The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe

Appleby| 2.1.10 @ 6:28AM

Its A Black Thing. You Wouldnt Understand.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 7:57AM

Michigan is nothing compared to what has and still goes on against blacks in the South.
That's why blacks have no respect for you.

JohnD| 2.1.10 @ 8:08AM

This is a slander against all southerners. It is untrue and idiotic. Some people want to insist its still 1955 in the South. Obviously a Yankee. . .

Deborah D | 2.1.10 @ 8:36AM

Amen, JohnD -- the South is a lot less prejudiced than many northern states. And as far as voter fraud...Chicago has been the leader for some time.

Vinnster| 2.1.10 @ 2:22PM

Obviouly Alan has never been to both places. I travel a lot. The South has faced its past and corrected it. If you want to her the knid of stuff said in the South 50 years ago go to just about any northern city and visit the middle class neighborhoods.

debateright| 2.1.10 @ 6:21PM

Alan doesn't seem to go much of anywhere outside his own warped reality.

Shawn Morris| 2.5.10 @ 3:59PM

What does any of this have to do with the fact that James O'Keefe broke the law? Why should we free a man who clearly broke the law? Isn't that what laws are for?

Vandiver| 2.5.10 @ 4:44PM

What law? And don't try to give me the "law" that the feds say he broke which is sham to begin with. Just state the law and how he broke it and how this does not inhibit his First Amendment rights. Mr BO seems to disregard the Constitution at every turn and this seems to be one of those instances.

amccoy| 2.5.10 @ 10:59PM

He broke the law. It is, and should be a CRIME to tamper with the phone lines. I don't want anyone tampering with my phone lines. Someone comes to my business, lies about being a telephone repair person and tries to tamper with the phones they will be LUCKY if all I do is call the police and have them arrested. This isn't about the first amendment in any way, but if they come pull this stuff at my place it sure will become a second amendment issue.
The Black Panther thugs are criminals, O'Keefe and his buddies are criminals, when you make excuses for criminals because you like the video they made last time you are as bad as the judges that let people off because they came from a broken home. THEY BROKE THE LAW!!!! You may not LIKE that law, but it IS a law. You want to choose which laws to follow and which not then move to Haiti.

Liam| 2.6.10 @ 3:20AM

Prosecute O'Keefe--we're okay with that; but don't dismiss the case against the armed Black Panther thugs who clearly threatened voters trying to cast their vote.

Holder has abused the power of his office and should be punished.

You understand now?

mamaw| 3.1.10 @ 8:29PM

How do you know "he broke the law"? What happened to innocent until proven guilty in a court of law? You are just a useless flack for the libs...spouting the party line. No brain needed. Thank goodness for you.

ZZTOP| 4.30.10 @ 3:49PM

AWWW, sounds like some of you are pisssed off because ACORN has been exposed for what it really is.

Sam Greenfield| 2.11.10 @ 6:40AM

They didn't "enter the office", they broke in illegally. They were dressed as repairmen,and whatever transgressions anyone else committed does not mitigate what O' Keefe and his band of merry preppies did. Stein sounds like a kid,who when accused of a misdoing,mentions other ills that have nothing to do with what he did. O'Keefe broke into a federal office under false pretenses,now he should man up and take his punishment. I wish Stein generated this much passion for men who have been hailed falsely for over a decade. Of course he wouldn't most of them are Black.

wwwexler| 2.11.10 @ 6:12PM

Holder should take his punishment for abuse of power, even if he is black. Right?

Nobama| 2.6.10 @ 3:17AM

O'Keefe was freed days ago, brain trust.

Roy Duncan| 2.7.10 @ 6:25PM

Broke what law Shawn, I was unaware the trial was over. I think I once heard that in America you were presumed innocent until proven guilty. Guilty people fear cameras and tape recorders. Maybe that's why this administration hates O'keefe so.

Michael| 2.9.10 @ 10:41PM

Well articulated. They live in darkness and fear the light because it exposes'em for what they really are. America has bread people who go against the mainstream,rebels who want to govern themselves and take care of their own.

DJ| 2.5.10 @ 8:51PM

Aside from being fundamentally against your complaints of regional prejudice, I'm offended by that implication. We don't do that either, unless you're under the foolish assumption anyone North of that line that people still live under the delusion exists is a raging liberal racist KKK advocate.

Also highly untrue.

JC| 2.6.10 @ 10:07PM

Amen, Vinnster. I grew up just outside DC. It was and still is mostly a black pop (78%+). I lived in Pennsylvania for 7 years ('89-96) and never saw more "redneck" mentalities there as I EVER saw in the so-called "prejudiced South" in the 60- 70s. Southerners took it on the chin and still do, when the so called morally correct Yankees treated blacks as bad or worse than the wort southern slaveowner.
Lets face it... where did the big civil right flare ups really start? Watts, Harlem, Chicago, DC? Hardly Southern. Harrrumph!

citizenw| 2.7.10 @ 12:49PM

What about the continuing (for over 2 centuries now) despotic constitutionalism imposed on the more than half a million ordinary residents of DC? What about their denied votes? Why do they continue to be punished for some alleged incident in 1783?

jim| 2.1.10 @ 7:02PM

i resent your statement about chicago..........we here in new jersey have the most corrupt elections. we have places where democrats steal elections from other democrats, i.e. the newark mayoral election about 7 years ago. a movie was made about it. please, we forgot more about stealing elections then chicago knows.

hammer111| 2.3.10 @ 11:29AM

There are elements in the south that think or wish it WAS still 1955, and there are also elements where, you actally are right that there is more racial harmony. Its an interesting cichototmy that is not simply described in one or two sentences.

This opinion piece though is really stupid. I guess Ben Stein sold his brains along with selling out to FreeCredit Report.com. What a ****.

Liam| 2.3.10 @ 2:50PM

What's really STUPID is you corrupt liberals defending Holder's abuse of power.

But principled intelligence has never been one of you corrupt liberal clowns' qualities.

jdb| 2.5.10 @ 2:24PM

Abuse of power?

1. Recording or conspiring to record conversations of others without their permission is a crime.

2. Tampering with or conspiring to tamper with the phones of federal elected officials is a crime.

Holder is following the law here.

befitz| 2.5.10 @ 3:09PM

hey jdb,
it's 'phone conversations', not just conversations, otherwise Borat would be in prison! Did these folks have any phone tapping equipment with them? Did they tamper with the phone lines? Did they intend to tamper with them? Not from what I've heard(but, of course, I wasn't there). The evidence will be evaluated. If it's come to this, then I'm afraid many more folk will end up wearing orange....

jdb| 2.5.10 @ 3:39PM

Actually no. It's not just phone conversations. Most states (like Maryland and California) cover conversations that don't use phones as well.

Twelve states require consent of all parties, including both MD and CA, both places where Mr. O'Keefe decided to tape conversations undercover and without consent.)

As for Borat, if you really believe all those scenes were taped without consent of all parties, you've no clue how the movie business works. Producers are terrified of lawsuits and employ legions of lawmasters to write their consent forms in the most unassailable language possible. Nice strawman though.Please try again.

As for whether or not they intended to tamper with them, they dressed up as phone repairmen and used that false pretense to gain access to a phone equipment closet. I think that's a reasonable amount of proof to allow the state to press charges. So, apparently, did the judge who issued the arrest warrants.

jdb| 2.5.10 @ 3:41PM

Addendum:

A state-by-state guide on recording laws can be found here — http://www.rcfp.org/taping/states.html

ZerObama| 2.5.10 @ 4:56PM

Correction: Holder is "Selectively" following the law. Fire the bastard for abuse of power.

jdb| 2.5.10 @ 6:02PM

So you have proof that there are groups attempting to spy on US Senators that Holder is not prosecuting? If so, please share.

ZerObama| 2.5.10 @ 9:46PM

I have proof that Holder dismissed the paramilitary style voter intimidation case against the armed Philly Black Panther thugs.

You've got nothing, clown.

bobfromdistrict9| 2.5.10 @ 10:21PM

Please please please provide that evidence. I have seen the video of a black panther outside a polling place, yet not one accusation by anyone there that they threatened anyone.
If you have such evidence, please show it.

A Liberal No More| 2.6.10 @ 3:24AM

Google it, dumbass--it's everywhere. If you choose not to see the obvious, you're just a liberal hack.

Michael| 2.9.10 @ 10:56PM

Liberalism is a mental disorder....not much use arguing with'em. Tolerance is only ok as long as you go alone with what ever crap they are spreadin. If you have a diff idea or maybe a will (God forbid) of your own then you must be anti-intellectual and stupid.

Brian Richard Allen | 2.5.10 @ 6:12PM

That Holder and the rest of the Ozero Gang are narcissistic ignoramuses is a given. What cases like this one remind us of is that there was only one Hitler, only one Himmler, only one Stalin and only one Beria.

And that it was the millions of German and other Easter Europeon and Soviet clerks and police and conscripts and every other kind of mindless functionary ( whose American ilk, least we forget, perpetrated the atrocities at Ruby Ridge and at Waco Texas and perpetrate others, on a smaller scale, very regularly) took the tiny evils that were Hitler and Stalin (and such other heroes of the Left as Castro and Pol Pot and the child-raping/mass-murdering Mao Tze Tung et al) and made them massive.

Lets not kid ourselves the state's functionaries will not defend the state against we, the people, its owners. Only our nation's Christian foundation, the remaining tattered scraps of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights that were built on it (all of them under ceaseless (il)liberal assault -- and those of us willing to defend, with our very lives, our beloved fraternal republic's underpinnings -- stand between us and the tyrannies of totalitarianism so visibly alive and well in the content of what passes for the characters of the ghastly gang gathered around the gormless Sayyid Buraq Hussayn Milhous Ozero!

Brian Richard Allen
Lost Angels - Califobambicated 90028
And the Very far Abroad

jdb| 2.5.10 @ 6:23PM

BRA - You have a very poor understanding of history. In addition, if you think the Left idolizes monsters like Mao, Beria, Hitler, then I have some good bottomland in the Mojave to sell you.

LIBERAL NO MORE| 2.5.10 @ 9:43PM

Leftist Libtard, YOU ARE the mass killers Mao, Stalin, Lenin, Castro and Pol Pot. They are your ideological brothers; you only differ by degree.

If you don't think so I've got some real gnarly swampland to sell you.

chc| 2.6.10 @ 12:31PM

JDB-- Have you ever heard of a personality cult. Let's see, Hitler had one, Stalin, and Mao. Personality cults based on how these leaders were providing for the needs of their peoples in three versions of the workers' paradise.

You can keep that bottomland in the Mojave that you were stupid enough to buy. You won't fix your mistake by trying to sell the same foolish thinking to others.

bobfromdistrict9| 2.5.10 @ 10:23PM

"And that it was the millions of German and other Easter Europeon and Soviet clerks and police and conscripts and every other kind of mindless functionary ( whose American ilk, least we forget, perpetrated the atrocities at Ruby Ridge and at Waco Texas and perpetrate others, on a smaller scale, very regularly) "

Yes, Randy Weaver and David Koresh were clearly Nazi types who committed atrocities. Never forget that.

Liberal No More| 2.6.10 @ 3:29AM

Democrat Nazi, Bill Clinton, was responsible for the slaughter of the helpless adults and children at Waco and then tried to hide behind the ample ass of Janet Reno.

Your Nazi Democrat party at work.

Canoe Lady| 2.5.10 @ 7:20PM

they did not touch the phones!!

bobfromdistrict9| 2.5.10 @ 10:24PM

They did touch at least one, and attempted to obtain access to the main phone system.

Liberal No More| 2.6.10 @ 3:32AM

Liar. Where's your proof?

Just more of the stinking gas that shoots out your liberal ass.

rbm| 2.6.10 @ 9:56AM

Actually, the law in Maryland covers conversations where both parties have reasonable expectation of privacy. Since the converstations O'Keefe had were in a public forum with many witnesses, there is no crime committed for recording the conversation.

JAS| 2.7.10 @ 11:40PM

Of course they weren't conspiring to record conversations without permission. And of course they weren't tampering with any phone lines. That's the propaganda put out by the leftist press to do their best to drive public opinion and cause a de facto trial in the media. The drive-by-media's purpose is the same as it was in the case of the Duke lacrosse players. A case where another reprobate democ-rat prosecuter was involved. Remember the democ-rats, the media, and ACORN all slop at the same commie trough. They see a chance to try to hurt the people who hurt their buddies. O'keefe's only sin is that he is good at exposing commie corruption.

Mykelb| 2.6.10 @ 4:53PM

"There are elements in the south that think or wish it WAS stil 1955..."

Excuse me but those elements reside next door to everyone of us in America. They usually describe themselves with some sort of oxymoronic title like "The Family Policy Institute" or the "American Family Association". They are all part of the Talibangelical movement in this country.

Right...| 2.5.10 @ 3:57PM

Gee, the South is less prejudiced than the North and the rest of the country? Forget about Southern secession, the KKK, etc.

ZerObama | 2.5.10 @ 4:58PM

You democrats created the KKK--Senator Byrd was a KKK Kleagle. Figures.

JAS| 2.7.10 @ 11:50PM

That's right Zer. The dems created the KKK to kill and punish blacks and republicans. Democ-rat Byrd led a dem filibuster of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. William Fullbright (Klinton's mentor) and Al Gore Sr. were both segregationists.

Bill| 9.29.10 @ 12:01PM

Heh. Good one Deb.
Chicago? If we are going to be critical of media coverage of election "irregularities" we should net spot silly accusatioal nonselse such as "It's Chicago"! Lets look at what voter rights organizations have really identified as questionable. I know... lets focus on the facts.
And then lets talk about Florida and Ohio.

fbom| 2.1.10 @ 8:54AM

Not a Yankee (my Dad used the phrase Damn Yankee) but a liberal

Smidge| 2.1.10 @ 11:44AM

Hey FBom,
Love your siggy tag. Awesome. NOT! You adding that you are a "liberal" aka leftist makes your opinion IRRELEVANT!
Alan your no Marxist? OK..sure....uh huh..

Anonymous Bosch| 2.1.10 @ 4:35PM

Thinking- if you can call it that -that a person's political affiliation invalidates their opinion is the hallmark of a small, stupid mind. So is mistaking "your" and "you're."

Let's flip that race-card over: if Mr. O'Keefe had been a Muslim sneaking around in a Federal building looking to see what he could screw around with, Mr. Stein's column would no doubt instead be decrying the decision to try him criminally, and accusing the Democrats of being lax on national security. But of course, Mr. Stein has a history with good, upright criminal Conservatives who attempt these things for political reasons.

Also, by denying objective science and writing and performing propaganda, Mr. Stein's opinion has long since invalidated itself, so none of this matters in the least.

TunaBlue| 2.1.10 @ 5:11PM

A Muslim "sneaking around...to see what he could screw around with" is hugely different than a few kiddie journalist trying to land a story. And it would have nothing to do with race. Please learn the difference between race and religion.

USArtguy| 2.1.10 @ 6:03PM

Nah, in our PC world we are told we have to ignore Muslims "sneaking around" or otherwise because if we don't then we're "profiling" and by golly we can't have that.

John Curtis| 2.1.10 @ 10:28PM

Adjusting the air conditioning while the car is careening off of a cliff.... Often very intelligent people, progressives typically lack a sense of balance. Perhaps O'Keefe overreached legally, perhaps not. But common sense says to place things in context. O'Keefe has revealed Acorn to be a morally corrupt institution, a parasite on taxpayers and pawns in the progressive movement. Meanwhile, this story (largest political one since?) goes unheralded by mainstream media-which is itself a big story. And we have the angle that Americans are dropping Obama's policies that Acorn represents. Yet, Bosch's concern is the potential that O'Keefe is out of bounds. So child-like a point of view.

Berto| 2.3.10 @ 1:19PM

Do you have any proof for this charge, other than the doctored (i.e. edited) videos O'Keefe had the cable news channels show?
Let's face it, conservatives hate ACORN because they register more voters for America's representative democracy.

semitysam| 2.5.10 @ 2:08PM

You may be right. But I still don't see how registering dead people helps the process work properly.

befitz| 2.5.10 @ 3:14PM

Hey Berto,
I hate ACORN because it is a corrupt, malicious, socialistic political TOOL that is subsidized by MY F*#!KING TAX DOLLARS!

JAS| 2.7.10 @ 11:54PM

The problem lies in that they're mostly illegal votes.

scott| 2.5.10 @ 10:43AM

acorn a criminal association ? he went to 3 offices out of 10,ooo.....this guy is a criminal not a reporter. he should spend some time in jail .....its called accountability . i know republicans dont like that word but its the facts. he broke the law .....defending this criminal just shows how whacko the right fringe have become.

K962| 2.5.10 @ 10:57AM

And what was Holders excuse for not trying the Black Panthers? Were they just poll workers with clubs?

Not-so-great Scott| 2.5.10 @ 11:46AM

Huh? 3 out of 10,000? Closer to 5 out of 100. And, according to them, they were 5 out of 5 in the offices they chose.
I too believe they should be prosecuted criminally... the day after you prosecute government leakers for treason.

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:07PM

I too believe they should be prosecuted criminally... the day after you prosecute government leakers for treason.
Agreed. Let's start with Cheney, Rove, Bush, Libby, and the others who revealed the identity of a covert CIA operative for political gain.

wwwexler| 2.6.10 @ 10:01PM

And who was the 'covert' CIA operative sitting on her ass at Langley for 5 years who was frequently trundled out as fat-boy Wilson's trophy wife at DC social gatherings?

That 'covert' CIA operative? Moron.

JAS| 2.8.10 @ 12:01AM

She wasn't covert, didn't come under the special protection of the Secret Agent's Identities Law and besides she was outted by Richard Armitage in the State Dept. Who was against the War. The prosecuter, Patrick Fitzgerald, knew this early on and swore Armitage to secrecy so he could go on a witch hunt. I think Fitzgerald is a Chicago democ-rat. A Chicago Thug like Obumba and his group ACORN.

Brian Richard Allen | 2.5.10 @ 6:20PM

"" Adjusting the air conditioning while the car is careening off of a cliff ...""

If it's a Lefty you're referring to wouldn't, "while the car is careening off a Chappaquiddick bridge," draw a better analogy?

Wayne Farrar| 2.2.10 @ 10:29AM

Anonymous Bosch
"Mr. Stein's opinion has long since invalidated itself, so none of this matters in the least. "

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
You took the time to read Mr. Stein's column. And the readers' comments . And you felt strongly enough to chastise someone who responded favorably to it.

"None of this matters in the least", indeed. Go tell that tale to someone who'll buy it. You make yourself look silly.

mike| 2.2.10 @ 11:56AM

Hey Bosch, your behind the times. There are plenty of Muslims hanging around Federal buildings.....thats where they work.

bobfromdistrict9| 2.5.10 @ 10:27PM

Not all of them. Some are in the military, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some have even died serving this country.

Or does that not matter?

ZerObama| 2.5.10 @ 10:57PM

Settle down, district9--he was talking about jihadists. Or does THATmatter?

Get a grip, sourpuss liberal.

JAS| 2.8.10 @ 12:04AM

Many more have died fighting this country. That's a good thing.

bobfromdistrict9| 2.5.10 @ 10:27PM

Not all of them. Some are in the military, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some have even died serving this country.

Or does that not matter?

Anonymous Hobart| 2.5.10 @ 11:38AM

Huh? Ben S has denied "objective science and writing"?! How, by saying that we should consider that the universe was possibly designed and not random? By saying that those who see cohesion and unification in nature shouldn't be drummed out of the halls of science and academia? That's a lot of bosh, Bosch!
Federal building? See what he could screw around with? Gimmeabreak! They had a specific purpose and goal, not just general snooping. And they must've had permission to be there, or the charges would be "criminal trespass". How heart-warming that the liberal view of Gonzo Journalism has shifted. Or is it that O'Keefe's political affiliation invalidates his work, to paraphrase you?
I guess it's Bedtime for Gonzo...

guera805| 2.5.10 @ 3:30PM

Hellooo... there is no evidence they were attempting to "screw around" with ANYTHING. Nor that they were attempting to record any phone conversations. Simply that they were attempting for verify for themselves the assertion that there was a problem with the phone lines, and that it was not simply an attempt on the part of the Senator, or the Senator's staff to avoid hearing a dissenting opinion regarding the healthcare legislation. Could they have done this differently? Probably. Was it foolish? Probably. Criminal? Probably not.

glenda| 2.5.10 @ 3:35PM

If Stein's opinion is invalidated...why did you read it??

Libertyman13| 2.5.10 @ 10:19AM

Yeah, Smidge, they really broke the mold when they made you! Liberal aka leftist aka marxist. Well done. Your analysis is as thorough as it is accurate.

Liberal No More| 2.5.10 @ 11:00PM

Democrat = Liberal = Socialist = Marxist = Commie.

