ACORN Rule May Trap Defense Contractors in Defunding Web

[sabra]

Source: Fox News

Republicans intent on cutting off community organization ACORN from the federal trough may have inadvertently alienated defense contractors.

The defense industry is a long-time ally of Republicans. Last week, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., crafted a parliamentary maneuver to strip the widely-scorned group from any federal funds.

Democrats went along with the effort, okaying Issa's motion 345-75.

But the anti-ACORN provision was written so broadly that it could potentially not only strip ACORN of federal dollars, but also pummel defense contractors.

The language of the motion that applies to "any organization that has been indicted for a violation of any federal or state law" when it comes to lobbying or campaign finances. It also excludes "any organization that has filed a fraudulent form with any federal or state regulatory agency."

Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are just two among a host of defense contractors under scrutiny in the legal system. In fact, the Project on Government Oversight lists 100 government contractors, defense and otherwise, who have received federal contracts while also involved in court cases.

...

Still, a spokesman for Issa argued in favor of the House's decision.

"Obviously there are a lot of interpretations out there. And lot of misintereptations," said Issa spokesman Kurt Bardella. "But you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who would defend the misuse of taxpayer dollars."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/23/acorn-rule-trap-defense-contractors-defunding-web/

[leveymg]

1. Ok, I'll take that trade-off. But, what about Blackwater/Xe?

Can't we just impose $10 billion fines and get some of our misspent taxpayer dollars back?

[Hawkeye-X]

2. One trillion dollar fine, and a dissolution of the XE group.

and the arrest and castration of one Erik Prince.

[leveymg]

4. I'd settle for a big fine and jail-time. Tough crowd around here.

[Soylent Brice]

5. that would get my vote. n/t

[berni_mccoy]

3. Glad to see Fox has picked up this story that started out on the blogosphere.

[bvar22]

7. Just heard it on Thom Hartmann.

Your name was mentioned.

[sabra]

8. Fox reads DU?

:-)

[ixion]

6. oops.. doing something constructive in spite of one's self.

:rofl:

[Hugin]

9. That's the type of overkill Issa has become famous for...

The man is a walking Punt Gun.

Mr. Unintended Consequences.

[whosinpower]

10. Alright - but here is the real question

Would you give up FED Acorn funding IF this legislature also defunded military defense contractors??????

Tit for tat....would you agree with this legislature then???
Perhaps the democrats actually read this and understood it and this is why they overwhelmingly supported the measure.....I am not sure...just thinking out loud.

[PM Martin]

11. kick

[santamargarita]

12. Have you ever heard of the 'Republican Double Standard'?

It only applies to Democrats