Honolulu attorney calls US gov't 'fascist' on TV news!

[KamaAina]

The issue is a property seizure, not the Iraq war or the Patriot* Act or anything, but still, respected Honolulu attorney Eric Seitz called Bush*co 'fascist' on TV news the other night, and no one edited it out...

http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/3999611/detail.html

HONOLULU -- Federal officials Tuesday seized Unity House, one of Hawaii's biggest charitable organizations.

IRS agents Tuesday morning seized the Unity House offices on Ala Wai Boulevard. The government has been investigating tax evasion and fraud charges against Tony and Aaron Rutledge for several years, most involving the family beach concession.

Now the government said the Rutledges' have defrauded and misused Unity House money. The lawyer for some Unity House employees said the takeover is unnecessary.

"It does not deserve to be treated like this and have the government seize it like some fascist institution, which is the way I think this matter has been handled," attorney Eric Seitz said.

Of note is that Unity House is affiliated with organized labor; its founder, Tony Rutledge's father Art, was one of the original union organizers here. A juicy, inviting target for the Bushistas if ever there was one.

Say it out loud, brother Eric! Fascist, fascist, fascist, fascist, fascist!!!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Bush is one.

[blurp]

2. They have a duty to pay their taxes

just like anyone else.

Tax evaders of all kinds deserve what they get.

[KamaAina]

3. The charges are against Rutledge, his son, and their beach concession

The government has been investigating tax evasion and fraud charges against Tony and Aaron Rutledge for several years, most involving the family beach concession.

not against Unity House itself. Attorney Seitz believes the feds seized Unity House so as to deny Rutledge access to funds to defend himself in the beach concession case.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Dec/15/ln/ln01p.html

Attorneys for Unity House President Anthony "Tony" Rutledge Sr. and various Unity House officials said yesterday the move was an improper effort to deny Rutledge and his son Aaron their ability to defend themselves against criminal tax charges pending in federal court. Aaron Rutledge is Unity House executive vice president.