"ACORN gotcha man among four arrested ..."

Filmmaker James O'Keefe dressed as a pimp before entering ACORN offices last year.

From NOLA.com:

Alleging a plot to tamper with phones in Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's office in the Hale Boggs Federal Building in downtown New Orleans, the FBI arrested four people Monday, including James O'Keefe, a conservative filmmaker whose undercover videos at ACORN field offices severely damaged the advocacy group's credibility.

Also arrested were Joseph Basel, Stan Dai and Robert Flanagan, all 24. Flanagan is the son of William Flanagan, who is the acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, the office confirmed. All four were charged with entering federal property under false pretenses with the intent of committing a felony.
....

ACORN spokesman Kevin Whelan said the arrest calls O'Keefe's credibility into question, and used the opportunity to point out that he "edited (ACORN videos) to make things look as bad as possible."

But he also acknowledged that O'Keefe's undercover ACORN footage showed truly improper conduct by ACORN staff.

"ACORN's leadership and grassroots leaders have taken a whole series of steps, including commissioning an independent report that shows actually there wasn't illegal conduct by any of the ACORN employees involved, although we fired people involved for improper conduct," Whelan said.
....

The four men appeared in federal magistrate court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Louis Moore wearing red inmate jumpstuits from St. Bernard Parish Prison, where they are being held. Moore is allowing the men to be released on $10,000 bond.

Robert Flanagan's attorney, J. Garrison Jordan, said he believes his client works for the Pelican Institute. Asked the motivation for the alleged wiretap plot, he said: "I think it was poor judgment. I don't think there was any intent or motive to commit a crime."

What does David Vitter (LA-R) think about all this? We won't know, because he will claim that due to the federal investigation, he can't comment.

On occasion, the passionate GOPers tend to overreach.

Thanks to Ann for the tip to the story.

Victory!

In an earlier post I rejoiced in my new wireless service after dropping my service with Big Phone Company. At the same time, I wailed because we would have to pay a fee of $95 because we broke our contract with BPC, which ran until September of this year.

Earlier today I received a phone call from an employee of Big Phone Company who apologized for the bad service and told me that the $95 fee would be waived. How about that? I asked him how my problem came to his attention, and he told me he called because of my email to the CEO of BPC. In truth, I thought my email would go into a black hole, and I'd hear no more about the matter, which only goes to prove that it doesn't hurt to try, even when hope for a good result seems dim.

THE FUTURE OF HAITI...BELONGS TO THE HAITIANS"

From Bishop Pierre Whalon, Bishop in charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe:

« Nous sommes aux abois,» wrote Bishop Zaché Duracin of the Diocese of Haiti, « mais fermes dans la foi. » « Être aux abois » means literally to be run down like the fox in a foxhunt, surrounding by barking dogs and unable to run any further. “At the end of our rope” or “we’re finished” might be a good translation.

“We’re at the end of our rope, but firm in our faith.” He begins and ends his letter with this sentence. This sounds like the man the Rev. Lauren Stanley, his representative outside Haiti, called “a lion” in a phone call to me. (Visit her site for a clearinghouse of Haiti information.) Indeed! I don’t know what I would do, if I barely escaped death and had my home and everything in my diocese destroyed. Probably find some place to lie down and lament my fate. Not Bishop Zaché, who with Canon Ogé Beauvoir and others of his staff, responded by setting up a camp for the displaced on a soccer field next to the completely destroyed diocesan center (cathedral, schools, convent) which now serves thousands of people. A Lion, is Bishop Zaché, whose roar of defiance for a whole people is “We’re at the end of our rope but firm in our faith!”

In the past, Bishop Pierre Whalon's words have resonated with me on more than one occasion. He adds:

It is now time for all Christians and other people of good will to declare our solidarity with the Haitian people, including those of The Episcopal Church’s largest diocese of Haiti, and insist to all who want to help—nations, NGOs, churches and ordinary people—that the Haitian people must be in charge of their future.


Not only have they been the victims of several natural disasters recently. Haiti has also suffered immensely, first at the hands of the French, and then the Americans. As a citizen of both countries, I am ashamed of the human disasters wreaked upon the Haitian people by my nations in the past. We must not allow that past to repeat itself.

I, too, am ashamed of the role that the US played in the tragic history of Haiti. Indeed, the Haitian people must be in charge of their own recovery. Our role is to enable them to recover from the earthquake disaster. My hope is that the future of Haiti may be brighter than its dark past.

Firm in their faith, which we share, guided by the Holy Spirit, by supporting the Haitian people in rebuilding the way they want, we can help repent of some of the crimes of the past. Before we rush to bring what we think they need, we must listen to them and respect their desires.

The future of Haiti can only be bright if it really belongs to the Haitians.

