Maryland Shouldn’t Prosecute ACORN Filmmakers
by Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA)It recently came to light that individuals employed by ACORN have been apparent accomplices with regard to the conduct of alleged criminal activities. Surprisingly, it was the investigative ingenuity of ordinary citizens who brought this information to the attention of the public. As a Member of Congress, these revelations are of interest to me in that ACORN is the beneficiary of substantial federal funding. As the former Attorney General of my state of California, this story is of great concern to me for an entirely different reason. Ironically, it is those who revealed the alleged illegal acts, rather than the perpetrators of those acts, who find themselves under threat of criminal prosecution. To anyone with a modicum of common sense, this would seem to turn justice on its head.
How could this happen? Certain states, such as Maryland, have statutes prohibiting the recording of conversations without the consent of the other party. Unfortunately for the young investigative entrepreneurs, their disclosure of alleged illegal activities carried out by the ACORN employees took place in these so-called “two party consent states” which prohibit the recording of confidential communications without the permission of all parties.
There have been comments released by the State’s Attorneys Office for Baltimore that:
If it is determined that the audio portion now being heard on YouTube was illegally obtained, it is also illegal under Maryland Law to willfully use or willfully disclose the content of said audio. The penalty for the unlawful interception, disclosure or use of it is a felony punishable up to 5 years.
Although this is may be an accurate statement of Maryland law, it should also be noted that if there were ever a case for the exercise of prosecutorial discretion, this would be it. Under the laws of the states, prosecutors have absolute discretion as to whether or not to bring a prosecution. The fundamental question in any case is whether or not the interests of justice are served by proceeding with a prosecution. In this regard, it must be asked whether the purpose of the underlying statute would be undermined if the decision were made to decline to prosecute.
The facts surrounding the recording and public disclosure of wrongdoing by ACORN suggest that the interests of justice would not be served by prosecuting those involved in obtaining and publishing that information. The purpose of the Maryland statue is to ensure the confidentiality of conversations where there is an expectation of privacy. Prosecution in such a case would make a fool of the law.
In following the logic of the seminal U.S. Supreme Court case of Katz v. United States, the issue is whether one has a subjective expectation of privacy which society is prepared to recognize as reasonable. Those who facilitate the commission of criminal acts have no reason to assume that their conversations are cloaked with an expectation of privacy under the protection of the law. Furthermore, according protection to such conversations is a clear contravention of the public interest in the disclosure of information relating to the commission of a crime. In an analogous context, the disclosure of confidential information by government employees is protected under circumstances where the disclosure relates to a matter of public concern (so-called “whistleblower” defense).
In the ACORN caper, the interest of the public was well-served by the disclosure of the actions of its employees. American taxpayers have a legitimate interest in knowing that their money will not be used by organizations whose employees, acting within the scope of their duties, explicitly or implicitly encourage clients to engage in illegal acts.
Furthermore, both the main street media and the evolving new media should be concerned about the prospect of a prosecution in this case. It does not take much to imagine a slippery slope where the same factors leading to a prosecution in this case could be applied to others. The potential chilling effects on the disclosure by the “whistleblowers” of information which the public has a right to know should not be discounted. Prosecuting the whistleblower, rather than the perpetrator, would only serve to encourage more bad actors in the public till.
From the vantage point of a former prosecutor and as an official charged with the responsibility of stewardship of the public purse, I believe all of the equities point to the exercise of prosecutorial discretion by declining to prosecute those who have in fact provided a public service to our nation. In other words, the good guys ought to win this one!
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76 Comments
Shoot the cops. Van Jones was for it.
Criminals have a natural desire to hurt whistleblowers.
It should be public purse. Just sayin…
Prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law!
ACORN to prosecute filmmakers?
That is insulting to good and decent folks anywhere. Specifically, the States Attorney General should be investigating, and prosecuting ACORN, as well as the County District Attorney in which the incident occurred.
Maryland, you certainly make a good argument for Jury Nullification.
