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ACORN Leader says critics Mounted ‘McCarthy-Era War Against the Poor’ After Report Clears Organization of Wrongdoing
The former president of the now-dissolved activist group ACORN struck back at Republicans, Democrats and even the Obama Administration Thursday after a federal report cleared the organization of misusing federal funds and election fraud.
Bertha Lewis, former President of ACORN, spoke openly about her disappointment with those who did little to defend the community advocacy group when they were targeted by the Rightwing for attack. “It just pisses me off that the right can get away with attacks on the organization while the left and progressives just stood by and did nothing to defend us.” (Raw story) In
an exclusive interview with Raw Story -- her first public remarks since
the report's release -- ACORN's Bertha Lewis said the findings of the
Government Accountability Office proves the withering criticism against
ACORN that all but shuttered the group was an orchestrated right wing
attack against the poor.
"This was a McCarthy-era style war against the poor and minorities, nothing more," the group's former leader told Raw Story.
"This proves the right will resort to anything to maintain power to continue the war on poor black and brown people," she added.
"Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh can call me a racist all they want to," she said. "But there is no way there was not a racial element and class element to this whole attack."
She also hinted that the favorable report might serve as a catalyst for a reincarnation of the group, founded in 1970 to advocate for better housing, jobs, and healthcare for working families.
"Some new organization will be continuing the mission," she said. "It might not be exactly the same."
"But we will be back," she said referring to now defunct local chapters of the organization that may re-emerge under different names.
The GAO found in a report released Tuesday that nearly $40 million in contracts awarded ACORN by a myriad of federal agencies was spent properly. The report also revealed that the group had not violated any federal campaign laws related to voter registration, an oft repeated claim of the right wing media critics like Beck and Limbaugh.
The report was commissioned by Congress as both parties voted to ban federal funding for the group after selectively edited videos were released depicting ACORN employees counseling two right-wing provocateurs posing as a college student and a prostitute.
The ban was later ruled unconstitutional.
But the report comes too late, Lewis said, to completely salvage the reputation of the organization that was relentlessly attacked by conservative commentators like Beck as corrupt.
"You get upset and angry about the unfairness of this," she said of the onslaught of negative publicity from the videos that were criticized as being heavily edited.
"This is just the 21st century version of high-tech lynching."
Lewis laid some of the blame for the group's demise on the lack of support from Democrats and progressives, who she said failed to support the group and voted for the funding ban.
"It just pisses me off that the right can get away with attacks on the organization while the left and progressives just stood by and did nothing to defend us."
The report bolsters her argument that entire campaign was to neutralize the group's efforts to register poor and minority voters, Lewis said.
"When we began to register poor people to vote we became an issue, that's when the Republicans started coming after us," she continued. "Remember, we've been accused of stealing the election for Obama."
Key to reviving the group's mission is a lawsuit currently on appeal in federal court arguing the ban on funding was unconstitutional.
Lewis said the ban amounts to a "bill of attainder" when a legislature accuses a group or a person of crime without the benefit of a trial. The constitution specifically bans the practice, and a federal judge recently ruled in ACORN's favor granting a temporary injunction of the ban.
The ban has effectively prevented former associates of ACORN from applying for federal funding. If not overturned, similar bans could be aimed at other activist groups.
"If this is allowed to stand, a politician could get a government ban on a person or group and single them out."
Lewis was also critical of the Obama administration's continued effort to fight the lawsuit by filing appeals.
"It's politics pure and simple," she said. "They're scared."
A hearing is scheduled on the Justice Department's appeal June 24 in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York.
48 Comments so far
Show AllCan you sue the pants off the right wing bastards who made the fraudulent video that convinced people that ACORN was up to "no good"? Might do that young Nazi some good to have to spend the rest of his life paying back the damages he caused. Presently, he seems to be protected by the powers that be, because all he got was a slap on the wrist for attempting to mess with the phone systems in that Democratic woman's office.
