# 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:** 24
**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 18, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/461 "2009-09-18T03:11:27Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > ^^Don’t hold your breath ACORN doesn’t have to prove jack shit. Let’s see douchey-pimp’s unedited tapes. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/462 "2009-09-18T03:12:44Z")
> [@furt](#): > > When the first video came out, the immediate (and defensible) cry heard was “isolated incident.” Now we’re up to six and counting. If they tried, say, twenty offices (which we have no reason to believe, but we’ll give ACORN the benefit of the doubt) and found six of them willing to aid and abet crime, that isn’t _more_ damning than if they had gone one-for-one? You’re probably not arguing with me in this instance, as I should hope the snipped part of your quote and, seperately, my post #454 indicates. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/463 "2009-09-18T03:13:25Z")
Here’s Obama’s response to the crisis. What a guy! > **[Breaking: ACORN bombshell #4 due from BigGovernment tomorrow](https://directorblue.blogspot.com/2009/09/breaking-acorn-bombshell-4-due-from.html)** > > Tonight on Fox News, Andrew Breitbart unleashed a salvo heard round the criminal-sphere. He promised the video release of another blockbust... ---
**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 18, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/464 "2009-09-18T03:14:27Z")
> [@furt](#): > > [Acorn named five cities](http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/ca17d152-59a7-4f3c-ae8c-5a036e9bb79a)at which the filmmakers failed; at two of those, we now know that they did in fact succeed. O’Keefe has said there are more to come. > > When the first video came out, the immediate (and defensible) cry heard was “isolated incident.” Now we’re up to six and counting. If they tried, say, twenty offices (which we have no reason to believe, but we’ll give ACORN the benefit of the doubt) and found six of them willing to aid and abet crime, that isn’t _more_ damning than if they had gone one-for-one? No. It’s equally meaningless. Sorry. We haven’t really seen good evidence that any of them were being serious anyway. Douchey-boy hasn’t helped his own credibility by hiding evidence. ---
**Author:** ![wolf11469](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf11469/32/12464_2.png) [@wolf11469](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf11469)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/465 "2009-09-18T03:32:53Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > They are alleging nothing criminal. They have no burden to prove anything. > > It’s unlikely that exact times would have been documented anyway. There would be no reason to, since it was obvious this guy was not on the level. I don’t think an exact time would be necessary. If the employees can remember showing this guy the door I imagine they can remember within a day or two when it happened ---
**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 18, 2009, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/466 "2009-09-18T03:33:13Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > Here’s Obama’s response to the crisis. What a guy! > > [Doug Ross @ Journal: Breaking: ACORN bombshell #4 due from BigGovernment tomorrow](http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2009/09/breaking-acorn-bombshell-4-due-from.html) Would you be kind enough to point out where specifically there was was a response from Obama himself to the current scandal in all that rather, er, _slanted_ verbiage? Also, WTF is up with all the link-dumping from you guys? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/467 "2009-09-18T03:40:26Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > You’re probably not arguing with me in this instance, as I should hope the snipped part of your quote and, seperately, my post #454 indicates. Sorry; I misunderstood. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/468 "2009-09-18T03:46:57Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Would you be kind enough to point out where specifically there was was a response from Obama himself to the current scandal in all that rather, er, _slanted_ verbiage? Why would that be important? Are you saying he’s not responsible for the actions of his lackeys? Look it’s a great web site and it shows how BHO has been involved with this gang of thieves. And if you had any sense of drama, you’d realize what a great story this is. In fact, maybe this will turn out to be the best part of it. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment. ---
**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 18, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/469 "2009-09-18T03:51:42Z")
> [@wolf11469](#): > > I don’t think an exact time would be necessary. If the employees can remember showing this guy the door I imagine they can remember within a day or two when it happened These incidents happened months ago. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/470 "2009-09-18T03:52:06Z")
“Lackeys”? Do you people listen to yourselves? Next you’ll be giving the man a secret undersea headquarters and sharks with lasers on their heads… ---
