...or are ACORNs not the only nuts out there?

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein can go to their graves knowing that their legacy as investigative reporters is in no danger from James O'Keefe. It seems that, in his pursuit of corruption and evil in the Democratic party O'Keefe forgot the first rule of journalism: you are not the story. (Actually this is the second rule. The first rule is: don't get caught.)

You may remember Mr. O'Keefe as the truth seeker who, with the help of his own batgirl, Hannah Giles, attempted to "expose" ACORN for the liberal cheats they are. Disguised as a pimp and his ho (in hindsight, not much of a stretch) O'Keefe appeared at an ACORN office and, with a lot of prodding, got some advice on how to appear legit enough to get a mortgage. (ACORN has a contract with the Feds to facilitate low income mortgages.) The interview was taped and, with the help of the right-wing media and blogosphere, was plastered all over the internet as proof of ACORN's perfidy. Mr. O'Keefe became such a hit with Conservatives that one dingbat Congressman, Pete Olsen of Texas, (big surprise) wanted Congress to honor O'Keefe's achievement. How's that working out for you, Congressman?

Shift to Monday, Jan 25. O'Keefe and his crime fighting buddies were arrested in New Orleans while attempting to bug the offices of Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu. Having been scrupulously trained by watching multiple episodes of Mission Impossible, these geniuses disguised themselves as phone men (page 116 of the Fletch handbook) and requested access to the main phone cabinet. The receptionists, who must have seen the same TV shows, called the FBI and well, our boys are now leaving Mission Impossible and headed for Judge Judy.

While this hardly rises to the level of Watergate, it will be exciting to discover whether this right-wing Ethan Hunt was operating alone or with the help of a Teabag A Team. Four super sleuths were arrested in the operation. No one was carrying a MENSA membership card or answered to the name Mr. T. A ten year prison sentence, while unlikely, might be enough to loosen some tongues. Perhaps a little enhanced interrogation. Conservatives are convinced of the effectiveness so let's give it a try.

The soup gets even spicier with the added ingredient of Robert Flanagan. Mr. Flanagan was arrested with O'Keefe and turns out to be the son of William J. Flanagan, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. While hardly a hotbed of constitutional law, even Louisiana draws the line at wiretapping. After all, it's not like the information would help the Saints in two weeks.