| Obama: Tainted by ACORN-SEIU, hears New Prog speech thugs, Obamunism jumps the shark, smiles with Saul, wars with China. Mismanagement: Jumbo unions takeover Virginia, corporate socialism fail, fraud group fail, ugly social justice fraud, ACORN goes anti-viral, MSM fail, La Opinion v. ACORN, shame on Barney Frank, shame on Alan Mollohan, Dem P2P lives. International: Trotskyite Lula rips market capitalism, Lula feeds leftwing martyrs, Helping Hugo with A-Bomb. |
Dirty Politics: SEIU operatives tainted by ACORN corruption ... Since the U.S. Senate voted 83-7 earlier this month to cut off funding for ACORN, the activist/voter registration group has become so controversial that some are calling for sanctions against groups associated with it. The debate is invading the race for U.S. Senate in Illinois. Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk announced Friday he will hold a news conference calling on the U.S. Census Bureau to sever its ties to Illinois’ largest union, the Service Employees International Union, because, Kirk says, the group is too close to ACORN. The union endorsed Kirk’s front-running Democratic rival for the Senate seat, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, the previous day. (suntimes.com)
Out-of-state union cash colors Virginia ballots ... Labor unions are pouring money into the Virginia governor's race in hopes of thwarting Republican efforts to retake the top job in a state that union leaders view as increasingly important to their national political fortunes. The donations have helped fatten Democrat R. Creigh Deeds's campaign account by more than $1.4 million, but they have also complicated his efforts to convince business leaders that he would foster the kind of economic growth needed to end the state's recession. Deeds's Republican opponent, Robert F. McDonnell, has seized on the donations as a sign that the state senator would be beholden to out-of-state interests. (washingtonpost.com)
Corporate socialists get cold feet ... Corporations that have given ACORN millions of dollars over the years are now cancelling their donations in the wake of videotape revelations of employees of the infamous community organization giving advice on mortgage fraud, tax evasion, prostitution, and child sex slavery. Bank of America is reviewing its grant program, while Citigroup is waiting for results of official investigations in the scandal. JP Morgan Chase had previously ended its relationship with ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. (washingtonexaminer.com)
Voters dismayed by union-backed, tax-funded fraud group ... ACORN Favorable: 15%, Unfavorable: 67%, No opinion: 19%. By 3-1 margin (51% to 17%), voters favor cutting off all federal funds. By 6-1 margin (64% to 10%) voters agree with census bureau decision to cut ties. Only 20% believe the investigations of ACORN are politically motivated ... 57% say they’re the result of illegal activity. (biggovernment.com)
New Prog speech thugs crush dissent ... Well known Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black once stated, “I am for the First Amendment from the first word to the last. I believe it means what it says.” In part, what it says is that, “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech.” To prove how serious the authors of the Bill of Rights were about this indispensable freedom, they gave Americans the ability to defend the right by force if necessary in the very next Amendment. Even given the historic support from the high court for the First Amendment and the means to defend it given by the Founders, this past week the Obama administration violated its oath to uphold the Constitution by issuing a decree abridging the First Amendment right to speech. In a memo to private health insurers from a senior official at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Obama administration issued a decree ordering them to stop informing Medicare beneficiaries that health reform legislation before Congress could hurt them and curtail their benefits if enacted. The memo went on to say that the government might take legal action against insurers that are mobilizing opposition to the legislation by sending “misleading and confusing” messages to seniors. (blogcritics.org)
Obamunism: Czars jump the shark ... With 28 remaining czars in the Obama administration after the departure of Van Jones, there has been a new call to bring transparency to shed light on the secretive nature of this group of individuals that operate outside the watch of government. Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) takes that sentiment a step further. In an interview with Dan Mangru of Newsmax TV, Paul said he believes that the czars are unconstitutional. “They are not authorized (by the constitution), and not approved by the Senate, but Obama’s not the only guilty party.” Paul asserted that government operating in secrecy is nothing new and pointed to the existence of czars since the 1970’s. “The whole principle of uncontrolled government and government working in secrecy, that’s nothing new, but thank goodness it’s becoming more apparent.” (moneynews.newsmax.com)
Smiling with Saul ... “The only way to upset the power structure in your communities is to goad them, confuse them, irritate them and, most of all, make them live by their own rules. If you make them live by their own rules, you destroy them. And never forget that ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. Comedy is our friend. Throw the kitchen sink at them!” – from Saul Alinksy’s “Rules for Radical Comedians.” I never really had any insight into the pure comic genius of Saul Alinsky until I saw his new age Method followers display their considerable chops on the national stage. James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles, the Master’s ostentatious and envelope-pushing Dan Aykroyd and Gilda Radner-like proteges, whose hilarious ACORN skits also showed brilliant flashes of the late great Allen Funt. The Mysterious Mister X, the L.A. street comic who “Alinskyed” Faris Alkhateeb’s boredom-fueled Obama Joker art into an urban poster as devilishly humorous as Hannibal Lecter, also made as big a national splash as a 300-pound chub doing a cannonball into a crowded public kiddie pool. (bighollywood.breitbart.com)Bonus links:
• Summary of Saul Alinsky's 'Rules for Radicals'
• More Saul Alinsky stories: here
• 'Rules for Radicals' at amazon.com
We don't need no stinkin' trade with China ... In one of today’s richest ironies, America’s fiscal health — such as it is — hinges on the generosity of the Chinese Communist Party. Annoying Beijing’s mandarins could prompt them to skip our Treasury auctions. If China stops lending the Treasury money to underwrite Uncle Sam’s spendaholism, the Federal Reserve will need to print even more dollars to nudge the day of reckoning back over the horizon. But rather than pursue the fiscal conservatism counseled by Siwei and other sober Chinese — or just keep Beijing calm and cooperative — Obama did something supremely idiotic: Earlier this month, he launched a trade war with Beijing. (thedickinsonpress.com)
Liberal plantation: Ugly social justice fraud ... The plantation is still alive and well in America because of ACORN's mentality and actions. Just as those in the South tried to keep a group of people "down on the farm," before and after the Civil War, ACORN is trying to keep a group of people indigent and dependent for reasons of greed and power. Government programs and handouts keep individuals and families continuallyret urning to this organization, who in turn keeps those who are impoverished receiving aid in the form of government services. Therefore the imporverished individuals are dependent on both the organization and the government. (examiner.com)
Political fraud intrigue: Anti-viral ACORN? ... A highlight video was posted this week of Seattle Port Commission candidate Rob Holland speaking to a group of ACORN members on August 9th. The video was posted on SoundPolitics.com and here on NW Digest. Within 24 hours, YouTube disabled the link, citing a copyright claim by a person named Alexander King. On his facebook page King describes himself as “Head Organizer or Director for ACORN of King Co (Seattle).” A google search of “Rob+Holland+ACORN” brings up a series of Facebook videos posted by ACORN of King County. These appear to be the original source of the highlight video and thus the copyright claim against the YouTube version. The question here is, why would an organization that was promoting videos of their candidates on the internet want a version of their video that was getting hundreds of hits taken down. Isn’t the point of viral marketing to let your content spread to its farthest reach? (nwdigest.com)
ACORN scandal story shames MSM ... Students of ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism must have taken note when two young amateurs taught big media how to do their job. Their undercover videos of ACORN employees, telling a fake prostitute and her bogus pimp how to break the law, have rattled the world of working journalists. The two were coached by unwitting ACORN workers on how to scam the IRS as they set up underage girls for business. This, by a high-profile community organization, known for conducting fraudulent activities, i.e., voter registration irregularities; a group with links to our sitting administration. Most old media have all but ignored these scallywags, which for some reason receive multiples of millions in taxpayer dollars. So, in reflection, it's no surprise that the young showed the way in light of the media's abdication of its own investigative doctrine. (eastvalleytribune.com)
La Opinion smacks down ACORN ... Even the editorial comment at La Opinion newspaper seams to doubt the immediate future of the organization and faces the prospects on its reaction to these accusations. “ACORN has the final responsibility of the situation they are in, and eventually they will need to make an exhaustive revision to decide that will determine their future. No organization is indispensable despite having a long history of past glory. An organization is evaluated by its present and responsibility in giving quality services to the community” the September 20th editorial states. Be it what it may, the investigations are now in place and ACORN operations will be put under the microscope, and what they find might as well put all community organizers on the spot. In a related story the San Diego County Board of Supervisors had been asked to conduct a forensic investigation into the National City ACORN operations. The county officials decided not to open an investigation but will assist the state attorney general and the district attorney in any review of ACORN’s voter registration drive last year. (news.ncmonline.com)
Even Barney Frank comes around ... Like rats deserting a sinking ship, ACORN's many enablers over the years are racing for the exits as the scope of the organization's shenanigans come to light. Even leftist fellow-traveler -- and, until now, stalwart ACORN defender -- Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) is squirming. What took them so long? We've been warning about the group for ages. Nonetheless, in the past two weeks, both the Senate and the House voted to yank federal funding from ACORN; the Census Bureau cut off ties; the Treasury Department launched a review -- and the IRS dropped ACORN from its list of approved tax-assistance providers. Meanwhile, the ugly disclosures keep coming:, GOP Sen. Charles Grassley on Thursday released documents showing that ACORN shifted millions in charitable and government funds meant for the poor to its political and for-profit arms. Now even Frank, one of ACORN's biggest congressional pals, says he agrees the group should lose federal funds. (nypost.com)Shame on U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan ... Congressman Alan Mollohan's defense of the corrupt Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now - ACORN - is not reasonable, it has become clear. By persisting in it, Mollohan does not reflect the country, his northern West Virginia constituents, or even his own Democratic Party peers. A week ago, Mollohan, D-W.Va., told a group in Weirton that he voted against a proposal to cut off some federal funding for ACORN because he does not believe "a few rotten apples spoil a barrel." But as we have pointed out, ACORN is rotten to the core: * Its co-founder, Wade Rathke, attempted to cover up embezzlement of a million dollars from ACORN, by his brother. * ACORN operatives have been guilty of voter registration fraud in cities throughout the nation. * Many Americans are familiar with videotapes showing ACORN officials in three cities who offered advice on how to break the law to a woman and man they thought were a prostitute and pimp. (news-register.net)
