I.R.S. Decides to Review N.A.A.C.P. | how crazy is Bushco?

[nostamj]

Citing July Speech, I.R.S. Decides to Review N.A.A.C.P.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 - The Internal Revenue Service has begun reviewing the tax-exempt status of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, citing concerns over a speech given by its chairman, Julian Bond, at its annual convention last July in Philadelphia.

In a letter dated Oct. 8 and released Thursday, the I.R.S. told the association it had received information that Mr. Bond conveyed "statements in opposition of George W. Bush for the office of presidency" and specifically that he had "condemned the administration policies of George W. Bush in education, the economy and the war in Iraq."

The letter reminded the association that tax-exempt organizations are legally barred from supporting or opposing any candidate for elective office.

Mr. Bond's speech on July 11 included a long section that sharply criticized the Republican Party, Mr. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for their positions on an array of issues important to black Americans.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/29/politics/29probe.html?oref=login

[missouri dem]

1. Very stupid move on the eve of the election.

What a bunch of weenies.

[zbird]

2. So when do the fundy churches start lining up for their investigations?

Mighty big can of worms is about to be opened here.

[shaolinmonkey]

3. But not Jerry Fallwell or Pat Robertson?

I'm absolutely furious. This is complete and utter bullshit, purely a political attach and I will not stand for it. Get this scum out of the White House now!

[underpants]

4. Exactly they clearly use their coverage to campaign

This is dumb dumb dumb by Bush to do right now. Stooooooooopid.

[nostamj]

6. but....

we LIKE them to be STOOOOPID, don't we?

and they thought they'd get a BIGGER share of the AA vote this time?

i think NOT.

[nostamj]

7. maybe Robertson is next

he did expose the prez as an idiot and a liar after all...

[nonconformist]

5. But it's ok for CHURCHES and RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS to do this I guess

Mmmm, set a precedent IRS. I'm down with that.

[Village Idiot]

8. It's OFFICIAL -

"statements in opposition of George W. Bush for the office of presidency" and specifically that he had "condemned the administration policies of George W. Bush in education, the economy and the war in Iraq."

Criticism of this administration will NOT be countenanced in ANY WAY.

Talk about African-American disenfranchisement...I'm lily white and even I feel disenfranchised!!!


GO KERRY, GO!!!

[nostamj]

9. worse than that...

critism of this administration WILL result in punative action by this administration!

[Jack Rabbit]

11. How's the weather in Guantanamo?

I will not be silent. Bush is disenfranchizing voters and attempting to steal a second election.

He is not President. He can never be President.

[demokatgurrl]

10. Still courting those Black voters I see. nt

[nostamj]

12. more like 'taking Black voters to COURT' n/t

[Roland99]

13. Where was the IRS back in June when Bush Campaign Coerced Churches???

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/03/politics/campaign/03CHUR.html?hp

The Bush campaign is seeking to enlist thousands of religious congregations around the country in distributing campaign information and registering voters, according to an e-mail message sent to many members of the clergy and others in Pennsylvania.

Liberal groups charged that the effort invited violations of the separation of church and state and jeopardized the tax-exempt status of churches that cooperated. Some socially conservative church leaders also said they would advise pastors against participating in such a partisan effort...

...In the message, dated early Tuesday afternoon, Luke Bernstein, coalitions coordinator for the Bush campaign in Pennsylvania, wrote: "The Bush-Cheney '04 national headquarters in Virginia has asked us to identify 1,600 `Friendly Congregations' in Pennsylvania where voters friendly to President Bush might gather on a regular basis."

In each targeted "place of worship," Mr. Bernstein continued, without mentioning a specific religion or denomination, "we'd like to identify a volunteer who can help distribute general information to other supporters." He explained: "We plan to undertake activities such as distributing general information/updates or voter registration materials in a place accessible to the congregation."