Will Iowa Become Ground Zero In Pigford Debate?
[Guest post by Lee Stranahan]
There are number of factors that could lead to the Pigford scandal becoming a political issue in Iowa, of all places. The state’s demographics – about 95% Caucasian – might make this seem unlikely but it’s very interesting how many of the major political players in the Pigford scandal are from the heartland state.
1. One of the major Senate proponents of Pigford is Republican Chuck Grassley
2. The major political opponent of Pigford is Republican representative Steve King
3. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, is also the former governor of Iowa who also served in the state legislature with Steve King. Vilsack has made Pigford a priority in his administration and has opposed any efforts to investigate fraud in the settlement.
4. Vilsack was also the fall guy in the forced resignation of Shirley Sherrod; Mrs. Sherrod has stated publicly that she believes the White House was behind her firing because she was told this by USDA Undersecretary Cheryl Cook. Vilsack has denied White House involvement. The White House and the USDA both had good reasons for not wanting publicity about Pigford and Mrs. Sherrod; she, her husband Charles and the New Communities farm that she helped manage were by far the largest single recipients of Pigford money, getting over $13 million.
5. Vilsack’s USDA also did an end run around the court decision and created their own expedited process to give money to women and Hispanic farmers — and significantly, women and Hispanics who claim to have attempted to farm. This "attempted to farm" distinction is exactly what led to significant fraud in Pigford.
6. Sec. Vilsack and Sen. Grassley have both praised "Dr." John Boyd and have advocated using Boyd for outreach in the Pigford, women and Hispanic farmers cases. For more on John Boyd watch the segment from my documentary Pigford Blues.
7. "Dr." John Boyd recently did four events in Iowa related to the women farmers settlement. This number is surprising because Boyd has typically done one women farmers settlement meeting per state — so why FOUR in Iowa? It should also be pointed out that Boyd is working with millionaire Pigford attorney Al Pires on this women farmers outreach — for more on Al Pires watch this segment from a recent John Stossel special.
8. Vilsack’s wife Christine Vilsack has announced a potential political challenge to Rep. Steve King, moving into the exploratory phase, planning to move to Iowa and launching a website.
It’s the political challenge by Christine Bell that could make the Pigford scandal newsworthy in Iowa. Her husband connections to this multibillion-dollar fraud and the subsequent attempt to cover it up are certainly a viable issue question her on. The fact that both Sen. Grassley and Rep. King have spent a fairly considerable amount of political capital on either side of this issue also make it something that Hawkeyes may start to take notice of.
Right now, I’m looking into the possibility of creating some :30 second commercial spots to help explain some of the issues to Iowans.
– Lee Stranahan
What’s the wife’s connection to Pigford, besides being a wife?
jasonc (6fa251) — 4/23/2011 @ 4:48 pmMy Father taught at Iowa State for fifteen years. Based on my experience of the Hawkeyes, and on reading Phil Stong’s cultural history of the State (also Hawkeyes), if they natives think it might be fun there could be a real donnybrook. The Iowans often show an fine appreciation of Politics as entertainment.
C. S. P. Schofield (8b1968) — 4/23/2011 @ 4:51 pmYou can put lipstick on a pigford but it will still be a pigford.
DohBiden (15aa57) — 4/23/2011 @ 4:53 pmGrassley is all that’s wrong about Team R he’s an unrepentant whore and determined to die in office cause he’s a failed McCain-like cowardly loser what has no identity outside of whoring for federal dollars and other such senatorial activities
happyfeet (760ba3) — 4/23/2011 @ 6:22 pm“What’s the wife’s connection to Pigford, besides being a wife?”
Comment by jasonc
None, I’m sure…. but she doesn’t know there’s fraud in Pigford like Carmela Soprano doesn’t know Tony’s real business.
She will have to either stand behind her husband 150% in which case she will be backing fraud past, present and future or else challenge her husband. Either way, it’s drama.
breitbartfan77 (e71ad9) — 4/23/2011 @ 6:32 pmI would just like to applaud Lee and Breitbart for pursuing this.
Not because it is a waste of taxpayer money, but because that it proves people can expose injustice that the media ignore.
