Michael Gaynor
ACORN whistleblower Anita MonCrief's blog
By Michael Gaynor
Ms. MonCrief has truth to tell that ACORN, the liberal media establishment led by The New York Times and, yes, President Obama and his successful presidential campaign, deal with by denial and cover up.
Are you wondering why Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D.-N.Y.) is blocking a Congressional investigation of ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now)? Or why Aaron Dorfman, Executive Director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, put out a fundraising appeal for ACORN on September 24, 2008 beginning "It's time for funders to resume funding ACORN, and to consider major new investments in the organization in the coming year. In times like these, the country needs ACORN back at full strength"? For its readers, The New York Times has not offered a clue. If you want to know, ACORN whistleblower Anita MonCrief's blog (www.anitamoncrief.blogspot.com) is the place for you. Go to it and read all her posts, especially the most recent two.
New York Times national correspondent Stephanie Strom called Ms. MonCrief, her confidential source from July 2008 until October 22, 2008, "the best" and "a gold mine" and, about that, Ms. Strom was right.
Those are great reasons for people to check out Ms. MonCrief's blog, and people at The New York Times and America's major banks are among those who do!
On November 1, 2008, Ms. MonCrief began her blog and included an illuminating brief self-profile. At the top appears this declaration: "There has been much speculation as to my motives, which is ironic to me since the media and ACORN have given me a lesson in integrity and political motivations this year. I speak for myself and I am not afraid to post the truth."
Ms. MonCrief has spoken for herself and posted "inconvenient" truths repeatedly.
Ms. MonCrief has truth to tell that ACORN, the liberal media establishment led by The New York Times and, yes, President Obama and his successful presidential campaign, deal with by denial and cover up.
After learning from Ms. Strom on October 21, 2008 that her editors had blocked an ACORN-Obama campaign expose, fearing that it might be "a game changer," a frustrated Ms. MonCrief reluctantly shed the cloak of anonymity that she had prized and (1) authorized me to publicly identify her as a source, (2) agreed to become a witness for Heather Heidelbaugh, Esq. in a Pennsylvania case involving ACORN and (3) even set up her own blog.
Ms. MonCrief's first blog entry, titled "ACORN Whistleblower Asks, 'What Happened to Karyn Gillette?'," reported on Ms. MonCrief's decision to come forward, leftist views and experience as witness.
Ms. MonCrief:
"Coming forward was not an easy choice and I weighed my options repeatedly and realized that there was not much of a choice. ACORN is a corrupt organization that is preying on the marginalized in this society and they have become the cancerous growth of this election.
"I have never claimed to be perfect and only answered questions honestly on the stand. ACORN brought 3 witnesses to testify but only two did. What happened? Karyn Gillette had the opportunity to take that stand and call me a liar and 'set the record straight' and instead she fled the courtroom. Ms. Gillette sat two seats from me on the same row and as I prepared to face my former mentor and the woman who I thought was my friend, I realized that she had no idea that I would completely tell the truth and therefore she was confident in her role as the person sent by ACORN to discredit me.
"After I testified under oath, I noticed that the attitude of the ACORN people had changed in the room, the intimidating stance was gone as Karyn typed on her Blackberry at lightning speed, and the other ACORN folks heard the truth in my words.
"I am a liberal Democrat, pro-choice and a Obama supporter. I never wanted for this to progress to this point. I tried contacting www.rottenacorn.org in June of 2007 before the credit card, before the termination. I was told that it could get ugly and that since I was a single mom and needed this job for my baby, that I should try to find somewhere else and then contact them again.
"I urge Karyn and Brian Kettering to follow my example and stop hiding behind the media. If I am such a liar, then by all means, say so in sworn testimony. Why did Karyn Gillette leave the courtroom? Only she knows, but I guess it had something to do with the fact that I told the truth and she wasn't willing to get on the stand and do the same thing.
"I have never needed anyone to speak for me. I speak for myself and have always been prepared to deal with the consequences of my actions."
Lest folks doubt that she was "a liberal Democrat," Ms. MonCrief provided a link to art she had posted in 2006 (before she and ACORN parted ways): http://picasaweb.google.com/anita.moncrief/ReGenerationArtworkByPhoenixRising#.
