ACORN’s mysterious sugar daddy
posted at 5:15 pm on September 22, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
When life hands you lemons, find a sugar daddy to turn it into lemonade. That appears to be the axiom in play at ACORN today, which has sent out an e-mail blast hoping to turn videos of several offices offering assistance for child-prostitution and tax evasion into a bountiful fund-raising opportunity. Two sources have forwarded the fundraising e-mails to us today, one of whom is our old friend John Ziegler. John says he has no idea how they got his name and e-mail address, except that he donated money once to a Democrat Congressman, a friend of his who is still serving in Congress now. That certainly seems interesting in terms of connections to this political scandal.
Bertha Lewis informs the potential donors that an unnamed individual will match donations up to $20,000 for the privilege of continuing to assist people with the kind of legal advice seen in action:
Dear John ,
I know I speak for everyone at ACORN when I tell you that we are humbled by the outpouring of support, and we are deeply grateful.
I have an exciting update to share with you. An anonymous donor has offered to match all new donations to ACORN — dollar-for-dollar — up to $20,000.
There will never be a more important moment to donate to ACORN — we are in the fight of our lives. And now, when you donate, your gift will be worth TWICE as much, up to $20,000.
Thank you for everything you do to help people in need,
– Bertha Lewis
PS: Did you see the message below? Please take a moment to read it if you haven’t yet.
Yes, it was that dastardly Fox News that made Congress – including most of the Democrats on Capitol Hill — stop funding for ACORN. It had nothing to do with the fact that multiple ACORN offices felt comfortable in instructing self-described purveyors of child prostitution in how to evade taxes and detection. No, Fox News snaps its fingers, and Democrats do their bidding. Uh … sure. It’s not for nothing that I call Bertha Lewis the Baghdad Bob of ACORN.
So who’s the “generous supporter” so inspired by multiple counts of tax evasion and conspiracy to obstruct justice in child prostitution and human trafficking? Shouldn’t ACORN make that plain as part of their attempt to “survive” Fox News and the “right wing”? Or is the generous supporter that embarrassed to show his face?
Let’s hope so.
Update: John’s friend is a current member of Congress, which makes his addition to ACORN’s list even more interesting. Do all Democrats share their e-mail lists with ACORN?










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Crack this ACORN wide open
blatantblue on September 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Gee, I wonder who the anonymous (cough soros) donor is?
Daggett on September 22, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Adopt-an-Acorn Program. Think of the Children…
Sally Struthers would be proud.
portlandon on September 22, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Forget Sham Wow, how about a Slap Chop for these folks?
Hening on September 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
pathetic…
moonbatkiller on September 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Soros
Sharr on September 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
I can think of only one person who could match donations nationwide.
Silly me, worldwide.
Vashta.Nerada on September 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
I will proudly triple any donations NOT made to Acorn.
SouperConservative on September 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
If you are adding sugar, that would be a lemon shake-up.
If you ever donate to a Dem or left group, make sure to use a middle initial and remember that initial (e.g., Use A for one person, B for the next, etc.). If a donation request comes in, you can use the middle initial to trace the source of your information.
WashJeff on September 22, 2009 at 5:21 PM
A mailing list is a @#$%^ing valuable thing.
Vashta.Nerada on September 22, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Does this donor live in Nigeria and have access to bazillions, if only he could get it out of the country?
joedoe on September 22, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Can’t have ACORN out of commission just when Congress wants to expand and reinvigorate the CRA that ACORN uses to intimidate banks into making “you got to be out of your mind to lend money to this guy” loans.
Where will our next economic crisis to be blamed on the Businessmen and Republicans come from if ACORN is not their to help create it?
KW64 on September 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Donate to ACORN and double your impact… because there are plenty of underage Latin American girls yearning for a life of prostitution in the U.S.
malclave on September 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
I blame George.
the_nile on September 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Big Bertha is a neutron star of leftwing lies (employing the Clintonian ‘defense’ of lie, deny, lie, deny, lie, admit the truth and blame the GOP and FOX News) threatening to suck all the world and existence into her gaping hole of fact-free pathetically inept failure.
Good Lt on September 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
I did not donate a billion dollars to ACORN. Do you need my address or something?…
BuckNutty on September 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
From tiny acorns mighty corrupt, liars, cheats and thieves grow.
joedoe on September 22, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Gee, I wonder who the anonymous (cough soros) donor is?
Daggett on September 22, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Probably a lot more than $20,000.00, but yes you are correct.
fourdeucer on September 22, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Soros?
Schadenfreude on September 22, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Has any funding actually stopped, or did you mean ‘vote to stop funding’?