The same, just a matter of degree.

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:10PM

What dictionary are you using? The Republican dictionary of distortion?

Liberal No More| 2.6.10 @ 10:03PM

No. I'm just telling the truth which liberals like you don't like.

Truth to liberals is like light to vampires--anathema. Look it up, clown.

JAS| 2.8.10 @ 12:08AM

There is no degree anymore. CPUSA (the American communist party) has been endorsing the democ-rats (commiecrats) for a decade now. Likewise they were right with Obumba when he demanded that Honduras allow leftist strongman Zelaya back in.

wwwexler| 2.8.10 @ 5:39AM

Agreed. Just tell it to DanDumbo. He'll crap his pants good.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 11:35AM

No sir, I live out West, and it isn't much better here.
I don't say anything can be done, social progress is (as I'll be writing for decades) is over. I'm no marxist.
Think of what you wrote JohnD, you say things have improved since '55. Then why is the govt.-- and we can all agree on this-- gotten worse?
Every problem we solve causes other problems.
The standard of living has improved but life is more complicated, more lawyered-up.
Try to understand, I am not a political progressive; political progressives are optimistic in the social sense, I am only optimistic as far as economic & technoscience progress goes.
AND, I am not romanticizing blacks, they are no better than whites-- which isn't saying a whole lot, is it?
If you want chirpiness, then JohnD, and all the rest of you, can go to the democratic Social Optimist site. AS is not progressive or optimistic in my understanding of the terms.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 11:43AM

"In case you wonder what the future is for justice and law enforcement and media control in this country, take a look at two cases."

Is this an optimistic opening statement ?
No; because though we progress materially, justice plods at a snail's pace, over generations-- or hundreds, perhaps thousands of years.
I NEVER wrote things are good in the Northeast or out here in the West. Only a little better than in the South and Southwest.

oldfeziwig| 2.1.10 @ 12:53PM

I'm from the Southwest and you, sir, are lying.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 3:37PM

Alan's confused; his crazy liberal parents made him that way. He can't help himself.

I am from the Southwest, too, and you're right; Alan is lying.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:15PM

I spent a winter in Phoenix; the school system there is the worst I've ever seen, it was that way before the current AZ administration, or the administration before the current one.
And you are not going to suggest rightwing state government are less corrupt than others?

What about the way Southern governors initially refuse federal funds, and then later change their positions to accept fed funds?

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:24PM

Regardless, Alan; you're still crazy and you know it.

Put on your big boy pants and admit it.

Bill Mooney| 2.1.10 @ 7:04PM

Alan,
The reason that many "Southern" Governors refused Fed funds, has nothing to do with racism. Actually, some "Northern" Governors had initially as well, it was because of mandates.

Here in Texas, Gov. Perry took some of the Fed "handouts" but not all. It was found out that due to mandates, with some programs, we would have to pay $3-$4 for every dollar we got from the Fed.

It is easy to just through that moniker out there, but doing a little research can actually bring out the truth.

danfromatlanta| 2.2.10 @ 3:58PM

You're damned right I'll tell you "right wing" politicians are less corrupt than liberal pols! What do you think happens when a Republican politician is even accused of wrong-doing? The liberal news media not only investigates the story like an anal exam, but when the facts don't support the allegations, liberal "journalists" (propagandists) make up "facts". What happens when liberal pols are caught red-handed in criminal activities? The same media propagandists cover up, and divert public attention by trashing their accusers! So yes! Republicans are by necessity less corrupt because the liberal news media won't let them get away with anything, and liberals feel free to abuse their powers because they are not held accountable!

Berto| 2.3.10 @ 1:26PM

Who is this liberal media you speak of? Mother Jones magazine?
Or is it your contention that the corporate-media is liberally biased? By corporate-media I mean CNN, Murdoch (Fox, NY Post, etc), NY Times, NBC, and Disney-owned ABC. These are also known as the mainstream media, because 90% of Americans get their news from these outlets.
Perhaps you can explain to me why these corporations are biased towards liberals. Perhaps it's because they believe liberal policies are better for their bottom lines.
I anxiously await your explanation.

Nobama| 2.4.10 @ 2:25PM

Obviously, it's not because liberalism is better for their bottom lines--have you seen the tanking numbers for all of the Lame Stream Media EXCEPT FOX?

I anxiously await your claim to sanity.

Me| 2.5.10 @ 10:39AM

Dimberto, you answered your own questions. The marxist/progressives have infiltrated so much that they ARE establishment. So yeah, they are dumberto enough to believe that they will be on top "when the revolution comes." Apparently, leftards never learn that when the rev comes, those that had the hand in getting it going are among the first to be killed off. They have proven they cannot be trusted so the real rulers wipe them out. Basic history, dimwitto.

JAS| 2.8.10 @ 12:23AM

I doubt that higher taxes is better for their bottom lines. I doubt that higher taxes and increased regulation is better for any corporation, or the millions of people who work for them, or the millions of people who buy their products and services. I think that the way FOX is kicking all the leftwing alphabet neworks asses is proof positive that your premise that 90% of the people get their news from leftwing sources is false. And it's why the democraps and the leftwing networks hate FOX. The leftism of the so-called "mainstream media" is well documented. Read Bernie Goldberg's two books, 'Bias' and 'Arrogance', for further documentation. Goldberg, a lifelong democrap, and 20 year correspondent for cBS, was told if he wrote the first one 'Bias' he would be fired. He wrote it, and they fired him.

Libertyman13| 2.5.10 @ 10:22AM

You honestly think that the sensationalist tripe spewed by our media is liberal? Ha! It's moronic at best, conservative at worst. Remember the lead up to the Iraq war? Look at the lovefest for Scott Brown right now in Massachusetts. Liberal media, what a freaking joke.

You're right though, I remember the 2000-2008 years fondly, not a one Republican acted in any corrupt manner whatsoever.

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:13PM

Concrete examples of your claims, if they exist, would make a better argument.
Got any?

wwwexler| 2.6.10 @ 10:04PM

You first, moron.

texas7| 2.5.10 @ 10:55AM

If the Southwest is in trouble, especially the school systems, maybe the mass of illegal aliens encroaching upon the liberty and tax payments of those in that area should be considered a key element of said troubles. You sound like a very angry person. I thought O was going to bring sunshine and daisies to all of you progressives.

BillP| 2.5.10 @ 2:13PM

And that is "corrupt?" How so sir? It may be inconsistent, or it may be fickle... but corrupt?

Glends| 2.5.10 @ 3:39PM

Ahem, that's liberal Southern politicians who change their positions to the tune of the Louisiana purchase. Of course cornhuskers got shucked too.

JohnD| 2.1.10 @ 11:43AM

Brooks:

Your statement "what has and still goes on against blacks in the South" is slandering Southerners. It is not true as far as the "still goes on" part and Yankee or no, clearly you know nothing about the modern South. I used to hear this tripe in New England when I went to school there, and it just underscores the declarant's ignorance, which they project on Southerners.

And before Yankees throw stones southward the should google "1974 Boston Busing crisis," "1986 Howard beach incident."

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 12:01PM

Sure the New South is better in the material sense.
However the law of intended consequence rules: increased bureaucracy came with the improvement.
Attorneys-- as everywhere else-- are the real winners.
I have to tell YOU that? YOU call me progressive yet YOU are more social-progress oriented?

Get it straight: every problem we solve causes other problems. When you help someone, you harm someone else. It is a zero sum gain deal.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 12:06PM

no, meant UNINTENDED consequences--
what a slip.

Joe | 2.1.10 @ 12:21PM

You said "Get it straight: every problem we solve causes other problems. When you help someone, you harm someone else"

EXACTLY. Which is why liberal idea of redistribution of wealth is so ridiculous. And by the way, since you're not fond of the south, please don't come here and try to change it to suit you, which is what so many try to do.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 12:39PM

"please don't come here and try to change it to suit you, which is "

I'm only fond of the West-- not the Northwest, South, or Southwest.
I wont go and try to change anywhere, because the game of social progress is over.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 12:43PM

"not the Northwest"

Meant to write Northeast. BTW, Joe, what on Earth makes you think I want to change the South, or even go down South at all?

roadmaster| 2.1.10 @ 1:42PM

I find all your statements asinine. In the one million miles I trucked across this country, without a doubt, the nicest people all, colors combined, were Southerners. They are friendly, polite and tolerant of each other like no other locale.
The NE sucks! Never saw so many ignorant, angry people in my life outside of Detroit or Watts. Since my contact was primarily with the lower strata, the first thing I learned was that a smile is contagious. The next was a little common courtesy and respect goes a long way.
I remember delivering to a lumber yard in Queens one time and the mistrusting, hostile reception I received from the black men tasked with unloading my truck. I could have walked away and let them do all the work, but did not. Instead I applied the techniques previously mentioned, and by the time we were done, all of us were laughing and joking like old friends.
The obviously bigoted white owner and his manager remained sour faced and brusque, giving a clue to how working for them wasn't very pleasant.
Purely anecdotal, but I can tell dozens of similar stories from across the country, BUT not the South.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:21PM

"the nicest people all, colors combined, were Southerners. "

I never said Southerners weren't nice, but what does "nice" mean? Every day I meet people with goofy smiles on their faces, baring their teeth, saying "nice" things.
Jimmy Carter was such a "nice", smiling his big smile, saying "nice" things about social justice.

kfletch| 2.1.10 @ 10:02PM

Geez you guys enough already.
I am a Southerner born and breed. Please don't paint us all with the Jimmy Carter brush. We are not all goofy smiles, big teeth and fake sweetness and light.

We may be less quick to presume the correspondent is an idiot but that does not mean we can not recognize the condition.

We may be less quick to judge but we know right away.

BillP| 2.5.10 @ 2:19PM

What's wrong with 'nice?' Would seem to me we could use a whole lot more of these "smiles" and "nice." Helps people get along and, maybe, just maybe, they find out they like each other after all!

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:33PM

"The NE sucks! Never saw so many ignorant, angry people in my life outside"

There's an old truism I heard in N. Carolina where I spent many summers:
"The Yankee will punch you first, then be your friend.
The Southerner will be your friend and then punch you later."
Entirely innacurate statement? perhaps not.

Thorien| 2.1.10 @ 4:53PM

You know what you're talking about, Roadmaster. Alan seems like he has an ax to grind. I never heard the racist statements I hear in the Northeast back in Texas. I think part of it is that so many people in the Northeast are new to the whole melting-pot thing, having just moved here or being first generation Americans. Even though the South has its share of immigrants, the friendly culture makes them feel welcome, so they don't feel they have to be too suspicious, and they pass that on to their kids and to newer immigrants, by paying it forward. I THINK things might be getting better up here, slowly... or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

TunaBlue| 2.1.10 @ 5:30PM

I grew up on the West Coast. I knew little of the South and traveled extensively for business throughout the Midwest and East Coast. I took up studying history several years back, and began concentrating my research on the South, specifically on slavery and racial history of the South. I developed a dislike of all that was Southern, especially some idea of Southern Pride, and the Southern Myth, which goes to the idea of how the South turned their history against the North and made the argument for States' Rights.

The last two years, I changed gears and began researching the Northern participation of slavery, and their history on racial issues, and I was aghast at the results. Any idea that the North didn't contribute in every way to the problem of slavery is mythical and spurious.

I began taking trips to the South to retrace some of the origins of the history I study, and I have come to know a few Confederate Sons, and I can say with confidence that they have a much firmer grip on the reality of their history than do most "learned" historians.

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:15PM

Which is why liberal idea of redistribution of wealth is so ridiculous
Liberals redistribute downward, conservatives redistribute upward.
Why do conservatives vote against their own best interests?

wwwexler| 2.6.10 @ 10:07PM

Because we're not class-warfare Marxist whores like you?

Only an idiot would say wealth is redistributed UPWARD. The wealthy create the jobs, dirtbag, not the poor.

You and Commie Obama have a lot in common.

Sue Baragona| 2.7.10 @ 8:07PM

So , are you saying that continually redistributing wealth upward, it will go into an ever-expanding field? Wealth equals power and control. By moving wealth and power upward into a contolling class, and continually bleeding wealth from all other people, could this not lead to a very small minority in control of a nation? No, I am not a Marxist/socialist/ etc. What I'm wondering is how this simple scenario would play out in the long run. We have seen how Wall Street has damaged our economy, have seen the power of corporations as they disregard our workers for fast profits. I would think that they have seen a fair amount of upward redistribution, with very little jobs being created. I am not for "redistributing" wealth to anyone. However, I think we might start thinking more about wealth becoming concentrated into a powerful and controlling class, who can use it to drive us into a weakened nation squabbling over political views and ditching the values we profess: opportunity and equality.

wwwexler| 2.8.10 @ 12:26AM

Sue, Big Business AND Government are responsible for our economic meltdown. The collusion between liberal social policies facilitated through CRA and the banks caused this mess.

I don't like Big Business or Big Government--they are a menace; especially when they team up like now.

Small business creates 70% of our jobs and they are being screwed right now. I object to their wealth being stolen by the government--and that's what's happening. The poor don't create jobs; you have to have money to do that.

If we destroy small business, we destroy jobs for the American people.

Beware of democrats using 'Class Warfare' to divide the American people and distract us from the Marxist policies Obama is putting into law.

JAS| 2.8.10 @ 1:35AM

DanMingo didn't make any sense in his post. The first part of his post is at odds with the second part. Redistribution of wealth as the marxist sees it is the transfer of the earnings of productive people and redistributing it to unproductive people. Which in practice in short time destroys the system. Marxism destroys incentive and creativity. The stats show that for a long, long time the top wage earners have been footing by far the majority of the tax burden of the country. The top 1% of wage earners pay 39% of the tax burden. The top 5% of wage earners pay 62% of the tax burden. 40% of people pay no federal income tax at all. Yes, the so-called rich are paying way more than their fair share..

Wall Street didn't damage our economy. Wall Street, while not as pure as the wind-driven snow did not act any differently than they always have. They create wealth for the nation. Yes and of course for themeselves too. What primarily sunk our economy was the CRA (the Community Reivestment Act) which got its start with Carter and then reinforced bigtime by Clinton. Who had his HUD Sec Andrew Cuomo and AG Janet Reno put the force of law behind it (ACORN was involved in this too). The CRA forced lending institutions to loan money to people who could not afford to make the payments (subprime lending). To help the banks stomach this, the dems had Fannie Mae and newly created GSA Freddy Mac buy up a great portion of this bad paper. When the Clinton and the dems forced the banks to do this they were accusing them of "discriminatory lending practices." Insinuatiing that the lending industry was racist (have to keep those blacks on the plantation you know). Of course the banks were not racist, they were just being responsible. When it all came apart with the insolvency of Freddie and Fannie (and AIG and Lehman Brothers) the dems turned on a dime and begin calling it "preditory lending." Of course it was they who had caused it. They had also blocked republican attempts in 2001, 2005 and 2006 to reform Freddie and Fannie, who regulators were warning were becoming insolvent. In so doing, republicans and the regulators themselves were called racists by the democ-rats. When Pres Bush tried in 2006 the dems said he was just trying to hurt poor people.

Conservatives know from empirical history that redistribution is counterproductive or worse. That the only way marxism can help people is to punish the achievers. Which are basically the people who take risk, provide capital, create jobs, products and services. Then redistribute that confiscated wealth to the nonachievers. Conservatives/republicans believe that the best way to help raise the economic circumstances of the poor is primarily through education and incentive. That one of the main causes of nonachievement is apathy and lack of confidence, caused by primarily two things, lack of education and generational welfare. The latter, to a great degree, is caused by the democ-rat 'plantation', which they spend alot of resources and energy maintaining for the purpose of having a perpetual voting block. This practice by the dems could accurately be called 'the soft bigotry of low expectations', and has almost destroyed the black family. So while capitalism/free-enterprise economics seeks to raise people from the bottom up, the marxist system seeks to even things out by tearing the top down. The basic problem is that the top (those scoundrels) are the one's who create most of the wealth for the nation (the people), provide the capital for investment and production, factories, etc., create the jobs, the products, many of which we would find it hard to live without, and pay the bulk of the money into the treasury (taxes). The U.S. is the most capitalist country in the world, and the wealthiest, with one of the highest standards of living, for all its classes (and the most benevolent too). Compare that with the marxist countries of the world. Compare the well-being of its citizens, healthcare, food, civil rights, religious liberty, property rights, etc.

wwwexler| 2.8.10 @ 5:34AM

You're right about the CRA, but once the banks got whiff of lots of 'free' money on the tax-payer dime, many of them wasted no time figuring out how to steal it.

Madoff was a liberal who donated millions to Planned Parenthood and a lot of the Hedge Funders are Soros type millionaires/billionaires. I don't like Big Business--they always screw us over when Government offers them money.

Most of them don't give a damn about the people and I've seen them betray us more than once.

I will not defend them. Too big to fail my ass.

wwwexler | 5.28.10 @ 10:11AM

Cunt poser alert.

Those posts above that do not link to my website are not me.

They belong to a chickenshit asshole cunt POSER.

That's what's so great about "free speech" at The Speculum. Cunts are allowed to attribute speech to you even if you didn't say it.

On "real" boards cunts are run off. Not on phony conservative rags like this, though, who are so desperate for readers that they even entertain posers.

Pathetic.

WasabiPeas| 2.1.10 @ 1:48PM

A great comfort to Cory Maye that there is so little prejudice in the south, I'm sure.

Bruce | 2.1.10 @ 2:00PM

Absolutely true, JohnD, and an entirely predictable comment from Bubblehead brooks. I'm (unfortunately) a New Yorker since birth (soon to be remedied), and in my travels of the south visiting friends and collegues I have seen FAR more fraternizing and friendships between blacks and whites in the south than in NY or elsewhere up north.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:28PM

"and in my travels of the south visiting friends and collegues I have seen FAR more fraternizing and friendships between blacks and whites in the south than in NY or elsewhere up north."

Perhaps the people in NY are slightly more sincere, less charming, certainly--yet they don't "suck-up" as much? IMO its better to be forthright and say you hate someone than to suck up to them.
It is called showing your true colors.

"you know your enemy
wont do you no harm
'cause you know where
he's coming from
don't let the smile
and the handshake fool ya
take my advice
I'm only trying to school
smiling faces
show no traces
of the evil that lurks within"

Sir| 2.1.10 @ 4:57PM

That's about as condescending and untrue as anything I've read in any of your posts. Further, it definitely makes an ass of u and me. Brooks, I'd punch you square in the beezer if I could reach from here.

What an absolutely pompous, arrogant, condescending and insulting ass you are.

Stay away from the south. We don't want to smell you.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 5:10PM

I DO like Nashville. I don't have like everyone and everyplace.
(now watch, someone will say "Nashville is the one place I happen not to like in the South...')
Perhaps you have to brown nose people, but when I don't like something I say, "no thankyou!" and walk away quickly. You threaten to punch someone in the 'beezer', BTW?
Maybe YOU are the intolerant one showing HIS true colors.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 5:27PM

Somewhere a rubber room is missing an inmate.

Bill J| 2.5.10 @ 3:50PM

I was born in Middle Tennessee in 1940 and saw racism in my formative years, We moved to Detroit in 1953 and at that time racism wasn't as visible as in Tennessee. That all changed in the 60s when racism became the driving force in the destruction of that once great city. I moved back to Tennessee in 2006 and found that the culture had changed dramatically.Racism does exist, but nowhere near the level in the north. I personally haven't observed any racial divisions here. People seem to have overcome the past here while it still rages in the north, especially in the major cities!

marek| 2.1.10 @ 5:12PM

I spent years doing business in the south- and I don't mean Atlanta- more like little out of the way cities and towns in Al, Ms, SC, TX ,La, NC, GA, VA. I saw more interaction, polite interaction, between blacks and whites down there then I ever saw in Chicago or NY. In fact most southerners actually know black people. Not up north- we live in separate neighborhoods and mostly go to separate schools. Give up the stereotypes of southerners. They don't deserve it.

Johnny Rebel| 2.2.10 @ 2:52AM

Absolutely right. More like 1975.

Phillep Harding| 2.2.10 @ 12:04PM

Alan Brooks is a troll trying to disrupt the discussion by throwing in the "bigot" charge.

Did a good job, too. Look how many responses he has gotten, and how many responses people have to go through to get to any intellegent discussion of the subject of the thread.

Frank| 2.2.10 @ 5:13PM

Thanks JohnD. Grew up in the South; didn't like the crap then; glad it changed and did my part to help. Holder will be brought to task for his decisions: panthers, hiring lawyers who represented terrorists, trial in NYC, underwear bomber and whatever happens between now and the time Oboma is sent home.