Well, when you start from the position that ACORN is the victim and hero and O'Keefe and Giles are the villains (just as Maryland prosecutors threatened Linda Tripp as the villain to defend their victimized hero Bill Clinton), it kinda turns the whole world upside-down. The problem is that Democrats and liberal activists need to be able to lie to people with impunity to stay in poser and implement their agenda and laws like this and prosecutions like this are designed to protect the guilty from having their lies uncovered.
Why? What just purpose would such a prosecution serve?
You just brought up a real good point, maybe without realizing it. Apparently, Maryland now has a PATTERN. They went after Linda Tripp, to protect and sheild Bill Clinton. They set out to destroy her. I wonder, looking back,how actively involved was ACORN, in the Maryland/Tripp/Clinton saga.
Fast forward to today, once again, Maryland is set out to destroy two whistleblowers.
WE, have seen this all before. Quite frankly, the burden of proof is not only on ACORN, it is now on Maryland as well.
By this standard, every home movie made in MD is a potential felony if uncle Jerry is caught fondling his 6 year old nephew at a birthday party for example. There is no way this law can hold up.
I for one as a Maryland resident am embarrassed that my State would even consider prosecuting these brave young people. Then again, with our demosocialist-run State Government, I would not put anything past them.
ACORN has been exposed, and now all those who have benefited from their money laundering and theft of taxpayer money will do everything in their power to cover up the wrongdoings. I just hope that one day soon, the USA has again moral and just people in power. Perhaps an investigation into ACORN and SEUI, and their thousands of front/shell non-profits would expose the corruption that goes all the way to 1400 Penn ave…
One could also draw comparisons to the "no snitching" attitude that's causing the police all sorts of problems in Baltimore, too. For some reason, parts of our society have decided to turn villains into victims and the good guys into victimizers. That doesn't end well.
A voice of sanity. I hope Rep. Lungren will explain his position to every microphone and camera out there. The threat of legal action should not go on forever.
The internet is awash with details regarding these two party laws but there seems to be very little information about WHY they were created and implemented. Seems to me that such laws serve only to impede justice and prevent those who take the initiative from exposing criminal activity. These laws do not serve the public interest and should be struck down.
Looks as if the State’s Attorneys Office for Baltimore is attempting to incite riots on a national scale.
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I would go so far as to say that the statute is simply not applicable. One rule of statutory construction is to interpret a specific provision in the context of the entire bill, and the Code Chapter and surrounding sections. Here, it is clear that the provision is part of the anti-wiretapping provisions. Thus, they were intended to apply primarily to telephonic or other electronic communications. Thus, the Tripp phone call would be covered. A conversation in an open room, the substance of which was being recorded by the other party also, is not.
If a prosecution were commenced on these facts under this law, I would hope that ethical complaints to the Maryland bar, and perhaps a 1983 Civil Rights action would be considered.
Thanks for being on the "right" side of this issue congressman Lungren.
I live right here in quiet Elk Grove CA, your district, and you are one of the few congress critters I would vote for again during the next election.
Pass the word to your fellows in DC sir, that “we’re mad as hell and not going to take this anymore.”
No, I mean really really mad…just like me.
Got it?
See you around town sir, I’d be glad to shake your hand.
Not Over.
The anti-wiretapping laws were an outgrowth of the Watergate era. Federal legislation referenced state laws, which then prompted state legislatures to pass some. The original purpose was to prevent a third-party from intercepting the calls.
These types of laws are outdated aby technology and should be unconstitutional, unless the purpose of the recording is to do extortion.
For example, if was traveling in Maryland and involved in an accident or some type of unlawfull situation, I would want to be able to record the event on my phone or whatever means I had (rather than rely on recollection), and if I was the victim for my own protection. That should be an absolute right to defend yourself, just Iike I could carry a gun and blow their brains out legally if they attacked me. Without the video to show who was at fault, I would be in big trouble. So I am always armed with my IPHONE.
MARYLAND is a fascist state.
http://noliberalspin.blogtownhall.com/
The Anti Liberal Zone
Syntax_game,
I would really like to know how much ACORN or Obama is paying you to post their lies and spin on various Internet forums. Not the best use of stimulus funds, I'd say.
