Please raise your hands, everyone who plans on standing up for these punk kids, claiming they are somehow misunderstood or that they are simply being targeted because they are conservative activists…
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20100128/D9DGVRK00.html
No hands?
Gee, might it be that the ACORN scandal went a little too much to someone’s head, leaving him wanting more attention and resulting in thinking he could somehow tap the phone lines of a member of Congress as if it were like taking two newspapers out of the rack instead of one?
Felony stupid.
Comments 12
Not sure they were wiretapping. That has yet to be proved.
I won’t defend these kids, but I will defend the time-honored journalistic art of disguise. (I learned my chops from Fletch)
Felony stupid? I think not. I can only imagine the way this will be politicized. The mouse got the cheese.
I was once a young conservative activist. And, I know the difference between using the political process to one’s advantage and violating its core tenets. I know the difference between pushing the envelope and obstructing the government. I know the difference between the disguise noted by Maassive and tampering with property. “I can only imagine the way this will be politicized” — indeed. They should have thought of that. They didn’t. Felony stupid.
Barry: I’ll totally buy your daughter’s girl scout cookies.
You and Baldwin wrote the book on Conservative Activism. The way this passion play will play out will be interesting. Maybe the mouse got the cheese anyway.
Quote from O’Keefe. The mouse did get the cheese!…
“The government has now confirmed what has always been clear: No one tried to wiretap or bug Senator Landrieu’s office. Nor did we try to cut or shut down her phone lines. Reports to this effect over the past 48 hours are inaccurate and false.
“As an investigative journalist, my goal is to expose corruption and lack of concern for citizens by government and other institutions, as I did last year when our investigations revealed the massive corruption and fraud perpetrated by ACORN. For decades, investigative journalists have used a variety of tactics to try to dig out and reveal the truth.
“I learned from a number of sources that many of Senator Landrieu’s constituents were having trouble getting through to her office to tell her that they didn’t want her taking millions of federal dollars in exchange for her vote on the healthcare bill. When asked about this, Senator Landrieu’s explanation was that, “Our lines have been jammed for weeks.” I decided to investigate why a representative of the people would be out of touch with her constituents for “weeks” because her phones were broken. In investigating this matter, we decided to visit Senator Landrieu’s district office – the people’s office – to ask the staff if their phones were working.
“On reflection, I could have used a different approach to this investigation, particularly given the sensitivities that people understandably have about security in a federal building. The sole intent of our investigation was to determine whether or not Senator Landrieu was purposely trying to avoid constituents who were calling to register their views to her as their Senator. We video taped the entire visit, the government has those tapes, and I’m eager for them to be released because they refute the false claims being repeated by much of the mainstream media.
“It has been amazing to witness the journalistic malpractice committed by many of the organizations covering this story. MSNBC falsely claimed that I violated a non-existent “gag order.” The Associated Press incorrectly reported that I “broke in” to an office which is open to the public. The Washington Post has now had to print corrections in two stories on me. And these are just a few examples of inaccurate and false reporting. The public will judge whether reporters who can’t get their facts straight have the credibility to question my integrity as a journalist.”
I can’t blast O’Keefe and friends for their investigative prowess. The ACORN “job” was classic dirt-sniffing, having a conversation with someone and allowing them to hang themselves. And, I’ve been wrong before. Yet, in this instance, as one of their attorneys stated, “You’re dealing with kids. I don’t think they thought it through that far.” That is my point. Don’t confuse actual legal guilt with “felony stupid.” If they are going to put themselves out there as investigative champions of the right, they should also think about perceptions and consequences.
Though maybe I’m the token “progressive” here, I’d like to say that I think it’s time for MSNBC’s David Shuster to go. He’s a sucky anchor and his liberal outrage just seems forced, like he’s trying to impress Olbermann.
A bit like Wally George was on the other side several years ago? Replace him, but not with Rachel Maddow, please.
As this plays out, I can rejoice that the mouse got the cheese. A typical case of the media getting ahead of a story, and a lot of egg on a lot of faces.
dr g
The mouse really likes the cheese.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/3997730/hannity-exclusive-with-james-okeefe/?playlist_id=87249