**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 18, 2009, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/471 "2009-09-18T03:54:06Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > Why would that be important? Are you saying he’s not responsible for the actions of his lackeys? > > Look it’s a great web site and it shows how BHO has been involved with this gang of thieves. And if you had any sense of drama, you’d realize what a great story this is. In fact, maybe this will turn out to be the best part of it. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment. Obama has no connection to ACORN, and ACORN has not been shown to be guilt of any wrongdoing. It’s a retarded website, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/472 "2009-09-18T03:56:07Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It’s a retarded website, by the way. Well, obviously. It’s a right-wing blog. I’d sooner trust a hungry alligator with a taste for human than a right-wing…well, anything. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/473 "2009-09-18T03:56:46Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > Why would that be important? Are you saying he’s not responsible for the actions of his lackeys? > > Look it’s a great web site and it shows how BHO has been involved with this gang of thieves. OK, _sigh_, I’ve been doing my absolute best to be even-handed here. Really, I do think I have. Such as you is a good reason I should not be trying. Please demonstrate to me how ACORN is a lackey of the President. ---
**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 18, 2009, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/474 "2009-09-18T04:15:38Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > Why would that be important? Are you saying he’s not responsible for the actions of his lackeys? No. I’m. asking. you. to. show. me. where. Mr. Obama. is. responding. to. the. ACORN. scandal. as. you. claimed. > [@](#): > > Look it’s a great web site and it shows how BHO has been involved with this gang of thieves. And if you had any sense of drama, you’d realize what a great story this is. In fact, maybe this will turn out to be the best part of it. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment. OK, there you go again. What thievery are you talking about? Look, if you’re going to post a cite, it should have at least some tangential relationship to what you claim it’s saying. Jeepers. ---
**Author:** ![twhitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@twhitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twhitt)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/475 "2009-09-18T04:25:54Z")
I’m curious about a side matter here. Were these ACORN employees aware that they were being taped? From what I can see, it looks like a hidden-camera operation they had going. This got my attention because I’m under the uninformed impression that it’s illegal to make audio recordings (with or without video) in a number of states without the consent of all involved parties. From [this quick search result](http://www.articlesbase.com/national,-state,-local-articles/audio-recording-laws-in-the-us-431017.html), > [@](#): > > The 12 states which definitely require all parties to a conversation to consent before it can be recorded are: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington. Two of the states where these videos were filmed were California and Maryland, and of course I don’t have an exhaustive list so there may be others. This cite discusses telephone conversations specifically, but I don’t know the state of the law. If the camera was in fact hidden, can anyone with knowledge of the real statues in these states say whether or not it’s a potentially criminal action to make these films? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/476 "2009-09-18T04:27:09Z")
So, then, if some local operative for say, oh, a political party, were to illegally disrupt the telephone communication of the rival party in a way that interferes with an election…we can hold the entire party responsible? And, like, demand that nobody ever fund them again, ever! Totally cool. ---
**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 18, 2009, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/477 "2009-09-18T04:54:58Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > No. I’m. asking. you. to. show. me. where. Mr. Obama. is. responding. to. the. ACORN. scandal. as. you. claimed. > > OK, there you go again. What thievery are you talking about? > > Look, if you’re going to post a cite, it should have at least some tangential relationship to what you claim it’s saying. Jeepers. Maybe he and **Sam Stone** share their sources. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/478 "2009-09-18T04:59:55Z")
I think in may cases there is a fair degree of projection going on here. It may go along these lines: Republican supporter: “let’s see, when my team was in, we started a war based on faulty intelligence, outed a CIA agent because her husband went against party line, conduced wiretaps without warrants, opened secret prisons in other countries and sent people to them for torture…” “holy crap, the other team is in now!” “what on earth could they be up to that could compare to what my team just did?” “This ACORN group is probably a really nasty secret Democrat scheme to take over the world” ---
**Author:** ![Alienhand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Alienhand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alienhand)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/479 "2009-09-18T05:07:46Z")
Not surprisingly, the intrepid reporters are refusing to talk to CNN ([clip](http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2009/09/17/yellin.acorn.aftermath.cnn?iref=videosearch)). ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681/480 "2009-09-18T09:45:46Z")
Somebody wake me up when someone **actually** proves something (apart from the fact that the Democrats in Congress are sackless wonders, I mean). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681.md?page=25)