May 16, 2013

Shouldn't there be a special prosecutor in the IRS case?

Obama rejected the idea at his news conference today, saying "Between those investigations [by Congress and the Justice Department] I think we’re going to be able to figure out exactly what happened, who was involved, what went wrong, and we’re going to be able to implement steps to fix it."

He also said: "I promise you this, that the minute I found out about it, then my main focus was making sure that we get the thing fixed... I'm outraged by this in part because look, I'm a public figure, if a future administration is starting to use the tax laws to favor one party over another or one political view over another, obviously, we’re all vulnerable."

I still want a special prosecutor because I just don't trust them not to cover up. The minute I found out about it, then my main focus was making sure that we get the thing fixed. I don't think people believe that. I don't believe it. And when was "the minute [he] found out about it"? He keeps making statements about finding out things around about whenever we do... which is absurdly self-serving, as if the only problems are public relations problems. Apparently, nothing exists for him until we learn about it!

The absurdity is hilariously depicted in this "Daily Show" clip:

The Daily Show with Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Me Talk Reluctantly One Day
www.thedailyshow.com
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215 comments:

1 – 200 of 215   Newer›   Newest»
Bill, Republic of Texas said...

Special prosecutors are a joke and threat. The last thing we need is a prisecutor with too much time on their hands and unlimited resources. Ask Scooter.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

It all depends on your definition of "fixed".

Anonymous said...

"get the thing fixed" in Chicago style, like tell the whistle blowers to shut the f*ck-up, or else.

Almost to the minute they found out about Benghazi, they sent a scapegoat filmmaker to jail.

Prior results guarantee future performance.

Btw, I have the Brooklyn Bridge for sale, 50% off.

rcommal said...

The minute I heard that statement, I thought, "Bullshit."

garage mahal said...

I don't have the energy to comb through the whole thing looking for the most egregious bloodlust, but I'm glad to see it's over.

J said...

No better way to control an inquiry than to control the investigators.See Chicago PD.

Seeing Red said...

Via ZeroHedge, Mark Knoller of CBS tweeted:

Questioners pre-chosen and I'm not one of them. Again

Left Bank of the Charles said...

Fire the guy who allowed his subordinate to apologize to the Tea Pary. Fixed.

rcommal said...

And one more thing. I would like to repeat something I've said many times (and may have even written here once or twice over the years; I don't recall anymore). I hate second-term presidencies, all of them. Every one in my lifetime has disintegrated to a greater or lesser degree, sooner ir later. Every. Damn. One.

/digression

MadisonMan said...

Fixed. That word does not mean what I think it means in this context.

Unless Obama also means facts massaged until the public forgets about them.

Nonapod said...

Assuming Obama is at all concerned with his administration's credibility he should hire one at the very minimum. I'm not sure he cares anymore, or at the very least he must believe that the MSM will continue to be uncritical and incurious.

Icepick said...

"I'm outraged by this in part because look, I'm a public figure, if a future administration is starting to use the tax laws to favor one party over another or one political view over another, obviously, we’re all vulnerable."

FUTURE Administration? How about the current Administration, President Shit-for-a-Soul? What a fucking scumbag, pretending like this isn't happening under his Administration, under his stewardship, and almost certainly according to his design. (Well, Plouffe and Axelrod's - like Chris Matthews (NOW!) I don't think this President does much other than desire to be adored like the Christ Child.)

Fr Martin Fox said...

One reason he doesn't want a special prosecutor: because then, anything the GOP finds that goes beyond the minimum, he will say its all politics.

Perhaps the GOP can press for an Independent Prosecutor, and compromise on a joint congressional investigation. There's a good chance the Dems in Congress might decide to help get it all out now, because if not, it may come out at the wrong time in the future. And they don't owe Obama anything. Why protect him? They have to save their own necks now.

And, if they don't get in front of it, this is a potent issue for 2014.

Actually, a 'Defang the IRS' bill should be introduced right now. By Rand Paul.

rhhardin said...

This was all obvious to guys in 2008.

Once women are betrayed, they're all skeptical. But until then they're morons.

The country is doomed.

Ann Althouse said...

I don't support the old (and now defunct) independent counsel law, but I do think there are times -- Watergate was one -- where the President should appoint a special prosecutor.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

From the sociopath thread link:

After learning how to identify sociopaths, Stout's "Thirteen Rules for DealingWith Sociopaths in Everyday Life" (p.156 - 162) are a MUST-READ and worth the price of the book. All the rules are important. To paraphrase several: Rule 2 - If your gut tells you a person is untrustworthy, even if it's in contrast with their high standing in society such as a doctor or community leader, go with your gut feeling. Rule 3 is the "Rule of Threes." If a person breaks one promise, it may be a misunderstanding. If they break two, there may be a serious mistake. But if they break three promises, you're dealing with a liar. ...

Obama is lying, again, and even the ulta-librul foot soldier Jon Stewart-- understands it. Poor guy.

Icepick said...

Btw, I have the Brooklyn Bridge for sale, 50% off.

Hey, hey, hey! Don't anyone buy that bridge from him. I'll sell it to you for 60% off, and I offer financing! If you make $350 a week take home and own your house, I can make you a deal!

Icepick said...

Hi, Reader!

X said...

I'm outraged by this in part because look, I'm a public figure, and my term expires before the statute of limitations does.

Larry J said...

I wouldn't trust Obama or Holder if they told me the temperature while looking at a thermometer.

Tobias said...

"I'm outraged by this in part because look, I'm a public figure, if a future administration is starting to use the tax laws to favor one party over another or one political view over another, obviously, we’re all vulnerable."

He's only concerned if he's vulnerable.

traditionalguy said...

I suggest appointing a former Commissioner of the IRS under Bush.

The ones I have known from Atlanta were all good men who understood what the mission of the IRS is in American life, and it included a fairness factor.

The Agency appointments under King Obama have been like mini Lord Townshends acting as if His Majesties Colonies had better shut up or the King's Army will try them in England and hang them as traitors.

Clyde said...

Oh, please! The ONLY reason that Obama is "angry" about the IRS scandal is that they got caught! Indeed, that's the only reason that he's angry about all of the scandals, because he got caught up in them and they are making him look bad! You could put the amount that Obama actually cares about the rights of anyone other than himself on the head of a pin and still have room enough to expand how much he cares by a million times without filling it up.

Birches said...

Ummm, anyone remember this:

"I can tell you, as I’ve said over the last couple of months since this happened, the minute I found out what was happening, I gave three very clear directives. Number one, make sure that we are securing our personnel and doing whatever we need to. Number two, we’re going to investigate exactly what happened so that it doesn’t happen again. Number three, find out who did this so we can bring them to justice."

Lying liar then, lying liar now.

Anthony said...

I so rarely find Jon Stewart either funny or insightful. . . .it's not funny.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

So the most intelligent man in the world - The current occupant of the Oval Office... the President of the United States - the man whose party acts like a dictator... the man whose life IS a political campaign... He knows nothing about nothing and is responsible for...

wait for it...

Nothing.


Rule 3 is the "Rule of Threes." If a person breaks one promise, it may be a misunderstanding. If they break two, there may be a serious mistake. But if they break three promises, you're dealing with a liar. ...

A liar you say? hmmmm.

oneredquilt said...

I still find it completely unbelievable that NOBODY in Congress or the press was aware of the IG's report that was apparently going to be released soon. No leakers? No idle gossip? There HAD to be some in the press who decided to sit on this story. If nothing else, this alone shows where most of the press's loyalty lies.

