The tea party groups in question were applying to become tax exempt 501©4 groups, also known as social welfare organizations. McDermott noted the purpose of such groups was to advance the common good and general welfare a community. Political organizations, on the other hand, are categorized under section 527 of the federal tax code.
“Each of your groups is highly political,” the congressman said. “From opposing the President’s healthcare reform, to abortion restrictions, to gay marriage, you’re all entrenched in some of the most controversial political issues in this country – and with your applications you are asking the American public to pay for that work. Many of you host and endorse candidates. The line between permitted political activity and non-permitted political activity can be very fine, and it’s important that tax payers know which side you fall on.”
A U.S. Internal Revenue Service manager, who described himself as a conservative Republican, told congressional investigators that he and a local colleague decided to give conservative groups the extra scrutiny that has prompted weeks of political controversy.
In an official interview transcript released on Sunday by Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings, the manager said he and an underling set aside “Tea Party” and “patriot” groups that had applied for tax-exempt status because the organizations appeared to pose a new precedent that could affect future IRS filings.
[..]
The excerpts of interviews with IRS workers released by Cummings indicate that the IRS manager and an underling first decided to contact Washington, D.C. IRS officials for guidance on the cases from groups aligned with the anti-tax Tea Party movement.
They did so to consolidate them, as they might be precedent-setting for future cases, the manager said, according to the interview transcripts.
According to Glenn Greenwald, Snowden said he chose Hong Kong because “‘they have a spirited commitment to free speech and the right of political dissent,’ and because he believed that it was one of the few places in the world that both could and would resist the dictates of the US government.â€
Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Mondo - which Samsung did you get?
Quote by TriSec:
OK, I need to go home.
I totally just opened up a mini-moo, poured it in the trash, and dropped the empty into my coffee cup.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Mondo - which Samsung did you get?This one: The Galaxy S3, aka the awesome phone of awesomeness
Quote by Raine:
I'm with Jackie Schectner -- Something is sketchy about Snowden.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Mondo - which Samsung did you get?This one: The Galaxy S3, aka the awesome phone of awesomeness
the awesome phone of awesome XD - so that's a thumbs up from you on that product, right
Its Android based, right? So if I switch from Motorola Android to Samsung its not a big deal and doesn't need a huge learning curve?
Quote by Raine:
I'm with Jackie Schectner -- Something is sketchy about Snowden.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
I'm with Jackie Schectner -- Something is sketchy about Snowden.
The paranoia runs deep in that one. He's worried that the CIA will come and "get" him.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Mondo - which Samsung did you get?This one: The Galaxy S3, aka the awesome phone of awesomeness
the awesome phone of awesome XD - so that's a thumbs up from you on that product, right
Its Android based, right? So if I switch from Motorola Android to Samsung its not a big deal and doesn't need a huge learning curve?
Quote by Mondobubba:
Why doth you inquire about the APoA, Mala?
Quote by Raine:he WAS CIA.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
I'm with Jackie Schectner -- Something is sketchy about Snowden.
The paranoia runs deep in that one. He's worried that the CIA will come and "get" him.
Quote by Raine:
Except Hong Kong/China has an extradition treaty with the USA -- why didn't this dude just go straight to Iceland?
Quote by Raine:
Except Hong Kong/China has an extradition treaty with the USA -- why didn't this dude just go straight to Iceland?
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:he WAS CIA.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
I'm with Jackie Schectner -- Something is sketchy about Snowden.
The paranoia runs deep in that one. He's worried that the CIA will come and "get" him.
He was and now he's Booz, Allen and Hamilton. I was listening to the NPR mosheen this morning, when they were reporting on him it was mentioned that there 850,000 involved in intelligence these days. This includes gummit employees and contractors.
Quote by Will in Chicago:Quote by Raine:
Except Hong Kong/China has an extradition treaty with the USA -- why didn't this dude just go straight to Iceland?
In his case, I would have gone straight to Iceland. Although Hong Kong itself is trying hard to preserve its liberties, China has the ultimate say so.
I think that we are having a debate on these programs, which we should have had long ago.
"A lot of people in 2008 voted for Obama. I did not vote for him. I voted for a third party. But I believed in Obama's promises. I was going to disclose it [but waited because of his election]. He continued with the policies of his predecessor," Snowden said in an interview The Guardian posted online.
Quote by Raine:
Except Hong Kong/China has an extradition treaty with the USA -- why didn't this dude just go straight to Iceland?
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Why doth you inquire about the APoA, Mala?