I've linked to Lauren Stanley's site before, and I'm pleased to link again, because she is doing great work in keeping us informed on the latest word from Haiti.

Once again, if you'd like to help, here's the link to Episcopal Relief and Development to make donations. Or choose your own charity, but try to find an organization with low overhead, one in which the greatest amount of money goes to those who need help. ERD has very low overhead.

H/T to Ann Fontaine at The Lead.

UPDATE: Ann called to my attention the article titled Local development key to Haiti long term at Ekklesia which urges us to help but reminds us that the Haitian people must be in charge of recovery efforts.

STORY OF THE DAY

Thinking there's not a whole lot to say
anymore now that people listen & he
has to make sense.


From StoryPeople.

ALTERNATE MEANINGS

The winning submissions to a yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

And the winners are:*

1. *Coffee*, n. The person upon whom one coughs.

2. *Flabbergasted*, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

3. *Abdicate*, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. *Esplanade*, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. *Willy-nilly*, adj. Impotent.

6. *Negligent*, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

7. *Lymph*, v. To walk with a lisp.

8. *Gargoyle*, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. *Flatulence*, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

10. *Balderdash*, n. A rapidly receding hairline.

11. *Testicle*, n. A humorous question on an exam.

12. *Rectitude*, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. *Pokemon*, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.

14. *Oyster*, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. *Frisbeetarianism*, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.


Don't blame me. Blame Susan S.

JUST WHAT WE NEED?

From Variety:

Hoping to replicate some of the box office success of "The Passion of the Christ," indie producer Bill McKay is mounting "The Resurrection of the Christ," with a 10-week shoot starting in July.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait.

Scribe Dan Gordan ("The Hurricane," "Murder in the First") is penning the screenplay with a focus on the power, greed and ambition of those involved in the crucifixion -- Pontius Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas and Judas.

"It's as much about the key players as it is about Jesus," McKay said. "We want to bring in the 'Gladiator' dimension of the first century against the political milieu of the time."

Of course! We must have the "'Gladiator' dimension". Cecil B. De Mille all over again.

"We think it's a very commercial film that's targeted at an underserved demographic with a lot of crossover potential," he added.

I'm not quite sure what "underserved demographic" they're talking about, but they must be right.

My question: Can the movie focus on the Resurrection and still have the proper potential for violent scenes? I mean the gladiators have to DO something. Perhaps the title of the movie should be "The Passion of the Christ - Part Deux".

H/T to Athenae at First Draft.

SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT

From The Hill:

The third-ranking House Democrat said Monday the Senate thinks of itself as a "House of Lords" that happens to be out of touch with voters.

Majority Whip James Clyburn's (D-S.C.) remarks are one of the most significant public shots taken at the Senate by a Democratic leader since healthcare negotiations between the two chambers stalled.

"[Senators] tend to see themselves as a House of Lords and they don't seem to understand that those of us that go out there every two years stay in touch with the American people," he said in an interview with Fox News Radio. "We tend to respond to them a little better."
....

Tensions between the House and Senate have grown since healthcare negotiations broke down after Republican Scott Brown's win the Massachusetts special Senate election.

Tensions between the Senate and me have grown since health care negotiations began.

And why don't the Democrats in the Senate take on the Republican threat of a filibuster? Just do it, Harry! A real filibuster, not a faux procedural filibuster.

At TPM Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania says:

To those Democrats who are worried about passing health care reform in the wake of Republican Scott Brown's upset victory in Massachusetts, Rendell said "get that best bill as strong and as tight as you can then send it back to the Senate and let's see if they (Republicans) are going to filibuster."

Rendell, who was speaking to ABC News, also said, "my message to those Democrats is don't be afraid. ... Listen, you got elected because you wanted to do something to change the quality of people's lives - here we have a chance to do something historic and if it means some of us are going to lose because of that so be it. At least you will have lost your office fighting for something and accomplishing something."

...don't be afraid.... That IS the message, Senators. I heart Gov. Rendell and not just for this one statement. I've heard him before urging the Democrats to be bold and demonstrate courage.

POST-IT...

Has found the real problem with Post-it
Notes is that they don't stick in your
head.


From StoryPeople.

"THE NIGHT WE DRINK THAT DIXIE DOWN"

Nick Lick and the Hickies new song for the New Orleans Saints Playoffs 2010

Thank you, Nick Lick and the Hickies! And many thanks to Ginny S. for sending me the link. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

FINAL: SAINTS 31, VIKINGS 28 (OVERTIME)

NO ONE BEAT DEM SAINTS!

No city wants this like New Orleans. It’s all we talk about. Think about. Dream about. Sunday will be a beautiful day in the city of New Orleans. I will wake up… find the second line parade that heads straight to the Superdome.. and enjoy the dreamlike atmosphere. It’ll be a great game!

– From a reader named New Orleanian in the comments section

From the The New York Times.