# Thank You, Glenn Beck; Buh Bye, ACORN! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 11, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754 "2009-09-11T23:10:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/61 "2009-09-12T04:29:22Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > …that it had paid a group affiliated with ACORN… Al Queda? ---
**Author:** ![Alienhand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Alienhand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alienhand)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/62 "2009-09-12T04:34:39Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Although not dated in the clip linked by **Stephe96** , and for some reason I can’t get it to reload after viewing it once, but another Youtube link apparently taken from the same speech is stamped with a date of December 1, 2007. Not sure where the speech took place as yet. This was the [Iowa Heartland Presidential Forum](http://iowaheartlandforum.eventbrite.com/) put on by [Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement](http://www.iowacci.org/) on 12/1/07. They are a member of [National People’s Action](http://www.npa-us.org/) based in Chicago. [Part 1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjNqfM2ZpeA), [Part 2](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6BYqRkBRCg), [Part 3](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku-zyChNixw) (the clipped part starts at 4:25) ---
**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 12, 2009, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/63 "2009-09-12T04:36:35Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Al Queda? No, silly. KAOS. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/64 "2009-09-12T04:40:34Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Well, good luck then. Right now, there’s a better-than-even chance this whole thing was staged. Oh. So you’re saying that ACORN actually fired some actors who had nothing to do with their organization? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/65 "2009-09-12T04:46:55Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I thought he shot Janet Reno, just to watch her die. Now you’re just being ridiculous. Everyone knows that shooting Janet Reno only makes her angry. ---
**Author:** ![MeDrewNotYou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@MeDrewNotYou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeDrewNotYou)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/66 "2009-09-12T05:00:48Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Yeah, I’m not sure why Glenn Beck would care about child prostitution, seeing as how he raped and murdered a young girl in 1990. /B/rother? Is that you? ---
**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 12, 2009, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/67 "2009-09-12T05:02:08Z")
> [@Alienhand](#): > > This was the [Iowa Heartland Presidential Forum](http://iowaheartlandforum.eventbrite.com/) put on by [Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement](http://www.iowacci.org/) on 12/1/07. They are a member of [National People’s Action](http://www.npa-us.org/) based in Chicago. > [Part 1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjNqfM2ZpeA), [Part 2](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6BYqRkBRCg), [Part 3](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku-zyChNixw) (the clipped part starts at 4:25) Thanks. So, upon review of the clip it appears: a) that the speech, and the specific excerpt linked by **Stephe96** was directed to community organizers from various groups, which may or may not have included ACORN representatives; b) in the unedited clip, Obama’s statement is made in direct response to a question as to whether he would meet with representatives of all the organizations present, and that ACORN was not specifically named; c) based on the above, at best **Stephe96’s** headlining that it was “Obama’s speech to ACORN workers” left out some important qualifying information, and seriously misrepresents the context in which the statement was made. I’ll assume that **Stephe96** was probably just parroting what the posters of the clip he found on Youtube had claimed about it, rather than being a sleazy fucking liar. Still, it shows the importance of fact-checking before linking to something that one thinks supports one’s case. That’s enough entertainment for one night; I’m outta here. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/68 "2009-09-12T05:15:01Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Right now, this whole thing stinks like three-day-old fish. **Stephe96** , **Magellan01** , you are free to ignore me as you like, but IMO you are letting your partisan blinders get the better of you. IMO, you are very likely being sold a bill of goods by charlatans who have a vested interest in manufacturing controversy. You make some very good points. Seriously. And I’m not going to be surprised if this particular story has either more or less to it. But I remember being surprised when I had learned ACORN had received the millions it had, in light of the many allegations against them. I’m sure they do some good work, but they are a very partisan group, and I am thrilled to see that—finally—some people are viewing that as a problem for an organization that gets millions from the government and plays the role they do in our elections. ---
