Senior IRS Officials Knew About Practice of Targeting Conservative Groups

[red states rule]

The administration has been caught in yet another lie




The IRS (http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2013/05/11/senior-irs-officials-knew-about-practice-of-targeting-conservative-groups-in-2011-n1593154#) “apologized (http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2013/05/10/oh-my-irs-admits-inappropriately-targeting-conservative-groups-in-2012-n1592499)” on Friday for flagging conservative political groups for additional reviews during the 2012 election cycle. IRS official Lois Lerner insisted, however, that the practice of singling out organizations with the words “tea party” or “patriot” in their applications was not politically motivated. She also said the “inappropriate” practice was initiated by “low-level” workers in Cincinnati, Ohio, unbeknownst to high-level officials. Yeah, or not (http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2013/05/11/irs-apologizes-for-targeting-tea-party-groups-n1592960):



Senior Internal Revenue Service officials knew agents were targeting tea party groups as early as 2011, according to a draft of an inspector general's report obtained by The Associated Press (http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2013/05/11/senior-irs-officials-knew-about-practice-of-targeting-conservative-groups-in-2011-n1593154#) that seemingly contradicts public statements by the IRS commissioner.


The IRS apologized Friday for what it acknowledged was "inappropriate" targeting of conservative political groups during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status. The agency blamed low-level employees, saying no high-level officials were aware.


But on June 29, 2011, Lois G. Lerner, who heads the IRS division that oversees tax-exempt organizations, learned at a meeting that groups were being targeted, according to the watchdog's report. At the meeting, she was told that groups with "Tea Party," ''Patriot" or "9/12 Project" in their names were being flagged for additional and often burdensome scrutiny, the report says.


There’s more:



On Jan, 25, 2012, the criteria for flagging suspect groups was changed to, "political action type organizations involved in limiting/expanding Government, educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, social economic reform/movement," the report says.


While this was happening, several committees in Congress were writing numerous letters IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman to express concern because tea party groups were complaining of IRS harassment.


In Shulman's responses, he did not acknowledge targeting of tea party groups. At a congressional hearing March 22, 2012, Shulman was adamant in his denials.
"There's absolutely no targeting. This is the kind of back and forth that happens to people" who apply (http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2013/05/11/senior-irs-officials-knew-about-practice-of-targeting-conservative-groups-in-2011-n1593154#) for tax-exempt status, Shulman said at the House Ways and Means subcommittee hearing.


http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2013/05/11/senior-irs-officials-knew-about-practice-of-targeting-conservative-groups-in-2011-n1593154

[red states rule]

So far the far left has not had an issue with the IRS going after the opponents of Obama and his policies

Would they be a dismissive if the group targeted were not the Tea Party but say - Planned Parenthood or Think Progress?

[red states rule]

So we know the IRS lied when they said "low level" employees were responsible for this

and here is the vital info the IRS had to know from those conservative groups

Good luck trying to fire any of these workers - they have the union to protect them and the shield of the liberal media





The Internal Revenue Service admitted Friday (http://hotair.com/archives/2013/05/10/irs-oh-by-the-way-we-improperly-targeted-conservative-and-tea-party-groups-last-year/) to improperly targeting conservative groups for aggressive applications processes for tax exempt status in 2012, using the terms “Tea Party” and “patriot” as flags. Here are some of the things they wanted to know about those groups.


1. We’re gonna need all your direct and indirect communication. “‘Direct and indirect communications’ is profoundly chilling of First Amendment rights, ” said David French, senior counsel for American Center for Law & Justice, which has been representing 27 conservative organizations met with IRS inquisitions. “It’s so vague as to be impossible to comply with.”
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS1-e1368227519802.png
2. What do we need to know about your members? Nothing much. Just ALL THE THINGS!
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS2-e1368227720157.png
3. Your present and past employees and their relationships, please.
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS3-e1368227778781.png
4. No, family members of past and present board members and employees are not exempt, nor are their activities with other groups. Why do you ask?
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS4-e1368227821959.png
5. If someone in this country’s free press has ever interacted with you in any way shape or form about your free speech activities, we’re going to need documentation of that.
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS5-e1368227932656.png
6. By the way, all the insane, intrusive information we’re asking for is understood to be public once you’ve given it to us, so please include only the most flattering possible photos of your children and pets.
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS6-e1368228161188.png
7. There are very specific requirements for completing and submitting this insane, intrusive information we’re asking for. Does it feel like you’re running hurdles yet, Lolo?
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS7-e1368228244624.png
8. Don’t forget to read the continued very specific requirements for completing and submitting this insane, intrusive information.
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS8-e1368228380780.png
9. If you do not comply with these very specific requirements for completing and submitting this insane, intrusive application, you will go directly back to Start, you will not pass Go, and let’s face it, we will probably collect $200.
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS9-e1368228540734.png
10. Please predict the future reliably. Thank you for your time.
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS10-e1368228578753.png
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS11-e1368228600196.png
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IRS12-e1368228620245.png
All of the examples above are taken from actual IRS correspondence received by ACLJ’s 27 clients. (http://c0391070.cdn2.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/pdf/irs-questions-aclj-tea-party-clients.pdf) There were many versions of the in-depth questionnaire sent to different organizations, suggesting there was more than one agent or one office involved. Though IRS officials blamed “low-level” employees in the Cincinnati office, which is the central IRS office in charge of tax exemptions, French said the abuse was far more widespread. ACLJ’s clients dealt with inquiries from IRS offices from “coast to coast.” Of ACLJ’s 27 clients, 15 finally had their status approved after 6-7 months with legal help. There are 12 groups whose status remains in limbo.



