ACORN says US funding cut was unconstitutional (lawsuit filed on ACORN’s behalf in Brooklyn)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 11/12/09 | AP

[rhombus]

A well rigged election, being necessary to the security of crooked politicians everywhere, the right of ACORN to your loot, shall not be infringed.

[NormsRevenge]

Government sued for defunding scandal-hit ACORN
Reuters
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091112/pl_nm/us_usa_acorn_1

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The scandal-hit liberal grass-roots group ACORN sued the U.S. government on Thursday, saying it did not have the right to cut off ACORN’s federal funding because the group had not been convicted of a crime.

The U.S. Congress voted in September to cut off federal money to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), after conservative activists secretly filmed employees in several cities giving tax and housing advice to a couple posing as a pimp and a prostitute.

“It’s not the job of Congress to be the judge, jury, and executioner,” said Jules Lobel, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, which brought the case in Brooklyn federal court.

[Drango]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/nyregion/13acorn.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

In an affidavit attached to the lawsuit, Bertha Lewis, the chief executive of Acorn, said she “underestimated” the effect of the resolution. “It gave the green light for others to terminate our funds as well,” she said. “All of our state and local grants were frozen, as were most of our private foundation funds.”

~snort...giggle...LOL

[NormsRevenge]

Actions have consequences, Bertha.

Ya had a helluva ride.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

If they are declaring a “bill of attainder” against them, they are barking up the wrong tree. If Congress can send you money, by default Congress can stop sending you money.

[SirAllen]

ACORN - the gift that keeps on giving.

[Bitsy]

And acorn’s fraud is, er, what? Criminal

[stockpirate]

At least we know that using the 2nd amendment to return liberty isn’t unconstitutional.

[ConservativeMind]

Must have something to do with 0bama’s desire to have “negative rights” in the US Constitution...

[browardchad]

The group's CEO, Bertha Lewis, says she underestimated the impact of the Congressional action. She says state, local and most private funds have been cut off as well.

And all for no reason -- no reason whatsoever (except for encouragement of prostitution and smuggling of underage illegal sex slaves, but hey, doesn't everybody?)

Poor, poor ACORN. The world is so unjust.

[Reagan Man]

Imagine that. ACORN and unconstitutional in the same sentence.

Truth revealed.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

The pot is calling the kettle blackbad

[Hoodat]

It claims the law was unconstitutional because it punitively targeted an individual organization.

I actually hope they win this one since our tax code punitively targets our best wealth creators.

[WayneS]

I know what a Bill of Attainder is. But in what way does the bill which removed ACORN's federal funding fit that definition? What punishment does it impose on them?

The answers: The bill in question does NOT impose punishment on ACORN and is therefore NOT a Bill of Attainder. All the bill did was cut ACORN off from tax-payer money. It is tantamount to a budget amendment.

The bill did not try to dissolve ACORN as an organization. Nothing in it prevents ACORN from continuing to operate, nor does it imprison or fine any of ACORN's employees or officers. It in no way imposes punishment on them.

[Cheerio]

It seems they are implying that ACORN has a constitutional right to federal tax money?

Sounds about right, just like Piglosi and her minions are claiming that federally funded abortions are a right, and if you don't purchase you insurance policy you go to prison.

When does the civil disobedience commence?

[FrankR]

I did a “word search” of the Constitution, and “ACORN” did not appear a single time...case closed.

[Art in Idaho]

Where in the Constitution does it say ACORN has a right to exist?

[WayneS]

To quote Jerry Garcia (out of context): “Bertha don’t you come around here any more...”

[The Comedian]

The Center for Underage Prostitution, Voter Fraud, and Constitutional Law has spoken...

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Unrepentant VN Vet]

If the judge that get this turkey doesn’t throw it right back in their teeth, that’s just one of the many cans of worms that’s going to wind up being opened.

...if the judicial system isn’t totally corrupted now as well. (And don’t even ask my opinion on that.)