Believe It Or Not: A Democrat Taking On Chicago Corruption

Culture of Corruption, by Michelle Malkin.



This is a rare find indeed. This guy needs to watch his back. "David Hoffman, running for the U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary, is the former federal prosecutor who investigated sleaze as the city's inspector general, until he committed a series of cardinal sins as far as Mayor Richard Daley was concerned.

The sins? He did his job.

"The culture of corruption runs throughout Chicago's history, one hand washing the other," said Hoffman in an interview last week. "It's not about serving the public. But it is all about maintaining and controlling power."

He nailed it, didn't he??

"The presumptive front-runner is Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a well-funded friend of President Barack Obama. But Hoffman perceives weakness there. He's going after Giannoulias' tenure as an official in the Giannoulias family Broadway Bank, and the bank's dealings with convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko.

Rezko is scheduled to testify at former Gov. Dead Meat's corruption trial in June, before the general election. Rezko bounced a series of six-figure checks at Broadway Bank that he made out to casinos. The bank has come under fire for loans to convicted bookies and others. The national Republican Party will focus on these if Giannoulias wins the primary, Hoffman argues.

"If I or you bounced a four-figure check or a five-figure check, as Tony Rezko did, my guess is our banks would say we are not interested in your business," Hoffman said. "I've been saying it, and I'm going to continue to say it. It's fair to scrutinize the record. I'm happy to have my record scrutinized. Everyone should."

Yet many Democrats consider citing their records as a personal attack, particularly in general elections. I wonder why that is??

"Hoffman angered Daley by issuing a scathing critique of the mayor's outrageously costly parking meter deal. Hoffman's investigations of illegal political patronage also embarrassed City Hall.

But what really frosted Daley was when Hoffman wired up a building inspector and later called in his fed colleagues at 219 S. Dearborn. If the feds ever focus on how city occupancy permits are granted to clout-heavy nightclubs, they might find a treasure trove, a never-ending pinata party with subpoenas instead of candy.

Hoffman also investigated that city pension fund deal involving the mayor's nephew, who received almost $70 million in investments, a deal the mayor said he knew nothing about. City Hall refused to honor subpoenas, so Hoffman again turned things over to federal prosecutors.

If you plan on parking in Chicago any time in the next 75 years, remember the parking rates were increased again and will keep going up in the years ahead.

"It was a dubious financial deal," said Hoffman. "Everybody parks on the streets, everybody uses the streets, and there was no public discussion. It makes people feel as if something was imposed upon them from on high."

Like Daley's office?

"I think that's a fair description of what happened."

Mayoral chief of staff Paul Volpe became the fall guy and was dismissed."

Somebody had to take the fall, and it wasn't going to be Hizzoner. Again, David Hoffman is a rarity, because he's a Democrat taking it to Daley and fighting corruption. This makes him a Democrat I actually like, the first one since Zell Miller. (HT Michelle Malkin & Chicago Tribune):

Michelle Malkin: A Democrat takes on Chicago’s culture of corruption. Really.
Chicago Tribune: Former Daley thorn hopes to take tenacity to Senate

Photo Of The Day

To quote Martin Luther King, I have a dream. (HT Paul Gaudiosi):

Rotten ACORNS In Ohio

Obamacorn. HT Hannah Giles.



It seems King Hussein's favorite group of redshirts has gotten themselves into more hot water. From the American Spectator:

" The activist group ACORN, which has long worked with criminals as it preys on the weak and the troubled, is on the verge of yet another public relations catastrophe.

That's because a cross-dressing Ohio male escort whom ACORN registered multiple times to vote was convicted of full-fledged vote fraud in addition to the lesser crime of voter registration fraud. A spokesman for Cleveland prosecutor Bill Mason confirmed yesterday that a local investigation of ACORN remains wide open.

The conviction of Darnell Nash, apparently known by several aliases including Serina "Sexy Slay" Gibbs, is hugely significant for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that ACORN has long maintained that vote fraud, as opposed to the lesser crime of voter registration fraud, essentially never happens.

ACORN's Project Vote affiliate has tried to get rid of the problem of vote fraud by defining it out of existence. Lorraine C. Minnite, a political science professor at Columbia University's Barnard College, argues in an ACORN/Project Vote report called "The Politics of Voter Fraud" that "[t]he claim that voter fraud threatens the integrity of American elections is itself a fraud." Minnite is also a senior fellow at the liberal think tank Demos.

While ACORN has not yet been charged in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, the fact that an individual voter registered by ACORN has been convicted of actually casting a fraudulent ballot appears to be a historic first for the embattled radical advocacy group."

If Darnell Nash wasn't enough, check out the story of Shari Bell:

"ACORN's Ohio chapter had bad luck with prostitutes last year.

An Ohio woman named Shari Bell who was allegedly a crack cocaine user, prostitute, and ACORN worker, was arrested on drug and prostitution charges in October. Bell was arrested by Cincinnati police after she allegedly offered an undercover cop sex for money. Police found a crack pipe in the pocket of her coat.

Meanwhile, the noose continues to tighten around ACORN's tax-subsidized neck."

