Anti-ACORN Activists Release New Video

Conservative Pair Who Posed as Pimp, Prostitute Try to Reignite Controversy Amid Video Battle

(AP)  Two conservative activists released a new undercover video targeting the community-organizing group ACORN on Wednesday, an attempt to reignite a simmering political controversy surrounding the Democratic-leaning organization.

The new videotape shows filmmakers Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe, posing as a prostitute and her boyfriend, soliciting advice about a possible housing loan from workers in the Philadelphia office of ACORN Housing Corp.

Previous videos showed the same pair, also posing as a prostitute and her boyfriend, visiting ACORN offices in other cities.

The Philadelphia visit is significant because of a dispute over statements ACORN has made defending what took place when Giles and O'Keefe visited the Philadelphia office last summer.

Supporters of O'Keefe and Giles said ACORN has lied about whether the two were thrown out of the Philadelphia office, how much time they spent there and whether they explicitly told ACORN workers that Giles was a prostitute.

At a Washington news conference, O'Keefe went through an edited version of what he said was a 32-minute visit to the Philadelphia office.

"At no point were we kicked out, at no time were we asked to leave," O'Keefe says on the tape of the Philadelphia visit.

Neil Herrmann, ACORN's lead organizer in Philadelphia, was quoted in news accounts last month as saying that an employee at the office had asked O'Keefe and Giles to leave. On the edited tape released Wednesday, the couple were not asked to leave.

ACORN spokesman Brian Kettenring said in an e-mailed statement: "We've always been clear about Philadelphia. We got them out of the office as quickly as possible, and filed a police report on them within minutes."

Kettenring said that ACORN's political enemies are trying to keep the controversy alive.

"In this era of journalism-lite, plenty media are willing to oblige," said Kettenring.

In the video, the voice of the ACORN employee was muted for legal reasons. ACORN is suing O'Keefe and Giles and conservative columnist Andrew Breitbart, who posted the videos on his Web site.

After Tuesday's news conference, O'Keefe called on ACORN to state publicly that it has no objection to the public release of any its employees' oral statements on the latest tape.

ACORN has repeatedly asked that O'Keefe release all of the tapes he possesses unedited.

ACORN, short for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, portrays itself as a successful advocate for tens of thousands of low-income and minority homebuyers. Republicans describe it as a pro-Democratic group that among other things, is violating the tax-exempt status of some of its affiliates by engaging in partisan political activities.

Some of the previously released videos show ACORN employees giving O'Keefe and Giles advice on how to disguise the source of their income to get housing aid. In some videos, the ACORN employees are visited by the make-believe hooker and her boyfriend seeking advice about establishing a brothel with underage hookers.

The release of the videotapes has resulted in the cutoff of some federal funding to ACORN and increased pressure on the community activist group, which faces federal investigations and accusations of voter fraud. Conservatives have tried to make the group a symbol of Democrats' excesses and government waste.

According to a transcript they released on the videotape of the Philadelphia visit, O'Keefe and Giles start referring to prostitution, with the ACORN employee in response coming across as at times unconcerned, at others anxious to end the meeting.

"A lot of organizations won't give us the clear go ahead because of who she, I .... you know like what she does for a living," O'Keefe says of Giles, according to the videotape.

In the transcript, the ACORN employee responds by offering the two a flyer about an upcoming workshop on housing.

"Your line of work it's really ... as long as you can prove that you have income steadily coming in," says the ACORN employee, according to the transcript.

At the news conference, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, spoke out on behalf of O'Keefe and Giles, saying that ACORN is a corrupt, criminal enterprise and that he has been trying for four or five years to get Congress to stop funding it.

[Ms_enza]

"Some of the previously released videos show ACORN employees giving O'Keefe and Giles advice on how to disguise the source of their income to get housing aid. In some videos, the ACORN employees are visited by the make-believe hooker and her boyfriend seeking advice about establishing a brothel with underage hookers."

If this is the MOST damning thing they've got then it is a tempest in a teacup.

ACORN personnel may not have been properly prepared to handle this sort of out-and-out outlandish lying; it does not indicate anything other than lack of training and people not wanting to be confrontational.