However, have you never noticed the incredible hypocrisy in ACORN's attempt to prosecute the two film-makers? If you weren't aware, Bertha Lewis, not long after several of the videos came out (after initially attacking the videos as "heavily edited" and "smears"), commended James and Hannah for exposing the corruption of a "few" "bad apples" (my terms, though perhaps hers also) at a "handful" (my term, again) of ACORN offices, and thanked them for doing so.
Now, in what moral universe is it commendable and thank-worthy to record conversations without consent in order to expose corruption in four or five different cases, but to do the EXACT SAME THING in one other case is heinous and prosecution-deserving? Note that this has nothing to do with legalities, but rather with moral consistency and integrity. That is, either their actions are commendable, or they are immoral and evil: If the former, prosecution shouldn't even be considered for a second, even if the law would allow for such to be done; if the latter, then their actions shouldn't be commended at all. ACORN is trying to straddle the fence, revealing their desire to silence those who expose the truth about ACORN, all the while pretending to be grateful for that same exposure. Hypocrites and liars, full of corruption and deception.
One more point – If they prosecute these two, they should go after all YouTube videos from Maryland where someone is recorded without their knowledge or permission. What a can of worms this prosecution will, or should, open, if it is pursued.
I have lived in Maryland for 20+ years, it for most of that time was a solid democrat state, they will prosecute to provide distraction and cover for ACORN (huge supporter), DNC (corruption find it level) and the Obama administration. The Maryland DNC has and will continue to fight any effort to stop voter fraud (how would they be elected if the dead don't vote)
Didn't we discover the business license for ACORN / Baltimore had lapsed months before? If they weren't a legal business, that should slow down any claim they may have.
Exactly what I was thinking. If the state can't overlook the law on taping people without consent, surely they won't overlook the laws regarding running legal business in Maryland. Right???
Makes you wonder if the media has let their MD business license lapse as well since they have glossed over this fact.
Yea your right congressman… but you know.. you can write a bill that targets one person or one group.. article 1 section 9 of the Constitution. All you did was make things worse for James not better.
I'm sure the People's Republik of Merryland will prosecute no matter what anyone says.
Great article Rep. Lungren. This may be the reason why papers still have not been served!
You can bet your last dollar, had this been a republican issue it would have been “daily news.” But since mainstream media does NOT want to bring this issue up-is in of itself an admission of guilt. What exactly are they hiding? Advertisers of mainstream media should be cutting contracts with these organizations. Maybe mainstream media has had their “hand in the cookie jar” as well. Stop supporting mainstream media. Don’t read online or off-advertisers will eventually get the hint.
I am SO GLAD I moved out of Maryland last Feb! It's a rediculous state to say the least.
Thank you Lungren for taking up this issue, voicing your concerns and standing up for what is right!
I also live in MD and I watched as Linda Tripp was bankrupted by the States Attorney's office here.
I sent a copy of this post on to Ms. Patricia Jessamy, who is in the MD States Attorney office. Their e-mail is mail@stattorney.org. Let them know your feelings.
Thank you Rep. Lungren. Sorry state of affairs when the State prosecutes the heroic for performing the courageous.
If he "illegal" conversation records the commission of a felony itself then it only seems fair the recorded crime should be prosecuted. Does ACORN wish to see criminal charges brought against their organization? I think not.
Just because something that is prohibited by law has occurred it is not a requirement for it to be prosecuted. We can let bygones be bygones and everyone can just walk away. ACORN can leave without government funding and Mr. O-Keefe can pass on the academy award for best documentary. Moore has that locked up anyway with his stupid movie this year.
An analyst claimed the State law does not apply in these particular cases because there could be no expectation of private and privileged conversations, since other clients, employees and visitors were wandering in and out of hearing range of all parties.
Was the analyst correct?
Clean Hands Doctrine Law & Legal Definition
The clean hands doctrine is a rule of law that someone bringing a lawsuit or motion and asking the court for equitable relief must be innocent of wrongdoing or unfair conduct relating to the subject matter of his/her claim. It is an affirmative defense that the defendant may claim the plaintiff has "unclean hands".