So once again the prostitution angle rears its head. It's part of their cesspool culture. Lastly, there's ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis playing the crying game at the National Press Club. "Lewis claimed the Republican National Committee "every single day, because we've been inflated as the bogeyman, raises almost $2 million dollars a day every day."

She claimed "this form of modern day ACORN McCarthyism has got to stop. Last week, members of Congress were asked, 'Are you now or have you ever been a member of ACORN?'"

Given what's been seen and heard recently, it's a very appropriate question to ask, wouldn't you say?? (HT American Spectator):

American Spectator: The Nine Voting Lives of ACORN's Darnell Nash

Photo Of The Day

Obama is ACORN. (HT Freerepublic.com):

Quote Of The Day

Resist. (HT AR15.com)



Here's a quote from then Senator Obama back in 2007:

OBAMA: I've been fighting alongside of ACORN on issues you care about my entire career. Even before I was an elected official, when I ran Project Vote in Illinois, Acorn was smack dab in the middle of it, and we appreciate your work.

[Obamacorn. (HT Hannah Giles)]



Obama's first job was with ACORN. He trained people for ACORN. He represented ACORN in court cases. His campaign gave ACORN (Project Vote) $800,000 to stuff the ballot boxes for him. That's why he punted when the corruption question came up.

Quoting Rush Limbaugh, "Obama is ACORN. ACORN is Obama." There's no separating the two. There are also ties between ACORN and the SEIU and the NEA. More on that in future posts. The rotten ACORN scandal should be a millstone around the necks of Obama, the Democrat leadership, and the Matrix (MSM).

Rotten ACORN In The White House

Obamacorn, by Leo Alberti.



During King Hussein's media blitz, ACORN came up. From ABC:

STEPHANOPOULOS: Congress said they should cut off all funding for ACORN. Are you for that?

OBAMA: You know, it's -- frankly it's not really something I've followed closely. I didn't even know that ACORN was getting, uh, uh, a whole lot of federal money.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But the Senate and the House have voted to cut it off.

OBAMA: Yeah, what I know is what I saw on that video was certainly inappropriate, and deserves to be --

STEPHANOPOULOS: So you're not committing to cut off the federal funding?

OBAMA: George, this is not the biggest issue facing the country. It's not something I'm paying a lot of attention to.

That's pure horse manure. Remember: During the campaign Obama gave $800,000 to ACORN to stuff the ballot box for him. You don't invest that much money and not pay close attention. You want a return on your investment. King Hussein can't throw ACORN under the bus because he's in too deep with them.

It's a shame to have to call the President of the United States a liar, but I have to call it like I see it. ACORN is a criminal organization that corrupts everyone and everything it touches. President Obama is no exception. One part of taking back this country is to crush ACORN. (HT Rush Limbaugh, American Thinker, National Review, & Politico):

Rush Limbaugh: Obama Claims ACORN Ignorance
American Thinker: Obama: ACORN? What's That?
National Review: ACORN Scandal Has Deep Roots
Politico: Obama Punts on ACORN Funding

Consequences Of Rotten ACORNS

Obamacorn, by Leo Alberti.



Actions have consequences. The ACORN situation is no exception. One consequence is the Senate's vote to defund ACORN. Now it's the House's turn. By a 345-75 tally, the House voted to cut all federal funding for ACORN. Three no votes of worthy mention were Jesse Jackson Jr., Bobby Rush, and Jan Schakowsky. You can always count on a Chicago Democrat to vote to continue funding corruption and criminal activity.

Here are 11 folks who were gutless:

The present votes:

Hastings (FL)
Watt

And not voting:

Abercrombie
Barrett (SC)
Clarke
Connolly (VA)
Costa
Frank (MA)
McHugh
Nunes

This bears repeating: ACORN is a institution that must be shut down to preserve this country. This vote is a positive step in that direction. (HT Michelle Malkin & Big Government):

Michelle Malkin: Another Pipeline Closed Off: House Cuts ACORN Funding, 345-75
BigGovernment.com: House Votes To Defund ACORN–Final Vote Results For Roll Call
BigGovernment.com: **UPDATED** House Votes to Cut All Funds to ACORN

Rotten ACORNS In San Diego

Obamacorn, by Leo Alberti.



This time the ACORN corruption tour hits San Diego. Besides being helpful to set up the prostitution ring, the ACORN employee brags about his contacts in Tiajuana. If that wasn't enough, he even solicits Hannah for her "services". True redshirt sleeze at its best. This is the group that got Obama to where he is today. The company he keeps. (HT BigGovernment.com):

BigGovernment.com: ACORN Video: Prostitution Scandal in San Diego, CA

Rotten ACORNS In San Bernadino

Obamacorn, by Leo Alberti.



This is like America's Top 40: the hits just keep on coming. This time, the locale is San Bernadino, CA. The ACORN employee brags about her political connections, being in the prostitution game and not get caught, and she bragged about killing her ex-husband. What a sweetheart. She even went so far as to threaten other people to keep the prostitution ring on the down low. These ACORN redshirts are absolute scum.