Ag80 (6134b7) — 4/23/2011 @ 8:43 pmWhere is the Gop Congress in all this? Don’t they have the authority to investigate this alleged fraud? They must realize that they won’t be getting the black vote in 2012 so they have nothing to lose by bringing this whole mess out into the light.
scr_north (0eb815) — 4/23/2011 @ 8:48 pmSorry, you jump from a Christine Vilsak in one line to a Christine Bell in the next… are these the same Christines? If not, who is Christine Bell in relation to the post?
Of course, I only learned of pigford originally when reading up on Mrs. Sherrod during the wake of the whole firing thing. At that time I assumed it was a smaller fraud, their benefiting being some sort of political kickback… I had no idea how widespread the Pigford fraud went.
It does remind me that all great nations die by rotting from within. Rather than depressing me, it makes me more eager to stand up and do something about it.
Spike (4573c4) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:23 amSmall correction, but Politico (and other sources on Google) reports her name as Christie Vilsack, not Christine. Also she may have to run against possibly two other D’s in the primary as Iowa is in line to lose one congressional seat. Should be an interesting race if she decides to enter.
I second Spike’s question, who is Christine Bell?
BT (74cbec) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:43 amwhich other Team R senators have called out Grassles for being the corrupt spendy geezerwhore that he is? Remember when he worked with corrupt Utah geezerwhore Orrin Hatch to spend spend spend on SCHIP?
Disgusting. Team R needs to rid themselves of geezerwhores like Grassles and Hatch and Meghan’s coward daddy before they can present themselves as a truly viable alternative I think.
happyfeet (760ba3) — 4/24/2011 @ 11:55 amoh and also geezerwhore Lugar too
This is not a comprehensive list.
happyfeet (760ba3) — 4/24/2011 @ 11:56 amIowa will become Ground Zero for *every* debate – because there’s no point in talking in politics unless you can craft a manipulative and dishonest message to appeal to a bunch of ignorant jackasses, right?
Leviticus (97f6d8) — 4/24/2011 @ 1:16 pmWhat about the Pigford scam appeals to ignorant jackasses, Leviticus?
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 1:32 pmI’ve used pejoratives about Senator McCain, but what kind of twisted mind could describe him as a coward?
Old Coot (5b04f7) — 4/24/2011 @ 2:04 pm“What about the Pigford scam appeals to ignorant jackasses, Leviticus?”
– JD
I’m not talking about the Pigford scandal – not specifically, anyway. Everything politicians say is geared for facile digestion – like intellectual baby food, which makes the people who take it seriously intellectual babies. It’s a world-class bullsh*t delivery system.
Leviticus (97f6d8) — 4/24/2011 @ 2:16 pmOld Coot, the question answers itself, does it not?
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/24/2011 @ 2:29 pmI don’t disagree that politicians are lying douchenozzles, I am just wondering how it is applicable to this topic.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 2:45 pmSPQR: Yes it does; I just had to say it.
Old Coot (5b04f7) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:03 pm“I don’t disagree that politicians are lying douchenozzles, I am just wondering how it is applicable to this topic.”
– JD
Because of Mr. Stranahan’s title. When I read, “Will Iowa become Ground Zero in the Pigford Debate?”, my first response is, “well, of course it will, if these assh*les think they can squeeze a few votes out of it…”
Iowa will become Ground Zero for Pigford, just like it will become Ground Zero for a lot of base-rousing outrage issues – but it will only become “Ground Zero” in the sense that the issue will be brought up to manipulate voters.
Leviticus (97f6d8) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:11 pmSo we should just ignore frauds being committed against the taxpayers because politicians are douchebags?
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:18 pmHappy Easter to the gang, by the way. To kishnevi and any other Jewish folks out there, the very best of Sundays/any Jewish holiday which this may be – this out of a desire to respect kish’s wishes as much as I respect his comments.
Leviticus (97f6d8) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:18 pm“So we should just ignore frauds being committed against the taxpayers because politicians are douchebags?”
– JD
No, we should refrain from having our political interests and outrages spoon-fed to us by a sect of manipulative bastards preternaturally determined to manipulate every conceivable event to their electoral advantage, when in truth they don’t give a sh*t about any of it.
