ACORN Worker Reported ‘Human Smuggling’ Incident

US News • Views: 2,940

It turns out that the ACORN worker seen on that now-infamous video from National City, California, actually did contact the authorities: ACORN Worker In Video Reported Couple.

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. — Police say a worker with the activist group ACORN who was caught on video giving advice about human smuggling to a couple posing as a pimp and a prostitute had reported the incident to authorities.

National City police said Monday that Juan Carlos Vera contacted his cousin, a police detective, to get advice on what to with information on possible human smuggling.

Vera was secretly filmed on Aug. 18 as part of a young couple’s high-profile expose.

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268 comments
1 Honorary Yooper  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:38:55am

Good. Still not fond of ACORN, but good that the worker did report the incident.

2 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:39:57am

re: #1 Honorary Yooper

Good. Still not fond of ACORN, but good that the worker did report the incident.

Totally agreed. At least someone somewhere had some amount of sense.

3 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:42:26am

Yay ACORN...

(somewhere there was just a tear in the space time continuum)...

4 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:42:58am

This paragraph in the story is a bit odd...

"The ACORN employee responded several days later and explained that the information he received was not true and he had been duped."

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

5 Who Watches the Watchmen?  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:43:07am

Broken clock...

6 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:43:50am

But the employee was still fired.

7 badger1970  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:44:05am

It took him two days to report it to a relative who happens to be a police detective. Why two days? Was he not sleeping good? Conscience? It didn't look like he was trying to pimp for information to immediately report it. Sounded like cya.

8 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:44:30am

re: #6 Cannadian Club Akbar

Should have been a question mark.

9 Danny  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:44:32am

Smells funny.

10 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:44:42am

I'm happy that at least one person reacted like a normal, decent, and moral being.

You'd never have guessed it from the tape. So it's a relief that a decent human being did inhabit one of the offices!

11 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:44:56am

Her name is "Juan Carlos"? Isn't that a man's name?

12 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:45:27am

re: #11 bosforus

Her name is "Juan Carlos"? Isn't that a man's name?

Don't be a gender imperialist.

13 J.D.  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:45:30am

re: #10 Dianna

I'm happy that at least one person reacted like a normal, decent, and moral being.

You'd never have guessed it from the tape. So it's a relief that a decent human being did inhabit one of the offices!

And was then fired.
I think there's more to this story.

14 sattv4u2  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:45:47am

Juan Carlos Vera contacted his cousin, a police detective, to get advice on what to with information

Did the "cousin" advise Mr. Vera to file a police report? If not, it's merely two relatives having a conversation regardless that one of them is a cop

15 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:45:49am

re: #7 badger1970

It took him two days to report it to a relative who happens to be a police detective. Why two days? Was he not sleeping good? Conscience? It didn't look like he was trying to pimp for information to immediately report it. Sounded like cya.

And, as I posted above, from the article, it sounds like he changed his statement several days later...

"The ACORN employee responded several days later and explained that the information he received was not true and he had been duped."

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

16 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:45:52am

re: #4 Walter L. Newton

This paragraph in the story is a bit odd...

"The ACORN employee responded several days later and explained that the information he received was not true and he had been duped."

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

He'd seen the first of the tapes.

I'm curious, though, why he only "consulted" a relative.

17 Locker  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:46:16am

His report to the police has about as much to do with Acorn as his alleged actions in the first place. Some guy says X doesn't mean Acorn says/advocates/promotes/encourages X. Even if it's a good thing.

18 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:46:34am

re: #7 badger1970

It took him two days to report it to a relative who happens to be a police detective. Why two days? Was he not sleeping good? Conscience? It didn't look like he was trying to pimp for information to immediately report it. Sounded like cya.

Let's hope it was an uneasy conscience.

19 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:47:08am

re: #12 Ben Hur

National City police said Monday that Juan Carlos Vera contacted his cousin, a police detective, to get advice on what to with information on possible human smuggling.

Vera was secretly filmed on Aug. 18 as part of a young couple's high-profile expose.

I'm genuinely confused now. I thought the person in that video was clearly a woman.

20 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:47:50am

re: #11 bosforus

Her name is "Juan Carlos"? Isn't that a man's name?

Two different people. Tresa Kaelke is the ACORN worker pictured, but Juan Carlos Vera is the employee the story is about.

21 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:48:00am

re: #14 sattv4u2

Juan Carlos Vera contacted his cousin, a police detective, to get advice on what to with information

Did the "cousin" advise Mr. Vera to file a police report? If not, it's merely two relatives having a conversation regardless that one of them is a cop

Yes, it doesn't quite bear its headline, quite.

Damnit. I want someone to have acted as a moral actor.

22 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:48:14am

re: #20 Dark_Falcon

Two different people. Tresa Kaelke is the ACORN worker pictured, but Juan Carlos Vera is the employee the story is about.

Ah! Thank you, DF.

23 albusteve  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:48:21am

re: #13 J.D.

And was then fired.
I think there's more to this story.

there is more to ACORN than anybody knows...most of it likely not good, but I'll give them credit for whatever good they do if I myself consider it 'good'

24 Pianobuff  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:49:06am

Shall we expect a wrongful termination suit from Juan now?

25 in excess  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:49:13am

Of course he did. NOT!!!
He is more likely having his cousin cover-his-ass after the fact.

26 toadbelly  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:49:23am

asking your cousin legal advise is not reporting- its covering your ass. He had some time to think about it.
And how do we know he talked to his "cousin"? Can he prove it?

27 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:49:30am

re: #20 Dark_Falcon

Two different people. Tresa Kaelke is the ACORN worker pictured, but Juan Carlos Vera is the employee the story is about.

And Vera was filmed also, as the article says?

28 flyovercountry  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:49:42am

I'm still a little skeptical. The detective he contacted was a relative. He did more than offer advice, he also offered his services and contacts south of the border to actually aid in the enterprise. Maybe he was trying to be cute and do the job of the police for them. I would be interested in seeing an actual police report with a time stamp on it from before the time of the tapes surfacing. (It should also have a report number consistent with those filed in August.)

29 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:49:47am

re: #21 Dianna

Yes, it doesn't quite bear its headline, quite.

Damnit. I want someone to have acted as a moral actor.

Well, the Denver Channel 7 report and the Fox report I linked to are both the same report from AP. So, if there is any confusion on the headline and the content of the story, it's coming from AP.

30 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:49:47am

re: #15 Walter L. Newton

And, as I posted above, from the article, it sounds like he changed his statement several days later...

"The ACORN employee responded several days later and explained that the information he received was not true and he had been duped."

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

That's not changing anything. Someone from the federal human smuggling task force contacted him for more information, and he told them he had learned the incident was a fake.

31 Creeping Eruption  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:50:20am

re: #9 Danny

Smells funny.

That reminds me of a song by The Bloodhound Gang.

32 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:50:37am

re: #25 in excess

Of course he did. NOT!!!
He is more likely having his cousin cover-his-ass after the fact.

Really. So the police and the federal human smuggling task force are all in on the plot too?

33 SixDegrees  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:51:52am

I wonder when Glenn Beck will be issuing an apology?

34 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:53:08am

But my first thought is, why has it taken so long for this "fact" to come out? Advise from lawyers, I suppose. But it seems like coming clean very early would have shut this thing down a looong time ago.

35 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:53:33am

re: #30 Charles

That's not changing anything. Someone from the federal human smuggling task force contacted him for more information, and he told them he had learned the incident was a fake.

Got it.

36 toadbelly  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:53:55am

re: #32 Charles

once the detective got wind of it, he would then be obligated to contact the authorities and report it.

37 Honorary Yooper  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:54:01am

re: #33 SixDegrees

I wonder when Glenn Beck will be issuing an apology?

When snow falls in Tahiti.

38 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:54:22am

If it was me in that video and I had "acted responsibly" after the fact by calling authorities, when the hidden video was released my first and only statement would have been, "Look, I went to the FBI about it, OK, now get off my back."

39 Danny  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:54:31am

re: #31 Creeping Eruption

Wow, Jimmy Pop could actually run before he got fat.

40 CommonCents  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:54:43am

This sounds like an 'after-the-fact' puff article to spin public opinion. This doesn't change the fact that ACORN is a fully funded subsidiary of the Democrat party posing as a non-partisan non-profit organization. Their tax exempt status should be pulled and they should be forced to pay back taxes on all contributions, IMHO.

41 Pianobuff  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:54:44am

Why did the worker get fired? Did he tell his cousin but not ACORN?

This is strange.

42 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:54:51am

Putting myself in his shoes, he might not have known who to call. This isn't exactly a 911 call. He probably went to his cousin because he figured his cousin would know. And his cousin did.

43 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:55:08am

re: #34 bosforus

But my first thought is, why has it taken so long for this "fact" to come out? Advise from lawyers, I suppose. But it seems like coming clean very early would have shut this thing down a looong time ago.