If anybody has dirty hands, it's ACORN!!
http://www.the912project.com/2009/10/23/1023-when...
I suggest people watch that youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKz5ZHM8kFM&NR...
that is the actual youtube link
It would teach conservatives not to mess with the God-given duty of liberals to import underage hookers!
YES! What those two did was wrong on so many levels. Yes, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is just another example of the 'haves' not willing to share with the 'have nots'. And as long as you are unwilling to make sure that every child in America has a roof over her head and a decent place to sleep at night, you and your children will never be safe either.
You can't hide behind enough iron gates and hire the very people you want to keep out to watch your azz while you struggle to sleep with your ill-gotten gains.
We are not ignorant. We know that this is the same game that 'you' invented and as long as it was you or someone who looked like you playing it and gaining from it, that was okay. As soon as a black or Mexican starts to benefit from the game, you step in and backstab them. We know how the game is played. We're not stupid.
I will be praying that the two illegal video and audio tapers get the maximum penalty, but they won't because they are white. The most they will get is a slap on the wrist.
How ignorant are you, really? How can a a 'recording' law be outdated by technology.
What you meant to say is that "because you can 'afford' the technology, you should have the special permission and the right to use that technology in whatever way you choose".
Well, you don't and I hope that self-serving people like you never do.
It is just wrong to be so quick to trade another person's right to privacy for your right to feel safer.
You must be Caucasian because you carry your guilt and fear right out on your shoulder. You have victimized so many people that now you want to pretend to be the victim because you can not face the horrors that are still alive today from what you ancestors have done.
Yeah, well you go right ahead and victimize yourself and trade all of your civil liberties for 'protection' cause that is a recipe for exactly where you belong…IN SLAVERY.
You can nitpick all you want. I hope they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
It turns my stomach at how everyone wants us to believe that these two aspiring filmmakers were just 2 lone nuts.
I believe that they should get an additional years ' jail time for every year they fail to reveal their accomplices.
Everyone involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
And sometimes thinking Right, is just plain wrong!
M,
Playing the race card in this matter doesn't contribute to this discussion. There were people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds in those tapes all acting in the same despicable manner. Quite frankly, I could care less if the people in that video had no skin at all.
As for the Law aspect of this issue. The law in this matter is gravely flawed. A law such as this is one that should at least be amended to not include institutions which recieve government funding. In my opinion, there should be no aspect of life where we should not be able to clearly see how our tax dollars are being spent. I think everyone here would like a little bit of that "transparency" that Obama promised during his campaign. Although, I suppose in a way, Obama is being transparent, just not in the way people hoped he would be.
The very idea that the content of the video's means nothing to you demonstrates your willingness to ignore a culture that has no regard for morality.
It is hardly nitpicking to say that someone should not be prosecuted for conduct which the law does not proscribe. Had the Maryland legislature desired to enact a statute which made it unlawful to make any recording of transactions, it could have done so. Instead they made it illegal to "intercept" an electronic communication without the consent of both parties. And I believe it would be both a violation of the State's Attorney's professional responsibility, and a deprivation of James and Hannah's civil rights to subject them to prosecution under that statute for this conduct.
I wonder, could you provide some statutory authority for the additional punishment for a failure to reveal the supposed accomplices? Last time I checked the Fifth Amendment (made applicable to the States through the 14th) precluded someone being compelled to give testimony against themselves. Is the Obama administration doing away with that in addition the the First Amendment?
You have your facts wrong! Linda Tripp was in Virginia when she recorded her calls to Lewinsky and the law didn't apply. After she had to expend several hundred thousand dollars defending herself from prosecution by the state of Maryland, the case was thrown out. Later, she sued for malicious prosecution and won! You'd think that Maryland would have learned a lesson, but that's just wishful thinking when it comes to a state that is totally controlled by the Democratic Party.
