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Show ) Enough A note from Kim Zarkin Dr. Kim Zarkin Westminster Communication Professor On Saturday, I saw a headline from the McClatchy Newspapers that made me both angry and despondent: Death threat, vandalism hit ACORN after accusations. Death threats? Vandalism? This is what American politics has been reduced to? Death threats against an organization that helps poor people? Not to get too biblical, but Jesus wept. For those of you who havent been paying attention, ACORN (Association for Community Organizations social justice for Reform Now) is the group that John McCain described in the third debate as being on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history ... maybe destroying the fabric of democracy. Destroying the fabric of our democracy? That would be an impressive feat for a group of people who normally teach financial literacy to lower income people so they can save up to buy a house. ACORN also advocates for raising the minimum wage. If it were actually that powerful, youd think the minimum wage would be $20 or $30 an hour by now. And, yes, ACORN tries to get more people to vote. This is where John McCain comes in. The facts are these: ACORN has a number of voter registration drives going on across the US. And a few of its employees have figured out it is easier to fill out a bunch of registration cards themselves than it is to go out and do the job they are being paid to do. Shocking, but true. People lie and steal from their employers. Not the best thing in the world, but not the end of non-partis- low-inco- ' f an, me democracy. So these employees have registered people like Mickey Mouse and the entire starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys. ACORN gets the cards back and flags the suspicious ones, but it is legally ted ! ' iThe Forum Wnl'tUMtrW Cxitefy - LdtaGyUttf Staff, Fall 2008 The Forum is published every other Tuesday. Its circulation is 1,000 newspapers. The first copy is free of charge; additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents. We encourage students, all faculty, staff and other readers to provide feedback. letters to Jonny Bonner at forumeditorwestminstercollege. edu. Only signed letters will be accepted. The Forum reserves the right to edit all submissions. Views expressed are those of the writers and are not to be considered those of The Forum, the faculty, staff or administration. ail obligated to turn in every single registration card they receive. This really isnt a problem, and certainly not the end of democracy, because unless Mickey Mouse actually shows up to vote - there is no voter fraud. I repeat, NO VOTER FRAUD. ACORN has been fined over the years for failing to properly supervise its employees. Nothing more. No fraud. Mickey Mouse has not voted. And yet, John McCain says it is going to destroy democracy. So back to Saturday morning and the disturbing headline. According to McClatchy, since Wednesdays debate, ACORNs offices in Boston and Seatde have been vandalized and computers were stolen. Hateful messages have bombarded various ACORN offices around the country, often laced with racist language. A woman in the Cleveland office got an email saying she is going to have her life ended. A woman in the Prov idence, R.I. office got a threatening call from someone who basically said We know you get off work at 9, followed by racial epithets. "Unless Mickey Mouse actually shows up to vote - there is no voter fraud. I repeat, NO VOTER FRAUD." Kim Zarkin Is John McCain responsible for these events? No. Well, yes and no. John McCain has never asked his supporters to threaten anyone. And I believe he is an honorable man who does not wish anyone to be threatened or hurt. But, he did say that ACORN was going Continued on Page 5 Contribute to The Fomm If you have something to say, we'd love to hear from you. Send your letter to the editor or article to fommeditorwestminstercollege.edu. I! |