Remember, the instant Juan Carlos Vera saw the first tape, he knew it was a hoax. That would certainly justify retracting the report. But I still feel very uneasy about this whole business.

44 Kragar  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:55:45am

re: #41 Pianobuff

Why did the worker get fired? Did he tell his cousin but not ACORN?

This is strange.

ACORN is on full defense right now.

45 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:56:02am

re: #29 Walter L. Newton

Well, the Denver Channel 7 report and the Fox report I linked to are both the same report from AP. So, if there is any confusion on the headline and the content of the story, it's coming from AP.

One says, "2 days," one says "several days."

So I guess it depends on what the meaning of "is" is.

46 KingKenrod  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:56:48am

What kind of advice did Vera give the undercover reporters about human smuggling?

47 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:56:55am

re: #43 Dianna

Remember, the instant Juan Carlos Vera saw the first tape, he knew it was a hoax. That would certainly justify retracting the report. But I still feel very uneasy about this whole business.

What did he know was a hoax? The "sting" or what he thought he knew about something going on at ACORN?

48 Pianobuff  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:57:03am

re: #44 Kragar (proud to be kafir)

ACORN is on full defense right now.

Well if it's legit, I would anticipate that ACORN will either be hiring him back or he will be filing a wrongful termination suit. No?

49 toadbelly  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:57:09am

I seriously doubt that Acorn's polices state that if you think something illegal is going on, call a relative who might have helpful information before reporting to the authorities.

Maybe he had a moral crisis after the fact, but too little too late.

50 sattv4u2  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:57:15am

You decide

(Vera on tape stating "It's better if it's Tijuana,,, (why),, because I have (inaudible) there"

[Link: video.google.com...]

51 SixDegrees  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:58:04am

re: #48 Pianobuff

Well if it's legit, I would anticipate that ACORN will either be hiring him back or he will be filing a wrongful termination suit. No?

Possibly. Depends on the reasons for the firing and the state in which it occurred.

52 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:58:08am

re: #27 bosforus

And Vera was filmed also, as the article says?

Yes, he was. He said he could help smuggle in child prostitutes because he had connections in Tejajuna.

53 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:58:35am

re: #50 sattv4u2

You decide

(Vera on tape stating "It's better if it's Tijuana,,, (why),, because I have (inaudible) there"

[Link: video.google.com...]

Misunderstanding.

54 Kragar  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:58:56am

CBS fails to end Rather suit; Redstone may testify

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York judge on Monday rejected CBS Corp's bid to dismiss former TV news anchor Dan Rather's $70 million lawsuit claiming he was fired over a controversial election-year report on former President George W. Bush's Vietnam War-era military service.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Ira Gammerman set a December 22 hearing in the case and directed that testimony be taken from witnesses including Sumner Redstone, the 86-year-old chairman of Viacom Inc, which once controlled CBS.

"Let's get this case moving," Gammerman said. "I would really like to get this case ready for trial."

55 sattv4u2  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:59:22am

re: #50 sattv4u2

You decide

(Vera on tape stating "It's better if it's Tijuana,,, (why),, because I have (inaudible) there"

[Link: video.google.com...]


49 seconds in, BTW

56 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:59:30am

re: #52 Dark_Falcon

Thx again. I did not watch the entire video, obviously.

57 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 8:59:53am

re: #52 Dark_Falcon

Yes, he was. He said he could help smuggle in child prostitutes because he had connections in Tejajuna.

But this was not true, right? He really couldn't help smuggle anyone, right? I'm confused.

58 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:00:03am

re: #47 Walter L. Newton

What did he know was a hoax? The "sting" or what he thought he knew about something going on at ACORN?

He saw the Baltimore tape, and recognized the actors. That would surely tell anyone with the brains given to a grasshopper that the incident was a hoax.

59 sattv4u2  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:00:10am

re: #27 bosforus

And Vera was filmed also, as the article says?

link on #50

60 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:00:17am

re: #51 SixDegrees

Possibly. Depends on the reasons for the firing and the state in which it occurred.

It happened in CA. If it were up to me, I'd probably still fire him for making the organization look bad. In a customer-facing position, that alone merits termination.

61 sattv4u2  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:01:55am

Clearer subtitles and a different scene here

[Link: video.google.com...]

62 Varilux  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:02:05am

lol. morning CJ. :)

63 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:02:13am

re: #57 Walter L. Newton

But this was not true, right? He really couldn't help smuggle anyone, right? I'm confused.

I don't know. He might have been "funning the bozo" (as my mother says), or he might have been more serious. Its impossible to say.

64 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:02:17am

re: #57 Walter L. Newton

But this was not true, right? He really couldn't help smuggle anyone, right? I'm confused.

We will never know.

Let's definitely hope he had a "What on earth was I thinking?" moment.

65 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:02:47am

re: #64 Dianna

We will never know.

Let's definitely hope he had a "What on earth was I thinking?" moment.

Quite Concur.

66 Ojoe  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:02:58am

Report all wrongdoing like this right away.

67 Danny  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:03:38am

re: #41 Pianobuff

Why did the worker get fired? Did he tell his cousin but not ACORN?

This is strange.

It is strange. He was asked for advice on smuggling prostitutes/illegal immigrants and instead of calling the police, he goes home, thinks about it for a couple of days, then calls his cousin for advice. Question is: was he trying to help catch the human smugglers, or saving his own neck? I'm waiting for more info.

68 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:04:28am

re: #66 Ojoe

Report all wrongdoing like this right away.

I'm trying to imagine the circumstances under which I wouldn't.

69 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:04:58am

There's got to be some way we can blame this on Glenn Beck, right?

70 Ojoe  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:05:14am

re: #68 Dianna

None, really. IMHO.

71 lostlakehiker  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:05:29am

So Acorn gets some number of F's, and a C-, instead of all F's. That's more like what a reasonable observer would expect. It's almost impossible for a large organization to purge its ranks entirely of decent folk.

72 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:05:41am

I guess it also depends if you consider calling your detective cousin as "contacting the authorities."

73 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:05:54am

re: #67 Danny

It is strange. He was asked for advice on smuggling prostitutes/illegal immigrants and instead of calling the police, he goes home, thinks about it for a couple of days, then calls his cousin for advice. Question is: was he trying to help catch the human smugglers, or saving his own neck? I'm waiting for more info.

This article is really badly written, or purposefully vague. Let's face it, there are a lot of smart people on this blog, and looking over the comments up thread, it appears that this article has caused more confusion on the incident then clearing up anything.

IMHO.

74 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:06:24am

re: #69 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Go Away Gordon.

75 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:07:25am

re: #73 Walter L. Newton

This article is really badly written, or purposefully vague. Let's face it, there are a lot of smart people on this blog, and looking over the comments up thread, it appears that this article has caused more confusion on the incident then clearing up anything.

IMHO.

"...poorly written..."
;)

76 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:07:51am

re: #75 bosforus

"...poorly written..."
;)

Yea, that too! :)

77 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:07:58am

re: #70 Ojoe

None, really. IMHO.

I can see delaying if there was 1) a threat of death to the "smuggle-ees"; and 2) the person who could report knew he was being watched. But not aside from that.

78 BlueCanuck  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:08:43am

Sorry, but this article doesn't pass the smell test. Something just doesn't quite sit right with me.

79 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:08:45am

re: #74 Dark_Falcon

It's nodroG, thank you very much (Old timer reference, that)

80 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:09:43am

re: #73 Walter L. Newton

This article is really badly written, or purposefully vague. Let's face it, there are a lot of smart people on this blog, and looking over the comments up thread, it appears that this article has caused more confusion on the incident then clearing up anything.

IMHO.

Yes, but we do need to be careful of our prejudices.

Personally, I'm happy to announce mine: ACORN is a disaster, useless and a blot on non-profit world.

81 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:10:05am

re: #79 Brain-Washed Sheeple

It's nodroG, thank you very much (Old timer reference, that)

I know. But Go Away Nodrog doesn't flow as well.

82 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:10:43am

re: #78 BlueCanuck

Sorry, but this article doesn't pass the smell test. Something just doesn't quite sit right with me.

The delay and consulting a relative. It makes me very uncomfortable, too.

83 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:10:52am

re: #81 Dark_Falcon

Good name for a band, anyway.

84 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:11:15am

re: #78 BlueCanuck

Sorry, but this article doesn't pass the smell test. Something just doesn't quite sit right with me.

Well, if AP was trying to convey to us that Juan Carlos Vera was trying to do the right thing, they didn't make that clear enough for me. If AP meant for this article to be supportive of ACORN, I think it missed the mark.

Try again.

85 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:11:27am

re: #80 Dianna

Yes, but we do need to be careful of our prejudices.

