The liberal establishment is finally acknowledging that ACORN is not the victim of a vast right wing conspiracy but is actually a corrupt enterprise. According to an editorial in yesterday's Los Angeles Times, "The liberal advocacy group needs to clean house." (source) White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called ACORN employees' conduct on hidden camera videos "completely unacceptable." And suddenly ACORN is admitting there's a problem within.

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ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis released a statement Wednesday which said in part, "As a result of the indefensible action of a handful of our employees, I am, in consultation with ACORN's Executive Committee, immediately ordering a halt to any new intakes into ACORN's service programs until completion of an independent review." (source) But is it too late for ACORN to be allowed to fix their own problems?

After first claiming the incriminating video tapes were doctored, edited and/or showed the actions of just a few rogue employees, ACORN is finally admitting to a systematic internal problem that needs reviewing. Of course they are making this admission only after repeated denials, attacks against those who filmed the wrongdoing and those who dared to broadcast the videos. Just days ago the same Bertha Lewis said:

"The relentless attacks on ACORN's members, its staff and the policies and positions we promote are unprecedented. An international entertainment conglomerate, disguising itself as a ‘news’ agency (FOX), has expended millions, if not tens of millions of dollars, in their attempt to destroy the largest community organization of Black, Latino, poor and working families in the country. It is not coincidence that the most recent attacks have been launched just when health care reform is gaining traction. It is clear they've had these tapes for months." (source)

Will ACORN's independent review include an apology for that statement? Will Ms. Lewis aim similar accusations at the liberal media outlets that have now (finally) joined FoxNews in reporting on this story of very real corruption and alleged illegal activity? Of course not. If left to their own devices ACORN will simply fire some scapegoats, implement better ways to hide their nefarious policies and go on with corruption as usual; labeling anyone who dares to question their methods or motives a racist.

It is time for an external and official investigation; for Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate ACORN from the top down and for President Obama to use his executive authority to bar ACORN from receiving any more federal funds from any federal agency at least until that investigation is complete.