Eric Cartman| 2.1.10 @ 9:07AM

Michigan? Who said anything about Michigan? And who wants respect from some illiterate, Detroit, Obama Money Negro (to use Sen. Reid's phrase). And what's going on in Detroit, the nations only garbage dump with a police force? Ole Brooksy here may have some breaking news. Spill the beans, Brooksy. What's up in Motown?

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 12:10PM

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. For blacks things have improved materially, but not governmentally.
Government is a morass for black (among others)families.
If government improved, you wouldn't need AS.

Ivan Yurkenov| 2.1.10 @ 3:30PM

Alan Brooks, you are a victim, you have always been a victim and you will always be a victim; you'll see to that.

You will never accept the fact that the best think that ever happened for you is that two ancestors (presumably) of yours were captured by BLACK men on the continent of Africa and sold him and her to European white men, who transported these two unfortunate creatures to the land that would eventually become the United States of America.

None of your many-times-removed relatives in Africa have it near as good as do you.

Ivan

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:36PM

Ivan, will have to think about your comment-- for a long time.

But thanks. I... guess.

TunaBlue| 2.1.10 @ 5:40PM

Brooks, As long as you have government heroin running through your veins you will belong to Uncle Sam's Plantation. You've traded one plantation for another, but this time you had a choice.

McGehee | 2.1.10 @ 12:54PM

From what I've seen just perusing a couple of threads Alan's commented in, he seems to converse mainly with voices in his head until someone else responds.

I suspect the self-dialogue would be much more entertaining if the rest of us left it to run its course.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 3:41PM

You're right. Alan's liberal extremist parents screwed him up big time. Ignore his babbling--he's harmless.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 5:16PM

"he's harmless."

Oh, good. Tell that to "Sir" (afraid to use his real name) who threaten to punch me in the "beezer" if he could only reach through the laptop.

How Christian of him.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:29PM

Don't whine, Alan; your latent liberalism is rearing its sorry head again.

BillP| 2.5.10 @ 2:28PM

"How Christian of him?" Your are correct in that that is not a 'Christian' attribute, but did "Sir" pronounce himself as such? Anyway, maybe he just feels really insulted. And, don't forget, people 'blogging' on the internet tend to exhibit just a little hyperbole from time to time.

Chuckie| 2.1.10 @ 11:29AM

It used to be true that the south was deeply prejudiced and discriminatory toward black Americans. However as the Democratic party has lost it's stranglehold on the region and Republicans have increased their influence, the ability of racists to have a meaningful effect has decreased to the point of irrelevancy.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 12:16PM

"the ability of racists to have a meaningful effect has decreased to the point of irrelevancy."

But, again, government is worse. I know I don't always use concrete examples, so here is one:
What about the Southern Poverty Law Center?
Does it receive govt. funding?
Does the SPLC promote poverty?
Is the SPLC run by attorneys?
Is the SPLC in actuality for the benefit (like most everything) of countless attorneys?

BillP| 2.5.10 @ 2:31PM

I can't and won't argue with that. They and the Democrat party both, while mouthing a desire to help those unfortunates among us, invariably promote policies which keep people poor and dependent on government.

Fred Lee| 2.1.10 @ 1:06PM

Most of the voter intimidation that goes on in the South these days is done by blacks against whites and other blacks. Justice Dept choses to ignore it for the most part.

Douglas J. De Clue| 2.1.10 @ 2:15PM

That's just a load of crap. Of course the spectator is a good place to dump it.

Marielle L.| 2.1.10 @ 1:52PM

I am a black person... of Haitian decent.... who immigrated from Socialist France..... I not only RESPECT Mr. Stein, I admire him. I'm supposing you believe that libral lie of all in the south being racists. Many WHITE people fought for the rights of blacks. Blacks were not be able to do it alone; The American North couldn't win without Haitian soilders who liberated their own country first. You should really think before you speak; you run the risk of sounding like an idiot.

Bruce | 2.1.10 @ 2:03PM

That's because he IS an idiot, Marielle.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:41PM

"all in the south being racists"

No one says all are. I just prefer not to live in the South.
And I didn't say the South is Hell; perhaps Haiti is a Hellish place-- but not the South.

Ivan Yurkenov| 2.1.10 @ 3:16PM

Alan, Michigan, specifically Detroit, is "what has and still goes on against blacks" by OTHER BLACKS!!! Same with south Chicago, East St. Louis, east Cleveland, north and east Denver, Philadelphia, and every other major city where BLACKS are the power structure. Get it?

Ivan

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:47PM

Ivan,
The South is less wicked than the Midwest??
you are one hell of an optimist, Ivan. Would you consider a career as a futurist? plenty of openings for them these days.

Bill J| 2.5.10 @ 4:36PM

Ivan is right! Detroits' 1st black mayor, Coleman Young, encouraged whites to leave the city saying "Detroit is going to be a black city!" His policies drove whites from the city. Parts of Detroit now looks like a war zone with collapsed and rotting buildings and abandoned homes. To me, this is his legacy! Now I'm sure I'll be called a racist for saying these things but the truth is the truth no matter how much it hurts. My hope is that the new mayor, former NBA player and major businessman, Dave Bing, can bring together the right people and resources of S.E. Michigan to repair the damage incurred by Mayors Young & Kilpatrick.

Citizen K| 2.1.10 @ 3:50PM

Do you mean the expense money that they are paid along with the ride to the polls on election day?

You must not be from the South, or at least from Louisiana.

Arlie| 2.1.10 @ 4:56PM

The same blacks who are being enslaved by the liberal establishment, who have dumbed-down the schools to the extent neither blacks or whites can learn. Liberals have bred the will and ability of blacks to survive on their own. They have used and abused the proud black heritage. Liberals and Republican elites could care less about the plight of blacks.

DG IN GA| 2.1.10 @ 5:42PM

Alan: Obviously you have never traveled to or lived in the South. As a resident of Atlanta, I can assure you that the whole "blacks in the South" thing has died and is gone forever. Except in the minds of the race baiters who use it to raise money. Why don't you come visit the "New South"? You might learn something.

George F| 2.1.10 @ 5:54PM

Only a liberal plant would make such a bigoted statement to try and rile the commentators.

I've lived in the south and the only time any bigoted bad mouthing goes on is when Blacks make lying racist statements against whites.

Whites don't dare say or do anything because of people like you who consider a white person guilty until proven innocent while considering a black person innocent even when proven guilty.

Everette Hamilton| 2.1.10 @ 7:08PM

It's your type of ignorance that is the problem. Two wrongs make a right and you can sleep with your silly smug self.

Tracey| 2.2.10 @ 12:24PM

How blatantly untrue!!!! I am 46 and I have never (and I have lived in the South) seen anyone outside a polling place intimidating African Americans. I have, however, seen African Americans heckling and verbally berating anyone going inside the polling place who they think looks like they might vote conservative. Read here: Anybody that is white!!!

NO, the South is not perfect but quite truthfully we are well aware of our shortcomings since everyone in this country continually shoves our alleged "racism" down our throats. This makes us more aware of potential racism and we avoid it whenever possible!

danfromatlanta| 2.2.10 @ 2:52PM

Oh really? Such as? This is not the Jim Crow South anymore! Institutionalized racism no longer exists! Nothing goes on against black people anymore, so I have a hunch that blacks lack respect for Mr. Stein, and the rest of the non-black US for other reasons. Most likely they don't respect sniveling PC liberals, so easily suckered into self-hatred and hand-wringing guilt! Enough! White people owe you nothing Mr. Brooks! get over it, and start treating others the way you want to be treated yourself!

IamOverit | 2.2.10 @ 3:43PM

Southeners have a "speck' in their eye and Northeners a log, or vice versa. We all need to stop projecting guilt . In the scheme of life it's not really an issue, is it? It's just a silly distraction from what really matters.

griffinrc| 2.5.10 @ 10:18AM

Alan you are an idiot.

Dixie| 2.5.10 @ 10:50AM

Funny, where I'm from there are plenty of black conservatives who would argue that point. Blacks and whites proudly stand shoulder to shoulder against the progressive agenda.

But, of course, this is Texas. :D

W.O. Crane| 2.5.10 @ 1:33PM

Alan you are an Idiot

R Gleaton| 2.5.10 @ 1:39PM

Whine, whine, whine, if it's that bad, just move to wherever it's so great!!!! I wouldn't live where I didn't like it, regardless of the reason.

Kohl| 2.5.10 @ 4:31PM

I really don't give a damn if blacks "have no respect" for me. Your biggest problems in the South and all points beyond is not us 'white folks': The Mexicans and other Central and South Americans will be giving you more grief than Uncle Tom could ever imagine. Asta la vista, Negro!

Norma| 2.5.10 @ 4:38PM

Your comment "blacks have no respect for you" is a racist comment and reminds me of Obama's comment in the professor vs. the Police conflict. There is no hope for people like you. Get over it!

Harley2002| 2.5.10 @ 9:26PM

You are a fool. And probably Black northern and racist. I was in Gulfport Mississippi some time ago. You know MISSISSIPPI and saw many interracial couples hand in hand. And you know what nobody cared or even paid attention. There is 100 times more racism in Michigan then in the South today. And it is not from the whites and it is violent and deadly. I lived there over 30 years and know EXACTLY what racism is. So get off your victim box and get a job.

George F| 2.7.10 @ 10:38AM

Alan Brooks. How can you be so woefully uninformed when you appear to be so well informed on other subjects. I now live in the South and the only injustice I have seen in the 10 years I've been here is Blacks being nasty to whites.

Cynthia in GA| 2.8.10 @ 7:45AM

Alan - get a life. Are you black? Do you live in the South? Do you know who we elect as our local politicians? Ben Stein has more knowledge of the civil rights movement than you will ever have in your tiny thoughtless brain! Like it or not, he is right on this one.

Political Rectum| 2.8.10 @ 8:11PM

You make me sick. Clearly a racist statement and way stupid. No respect? We have paid your bills for how many years now only to get kicked in the teeth. All you people do is complain, this and that it's Never because you are out smoking crack and dope. How about La Ca? So stupid that you burned your own neighborhoods!! Dumb as a stump. The South? You have never been to the south. Get your head out of Obama's tail and learn the truth before it's too late. What? Do you really want a race war with white people? You sure? We are getting tired of this and people like you keep pouring gas on the flames. Best wise up dude.

jstuart| 2.17.10 @ 11:09PM

Go back to the Jungle.

imsteph| 2.1.10 @ 8:45AM

How about it being an American thing.
Check out Holder's record on 1st & 2nd ammendment rights...
Check into Ruby Ridge, Waco Texas, and the Elian Gonzales incidents....
He has NO problem with using lethal force on our own citizens, men, women, & children, or those seeking refuge here....
YET he mirandises illegals, enemy combatants, and wants the tax payer to pay the tab?
Check out his involvement with the infamous in the twelth hour pardons by the Clinton Admin....with Mark Rich, and the Weather Underground convicted terrorist Susan Rosenberg and Linda Evans (NOT the television star!)....
And the Yemeni terrorist that were set free only to commit terrorist acts agianst America YET AGAIN!
Don't get me started on this guy.
He may be black-but he is NOT friend to the black community, the American citizenry, or worthy of being out Attorney General.

Deborah D | 2.1.10 @ 9:30AM

Yes, this AG has turned the term "justice" on its head before and after his appointment. Thanks for all the reminders!

Margie| 2.1.10 @ 1:38PM

It's Liberal false guilt thing. Leftists think they need to turn on their own (Americans) in order to feel better. Remember, it is a mental disorder!

Marielle L.| 2.1.10 @ 1:54PM

Yes!! Dr. Savage is soooo right! I believe our President suffers from this disorder as well.

Eric L.| 2.1.10 @ 3:11PM

Amen!! He sure is.

Libertyman13| 2.5.10 @ 10:32AM

*Applause* Dumbest comment here. First of all, and not that I'd expect conservatives to understand a concept like liberty or having limitations on government police power, but everyone on US soil gets Mirandized, so don't be daft. And lets not go throwing around the use of deadly force. You've got no leg to stand on there.

This is yet another example of conservative delusional oversimplification. Liberals don't hate America, you geniuses. We want consistency, liberty, and believe that we can continue to get better. And for people who suppsoedly champion personal responsibility, everything that happens to our country is someone else's fault. Perhaps you ought to check yourself first.

Mothermary| 2.5.10 @ 4:05PM

Thank you. I was about to puke from all of the cherry picked cases and slanted pseudo-facts being bandied about. I have to leave this site before I hurl on my computer.

Smitty| 2.5.10 @ 5:04PM

Consistency? Why don't we start with Holder applying the law "FAIRLY?" Don't see much personal responsibility there.

Molly Brown| 2.1.10 @ 3:39PM

You forgot to report that they were housed in St. Benard Parish jail. Why is that important? Because they were arrested in Orleans Parish. Someone did these white boys a favor and didn't bring them to Orleans or Jefferson Parish jail. Believe me, those four are way to pretty for general population. I didn't here you talk about the favoritism that was shown to them by doing that. They broke the law, it was not a prank, and they are criminals.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 3:45PM

Thanks for your wisdom and congeniality, Molly. Feel free to wipe your spittle-soaked computer screen now.

Citizen K| 2.1.10 @ 3:52PM

It all depends on who the Federalies have a contract with to house prisoners and the prison population at each of those other prisons you mentioned. The Federalies have no jail around there that I am aware of.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:51PM

"Believe me, those four are way to pretty for general population."

Good point. There's plenty of sex in those facilities-- just not the sort those dudes would have wanted.

DG in GA| 2.1.10 @ 5:47PM

Molly, from what I've read about what ACTUALLY happened, all they did was dress up as telephone repairmen and go to her office - which is open to the public! They did NOT set up wiretaps on her phones, they merely asked the staff if the phones were working, and they were told yes. Then they tried to CALL her office using their own cellphones, to see if the phones worked. Then one picked up a phone and called his cellphone, to see if the phones worked. I'm surprised they didn't bust out laughing as they did this, considering that the same office staff was telling constituents that the phone system wasn't working. They were arrested before they could do anything illegal, assuming they intended to do that. And they were released within a few hours. So get your facts straight.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:53PM

You are leaving out the salient fact that they attempted to access Landrieu's phones in a restricted area. That's when the security people realized that the "phone company" employees' credentials were phony.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 7:03PM

Snort! What a tool.

You're still going to lose BIG TIME in November.

BillP| 2.5.10 @ 2:42PM

It's likely that the only reason they were trying to "access Landrieu's phones in a restricted area," was to see if there was some kind of a switching system to manually turn the lines off or something.

Libertyman13| 2.5.10 @ 10:37AM

Well, that makes two the times I've ever heard conservatives stand up for an accused criminal (the other was Mr. Series of Tubes, where conservatives forgot all their talk of technicalities and their loathing for due process to applaud the overturning of his conviction).

Every other time, you beg the government to grow, for rights to be trampled, and for the expansion of police and surveillance power at the expense of the individual. Look at Susan Collins' speech the other day, where she said that only US Citizens get the protection of the Constitution. WRONG! It's been settled law, well, for FOREVER that that is not the case. Not even a liberty-hater like Scalia agrees with that statement.

Smitty| 2.5.10 @ 5:08PM

Well, LMan; O'Keefe is innocent until proven guilty so we have every right to defend him. It's 'accused' criminal, right?

And you call yourself Libertyman? For whom, liberals only?

Bill J| 2.5.10 @ 4:57PM

Hey, DG in GA! To paraphrase Slick Willie; "It all depends on what the meaning of 'facts' is!!"

Glenda| 2.5.10 @ 3:49PM

The college boy (son of a Democrat legislator from Kentucky) who hacked into a sitting govenor and vice presidental candidate's private e-mail account actually committed a felon compared to these guys who are charged with conspiring to commit the crime. Be interesting to see how it is proven that this was their intent since no tools to do this crime was found. The boy who was caught in the act with the e-mails still has not been brought to justice.....interesting.

Gini| 2.2.10 @ 12:49AM

It's not a "Black thing" sir. It's a right or wrong thing. Have you watched the polls in Afghanistan? I have...I served there. It's the same dishonesty. You cannot condone any intimidation at any polling system...It deters people's true views. You do a great diservice to yourself, and all other black people if you think this behavior is justified. What if members of the KKK stood outside the polls with clubs, saying that you must vote for John McCain...Would this be O.K? I think not...And indeed it would not. Free speech and freedom of the press have made this country great...Let's not take that away. I love the U.S. (would gladly have died for any of it's citizens in service). Now, I strongly question if we are no better than the third world countries who accept leadership from a dictator born of indiscrestionary, if not illegal empowerment. I want to see this country succeed in the years to come. I feel like I, as a veteran an citizen deserve that much. I don't want to see anyone intimidated or put in a hostile situation at the polls (or any other time for that matter.

Patriot| 2.2.10 @ 4:17AM

Great comment, Gini--and thanks for your service!

bob| 2.2.10 @ 1:42PM

Gini- the KKK would not be intimidating people into voting for John McCain. They were created and used by the Democrats as political muscle.

Nobama| 2.2.10 @ 2:51PM

Big liberal democrat, Senator Robert Byrd, was a Grand Kleagle in the KKK. Of course it would be a democrat.

Case closed.

Gini| 2.2.10 @ 4:41PM

You may be right about that Bob. I don't really know a whole lot about the KKK. It is just a hypothetical question of whether it would illicit the same response that a black hate group received.

Johnny Crosscheck| 2.2.10 @ 10:05PM

Love the 4th grade mentality of two wrongs make a right. "Hey mom, they did it so why can't I do it too." O'Keefe and his bumbling goofs gained entrance to a federal bldg. by fradulently identifying themselves as telephone reps. Hate to break it to you whiners but that is a crime.

Gini| 2.3.10 @ 1:23AM

Johnny Crosscheck, you may see this as illegal, but to be honest...some of us taxpayer, and patriots would like to know where our money is stowed or spent. Would you not like to know where someone is taking your credit card if they stole it. It's really the same thing. O'Keefe did not wire tap the phone lines or compromise security in the way of exposing US intelligence...Yet we gave him less wiggleroom than we gave the under bomber...What's wrong with that? Is it public policiy to treat terrorist better than Americans presumed of a crime, than terrorists proven to have attempted murder upon hundreds?

Steven| 2.7.10 @ 1:07AM

So Gini, you think its ok to break the law when YOU think its oppropriate... I thought conservatives believe in law and order..your comparing him to a terrorist shows that you are trying to use terrorism as a red herring to rationalize why what he did was A-OK.

When anyone breaks the law its a crime. If you like that O'keefe broke the law, get the law changed But if the Panthers broke the law they should be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law.. And so should O'Keefe.

Some progressives DO believe in following the law no matter who breaks it..Just as some conservatives occasionally do also.

Patriot| 2.8.10 @ 12:03AM

Holder should apply the law fairly and he didn't.

Prosecute ANYONE who breaks the law, otherwise you're abusing the power of your office.

Michael| 2.5.10 @ 10:26AM

OF course the panthers should have been prosecuted. It should not take a genius to understand why they were not or why young Mr. O'keefe will be. He broke the law, he deserves what he gets. The panther also broke the law but they have friends in high places so "fugetaboutit."

Don_in_Florida| 2.5.10 @ 11:25AM

This "reporting" is as flawed as O'Keefe's pseudo-journalism on Acorn.

The reported "thugs" at the polling station were covered by every news and/or opinion channel in the US, repeatedly, in-depth, and for an extended period of time.

This reporting is more rhetoric than journalism... start with a false premise, take umbrage, demean the intended person/institution, repeat...

teflon| 2.5.10 @ 12:00PM

Agree 100%.

Judging by the LACK of negative replies, I think it speaks volumes to the intellectual capacity of the commenters.

Smitty| 2.5.10 @ 5:11PM

So? Why did Holder dismiss charges against the armed Black Panthers for their paramilitary style of voter intimidation?

You missed the point completely.

Bill J| 2.5.10 @ 5:33PM

Don_in_Florida: Hooray!! You win the ACORN "Truth in Obsfucation" Award!!

marymary| 2.5.10 @ 12:58PM

I spent 20 years in the US Army. There it was indoctrinated in us that we not see "color"; that we not even make a racial or sexist joke, ever. Soon we learned to love those we worked with and we truly didn't see color anymore. Now, this Commander in Chief ONLY sees color and appoints racists like Holder and defends racists like Prof Gates. Now every time I see Obama's picture, I get a little sick to my stomach. He is engendering more hate in America than any single politician ever. As long as he is in office, I don't feel good about our country anymore.

Roy Duncan| 2.7.10 @ 5:53PM

Interesting appleby, At least try to hide your idiocy a little. If it's a black thing to hate white people and that's ok with you, I guess it's also ok with you for white people to hate black people. Think! man

Lawrence Boccardi| 2.1.10 @ 6:34AM

Are we talking about the incident at the Philadelphia polls? If so, let's clear it up. Regardless of where it took place, it cannot go unaddressed.