Margo in Virginia
Everyone but Jerry H seems to be missing a fundamental point. The law prohibits recording of "confidential" conversations or statements. How can there be an expectation of confidentiality in this situation:__(1) two members of the public__(2) discussing business,__(3) in a business setting,__(4) in ACORN's office,__(5) with TWO employees of ACORN,__(6) who believe they are discussing business with two members of the public?____I don't live in Maryland so I don' know for sure but I bet if you research the matter, you won't find any cases that have ever been prosecuted under this statute that involves this kind of situation. Confidential communications do NOT generally involve more than two people. They do not generally involve discussions in business settings where at least one of the parties is a random member of the public. And as far as the ACORN workers were concerned, the two "customers" were random members of the public. There's NO WAY this can be reasonably considered a case where a "confidential communication" was involved
P.S. Mississippi — your feigned moral indignation would be taken a lot more seriously if the ACORN workers weren't (in their minds) actively trying to help a pimp and prostitute smuggle UNDERAGED girls into the country so they could be exploited as sex slaves. So…you think that’s just dandy but the two people who exposed the corruption at ACORN are evil? Nice set of morals you got there.
Thank you for correcting that, although the purpose of the illustration was as to the type of communication. If your facts are correct, and I don't dispute them, the basis for it would be lack of conduct within the State of Maryland. Telephone calls are precisely what these laws are directed at.
As for Maryland having learned the lesson, who knows? But despite the rush to make a pro-ACORN statement initially, I would not expect a very public declaration if they decide not to prosecute. If that is the way they go I'd expect to just never hear any more from them.
Let it go through — straight to the Supreme Court —> TO BE THROWN OUT!!!!!!
we in Baltimore can always count on Jessamy to do the wrong thing
And what about the lady in San Berdinino.. you know she just had a dark humor.. she was having fun with the James.
But she was called a murderer by Glen Beck and fox news and has yet to find peace… she will be taking actions but first things first on her side.
Like I have said over and over again on conservative blogs JAMES SHUT UP all you will do is dig your hole deeper and stay off fox.. you can see the setup right before your eyes. Fox is setting them up for the fall guys to protect fox from being sued.
I am just saying it is a basic thing to do to see if a person may have killed a person.. see if the person she said she killed is breathing.. if he is.. she didn't kill him.. all the SB lady's husbands are breathing.. so guess what she didn't kill them.
as to the crime
We are still waiting on the following to finish the top level DA investigation.
LA
San Diego
San Berdinino
DC
NY
Miami
you see that starts to add up and start to look like other things… James has to wake up.. I gave to the fund.. and I don't agree with Jame's politics but I admire the courage of his convictions.. I just don't think James is being advised properly and is being fed to the lions.
Oh and 1 other point..
in california it is Jerry Brown that is looking into the crimes around the tapes.. Jerry Brown is running for governor. Brown has 3 of the places that can charge all the players.
Tell me do you think in a democratic primary do you think a guy that is hitting fox during that time may get some extra democratic votes?
I agree; ACORN needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Why? What did ACORN do wrong? The idea for the underage sex trafficking and prostitution cartel was Giles and O'Keefe according to the videos. They are the ones guilty of criminal conspiracy according to the videos and by your logic, they should be prosecuted? Kind of harsh isn't it? I can talk to you all day about how to set up an underage sex trafficking and prostitution ring but unless I'm actually doing it, I broke no laws. Can you or any of you please establish a legal precedent that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that ACORN broke the law?
According to the evidence in the form of the videos posted on this website, the only laws that were broke were perpetrated by Giles and O'Keefe. The ACORN employees were incredibly stupid and irresponsible but unfortunately, being stupid and irresponsible isn't against the law.
You know what, if there actually were pimps and child slave rings being helped by Acorn coast to coast then it would be "daily news" . The fact that this was a stunt designed to trick some dumbasses into playing along with a ridiculous story reduces the news value somewhat.
People don't get prosecuted and convicted based on morals. They get prosecuted and convicted based on laws and the videos show evidence that Giles and O'Keefe were the only ones that broke the law. The idea, plan and scheme to set up an underage sex trafficking and prostitution operation was Giles and O'Keefe's according to the videos so by your logic and view of "moral" law, Giles and O'Keefe should be prosecuted for that since the immorality was their idea?
