbers!
I'd like to hear it.
do tell, please.
Oliver Stone's film is satirical and critical but not scathing. Josh Brolin's empathetic portrayal of the president helps make for a pleasing, effective film.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-w1...
He won the popular vote and lost due to voter suppression in FL and the Supremes gave the election to Bush.
boy. Now that's quite a stretch there,Johnny. Please don't insult the intelligence of the good people here,please. Don't make yourself look like a fool. Just some advice.
Well, I suggest more people do as I did and donate to ACORN just to get back at them.
In fact, you can donate on behalf of someone else (as long as you have their name and an email), so I donated on Lou Dobbs' behalf. I suggest using Palin, McCain, the GOP, Dobbs, Hannity, O'Reilly, Glenn Beck... any of them that you feel like.
I really wish I could see Lou's face when he get the notice (well his show will, I doubt he'll ever see it, actually).
I'd never even heard of ACORN before McCain started badmouthing it.I sent them $50 dollars in McCain's name and had the thank you card sent to his campaign headquarters.Feel free to do the same.
Excellent Idea!
and here I thought McCain was referring to the size of his own genatalia?? Go figure.
When I heard this comment during the debate I knew it was the open shot of the RNC's plan to de-legitimize an Obama presidency should he win with constant drumbeat of lawsuits and claims of stolen election.
The irony is not delicious.
I have said this from the start, just as you or I would be ARRESTED if we stirred up hatred that resulted in physical or property damage, we would be held liable. The GOP knowing stir up and spread hatred that results so far in property damage and could very well enrage a fringe right-wing GOD n GUNS kinda 'merKan to attempt to assassinate Senator Obama. This is a VERY serious and dangerous thing in my book and they should be called out on it IMMEDIATELY!
You got it right. Your conclusion is accurate. Where the hell is our secret service and law enforcement at these hate rallies? Oops....one was in uniform - Sheriff Mike Scott - who is under investigation himself right now in Florida.
Americans are concluding all over this country that we have no obvious law enforcement in this country doing it's job anymore so I guess it's every man for himself.
They've been absent at all of these terror-inciting rallies of Sarah Palin and John McCain.
People no longer trust our law enforcement agencies since they've so obviously not done their job.
If it's anything like the 60s, the FBI, secret service, and law enforcement are probably involved in the targeting of ACORN, either actively or simply by allowing it to go on.
In "The End of America" Naomi Wolf takes a historical look at the rise of fascism, outlining the 10 steps necessary for a state to take control of individuals' lives:
1. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy.
2. Create secret prisons where torture takes place.
3. Develop a thug caste or paramilitary force not answerable to citizens.
4. Set up an internal surveillance system.
5. Harass citizens' groups.
6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release.
7. Target key individuals.
8. Control the press.
9. Treat all political dissidents as traitors.
10. Suspend the rule of law.
You read about that kind of thing happening 45 years ago, but you never imagine it occurring in this decade...
The bigger the lie the more people tend to believe it. The GOP Mantra.
It looks like these demonic forces within have almost accomplished the total destruction of this democracy and will do so if McCain is elected.
We will descent into a fascist/military state and all of our rights and freedoms will be no more.
A vote for McCain is a vote for immediate Fascism.
Spread the word.
Tell me again who it is that pals around with terrorists.
Yeah I recall it was a former baseball team "owner" who never succeeded in business without bankrupting it who allowed the Bin Laden Family to leave the country after having grounded the entire U.S. Commercial Fleet on 911.
No doubt to protect them from his own voter base.
I believe we've witnessed this premise in the McCain Palin campaign over the past two weeks.
At what point does the individual calling another individual a "terrorist" become the very "terrorist" he is projecting by his own actions?
In attempting to cast Obama as "palling around with terrorists", McCain and Palin have actually now become the face of contemporary domestic terrorism themselves.
We reap what we sow. McCain/Palin are evidence of that.
I guess by his own definition, then, John McCain "pals around with terrorists", too??
Sarah and Todd Palin, believing in Volger's anti-american secession rhetoric (card carrying members of the AIP) would be the closest thing to a "domestic terrorist organization" as we have.
Could be they're referring to themselves????
