The story behind... the ACORN story

[nowhereman 1]

So then who is further in the direction of there views from the center, Steven or Danno?

That would depend on who's making that judgement, since it's a subjective call.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

This thread is an example of what happens when you have too much coffee and too little sleep.

I am glad that the contributors of inane one-liners, unable to carry on a logical, thoughtful and serious conversation are on THEIR side.

Your response to this will be a series of inane one-liners further proving my point and advancing the conservative cause. What do you think, for example, of the ACORN employees suggestion NOT to educate the El Salvadorean under-age protitutes because then they would not want to be protitutes? Does this follow any pattern in the liberal mindset? Does it ever settle into you that your only other option for language (you know, on the answering menus) is Spanish? No French, No Russian, no German...why is that? Why is it there is only ONE race of people we do not want to learn to speak English? Why is it there are Spanish/English signs at Home Depot in Burlington, VT, just a few miles from French Quebec? The Quebecois can also speak English, don't need tobe catered to and have good, high paying jobs in a prosperous country. They don't speak Spanish.

Does it bother you Obama wants to free the slaves and bring more in? Does it bother you he doesn't want to end the slavery? This was the Democrat position 150 years ago, you would think they would leanr...in fact they have never changed. Just changed the color of the slaves.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You're not interested in my opinion Gary.

[zqt3344 21]

This reckless inept journalism by the major networks and papers is only hurting themselves worse and causing more and more Americans to leave them in droves and seek news at other sources, because sadly we cannot trust these normal traditional news outlets, they lie and they deceive and they try to control the outcome of elections and government policy, thus that is why you see so many angry people at town hall meetings and these teaparty things, people are not happy with how the major news media has given Ovomit a free pass on any type of investigations or questions about anything he does.

The Story Behind the ACORN Story

By Andrew Breitbart

Everything you needed to know about the unorthodox roll out of the now-notorious ACORN sting videos was hidden in plain sight in my Sept. 7 column, Katie Couric, Look in the Mirror. ACORN was not the only target of those videos; so were Katie, Brian, Charlie and every other mainstream media pooh-bah.

They were not going to report this blockbuster unless they were forced to. And they were. What's more, it ain't over yet. Not every hint I dropped in that piece about what was to come has played itself out yet.Stay tuned.

When filmmaker and provocateur James O'Keefe came to my office to show me the video of him and his friend, Hannah Giles, going to the Baltimore offices of ACORN - the nation's foremost "community organizers" - dressed as a pimp and a prostitute and asking for - and getting - help for various illegal activities, he sought my advice. In the past, Mr. O'Keefe created brilliant social satire that rocked his college campus and even made its way on to the talk-radio and cable-news shows, but the magnitude of his latest adventure had the potential to rock the political establishment.

I was awed by Mr. O'Keefe's guts and amazed by the footage, but explained that the mainstream media would try to kill this important and illuminating expose about a corrupt and criminal political racket, and that the well-funded political left would go into "war room" mode, with 25-year-old Mr. O'Keefe and 20-year-old cohort Miss Giles in the cross hairs. I felt I had a moral obligation to protect these young muckrakers from the left and from the media, and to devise a strategy that would force the media's hand.

Once the American public saw with its own eyes the grotesque, common practices of ACORN's housing offices, Mr. O'Keefe and Miss Giles could no longer be a legitimate focus of media scrutiny. Kill the messenger doesn't work with the American people when they realize that the message is so devastating and honest. I think the video exposed the misuse of public funds and systemic manipulation of the tax code in the name of "helping the poor."

If Mr. O'Keefe dumped the videos on YouTube, the political powers would have killed the expose before it got traction. I half-joked that he should secretly tape pitching the major television networks exclusive use of his videos for their nightly news broadcasts. But a simpler, less controversial method proved as fruitful.

I told him that in addition to launching his compelling and stylized Web videos, we needed to offer the full transcripts and audio to the public in the name of transparency, and to offer Fox News the full footage of each video before each was released.We had to devise a plan that would force the media to see the evidence before they had enough time to destroy these two idealistic 20-something truth seekers. Mr. O'Keefe agreed to post the full audio and full transcript of his video experiences at BigGovernment.com.

