My Quick Take On Stossel’s Pigford Segment
by Lee StranahanJohn Stossel did a special on Freeloaders that included a six minute segment on the Pigford case that I’ve been working on the past few months. It’s worth watching and sharing with people who don’t understand Pigford.
I think there was one major omission, however — the plight of the real black farmers who did suffer discrimination and who were totally abused by this settlement.
Obviously, the fraud of people getting $50,000 checks is a central part of the story. Because of the nature of this settlement, most of them happened to be black although there were some white people who found ways to cash in, too. The part about people getting $50,000 checks they don’t deserve is juicy, easy to understand and Stossel’s piece did a good job of summing it up.
The bigger fraud, however, has been perpetrated on the legitimate black farmers whose cases and stories were hijacked; people like Arkansas farmer Jimmy Dismuke, who was shown in the story. The ‘$50,000 check’ fraud was done on the back of hard working farmers who actually did suffer discrimination at the hands of a huge government organization with no real accountability. In fact, part of the reason the USDA has played along with writing those $50,000 checks to people is to keep the status quo at the USDA.
This may have been a lot to cover in six minutes but I do wish Stossel had gotten in a line or two about it. None of this takes away from a good piece but there’s a lot more to the story.
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42 Comments
Finding anyone with any character and integrity is getting all but impossible anymore. From our once revered office of the President on down corruption is prevalent everywhere. We once knew that you had better watch out in Mexico when visiting because of the corrupt government and police. Now it's the norm worldwide. Sad to say but we're near the end whether you look at it Biblically or secularly.
There usually is more to the story. The American taxpayers have been fleeced by fraudulant claims. I don't mind awarding a settlement to those who actually were harmed by the discrimination of the USDA. You're right that is the central story. The Lamestream media needs to follow Stossel's lead and pursue this story. They need to expose the suffering of the true victims and contrast them with those who have piggy-backed on this settlement for some quick cash. This story is ripe for the picking and the lamestream media looks the other way. shameful!
At some point in time, a line in the sand must drawn, and a stop has to be put to reparations foolishness. Congress has to get more active to control the federal courts.
I saw it last night…….
Although it was interesting, I just don't see much of anyone paying attention.
I have always believed giving beggar's anything on the street just further supports their way of life.
There seems to be no controlling legal authority (thank you al gore for that one) who is willing to pursue the 'reparations' Pigford debacle.
ho hum………
" …the plight of the real black farmers who did suffer discrimination and who were totally abused by this settlement." Good point, Lee. DemOcraps have NO intention in rewarding those who actually suffered. None, Zero, Zippo, Nada. This was just another Ponzi Scheme on what was in it for THEM – their Pockets, their Coffers and their Supporters who they will go back to for Campaign Contributions. This is and HAS ALWAYS been the case.
Where's Sixty MInutes and Dan Rather. This is a real story. You don't have to fake documents!
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
Who has not suffered discrimination at some point of thier life? When is this so called dedt paid, to the Indian Population or the Black Americans or whatever ethnic or group out their with a hand out too be paid for thier troubles in life? Life isn't fair all the time and it is beyond reason too think we can make it "right" through some gov't program. Get over it people and move on Its time too take the road of responsibilities and not excusses.
The central idea you put forth — that the truly deserving have been ripped off by the scammers — is telling. It is at the heart of the way many of us believe. There are folks who truly do have a legitimate claim to compensation for injury. Then there are the freeloaders who fraudulently qualify for whatever is being paid.
It's the same with welfare, food stamps, you name it. It is how the "safety net" begins to look more like a "hammock" for the unscrupulous who are taking food out of the mouths of the truly needy and helpless in society. They are beneath contempt, and, sadly, beyond the reach of our contemporary laws.
Whenever, wherever the government hands out money people will figure out a way to get some of it. It is a logical outcome of the government handout. No need to be surprised.
Our "watchful" Repubs in Congress won't do any more about this than they're doing to defund ObamaCare.
We need a "1787 Do Over" … UnConstitutional liberals/Marxists need to shut up or go elsewhere to live…
this nonsense will never end as long as they have a say…
I totally agree with you. I would go on to encourage us to change the language we use when talking about entitlements.
People don't get anything from the government. They get it from other taxpayers. The government is just the middle-man, the "great equalizer."
