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Gulf of Mexico oil spill

2010-05-09T05:26:04Z

Bundas: added Obama-BP money trail and conflict of interest issues

[[File:Oiled bird.jpg|thumb|right|150px|]]

On 31 March 2010 [[President Barack Obama]] announced at Andrews Air Force Base outside [[Washington, D.C.]] the resumption of domestic offshore oil drilling.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/user/AssociatedPress#p/u/6/mA7RAfHN-wo</ref> The President's actions have been labeled, "a decision to endanger our coastal [[ecosystem]]s with the risk of catastrophic oil spills."<ref>[http://members.greenpeace.org/blog/greenpeaceusa_blog/2010/04/30/president_obama_committed_to_endangering President Obama must reinstate moratorium on offshore drilling,] [[Greenpeace]] USA blogs, 30 Apr 2010.</ref> Defending the decision, the President said "oil rigs today generally don’t cause spills. They are technologically very advanced."<ref>White House Press Release, [http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-a-discussion-jobs-and-economy-charlotte-north-carolina Remarks by the President in a Discussion on Jobs and the Economy in Charlotte, North Carolina,] Office of the Press Secretary, April 02, 2010. Retrieved from whitehouse.gov 3 May 2010.</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm8gLmuTvJ4&feature=player_embedded</ref>

According to the ''New York Times'' Obama "said several times during his [[Barack Hussein Obama 2008 Presidential campaign|presidential campaign]] that he supported expanded offshore drilling. He noted in his [[State of the Union]] address in January [2010] that weaning the country from imported oil would require “tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development.”<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/science/earth/31energy.html Obama to Open Offshore Areas to Oil Drilling for First Time,] John M. Broder, ''[[New York Times]]'', March 30, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/03/obama_clears_way_for_oil_drill.html Obama clears way for oil drilling off U.S. coasts], The Associated Press, March 31, 2010, Retrieved from nola.com 8 May 2010.</ref>

==Environmental disaster ==

Many species of wildlife are threatened at a crucial in their life cycle.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2818588720100428 FACTBOX-Possible environmental impact of Gulf oil spill,] ''[[Reuters]]'', 28 April 2010.</ref>

=== Gulf menhaden ===

Gulf menhaden are a [[specie]]s harvested mostly for fish meal and fish oil. Menhaden could be badly affected
by the spill.

=== Bluefin tuna ===

The disaster occurred at a critical time of the reproductive cycle of bluefin [[tuna]]. The area immediately affected by the catastrophe and attempted cleanup is used by bluefin as their spawning ground.

=== Oyster and shrimp ===

Oyster and shrimp likewise are critically affected.

=== Brown pelican ===

The [[Louisiana]] state bird, the brown pelican, was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2009 and breeding season has just commenced.

=== Other bird species ===

Other species endangered by the oil spill are American oystercatcher and
Wilson's plover.

=== Sea turtles ===

As several species of sea turtles move through the Gulf during their spring nesting season, they need to surface to breathe.

==Economic impacts==

The economic impact of the [[Gulf of Mexico]] oil drilling disaster could be large and devastating to several key industries, including fishing, tourism, and transportation.<ref>[http://www.ihsglobalinsight.com/Perspective/PerspectiveDetail18638.htm Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill,] Nariman Behravesh, 4 May 2010. Retrieved from ihsglobalinsights.com 8 May 2020.</ref>

===Employment in fishing===

Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico employed about 27,000 workers in [[Louisiana]] alone and second to [[Alaska]]'s fishing industry. Dockside sales are approximately $660 million.

===Tourism===

Tourism along the Gulf coast likewise could be devastated as the spill comes ashore.

===Transportation===

The disruption of shipping traffic in and out of the Port of [[New Orleans]] will impact barge, container, and tanker traffic in the Mississippi Delta and along the [[Mississippi River]]. Prices of all types of commodities would affected,

==Liberal Reaction==
===Obama Reaction===
During his time in the Senate and while running for president, [[Obama]] received a total of $77,051 from [[BP]] and is the top recipient of BP PAC and individual money over the past 20 years, according to financial disclosure records.
<ref>[http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0505/obama-biggest-recipient-bp-political-action-money-20-years Obama is biggest recipient of BP’s political action cash in the last 20 years] John Byrne, 5 May 2010. Retrieved from rawstory.com 9 May 2010.</ref>

Likewise, the [[Center for Responsive Politics]] noted "the “top recipient of BP-related donations during the 2008 cycle was President Barack Obama himself, who collected $71,000.” <ref>[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/05/white-house-idea-that-bp-given-special-exemption-because-of-campaign-cash-to-obama-silly-and-ridiculous.html?cid=6a00d8341c4df253ef0134807669a3970c]</ref>. Obama, via the [[Department of the Interior]]’s [[Minerals Management Service]] granted BP’s lease at [[Deepwater Horizon]] a “categorical exclusion” from a detailed environmental impact analysis under the [[National Environmental Policy Act]]. <ref>[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/05/white-house-idea-that-bp-given-special-exemption-because-of-campaign-cash-to-obama-silly-and-ridiculous.html?cid=6a00d8341c4df253ef0134807669a3970c]</ref>.

==Other Liberal Reaction==
Forthcoming

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Obama Administration]]

Talk:Acorn

2008-10-09T00:59:03Z

Bundas: question

Had to get an article on this radical left wing organization steeped in voter fraud started. Please feel free to beef up with info.

Great start but it is word for word Wikipedia. Unfortunately, it will have to be removed. It is against CP policy rightfully so. --'''Jpatt'''[[User:Jpatt| ]] 20:50, 8 October 2008 (EDT)
:(edit conflict)You can't copy/paste articles to here from Wikipedia. Even if you could, that article belongs at [[Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now]]. [[User:Samd|Samd]] 20:51, 8 October 2008 (EDT)

Wikipedia is not copyrighted. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Copyrights
which says, "The Wikimedia Foundation does not own copyright on Wikipedia article texts and illustrations. It is therefore useless to email our contact addresses asking for permission to reproduce content. Permission to reproduce content under the license and technical conditions applicable to Wikipedia (see below and Wikipedia:Mirrors and forks) has already been granted to everyone without request..."

And, from Wikipedia's article on Conservapedia:
"Wikipedia's co-creator Jimmy Wales said about Conservapedia that "free culture knows no bounds" and "the reuse of our work to build variants [is] directly in line with our mission."[56]"

Is there still a problem? Conservapedia MUST have an article on ACORN.