Shanna said...

Hey! Somebody's finally calling bullshit on Obama's repeated use of 'i heard it on the news' in response to everything that happened in his administration for the last 5 years.

Known Unknown said...

Number three, find out who did this so we can bring them to justice."

How is this going?

garage mahal said...

Quite the "legal cloud," no? It's less of a cloud of law than a swarm of Democrats. Desperate Democrats. Embarrassing.

Shanna said...

I still find it completely unbelievable that NOBODY in Congress or the press was aware of the IG's report that was apparently going to be released soon.

That's because it's bullshit. Everyone knows in advance when a big ig report is coming out. It's not a secret.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

Ann Althouse said... I don't support the old (and now defunct) independent counsel law, but I do think there are times -- Watergate was one -- where the President should appoint a special prosecutor.

5/16/13, 3:34 PM

What are the criteria for deciding when to appoint? What are the limitations for the office?

Maybe here is a good idea because the IRS falls under the Justice Department?

I could be convinced but it would take more than an emitional appeal.

Shanna said...

How is this going?

As well as OJ's efforts to find the real killer.

gk1 said...

If "Plamegate" merited a special prosecutor, this sure as hell does. I don't trust the obama administration to investigate itself. Sorry, homey don't play that. You know if the shoe was on the other foot and there was a republican in office the shreiking from the MSM to appoint one would be deafening like fruit bats in a jungle.

edutcher said...

Is this like his "pivot" toward jobs (y'know, that 3 letter word).

Too bad we don't have a counterpart to the Tower of London (maybe, Alcatraz), he should be stuck there with the rest of his crew.

And the best part?

Remember the bit about the House cloakroom being wiretapped?

Well, it seems they also had their phone records bugged.

This crowd could have given lessons to Heydrich and Schellenberg.

Anonymous said...

yes. a special prosecutor is needed.

Original Mike said...

He also said: "I promise you this, that the minute I found out about it, then my main focus was making sure that we get the thing fixed... I'm outraged by this in part because look, I'm a public figure, if a future administration is starting to use the tax laws to favor one party over another or one political view over another, obviously, we’re all vulnerable."

Getting caught sucks; don't it?

Chef Mojo said...

Garage, if you're trying to be clever, you're not doing it right.

If you've got a fucking point, just make it.

Then get out of the fucking way, because, inevitably, your point will be irrelevant to the subject at hand.

Methadras said...

This is the Barack Hussein Obama, the POTUS, who is as unfailingly informed as we are.

Tom from Virginia said...

Reagan had a great second term. Just sayin'.

rcommal said...

This was all obvious to guys in 2008.

Once women are betrayed, they're all skeptical. But until then they're morons.

The country is doomed.

5/16/13, 3:33 PM


I didn't vote for Obama either time. And a quick look at his record and experience made that decision an easy and early one leading up to the primary season leading up to the 2008 election cycle.

**pause** Yep. Still got ladyparts.

Bender said...

They're not going to be in power forever. Indictments can still be obtained after they all leave.

Unknown said...

Fixing the IRS may well be his focus.

BUT-- the Justice Department investigation will ensure that entities outside the IRS-- such as the White House-- will not come under investigation.
We need a special prosecutor.

rcommal said...

Hi, 'Pick!

Heh. Yeah, you'd be one familiar with my second-term presidencies rant, in one form or another, in une place or another, in one setting or another. LOL.

hombre said...

"... if a future administration is starting to use the tax laws to favor one party over another or one political view over another, obviously, we’re all vulnerable."

Is this quote accurate? "... if a future administration is starting ..."?

This guy is seriously deranged. If he can't blame Bush, he blames the next guy?

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

Wait. Is the IRS under Justice or Treasury? I think was wrong about IRS under Justice.

Unknown said...

Yeah, I find it interesting that they appointed a special prosecutor for Plame, but when it comes to the second or third most serious national security leak since the 70s (according to Holder), they just let the DoJ do it. Also, this is especially troubling because people close to the President might be implicated (e.g. Holder, who recused himself). Why is this admin allowed to do it in-house?

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Bitchtits going with the SECRET ROUTERS! Squirel.

I totally did not see that coming.

There is no reason that any fairminded person would give the Obama administration the benefit of the doubt in conducting an internal investigation. None.

They are proven liars who are out to cover their own ass. Thank god that the republicans control the house, so there will be some real inquiries.

Anonymous said...

Shanna said...
I still find it completely unbelievable that NOBODY in Congress or the press was aware of the IG's report that was apparently going to be released soon.

That's because it's bullshit. Everyone knows in advance when a big ig report is coming out. It's not a secret.


Caveat, I only know about DoD IG reports first hand, but

my experience is that draft findings get run by the investigated activity and there is an annex that covers their response to the findings.

Sure as shit, Lois Lerner knew the findings and timing before she faked her Q&A, planted a question, invited extra press and had the entire IRS press team standing by...

and so did all of the IRS HQ

Birches said...

@ Shanna

+1

Scott M said...

"I promise you this, that the minute I found out about it,

D'oh...when I read that, my first thought was the montage the Daily Show put together showing that the White House gets, apparently, all it's intel from the news media. That, combined with skipping all the daily intelligence briefings, adds up to Clint Eastwood's empty chair.

hombre said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I want the FBI involved. They have absolutely no sense of humor about being lied to, even in an oral Q&A. That's why they always work in pairs and only one asks questions. The other guy is the impartial witness at your trial. Ask Scooter...

traditionalguy said...

The similaritiesof Obama's know nothing games to the Muslim's know nothing games are astounding.

Both seem to arise from a inner fear that if Americans ever figure out what they are up too, that they they will then be attacked.

So they pretend they are falsely accused confused outsiders as the bombs keep going off everywhere since they declared war on us.

dreams said...

Obama is nothing but a communist son-of-a-communist-bitch who has surrounded himself with like minded communists and unlike some commenters I don't entertain the notion that the liberal media will finally do their jobs. They have already started spinning how these scandals will damage the Republicans in 2014 because of their investigation of them and I'm sure the media will make sure that is what happens.

http://m.newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2013/05/16/nbcs-todd-warns-if-gop-investigates-obama-scandals-voters-will-punish-

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2013/05/16/bob-schieffer-spins-obama-scandals-white-house-not-nixons-which-had-b

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matt-hadro/2013/05/16/cnn-legal-analyst-scoffs-notion-earth-shaking-irs-scandal-calls-little-l

Anonymous said...

Seems the better response to all this is to go after the root cause.

In this case, repeal all form of corporate tax. Gives all forms of voluntary association equal standing.

If the FAA and traffic control is gold watched - privatize it. Now, not tomorrow.

Both these are examples of something too important to be left in the control of a government, no matter which party is in charge.

Don't mend it, end it.

Anonymous said...

Maybe here is a good idea because the IRS falls under the Justice Department?

huh? Treasury...

edutcher said...

Actually, there should be a special prosecutor for Benghazi, for the Sibelius shakedown, for the DOJ going after AP*, for the EPA waivers...

(if he's really a lawyer, we could get some phony folksy a job with one of them and maybe get him out of Mom's basement)

Tom from Virginia said...

Reagan had a great second term. Just sayin'.

Compared to Choom?

I'd say so.