Leviticus (97f6d8) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:21 pmSo, are you accusing Lee and Patterico of doing that?
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:22 pmNo, I’m accusing politician’s of doing that. Which every. single. one. of my comments should have made perfectly clear.
Leviticus (97f6d8) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:32 pmHas anyone on this blog ever had a productive and civil conversation with you? One which didn’t involve the two of you agreeing that some common enemy was a douchenozzle, anyway – those don’t count.
Leviticus (97f6d8) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:35 pmPolitician’s lie. Tons of people fall for it. Republican/conservative, Democratic/liberal, there are oodles of people in this country who will fall for some stupid, watered-down sh*t. You know this as well as I do. Quit trying to mad-dog me.
Leviticus (97f6d8) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:36 pmNobody has ever had a civil conversation with me ever. Never ever. I asked you some questions, based on your statements in this thread. Forgive me for thinking that they had anything to do with this topic since they were in this thread. I apologize for the afront to your delicate sensibilities.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:39 pmI am rarely anything less than complimentary and respectful towards you.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:42 pmIt was completely unreasonable of me to think that you might haven revering to Lee and Patterico when you referred to people spoon-feeding us our political outrage. You seem to be spoiling for a fight. Have at it.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:54 pmhaven revering = have been referring
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 3:55 pmComment by JD — 4/24/2011 @ 3:18 pm
No, we shouldn’t, obviously; but we should be make a distinction between those who are honestly outraged (like Lee and Patterico) and those who are outraged mainly as a political tactic and are themselves therefore a different sort of fraud (like–well, fortunately, like no one who comments here).
Comment by Leviticus — 4/24/2011 @ 3:18 pm
Thank you. It’s still Passover, btw, so the proper greeting is Pesach sameach or gut yontif.
And, while I said it last night, Happy Easter and Christos vroskoe, etc. Or, for the secularly inclined, Hoppy Easter.
Comment by Leviticus — 4/24/2011 @ 3:35 pm
kishnevi (38f6c3) — 4/24/2011 @ 4:48 pmOf course they have, once they keep in mind that JD simply expresses himself more brusquely than most people are used to.
McCain is a cowardly whore – he’s a quintessentially American politician what whored out his military service to bag him a rich drug addict bimbo and certified senator for life status.
But he ain’t never gone be president. Never ever nope no sir.
happyfeet (760ba3) — 4/24/2011 @ 4:59 pmYou sure do like to write “whore” and “bimbo” a lot, Mr. Feet. Yes, yes, yes, you are all okay with it and think it is just colorful and cute speech. But you can’t get all offended when other people hang the appropriate sign on you. After all, they are basing it on your actions.
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 4/24/2011 @ 5:21 pmno offense taken Mr. Jester I was just thinking hey I wonder what time Pier 1 closes I got a coupon with my address change stuff… I need me just a couple throw pillers and last night at Urban Home them pillers was $60 a piece – that is NOT austere – but the Target ones are way too cheap and sketch – I got one and it said it was made at the “Hangzhou Mega Island Home Textile Co” – good lord, right? – and so I ripped that tag off and damn but then I had me a ripped piller – but it was ripped on the seam so I figured hey I can just superglue it together and bam it’ll be good as new. Right? So I get me out the super glue and and put some on and what happens? I swear it starts smoking! But I think I’m just seeing stuff so I go ahead and hold the two edges together and it starts getting damn hot and smoking more. Then the smoking sorta subsides and I look at where I’d tried to fick it – and that whole part of the pillow was hard like it had melted into a wad of plastic. So I threw it out and now I need a new piller.
happyfeet (760ba3) — 4/24/2011 @ 5:40 pmIf you specify he is a political coward, it is not an inappropriate criticism.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 5:43 pmmost definitely he is a political coward most egregious – he embraced global warmings solely cause of he thought his media lapdogs would smile kindly on him when he ran for president, and he embraced a repressive first amendment-attenuating fascist campaign finance regime just cause he needed his media pals to pretend like he was a boy scout after his corrupt ass got caught whoring his office for the benefit of one Mr. Keating.
Not a good person.
oh. Alternatively I’m thinking of going to BB&B and doing up one of them euro-sham jobbers – that won’t be austere but might would be money well spent I think
happyfeet (760ba3) — 4/24/2011 @ 5:48 pmI’ll correct Vilsack’s name in the post.