Personally, I'm happy to announce mine: ACORN is a disaster, useless and a blot on non-profit world.

To be fair ACORN is useful for something: Pushing big government "solutions" that end up taking people's money and freedom and turning same into slime.

86 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:11:41am

re: #79 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Well, you should have added a sarc tag. I'd have updinged you, had you done so.

For what it's worth, I did snort.

87 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:12:02am

re: #81 Dark_Falcon

I know. But Go Away Nodrog doesn't flow as well.

Actually, the phrase, used as a troll repellent, uses the forward spelling of his name. It's in the LGF dictionary somewhere, alongside GAZE.

88 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:12:39am

re: #85 Dark_Falcon

To be fair ACORN is useful for something: Pushing big government "solutions" that end up taking people's money and freedom and turning same into slime.

Quite.

89 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:13:00am

re: #86 Dianna

Can I get a re-do?

There's got to be some way we can blame this on Glenn Beck, right?


/sarc

90 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:13:13am

re: #85 Dark_Falcon

To be fair ACORN is useful for something: Pushing big government "solutions" that end up taking people's money and freedom and turning same into slime.

I don't think we have to go that far?

91 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:13:29am

re: #87 thedopefishlives

Actually, the phrase, used as a troll repellent, uses the forward spelling of his name. It's in the LGF dictionary somewhere, alongside GAZE.

I don't think its there. I got the phrase from Nekama's Troll Hammer. I decided to dust it off and use it today.

92 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:13:46am

re: #89 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Note the upding.

Don't make me regret it!

/

93 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:14:05am

re: #91 Dark_Falcon

I don't think its there. I got the phrase from Nekama's Troll Hammer. I decided to dust it off and use it today.

Ah, you're right, that's what it's from. I think it should become a more standard-issue phrase, though.

94 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:14:13am

re: #42 EmmmieG

Putting myself in his shoes, he might not have known who to call. This isn't exactly a 911 call. He probably went to his cousin because he figured his cousin would know. And his cousin did.

Are these folks mandated reporters? My first thought would have been to call the cops.

95 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:14:15am

re: #90 Walter L. Newton

I don't think we have to go that far?

We do.

96 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:14:27am

re: #89 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Can I get a re-do?

There's got to be some way we can blame this on Glenn Beck, right?

/sarc

Is anyone else getting a Glenn Beck ad on the right sidebar?

97 Desert Dog  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:14:33am

ACORN cannot explain away these videos. The damage has been done already. Those two kids delivered a hard right cross, a left upper cut and then a haymaker to the gut...if this was a fight, it'd be a TKO.

But, If this guy was not fooled and did contact the authorities, he should get his job back.

No matter what ACORN does now, they are tainted. The only way to gain any credibility is to open up and become transparent. Circling the wagons and lashing out ain't going to help them any.

98 Creeping Eruption  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:15:05am

re: #89 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Can I get a re-do?

/sarc

Forgetting that little slash can be a Karma killer

99 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:15:06am

re: #94 SanFranciscoZionist

Are these folks mandated reporters? My first thought would have been to call the cops.

No, not being doctors, teachers, or licensed social workers.

100 J.D.  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:15:36am

re: #96 Walter L. Newton

Is anyone else getting a Glenn Beck ad on the right sidebar?

An ad for his book.

101 Honorary Yooper  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:15:37am

Sorry for the OT, but this is too damn funny to read from the Deucers.

Wrath was busy bitching out Rodan for outing people.

102 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:15:41am

re: #96 Walter L. Newton

Is anyone else getting a Glenn Beck ad on the right sidebar?

Charles is amusing himself by taking the money of those pushing Beck's book.

103 Desert Dog  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:15:47am

re: #96 Walter L. Newton

Is anyone else getting a Glenn Beck ad on the right sidebar?

I saw that...oh, the irony. Hope nobody is clicking. I want the Muslima's back.

104 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:16:14am

re: #90 Walter L. Newton

I don't think we have to go that far?

Yes, we do. ACORN was formed as an Alinskyite organization and has consistently pushed policies that expand government and reduce freedom. They are rotten to the core and the sooner ACORN collapses, the better.

105 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:16:18am

BTW, Glenn Beck wants us all to observe Yom Kippur this year, thereby walking in the steps of the founders.

106 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:16:24am

re: #96 Walter L. Newton

Yes, and I'm LOVING it...

107 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:16:33am

re: #101 Honorary Yooper

Sorry for the OT, but this is too damn funny to read from the Deucers.

Wrath was busy bitching out Rodan for outing people.

Wrath is at that blog??

108 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:16:47am

re: #97 Desert Dog

he only way to gain any credibility is to open up and become transparent.


Does such a gov't funded organization exist?

109 Danny  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:16:48am

re: #96 Walter L. Newton

Is anyone else getting a Glenn Beck ad on the right sidebar?

Heh.

110 ExCamelJockey  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:17:02am

1 out of 5! They're right on par with our national high school dropout rate!

111 borgcube  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:17:02am

Did he also ask his cousin if she knew what the going weekend rates are for prostitutes in that area?

112 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:17:03am

re: #106 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Yes, and I'm LOVING it...

Really... and why?

113 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:17:20am

re: #107 Ben Hur

Wrath is at that blog??

Yes.

114 slartybartfast  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:17:49am

I've considered doing a statistical process analysis on Acorn given a sample of 5, i.e., 5 bad out of 5, in a population of "x" number of Acorn offices. Too bad we don't know the real sample size--we've only seen 5 sensational videos. Are there exculpatory videos that we haven't seen?

Still, it appears to have been enough to stop the "production" line at least temporarily...

115 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:18:08am

re: #112 Walter L. Newton

Just a fan of delicious irony, I guess... it'd be like seeing an ad for Salman Rushdie on Khomeni's blog...

116 flyovercountry  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:18:26am

re: #97 Desert Dog

ACORN cannot explain away these videos. The damage has been done already. Those two kids delivered a hard right cross, a left upper cut and then a haymaker to the gut...if this was a fight, it'd be a TKO.

But, If this guy was not fooled and did contact the authorities, he should get his job back.

No matter what ACORN does now, they are tainted. The only way to gain any credibility is to open up and become transparent. Circling the wagons and lashing out ain't going to help them any.

I couldn't agree more. Open up and become transperent, end all of this doubt if you are innocent. One more thing, before anyone says innocent until proven guilty, I would agree except that these guys have been on the public doll for 40 years. As a taxpayer, I deserve transperency in those organizations who get my tax dollars.

117 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:18:27am

re: #108 bosforus

Does such a gov't funded organization exist?

When the state attorney generals get done, and the IRS finishes, we will know more than we ever wanted to know.

118 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:18:28am

re: #105 SanFranciscoZionist

BTW, Glenn Beck wants us all to observe Yom Kippur this year, thereby walking in the steps of the founders.

That makes me cringe, to be honest.

119 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:19:11am

re: #113 Dianna

Yes.

That's unfortunate.

Hopefully he's not full of...wrath.

120 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:19:18am

re: #111 borgcube

Did he also ask his cousin if she knew what the going weekend rates are for prostitutes in that area?

I'm losing track - I thought that was a different tape.

121 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:19:25am

re: #119 Ben Hur

That's unfortunate.

Hopefully he's not full of...wrath.

Though that's what got him banned.

/stopping.

122 flyovercountry  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:20:07am

re: #118 Ben Hur

As a person of the Jewish faith, I would like to know which of the founding fathers of America was also Jewish. Beck is an idiot!

123 J.D.  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:20:22am

I thought Wrath was female.

124 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:20:24am

re: #115 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Just a fan of delicious irony, I guess... it'd be like seeing an ad for Salman Rushdie on Khomeni's blog...

I think you are being a jerk. And now I don't think you really meant to use a sarc tag on your first comment on Glenn Beck.

You don't like Glenn Beck, do you?

125 Desert Dog  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:20:27am

re: #108 bosforus

Does such a gov't funded organization exist?

Only in the dreams of the insane

126 Honorary Yooper  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:20:39am

re: #119 Ben Hur

That's unfortunate.

Hopefully he's not full of...wrath.

Oh, he is, and even crazier than before.

127 CyanSnowHawk  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:20:40am

re: #52 Dark_Falcon

Yes, he was. He said he could help smuggle in child prostitutes because he had connections in Tejajuna.

That's Tijuana.
What really bothers me about this whole thing is that there were so many Acorn employees willing to help. It's nice to see that one of them had second thoughts though, however belatedly. It would be interesting to know how often the video reporters got thrown out of the office when they approached with their wild story.

The best thing that I see coming out of this is the intense scrutiny that Acorn will be subject to now. You're not going to see me shedding any tears over this sting however, especially if the investigations triggered by it turn up truly damning evidence. They are going to have investigators crawling out of orifices they didn't even know they had. Given the national reputation that they have earned themselves over the past few years, I don't see it coming out well for them.