* Anent the wiretap story, DOJ lifted records from a phone used by AL in the House gallery, rather than bugging the cloakroom.

Still serious.

edutcher said...

s/b AP.

Sorry.

dreams said...

I don't think there will be a special prosecutor appointed and you can expect to see the liberal media assuring us that its not necessary.

Morgan said...

easy way to tell it's bs-- he starts by answering not-quite-exactly the question asked, and then once he tiptoes through that he goes with the 'i can promise X' statement about something else.

because internally he knew he was being misleading, so to make himself comfortable he added on a promise of something immaterial after. a person telling the truth just tells it, they don't say 'i know X, and i definitely promise Y'

jr565 said...

If he is really learning about these things by listening to the news that morning then he must be the most disconnected president in the history of the presidency.

And we reelected this bozo?

only, we all know that he knew about this prior. As Stewart mentions, the IRS issue has been known for a whole year. And somehow the president doesn't know.

I understand carrying water for your guy, but libs, seriously. How are you defending this guy? Either the MOST incompetent, or a serious LIAR. Choose one.

edutcher said...

We didn't re-elect him; he stole the election.

Kazinski said...

I already know who is responsible, its the IRS. And I want the death penalty.

A two or 3 bracket tax, with no deductions and eliminate the corporate income tax, would be just fine. It could all be adminstered by computers. Then you could eliminate a few hundred billion in compliance costs a year, and a few hundred billion running the IRS.

Then the only thing left for the IRS to do would be to administer Obamacare, so better get rid of that too.

dreams said...

As to the IRS and Obamacare, may the odds be ever in your favor.

jr565 said...

and "The dog ate my homework" MIGHT work on a credulous teacher ONCE. But this guy has said he's heard about it on the news every time a scandal hits.

When will the media say "Excuse me, Mr. President, but that is complete bullshit". Or if not so directly, at least sarcastically like "Heard about it on the news again, eh? just like you heard about Fast and Furious on the News?You do have meetings where people tell you about things done by your administration right? Just curious."

Athanasius Kircher said...

I can't see that there is any way to "clean up the mess in the IRS" - the problem is entrenched leftist career employees who hate conservatives and the Tea Party and belong to the powerful leftist National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

They are incapable of acting in non-partisan fashion. Short of abolishing the union and firing its 15,000 members I can't see that much can be done.

See Jeffrey Lord's long article in The American Spectator: "The Liberal Union behind the IRS"

http://bit.ly/16BTyV6

Icepick said...

**pause** Yep. Still got ladyparts.

Tease!

Hi, 'Pick!

Heh. Yeah, you'd be one familiar with my second-term presidencies rant, in one form or another, in une place or another, in one setting or another. LOL.


yep, I've heard this one for a fair number of years now, dating back into the previous Presidency.

Kazinski said...

I already know who is responsible, its the IRS. And I want the death penalty.

A two or 3 bracket tax, with no deductions and eliminate the corporate income tax, would be just fine. It could all be adminstered by computers. Then you could eliminate a few hundred billion in compliance costs a year, and a few hundred billion running the IRS.

Then the only thing left for the IRS to do would be to administer Obamacare, so better get rid of that too.

Original Mike said...

"I already know who is responsible, its the IRS. And I want the death penalty."

This. The IRS is, and always will be, a source of great corruption. It's human nature.

Icepick said...

And we reelected this bozo?

What you mean "WE", Paleface?

JorgXMcKie said...

The best evidence of how bad this is for Obama is Garbage's desperation flop-sweat posts. Sheeze.

The poor guy must be stroking out or something.

JimMtnViewCa said...

@AprilApple: "So the most intelligent man in the world - The current occupant of the Oval Office... the President of the United States"
Don't forget Nobel Peace Prize winner. Really.

Brian Brown said...

NO there should not be a special prosecutor.

There should be articles of impeachment drafted.

Mark O said...

Wouldn't it be fun if Obama appointed a "special" prosecutor and then fired him when he subpoenaed the White House for Obama's taped conversations?



garage mahal said...

The poor guy must be stroking out or something.

Hardly. Just demonstrating the obvious situational ethics Althouse possesses.

I'm all for a special prosecutor. They should do a full probe of 501c4s from their applications to how they operate, and crack down on all the abuses. Or just them all entirely.

Fr Martin Fox said...

Ha!

I love the Blame the victim approach!

Garage that is hilarious.

dreams said...

When 75% of the IRS employees are Dems and it's probably the same with all government agencies, the Republicans and all citizens will be damaged by their partisan behavior.

Robert Cook said...

"Special prosecutors are a joke and threat. The last thing we need is a prisecutor with too much time on their hands and unlimited resources. Ask Scooter."

Hey, Scooter perjured himself to protect big DICK Cheney...he had a conviction coming to him.

garage mahal said...

I love the Blame the victim approach!

Who is the victim I blamed?

KCFleming said...

This set of scandals causes me grief, not glee.

It makes me feel worse than when Obama was elected, because the outcome was just what I had imagined.

Many people posting at Althouse predicted this kind of clusterfuck. The fact that he got re-elected despite his repeated failures in the first term makes me even more depressed.

And fuck John Stewart. He is one of the main reasons Obama got elected and then re-elected.
he can go to hell.

dreams said...

This is what I hope happens.

http://www.hughhewitt.com/time-to-lawyer-up-and-turns-states-evidence/

Lockestep said...

Don't forget the last time a President engaged in massive abuse of powwer, it took a House committee, a Senate committee, and a Special Prosecutor to root it all out. Nothing helps loosen tongues better than the prospect of Federal time.

Anonymous said...

Question on the AP scandal. It seems that official notification of recusal by the sitting Attorney General needs to be performed in writing. As Holder has admitted he didn't do so, then is the Deputy Attorney General's approval of the subpoena even valid? If the subpoena isn't valid, then isn't the collection of phone call records from all those phones illegal?

tiger said...

Stout's "Thirteen Rules for Dealing With Sociopaths in Everyday Life"

doesn't come up on Amazon. Any suggestions?


And yeah Obama's a LPOS.

Anonymous said...

If this was one of the most severe intelligence breaches he's ever seen, why wasn't the president made aware of this?

dreams said...

"Hey, Scooter perjured himself to protect big DICK Cheney...he had a conviction coming to him."

He didn't perjure himself, his recollection of his conversation with Russert was different than Tim Russert's, maybe Russert was wrong. I've noticed that some people have better memories than others.

Anonymous said...

@rcommal: And one more thing. I would like to repeat something I've said many times (and may have even written here once or twice over the years; I don't recall anymore). I hate second-term presidencies, all of them. Every one in my lifetime has disintegrated to a greater or lesser degree, sooner ir later. Every. Damn. One.

Problem is, if you want to keep them on the straight and narrow for the first term, you have to hold out the prospect of earning a second term for good performance.

Mexico has a one-term rule, and EVERY presidential term there is like a dysfunctional second term here. The man is a lame duck the day he takes office, with zero concern for re-election, and the corruption surrounding him is so great that his last year in office is known as the "piñata" because of the shower of goodies that falls on his cronies.

Fr Martin Fox said...

Garage:

We have a principle in this country: innocent until proven guilty.

Instead of having government investigate every 501(c)4--your suggestion--to see if they are in compliance with the law...

You--if you think someone is breaking the law--you have the burden of bringing a complaint.

Are you under the impression the government lacks the power, now, to investigate and prosecute violations of the law? Seriously?

