Lies, more lies, and ACORN (le Mars Daily Sentinel)

[struggle4progress]

Progressively Speaking
T.J. Templeton
Posted Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at 7:00 PM

... A January 26 talking point memo released from House Minority Leader John Boehner's (R-OH) office (new window)claimed of the stimulus bill: "The legislation could open billions of taxpayer dollars to left-wing groups like the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), which has been accused of voter fraud, is reportedly under federal investigation; and played a key role in the housing meltdown" ...

Rush Limbaugh jumped on board ...

Fox "news" jumped on board ...

The false claim is based on a misrepresentation of a provision .. that would appropriate $4,190,000,000 "for neighborhood stabilization activities related to emergency assistance for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes as authorized under division B, title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008." The provision requires that money to be distributed through competitive processes. I'll post the entire quite from the provision at the end of this blog post ...

http://www.lemarssentinel.com/blogs/1295/entry/24533/

I found a minor inaccuracy elsewhere in the post but it's definitely worth a read

[BridgeTheGap]

1. Boehner's got a boner for ACORN...he and sLimebaugh know a good distraction

when they see one. ACORN's problems stemmed from hiring folks who bent the rules. The g.o.p., on the other hand, has stolen elections, intimidated voters, fired U.S. attorneys who wouldn't go along with their evil plans.

[struggle4progress]

2. Of course it's a distraction

Off topic: since I first saw your handle, I've meant to ask if it referred to this venerable organization

http://www.committeetobridgethegap.org/

[BridgeTheGap]

3. No, but my sentiments lie firmly with them! btg n.t

[Fire1]

4. I think I know what you mean. I got an e-mail from Newsmax

today re: $5.2B to Acorn from the stimulus funds. Mind you, this is in addition to the 100m they got from the bailout this fall.
The article states that these funds are 'competitive' but Acorn always gets the funds. I don't have a problem refurbishing subsidized housing but, good grief, that's money that can go a very long way in stabilizing this economy, like postal services, for example. Consequently, the response of republicans should be no big surprise.