With Supreme Court appointees like Kagan, Obama is shifting the Court further right, diminishing the probability of a successful lawsuit aginst the right.
-"ACORN struck back at Republicans, Democrats and even the Obama Administration "
Against Republicans AND the Democrats AND EVEN the Obama Administration! Well I'm glad to see someone is catching on. Eventually more Americans will come to see that the attack on ordinary Americans is practiced by both official parties. It was the Ruling Democrats who voted to defund this poverty voting rights group, Democrats made it happen.
If they could prove libel then anyone who published or broadcast the libelous material would also be liable. Fox would have a whole lot more money than the guy who doctored the tapes. I am sure some consulting with lawyers must be going on. It was incredibley destructive, what was done to ACORN, and was no doubt intended as a warning to others of what could happen to them if they got too uppity. Other organizations are no doubt watching to see how this turns out.
A federal government report cleared Acorn. Big deal. You want me to believe every federal Government report that is put out? The federal government reported that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction. A federal report said nobody was at fault for killing the children in Waco. A federal report said nuclear waste would be safe if stored for 100,000 years.
Now you want me to believe a federal report that Acorn was not wrong in telling a prostitute and her pimp how to hide their money?
At one time in our history, federal reports said slavery was legal. You can believe our federal government if you want, I don't.
"Now you want me to believe a federal report that Acorn was not wrong in telling a prostitute and her pimp how to hide their money?"
That never happened. It's a complete falsehood. A college student dressed as a college student and another college student dressed as a prostitute asked Acorn to help them get the prostitute away from her pimp and out of the business. This was later selectively edited to make it look like a guy dressed as a pimp was asking them to help hide money.
Do you have any other specific objections, or would you just like to gripe about the government some more?
I can see you believe the report, and say what was shown on the undercover video was untrue. You choose to believe that, I don't. I saw the video, from what you said, it doesn't sound like you did. Good thing we still have some freedom. I believe we still have some freedom because not everybody will roll over for the government, and believe what they say.
But it was "government" namely a well-known operative for the then-majority political party, and then congressional resolution, that attacked ACORN. So actually, you seem to still be trusting government, until government does something you disagree with.
The GAO never said that Iraq was WMDs, that nobody was at fault in Waco or that nuke waste was safe. They did not exist prior to 1863, so let's forget about slavery, but since you brought it up, slavery WAS legal prior to 1863 so if a federal government agency said that, they wouldn't be lying nor would their statement in any way discredit the federal government.
federal govt troops fought the South and paid dearly. the federal government created public schools, ran the New Deal, recognized labor rights, implemented the GI Bill, created the mortage interest deduction, built schools K thru grad, helped develop transportation and telecommunications networks including the internet. federal govt action, in many ways, created an American middle class. Just as now, they are dismantling it.
The problem never was "the federal government"; the problem has always been the pirates who tend to run the place. there is a difference.
The reaction of the Beltway Democrats to the ACORN "scandal" was nearly identical to their support of Israel's attack on the Gaza flotilla.
There is a mob mentality in Washington. Facts and evidence count for nothing. Ditto the poor, regardless of location. I got mine; screw you.
-30-
As I recall, Alan Grayson was one of the only Democrats to speak out very loudly about the demonization and ultimate crushing of ACORN. I also remember hearing Kucinich speak out -- but I don't recall many others.
I just checked the actual vote in the House, and it was 345-75, voting to defund ACORN. In the Senate, the vote was 83-7.
This all happened in September of 2009 -- with Democrats in charge of both Houses, with a so-called Democrat as President.
Those Americans who have been indifferent to the poor and indifferent to the rights of labor have brought on a 30- year class-war against the middle class by the rich. Wake up selfish America, the chickens have come home to roost.
"Lewis laid some of the blame for the group's demise on the lack of support from Democrats and progressives, who she said failed to support the group and voted for the funding ban. "It just pisses me off that the right can get away with attacks on the organization while the left and progressives just stood by and did nothing to defend us."