BadgerHawk on September 22, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I read that as per donation.
Vashta.Nerada on September 22, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Best part “we’re in the fight for our life”.
May it be so!
Schadenfreude on September 22, 2009 at 5:27 PM
What exactly does ACORN do? Aren’t they redundant? Don’t we already have oodles of government housing employees paid big bucks just to do the exact thing ACORN claims they do?
Why are they getting any money at all? We can’t have both.
darwin on September 22, 2009 at 5:27 PM
My donor has a first name, it’s G-E-O-R-G-E…
My donor has a second name, it’s S-O-R-O-S…
teke184 on September 22, 2009 at 5:28 PM
I think, in a spontaneous show of support, we should all get together and send the main offices of ACORN a couple of thousand live chickens.
They’re inexpensive, quite nutritious, and I hear they taste just like chicken.
applebutter on September 22, 2009 at 5:28 PM
A Fool and his money will soon part!
BigMike252 on September 22, 2009 at 5:28 PM
I think I would like to attend an anti-ACORN rally with thousands of other like-minded people and we all bring nut-crackers. Not the Christmas kind, but the kitchen utensil kind. That would be good.
TWG78 on September 22, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Seriously..what are the Soros odds??
3-1
2-1
pick one
galtg on September 22, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Acorn didn’t bother to check out their “rich donation matcher”
Request for Urgent business relationship:
Dear Madame or Sir,
First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction. My Nigerian Government is able to match your dollar donations. Please send your donation amounts to us, and we will send you a check for DOUBLE the amount.
Mr. Odongia
Money Doubling Agency
Nigeria
portlandon on September 22, 2009 at 5:29 PM
I think ho housing is a highly specialized area of expertise.
joedoe on September 22, 2009 at 5:29 PM
So who’s the “generous supporter”
There needn’t be one. This could just be a dishonest marketing scheme.
Jed_Eckert on September 22, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Hey, the donor c/b Tom_Shipley.
Schadenfreude on September 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM
By all means, think of the children. They were counting on jobs as underage prostitutes.
Daggett on September 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM
These people are truely stupid to be soliciting money right before an investigation. That anonymous donor isn’t going to be anonymous much longer.
.
txag92 on September 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Even money
thomasaur on September 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM
She would use the acorns as a garnish and eat them.
Oh, wait.. we were talking about children!
upinak on September 22, 2009 at 5:31 PM
If there is not a donor actually matching donations, would that be FRAUD?
joedoe on September 22, 2009 at 5:31 PM
His name is UNCLE SAM
Silly me
macncheez on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
So, who is this mystery donor, Burfa?
Doesn’t ACORN have a legal obligation to disclose who their donors are, since they accept federal funding?
UltimateBob on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
If there is not a donor actually matching donations, would that be FRAUD?
joedoe on September 22, 2009 at 5:31 PM
like they’re not above that
Jed_Eckert on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
FNC is pre-empting GB with Bury at the UN.
Grrrrrrrrr
thomasaur on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
An Instant Classic!
redshirt on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
She’d eat the children if they were dipped in chocolate.
portlandon on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Isn’t it amazing that she claims that right-wingers are out to hurt the poor and minorities?
Now let’s take a lok at the situation. Who has constantly said they champion the poor and the minorities? Why the Democrats! Where do the majority of the poor and minorities live? Why, in the big cities! Who has consistently controlled and represented the big cities for the past 60 years? Why, the Democrats!
So, for more than 60 years the Democrats have politically controlled the areas where the majority of poor and minorities live, and those folks are still poor and under-served? Who is out to “get” who again?
Seems like the oppressed class is simply shilling for their democrat masters, in a sick and grandiose form of “Stockholm Syndrome”.
AW1 Tim on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
That’s what I thought.
UltimateBob on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
How dare you!
the_nile on September 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Has anyone checked out Bertha’s lifestyle?
joedoe on September 22, 2009 at 5:33 PM
$40,000 total?
Wow, someone is underwriting two full, 54-hours-a-week jobs at ACORN! And, a lovely coffee mug with the ACORN and SEIU logos boldly emblazoned on them.
CO2MAKER on September 22, 2009 at 5:33 PM
She’s a perfect chief of the compost heap that brung us this administration.
Schadenfreude on September 22, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Gee…why does the name GEORGE SOROS pop to mind so quickly.
OR is this just a scam? Did this letter originate in Nigeria?
GarandFan on September 22, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Soros
Podesta
Joe Romm
Maybe Tides Foundation that covered the embezzlement of a million dollars. It was funded by Soros
surely they can pimp some union dollars from the SEIU.
