ACORN Urges Civil Disobedience in Foreclosure Evictions

[fishjie]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/02/20-6

A national community organizing group Thursday announced a campaign of civil disobedience designed to help families resist eviction and remain in their homes after foreclosure.

A foreclosure sign is posted in front of a townhouse in Herndon, Virginia.(AFP/File/Paul J. Richards)Activists with ACORN, the Assn. of Community Organizations for Reform Now, said they would encourage people facing eviction to use text messaging and cellphones to quickly summon volunteers to their homes. The entire group would resist orders to leave, forcing sheriff's deputies to arrest large numbers of people to complete the eviction -- and drawing attention to the evictees' plight in the process.

The HomeStaying campaign is being waged in Los Angeles and more than 20 other cities, including Oakland, Houston and New York, said Charles Jackson, an ACORN spokesman.

Jackson and others with the group met with reporters outside a Watts house with comedian Roseanne Barr to demonstrate how the campaign would work.

Debora Beard said she and her husband, Tommy, have received an eviction notice requiring them to leave their home of 20 years.

Beard, a teacher's assistant, said she would not leave unless she was "led out by the sheriff. . . . I am not leaving without a fight."

As she spoke, more than 20 of her neighbors and other activists burst into cheers, yelling "Enough is enough" and pledging that they would join her in refusing to leave.

It's unclear how effective the campaign will be -- no mass civil disobedience has yet taken place.

But the group, whose actions have been described as both progressive and radical, is clearly tapping into populist resentment toward the high number of foreclosures.

Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said his office, which carries out eviction orders on behalf of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, is sensitive to the issue.

He refused to speculate about what his department would do if confronted with dozens of people refusing to vacate a house. Last week a Carson man refused to leave when deputies showed up to evict him; deputies did not arrest him.

People who refuse eviction orders could be charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor.

SIGH. Isn't it bad enough that poor and stupid people delayed the transition from analog to digital signals? Isn't it bad enough that these same poor and stupid people who couldn't afford to buy a house or took out a second mortgage on a house and ended up ruining the economy by taking 0 down, 5 yr ARM that they had no hope of repaying? But no, now they want to protest the fact that they are being rightfully evicted from their homes.

 

[Zulu Impi]

Lets see people defend Acorn now...

 

[Ammar]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/02/20-6



SIGH. Isn't it bad enough that poor and stupid people delayed the transition from analog to digital signals? Isn't it bad enough that these same poor and stupid people who couldn't afford to buy a house or took out a second mortgage on a house and ended up ruining the economy by taking 0 down, 5 yr ARM that they had no hope of repaying? But no, now they want to protest the fact that they are being rightfully evicted from their homes.

Yes, damn those stupid poor people for being resentful when they lose their homes.

 

[fishjie]

Lets see people defend Acorn now...

oh you should see all the hippy liberals commenting and supporting acorn in that article I linked. Its disgusting. I only occasionally post on this forum when there's some kind of interesting political news, since this forum loves discussing that kind of stuff. I'm sure there are plenty of hippies here who think protesting foreclosures is a good thing just like there are many conservatives who are disgusted.

Me personally if I didn't already have a mortgage to pay i'd be swooping in on foreclosures. One of my friends did, managed to get what was previously a 250k house in seattle for 180k. Morons like ACORN would argue that's bad, and would rather reward the idiots who bought houses they couldn't afford and keep real estate values artificially high, punishing people like me and my friend, who both are property owners at age 25 due to hard work and diligent saving.

Yes, damn those stupid poor people for being resentful when they lose their homes.

Do you know what a mortgage is? You technically don't own the place as long as you owe a mortgage, the bank ultimately does. If you bought something you couldn't afford, you are a moron. Unfortunately liberals think accountability is a bad thing, this is why our country is so crappy. Lets reward people for stupidity! Its disgusting.

 

[emzie]

If you bought something you couldn't afford, you are a moron.

As is the person who lent you the money. I agree that people foreclosed upon shoulder a lot of the blame for their situation, but to absolve the banks of their share makes you a moron.

 

[LordRahl]

As is the person who lent you the money. I agree that people foreclosed upon shoulder a lot of the blame for their situation, but to absolve the banks of their share makes you a moron.

True, as long as the lender wasn't forced by government regulations to lend to the 'less fortunate', or face discrimination lawsuits as alternative...