Just in case anyone cares about my editing problem, as part of a complication from diabetes, my eyesight is really bad; I can’t drive anymore, for instance. I write a lot of my posts via voice recognition. I read Christie as Christine so I said it that way. Bell is her maiden name, and it appeared initially that she used it professionally but later I realized she went by Vilsack so I switched — but I missed that one.
Lee Stranahan (708cc3) — 4/24/2011 @ 5:56 pmThat’s fine, Lee, the point is the administration by proxy, is challenging an opponent
narciso (79ddc3) — 4/24/2011 @ 6:10 pmLee,
I did not know of your health situation. Take good care of yourself.
But I am curious. How can you be such a hard core right winger when their idea of health insurance for you is tough shit buddy?
What do you do for insurance?
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 6:25 pmjharp,
What are Lee’s views on health insurance?
Ten bucks says you have no clue.
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 6:56 pmThat’s the safest 10 bucks you’ve ever risked.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:00 pmBut Patterico, you didn’t even touch the assertion that Lee is a “hard core right winger” …
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:01 pmLOL…
I’m a liberal, uninsured advocate of some sort of baseline single payer system.
I’ll write about health insurance some time. My views seem to piss off everybody, but I think they are pretty commonsense.
Lee Stranahan (708cc3) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:05 pmWhat are Lee’s views on health insurance?
Ten bucks says you have no clue.
Comment by Patterico — 4/24/2011 @ 6:56 pm
I have no clue. None at all.
That is why I asked the question.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:07 pmjharp,
You had no clue at all and yet the premise of your question was that his views were right-wing.
Which shows how willing you are to make assertions that have no basis in fact and turn out to be totally wrong.
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:09 pm“I’m a liberal, uninsured advocate of some sort of baseline single payer system.”
Comment by Lee Stranahan — 4/24/2011 @ 7:05 pm
I’m with ya bud. Medicare for all. Like the rest of the modern world does and provides the same level of care for 1/2 to 1/3 of what we spend.
And send me the bill.
And I always wonder why forced health savings accounts aren’t on the table.
It would be a good incentive to take care of yourself and not needlessly run to the doc for a sniffle. In other words, everyone has some skin in the game.
And if you don’t use it you get to keep it.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:13 pmYou had no clue at all and yet the premise of your question was that his views were right-wing.
Which shows how willing you are to make assertions that have no basis in fact and turn out to be totally wrong.
Comment by Patterico — 4/24/2011 @ 7:09 pm
Whatever. Shame on me for thinking a hard core right wing website author who published a hard core right wing piece would be a commie socialist death panel government takeover of health care advocate.
I stand corrected.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:17 pmYou don’t stand corrected. You stand as the f@cking asshat imbecile you have always been. Gawd you are a dummass.
JD (d56362) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:22 pmExposing fraud is a hard right win position?
JD (d56362) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:24 pmThe idea that a clown like you could feel shame is laughable, jharpy. Did the other sites you troll at ban you?
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:43 pmExposing fraud is a hard right win position?
Comment by JD — 4/24/2011 @ 7:24 pm
No. But making shit up is.
And I quote… “this multibillion-dollar fraud and the subsequent attempt to cover it up”.
There is no evidence of a multi billion dollar fraud and there is no evidence of a cover up.
That is about as right wing as you can get. Blatant disregard for the truth.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 7:58 pmYou’ basically you are admitting that you have not read, or not been able to understand, the reporting on this. SHOCKA.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:03 pmThis would be funny, if it was not so pathetic, coming from you, who does not even have a passing acquaintance with the truth, ethics, morals, or honesty.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:04 pmJharp don’t project you stinking piggy.
DohBiden (15aa57) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:16 pmLee,
It’s important to understand that jharp is an angry troll whom nobody takes seriously.
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:16 pmYou’ basically you are admitting that you have not read, or not been able to understand, the reporting on this. SHOCKA.
Comment by JD — 4/24/2011 @ 8:03 pm
I have read extensively on it.
