# What does the acronym ACORN stand for? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 12, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634 "2008-10-12T21:24:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/121 "2008-10-19T00:55:41Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Fuck off, you stupid bitch, … Conservatives sure are touchy lately. I wonder why? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/122 "2008-10-19T00:56:30Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Fuck off, you stupid bitch, and answer the question. Why do they take bogus registrations? Am I supposed to fuck off or answer the question? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/123 "2008-10-19T00:57:48Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Conservatives sure are touchy lately. I wonder why? Oh, pish-tosh! Conservatives are the shining beacons of grace and purity. You liberal scum are just trying to defame and degrade the public sphere! ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/124 "2008-10-19T01:05:05Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Am I supposed to fuck off or answer the question? It was blindingly obvious from my post. In other words, you don’t have an answer. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/125 "2008-10-19T01:06:05Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Fuck off, you stupid bitch, and answer the question. Why do they take bogus registrations? They have to take, and turn in, all of them, every fucking form that’s filled out, you cock-juggling thundercunt! ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/126 "2008-10-19T01:09:08Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > They have to take, and turn in, all of them, every fucking form that’s filled out, you cock-juggling thundercunt! Why do they have to accept bogus registrations? Or are they solicting them? Which is rather the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/127 "2008-10-19T01:14:27Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Why do they have to accept bogus registrations? Because that’s the law. They have to give every registration they receive to the state body that deals with them. If they kept bogus registrations, they’d have to decide which registrations are bogus, and that’s something they **don’t have the authority to do**. How many times has this been explained to you now? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/128 "2008-10-19T01:18:00Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Yes, I know that ACORN is obligated to turn over bogus registrations. The question I have, which has NOT been answered, is why they take bogus registrations in the first place? Either they accept **all** registrations they get, or they screen some out. Current practice is for ACORN (or whoever) to turn in **all** registrations they get, or you let them decide which ones are ‘real’. Apparently you want them to screen 'em out, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/129 "2008-10-19T01:19:17Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > Because that’s the law. They have to give every registration they receive to the state body that deals with them. If they kept bogus registrations, they’d have to decide which registrations are bogus, and that’s something they **don’t have the authority to do**. How many times has this been explained to you now? And how many times has it been explained to you, NOT TO TAKE BOGUS REGISTRATIONS IN THE FIRST FUCKING PLACE. How many people register as Mickey Mouse at the CSPL? My guess is none. But with ACORN, we get the same guy registering 73 times. And nothing is done about it. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/130 "2008-10-19T01:23:22Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > It was blindingly obvious from my post. In other words, you don’t have an answer. I have the same answer I had earlier in the thread. You know, before I fucked off. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/131 "2008-10-19T01:26:32Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > And how many times has it been explained to you, NOT TO TAKE BOGUS REGISTRATIONS IN THE FIRST FUCKING PLACE. > > How many people register as Mickey Mouse at the CSPL? My guess is none. But with ACORN, we get the same guy registering 73 times. And nothing is done about it. :mad: So, if you **knew** ACORN wasn’t submitting every single registration, you’d be good with that? Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/132 "2008-10-19T01:32:03Z")
> [@wring](#): > > So, if you **knew** ACORN wasn’t submitting every single registration, you’d be good with that? Good to know. How about submitting just the legit ones? Is that so hard? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/133 "2008-10-19T01:34:07Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > > [@elucidator](#): > > > > Perhaps it is only morbid curiosity, but can you supply us with an inventory of the books in the\*\* Carol Stream\*\* Library? > > They’re all by Ayn Rand. Close. Aside from a single paperback of _Atlas Shrugged_ (with heavily doodled margins), it currently boasts dog-eared copies of \*The Turner Diaries \*and _Everybody Poops_. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/134 "2008-10-19T01:35:11Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > And how many times has it been explained to you, NOT TO TAKE BOGUS REGISTRATIONS IN THE FIRST FUCKING PLACE. You see, I do believe I heard someplace that they, in fact, are required by law to take them and submit them. You heard it here first. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/135 "2008-10-19T01:40:25Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > You see, I do believe I heard someplace that they, in fact, are required by law to take them and submit them. You heard it here first. Maybe they are required to submit them, but how are they required to take them? I doubt the law REQUIRES someone to participate in fraud. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/136 "2008-10-19T01:43:57Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > How about submitting just the legit ones? Is that so hard? So, to repeat, you’re ok w/ ACORN determining and deciding which are legit. Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/137 "2008-10-19T01:47:16Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Maybe they are required to submit them, but how are they required to take them? I’m glad you asked that. Let’s set the stage: _doodly doop doodly doop doodly doop_ You are the manager of the local ACORN office. One of your workers comes in, takes a stack of blank registration forms, and goes out to collect signatures. Instead of collecting signatures, he goes to his buddy’s house and he and his friend sit at the kitchen table, drink several beers and fill out fake names on the forms. He comes back to your office six hours later with the stack of filled out forms. You flip through them, notice “Mickey Mouse”, “Britney Spears,” “Shaquille O’Neal” and other suspicious names among the forms, send your worker home and start the process to have him fired, and _submit the forms as you must do by law._ After flagging them as suspicious, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/138 "2008-10-19T01:47:45Z")
> [@wring](#): > > So, to repeat, you’re ok w/ ACORN determining and deciding which are legit. Good to know. Don’t registrars ask for ID? If some jerk says he’s Mickey Mouse, without an ID, how does he even get a registration form? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/139 "2008-10-19T01:59:06Z")
So, apparently you trust ACORN registrants statements. Once again, good to know. See, I believe that if ACORN employee stated that they screened out registrants that seemed to them ‘obviously illegitiment’, assholes like you would be screaming. You can’t have it both ways. You can accept that they turn them all in so that the real experts in this verify the legitimacy (which is current reality) or you allow folks you don’t trust to screen out registrants w/o you (or the legitimate folks) knowledge of who they’re screening out. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/140 "2008-10-19T02:02:41Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Don’t registrars ask for ID? If some jerk says he’s Mickey Mouse, without an ID, how does he even get a registration form? Registration forms, at least in Ohio, are available to anyone. You can go to the Ohio website and download and print as many as you want. You can also request they mail you as many as you want. The forms are not restricted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634.md?page=8)