# ACORN workers caught on tape apparently advising on child prostitution **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 11, 2009, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681 "2009-09-11T13:19:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/321 "2009-09-14T18:55:29Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I see ACORN has chosen to bluster and hand-wave rather than address any of their issues. What issues? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/322 "2009-09-14T18:56:22Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > What would you have them do? They’ve already fired the employees caught in the (blatantly illegal and misleading) sting. How, exactly, could they “address” the issue? > > Like it or not, they are now the injured party. He might be satisfied if ACORN was dismantled and every liberal shot . Perhaps getting Bush back in would help. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/323 "2009-09-14T18:57:01Z")
What elephant? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/324 "2009-09-14T19:04:46Z")
There’s another elephant involved with the attacks on ACORN besides the obvious one? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/325 "2009-09-14T19:14:12Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Maybe they just thought they had a couple of crazy-ass white folks in their office, so what was the harm in playing along? This occurred to me as well, but I didn’t dare state it for fear of being labeled a doe-eyed optimist. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/326 "2009-09-14T19:20:18Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > What elephant? > > Regards, > Shodan Vague innuendo and smirking aren’t getting you anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/327 "2009-09-14T19:26:36Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > There’s another elephant involved with the attacks on ACORN besides the obvious one? There aren’t any attacks on ACORN. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/328 "2009-09-14T19:30:39Z")
Of course, this means that if anybody lies to some tighty-righty in some teabagger front group, and gets them to say something really, really stupid on tape (without their knowledge), then that’s all fair and good. Course, problem would be getting them to say something even more stupid than what they already are saying… Assassinate Obama? Violent overthrow? Some real opportunities there for journalism. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/329 "2009-09-14T20:32:39Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > You misspelled “denial”. > [@Shodan](#): > > What elephant? That would be the Republican mascot/icon. > [@Shodan](#): > > There aren’t any attacks on ACORN. And we’re right back to denial. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/330 "2009-09-14T20:38:15Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > That would be the Republican mascot/icon. I like the [Goposaurus](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/5/3/727263/-Meet-BusterorA-Natural-History-of-the-Goposaurus) better. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/331 "2009-09-14T20:46:43Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Maybe they will bankrupt themselves with the lawsuit against the press agency that exposed them. You misspelled “propaganda shop.” ---
**Author:** ![yorick73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b5a626/32.png) [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/332 "2009-09-14T20:51:16Z")
Wow…I see there is no more substance in this debate. Typical far-left tactics…when losing a debate start insulting the other side. And you guys think the right is full of small-brained smear merchants? 1st line of defense: " Oooh, they got one office out of gazillion tried" 2nd line of defense: “A few bad apples doesn’t prove the entire batch is bad” 3rd line of defense: "There is no chain of command in lefty organizations…so the top guys couldn’t have known…actually there aren’t even top guys! 4th line of defense: “Entrapment” and “No REAL crime committed” 5th line of defense: “They were just playing along” and “who would believe that Opie looking Cracker was a pimp anyhow?” 6th line of defense: “Okay…back to insulting the GOP and Fox News!!” Pathetic… ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/333 "2009-09-14T20:59:01Z")
> [@yorick73](#): > > Typical far-left tactics Let me summarize: You ain’t got shit. Comprende? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/334 "2009-09-14T21:04:43Z")
> [@yorick73](#): > > And you guys think the right is full of small-brained smear merchants? Pretty much, yes. Thanks for noticing. > [@yorick73](#): > > 1st line of defense: " Oooh, they got one office out of gazillion tried" > 2nd line of defense: “A few bad apples doesn’t prove the entire batch is bad” > 3rd line of defense: "There is no chain of command in lefty organizations…so the top guys couldn’t have known…actually there aren’t even top guys! > 4th line of defense: “Entrapment” and “No REAL crime committed” > 5th line of defense: “They were just playing along” and “who would believe that Opie looking Cracker was a pimp anyhow?” > 6th line of defense: “Okay…back to insulting the GOP and Fox News!!” Every one of those is valid. I’m sorry you don’t like what they do to your argument. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/335 "2009-09-14T21:17:14Z")
> [@yorick73](#): > > Wow…I see there is no more substance in this debate. Typical far-left tactics…when losing a debate start insulting the other side. And you guys think the right is full of small-brained smear merchants? > 1st line of defense: " Oooh, they got one office out of gazillion tried" > 2nd line of defense: “A few bad apples doesn’t prove the entire batch is bad” > 3rd line of defense: "There is no chain of command in lefty organizations…so the top guys couldn’t have known…actually there aren’t even top guys! > 4th line of defense: “Entrapment” and “No REAL crime committed” > 5th line of defense: “They were just playing along” and “who would believe that Opie looking Cracker was a pimp anyhow?” > 6th line of defense: “Okay…back to insulting the GOP and Fox News!!” > > Pathetic… Yep, that about says it all. Though I think you could used a few "b-b-b-but"s in there. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/336 "2009-09-14T21:55:17Z")