Talk:Acorn

2008-10-09T00:46:21Z

Bundas: New page: Had to get an article on this radical left wing organization steeped in voter fraud started. Please feel free to beef up with info.

Had to get an article on this radical left wing organization steeped in voter fraud started. Please feel free to beef up with info.

Acorn

2008-10-09T00:45:04Z

Bundas: create article - see talk page

{{Infobox Organization
|name = Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
|image =
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|abbreviation = ACORN
|motto =
|formation = 1970
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|type = [[Non-governmental organization]]
|status =
|purpose =
|headquarters = [[New Orleans, Lousiana]]
|location =
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|membership =
|language =
|leader_title = President
|leader_name = Maude Hurd (1990-present)
|main_organ =
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|website = [http://www.acorn.org www.acorn.org]
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}}
'''ACORN''', the '''Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now''', is a [[community organizing|community organization]] of low- and moderate-income families that addresses housing, schools, neighborhood safety, health care, job conditions, and other social issues that affect its members. With a membership of over 350,000, ACORN is organized into more than 850 neighborhood chapters in over 100 cities across the [[United States of America|United States]], as well as in [[Argentina]], [[Canada]], [[Mexico]], and [[Peru]]. ACORN was founded in 1970 by [[Wade Rathke]] and Gary Delgado.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoma.edu/users/w/wallsd/community-organizing.shtml |last=Walls |first=David |authorlink =David Walls (academic) |title=Power to the People: Thirty-five Years of Community Organizing |work=The Workbook |month=Summer |year=1994}}</ref> Maude Hurd has been National President of ACORN since 1990.

ACORN groups work through [[direct action]], negotiations, and with public officials. The group has received federal funding in the past, for example through a $1.1 million grant from AmeriCorps<ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110009214</ref>, however it states it does not now accept government funding and is not tax exempt.<ref>http://acorn.org/index.php?id=12342</ref>

==Issues and actions==
=== Predatory lending===
ACORN has fought against lending practices that it sees as [[predatory lending|predatory]] by targeting the national companies that practice them, working for stronger state laws against predatory practices, organizing against local financial scams, and steering individuals toward loan counseling.<ref name="ACORN_2003"/> Following a three-year campaign Household International (now owned by [[HSBC|HSBC Holdings]] and renamed [[HSBC Finance|HSBC Finance Corporation]]), one of the largest [[subprime lending|subprime lenders]] in the country, and ACORN announced on [[November 25]], [[2003]] a proposed settlement of a 2002 national [[class-action lawsuit]] brought by ACORN. The settlement created a $72 million [[Foreclosure Avoidance Program]] to provide relief to Household borrowers who are at risk of losing their homes.<ref name="ACORN_2003">{{cite web |url=http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=8500 |title=ACORN Annual Report 2003 |publisher=ACORN |year=2003 |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref> The settlement came on the heels of an earlier $484 million settlement between Household, Attorneys General, and bank regulators from all 50 US states.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atg.wa.gov/householdfinance/facts.shtml |title=Household Finance Settlement |publisher = Washington State Office of the Attorney General |date=[[2003-12-05]] |accessdate=2007-11-12 |archivedate=2007-09-27 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060927065346/http://www.atg.wa.gov/householdfinance/facts.shtml}}</ref>

=== Living wages ===
[[Living wage]] ordinances require private businesses that do business with the government to pay their workers a wage that enables them to afford basic necessities. ACORN has helped pass local living wage laws in fifteen cities including [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], and [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite journal
| author = David Swanson
| date = February 21, 2005
| title = Federal Minimum Wage 44% Below 1968 Level: Fighting for a Living Wage, State by State
| journal = Counterpunch
| url = http://www.counterpunch.org/swanson02212005.html
| language = English
| accessdate = 2008-07-14
}}</ref> ACORN maintains a website that provides strategic and logistical assistance to organizations nationwide.

ACORN filed a lawsuit in [[California]] seeking to exempt itself from the state's [[minimum wage]] of $4.25 per hour in 1995. ACORN alleged in its complaint that "its workers, if paid the minimum wage, will be less empathetic with ACORN's low and moderate income constituency and will therefore be less effective advocates." The court denied ACORN's petition; the denial was sustained on appeal.<ref>Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now v. Department of Industrial Relations, 41 Cal. App. 4th 298, 301 (Cal. Ct. App. 1995).</ref>

=== Katrina Relief ===
ACORN members across the country, particularly in the [[Gulf Coast|Gulf]] region, have organized fundraising and organizing drives to ensure that victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]] will receive assistance and will be able to return to affected areas. ACORN's Home Cleanout Demonstration Program has gutted and rebuilt over 1,850 homes with the help of volunteers. The ACORN Katrina Survivors Association formed in the aftermath of the storm is the first nationwide organization for Katrina survivors and has been working for equitable treatment for victims. Displaced citizens were bussed into the city for the [[New Orleans]] primary and general elections. ACORN Housing Services have helped more than 2,000 homeowners affected by the storm and is an official planner working with the city on reconstruction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=9703 |title=Two years after Katrina, still fighting and winning |year=2005 |publisher=ACORN |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=July 2008}}

=== Education ===
ACORN pushes [[education reform]] usually in the form of organizing neighborhood groups and "community" or "ACORN schools". In Chicago, ACORN has advocated for a certified teacher to be in every classroom. In [[California]] ACORN has documented the need for textbooks and school repairs. ACORN works with teachers unions to get money for school construction and more funding for schools.<ref name="ACORN_school_overview">{{cite web |url=http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=2660 |title=School Overview |publisher=ACORN |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref> ACORN opposes [[charter school]]s and for-profit schooling initiatives, most notably the proposed [[Edison Schools]] takeover of the [[New York City]] public schools in 2001.<ref name="ACORN_school_overview"/>{{Verify credibility|date=July 2008}}

===Gun Control===
In 2006, ACORN intervened on behalf of [[Jersey City]], [[New Jersey]] in a lawsuit brought against the city, which challenged a local ordinance that limited handgun purchasers to one gun a month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1166448999875 |title=N.J. Judge Voids City's Gun Control Law |first=Charles |last=Toutant |publisher=New Jersey Law Journal |date=[[2006-12-20]] |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref> The [[Hudson County]] Superior Court struck down the ordinance on the grounds that it violated the New Jersey Constitution's Equal Protection clause, and a state statute prohibiting towns and municipalities from enacting firearms legislation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1166448999875 |title=N.J. Judge Voids City's Gun Control Law |first=Charles |last=Toutant |publisher=New Jersey Law Journal |date=[[2006-12-20]] |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref>