128 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:20:51am

re: #119 Ben Hur

That's unfortunate.

Hopefully he's not full of...wrath.

It made me cry. I can't believe he's associated with some of those people.

129 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:21:08am

re: #122 flyovercountry

Beck is an idiot!

Welcome to the dark side. We have cookies.

130 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:21:27am

re: #118 Ben Hur

That makes me cringe, to be honest.

It makes me want to scream. It's cultural appropriation of the stupidest kind.

131 debutaunt  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:21:28am

re: #80 Dianna

Yes, but we do need to be careful of our prejudices.

Personally, I'm happy to announce mine: ACORN is a disaster, useless and a blot on non-profit world.

A tax-paid disaster.

132 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:22:26am

re: #122 flyovercountry

As a person of the Jewish faith, I would like to know which of the founding fathers of America was also Jewish. Beck is an idiot!

What, you've never heard of Josiah Goldstein of New Jersey?

//

133 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:22:28am

re: #123 J.D.

I thought Wrath was female.

Not important, but Wrath identified as male.

134 bosforus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:22:46am

re: #122 flyovercountry

The thing I never understood about the Glenn Beck show is the stooges that work with him. How they can parrot and go along with nearly everything he says or does is beyond me. It's like their on the air time is dedicated to feeding the middle school mentality of the Beck clique.

135 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:22:54am

re: #128 Dianna

It made me cry. I can't believe he's associated with some of those people.

There are several people over there that "nobody thought" would ever join the vast unhinged. Thing is, it's tough to get to know someone from an online persona. I should know; I dated a mentally loose girl once after we met up on an online message board. (No, not _that_ kind of loose, you perverts.) In the end, she got herself diagnosed with a mental disorder to blame all of her life's problems on me breaking up with her.

136 slartybartfast  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:23:08am

Also, I can't help but wonder...was the "human smuggling" the element that pushed the incident over the line? Meaning, would a simple brothel (allowing us to assume a group of consenting adults) have been okay? Would the San Diego office have helped set it up? Hmmm...

137 J.D.  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:23:41am

re: #133 Dianna

Not important, but Wrath identified as male.

Oh. I didn't know that.

138 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:23:48am

re: #124 Walter L. Newton

Aren't differences of opinion awesome?

139 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:24:47am

re: #138 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Aren't differences of opinion awesome?

When those stating their opinions are not being dishonest, like you.

140 albusteve  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:25:02am

all this infatuation with stalker blogs only fuels the fire, imo...they feast on every post about them here when silence is what they deserve

141 subsailor68  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:25:08am

Morning all! I wish the article had contained a more specific time line. It looks like:

Vera was filmed on August 18th.
Vera contacted "law enforcement" two days later, which would be August 20th.
"The detective (his cousin?) contacted another police official.." When?
The other official (human smuggling) asked for more info. When?
Vera responded several days later. What date was that?
Vera said he'd learned the info he received was not true. How did he learn that?

So, I guess I'm wondering a couple of things:

Was the first tape (e.g. east coast offices) aired prior to Vera's response to the request for more info? Is that how he learned that it was a setup? If not, how did he learn that it was a setup?

Why would Vera have "played along" with the prostitute/pimp to the extent of telling them he had contacts in Tijuana? If he was trying to set them up, why would he wait two days to contact his cousin the cop? And why would it take "several days" more to provide the additional information to the human smuggling officer?

It's either that the story is very poorly written, or that something just doesn't add up.

Think I'll wait for more information.

142 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:25:27am

re: #139 Walter L. Newton

When those stating their opinions are not being dishonest, like you.

I see bandinage, so far, Walter.

143 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:25:44am

re: #140 albusteve

You are right.

Sorry.

144 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:25:59am

re: #138 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Aren't differences of opinion awesome?

I don't know, you never answered my question, so, I don't know your opinion. I'll ask again... Glenn beck is a jerk... yes... no?

145 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:26:19am

re: #130 SanFranciscoZionist

It makes me want to scream. It's cultural appropriation of the stupidest kind.

Somewhere in Europe, there is a blog screaming about the Jewnited States of America and the coming of Halacha...

/

146 slartybartfast  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:26:23am

re: #141 subsailor68

You stated exactly what I was thinking...there's something wrong with the timeline, though it could just be poor reporting.

147 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:26:36am

re: #142 Dianna

I see bandinage, so far, Walter.

? I don't understand.

148 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:26:49am

re: #135 thedopefishlives

There are several people over there that "nobody thought" would ever join the vast unhinged. Thing is, it's tough to get to know someone from an online persona. I should know; I dated a mentally loose girl once after we met up on an online message board. (No, not _that_ kind of loose, you perverts.) In the end, she got herself diagnosed with a mental disorder to blame all of her life's problems on me breaking up with her.

Gotta #?

149 [deleted]  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:26:59am
150 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:27:26am

re: #127 CyanSnowHawk

That's Tijuana.
What really bothers me about this whole thing is that there were so many Acorn employees willing to help. It's nice to see that one of them had second thoughts though, however belatedly. It would be interesting to know how often the video reporters got thrown out of the office when they approached with their wild story.

The best thing that I see coming out of this is the intense scrutiny that Acorn will be subject to now. You're not going to see me shedding any tears over this sting however, especially if the investigations triggered by it turn up truly damning evidence. They are going to have investigators crawling out of orifices they didn't even know they had. Given the national reputation that they have earned themselves over the past few years, I don't see it coming out well for them.

Assuming that there is an actual investigation done. Frankly, I'm not at all sure that that will happen. If the FBI is allowed to conduct its investigation without interference, then the truth will out. If Holder is substantially involved, I'd expect a whitewash.

151 reine.de.tout  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:27:30am

re: #142 Dianna

I see bandinage, so far, Walter.

BADINAGE!
Surely, a typo for you.

152 J.D.  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:27:32am

ACORN Funding Investigations Open Across the Nation

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (R) has cut funding to ACORN amid the widening scandal facing the group. ...


And there are more...

153 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:27:36am

re: #147 Walter L. Newton

? I don't understand.

I think you're a little ahead of the evidence with Sheeple.

154 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:27:58am

re: #149 MikeySDCA

Beyond doubt or peradventure.

I asked Brain-Washed Sheeple, who I believe is a dishonest troll who is trying to fuck with us, and so far, succeeding.

155 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:28:32am

re: #153 Dianna

I think you're a little ahead of the evidence with Sheeple.

I don't.

156 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:28:50am

re: #148 Ben Hur

Gotta #?

Oh, so you're in the sadomasochistic territory, aren't you. ;)

/So totally joking, please don't hurt me

157 CommonCents  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:28:54am

re: #104 Dark_Falcon

Yes, we do. ACORN was formed as an Alinskyite organization and has consistently pushed policies that expand government and reduce freedom. They are rotten to the core and the sooner ACORN collapses, the better.

I'm clicking the + button as fast as I can yet it won't go up anymore!!!
/

158 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:29:02am

re: #154 Walter L. Newton

I asked Brain-Washed Sheeple, who I believe is a dishonest troll who is trying to fuck with us, and so far, succeeding.

Lizard since 2005? A troll?

I think he's just trying to get your goat.

159 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:29:10am

re: #151 reine.de.tout

BADINAGE!
Surely, a typo for you.

Are we sure? Because I was thinking in terms of "bandying", thus "bandinage"?

Or, we have further evidence that I'm slowly losing my mind. I'll go check.

160 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:29:18am

re: #156 thedopefishlives

Oh, so you're in the sadomasochistic territory, aren't you. ;)

/So totally joking, please don't hurt me

I take what I can get, nowadays.

161 [deleted]  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:29:18am
162 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:29:30am

re: #159 Dianna

Are we sure? Because I was thinking in terms of "bandying", thus "bandinage"?

Or, we have further evidence that I'm slowly losing my mind. I'll go check.

It's a real word.

163 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:29:41am

re: #144 Walter L. Newton

I'm a confessed Beck fan. This is nothing new. Search the site enough and you should find proof of the same. As far as him being a "jerk", I don't have enough proof from his life as to comment on his personality. As far as his opinions go (again, differences of opinion are awesome) sure, he can be ham-handed and ill-informed, but he's a TV commentator... it's part of their job description (See: Olbermann, Keith)

164 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:29:53am

re: #161 MikeySDCA

I was just offering my opinion. Sorry if that offends you.

No, I didn't mean that. Sorry.

165 StillAMarine  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:30:45am

re: #130 SanFranciscoZionist

Glenn Beck would not be able to complete his atonement in just one day.
Give him several months. If he took his own advice and fasted until he became too weak to talk it would be even better.