The ACORN people to whom they spoke did NOT fill out forms, they did not attempt to further the lie in acquirring funds other than to provide the SAME pamphlets that they would have to ANYONE else.

If persons came into my place of business posing as a prostitute and pimp, I would probably treat them the same as ANY of my customers, and so would ALL of you. Then we'd laugh about it after they were gone and tell our co-workers, "Wait until I tell you about those two..."

They did not prove that this is done routinely, nor did they prove that ANYONE who has been helped by ACORN has done ANYTHING illegal, or remotley like this.

This is just an episode of "Punk'd" and could be done to ANYONE.

[endurorob_5]

How long have you been working for ACORN?

[Ms_enza]

About 6 weeks.

[Skirt-Lifter]

""...it does not indicate anything other than lack of training and people not wanting to be confrontational.""

If I ever need a lawyer, will you represent me Ms_enza? You have superior rationalization skills.

I especially enjoy your propensity for gossip...""Then we'd laugh about it after they were gone and tell our co-workers, "Wait until I tell you about those two..." ""

I bet you are a hill of fun!

[Ms_enza]

Yuppie scum. They are WASPs in a world designed for them.

[spalexan2]

How come this is not covered by an NBC staff writer or NBC TV journalist. Why is this coming from the Associated Press? NBC did cover the police report. Isn't it only fair to cover the response from O'Keefe? Come on guys, I don't want to be another person going to FOX News for the news and finally end up addicted in watching their opinion shows (like O'Reilly) too as my wife has.How come this is not covered by an NBC staff writer or NBC TV journalist. Why is this coming from the Associated Press? NBC did cover the police report. Isn't it only fair to cover the response from O'Keefe? Come on guys, I don't want to be another person going to FOX News for the news and finally end up addicted in watching their opinion shows (like O'Reilly) too as my wife has.

[endurorob_5]

Speeking of the police report. I went to the Philidelphia police web site to find a copy of it and I could not find that particualr report.

[bubbadubba]

Does anyone know where I can see the videos of the deals between the oil companies and Republicans in Congress and Bush before we invaded and occupied Iraq for lies? I would even settle for a video of the credit lobbyists giving the Republicans who controlled Congress that $ 300,000,000 for the change in the bankruptcy law that Bush signed the next day.
A video of the lobbyists doing their thing for the tax welfare for the wealthy might be interesting.
Maybe a video where Bush told the head of the FCC to allow the law protecting the internet against takeover by big corporations to be dropped.
Some videos of a meeting between Cheney and Halliburton executives about contracting in Iraq would be alright I guess.
Man if we had videos of Bush and the Republicans that would really open our eyes.
But let's stick to the REALLY important stuff like ACORN.
With as many white middle class votes that he got does anyone actually think Obama would not have won without ACORN?
Really? Guess those people think Bush actually won his first election too.
LOL

[displeased]

I think it's important to see the unedited version before making any accusations. If the video is indisputable proof, then why hold back the unedited version?

I'm not an ACORN advocate, but I know ALL organizations, whether government funded or not, contain bad apples. This video actually did ACORN a favor by allowing them to discover these low level bad apples and get rid of them. Most companies could use undercover surveillance like this, a method to discover and dispose the unethical thieves.

[ibsteve2u]

The right.

The dark side of the American character.

[Disinfectant]

Nice bumper sticker, but honestly do you really believe that?

[ibsteve2u]

Yes, I believe that. I didn't used to; as someone who voluntarily served in our Army for half-a-dozen years, I was pretty far...right.

But then "the right" was hijacked by those who saw the American people as being "only" labor who were to be exploited and then discarded when they broke.

...then the right decided that making themselves money was job #1, even if they had to give away America's (dual-use) technology to do so.

...then the right decided that making themselves money was job #1, even if they had to give away America's manufacturing infrastructure - the same infrastructure that built us the arms we needed to win World War II and any future large-scale war.

...then the right decided that making themselves money was job #1, and paying taxes detracted from that goal, so even letting America's public infrastructure - also dual-use - go to hell in a handbasket was OK if it saved them a buck.