Steve| 2.1.10 @ 9:23AM

That was a seperate incident. What a surprise, the administration ignored something that got them elected. Hopefully, they'll continue to view themselves as bullet-proof in November...

Roy Duncan| 2.7.10 @ 5:59PM

Very true, but it will never be addressed in this unamerican administration. Before now Americans could never have imagined such an evil, decietful, detestable government as we have in America today. Ronald Reagan called the ussr the evil empire and he was right, but the evil empire is now in control of the USA, the once white night in shining armor of the world.

kestrel| 2.1.10 @ 6:41AM

Ever notice how it's always the Liberals that are stifling free speech and votors rights? All the while whining about voter disenfranchisement and bemoaning the loss of their point of view due to talk radio and Fox news Control freaks one and all.

Ret. Marine | 2.1.10 @ 6:52AM

Eric "hold whitey high and hang em from the lib-tree" H. should not be coined our AG, he is instead a fellow-hanger-on of croock's-r-us from the O'butt-head's infamous get whitey club.
No double standards here either, this is the way things work out in the sheetcago slums of Jarrett county USS ( united socialist State) of amerika.
Never mind the fact that this American Patriot had the nerve to expose the fraud that is this administrations humble beginings, ACORN, member, trainer, lawyer, money grubin liar in chief wannabe somebody. Yes the dear-leader has been exposed, as of late, to be a well defined lying theif of American Justice. It is now his interpretation of "get whitey justice." I live with knowing this, he too will get his one day, in front of the Lord. That day my friends cannot come son enough for me. In the mean-time, we will continue to see Justice not served, nor will we see any changes to the criminals that constitute this current crop of rot in the Peoples house be held to account by mere mortals. Keep praying, it really does work for justice, maybe a little late for some of us, nevertheless, it does work. Semper Fi.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 10:45AM

You know, the only people I've ever heard actually use the word "whitey" are internet conservatives projecting their own racial hangups onto whatever black politician they happen to be mad at that day.

Jed| 2.1.10 @ 11:26AM

Ever heard of Jesse Jaackson?

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 12:06PM

Oh, yes, Jesse Jackson, the all purpose black man whenever a conservative wants to kvetch about race.

Besides, the only people who use the word "whitey" in 2010 are in fact conservatives trying to put words in the mouths of black people.

SoCon| 2.1.10 @ 4:11PM

We'd never use toxic racist verbiage like, "Light skinned appearance and speaking patterns with no negro dialect," compliments of Dingy Harry.

Or Willy Clinton's tidbit to Teddy Kennedy that "A few years ago, this guy (Obama) would have been getting us coffee," Chris Matthew's priceless gem about forgetting Obama was a black man for an hour, or --my favorite!!--Biden's inane comment about the Bamster, "...the first mainstream African-American who is articulate, bright and clean..."

You liberal fools are the biggest racists in our country. You have to use false charges of racism to control and truncate debate with us because you've got NO argument.

Identity politics are crucial for liberal successes because your ideas stink! Everything you touch, you destroy. Just look at the democrat-controlled inner cities and public school system; you liberals are a disgrace!

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:42PM

Sorry, but no African-American uses the word "whitey", so I guess you'll have to figure out a new way to vent your rage towards them while pretending that its really conservatives who are open minded about race.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 5:34PM

No rage here, Pete; merely pointing out the fact that LIBERALS ARE RACIST. Truth hurts, I know, but you gotta deal with it, loser.

I notice you didn't try to refute SoCon's post--proof that you know it's true. Hahaha!

Roy Duncan| 2.7.10 @ 6:16PM

You're right, The so-called liberals (progressives) are the most prejudice people I know. They stole the word liberal from "liberality" but have now dirtied it so they need another word to deficate on.

J.D.| 2.1.10 @ 6:56PM

No they are now called Crackers and snowflakes.

Donnyvee| 2.1.10 @ 11:20PM

I got called whitey 3 days ago in San Jose, (enlightened) CA. I also seem to recall some sort of town hall a few years ago in New Orleans (yes, that New Orleans) where a somewhat dark skinned negro said to someone "you shut up white boy." For all you negro folks who happen to be darker than Obama, please refer to white as the "W" word from now on. Thank you.

Gini| 2.2.10 @ 1:07AM

You are right. I grew up in South Carolina. I attended a school that was 95% black. I was a minority...believe it or not. I did not get called whitey. I got called cracker. The "N" word, which I never say, refers only to the color of skin. I was referred to as a "Cracker", which infers that...believe it or not this it true...I was a white person who cracked whips on the backs of slaves. I never owned a slave, nor have record of my ancestors doing so, which leads me to believe I was as much a victim of racial tyrany as any black person. I was made fun of, poked fun at, and discriminated through a lot of my adolescent years...only for being pale. It is not just white people in this country who are prejudiced. It is time for more open-mindedness thean that. I am willing to let go of all the pain I felt, and I think I others don't do the same they only hurt themselves. Racial slurs are spit back and forth, but to what end? Do they help either cause? No, they only provoke more hate and pain on a nation that already cannot unite.

Sue Baragona| 2.7.10 @ 8:41PM

From a practical point of view, sounds like you got a good perspective of what it means to be a minority (of any flavor). Had you been black in a predominately white school, you would have seen the same flaws in human nature, I think. Sounds like you are putting this experience to good ends. I hope we can stop viewing our fellow Americans as enemies.

Roy Duncan| 2.7.10 @ 6:04PM

WOW! Let me read that again. The truth sounds so strange. I didn't think anybody still had the balls to stand up and say it anymore. Feels good doesn't it.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:55PM

"only people who use the word "whitey" in 2010 are in fact conservatives trying to put words in the mouths of black people."

Some here are rightwingers who don't conserve anything. They think I'm crazy? then AS is the site to be at.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 4:58PM

... wait, you have to careful:
I don't say AS is a bad site, but plenty of wingnuts here; they say I am one?:

Takes one to know one.

Bill J| 2.5.10 @ 5:49PM

Hey Pete: It's not in 2010, but did you ever hear of Coleman Young?? When he was elected mayor of Detroit, he told 'Whitey' to hit the road!!

mb| 2.1.10 @ 4:49PM

Gee Pete, were you around during the Presidential election because spiritual daddy to the Obama family is very fond of the word 'whitey'. Because you know, Jesus was black and we europeans (whitey) persecuted Jesus, according to his black theology teachings- so if he can use the term from the pulpit to express his screwed up racial hang-ups, (and Obama's) why can't conservatives? -I'm just saying...

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:13PM

Wow...except at no time did the good Rev. Wright actually USE the word "whitey".

Again, more projection here than a movie theater.

mb| 2.1.10 @ 5:36PM

Actually, it is really good theatrics - you can view his rantings on YouTube. Don't forget the popcorn.

Forget the projection crap-he has a great time blaming rich white people for everything... does he really have to say the word "whitey" ?

It doesn't matter what color you are, when you choose to preach divisiveness from a racial point of view, it's called racism - it works both ways.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:50PM

Again. The only time you actually see the word "whitey" used is when (presumably white) conservatives put that word in the mouth of an African-American they have a beef with. Hey, I get it. A lot of Dixiecrats who became Republicans after 1964 still live in fear of the great black retribution. Perhaps if Republicans had spent the last four plus decades building inroads with the black community, instead of weirdly asserting that blacks are too stupid that they can't see why Democrats are evil and satanic etc, that maybe they wouldn't be spending so much time in 2010 wondering if black people hate white people.

mb| 2.1.10 @ 8:11PM

I don't think wondering if black people hate white people is at the top of the conservative priorities - all the conservatives I know have the utmost respect for their black peers, friends, colleagues etc.. in fact color is not an issue, character is.

You keep referring to 'seeing' the word 'whitey' not hearing it.
To follow your line of reasoning....
The only time I see and hear the word "racist" is when the democrats and liberals need something to smear conservatives or anyone else for that matter, who dare to disagree with their policies or decisions or actions. You don't support us ?...then you must be racist.
Maybe this is just another example of projection.

Roy Duncan| 2.7.10 @ 6:10PM

Are you really that blind Pete. I'm sure wright would be happy to add that word if you need help understanding what he was trying to say. Try to concentrate man.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:36PM

How would you know? Did you sit in a pew listening to this racist's vile rants for 20 years like Obama?

Phillep Harding| 2.2.10 @ 12:09PM

Pete, you don't get out much, do you?

Kitty| 2.1.10 @ 7:14AM

Conservatives4Palin ask:
"O'Keefe is Front and Center; What About Kernell?
Contrast him with a man named David Kernell. You may not even know who he is, although you should. Kernell is the son of Tennessee Democratic legislator Mike Kernell, the same son who hacked into the email and stole personal information from a sitting governor and vice presidential nominee."

http://www.conservatives4palin.....about.html
...

Teebob2000| 2.2.10 @ 2:20PM

Yeah, but c'mon -- she was stupid enough to use an easily-guessable password (huge surprise) that some ya-hoo could easily hack it. (I'm thinking, knowing sister Sarah, it took all of 3 or 4 tries.)

Oh, and didn't that little bit of chicanery find she was using a personal, web-based unsecured e-mail account for official government business?? Or was that someone else I'm thinking of? Maybe best not to bring that up in the future, Kitty...

Fail on SO many counts.

Nobama| 2.2.10 @ 2:49PM

You're wrong. Palin has come out smelling like a rose, despite democrats' many poisonous false allegations and attempts to destroy her. She's YOUR worst political nightmare.

Leave it to a corrupt liberal to blame Palin for the illegal actions of a spoiled brat democrat. Nice try.

You want to talk EPIC FAIL? How about the corrupt, incompetent rube you voted in as president?

Now, that's failure personified.

Roy Duncan| 2.7.10 @ 10:17PM

You can say that again! As far as Palin she scares the dems to death. She has more balls than any of them, in fact more than anybody in washington and I mean democrat and republican.

Klabautermann| 2.1.10 @ 7:23AM

"If you give me six sentences written by the most innocent of men I will find something in them with which to hang him." - Armand Jean du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu. It does not matter if O'Keefe is innocent or guilty. We are under a new system.

Douglas J. De Clue| 2.1.10 @ 2:17PM

Poor pitiful Jimmy O'Keefe.. he broke the law. He. Got. Caught. Worse yet, he filmed himself breaking the law. He's not a saint, just another right wing-nut moran (sic) who got caught breaking the law.

Copyleft| 2.5.10 @ 10:37AM

But maybe Ben Stein has hit on a new way to vindicate conservative criminals.

You just award them the title of "undercover journalist," retroactively. That makes it okay!

Smitty| 2.5.10 @ 5:14PM

So how you libtards going to find a way to vindicate the ACORN criminals aiding abetting child sexual slavery trafficking? Huh?

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:38PM

Who else you got in mind, clueless?

Roy Duncan| 2.7.10 @ 10:35PM

Doug. You're someone to talk about a moron. How moronic can you get. An administration so predjudice and descriminating will in time find time to persecute too. Obamas civilian security force will slaughter you in the streets too. You idiots don't even know what that is. Let me give you a hint. KGB, Gestapo, SS. Think man. Obama said we can't depend on the US military to protect us, he says we need a civillian force larger, more powerful and more well funded than the military. Why!!! He can't rely on the US military to slaughter americans in the streets because they oppose him. Obama saw the slaughter of Iranians in Iran because they opposed their dictator. Nobody would ever have known about that except for the internet. Within 2 weeks Obama asked for the power to shutdown the internet at will. Why? What is he planning? Only a moron couldn't figure that out. 2 weeks ago He signed a presidential order to allow INTERPOL. The international police organization to police the streets of America at his invitation. What is he so afraid of in the streets ofAmerica? Hitler was afraid of the streets of Germany for the same reason. All dictators have their civillian security forces for the same reason. Get a clue man. It doesn't matter if you are democrat or republican Obama is neither.

wwwexler| 2.7.10 @ 11:58PM

Good post, Roy. These idiot liberals are so busy spitting out their stupid DNC talking points they don't see the danger ahead.

Clueless morons.

C. Vail| 2.1.10 @ 7:28AM

I believe Lawrence Boccardi is correct in saying that the Black Panther incident happened in Philadelphia.

Alan Brooks| 2.1.10 @ 5:01PM

Oh goody! Now we can blame it on them dang Yankees
in Philodelph-i-aye

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2Anglico| 2.1.10 @ 7:35AM

Checking to see why the phones of a donkey Senator go directly to voicemail? A 5th grader can figure that one out.

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Fivestar Tools was founded as hand and hydraulic tools manufacturer in China. Offer crimping tool,cable cutter,wire stripper and hydraulic tools.

S.L. Toddard| 2.1.10 @ 7:49AM

"Holder is the legal genius who thought of holding the trial for the self-styled master mind of 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, in downtown Manhattan instead of in a military setting"

I find it distinctly odd that "conservatives" constantly disparage Reagan's policy of trying accused terrorists in our court system. The following was the official policy of the Reagan administration with regards to the treatment of accused terrorists:

"Another important measure we have developed in our overall strategy is applying the rule of law to terrorists. Terrorists are criminals. They commit criminal actions like murder, kidnapping, and arson, and countries have laws to punish criminals. So a major element of our strategy has been to delegitimize terrorists, to get society to see them for what they are -- criminals -- and to use democracy’s most potent tool, the rule of law against them."

http://www.disam.dsca.mil/pubs/Vol 10-2/Bremer.pdf

Just curious - does Mr. Stein or anyone else here consider Ronald Reagan a naive terrorist-loving liberal who wanted to grant constitutional protections to The Terrorists?

Indiana Alex| 2.1.10 @ 8:01AM

I think we conservatives can agree that the stakes changed when terrorists attacked American soil.

S.L. Toddard| 2.1.10 @ 8:22AM

Actually, the stakes for Reagan were even higher, because in addition to the terrorist threat Reagan also faced a real-life existential threat in the Soviet Empire, whose nuclear arsenal could literally *end the existence* of the United States. And yet, despite facing a very real existential threat (which we do not currently face) in addition to the terrorist threat, Ronald Reagan A) considered terrorists criminals and pledged to try them in court as such, and B) signed the Convention Against Torture treaty (which is still binding law per Article 6 of the Constitution) under which torture is illegal in the United States, and under which the U.S. "is required... to prosecute torturers who are found in its territory".

Unfortunately, America is running low on men of Reagan's mettle these days - men who are not cowed by terrorists into renouncing the bedrock principles of American justice (i.e. that before a government can cage someone for life they must prove them guilty in a trial).

Reagan must be rolling over in his grave at what "conservatives" have become.

Ryan| 2.1.10 @ 8:40AM

Reagan was wrong.

Terrorists are non-uniformed enemy combatants who engage civilian populations with political intent, and waive any rights to civil due process in their acts. They are, in a sense, a military matter and should be handled as such. Indefinite detention, military tribunal, enhanced interrogation, and other such necessities should be allowed against them.

It's not about "American justice" or due process. It's a military matter and should be handled as such.

This includes any American who does similar acts, such as McVeigh.

S.L. Toddard| 2.1.10 @ 9:27AM

"Terrorists are non-uniformed enemy combatants who engage civilian populations with political intent, and waive any rights to civil due process in their acts."

I'm sorry, but that's factually false. First, not all *suspects* are "non-uniformed enemy combatants who engage civilian populations with political intent" - many are simply innocent. Innocent civilians have (quite obviously) not waived "any rights to civil due process". Secondly, the supreme court has found the tribunals as constituted by the Bush admin unconstitutional, and found that Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions applies to the conflict w/Al Qaeda.

"Conservatives" now trust Big Government so much that they believe it should have the power to cage people indefinitely with no due process, based solely on the word of Big Government. Even worse, "conservatives" believe Big Government should be allowed to cage people for LIFE based on the word of *Barack Obama*.

There was a time when conservatives did not trust government as far as they could throw it. Now they trust and love Big Government so much they would empower it to cage people for life without trial.

Insane.

Ryan| 2.1.10 @ 10:08AM

Admittedly, there are possible innocents, and we have a responsibility to make sure the people we have detained need to be detained. I'm not talking about them.

It doesn't take away from my argument about enemy combatants who are not innocent. The SC was wrong in declaring tribunals unconstitutional.

How do you suggest dealing with them?

S.L. Toddard| 2.1.10 @ 10:15AM

"It doesn't take away from my argument about enemy combatants who are not innocent."

Yes it does. How do we Americans determine whether someone is guilty or not? We hold a fair trial.

"How do you suggest dealing with them?"

I suggest we follow the example of Ronald Reaqan and "delegitimize terrorists, to get society to see them for what they are -- criminals -- and to use democracy’s most potent tool, the rule of law against them."

Ryan| 2.1.10 @ 10:19AM

The civil justice system is not the only methodology that we can use to determine guilt or innocence, particularly on matters of terrorism and national security where methods and information could be brought to light that would hamper our efforts in combating it. How do you address this point?

Also, how do terrorists NOT meet qualifications of non-uniformed enemy combatants? Simply because an ill-informed SC says so?

How is someone who commits - or attempts to commit - either mass murder for a political cause or engage military while wearing civilian clothing - a common criminal?

I'm not just going with some new definition here - such combatants have been disallowed under standard rules of war for YEARS, and were actually formerly considered for summary execution.

S.L. Toddard| 2.1.10 @ 10:35AM

"The civil justice system is not the only methodology that we can use to determine guilt or innocence, particularly on matters of terrorism and national security where methods and information could be brought to light that would hamper our efforts in combating it. How do you address this point?"

Military courts-martial under the UCMJ are also available, and perhaps should be used for detainees captured on actual battlefields.

"Also, how do terrorists NOT meet qualifications of non-uniformed enemy combatants? Simply because an ill-informed SC says so?"

What the SC found was that alleged "non-uniformed enemy combatants" are also entitled to habeas rights and the protection of Geneva.

"How is someone who commits - or attempts to commit - either mass murder for a political cause or engage military while wearing civilian clothing - a common criminal?"

I wouldn't use the term "common". I do not consider child molesters "common" criminals either. Regardless, attempting to commit "either mass murder for a political cause" is a "crime", rendering the guilty party a "criminal".

"I'm not just going with some new definition here - such combatants have been disallowed under standard rules of war for YEARS, and were actually formerly considered for summary execution."

The nature of the "war on terror" is not remotely "standard". Suspects are routinely captured far from any actual battlefield doing the most mundane tasks (shopping, sitting at home etc), not engaged in any terrorist activities at the time of capture - such people are not in the same category as a spy captured behind the lines during a declared war.

Ryan| 2.1.10 @ 12:02PM

I could live with UCMJ, in keeping it with a military matter.

Again, the SC was wrong. Yes, we should determine guilt or innocence, but allowing terrorists the rights of criminals is wrong. I'm not arguing with you about determining innocence - I'm arguing that the guilty parties should simply not be in the civilian realm as they, in a sense, are not civilians.

The nature of the "war on terror" is simply that we are not at war with a nation-state. We are still dealing with factions and organizations (such as they are) which have political ends and violent methodologies and who do not wear uniforms identifying themselves as soldiers. Simply because they don't hold allegiance to a piece of dirt doesn't make them merely criminals with due process rights.

Frankly, I think we should reconvene Geneva with particular instance to terrorism, but I don't trust the Euros or more militant Muslim countries to do the right thing there.

S.L. Toddard| 2.1.10 @ 2:03PM

I guess I'm not following you - are you saying that to determine guilt, accused terrorists should either be tried in civilian trials or military courts martial, and then - once found guilty - should be somehow treated differently than regular criminals? You want them in a military prison? I don't see why it matters at that point - keep them in solitary in some supermax prison until they die, says I. My objection is to investing Big Government with the power to seize anyone off of any street on the planet, brand them a "terrorist" and cage them forever without the accused having a chance to defend himself in court. This prospect is doubly chilling considering the recent "reports" coming out of the Obama government about dangerous "right wing" proto-terrorists in the militia movement and anti-immigration movements etc.

Our government is a greater danger to our liberty than a rabble of hairy, crazed bums.

Ryan| 2.1.10 @ 4:34PM

I think we may be coming at the same problem from different angles. I agree with you about using terrorism as too broad a brush to paint certain illegitimate activities and confine people who shouldn't be; however, when we pick up enemy combatants on the battlefield (or US territory) who either engage military or civilians wearing no recognizable uniform with political ends, the process should be different in dealing with them. They typically conduct themselves militarily, and perform acts that are war crimes. They absolve themselves of certain due process rights.

Should we ascertain their innocence? Definitely. But when they have intelligence that we need, and intend to continue to do harm, why should we keep them and treat them as we treat common criminals?

wsorrian| 2.2.10 @ 1:24AM

Some of what you said has some truth, but some is ridiculously flawed and so far off-base it strains me to express it so.

