SCR:  And never mind that ACORN is (or even perhaps was) so inextricably intertwined with William Ayers.  Another stellar caricature ...... er, character on the national stage.  (Wish it was the stage leaving the country.)

 SCR:  And another thing:  Don't you just love it?

http://mediamatters.org/ite... 

As Media Matters noted, on January 26, House Minority Leader John Boehner's (R-OH) office released a memo that claimed "[t]he legislation could open billions of taxpayer dollars to left-wing groups like the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), which has been accused of voter fraud, is reportedly under federal investigation; and played a key role in the housing meltdown." A January 23 release to which the January 26 document links stated that "the Democrats' bill makes groups like ACORN eligible for a $4.19 billion pot of money for 'neighborhood stabilization activities.' "

These attacks related to the stimulus bill recall the false smear propagated by several media figures in 2008 that Democrats tried to create a "slush fund" for ACORN in the 2008 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.

The false claim that the stimulus bill provides ACORN with "a $4.2 billion bailout," which Allen allowed Spain to make unchallenged, is based on a misrepresentation of a provision in the bill that would appropriate $4,190,000,000 "for neighborhood stabilization activities related to emergency assistance for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes as authorized under division B, title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008." The provision states that "not less than $3,440,000,000 shall be allocated by a competition" to "States, units of general local government, and nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities," and provides that "up to $750,000,000 shall be awarded by competition to nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities to provide community stabilization assistance." The $4.19 billion would be distributed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

(Not that ACORN wouldn't spend the money more wisely than, say, Citicorp has done...)

ACORN - Citicorp.  Is there a comparison there?

Actually, no.  Citicorp got bailout funding; ACORN didn't.  I was just commenting that it wouldn't be a bad thing if that situation were reversed.

Remember the squawk in Ohio last year about "voter fraud" being widespread and a threat to democracy?  Now that the election's over we get the truth:  it wasn't widespread and it wasn't any kind of a threat.

There's a saying about children of dysfunctional families who "tell a lie when the truth would do as well."  The Republican spokesbeings tell lies because the truth doesn't help them at all.

Vitter...he's the one who spent his money on getting diapered by hookers, right?

Nancy, there is not because ACORN was not handed any money, and certainly not the$5.2 billion blasted on the title of this post.

-$1 billion stashed away in Community Development Block Grant money that ACORN often vies for successfully.

$10 million to develop or refurbish low-income housing, a specialty of ACORN’s.-

What a crock to read the drivel on this post from David A. Patten who is fear mongering on a grand scale. None of this money is directed exclusively to ACORN like the title treatment suggests. Also, to imply that ACORN was responsible for "tipping the scales in the Democrats' favor in November" is laugh out loud funny.  The totally out of touch Republican leadership only need  listen to their own voices to know why this past election was lost, and to look in any mirror to see who uttered their hypocritical lines about small government while ramping up the biggest corporate giveaways in the nation's history.

Wow, I thought Fear Factor was just a putrid bizarre "reality" show. I had no idea it was the entire plank and platform on which Republicans now live.  I guess when the only line Republicans can up with is "no taxes", fear is about all that is left in their cupboard.

RF  Remember the squawk in Ohio last year about "voter fraud" being widespread and a threat to democracy?  Now that the election's over we get the truth:  it wasn't widespread and it wasn't any kind of a threat.

musta missed that one....show me

 Wow, I thought Fear Factor was just a putrid bizarre "reality" show

It is....................it is called Democrats. 

Adam, I usually read your comments when I notice them, and I am never disappointed.

Your comment explains one of the reasons why I will never discuss most politics here.  The "our team" against "their team" fanaticism is so far beyond simple brainwashing that there is nothing to be gained, and my good energies to lose, by wasting them on this.

It's better all around to direct those good energies into useful activities.  :)

Apollo, its the denial on the democratic side that causes much of this debate, if the liberals here would just admit, yes, there is corruption in groups like acorn, and I condemn it, they should not get any federal funding, then there would not be so much finger pointing, but Random and others here would never pull their head out of the sand long enough to admit that,  Denial, its is a sad thing just trying to fool yourself,

http://news.cincinnati.com/...

