To depict ACORN as a small, inconsequential organization that tries only to help the poor and minorities of the country is like making excuses for the MAFIA that sent bread and turkeys on holidays to poor Italian immigrants, the same ones they shook down weekly for protection.

Yep, ACORN is just like the Mafia. Only, ACORN hasn't had anyone killed, and doesn't shake down people for protection money. Meaningless details!!

"pissed off" that this organization of thugs received even one dollar of taxpayer money, much less the tens of millions that have been funneled to them..

That's a fine principle to stand on. But is it really your principle, or are you just pretending it is to garner political advantage for "your team?" Show us how "pissed off" you were that Halliburton received literally billions of dollars in no bid contracts, even after they were caught double-billing the US taxpayer. Show us how "pissed off" you were that US taxpayers foot the bill for Blackwater thugs to kill Iraqi civilians and rape their own employees. I look forward to seeing examples of your proportionate outrage.

What the Homepage does not cite are the numerous instances of voter fraud

The number of instances of voter fraud is....ZERO. Filing fictitious voter registrations is not the same as voter fraud. Look up the difference and then report back.

So, an obviously biased Time magazine, and the FBI & Hoover, are credible sources as to why we should disregard Skousen. Sounds like Skousen wins.

This statement exposes an essential problem with discourse in this country today. Skousen based his arguments on demonstrable lies. (Happy slaves? The Constitution as a religious document? Please.) However, the consideration of truth in his argument is irrelevant to Chicago Boy. Nope, all that's relevant is the appearance of credibility among Skousen's detractors. If Hoover and the FBI said Skousen sucks, then it obviously means that he's great. Lies, schmies.

Your pleas for civil discourse is deliciously hypocritical, interspersed as it is with silly insults and offers to meet in person to put up your dukes.

Meanwhile, I addressed your comments to me, explaining how you misunderstood my views, and clarifying my take on right-vs-left in this country and how Beck and the republicans fit into that.

http://letters.salon.com/news/feature/2009/09/16/beck_skousen/permalink/8c24df0b1c69ebb50326d6748876b2c1.html

You didn't respond. Which is fine. However, you may as well stop pretending that you've come here for anything other than childish invective. We all saw that was bullshit from your first post.

Any topic whatsoever, and the republicans will come on here with the following comment: "Acorn Acorn Acorn AAAAAACORRRRRRNNNNN!!!!" What is this single word meant to communicate? Well, apparently it's meant to represent the notion of a private organization that is utterly corrupt, in control of the president through close connections, and soaking the taxpayer for billions. You know, like Haliburton.

Only Acorn isn't at all like Haliburton. They haven't bilked the taxpayer for hundreds of millions of dollars. They aren't slated to receive any money from the stimulus package (although they are free to compete for some of it). And the connection between Acorn and the president is tenuous indeed. It's not like Obama was the CEO up until becoming president, as Cheney was for Haliburton. So, while Acorn seems to have some serious systemic problems, it doesn't have much to do with anything outside of that.

Not to mention, for republicans (who were all utterly silent about Haliburton bilking us for millions) now crying about Acorn bilking the taxpayer, is about the best definition of hypocrisy you're apt to run across today.

But what do you expect republicans to do? You go with the "scandal" you've got, not the one you wish you had. (This also apparently applies to "black guys.") Which is why, when the shaky nature of the "Acorn scandal" gets brought up, an imbecile like Farragut instantly switches to Plan B for the eventual republican return to power: cast around insults that would make an 8-year-old blush. That'll show em!

I find all this very instructive of the state of the battle of ideas. (Short answer: the republicans have lost.)

Your mom was right, the biggest fuss does come right before the big change.

However, I expect the fuss will get a lot bigger. And louder. And deadlier.

And then will come the big change. This is all lead-up.