 

[emzie]

True, as long as the lender wasn't forced by government regulations to lend to the 'less fortunate', or face discrimination lawsuits as alternative...

You're contending that CDA loans encouraged this mess? I, too, like making baseless claims! I blame the Jews.

For your reading enjoyment:

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/speeches/archives/2008/chairman/spdec1708.html

 

[Higher Game]

Civil disobedience should be countered by hollow points. This is a nation of laws.

 

[Cato the Elder]

Something that I've always wondered.

Many European countries' poverty rate is about half that of the United States. Conservatives argue that continued poverty is often caused by laziness, bad choices, or an unwillingness to work, and that social programmes will more often than not not lift people out of poverty, but instead cause them to leech off the system.

On the other hand, the United States has a lot higher proportion of rich people than many European countries. Conservatives argue that most rich people get there by their own means, and that their money is therefore entitled to them.

I'm wondering now, that if what is said were to be true, does that mean that the poor in America are significantly more lazy than in Europe, while the general affluent folk in Europe are, on the other hand, significantly more lazy than those in America?

The point is, my friends, the fact that things like this, this mortgage crisis, is happening in the first place, and that the United States has a poverty rate of easily 15%, despite having one of the highest GDP per capita and the biggest economy of the world, is disgusting. This is the reason I'm not going to condemn ACORN for this, even though I doubt I would participate in this myself, were I an American.

 

[Tycoon101]

Civil disobedience should be countered by hollow points. This is a nation of laws.

THIS IS A NATION OF FREEDOM







George Washington is rolling in his grave...

 

[kulade]

What are they aiming for? What are they protesting against?

There's nothing anyone can really do for them besides just give them free houses...

 

[fishjie]

As is the person who lent you the money. I agree that people foreclosed upon shoulder a lot of the blame for their situation, but to absolve the banks of their share makes you a moron.

yeah good thing i never absolved the banks, which makes you a moron. BURN. CEOs should pay for the bailout out of their own pocket. Madoff should be executed, so should Stanford. Likewise, any poor stupid moron who felt they deserved a million dollar home on minimum wage needs to be tear gassed, maced, and thrown in prison if they try to fight foreclosure with civil disobedience. Because people like me are trying to swoop in and scoop up some sweet deals.

Something that I've always wondered.

Many European countries' poverty rate is about half that of the United States. Conservatives argue that continued poverty is often caused by laziness, bad choices, or an unwillingness to work, and that social programmes will more often than not not lift people out of poverty, but instead cause them to leech off the system.

On the other hand, the United States has a lot higher proportion of rich people than many European countries. Conservatives argue that most rich people get there by their own means, and that their money is therefore entitled to them.

I'm wondering now, that if what is said were to be true, does that mean that the poor in America are significantly more lazy than in Europe, while the general affluent folk in Europe are, on the other hand, significantly more lazy than those in America?

The point is, my friends, the fact that things like this, this mortgage crisis, is happening in the first place, and that the United States has a poverty rate of easily 15%, despite having one of the highest GDP per capita and the biggest economy of the world, is disgusting. This is the reason I'm not going to condemn ACORN for this, even though I doubt I would participate in this myself, were I an American.

If you read the other thread, which correlates high levels of atheism to prosperity the answer should be pretty clear. Religious people, are also very stupid and often poor. USA has lots of religious people (Bush got elected twice, people actually LIKED Palin). Hence we have lots of poor and stupid people too. Its simple really.

 

[MobBoss]

Yes, damn those stupid poor people for being resentful when they lose their homes.

Its not technically your home till you finish paying it off.

 

[Rashiminos]

yeah good thing i never absolved the banks, which makes you a moron. BURN. CEOs should pay for the bailout out of their own pocket. Madoff should be executed, so should Stanford.

As long as we can add you third for yet again appealing to the "stupid poor people" argument.

Likewise, any poor stupid moron who felt they deserved a million dollar home on minimum wage needs to be tear gassed, maced, and thrown in prison if they try to fight foreclosure with civil disobedience. Because people like me are trying to swoop in and scoop up some sweet deals.

First of all, poor people don't get mortages on "million-dollar" homes. Second, your position is somewhat compromised by your desire to take advantage of the situation.

