TPM: ACORN "Not Guilty"

[marmar]

ACORN "Not Guilty"
By Peter Dreier - December 8, 2009, 5:21AM


ACORN is getting a bum rap -- in the news media, among politicians, and even by some foundations.

That's the conclusion of an independent report released Monday, which acknowledged that ACORN needs to improve its management structure, but that it did not engage in illegal activities when two videographers, one posing as a prostitute, showed up at 10 ACORN offices, tried to entrap low-level staff mem¬bers into providing tax and housing advice for their illegal prostitution ring, and secretly videotaped the encounters.

ACORN has found itself embroiled in controversy after some of its employees in different offices were recorded (with hidden video cameras) talking to a couple posing as a prostitute and her boyfriend.

Since last year, ACORN has been under attack by conservative media outlets like Fox News, Republican Party operatives, and business groups. First they accused ACORN of engaging in widespread "voter fraud," a bogus accusation which nevertheless got repeated so often -- by the mainstream media as well as ACORN's enemies -- that many Americans believe it is true. In recent months, ACORN has been under scrutiny for the actions of several staffpersons who listened -- and in some cases provided advise -- to the couple seeking to "sting" and embarrass ACORN.

The accusations put ACORN in a situation similar to a man who is asked, "when did you stop beating your wife?" Even though the accusations weren't true, ACORN was put on the defensive, and lacked the resources to respond effectively to the onslaught of negative publicity. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/08/acorn_not_guilty/

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Thank Dog for Josh Marshall & TPM!

After all, who else is going to get this information into the public eye? FAUX Snooze? Fat fucking chance! The 'liberal media?' They're no more interested in getting out the truth than FAUX!

[mzmolly]

2. K and R for truth ...

:kick:

[malaise]

3. +1

[spanone]

4. why isn't our mainstream media shouting this from the mountain tops????

:sarcasm:

[harkadog]

5. I would like to see an independent report

Not one that was paid for by ACORN