Claims that Ms. MonCrief is white and a right-wing Republican plant are like the claim that Governor Sarah Palin's son Trig is really her grandson: desperate left-wing lies designed to discredit because the truth is intolerable to them.
Last year Ms. MonCrief was in an impossible position: she wanted people to know that ACORN is corrupt, yet she wanted Obama to win and had high hopes for him.
Ms. MonCrief's second post, titled "Election Eve Musings," reflects Ms. MonCrief's conflicted feelings (and liberal Democrat background):
"When, I heard about Hillary Clintons book deal with Harper Collins in 2000, I told everyone that I knew that 2008 was going to be her year. I watched as her year became Barack Obama's and I got behind him with trepidation. At times, I was afraid to even contemplate a win. On the eve of one of the most important elections of my life thus far, I cannot say that I have the same nervous excitement. My problem has never been with the candidates but with the media circus that surrounds the process itself.
"I do feel that in the fervor of the elections that we have let our emotions cloud some truths. Much has been reported to try and sway opinions one way or the other. However, one fundamental fact is undeniable. ACORN has been hiding behind the age old tactic of race baiting and demeaning tactics. As 'poverty pimps' they have misused the system and polluted the fundamental right that so many have shed blood for (black, white, men and women). Tomorrow is so important for many and it is frustrating to see honest, good, law abiding people fighting someone else's bogus fight. ACORN is better than the mob because they use the underlying fears of people used to fighting to be heard to make money and influence elections.
"This may be Obama's year, but if it had been Clinton's ACORN would still be using the same tired voter registration practices and using intimidation to worm their way into the campaign. As an African American running for president Obama was put in the unique position of denying ties to an organization that Clinton and Edwards actively and openly courted. ACORN's strategic plan for the new administration was set way before the first candidate threw their hat in, and much attention has been paid to the Obama and ACORN connection. What about the ACORN and corruption connection?"
Ms. MonCrief did not think it fair that Obama apparently found it politically necessary to lie about his ties to ACORN because he's half black instead of all white (like Hillary Clinton and John Edwards).
And Ms. MonCrief marched to the polls and voted for Obama, hoefully.
Ms. MonCrief third post, titled "America: The Phoenix Rises Again," was celebratory:
"I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past 24 hours. I am sure that everyone has touched upon the historical significance of Obama's win. However, for me, that is just the tip of the iceberg. Last night, despite the best efforts of the GOP on one side, and ACORN on the other, no one was able to stop the true movement of people. America spoke in shades of brown, tan, white, and other. They spoke from comfortable homes, dingy apartments, and military posts. What ACORN and the GOP failed to realize is that there is a true need for people to organize to be heard; but when groups try to divide those people for monetary purposes, our voices are diluted.
"My daughter and I walked through the rain yesterday to vote, and though I knew that there are some who didn't want my vote, who said that I was the enemy; I have never wavered in my support of Obama and wanted to give my vote to him. My connections to this campaign started in 1963 when my mother was born on the Southside of Chicago, and like some of Michelle Obama's extended family, we to chose to migrate south, but maintained strong Chicago roots. To me, yesterday was more than making history as the first African-American president, it was a reaffirmation that like Obama has said, 'it doesn't matter where you come from'. The American dream is alive and well in its people who never stopped believing that anyone can start a new life and become something great.
"As a student of history, I look at the Ford's, the Rockefeller's and the Kennedy's. Joe Kennedy was a bootlegger who did what he had to do to pull his family out of poverty, and though this was not an ideal situation; that is exactly where America is now. America has realized that we were in a period of darkness, but we are clawing our way towards that light of a new day. President-elect Obama was right when he asked for our help. We have to be prepared to get our hands dirty and move forward when it looks like we are headed towards the edge of a precipice. America has always been about taking nothing and making something great. I saw this greatness last night, not onstage, but in the crowds with their barely constrained emotion.