On September 29, 2008, the [[New Jersey]] Appellate Court denied ACORN's appeal of the [[Hudson County]] Superior Court's decision striking down Jersey City's ordinance.<ref>http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/a4443-06a4708-06.pdf</ref>

==History==


=== 1970-1975: Founding ===
ACORN was founded by [[Wade Rathke]] when he was sent to [[Little Rock, Arkansas]] by the [[National Welfare Rights Organization]] (NWRO) in 1970 as an organizer.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Sol|last=Stern|journal=City Journal|title=ACORN’s Nutty Regime for Cities|url=http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_2_acorns_nutty_regime.html|date=Spring 2003|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref> Gary Delgado and George A. Wiley were also instrumental to its founding. ACORN's first campaign was aimed at helping welfare recipients attain their basic needs, such as [[clothing]] and [[furniture]]. This drive, inspired by a clause in the [[Arkansas]] [[Welfare (financial aid)|welfare]] laws, began the effort to create and sustain a movement that would grow to become the Arkansas Community Organizations for Reform Now, the beginnings of ACORN.<ref name=Delgado>{{cite book|last=Delgado|first=Gary|title=Organizing the Movement: The Roots and Growth of ACORN|publisher=Temple University Press|date=1986|isbn=0-87722-393-9|oclc=12134922 59256995}}</ref>

ACORN's goal was to unite welfare recipients with [[working poor|needy working people]] around issues of free school lunches, [[unemployment]] issues, [[Vietnam veteran|Vietnam veterans']] rights, and [[emergency room]] care. The broad range of issues did not stop there as the organization grew throughout Arkansas. ACORN organized [[Agriculture|farmers]] to take on [[Environmentalism|environmental]] issues concerning [[sulfur]] emissions.

=== 1975-1980: Growth beyond Arkansas ===
In 1975, ACORN created branches in [[Texas]] and [[South Dakota]]. On [[December 13]], [[1975]], sixty leaders from the three ACORN states elected the first associate Executive Board and the first ACORN president, Steve McDonald, to deal with matters beyond the scope of the individual city and state boards. Each year thereafter saw three or more states join ACORN, building to a total of twenty states by 1980. This expansion led to multi-state campaigns beginning with a mass meeting of 1,000 members in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] in 1978. At the end of the conference, ACORN convention delegates marched on the [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic Party]] conference with the outline of a nine-point "People’s Platform" which would go on to become the foundation of ACORN's platform when it was ratified in 1979.

ACORN was active in the [[U.S. presidential election, 1980|1980 Election]] with the "People's Platform" serving as its standard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umsl.edu/~whmc/guides/whm0040.htm |title=WESTERN HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION |publisher=UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS |month=June |year=1980 |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref> It led [[Demonstration (people)|demonstrations]] aimed at both major party candidates; demanded to meet with [[Jimmy Carter|President Jimmy Carter]]; marched on the president's campaign finance committee chair's home; and presented its platform to the [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]] platform committee.

=== 1980-1988: Reagan Era ===
By 1980, ACORN’S staff was stretched thin by the demands of meeting its expansion goals. Much of its resources and energy had been dedicated to the presidential primaries and national party conventions. ACORN launched [[squatting]] campaigns in an attempt to obtain affordable housing, and encouraged [[squatter]]s to refit the premises for comfortable living.

In June 1982 ACORN sponsored "[[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] Ranches" in over 35 cities believing the president's focus to be on military as opposed to social spending. These [[tent city|tent cities]] were erected for two days and were met with resistance from the [[National Park Service]], which tried repeatedly to evict the tenters. The protesters remained and then marched on the [[White House]] and testified before a [[United States Congress|Congressional committee]] about what they described as the housing crisis in America. The last Reagan Ranch was held at the Republican Convention in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] in 1984.

In addition to protesting, ACORN also developed and strengthened its [[political action committee]]s and encouraged its members to run for office. For the [[U.S. presidential election, 1984|1984 Election]] ACORN wanted to endorse a candidate, setting a 75% support in polls among members as its requirement. No candidate reached that level, though there was strong support for [[Jesse Jackson]]. ACORN also established a legislative office that year in [[Washington, DC]]. During this period ACORN also focused on local election reform in a number of cities, including [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]], [[Columbia, South Carolina]], and [[Sioux Falls, South Dakota]], encouraging the change of at-large legislative bodies to district representation.

ACORN grew to twenty-seven states, adding chapters in [[New York City]], Washington, DC, and [[Chicago, Illinois]] by the end of Reagan's first term.<ref name=Delgado />

During the [[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988 Election]] ACORN held its National Convention in the same city as the Democratic Convention — [[Atlanta, Georgia]]. During the preceding four years ACORN had strengthened its ties with [[Jesse Jackson]] and accounted for thirty Jackson delegates. It also sponsored a march at the convention.

ACORN's membership grew to 70,000 plus in twenty-eight states during this time. It increased its legislative lobbying efforts in Washington and strengthened its [[Politcal Action Committee]]s (PACs). It also developed what it called the [[Affiliated Media Foundation Movement]] (AM/FM). Starting with station [[KNON]] in Dallas, AM/FM moved on to establish radio stations, [[UHF]] television and [[cable television]] programming. It also sought and received appointments to the [[Resolution Trust Corporation]] (RTC) which was formed to dissolve the assets of failed [[Savings and loan|Savings and Loans]] resulting from the [[Savings and Loan crisis]].

===1988-1998: Focus on housing===
[[Image:Acorn pred lend.jpg|thumbnail|ACORN member demonstrating against predatory lending]]
While some of ACORN’s most notable efforts were in the area of housing, it has counted health, public safety, education, representation, work and workers’ rights and communications concerns among its victories.

The 1990 ACORN convention in Chicago focused on the fast-breaking housing campaign. It featured a squatting demonstration at an RTC house. Later, ACORN members demanded cooperation from banks about providing loan data on low- and moderate-income communities and compliance with the 1977 [[Community Reinvestment Act]] (CRA).