First conservatives, of which you know nothing apparently, do distrust "big government", but not ALL government. You used a qualifier, "big", to cross a conservative taboo with a conservative narrative. If the recent political upheaval in the U.S. hasn't taught you that, then you are as ignorant as you are presumptuous.

Conservatives have and always will proclaim that the government will create and maintain a strong national defense. The terrorists trials fit this billing as they have said, on multiple occasions, they are at war with the "West". That makes them enemy combatants by any stretch of the imagination and, therefore, are subject to military tribunals. The fact that some innocents were also incarcerated does not take away from the fact that they declared themselves to be at war. Thus, this falls well within the realm of conservative doctrine. You don't get to rewrite that just for arguments sake.

Don't speak of what conservatives are for and against as you have no clue what you're saying.

imsteph| 2.1.10 @ 8:38AM

I think it has more with the media circus and the financial burden (in these economically strapped times for ANY municipality/state gov)....and he fact that they are already in close proximatity of a military court (which they are enemy combatants). If they wish to do anything in NYC---if and when they are convicted of the crimes against America/Americans/ Humanity---take them back to Ground Zero, and exacute them there....send THAT video back to Bin LAuden as a recruiting tool.

S.L. Toddard| 2.1.10 @ 8:40AM

What about innocent suspects - should they also be executed?

Ryan| 2.1.10 @ 8:43AM

Yep. We should kill every innocent suspect, because they're suspects. That's EXACTLY how that works.

It's such a jerk question that I probably shouldn't have responded.

KSM should face military tribunal.

Jeremiah| 2.1.10 @ 4:16PM

Toddard's a snarky ass; conversing with the moron is pointless.

Like all trolls, Toddard does not argue in good faith; he merely seeks to denigrate.

Use the scroll button and save yourself time and sanity.

stmichrick| 2.1.10 @ 9:25AM

Toddard,

Reagan wasn't faced with al Quaida and the real threat of those people with WMDs, starting with airplanes into buildings.

So, if you want to cling to the semantics of 25 years, you can go down with this out-of-control, history-ignorant, Muslim-at- heart administration

S.L. Toddard| 2.1.10 @ 9:35AM

"Reagan wasn't faced with al Quaida and the real threat of those people with WMDs, starting with airplanes into buildings."

You're quite wrong, I assure you. Terrorist plane hijacking predates the Reagan presidency, and he - like everyone else - was aware of that danger. In addition, he led America while we faced a danger that makes the one we face from Al Qaeda seem like a pathetic joke - a malevolent, sinister superpower with a massive nuclear arsenal pointed at our cities. And still he did not succumb to cowardice and renounce America's traditional principles of justice or the rule of law - in the face of those dangers he *embraced* them as potent weapons in the fight.

As I said, America lacks men of Reagan's mettle and patriotism these days.

Barbarian Heretic| 2.1.10 @ 11:21AM

Good debate. A couple points, however:

Although airline hijacking as a terrorist tactic indeed predated RR's terms in office, the use of hijacked aircraft as missiles was first introduced on 9/11...

Indeed, the Soviet Union was a malevolent superpower armed with a nuclear arsenal. They were not, however, intent on suicide as an operational framework...

Al Qaeda's organization, fanatical underpinnings and tactics combined to make it an unprecedented adversary. We'll never know, of course, but I believe Reagan would have responded in much the way Bush 43 did in the wake of 9/11...

mb| 2.1.10 @ 5:22PM

SL Toddard-
"In addition, he led America while we faced a danger that makes the one we face from Al Qaeda seem like a pathetic joke - a malevolent, sinister superpower with a massive nuclear arsenal pointed at our cities."

Ever hear of Iran? They are laughing at our current administration as well as the UN. Their fearless leader condones the destruction of the West, Israel and the EU - Iran breeds islamic fanatics, lining up for the honor to harm us.

Circa 2010-Reagan would no doubt have supported the Green Movement's fight for democracy and denounced the fraud Iranian election last summer-something this spineless admin. refused to do.

Our President faces an adversity from a regime of Islamic fanatics whose rally cry did not unite until 9/11. That attack made the destruction of the US a possible reality. It put fear into the lives of rationale Americans.
We have a place designated for the trials of 'terrorist' identified as enemy combatants, since we are still at war and that is a $2 million facility at Gitmo.
Obama refuses to use it because he is a pansy and needs to make political statements instead of doing his job as Commander-in Chief.
It is as though he lacks conviction on every level of authority, and we are going to pay for his wavering.

T-Rex| 3.4.10 @ 2:41PM

Would that be the same Reagan who sold arms to Iran?

Vic Coffey| 2.1.10 @ 2:44PM

Must be a trial lawyer looking his cut out of the public trough...some proceeds funneled back to the DNC of course!

Colin Killian| 2.1.10 @ 5:17PM

Hey genius: You ever heard of 9/11? Or Al-Qaeda? That was a game changer. Al-Qaeda didn't exist when Reagan was president. It did exist when Clinton occupied the White House and despite various attacks, he chose to continue to fight them through the courts. We saw the results on 9/11. You are applying the policies of more than two decades ago to a completely different world.

Obama has the benefit of seeing the history of the last two decades. Reagan did not. Reagan was not a terrorist lover and Obama is not either. He's just naive.

Ryan| 2.1.10 @ 8:36AM

Stein is wrong - the ends here do NOT justify the means. O'Keefe operated a legitimate sting operation against ACORN. At Landrieu's office, he committed a fraudulent act - he has enough publicity to know now how to bring some of these things to light without committing fraud.

Or, at least he could have made a service call to the phone company or something. It was shoddy work and he was committing a crime while doing it.

Jay| 2.1.10 @ 8:59AM

Legitimate sting except for the heavily edited tapes...

MOS was 71331| 2.1.10 @ 11:44AM

What's this "heavily edit" all about? Did O'Keefe record an Acorn sting on the same "tape" as a party he'd attended a week before and see no reason why we should sit through minutes of irrelevant material to get to the sting? Or did O'keefe cut or otherwise change the Acorn employees' responses to his and his partner's questions?

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:40PM

Well, Mr. O'Keefe at no time publicly released all of the unedited tapes.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 5:41PM

Yup, O'Keefe has more EXTREMELY DAMAGING tapes of ACORN'S criminality, that's why Obama's Justice Department is trying to shut O'Keefe up.

OBAMA IS ACORN.

steven| 2.7.10 @ 1:14AM

Smitty, what proof do you have of this? Wouldn't have it been better to have continued your response with links to the accusations you mention?
Or was this statement a statement you heard from a conservative pundit and decided that if they said it, it must be true?
Show me some impartial proof. Not Fox proof, impartial proof.

steven| 2.7.10 @ 10:33PM

Wow...where's the proof? Still waiting...must be great to be able to say any crap that comes out of your mouth, without having to back it up.

If you present the impartial evidence, you are right. If you can't then you're a moron.

Smitty| 2.7.10 @ 11:55PM

Fox is the most trusted News organization in the country--google it.

You've got the moron department all sewn up, libtard--there's no room for any one else. LOL!

Keri| 2.1.10 @ 12:01PM

The ACORN stings weren't legitimate. O'Keefe broke the law in at least two states (PA and MD) by recording people without their permission. He also heavily edited the tapes, and refuses to release the raw footage. It's a smear job that even Michael Moore would be ashamed of.

Patriot| 2.1.10 @ 4:25PM

You lie, Keri!! The ACORN stings were legitimate and proved that ACORN is a corrupt, outlaw organization that must be defunded and prosecuted!!

The democrat party uses ACORN to steal elections and they must be stopped.

The traitorous leftist Lame Stream Media used to be legitimate journalists but they have abdicated their Constitutional responsibilities and sold out the American people.

O'Keefe is a patriotic American hero.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:39PM

Serious question here:

Do you actually believe that John McCain had more votes than Obama in the previous election? We hear the "ACORN steals elections" mantra so much, one might think that you guys honestly believe that McCain really won?

Patriot| 2.1.10 @ 5:44PM

ACORN cheats and you don't even bother to deny it.

It won't matter in November, though--there's gonna be a democrat electoral bloodbath. The handwriting is on the wall and it ain't pretty for you liberals.

No way will you be able to cheat enough to steal these elections.

Sorry.

Donnyvee| 2.1.10 @ 11:27PM

Two questions Keri:
1. Did you help him edit the tapes? If not, how do you know they were edited. What is your source?
2. Have you yourself asked him for he raw footage?

Sue B.| 2.7.10 @ 9:15PM

Donnyvee, do you know beyond doubt and can prove he did not edit the tapes? Were you there when he did the actual taping? Have you seen the raw footage?

Copyleft| 2.5.10 @ 10:42AM

"...who broke the law." You keep skipping over that part like it doesn't matter.

Smitty| 2.5.10 @ 5:16PM

Of course it matters, just like it matters that Holder abused the power of his office by dismissing charges against the Black Panther thugs in Philly. Duh!

steven| 2.7.10 @ 1:17AM

Patriot, you are proof that the right wing has lost its way. You believe it's ok to break laws when it suits you fine. But yet you call yourself a patriot.

So which is it? Laws should be followed or they are ok to break if you are a republican?

Patriot| 2.7.10 @ 11:51PM

Laws should be applied fairly and Holder isn't.

I guess it's okay with liberals like you if the Attorney General abuses the power of his office.

Shame on you, unpatriotic hypocrite. You democrats aren't even Americans anymore.

roxie s | 2.2.10 @ 4:15PM

Thank you Ryan. James got a bit overzealous after his Acorn victory and made a naive (I hope) mistake.

Tim| 2.1.10 @ 8:45AM

"The thought police would get him just the same. He had committed--would have committed, even if he had never set pen to paper--the essential crime that contained all others in itself. Thoughtcrime, they called it. Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you."
- George Orwell, 1984, Book 1, Chapter 1

Sue B.| 2.7.10 @ 9:53PM

"Thoughtcrime" does come to mind when I hear the endless repitition of Nazi/Marxist/socialist . . . on one side, and hear republican smearing on the other. This schism has created some really unattractive faces here in America. And believe me, they are profiting from our confusion. As a nation, we seem to be okay with some guy standing in a crowd of innocent Americans with a fully loaded weapon strapped to his leg to belabor his rights. Yes, he has the right, but he is shirking his responsibility as an adult by bringing a weapon into a crowd where he runs the risk of being knocked down by anyone who could tackle him, take his gun and fire it at will. I am a gun owner. You just don't do that that. With rights, comes responsibility. On the other hand, we will be content to let our infrastructure rot to the point where bridges collapse and kill innocent Americans, where our children receive substandard education, where our small farmers face bankruptcy, and we don't utter a word. No, we can't be bothered with these issues. It's more important that we defend the rights of ANYONE grandstanding for our very own particular political beliefs.
Don't blame the media. Blaming the media is like blaming McDonald's for making you buy those crappy burgers because you couldn't figure out how to get a meal any other way.

Jay| 2.1.10 @ 8:58AM

Stein peaked when he uttered the words "Bueller. Bueller." He should have retired from public life at that point.

Now he's just a reactionary right-wing racist who is soft on crime as long as the criminal is a reactionary right-wing zealot.

I'm sure he was for freeing McVeigh.

Equating O'Keefe's violation of 18USC1036 with New Black Panthers standing outside a polling place in a DEMOCRATIC ward makes no sense to anyone except reactionary right-wingers.

Ryan| 2.1.10 @ 10:11AM

How were those Panthers not being intimidating?

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 12:50PM

What the Panthers did or did not do has absolutely NOTHING to do with Mr. O'Keefe. Explain to us how Mr. O'Keefe's actions did not violate 18USC1036 without resorting to the "hey, look over there" style of debate that sadly runs rampant on sites like this.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:47PM

Why do you condone the thuggish, illegal actions of the Black Panthers?

You democrats are so corrupt you are a threat to our national security--you must be exposed for the criminals you are.

Copyleft| 2.5.10 @ 10:44AM

There's your answer, Pete... they can't justify O'Keefe's crimes, so they desperately try to change the subject.

I guess they're assuming they can win elections by default, if they just spend enough time vilifying Democrats.

Smitty| 2.5.10 @ 5:18PM

We seem to be kicking your asses in the election department already--no need for us to change the subject.

Douglas J. De Clue| 2.1.10 @ 2:12PM

Whenever the right wing gets caught with its pants down as happened in this case they start equivocating to try and distract the American public from the undisputable facts at hand: O'Keefe not only broke the law but he was so damned stupid he videotaped himself and his crew doing it! Ben Stein is an embarrassing right wing apologist and con man who tries to spin things for the right wing-nuts in hopes that if he spins hard enough we won't notice we're being lied to.

Michelle Woodruff| 2.1.10 @ 3:23PM

Funny how Holder lets off the Black Panther Vote Thug Clan, but feels absolutely no need to explain to anyone, anything, about his thought process in doing so, despite repeated requests for this rightfully public information.

Teebob2000| 2.2.10 @ 2:27PM

CLEARLY it's because they're all darkies. Isn't that where you're headed, Michelle?

Nobama| 2.2.10 @ 2:41PM

Another liberal nutjob with psychic abilities is trolling AmSpec today. Liberals are racists because they use minorities to gain power and control.

Liberals suck.

Steven| 2.7.10 @ 1:21AM

Douglas, 100% spot on.. And besides, what you say here is accurate. The right always spins stories, tries to blame you for being the innocent party, blames democrats for "forcing O'keefe" to do what he did, it was the dems fault for going into Iraq, it was the Dems fault for the economic meltdown.
But the repubs are very good at blindly following their leaders, easier to believe everything they say then to think for themselves...

Louis Jenkins| 2.1.10 @ 9:01AM

O'Keefe stepped over a line and is going to pay a price. He messed with the ACORN clowns and got away with it, he became emboldened, and went for a higher profile target. Only he got caught. Holder's not going to let O'Keefe get away with this. The ACORN sting caused his boss a lot of embarassment. Revenge just ain't sweet for this crowd, it is mandatory.

Tim| 2.1.10 @ 9:41AM

Another issue is that I doubt he can look for any sympathy from Senators or Congressmen of either party on this. Messing around inside a Senator's office is one thing both parties can agree on. They won't do anything to encourage it. O'Keefe's on his own.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 9:13AM

Too bad Holder and O'Keefe can't exchange skin color and O'Keefe switch parties. Then the racism defense would be so easy and natural.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 6:05PM

Well, what do you know? I must have pissed someone off with my conservative comments. I see the troll committee has chosen "Pete" as their new liberal annoyer handle. Flattering.

Phillep Harding| 2.2.10 @ 12:16PM

Cite: "Conservative comments".

SoCon| 2.2.10 @ 2:38PM

Conservative Pete has blogged here at AmSpec for a long time--some liberal schmuck has indeed purloined his moniker.

Phillep Harding| 2.2.10 @ 2:49PM

Ahhh, thanks. Apologies to "Conservative Pete". Too bad there isn't a way to check for that sort of thing.

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 9:23AM

Ben Stein, the Black Panthers and James O’Keefe | Cup o' Joel links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

Ben Stein, the Black Panthers and James O’Keefe | Cup o' Joel The Trouble with Spikol | Make Major Moves | PW Style | Cup o'Joel

Archie Bunker| 2.1.10 @ 9:37AM

"Nixon should have hired japs, they're better at electronics. And if the japs get caught, they do the right thing, they kill themselves!"

Now that I have that out of the way, we all know that if these kids were investigating Dick Cheney(Or Ollie North since Stupid Liberal seems stuck in the 80's) they'd already be in line for a Pulitzer, be on the cover of "Rolling Stone" and have their own reality show.

Douglas J. De Clue| 2.1.10 @ 2:19PM

No they'd have been taken to Gitmo and waterboarded if this had happened under BushCo against DICK Cheney.

Ivan Yurkenov| 2.1.10 @ 3:35PM

Yeah Douglas, just like the New York Times reporter who tipped off Obama, oops, Osama bin Laden about the vulnerability of using satellite phones, right? Had someone done that in 1943, I guarantee FDR would have had that reporter hung from a yardarm.

Ivan

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.1.10 @ 9:50AM

RE O'Keefe: It seems that no one here has yet brought up the very strong possibility that O'Keefe was consciously willing to risk jail time in order to put a bright spotlight on Senator Landrieu (sp?) for her constituents to see.

Thank you, Mr. Okeefe. We might have to be right behind you in civil disobedience to save our republic.

GV Berlichingen| 2.1.10 @ 10:53AM

I wish O'Keefe hadn't done it. Even those of us who avoid reading liberal press stories can see that it was a juvenile stunt. In Louisiana, we are already well aware of Landrieu's blatant methods. For us, she is like a prim student body president who gives favors to her favorites.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:48PM

Landrieu is just another corrupt democrat--she needed to be exposed.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 12:13PM

Sorry, what he did was against the law. A real journalist would have talked to some people on the record about the phone issues, then asked the Senator's office for a response. Instead, Mr. O'Keefe started his "report" with his OUTCOME already decided, and then tried to reverse engineer the facts in order to back it up.

Would you be ok if some liberal activists decided to mess with the phone system of, oh, Scott Brown's office? Probably not.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 4:28PM

If Scott Brown was lying to his constituents I'd have no problem with it. Why do you?

Liberals lie--it's a fact of life.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:21PM

Sorry, being politically opposed to a Senator doesn't give you the right to break Federal Law in order to access their phone system.

Ends justify the means is a really bad way to run a society.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:02PM

You asked me if I'd support a liberal activist who exposed my senator as a liar and I said yes.

Why won't you? Unless you condone democrat corruption, of course.

You're the hypocrite, not me.

Nice try, though.

John| 2.1.10 @ 6:27PM

You are all a bunch of self centered conservatives and liberals.

They did break the law and some on the right call it a prank while the left wants them jailed.

They broke the law and are intitled to the rights of US citizens unless you believe in Cheney's rule of law.

If you believe in Liberal law then we will be discussing the merits of the case for ever.

We and I say WE are all culpible in this. WE allowed these elected officials to squander our financial , political, and natural resources of this country.

We the people deserve what we get for the lb of flesh we want. No one in our country is innocent and we need to think with our hearts and minds. Take what is good and use it to better our people and children.

Take what is bad and put it where it belongs, in the trash.

Finally Ben What has happend to you as you have gotten older. I respected you and your right to say what you want to. Somehow you are siding with the insane and ill informed. Why Ben? For the money? Fame? Maybe Power? I do not know but this article proves to me that your no better then the rest of the left and right wing nuts like Tammy here that has no clue what she is doing to herself and the world around her.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:57PM

And what is that, judicious John? Do you have any clue the threat that's posed by a corrupt, out of control Justice Department that abuses its power?

Hmmm?

Holder treated the Crotch Bomber (who tried to slaughter 300 Americans) better than O'Keefe. O'Keefe, an American citizen, was trying to expose filthy democrat corruption and Holder abused the power of his office in order to stop him.

Interesting priorities, wouldn't you say?

Now who is the REAL NUT here, dummocrap?

wsorrian| 2.2.10 @ 1:38AM

You're wrong. Journalists do this all the time. It's called investigative journalism. As for the criminality of O'Keefe's actions, that is yet to be decided and YOU are NOT the one to do decide it.

There were no charges of wiretapping and the prosecutors said as much. All indications are they were NOT the to tamper with the phones in any way. All O'Keefe did is what police officers AND JOURNALISTS do all the time to catch criminals and expose fraud.

It's apparent, for all to see, that you're really a wolf in sheeps clothing. You're trying to come off as some conservative who just happens to be upset with O'Keefe, when the truth is you're a liberal/progressive troll out to sow seeds of discontent. You have been exposed liar....now go away.

Gini| 2.2.10 @ 5:05PM

I don't think it would be the high-profile stoning that O'Keefe received if he broke into Brown's office. Brown does not seem to have so much worth hiding...After all, there was no wire tapping of phone lines, and O'Keefe only wanted to catch footage of the wrongdoings.

Michelle Woodruff| 2.1.10 @ 3:26PM

Yes, Ken (from a lil ole white Texas girl)
And, since his arrest, regardless of what O'Keefe may or may not be guilty of, what do you bet the Landrieu's staff is now suddenly answering the phones...

Reagan Was Perfect| 2.1.10 @ 10:25AM

Old Texican here.

Of course He was not.

One of his worst mistakes, in my mind, was the abrupt withdrawal of the Marine Corps from Lebanon after the horrible truck bomb killed a bunch of them.

First of all, they should have been armed for bear when they went in. Second, they should have had adequate defense in depth...at least for their barracks.
But, in the final analysis, the CIC has to depend upon His/Her commanders in the field.

After the disaster, I hoped he would double down.
I had lived and officed in the middle east in those years, and in spite of the swirling complexities there with the Soviets stiring the pot...whew...wrong signal to pack it in.

Nevertheless, in those years the "mathematics" were different, and the "threat vectors" were hugely different. The Soviets were at their military high water mark in those years, yet were ironically ...desperate economically. No one will ever know how many of their people literally froze and starved to death because of a lack of fuel.