...then the right decided that making themselves money was job #1, even if that required doing Business in China - a communist country - and giving them the technology required to shoot satellites out of the sky - which they promptly did.

...then the right decided that making themselves money was job #1, and paying the taxes necessary to have an educated workforce capable of building, maintaining, and operating the weapons of high-technology was a threat to the rate at which they could accumulate more wealth.

...then the right decided that...

I could go on for a while.

[Questionews]

Acorn

The David Lettterman of social programs.

[msimamaji]

Once again. According to the article in In These Times, ACORN fired the individuals who gave the so-called pimp and prostitute advice. In addition, in a number of ACORN offices, the pimp and prostitute were asked to leave. In any rate who's the pimp and prostitute, for real?

Republicans themselves find nothing wrong with cheating, adultery, and prostitution. Newt Gingrich gave a free-enterprise award to a porn industry (He really wanted to meet the CEO.) Dan Vitters has frequented brothels. John Enseign, Henry Hyde, and Mark Sanford all had extramartial affairs. Mark Foley propositioned congressional pages. (FOX news laveled both Mark Sanford and Mark Foley as Democratis - so much for "honest" reporting.) This is just an example of Harper Valley hypocrisy.

In addition, look at what's happening with health care. All of the opponents of health care reform - Mitch McConnel, Orrin Hatch, Chuck Grassley, Joe Wilson, Jim DeMint, Mike Enzi - all get bribes from health insurance companies and Big Pharma. So do the Blue Dog Democrats. (See Center for Responsive Politics for details.) And you are paying their salaries everytime you or your employer pays for health insurance. And your health insurance rates are rising because 2010 is an election year and health insurance companies need to make generous campaign contributions.

So who are the real pimps and prostitutes? Remember GOP = Greedy Old Prostitutes. So to the GOP, I dedicate that old country Western classic, The Harper Valley PTA.

[Disinfectant]

This is not about REPUBLICANS! Many conservatives despise what the republican party has become. We are not republicans! We are people who believe in free trade, family, hard work, and honesty.

We are CONSERVATIVE Americans and our desires matter every bit as much as yours. Period.

[ibsteve2u]

Re: "We are people who believe in free trade, family, hard work, and honesty."

It seems to me that you statement is full of contradictions.

The state of the nation screams that "free trade" - as it is structured now with all of its inequities - is a direct attack upon the American family, is a direct attack upon the ability of Americans to get a job where they can work hard.

In fact, the support of "free trade" even as you espouse family and hard work is a hypocritical display of dishonesty.

[ibsteve2u]

"ACORN has repeatedly asked that O'Keefe release all of the tapes he possesses unedited."

That is not only a reasonable request, it is the American way.

Why do you think that you are required to "swear that you will tell the truth, the WHOLE truth, and nothing but the truth" in a court of law in America?

To refuse to release anything but edited tapes strongly suggests - screams, even - the fabrication of lies.

It is certainly un-American, at a minimum.

[ibsteve2u]

I was quoting the story, TamsinBlight.

You are so vested in seeing harm come to any organization that strives to see that all Americans are able to exercise their right to vote that you are willing to call CBS liars?

[Disinfectant]

To attempt to fix elections, embezzle millions of dollars, pay next to nothing to street people to register voters, to be ULTRA partisan for the Democrat party, to revile and reject ALL conservative ideals, to lie over and over, is un-American as well.

[ibsteve2u]

Care to document any of those accusations, Disinfectant? With a name like that, I'd think that you would be eager to provide links to proof of what you assert.

Lest you be accused of being dirty.

[bcc243]

ibsteve2u: disinfectant doesn't need to provide documentation to verify any of his statements. Everything he said is so well know already, it has been covered over and over on every news channel and website. If you don't know all that already, you should stop trying to defend acorn. seriously, wake up

[Disinfectant]

@thinkharder,

I myself do believe in any god or gods. I am a CONSERVATIVE, and do not fit into any of the simplistic pigeon holes that you have to place people in who disagree with your political philosophy.

I am educated, successful, kind, and careful. I am an American and I am not alone. Keep up your childish banter and insults, it only increases my confidence that we are up against childish, selfish individuals that can easily be defeated by manipulating their narcissism and over confidence. You underestimate us at every turn. Good luck. You will need it.