ACORN fought weakening of the CRA in 1991, staging a two-day takeover of the [[House Banking Committee]] hearing room. It also established ACORN Housing Corporation to service people moving into homes under the housing campaign, rehabilitated hundreds of houses addressed by CRA.

The ACORN convention in New York in 1992, called the "ACORN-Bank Summit", was organized to make deals with giant banks. When [[Citibank]], the nation’s largest bank, did not participate conventioneers protested at its downtown [[Manhattan]] headquarters, and won a meeting to negotiate for similar programs.

ACORN supported and lobbied for the [[National Voter Registration Act of 1993|"Motor Voter" Act]]. After its passage, ACORN members attended [[Bill Clinton|President Clinton’s]] signing ceremony. ACORN then pursued new registration laws in Arkansas and [[Massachusetts]] and filed suit in [[Illinois]], [[Louisiana]], [[Michigan]], [[Missouri]], [[New Jersey]], and [[Pennsylvania]] as a result of the act.

In 1993, ACORN also began a national campaign to fight [[insurance]] [[redlining]], a practice that put the gains made in other housing campaigns at risk. The campaign targeted [[Allstate]], hitting sales offices in fourteen cities and a stockholders meeting. Allstate agreed to negotiate and signed an agreement in 1994 for a $10 million partnership with ACORN and [[NationsBank]] for below-market mortgages to low-income homebuyers. [[Travelers Insurance]] agreed to a Neighborhood and Home Safety Program, linking access to insurance and lower rates to public safety programs.

ACORN filed a lawsuit in [[California]] seeking to exempt itself from the state's [[minimum wage]] of $4.25 per hour in 1995. ACORN alleged in its complaint that "its workers, if paid the minimum wage, will be less empathetic with ACORN's low and moderate income constituency and will therefore be less effective advocates." The court denied ACORN's petition; the denial was sustained on appeal.<ref>Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now v. Department of Industrial Relations, 41 Cal. App. 4th 298, 301 (Cal. Ct. App. 1995).</ref>

===1998-2004: Building capacity===
ACORN's subsequent activities have included its "Living Wage" programs, voter registration, and [[Grassroots democracy|grassroots political organization]].

In 1998 ACORN helped form the [[Working Families Party]] in [[New York]] which counts increasing the minimum wage as its centerpiece issue.

Dale Rathke, the brother of ACORN's founder Wade Rathke, was found to have [[embezzlement|embezzled]] $948,607.50 from the group and affiliated charitable organizations in 1999 and 2000. ACORN executives did not inform the board or law enforcement, but signed an enforceable restitution agreement with the Rathke family to repay the amount of the embezzlement. Wade Rathke stated to the [[New York Times]] that "the decision to keep the matter secret was not made to protect his brother but because word of the embezzlement would have put a “weapon” into the hands of [...] conservatives who object to [ACORN]'s often strident advocacy on behalf of low- and moderate-income families and workers." A [[whistleblower]] revealed the fraud in 2008, leading to the departure of both Dale and Wade Rathke.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/us/09embezzle.html?ex=1373342400&en=d2ad71953fd2c157&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=Funds Misappropriated at 2 Nonprofit Groups |publisher=The New York Times |date=[[2008-08-09]] |first=Stephanie |last=Strom |accessdate=2008-08-09}}</ref>

A [[March 27]], [[2003]] decision of the [[National Labor Relations Board]] found that ACORN attempted to thwart [[Labor union|union organizing]] efforts within its own organization by laying off two workers who were attempting to organize.<ref name=nlrb>{{cite web| title = Decisions of the NLRB, 338-129| publisher = National Labor Relations Board| date = [[2003-03-27]]| url = http://www.nlrb.gov/shared_files/Board%20Decisions/338/338-129.pdf| format = pdf| accessdate = 2006-10-12 }}</ref> The two workers, both field organizers with ACORN, began discussions with the [[Service Employees International Union]] and later sought to organize under [[Industrial Workers of the World]] in response to their $16,000 annual salary for a 54-hour work week.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The NLRB ordered the two employees be reinstated in their former jobs and ACORN cease from interrogating employees about organizing activity.<ref name=nlrb />. ACORN has since strengthened its ties with the Service Employees International Union, which donates over two million dollars to ACORN each year,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116113323291895978-search.html?KEYWORDS=ACORN+%2B+union&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month |title=The Wal-Mart Posse |publisher=[[Wall Street Journal]] |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref> often working collaboratively on issues (including health insurance costs and the minimum wage) and sharing office space.

In 2004, Florida ACORN helped to raise Florida's minimum wage by $1.00 an hour by lobbying for a minimum wage amendment to be placed on the ballot. Over 1 million Florida employees were affected by the raise, which is adjusted annually for [[inflation]].

2004 saw ACORN become an international organization, opening offices in [[Canada]], [[Peru]], and beginning work in [[Dominican Republic]]. Since then offices have opened in [[Mexico]] and [[Argentina]].

=== ACORN Employees and Voter Registration Fraud ===

In some locations, ACORN employees have submitted [[Election fraud|false voter registration forms]] rather than obtaining registrations from actual eligible voters.