"At ACORN I always advocated for including the middle class in our membership. I stated that by making something an issue that only affects the poor and minorities, which we were missing the true 'mavericks' who had fought and won during the sixties. These people may have traded in the flowers, tents and VW bugs for houses, BMWs' and 401ks'; but that their enduring spirit of purpose had propelled America for the last 40 years. However, ACORN never wanted people that would ask questions or buck against the status quo, and this meant that their primary vehicle for money and defense against the attacks became the marginalized.
"I hope that the new administration will help remove the albatross from around the poor's neck and let us join the rest of America in advocating for true change."
But Ms. MonCrief still wanted ACORN corruption stopped and her hope that an Obama Administration would fix ACORN remain unfulfilled.
Ms. MonCrief switched from brief posts about her thoughts and actions to lengthy exposes of ACORN (plus some personal confessions of fault):
"Exposing the Truth About ACORN," November 8, 2008
"Get Ready New York: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," December 11, 2008
"This Just in from the ACORN 8," December 12, 2008
"ACORN's Ponzi," December 17, 2008
"More ACORN Antics" Minnesota Style," December 19, 2008
"ACORN and FCR: Did They Dupe Brooklyn?", January 5, 2009
"Insiders File RICO Charges Against ACORN," January 12, 2009
"ACORN, Project Vote and the EAC," January 19, 2009
"ACORN Part IV: The Payoff," January 28, 2009
"ACORN: Street Theater at its Best," February 1, 2009
"Has ACORN Become a Liability for Democrats," February 6, 2009
"Bertha Goes to Washington," February 9, 2009
"ACORN and the Banks: Dangerous Liaisons," February 12, 2009
"ACORN and the Sandlers: A Four Part Review of the Housing Collapse," February 19, 2009
"ACORN and the Sandlers: Part II of IV," February 23, 2009
"ACORN and the Sandlers: Part III of IV," March 6, 2009
"ACORN and The Sandlers: Part IV of IV," March 13, 2009
"ACORN: The Pretense of Caring," March 31, 2009
"Nadler, ACORN and the Working Families Party: No Credible Evidence?", April 13, 2009
"National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy: ACORN's Pawn," April 24, 2009
America needs the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...and a newspaper that actually prints (and posts) all the news regardless of personal preference.
© Michael Gaynor
April 27, 2009
Ms. MonCrief has truth to tell that ACORN, the liberal media establishment led by The New York Times and, yes, President Obama and his successful presidential campaign, deal with by denial and cover up.
Are you wondering why Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D.-N.Y.) is blocking a Congressional investigation of ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now)? Or why Aaron Dorfman, Executive Director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, put out a fundraising appeal for ACORN on September 24, 2008 beginning "It's time for funders to resume funding ACORN, and to consider major new investments in the organization in the coming year. In times like these, the country needs ACORN back at full strength"? For its readers, The New York Times has not offered a clue. If you want to know, ACORN whistleblower Anita MonCrief's blog (www.anitamoncrief.blogspot.com) is the place for you. Go to it and read all her posts, especially the most recent two.
New York Times national correspondent Stephanie Strom called Ms. MonCrief, her confidential source from July 2008 until October 22, 2008, "the best" and "a gold mine" and, about that, Ms. Strom was right.
Those are great reasons for people to check out Ms. MonCrief's blog, and people at The New York Times and America's major banks are among those who do!
On November 1, 2008, Ms. MonCrief began her blog and included an illuminating brief self-profile. At the top appears this declaration: "There has been much speculation as to my motives, which is ironic to me since the media and ACORN have given me a lesson in integrity and political motivations this year. I speak for myself and I am not afraid to post the truth."
Ms. MonCrief has spoken for herself and posted "inconvenient" truths repeatedly.
Ms. MonCrief has truth to tell that ACORN, the liberal media establishment led by The New York Times and, yes, President Obama and his successful presidential campaign, deal with by denial and cover up.
After learning from Ms. Strom on October 21, 2008 that her editors had blocked an ACORN-Obama campaign expose, fearing that it might be "a game changer," a frustrated Ms. MonCrief reluctantly shed the cloak of anonymity that she had prized and (1) authorized me to publicly identify her as a source, (2) agreed to become a witness for Heather Heidelbaugh, Esq. in a Pennsylvania case involving ACORN and (3) even set up her own blog.