It’s nothing but a bunch of wingnut nonsense cooked up by a racist asshole named Breitbart who is about to have the pants sued off of him for his racist assholeness.
Something that I am very much going to enjoy following.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:18 pmWell there you go. All hail the left. Their word is the truth. If anyone disagrees, foot-stamping ensues.
I would say say it is a useless philosophy, but it doesn’t even approach thought. It is angry natterings without thought.
But they look good on TV.
Ag80 (6134b7) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:18 pmJharp trolled weasel zippers as well.
wouldn’t surprise me if he were KKKilgore trout trying to do what he did to Hot Air to us.
DohBiden (15aa57) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:18 pmjharp – first rule of holes, buddy. Stop digging.
carlitos (c2a84d) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:20 pmAnd now Lee can see just how seriously to take jharp.
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:20 pmcarlitos,
jharp is halfway to China already. He probably figures digging deeper is his best bet.
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:21 pmYou have read extensively on Pigford? Judging from your comments, that is an absolute lie. You seem to have no knowledge beyond BREITBART being involved, therefore it is racist, and he is being sued, which makes you giggle like a schoolgirl. Care to make a bet on the outcome? Never mind, you are nearly close to honest enough to pay up when you lose, and you will lose.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:24 pmBeclowning ensues. And to think jharp’s parents probably paid good money for it’s education. So it goes.
Ag80 (6134b7) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:25 pmjharp is totally lying about having read about Pigford.
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:26 pmIf anybody is keeping score I find I very much prefer Andrew Breitbart’s intelligence, solid arguments and persuasive evidence over Jharp’s mindless bleating and name calling.
elissa (4f72fa) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:27 pmPerhaps jharp will soon be matriculating from a private university in Boston. 🙂
carlitos (c2a84d) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:29 pmFor Lee to claim Pigford is about a MULTI BILLION dollar fraud he needs to show some evidence.
There is none. Zero. Nada. Zilch evidence of anything close to that magnitude.
Or maybe one of you truth tellers would like to cite said evidence?
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:33 pm“And I always wonder why forced health savings accounts aren’t on the table.”
jharp – If you understood anything about health care reform you would know the answer to that, but you’re a dumbass and missed school the day they handed out clues. Dems aren’t particularly fond of HSA’s since a lot of folks combined them with high deductible insurance plans, which your socialist buddies believed made health care worse and outlawed under ObamaCare.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:33 pmhttp://www.carnivaldepot.com/carnivalgames.html
This is the kind of Made in China import/export we can expect from jharpy.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:34 pmIf anybody is keeping score I find I very much prefer Andrew Breitbart’s intelligence, solid arguments and persuasive evidence over Jharp’s mindless bleating and name calling.
Comment by elissa — 4/24
You are about to get your chance to keep score as Breitbart is getting his racist ass sued. For a lot.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:35 pmWhy does jharpy insist on proving that he has not read, or could not understand, what Lee has written about this topic?
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:36 pmCare to bet on the outcome of that lawsuit, jharpy, the aggressive liar.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:37 pmI have a proposal, jharp. If Shirley Sherrod gets a jury trial judgment from Breitbart, I will give you 10 bucks. If Breitbart gets the suit dismissed, you are banned for good.
Deal?
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:39 pmjharp continues to waste half his time or more writing comments that I summarily trash because they are packed with insults.
If it keeps up I will send his stuff straight to spam.
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:43 pmI have a proposal, jharp. If Shirley Sherrod gets a jury trial judgment from Breitbart, I will give you 10 bucks. If Breitbart gets the suit dismissed, you are banned for good.
Deal?
Comment by Patterico — 4/24/2011 @ 8:39 pm
Ban me if you wish. It is your blog. I think you know what I am about and if you don’t like it you have the power to end our relationship.
I don’t think the gambling is a good idea. And if it was I sure as hell wouldn’t waste my time on ten bucks.
I think Sherrod has a good case and an even better lawyer.
And even if she doesn’t win a dime I will revel in Breitbart’s expense of defending himself.
Sucks being a racist libelous asshole these days.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:46 pmFor Lee to claim Pigford is about a MULTI BILLION dollar fraud he needs to show some evidence.
There is none. Zero. Nada. Zilch evidence of anything close to that magnitude.