* In [[Ohio]] in 2004, four ACORN employees were indicted by a federal grand jury for submitting false voter registration forms.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Acorn Indictments: A union-backed outfit faces charges of election fraud| publisher = The Wall Street Journal | date = [[2006-11-03]]| url = http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009189}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = New Registration Rules Stir Voter Debate in Ohio | publisher = The New York Times | date = [[2006-08-06]]| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/06/us/06ohio.html}}</ref>
*In January 2005 two [[Colorado]] ACORN workers were sentenced to [[community service]] for submitting false voter registrations.<ref>"Briefing," Rocky Mountain News, 1/4/05, cited at http://discoverthenetwork.org/Articles/acornbackgro.html</ref> ACORN's regional director said, "we find it abhorrent and do everything we can to prevent it from happening."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/28/absentee_ballots_may_be_missing/ |title=2 accused of fraud in voter registration |date=[[2004-10-28]] |publisher=Boston Globe |accessdate=2008-07-14}}</ref>
* On [[November 1]], [[2006]], four part-time ACORN employees were indicted in [[Kansas City, Missouri]] for voter registration fraud. Prosecutors said the indictments are part of a national investigation.<ref name="kcindictments">{{cite news | title = ACORN Workers Indicted For Alleged Voter Fraud| publisher = KMBC-TV| date = [[2006-11-01]]| url = http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/politics/10214492/detail.html| accessdate = 2006-11-02 }}</ref> ACORN said in a press release that it is in part responsible in these individuals being caught, has fired them, and has cooperated and publicly supported efforts to look into the validity of the allegations.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.pubdef.net/2006/11/4-acorn-workers-indicted-in-kc.html |title=4 ACORN Workers Indicted in KC |first=Antonio D. |last=French |date=[[2006-11-01]] |publisher=PubDef.net |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref>
* ACORN was investigated in 2006 for submitting false voter registrations in [[St. Louis, Missouri]]. 1,492 fraudulent voter registrations were identified.<ref>[http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/795117FA8146E4F08625741F006D15C0?OpenDocument Voter registration workers admit fraud]</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=105234 |title=St. Louis Election Board Investigating Voter Fraud |date=[[2006-10-11]] |first=Ann |last=Rubin |publisher=[[KSDK]] TV |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref>
*In 2007, five [[Washington|Washington]] state ACORN workers were sentenced to jail time.<ref>{{cite web | title = Voter Fraud Watch: Could ACORN Scandal in Washington Have Been Avoided With Photo ID? | publisher = FOX News | date = [[2008-05-02]]| url = http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/05/02/voter-fraud-watch-could-acorn-scandal-in-washington-have-been-avoided-with-photo-id/}}</ref> ACORN agreed to pay [[King County]] $25 000 for its investigative costs and acknowledged that the national organization could be subject to criminal prosecution if fraud occurs again. According to King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg, the misconduct was done "as an easy way to get paid [by ACORN], not as an attempt to influence the outcome of elections."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003806904_webvotefraud26m.html |title=Felony charges filed against 7 in state's biggest case of voter-registration fraud |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=[[2007-07-28]] |first=Keith |last=Ervin |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/304877_acorn23.html |title=Reform group turned in 2000 suspicious voter registrations |publisher=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=[[2007-02-23]] |first=Rachel last=La Corte |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref>
*In 2008, the [[Michigan Secretary of State]] office told the [[Detroit Free Press]] that ACORN had been submitting a sizeable number of duplicate and fraudulent applications to vote.<ref>[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809140383 Bad voter applications found, September 14, 2008]</ref>
*State authorities in Nevada raided ACORN's offices in Las Vegas in 2008, alleging that its canvassers produced forms with false names, fictional addresses, or famous personalities. Neither ACORN nor any employees, however, have been charged with fraud or other crimes.<ref name="vegas-raid-fox">{{cite news|url=http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/07/acorn-vegas-office-raided-voter-fraud-investigation/|title=ACORN Vegas Office Raided in Voter Fraud Investigation|date=2008-10-07|publisher=Fox News|accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref><ref>Oct. 8, 2008 News-Journal http://www.lvrj.com/news/30613864.html</ref>

=== ACORN and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 ===
During the debate on the bailout bill (the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008), Democrats wanted to put in a provision that 20% of profits from the program would go to two programs run by the [[Department of the Treasury]] -- the Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund. Some conservative commenters objected that the Treasury-run funds would, in turn, give money to groups like ACORN. Many Republicans object to groups like ACORN receiving any government money, because they say it registers democratic-leaning voters at the same time it works on housing issues. "These are taxpayer funds, in an indirect method, being used to subsidize political activism," says Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Texas Republican and chairman of the conservative House Republican Study Committee. "I'm sure they're not going out and registering any Republicans." <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121745181676698197.html | Wall Street Journal]</ref>

There were no specific earmarks for Acorn in any version of the bill, Senate democrats said. "None. Absolutely none," said Steven Adamske, spokesman for Rep. [[Barney Frank]] (D-Mass.), when asked how much money Acorn or other community groups would get. "All funds would go to state and local governments."<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/27/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4483168.shtml]</ref>
Frank is chairman of the Financial Services Committee. The bill as passed contained no reference to ACORN, nor did any of the drafts.

== Political perceptions ==

[[Sol Stern]] characterizes ACORN's opposition to [[free trade]], their support for [[price controls]], and for the [[Community Reinvestment Act]], as in line with the left wing of the [[Democratic Party]], and claims they sometimes opt for "undisguised authoritarian [[socialism]]."<ref name='nutty'>{{cite web|title=ACORN’s Nutty Regime for Cities|author=Sol Stern|url=http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_2_acorns_nutty_regime.html|publisher=City Journal}}</ref> [[Stanley Kurtz]] argues in [[National Review]] that "ACORN’s living-wage campaigns drive businesses out of the very neighborhoods where jobs are needed most. ACORN’s opposition to [[welfare reform]] only threatens to worsen the self-reinforcing cycle of urban poverty and family breakdown." <ref>http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDZiMjkwMDczZWI5ODdjOWYxZTIzZGIyNzEyMjE0ODI=</ref>

In contrast, [[John Atlas]] argues in a [[Huffington Post]] editorial that ACORN has "accumulated many enemies" and has been "subjected to vicious attacks from business [[lobbyist]]s, conservative politicians, and right-wing media." This same source alleges that the [[George W. Bush]] administration has sought to harass ACORN with accusation of voter fraud.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-atlas/acorn-under-the-microscop_b_112503.html |author=John Atlas|title=ACORN Under The Microscope}}</ref> In his book ''In Justice: Inside the Scandal That Rocked the Bush Administration'', former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias said he was wrongfully fired by Attorney General [[Alberto Gonzales]] in part because he did not find sufficient evidence to indict ACORN members for voter fraud.

ACORN endorsed the candidacy of [[Barack Obama]] during the [[2008 Democratic Presidential Primary]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=ACORN’s Political Action Committee Endorses Obama |url=https://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=8539&tx_ttnews%5Bpointer%5D=4&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=21759&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=8538&cHash=ff99d11068}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Project Vote]]

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |first=Gary |last=Delgado |title=Organizing the Movement: The Roots and Growth of ACORN |location=Philadelphia |publisher=[[Temple University Press]] |year=1986 |isbn=0-87722-393-9 |oclc=12134922 59256995}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.acorn.org ACORN]
*[http://www.livingwagecampaign.org/ ACORN Living Wage Resource Center]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Civil rights organizations]]
[[Category:Consumer organizations]]
[[Category:Community-building organizations]]
[[Category:United States political action committees]]
[[Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States]]
[[Category:Affordable housing advocacy organizations]]
[[Category:Gun control advocacy groups in the United States]]
[[Category:Immigration political advocacy groups in the United States]]
[[Category:Industrial Workers of the World]]

Acorn

2008-10-09T00:38:35Z

Bundas:

For other uses, see [[Acorn (disambiguation)]].