Mr. Reagan kept his eye on the ball.

Coming into office with a gutted US military, plus the real threat of a major land war in Europe just any moment, he had to make the call ....and did so.

Muslim Terrorism was back burnered for another day.

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 10:42AM

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Ben Stein: Free James O’Keefe links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Share on Facebook | printer-friendly Ben Stein compares O’Keefe’s case to that of alleged voter intimidation by self-declared Black Panthers in Michigan, and asks why O’Keefe is being prosecuted and the Panthers are not: In case you wonder what the future is for justice and law enforcement and media control in this country, take a look at two cases. During the last Presidential election, a gang of…

Kevin T. Keith | 2.1.10 @ 11:03AM

As I understand it, O'Keefe is not actually in jail. He's under house arrest in his family home.

You're launching a national crusade to free James O'Keefe from the supervision of his parents? Dude, you've really got to put that Ferris Bueller thing behind you. It's getting embarrassing.

Tcan| 2.1.10 @ 11:55AM

Where can I get a "Free the New Orleans 4" teeshirt.

mossdale| 2.1.10 @ 12:04PM

Ben says "They didn't even touch a phone as far as I can learn." Try reading the FBI affidavit. It claims witnesses saw the men manipulate the phone handset. also, they asked for access to the phone closet, but were stopped short. if they were merely trying to find out if the phone was working, they could simply have picked it up and listened for a dial tone.

and they were not charged with interfering with a phone, but with entering on false pretenses to commit a felony (interfering with a phone). there is a difference. I leave it to you to figure it out.

finally, an "unnamed" federal official spoke to MSNBC (cited by Brietbart, so you know it's true!) that the men did not appear to be attempting to bug or wiretap, but did want to see how the senator's office would respond if the phones were inoperative. this implies they were there with the intent to render the phones inoperative. this fits with the request to access the phone closet, and with the charge.

nitpicky, I know, but you really need to get your facts right.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 12:10PM

Remember, if a conservative commits a crime for what they feel are the right reasons, then the law doesn't matter.

What O'Keefe was trying to do (if you believe his "statement" would be akin to a reporter disabling a fire hydrant, setting a nearby building on fire, then filing a report about how incompetent the fire department was.

Setting out to CREATE the news stories that you turn around and cover isn't journalism, let alone "new journalism"

wsorrian| 2.2.10 @ 1:43AM

What a ridiculous comparison!

What metaphorical "fire" did O'Keefe set? None. Did O'Keefe disable the phones so the crook's constituents couldn't get through? Nope. So what grounds to you make such bullcrap allegations?

Go back to the DailyKos.

2Anglico| 2.1.10 @ 12:58PM

See, you just do not get satire. Sounds like they were making a "show" like comedians do. Tap, tap, tap ... hmmmm... seems like the phone is working...got a dial tone...can we check the phone closet to see if there are any "crossed wires" or rats eating your insulation? Gee, guys...the phones seeeeem to be working.... why are all those constituents complaining they can't get through?? And MAYBE, just MAYBE, O'Keefe called the office 2 or 300 times and never got through.
They were ACTING stupid to show how STUPID the senator is.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 1:50PM

They weren't acting stupid. What they were doing is violating 18USC1036, and Mr. O'Keefe's public statements freely admit to that violation.

Douglas J. De Clue| 2.1.10 @ 2:24PM

Nope.. they were dressing up like the phone company (as a friend of mine said doing a village people impersonation) so they could get access to a secured area of a Federal Building. That's perpetrating identity fraud on the Federal government, tresspassing, and conspiracy for starters. Add to that tampering with Federal gov't phone lines (a sabotage law), and an attempt to commit illegal wire tapping and espionage and they are in a world of trouble. On top of that, the phone company may have cause of action for a civil suit as well for damaging their reputation and use of any phone company logos.

Hope they enjoy their NEW "uniforms" - Federal prisoner uniforms that is - because they are going to be wearing them for a long long long long long time.

Louis Jenkins| 2.1.10 @ 3:11PM

If they were doing a Village People impersonation they'd been welcomed into the office with open arms. YMCA, YMCA!!

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 4:44PM

Well, at least they weren't aiding and abetting people they thought were running a sexual slavery ring for underage illegal immigrants.

Phillep Harding| 2.2.10 @ 12:22PM

"...manipulate the phone handset."

Oh. You mean, like, "picked up the handset and put it to his ear just like someone using the phone would"?

Duked| 2.1.10 @ 12:41PM

OMG. I am so tired of whining about downtrodden little babies and poor, poor people being discriminated against.... give me a break.... this is 2010 not 1865.... grow up and open your eyes to ridiculous behavior by people of ALL colors and recognize it for what it is.... misguided and ignorant .

dtcofaz| 2.1.10 @ 12:45PM

Holder is trying to destroy the security of this nation, and changing the rules as he pleases.

Under this bullying and double standard Obama administration, the only way to uncover the illegal activity is playing the same game as the Obama team did.
It's illegal when the opposition does it.
It's legal, creative, and bold if the Obama team does it.

FREE JAMES O'KEEFE AND HIS TEAM.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 12:53PM

So, the way to protect our security is to let a conservative with an inflated sense of his own status and importance enter a Senator's office under false pretenses and attempt to access their phone system (in violation of 18USC1036)?

IOIYAR?

McGehee | 2.1.10 @ 12:59PM

OMG, someone with an overinflated sense of his own status and importance ENTERED A SENATOR'S OFFICE!!!1!!

Lordy.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 1:51PM

You forgot that they were in violation of 18USC1036 when they attempted to access the phone system of a Federal Office under false pretenses.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 4:45PM

At least they weren't armed thugs threatening others who were trying to vote. No crime there.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:10PM

Stay on topic. Mr. O'Keefe committed a crime, and his apologists are attempting to excuse this by talking about an entirely unrelated event.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:04PM

Don't be a hypocrite: Holder is abusing the power of his office by unfairly prosecuting his opponents. That IS the topic, tool.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Barbarian Heretic| 2.1.10 @ 3:45PM

Of course not. I think the way to protect our security would be to let people leave the national archives with documents stuffed down their pants...

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:37PM

LOOOK....OVER THERE...SOMETHING SHINY!!!!

So, in other words, because someone else who committed a Federal crime wasn't adequately punished that means that Mr. O'Keefe should not even be prosecuted for the Federal Crimes that he himself admitted committing?

And yet, you guys probably think that liberals are the moral relativists....

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 4:47PM

Exactly!! Holder has to be fair or he should be fired.

He's an incompetent fool anyway.

Barbarian Heretic| 2.1.10 @ 5:14PM

I'm not seeking to distract- just pointing out the glaring double standard - which I believe is Mr. Stein's intent, as well.
And as a poster who is evidently intent on seeing justice done in this case, I'm sure you'll join us in support of the concept of "equal justice under the law" for O'keefe, the Panthers and Mr. Davis.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:06PM

And the filthy, corrupt democrat organization, ACORN. Of course.

haha| 2.1.10 @ 12:46PM

someone call a whaaaaaaaaaaa-mbulance!!! hahah...idiots.

Phil DiFebo| 2.1.10 @ 12:47PM

The "new" Black Panthers polling place outrage took place in Philthydelphia, a familiar venue for all manner of ethical malpractice. I am reminded of a similar instance of intimidation that occurred back in the Clinton years, when Eddie ("cheesesteak") Rendell ran that dreadful city.

Someone had the bad sense to picket Clinton's visit to the "City of Brotherly Love" and found himself the recipient of some classic labor fervor in the form of a violent roughing-up. The victim pressed charges, and a reptilian old labor goon named John (?) Morris was accused of orchestrating the incident.

Lynn Abraham, a "tough" District Attorney, " declined to press charges" against the estimable Mr. Morris, and the case smply went away. Eddie Rendell went on to national prominence as well as retaining his waterboy/apologist status with the Eagles.

Jim| 2.1.10 @ 1:00PM

Somebody musta brung up "race." Dayum..

Jim O'Brien| 2.1.10 @ 1:50PM

Holder, like Obama, has zero credibility. When the terrorists explode a dirty bomb (i.e., a radioactive one) in a major U.S. city, resulting in the death or contamination of hundreds of thousands of Americans (if not millions) Obama and Holder will want to read Miranda rights to the enemy. Obama and Holder are arrogant, ignorant fools putting our lives, our economy, and our country more at risk every day that passes

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 4:49PM

I agree and the stupid liberals don't have a clue.

Too bad they won't be the only Americans who will be incinerated.

Stay away from the big cities.

Anthony| 2.1.10 @ 2:02PM

Obama and Holder are hard core leftist ideologues who are at war with America. Truth be known, if they could get away with it, they'd would love to try Mr. O'Keefe and friends at GITMO, with a panel of leftist judges and treat them as enemy combatants without rights, as opposed to their treatment of the undiebomber. They probably would love to water-board Mr. O'Keefe, just to teach him a lesson. You don't mess with Obama's buddies over at ACORN and get away with it.
Despite all rational evidence to the contrary, Obama and Holder are adament that the WOT does not exist. Insisting on civilian trials for terrorists is pure leftist insanity.
This applies as well to Obama's steadfast belief in AGW, despite being exposed as a complete FRAUD.
Folks, despite the Mass. vote, America is still in grave danger from its leaders. We need to remain vigilant.

Whosben| 2.1.10 @ 2:02PM

"Meanwhile, no charges against those thugs with the clubs at the polling place."

So the argument here is that somewhere someone has committed a crime in the past therefore conservatives should be free to commit crimes?

And no crimes were committed in the first place, they were practicing their First Amendment rights? Seriously.....

Conservative is one thing, stupid is another.

Michelle| 2.1.10 @ 4:37PM

Nope, numbskull. But it does become relevant when the person who is in a position to bring charges in both situations (Holder), takes up one case, but dismisses another much more serious one. It's a perfect illustration of where this administration's allegiance lies.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 4:50PM

Exactly! Justice for all.

Douglas J. De Clue| 2.1.10 @ 2:05PM

You are SO deceitful and an embarassment Ben. These guys clearly broke conspiracy, wiretapping, and fraud statutes and could also conceivably be charged with sabotage and espionage violations.

Free James O'Keefe my ass.. after he serves 25 years in a Federal prison maybe I'll think about it.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 4:51PM

Moron. How do you know?

Liberalism is a mental illness and there are plenty of liberal nuts on this site today.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:08PM

You know, the irony of the "liberalism is a mental illness" meme is that people like Tammy overlook history. Do you know who else declared that political differences were in fact mental illness? Why, that was the old Soviet Union.

freeta goodholm| 2.1.10 @ 5:39PM

Talk about irony!

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:11PM

You're so stupid you can't see your own stupidity--you Progressives are no different than your Stalinist compatriots in the old USSR. You both try/tried to re-write history for your own purposes.

That's why we're pointing out Holder's blatant abuse of power; get it, clueless?

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.1.10 @ 5:17PM

Douglas, and like-minded orifices,
Prove O'keefe guilty.

Then we can talk further.

Until then, you are blowing smoke and are wisely ignored.
Prove him guilty! heh.

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 2:14PM

The Divine Conspiracy Blog » Blog Archive » Free James O’Keefe links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

The Divine Conspiracy Blog » Blog Archive » Free James O’Keefe The Divine Conspiracy Blog Home About Feb 1 Free James O’Keefe Ben Stein: Free James O’Keefe here. Posted in Politics | No Comments » Leave a Comment Name Mail (will not be published) Website Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your…

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 2:18PM

Start with the Basics of Real Estate Investing | combat fitness | Military Fitness Wi links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…, 2010 29 combat fitness – blogging daily goings on. … combat fitness . Continued here: Start with the Basics of Real Estate Investing | combat fitness Related Blogs on Free The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe Hot Air » Blog Archive » Ben Stein: Free James O'Keefe Free Computer Books | Industrial Magic Related Posts Jeannine Jordan organist | combat fitness Combat experience guides…

Bilwick| 2.1.10 @ 2:34PM

I'm a transplanted New Yorker who lives in the South and I am unaware of the situation Mr. Brooks describes, wherein he makes it sound like it's still the Scottsboro Boys era down h'yar.

Of course I live in Atlanta, which, outside enclave yuppie neighborhoods is pretty much a ghetto; but that being the case, the local news networks would certainly carry stories of the widespread racial discrimination Mr. Brooks seems to believe (for reasons that seem to me unclear) goes on. Like most Caucasians I know, the big racial discrimination you encounter in Atlanta ("Atlanta--Like Visiting a Third World Country Without Leaving the US!") is against Caucasians.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 2:55PM

Really? So you were denied service in a restaurant? Made to sit in the back of a bus? Lynched for looking at a black woman? What actual discrimmination did you actually encounter?

Bilwick| 2.1.10 @ 3:28PM

"Really? So you were denied service in a restaurant? Made to sit in the back of a bus? Lynched for looking at a black woman? What actual discrimmination did you actually encounter? "

No, Pete; but unless you take that obvious stellar intellect of yours and invent a time machine back to the Ole Massa days, you won't see that kind of stuff going on against darker-skinned people 'round these parts, either. If that stuff is going on, it's amazing the ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION alone isn't carrying headline stories about it daily. You know, Atlanta is a violent city, but I 'm guessing a person getting lynched for looking at a woman of a different color would probably make the six o'clock news.
(Where do live, by the way? In a time-warp of Sparta, Mississippi circa 1940?)

No, the discrimination I'm talking about is more harrassment by ghetto trash in public places. It's also widely believed among Caucasians that we have little if any chance of getting hired--or if hired--by many government agencies. I'm a libertarian (you know, one of those weird peopel who believe their lives and proerty belong to themselves and not Massa 'Bama) , so I have no interest in government employment; but when I do deal with those agencies, it does seem that an anti-Caucasian hiring policy is in place. It seems unfair that Caucasians shouldn't be allowed to be parasites, too.

"Atlanta: The City That Almost Works! Where 'Efficiency' is Just a type of apartment!"

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 3:34PM

Ok. Let's try this again. What is your actual *evidence* of anti-white discrimmination in Atlanta. Can you actually cite specific examples.

"...harassment by ghetto trash in public places"....wow, pretty sweeping statement. Care to cite a specific incident on a specific date? Without such specifics, you're arguing through anecdote, which doesn't exactly boost your case.

As for the government hiring, are you privy to the HR records of Atlanta area government agencies, or are you merely projecting again? My guess is that you don't actually have any evidence of "anti-white" hiring, or you wouldn't have had to use the lazy conservative dodge of "it seems" while making your argument.

Bilwick| 2.1.10 @ 3:46PM

Well, no, Pete; I don't have specific dates, places, etc., that I can quote chapter and verse. Unlike the ghetto trash who make Atlanta the "Slum o' the South," I lead a more or less productive life so I don't have time to write down in my Moleskine every time one of the Mensans from the 'Hood acts like a jerk on the subway, in a park, or in a movie house. Moleskine hasn't made Manhattan phone-book-size notebooks yet, anyway. Are you thinking I'm thinking I'm making this up? And why would I? Have I ever lied to you before?

And, yes, I was speaking impressionistically. "It seems" isn't a "conservative dodge." It's a way of saying, "This is only what I have observed." Maybe no conscious discrimination policy is in effect, and it's just some marvelous coincidence that most of the government offices I visit (when I'm forced to) look like they're holding auditions for the title roale in "Precious II."

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:34PM

Looking at your barely restrained rage towards African-Americans (I mean, seriously, "Precious II"?), perhaps, just perhaps what you think you are observing is being affected by your own biases.

Ann Wood| 2.1.10 @ 3:50PM

I live in Atlanta and it's clear you are in over your head. And frankly your examples are obnoxious. Neither side is being lynched now - so let's go forward. Atlanta is black run, dominated and very skewed against whites. My husband worked for a firm owned by a black woman (jackpot) and they got business simply for that reason. Unless you live in Atlanta, you don't know of what you speak.

Bilwick| 2.1.10 @ 4:06PM

Thank you, Anne. I asked Pete where he lives and he never replied (don't worry, Pete; I'm not going to follow you home), but whereever his park bench or flophouse is it clearly isn't Atlanta, a city with which he obviously hasn't the slightest familiarity.

I do know someone in Atlnata who does agree with Pete. It's my neighbor, Crazy Old Black Man, who sometimes walks around Ponce De Leon naked, carrying a bottle of Thunderbird and yelling, "They lynchin' bruthas on Peachtree!" Hey--maybe COBM IS Pete!

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:35PM

Wow..."flophouse"? How freaking old are you guys? You need to keep your cultural references a little more contemporary if you want to boost your case.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 4:56PM

Pete's just your average, run of the mill liberal bigot.

He knows his democrat party is in the tank and getting its butt beat in all of the elections so he's on a hate-filled rant.

It's got nothing to do with O'Keefe and everything to do with the democrat party's increasing irrelevance.

Poor pitiful Pete. lol

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:06PM

Tammy is a big talker indeed.

Who is this "Democrat" party you speak of? There's the "Democratic" party. Maybe you were so excited typing your insults you hit the wrong keys.

However, the topic is O'Keefe. He committed a Federal Crime, and it is sadly unsurprising that conservatives are arguing that the rule of law shouldn't apply to him.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:17PM

No, the real topic is you liberals' attempts to distract from your obvious failures in the voting booth and at governing.

You have super majorities in both Houses of Congress and the Presidency--and you still can't get your crappy legislation passed!!

Democrat corruption, incompetence and failure are the real topics--and we both know it.

Pete| 2.3.10 @ 3:07PM

Failures at governing, eh? When's the last time a trickle-down Republican President balanced a budget?

Tammy| 2.3.10 @ 4:27PM

Yeah, like budget buster Obammy is doing right now--- if only D'ohbama and 'dead fish' Rahm Emanuel could get their feet out of their mouths for a change!

What a joke; amateurs in action.

Phillep Harding| 2.2.10 @ 12:43PM

Out of curiousity, what are "flop houses" called these days?

Bilwick| 2.3.10 @ 11:52AM

"Out of curiousity, what are 'flop houses' called these days? "

Yes, I'm curious about that, too. You know, Pete being so educated and having such an extensive vocabulary and all, I've been waiting for him to come up with the term "au courant" sophisticates like himself use for flop houses. I suspect for Pete, what other people call "flop houses," he calls
"home." (Or "Future Obama Voters Recruiting Centers.")

Pete| 2.3.10 @ 3:06PM

Me forget consurvatives only knows small words.

Tammy| 2.3.10 @ 4:23PM

Just another victim of our fine Publik Skool Edycation Sistym.

Learned your (lack of) sense of morality there, too.

Lawrence Boccardi| 2.1.10 @ 2:41PM

Pete, the repetitive quoter of the USC, is connected with which Dept. of the Federal Govt?
Actually, Douglas J. DeClue, you don't get to pass sentence on James O'Keefe, or anyone else. We Conservatives have already figured out what to do with our Legal Defense Funds. Hire a lefty, liberal, lawyer! Acquitted, case closed!

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 2:54PM

The point is that Federal Law is pretty clear about the very thing that Mr. O'Keefe was trying to do. You aren't allowed to enter a Federal office building under false pretenses (ie, pretending to be phone company employees) with the intention of illegally accessing the telephone system in said office. Mr. O'Keefe has freely admitted that he did both things. All this talk about erroneous reports of "wiretapping" in newspapers like the New York Post is a distraction from the reality that a couple of Federal Laws had already been committed. Frankly, absolutely nothing that Mr. O'Keefe or his defenders have offered as a way of explanation erases the crimes that have been committed.

The only thing that a lawyer could get for Mr. Keefe is a lighter sentence, because the Feds got him dead to rights here.

Guess it would have been easier if Mr. O'Keefe had done some on the record interviews with frustrated Landrieu constituents, asked Landrieu's staff for an on the record response, and maybe asked the facilities manager of her Federal Office building to comment on the working status of the phone system. Oh, wait, that would be real journalism, and Mr. O'Keefe is way too lazy and easily bored to do that. He'd rather dress up in costumes.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:00PM

Nice try, poor, pitiful Pete; your ludicrous posts just expose the sad reality of your pathetic existence.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:04PM

So, in your opinion, do you think that Mr. O'Keefe should be exonerated of all charges? For what reason?

Funny that you can't argue the actual topic, and just go straight for the insults. Much like Mr. O'Keefe, instead of doing the actual work of getting the facts and presenting an argument, you take the easy way out. Well done.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:20PM

I believe James O'Keefe is an American hero who has exposed filthy democrat corruption.

Everything else is just liberals blowing their stinking smoke. Like you.

Nice Deb | 2.1.10 @ 3:07PM

Excellent article. One minor quibble: the black panther voter intimidation happened in Philly, not MI:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOztJiMpJek

Your Opposition| 2.1.10 @ 3:11PM

So much for the rule of law, huh?