Ms. MonCrief's first blog entry, titled "ACORN Whistleblower Asks, 'What Happened to Karyn Gillette?'," reported on Ms. MonCrief's decision to come forward, leftist views and experience as witness.
Ms. MonCrief:
"Coming forward was not an easy choice and I weighed my options repeatedly and realized that there was not much of a choice. ACORN is a corrupt organization that is preying on the marginalized in this society and they have become the cancerous growth of this election.
"I have never claimed to be perfect and only answered questions honestly on the stand. ACORN brought 3 witnesses to testify but only two did. What happened? Karyn Gillette had the opportunity to take that stand and call me a liar and 'set the record straight' and instead she fled the courtroom. Ms. Gillette sat two seats from me on the same row and as I prepared to face my former mentor and the woman who I thought was my friend, I realized that she had no idea that I would completely tell the truth and therefore she was confident in her role as the person sent by ACORN to discredit me.
"After I testified under oath, I noticed that the attitude of the ACORN people had changed in the room, the intimidating stance was gone as Karyn typed on her Blackberry at lightning speed, and the other ACORN folks heard the truth in my words.
"I am a liberal Democrat, pro-choice and a Obama supporter. I never wanted for this to progress to this point. I tried contacting www.rottenacorn.org in June of 2007 before the credit card, before the termination. I was told that it could get ugly and that since I was a single mom and needed this job for my baby, that I should try to find somewhere else and then contact them again.
"I urge Karyn and Brian Kettering to follow my example and stop hiding behind the media. If I am such a liar, then by all means, say so in sworn testimony. Why did Karyn Gillette leave the courtroom? Only she knows, but I guess it had something to do with the fact that I told the truth and she wasn't willing to get on the stand and do the same thing.
"I have never needed anyone to speak for me. I speak for myself and have always been prepared to deal with the consequences of my actions."
Lest folks doubt that she was "a liberal Democrat," Ms. MonCrief provided a link to art she had posted in 2006 (before she and ACORN parted ways): http://picasaweb.google.com/anita.moncrief/ReGenerationArtworkByPhoenixRising#.
Claims that Ms. MonCrief is white and a right-wing Republican plant are like the claim that Governor Sarah Palin's son Trig is really her grandson: desperate left-wing lies designed to discredit because the truth is intolerable to them.
Last year Ms. MonCrief was in an impossible position: she wanted people to know that ACORN is corrupt, yet she wanted Obama to win and had high hopes for him.
Ms. MonCrief's second post, titled "Election Eve Musings," reflects Ms. MonCrief's conflicted feelings (and liberal Democrat background):
"When, I heard about Hillary Clintons book deal with Harper Collins in 2000, I told everyone that I knew that 2008 was going to be her year. I watched as her year became Barack Obama's and I got behind him with trepidation. At times, I was afraid to even contemplate a win. On the eve of one of the most important elections of my life thus far, I cannot say that I have the same nervous excitement. My problem has never been with the candidates but with the media circus that surrounds the process itself.
"I do feel that in the fervor of the elections that we have let our emotions cloud some truths. Much has been reported to try and sway opinions one way or the other. However, one fundamental fact is undeniable. ACORN has been hiding behind the age old tactic of race baiting and demeaning tactics. As 'poverty pimps' they have misused the system and polluted the fundamental right that so many have shed blood for (black, white, men and women). Tomorrow is so important for many and it is frustrating to see honest, good, law abiding people fighting someone else's bogus fight. ACORN is better than the mob because they use the underlying fears of people used to fighting to be heard to make money and influence elections.
"This may be Obama's year, but if it had been Clinton's ACORN would still be using the same tired voter registration practices and using intimidation to worm their way into the campaign. As an African American running for president Obama was put in the unique position of denying ties to an organization that Clinton and Edwards actively and openly courted. ACORN's strategic plan for the new administration was set way before the first candidate threw their hat in, and much attention has been paid to the Obama and ACORN connection. What about the ACORN and corruption connection?"
Ms. MonCrief did not think it fair that Obama apparently found it politically necessary to lie about his ties to ACORN because he's half black instead of all white (like Hillary Clinton and John Edwards).
