Thanks, classic.

I understand now that a member's word can be more golden than the facts and certainly more than ... :eek: ....an admitted lobbyist....particularly if you are predisposed to share that member's opinion.

And presumption of innocence need not apply.

Who needs officials findings of violations of law in order to point your finger at people (or organizations), with whom you might disagree, and declare "guilty" of criminal activity.

I accept the verdict of the lookout/merc/classic court.....ACORN is guilty of high crimes for being an aggressive lobbying and community based organization.

Should I presume you share this sentiment as well:

Lobbyists rank just below child rapists in my book...

Just nod, no independent thinking required!

Generally speaking, I hear stuff like the ACORN vote rigging, or their actions around mortgages, and I assume bias and misinformation. But Lookout, I trust. I don't necessarily share his analysis, but if he tells me he experienced those actions then he experienced those actions.

you're welcome. Yeh, I've been here for years and not that L123 needs it, but I will certainly defend him.

Dana...thank you for a reasonable and rationale response and defense of your friend's position.

Classic....thank for showing your true CLASS by acknowledging that defense of your friend's position required you to join his assault on the character of another member.

Just because someone'e been here for a long time doesn't mean they're right...or wrong.

My point?

Length of membership doesn't give you special priviledges...

...or does it?

It's not about length of membership. Well...maybe a little, but only inasmuch as, with someone who has been here longer we're more likely to have formed a 'reliable' opinion on their character. Having spent a few years getting to know Lookout, I feel fairly confident in suggesting that one of his character traits is scrupulous honesty.

ditto

I do remember that quite well. PUSH did perfect it. Seems like ACORN is not quite as good at the scam though.

Hey. Im not questioning his honesty in one regard. Particularly when he finally said, "I couldn't specifically prove that the events I witnessed were part of a formal ACORN business plan...."

What I think is dishonest is his blanket suspicion and unfounded, inherent distrust and characterization of every person who works in the lobbying industry with one broad stroke:

Lobbyists rank just below child rapists in my book...

Let me be more specific. Individuals who choose to make their living attempting to buy politicians in a legal manner are human fucksticks who I rate just below child rapists on the scale of asshattery.

I honestly dont know how any objective observer would not see this as having a bias that might impact his thinking on the subject.

But I understand now that his unfounded blanket suspicion carries more weight than mine.

Perhaps I should just proceed with the "knowledge" that every one in the housing finance industry is equally despicable because of a few greedy and unethical rogues in the business.

With that, I am done with this discussion.

Its been...interesting? ... to say the least.

Here..here.

I believe it was YOU who attacked him. He defended himself. It was you who challenged his credibility. I defended it. For the record, L123 is not my "friend."

And exactly what politician is going to challenge an organization like ACORN during an election year? They have to be nuts too.

BTW, you didn't answer the question - Who are you lobbying for now?

Right...asking him to document his allegations that ACORN is a crooked organization engaging in illegal practices is a personal attack.

And of course all lobbyists are a lower life form than child rapists and the housing finance industry is above reproach.

Predatory lending? bah, humbug...a figment of the imagination of groups like ACORN.

And a 2000 HUD-Treasury report on Predatory Lending that described past predatory lending practices is just a load of crap:

Over the last several years, our nation has made enormous progress in expanding access to capital for previously under served borrowers. Despite this progress, however, too many families are suffering today because of a growing incidence of abusive practices in a segment of the mortgage lending market. Predatory mortgage lending practices strip borrowers of home equity and threaten families with foreclosure, destabilizing the very communities that are beginning to enjoy the fruits of our nation’s economic success.

Shame on HUD and ACORN for bringing a little light to the issue of predatory lending.

And what I do now for a living is none of your business...since I think its now fair to assume you will use it against me, regardless of what I say.

Nope - just looking for a little perspective. I'm beginning to wonder if you are one of them. :tinfoil:

A very mature response.

Nope...I can say with 100% confidence that I am not lower than a child rapist.....how about you?

Cute - a very political response. FTR - I was referring to whether you were still a lobbyist or otherwise associated with ACORN.