If you thought you sent representatives and senators to
Washington, D.C., to exercise the constitutionally mandated power
of the purse — you’re wrong.
Silly you. You wasted all that time in civics class learning a
whole bunch of outdated claptrap about separation of powers and
the lawmaking process for nothing.
The spending power belongs to federal judges now, regardless of
what that quaint little document called the U.S. Constitution
says.
That’s what ACORN’s favorite federal judge, Nina Gershon of
the Eastern District of New York ruled Wednesday.
In December Gershon, a Bill Clinton appointee, helped ACORN out
by offering the Obama administration political cover by issuing
a
temporary injunction prohibiting Congress from cutting off
funding for ACORN. She found that depriving ACORN of
taxpayer dollars was an unconstitutional “bill of attainder” that
singled out ACORN for punishment without trial.
Only in the through-the-looking-glass world of a leftist activist
judge could the organized crime syndicate ACORN be deemed a
victim because Congress decided to stop funding it. Only in such
a world could a cutoff of such funding be deemed a penalty.
To give credit where it’s due, the Obama administration did the
right thing and appealed the December ruling.
Now Nutty Nina’s made the ruling permanent and it’s not yet
clear if the administration will appeal this latest ruling.
(Here
is the permanent injunction and the
opinion and order she issued yesterday.)
Gershon showed a similar contempt for the legislative
branch previously. In 1999 she ruled then-New York
mayor
Rudy Giuliani had no right to cut off city funding of the
Brooklyn Museum of Art
when it displayed dead animals and a painting of the Virgin
Mary decorated with elephant dung. Gershon’s not exactly
courageous, by the way. She managed
to get out of taking accused Al Qaeda
terrorist Najibullah Zazi’s case when a courthouse computer
randomly assigned it to her.
If Gershon’s absurd ruling remains undisturbed it will mean
every parasitic leftist group in the country will have due
process rights in the appropriations process. At worst, Congress
will not be able to cut off any group for any reason. At
best, Congress will have to jump through hoops in order to
de-fund any group. The rights of tax eaters will become paramount
to the rights of taxpayers.
The ruling should be music to the ears of Rep. Jerrold Nadler
(D-N.Y.), a huge fan of ACORN who has given thousands of dollars
over the years to the ACORN network. The thoroughly corrupt
Nadler urged ACORN’s lawyer to sue the government, arguing that a
ban on funding constituted a “bill of attainder.” Within weeks,
ACORN took his advice.
The ruling also appears to mean that ACORN and other
leftist activist groups are eligible for up to $3.99
billion in federal funding included in President Obama’s $3.83
trillion fiscal 2011 budget blueprint.
The $3.99 billion comes from a congressional slush fund known as
the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is
part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD)
$48.5 billion fiscal 2011 budget. CDBG grants, which are awarded
to states and localities, flow indirectly to ACORN and similar
groups that compete at the state and local level for grants.
Thanks, Nutty Nina. You’ve outdone yourself this time.
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 5:32AM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Judge Nutty Nina: Parasites … American Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 8:03AM
Va Foreclosures Allow You To Buy For Less By Buying Like A Member Of The Military | F links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 9:42AM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Judge Nutty Nina: Parasites … capital universi links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
jacobus cambria| 3.11.10 @ 9:49AM
The author of this article is, apparently, not aware of the "bill of attainder" clause of the Constitution of the United States of America.
It would seem to me that you should be angry about representatives and senators seeking to exercise the constitutionally mandated power of the judiciary.
Nick| 3.11.10 @ 10:09AM
Mr. Cambria,
You, apparently, are not aware of what a "bill of attainder" is.
My organization isn't getting any federal funds. Am I being punished?
jacobus cambria| 3.11.10 @ 3:38PM
According to Judge Rehnquist, "a bill of attainder was a legislative act that singled out one or more persons and imposed punishment on them, without benefit of trial. Such actions were regarded as odious by the framers of the Constitution because it was the traditional role of a court, judging an individual case, to impose punishment." My understanding is that the SCOTUS includes bills of pains and penalties under this interpretation.
As far as I'm aware ACORN has not been found guilty of anything to this point in time. Individual persons who work for ACORN may have been accused of various forms of malfeasance. If you are aware of any findings of guilt by a court, I'd be happy to be enlightened.
I'd also be more than pleased to learn which part of the judge's ruling in this particular case is incorrectly reasoned.
As for whether you are being punished, I cannot say one way or the other. Have you been subject to "a legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial?" If yes, then that would be illegal.