And Ms. MonCrief marched to the polls and voted for Obama, hoefully.
Ms. MonCrief third post, titled "America: The Phoenix Rises Again," was celebratory:
"I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past 24 hours. I am sure that everyone has touched upon the historical significance of Obama's win. However, for me, that is just the tip of the iceberg. Last night, despite the best efforts of the GOP on one side, and ACORN on the other, no one was able to stop the true movement of people. America spoke in shades of brown, tan, white, and other. They spoke from comfortable homes, dingy apartments, and military posts. What ACORN and the GOP failed to realize is that there is a true need for people to organize to be heard; but when groups try to divide those people for monetary purposes, our voices are diluted.
"My daughter and I walked through the rain yesterday to vote, and though I knew that there are some who didn't want my vote, who said that I was the enemy; I have never wavered in my support of Obama and wanted to give my vote to him. My connections to this campaign started in 1963 when my mother was born on the Southside of Chicago, and like some of Michelle Obama's extended family, we to chose to migrate south, but maintained strong Chicago roots. To me, yesterday was more than making history as the first African-American president, it was a reaffirmation that like Obama has said, 'it doesn't matter where you come from'. The American dream is alive and well in its people who never stopped believing that anyone can start a new life and become something great.
"As a student of history, I look at the Ford's, the Rockefeller's and the Kennedy's. Joe Kennedy was a bootlegger who did what he had to do to pull his family out of poverty, and though this was not an ideal situation; that is exactly where America is now. America has realized that we were in a period of darkness, but we are clawing our way towards that light of a new day. President-elect Obama was right when he asked for our help. We have to be prepared to get our hands dirty and move forward when it looks like we are headed towards the edge of a precipice. America has always been about taking nothing and making something great. I saw this greatness last night, not onstage, but in the crowds with their barely constrained emotion.
"At ACORN I always advocated for including the middle class in our membership. I stated that by making something an issue that only affects the poor and minorities, which we were missing the true 'mavericks' who had fought and won during the sixties. These people may have traded in the flowers, tents and VW bugs for houses, BMWs' and 401ks'; but that their enduring spirit of purpose had propelled America for the last 40 years. However, ACORN never wanted people that would ask questions or buck against the status quo, and this meant that their primary vehicle for money and defense against the attacks became the marginalized.
"I hope that the new administration will help remove the albatross from around the poor's neck and let us join the rest of America in advocating for true change."
But Ms. MonCrief still wanted ACORN corruption stopped and her hope that an Obama Administration would fix ACORN remain unfulfilled.
Ms. MonCrief switched from brief posts about her thoughts and actions to lengthy exposes of ACORN (plus some personal confessions of fault):
"Exposing the Truth About ACORN," November 8, 2008
"Get Ready New York: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," December 11, 2008
"This Just in from the ACORN 8," December 12, 2008
"ACORN's Ponzi," December 17, 2008
"More ACORN Antics" Minnesota Style," December 19, 2008
"ACORN and FCR: Did They Dupe Brooklyn?", January 5, 2009
"Insiders File RICO Charges Against ACORN," January 12, 2009
"ACORN, Project Vote and the EAC," January 19, 2009
"ACORN Part IV: The Payoff," January 28, 2009
"ACORN: Street Theater at its Best," February 1, 2009
"Has ACORN Become a Liability for Democrats," February 6, 2009
"Bertha Goes to Washington," February 9, 2009
"ACORN and the Banks: Dangerous Liaisons," February 12, 2009
"ACORN and the Sandlers: A Four Part Review of the Housing Collapse," February 19, 2009
"ACORN and the Sandlers: Part II of IV," February 23, 2009
"ACORN and the Sandlers: Part III of IV," March 6, 2009
"ACORN and The Sandlers: Part IV of IV," March 13, 2009
"ACORN: The Pretense of Caring," March 31, 2009
"Nadler, ACORN and the Working Families Party: No Credible Evidence?", April 13, 2009
"National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy: ACORN's Pawn," April 24, 2009
America needs the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...and a newspaper that actually prints (and posts) all the news regardless of personal preference.
© Michael Gaynor
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