Thus was born a multimedia, multiplatform strategy designed to force the reluctant hands of ABC, CBS, NBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post.

Videos of five different ACORN offices in five separate cities would be released on five consecutive weekdays over a full week - Baltimore, Washington, New York, San Bernadino and San Diego. By dripping the videos out, we exposed to anyone paying attention that ACORN was lying through its teeth and that the media would look imbecilic continuing to trot out their hapless spokespeople.

If the media, as expected, pretended that the story didn't exist, they'd have another debacle on their hands comparable to the failure to report the shocking views of the White House's "green jobs czar," Van Jones. If they invested in the story, I told Mr. O'Keefe, they would do ACORN's defense work. I told him the focus needed to be on the message, not the messenger. Otherwise, the mainstream media would attempt to direct attention away from the damaging video evidence.

The best example of this came from ABC's anchor, Charlie Gibson. "I don't even know about it. So you've got me at a loss," he told WLS radio when asked about it. "But my goodness, if it's got everything, including sleaziness in it, we should talk about it in the morning." But he also said that what was seen on these videos was best left for the "cables."

Is this not malevolent arrogance?

That evening, Katie Couric and "The CBS Evening News" cried uncle and did a story. Six days into an underground media sensation that caused the White House to force the Commerce Department to delink ACORN from the census on day two, CBS knew it could sit on the sidelines no longer. Especially since ACORN spokespeople were issuing what to me was clearly lie after lie, and CBS could only assume that more videos were coming.

CNN made the most sustained effort to blame the messenger and make the videos the issue. Producers aggressively called Miss Giles, Mr. O'Keefe and me, imploring us to explain our journalistic tactics. I told them repeatedly that if they offered the videos a fair airing and let their audience decide, we'd agree to a Time Warner grilling. I also said we could have the debate on journalistic ethics after this story played out at a journalism school of their choice.

Instead, the media repeated ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis' growing body of lies, never holding her accountable for her shameless hackery. Jonathan Klein, CNN's president, is emerging as symbol of the mainstream media's last depressing days.

No wonder Jon Stewart delivered a stinging and hilarious rebuke of the real newspeople on his "Daily Show" parodies every night: "Where were the real reporters on this story? ... Where the hell were you?"

High praise to you, Mr. Stewart. It's nice to see there's someone out there in liberal media-land who would recognize there's something terribly wrong on these videos. And yes, there are more to come.

At the very least, filmmaker James O'Keefe and actress Hannah Giles deserve a Pulitzer Prize for their expose of deep corruption and unspeakable immorality at the ACORN housing division. But more important, I won't rest until they receive a grant to continue their partisan artistry from the National Endowment for the Arts.

That's this week's mission.

[Danno 1,228]

ACORN is a disgrace but Danno's extremely biased coverage of the "news" comes in a close second.

Danno doesn't get Federal dollars to support bringing underaged Salvadorean sex slaves. Then again maybe he does because he hasn't told us about his other hobbies.

ACORN sucks but Danno has blinders on when it comes to the right wing shenanigans. I guess Bat Guano counteracts the Danno factor but does two biased viewpoints really equate to balanced reporting of the issues? I guess on the OT forum it does!

What "right wing shenanigans".. do I have blinders about?

It could be your idea of what Shenanigans are... are my idea of fair-play after the way the Left has sunk to new lows over the last 6 or more years.

I am a Conservative and one would expect my opinions to reflect that but, I have often hacked on the GOP. I refused to vote McCain. I saw some of what Bush did very good and some very bad.

I, have opened 2 or 3 topics to the board where I applauded something Obama did.

Feel free to pin me as a hard-liner but don't say I carry the water for anyone just because he has an "R" on his jersey.

[nowhereman 1]

ACORN is a disgrace but Danno's extremely biased coverage of the "news" comes in a close second.

Danno doesn't get Federal dollars to support bringing underaged Salvadorean sex slaves. Then again maybe he does because he hasn't told us about his other hobbies.