'''Acorns''' are the seeds of trees of the [[Oak]] family.

[[Category:Trees]]

John Edwards

2008-10-09T00:35:54Z

Bundas: /* Scandal */ wikify

[[Image:SenatorJohnEdwards.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
''For the 18th century preacher, see [[Jonathan Edwards]]''.

----

'''John Edwards''' is a prominent [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] politician and was [[John Kerry]]'s Vice Presidential running mate for the 2004 presidential elections. He is known for his advocacy of [[Populism|populist]] policies.

===Early Life and Education===

John Edwards was born in Seneca, [[South Carolina]] on June 10, 1953. He grew up in Robbins, [[North Carolina]], and graduated from North Carolina State University in 1974. He received a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977.

In 1977, he married Elizabeth Anania. Their son, Wade, was born in 1979 and daughter, Cate, in 1982. Following Wade's death in a car accident in 1996, the couple chose to have more children. Emma Claire was born 1998, and Jack was born in 2000

In November of 2004, Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing treatment, the cancer seemed to have been eradicated. At a March 22, 2007 press conference, Elizabeth announced that doctors had found her cancer had returned. The cancer was not curable but treatable and may have spread to one of her ribs and lungs.

===Private Sector===
Edwards served as a personal injury [[trial lawyer]] in [[Tennessee]] and in North Carolina for 20 years, specializing in negligence and medical malpractice suits. Critics describe Edwards' personal fortune as having been amasssed by preying on malpractice victims and using [[junk science]] to win large settlements. <ref>Peter W. Huber, ''Galileo's Revenge: Junk Science in the Courtroom'', 1993. ISBN 0-465-02624-9. </ref> [[Michael Medved]] said, "Ambulance chasers like Edwards don’t create wealth; they seize wealth from its creators...There are also serious questions about his misuse of his own S-type corporation to dodge taxes, and the shady sale of his previous mansion in Georgetown in a sweetheart deal with a supporter who’s currently under government investigation....lawsuits on which Edwards built his career damaged the economy ...building nothing at all and benefiting only the lawyer and his clients. On what basis can Democrats argue that government should cap or actively discourage big salaries for successful corporate heads, but never consider such a limitation for a court-room conniver like Edwards?" <ref>[http://michaelmedved.townhall.com/Blog/issue9 For Presidents Day: Our Most Under-rated Chief Executive], Michael Medved, February 20, 2007.</ref> The most lucrative deal for Edwards was a $25 million suit for a girl who was disemboweled by a swimming pool drain.

Social commentator [[Ann Coulter]] quoted an article from the ''[[New York Times]]'' about Edwards' behavior in the courtroom with this description, "He's the trial lawyer who pretended in court to channel the spirit of a handicapped [[fetus]] in front of illiterate jurors to scam tens of millions of dollars off of innocent doctors. According to ''The New York Times'', Edwards told one jury:

{{Cquote|She speaks to you through me ... And I have to tell you right now -- I didn't plan to talk about this -- right now I feel her. I feel her presence. She's inside me, and she's talking to you. <ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21345 That Was No Lady -- That Was My Husband], by Ann Coulter, ''Human Events'', 06/28/2007.</ref>}}

===Political Career===
In 1998, Edwards ran as the Democratic candidate for a seat in the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]]. He beat incumbent Senator Lauch Faircloth to win the seat.

Edwards served in the Senate for one 6 year term, declining to stand for re-election so that he could run for the 2004 Democratic party nomination for President. He withdrew from the presidential race on March 2, 2004 after failing to win any state of the 10 contested states in the Super Tuesday elections. Democratic nominee John Kerry named Edwards as his vice-presidential candidate for the Democratic ticket.

===2004 Vice-Presidential Candidacy===

Democratic National Committee insider [[Bob Shrum]] reported in his book ''No Excuses'' about the 2004 loss of Kerry/Edwards. In the book Shrum told of private Kerry-Edwards discussions when Democratic Presidential Nominee [[John Kerry]] was considering Edwards for the Vice-Presidential slot;

{{Cquote|(Kerry) was even queasier about Edwards after they met. Edwards had told Kerry he was going to share a story with him that he'd never told anyone else -- that after his son Wade had been killed, he climbed onto the slab at the funeral home, laid there and hugged his body, and promised that he'd do all he could to make life better for people, to live up to Wade's ideals of service. Kerry was stunned, not moved, because, as he told me later, Edwards had recounted the same exact story to him, almost in the exact same words, a year or two before -- and with the same preface, that he'd never shared the memory with anyone else. Kerry said he found it chilling, and he decided he couldn't pick Edwards unless he met with him again.}}

The Kerry-Edwards ticket lost to incumbent president George W. Bush and Dick Cheney with 48% of the vote to the Republicans' 51%.

===Post 2004 Election===

After losing the bid for Vice President in the 2004 election, he became the director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill.

===2008 Presidential Candidacy===

On December 28, 2005, John Edwards officially announced that he would again seek the Democratic nomination for president for the 2008 election.

Edwards is reported to be miffed over having been branded "the Breck Girl" <ref>[http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-edwardsbreckgirl.htm John Edwards the Breck Girl] ''"Sometimes another pretty face is just another pretty face."''</ref> in the 2004 Vice Presidential contest. Columnist Joan Vennochi characterized Edwards problem, "Usually, women are forced to ward off stereotypical thinking that equates beauty with brainlessness. But Edwards is not the first male politician to feel the double-edged sword that comes with being too pretty to be taken seriously." <ref>[http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/vote/5289.php Edwards' obstacle: 'Breck girl' good looks], Joan Vennochi, ''The Boston Globe'', 01.10.2004. </ref> In the spring of 2007, Edwards was ridiculed for getting $400 haircuts and charging his political campaign for them. He later said that he reimbursed his campaign $800.<ref>CBS News, [http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/04/24/publiceye/entry2722181.shtml ''John Edwards And The Case Of The "Breck Girl" Comment''], April 24, 2007.</ref>

On [[Memorial Day]] 2007 Edwards was accused of using the National Holiday to "trash the sacrifice, honor and glory of American soldiers."
<ref>[http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/05/john_edwards_criticized_for_en.php John Edwards criticized for 'trashing' troops on Memorial Day], Jim Brown, ''OneNewsNow.com'', May 30, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007May26/0,4670,EdwardsInterview,00.html Edwards Defends Stepped-Up War Opposition], By Mike Glover, Associated Press, May 26, 2007. </ref>

The ''New York Times'' reported Edwards created a nonprofit organization with the stated mission of fighting poverty. The organization, the Center for Promise and Opportunity, raised $1.3 million in 2005, and — unlike a sister charity he created to raise scholarship money for poor students — the main beneficiary of the center’s fund-raising was Mr. Edwards himself, according to tax filings. The organization became a big part of a shadow political apparatus. Its officers were members of his political staff, and it helped pay for his nearly constant travel, including to early primary states.