When you suggest that the real problem with IRS harassment of citizen groups is that they don't do enough of it...

That's "blaming the victim."

Krumhorn said...

The libruls love the thugocracy just so long as their thugs are wielding the clubs. The Treasury IG reported that the IRS apparatchiks developed a "look out for" list with key words to target groups with names including variations such as Tea Party, Patriot and 9/11, 100% of which applicants got slow-walked.

And, of course, Romney ignored it. Herman Cain wouldn't have ignored it. The Republican establishment types were perfectly content for the libruls to do their dirty work.

test said...

@rcommal: And one more thing. I would like to repeat something I've said many times (and may have even written here once or twice over the years; I don't recall anymore). I hate second-term presidencies, all of them. Every one in my lifetime has disintegrated to a greater or lesser degree, sooner ir later. Every. Damn. One.

I think this is backwards. Sure scandals are embarassing and stupid. But while the administration is busy covering them up they're less likely to be inventing new ways to fuck up America.

Fr Martin Fox said...

Garage is parroting what must be talking points from ThinkProgress or some such group--because it's showing up here and there.

This is the line:

The problem isn't that the IRS did too much, but that it didn't do enough.

The real scandal is all these pesky citizens groups who are surely up to no good--if only the government had enough power to get in and find out!

The Left is just certain that there has to be all manner of rascality going on. Just give 'em the power. Just more power.

More. More.

They will fix it!

test said...

Fr Martin Fox said...
That's "blaming the victim."


Maybe you didn't see, but garage is claiming there are no victims because the groups in question suffered no harm.

Fr Martin Fox said...

The Left is begging the question (I think I actually used the term correctly) on a so-called "crisis" in citizen groups engaged in illegal behavior, right under the nose of the IRS.

Where is the evidence of all this scurrilous behavior?

If any group is breaking the law, let's see the charges brought forward.

This notion that, well, let's just do some poking around, surely we'll find some...

Is ludicrous and ominous. Thankfully I don't think that idea will gain much purchase.

dreams said...

"And fuck John Stewart. He is one of the main reasons Obama got elected and then re-elected.
he can go to hell."

I have an extremely low opinion of John Stewart and I think he is more goofy than funny but somehow it became cool to be a John Stewart fan, liberals.

edutcher said...

Jay said...

NO there should not be a special prosecutor.

There should be articles of impeachment drafted.


You're still going to need evidence for those articles.

One way's no worse than another.

Robert Cook said...

Special prosecutors are a joke and threat. The last thing we need is a prisecutor with too much time on their hands and unlimited resources. Ask Scooter.

Hey, Scooter perjured himself to protect big DICK Cheney...he had a conviction coming to him.


No, Holbrooke and Powell screwed him, but, if we're going to apply those standards, you could spend a couple of decades in Hotlanta.

dreams said...

This is what I hope happens.

http://www.hughhewitt.com/time-to-lawyer-up-and-turns-states-evidence/


How do you think we got the Benghazi whistleblowers?

But, yeah for Sibelius, Holder, the IRS, etc.

KCFleming said...

"Stout's "Thirteen Rules for Dealing With Sociopaths in Everyday Life""

It's in her book, the Sociopath Next Door, from Althouse's link.

Sam L. said...

Maybe even the low-info voters will have the light-bulb-over-head moment now.

dreams said...

"Maybe you didn't see, but garage is claiming there are no victims because the groups in question suffered no harm."

They were harmed by not having their applications approve in time to participate and influence the election which was the reason the crooked Obama administration targeted them to begin with.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

There is no comparison between the admitted actions of the arm of the federal government, that reaches into every activity of every American, from the day they are born to well past the time they reach room temperature and whatever it is that Walker may have done while a commissioner (or whatever it is that he was before he was governor) in Wisconsin.

If anything Your inferences imply the need for one for Obama... if the perceived Walker maleficence needed one, Obama definitely needs one.

dreams said...

"It's in her book, the Sociopath Next Door, from Althouse's link."

A lot of sociopaths become politicians, I think BJ Clinton is a sociopath.

test said...

dreams said...
"Maybe you didn't see, but garage is claiming there are no victims because the groups in question suffered no harm."

They were harmed by not having their applications approve in time to participate and influence the election which was the reason the crooked Obama administration targeted them to begin with.


It was garage's idea and therefore implicitly includes the tenet that it has no relationship to reality.

Fr Martin Fox said...

Dreams:

Well, Garage thinks it's a good idea for the gov't to investigate every 501(c)4 group in the entire country. No need for evidence.

After all, if you have nothing to hide...

Fr Martin Fox said...

I think Garage has hit on a spiffy new crime-control technique:

Let's just search every home on a regular basis. Just to see if people are behaving.

Fr Martin Fox said...

Heck, think of the tax revenue that could be gained...

Just have the IRS audit everyone on a regular basis. Just to see...

garage mahal said...

Garage is parroting what must be talking points from ThinkProgress

Zzzzzzzz. Most Democrats and liberals I'm reading can't wait to say how sorry they are that the poor trampled on souls filing for tax exempt status were [GASP] being looked at by the IRS. You don't even need approval from the IRS to operate a 501c4. It's a scam and a giant joke.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Comparing what Obama may or may not have done to other administrations only strengthen the case for outside intervention, if only to find out the facts.

Because, if the worst that can be pinned on Obama, is that he was only doing what other presidents were also doing then I suggest this might be a very good time to put a stop to it?

And as Althouse has said, I just don't trust him to do that.

rcommal said...

Skookum John:

I didn't do the actual, much less entire, rant and nor do I intend to again, but I will say that it included being able to serve more than one term, just not consecutively.

RonF said...

Guys, this thing with the IRS? This is how it's done in Chicago.

You're a small business owner in Chicago. You post a campaign sign in the window to support a non-Machine approved candidate. The ward boss comes by. "Hey, I saw the sign. Here's one for [our guy]. Do you think you could put this up instead?"

Nah, [the other guy] is my brother-in-law.

"Oh, O.K. I understand. See ya!"

The next day you don't see him. The next day you see the building inspector, the health inspector, the fire inspector, the plumbing inspector, etc. And they see a lot of stuff, and you may well be closed until you fix it all, with union labor. Using the IRS for this kind of thing is organic. The difference is one of scale but not one of type.

Fr Martin Fox said...

Garage said:

You don't even need approval from the IRS to operate a 501c4. It's a scam and a giant joke.

Are you letting your pet chimpanzee use your sign-in? Did he type that?

You have to get IRS approval for a tax-exempt status.

Do you even know what this whole story is about? Apparently not.

rcommal said...

Marshal: Eh, I'm gonna disagree, and not least (though not only) due to the empowerment of entrenched bureaucracies, both in terms if their day-to-day work and policy and their political influence and clout.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Of course he doesn't.

And he doesn't mention that OFA, Media Matters, and all the related Soros spawned lefty groups that operate under the exact same tax exemption.

Because hes just a cheerleader for team Obama, and an unpaid and stupid one at that.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

If liberals and democrats are not going to call for an independent investigation... I'm not interested in what they have to say.
Because if they cannot be persuaded to put down the partisanship and gamesmanship, just long enough to jointly with the other side call for an independent investigation, then they are, in my opinion, only interested in elections, even when those elections are at the behest of possible high crimes.

RonF said...

george mahal:

Most Democrats and liberals I'm reading can't wait to say how sorry they are that the poor trampled on souls filing for tax exempt status were [GASP] being looked at by the IRS.

