Heaven's Crying

Rain's pouring from the Sunday morning sky.   Probably God and  Jesus and all the angels crying about "conservative'" hypocrisy.  So many of these "folks" are in church praising the Lord  and soon will be hanging out in the parking lot slamming the poor.   This same bevy of believers also has been known to condemn our "Muslim" president with great passion. 

 

Well, I just stumbled on some enlightening text on poverty and attitudes about benefits for the American poor.  Be sure to share it with anyone who believes poor people are lazy and that social programs should be cut—especially public assistance for children.   The lazy little grifters.   SNAP recipients are, after all, living high, wide and handsome on our tax dollars.  Buying drugs, iPhones and God knows what else.  Maybe even sushi.  They're riding around in cars, too.  Some recent models no signs of rust.  They should all take drug tests and sleep in the rain—but not in parks because sometimes your nanny takes the children to those "green spaces" (Mitt Romney's term for parks)  Yep, the heavens are weeping today.

Here's your link:  http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/01/your-lack-of-insight-and-compassion-make-you-ugly/

The Court Giveth and Taketh Away

A busy week at the Supreme Court while my son and the Bliss Bringer visited with me in the South Carolina Lowcountry.   My son and I are on the same page when it comes to social justice and politics in general, so we were able to talk about it all.  However, there was no blogging time and the blogging energy went to the swimming pool and the beach.   My beloveds are on the road home now, and I miss them already.  Missing my eight-year-old roommate—even more than the sleep lost while sharing my bed with "the kidney kicker."  While they were here, we all missed Nancy who couldn't be with us because her mom is in the hospital. 

 

 

First SCOTUS news last week was that the High Court kicked the affirmative action case back to a lower court.  Then came the devastating news I had been worrying about for weeks: They had ruled 5-4 against  Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  Killed it by sending it over to the dysfunctional Congress to work out a formula for which areas would be covered.  We know this Congress can't agree on the simplest of issues.  The Court knows that, too.  Someone said that the Court conservatives wanted to kill Section 5, but didn't want their fingerprints on the murder weapon—thus, the decision to kick it over to Congress.   Devastating is exactly what it is, and we can't let this happen.    We must regain the protections now lost at a time when voting rights need to be guarded most carefully.  That was clearly shown in 2012 elections.   When the peaceful demonstrations begin, I hope to be in the middle of it all; in fact, I told my son I might be calling him to get me out of jail!  I continue to be appalled by the ruling. 

 

(Thanks to the Pragmatic Progressive Page/FB for posting this.)

 

Reading her scathing, passionate dissenting opinion from the bench (as Justice Alito rolled his eyes like a seventh grader), Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said,  “Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”  The dissent can be found in full, along with the "top 10" lines from Justice Ginsberg on the ruling at Politics 365:   http://politic365.com/2013/06/28/top-10-lines-from-ruth-bader-ginsburgs-red-hot-voting-rights-dissent/  

 

Thom Hartmann said Justice Ginsburg "slams the fascist 5" in her scathing dissent and that it will go down in history along with the dissents in  CITIZENS UNITED (Stevens) and BUSH V. GORE (Heller).   http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2013/06/justice-ginsburg-slams-fascist-5-her-dissent-voting-rights-act-case

Justice Ginsburg's scathing dissenting opinion in this case will stand along side the dissents written by now-retired Justice Stevens in CITIZENS UNITED, and HELLER, and BUSH v. GORE. - See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2013/06/justice-ginsburg-slams-fascist-5-her-dissent-voting-rights-act-case#sthash.DH1yYgY3.dpuf

Justice Ginsburg's scathing dissenting opinion in this case will stand along side the dissents written by now-retired Justice Stevens in CITIZENS UNITED, and HELLER, and BUSH v. GORE. - See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2013/06/justice-ginsburg-slams-fascist-5-her-dissent-voting-rights-act-case#sthash.DH1yYgY3.dpuf

Justice Ginsburg's scathing dissenting opinion in this case will stand along side the dissents written by now-retired Justice Stevens in CITIZENS UNITED, and HELLER, and BUSH v. GORE. - See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2013/06/justice-ginsburg-slams-fascist-5-her-dissent-voting-rights-act-case#sthash.DH1yYgY3.dpuf

   

 

Next day the Court struck down a key part of Defense of Marriage Act and dismissed the Prop. 8 case.  These decisions triggered very different emotions for me than the Voting Rights action did.  This ushered in a day for celebration rather than mourning.  Yes, indeed!