McCain and Palin are as much a product of hyper consumption (the blow back) for not paying attention to whats going on and doing the right things to prevent tyranny from creeping in and attempting a takeover.
Tyranny doesn't spare anyone. No matter what form it assumes.
Republican accusations of ACORN voter fraud are distracting people from the Republicans' own well-documented vote theft in the last two presidential elections, which they're engaging in again via vote caging and vote blocking.
They're also succeeding in demonizing yet another very effective 60s-era social work organization. Just by repeated negative mention of the name ACORN, even people who consider themselves liberal will begin to shy away from the organization, the way they began to shy away from the word liberal during Bush Sr.'s presidency as a result of his sneering at the word.
And then there's the violence directed at the organization and its workers, which is a result in large part of the toxic effect of the right-wing hate shows that have been allowed to broadcast in the US since the early 90s. It's really time to end those shows.
http://www.gregpalast.com/sbyv/
to this exact moment in trying to bail his kid out of another jam.
Time to bail Junior out again.
Responsibility for shouting fire in a crowded theatre doesn't apply to Republicans.
This ruse was designed by the douchebags on the right to drown out any outrage on the left about conservative groups like YPM, which ARE committing voter fraud.
Americans know what the GOP did in 2004. We know they hacked the election with the help of soon-to-be indicted and disgraced supervisor of elections, Ohio, and Co-Chair of Bush/Cheney 04 - R. Kenneth Blackwell.
Kenneth Blackwell is even listed on one of Kucinich's articles of impeachment. Kenneth Blackwell will be going to jail in the near future. You see Kenneth Blackwell and the RNC had a webisite for their election....(there's an IT whistleblower now spilling the beans) who then diverted the election results from Ohio on election night into a server in the basement of a bank building owned by the RNC in Chatanooga, Tenn. How clever you say? Diabolically, illegally clever perhaps but will soon be putting Blackwell and Karl Rove along with others who co-conspired into prison for a very long time.
There is no doubt that they are working on this strategy again right now and the use of ACORN as a deflection to distract from their illegal voter purges nationwide which are TOTALLY ILLEGAL.
The only thing that can stop them and I heard rumblings of this tonight on CNN would be the use of "paper ballots" - once again.
Do not vote on a touch screen machine - demand a paper ballot when you vote.
I voted this morning using a paper ballot. Almost no waiting and it was done on a paper ballot. (Illinois)
My car now proudly displays two vote early bumper stickers, too.
ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR.: You know, a lot of Europeans wonder, why are Americans so crazy? They keep reelecting this guy. Well, the answer is, we don’t. You know, they keep stealing these elections. And they stole it in 2000, they stole it in 2004, and they’re all set up to steal it again.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/9/greg_pa...
Let 'em get violent. It's the excuse W will use to declare martial law and round the rest of us up. I will be waiting for the knock on my door and plan to meet it with a what it deserves. Be prepared to fight for your life, rights and country people.....
"We need to know the full extent of Sen. Obama's relationship with ACORN, who is now on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy."
Oh really? I think it's time we have a little moment to think about election fraud 2000 and the good 'ol Brooks Brothers Riot. Notice the picture featured at the bottom of this WaPo article and let's see where these assholes are now.
Miami 'Riot' Squad: Where Are They Now?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles...
Here's the wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooks_Brothers_...
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Republican_IT_c...
Read this and cringe. Mike Connell has been subpoenaed in this election tampering case in Ohio. I understand that in exchange for a lighter sentence as a co-conspirator, he's singing. He's taking down some people in very high places with him, too.
Stay informed about the things the GOP doesn't want you to know:
www.bradblog.com
www.blackboxvoting.com (they show these touch screen machines can be hacked in 90 seconds!)
they threw it out of court.
VICTORY
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h5P2f-dgLB...
The Supremes ruled against the GOP today.
I for one am tired of this crap...we keep taking the high road and become a spineless party...Republicans can disenfranchise voters, block people from voting, intimidate people from voting, create voting laws that will discourage or make hardship for people to register/vote, robo call people during dinner time, break all kind of civil rights laws AND NOT A DAMN THING HAPPENS TO THEM! I'M TIRED OF THIS HIGH ROAD DEMOCRATIC CRAP. I'M TIRED OF RACIST BIGOTS GIVEN AIR TIME AND NO ONE DOES A DAMN THING ABOUT IT.