George, have you read any of the source material on this, or just the reactions on Democratic Underground or MSNBC? They weren't just looked at by the IRS. Groups who were specifically associated with causes not favoed by the President of the United States were required, in unprecedented fashion, to supply a large amount of supplemental information, much of it personal, in a very successful attempt to delay and intimidate certain specific groups. Other groups, who supported liberal causes, were required to do none of this and were processed quickly and routinely.

You don't even need approval from the IRS to operate a 501(c)(4).

The designation "501(c)(4)" is from the IRS's own regulatory code. The status is conferred by the IRS itself. You can operate any group you want, but if you want 501(c)(4) status you must get it from the IRS.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...
You don't even need approval from the IRS to operate a 501c4.


How would you know?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I didn't vote for Obama, but I'm sure if you ask any Obama voter... (you may have to sit down with and explain the implications of a politicized IRS)... was this the "change" you hoped for when you voted for Obama?

I don't think the overwhelming answer would be NO.

At least I would hope that their answer is no... it did take a lot of people to pull this off and not raise any flags, in their own minds.

Fr Martin Fox said...

If Garage is silent for awhile, it may be he just woke up, saw his pet chimp was on his laptop again, and he's hopefully dealing with it.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...
You don't even need approval from the IRS to operate a 501c4.


Right, which is why groups apply for that status.

You haven't the foggiest clue what you're talking about.

You're just here screeching at this point.

garage mahal said...

Fr Martin Fox said...
"If Garage is silent for awhile, it may be he just woke up, saw his pet chimp was on his laptop again, and he's hopefully dealing with it."

Unlike candidates and super PACs, which must register quickly with the Federal Election Commission and regularly file financial disclosures, 501(c)(4) groups can operate for years while waiting for the I.R.S. to recognize their tax status. Nor are they required to disclose their donors — one reason they appear to be the preferred vehicle for large, publicly traded corporations that seek to influence elections without identifying themselves.

-------->LINK <----------

Fr Martin Fox said...

Garage:

Well, the latter post says something different from what you said earlier.

News flash:

You can operate a group advocating ideas (pause and buckle your seatbelt for this)...

Without even seeking anything from the IRS!!!!!

Wow!

Shocking I know!

It's true!

We actually let people form groups and circulate literature, and publish things, and give speeches, and send mailings, and raise money...

All without government permission!!!

garage mahal said...

Apparently you just declare yourself a 501c4 on the returns the group files.

Hitler.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I don't think the overwhelming answer would be NO.

I mean, I do think the overwhelming answer would be... no?

You know what, I'm not so sure about the overwhelming majority of Obama voters have a problem with this...

Nate Silver please pick up the courtesy phone!

Titus said...

I would be open to holding Holder's hog.

He's hot.

You know he has a nice big piece of black meat with some good length and gerth.

I wouldn't be surprised if he did some light pruning and "shaping" down there too in order to accentuate the black hog.

tits.

Fr Martin Fox said...

So, yeah, you can operate while waiting for the tax-exemption...

Because you can operate without it.

But if you don't get the tax-exemption, that has other consequences.

I bet you can guess what federal law says that you can operate an advocacy organization without even telling the IRS...can you guess?

yashu said...

Via Drudge, an ABC-- yes, ABC-- news article:

IRS Official in Charge During Tea Party Targeting Now Runs Health Care Office.

Michelle Dulak Thomson said...

Ann, you don't believe it because it's literally unbelievable. Unless by "making sure that we get the thing fixed," the President meant "making sure it doesn't bite us in the butt."

FedkaTheConvict said...

Drudge is continuing to make Obama's life miserable...more reminiscent of Clinton's second term.

yashu said...

IRS official in charge during Tea Party targeting now runs Health Care Office.

Of a piece with Susan Rice on deck to become National Security Advisor.

Utterly shameless.

FedkaTheConvict said...

Drudge Report 'Hurts What We're Trying To Do

White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said Wednesday that the prominent Drudge Report website "hurts" the White House's message because of its dominating effect on the news cycle.

Pfeiffer said that he was "ambivalent" to what Matt Drudge links to on his website, but he lamented that the site led to a "Pavlovian response" from reporters.

"Anyone saying anything can get caught up in the spin cycle in a way that is very damaging," Pfeiffer said at a Politico Playbook breakfast with Mike Allen. "It hurts what we’re trying to do, but then it is very damaging to that individual person."

Pfeiffer said that he'll often be approached by reporters who say they have a question strictly because "it's on Drudge."

"What do you say to that?" Allen asked him.

"I sort of ask them to repeat themselves — say that to themselves out loud again and think about it," Pfeiffer said. "And everyone's always a little embarrassed about it and says, 'My boss — my assignment editor's on me about this.'"

Michelle Dulak Thomson said...

garage mahal,

Unlike candidates and super PACs, which must register quickly with the Federal Election Commission and regularly file financial disclosures, 501(c)(4) groups can operate for years while waiting for the I.R.S. to recognize their tax status. Nor are they required to disclose their donors — one reason they appear to be the preferred vehicle for large, publicly traded corporations that seek to influence elections without identifying themselves.

But:

(1) in some of these 501(c)(4) cases the IRS did ask for lists of donors;

(2) "Tea Party" and "Patriot" groups aren't anyone's idea of "large, publicly traded corporations," so if that's the sort of fraud we're worried about, the IRS chose just about the worst possible means of tackling it.

I know -- malice, stupidity, Occam's Razor. But, honestly, it's difficult not to see some malice in this one.

Chef Mojo said...

"I sort of ask them to repeat themselves — say that to themselves out loud again and think about it," Pfeiffer said. "And everyone's always a little embarrassed about it and says, 'My boss — my assignment editor's on me about this.'"

Oh, HORRORS!!!

Drudge is making reporters commit... journalism!

FedkaTheConvict said...

Apparently you just declare yourself a 501c4 on the returns the group files.

Why not? Obama's half-brother did exactly that. And the IRS even granted his foundation tax-exempt status retroactively.

Lydia said...

Fascinating stuff from August 2012 over at TPM:

A battle between leaders of the two parties over campaign finance rules intensified this week as Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) accused Republicans of flat-out threatening the Internal Revenue Service after they warned the agency not to tighten oversight of anonymous money groups misusing the tax code.
...
Democrats want a strict cap on how much money [groups approved under special 501(c)(4) tax status] may spend for politics; Republicans prefer the ambiguity of the status quo. Beneath the issue is a sea of anonymous spending in which pro-GOP groups are drowning Democrats.
...
In March, Schumer and six Democratic colleagues sent IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman a letter asking for a “bright line test” for approval of tax-exempt status that imposes “a strict, percentage-based cap on the amount of a nonprofit group’s spending that can go towards political activities.”

“We urge the IRS to take these steps immediately to prevent abuse of the tax code by political groups focused on federal election activities,” the Democratic senators wrote. They continued that “if the IRS is unable to issue administrative guidance in this area then we plan to introduce legislation to accomplish these important changes.”

In response, 12 Republican senators — including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) — sent the IRS a letter warning them not to do just that, arguing that stricter enforcement could get mired in a political agenda.

“It is critical that the public have confidence that federal tax compliance efforts are pursued in a fair, even-handed, and transparent manner — without regard to politics of any kind,” the Republican senators wrote.