166 [deleted]  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:31:30am
167 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:31:43am

re: #163 Brain-Washed Sheeple

I'm a confessed Beck fan. This is nothing new. Search the site enough and you should find proof of the same. As far as him being a "jerk", I don't have enough proof from his life as to comment on his personality. As far as his opinions go (again, differences of opinion are awesome) sure, he can be ham-handed and ill-informed, but he's a TV commentator... it's part of their job description (See: Olbermann, Keith)

Fair enough. I think Beck is a jerk.

168 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:31:51am

re: #159 Dianna

Are we sure? Because I was thinking in terms of "bandying", thus "bandinage"?

Or, we have further evidence that I'm slowly losing my mind. I'll go check.

Not a typo, but a fixed in memory error.

*sigh*

I hate that!

I apologize for my public display of idiocy.

169 ~Fianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:32:09am

re: #16 Dianna

He'd seen the first of the tapes.

I'm curious, though, why he only "consulted" a relative.

Easier to say hey this is what I know, is that something you can work with. When I talk to someone, do I go to the local cops, or is this something where I should call the feds or immigration.

People who are human traffickers are often really scary people who can be very dangerous. I know there'd be a part of me who would definitely want to call someone, but would be really afraid for my family and I'd want to talk to them, talk to a lawyer to find out what the best, safest and most effective way to report it would be.

170 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:32:28am

re: #163 Brain-Washed Sheeple

So you like watching that guy make a fool of himself and spout conspiracy theories?

171 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:32:37am

re: #168 Dianna

Not a typo, but a fixed in memory error.

*sigh*

I hate that!

I apologize for my public display of idiocy.

It is a word and it does mean what you think...

[Link: www.answers.com...]

172 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:33:12am

re: #158 Ben Hur

Lizard since 2005? A troll?

I think he's just trying to get your goat.

Really?

173 reine.de.tout  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:33:31am

re: #168 Dianna

Not a typo, but a fixed in memory error.

*sigh*

I hate that!

I apologize for my public display of idiocy.

NOT idiocy. Your spelling made some sense in terms of the meaning of the word. And "badinage" is not easy to pronounce, people often hear two "n" sounds when there's only one.

174 CyanSnowHawk  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:33:52am

re: #141 subsailor68

Morning all! I wish the article had contained a more specific time line. It looks like:

Vera was filmed on August 18th.
Vera contacted "law enforcement" two days later, which would be August 20th.
"The detective (his cousin?) contacted another police official.." When?
The other official (human smuggling) asked for more info. When?
Vera responded several days later. What date was that?
Vera said he'd learned the info he received was not true. How did he learn that?

So, I guess I'm wondering a couple of things:

Was the first tape (e.g. east coast offices) aired prior to Vera's response to the request for more info? Is that how he learned that it was a setup? If not, how did he learn that it was a setup?

Why would Vera have "played along" with the prostitute/pimp to the extent of telling them he had contacts in Tijuana? If he was trying to set them up, why would he wait two days to contact his cousin the cop? And why would it take "several days" more to provide the additional information to the human smuggling officer?

It's either that the story is very poorly written, or that something just doesn't add up.

Think I'll wait for more information.

Those sorts of details are usually not reported during an investigation. Some may be released, but police like to keep info pretty tight to avoid tainting investigations in progress.

175 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:34:13am

re: #171 Walter L. Newton

It is a word and it does mean what you think...

[Link: www.answers.com...]

Yes, I know. But I've been spelling it wrong for years, inserting an "n" that didn't belong.

That's why I'm apologizing.

176 reine.de.tout  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:34:13am

re: #168 Dianna

Not a typo, but a fixed in memory error.

*sigh*

I hate that!

I apologize for my public display of idiocy.

And I honestly thought you had just made a typo.

177 debutaunt  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:34:16am

re: #152 J.D.

ACORN Funding Investigations Open Across the Nation


And there are more...

I suspect that ACORN was already paid a great deal prior to being removed from the census.

178 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:34:23am

re: #158 Ben Hur

re: #158 Ben Hur

Lizard since 2005? A troll?

I think he's just trying to get your goat.

Hahaha, Ben nailed it.re: #170 Dark_Falcon

So you like watching that guy make a fool of himself and spout conspiracy theories?

Do people watch NASCAR for something other than the crashes?

179 Flyovercountry  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:34:41am

As an unabashed conservative, I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed in the behavior and words of several of those who share my side of the aisle. Economically, conservatism works, each and every time it has been tried. Recognizing and fighting evil is as clear to me as night and day. I loathe moral equivalence, and recognize it for the destructive force that it is. Then someone like Beck, or Jindal, or Hannity opens their mouth and supports creationism being taught in school, guns being toted to Presidential appearences, Birtherism... Enough already, we need to become a movement of viable ideals and strong core principles again. Even if the GOP gains clout in the 2010 elections, being the lesser of two evils should not be the endgame.

180 Ben Hur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:35:04am

BBL

181 J.D.  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:35:30am

re: #177 debutaunt

I suspect that ACORN was already paid a great deal prior to being removed from the census.

It would be interesting to know the amount.

182 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:35:43am

re: #173 reine.de.tout

NOT idiocy. Your spelling made some sense in terms of the meaning of the word. And "badinage" is not easy to pronounce, people often hear two "n" sounds when there's only one.

It may have made sense, reine, but I pride myself on getting words right. I love the English language, its flexibility, nuance and depth, and if I don't spell things right, I'm causing a communication glitch.

183 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:37:07am

re: #179 Flyovercountry

And this has to do with the subject at hand?

I think you want the next thread up.

184 reine.de.tout  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:37:10am

re: #182 Dianna

It may have made sense, reine, but I pride myself on getting words right. I love the English language, its flexibility, nuance and depth, and if I don't spell things right, I'm causing a communication glitch.

Dianna - give yourself a break!
I have no clue about the rules of punctuation and grammar, and so I will make a LOT of mistakes there.

For some odd reason, spelling (and determining word meaning from context) has ALWAYS come to me easily.

185 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:37:31am

re: #182 Dianna

It may have made sense, reine, but I pride myself on getting words right. I love the English language, its flexibility, nuance and depth, and if I don't spell things right, I'm causing a communication glitch.

Well, things is spelt "things," not "right" :)

186 ~Fianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:37:46am

re: #96 Walter L. Newton

Is anyone else getting a Glenn Beck ad on the right sidebar?

I am.

187 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:38:27am

re: #184 reine.de.tout

Dianna - give yourself a break!
I have no clue about the rules of punctuation and grammar, and so I will make a LOT of mistakes there.

For some odd reason, spelling (and determining word meaning from context) has ALWAYS come to me easily.

You're a pattern-matcher.

You play scrabble well, I think? I'm an indifferent scrabble player.

188 Dianna  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:39:25am

re: #185 Walter L. Newton

Well, things is spelt "things," not "right" :)

Oh, all right!

"Spell words correctly", then!

189 CommonCents  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:39:37am

I'm so excited. We can now get an hours worth of Palestinian's are victims propaganda on CNN every week...

"Premiering this Sunday, a new weekly series will get people talking. Join Christiane Amanpour for provocative analysis and global stories that matter to you."

190 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:39:43am

I'm heading upstairs.

191 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:40:44am

re: #188 Dianna

Oh, all right!

"Spell words correctly", then!

You're adorable when you use exclamation points :)

192 CyanSnowHawk  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:41:24am

re: #150 Dark_Falcon

Assuming that there is an actual investigation done. Frankly, I'm not at all sure that that will happen. If the FBI is allowed to conduct its investigation without interference, then the truth will out. If Holder is substantially involved, I'd expect a whitewash.

I'm not talking about a single investigation by the Fed. Conan the Neutered up in Sacramento has set the CA Attorney General on the task. A number of other states have done likewise. Dirt will be turned up and, as mentioned above, Acorn may very well be done for. They certainly are tainted very publicly now, and given their requirement for public contact, that alone may prove gravely damaging to them. I'd like to fast-forward to the end of this one to see what happens.

193 subsailor68  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:41:42am

re: #174 CyanSnowHawk

Those sorts of details are usually not reported during an investigation. Some may be released, but police like to keep info pretty tight to avoid tainting investigations in progress.

Hi Cyan! I hear ya on that! I can see the police wanting to hold certain things back. OTOH, they did reveal that contact had been made, and it's just the time line (date-wise) that doesn't seem clear. But, then again, could just be poor writing.

194 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:43:03am

Also, to clear up any confusion, I am a troll. I've been a member for 4 years now, all the while portraying myself as something I'm not. Any and all solidly-conservative comments that I've made up to this point have been but a clever ruse, a machination all building up to this moment in this thread.

/sarc

In reality, I'm just a long-time member who is kind of upset that he, as a conservative and (gasp) Christian feels more and more singled out every time he opens up the site. It used to be I could come here and rely on information about what's happening in the Middle East, and now I mostly see critiques of middle America. It's just the evolution of the site, I suppose.