IM TIRED OF THIS ISH...GROW SOME BALLS PEOPLE..IM READY!
Roll of Shame 2008
Dobbs
Limbaugh
Hannity
Coulter
Malkin
Beck
Kristol
Davis
O'Reilly
Levin
Some, but by no means all, of the bigots who have blood on their hands.
Don't forget the MSM...CNN, just yesterday, said Obama has enough EVs to win...when we all knew that for weeks. What's their motive? Maybe it's just ratings, eh? NOT
Clearly somebody has carelessly left some of Goebbels's old propaganda manuals lying around the White House and GOP campaign offices.
Some people are just too impressionable.
Left over from grandpappy Bush, the Nazi supporter.
When we look back about the real culprits who have gotten this country into this "bush mess", we will find Katherine Harris, Supervisor of Elections in Florida who was in bed with Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida who "rigged this election" for his brother.
I hope that neither Katherine Harris or Jebbie Bush sleep another full night's sleep as "personal culprits" (criminals actually) when people actually figure out what these two individuals have done to this country.
I like to imagine Jeb kicking his own ass every day for the rest of his life for getting his idiot brother elected. There will NEVER be another bush in the WH. Word to Jeb...Careful what you ask for....
The Christian Right has taken over the GOP and have used their pulpits to esteem the GOP to Diety level. The Christian Right Wing where I live have said, "we are ready to take up arms for the HOLY WAR against the liberal Democrats...on our own street if we need"
Sad to say, but this group believes anything their ministers, their denominational leaders, the Republican Party and their candidates say. They would never question anything they do or say, because it would be BLASPHEMY! In the depths of their hearts and souls the believe "if your not Republican your a demon sinner..and an enemy of God, the Nation and God."
I've been concerned that the nation would have another Civil disturbance...this time it will be the Republican Money men with the Chrisitan Right as their warriors. I'm afraid Palin, McCain and the GOP, with the economic fears, are setting the fires that will lead to the riots of the 60's.
A friend in the GOP told me the GOP has attorneys in 25 (Twenty Fivce) marginal and toose-ip states, ready to file law suits to prohibit Senator Obama from being able to count the electoral votes. This isn't going to sit well with those who elected him...and tension will intensiy.
And we send our Children to die in Iraq to establish a Democracy when the party who sent them there is gearing up to supress our own democracy.
Some people actually predicted what's occurring right now some two years ago. Bush's army (Blackwater) as well as an infantry division are positioned at strategic points in this country for precisely this reason: martial law.
They're using McCain and Palin as their "instigators" and if Obama wasn't the respectable individual he is and was lashing back, we would already be under total martial law right now.
I was alive during the riots of the 60's and I quake when I imagine this country having to revisit that lesson and suffer the fatalities and destruction that occurred back then. But as they say....if you don't get the lesson the first time, you will get it again and again, each time a little worse, until you fall to your knees in submission and learn what it's designed to teach you.
I'd love to believe that americans have learned those ugly lessons of division but the more I see the hatred being intentionally whipped up by McCain & Palin and see the reactions of their sick, wingnut extremists, I fear that we have not.
I guess we will see in two weeks time whether this country will regress back to those dark, dangerous days when no one will be safe on the streets of this country or not.
PBS's News Hour had a reasonable explaination of the ACORN issue tonight. They discussed the VERY SMALL chance of voter fraud resulting from the voter REGISTRATION padding perpetrated by a few bad apples (low-level employees)at ACORN. And discussed the more significant impact of voter suppression efforts by high level operatives within the Republican party.
Ballot Troubles Across U.S.
Judy Woodruff speaks with Douglas Chapin, director of ElectionLine.org, about the voting difficulties that might be encountered this election.
Dozens of newly minted Republican voters say they were duped into joining the party by a GOP-hired contractor with a trail of fraud complaints stretching across the country.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fraud...
You may be liberals, but you don't give enough of a shit to actually realise that this ACORN "scandal" has actually been resolved in front of the Judiciary Committee of Congress presided over by Sen. Patrick Leahy.