ACORN sucks but Danno has blinders on when it comes to the right wing shenanigans. I guess Bat Guano counteracts the Danno factor but does two biased viewpoints really equate to balanced reporting of the issues? I guess on the OT forum it does!

What "right wing shenanigans".. do I have blinders about?

It could be your idea of what Shenanigans are... are my idea of fair-play after the way the Left has sunk to new lows over the last 6 or more years.

I am a Conservative and one would expect my opinions to reflect that but, I have often hacked on the GOP. I refused to vote McCain. I saw some of what Bush did very good and some very bad.

I, have opened 2 or 3 topics to the board where I applauded something Obama did.

Feel free to pin me as a hard-liner but don't say I carry the water for anyone just because he has an "R" on his jersey.

You're the self appointed champion of the VJ Right, much like Bat is the self appointed champion of the VJ Left. My views fall somewhere to the left of yours & to the right of Bat's and it's all good (in all 3 cases). My point was that if a person has strong tendencies to just see one point of view they miss out on a lot. Moreover G&A is of the opinion that moderates are weak & uncommittal and I couldn't disagree more with that assertion.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Nowhereman - you know what I want? I want to engage in discussions/debates with most of the threads I start, but am often disappointed because too few are willing to argue. Hats off to people like dalegg (Dale), alienlovechild (David) among others from the Right who do try to discuss or debate the subject at hand. Matt is also willing to debate and I enjoy debating with him.

I will admit that when I see a string of threads (about ACORN for example) that offer no real substance or news, but just more conjecture... or some other topic, often by the same poster, I feel compelled to counter it with my own carpet bombing of threads. Danno has demonstrated on many occasions that he's not really interested in listening to other points of view. When someone has that attitude, it's really futile to try and engage them in a dialogue. And to be fair to Danno, there are others who project that same attitude.

I think enough people know me here, that in spite of my political leanings, I am open to discussing/debating issues...and personally, I try to keep an open mind to better ideas. I may be passionate about some of my views and there are fundamental principles that I hold strongly too, but I do not think I'm an ideologue. The problem I see in most of these political debates is when you get ideologues, who have no interest in listening to other points of view, then the conversation dumbs down to playground antics. Not all points of view are worthy of consideration, however. If you come to a debate, you better know how to articulate what you are arguing for or against. You can't just post your opinion and expect people to take it for face value. This isn't grade school...some people here need to be reminded that.

[HAL 9000 96]

I agree with Steven on this one. And Dave (ALC) if you're reading... I apologize for giving you a hard time before- that's all about style and not substance, but you know that.

[_Simpson_ 250]

So then who is further in the direction of there views from the center, Steven or Danno?

That would depend on who's making that judgement, since it's a subjective call.

Your right it is subjective. Subjective to who ever decides to answer.

Nowhereman - you know what I want? I want to engage in discussions/debates with most of the threads I start, but am often disappointed because too few are willing to argue. Hats off to people like dalegg (Dale), alienlovechild (David) among others from the Right who do try to discuss or debate the subject at hand. Matt is also willing to debate and I enjoy debating with him.

I will admit that when I see a string of threads (about ACORN for example) that offer no real substance or news, but just more conjecture... or some other topic, often by the same poster, I feel compelled to counter it with my own carpet bombing of threads. Danno has demonstrated on many occasions that he's not really interested in listening to other points of view. When someone has that attitude, it's really futile to try and engage them in a dialogue. And to be fair to Danno, there are others who project that same attitude.

I think enough people know me here, that in spite of my political leanings, I am open to discussing/debating issues...and personally, I try to keep an open mind to better ideas. I may be passionate about some of my views and there are fundamental principles that I hold strongly too, but I do not think I'm an ideologue. The problem I see in most of these political debates is when you get ideologues, who have no interest in listening to other points of view, then the conversation dumbs down to playground antics. Not all points of view are worthy of consideration, however. If you come to a debate, you better know how to articulate what you are arguing for or against. You can't just post your opinion and expect people to take it for face value. This isn't grade school...some people here need to be reminded that.

I just live for the day you have something good to say about Reagan.

I agree with Steven on this one. And Dave (ALC) if you're reading... I apologize for giving you a hard time before- that's all about style and not substance, but you know that.

apologize!? When did you go all sally on me?