Or maybe one of you truth tellers would like to cite said evidence?
Comment by jharp — 4/24/2011 @ 8:33 pm
Are you sure? Think carefully. The answer may not be what you think.
Exposing corruption is not really about the amount, it is about corruption. So I can only assume you think corruption is OK until it hits a certain dollar point?
Ag80 (6134b7) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:48 pmWe should continue to encourage jharpy to move to Dearborn.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:48 pmGoodnight, racists.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:49 pmBreitbart is a waaaaacist says a guy whose party wept for Robert Byrd.
DohBiden (15aa57) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:51 pmI doubt it’s costing him a dime. Probably good for him financially, actually, with the extra publicity.
Revel in that.
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:53 pmFor Lee to claim Pigford is about a MULTI BILLION dollar fraud he needs to show some evidence.
There is none. Zero. Nada. Zilch evidence of anything close to that magnitude.
Or maybe one of you truth tellers would like to cite said evidence?
Comment by jharp — 4/24/2011 @ 8:33 pm
Are you sure? Think carefully. The answer may not be what you think.
Comment by Ag80 — 4/24/2011 @ 8:48 pm
Here is how it goes in the thought process of an educated person.
Yes, I am sure no evidence has been provided to me to substantiate this claim.
In the absence of evidence the null hypothesis rules.
Go sign up for a logic class at your local community college. We’ll all be better off for it.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:55 pmI think you know what I am about.
Sadly, yes.
She has a good case? Outline the elements for us. Convince us.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:56 pmI doubt it’s costing him a dime. Probably good for him financially, actually, with the extra publicity.
Revel in that.
Comment by Patterico — 4/24/2011 @ 8:53 pm
Probably not costing Breitabrt a dime. He’s like the rest of the wingnuts. He’s excels at spending other peoples money.
But it is costing his backers plenty and has the potential to cost them even more.
And only a tried and true wingnut would believe being cast as a libelous racist asshole would be good for business.
But then again look what it has done for Rush.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:59 pm“For Lee to claim Pigford is about a MULTI BILLION dollar fraud he needs to show some evidence.”
jharp – So now you admit there is fraud and are only quibbling about the amount? What a dishonest git!
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 4/24/2011 @ 8:59 pmjharp has read extensively on this subject. He knows things.
I am waiting to be impressed by his knowledge.
I’m not feeling it yet.
Just like most of his claimed knowledge. There’s no there, there.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:02 pmWow did Jharp accuse others of spending taxpayers money.
And yes leftys oppose fascism unless it is islamofascism because fascism except islam is a blasphemy of marxism.
DohBiden (15aa57) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:02 pmHe’s like the rest of the wingnuts. He’s excels at spending other peoples money.
From a hardcore leftist, the irony in this comment is so breath-taking so as to defy description.
Explain to us the strengths of Shirley’s case, as you see them.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:04 pmProbably good for him financially, actually, with the extra publicity.
You’ve touched on something I’ve been wondering about, Patterico. I am stunned that Shirley is taking a chance with this lawsuit, and can see why Andrew might actually welcome it for tactical reasons. The rules of discovery and the defense’s ability to take depositions under oath I should think would be rather scary to Shirley S. and the Pigford fraudsters and their agency accomplices.
elissa (4f72fa) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:04 pm“She has a good case? Outline the elements for us.”
Breitbart edited her speech in a way that changed the meaning of it. And that most likely will pass the test for defamation.
And there is little doubt that Breitbart did exactly what she has accused him of.
Kinda sucks for Breitbart having the whole thing on video.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:05 pm“Yes, I am sure no evidence has been provided to me to substantiate this claim.”
jharp – If your readings on the caper were the standard, I can fully understand why you would say there was no evidence. I too have not seen much written about Pigford in the cartoon section of the paper.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:06 pmAh, c’mon, Patterico. This “jharp” character is just trying to be enough a jackhole to get banned and then he can claim he was oppressed, right out of Monty Python.
I mean, he is so obvious. The goal for this character is to say over the top things (like accusing Breitbart of being libelous and calling him a racist).
You can tell jharp is not serious about any of this. If he was, he would go toe to toe with Breitbart. Breitbart is not shy. Jharp is, here on the innertubes.