Liberals and progressives are not on the left. For the last 30 years they too have been on the right--along with the rest of the right, the Republicans and the Democrats.
And that's why Acorn is no more.
Give me a break. Your broadsides say more about you than your cheap potshots about progressives say about us. ACORN is actively supported by us progressives here in N/NE and East Portland, Or. Your pink parts are showing in public and this is not a clothing optional beach.
"Her conclusion is so " spot on " that nothing I can say has any real meaning. It sums up the heartbreaking fact that Dems and some of those wearing the cloak of progressive have turned MLK's dream into a painful, cringe-inducing joke."
--linkwray
Let me get this straight. You concede that Dems are to blame--but only "some" progressives?
Words sometimes get in the way. Ex.- Many young, well-meaning and educated people began moving into traditionally and predominately black neighborhoods and revitalizing them here in Portland. They were tone deaf to the animosity they were creating. They are progressive on many issues but couldn't grasp the effect their money and power were having on the local business community. Meetings and direct intervention by the Neighborhood Associations and city and county officials had a very positive outcome in certain instances. The GLBT community was also rather tone deaf, too. They, quite understandably, revitilized areas to form their own sense of community without making nice with the old guard. Meeting were held and rocky roads were smoothed somewhat. Mark Twain said it best; " We are all ignorant, just about different things. " I don't think I said contradictory things, just nuanced. It happens with age, sorry.
"They are progressive on many issues but couldn't grasp the effect their money and power were having on the local business community."
That's a good point and a fitting definition of what I'm talking about.
I think what happened over the last 30 years or so is that people who were once inclined to be on the left--that is, highly aware of economic and social equality in society--became only concerned with social equality. And the problem with that, as your comment points out, is you really can't have one without the other.
A very good point.
Gregsdiary,
You're spot on--well stated.
One only has to look at health care *deform* to know there was not even one
damn "progressive" left standing.
The Democratic Party FAILS the poor and middle class just as the Republicans have done.
Chelsea
"Lewis was also critical of the Obama administration's continued effort to fight the lawsuit by filing appeals."
Unbelievable that the Obama "Justice" Department is continuing to fight against Acorn.
OMG.
Grow up, people!
It's this sniping and fighting back and forth like spoiled brats that defeats all of us with sincere interest in real gains for our people, the poor, and our country, regardless of political affiliation.
The fact of the matter is neither Republicans nor Democrats are evil, neither Republicans nor Democrats are without faults, flaws corruption, and guilt.
However, it is the radical loony extreme ones that have lassoed the Republican party, the neocons, the tea partiers, and the salivating rabid ones in the Democrat party, that have made it impossible for the rest of us, who actually think before speaking, care, and generally consequently do not get heard, noticed, or realized that we exist or care, because unlike these far out loonies on both sides, we are not jumping up and down and screaming and shrieking like spoiled brats.
We are still the true majority. We are just unheard.
If we come together, we can actually defeat these crazies on both sides that are making us look like fools to the entire planet, I might add.
Well said.
I defy you to name even one "crazy" on the progressive side, who has taken any position even half as wacky and dishonest as what Glen Beck, Sarah Palin, John Boehner and let's face it - most of the mainstream Demos take every day.
Gimme even one name! Which "crazies" on the left are preventing action to solve national problems? Who?
Cat got your tongue?
Just remember those Dems and Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Waxman, Franks are the very people that are identified by most Americans as "progressives" or the "left" And they are as wacky and dishonest as they come.
The useless spending and healthcare are identified the same way.
AMEN sister Lewis! I agree 100% with you! To depend on the leeches from the Democratic Party has proven to be disastrous to those of who work, who own small businesses, for those of us who do not earn six or seven figured incomes!
We are the forgotten ones! But there is a change blowing in the winds! Too many folk are sick and tired of the betrayals.
We want what we worked hard for and damn the politicians from both parties!