The tax man is coming for un remmitted payroll tax withholding. The problem is is that this is a for profit and it is not deductible. If she says it is, she is committing another fraud.
seven on September 22, 2009 at 5:35 PM
I still find the level of lying and or ignorance in that email amazing. It is odd that according to them I’m likely Right wing, and yet I’m intensely interested in the truth whatever that may turn out to be. I also happen to demonstratively care for the poor and homeless (if you were to look at my checkbook). Funny thing is I try to use discernment in which groups I give money to. I’m not likely to give money to lying groups that support and then cover up their support of prostitutes, pimps, child traffickers, and IRS fraud. ACORN gets Zero stars from my internal Charity Navigator. Oh, and if ACORN were actually good and not corrupt, I would not hate them. But once again they have a problem with cause and effect, and a strange ability to divine my thoughts while picking astounding bad employees. Maybe they should use their power for picking splinters to clean house with a few logs at home. But their rabid defense shows how corrupt and unrepentant they are.
AnotherOpinion on September 22, 2009 at 5:35 PM
No thank you, I’d rather donate to the NRA or my own “Ammo Fund”.
Chainsaw56 on September 22, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Now you’re talking.
Daggett on September 22, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Fox News is really their Emmanuel Goldstein, isn’t it? Just say those 2 words and the left goes into a blind rage and will follow any orders.
stldave on September 22, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Have they released the name of the internal auditor, I thought that was going to happen yesterday?
nwpammy on September 22, 2009 at 5:36 PM
I can imagine George Soros livid that ACORN got caught doing what he has instructed them to do on tape, and now has to pony up to save his precious organization….
… slithering in the dark, forked tongue spitting bile between crooked, broken teeth, gnashing away at his minions, leaving a liberal ooze of slim as he slides along the floor, peeking out from behind velvet curtains with one red eye, bleeding with rage, screeching and snapping in the dark, as a crooked disfigured hand grasps a cloak to cover a grey skin covered with boils and warts.
Seven Percent Solution on September 22, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Shouldn’t we see their books, whith all the money they rape us for?
Schadenfreude on September 22, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Bertha, if you will wash your hair, I’ll donate…soap.
Western_Civ on September 22, 2009 at 5:37 PM
.
Gee, I wonder if the anonymous donor exists?
News2Use on September 22, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Yes, please, so I can get your empty envelope right out to you.
Actually, that’s a fun thought! Let’s all send Acorn “donations” from checks written from closed bank accounts, so they can have fun cashing them and taking care of bounce fees.
SouperConservative on September 22, 2009 at 5:39 PM
My thoughts exactly!
truetexan on September 22, 2009 at 5:40 PM
A dear John letter. How sad.
Sue on September 22, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Is that a picture of “Mr. T” in drag?
txsurveyor on September 22, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Do ACORNs crack when you boil them in oil?
That’s almost as yummy as PUDDING!!
Khun Joe on September 22, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Democrat Scott Harshbarger, a lawyer whose specialties include corporate governance, will conduct the internal investigation. ACORN said the review would be “aggressive, thorough and far-reaching.”
ICBM on September 22, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Be careful what you wish for, Ms. Lewis — If justice prevails it will be the end of ACORN.
And what’s with all the “fight for your life” jazz? I thought ACORN released a statement a few days ago saying that federal funding was a “drop in the bucket” and that ACORN didn’t really care about Congress cutting funding? Or was that just more of the phenomenal b.s. ACORN spews?
Dark Star on September 22, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Bertha Lewis, meet Jose Eber… PLEASE…
Khun Joe on September 22, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Or perhaps this matching supporter simply doesn’t exist, and it’s just a ploy to nudge people to donate.
Midas on September 22, 2009 at 5:42 PM
What if “WE” the tax payers… are the anon donors?
upinak on September 22, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Betcha it’s Jodie Evans.
rockmom on September 22, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Probably the Tides Foundation (or a subsidiary), whose major donors are Soros and the Heinz Foundation (Mrs. John Kerry).
Yet, this could be a lie just to get new funding. After all, ACORN is capable of a fabrication or two.
TXUS on September 22, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Could their political background be any clearer:
In Solidarity and Strength
Bertha Lewis
journeyintothewhirlwind on September 22, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Here’s a clue:
“September 3, 2008
Statement from Tides CEO Drummond Pike
Returning from a two week vacation, I have learned that the New York Times reported that I am the anonymous person who purchased from ACORN the collectable debt that was restitution for a terrible misappropriation of funds eight years ago. The story is true.
Completely independent of Tides, I engaged in this purchase personally in order to assist the incoming leadership of ACORN as they work with funders and others to improve their governance and financial practices. ACORN is now financially whole and able to move forward. Any risk of non-payment of the obligation is now mine to bear.