Remember the woman who said she got her money from Obama, and when asked where Obama gets it, she had no idea. She said, "From Obama's stash, I guess."
Rather than saying "They get handouts from the government," let's say, "They get handouts from taxpayers." It would be nice if those receiving benefits knew where the funds come from.
BULLSH!T!!! I was turned down for first time farmer loans, operating loans and small business ag loans. I'm a second generation Czech and as white as St. Wencleslaus's arse.. Where the he!! is my settlement. If you want to see how non-discriminatory our USDA is go to this link http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/SLB_farmer.
A socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmer, rancher, or agricultural producer is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as a member of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. SDA groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
I'll testify that I was treated rudely and how preferetial treatment was given to the lousy managers that were to big to fail. Sound familiar? America got what it wanted, fewer farmers and cheap food. Well, that hopey, changey thing is workin, isn't it?
Research all the facts before reporting. This just makes you look bad.
The biggest scammer of all is the lawyer, and Stossel didn't take him on at ALL. His bald assertion that there is racism everywhere is about as self-serving as it gets.
And yes, the real victims have been ignored, for the reason they are always ignored: their purpose in Democrat politics is to create a cause for action. If they are compensated the cause goes away, and the Democrats have to look somewhere else for an excuse.
Oh, and the reason I was given for my denial? MY GOVERNMENT HAD NO MONEY!!! Does that sound familar? Thanks Jimmy Carter for 18% interest and $1.60 a bushel corn! Carter weaponized our exports to Russia because they invaded Afganistan. Shazam, the farm crisis of the 80's. Goggle it, you'll be suprised what history uncovers.
Lee Stranaham does make a good point, which illustrates the plantation mindset of the leadership of the modern Left. Instead of the few real farmers who were actually wronged having their cases heard the Department of Agriculture not only settles to keep their precious status quo, they conspire to defraud the American people in the name of buying as many votes as possible for the Regime.
The real insanity of it all is that it's been the Democrats who are the racists throughout our history and now to help folks forget that connection they once again buy a clear conscience with evil Republican capital, the very ones who tried to give the black man a proper and respectable place in society in which case this crap would not even be necessary. Like Harry Reid says ,"I don't see how Obama can be a black man and also be a Democrat". When the left yell racist it's all projecting from their own dark hearts.
"Run, run, the sky is falling, the sky is falling" said Chicken Little
Run away, we'll all be killed.
You need to contact your mommy immediately. Maybe she will give you a cookie.
When Buckwheat gets back from Rio de Janeiro, he will fix it. He is real smart.
I just got an idea in case things get more difficult economially. I'll merely look at the political map and migrate toward a blue state. My logic is the reason the state is blue is because Democrats spend on handouts to get votes and hey, when times get tough ya gotta do stuff to get by. I know, I know, way smarter gamers than me allready play that game.
Pigford was/is backdoor reparations, I've said it for over a year…
and once ''some'' have theirs there is no ''fair'' way to stop, which means the US Government
will be gutted like a hog at slaughter, fitting analogy, isn't it?
All by design, courtesy of the LEFT!!!
.
Since half the country doesn't even pay any federal income taxes, even the term 'taxpayer' doesn't matter to them. That's why I think everyone should pay at least 1% of even exempted income so that everyone has skin in the game.
Just because you were discriminated against, doesn't mean other people weren't as well.
There's a lot of problems with the USDA and that's exactly my point – Stossel only touched on the wider problem.
Ask Holder. In his testimony he said that white people haven't suffered enough so he has to look out for ' his people'
So he will, with the help of his tyranical twin BO. They can't separate those who were real victims from those
who are just black. It's called justice blinded by racism.
Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Just wondering: Do you think that this type of corruption and fraud are legitimate ways to get money? (I'm not implying that you do; but I know that some people do think that way).
Didn't you hear what the sleazy lawyer said? "White men don't need any help."
Exactly. One of the guys interviewed said it bluntly: Because "his people's roots were in farming" (i.e., slaves), it's reparations and deserved.
I think I wanna hurl.
It’s a nice start Lee. This will take time for establishment Washington and the dinosaur press to give this any real look, and that includes FOX. Keep pushing.
The people interviewed really misunderstand the reason the program was originated through no
fault of their own, this is the methodology that was used to present it to them. It was genius, really.
This travesty of justice was perpetuated through the "black churches", and for their involvement I
believe they should be stripped of their tax-exempt status.