 

Rachel Maddow told of a messenger running as hard and fast as he could from the Supreme Court building to deliver the decision to a couple waiting at the airport;  one of the partners was about to be deported.   The messenger arrived just in the nick of time, and the lives of the two men changed for the better in an instant.  

So, the Court giveth and taketh away—as I spent peaceful, easy time with the family.

   (Image posted on Facebook; sorry I can't see the source in the lower right corner!)

Now, about those states prohibiting same-sex marriage . . . .

The Supremes Rule

Breaking News.  By the time you read this, you will know more details than I do now.  A 5 - 4 ruling and "conservative" justices have prevailed.   Chris Hayes just called it "A remarkable act of hubris by the Court."  

 

Federal Government oversight is still needed.  The Court seems to ignore that or deeply discount it.  They essentially revoked Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, rendering it useless (as I'm hearing it) and kicking it over to Congress to come up with a new application formula.  Think that will happen?  It's outrageous.

 

The protections of this Section of the Act are sorely needed in the 2014 elections.  These will be the first elections (2014) in decades to take place without the protections.  It was needed in 2012, badly needed.  And in North Caroling right now there are "Moral Mondays" demonstrations going on to protest legislation designed to suppress minority voting.  The conservative majority wanted to strike it down but didn't want the blame; thus, they decide to send it to a dysfunctional Congress that can agree on NOTHING and pretend the formula will magically materialize. These people need to come down from their ivory towers and take a tour of the real world. 

 

Thoughts on Racism

 Shortly after moving to the Lowcountry  I heard a neighbor use the N-word as casually as saying "Good morning."  Hearing it felt like a kick to the gut.  I was stunned, not because I'm naive, but because I haven't heard the term used in so long. Nobody in my corner of the world—friends, family or associates would use it.  And when the neighbor did, I had a quick decision to make:  What should I say?  It was certain I couldn't let it stand.   I don't know whether the neighbor recognized the  disappointment and sadness in my voice when I said:  "I didn't think I'd ever hear that word again; it really hurts to hear it."  I definitely was the "skunk at the garden party."  And I'll gladly be the skunk any time I hear hate-filled words— intentional, casual or whatever frame they come in.  Even though I'm a native South Carolinian who grew up during segregation,  I probably could count on my fingers the number of times I heard that word growing up. I was fortunate enough to be around people who didn't talk that way—because they didn't think that way.  So, the shock was compounded by the fact it had come from the mouth of my new neighbor—gracious and welcoming, a "nice person" from what I could tell. 

 

 Recent news about celebrity cook Paula Deen got to me for many reasons.  I felt the "gut punch" watching her youtube "apology."  It's beyond the pale for a person to apologize for using "inappropriate" language after being caught making racial slurs.  I'm pretty sick of the word "inappropriate" and "I'm sorry if what I said offended anyone . . . ."  Maybe Ms. Dean was sincere; no doubt she was sincere in wanting to protect the $17 million dollars that celebrity has brought her.   The "inappropriateness" is the minor issue.  It begs this question:  What's in the heart, head, and history of a person who says such things?  If you have to even think about whether it's appropriate, there's a deeper problem.   When someone uses racist slurs to describe, to denigrate, another human being, there's a  lot more going on than "inappropriateness."  There's arrogance combined with a need to bolster one's self-esteem, to endow the self with "superiority" in a life that obviously is superior to none.   Someone said that the word "inappropriate" could apply to using the salad fork for the main course at dinner. 

 

 Racism is alive and well.   Now it's usually more subtle, more nuanced than in decades past.   Seems  the election of President Obama awakened some racist tendencies that had been hybernating like bears in winter.  And the bears were hungry when they dragged themselves out of their caves in 2008.   It was simply more than some white folks (from all over the country) could handle— a black man in the White House.   A man obviously smarter than most of his detractors.  More accomplished than their own white sons and daughters.   Just too much to take.   People in general, and a broad swath of the Republican Party, have done everything possible to discount and discredit our President.  He's not an American.  He's a Muslim (and they think that would be unacceptable).  Mitch McConnell's #1 legislative goal has been to block anything the President brings forward, no matter how good it would be for the country.  Where's President Obama's birth certificate?  No, not the one we've been shown, where's the REAL birth certificate?  It would be funny (and it sometimes it was, when Donald Duck Trump got into it) if it weren't so horrifying.   Did you notice?  I just denigrated Donald Trump.  I have my biases, too.  We all do.  Mine run toward  unfairness, hate, violence and injustice.  I'm intolerant of intolerance. And of hypocrites, although I am a recovering hypocrite myself on a couple of fronts.

