GayPatriot

The Internet home for American gay conservatives.

Powered by Genesis

Barney Frank Explains his About-Face on ACORN

September 25, 2009 by B. Daniel Blatt

Since I first became a fan of Bill O’Reilly when I watched him take down Barney Frank, I feel it only fair that I commend the Massachusetts Democrat for his recent appearance on the Factor.  Last fall, I thought the talk show host got the best of the Congressman.  This time, Barney came off looking better.  And he made some pretty important points.

They were discussing the Democrat’s about-face on ACORN; he now believes that the federal government should stop funding the controversial left-wing organization.

Saying ACORN “forfeited” its rights to get federal funds, the Democrat reminds us that this isn’t just about the organization’s apparent willingness to help set up a brothel for underage girls.  He points out some of the group’s other problems, including its sloppiness in their voter registration and the embezzlement of its officers.

He regretted that the legislative branch had to take this up, questioning whether Congress had the authority to single an organization out.  I believe he was referring to Bills of Attainder which, in any case, don’t apply in this case.  Article I, § 9, ¶ 3 of the Constitution provides that: “No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law will be passed.”  And that means that Congres may not “single out one or more persons and imposed punishment on them, without benefit of trial.”  Such bills seem only to apply in matters of criminal law, not federal appropriations.

I just don’t believe preventing the government from subsidizing an organization is the kind of punishment the framers had in mind.

That said, Mr. Frank’s “preference” would have been “for the Obama administration to cut them off.”  Fat chance that, given the President’s ties to the organization.

Finally, I thought O’Reilly was being remarkably petty in trying to press the Democrat to say he admired the two twentysomethings who orchestrated the sting.  He did finally get the Congressman to praise them, but to what end?  It was more important to hear a liberal Democratic Congressman come out against a corruption left-wing organization.

(H/t Ann Althouse.)

Filed Under: Congress (111th), Constitutional Issues, Democratic Scandals, New Media

Comments

  1. The_Livewire says

    September 25, 2009 at 6:38 am - September 25, 2009

    “That said, Mr. Obama’s ”preference” would have been “for the Obama administration to cut them off.” You mean Mr. Frank, yes?

    I think his preference would have been for the spotlight to never be turned on him at all.

  2. heliotrope says

    September 25, 2009 at 8:07 am - September 25, 2009

    Barney Frank is a corruptocrat who would love to wield power in a fascist state or an oligarchy. He may get a few things right now and then, he is still a power energized abuser of the Constitution.

  3. Sean A says

    September 25, 2009 at 12:07 pm - September 25, 2009

    Yes, if there’s one thing Barney Frank will not support, it’s an organization willing to help set up a HETEROSEXUAL prostitution ring.

  4. Gene in Pennsylvania says

    September 25, 2009 at 7:16 pm - September 25, 2009

    Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Charlie Rangle, Chris Dodd, the faces of the Democrat party. You gotta love em. hehe

  5. B. Daniel Blatt says

    September 25, 2009 at 10:06 pm - September 25, 2009

    Thanks, livewire, fixed.

  6. Sean A says

    September 26, 2009 at 4:13 pm - September 26, 2009

    No surprise here–the crypt-keeper Harry Reid protects a criminal enterprise by blocking Senate hearings on ACORN’s activities:

    “Despite all this evidence and a request in writing by 28 GOP senators — and despite the fact the U.S. Senate voted 83-7 on Sept. 14 to block ACORN from bidding for any more federal grant money — “Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is refusing to hold a Senate hearing on ACORN’s activities,” the National Republican Senatorial Committee complained Wednesday. Mr. Reid replied additional investigations might distract lawmakers from addressing more important matters, including health care and economic recovery.”

    http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/reid-blocks-acorn-probe-61438132.html

Categories

Archives