Holy Hell-political bomb just went off + it is going to do some damage. Republican Meth House Papers

[DonRedwood]

Last edited Mon Oct 29, 2012, 06:16 PM - Edit history (1)

Documents Found In Meth House Bare Inner Workings Of Dark Money Group

Found in a meth house in Colorado, they were somewhat of a mystery, holding files on 23 conservative candidates in state races in Montana. They were filled with candidate surveys and mailers that said they were paid for by campaigns, and fliers and bank records from outside spending groups. One folder was labeled "Montana $ Bomb."

The documents pointed to one outside group pulling the candidates' strings: a social welfare nonprofit called Western Tradition Partnership, or WTP.

Altogether, the records added up to possible illegal "coordination" between the nonprofit and candidates for office in 2008 and 2010, said a Montana investigator and a former Federal Election Commission chairman who reviewed the material. Outside groups are allowed to spend money on political campaigns, but not to coordinate with candidates.

"My opinion, for what it's worth, is that WTP was running a lot of these campaigns," said investigator Julie Steab of the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices, who initially received the boxes from Colorado.

(article is co-published by PBS Frontline and Huff Po)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/government-elections-politics/big-sky-big-money/mysterious-docs-found-in-meth-house-reveal-inner-workings-of-dark-money-group/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/western-tradition-partnership_n_2038210.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

This is a game changer for many races if you ask me! Finally some proof about those dark money groups screwing around with American politics. The fact they were found in a meth house makes it all the more sordid.

This will lead to some new political laws that just might help control the crazies a little bit.

The Senate race in Montana is also a toss-up. This may very well help push some of those votes to Tester. We just might get to keep that seat blue!!!

[randome]

1. There isn't enough time for this to get out there to change this election.

[DonRedwood]

5. perhaps...but it sure isn't gonna help any of those Montana races.

Last edited Mon Oct 29, 2012, 12:57 PM - Edit history (1)

There might be a close race up there that might get tweeked from this. Who knows, maybe some of MT will go blue.

BUT, this has national implications as well. This might be the impetus for national laws to block this sort of thing.

At the very least, we might see a few candidates or newly elected officials spending a lot of time in court, if not jail.

[Comrade Grumpy]

14. Hah. You said "tweaked."

[DonRedwood]

22. EEK!

I'm home sick... must be messing with my spelling...

[DonRedwood]

79. Not to mention they lied under oath...

[DonRedwood]

9. Tester is running in a toss-up race there...this very well could help him.

Everyone expected the Republican to win, then it became a toss-up, and now this bombshell about the dark money groups.

It is my understanding that the peeps of Montana are really HATING all the political ads they've been avalanched under. This dark money group is the reason they are having those ads...lol... it would be sweet if Tester won because people were pissed about Citizen's United.

[ffr]

40. You Tweeters need to tag this up

This is on your list of assignments for the day.

[DarleenMB]

43. They aren't the only ones ...

We live just across the border in Wyoming and our "local" stations on Dish are all from Billings. thank god for the DVR. But I still see how many are being run as I blip through the ads. It is AWFUL.

[DonRedwood]

51. Hello and welcome to DU!!

Very glad to have you here. DUers come from all over but it is nice to know there is some blue there in the red middle of the country!

[SunSeeker]

19. I disagree. 7 days is enough time--especially for a small market like Montana.

And if we all do our part, this news will get out. On the other hand, defeatist attitudes only help the Repukes.

[DonRedwood]

23. Are you from MT? The article says the papers are open to review by the public!!! Tell your paper

Hopefully this will be front page in MT... (just under Sandy...damn...lots of competition for the front page this week)

[SunSeeker]

24. I'm in So. Cal., but we've got Montana DUers, don't we?

[DonRedwood]

69. i cross posted to the montana forum just in case :0)

[DonRedwood]

25. There are nine days until the election! Nine days in a small market is plenty of time I would think

Newspaper, cable, local tv--small population so not super expensive.

It can totally be done!

[randome]

30. DNC has been pretty fast to react to changing events, I'll say.

So maybe that kind of quick thinking and enthusiasm can play a role here, as well.