Nick| 3.11.10 @ 4:03PM
Mr. Cambria,
I think you mean CHIEF JUSTICE Rehnquist.
What was the Congressional ACT that punished ACORN? House or Senate bill number will suffice.
Congress wasn't going to take ACORN's money with a fine or tax. They were going to stop giving them taxpayer's money. That is not punishment, it is common sense.
Is this so hard to understand?
ZerObama| 3.11.10 @ 11:22PM
Well, of course ACORN hasn't been found guilty of any crime--Obama's corrupt Justice Dept. keeps covering up for their disgusting crimes.
OBAMA = ACORN--what do you expect?
kathy| 3.12.10 @ 6:58AM
You sure don't understand what a "bill of attainder" is, Jacobus! Congress has the right and responsibility to decide how to spend taxpayer money. They are responsible for deciding how best to morally spend that money.
That is different than taking private property by the government. There is only so much money for public groups, and they Congress can decide who deserves it the most and cut the funds of the rest.
The Congress can also even dismantle the court system if they want too and establish a different system, which means Nutty Nina may have to ask ACORN for a job!!
ACORN is an anti-social group. You can tell if a group is social or anti-social by their products, behavior and who they associate with.
The taxpayers do not have to fund anti-social groups. Thomas Jefferson did not believe in having an income tax system because he said that it may then cause people to contribute to things they do not morally believe in. He believed in a tariff system on goods from other countries.
In fact, no one who is sane, intelligent and peace-loving would contribute to an anti-social group. The Congress acted responsibly to cut off our money to that anti-social group.
However, you're just the type of person who is a weak link in America because you can't morally weigh data or personal behavior.
A wise man once wrote: "Crazier still are those who just stand around and do nothing in the face of insanity."
Whose team are you on, J? Good or evil? It's time to decide.
Marc Jeric| 3.11.10 @ 12:03PM
Why is it that we cannot sue the judges for malfeasance in office? I would sentence that creep to 20 years without parole. Clinton appointee - right? Aha - that disbarred felon!
Jon B| 3.11.10 @ 7:02PM
I agree. When the US SC violated the Constitution to install the President, there was no punishment available except impeachment and removal. The Republican majority was not going to support support the Constitution.
There is no 12-12 deadline for counting votes written in law anywhere. This was a deadline created out of thin air by the US SC when they chose to give 0 value to 10's of thousands of legal votes, preferring to give full value to another set of legal votes. A direct violation of the equal protection cause of the 14th amendment, and one of the biggest crimes this nation has ever witnessed. No punishment at all for it since there is no law to prevent the US SC from violating the Constitution.
ZerObama| 3.11.10 @ 11:31PM
Wrong thread, dumbtard! lol
Ike| 3.11.10 @ 12:10PM
Mr. Cambria: A bill of attainter was a practice of the English Parliament, a law passed which forfeited the lawfully owned property of a person or a family to the Crown as a punishment. Most often, it was accompanied by some criminal conviction and in addition to whatever punishment was meted out via the courts, but not always. In the 18th Century, it was most often used to punish political opponents without resort to the courts.
But the difference is that ACORN has no ownership rights to public money, whether appropriated or not. If Congress had passed a law confiscating ACORN's bank deposits, real and personal property, and other assets, that would have been a bill of attainter.
Pete| 3.11.10 @ 12:11PM
This is a HUGE issue. This is the only chance the Dims have of winning elections in the next 2 cycles - outright fraud. This must be elevated into the public consciousness ASAP. Why isn't every Republican on TV hitting this issue hard?
uncle curmudgeon| 3.11.10 @ 2:08PM
Absolutely correct, Pete. De-funding the Left is job # 1. Should the GOP ever exercize the competence option, it could become their Energizer Bunny issue for years to come. Somebody hand those dopes an ax. Timmm-buuurrr!
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 12:31PM
Goal Setting Guide – Goal Setting Process | You Can be Great If You Really Want To links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 12:31PM
Teen Goal Setting – Goal Setting For Teens | You Can be Great If You Really Want To links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 12:56PM
hundreds pilates | Mari Pilates News & Information links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 1:12PM
rhino hdri | HD Digest links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 1:59PM
optimal lcd viewing distance | Plasma Tv Vs Lcd Tv links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
John Baker| 3.11.10 @ 3:05PM
So, I guess it's OK for ACORN to help people to smuggle underage children into the country as sex slaves. What else would you expect from such a radical person.