One case.  One.  And he turned *HIMSELF* in.   The case and similar ones elsewhere were timed just before the election and intended to suppress voter turnout as a political tactic.

ACORN *TURNED IN* suspicious voter registrations, as they were supposed to do.

.

Mountianman, the sand's on *YOUR* side of the playground, not mine.

Yeah~ it is always one "sides" fault in a debate...

Wow, I thought Fear Factor was just a putrid bizarre "reality" show

It is....................it is called Democrats. 

Democrats = reality.

Republicans = Fantasyland.

Yep, that about sums it up.

Right sage, but when you say a blanket statement like, its always the Republicans fault for everything wrong, and still are in denial of the huge coruption going on in ACORN, and one certain Ilinois Governor, and Barney Frank, and, congressman Jefferson "I got cash in my freezer"  well, I could go on and on,  then, you lose credibilty, be honest, step up and take the hit when there is democratic wrongdoing, thats all im saying,

Actually, if you want to compare the Democrats to a TV show, the appropriate one would be "Dirty Jobs."  *SOMEONE* has to clean up after the elephants are driven out of the White House.

Odd RF, in reality, it's just the opposite.  Republicans llive in the real world where both sides have clay feet.  Mountainman was right on target.

Right sage, but when you say a blanket statement like, its always the Republicans fault for everything wrong

Perhaps you can justify that "blanket statement" by pointing us to someone saying that

.

and still are in denial of the huge coruption going on in ACORN

Perhaps you can point us to convictions coming out of the politically-motivated innuendo against ACORN...? 

,

and one certain Ilinois Governor,

The one who's being impeached and tried *TODAY*, or his Republican predecessor in prison?

.

and Barney Frank,

The one who's helping to guide the stimulus bill the Republicans are playing games with?

.

and, congressman Jefferson "I got cash in my freezer"

The one who may *STILL* get off because the Bush administration put politics above competent prosecutors?  The one who got defeated at the polls last year? 

Odd RF, in reality, it's just the opposite.  Republicans llive in the real world where both sides have clay feet.  Mountainman was right on target.

The "I know we are but what are you" rejoinder.   Remember the Shrub Administration minion who chided a journalist for living in the "reality-based"  community?   Like that was a *BAD* thing?

The aide said that guys like me were "in what we call the reality-based community," which he defined as people who "believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality." ... "That's not the way the world really works anymore," he continued. "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."^[1]

RF, heres your chance, name all the Dem politicians on your side who you think were corrupt and should admit their wrong doing and pay some price,,,,,,,,GO!

Blagojevich (being impeached but may slip the noose prosecution-wise)

William Jefferson (been indicted but the Justice Department screwed up)

Eliot Spitzer (for aggravated stupidity--turns out he was innocent of what they actually investigated him for)

A member of the Massachussetts legislature (woman) whose name escapes me, indicted on bribery charges.

Some who got a raw deal:

Don Siegelman (convicted in politically-motivated prosecution, likely not entirely clean but not guilty.)

Bill Clinton (accused but acquitted.)

We could go back further but I limited to just the past ten years or so.

Your turn.

I wonder if all the organizations Obama has been part of will get more money than before? Aren't we supposed to be cutting our budgets? No one should be getting more.

I could add a couple more non-criminal types:

Congressman Charlie Rangel:  misusing a parking garage.  String him up.  (Actually, there's some investigation going on over not reporting income on apartment rentals, inconclusive at this point.)

Oh, and I forgot that idiot Congressman TIm Mahoney in Florida, the one who took over the Republican page-turner's Foley's seat.  But he used to be a Republican, probably just forgot.  Not technically illegal unless payoffs turn out to be fraud or something.

 I wonder if all the organizations Obama has been part of will get more money than before?

Let's hope so.  They seem to be pretty effective.  Like that Public Allies board he served on.   The Woods Fund.   And the Harvard Law Review, University of Chicago,  the Annenburg Challenge, Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and the Lugenia Burns Hope Center.^[

Well AD Im not sure being a fence sitter is very productive in todays society..If everyone had that attitude the whole world would be full of people bumbling around kisin each others tails and hating every minute of it..atleat BOTH SIDES here show passion in their convictions...the hippy attitude failed miserablly at the end of its short lived life span..I was one of the esteemed members myself as a pup so i know ...drugs and charlie manson finished it off..

Pretty effective for who? Shiftless layabouts who refuse to help themselves unless it's to other peoples money?

Sioux, how do you define "fence sitter?"

Please do not mistake my demeanor for passivity.  I am a feminist, remember?  :)

I just have different ways.

Pretty effective for who? Shiftless layabouts who refuse to help themselves unless it's to other peoples money?

No, not effective for Republican legislators.  Effective for real Americans, though.

To get back on some sort of a topic besides partisan bickering.... since it's been made clear this $5 billion is meant to be spent nationwide in various communities, let's hope a little of it lands here to get rid of some of the blight left behind by the housing boom and bust. Maybe they can even make a little money back by selling the tumbleweeds they've collected off abandoned lots on eBay. I hear that's a booming business these days.

haha well shwaine ya made me laugh...intelligent wit while making atleast a logical post is much appreciated..Im reallly kinda gettin tired of all the eye gouging on these blogs that comes in the form of oneliners from the passive aggressive lefties....

"both sides">>>>If I had a penny for all the times I have typed those words in regards to politics~ well I'd have my memorial tattoo and my  #2 son would have a tombstone. Plus some extra.

let's hope a little of it lands here to get rid of some of the blight left behind by the housing boom and bust. 

Much as I hate to see it, I believe that's part of Nicole Parra's new job. 

 SCR:  I was going to say something but then decided against it.  You'll forgive me this time, won't you?

So Sioux, now that people like Adam and Random have gone to the trouble to actually prove your accusation is complete and utter BS, are you willing to admit you (and those you've quoted) are wrong about this ACORN accusation?

 Effective for real Americans, though

Real Americans don't accept handouts as a lifestyle.

Except farmers.

...and large corporations...and the wealthy (tax cuts)

A tax cut means keeping your money. Tax refunds to people who don't pay taxes is a handout.

Tax refunds to people who don't pay taxes is a handout.

How about to those who pay payroll taxes and sales taxes but don't make enough to pay income taxes?  

And how do you define a no-bid government contract which isn't fulfilled but is paid for anyway?   Or bailout money going to companies which have managed to cut their corporate tax payments almost to zero?

The people at the lowest end of the economic spectrum are the most likely to spend the tax cut/rebate/whatever and actually stimulate the economy.

How about to those who pay payroll taxes and sales taxes but don't make enough to pay income taxes?  

Income taxes are where you refunds typically comes from. Medicare, etc is going to come back to you eventaully (fingers crossed). So, yeh, if you don't pay any income tax, you should not be getting an income tax refund.

And how do you define a no-bid government contract which isn't fulfilled but is paid for anyway?   Or bailout money going to companies which have managed to cut their corporate tax payments almost to zero?

If a contract isn't completed, no one should get paid. As for bail out money, no one should get any, tax cheats or not. Has Obama fixed that yet?

Blago out.

.

Has Obama fixed that yet?

Not yet.  He's trying to keep the economy together first.  Maybe Biden can do a Truman-style commission on war profiteers later.

The most pathetic thing about the recent stimulus package was that not one Republican member in the House of Representatives voted for it. It is very reminiscent of California's recent budget woes where no Republican will ever vote for a budget when proposed by a Democrat majority.

I vividly remember the run up to the Iraq War, and all the domestic (the term homeland creeps me out) security issues before Congress. Most liberals joined in a show of good faith bipartisanship to pass a lot of legislation. Democrats tried to be decent team players when the nation's back was to the wall. Most liberal Democrats were opposed to No Child Left Behind, but once again the country saw bipartisan results for a program many felt could make a difference in public education if properly funded.