Just another troll, Patterico. It is your blog, but tell me: does he bring any thing to the discussion, at all? I’m just sayin’.
Simon Jester (06eb7a) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:09 pmjharp,
Uh, you might try reading some of the documents in the case. Looks like you have things all screwed up. Which doesn’t surprise me, at all
Patterico (c218bd) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:13 pmPatterico, the goal of a troll (and I know you and everyone else knows this) is to get other people to do the work—to look things up, to respond point by point, to write reasoned responses. Notice how slapdash and contemptuous the commentary is; a classical troll.
I doubt that the person even cares about politics. This is more about making other people dance like monkeys.
Sure, I could be wrong. But I’ll bet I’m not in this case…
Simon Jester (06eb7a) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:19 pmI love it when jharpy proves to the entire world that he knows nothing, or next to nothing, about the topic he is holding forth on.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:21 pmjharp,
Uh, you might try reading some of the documents in the case. Looks like you have things all screwed up. Which doesn’t surprise me, at all
Comment by Patterico — 4/24/201
Sure. I’ll bite.
I’d like to read the documentation of the MULTI BILLION dollar fraud that has been claimed.
And you know as well as I that if Breitbart edited her speech in a way that changed the meaning of it. (He obviously did)
That most likely will pass the test for defamation.
Sherrod has a very strong case. The Pigford fraud? I have yet to see any case made.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:26 pm“Care to bet on the outcome of that lawsuit…”
I wouldn’t bet. Sherrod has some serious heavyweight lawyers behind her (Kirkland & Ellis), and Breitbart said at least one thing he shouldn’t have said.
I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes right about now.
Dave Surls (e10f09) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:27 pmIt is very interesting how the leftists have rewritten history, and then hold forth their alternate reality as the truth.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:34 pmNow, off to elevate and ice my foot while I try to sleep.
JD (318f81) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:35 pm“Breitbart edited her speech in a way that changed the meaning of it>”
No, he didn’t. He just showed her for what she is, which is a stone cold racist (unless she’s now mended her ways after a lifetime of practicing racism…which I doubt) making a speech in front of an organization which is also racist. Nothing wrong with that.
Unfortunately, he also made a specific accusation against Sherrod, which I doubt he can back up…and, I bet her lawyers are going to work that one for all it’s worth.
Dave Surls (e10f09) — 4/24/2011 @ 9:54 pmIf obama became president for life would Jharp cry tears of joy?
DohBiden (15aa57) — 4/24/2011 @ 10:15 pmLee:
As one diabetic to another, I feel for you and I am sorry to hear about your health problems. If you were here in Chicago, I would be happy to help out any way I could. The good news is, that I am about the only right wing wacko here!!!
Keep the faith.
BT (74cbec) — 4/25/2011 @ 6:59 amLee wrote in Huffpo: “At issue are accusations of fraud that may amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Big Median (2b1825) — 4/25/2011 @ 7:12 amLee writes in Patterico’s Pontification: “this multi-billion dollar fraud.”
Perhaps Lee is simply responding to the different levels of concern with factuality among the two readerships. Or maybe Lee just made a mistake.
Pretty revealing that, rather than asking Lee to clarify this discrepancy, the regulars here fly into a fit of name-calling against the person who simply pointed out that the multi-billion fraud allegation has no evidence behind it.
All Lee has to do is admit he goofed. Or maybe he didn’t goof. Maybe he has such a low view of Patterico readers he assumes they’ll swallow such an obviously dubious claim, hook, line and sinker.
Well, at least he doesn’t have to assume anymore.
10 dollars? Really, Patrick? That’s how little you think of Breitbart’s chances? Damned by feint wagers, indeed.
Big median is a lying racist.
JD (822109) — 4/25/2011 @ 7:16 amBy edit, what do you mean? First, Breitbart’s claim is that he didn’t have the rest of the video. Second, it’s not really editing at all if he didn’t provide the rest of the video. Sherrod really did say exactly what it looked like she said. She admitted to being a racist in how she did her job. That actually happened. The NAACP actually cheered.
That’s the truth.