[DonRedwood]

70. I can't imagine that Tester won't use this

How could he not?

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Here's part of who they are....the group the Montana Supereme Court tried to keep out of politics.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Western_Tradition_Partnership


"Western Tradition Partnership (WTP) -- which changed its name in 2010 to American Tradition Partnership (ATP), and spun off the 501(c)(3) Western Tradition Institute (WTI) -- is a radical anti-environmental organization linked to the law firm of Colorado's now-Secretary of State, Scott Gessler"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Tradition_Partnership

"The organization's mission, in its own words, is a dedication "to fighting environmental extremism and promoting responsible development and management of land, water, and natural resources in the Rocky Mountain West and across the United States." ATP promotes what it describes as voluntary, free-market solutions to environmental problems as the means to protect both the economy and the environment. It works to achieve its organizational goals through lobbying, public education, and grassroots mobilization.[1]"

"In Western Tradition Partnership, Inc. v. Attorney General of Montana, the Montana Supreme Court concluded that the organization's primary purpose is to allow donors to make unlimited contributions in complete secrecy, though the Office of Political Practices admitted they had no evidence to back up that claim. During the case, Western Tradition Partnership refused to provide information to the court as to its organizations, funding, activities or intent, citing its 501(c)4 status under federal tax law. The court concluded that the group represents "a threat to the political marketplace" and it has operated in complete disregard of the laws of Montana.[19] That ruling was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court."

[DonRedwood]

6. good info! thank you for sharing

[arcane1]

7. I yearn to go one whole week without exposure to the sick phrase "free-market solutions"

It won't be this week!

[DonRedwood]

10. free market stealing is more like it

[Whovian]

15. Holy hell is right!

I never saw this one coming.

[DonRedwood]

68. I know....and if they are doing it in Montana... this has national ramifications most likely

[PoliticalBiker]

108. Right and...

this one is the only one that has been discovered... or uncovered so far.
Like cockroaches, where there's one....

[DonRedwood]

116. and if these groups lose their tax free status they will have to say where their money came from

and then the light will shine on the peeps in charge. Those are the roaches I want to skitter from the light.

[TwilightGardener]

20. Scott Gessler...you don't say...

[Berlum]

115. RepubliSkank Tweaker Freaks (R) fudging America's democratic traditions

[Ezlivin]

3. You can tie the Republicans to Tuco, Gus Fring and Don Eladio

but Walter White is the one who knocks.

[bahrbearian]

8. Thats too funny!

[DonRedwood]

12. Are you from MT?

[neffernin]

35. I am trouble

In the iconic words of Mitt Romney

[Berlum]

4. Republican OCCULTISM is poison to America

[DonRedwood]

13. In the end days the Christians think they win. The Mormons think they get to take over govt.

and then they will get swept up into heaven. They don't care what happens to anyone not in their church.

[Berlum]

17. The Great Deception (R). Beware lest Ye be Kolobbered (R).

Even those who faNtasiZe they are Among Thee eeeeLECT will be sucKered.

[gort]

11. Follow the "meth"

Nt

[DonRedwood]

29. Yeah...someone didn't want to leave their box of papers in their car so they took them in while

they were hanging out in their favored meth house. That's the crazy part!!

[libdem4life]

56. even worse...forgot to take them out when they left.

[OnyxCollie]

58. Meth's a helluva drug.

Probably too busy taking apart the toaster to remember to take their stuff.

[DonRedwood]

62. this should be pretty interesting to hear play out....

we should see which person in that group had their car stolen or was robbed during that time frame. Might be easy to track them down.

[PoliticalBiker]

109. They didn't want them seen in their car....

took them in, got wired and left without them

[SunSeeker]

16. K&R

[Iggo]

18. Republican Meth House.

Why do those words roll off the tongue so easily?

Say it with me, kids: Republican Meth House.

[DonRedwood]

32. yeah.... it took me a few tries to get it the way I liked....

maybe I should add a / Republican/Meth house papers...

[Berlum]

65. Ya gotta wonder if the Meth House Repubbies are doing toe-tapping bathroom Diaper Sex with Hookers

as those are such important values for Republicans -- values that Republicans aggressively defended historically.

[DonRedwood]

71. did you make that??

[Berlum]

72. The Repubbies "inspired" it with their kinky debauchery

...but some Unknown Patriot made the truthy photoshop

[DonRedwood]

90. well, it cracked me up...

[meegbear]

21. The Meth House Papers ...

has a nice ring to it.

[DonRedwood]

48. I added a meme to it....will be easy for our Montana DUers to share :0)

[JDPriestly]

26. Meth addicts sometimes rummage through trash bins to see whether they can

find info on accounts -- money, checking, credit card, etc. That is what I have heard.

After hearing that, I began to shred records I had not previously shredded. I never throw documents bearing account numbers, etc. in the trash. Sounds paranoid, but in LA you never know who will rummage through your trash.

[DonRedwood]

39. we shred everything here too

[Jackpine Radical]

46. Ditto.

But then my work causes me to generate mounds of confidential docs, so throwing my own stuff into the shred pile is something of a no-brainer.

[meow2u3]

27. I wonder how much of this dark money is laundered, illegal drug money

Makes me wonder if Rmoney and the rethugs are in league with the drug lords.


Rmoney is so desperate to get in the White House he's willing to take money from the illegal drug trade, BTA, IOKIYAR.

It sure would make for a hard-hitting campaign ad, at least from the pro-Obama superPACs.

[DonRedwood]

73. I'm hoping for some money from international donors...that would be even bigger trouble

[Generic Brad]

94. Thanks to Citizens United, money laundering has never been easier

Sell drugs, pour the profits into campaigns and get favors in return. And no accountability because all donations are anonymous.

Nice scam.

[DonRedwood]

95. I'm wondering if this will effect C.U. in the long run.

[get the red out]

28. Meth house, LOL

I guess those morally superior Republicans are consorting with the unsavory kind, LOL, unless they ARE the unsavory kind.

[ruffburr]

31. All I can say!!!!!

WOW, It has been making me crazy for years how these repubs could be so black hearted greedy and corrupt, Now I Know they are all Meth Heads and Tweekers who get their ideas from a few nights doing dope when their really thinking they're smart and got it all figured out, While in a dope fueled state of grandeur.It explains soo much, Sad state of affairs.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

41. It's not so much greedy and corrupt, as it is doing whatever necesarrky to remake the country.

The dead give away, "Take our country back". The politics of projection. It's like Alice through the looking glass.

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

33. this will change... nothing.

[CitizenPatriot]

34. family values!

hanging with meth addicts or too dumb to shred criminal papers -- either one, not so family values

[DonRedwood]

81. maybe it was a meth "home" and not a meth "house"?

Republican family values at home...in the meth house.

[neffernin]

36. Can't help but feel none of this matters

It is once again horrible to see such corruption in the political system, but as per always no matter how much truth is thrown out there too many only listen to what they want to hear. Mitt Romney could be caught red-handed running a meth lab and somehow it would end up being labeled a conspiracy by Fox News and CNN/others would just report on Fox News's reaction.

[heaven05]

37. +1

I can't help but feel, you're right.

[DonRedwood]

59. the leaders of the group lied under oath... and there is proof.

and it means if they lose their tax status they have to say who their donors are and maybe were.

The Senate race their is neck and neck...

Who knows what will come of it but the potential is there to really mess up some republican plans.

[neffernin]

63. One can only hope

That the law of the land and truth actually prevails.

I mean, republicans say they want the presidency so will basically block everything to improve our country. Over the past 4 years, our country has actually improved; though by a small amount. There is absolutely no arguing that we are headed in the right direction, yet Mitt Romney is campaigning on change.... change to something worse?

[DonRedwood]

74. Well, I'm hopin'

[SleeplessinSoCal]

38. So this was dark money before Citizens United. It's all legal now.

[formercia]

42. Obviously, the Law didn't matter

Now, the tweekers can do it right in the open.

Laws are for little people.

