O'Keefe: "On reflection, I could have used a different approach to this investigation"
January 29, 2010 11:39 am ET by MMFA Staff
From James O'Keefe's statement, posted on BigGovernment.com and BigJournalism.com:
As an investigative journalist, my goal is to expose corruption and lack of concern for citizens by government and other institutions, as I did last year when our investigations revealed the massive corruption and fraud perpetrated by ACORN. For decades, investigative journalists have used a variety of tactics to try to dig out and reveal the truth.
I learned from a number of sources that many of Senator Landrieu's constituents were having trouble getting through to her office to tell her that they didn't want her taking millions of federal dollars in exchange for her vote on the healthcare bill. When asked about this, Senator Landrieu's explanation was that, "Our lines have been jammed for weeks." I decided to investigate why a representative of the people would be out of touch with her constituents for "weeks" because her phones were broken. In investigating this matter, we decided to visit Senator Landrieu's district office - the people's office - to ask the staff if their phones were working.
On reflection, I could have used a different approach to this investigation, particularly given the sensitivities that people understandably have about security in a federal building. The sole intent of our investigation was to determine whether or not Senator Landrieu was purposely trying to avoid constituents who were calling to register their views to her as their Senator. We video taped the entire visit, the government has those tapes, and I'm eager for them to be released because they refute the false claims being repeated by much of the mainstream media.
ACORN wisely got rid of those employees.
ACORN wisely got rid of those employees.
The only problem with that is that he didn't expose any actual corruption or fraud by ACORN. None at all.
Please, feel free to show me wrong. Be specific, please.
This little twerp seems to be living in a fantasy world.
"I'm ready for my next assignment, Mr. Brietbart"
I think O'Keefe will soon be able to continue his passion for dress-up, if you catch my drift. Hope he likes orange.
I'm probably wrong but; I think they have gone with jail house orange.
The O'Keefe gang will soon know what the term "fresh meat" means.
"Conservatards DO view everything in black and white."
Sorry, I stopped reading at that point. Was there something funnier after that?
His lawyers must be having fits.
Nerzog, you crack me up!
Here's a deal for the Cub Reporter: give us all your unedited ACORN footage and we'll release your Phone Scam footage.
Someone gets hold of the original O'Keefe/Giles ACORN videos by some devious means. Review of those videos proves that those made public were edited to such a degree that they were extremely misleading, with questions and comments from O'Keefe and Giles dubbed in over those that were actually made and exonerating statements from ACORN workers completely edited out.
Where would the media focus be? On the discredited original videos, or on the dishonest way they were obtained? There's no question where the conservative commentary would focus. They'd do anything and everything to distract from the videos' discrediting and skew the discussion toward those who stole the originals. But where do you think the MSM would focus?
Is this guy delusional? Maybe he's Glenn Beck's bastard child...
Also, Breitbart made a big deal about how he has nothing to do with this, but I think it's kind of suspicious that the first outlet O'Keefe goes running to are two websites owned by Breitbart.
"O'Keefe also appears to be correct that there was never any gag order in the case, despite media reports. A clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana told TPMmuckraker he knew of no such gag order."
But, like I said, the more this idiot spouts off, the deeper the hole he's digging for himself.
Well, if he is out of jail by then.
What are the rules for convicted felons serving in government?
Of course, there was also 'Ficus'...
Simp/Pimp 2012
So...the way you "ask" is by disguising yourself, misrepresenting who you are and why you're there, and then video tape people's reactions with a cell phone without their knowledge? Maybe that's how I'll "ask" the wife if it's ok to go hang out with the guys next time. Moron!
Ooooooh, I can't wait to hear what tomorrow's living explanation will be! It evolves everyday!
Senator Landrieu never stated that her phones were "broken" for weeks. Never, at anytime has she made that claim. What she has said was that her phones were "jammed" with calls and the reasons why people were getting busy signals and voice mail was because of the number of calls that had made it through ahead of them.
Oddly enough, the frequency of calls to her office had dramatically increased after these accusations were reported by an oposition group to the Senator. This increase in calls compounded on already present problem and as I understand it has gone straight out of control since the information has been coming out about O'Keefe's arrest.
I also love his use of the term "- the people's office-" as if this is some excuse for his criminal trespass. Apparently Senator Landrieu is not entitled to a secure and safe environment where she can conduct her business, but must be ever watchful and vigilent of a possible sting operation to accuse her staff of indifference towards her constituents.
Seriously, Mr. O'Keefe... if you have not been advised already, then let me be the first to do so... for your sake and the sake of the men you are involved with... stop making statements about this case. Any lawyer who allowed you to make this statement publicly will only serve to do you futher harm. Seriously reconsider the council that is currently representing you.