[thinkharder-]

I'm not placing anyone in any pigeon holes...people place themselves there. Also...how exactly am I over estimating you...do you feel estimated? I have not estimated you...I have never met you...much less estimated you so settle your delusions of paranoia. you otherwise sound like a reaosnable fellow so I appreciate the opportunity to exchange discourse with you.

ACORN is a problem...or they have problems...but their mission statement is sound. I appreciate your conservatism, but just how detrimental do you really think ACORN is...I mean REALLY? Seems to me like the right props them up for outright demonization to try to shed some light on there otherwise inept accusations about wasteful entitlements and our "socialist agendas." It's a fool's errand really, and you must know that. liberals are not looking to turn America into some pinko nation...we just want to try to tap into a little compassion...a little sense of oneness. Most conservatives are under the false impression that America is this sublime meritocracy where the harder you work...the more you get. ut, we have an aristocratic upper echelon who refused to allow there wealth to trickle...inner cities at a loss for proper funding for schools and community organizations...and an entire fleet of wealthy urban acolytes who think this is as it should be. I actually care about people. I don't care how much wealth I amass...I don't care if I have to foot the bill for your health care...I care about you...and I care about lifting up those in lower income brackets because contrary to what may or may not be popular belief...no one DESERVES to be poor in a nation dripping with wealth and excess.

[Ms_enza]

Yuppie Scum... Let them live the life of those they claim to be...

JUST ONE WEEK ON THE STREETS and these Yuppie scum would die.

[chevyhotrod]

Yuppie scum??????

Get a life Ms_enza, you are a joke. The scum is ACORN.

They wouldn't be on the streets, because they know how to take care of themselves without government support, unlike the people that ACORN supports looking for free handouts by hard working Americans.

Go back to your dark room and fester. That is the only good you have to offer society.

[endurorob_5]

ubrew12 October 22, 2009 6:13 AM EDT


ACORN offers advice to low income people, some of whom could be prostitutes. I think its sad that conservatives would bait people in this way. I won't defend the morality of those ACORN staffers who took the bait, but can't say what I would do, and neither could these conservative activitists.



You obviously do defend their morality or actually lack of morality. If you can't say what you would do in a situation where someone is asking advice on how to operate a bordello using 13 year old slave girls you have some serious moral issues.

[joadun]

As long as taxpayer money is being used to fund this organization - Bait, Bait, Bait!!! I understand that even though some funding was taken away from ACORN, that will expire sometime this month. Unbelievable. Shows you just how serious our government is in stopping corruption.

[rightbehind]

Would have thought that secretly taping people would have been against the law. I'm not condoning what the ACORN workers in that one office done. No matter what you look at you will always find kooks.

[Ms_enza]

Bang on, bro.

[joadun]

Yes, you will find kooks and corruption and it is not wrong to expose it anytime, or anyway you can.

[endurorob_5]

stuart-johns2 October 22, 2009 7:31 AM EDT


As far as the morals of the two parties you have absolutely no room to preach. When Charlie Wrangle's little corruption was unearthed last month, there were PLENTY of democrats would wanted his resignation as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. Selective memory is what you suffer from as do ALL republican extremists.



First off it wasn't last month. The House "Ethics" committee has had an investigation going for about a year now. And Rangle is still there. The obvious tax cheat is still writing law. So much for Queen Pelosi's most ethical congress.

[endurorob_5]

skyk-2009 October 22, 2009 7:37 AM EDT
This is so sad. The nation is facing an Economic Meltdown, High Unemployment, Two Wars, a Health Care Crisis, Failing Infrastructure, lost of MILLIONS and MILLIONS of jobs, all of which these losers are responsible for and THEY can't give up their witch hunts. It's OVER Freaks, YOU lost... get over it.
Reply to this comment by credibility2 October 22, 2009 7:50 AM EDT
And I guess you actually believe that this corrupt disgusting community activist group, which has had its vicious heinous talons in the taxpayer's money to fund their corruption is fine and dandy? How ignorant are you? The fact that Obama is closely allied with this scum apparently makes no difference to those of your ilk. Lost? How juvenile and moronic are you anyway? How old are you? Get over it? Get over what? The socialist extremist commies think they've won, but they haven't. Boo hoo hoo. Can't handle exposure of crimes. This is how Hitler and Lenin got their starts. Look what it did for them.




