Judging by Republican votes: They're against ACORN, but support murder and terrorism by Blackwater

[ck4829]

We thought it would be interesting to compare this week's tough House action against ACORN with what came to pass in Congress in 2007 following the deadly shootings of 17 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad's Nisoor Square by Blackwater employees.

In October of that year, in response to the Nisoor Square massacre, the House took up a bill sponsored by Rep. David Price (D-N.C.) designed to tighten accountability for private contractors working in Iraq and other combat zones. Price's legislation did not go so far as to propose cutting off federal funds to war-zone contractors involved in wrongdoing but simply proposed subjecting their employees to prosecution by U.S. courts.

On Oct. 4, 2007, following the adoption of an amendment designed to ensure the action would not interfere with U.S. intelligence, the House passed Price's bill by a vote of 389 to 30.

If we look at the list of the 30 lawmakers who voted against Price's bill, we see that 23 of them voted for cutting off funds to ACORN.

In other words, 23 lawmakers were willing to hold ACORN accountable -- but not Blackwater.

Those lawmakers:

* Rodney Alexander (R-La.)
* Joe Barton (R-Texas)
* Charles Boustany (R-La.)
* Paul Broun (R-Ga.)
* Michael Burgess (R-Tx.)
* Steve Buyer (R-Ind.)
* Nathan Deal (R-Ga.)
* Trent Franks (R-Ariz.)
* Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.)
* Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.)
* Sam Johnson (R-Texas)
* Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.)
* John Linder (R-Ga.)
* Jeff Miller (R-Fla.)
* Gary Miller (R-Calif.)
* Joe Pitts (R-Pa.)
* Tom Price (R-Ga.)
* Mike Rogers (R-Ala.)
* Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.)
* Pete Sessions (R-Texas)
* John Shadegg (R-Ariz.)
* Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.)
* Don Young (R-Alaska)

The other seven lawmakers who voted against Price's bill are no longer in Congress. They are Reps. Richard Baker (R-La.), Chris Cannon (R-Utah), John Doolittle (R-Calif.), Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), Jim McCrery (R-La.), Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), and Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.).

While it would also be interesting to extend the comparison to the Senate, it's not possible: A companion bill to Price's legislation sponsored by then-Sen. Barack Obama stalled in that chamber due to Republican opposition.

http://www.southernstudies.org/2009/09/acorn-blackwater-and-the-accountability-disparity.html

Question for Republicans:

"Why is ACORN's corruption bad, but Blackwater's corruption OK?"

[barbtries]

1. but it's got nothing to do

with politics, or money
:sarcasm:

they're pigs.

[FBaggins]

2. That's the way to do this

Point out the hypocrisy.

It would be better if it were a clearer vote, but that's not un-fixable. Just hold one now. "Why is ACORN's corruption bad, but Blackwater's corruption OK?" is the right message to get out there. None of this "all companies have some bad eggs" that just doesn't sell.

Show that we're willing to hold our "side" accountable and have everyone ask whether they are.

[SpiralHawk]

3. "Dont forget our diaper-sex-with-hookers fetish." - Family Value Republicons

"After all, that, um, behavior earned a Standing O from our Family Values Republicon Senators. Smirk."

- Family Values Republicons

[BlooInBloo]

4. Because blackwater is patriotic, while ACORN is unamerican. Durr.