**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 12, 2009, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/69 "2009-09-12T05:23:53Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > I’m sure they do some good work, but they are a very partisan group, and I am thrilled to see that—finally—some people are viewing that as a problem for an organization that gets millions from the government and plays the role they do in our elections. Well, that’s fine. I knew nothing about them prior to the election campaign, and I’ve got no particular problem with them being prosecuted as an organization if the situation warrants. It’s just way to early in the story, IMO, to assume this is an organizational thing. Oh, and I’ve gotta work tomorrow, that’s the only reason I’m shutting down for now. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/70 "2009-09-12T05:24:55Z")
My God, man, don’t you see? Obama has links to the Progressive movement! No wonder he ran as a Democrat, no way the Republicans will nominate him with a permanent record like that! Wasn’t Michele around to counsel against such rash associations? She seems such a sensible woman… ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/71 "2009-09-12T05:34:55Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Oh, and by the way…from the Washington Post: \*ACORN’s political action committee endorsed then-Sen. Barack Obama for president . . . Uh, the KKK endorsed Ronald Reagan. Your point? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/72 "2009-09-12T07:34:19Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Well, excuse me if I find Obama’s pet organization **promoting** _underage prostitution_ to be “sensationally disgusting.” :mad: Bolding mine there for the _2nd_ time. The first time you overlooked it, which is completely understandable. I again asked for a cite regarding this libel that you choose to inject so capriciously. Apparently you overlooked my response to your “cite”. **Damuri Ajashi** had a follow up query: > [@](#): > > ACORN was promoting underage prostitution or was a member of that organization promoting underage prostitution? If you can answer **Damuri’s** question, I have a follow up, mainly pertaining to what your definition of the word “promote” is. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/73 "2009-09-12T11:16:36Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > I figured the Pit is the place to mention Beck… That’s the first accurate, sensible thing you’ve posted on this board. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/74 "2009-09-12T11:27:46Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](#): > > Bolding mine there for the _2nd_ time. The first time you overlooked it, which is completely understandable. I again asked for a cite regarding this libel that you choose to inject so capriciously. Apparently you overlooked my response to your “cite”. > **Damuri Ajashi** had a follow up query: > > If you can answer **Damuri’s** question, I have a follow up, mainly pertaining to what your definition of the word “promote” is. You’re really hung up on that “promote” word, huh? Well, the fired ACORN workers sure as hell don’t seem to have anything against underage child prostitution. Here’s my original cite: \*[http://voices.kansascity.com/node/5830](http://voices.kansascity.com/node/5830) “In Baltimore, two ACORN officials were fired after they were seen on tape **offering to help** a man and woman posing as a pimp and prostitute **to engage in child prostitution**.” “In Washington, another set of ACORN officials **gives the same advice** , again caught on camera.” \* I will happily substitute a word you feel better with. Condone, perhaps? Enable? Assist with? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/75 "2009-09-12T12:55:18Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > You’re really hung up on that “promote” word, huh? Well, the fired ACORN workers sure as hell don’t seem to have anything against underage child prostitution. > > I will happily substitute a word you feel better with. Condone, perhaps? Enable? Assist with? The story appears to have lost the child prostitution angle, at least according to this morning’s _[Post-Dispatch](http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/nation/story/4E8957A8E3BDE4898625762F000085AF?OpenDocument)_: > [@](#): > > On the video, a man and woman visiting ACORN’s Baltimore office asked about buying a house and how to account on tax forms for the woman’s income. An ACORN employee advised the woman to list her occupation as “performance artist.” ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/76 "2009-09-12T16:10:39Z")
Aw, come on. Without the child prostitutes, how is **Stephe96** going to have any fun? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/77 "2009-09-12T16:21:45Z")
Woe! Woe is us! The mighty ACORN is toppled, we are doomed! Doomed! Our mighty army of pimps, hos, and fraudulent voter registrants is wiped out! How long will it be before the last election is revealed to be a cunning plot of George “Hitler” Soros and Hugo “Hitler” Chavez? Run for your lives, we are undone! Woe! Whoa! ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/78 "2009-09-12T16:35:23Z")
Am I allowed to believe that ACORN seems to be an outfit that may have begun with good intentions, but has been overrun a bit by sleazebags without believing that Obama is a Muslim socialist intent on allowing ACORN to run the judiciary branch? Or do I have to choose a side and stick to it no matter what? ---
**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 12, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/79 "2009-09-12T16:35:34Z")
There was no fake child prostitution involved in DC – just advice to an adult woman posing as an adult prostitute. The alleged “child prostitution” tape is heavily edited and sounds dubbed, so I’m not buying that one either. ---
**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 12, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754/80 "2009-09-12T16:36:52Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Am I allowed to believe that ACORN seems to be an outfit that may have begun with good intentions, but has been overrun a bit by sleazebags without believing that Obama is a Muslim socialist intent on allowing ACORN to run the judiciary branch? Or do I have to choose a side and stick to it no matter what? There is no evidence that it has “been overrun by sleazebags.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-glenn-beck-buh-bye-acorn/509754.md?page=5)