August 18, 2009
Just a Gut Feeling
By now, you've probably seen somebody or other mentioning this:
As you are aware in our prior email, we need your presence at Congressman James Langevin's Town Hall Meeting at the Warwick police Station 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, Warwick, Rhode Island. We are planning on arriving early at 1:30PM to fill the hall before the radical right protestors arrive. A box lunch will be provided for those on the bus. We will meet at headquarters for those wishing to join us on the bus. Thank you!The Acorn Team
Something about it just doesn't resonate right, for me. I suppose poor grammar mightn't be a stretch in an authentic email from ACORN, but the fact that the signature doesn't all-cap the group's name is odd. The fact that the announcement gives the address of the destination, but not the address of "headquarters" is peculiar, too, for a leading organizational group on the dark side.
It could be legitimate, of course, and even if it is not, those who've been spreading it around aren't necessarily aware of its fraudulence. But a whole collection of groups have posted or forwarded the email, and I believe it's been mentioned on talk radio, as well. If tomorrow comes and there's no gang of ACORN members wiping crumbs off their chins, a number of folks are going to have unnecessarily lost some credibility for future announcements.
You make a great point - I waited for five and a half hours to see if there were any updates or recants from the two organizations that sent the information to me - before sending it out - I did put in the announcement it was a copy of an email - if it does not happen and we get the folks out great and I will take one on the chin for not being more careful in certain word choices - if they do show up - having waited until tomorrow to get the word out would have done no good - a hard call for sure - may have been a good Pat Crowley ploy - but the change of venue does make one wonder . . .
Posted by: CMTR at August 18, 2009 10:16 PMMaybe it's from the same folks - those pesky "thrid parties" - that (allegedly) were providing other folks emails to the innocent Obama White House for blast emails from David Axelrod. ; -)
Posted by: Tom W at August 18, 2009 10:56 PMIt may or may not be real. We're not exactly dealing with rocket scientists here, so spelling errors are to be expected. I might also add, the e-mail contains the street address of the old location, so it could be somewhat dated, as well.
However, regardless as to whether it is "real," it is completely plausible. Of course, this could just be a nefarious plot by "right wingers" to boost our our attendance, right? We'll see tomorrow, won't we?
Posted by: Will at August 19, 2009 12:21 AM It's probably some lone actor playing on the right's anger with ACORN to gin up turnout.
Langevin is respected enough across the aisle and in this state that an air of civility seems likely to prevail. The people who've raised the most hell and have been strutting around with guns on display outside these events probably don't appreciate that.
For one of the few times, I'm going to agree with Rhody. I expect Rep. Langevin's town hall to be pretty civil. He's a thoughtful person entirely capable of giving thoughtful answers to thoughtful questions. He's not a robot.
Sen. Whitehouse, perhaps not.
Posted by: Will at August 19, 2009 1:57 AMLangevin is the ONLY Federal legislator in RI with even a modicum of legitimacy.
I just don't think an hour is sufficient even for a bare bones overview discussion.
The email may indeed be a fake-in this day and age,who knows what is real and not on the net?The fact is that ACORN's past track record makes it at least plausible.
It is a shame that subterfuge has to be employed just to talk with SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR YOU!!