195 Walter L. Newton  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:43:06am

re: #193 subsailor68

Hi Cyan! I hear ya on that! I can see the police wanting to hold certain things back. OTOH, they did reveal that contact had been made, and it's just the time line (date-wise) that doesn't seem clear. But, then again, could just be poor writing.

Or it could be AP just wants to be vague and produce an article that appears to give ACORN some credibility. No, they wouldn't do that, would they?

196 brent  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:43:10am

That article leaves a lot to the imagination (helps that it's only 2 paragraphs long) - who contacted 'the authorities'? All I get is that Vera talked to the cousin; did the cousin do the right thing and contact other detectives, or did Vera independently do that?
If all Vera did was ask the cousin for advice, then that's not really doing the right thing in my book.
If my neighbor asked me in my official capacity to help smuggle teens for sex, I'd be on the phone with the police within the hour. Not my cousin, looking for advice - what kind of advice do you need here? Is it bad if I help set up a whore house and BTW for 14 year old illegal aliens? Is it worse if they don't provide dental? WTF?

197 subsailor68  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:44:16am

re: #195 Walter L. Newton

Or it could be AP just wants to be vague and produce an article that appears to give ACORN some credibility. No, they wouldn't do that, would they?

Hi Walter! No! Our beloved AP wouldn't do that.

Would they?

;-)

198 CyanSnowHawk  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:45:20am

re: #178 Brain-Washed Sheeple

re: #158 Ben Hur

Do people watch NASCAR for something other than the crashes?

Go Fast, Turn Left, doesn't only describe Obama.

199 reine.de.tout  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:47:10am

re: #187 Dianna

You're a pattern-matcher.

You play scrabble well, I think? I'm an indifferent scrabble player.

A "pattern matcher".
Interesting, I will look that up.

vxbush is the Queen of Scrabble.
I do well, unless vxbush is part of the game.

200 Brain-Washed Sheeple  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:49:34am

re: #198 CyanSnowHawk

Should I send the bill for a new monitor and keyboard to you, or your place of employment?

The Diet Coke I spit everywhere I can just write-off...

201 CyanSnowHawk  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 9:58:41am

re: #200 Brain-Washed Sheeple

Should I send the bill for a new monitor and keyboard to you, or your place of employment?

The Diet Coke I spit everywhere I can just write-off...

Diet Coke? I did you a favor.

ASNRs* to order.

*Acute Spontaneous Nasal Reflux. Pronounced Asner, like the actor.

202 lurking faith  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:06:46am

re: #194 Brain-Washed Sheeple

I'm a conservative and a Christian. But I don't feel "singled out" by the thread topics - I feel ashamed of what so many people who call themselves conservatives and Christians are out there doing.

Charles is doing what he's done ever since I started reading LGF: posting about things he thinks are important, that nobody else seems to want to talk about.

203 irish rose  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:16:07am

Good afternoon, lizards.
Looks like the stalkers are now digging for information about my field of expertise, job searches, etc...

204 Univac  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:17:14am

Here is a version that has some slightly different information.
[Link: www.nbcchicago.com...]

winning quote:
At first, ACORN said the staffer misunderstood what the two were saying because of his faulty English. After reviewing the videos, the organization fired Vera.

"No paperwork was filed," Lagstein said in a statement when the videos first surfaced, "but the video reflects unacceptable conduct that contradicts (Carlos Vera's) earlier statements ..."

Vera denied that he was helping further a prostitution scheme. "That's stupid! I'm 39 years (of age)," he said. "What is my benefit to do that? I have my record clean. Over there and here. What is my benefit?"

205 jpd158  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:22:57am

From the linked article:

"Police say he contacted law enforcement two days later. The detective consulted another police official who served on a federal human smuggling task force, who said he needed more details."

Oh great... What a swell guy. It took him TWO DAYS to "contact law enforcement." And what they mean by that is that he spoke to his cousin the detective. The cousin then ran it by someone he knew on an alien smuggling task force.

If I'm going to actually contact authorities about a potential human smuggling operation, I go down to the local police department (or ICE) and file a report. Calling my cousin the detective isn't quite the same thing.

Charles obviously posted this in such a way to indicate that there was some sort of vindication for ACORN, which of course, it is not.

Wasn't this the same guy who started inquiring about how much the putative prostitute charged?

jpd158

206 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:24:58am

re: #205 jpd158

Charles obviously posted this in such a way to indicate that there was some sort of vindication for ACORN...

Bullshit. This is what is known as "news."

207 Stickman  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:30:57am

Should have told them immediately that what they wanted to do was illegal and told them to leave, then called the cops.

208 poteen  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:33:37am

2 days after multiple corrupt and criminal acts he gets a conscience??
Nope. It took 2 days for him to think that maybe, just maybe, helping people who drag young women over the border for prostitution might get him into trouble. Trouble with US immigration authorities (re: his own status) or with the Mexican narcogangs that control the flow of drugs AND people north. (re: his own ass)
Charge 'em. No mitigation.

209 Pythagoras  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:36:47am

re: #206 Charles

Bullshit. This is what is known as "news."

Yes, and a great discussion topic, partly because the article creates more questions than it answers. Inquiring minds want to figure out the time-line -- and are, so far, frustrated.

By the way, as someone who helps people, I have no problem with simply waiting two days before deciding something must be reported. I bite my tongue a lot when people open up to me. However, if those two days include news that could have driven that "change of heart," then he's no hero.

210 charpete67  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:37:05am

I guess I'm wondering why he didn't tell anyone at ACORN...would that have not prevented him from being fired? If the "powers that be" at ACORN were aware of the ruse, then they would have come out right away and defended him. Maybe he did and there's still more to the story, but I think if I wanted to CYA, I would probably go to my employer immediately and let them handle the situation with the local authorities.

211 dwells38  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:37:18am

I wondered after the one video came out with the crazy cackling self-described murderer if this is really quite what it seems. Because it turns out she lied about that. Her ex-husband is alive by all accounts.

I think something is definitely wrong with ACORN but it might say more about their inability to properly manage their people and facilities. By drawing their employees from some of these poor & crime ridden areas and then not properly overseeing them might be the real problem. Not that ACORN as an organization is actively for prositution and human trafficking.

212 flyovercountry  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:40:34am

re: #150 Dark_Falcon

Assuming that there is an actual investigation done. Frankly, I'm not at all sure that that will happen. If the FBI is allowed to conduct its investigation without interference, then the truth will out. If Holder is substantially involved, I'd expect a whitewash.

There is eventually going to be a limit as to how much of this nonsense these guys can get away with. All of the cops I know personally are very professional. Something on this scale, if a whitewash is attempted, I would expect someone would spill the beans. There is a limit as to the amount of egg will fit on even Holder's face, and that of the Administration as well. Remember, Presidents are not all powerful despots, and Obama is right on shcedule to be neutered by the end of October.

213 Rexatosis  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:50:54am

Two days to ask his cousin for advice. Either he is covering his ass or feeling really guilty about not reporting it earlier. The later is a lot better than the former but not exactly an ennobling act in and of itself.

214 dwells38  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:54:43am

The whole organization needs to go through ethics training and put in place a plan to orient new employees ethically and to do regular periodic training. There should be an established procedure that gets triggered when ACORN advisers suspect a client is involved in criminal activity.

There should be an Ethics director position that ensures said program is implemented at each site.

They also need to train their people on professionalism and stop hiring people who are obviously not familiar with the term and why it's important in their job.

They control too much tax money to not have this at a minimum.

215 Right Brain  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:25:54am

Oh, he called his cousin, so thats why there are no records of the call being made to the police department!

Everyone who believes this nonsense raise their hand.

216 Joshua Cohen  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:26:47am

re: #122 flyovercountry

As a person of the Jewish faith, I would like to know which of the founding fathers of America was also Jewish. Beck is an idiot!

Did some believe in Jesus Christ? A son of 2 Jews...working as a Rabbi...where reading the old testament? Obeying the 10 Commandments? Or et least the Noahide Laws?

Fair enough to me...

217 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:34:11am

re: #215 Right Brain

Oh, he called his cousin, so thats why there are no records of the call being made to the police department!

Everyone who believes this nonsense raise their hand.

So you believe that both the police and the federal human smuggling task force are in on the plot?

218 Joshua Cohen  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:36:43am

re: #217 Charles

So you believe that both the police and the federal human smuggling task force are in on the plot?

More that the "But I told my cousin about it" is a cover-up?

219 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:38:15am

re: #218 Joshua Cohen

More that the "But I told my cousin about it" is a cover-up?

His cousin is a police detective. Do you realize the penalties for a policeman who's caught covering up or lying?

220 Joshua Cohen  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:41:04am

re: #219 Charles

His cousin is a police detective. Do you realize the penalties for a policeman who's caught covering up or lying?