The liberals scream against corruption unles it is corruption that benefits their socialist cause then they ignore it unless someone else exposes it then they do all they can to try and discredit those who expose their corruption. Their is a serious morals problem with liberals/progressives.

[democracy1]

An edited tape can't show that they were NOT thrown out. Let them release the unedited version before any judgements are made.

[Disinfectant]

I see that CBS was in on that two hour meeting at the White House the other day. Now suddenly they are "Anti-Acorn activists". How stupid do you zealots think the American people are?

We know that Obama has personally instructed you how to report on ANYTHING that could do some real damage to his interests. And you oblige without hesitation. It is so very clear.

This country does not just consist liberal democtats on the coasts. There are at least 100 million Americans who reject extreme liberalism and who see many of Obama's policies as detrimental to future of this nation.

You can ignore us and ridicule us if you like, but we are not going away. You know the beat part? We vote. After Congress and the White House have been cleaned of this far left infestation, we will deal with you and your obvious complicity in Mr. Obamas un American attempt to control everything.

[pubsrtoast]

The only thing that was soundly rejected was the corporate theocracy championed by Bush and supported by the morons that are telling themselves that they lost last November because they weren't conservative enough. Go back to clutching your gun and bible, your "movement" has been relegated to the dustbin of history.

[thinkharder-]

Thankfully...you and your hundred million Americans constitute barely a third of all. Tough for you...we win. Aint democracy grand? Oh...and how strong you sound...how intimidating!! Whatever helps you sleep at night.

What I find hypocritical..."Republicans describe it as a pro-Democratic group that among other things, is violating the tax-exempt status of some of its affiliates by engaging in partisan political activities. "

The whole of the American Christian movement is guilty of violating their tax exempt status for just this same reason. Now...while I know we don't subsidize the christian faith (at least not with direct tax contributions)the issue is similar. ACORN is ultimately harmless...they make mistakes...perhaps can't afford the most stand up quality of employee at times. But until the right is ready and willing to reign in on the utter intolerance and hatred spreading malignant tumor that is evangelical Christianity (particularly in the South), they should ease up on ACORN. Sorry if I offended anyone, but if you're a fundamentalist/literalist christian complaining about ACORN facilitating prostitution, I am infinitely more offended by your outright disregard for modern civility, discourse and propagation of hate.

[skyk-2009]

This is so sad. The nation is facing an Economic Meltdown, High Unemployment, Two Wars, a Health Care Crisis, Failing Infrastructure, lost of MILLIONS and MILLIONS of jobs, all of which these losers are responsible for and THEY can't give up their witch hunts. It's OVER Freaks, YOU lost... get over it.

[endurorob_5]

Witch hunt? You obviously do not know what a witch hunt is. This is investigative journalism wwhich the mainstream media outlets have forgotten how to do. ACORN is seriously corrupt and needs to be brought down.

[fedup12]

This is investigative journalism wwhich the mainstream media outlets have forgotten how to do.
by endurorob_5
--------------------------------

ROFLOL Enquiring minds want to know.

[nextgenman09]

I love the picture! Glenn Beck and Mann Coulter flanked by their pool boy dressed in an antique sport coat.

[nearl451]

Well, if people claim enough times that Michael is an idiot, it IS likely to be true.

Fact of the matter is that there are no real value issues that Republicans and "Conservative Activists" have to offer at this time. Blame game (it's all ACORN'S or whomever's fault) and obstructionism is all they have.

Want to take down an organization. OK. What's the point? Stop low income citizens from voting/skew the voter roles to those likely to vote for fear issues. I think that sums up the MO.

[nextgenman09]

Well, you have to remember, its the republitarded party way. Its always everybody's fault but theirs.

[endurorob_5]

And you have no problem with the rampant corruptiion in this orginization?