Saul Alinksy the labor/community organizer once said something to the effect; " A liberal is the guy who leaves the room once an argument turns into a fight!" So true, so very true! How do you think Bush "defeated" Gore in 2000?
"This is just the 21st century version of high-tech lynching."
True, but what does one expect?
"It just pisses me off that the right can get away with attacks on the organization while the left and progressives just stood by and did nothing to defend us."
Even more true,and even more tragic.
The nation owes ACORN an apology and restitution. I'm glad to hear Lewis say that their good works will continue in some form.
Unreal.
"...the Obama administration's continued effort to fight the lawsuit by filing appeals."
Who is this man I voted for? What does he say to Michelle when he gets home from the office in the evening and she asks, "How was your day, dear?"
Rendition, targeted killing, on and on, it all brings to mind the chant,
"Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?"
Well, today the I-love-Obama-crowd is positively slobbering over the Father's Day album on HuffPo, their pride in Obama oozing all over the place -- what a great example he sets as a father, what a perfect family, blah, blah, blah. But there's 500-plus comments at 3 p.m. on Father's Day. Last year you would have seen three times that amount, at least.
And I can't divorce those pics from the reality of what Obama has been for this country -- that long list you've cited (and getting longer by the day) -- the list that goes a long way towards destroying families day in and day out, in America and in the Middle East.
"It just pisses me off that the right can get away with attacks on the organization while the left and progressives just stood by and did nothing to defend us."
Demok supporters/apologists are not really left, not really progressive. Instead, they co-opt progressive principles to help secure elite advantage in the elite war on people. One hundred million USans voted in 2008 for continuation of the elite war on people, which provides Beck et al a very generous mandate.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
Mohandas Gandhi
Anyone with half a brain could see the racism and classism in the ACORN flap.
Ooooh, ACORN was so scary.
"'Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh can call me a racist all they want to,' she said."
Those puffy fuckers need to look into a reflective surface.
Linkwray-That's happening in my area also and not just in black areas, but lower-income white ones as well.
My only question here is now that they know that there are no progressives in Washington to defend them, will they continue to defend and vote for non-existent progressives? Will Ms. Lewis remember that Obama hung her organization out to dry after they helped to get him elected? Just like he hung the rest of us out to dry...
There seem to be some who still worship at the Obama alter, determined to tell him his clothes are wonderful as he stands naked, exposed for the liar he is.
Beck, Limbaugh, Fox, and others have deep pockets. A lawsuit would completely refund ACORN. And there is no reason to change ACORN's name. Let Beck and Limbaugh change their names.
I'm not at all wealthy, but I just donated $50 to ACORN.
President Clinton very effectively removed US poverty from the public discussion. He made it socially acceptable for even progressives to disregard our own poor, effectively removing them from our public consciousness. That's tragic, for more reasons than the loss of human decency alone. Even our leading progressive publications failed to connect the dots to see the impact of workfare (under which hundreds of thousands of people can be used as sub-minimum wage temp help/replacement labor)on unions, wages and workers' protections. But only a Democratic president could have taken an ax to the New Deal without raising the alarm among progressives.
To understand just how much our poor have been marginalized,consider some of the consequences of our welfare "reform:" The infant mortality rate of America's poor now surpasses that of some Third World countries, while the life expectancy of America's poor has fallen behind those of most Third World countries.
If the general public had any concept of how severe poverty is right here in the US, that could be a political problem. To prevent this, it is very important to get rid of the last of those organizations that educate the public about poverty and our poor, and to keep US poverty out of the public discussion.
The president doesnt even talk a mean game anymore and all of this is ass backwards. "Help us destroy the planet and we'll give you the world". "I, the president in order to form a more perfect union..." "God bless America" Great Britain's global Banking system has chosen to rigorously regulate itself, what?