Proof it? He could just say - yeah...he talked about it - I was not taking it serious...so I did not report it...
I believed it was one of his made up pub stories...


BTW: There is a new Michael Yon story!

221 Joshua Cohen  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:48:09am

re: #220 Joshua Cohen


BTW: There is a new Michael Yon story!


Well it is "just" the publishing of the entire pdf from Fredrick and Kimberly Kagan about Afghanistan Force Requirements.

222 Flyovercountry  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:51:43am

re: #216 Joshua Cohen

Did some believe in Jesus Christ? A son of 2 Jews...working as a Rabbi...where reading the old testament? Obeying the 10 Commandments? Or et least the Noahide Laws?

Fair enough to me...

While that may be true enough, my point, which you seem to have missed entirely, is that our founding fathers expressly did not observe Yom Kippur, as Beck suggests.

223 In Excess  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:53:13am

#32 Charles

Really. So the police and the federal human smuggling task force are all in on the plot too?

Not ''The Police'', but a policeman - who happens to be his cousin.
Not ''The Federal Human Smuggling Task Force'', but a guy who Vera's cousin 'talked to'.


police official who served on a federal human smuggling task force,

It doesn't appear that the detective is still active on the Task Force but he 'supposedly' provided counsel. No evidence of any action by any of the three.

Vera never filed a report. Neither did his cousin. Neither did the agent at 'FHSTF'.


Vera also propositioned the prostitute.

224 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:55:03am

Wow. So you folks really do think the police and the task force are lying.

Mmmkay.

225 brent  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:57:28am

I'm sorry, but still the story should be that all but one of 15 or 20 ACORN employees took the hooker and pimp (politician) into their confidence and offered them questionable if not illegal advice.

One of the "stingees" from 5+ offices told a cousin that happened to be a cop - two days after the event, not sure if that was an official thing or two relatives at a bar. The detective may or may not have escalated this, but due to the fact that this article was scrawled with a crayon by a 12 year old, it's not possible to be sure.

Bravo, ACORN. You may have as much 5% of your employees that felt uncomfortable with giving advice to a group smuggling underage sex workers. How can I give you more money so you can do my census?

226 centaur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 11:57:57am

The article is vague. Too vague to say one way or another who is lying.

227 [deleted]  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:00:39pm
228 In Excess  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:02:32pm

re: #224 Charles

Again:
Not ''The Police'', but a policeman - who happens to be his cousin.
Not ''The Federal Human Smuggling Task Force'', but a guy who Vera's cousin 'talked to'.

There is no proof that they talked. No reports to reference.

In fact, Vera was so concerned he had to ask 'How much?'.

229 scrubjay  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:05:08pm

Too little, too late. The ACORN workers already took the bait. If they were on the level they would said immediately that they could not give any advice on how to run an illegal alien child prostitution brothel. Nor would their workers have asked how they could get in on the deal or asked "how much'.

230 Joshua Cohen  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:06:17pm

re: #222 Flyovercountry

While that may be true enough, my point, which you seem to have missed entirely, is that our founding fathers expressly did not observe Yom Kippur, as Beck suggests.

Possible...I am not a native speaker.
And even if they observe it - they did it more or less privately...maybe at least because being identified as a Jew often causes problems since centuries...

Most time I am out of town (OK country) I try to blend in with the locals and I try by any possible way not to stand out as a Jew.
Esp. in Europe...

231 Irish Rose  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:07:31pm

I can't believe what I'm reading.
But I probably shouldn't be surprised at what I'm reading.

232 Flyovercountry  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:09:20pm

re: #224 Charles

Wow. So you folks really do think the police and the task force are lying.

Mmmkay.

I want to believe that the report is true, in the best possible way. Reading this account though, I am not certain if the second officer even exists. Did the reporter actually get the quote from that officer, or was the reporter merely repeating what was recounted from the first officer or his cousin? There is not really a lot to go on here. Then, there is the slight problem of the Acorn worker offering to aid in the proposed criminal excercise, (not to mention his attempt to purchase the woman's services.) I suppose it could be argued that he simply had the pressence of mind to do the job of the police. In that case however, I feel confident in believing that His detective cousin would have been called immediately after the two left his pressence. In any case, most peace officers document everything, including wild goose chases. I am sure that the second officer would have a report or notes dated in August for the incident, assuming he exists.

233 efuseakay  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:10:32pm

2 days later? lol Maybe 2 hours would be ok, but 2 days?

234 centaur  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:13:41pm

re: #231 Irish Rose

What, you can't believe a vague, brief report concerning (what many here believe to be) a shady organization is not passing without some degree of scrutiny? (Sorry for the double negative.) For years, that's why I've come to LGF: to find that scrutiny. And I especially like that it's aimed in both directions these days.

235 kittysaidwoof  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:25:57pm

Based on the video and the timeline in the article that I suggest the following might be what happened:

1. Vera met a couple who had an interesting business proposal

2. Vera wanted in on the action

3. The couple left but didn't call back. After two days Vera got concerned. He started thinking and figured that maybe a young white guy in a Chinchilla coat is not a very likely ring leader for a child prostitute smuggling operation like this (where the hell did he think this guy was getting the girls from?) and perhaps he was set up (I'm still amazed any one of them fell for such an obvious disguise, the "prostitute" not able to give her rate immediately should've made even a dumber person realize what was going on).

4. Vera got scared and called his cousin, who happened to be police detective. His cousin contacted proper authorities.

If Vera was a decent person he would have shown these guys the door politely but firmly immediately when hearing about the prostitution scheme. If he was curious and decent he would have done that and called the cops immediately after hearing about the child prostitution plans or perhaps alternatively try to talk them out of it. If he was half decent he would've made the report immediately after the guys left. Waiting 2 days before calling a cousin does not make him even half decent.

236 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:27:02pm

Yeah, so now the news media are in on the cover-up too!

Here's another story. The press release about this came from the police department. So if you want to believe there's a cover-up, you have to believe that the National City police AND the federal task force AND the news media are all in on the conspiracy.

At some point, maybe you should drop it.

Police: ACORN Staffer Reported Smuggling

But police said in a press release that Vera reported the incident to his cousin, a detective with the National City Police Department. Vera worked in ACORN's National City office. The detective contacted a federal task force that deals with human smuggling, and an officer from the task force asked for more details. By then, Vera realized that he had been the victim of a ruse, and relayed that to the officer.

237 kittysaidwoof  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:33:22pm

As a cover up its pretty sloppy. If it were that they would say that he called the police immediately, tried to apprehend the couple or something like that. Waiting for two days with knowledge about a possible attempt at child prostitution smuggling does not make him look any better.

238 eric_odessit  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:33:30pm

So, why did they still fire the guy? Because it looks like he did the right thing here. Or did they fire him because he DID contact the police?
Eric.

239 Flyovercountry  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:37:02pm

re: #238 eric_odessit

So, why did they still fire the guy? Because it looks like he did the right thing here. Or did they fire him because he DID contact the police?
Eric.

They fired him out of abject panic. I don't believe you can use that as the basis for any argument.

240 tradewind  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:45:09pm

Not impressed. There were still at least four other offices that were only too happy to help pimp out the teenagers and defraud the IRS to boot, all in the name of Community Service, and funded by taxpayers.

241 Gretchen  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:50:52pm

Interesting that the MSM chooses to cover this story immediately (without much actual investigation), yet ignored the ACORN tapes as they were aired until it became embarrassing for them to ignore it.

I don't think there will be much investigation by a police department in National City.

I think this is like the recent Hofstra "rape" case. The encounter only felt bad afterwards.

ACORN isn't a good player, there is enough evidence on these tapes to make me believe they are willing to shell out tax money to shady characters. They are despicable because they are busy helping the scum of the earth and interfering in elections; want to pay workers below minimum wage (they sued CA for the right to do this) and support unions until their own workers want to join one.

242 In Excess  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:58:29pm

OK, this is perfect...

Charles, you want to trust the 'word' of a guy who:

1. Went along with the 'operation' for as long as he did.
2. Waited at least two days to 'talk' to his cousin.
3. Asked how much for her services.
4. OFFERED to help smuggle teenage girls into this country for prostitution.
5. Blames much of the problem on his faulty english.

And you want some of us to drop it?

243 In Excess  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 12:59:08pm

BTW,

'Coverup' is an over-reaching term.
All that happened is Vera realized he f'd up and is covering his ass.
All his cousin has to do is say 'Yeah, we talked about it' - end of investigation.

244 scrubjay  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:01:09pm

re: #243 In Excess

There was only the sting and ACORN got stung. They should take President
Clinton's advice and "Put some ice on it".

245 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:02:07pm

re: #242 In Excess

OK, this is perfect...

Charles, you want to trust the 'word' of a guy who:

1. Went along with the 'operation' for as long as he did.
2. Waited at least two days to 'talk' to his cousin.
3. Asked how much for her services.
4. OFFERED to help smuggle teenage girls into this country for prostitution.
5. Blames much of the problem on his faulty english.