While Mr. Edwards said the organization’s purpose was “making the eradication of poverty the cause of this generation,” its federal filings say it financed “retreats and seminars” with foreign policy experts on Iraq and national security issues. Unlike the scholarship charity, donations to it were not tax deductible, and, significantly, it did not have to disclose its donors — as political action committees and other political fund-raising vehicles do — and there were no limits on the size of individual donations. <ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/22/us/politics/22edwards.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin In Aiding Poor Edwards Built Bridge to 2008], Leslie Waynem ''New York Times'', June 22, 2007.</ref>

John Edwards has ended his run to become the Democratic candidate for the 2008 election cycle after the [[Florida]] primaries on January 29, 2008. It was over when he became a distant third to [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Barack Obama]]. It was the third primary in a row where he ended third, and he dropped out before Super Tuesday, when voters in twenty-two states allocating about 45 per cent of the delegates.

===Political views===
During his Senate career and the 2004 presidential campaign, one of Edwards' main themes was "Two Americas," contrasting the poorer working-class Americans with wealthier Americans. Critics cite the hypocrisy of Edwards call for "affordable health care," when it is [[malpractice]] attorneys that use junk science to win big awards such as himself that have made the cost of health care beyond the reach of the poor.

===Criticism===
Edwards came under fire for not firing two of his campaign workers who made bigoted and hateful statements on their blogs. Statements included calling Christian supporters of President Bush his "wingnut Christofascist base", asking what would have happened if the Virgin Mary had taken an emergency contraceptive<ref>http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/02/13/politics/p171426S05.DTL&type=politics</ref>, and asking religious conservatives "What don't you lousy motherf——ers understand about keeping your noses out of our britches, our beds and our families?".<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251620,00.html</ref><ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251009,00.html</ref> These incidents were largely ignored by the mainstream media.<ref>http://www.mediaresearch.org/realitycheck/2007/fax20070222.asp</ref> Edwards was criticized for not firing the employees, but they later resigned themselves.

Critics also cite Edwards lack of government experience. One often heard criticism is that, other than the fact he has a full head of hair, there is little else to qualify him as a candidate.

In 2005, with a big announcement from the [[liberal]] media, John Edwards started the College for Everyone scholarship program. The goal was to reward a [[college]] student should they make it through the four years of school by paying a year's tuition for each [[graduate]]. John Edwards cancelled the program in July 2008. <ref>[http://blog.indecision2008.com/2008/08/01/millionaire-playboy-john-edwards-little-kid-problem/ Millionaire Playboy John Edwards' Little Kid Problem] Comedy Central Indecision 2008, August 1, 2008</ref>

In 2007, Elizabeth Edwards was stricken with incurable [[breast cancer]]. The link on John Edwards' [[campaign]] web site invites people to send get well wishes to Elizabeth. John Edwards used those well-wishers' information to solicit email donations to his Presidential campaign. <ref>[http://www.nypost.com/seven/04052007/news/nationalnews/edwards_cashing_in_on_wifes_cancer_nationalnews_maggie_haberman.htm EDWARDS CASHING IN ON WIFE'S CANCER] NY Post, April 5, 2007</ref>

Repeatedly [[lied]] while running for the highest office in the nation.

August 9th, Rielle Hunter's sister Melissa, calls on John Edwards to come clean about the child and to take a [[paternity]] test. <ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/09/blowback-starts-hunters-family-challenges-edwards-to-paternity-test/ Hunter’s family challenges Edwards to paternity test] Hot Air Network, August 9, 2008</ref>

===Scandal===
In October 2007 the [[National Enquirer]] accused Edwards of having an extramarital affair with [[Rielle Hunter]], a claim that Edwards repeatedly denied even while running for [[President]]. Armed with knowledge that Edwards planned to visit Rielle at her hotel on July 22nd 2008, the Enquirer was waiting and confronted Edwards at 2 A.M. when he left her room after being there for a considerable time. Edwards ran, hid in a bathroom and security was called to escort him out.

Due to [[liberal bias]], the major internet and television news organizations were completely silent about the event, with few exceptions. Edwards said he does not dignify lies with responses and would only state it was untrue in a quick statement. He asserted that he was telling “99 percent” of the truth before coming clean. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401462,00.html Inconsistencies Raise Concerns Edwards May Still Be Lying About Affair] Fox News, August 11, 2008</ref> Most liberal-owned networks and internet sites were still silent.

[[Conservative]] media and radio's prominent position forced the issue into the public eye and further raised serious questions about Edwards. Edwards chose to give a television interview to [[ABC News]] less than two weeks after being caught with his mistress yet again. He claims some elements of the story are false, including he is the father of Rielle's child.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5441195&page=1 Edwards Admits Sexual Affair; Lied as Presidential Candidate] ABC News, August 8, 2008</ref> Then, all major news organizations finally covered the scandal with their audiences.