JUDGE NINA GERSHON SUPPORTS PROSITUTION AND THE ABUSE OF CHILDREN!!!!!
DanMingo| 3.11.10 @ 3:17PM
Acorn did not help or offer to help smuggle anyone anywhere.
If an employee of Acorn did, they were punished.
If you are referring to the highly edited smear films of the indicted Breitbart acolyte; that's not proof of anything.
The court has no lawful right to deprive an agency which is receiving public funds of those funds because of rumors and smears.
If you have information regarding the arrest and conviction of anyone from Acorn for prostitution, soliciting, or child abuse it would be helpful for you to share it (facts only please, not right wing ranting), but if, as is likely, you are just parroting rush, glen, sean or whoever, you have no basis for your accusatory statements.
ZerObama| 3.12.10 @ 3:15PM
Any proof with your hackneyed DNC talking points whine, dumbtard? Talk about a bird-brained parrot.
Projection is a pillar of leftist thought.
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 3:08PM
dvds wholesalers | Free Player Region links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 3:09PM
Getting The Most Out Of Internet Marketing With An Article Marketing Strategy links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 3:20PM
Germany Blows By The Competition With Wind Power – Possibly GREEN links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 3:29PM
graphic design books | Graphic Design Employment links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 3:31PM
Top 3 Reasons Women Reject Men links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 4:08PM
Cat Training And You | Cat Training Guide Online links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 4:28PM
Submit Articles Online a Way to Explode Your Income? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 4:29PM
Submit Articles Online a Way to Explode Your Income? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 4:45PM
Successful Cat Training – 3 Rules To Follow | Cat Training Guide Online links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Bruce | 3.11.10 @ 4:57PM
Well - I guess if you lefty nutroots can parrot MoveOn, Daily Kos, WaPo, and Soros - we can parrot whoeverthehell we want. Tit for tat and all that. And by the way - ACORN is not an "agency" of the government. At least officially, that is, no matter how hard Zero tries to give them official recognition. They are a private political organization, and have absolutely NO right to public taxpayer money.
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 5:02PM
motorcycle tread wear | Harley Davidson and Kawasaki Motorcycle Accessories links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 5:31PM
boombox vintage | Vintage Turntable to Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 5:31PM
hemeroids treatment | Cure My Hemorrhoids links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 6:23PM
burn ps2 games | Buy Playstation Games links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Moby Froll| 3.11.10 @ 7:13PM
Ah, yes, Jihadists everywhere love the American court system!
It's all about "branding," so we have hired a New York consultant to help us.
Al-Qaeda will become "Hugs Across the Gulf" and Taliban will change its name to "Fluffy Bunny Slippers."
We are going to rolling in the (federal) dough very, very soon!
I mean, who could turn down hugs or bunny slippers! Those guys in their Brooks Brothers suits were worth every dime!
Maybe they'll even put us in charge of the census! Since we are experts in the cross-border exploitation of women, we can put ACORN to shame in advising aspiring pimps and 'hos.
I just love it when our enemies fund us. Sweet . . .
Lenin said: "When the time comes to hang the capitalists, they will sell us the rope."
He was only half right, though.
They will GIVE us the money to buy it!!!
Prepare for the coming Caliphate!
Better start learning Arabic, Infidels!
Allahu Akbar!
Free Major Hasan!
Gene| 3.11.10 @ 8:50PM
"Only in the through-the-looking-glass world of a leftist activist judge could the organized crime syndicate ACORN..."
And this means? Oh - you have no idea. Neither do I except to show your total prejudice. What a bunch of fascist malarky!
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 10:24PM
Husband and Wife Plead Not Guilty to School Theft (KFBB Great Falls) | Rx Drugs Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.11.10 @ 10:32PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Judge Nutty Nina: Parasites … : Cuisinart Popc links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.12.10 @ 5:10AM
world of worcraft | World of Warcraft Guide links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.12.10 @ 5:37AM
poop train | MY Trains Online links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.12.10 @ 11:38AM
Gavel Grab » Friday Media Summary links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.12.10 @ 3:40PM
couture las vegas 2009 | Handbags Couture links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.12.10 @ 5:12PM
Updates from beautifulbrwnbabydol!!! | Weight loss diet pills links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.13.10 @ 2:52PM
vintage collection designs | Vintage Turntable to Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.15.10 @ 9:18AM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Judge Nutty Nina: Parasites … | Acorn Issues links to this page. Here’s an excerpt: