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FactCheck.org is a web site covering political news.
FactCheck.org (Annenberg Political Factcheck), is a nonpartisan[?], nonprofit, consumer advocate[?] web site to inform voters and reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
This web site is owned by Annenberg Public Policy Center.
I believe that there are links and connections worthy of investigation between the Barack Obama campaign, William Ayers, the Annenbergs, and ACORN.
For starters, keep in mind: that Barack Obama was the first Chairman of the Board of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which was a Division, or Project, of the Annenberg Foundation. Obama spent four plus years (1995-1999) as Chairman of the Board.
William “Bill” Ayers, a Weather Underground terrorist and a friend of the Obamas, was instrumental in founding the Challenge, with his ties to Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley.
Also, there are reports that the Annenberg files have been “locked down” under mysterious circumstances, after a reporter was promised access to those same files.
Factcheck.org, used by many who wish to refute the negative coverage of Obama, is also a Division, or Project, of the Annenberg Foundation.
You may recall that Factcheck was the second site to publish the now-suspect Certificate of Live Birth (COLB) reportedly received from the Obama campaign.
The first site was Dailykos.com, a political blog, publishing news and opinions from the liberal viewpoint. It serves as a discussion forum and group blog for a variety of netroots activists, whose efforts are primarily directed toward influencing and strengthening the Democratic Party.
[The Annenberg family, and their namesake Foundation have an interesting history that I would like to examine in greater depth some day when I get the time.]
Next, keep in mind that ACORN has received payments of nearly a million dollars from the Barack Obama Campaign in 2008. It appears that the payments were funneled through Citizens Services Inc., and may have been falsely reported to the FEC.
Barack Obama has been working with ACORN since his first days as a Community Organizer in Chicago: “In 1992, Acorn hired Mr. Obama to run a voter registration effort. He later became a trainer for the group, as well as its lawyer in election law cases.” (John Fund, Op-Ed, “Obama’s liberal shock troops,” “The Wall Street Journal”, 07/12/08).
“Representing ACORN, Obama and other attorneys sued the State Of Illinois, forcing it to implement Federal “motor voter” legislation to make it easier for the poor and minorities to register to vote.” (”Some Cases Obama Worked On In His Career As An Attorney,” “The Associated Press”, 02/20/07). Again, impartiality? I don’t think it’s possible.
A couple more press quotes concerning ACORN:
ACORN used “in your face” tactics like disrupting hearings, bursting into City Council meetings, and protesting at mayor’s homes. (Stanley Kurtz, Op-Ed, “Inside Obama’s Acorn,” “National Review”, 05/29/08 )
Meanwhile, keep in mind: ACORN has been a beneficiary of grants from the Chicago-based Woods Fund, which has a history of issuing controversial grants. Ayres and Obama served together on the Fund’s board (and are still listed). [Other grantees during their tenure included PLO employee Rashid Khalidi and the Obamas' church, Trinity United.]
Conclusions so far:
Are you starting to see the potential connections and conflicts of interest? Here’s what I see:
1. Potential conflict of interest between Obama and anything funded by the Annenbergs, including Factcheck.org. [Why were they one of only a handful of media to get a copy of the COLB?]
2. Obvious conflict of interest between Obama and ACORN: He has been directly involved in funding ACORN, has worked for ACORN, and is now PAYING ACORN in exchange for assistance to his campaign.
3. What kind of assistance is ACORN providing the campaign? It certainly makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
4. Is there a direct connection between the Annenberg Foundation and ACORN, with Ayres and Obama in the middle? I’m curious about that too.
To be continued… |