Think Schumer will push for a special prosecutor?

edutcher said...

dreams said...

It's in her book, the Sociopath Next Door, from Althouse's link.

A lot of sociopaths become politicians, I think BJ Clinton is a sociopath.


Textbook, certifiable.

yashu said...

Via Drudge, an ABC-- yes, ABC-- news article:

IRS Official in Charge During Tea Party Targeting Now Runs Health Care Office.


Does this constitute overreach, or do we have to get out the tar and feathers first?

FedkaTheConvict said...

Drudge is continuing to make Obama's life miserable...more reminiscent of Clinton's second term.

I was thinking more like Harding's first (and only).

All we need now is the dead girl or the live boy (or, in his case, the old white guy).

Brian Brown said...

Garage:

Well, the latter post says something different from what you said earlier.


You can't expect him to understand this.

He's just repeating stuff he's being fed from the Daily Kos and other parts of the fever swamp.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...
You don't even need approval from the IRS to operate a 501c4.


That goes right up there with you linking to the photo of GW Bush's home claiming it was Al Gore's and asserting that both Jimmi Hendrix & Albert Einstein were products of American public schools.

You really are so stupid you don't know any better.

Seeing Red said...

Via ZeroHedge/ABC News:

IRS Official in Charge During Tea Party Targeting Now Runs Health Care Office


Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Internal Revenue Service official in charge of the tax-exempt organizations at the time when the unit targeted tea party groups now runs the IRS office responsible for the health care legislation.

Sarah Hall Ingram served as commissioner of the office responsible for tax-exempt organizations between 2009 and 2012. But Ingram has since left that part of the IRS and is now the director of the IRS' Affordable Care Act office, the IRS confirmed to ABC News today.

Her successor, Joseph Grant, is taking the fall for misdeeds at the scandal-plagued unit between 2010 and 2012. During at least part of that time, Grant served as deputy commissioner of the tax-exempt unit.

Grant announced today that he would retire June 3, despite being appointed as commissioner of the tax-exempt office May 8, a week ago.

Brian Brown said...

Speaking of garage's dumbassedness:

garage mahal said...

To recap:

Yes the FBI under Bush surveilled lefty peace groups.

Yes they did it [in at least one case] for their anti-war views

5/13/13, 6:07 PM


Complete & utter bullshit.

Pages 60, 61, 138, and 190 of the relevant OIG report say otherwise.

For example:

Page 60, OIG Report:

we found no evidence Berry was sent to the event to monitor the first amendment activities of the Merton center or anyone else because of their anti-war activities. We found no evidence the FBI ever opened any kind of investigation in which the Merton Center was named a subject. We also found no evidence that the FBI's attendance was part of any unofficial investigation of anti-war activity in Pittsburgh or that the FBI was focusing on the Merton Center or others because of their anti-war views


And the final conclusion of the OIG report (P.190) said:


"the evidence did not indicate that the FBI targeted any of the groups for investigation on the basis of their First Amendment activities."


So as we see, garage is stupid person who takes to the Internet to say stupid things

Fr Martin Fox said...

This discussion offers a fascinating insight into the liberal/progressive mind:

The "problem," as they see it, is not actual, identifiable harms: because they cannot identify them. If they could show that this or that group was breaking the law, then those charges would be filed.

No, the "problem" lies precisely in this: a lack of control.

Why, these rascally groups might be doing anything! And we...we...we don't even know!

The idea that citizens can just up and start circulating pamphlets, letters, flyers, hold rallies, set up phone banks, buy advertising, urge people to contact politicians, all in pursuit of a cause they believe in...

It makes their head explode. It's a horrible, terrible, frightening, dangerous thing.

If only someone were in control of it all...

garage mahal said...

You really are so stupid you don't know any better.

No. You're mad I dropped some major knowledge that interrupted your little tea pity party.

I'm taking my family fishing. So, go shit a hedgehog, as they say.

Original Mike said...

@ Fr. Fox: You've hit the nail on the head. Liberals are control freaks. What I've always been offended at is the arrogance that implies ("if only I were in control...").

Fr Martin Fox said...

Garage:

That's a good idea. Have fun fishing!

Fr Martin Fox said...

Mike:

Thanks; but look closely at this.

The left (not just Garage) is taking the line that there's this massive "problem" of citizen groups who might--maybe--could be--doing nefarious things.

It's not that complicated.

If you think a 501(c)4 group is violating the law, put forward the charges.

Name the groups. Who did what, when?

No; that's not what we're seeing; just vague, ominous talk of "all these groups" who are up to no good.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...
You don't even need approval from the IRS to operate a 501c4.


Which of course is why you were here whining yesterday that "liberal groups" got denied.

Idiot.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...

No. You're mad I dropped some major knowledge


Hysterical.

Linking to a NYT article that doesn't support what you're saying (and you're too dumb to understand this) is totally "major knowledge"

Really. It is.

ndspinelli said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Original Mike said...

"The left (not just Garage) is taking the line that there's this massive "problem" of citizen groups who might--maybe--could be--doing nefarious things."

I understand.

There is another explanation; that it's purely political and the left's excuse upon getting caught is that they were "protecting" society from these citizen groups. However, I subscribe to (what I think is) your thesis; they really do think citizen groups are not to be trusted with independent actions.

Brian Brown said...

It is funny and kind of sad to watch someone like garage post a bunch of words with know ability to understand what they mean.

For example, he seems to be all excited about this idea that a group can "operate" without approval of the IRS.

What he can't understand is if the group operates outside of the rules they will face penalties that are in addition to their 501(c)(4) status being revoked or rejected.

garage's bizarre assertion that these groups can "operate" is sort of like me saying I can go out into the road waving a handgun around because, well, nobody is stopping me.

again, garage is really, really stupid.

Brian Brown said...

Well, it looks like garage's "who was harmed" idiotic talking point fell apart in only 5 hours:

RS officials refused to grant tax exempt status to two pro-life organizations because of their position on the abortion issue, according to a non-profit law firm, which said that one group was pressured not to protest a pro-choice organization that endorsed President Obama during the last election.

“In one case, the IRS withheld approval of an application for tax exempt status for Coalition for Life of Iowa. In a phone call to Coalition for Life of Iowa leaders on June 6, 2009, the IRS agent ‘Ms. Richards’ told the group to send a letter to the IRS with the entire board’s signatures stating that, under perjury of the law, they do not picket/protest or organize groups to picket or protest outside of Planned Parenthood,” the Thomas More Society announced today. “Once the IRS received this letter, their application would be approved.”


That was fun, wasn't it garagie?

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Apparently, nothing exists for him until we learn about it!

This is a good point.

Clearly we should worry about things before their existence is known. And about things whose existence is unknown.

Thank you for pointing out the inadequacies of life in an empirical world, Professor Althouse. A more metaphysical style of presidential administration would clearly be superior.

It wouldn't be the form of government, par excellence, known as "theocracy". But it would be darn close. The best that we can hope for.

Oh well. In the meantime we can hope for an imaginary presidency, to attend to imaginary things.

Like WMD in Iraq, for instance.

What's the worst that could happen?

cassandra lite said...

This is all wonderful, but it won't be satisfying until Stewart admits out loud, "I was pwned by this dude. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa."

Chef Mojo said...

LOL!

Shift change!

Garage hands off the baton to Ritmo.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

I understand carrying water for your guy, but libs, seriously. How are you defending this guy? Either the MOST incompetent, or a serious LIAR. Choose one.