THERE IS NO SCANDAL BUT CONGRESS IS OUT OF SESSION !!
I am German and I know this. You are American and it is not that Liberals are brighter than the Republithugs - you are just less slothlike in your cognitive processes, which is not exactly a difference in kind.
Just look up the testimony of Bradley Schlozman.
The RED BOOK has been substituted by the BLUE BOOK.
Look up the last Gonzales hearing when he was asked by Sen. Feinstein about the new BLUE BOOK.
This is not rocket science folks - the Repugs are screwing you with your pants on. AGAIN.
But fuck you.
Classy retort... NOT!
I get tired of non-Americans coming here and telling us we're a bunch of dumb fucks.
I just returned from Germany with some of the most wonderful people I have worked with to date. This guy doesn't cut the mustard.
What an arrogant prick. I'm sure this is one site where a high number of readers/commenters not only watches C-Span, but also notices it's practically The Heritage Foundation/American Enterprise Institute tighty-righty channel.
I actually watched and listened to the Senate and House Judiciary Committee hearings - not the pathetic "Washington Journal".
I don't mind being disagreed with, but I can bet that you have not given enough of a shit about the perversion of your own Constitution to have a rational opinion.
But I take great issue with your presentation.
Calling people fucking American morons - after prefacing that you are from another country does nothing to make your point. I ignored virtually everything you said after your headline. Not that you want to make friends or influence people, but if I see something like that, I will do nothing but give you a big fuck you.
But you still haven't figured out the legal process in the USA, Nec_V20.
Hearings are just hearings. They are part of the process of making a law, but they are not the actual passage of law.
And neither does the Congress adjudicate the law they pass with the exception of impeachments of fellow law makers, federal jurists, or the POTUS/VPOTUS.
And if you think that the people who frequent this site aren't aware of the abuse of the Constitution you either misread the comments here or you are very deluded.
1 post or maybe a handful of posts on the internet?
I could bet that you have not given enough of a shit about the perversion of your own petty bullshit and snap judgments to have a rational opinion yourself.
You, my friend, have obviously not heard McCain, Palin and the sociopathic Michele Bachman on MSMBC just today.
If ACORN has been resolved, then perhaps you can enlighten the morons who keep spinning it?? Please do - that would be John McCain and Sarah Palin and each of their sidekicks who are still spinning it.
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/michell...
What a piece of shit that one is. I don't know who is crazier...her or Steve King from IA.
Bradley Schlozman, Red Book, Blue Book, Feinsein.
The search engine on CSPAN sucks but it doesn't suck that much.
For the entire background look at the Judiciary Committee hearings into the firing of the US Attorneys as I have - they are all there on CSPAN
You don't seem to be getting a full picture of what is going on here. With all due respect, unless you live here and are absorbed in our culture, you are not an expert on America, voting fraud, American racism or our election processes.
If I tried to lecture you on any component of German history or culture, I'm sure I would get quite the tongue lashing.
Your comments are welcome, but please be respectful.
do not HAVE C-SPAN. I travel extensively and never have it in hotels. I do when I am home, but that is maybe one week a month.
The yoghurt still has some culture left.
My American friends abandoned the stock market and renegotiated their variable mortgages into fixed ones between two and four years ago upon my advice, and guess what "You don't know squat about the USA" they are writing me to say thank you.
for the advice. Now,isn't there some civic duty You need to perform in your own country?
The only difference is that I was more mobile before I was crippled.
Apart from that I have always been been actively involved in my community with regard to passing on my now 25 years of computer knowledge (OK I know that only means the last three years because the rest is obsolete). That I am still active here is testimony to that.
You guys have been fuckwits on your own watch. I have commented on the train-wreck along the way and have had the same inane comments thrust at me such as yours along the way.
Insightful. I wish more Europeans would speak up and let us know how they feel. Too many ignorant Americans (believe it or not, most of us are NOT) try to wave off your comments, and some (as on this blog) will respond like the dumb-shit Sarah Palins that they are. But it has an impact, even on these numb-skulls. Speak up!
It's lovely for someone from another country to come here and call us dumb fuck Americans? You find that insightful? Well, bully for you. Why don't you and your new friend take it to email and discuss just how fucking stupid we Americans are. You can mutually enjoy and take pleasure in slamming all of us.