A sad example of the result of opportunists (the right wing media) feeding the ego of a person with very little intelligence or talent. O'Keefe was dumb enough to believe his own hype. Sucker.
If I were thinking like him, it wouldn't be to difficult to coordinate a larger number of people to begin calling into the office at a prescribed time to increase the number of calls for maximum effect during recording. Perhaps even get the phone calls going an hour earlier to compound perhaps a level of frustration amongst the employees, before coming in. It could be coordinated with a few dozen people through Twitter, or text messaging, and would not be at all difficult to execute.
I would be curious to see what the frequency of calls were prior to O'Keefe's visit vs. the frequency of calls while he was there. The list of incoming calls to this office at the time of O'Keefe being there could be very important. If there was a coordinated effort by a number of people to begin making calls into the office of the Senator, and these people could be connected to O'Keefe, the other three men, or Breitbart... could lead to a much larger and coordinated effort to embarass the Senator and her staff inentionally.
They're basically a less funny version of The Jerky Boys (for anybody who remembers them) with a fanatical political agenda and less talent.
As a teenager, I planned (and executed successfully) many practical jokes that were more sophisticated than O'Keefe's failed attacks on ACORN or Landrieu.
Another thing I'd like to see; ACORN offices aren't federal buildings, but shouldn't there be some repercussions for going into a business and planning crimes ? I mean, for the meatheads who still believe ACORN employees were involved in aiding a child prostitution ring, wouldn't their role be more as a witness to the crime, an accomplice at most ?
There is documented video of O'Keefe stating his intent to import underage sex slaves. This should be looked into as well.
Nice call Col.
Something about a call center phoning the dem ride line during elections.
Do you really think these idiots have the mental capacity to know that? ;-)
:-)
Well, maybe he was harking back to his collegiate days, you know, when you and 20 of your buddies would call Domino's Pizza at the same time, knowing they couldn't fill all the orders in 30 minutes so most of the pies would be free.
Zombie Walks
Finger Gun
Dance
Oprah
Pillow fights
Ninja
Even flash mobs where people just stop doing anything at all
Very popular amongst those of college age and I would be very interested to know if he would have known about these types of activities or maybe participated in one.
When they use words like "stunt" and "prank" and the authorities keep refering to an attempt to disrupt the Senator's phones my mind keeps leading me here.
It would be like me going to a bank and throwing a brick through the window to "show them" how their security can be broken.
Only idiots use that kind of excuse and they need to be held accountable so others know it is a CRIME!
What is a stunt or an investigation?
You ask people who want to beilieve in him, it was an investigation.
You ask the Federal Law Enforcement Officials, it was a crime.
Perhaps his next "tactic" could be kidnapping and tourtur... er, ahem, "enhanced interviewing" of his subject.
This is what you get when you follow an ideology that delusionally believes in it's own inherent goodness. The ends justifies the means.
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What a f---ing nimrod.
I guess the ends justify the means, as long as YOU believe they do.
The scientists were wrong to use bogus or suspect data in the IPCC Report.
Just like...
We are wrong to torture people or hold them wihout charge our trial, (or POW status) in the war on terror.
Just like...
It's wrong to put a bullet in the head of an OB/GYN as he leaves Sunday services, in order to prevent aboutions.
Or change the rules in the Senate because the opposition is filibustering. (Both then AND now!)
Principles sometime work against you, but they're still important. Actually they're all that really matters. And when you mistake CONVICTION for Principle, you become the enemy of whatever you are fighting to defend or accomplish. (Assuming it was even GOOD in the first place!)
Never expect a courtesy you aren't willing to extend. Never assume a power you won't grant your opponent, and never place a limit on your opponent that you wouldn't have placed on you. TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU. You have no right to expect any more consideration than you are willing to give yourself. And recieving none STILL does not justify giving none.
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IMHO
It appears not.
A gag order is typically an instruction not to speak of the case *at all*.
However, under Mr. O'Keefe's conditions of release - there is a line on page 2, item 7 j that is similar, but (in my opinion) does not constitute a "gag order" as it is typically defined.
http://www.legal-explanations.com/definitions/gag-order.htm
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2010/01/james-okeefes-conditions-of-release.php?page=2
Gag orders typically involve talking to "the public", whereas the conditions of release specify contact with "victims" or "potential witnesses".
...by lying, cheating, and doctoring footage about groups that I don't agree with because they are poor and minorities.
No sh&t Sherlock! Hahaha!
However; if it was up to some on the right wing, the entire ACORN organization would currently be in a military jail somewhere.