Awww.... So furious there, Junior!

Perhaps he's just experiencing the same sort of dementia that one of our other great presidents, Saint Reagan, experienced. That wouldn't detract from his greatness any more than Reagan's senility regarding Iran-Contra detracted from his, right?

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

LOL!

Shift change!

Garage hands off the baton to Ritmo.


It's called "differing work schedules" to someone who jerks around all day and night: A chef.

A chef who jerks around all the time. That can't go over well with the health inspection board.

Brian Brown said...

It's called "differing work schedules"

They let you out of the glory hole at the rest stop early tonight?

Chef Mojo said...

Oh, c'mon, Ritmo. You're not even trying to bring your A game.

Please. The jerk off thing shows a terrible lack of imagination. You think chefs don't joke about that all the time?

You must be one of those who doesn't understand the axiom, "Don't fuck with the people who cook your food."

Given your personality online, I'm sure you've eaten your share of... strangeness. Chefs are gonna know a jerk-off like you walking through the door and just smile.

Bon Apeitit!

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

They let you out of the glory hole at the rest stop early tonight?

I actually wouldn't know much about that sort of thing.

Is there something you're not telling us about yourself, Jay?

Here comes the pettiness.

Cedarford said...

yashu said...
IRS official in charge during Tea Party targeting now runs Health Care Office.

=======================
That is going to energize the Tea Perty folks that sprang up on bailouts, cronyism, and Obamacare and looks to be something that will be an issue in each Congressional election if Obama keeps the bitch.
But they won't, she has to be sacrificed now.

Also Yashu said - "Of a piece with Susan Rice on deck to become National Security Advisor.

Utterly shameless."

National Security Advisor is subject to Senate confirmation. Expect intense hearings for her and if she isn't forthcoming on who orchestrated her lies, a Senate filibuster. Republicans are prepared to block her, no matter what race and gender cards the Dems try and play.

It is not just Benghazi, but questions on her temperment and quals.
Yes, the present guy, Thomas Donilon is an unqualified piece of shit , the 1st true political hack and pygmy to occupy the office. And Rice is more qualified than that.
But she has serious trust and crediblity issues, concerns on her other views, and big knowledge holes.


Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

You must be one of those who doesn't understand the axiom, "Don't fuck with the people who cook your food."

You're really so desperate as to imagine that I'd eat the sort of garbage you'd fry up?

Given your personality online, I'm sure you've eaten your share of... strangeness.

Yes, online cooking! It's the newest trend!

Chefs are gonna know a jerk-off like you walking through the door and just smile.

Asshats like you who would even joke about fucking with food deserve nothing less than capital punishment.

But in lieu of that, we do have that you're in Virginia, have contempt for your pesticide-eschewing clientele, and condone putting your body fluids in the slop you serve. (Yes, psychologically this makes your taste repulsive in more than one way).

I think a visit from the health board may be in order.

Brian Brown said...

Uh-oh:

One of FOX19's two sources went on say that these four IRS workers claim "they simply did what their bosses ordered." FOX19 reported on Tuesday that the report by the Office of Inspector General states that senior IRS officials knew agents were targeting Tea Party groups as early as 2011.

In fact, according to that report, Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division that oversees tax exempt organizations, was told on June 29, 2011 that groups with 'Tea Party', 'Patriot' or '9/12 Project' in their names were being flagged for additional, and often burdensome, scrutiny.

While the IRS is pointing at 'two rogue employees,' the number of organizations that were singled out has swelled to nearly 500, according to Rep. Congressmen Darryl Issa and Ohio's Jim Jordan.


How nice, carrying out the bosses' orders...

edutcher said...

It didn't work at Nuremburg, either.

Cody Jarrett said...

Here comes the pettiness.


You're really gonna go there?

KCFleming said...

"...I think a visit from the health board may be in order."

Hey, an IRS fascist right here at Althouse!

Chef Mojo said...

But in lieu of that, we do have that you're in Virginia, have contempt for your pesticide-eschewing clientele, and condone putting your body fluids in the slop you serve. (Yes, psychologically this makes your taste repulsive in more than one way).

I think a visit from the health board may be in order.


Oh, my. Ritmo? Is that a threat? A threat upon my livelihood? Based on what, pray tell?

Please. I've been in this business nearly 30 years, and you're going to threaten me based on... what, exactly?

I suggest you be very careful with this. I also suggest you read what I posted. For reading comprehension.

And then you might want to think about what you just posted, and whether it's actionable for me to use.

Naut Right said...

The plausible deniability defense must be removed frrom the administrative toolchest. It removes responsibility and accountability. It gives underlings a green light to act on dogwhistles from amy higher ups. The future of the Republic requires thos defense be eradicated. It would make for a very tight administrative branch of government.

Robert Cook said...

"Obama is nothing but a communist son-of-a-communist-bitch who has surrounded himself with like minded communists...."

Jeezus! Even residents of the nuthouse are reading Althouse these days!

Chef Mojo said...

In the meantime, Ritmo, bring it. And when you do, everyone will know, including Althouse. And it will be based on nothing.

Oh, please bring it, Ritmo. 30 years of spotless establishments in fine dining venues versus your slander? Yep. That'll be fun.

I love it when you get all fascist, Ritmo. It's so becoming to you.

Anonymous said...

We are in deep trouble.

"...
IRS Official in Charge During Tea Party Targeting Now Runs Health Care Office

The Internal Revenue Service official in charge of the tax-exempt organizations at the time when the unit targeted tea party groups now runs the IRS office responsible for the health care legislation.

Sarah Hall Ingram served as commissioner of the office responsible for tax-exempt organizations between 2009 and 2012. But Ingram has since left that part of the IRS and is now the director of the IRS’ Affordable Care Act office, the IRS confirmed to ABC News today.

Her successor, Joseph Grant, is taking the fall for misdeeds at the scandal-plagued unit between 2010 and 2012. During at least part of that time, Grant served as deputy commissioner of the tax-exempt unit.

Grant announced today that he would retire June 3, despite being appointed as commissioner of the tax-exempt office May 8, a week ago.
..."

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/05/irs-official-in-charge-during-tea-party-targeting-now-runs-health-care-office/

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

It's an Obama/Democrat cash cow free for all party. weeeee!

furious_a said...

It didn't work at Nuremburg, either.

Yeah, Nuremberb lacked plea bargains -- the big fish had already offed themselves.

Grant of immunity for some congressional testimony? Who KNOWS where that could lead?

Richard said...

I am leery of special prosecutors but in a case like this where the Republican establishment is almost as hostile to the tea party as the Administration is, I see no alternative. Otherwise, there is no chance that truth will out.

glenn said...

Well, Barry promised us transparency and we can see right through the whole bunch of 'em. Suck it up and quit complaining.

Richard said...

I am leery of special prosecutors but in a case like this where the Republican establishment is almost as hostile to the tea party as the Administration is, I see no alternative. Otherwise, there is no chance that truth will out.

Richard said...

I am leery of special prosecutors but in a case like this where the Republican establishment is almost as hostile to the tea party as the Administration is, I see no alternative. Otherwise, there is no chance that truth will out.

Mark said...

"Hmmm, I see you've contributed consistently to Republicans over the last 30 years. No chemo for you!"

edutcher said...

Too beautiful for words:

The AP story for which their phone records were seized?

No leak, Choom & Co weren't ready to take credit

Rusty said...


