UPDATE: After I wrote this post, Michael Thielen e-mailed this comment: It is clear that the founder of ACORN is so embarrassed by the taint associated with
“„The notion that the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now – also known as ACORN – could simply change its name and wipe away the taint from the fraud it has perpetuated against our electoral system and the American people is laughable. ACORN can call itself whatever it wants, but it is still an enterprise that is being investigated by law enforcement officials and prosecuted in the court system…
“„ACORN is not changing its name. ACORN International is a five-year old organization from which ACORN withdrew a year ago as part of an overall restructuring process and requested that they stop using the ACORN name, which they have now done. Wade Rathke was fired as Chief Organizer of ACORN in June 2008.
“„Arthur Schwartz, the general counsel for ACORN, has sent a “cease and desist” letter to [anti-ACORN group ACORN 8] instructing them to discontinue using the name ACORN in a connection with their activities. This same letter threatens legal action if the ACORN 8 members do not provide written assurances that they will comply with this demand by the end of June. “It is a violation of federal and state law for you to use the ACORN name and mark without the written permission of ACORN,” the letter states. “Should you continue to do so, you will be liable for monetary and injunctive relief.”