Many people believe there are elements of the scandal that are still being glossed over. Apparently, a close political friend of John Edwards had been sending Hunter $15,000 a month, an occurrence that Edwards says he knew nothing about and may just be due to the kindness of his friend's philanthropy helping out a person in distress. Fox has also pointed out that elements of Edwards story and the timeline are not matching.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401462,00.html Inconsistencies Raise Concerns Edwards May Still Be Lying About Affair] Fox News, August 11, 2008</ref>

The general feeling is that this scandal has put a serious career ending dent into Edwards' political prospects. Considering all that has transpired plus Elizabeth has terminal cancer, it is questionable if he can come back from being caught in his questionable lifestyle choices. It removed him from Vice President consideration, hampered all hopes for Presidential convention speeches and of his becoming [[Attorney General]], should a [[Democrat]] win in November. Furthermore, Edwards cancelled all public appearances until after the election, recognizing that his presence could only be a detriment to his party.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,417042,00.html</ref>

===Attacks on Ann Coulter===

In March 2007, Coulter was attacked after saying,

{{Cquote|Oh, and I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards. But it turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I'm -- so I'm kind of at an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards.}}

Recently, ABC’s [[Chris Cuomo]] ambushed Ann Coulter with a personal attack on her and the [[GOP]] by asking,

{{Cquote|But to begin with the tough words, some tough words for you by the three top candidates in response to what you had said, some were calling it a homosexual slur, you said it was a taunt. They all came out when you were talking about John Edwards and said, 'This was wrong. We must deny it." Fair criticism of you or a shift towards the tolerant among the GOP? <ref>[http://newsbusters.org/node/13750 Ann Coulter Discusses John Edwards, Bill Maher, and the ‘F-word’ on ‘GMA’], Noel Sheppard, Newsbusters, June 26, 2007.</ref>}}

Coulter responded,

{{Cquote|No, no. There were, I was denounced all over. All over. I think the one that hurt the most was, was from I'mALittleGirlInAPinkPartyDress.com… Very upsetting…Though about the same time [[Bill Maher]] said - and by the way, I did not call John Edwards the F-word. I said I couldn't talk about him because you go into rehab for using that word...But about the same time, you know, Bill Maher was ''not'' joking and saying he wished [[Dick Cheney]] had been killed in a [[terrorist]] attack -- so I've learned my lesson: If I'm going to say anything about John Edwards in the future, I'll just wish he had been killed in a terrorist assassination plot. <ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21345 That Was No Lady -- That Was My Husband], by Ann Coulter, ''Human Events'', 06/28/2007.</ref>}}

Six days after the ''[[New York Times]]'' published an article about the questionable practices of Edwards non-profit group which allegedly had been founded with the stated aim to fight poverty but had in fact been used by staffers for travel and campaign work, [[Elizabeth Edwards]] in what was obviously an effort to detract from the revelations attacked Ann Coulter on [[Chris Matthews]] HARDBALL. Matthews, a former Democratic presidential speech writer for [[Jimmy Carter]], with a reputation for constantly interrupting guests in mid-sentence, never once interrupted Elizabeth Edwards. Coulter was not informed before hand by Matthews and staff she would be appearing with the candidates wife. Mrs. Edwards said,

{{Cquote|I'm the mother of that boy who died. These young people behind you are the age of my children. You're asking them to participate in a dialogue that's based on hatefulness and ugliness instead of on the issues,}}

referring to an article Coulter wrote in 2003 about various Democratic Presidential candidates who had exploited family tragedies for partisan political purposes:

{{Cquote|[[Al Gore]] famously inaugurated the family tragedy routine at the 1992 Democratic National Convention...to recount the story of his son being hit by a car. At the 1996 convention, Gore told a tear-jerker about his sister's long, painful death from lung cancer. ...[[Gephardt]] has taken to spinning out a long, pitiful tale of his son's near-death three decades ago. ...Mrs. Gephardt weeps anew as her husband tells the same gut-wrenching story over and over again. ...John Edwards injects his son's fatal car accident into his campaign by demanding that everyone notice how he refuses to inject his son's fatal car accident into his campaign.

Edwards has talked about his son's death in a 1996 car accident on ''Good Morning America,'' in dozens of profiles and in his new book. ("It was and is the most important fact of my life.") His 1998 Senate campaign ads featured film footage of Edwards at a learning lab he founded in honor of his son, titled "The Wade Edwards Learning Lab." He wears his son's Outward Bound pin on his suit lapel. He was going to wear it on his sleeve, until someone suggested that might be a little too "on the nose."

If you want points for not using your son's death politically, don't you have to take down all those "Ask me about my son's death in a horrific car accident" bumper stickers? Edwards is like a politician who keeps announcing that he will not use his opponent's criminal record for partisan political advantage. I absolutely refuse to mention the name of my dearly beloved and recently departed son killed horribly in a car accident, which affected me deeply, to score cheap political points.

I wouldn't want John Edwards to be president, but I think even [[Karl Rove]] would be willing to stipulate that the death of a son is a terrible thing. <ref>[http://www.uexpress.com/anncoulter/index.html?uc_full_date=20031119 The Party of ideas], Ann Coulter, 11/19/2003.</ref>}}

President [[George H. W. Bush]] and [[Barbara Bush]] suffered the loss of a child sibling in 1953; there is no record whatsoever of the Bush family using the death of a child to gain sympathy in any of the Presidential elections G.H.W. Bush was involved in, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, or [[G.W. Bush]] in 2000 or 2004, yet certain [[liberal]] authors have exploited the tragedy to attack, slander, and impugn the entire Bush family, Bush Sr., Barbara Bush, and G.W. Bush. <ref>[http://hnn.us/articles/7106.html Bush on the Couch]
By Justin Frank, 2004. Retrieved from the History News Network 29 June 2007.</ref>

The staged event netted Edwards sorely lagging campaign $450,000 from 2300 donors using cropped, out-of-context video snippets within 24 hours.<ref>[http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/06/29/compromise-looms-in-private-equity-fight/ Edwards and McCain Battle to stay in 2008 top tier], John Harwood, ''Wall Street Journal'' Washinton Wire, June 29, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://newsbusters.org/node/13791 ABC Links Edwards/Coulter Call to '08 Fundraising Deadline, NBC Distorts Coulter], Brad Wilmouth, Newsbusters, June 28, 2007.</ref> Edwards would later call Coulter a "she-devil"<ref>http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/08/edwards-calls-c.html Edwards Calls Coulter 'She-Devil'], ''ABC News'', August 17, 2007.</ref>

==Miscellania==
===Books===
''The Four Trials'' (with John Auchard), about his career as a lawyer

===Trivia===
The $25 million settlement was the largest in NC history.

==See Also==
[[Previous Breaking News/John Edwards|Articles about '''John Edwards''' from previous "Breaking News"]]

== References ==
<references/>

==Sources==
http://johnedwards.com/
{{liberalism}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, John}}
[[Category:Political People]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]