"Talk, we know you work with Al-Queda. The water doesn't stop until you talk."
If you can find any evidence (try to overcome your well-known allergy to this) that anyone on these boards has expressed anything amounting to leniency regarding either of the other two people you name, kindly present it. Until then, you stand convicted by your own words as a fool of the first order.
Until then, you're just thrashing around in your own stupidity.
I don't what's worse, you blatant hypocrisy or your stunning stupidity. Oh by the way, did it ever occur to you that O'Keefe has, not once, denied the charges and in fact has admitted them?
Jeebus, like Rep Grayson wants to say to Cheney, STFU!!!!
I didn't call him out as a terrorist.
Based on your logic I should have.
O'Keefe got caught in the commission of a felony, and admitted it.
I haven't called him out as a terrorist, either.
I will admit to having a lot of fun with this issue though.
Why not keep up beter.
Well, duh! That's what intelligent people do. The contrast to this is not O'Keefe (who has admitted his guilt), but the behavior of those who are too quick to make such judgments, such as the legion of right-wingers who said that the Oklahoma City bombing was perpetrated by Islamic terrorists, or that Iraq had something to do with 9/11.
In other words, it's the knee-jerkers on the right who repeatedly get things goofed up by not waiting until the information is available.
Honestly, do you enjoy making yourself to look that foolish? I suppose you can really identify with O'Keefe.
You know what gets me the most, though? It's when someone like me who simply enjoys having good, honest political debate gets absolutely torn apart no matter what stupid or non-stupid things I say. I haven't been outright mean at all to anyone on these boards yet here are some of the responses I get:
"you're just thrashing around in your own stupidity"
"I don't what's worse, you blatant hypocrisy or your stunning stupidity"
"Honestly, do you enjoy making yourself to look that foolish?"
And that was from just one, simple posting. I have this image of a guy sitting behind his monitor at home with his nose stuck up in the air and his eyes glaring down at the monitor as he furiously types away berating those "teabagging, racists". I wonder how far off I am with that picture?
Always the innocent victim of those horrible lefties. Poor, poor little wingnut.
Unlike yourself.
MagCynic, I will give you a respectful response if you will bother to read it.
First, as to your treatment on these boards:
Try an experiment. Go to BigGovernment.com and post the following: If this young man O'Keefe has admitted to breaking the law, why are all of you defending him? I really want to know.
Next sit back and watch what happens.
Second, as you stated an interest in "good, honest political debate" you don't appear to be sincere about it. Within 44 minutes of your post, whatithink supplied you with a detailed list of facts in evidence rebutting the assertions in your post, which is what you do in a debate. Did you rebutt him, as one would do in a debate? No, you did not.
What did you do?
You did what every wingnut apologist does. You changed the subject. Wingnuts come here with nothing but illogical, ill-informed drivel and with no understanding of the basic rules of debate or the mechanics of logic. There are college courses on , which do not teach you what to think, but how to think.
(continuing)
People who take MMfA seriously are not looking to be told what to think, but for information to help us with how to think for ourselves and suss out facts necessary to that end. Most information provided by MMfA comes from authoritative sources and allows people to better decide for themselves what is going on in the world of politics. It is a reliable and trustworthy resource. We are not brainwashed and we can recognize BS whether it comes from the left or the right.
Your post just smacked of BS, so some people got upset with you.
You type absolute drivel of this sort, accusing liberals of not caring about the victims of terrorists, and you think that qualifies as "good, honest political debate"? The fact is that your position has been dismantled, and you simply aren't adult enough to deal with it. If you don't like it here, then by all means, head over to one of the many wingnut sites where your whininess will be appreciated.
Like most sane and rational Americans, we were appalled and disgusted with the Ft. Hood shooter (especially since I work, you know, on an Army base in VA and all). We were also appalled and disgusted with the bombing attempt.
It's funny how you think you know what we all thought during those incidents.
It's also funny how it's pretty easy to come down on this dunderhead O'Keefe for breaking federal laws.
Yet another pointless strawman is erected by Mag the Becker based on nothing more than his feelings and partisan emotions. Pathetic.
Most criminals say that when they get caught.
Someone should also inform James that, while the exact words "wire-tapping" were not used in Special Agent Rayes's affadavit, it explicitly uses the terms "willfull" and "malicious" to describe attempted interference by O'Keefe & co with Sen. Landrieaus phone lines. Breitbart & O'Keefe might comfort themselves by trying to make it seems like they have been misunderstood. But the FBI usually doesnt advance such allegations on caprice. Call it what you want James, you attempted a criminal intrusion on state peoperty.