You get a big STFU from me, too.
MsJoanne
There's a lawsuit filed in Ohio this week by a right wing "think tank" against ACORN, employing the civil provisions of the RICO Act. Doesn't matter what has been heard in Congressional testimony if a law hasn't been enacted to protect ACORN from this sort of malicious prosecution- it matters which judges hear the case.
It only takes one or two highly politicized judges to unleash a universe of motherfuckery on the upcoming elections.
It only takes one or two highly politicized judges to unleash a universe of motherfuckery on the upcoming elections.
I don't understand.
While I am asking about things I don't understand...did anyone catch the "Russian Tea Room" comment Obama made last night at the Al Smith dinner gig?
this was a reply to Nec_V20 *muttering*damned nesting comments carrying over to the next page...
Seeing that ACORN has a really good record of self-reporting cases of registration fraud perpetrated by those in its employ, a good judge looks at this RICO suit as a nuisance suit. But let's say this is heard by a zealous wing-nut jurist who decides, on the eve of the election, to negate all of the new registrations. Thousands and thousands of newly registered voters use provisional ballots....meanwhile, the Federal Court of appeals overturns the lower court's ruling, only to see the original plaintiff get the fast track to the SCOTUS. Then Ohio (or any other state in which some similar suit might be filed) certifies the vote minus the provisional ballots...we've got Florida '00 all over again. But this time the vote in the Roberts court upholding the bogus certification is 6-3, rather than 5-4.
One lower court judge, two new SCOTUS justices....fuck, my count above was off- two or three judges could unleash the motherfuckery.
to take over their country and almost take over the world has any right to talk about shit. Fuck you!!
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Quit friggin whining guys. Look for some positive stuff.....like this. No wonder it's not on this site yet, you all have your arses up your whining asses. Do you hear Barack snifling? Get with it!
This is the news we all want 3 weeks from election day. BINGO!
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
that bastion of liberal thought! (snicker)
Thanks for the 411, appreciated.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_campaign_...
By law, ACORN is required to turn in all registration forms regardless of whether they believe them to filled out with made up names oer not. ACORN marks the ones they suspect are fake, but this is not required by them to do so but are doing so to help with election officials sort through all of this. Further, ACORN is not privy to the government databases which are used to verify whether registrations are legitimate or not.
...are clearly hate crimes and need to be prosecuted as such.
Good grief the irresponsiblity of the right is truly frightening.
The last time I can recall a "certain segment of American political life" becoming "completely unhinged" and causing "social unraveling" in connection with a national election was this episode in Miami, during the 2000 recount:
The "bourgeois riot" celebrated by Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Gigot helped stop the announced manual recount of the 10,750 undervote in Miami-Dade County. Instigated by an order from New York congressman John Sweeney to "shut it down," dozens of screaming GOP demonstrators pounded on doors and a picture window at elections headquarters. The canvassing board, which had already found a net Al Gore gain of 168 votes, reversed a decision it had made a couple of hours earlier to begin a tally of the undervote.
The mob gang-rushed a local Democrat carrying a blank sample ballot. They threatened that a thousand Cubans were on their way to the headquarters to stop the count. Several people were "trampled, punched or kicked," according to The New York Times. The canvassing board chair at first conceded that mob pressures played a role in the shutdown -- which cost Gore the 168 votes as well -- but later reversed his position. . . . .
Instead of condemning the Dade tactics, W. himself called the victory party that night to praise them, and Republicans invoked the specter of Jesse Jackson, who'd merely led peaceful protests outside election offices.
As in Acorns: Here I thought McCain was making a self-reference...to his own genatalia. Oh well.
... because the Republicans are all about protecting democracy.
Regardless of the extent to which McCain is stretching the whole "fraud" claim, need we remind him of how Bush literally stole the election in 2000?
I don't think he really wants to get into who plays cleaner when it comes to elections.