If you read the other thread, which correlates high levels of atheism to prosperity the answer should be pretty clear. Religious people, are also very stupid and often poor. USA has lots of religious people (Bush got elected twice, people actually LIKED Palin). Hence we have lots of poor and stupid people too. Its simple really.

Given your prejudice against the "stupid poor" (a misnomer), the bigotry in this quote is no surprise, but appalling nonetheless.

Look in the mirror.

Civil disobedience should be countered by hollow points. This is a nation of laws.

Tell that to MLK.

Many European countries' poverty rate is about half that of the United States. Conservatives argue that continued poverty is often caused by laziness, bad choices, or an unwillingness to work, and that social programmes will more often than not not lift people out of poverty, but instead cause them to leech off the system.

On the other hand, the United States has a lot higher proportion of rich people than many European countries. Conservatives argue that most rich people get there by their own means, and that their money is therefore entitled to them.

I'm wondering now, that if what is said were to be true, does that mean that the poor in America are significantly more lazy than in Europe, while the general affluent folk in Europe are, on the other hand, significantly more lazy than those in America?

I find that people tend to take narrow views on this topic and continually propose ineffective solutions as a result, whether that be blaming a lack of drive on the part of the poor or the disparity between socioeconomic conditions during childhood.

If you bought something you couldn't afford, you are a moron.

Ultimately it was decided by both the lender and the borrower that the mortgage was affordable when it was made. The subprime industry actually worked, just not as well as would have with proper regulations and it was certainly inferior to prime lending. Since these arrangements were made across a diverse section of the American home-owning population (read: includes a significant amount of people with college degrees), it's improper to suggest they are moronic.

 

[CaptainF]

Civil disobedience should be countered by hollow points. This is a nation of laws.

 

[fishjie]

First of all, poor people don't get mortages on "million-dollar" homes. Second, your position is somewhat compromised by your desire to take advantage of the situation.

uh actually, YES they did. you obviously haven't been following the news.
the whole rest of your argument fails as a result. do you know why it was called a subprime mortgage meltdown? people bought stuff they had no hope of ever paying. they got hooked on 0 down, with LOW interest rates on an ADJUSTABLE rate mortage, not paying to the "ADJUSTABLE" part of ARM. people are being foreclosed because they were greedy and thought they could get a free lunch. they didn't and they deserve to lose their homes. hard workers and diligent savers like me on the other hand, deserve to get great deals on these foreclosed properties as a result. why does this country reward irresponsible fiscal behavior and punish the disciplined? its ridiculous.

 

[emzie]

yeah good thing i never absolved the banks, which makes you a moron. BURN.

O SNAP! YOU DIDUNT!

And yes, you did absolve the banks. You put all the blame for people losing their home on the bad choice they made, not those who enabled them to make the bad decision.

SIGH. Isn't it bad enough that poor and stupid people delayed the transition from analog to digital signals? Isn't it bad enough that these same poor and stupid people who couldn't afford to buy a house or took out a second mortgage on a house and ended up ruining the economy by taking 0 down, 5 yr ARM that they had no hope of repaying? But no, now they want to protest the fact that they are being rightfully evicted from their homes.

Don't see anything about the banks or the real estate industry bringing down the economy there. No, seems to just be the poor black folks at fault.

 

[fishjie]

O SNAP! YOU DIDUNT!

And yes, you did absolve the banks. You put all the blame for people losing their home on the bad choice they made, not those who enabled them to make the bad decision.



Don't see anything about the banks or the real estate industry bringing down the economy there. No, seems to just be the poor black folks at fault.

When did I even mention black people? Man you are racist if you think only black people are poor and stupid. Then again, I do post on a predominately white forum. I'm not surprised.

And you obviously didn't read my post about bailouts being stupid, and CEOs needing to go to jail or paying for the bailouts themselves.

 

[emzie]

When did I even mention black people? Man you are racist if you think only black people are poor and stupid. Then again, I do post on a predominately white forum. I'm not surprised.

While continuing this line of conversation would amuse me to no end, I fear it would be considered trolling. For your reading enjoyment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue-in-cheek

And you obviously didn't read my post about bailouts being stupid, and CEOs needing to go to jail or paying for the bailouts themselves.

This has nothing to do with the bailouts; it's to do with why the bailouts are (arguably) needed. People losing their home to foreclosure are not the only guilty party.

 

[Nylan]

So wait...civil disobedience is an acceptable reaction augury?