Set aside the childish ACORN Derangement Syndrome, what truth was really exposed here? A couple of low-level employees acted irresponsible and were fired for it. WOW…what an Earth-shattering truth!!! I got fired from a McDonalds when I was a teenager for behaving irresponsibly, going to get McDonalds Derangement Syndrome now? Should the DoJ launch a tax-payer funded investigation?
According to the videos, the whole "import underage hookers" idea was the Conservatives. Your logic should give Giles and O'Keefe a break since they had ulterior motives and despite the "import teenage hookers" idea was theirs (according to the videos), they have enough problems on their plate without people like you labeling them "Liberal" for coming up with the idea to "import teenage hookers" (according to the videos).
And can you find the legal precedent to prosecute them for?
Syntax_game,
You haven't answered my questions (nor my implied questions). I'll pose them for you again, so you don't miss them this time:
1) "I would really like to know how much ACORN or Obama is paying you to post their lies and spin on various Internet forums. Not the best use of stimulus funds, I'd say."
2) "However, have you never noticed the incredible hypocrisy in ACORN's attempt to prosecute the two film-makers?"
3) "Now, in what moral universe is it commendable and thank-worthy to record conversations without consent in order to expose corruption in four or five different cases, but to do the EXACT SAME THING in one other case is heinous and prosecution-deserving? Note that this has nothing to do with legalities, but rather with moral consistency and integrity."
Syntax_game,
You haven't answered my questions (nor my implied questions). I'll pose them for you again, so you don't miss them this time:
1) "I would really like to know how much ACORN or Obama is paying you to post their lies and spin on various Internet forums. Not the best use of stimulus funds, I'd say."
2) "However, have you never noticed the incredible hypocrisy in ACORN's attempt to prosecute the two film-makers?"
3) "Now, in what moral universe is it commendable and thank-worthy to record conversations without consent in order to expose corruption in four or five different cases, but to do the EXACT SAME THING in one other case is heinous and prosecution-deserving? Note that this has nothing to do with legalities, but rather with moral consistency and integrity."
The conservatives PROPOSED the idea. The ACORNITES ran with it, and offered advice on how to set up a brothel for those underage hookers while avoiding the law and claiming some of them as dependents.
Anyway, I'm tired of dealing with you. You are obviously completely lacking in morals since you attempt to paint Giles and O'Keefe as guilty and evil for posing the idea, while you attempt to absolve the ACORNites from any or most guilt, or to distract attention from their immorality and corruption. It's people like you who Giles and O'Keefe have exposed in their videos, and it's people like you who are dragging this country down to its moral and political ruin. It's people like you that others need to be warned about and defended against.
I just want to reinforce my thumbs DOWN on this post. geez
OK then…
1) Having an opposing point of view shouldn't be some thing assumed that one is getting paid for. I'm flattered by the gesture but no, I am not getting paid by anybody and not getting any of the stimulus money to debate anybody. Should I? Am I missing out on something?
2) I see no hypocrisy in ACORN prosecuting the two film makers. ACORN is not prosecuting the two film makers, ACORN is suing the two film makers. Local, State and Federal law agencies are responsible for prosecuting people and ACORN is not a law agency. With all do respect to Representative Lungren, he's talking out his a$$ to manufacture outrage to America's lowest common denominator and further the ACORN Derangement Syndrome to the 600 people who actually care about ACORN. The Maryland State Attorney has already issued a statement back in September that they will not be seeking prosecutions against the two film makers. The two film makers are facing civil litigation in a district court that may result in criminal penalties since the two film makers are the only ones in the video who have been proven to have broken the law. If they were Liberals, you wouldn't have a problem with this and expect the laws to be upheld soooo…..what's the issue here?
3) Being in a state that allows recording of individuals without consent is not a "moral universe" but is in fact, simply a state that allows the recording of individuals without consent. Ummmm….Florida? Texas? Illinois? These are not exactly "moral universes". There are a lot more than four or five cases but usually in states where it is legal or someone on the tape has given consent. Real journalists know these laws and know how to effectively operate themselves through them where as Giles and O'Keefe are just a couple of naive kids who got manipulated into doing something incredibly stupid to help someone else's cause and are now taking the rap for it.