The nation is on the brink of financial chaos, with closures and layoffs mounting and no reserves on hand at all levels of government. I do not see the Republican leadership with idea one to solve this problem. The Republican leadership are a team of political hacks whose brains have but one thought, no taxes. The Republican Party at both the federal and the State of California level have repeatedly demonstrated they are nothing but obstructionists. Even the Republican Governor has chastised the Republican legislators for failure to do one thing, close the deal on the state budget.

I don't get the obstinate refusal by conservatives to admit their team failed, and then lost the last game. Reminds me of Cowboy fans, whose team is always the greatest but hasn't won a playoff game in more than decade. You lost, and now someone else gets a chance to try and get it right. Your team is not the greatest. What is so hard about working on all the problems we face to get something positive done. I have to laugh at people who think another tax break is the cure all. The Bush tax breaks that have put us in this predicament of multi-trillion dollar deficits, which only rewarded a very small percentage of the population. The average Joe and Jane got $300 in tax savings while the individuals earning in the top 2% saw the lion's share of the money. And, no, it never trickled down.

Take a good look at who the biggest employers are in this area. It ain't oil and it ain't ag. It is government. And government is generally the pipeline that provides businesses with the jobs in construction, technology, education and the sciences. Some of the posters here need to do a little more research on how things work and why things failed this decade. It was not the Democrats in charge of Congress from 1994 to 2006. Democrats did not propose two major tax breaks that put the country in an unsustainable hole. Let's get that right. Right?  

The most pathetic thing about the recent stimulus package was that not one Republican member in the House of Representatives voted for it. It is very reminiscent of California's recent budget woes where no Republican will ever vote for a budget when proposed by a Democrat majority.

And of the 1993 episode where the Democrats fixed the screwups of the Reagan/Bush years without Republican assistance.  At least some Republicans will be voting for the stimulus package when it comes 'round again on the guitar.

Oh, and we'll pass the contraceptive funding without their help if need be, too.

Personally, I have a lot of sympathy for the folks who read stuff like this and throw up their hands in despair. How could this read like anything but partisan bickering?

What i would have them ask themselves is this: what if you have members of your family bickering about something momentous, like the purchase of a house in a different state, and all you hear is back and forth? And what if, upon listening a little carefully, you noticed that one side has a slight tendency to ad hominem arguments, demonizing, over-generalizing and even, at times, filling in the blanks with their "educated guesses" rather than actually researching or asking anyone?

Are you still tempted to just stand to the side and berate both sides and/or complain about their inability to get along? 

Republicans themselves have begun the process of self-evaluation that it takes to overcome habits of excess. While I think it is wise to try and leave them the room to get this work done, I don't think excusing their every bad decision on the way is a good idea either.

DS..What i would have them ask themselves is this: what if you have members of your family bickering about something momentous, like the purchase of a house in a different state, and all you hear is back and forth? And what if, upon listening a little carefully, you noticed that one side has a slight tendency to ad hominem arguments, demonizing, over-generalizing and even, at times, filling in the blanks with their "educated guesses" rather than actually researching or asking anyone?

EXACTLY...couldnt have said it better myself DS..thanks..

The most pathetic thing about the recent stimulus package was that not one Republican member in the House of Representatives voted for it. It is very reminiscent of California's recent budget woes where no Republican will ever vote for a budget when proposed by a Democrat majority.

Or it could be they know this Trillion dollar Bill will fail miserably in its stated objectives, put us deeper in the hole and saddle future generations with a debt it cannot hope to repay, and won't be willing to give the Democrats political cover when it does fail. Good for the Republicans for acting like fiscal conservatives, even if it is 8 years late.

 And government is generally the pipeline that provides businesses with the jobs in construction, technology, education and the sciences. 

Been doing a heckuva job in all those things as of late haven't they?

Some of the posters here need to do a little more research on how things work and why things failed this decade. It was not the Democrats in charge of Congress from 1994 to 2006. 

Bu-bu-bu-but I though those Clinton years were great for the Economy? 

Barry O' wanted bi-partisanship and he got it.  Too bad it was bipartisan opposition to his "stimulus" bill.