Student radicals use strike to prosecute anarchy ... A day after a large rally against tuition hikes and pay cuts, several dozen UC Santa Cruz students and workers remained barricaded in the Graduate Student Commons on Friday in an effort to continue Thursday's walkout and strike. Protesters took over the second floor of the Commons building at 5 p.m. Thursday after marching from the site of a demonstration and picket line formed by a union representing about 150 UCSC employees. Banners saying "Raise Hell, Not Costs" and "We Are the Crisis" were hung over the balcony of the Commons area, where participants later playing loud music and hosting a dance party. (mercurynews.com)Rep. Rick Larsen placed on Dirty Money Watch ... WHO: Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., a co-sponsor of The Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check). WHAT: Larsen received the following dirty money: Communication Workers of America (PAC) $5,500 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 in 2006 election cycle; Boilermakers Union (PAC) $1,000 in 2010 election cycle; $2,000 in 2008 election cycle; $3,500 in 2006 election cycle. American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $1,000 in 2010 election cycle; $2,000 in 2008 election cycle; $1,500 in 2006 election cycle. Service Employees International Union (PAC) $3,000 in 2008 election cycle. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $5,000 in 2010 election cycle; $10,000 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. United Steelworkers of America (PAC) $2,000 in 2006 election cycle. WHY IT’S DIRTY: Multiple officers and members of these unions, including division presidents, secretary-treasurers and business managers, have been convicted since 2001 of felonies ranging from embezzlement, falsifying official reports to government, mail fraud and conspiracy. The Communication Workers of America and The American Federation of Government Employees have had eight convictions, the Service Employees International Union has had nine convictions and the Boilermakers have had 10 convictions, while the IBEW has had 14 members convicted. The United Steelworkers of America has had 30 convictions among its membership. The amounts of embezzled funds range from over $5,000 to over $100,000. WHAT: Larsen received the following dirty money: PMA Group (PAC) $2,000 in 2008 election cycle; $1,000 in 2006 election cycle. WHY IT’S DIRTY: PMA Group (Paul Magliocchetti and Associates) was a defense lobbying group that is now the focus of multiple federal investigations concerning allegations of influence peddling and other corrupt activities, mostly associated with earmarks. Before it was disbanded earlier this year, PMA Group’s employees and its political action committee gave current members of Congress $3.4 million between 1989 and 2008, with 79 percent of that going to Democrats, according to OpenSecrets.org. WILL LARSEN GIVE IT BACK: Larsen did not respond to The Examiner’s request for comment. THE SCORE: Number of Democrats who have given it back: 0. Number of Republicans who have given it back: 0. YOUR TURN: You can reach Rep. Larsen’s Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2605 (sfexaminer.com)International Collectivism
Trotskyite Lula swipes at straw-man: Unregulated free market ... Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said the world is in a transition to multilateralism that will not conflict with the United Nations. And President Lula said the on-going economic recession was more than a crisis of big banks but the crisis of big dogmas. He said the senseless way of thinking and acting which dominated the world for decades had proved itself bankrupt. On the economic and financial crisis, President Lula said the free market policy had failed. (postzambia.com)
Help Hugo find more fissionable isotopes ... Iran is helping to detect uranium deposits in Venezuela and initial evaluations suggest reserves are significant, President Hugo Chavez's government said Friday. Mining Minister Rodolfo Sanz said Iran has been assisting Venezuela with geophysical survey flights and geochemical analysis of the deposits, and that evaluations "indicate the existence of uranium in western parts of the country and in Santa Elena de Uairen," in southeastern Bolivar state. "We could have important reserves of uranium," Sanz told reporters upon arrival on Venezuela's Margarita Island for a weekend Africa-South America summit. He added that efforts to certify the reserves could begin within the next three years. (google.com)
Trotskyite Lula commands leftwing martyrs ... Mr Zelaya has been sheltering in Brazil's embassy in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa with about 50 people, including family members and supporters, since making a surprise return to his country on Monday, after he was ousted in a June 28 coup. "We have survived a few days eating biscuits, a very irregular diet," Francisco Rezende Catuda, the Brazilian diplomat, told the BBC. He said the group had eaten their first proper meal on Thursday. "I wouldn't say that we are starving, but the situation is extremely precarious," he said. (telegraph.co.uk)
