http://chieforganizer.org/2009/11/10/springfield-college-and-the-912ers/ Founder of ACORN, Chief Organizer at ACORN International, Author of Citizen Wealth, Global Grassroots and The Battle for the 9th Ward. Fri, 11 May 2012 20:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://chieforganizer.org/2009/11/10/springfield-college-and-the-912ers/comment-page-1/#comment-1656 dharmendra Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:56:51 +0000 http://chieforganizer.org/?p=2408#comment-1656 enjoyed reading it. enjoyed reading it.

]]> http://chieforganizer.org/2009/11/10/springfield-college-and-the-912ers/comment-page-1/#comment-1654 Bill Gunn Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:34:52 +0000 http://chieforganizer.org/?p=2408#comment-1654 Hi Mr. Rathke, We met on Monday, almost. The guys dressed in biker apparel are not affiliated with the 912 project, they are friends of mine and they were curious about your message. I recall the comments by the "first Becker" a little differently, but I would, I am he. Never mentioned prostitution or prostitution of the causes you support, I called you a criminal and ACORN a criminal organization that is under investigation in at least 20 states. I was not ushered out; I was asked to be seated, I told the gentlemen that approached me that I was planning on leaving anyhow, my focus was outside. The next person to speak was a she not a he. The lady that discussed welfare with you is my wife, the young lady with her my daughter. No one there argues the merits of helping the poor with decent housing, food and medical care and even voter registration. We do disagree on philosophies and paths by which these ends can be met. I also believe that the ends do not justify the means when it comes to the methods used by ACORN and other affiliated organizations." Shouting down a speaker or at shouting a speaker is not my usual "MO, actually activism is new to me and most that I have become aligned with. After your discussion I had a conversation with one of the professors and his son; a very civil and enlightening conversation. Frankly, a conversation you and I should have at some point; philosophical, without mention of distracting transgressions. Outside the hall that evening our group engaged the students as they walked past. Most were curious, they thought acorns are what deer eat. I do not know if we did you a favor by introducing them to your organization. But, knowledge is power and now they have more knowledge or awareness. I never thought of trying to stifle you or silence you, just looking for a way to present the other side of the coin to others, your venues offered that opportunity. I host a local talk show (public access), if you are in the area again and want to discuss philosophies, I'd be happy to do that. If you chose to do so, I give you my word that ACORN corruption, assertions of voter registration fraud, your brother, misappropriation, and that whole undercover pimp thing, would not be brought forward during our discussion (unless you chose to bring it up). Good luck with the book; hope you do well in the capitalist system. I urge you to donate the proceeds to education programs for the poor so they can work their selves out of poverty and into prosperity. As I'm sure you know, because you are self made, their is a pride of accomplishment that comes with working for what you have; a pride and sense of self that is robbed when one is sold the lie that they are victims and there is no way out other than dependence on a government or some handout. Next time I see you at an event I'll be more subdued. Sincerely, William Gunn Hi Mr. Rathke,
We met on Monday, almost. The guys dressed in biker apparel are not affiliated with the 912 project, they are friends of mine and they were curious about your message. I recall the comments by the “first Becker” a little differently, but I would, I am he. Never mentioned prostitution or prostitution of the causes you support, I called you a criminal and ACORN a criminal organization that is under investigation in at least 20 states. I was not ushered out; I was asked to be seated, I told the gentlemen that approached me that I was planning on leaving anyhow, my focus was outside.
The next person to speak was a she not a he. The lady that discussed welfare with you is my wife, the young lady with her my daughter. No one there argues the merits of helping the poor with decent housing, food and medical care and even voter registration. We do disagree on philosophies and paths by which these ends can be met. I also believe that the ends do not justify the means when it comes to the methods used by ACORN and other affiliated organizations.”
Shouting down a speaker or at shouting a speaker is not my usual “MO, actually activism is new to me and most that I have become aligned with. After your discussion I had a conversation with one of the professors and his son; a very civil and enlightening conversation. Frankly, a conversation you and I should have at some point; philosophical, without mention of distracting transgressions.
Outside the hall that evening our group engaged the students as they walked past. Most were curious, they thought acorns are what deer eat. I do not know if we did you a favor by introducing them to your organization. But, knowledge is power and now they have more knowledge or awareness. I never thought of trying to stifle you or silence you, just looking for a way to present the other side of the coin to others, your venues offered that opportunity. I host a local talk show (public access), if you are in the area again and want to discuss philosophies, I’d be happy to do that. If you chose to do so, I give you my word that ACORN corruption, assertions of voter registration fraud, your brother, misappropriation, and that whole undercover pimp thing, would not be brought forward during our discussion (unless you chose to bring it up).
Good luck with the book; hope you do well in the capitalist system. I urge you to donate the proceeds to education programs for the poor so they can work their selves out of poverty and into prosperity. As I’m sure you know, because you are self made, their is a pride of accomplishment that comes with working for what you have; a pride and sense of self that is robbed when one is sold the lie that they are victims and there is no way out other than dependence on a government or some handout. Next time I see you at an event I’ll be more subdued.
Sincerely,
William Gunn

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