I am pretty sure that Bush's Karl Rove is the same Karl Rove who is behind the campaign finance ponzi scheme of political groups seeking non-profit protections.
Karl doesn't really care if donors have to pay taxes. That isn't his money.
He just wants to be sure those donor lists stay secret and political parties aren't able to do that.
Donors just are not as willing to pony up when their actual businesses and reputations are on the line.
The link to the Bush-Cheney debacle runs right through Mr. Karl Rove.
This came out just after Bush won his second term:
IRS rules bar clear-cut politicking by tax-exempt groups. Last October, days before Bush won a second term, the IRS said it was investigatingabout 60 charities and other tax-exempt groups — about a third of them churches — for potentially breaking rules that bar them from participating in political activity.
The outcome of those investigations is not known. The IRS is barred from naming the organizations it investigates or announcing case results.
This was another lovely smell from the Bush administration in 2004:
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- NAACP leaders are questioning the timing of an IRS investigation into the civil-rights group's tax-exempt status saying the probe is politically motivated.
The letter specially charged NAACP Chairman Julian Bond condemned Bush administration policies on education, the economy and the war in Iraq in a speech at the organization's 2004 convention in Philadelphia. Bush declined to address the NAACP convention and spoke at the National Urban League convention in Detroit.
And - about two years later - the IRS wrote:
Nearly two years after a controversial decision to investigate the NAACP for criticizing President Bush during the 2004 presidential campaign, the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that the remarks did not violate the group's tax-exempt status.
Just a reminder of that delicate Bush-Cheney aroma:
In his sermon, Regas, who from the pulpit opposed both the Vietnam War and 1991's Gulf War, imagined Jesus participating in a political debate with then-candidates George W. Bush and John Kerry. Regas said that "good people of profound faith" could vote for either man, and did not tell parishioners whom to support.
But he criticized the war in Iraq, saying that Jesus would have told Bush, "Mr. President, your doctrine of preemptive war is a failed doctrine. Forcibly changing the regime of an enemy that posed no imminent threat has led to disaster."
On June 9, the church received a letter from the IRS stating that "a reasonable belief exists that you may not be tax-exempt as a church ... " The federal tax code prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from intervening in political campaigns and elections.
The letter went on to say that "our concerns are based on a Nov. 1, 2004, newspaper article in the Los Angeles Times and a sermon presented at the All Saints Church discussed in the article."
Two years later the LA Times reported:
The Internal Revenue Service has told a prominent Pasadena church that it has ended its lengthy investigation into a 2004 antiwar sermon, church leaders said Sunday.
That Bush-Cheney sauce has an aroma that just lingers on.
Especially for the 32,000 wounded in Iraq who don't find the past all that distant.
It will be interesting now that the GOP has the media attention it really wanted. Can keep the focus away from its own shenanigans courtesy of the IRS?
Treading
Gee Jack, I wouldn't have pinned you for a Jon Stewart fan.
To his credit - Jon does call 'em as he sees 'em.
Treading
I am amused that IRS actions in 2010 demand a "hair on fire" response but IRS actions in 2007 are just not worthy of attention.
Is this the fight you boys(1) really want?
.
(1) Not at all sexist - we are talking about the Republicans.
Treading
A photoshopped distress flag? There is some deep symbolism there.
M'thinks the Republicans doth protest too much.
Treading
There is some amusement watching folks trying to explain that the Tea Party isn't a Party.
Should have worked harder on the name, maybe.
Treading
I am pretty sure that Bush's Karl Rove is the same Karl Rove who is behind the campaign finance ponzi scheme of political groups seeking non-profit protections.
Karl doesn't really care if donors have to pay taxes. That isn't his money.
He just wants to be sure those donor lists stay secret and political parties aren't able to do that.
Donors just are not as willing to pony up when their actual businesses and reputations are on the line.
The link to the Bush-Cheney debacle runs right through Mr. Karl Rove.
Treading
BHO? Isn't it a little early in the morning to be playing the "secret Muslim" card?
Treading
This came out just after Bush won his second term:
IRS rules bar clear-cut politicking by tax-exempt groups. Last October, days before Bush won a second term, the IRS said it was investigating about 60 charities and other tax-exempt groups — about a third of them churches — for potentially breaking rules that bar them from participating in political activity.
The outcome of those investigations is not known. The IRS is barred from naming the organizations it investigates or announcing case results.
.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/7769149/ns/politics/t/political-north-carolina-pastor-resigns/
Treading
This was another lovely smell from the Bush administration in 2004:
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- NAACP leaders are questioning the timing of an IRS investigation into the civil-rights group's tax-exempt status saying the probe is politically motivated.
The letter specially charged NAACP Chairman Julian Bond condemned Bush administration policies on education, the economy and the war in Iraq in a speech at the organization's 2004 convention in Philadelphia. Bush declined to address the NAACP convention and spoke at the National Urban League convention in Detroit.
And - about two years later - the IRS wrote:
Nearly two years after a controversial decision to investigate the NAACP for criticizing President Bush during the 2004 presidential campaign, the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that the remarks did not violate the group's tax-exempt status.
.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2004/10/29/IRS-investigates-NAACPs-anti-Bush-talk/UPI-55241099082996/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/31/AR2006083100737.html
Treading
Just a reminder of that delicate Bush-Cheney aroma:
In his sermon, Regas, who from the pulpit opposed both the Vietnam War and 1991's Gulf War, imagined Jesus participating in a political debate with then-candidates George W. Bush and John Kerry. Regas said that "good people of profound faith" could vote for either man, and did not tell parishioners whom to support.
But he criticized the war in Iraq, saying that Jesus would have told Bush, "Mr. President, your doctrine of preemptive war is a failed doctrine. Forcibly changing the regime of an enemy that posed no imminent threat has led to disaster."
On June 9, the church received a letter from the IRS stating that "a reasonable belief exists that you may not be tax-exempt as a church ... " The federal tax code prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from intervening in political campaigns and elections.
The letter went on to say that "our concerns are based on a Nov. 1, 2004, newspaper article in the Los Angeles Times and a sermon presented at the All Saints Church discussed in the article."
Two years later the LA Times reported:
The Internal Revenue Service has told a prominent Pasadena church that it has ended its lengthy investigation into a 2004 antiwar sermon, church leaders said Sunday.
.
http://articles.latimes.com/2005/nov/07/local/me-allsaints7
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/sep/24/local/me-allsaints24
Treading
That Bush-Cheney sauce has an aroma that just lingers on.
Especially for the 32,000 wounded in Iraq who don't find the past all that distant.
It will be interesting now that the GOP has the media attention it really wanted. Can keep the focus away from its own shenanigans courtesy of the IRS?
Stay tuned.