My desire to keep this confidential was solely to keep my employer, Tides, out of any conversation or news reporting about the ACORN matter. The Tides Board was informed about this matter before the New York Times article appeared.
Sincerely,
Drummond Pike
CEO, Tides”
The “misappropriation of funds” was by the brother of the founder of ACORN. Pike personally lent about a million bucks to the ACORN founder’s family. Guess running a left-wing foundation pays really, really, well….
Realist on September 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM
The right wing is fighting mean and nasty, because they know who they are dealing with.
Exactly… we know exactly who we’re dealing with…
Zikthule on September 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Tides got help from Tereza Heintz
William Amos on September 22, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Is it standard practice to put your picture on a business letter?
Cindy Munford on September 22, 2009 at 5:49 PM
LOLOL
Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Realist on September 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Wasn’t that the payoff of Dale Rathkes theft?
fourdeucer on September 22, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Only if you’re as purty as Bertha.
TXUS on September 22, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Will Sally Struthers appear on TV and ask for help for ACORN to feed little starving prostitutes?
Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 5:55 PM
So far as I can see, Bertha’s letter doesn’t say one way or another whether these donations will be deductible for federal income tax purposes. If these donations are going to an ACORN entity to which non-deductible contributions can be made, have at it. But if these donations are going to an ACORN entity to which deductible contributions can be made, I’ll ask for the thousandth time–when in the hell is the IRS going to get involved to thoroughly review the public-charity status of any ACORN entity to which donations are being made (and deducted) and to which foundations are making qualifying public-charity grants.
Defunding ACORN will damage it, but terminating its public-charity status will likely reduce other revenue sources critical to ACORN’s operations.
If lefties want to underwrite ACORN, they can do so with after-tax dollars.
BuckeyeSam on September 22, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Not Luther Scott Harshbarger, former Massachusetts Attorney General?
ROTFL!
*gasp*
LOL!
*grabs side in pain*
You have GOT to be kidding…
*tear streaming down cheeks*
I am sure he’ll get to the bottom of it.
Just ask the Ameralts…
turfmann on September 22, 2009 at 5:56 PM
LOL..Hey.leave Mr.T out of it, he’s cool.
Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 5:57 PM
“A-con” strikes again. Strikes out that is.
wepeople on September 22, 2009 at 5:57 PM
HOW THEY GOT THEIR CONTACT LIST MUST BE DISCLOSED AND/OR INVESTIGATED.
MississippiMom on September 22, 2009 at 5:59 PM
In a less civil society Ms. Bertha might find herself sleeping with the fishes.
Harry Schell on September 22, 2009 at 5:59 PM
THat’s Bertha?? I thought it was Smokey the Bear
Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM
If it is actually true and not just Acorn propaganda, it could be the same person who donated $50M to the obama campaign overnight with small internet donations.
rjoco1 on September 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Bertha: “Only YOU can prevent budget shortfalls”.
Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Why don’t they sell their real estate?
5 million in real estate and they are asking for money from poor people?
Obama is ACORN. ACORN is Obama. Obama can no more disown ACORN than he can disown his own shadow.
ACORN is SEIU. SEIU is ACORN. SEIU can no more disown ACORN than it can disown Obama.
Therefore, Obama is SEIU and ACORN. Thugs, all of them.
Obama is the Thug-in-Chief.
TriciaNC on September 22, 2009 at 6:01 PM
You know damn well that General Electric will kick in a few bucks. They bring evil to life.
Percy_Peabody on September 22, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Percy_Peabody on September 22, 2009 at 6:01 PM
lolol
Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 6:02 PM
We can rest assured that it ain’t Santa.
Limerick on September 22, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Hey, didn’t ACORN do this video too, back in the early 80′s?
thirteen28 on September 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM
It does and it’s over in the other ACORN thread bashing us because we got a poor ACORN worker fired.
His name would be Tom_Shipley.
Knucklehead on September 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Oh boy. With continued funding of ACORN, more destitute homeless can afford to move in on my block and watch the property become run down, there by ruining the neighborhood. Yeah! I can hardly wait!
Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 6:04 PM
I’m not impressed. $20k will cover about 8 hours of the legal services they are going to need. That is unless the ACLU does it pro bono.
davo on September 22, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Dollars to donuts, the mystery man is Soros.
Any bookies out there want wanna post some odds?
Archimedes on September 22, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Psshhh There is no annon. donor-they would not be begging if there were—-Oh & I thought I heard Bertha say “We will do fine without Government help, we have our 500,000 members, so we do not really need it!!!
Ladywolfnl on September 22, 2009 at 6:06 PM
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