Come on, you got to be sick of this sh@t. And all of it is groundless, no evidence anywhere. All of this is being done for NOTHING. If you pointed to the 'justification' of all of this you'd be pointed at 'nothing'. If you put in a shoe box the evidence for destroying the planet you'd endup w/ an empty box..."Nothing under here". Remember the last prez making fun of not having a single reason to burn $3,000,000,000,000.00 U.S. dollars. LOL
We're constantly being BSd on everything, from one situation to the next, across the board. Even progressives can't get a grip publically; If they have a brain they will not show it openly. I got to tell you, I'm EXTREMELY sick of this shit.
The corporate spectacle press does not engage in journalism. If it did it would fact check what it publishes. Instead they are a conduit for scams to gut democracy and institute a demand for privatization so the capitalists can have their socialism-for-corporations-pyramid-scheme nirvana prison camp for the working class.
THE FOX & ACORN
The recent destruction of ACORN by FOX News, Rush Limbaugh, and other such pundits symbolizes a dangerous trend that would have been unimaginable ten years ago.
This successful manipulation of public opinion and policy by such unreliable media outlets, noted for their misinformation--even after their false allegations and scams against ACORN are discredited--is frightening.
One thing missing from all this is a call to specific action. It is startling!
This and almost the entire commentary that appears on these pages has been reminding me of something fro some time. After looking at this article over the last few days I think I may have have identified it.
Blogging is the opiate of the middle class.
Thanks to Marx, but of course his 'revolution' was driven by precisely the kind that blogs.
It has been enough to confirm me as a Maoist. It seems the middle class is inveterately duplicitous, self serving and conceited. Mao alone amongst the early communists in China identified this, nominated the peasant as the revolutionary and with them smashed the middle class, notably with the help of educated and powerful Confucian intellectuals in prominent positions in the army of Chiang Kai-sheck; people who trained and armed their forces with the skills and weapons provided by the USA and then simply took them over to the Maoist side and used them against the US trained forces that stayed behind.
As the Chinese, presently, constantly point out, to recognise that Mao made mistakes does not deny his validity. The violence and cruelty of it all, the purges and the re-education was fully justified. Moreover, to use inadequate monotheist understandings, the suffering of many amongst the masses was that of the suffering servant, the martyr. One of the fundamental reasons China is now growing in power is this and its future is constantly threatened by these same forces now supported by the CIA, the weapons industry, Army and Navy and the people of the USA through their media and the President of the USA.
Of course the little self serving bourgeois bastards found within China as they are within any culture, constantly try to force their way back to a position of squatting on the heads of the people while aspiring to divinity, and again 'for the good of the people', but then if they manage to succeed, the Confucian tradition will again,as it has often done in the history of China, find a Mao to eradicate them no matter how much the slimy little, self-worshipping, barbarian bastards twist and scream.
Mao may have superseded Marx but the latter was right when he pointed out that this species of human being, the middle class, is generically self-destructive. He was just too kind to them in that he had the hope they would eventually see this and think.
Sister Lewis;
You say you are pissed off, well so am I and millions like us! How pissed off are you? I have been advocating for years that it's time for the disenfranchised, the REAL liberals, progressives, radicals, labor, environmentalists to put aside their petty differences and organize a viable political movement/party to replace the DP!
Only when we have our party, only when we organize a mass movement, will we see JUSTICE! Ms. Lewis, are YOU ready? How about the rest of you?
A call to action! But a very airy one.
It's so good to hear ACORN was cleared and getting back at the bandwagon-riders. The ganging up on them was distasteful to observe. Too bad the organization was killed by the process.
"It just pisses me off that the right can get away with attacks on the organization while the left and progressives just stood by and did nothing to defend us."
"The report also revealed that the group had not violated any federal campaign laws related to voter registration, an oft repeated claim of the right wing media critics like Beck and Limbaugh."
Not that Beck and Limbaugh aren't guilty of violating laws of common decency as they spout their hatred over the airwaves.
Progressives didn't abandon ACORN, minorities and the poor. Democrats did. There is a big difference.