When the IRS targeted liberals

[G_j]

http://www.salon.com/2013/05/14/when_the_irs_targeted_liberals/singleton/

Under George W. Bush, it went after the NAACP, Greenpeace and even a liberal church
By Alex Seitz-Wald





While few are defending the Internal Revenue Service for targeting some 300 conservative groups, there are two critical pieces of context missing from the conventional wisdom on the “scandal.” First, at least from what we know so far, the groups were not targeted in a political vendetta — but rather were executing a makeshift enforcement test (an ugly one, mind you) for IRS employees tasked with separating political groups not allowed to claim tax-exempt status, from bona fide social welfare organizations. Employees are given almost zero official guidance on how to do that, so they went after Tea Party groups because those seemed like they might be political. Keep in mind, the commissioner of the IRS at the time was a Bush appointee.

The second is that while this is the first time this kind of thing has become a national scandal, it’s not the first time such activity has occurred.

“I wish there was more GOP interest when I raised the same issue during the Bush administration, where they audited a progressive church in my district in what look liked a very selective way,” California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff said on MSNBC Monday. “I found only one Republican, [North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones], that would join me in calling for an investigation during the Bush administration. I’m glad now that the GOP has found interest in this issue and it ought to be a bipartisan concern.”

The well-known church, All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena, became a bit of a cause célèbre on the left after the IRS threatened to revoke the church’s tax-exempt status over an anti-Iraq War sermon the Sunday before the 2004 election. “Jesus [would say], ‘Mr. President, your doctrine of preemptive war is a failed doctrine,’” rector George Regas said from the dais.

..more..

[graham4anything]

1. The IRS also looked into liberals in 2012. Try keeping up with the news.

The Rove smear has been shattered.

[G_j]

2. nothing new there

only now we get a criminal investigation

[malaise]

3. Rev Al is tearing them a new one on this - Julian Bond

is one with him talking about his criticism of Bush in 2004 when the IRS went after the NAACP

[graham4anything]

4. It's all about racism and always was.

[KoKo]

5. Obama needs to address this... But..Will He? I think he will hide under his

"protection" hoping it all blows over... He's never felt that the Liberal Left was important to him. Now he's in to the first part of his Second Administration...and he still doesn't get it. He thinks the Wall Street Corporate Class and MIC will Bail Him out if the Repugs attack like they did to Clinton.

Who the Hell are the Democratic Operatives and Organization/Think Tanks who are ADVISING HIM to to THIS SHIT? WHO? Is it Center for American Progress the NETROOTS other "quasi Liberal" groups?

Who the heck is ADVISING HIM! We were told he'd do Good for the Left in Admin II...What HAPPENED?

[texshelters]

6. ACORN anyone?

PTxS

[G_j]

7. I would really like to see a timeline

of IRS abuses over the years.