[HAL 9000 96]

Oh I still have you on the hook Mr Simpson. Besides, you get pwned for substance, not style.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Oh I still have you on the hook Mr Simpson. Besides, you get pwned for substance, not style.

Phew good to know, I dont think I could take the Sally side of Hal.

Most of what I have to say goes right over simplistic scientific mind anyways.

[HAL 9000 96]

Oh I still have you on the hook Mr Simpson. Besides, you get pwned for substance, not style.

Phew good to know, I dont think I could take the Sally side of Hal.

Most of what I have to say goes right over simplistic scientific mind anyways.

That's because a scientific mind sticks to rational and relevant information that is applicable within the logical bounds of what is being investigated. Over simplistic or not... although simplicity in science, as Einstein put it, is very good indeed. Anything simpler would be retarded, and hence incoherent logic gets HAL 9000's friendly b!tchslap.

Must retire for the time being.

[nowhereman 1]

Nowhereman - you know what I want? I want to engage in discussions/debates with most of the threads I start, but am often disappointed because too few are willing to argue. Hats off to people like dalegg (Dale), alienlovechild (David) among others from the Right who do try to discuss or debate the subject at hand. Matt is also willing to debate and I enjoy debating with him.

I will admit that when I see a string of threads (about ACORN for example) that offer no real substance or news, but just more conjecture... or some other topic, often by the same poster, I feel compelled to counter it with my own carpet bombing of threads. Danno has demonstrated on many occasions that he's not really interested in listening to other points of view. When someone has that attitude, it's really futile to try and engage them in a dialogue. And to be fair to Danno, there are others who project that same attitude.

I think enough people know me here, that in spite of my political leanings, I am open to discussing/debating issues...and personally, I try to keep an open mind to better ideas. I may be passionate about some of my views and there are fundamental principles that I hold strongly too, but I do not think I'm an ideologue. The problem I see in most of these political debates is when you get ideologues, who have no interest in listening to other points of view, then the conversation dumbs down to playground antics. Not all points of view are worthy of consideration, however. If you come to a debate, you better know how to articulate what you are arguing for or against. You can't just post your opinion and expect people to take it for face value. This isn't grade school...some people here need to be reminded that.

Your points are well taken & I agree with a lot of what you're saying. I have made similar points as well & have often been frustrated with the tactics of far too many VJ OT regs (i.e. labeling, stereotyping & flat out misrepresenting the facts). Rhetoric is a very poor substitute for a defendable opinion but more often than not that's all you get in the OT forum. I also prefer a debate over a feces flinging contest.

I threw your name out because you & Danno seem to start the most threads & often have opposing viewpoints. Now if only we can get more debates & less BS generated from the opposing views the OT would be better off (but at the same time I like the funny/sarcastic exchanges that happen here too).

[_Simpson_ 250]

Oh I still have you on the hook Mr Simpson. Besides, you get pwned for substance, not style.

Phew good to know, I dont think I could take the Sally side of Hal.

Most of what I have to say goes right over simplistic scientific mind anyways.

That's because a scientific mind sticks to rational and relevant information that is applicable within the logical bounds of what is being investigated. Over simplistic or not... although simplicity in science, as Einstein put it, is very good indeed. Anything simpler would be retarded, and hence incoherent logic gets HAL 9000's friendly b!tchslap.

Must retire for the time being.

Yeah yeah yeah, is this part where you apologize?

[HAL 9000 96]

Oh I still have you on the hook Mr Simpson. Besides, you get pwned for substance, not style.

Phew good to know, I dont think I could take the Sally side of Hal.

Most of what I have to say goes right over simplistic scientific mind anyways.

That's because a scientific mind sticks to rational and relevant information that is applicable within the logical bounds of what is being investigated. Over simplistic or not... although simplicity in science, as Einstein put it, is very good indeed. Anything simpler would be retarded, and hence incoherent logic gets HAL 9000's friendly b!tchslap.

Must retire for the time being.

Yeah yeah yeah, is this part where you apologize?

Only when I call you a retard, retard. Oh... sorry.