So where’s the deception? It is better than nothing that she later sad ‘that’s no good’, but I’m not seeing the defamation. If Bush tomorrow said “I am sorry I planned 9/11”, would truthers like you have to include the apology every time you said “Bush planned 9/11”? Of course not.
Read Breitbart’s actual post on Sherrod. He’s never had to delete it… though he updated his coverage as the rest of the video came out and Obama fired Sherrod because he was afraid of the Glenn Beck show (lol). Breitbart is not perfect, but he’s honest. You can tell by how carefully he handles these claims, and how even in the face of so many trying to prove he wasn’t honest, no one can point to anything he actually claimed that wasn’t the truth.
Yes, I guess I know you don’t really care. You’re just trolling.
Lee, I’m sorry about your eyes. That’s a huge shame.
Dustin (c16eca) — 4/25/2011 @ 7:17 amDustin – they rely on their interpretation of history being accepted as fact.
JD (822109) — 4/25/2011 @ 7:23 amBM, if Sherrod’s lawsuit is such a slam dunk and the Pigford claimants are so many and so ethical and so deserving, then why do people like you even waste time hunting and haunting web threads to demonize Breitbart and Stranahan and to insult people you don’t know? It’s spring man, enjoy the birds and sunshine. Your actions speak far louder than your words.
elissa (069407) — 4/25/2011 @ 7:26 amThese liberals[a word they hijacked] are getting desperate.
DohBiden (15aa57) — 4/25/2011 @ 7:29 amYes, JD, they certainly do. They act as though Sherrod said “I didn’t do this” and Breitbart dubbed and clipped it into the opposite.
In reality, it’s more like “I did this terrible thing” “CHEER CLAPS YAY” and then “We shouldn’t do that, though.” and some think it is lying to just show the first two.
I have to admit, it’s a shame that someone like Sherrod, trying to explain why her racism in power was wrong, would have only the racism she admitted shown.
Then again, she shows no contrition. She even sues when you take her word at face value for what she did. If she were contrite, she would apologize or at least concede what she did is true. It totally undermines claims she had an inspiring moment of self awareness we should be graceful in reaction to if she denies the whole thing.
Breitbart also proved that tolerance of hatred in the NAACP is a problem.
The whole video was just as disturbing as the clip. It was pure class warfare, and the same ‘gimme’ politics, only an expansion from one victim class to a different one. She didn’t learn a damn thing, other than how to hustle a little better.
Dustin (c16eca) — 4/25/2011 @ 7:30 amDustin – She did send the farmer to one of his “own kind”, and Breitbart as you pointed out included that clip with his original post. Many progressive sites omitted that clip and promulgated the myth that he did not show her “redeeming” herself, which is where Big Median and jharp obtained their talking points. People who rely on sources like Think Progress or Media Matterz get burned.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 4/25/2011 @ 7:41 amEaten again…
Hmm. In the words of the inestimable Jimmy McNulty, “What the f*ck did I do!?”
Just kidding – I know this ain’t no thang. Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to use the line, though.
Leviticus (b987b0) — 4/25/2011 @ 9:36 amWell, that’s just weird.
Leviticus (b987b0) — 4/25/2011 @ 9:36 amHahahaha… no way.
No way.
Leviticus (b987b0) — 4/25/2011 @ 9:37 amVery amusing watching you cretins defend the racist liar Breitbart.
Too damn funny.
Still waiting to see the evidence of the MULIT BILLION dollar fraud.
How much do you figure this thing is costing Breitbarts sugar daddy?
I know how much it’s costing Sherrod. Nada. Zero. Zilch. Not a penny.
And that is only the beginning of seeing some justice.
And I’m sure that Washington D.C. jury will be packed with a bunch of teabagging racist redneck Breitbart supporters. Right?
Hilarious.
jharp (f8a6a3) — 4/25/2011 @ 9:41 am“Very amusing watching…”
…watching a racist like Shirley Sherrod trying to sue someone for showing what a racist she is?
Yeah, I guess that’s kind of funny.
It would be a lot funnier if she wasn’t a professional leech on the taxpayers of this country, though.
Dave Surls (92f486) — 4/26/2011 @ 6:56 pmHow do my balls taste, jharpy?
JD (318f81) — 4/26/2011 @ 7:01 pm