"The conservatives PROPOSED the idea. The ACORNITES ran with it" — Aahhh…so by your logic, they're both guilty but instead you falsely idolize one while falsely persecute the other. I believe that is the text book definition of hypocrisy.
"you attempt to paint Giles and O'Keefe as guilty and evil for posing the idea" — well Giles and O'Keefe did carefully choose ACORN offices in districts and states where the Republicans are either desperate to hang on to seats (California and Maryland) or planning to aggressively take seats (New York and Pennsylvania). Giles and O'Keefe attacked the housing division of ACORN because the constant attacks on the real threat to the Right, ProjectVote has been an absolutely failure time and time again. We have all lost count as to how many lies they have been caught in. Giles and O'Keefe lost track of all their lies so bad, they started accidentally posting proof of their lies on this website (San Bernadino transcript).
"you attempt to absolve the ACORNites from any or most guilt, or to distract attention from their immorality and corruption" — I don't absolve ACORN of anything. A few irresponsible low-level ACORN employees acted stupidly and were fired for it. Problem solved!!! You all have been accusing ACORN of corruption for the past 4 years but if your life depended on proving all this corruption…well, right-wing blog fueled ACORN Derangement Syndrome probably isn't going to help you much. The only proof of corruption any of you can ever provide is rhetoric from other right-wing blogs and nothing substantive. No prosecutions. No convictions. No sentences. Nothing more than a few low-level employees who acted irresponsibly and were fired for it. Problem solved!
John — Glenn Beck did not call the ACORN woman from San Bernardino a murderer. If you watch the clip of his comments you'll see (and hear) that Beck essentially said the woman admitted committing murder but that he didn't know if she was telling the truth.
As to the filming that was done in California, it was not against the law. California law is similar to Maryland's but there is a huge difference. In California, oral communications are NOT covered. Confidential communications have to be made and captured over an electronic medium (i.e., a telephone) before California's law applies.
Ok syntax– You stated that the ACORN employees did not break the law, only Okeef, and giles did… Acorn employees conspired to tomit a crime… They gave advice on how to cheat on taxes, How to Hide a Whore house with underage illeagal Girls(ie.Sex Slaves) and how the launder the money…… That is called conspiricy……. and it is against the law… Even in Maryland…….. Of course they will never be prosecuted for it….. I dont even care if they are prosecuted because it would be a waste of money, It would be thrown out for the way the evidence was obtained…. But I think the IRS should examine every tax return submitted by these Arcorn employees…. Bet they would find a few more that are not above board…. These ladies acted like they gave the same advice on a pretty regular basis….
> "The conservatives PROPOSED the idea. The ACORNITES ran with it" — Aahhh…so by your logic, they're both guilty but instead you falsely idolize one while falsely persecute the other. I believe that is the text book definition of hypocrisy.
Good God, talk about being deliberately obtuse. The obvious difference that you are deliberately avoiding is that the two that proposed it KNEW that it was a fiction. The ones who ran with it thought it was true. Or are you seriously trying to say that Giles and O'Keefe were really planning to start a sex-slave trafficking business along, but decided to go with outing ACORN instead because they thought it would make them celebrities?
The rest of your post deserves no comment, but I will anyway. ACORN is being investigated and/or prosecuted for voter registration fraud in (at my last count) 13 states, more than 1 in 4. They've turned in thousands of completely bogus voter registration forms that they have ADMITTED to, thousands more that they have been convicted for, and probably tens of thousands that they have not YET admitted to or been convicted for. There have been multiple convictions of ACORN operatives for this over the years, most recently in Missouri, if I remember right. A few irresponsible low-level employees, my ass.
Along with MANY other states and local governments, Maryland's politicians need to be thrown out of office along with all federal politicians. Clean house, vote them ALL out, NO incumbants. Republican or Democrat, there's very little difference between them. Corruption is corruption and runs thru most political offices from the local town hall to the White House and Congress in DC.
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no problem it will end up in the supreme court and soto the great will set justice straight….sorry just feel like fwsm.
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