It's even more important to keep fighting until ACORN is defunded and shut down. Doing so will force King Hussein to make it happen. Remember Alinsky rule #8: Keep the pressure on. Never let up. (HT Big Government):

BigGovernment.com: ACORN Prostitution Scandal: California Here We Come!

Rotten ACORNS In NYC

Obamacorn, by Leo Alberti.



I stand corrected. It went so nice they did it thrice. James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles have more incriminating video, courtesy of an ACORN office in the Big Apple. Again the staff was very helpful, giving advice on how to set up bank accounts and make deposits.

Bottom line, these videos prove that ACORN is consistent with what they do. This is why O'Keefe used Alinsky rule #10: “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign.” (HT Big Government):

BigGovernment.com: ACORN Video: Prostitution Scandal in New York, NY

Rotten ACORNS In DC

Obamacorn, by Leo Alberti.



It went so nice, that it was done twice. James O'Keefe and Hannah Miles have more incriminating video, this time from the Washington, DC office. So much for the "false ACORN line that “[t]his film crew tried to pull this sham at other offices and failed.” Ditto for the "isolated incident" in one office with a couple bad employees excuse. They can whine like Van Jones and cry setup, but that won't fly here. The video catches them red-handed in criminal behavior. Here's part of the transcript:

O'KEEFE: My partner is a -- she's -- she's in a unique line of business, and I don't know if you allow --

ACORN LADY: Unique line of business. What are you saying? If you don't tell us, we can't help you.

O'KEEFE: My girlfriend is a prostitute.

ACORN LADY: Okay.

O'KEEFE: And I don't know if --

ACORN LADY: I kind of figured that.

O'KEEFE: I can be the one, basically put up the house for it, and then she can perform tricks in the house.

Like the Baltimore office, these folks at the DC office were very willing to help them out. Sick, sick puppies, these ACORN redshirts. Reports are out that ACORN employees were fired from both the Baltimore and DC offices because of the video. It's a start, but not nearly enough. Investigations at the state and federal levels need to be conducted. ACORN should not receive one cent of taxpayer money until this is resolved.

Crush ACORN. End the corruption. Shame on every member of congress who affiliated themselves with these criminals, including, and especially President Obama. (HT BigGovernment.com, Fox News, & Rush Limbaugh):

BigGovernment.com: Washington, DC ACORN Video: Child Prostitution Investigation
BigGovernment.com: On Why I Don’t Return Phone Calls from an Intrepid CNN Producer
Fox News: ACORN Fires More Officials for Helping 'Pimp,' 'Prostitute' in Washington Office
Rush Limbaugh: Most Media Ignores ACORN Story

King Hussein Oversteps His Bounds, Again

Over the weekend, King Hussein canned an Inspector General. It's the IG's job to investigate allegations of waste, fraud and abuse within federal agencies. Obama wrote the following in a statement:

"It is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General. That is no longer the case with regard to this Inspector General."

This doesn't go into any specifics, so lets go deeper. According to Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, a strong advocate of inspectors general, Walpin received a call from the White House Counsel's office on Wednesday evening. Walpin was told that he had one hour to either resign or be fired. Senate sources say Walpin asked why he was being fired and, according to one source, "The answer that was given was that it's just time to move on. The president would like to have someone else in that position." Walpin declined to resign.

This is key because the Inspectors General Reform Act requires that the president give Congress 30 days' notice before dismissing an IG. One of the co-sponsors of the Act was then-Sen. Barack Obama. The Act also requires the president to outline the cause for his decision to remove an IG.

Sen. Grassley wrote a letter to Obama stating, "I was troubled to learn that [Wednesday] night your staff reportedly issued an ultimatum to the AmeriCorps Inspector General Gerald Walpin that he had one hour to resign or be terminated," Grassley wrote. "As you know, Inspectors General were created by Congress as a means to combat waste, fraud, and abuse and to be independent watchdogs ensuring that federal agencies were held accountable for their actions. Inspectors General were designed to have a dual role reporting to both the President and Congress so that they would be free from undue political pressure. This independence is the hallmark of all Inspectors General and is essential so they may operate independently, without political pressure or interference from agencies attempting to keep their failings from public scrutiny."

Grassley's recollection of events implies that Obama's brownshirts tried to pressure Walpin out of his job without having to go through the 30-day process. It was only when Walpin refused to resign that the White House then notified Congress of the president's intention to fire Walpin. Kudo's to Walpin for forcing Obama's hand, and make him abide by the law that he co-sponsored.

So why the big rush to run Walpin out of town? Could it be that he accused Sacremento , CA Mayor Kevin Johnson (yes the former Phoenix Suns point guard), a prominent Obama supporter of misusing AmeriCorps grant money? Money that he doesn't have to pay back, despite that it may have been pilfered from taxpayers. If it's indeed the case, we have more corruption, cronyism, coverups, and crucifying of the whistleblower coming directly from the White House. It's the Chicago way. (HT Atlas Shrugs):

Atlas Shrugs: Corruption Eruption: Thug In Chief Fires Americorps Inspector General