http://hotair.com/archives/2013/05/10/10-crazy-things-the-irs-asked-tea-party-groups/

[taft2012]

The ground is crumbling beneath this Administration quickly; Benghazi, Boston, and now an IRS scandal.

Let's revisit the 1992 presidential campaign. The Bush re-election campaign was accused of using the State Department to release embarrassing information about candidate Clinton's travels to the USSR. The accompanying shitstorm in the media carried right up to election day and contributed to Bush's loss.

Like Benghazi, they're not going to report on this until absolutely compelled to. For comparison, here's a link from 1992:

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-10-25/news/1992299211_1_bill-clinton-george-bush-candidates-for-president


The State Department claims three different media organizations last month filed requests for information on Mr. Clinton's activity overseas under the Freedom of Information Act. Those requests apparently encouraged unknown State Department officials to expedite their file search so that any findings could be released before the Nov. 3 election. Officials now admit their actions were improper.

The allegation that the Bush administration may have tried to use the FOIA requests for political purposes is rapidly growing into a major scandal. Investigations have been launched. Official statements are being scrutinized.

Moving on to the 2000 election, candidate Gore was campaign fundraising out of his Vice Presidential office. The mainstream news media again ignore it.

[red states rule]

http://demwits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/crappy-president.jpg

[red states rule]

Seems like this has happened before




Article 2, section 1 of the Watergate articles of impeachment:


“He has, acting personally and through his subordinates and agents, endeavored to obtain from the Internal Revenue Service, in violation of the constitutional rights of citizens, confidential information contained in income tax returns for purposed not authorized by law, and to cause, in violation of the constitutional rights of citizens, income tax audits or other income tax investigations to be initiated or conducted in a discriminatory manner.”

[red states rule]

Not surprisingly liberals do not give a damn about the government going after its citizens over their political views

<iframe width="500" height="281" title="MRC TV video player" align="middle" src="http://www.mrctv.org/embed/121202" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

[Voted4Reagan]

Seems like this has happened before


Uh oh...... This certainly does bear a striking similarity...

[red states rule]

Uh oh...... This certainly does bear a striking similarity...

Damn right it does

Obama is arrogant enough to think he could get away with it. He has shown publicly his contempt for anyone who publicly speaks out against his policies

[aboutime]

This....is arrogance at it's worst, and best....5016. Close your eyes and Imagine.."Reverend Wright".

[gabosaurus]

What is the big deal about the IRS targeting conservative groups? The IRS has always done the bidding of sitting presidents.
It's humorous to listen to conservative Republicans bitch about their "rights being violated." Sorry people, but you lost the election. You have no rights. :cool:

[DragonStryk72]

What is the big deal about the IRS targeting conservative groups? The IRS has always done the bidding of sitting presidents.
It's humorous to listen to conservative Republicans bitch about their "rights being violated." Sorry people, but you lost the election. You have no rights. :cool:

so its the "he started it!" defense? Doesn't work with kids, it doesn't work with adults either.

[BillyBob]

What is the big deal about the IRS targeting conservative groups? The IRS has always done the bidding of sitting presidents.
It's humorous to listen to conservative Republicans bitch about their "rights being violated." Sorry people, but you lost the election. You have no rights. :cool:

Why are all libs fascists?

[red states rule]

What is the big deal about the IRS targeting conservative groups? The IRS has always done the bidding of sitting presidents.
It's humorous to listen to conservative Republicans bitch about their "rights being violated." Sorry people, but you lost the election. You have no rights. :cool:

We all know the anger you will have if during the Bush years the IRS singled out groups with the words liberal, progressive, or progress in their titles

Meanwhile a women sent in paperwork for her group and despite NEVER having an IRS audit on her personal or business tax returns - both were audited afterwards. She was visited by the Domestic Terror Unit, and had a total of 17 encounters with Federal officials

So this it the America you want under Obama Gabby? Since when do we have "no rights?

Perhaps you should listen to what this Congressmen had to say (I am sure you will ignore it) about the government bringing the full weight of its power down on private citizens to silence them


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9IX41FGHoA

[red states rule]

OK Gabby, since we have no rights - please send in your suggestions


http://media.townhall.com/Townhall/Car/b/kn051813dAPR20130517124513.jpg

[red states rule]

http://media.townhall.com/Townhall/Car/b/aria_c10945720130521120100.jpg