For years they have been allowed to tip-toe back and forth across the line where politics is concerned,
customarily having politicians speak in their sanctuaries. IMO this should be the last straw.
Now watch the accusations of racism fly about.
Happy Trails, Tp1234!
; )
Mr Stranahan,
As one who has known about this Pigford BS for a few years, and has learned nothing new from all your
hard work, could you list three things of which you are aware, that you believe might surprise me?
Interested, but bored…
Respectfully, ocp
.
I have read the Pigford coverage here at BG. I am watching the JS show and Now I read Lee's addition here. I side with JS on the point that government shouldn't be giving grants and loans in the first place and see that as the ultimate solution to this whole mess. However, that addresses going forward, and I can't view that as a solution to those already wronged, so I come to an agreement on Lee's point.
As I pondered this, it seems to me that if a loan was denied, wouldn't affording the loan now be the solution – as opposed to just "writing a check"? Wouldn't that be the check that is missing from Pigford enabling all the fraud? Isn;t the "freeness" of the payoff the draw that would be eliminated if it was indeed a loan solution instead?
I certainly hope that the core problem going forward can be addressed properly by stopping all new loans and grants. And I will stand with Lee that those who were actually harmed must be justly treated.
I wonder Lee, would you stand with me that a loan denied is rectified by a loan approved and that this would go a long way to eliminating the fraud we have witnessed in Pigford? I will concede that doesn't solve a grant denial and that would have to be a payout, but shouldn't that be pretty limited in the scope of things? Just wondering.
Ash, Perhaps I can lend you some perspective on your proposal. Although it may seem viable, you may
not understand all the ramifications.
Due to discrimination by FSA employees most of those black farmers who were originally mistreated are
no longer in the farming biz, thus would have no basis for a loan, and no way to pay a loan off.
.
PIGFORD = FRAUD;
DEMOCRATS = FRAUD;
COURTS = FRAUD;
BARACK OBAMA = SUPER SIZED FRAUDSTER.
Walter Williams: Up From the Projects
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7butJGdUmK0&fe...
"The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government." George Washington
I'd been discriminated against all my adult life- through Affirmative Action. Who knows what my earning potential would have been by now. reperation value- unknown. I am a self made man, though all the adversity and resistance our wonderful politicians set against me to challenge.
What's cool about Pigford is that it could very well bring down the house that Obalma built. Just don't trust our "speaker of the house to do it. My bet on any action being taken on any number of offenses this administration commited, is that Michelle Backmann and/or the Kings (Stephen or Peter) will bring about the impeachment.
First, the grant and loan system is the entire crux of the problem. It's a HUGE amount of money and it's created a totally corrupt system with literally no accountability. This issue with the minority farmers is only one piece of that corruption.
On the farmers — they never wanted a payout; what they were after was avoiding foreclosure and getting debt relief. I've put some thought into a solution — an actual solution — and my idea is imperfect but workable. The money for Pigford II is already in place and approved. The problem is the fraud. So, my idea is to remove all of the 'attempted to farmers' from the pool. Period. No more payments go to attempted. This cuts out (literally) 80 – 95% of the payees. Now take the allocated money and split it between who;s left. You'd get fewer people getting higher, more fair payments.
And then — and this may be dreaming — end the subsidy, grant and loan system. Stop paying farmers to not grow things..
I WENT AND LOOKED AT YOUR POSTS AND YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE TOO BAD A GUY, SO EVEN IF YOUR HAVIN' A BAD DAY GET OFF MY AZZZZ
THANKS BILLY
For those confused about Pigford, see this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e96H96oW2cw
Never gets old for me.
I watched the Stossel segment on Pigford and I thought it was well done. True, to tell the story of graft and corruption that went on and is ongoing is impossible to do in a 6 minute slot. He at least posed some tough questions to the sleeze bag lawyer Pires who made millions on this entire shake down of the taxpayer. I don't believe in this victomhood lifestyle that we have become in the USA, it is destroying out nation and it leads right back to all the pond scum attorneys. The Indian segment Stossel did was also very enlightening and a travesty to their culture and the taxpayer. It never will end until the money runs out.
My skin color disqualifies me from being discriminated aginst!
A socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmer, rancher, or agricultural producer is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as a member of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. SDA groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. webhostingplay
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