Look, there's a federal law that prohibits entering a federal facility under false pretenses. If you do it with intent to commit a felony, the unlawful entry is a felony itself. Otherwise, it's a misdemeanor.

The only question here is whether they committed a felony or a misdemeanor. That hinges on whether they did this with intent to tamper with the phone system, which is a felony. That will be up to the prosecutor, then a grand jury, then a trial court, to decide.

From this distance, I think there's good reason to go for the felony indictment. O'Keefe and his pals did tamper with the handset on one of the phones, and did request access to the phone closet. They were carrying tools that could have been used for tampering, and they did identify themselves as phone company workers.

If these had been reporters for the New York Times trying to enter the offices of James Inhofe, would you be agitating for their exoneration? I wouldn't be, and neither would you.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:03PM

Liar. The NYT reveals damaging national security secrets and you leftist morons just yawn. You don't give a damn about your country; all you Marxists care about are power and control.

Your Opposition| 2.2.10 @ 2:51AM

Liar! Liar! Marxist! Marxist! Poopy pants!

Jolly| 2.2.10 @ 4:28AM

Thank God our liberal opponents are such idiotic morons like the clown who posted right before me.

No wonder we wasted their asses in the last three elections.

Love it! We want more.

Your Opposition| 2.2.10 @ 1:38PM

All this, and completely stupid and humorless too!

Jolly| 2.2.10 @ 3:00PM

Another braindead democrat attempting to elucidate us with liberal 'tolerant' intelligence and charm.

Go back under your slimy rock, nutjob.

You're no opposition--just wait until November when we thrash your asses. Can hardly wait.

Your Opposition| 2.2.10 @ 8:12PM

You're It! You're Nasty! You're Mean! Poopy Pants!

Typical wingnuts on display. All they can do is shout.

Missy| 2.2.10 @ 11:45PM

November 2, 2010--be sure to mark it on your calendar, bozo!

Minerva A. Padron| 2.1.10 @ 3:15PM

Mr. Stein;

Great article and of course you are absolutely correct. Since arriving from Cuba as a political refugee 44 years ago to this great country this is the first time I have actually been afraid with the the same kind of fear from the governemnt my parents and I, although I was a little girl, felt when we lived in Cuba.

I see traits and actions in this Administration that resemble those in Cuba and now Venezuela under Chavez. And of ocurse if one speaks agaisn't the Obama Administration then one is a racist, just read some of the stupid comments people have left apropo to your article.

If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck then it is a duck and although some people in the country do not want to admit or are reticent calling the President and many of his appointees Marxists I am not afirad to say it. Obama is a Communist who knows that he cannot say it outright to the American people so he pays lip service to the actual greatness of America while not believing a word he is saying, his actions speaking louder than words. We are in great danger and while I do not believe that we will in the end like Cuba or Venezuela Obama can do enough harm while he is in power to change the face of this nation to its detriment for generations to come.

RealtorSue| 2.1.10 @ 3:33PM

"Obama is a Communist who knows that he cannot say it outright to the American people so he pays lip service to the actual greatness of America while not believing a word he is saying, his actions speaking louder than words."

Very well said, Minerva! Obama is Woodrow Wilson incarnate... and for those who don't believe me, or who don't know or believe that Woodrow Wilson was a racist, evil Marxist S.O.B., read up on your 20th Century history.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 3:37PM

So, proof that we're living in communist Cuba is that the Federal government is seeking charges against a couple of conservatives who donned disguises and pretended to be phone company employees for the purpose of illegally accessing the phone system in a Federal office building?

I get it. Rule of law is proof of communism.

RealtorSue| 2.1.10 @ 3:43PM

Mmmm... I don't think that's what she said. Is that what YOU read? Perhaps you should go back and read what she said, again. The conclusion you're jumping to sounds like one Jeanneane Garafalo would come to.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:32PM

Wow, you guys need to seriously work on your talking points. Keeping your nonsequitors a little more, well, up to date, would help a ton.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:05PM

You only value 'rule of law' when it suits you. Justice for ALL---remember, moron?

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:24PM

Well, Mr. O'Keefe will get his day in court and enjoy the due process rights under our Constitution. If he can somehow prove that he wasn't violating Federal Law by his actions, good for him.

Interested Conservative| 2.1.10 @ 6:15PM

Pete - put your thinking cap on.

Mr. O'Keefe doesn't have to prove he wasn't violating federal law.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:23PM

When will ACORN get its day in court? They're the real criminals here.

I'm sick and tired of democrat obfuscation; it won't work anymore.

Pete| 2.3.10 @ 3:05PM

Well, to be fair, he didn't exactly help his case when he admitted to the actions he was arrested for. Being Andrew Breitbart's water carrier doesn't give him a free pass to illegally access a Federal phone system.

Tammy| 2.3.10 @ 4:19PM

Well, it's dirty ACORN'S turn to step up and admit their corruption and abuse of tax-payer monies.

Good luck with that! Democrat corruption is systemic--you need to be destroyed and the rebuilt.

John II| 2.2.10 @ 7:19PM

Is it up to date to misspell "non sequitur"? My students do that a lot. Just wondering.

And what about "flophouses"? Someone already asked, but Pete ignored him. According to my Junior Woodchucks Guidebook of Universal Knowledge, the term "flophouse" (a compound, by the way--not two words) is still current and still means a cheap hotel or, as they used to say in the sixties, "crash pad" (two words).

Jeremiah| 2.1.10 @ 3:20PM

Brooks and the Toddler are the same as Obama: they have not figured out yet that they are desperately in need of a new playbook. The old shibboleths just don't work anymore and the 'folksies' are not reacting by hating their neighbor on command from these clowns any more.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:06PM

Bingo, Jeremiah! When did you get so smart, smarty-pants?

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 3:24PM

Free James O'Keefe! - Gambling IQ links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…To All: The title of this thread is the title of an article which was written today by Ben Stein, who is listed the Book of Munchkin as a Great American. Here is a link to this article: The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe In case you don't know who Ben Stein is, here is a picture of him: Notice what a wise and distinguished gentleman he projects with his wise and stately and dignified appearance. As you…

David| 2.1.10 @ 3:27PM

" But, Mr. Holder, here is a line from the civil rights struggle I worked in before you were born: We are not afraid. And we're not going away. "

Mr. Stein, Mr. Holder is a mere seven years younger than you. Were you really struggling for civil rights before he was born, or is this just your way of calling him "boy"?

RealtorSue| 2.1.10 @ 3:37PM

Perhaps he went to Civil Rights rallies with his parents! You know, kind of like helping the homeless even when you're a kid by working in a soup kitchen, so you can have an appreciation for others? What a liberal jerk. Who else would think anyone is calling someone else "boy"... except for someone trying to manufacture a load of crap to discredit someone.

David| 2.1.10 @ 3:42PM

BWAAHAAAHAAA!!!! (gasp) HAAHAA!!HAAHAAAAHAA!!! (gasp) HAAAHAA!!

Okay, I've got it under control now.

Going to a rally with Mom and Dad is now "struggling for civil rights"? Oh gosh you're funny.

I love how people completely dedicated to a point of view are willing to ignore the obvious, or twist themselves into pretzels to defend the indefensible. Stein is full of you-know-what, but he's saying something you like so you won't admit it.

HAAAHAA!!HAAAAAAHAAA!!

Pete | 2.1.10 @ 3:42PM

Right. Stein was trying to play the "young man, you weren't around in my civil rights days" to AG Holder who is a grand total of seven years younger than Mr. Stein. It's classic Nixon era dog whistle crap. Don't be so obtuse.

RealtorSue| 2.1.10 @ 3:47PM

All I am saying is, I wasn't there so I don't know what he was doing or when... WERE YOU? Didn't think so.

David| 2.1.10 @ 4:01PM

No, you're having a knee-jerk reaction to defend Stein because you perceive him as being on your "team," and isn't that really the sort of reaction that has poisoned politics? Shouldn't we be able to evaluate claims based upon their content, rather than their authorship?

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:09PM

The only knee-jerkers around here are you silly liberal Axelrod trolls desperately trying to defend your dying democrat party.

Won't work, libs. November is coming fast and we're gonna trounce you clowns at the voting booth. Woohoo!!

Osamas Pajamas| 2.1.10 @ 3:28PM

Geez. Spying on the Democrats is like spying on the Mafia. The Demos always crow about their love of whistleblowers, except, of course, when someone seeks to blow the whistle ON THEM! Then it's DEATH TO THE WHISTLEBLOWER. In this case, the whistleblowers had heard that citizens complaining to Lanrieu's office about OhBummer's Healthcare Hijacking Plan were being given the runaround --- directed to either non-functional phones or phones on whose messages there were never pickups or any replies or acknowledgements. It had to be an undercover investigation, given that Landrieu's people would have lied throught their teeth to protect her --- so there! We need more adventurers like O'Keefe to investigate and expose the Democrats. But not me. I'm too old and fat to run, I'd just have to stand there and shoot my way out, if caught. ~:

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 3:40PM

Wrong, wrong, wrong. It's not "whistleblowing" to enter a Federal Office under false pretenses (ie, pretending to be phone company employees) in order to illegally access the phone system. A REAL journalist would have asked questions, followed leads, developed sources, got some on the record statements. Playing dress up and trying to access a phone cabinet in violation of the law isn't real journalism.

It has been repeated, but if a group of activists had pulled the same stunt on Scott Brown's office, would you be so quick to excuse that?

Citizen K| 2.1.10 @ 3:59PM

Something you are completely unaware of is that for two weeks before Christmas the other legislators were swamped with phone calls complaining about Mary's poor "customer service". No one had been able to get through to ANY of Mary's offices (Shreveport, Baton Rouge, New Orleans or DC) since Thanksgiving.

Right now neighbors are talking to neighbors and her name is being used as TP in grocery stores and it isn't just the white folk doing this.

Landrieu has failed to represent her state, though she may represent the majority of New Orleans where the majority of the population is on the government dole.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:31PM

So, why didn't Mr. O'Keefe actually talk to some people to get their thoughts about Senator Landrieu's "poor customer service". Then, after compiling those stories, he could have asked either the Senator or her staff for an interview to discuss the phone issue. While working on that angle, he could have additionally consulted with the facilities manager of the Senator's office building to get some sort of statement from them about the phones. Sure, this kind of ACTUAL journalism is sort of tedious and not really glamorous, but the main benefit of this method is that you don't have to commit actual Federal Crimes to get the information you want.

It doesn't matter what you think of the Senator, those opinions don't get to veto Federal Law about entering a Senator's Office under false pretense in order to illegally access her phone system.

Why is this so freaking hard for you guys to understand?

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:11PM

Why does ACORN steal elections for democrats, why do Black Panther thugs threaten citizens trying to vote and why are you such a tool?

Why is this so freaking hard for you to answer?

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:26PM

Tammy, in all seriousness, do you actually believe that McCain won the 2008 election? We hear the "ACORN steals elections" jive all the time, so I have to wonder if you truly believe that McCain got more votes and that Republicans actually won majorities with Latinos, women, and residents of large cities.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:25PM

ACORN does steal elections all of the time--but your vile tactics won't work in November because the American people are tired of your corrupt democrat tactics.

Pete| 2.3.10 @ 3:03PM

Which election did ACORN steal, Tammy? Provide me some documentation.

Tammy| 2.3.10 @ 4:16PM

Senator Al Frankenstein's bogus election. Democrat's strategy is to just keep counting until they win.

Won't happen in November, clown--mark my words.

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 3:28PM

Oh Jimmy Mack, When Are You Coming Back? « Around The Sphere links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…UPDATE: Chris Good Allah Pundit Jonathan Turley UPDATE #2: James O’Keefe’s statement on Big Government Ed Morrissey Chris Good at The Atlantic David Weigel at Washington Independent UPDATE #3: Ben Stein at The American Spectator Patterico David Weigel at Washington Independent Possibly related posts: (automatically generated) SpaceShip Music Out Now * Download* Jimmy McGriff (1969) -A Thing To Come By Tell…

Bob| 2.1.10 @ 3:33PM

Is it true that O'Keefe was denied an attorney for 28 hours?

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:27PM

Yes. Holder treated the crotch bomber better than O'Keefe.

Shows you where the Obama Justice Department's head is at.

Cynical_Me| 2.1.10 @ 7:42PM

errrr...No, that's not true...but nice try, asshat.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 7:50PM

Yes, that IS true.

Nothing more pathetic than a stupid troll who doesn't get its facts straight. Yawn.

Cynical_Me| 2.1.10 @ 8:02PM

Care to back that up?...didn't think so you simpleton...dealing with the son of a US Attorney and you don't mirandize them and let them lawyer up? Don't think so, professor.

Just keep repeating lies though...it's all you've got.

Smitty| 2.2.10 @ 4:32AM

Google it, moron--or is the truth above your pay grade?

Truth to liberals is like sunlight to vampires--anathema.

Scurry back under your slimy rock, liberal cockroach.

Gini| 2.2.10 @ 12:01PM

Not "above his paygrade," Smitty...His Daddy's (or Mommy's) paygrade.lol. (Son of a US Attorney...so that's what he hides behind;-)

Sam Meyerson| 2.1.10 @ 3:39PM

Pete has nailed it. And the Feds should nail Mr. O'Keefe. One wonders what Mr. Stein would say if some Muslim Americans went into, say, the TSA offices under the same false pretenses, claiming to be telephone repairmen, and having an accomplice with a listening device in a car a few blocks away.

Phillep Harding| 2.2.10 @ 1:00PM

A "listening device" proves nothing without a "transmitting device". So far as that goes, the easiest bugs to make or buy work on the FM entertainment band, making a car radio a "listening device". (Such bugs are often used as remote microphones at entertainment events, and can be found at Radio Shack.) Or, is the "listening device" involved simply the sort of directional microphone used with camcorders?

John Johnson| 2.1.10 @ 3:53PM

I too am concerned about general overreaching by federal prosectors. But I'm almost as concerned about Ben Stein's constantly making stuff up. Philadelphia voter intimidation documented and witnessed? The reason Holder didn't prosecute this was because there was nothing to prosecute. O'Keefe and his fellow goofballs did something terribly stupid, and likely criminal. They should face charges. Stein, quit making stuff up.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 5:16PM

Black Panther voter intimidation was caught on videotape (much like ACORN'S scandalous, corrupt actions were) and was widely disseminated.

You had to be blind, stupid or dead to have missed it--which one are you?

eRtwngr | 2.1.10 @ 3:57PM

Rea "Suspicious Handling of O'Keefe Incident": http://bit.ly/cwhHMK

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 4:00PM

Free James O'Keefe links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…just worrisome. It is something beyond that. But, Mr. Holder, here is a line from the civil rights struggle I worked in before you were born: We are not afraid. And we're not going away. The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe Reply With Quote + Reply to Thread « Previous Thread | - » Tags for this Thread eric holder innocent jailed james okeefe justice dept racism View Tag Cloud Bookmarks…

John Johnson| 2.1.10 @ 4:06PM

Osamas Pajamas.... HAHAHA!!! That's a pretty clever play on words! The president's name is "Obama," and you called him "OhBummer!" CLEVER!! Yeah... man, that's pretty good. You really made a good point with that. The point, of course, is that you're a doofus. (Were you going for a different point.... cause I don't see it.)

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 5:18PM

I just call Obama an incompetent, witless fool--works for me.

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 4:27PM

Los Angeles Clippers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Stream Free Watch … | Los Angeles Cl links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…will start at 6:00 pm ET on January 31, 2010 from Quicken Loans Arena Follow this link: Los Angeles Clippers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Stream Free Watch … Related Blogs on Free The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe Hot Air » Blog Archive » Ben Stein: Free James O'Keefe Free Computer Books | Industrial Magic Related Posts Watch Live Free – Cleveland Cavaliers vs Los Angeles Clippers ……

Beth| 2.1.10 @ 4:34PM

Mr. Stein ought to check his facts.

O'Keefe et all had not "been told that perhaps the phones were out of order" - back in December when callers had a hard time getting through, Landrieu said her phones were jammed, i.e., overrun with calls. There were more calls coming in than she had lines and people to manage. That was weeks ago.

O'Keefe's little bit of theater was a day late and a dollar short.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 4:45PM

I guess if Mr. O'Keefe had actually done the tedious work of checking his facts, developing sources, and talking to people on the record like a real journalist would, he might not have been tempted to commit a Federal Crime in order to reverse engineer "facts" to fit the conclusion he had already decided.

Barbarian Heretic| 2.1.10 @ 5:27PM

Sooo- O'Keefe isn't a REAL journalist. Certainly not on the professional level of a Dan Rather, Mary Mapes, etc. Real, trained, official journalists would NEVER stoop to "reverse engineer facts to fit a conclusion they had already reached..."

Now I get it. Thanks for enlightening.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:42PM

Well, when Mr. Rather and Ms. Mapes cut journalistic corners, they suffered consequences (as they should have, by the way). Mr. O'Keefe should suffer the same consequences as well, but instead, he remains on Andrew Breitbart's payroll.

Tammy| 2.1.10 @ 6:30PM

How do you know this, Pete? Psychic or just psycho? I'm bettin' on psycho.

Axelrod paying you more for overtime, troll?

Pete| 2.3.10 @ 3:02PM

It's easy to surmise that O'Keefe is on Breitbart's payroll when Breitbart himself says in interviews that he pays O'Keefe for stories.

Oh, btw, you're an ignorant little cunt.

Tammy| 2.3.10 @ 4:13PM

Ha ha ha!! The girl beat the crap out of the little p*ssy demoncrap!! You libtards are BETA MALES all!

It was nothing, really. I beat the snot out of the little liberal f@ggot with both hands tied behind my back--just like we're gonna do to you commies in November.

Save the date; November 2, 2010!!

libertychick| 2.1.10 @ 11:55PM

all you fact-checker screamers better check your own facts. read the fbi affidavit. no wire-tapping charges. and o'keefe made no request or attempt to access the phones. read it.

and why did holder get on the horn to the MSM while o'keefe was denied access to a lawyer for 28hrs? i smell a dead fish in this story and there's plenty more to come out.

Jolly| 2.2.10 @ 4:35AM

Agreed. Liberals lie and liars are liberal.

The dead fish you smell is probably Rahm Emanuel.

Ben Sublime| 2.1.10 @ 4:55PM

Ben Stein,

You are increasingly irrelevant. Peter Schiff is still laughing his ass off at you.

Sincerely,
Reality

martin j smith| 2.1.10 @ 4:50PM

In a previous post on the topic of o'keefe I felt that he had something on landrieu but with his youthful impetuousness got into trouble. I think that landrieu's telephone problem, for voters should be investigated. her constituents have a right to know.. Our so called justice department is clearly politicicized and I do not have any confidence in them at all along with Obama and his whole crew.

As for Acorn. It surprises me NOT to see trollers support Acorn. In my view they got caught and are shown to be the currupt organization they are. they are. Once again trollers like Obama live in their own universe. That is OK. Just keep out of mine. Move to france.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:02PM

Sorry, but O'Keefe committed a Federal Crime the moment he and his crew conspired to enter a Federal Office under false pretenses to access a phone system without authorization. Ends don't justify the means.

But, I guess if you really really really want to get the dirt on someone, it's ok to break the law. I guess the people investigating the abuses at Gitmo instead of sifting through documents, filing Freedom of Information requests, and talking to sources on the record should have instead dressed up in costume and broken into Gitmo to see if any torturing was going on.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 5:19PM

Prove it, clown. Your comments are just more liberal hot gas coming out your ass.

Pete| 2.1.10 @ 5:40PM

Reading comprehension

You missed the hypothetical here.

O'Keefe thought he had a story. Instead of doing the legwork and source checking that real journalists do, he put on a costume and tried to CREATE a scandal to line up with his pre-determined conclusion.

The Gitmo example was simply saying that if the people working to research possible abuses there had followed Mr. O'Keefe's lead, instead of doing journalistic research, that they should have simply broken into the facility.

Be honest, if O'Keefe had instead targeted Mitch McConnell's office and phone system, would you be defending him?

Interested Conservative| 2.1.10 @ 6:12PM

Pete - you've got five qualifications in your sample indictment. What do you think the odds are of a guilty finding?

For that matter, I don't know that you can conspire to enter a federal building under false pretenses. Maybe to conspire to do something once inside, but they are public buildings after all.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 6:34PM

You're repeating yourself, troll. Tammy already answered your same question regarding Senator Brown: Yes, we'd support efforts to expose a Senator who is lying, regardless of party.

You're the hypocrite here, clown. Your party stinks with corruption--November should be a good cleansing.

freeta goodholm| 2.1.10 @ 5:45PM

Gitmo?
Oh yea I forgot.
Bush lied.
People died.
Dolphins cried.