Like WMD in Iraq, for instance.

Go back and reread the house resolution allowing our intervention in Iraq.

edutcher said...

Another head rolls at the IRS, no sweat, he's only been there 8 days.

More on the Nunes accusations:

Intel Committee members concerned because DOJ was in a position to monitor who was talking to AP.

We shall see.

Kelly said...

Garage is parroting exactly what Juan Williams was arguing on the Fox News report. It's the first time I've ever seen Krauthammer yell, or at least try to.

rcommal said...

Jesus, "Garage," stop f'n' around and do the linking to support your 5:28.

Garage is parroting what must be talking points from ThinkProgress

Zzzzzzzz. Most Democrats and liberals I'm reading can't wait to say how sorry they are that the poor trampled on souls filing for tax exempt status were [GASP] being looked at by the IRS. You don't even need approval from the IRS to operate a 501c4. It's a scam and a giant joke.


If you want to provide food for thought, how 'bout first acknowledging thought and then providing actual food?

cubanbob said...

The poor guy must be stroking out or something.

Hardly. Just demonstrating the obvious situational ethics Althouse possesses.

I'm all for a special prosecutor. They should do a full probe of 501c4s from their applications to how they operate, and crack down on all the abuses. Or just them all entirely.

Stop ragging on Garage. He's actually right. Investigate them all or better still get rid of the non-profit and tax exempt.

Jason said...

I don't like special prosecutors. But this Justice Department is thoroughly corrupt from the very top. The AG has already been held in contempt by Congress.

I have zero confidence in AG Holder to conduct a thorough and fair investigation. None. Zero. Zip. Nada. Any special prosecutor is better than him. I'd rather pull a name out of the phone book than entrust the IRS investigation to the Attorney General. It's the Department of Justice that has become a joke under this Administration, not the Special Prosecutor.

Cody Jarrett said...

Stop ragging on Garage. He's actually right. Investigate them all or better still get rid of the non-profit and tax exempt.

No, he's not right. He's trying to confuse the issue--and apparently he's been successful in confusing you.

Fr Martin Fox said...

Here's a crazy idea:

There's no reason to investigate anyone unless and until there is some evidence of wrongdoing.

No, you don't agree?

So you won't mind if some government agent investigates you.

Just because.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

I love it when you get all fascist, Ritmo. It's so becoming to you.

The mental incoherence of claiming perfect health inspection records while proclaiming such things to be fascist! Oh the idiocy! Sweet, sweet idiocy!

Also, the mental incoherence of implying that you "do things" to the food of people you don't like while agitating for the virtue of your own reputation. Sweet, sweet hypocritical idiocy! Sooo sweet!

I can only conclude that the fights you have with what you yourself say must border on a different kind of self-abuse.

And tell your Bircher Pogo to go stuff it. The Joe McCarthy and Red Dawn posters really need some updating. You'd really have to reinvent a Soviet empire to give that little man something to live for. He's like an aged, lightweight fighter, throwing punches in the dark, his fists in the air, wondering where his opponents have gone, and how they suddenly developed the power of invisibility. And how unfair it all is! So unfair!

Pogo is like a small wolverine whose poor eyes have been plucked out.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Hey, an IRS fascist right here at Althouse!

Shorter Pogo: Hey! I can be a victim, too!

Jason said...

Garage logic: Rape is ok, as long as the rapist rapes everyone equally.

Cody Jarrett said...

Hey Ritzy:

Why don't you take your act to different thread? Maybe take over the cafe thread?

Anonymous said...

Can someone explain why the RICO statutes would bot be applicable here?

Anonymous said...

Can someone explain why the RICO statutes would bot be applicable here?

Fr Martin Fox said...

RICO?

How? Against whom? What are you talking about?

Anonymous said...

In NOW v. Scheidler, 510 U.S. 249, 114 S. Ct. 798, 127 L.Ed. 2d 99 (1994), (National Organization for Women v pro-life groups):

"the Court held that a RICO enterprise does not need an economic motive, and that the Pro-Life Action Network could therefore qualify as a RICO enterprise."

.

Michael said...

Arrest and charge the "renegade" dipshits who are being blamed. Perp walk them. Go formaximum jail time. They will spill their guts way faster than they will if they are called before a special prosecutor.

This is an effective technique. Often abused but efective

Fr Martin Fox said...

RICO was intended for use against the Mob.

Why don't we keep it to that?

Michael said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

"RICO?

How? Against whom? What are you talking about?"

Apply it (RICO statute) towards the manageress (Sarah Hall Ingram) in the Cincinnati office which oversees 501 (c)(x) 'tax status' from 2009 - 2012; equally apply it to the staff there as well.

She is now 'in charge' of IRS Obamacare ops.

If there is any truth behind this report:

"IRS Official in Charge During Political Persecution of Conservatives Now Running ObamaCare Office"
http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/05/16/IRS-Official-in-Charge-During-Political-Persecution-of-Conservatives-Now-Running-ObamaCare-Office

Anonymous said...

"RICO was intended for use against the Mob.

Why don't we keep it to that?"

Because:

"Although some of the RICO predicate acts are extortion and blackmail, one of the most successful applications of the RICO laws has been the ability to indict or sanction individuals for their behavior and actions committed against witnesses and victims in alleged retaliation or retribution for cooperating with federal law enforcement or intelligence agencies.

Violations of the RICO laws can be alleged in civil lawsuit cases or for criminal charges.

In these instances charges can be brought against individuals or corporations in retaliation for said individuals or corporations working with law enforcement.

Further, charges can also be brought against individuals or corporations who have sued or filed criminal charges against a defendant."

dreams said...

"In response to the IRS scandal, voices are rising in defense of the Internal Revenue Service’s need to police the behavior of non-profit 501 (c) groups. Didn’t the IRS need to ensure that groups applying for non-profit status would conduct themselves properly once they had received it? That is the question raised. The answer, actually, is no, not really. The IRS’s enforcement power has to do with misconduct following the granting of tax-exempt status. It should not presume lack of good faith on the part of those applying for the status."

John Podhoretz of Commentary Contentions.

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/

Chef Mojo said...

Oh, Ritmo!

Bring it, like the old days! You and your faux intellectual ravings! Sweet music to my ears!

Althouse's self-proclaimed resident moralist! Such a joke. Ritmo threatens not only my livelihood, but those of the people who work with and for me! Oh, great moralist! Did you not consider that possibility? Holding the sword over others in threatening me? You swing that sword like a drunken, shit-stained coward based on the common humor of the trade of cooking, and you fucking dare to lecture the rest of us? You're pathetic.

And before you leap to your inevitable conclusion: No, the people I work with don't share my politics. In fact, they're quite liberal. Many of them are gay. African-Americans. An Indian. A Hawaiian. Women. They love me and I love them, and when you threaten me professionally, you threaten them, I won't stand for that.

You went way over the fucking line, asshole.

You remain a fascist pig to the core, Ritmo. You always have been and always will be. Pogo is right. When the time came, you acted predictably, as socialistic fascists like you always do. When I offend your delicate sensibilities, you threaten to bring down the wrath of the government down upon me.

You have no argument and no excuses. You are simply Ritmo, and as such, only worthy of contempt.

Anonymous said...

Maybe this decision allowing NOW to proceed against PLAN under RICO might clear things up:

http://www2.law.columbia.edu/faculty_franke/Civil%20Rights/NOW%20S.pdf

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