Oh well... So much for my fig leaf of peace suggestion to dial back the hatin on another thread..... Thanks John, thanks Sarah... you two are some pieces of work you are .... Yea real salts of the earth....scorched earth evi-damn-dently...... (sigh).... I guess it's just not gonna get any better before election day... Whomever wins this thing?? I know who I think it is... But whoever gets the brass ring is going to have a hell of a job healing this nasty ass wound that's been opended up and had salt poured non-stop on it... I think doing that would be a tougher chore for McCain.... but I'm equally sure some wingnut on the right would think just the opposite... If they gave any thought to healing these social/cultural divisions at all.... Something else I'm doubtful the right gives a rats ass about........right along with healthcare, poverty or the ecology just to name a few...JD
Wingnuts did the same thing in 2000 when they stormed election offices in Florida as officials were re-counting the votes. The re-counts had to be stopped at some places due to these tactics.
DO NOT YIELD TO SUCH TACTICS AGAIN.
When a Liberal Democrat can't say anything negative (even if it's true) on this website....maybe that person shouldn't lower themmselves to be part of it.
Here in Canadawe say, "water seeks its own level" and after C&L erasing my comment, informing the board of GREAt news, that being the endorsements of the LA Times, Washington Post and the Cicago Tribune, then screw you John.
There are other Liberal boards that are less bias, more objective and overall more learned to your own friggin history.
perhaps You could start by spelling 'magic' correctly and work it from there. I was banned from this site awhile back and deservedly so. Cool off.
"Magic" was taken...I've gone with this for 8 years. Vanity Plates must really piss you off. Or they simply confuse you?
Beddy time for you little boy!
attitude I'll guess I'm probably old enough to be your grandpa. Thankfully,I'm not.
Your comment is still there...
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/viole...
Yes, thanks MsJoanne. I saw that we were into a second page. My mistake. My apologies.
it makes using this blog much more difficult if you don't register. You have the option, once you register, to see a big red NEW and change your threading from nested to flat.
And you're welcome. :)
What did you say that got erased? It's a lot harder to follow conversations on this new version of C&L because of the reply button. Yes, I admit, I'm not very blog savvy. I'm used to comments simply flowing in order of the time they were posted.
Will you consider rephrasing what you said so we can read it? I'm not trying to disturb the peace here but I am curious about the gist of what you said. If it was really insulting to John or something, just rephrase please. Peace.
The sad story re: the death of Levi Stubbs of the amazing "Four Tops" is on the CNN webpage.
What makes this story interesting is, Levi's best friend was Abdul "Duke" Fakir. Now does that sound American Chritian to you?
But here are two guys who were friends for 54 years and brought creative genius to our homes in the form of terrific music.
Did anyone ever think or cared to ask if Abdul was Muslim?
I was taught..."it's not what's in a name, it's what in the persons head and heart that counts".
RIP Levi....man those summers of 68-70 listening to all that Motown music were the best.
indeed. RIP Levi.
The 4 Tops biggest hits wre 1964-1967. But,who's counting?
I suggest to anyone who hears, sees, or reads a news report about ACORN allegedly falsifying voter registrations without reporting the fact that false registrations will not, and cannot, lead to voter fraud, that they contact that media outlet immediatly giving them the facts and demand (politely but firmly) that they report the facts.
Reports leave out relevant facts on ACORN voter registration allegations
2 things I find very odd about the American voting system:
1. Why the f&%$ do you need to register with an affiliation? Surely, the point is to register a voter, not register a voter with a likeliness of their voting pattern.
2. Lack of complusory voting in the self-claimed 'Greatest Democracy on Earth'. In fact, American has one of the lowest particpation rates in all democratic systems. It would also resolve the issue this thread is about.
=my2c
You have the option to.
I wish we had a system like they have in Belgium where voting is mandatory and compulsory...and if you don't do it, you could get fined. People should give a shit about their government. It might make people actually THINK.
Nah...nevermind. We're collectively too stupid to think.
It is mandatory, and a responsibility as a citizen to vote. You get a small, token fine if you don't.
The thing is, it removes intimidation, voter purges, effective disenfranchisement and a whole load of other issues you get with a voluntary system.
The upside is you actually have a real democratic system where the people do decide, rather than just a percentage.
PS. The electoral commission would never allow some of the seriously misleading ads for candidates you guys get. Thats why I love C&L - Aussie politics are so boring by comparison!