BooRadley| 2.1.10 @ 4:56PM

Witnessed and documented. Yeah, right!

Vincent| 2.1.10 @ 5:11PM

This is the racism today. And we should all pause to assess the structure of law and order.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 5:21PM

You're right; white democrats are racists--just look at the way they keep blacks on filthy, rat infested inner-city plantations.

Liberals are morally bankrupt.

Colin Killian| 2.1.10 @ 5:21PM

Stein's main point is that the Obama Justice Department is picking and choosing who to prosecute for crimes based on their politics. Nixon is back and his name is Obama. But at least Nixon had a brain.

BTW, why am I the only one man enough to sign his real name, anyway?

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 5:21PM

Nashville at Colorado 1 /22 /10 Free NHL Pick | Nashville Predators NHL Announcer links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…L Pick By NHL Announcer | February 1, 2010 prolinehockeypicks.com Nashville Predators at Colorado Avalanche January 22, 2010 Free pick NHL Hockey. sportschatplace.com Related Blogs on Free The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe Hot Air » Blog Archive » Ben Stein: Free James O'Keefe Free Computer Books | Industrial Magic Related Posts Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche NHL Jan 22, 2010 Free ……

Mike Owens| 2.1.10 @ 5:42PM

The incident with the Black Panthers actually took place in Philadelphia. I know, they all look alike, so it's easy to confuse Detroit with Philly.

Nobama| 2.2.10 @ 4:54AM

That's funny!

anonymous| 2.1.10 @ 5:56PM

Shut the fuck up Ben Stein, you pants-shitting moron. I see that the "two wrongs make a right" philosophy is still alive and well on the conservative side of the spectrum: because the black panthers in Philadelphia did messed up things, that justifies O'Keefe and his merry band of incompetents?

And then you bleat impotently about the first amendment-- that has no bearing against this trial, because what he was doing was a blatant violation of federal law. Anyone stupid enough to go into a government building in costume to fuck with their phones deserves exactly what they get: a world of hurt when they're brought to trial.

You fucking simpering moron.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 6:37PM

That you, 'deadfish' Rahm Emanuel? Ballerina boy with the filthy mouth, that you?

wsorrian| 2.2.10 @ 1:52AM

He's simply pointing out the hypcrisy and double standard that exists in our justice system when it comes to prosecuting political activists. You ignorant jackass.

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 5:57PM

Make Money With Good Risk Management | Management Business Wisdom links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…people find risk management boring Read more here: Make Money With Good Risk Management Related Blogs on Article UN based disappearing mountain ice claims on student essay and … The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe Related Posts Personal Finance and Money Management 20 – Risk Management … G4S Risk Management interview process Stock Trading Money & Risk Management Software – Crash…

Gregmass| 2.1.10 @ 5:59PM

The guy should be fried. We can't have corporate paid hacks being rewarded for breaking into Federal Buildings with the idea of disruption of communications. Funny how the party of "law and order", becomes the party of Liberalism when it meets their ends.

Interested Conservative| 2.1.10 @ 6:08PM

" . . . breaking into . . . ", and "disrupting" communications?

Huh? You've got the facts backwards. Have you read the criminal indictment?

This is a PR stunt gone awry, with some overreaction thrown in.

The charges will likely be dismissed, if not at the USA's insistence, then after a quiet call from the Senator. The last thing she wants is a circus trial of these four guys.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 6:39PM

O'Keefe's blade has struck the democrat party's carotid!!

Shove it in deeper; only a mortal wound will do.

Cynical_Me| 2.1.10 @ 7:31PM

"O'Keefe's blade" ?!?
You, Sir, are truly an idiot.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 7:40PM

It's a metaphor, dumbass; look it up!!

Don't just shove the 'blade' in deeper--twist it, too.

chesbayboy | 2.1.10 @ 6:04PM

"Obama is a Communist who knows that he cannot say it outright to the American people so he pays lip service to the actual greatness of America while not believing a word he is saying, his actions speaking louder than words."

Obama, Pelosi, Reed, Chuckyou Schumer, Frank and many more and even quite a few in the Republican party are PROGRESSIVES. Hillary even claimed to rather be called Progressive than Liberal. Woodrow Wilson was a hugh Progressive.

If you want to know who and what Progressives really are and believe google, Richard Ely, John Dewey, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Herbert Croly. The Four Horsemen of Progressivism.

Pete| 2.2.10 @ 11:19AM

I see Beck's fingerprints all over this post.

Fine.

Which specific pieces of "progressive era" legislation would you like overturned or repealed?

The FDA? Child Labor Laws? The 40 hour work week? Direct Election of Senators? The 16th Amendment? Universal suffrage?

Smitty| 2.2.10 @ 3:07PM

Beck's fingerprints? The guy's really in you liberals' heads isn't he? lol

Yeah, we know--George W planned and executed 9/11, too.

Black helicopters and tinfoil hats, Pete. You're losing what little sanity you ever possessed, moron.

Pete| 2.3.10 @ 3:00PM

No. Beck has been weirdly obsessed with Woodrow Wilson lately, while putting forth this idea that progressivism is a century plus old conspiracy. My question is simply which piece of Progressive Era legislation would you like repealed? It's not that hard of a question to answer. So try answering it.

Smitty| 2.3.10 @ 4:05PM

"Weirdly obsessed?" That's rich!! Nothing like your 'weird obsession' with this particular blog.

You really do need to get a life, loser--get a job, too, dummocrap!

See you in November; in the meantime, watch out for those black helicopters. lol

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:21PM

You are unable to answer the question. You got nothing.

Nobama| 2.6.10 @ 10:13PM

What is the question, moron?

Jed Skillman | 2.1.10 @ 6:21PM

Remember the California Acorn employee O'Keefe taped bragging how she set her husband up, shot him, and got away with it? That didn't make the front page of the New York Times, nor did any part of the ACORN story...

Who do you suppose gets in deeper trouble with the law?

Pete| 2.2.10 @ 11:21AM

Um. You do realize that a reporter actually tracked down the ACORN employee's husband mentioned in that tape, and it turned out he was quite alive. Perhaps, just perhaps, the ACORN employee, seeing that idiotic "pimp" outfit knew right away she was being punked and instead of kicking them out, foolishly attempted to play along by saying the things she did.

ZerObama| 2.2.10 @ 3:10PM

Yeah, "That idiotic pimp outfit," the one that fooled all those ACORN employees into breaking the law.

Who are the REAL idiots? (Besides you, of course).

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:23PM

It may well be that the real idiots are the ones who do not know how heavily and selectively the acorn videos were edited.
He did not wear the 'pimp' outfit when visiting the clinics; only when appearing on Fox!

wwwexler| 2.6.10 @ 10:15PM

You're even more stupid than I first thought. Give times and dates of O'Keefe's Fox appearances when he wore the 'pimp' outfit.

I hope Axelrod is paying you enough to whore yourself, lying libtard.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.1.10 @ 6:27PM

I am ROFL (uh that means rooling on floor laughing).

Mr. Obama and crew have their covert ops guys here in force today.
SCREW ALL OF YOU LIARS! heh.

One day we may meet over open sights. Until then, watch your communist, (pardon the shorthand), lies go right down the toilet.

THESE ARE NOT "TROLLS", FOLKS! HEADS UP!

These are paid liars wearing ( "purple shirts" SEIU), instead of brown shirts (NAZI).

They are paid to lie and disrupt. Ignore them, or play games with them.

Or...if you are in the mood... (heh).

Patriot| 2.1.10 @ 6:41PM

Love you, Ken. Keep up the good fight, our country is worth it!

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:25PM

Yes, keep threatening the lives of those you disagree with, and then call them names.
Using 'facts' and 'logic' would only further weaken your position, because you have none.

wwwexler| 2.6.10 @ 10:17PM

Anonymous posters on a blog are lives? Cut back the drugs, dude; you're losing what little sanity you ever had.

twolaneflash| 2.1.10 @ 6:41PM

No Justice, No Peace!
Know Justice, Know Peace.
Free O'keefe! Free O'keefe!
We The People need relief.

ThreadKiller| 2.1.10 @ 7:01PM

right wing sentence = noun+verb+"ACORN" or "Terrorist" or "birth certificate".

Pick one of the three depending on the situation.

okeffe better start lifting weights now so whe gets put into the federal pen with the meth dealers, gang leaders and murders he lasts more than an afternoon.

Jolly| 2.1.10 @ 7:11PM

Meth dealers, gang leaders and murderers--JUST YOUR AVERAGE DEMOCRATS!!

Cynical_Me| 2.1.10 @ 7:27PM

Ben,
These "men" entered a U.S. Senator's office using faked identities with the aim of tapping the Senator's phone lines. What part of treason don't you understand? They are felons and they WILL do prison time.
How's that self-hating Jew thing going for ya?

Interested Conservative| 2.1.10 @ 7:38PM

Read the Affidavit. Or continue with the fantasy. Your choice.

Jolly| 2.1.10 @ 7:45PM

The only self-hating Jews are those who repeatedly vote for leftist candidates who hate them.

The scumbag democrat party is virulently anti-Semitic.

Nobama| 2.1.10 @ 7:48PM

Stupid troll; your 'phone-tapping' charge has been debunked.

At least get your 'facts' straight, nimrod.

Cynical_Me| 2.1.10 @ 7:54PM

Debunk away, you mental midget.
They had wiretapping gear on them.

Nobama| 2.1.10 @ 7:58PM

How do ou know, liar? Any proof with your whine?

wsorrian| 2.2.10 @ 1:46AM

They did NOT even have wirecutters, much less "wiretapping gear". Moron.

wsorrian| 2.2.10 @ 1:47AM

The prosecutors even said as much. You're using outdated and completely disproven propaganda there, Red.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.1.10 @ 7:40PM

Hey Cynical...

PROVE IT, ORIFICE!

last time I checked...in America...innocent until proven guilty.
Even your asshole President gives those rights to murderers.

Smitty| 2.1.10 @ 7:41PM

MASS murderers!

Liberalism is a mental illness.

Cynical_Me| 2.1.10 @ 7:51PM

Well skippy...let's try to get a handle on the potty mouth, k?
Have you forgotten that "your asshole President" George W Bush had the "shoe-bomber", Richard Reid tried as a civilian?...you people are absolutely incredible in your ignorance and hate.

Jolly| 2.1.10 @ 8:02PM

Talk about hate!! How about Holder's hate?

How dare he treat the Crotch Bomber better than O'Keefe? Can you say ABUSE OF POWER??

We'll see you democrat losers in November!! You've just given us more ammo to kick your butts at the voting booth.

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 8:04PM

Mandamus Update | The Grumpy Republican links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…mandates. The full article is HERE. Maybe West Virginia should follow suit on this movement. Does this give you the feeling that maybe the prison orange for Mr. O’Keefe and his pals is a mark of courage and honor and that the rest of us should be shivering about what the Obama Justice Department thinks is law? ..Ben Stein The full article is HERE. I agree with Ben Stein, Jim O’Keefe is getting hosed. If Jim…

Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 8:06PM

Mandamus Update - Grumpy Republican Blog-Backup site links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…mandates. The full article is HERE. Maybe West Virginia should follow suit on this movement. Does this give you the feeling that maybe the prison orange for Mr. O’Keefe and his pals is a mark of courage and honor and that the rest of us should be shivering about what the Obama Justice Department thinks is law? ..Ben Stein The full article is HERE. I agree with Ben Stein, Jim O’Keefe is getting hosed. If Jim…

etracks| 2.1.10 @ 8:23PM

Stfu Ben Stein you cock. Get thee back to remedial biology.

Patriot| 2.2.10 @ 4:47AM

Is that you, Michelle?

Grow up kids| 2.1.10 @ 8:33PM

Hey republicans - you don't have to defend every whackaloon that comes along. O'Keefe really is a douchebag, Fox news is an adult cartoon, Bush was the worst president ever, Scott Roeder is a psychopath and Ben Stein doesn't know a god-damned thing about evolution.

Margie| 2.1.10 @ 9:27PM

Is that you, Obama?

Sam Lowry| 2.2.10 @ 12:55AM

Dear Troll, of course liberals don't want anyone to defend O'Keefe! You're redundant. And Bush? Funny how Bush is blamed for everything when the Democrats had majorities in congress, and now the minority "party of 'no'" is to blame for Obama's failure to get anything meaningful done. (Why does Obama hate minorities so much? Oh, that's right, it's not about minorities with him, it's about race...) Get a clue, Troll. Obama can't even lead his own party with a supermajority! Makes you wonder how Clinton ever got anything done.

Gini| 2.2.10 @ 1:22AM

By the way Ben Stein, I watched your special on evolution. It was well thought-out. I love your piece about eugenics...so true. Brave of you to endure such pains, given you history in it. The terrible strife your people suffered was horrible... And more than that, it was awefully hidden. I just wanted to take a moment to say that, as others seem to discredit the horror you must have felt in exploring your history.
This seems to have evolved into a racial discussion of Black vs. White. I hate that it always seems to come to that in this country, but maybe things are just not clear for some. Yes, you may have a bad history in this country. If it makes you feel better, think of the history and present of you own native lands, or the history of Haiti for that matter...Yours is much better. As Obama would say, "Look to the future." You and your children stand a better chance in this land than the land that your ancestors were sold from (often by neighboring tribes). You may be mad, but you cannot argue history.

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:31PM

Dueling quotes, or, how Gini contradicts herself:

Brave of you to endure such pains, given you (sic) history in it.

This seems to have evolved into a racial discussion of Black vs. White. I hate that it always seems to come to that in this country, but maybe things are just not clear for some. Yes, you may have a bad history in this country. If it makes you feel better, think of the history and present of you own native lands, or the history of Haiti for that matter...Yours is much better.

Persecuted and Jewish; kudos for your brave fight.
Persecuted and black; you are lucky your parents got sold into slavery.

wwwexler| 2.6.10 @ 10:21PM

Democrats like you owned slaves and created the vicious, black killing KKK--no wonder you racist losers feel so much guilt--you should!

richard robertson| 2.1.10 @ 9:07PM

The racist little shithead got caught as the fraud he is. I hope he goes to jail for a long time... after he has to pay up to the ACORN worker suing him.

JimE| 2.1.10 @ 9:58PM

Lots of trolls today, ACORN and SEIU must be paying 25 cents a post to support their scam. Post enough and they get to visit DC and rim obama.

U.R. Anoob| 2.1.10 @ 10:27PM

I believe the charge was "entering federal property under false pretenses for the purpose of committing a felony"

http://www.foxnews.com/politic.....y-charges/

I guess you have to weigh that against the horrible injustice of people not being able to get through on the phone to their Senator's office.

Patriot| 2.2.10 @ 4:46AM

Leave it to a sociopathic liberal to try to defend the morally indefensible.

What about the horrible injustice of the ACORN workers who aided and abetted people they thought were setting up a sexual slavery ring for young immigrant girls?

Liberals are heartless and soulless--you people are the walking dead among us.

ACORN is Obama.

DanMingo| 2.6.10 @ 12:36PM

What about the horrible injustice of the ACORN workers
If they committed crimes, they should be prosecuted.
If O'Keefe and co committed crimes, they should be prosecuted too.
Acorn is a large organization. Some of their people are corrupt.
The GOP is a large party. Some of its' members are corrupt.
You are fond of name calling, but you fail to make an intelligent point.

Patriot| 2.6.10 @ 10:23PM

You agreed with my point, braintrust--ACORN should be held accountable for their crimes, too.

Phillep Harding| 2.2.10 @ 1:08PM

It's a felony if they intended to commit a felony (that probably plays out as "or did commit").

Otherwise, it is a misdemeanor (6 months max).

Greg| 2.1.10 @ 11:16PM

This comment thread was absolutely fantastic. Comedy gold. I had no idea that the folks who praised the Patriot Act every day for seven years had suddenly become such civil liberties fanatics! Thanks to Tammy and the Old Texican for the laughs!

Tammy| 2.2.10 @ 4:40AM

Thanks for that, Greg--because the hilarious laughs are on YOU!!

Moron.

Greg| 2.2.10 @ 11:40AM

Great comeback, Tammy! Wait, I've got one...

No... the laughs are on YOU... infinity!

So how much sympathy have you had over the past eight years for regular law-abiding Muslims whose civil liberties have been encroached upon in the name of security? I'll bet you've been protesting up a storm over that.

Nobama| 2.2.10 @ 3:16PM

Any proof with your whine, libtard?

Donnyvee| 2.1.10 @ 11:35PM

I got called whitey 3 days ago in San Jose, (enlightened) CA. I also seem to recall some sort of town hall a few years ago in New Orleans (yes, that New Orleans) where a somewhat dark skinned negro said to someone "you shut up white boy." For all you negro folks who happen to be darker than Obama, please refer to white as the "W" word from now on. Thank you.

DEF| 2.1.10 @ 11:40PM

It appears the message is clear, keep buying ammo, you're going to need it to fight against domestic enemies of the Constitution!! Hopefully the Judicial system will wake up too and realize it's allegiance is with the people, not the ever changing tyrannical political movement!! Humans obey laws because they have a instinctual belief in a higher power! Is government that higher power in your life? It is the belief they prey upon, believe it or not!!!!

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Jossey-Bass::Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to … | Women's Health Wisdo links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…out have forgotten the dreams of the free-spirited girl living … View original here: Jossey-Bass::Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to … Related Blogs on Free The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe “But it's free…” « The Angry Technician Free Computer Books | Industrial Magic Related Posts Work-Life Balance: 8-Step Stress Management | Women In Consulting Blog Amazon Fertility…

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Beginner Snow Skiing Lessons : Wedge Turns: Skiing Tips … | Snowboarding Leisure Know links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Learn how to do a wedge turn on skis in this free beginner skiing lesson on. Read the original post: Beginner Snow Skiing Lessons : Wedge Turns: Skiing Tips … Related Blogs on Free The American Spectator : Free James O'Keefe “But it's free…” « The Angry Technician Free Computer Books | Industrial Magic Related Posts Beginner Snow Skiing Lessons : How to Control Speed & Stop: Skiing ……

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The Mahablog » Why You Don’t Spy in Federal Buildings links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…to fellow citizens, you respect security protocols and don’t ask for them to be lifted just for you. When we start to make exceptions, security is weakened. It’s way past time for people like Ben Stein to grow up. There are some things one doesn’t do, like yell “bomb” on an airplane, even if it’s a joke. And you don’t pull a stunt like this in a federal building and expect a…

Sam Lowry| 2.2.10 @ 12:46AM

Ah, yes. The "IT'S A BLACK THING" argument. It's the Forever Racism argument, because it can't be overcome. With such people stoking the embers, the fire of racism will never die.

Mole | 2.2.10 @ 1:02AM

Libelous press should be sued..the man making the LIBELOUS statements is a NH State Representative.

Liberal attends event with Breitbart -- claims James confessed to 'felony'. I hope Breitbart and James will sue this blog, "Blue Hampshire". I have screen shots.

http://www.bluehampshire.com/d.....ew-orleans

Breitbart Blasts Liberal Hypocrisy in Manchester as Stooge Confesses to Felonies in New Orleans
by: TimothyHorrigan
Sun Jan 31, 2010 at 01:01:11 AM EST

( - promoted by Dean Barker)

Steward for Prosperity had an ostensibly nonpartisan event in Manchester. It was in fact totally partisan, but I went anyway. I scared Rep. Fran Wendelboe a little, whom I know from a recent hearing to be a gun-toting state rep, but she laughed it off and there was no gun fire. I only stayed for the speech by Newt Gingrich which is actually not what I will comment on.

TimothyHorrigan :: Breitbart Blasts Liberal Hypocrisy in Manchester as Stooge Confesses to Felonies in New Orleans

I will say that the conservative movement in America has devolved to the point where Newt Gingrich is now a voice of reason. And part of that may just because he has mellowed with age. He almost sounded like a liberal at tines: like a liberal he just says what he thinks and only occasionally bothers to tell us what the other side thinks. The typical conservative polemicist, unlike Gingrich, is obsessed with liberals and spend most of his or her time telling the audience (very inaccurately) what liberals think.

Andrew Breitbart apparently took some time off during his speech in Manchester from explaining what liberals think, and used part of his timeslot to blast us liberals for our hypocrisy regarding a recent incident in New Orleans. His stooge James O'Keefe (who made the infamous Acorn videos) kinda confessed to several felonies: he was caught trying to bug Sen. Landrieu's phone. His confession is amusingly demented. I am posting it here in its entierty because I think the young man's lawyers (unless they are dumb as their client) will be taking it down soon as they try to keep him out of jail.

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.

Tags: Breitbart, Gingricj, teabaggers, James O'Keefe, (All Tags)
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Breitbart Blasts Liberal Hypocrisy in Manchester as Stooge Confesses to Felonies in New Orleans | 7 comments
by: you @ soon