[progressivebydesign]

45. but if you read the whole thing, they lied under oath when getting the Montana ban lifted.

It crumbles the entire process underneath them.

[DonRedwood]

82. and can put them all in jail...and who knows who else they gave money to...

or help to. This could get a lot of people dirty.

[DonRedwood]

47. But I think they lied under oath--they were already doing it when they said they weren't

[PoliticalBiker]

111. What's legal...

is not necessarily moral.
And we know how moral polyticks are....

[progressivebydesign]

44. It's starting up on twitter now.. please tweet it if you have an account.

This should absolutely allow us to revisit that SC decision.

[DonRedwood]

75. most excellent! what have you heard?

[Orrex]

49. I'm afraid that I'm having trouble getting my brain around this one

Is it really as fucked up as it appears? I've read it five times and I still can't get past my "guh-what?!?" reaction.

[DonRedwood]

52. The group that went to court using citizen's united lied under oath...about contact with candidates

23 candidates were having their races run by WTP while WTP was in court saying they would never do such a thing. :0)

Now we might get to find out who has been funding them! That is the sweet part.

[Orrex]

85. Jeez--that's messed up!

Thanks for clarifying it. I think it was just too weird for me to comprehend at first glance. And second, third, fourth and fifth glance!

[DonRedwood]

118. I had to read it a couple of times myself...every read had a new layer

I didn't get the oath part until another DUer pointed it out, and then I reread it.... there could be a lot of trouble from this. Someone payed them the money--and those same people are paying money to similar groups in every state most likely.

These guys want the statehouses, probably mayorships, EVERY governing body!

[Coyotl]

50. Can you say "Republican-Meth-House-Papers-Gate"?

When it rains on the Rs, truckloads of water fall, cuz it is God's will

This will NOT fly over the radar ion Montana or adjoining red states. We all knew this, but to find the evidence in a meth house at this time in the election cycle, who knew that was coming?

[eppur_se_muova]

57. Too long. Try "Republican MethGate".

Nice and succinct.

[DonRedwood]

76. ooooh.... i like that :0)

[Coyotl]

92. Works for me, make the point clearly

[upi402]

53. Dept. Of Justice -> full ignore again?

Are we determined to hand over control to these ogres, or will we investigate in daylight?

[Coyotl]

67. Yeah, like they release a presser when an investigation starts

Get a GRIP re DoJ!

[upi402]

77. Wake me up when they investigate war crimes and the looting of our treasury

:yawn:
Yeah, one of us needs to get a grip.

DOJ investigations have never made it to the public ???
Keep trying, though, and welcome to DU.

[DonRedwood]

83. how do we call for an investigation? the IRS would be a good start, I'd guess

[Coyotl]

91. No doubt there is an investigation in process

and thast process begins with the authorities that have jurisdiction, not the feds in D.C. unless it is a crime under their jurisdiction.

[blm]

54. SPREAD THIS EVERYWHERE!!!

.

[SpankMe]

55. Republicans will simply say the docs were planted. N/T

[DonRedwood]

84. yeah, but they lied in the court case.... that stands no matter where the stuff came from

[Uncle Joe]

60. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, DonRedwood.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

61. I'm not surprised. Republicans introduced rock cocaine during Reagan and Bush I....

Back then it was to fund CIA black ops but the money was also used to fund other Republican causes, including their own campaigns.

Okay,...so,...bottom line,...we need to Ricco the entire Republican Party.

[DonRedwood]

99. i support you 100% in that!

[newspeak]

110. that's what i was thinking

i mentioned the iran-contra scandal-part of it was putting coke on our streets. some people on the board couldn't believe a part of our government would do that. a journalist and x CIA exposed the scandal. with these neo-cons it truly is "the ends justify the means", no matter if the means are illegal as hell or hurts the american people. of course, putting drugs on the streets increased the prison population (money for privatized prisons); thus increasing profits and control of the people.

the thing is they basically got away with it. we the people have no idea what corrupt acts (money laundering, drugs, or even laundering for terrorism) are being done. i think the "ends" are not for the well being for this country or the people; but for a handful of greedy, self-interested arseholes.

and, this news does not surprise me, especially in today's climate. this country by not enforcing the rule of law is becoming morally bankrupt.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

112. I hate the term "rule of law". It was a chant of the Right during Clinton.

I have a better, much older one.