=my2c
It's so nice to finally see others realizing how in the tank Lou Dobbs is for McCain. He has been relentlessly hammering the "despicable voter fraud" being perpetrated by the "radical left-wing organization ACORN with ties to Barack Obama" every night on his show for over 2 weeks now.
This is an actual quote from last Thursday's Lou Dobbs show: "That brings us to the subject of our poll tonight. Are you concerned that radical left-wing activist groups are trying to manipulate the outcome of this presidential election? Yes or no."
I mean, hello? Push poll much, Lou? What a tool...
These are terrorist acts. Where is the so-called "Department of Homeland Security"? Oh yeah, they're spying on Quakers, arresting nuns and building concentration camps for whiny constitutionalists. You'd think that with an agency name right out of Nazi-Germany, they'd be all over the case....that McCain would be suspending his campaign because he, Palin and the campaign directors would have been renditioned to some black prison, becoming the latest victims of a series of crimes against humanity.
Abolish the HoHS, it exists only to serve as the Thug and Terror Enforcement Arm™©® of the homegrown fascists.
There there now just be good Germans and don't pay attention to the brown shirts. Widerstehen Sie Anfänge Kristallnacht!
Brace yourselves for the biggest whining session EVER in the history of the United States.
I'm referring, of course, to the Republican morons complaining about how Obama stole the election.
The irony will be staggering.
you ain't seen nothing yet. The right-wing nutcases are going to be ten times as bad this time. It's going ot get very, very ugly. This country is ready to tear itself apart thanks to the Cons and their hateful bullshit. I just hope my fellow liberals are ready and able to fight back when the shit starts.
I hope that when the people finally decide they have had enough that they will take the violence directly to the people who have helped cause all the problems.
I would love to see the people go after all the republicans, the ceos of the banking and stock market people that have been stealing from the people with impunity. Man that would be a great day to see the fear in the eyes that have created so much pain and fear for the American people and people around the world.
Take them down and take everything they have is what we need to do!
Can we put those who incited this violence into jail already!?!?
{{{cough}}}mccain{{{cough}}}palin{{{cough}}}
ACORN is in the center of a very stupid--and terribly dangerous--national outrage from the Right wingers. The violence, the vile racism and the "investigations" prompted by the actions of a few hourly ACORN employees (possibly even some homeless among them) pale in comparison to any slight harm ACORN may indirectly be causing to the voting process. There have always been problems with voter registration drives. It's a messy process and verification always finds problems, no matter who's doing the registering. But the sickening reaction from the frightened, angry people on the Right is a symptom of a deep-seated emotion simmering below the surface of this country. The Right is so afraid of what an Obama presidency would mean. And one of those things would mean that their attitudes about race would be shot to hell. For McCain to be feeding the flames of this hatred is totally irresponsible. ACORN is a sideshow--and the media should make that clear, too.
On the flip side, ACORN is a bit of a loose-cannon organization. I'm all for helping the poor and for registering voters and getting poor and minority voters to the polls. They need to be represented in a big way. They're the ones who get screwed over and over again not only by the government, by the suburban idiots who think big cities are nothing but hot-beds of terrifying violence and by the corporations who prey upon them (payday loan places, pawn shops, etc.).
But ACORN does do some things that could actually hurt the people they try to help, despite their good intentions. For instance, a few years ago in St. Louis, where I live, they tried to pass a minimum wage increase--a substantial one, a few dollars an hour higher than the state/national one. It would have applied only to the City of St. Louis, not the surrounding county and suburbs. St. Louis is already bleeding jobs and population. A big hike in the minimum wage would have only increased job flight--thereby hurting the poor. So I have my reservations about ACORN.
One more thing: It's not like ACORN is an arm of the Democratic Party. Most of their "radical" activities take place in urban areas and are directed at the Democratic mayors and city councils that overwhelmingly serve our big cities. They hit hard, hold some pretty vocal and not always fair or factually-based protests, aimed at Democratic office holders. So the whack-jobs on the Right calling them some kind of extension of the Democratic Party is flat-out crazy. But then again, crazy seems to be about all we're hearing from the fringe these days--and the fringe seems to be calling the shots for the Republicans. I just hope the verbal shots don't turn into gunshots.
Login or Register to post comments.