Judge Blocks U.S. Ban on Funding for Acorn

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 12-12-09 | NOMAAN MERCHANT

[GOP_Lady]

A federal judge blocked U.S. officials from enforcing a funding ban on Acorn, the beleaguered community organizer.

Congress cut off funding for Acorn -- the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now -- in September after Web sites and TV news outlets played secretly recorded videos in which employees of an affiliated organization offered advice on how to set up brothels and avoid paying taxes.

Acorn sued the federal government in November, arguing Congress had violated the Constitution by singling out the group. It says it has fired employees suspected of wrongdoing.

U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon in New York issued a temporary injunction late Friday. Her ruling is expected to stand until the current restrictions on Acorn expire next Friday as part of a temporary spending bill. A permanent ban, the Defund Acorn Act, has passed the House and is pending in the Senate.

[GOP_Lady]

[17th Miss Regt]

Any permanent ban also needs a section to remove the ban from the purview of the federal courts.

[madprof98]

They ought to just give ALL our tax money to Acorn to provide “services” or something. At some point, the people have to turn against this government, and maybe that would be outrage enough. But then again, maybe not.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Huh.

Now, I ain’t as edemecated as them thar judges, but i thought spending was autorized by dat ting duh constitution to the CONGRESS branch, not the activist judge branch.

Grab some pitchforks, ma.

[Domandred]

In other news the same Judge has issued a restraining order against arresting members of the mob, ruling it unconstitutional to target one group. Mob families have said they have terminated employees suspected of wrong doing.

[Jet Jaguar]

WSJ’s take.

[OldDeckHand]

I hate the media. You'd think that they'd link to the actual decision, rather than just giving a sentence or two about the decision itself. I'd like to read the law upon which this judge based her decision. To me, it doesn't seem that the Constitutional prohibition on bills of attainder applies here - this isn't a tax, or restriction, it's just a matter of not giving them money.

Clearly, the Constitution makes treasury disbursements the sole responsibility of the Legislature and not the Judiciary - I smell a Constitutional crisis - or at least it would be a Constitutional crisis if we had Republicans controlling the Legislature, and not the Dems.

[smokingfrog]

Appointed by W.J.C.

[CitizenUSA]

Actually, the judge is right. In order to remedy the situation, the government should stop subsidizing ALL private organizations.

[Jeff Head]

Let's see, this is an organization that is under voter fruad investigation in 17 states by those states Attorney General's, an organization that has been caught on tape numerous times trying to commit fraud with taxpayers monies for illegal aliens, prostitution rings, etc.

Even to the point where this congress had to vote to cut off funds and this federal judge, in the face of all of that, grants this decrpit, criminal organization an injunction.

There is SO much money here that me thinks someone had best investigate the judge too.

NOW WE KNOW WHAT A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER DOES

THE MAN WHO DESPISES AMERICA

---

AWAKEN O AMERICA, YOUR LIBERTY IS CALLING

[Minn]

This is probably a good thing politically. ACORN's other funding has dried up. They are probably somewhat neutered in the voter fraud operation anyway, given increased scrutiny. And even the MSM will have an interest in where any money goes.

Also, now republicans have a good reason to bring the issue up again and get democrats to pick sides on ACORN. You know where they will eventually be forced by the moonbat left to side. It all fits really well into the entirely undeniable "Dems are corrupt" theme going into an election year.

[Walvoord]

Who does that federal judge think she is? Any funds for Acorn are discresionary and can be changed at any time. Acorn doesn’t have a Constitutional right to funding.

[Saint Reagan]

How does this work exactly? The judiciary can’t order money into existence. In fact the judiciary can’t order the legislature around... they can just overturn their legislation. But this isn’t legislation. I don’t get it. Not that the judiciary doesn’t frequently overstep its bounds, but I don’t see how this could even work from a practical matter.

[17th Miss Regt]

Who does that federal judge think she is?

God Junior. And no one will tell her different.

[GOP_Lady]

Move to cut ACORN funding ruled unconstitutional

"Gershon said in her ruling that ACORN had raised a "fundamental issue of separation of powers.
They have been singled out by Congress for punishment that directly and immediately affects their
ability to continue to obtain federal funding, in the absence of any judicial, or even administrative,
process adjudicating guilt."

[Cicero]

Not only is she a clinton appointee, she was born in, wait for it . . . Chicago.

Here’s two of her past rulings:

Judge Voids Law Certifying Kosher Food
By ROBERT D. MCFADDEN WITH JOSEPH P. FRIED
Federal Judge Nina Gershon strikes down New York’s century-old kosher food laws as violating Constitution’s prohibition on religious involvement by the state; state market inspectors have for decades checked on whether products marked kosher are prepared in accordance with Orthodox requirements
November 3, 1999

RUDOLPH W GIULIANI ORDERED TO RESTORE FUNDS FOR ART MUSEUM
By DAVID BARSTOW
Judge Nina S Gershon rules Mayor Rudolph Giuliani violated First Amendment when he cut city financing and began eviction proceedings against Brooklyn Museum of Art for mounting an exhibit that he deemed offensive and sacrilegious; orders him to restore city’s monthly payments to museum and end campaign to evict it and remove its board of trustees; Giuliani dismisses ruling and vows appeal; museum chairman, Robert S Rubin, calls decision victory for citizens of New York and freedom of expression...

November

[depressed in 06]

I long for the good old days when judges punished corrupt criminal enterprises.

[GOP_Lady]

Thank you, Cicero.

[doc]

A liberal activist piece of sh*t judge can overrule congress. God help us.

Until the major networks start covering what is really going on in this country the liberals will get a pass. The Republican congress needs to start impeachment procedings against Obama. Even if it would be impossible to get him out of office because of the votes it would certainly get blanket media coverage.

[WHBates]

I’m sorry but that is just stupid.