And you want some of us to drop it?

No, by all means, go ahead and keep ranting. I was just suggesting that at some point you might want to drop it, since the police have vouched for what the guy said, and a federal task force even got involved.

But really -- go ahead and continue yelling that it's a cover-up.

246 josephus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:02:12pm

Contacting your cousin in law enforcement and calling the police are two different things. Contacting a cousin is not documented and cannot be proven. Isn't it interesting that the defence came out well after the incident. These videos proved a number of things. Acorn is a large organization with a significant degree of corruption (how much is not known but there is enough to begin an investigation)

Obama is afraid to go after them as he seems to think that this type of corruption is acceptable (see interviews on weekend). This is a mistake and will come back to burn him. Why can't he do what he said he would do when he ran for office, which is change the corrupt culture of Washington politics. Unfortunately, he is reluctant to do this as Acorn is squarely in his court. Do the right thing and launch an investigation. NO ONE IS SAYING ALL OF ACORN IS CORRUPT. Lets lift the sheets and see just how corrupt they are. Any resistance to this approach shows that Obama is purely partisan.

247 Charles Johnson  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:04:27pm

re: #246 josephus

Contacting your cousin in law enforcement and calling the police are two different things. Contacting a cousin is not documented and cannot be proven.

The police department issued a press release confirming that they were contacted.

Good freaking grief.

248 Right Brain  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:06:33pm

re: #218 Joshua Cohen

Read carefully and you will see his Cousin Vinny consulted with someone who "served" not "serves" of the Fed task force. Again, a family attempting to cover for their ACORN sleeze relative and inventing a paper trail where none exists.

249 tradewind  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:09:29pm

Reading the report, it sounds as if the ACORN worker called his cousin a couple of days later after some thinking and asked him ' hey Cuz, could I be in trouble for this?'
There was significant lag time, and a passing of the ball down the court. It reads much more like a CYA than an alarm.

250 In Excess  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:14:21pm

I couldn't care less about the politics of Vera, Acorn, Fox, etc.

When a guy who wants in on smuggling teenage prostitutes, then gets busted, then says he talked to a policeman (his cousin) without filing a report - my BS detector goes off the charts.

But really -- keep defending him and continue saying he's misunderstood.

251 Univac  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:14:35pm

There are a couple other stories that use the terms "Police confirm"

This blog [Link: blogs.laweekly.com...]
says that on 17 Sep, the National City Police Issued a statement.

This news story [Link: www.10news.com...] says "National City police confirmed that Vera contacted them, but said there was not enough information about the couple to file a formal report."

If you want an alternate time line, how about this:
1. Vera gets filmed on 18 Aug.
2. On 20 Aug he asks his cousine (a detective) if he wants to make a bunch of money smuggling girls.
3. Cousin says - "that's illegal" and calls the task force.
4. Task force calls Vera to ask for more information.
5. Vera dodges for a couple days, but finally has to speak with task force.
6. Task force hears the story and says you have been duped. Go away!

252 Univac  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:24:01pm

Forgot one part.

In step 3, the cousin keeps Vera out of trouble by saying that he (Vera)reported the situation.

This fits with previous thread comments about families sticking together, and would result in a "Vera reported" comment from the police.

253 kittysaidwoof  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:24:50pm

Well, it seems Vera's cousin is a decent guy, so there's at least one decent guy in this story. Three cheers to National City Police Department!

254 Code Red 21  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:35:02pm

I believe Vera did call the police, they did contact the Fed task force and no, I don't believe there's a cover-up. That being said, I think waiting for two days to report what was a possible child prostitution ring to the authorities says allot about the character of the employees working for ACORN.

255 Salamantis  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:37:17pm

Yes, this is the selfsame Vera who is seen on tape expressing interest in contracting the fake prostitute for her services, and inquiring as to what her fees are.

And there is so far no record at all of any of the other ACORN employees busted on all the other tapes for offering to facilitate the importation and housing of illegal alien minors for the purposes of prostitution contacting any law enforcement authorities whatsoever.

256 Salamantis  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:38:54pm

In other words, does one possibly unrotten apple unspoil a whole barrel?

257 Charpete67  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:42:45pm

re: #255 Salamantis

Yes, this is the selfsame Vera who is seen on tape expressing interest in contracting the fake prostitute for her services, and inquiring as to what her fees are.

And there is so far no record at all of any of the other ACORN employees busted on all the other tapes for offering to facilitate the importation and housing of illegal alien minors for the purposes of prostitution contacting any law enforcement authorities whatsoever.

oh...c'mon...you saw her...wouldn't you be curious as to what she might charge? It's all a big misunderstanding from a good guy just trying to find employment for some young girls from an impoverished nation...

258 Right Brain  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:44:30pm

re: #219 Charles

No donuts for a week?

259 josephus  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:47:24pm

Re 247
Charles - I appreciate the clarification. The truth is what matters. Do we know who formally contacted the police? Was it the cousin or Vera?

260 Mournie  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 1:53:01pm

A relative - how convenient. Too little and much too late.

261 Mattsky  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 3:53:41pm

Did the cousin file a timely police report? If not this is a good as him getting a note from his mother. What are his excuses for what is on the video?

262 yankee  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 4:27:34pm

So one person had a tinge of remorse a couple of days after helping set up a human trafficking ring. Mind you, not enough remorse to actually call the authorities but just enough to think that maybe he should run the story past his cousin who also happens to be a cop. I can't say for certain but my guess is that the cop didn't take two days to think about whether this should be reported. My experience is that cops have a better appreciation for what's right and wrong than ACORN officials do.

263 scarshapedstar  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 5:02:25pm

re: #262 yankee

Not just "one person". One ACORN office called the police immediately...

[Link: mediamatters.org...]

...but for some mysterious reason (OK, not really) this upstanding filmmaker didn't mention it. Hmm. And then, of course, there was the woman who knew they were full of it and told them that she'd murdered her own husband - needless to say, Fox news described the clip as "shocking!"

It's too bad that the truth couldn't get out before the lies hit the presses, huh? Oh well, maybe the 'liberal' media will figure out the next fake outrage before the Grand Old Teabaggers get 10,000 miles out of it... yeah, right.

264 Salamantis  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 5:35:05pm

This is one bell that cannot be unrung.

Nor should it be.

265 Dr. Shalit  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 6:26:02pm

re: #54 Kragar (proud to be kafir)

CBS fails to end Rather suit; Redstone may testify

Kragar -

Wanna bet that the case settles before Sumner Redstone is scheduled to testify? Wanna bet what the "point spread" would be on my conclusion?

-S-

266 axiom  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 6:53:23pm

This is old news.

ACORN at first defended Vera. Then when the full video was released they terminated him.

This was a big story in San Diego. All the local channels covered the early story of defending Vera, but later filed amended reports.

Vera spoke to his brother who is a police officer. What he did not do was immediately notify the police that two people asking questions about human trafficking were in his office that day.

The termination was on solid ground.

267 Wendya  Tue, Sep 22, 2009 10:52:52pm

re: #169 ~Fianna


People who are human traffickers are often really scary people who can be very dangerous. I know there'd be a part of me who would definitely want to call someone, but would be really afraid for my family and I'd want to talk to them, talk to a lawyer to find out what the best, safest and most effective way to report it would be.


After seeing several video clips of the two on the internet, I tend to agree with Jon Stewart. They looked like they were from the cast of Highschool Musical III. Nothing even remotely frightening about those two kids.

268 comrade  Wed, Sep 23, 2009 12:26:27pm

I'm surprised not to have heard this yet on the thread, but Juan so much as tells the "Pimp" (James O'Keefe) on video that he will not be talking with anyone about their situation except with his cousin, who he clearly states is a policeman, and urges them to "Trust Mexican People" about the whole deal. It is NOT as if he did this without first clearing it with the undercover Pimp, so how does this make him (or his cousin) less complicit if he went and did exactly what he stated he would do on camera?

You can find the raw video here:

[Link: biggovernment.com...]

Second Video Link around 3 minutes in, is where he talked about his cousin.


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Create a PageThis is the LGF Pages posting bookmarklet. To use it, drag this button to your browser's bookmark bar, and title it 'LGF Pages' (or whatever you like). Then browse to a site you want to post, select some text on the page to use for a quote, click the bookmarklet, and the Pages posting window will appear with the title, text, and any embedded video or audio files already filled in, ready to go.
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Last updated: 2023-04-04 11:11 am PDT
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A Closer Look at the Eastman State Bar DecisionTaking a few minutes away from work things to read through the Eastman decision. As I'm sure many of you know, Eastman was my law school con law professor. I knew him pretty well because I was also running in ...
KGxvi
6 minutes ago
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