I'm wanting to change my phone since I had to get a refurb when my original phone crapped out - just hating to change phones cause then I lose my grandfathered unlimited data plan so I'm dragging my feet a bit doing research
and the screen is so freaking small I have to put on reading glasses just to see it
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Why doth you inquire about the APoA, Mala?
I'm wanting to change my phone since I had to get a refurb when my original phone crapped out - just hating to change phones cause then I lose my grandfathered unlimited data plan so I'm dragging my feet a bit doing research
and the screen is so freaking small I have to put on reading glasses just to see it
Who is your carrier? I have AT&T and am grandfathered on unlimited data. I am not leaving them any time soon.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Why doth you inquire about the APoA, Mala?
I'm wanting to change my phone since I had to get a refurb when my original phone crapped out - just hating to change phones cause then I lose my grandfathered unlimited data plan so I'm dragging my feet a bit doing research
and the screen is so freaking small I have to put on reading glasses just to see it
Who is your carrier? I have AT&T and am grandfathered on unlimited data. I am not leaving them any time soon.
verizon -if your get a new phone you have to sign a new contract - at least that is my understanding
Quote by Raine:I'd have to ask Bob about that. I thought it was just a contract extension.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Why doth you inquire about the APoA, Mala?
I'm wanting to change my phone since I had to get a refurb when my original phone crapped out - just hating to change phones cause then I lose my grandfathered unlimited data plan so I'm dragging my feet a bit doing research
and the screen is so freaking small I have to put on reading glasses just to see it
Who is your carrier? I have AT&T and am grandfathered on unlimited data. I am not leaving them any time soon.
verizon -if your get a new phone you have to sign a new contract - at least that is my understanding
Quote by Raine:I posted a lot of that info last night on das blog.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:he WAS CIA.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
I'm with Jackie Schectner -- Something is sketchy about Snowden.
The paranoia runs deep in that one. He's worried that the CIA will come and "get" him.
He was and now he's Booz, Allen and Hamilton. I was listening to the NPR mosheen this morning, when they were reporting on him it was mentioned that there 850,000 involved in intelligence these days. This includes gummit employees and contractors.
Something is just not right here. He has to have high level sec clearance. You see that is the part that just bugs me to no end -- and I feel really torn on this.
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
Except Hong Kong/China has an extradition treaty with the USA -- why didn't this dude just go straight to Iceland?
https://immi.is/index.php/86-statement-regarding-involvement-of-immi-in-edward-snowden-asylum-request
Iceland might be a long shot. That country's ambassador to China told the South China Morning Post that Snowden would have to be physically inside Iceland in order to apply for such status.
"According to Icelandic law, a person can only submit such an application once he-she is in Iceland," Ambassador KristÃn Ãrnadóttir said, according to the paper. "The Ministry of the Interior in Iceland deals with issues of this nature and handles applications for asylum."
Quote by Mondobubba:
Remember, unlike computer security, the clearance goes with the person, not the role. If he had the top secret clearance at CIA he can walk right into the waiting arms of any contractor who wants to hire him.
Quote by wickedpam:
verizon -if your get a new phone you have to sign a new contract - at least that is my understanding
Quote by TriSec:Quote by wickedpam:
verizon -if your get a new phone you have to sign a new contract - at least that is my understanding
I'm with Verizon - Brother TriSec has recently told me the same thing. Especially if you have a much older, non-smart phone. I'd have to upgrade to one of the far more expensive data plans, so I have not yet.
Although I probably will soon enough - I want a new phone for my birthday this summer. Which I will have to buy myself.
Quote by clintster:
So apparently the Tony awards broadcast was cut off early in Atlanta for the news. Not to fear, though: they provided a recap. And after watching this, I'm sure you'll agree they really put their best foot in their mouth:
Katie Boots? REALLY?
Quote by Raine:That's a mouthful?Quote by clintster:
So apparently the Tony awards broadcast was cut off early in Atlanta for the news. Not to fear, though: they provided a recap. And after watching this, I'm sure you'll agree they really put their best foot in their mouth:
Katie Boots? REALLY?
Neil Patrick harris rapping was a mouthful... and he was awesome!
Quote by TriSec:
Strike one - Trespassing.
Strike two - Headphones.
Strike Three - TRAIN!
Quote by Raine:
This really kinda pissed me off, and I can't believe I am defending Mika.
Look I am not trying to attack the messenger, but this idea of shutting down a question, a fair one in my opinion, with the answer *Your parroting WH talking points* id just a bullshit way to shut down discussion.
THIS I do not like. If people like Greenwald want sunlight and transparency -- then let the f8cking discussion happen -- he, after all, broke the story.
This was actually a great segment on Morning Joe.