There was a time in this country when we saw an outrage and said, "There oughta be a law!"

Republicans RUN on the idea that the government shouldn't do ANYTHING.

As THEY commit the biggest outrages.

[newspeak]

113. so, what is it--morally, ethically bankrupt?

corrupt as hell? "the very rotten apples, spoiling the whole barrel (country)? the thing is with these repugs they neutralized the term "the rule of law." see, it doesn't mean anything, anymore. if they're caught doing shady, corrupt shite, it's all explained away as if they're true patriots doing it all for the country, just like north, who (i heard) was down watching the death squads doing their heinous shite. and, put on his uniform just for the congressional show.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

114. You just remined me that Fawn Hall should have been on TV selling shredders.

[meow2u3]

64. No wonder why the teabaggers act so bat$#!t crazy

They all must be hopped up on crank!

[Berlum]

66. Republican "Men" display absolutely degenerate values

What is wrong with them?

[Canuckistanian]

78. Aha, WTP is a "social welfare nonprofit"

I seriously DOUBT there was no profit (not directly, anyways, wink, wink) and they certainly don't advance the social welfare.

Sort of like Hitler calling his party "National Socialists".

[libdem4life]

80. All the officers and their kinfolk get 6 figure salaries for their "expertise"

in occasionally showing up. For these folk, it does advance their social welfare quite a bit...new homes, new cars. Rs mean "me, mine and our social welfare" whereas, Ds mean it for the under/middle class.

[Mopar151]

88. A classic Olde New Englande Money play

It's how you deal with your no-account relatives/peers without their fucking up the family business. Gives em' a place to go, lets you keep an eye on 'em, lets you deduct their allowance......

[libdem4life]

93. I'm willing to go up for adoption...LOL

[bloomington-lib]

86. k/r

[alfredo]

87. kick hard

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

89. probably planted by Rove, et al EO>

[BainsBane]

96. What's the connection between the meth house and the political documents?

Why were the documents in the house? Did some political staffer turn meth cooker/addict or vice versa?

[Beartracks]

97. "This will lead to some new political laws" Let's hope. n/t

[RainDog]

98. k&r n/t

[mzmolly]

100. More on who they are:

WTP changed their name to American Tradition Partnership.

Here is their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ATPAmerica

Here is their contact person: https://www.facebook.com/donnyferguson

http://americantradition.org/

Main Number: 1-888-987-USA1
Fax Number: 202-204-6051

Donny Ferguson, National Director of Media & Public Relations
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hmmm.

[DonRedwood]

105. we should put some info on their facebook page :0)

[blkmusclmachine]

101. K&R

[Up2Late]

102. This FRONTLINE story airs Tuesday night, Oct. 30, 2012, usually at 9pm EDT

Sometimes they run them at 10pm, additional times listed at this link:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/local-schedule/

[Berlum]

103. Alas, Frankenstorm will keep many eyes and minds away from this documentary

so it goes...

[Up2Late]

106. FRONTLINE post all it's new shows for streaming usually in less than a day...

...and it is really good quality too, so it could be seen by a lot more people than just the Tuesday night audience.

Here's the link to the videos, it's not there yet, but could be later tonight:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/view/

[Berlum]

107. Romney should be forced to pay all the back taxes he has defrauded America of

Freaking tax dodger (R) and a draft dodger (R). It must suck to have such krappy republican karma.

[DonRedwood]

119. thanks for the links! i didn't get to see it!

[MaeScott]

104. K and R. nt

[Up2Late]

117. I'm so PISSED OFF at Georgia Public Broadcasting...AGAIN!!! They are NOT showing this now!!!

It must be really damaging toward Republicans, because they always seem to do this when FRONTLINE has a show that is critical of Republicans! And they did it again!

Well, at least it looks like the video is posted at the FRONTLINE website, so off to watch it there.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/view/