Time for a bedtime story kids… Once upon a time there was a great kingdom, with a beneveloent ruler who guarded the people against all threats, real and imagined. Since he was benevelent the people had no problem letting this ruler do as he pleased. But then one day an evil descended upon the land, from the faraway land of Kenyastan a BLACK knight came riding on the back of ramapaging evil Dragon named ACORNreathing fire and a mountain of false voter registration, the BLACK knight smited the benvevelonent ruler with his long sword of +5 LIES and his spell of DECEPTION!!! The land was thrown in to darkness and EVIL ruled in the form of VOLUNTEERS and STIMULUS!! People lived in fear. The end. Good night, kids. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/337 "2009-09-14T22:10:45Z")
> [@yorick73](#): > > Wow…I see there is no more substance in this debate. Typical far-left tactics…when losing a debate start insulting the other side. And you guys think the right is full of small-brained smear merchants? > 1st line of defense: " Oooh, they got one office out of gazillion tried" > 2nd line of defense: “A few bad apples doesn’t prove the entire batch is bad” > 3rd line of defense: "There is no chain of command in lefty organizations…so the top guys couldn’t have known…actually there aren’t even top guys! > 4th line of defense: “Entrapment” and “No REAL crime committed” > 5th line of defense: “They were just playing along” and “who would believe that Opie looking Cracker was a pimp anyhow?” > 6th line of defense: “Okay…back to insulting the GOP and Fox News!!” > > Pathetic… Firstly, none of those except maybe #6 are “lines of defence”, they are aguments raised at various times in the discussion. One does not replace another; they are all arguable. I for one would like to hear your opinion on why ACORN, as an organization, would agree to tell anyone, much less persons supposedly already engaged in illegal activity, on how to dodge taxes. The only explanation I’ve heard from people who seem to share your views is that ACORN is seeking to sow chaos any way it can. If that your view as well? I ask because it seems utterly childish and silly as an explantion for anything. If this is not your view, what would the organization have to gain by advising prostitutes on ways to avoid taxes? I’m really not seeing the advantage to them here. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/338 "2009-09-14T22:49:24Z")
> [@yorick73](#): > > Wow…I see there is no more substance in this debate. Typical far-left tactics…when losing a debate start insulting the other side. And you guys think the right is full of small-brained smear merchants? > 1st line of defense: " Oooh, they got one office out of gazillion tried" > 2nd line of defense: “A few bad apples doesn’t prove the entire batch is bad” > 3rd line of defense: "There is no chain of command in lefty organizations…so the top guys couldn’t have known…actually there aren’t even top guys! > 4th line of defense: “Entrapment” and “No REAL crime committed” > 5th line of defense: “They were just playing along” and “who would believe that Opie looking Cracker was a pimp anyhow?” > 6th line of defense: “Okay…back to insulting the GOP and Fox News!!” > > Pathetic… Yes, this is pathetic. That you think you’ve said anything of relevance or import is quite pathetic. You start of by making a sweeping partisan jab, follow up with some nice soft projection, and then jump right into the nonsensical. The nicest thing I can say about any element of this list is that it’s borderline strawman. I mean seriously, do you even know what’s being argued about here? You’ve brought nothing to the debate, and yet there are still people who stand up and agree with you. Pathetic. Really, it is. If you can prove that what happened was because of office- or company-wide policy, please do. Also explain why it took the ‘investigators’ so many tries before they found someone willing to follow policy. Barring this, please explain why all of ACORN should be punished for the actions of several people. Also explain why John McCain & his employees should not be punished for the actions of [this man.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=531568) If you can provide the rest of the obviously heavily edited tape, please do. While I’m seeking information about ACORN, I might as well ask who it was who discovered the voting registration ‘irregularities’ at ACORN during the 2008 election, who reported them, and who punished those responsible? Also, how many invalid votes were cast as a result of these ‘irregularities’? I mean, since it’s obviously they are such a hated a reviled organization, the answers should be easy to find. ---
**Author:** ![yorick73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b5a626/32.png) [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/339 "2009-09-14T23:04:26Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > Yes, this is pathetic. That you think you’ve said anything of relevance or import is quite pathetic. You start of by making a sweeping partisan jab, follow up with some nice soft projection, and then jump right into the nonsensical. The nicest thing I can say about any element of this list is that it’s borderline strawman. I mean seriously, do you even know what’s being argued about here? You’ve brought nothing to the debate, and yet there are still people who stand up and agree with you. Pathetic. Really, it is. > > If you can prove that what happened was because of office- or company-wide policy, please do. Also explain why it took the ‘investigators’ so many tries before they found someone willing to follow policy. > > Barring this, please explain why all of ACORN should be punished for the actions of several people. Also explain why John McCain & his employees should not be punished for the actions of [this man.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=531568) > > If you can provide the rest of the obviously heavily edited tape, please do. > > While I’m seeking information about ACORN, I might as well ask who it was who discovered the voting registration ‘irregularities’ at ACORN during the 2008 election, who reported them, and who punished those responsible? Also, how many invalid votes were cast as a result of these ‘irregularities’? I mean, since it’s obviously they are such a hated a reviled organization, the answers should be easy to find. Wow…I suggest you actually READ the thread before posting. Don’t just go to the last post and respond. Most of your questions have been answered. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/340 "2009-09-15T00:38:19Z")
> [@yorick73](#): > > Most of your questions have been answered. They have indeed, but somehow you still think there’s a case here. Amazing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681.md?page=18)