 

I'm thinking that Paula Deen, with her over-the-top accent and Southernisms has no doubt represented Southern womanhood, Southern people to a huge audience.   She does represent the bias of many Southerners.  But not all of us.  God knows it's hard enough living in the recent political insanity of South Carolina.  Please don't paint every Southerner in the image of Ms. Deen.   The South is home to some of the best progressives/liberals you'd ever want to know.  There are actual arugula eating,  wine-drinking, marriage-equality-advocating, public education-defending critical thinkers here in the steamy South, too.

 

As I wait to hear the Supreme Court's ruling on Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, I wonder how the justices can help but rule to continue these protections.  Sadly, the provisions in Section 5 are needed now as much as ever.  With so many states knocking themselves out to limit access to the voting booth, cutting the voting days and hours in ways that affect mostly minority voters, the crazy Voter ID laws,  and the redrawing of district lines to ensure the election of white conservatives—so many efforts to stifle the voices of voters who don't look like they look.  Voters who don't vote the way they "should."  In some  states there's lingering nostalgia about slavery;  some states periodically threaten to secede from the Union.  Again.   Yes,  every citizen's right to vote must continue to be protected by Section 5.  How could anyone doubt that?  

 

The day we all come to realize that we are all ONE—what a different place this world, this hurting State, will be.  Nobody will need to pause and think whether something they say is "inappropriate" because they won't have a need to do that.  We won't even harbor such thoughts because we won't feel any need to look down on others or to hate them.  We will understand that to hate others is to hate our very selves.  Simple as that.

 

 

 

AMEN!

(from the Liberal Agenda page/Facebook)

Friday Observations

www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2013%2F06%2Fconsumers-get-screwed-scotus-american-express-decision-small-biz&h=dAQF0p5NB&s=1

Thanks to Mother Jones for yesterday's coverage of this Supreme Court salute to corporate dominion over small business.   Dear God, please give President Obama another appointment to the "high court" before his term ends.  And could we get another Dem in the White House when he's gone?    There's a lot of heavy repair work to be done—still.   Been waiting all week to hear the Court's ruling on marriage equality, voting rights, and affirmative action.  Maybe today.  Or next week.

                                                                       

  * * *

 

I'm declaring myself strong and resilient enough to venture into the cauldron of conservatism that is South Carolina again today.    Everywhere I turned yesterday, signs of the radical right  got to me.  Actual signs.  And then there were the stark reminders of the poverty that permeates our state and nation.  And a governor who does all she can to see that the poor can't get a break.

 

Signs and reminders:  A decal on a car's rear window in praise of the "glock" and" fire power."  Same car had a SC license tag I'd never seen, declaring "I Believe" with three crosses so everybody knows what they "believe."  Of course I'm an advocate of self-expression and religious freedom.   I'm just weary of blatant efforts to separate ourselves from each other.   I'm  guilty of labeling myself in ways that separate me from others when I slip into a lower state of consciousness.    Another bumper said, "I don't believe the liberal media"(What "liberal media"?!)   I finally stopped counting cars holding onto the memory of  McCain-Palin '08.

 

The last man I allowed myself to see with a backpack—going where, I wondered, on a day about to get hotter—brought the sting of tears along with feelings of guilt, shame and helplessness.   I have friends who devote their working lives to making life better for our fellow humans who are homeless.   These friends have helped many people transition into places they can call home.  But, even with all they do,  what they do is never enough.  There's no way it can be.  My hat's off to them for staying in the ring fighting this sad reality. 

 

These observations are not the way I intended to usher in Summer Solstice. And not even a nod to the Super Moon that will shine down on us mortals tomorrow.   Like the people with the misguided bumper stickers, I needed to express myself exactly as I did.  I'll call it what it is:  I needed to vent.  Thank you for your tolerance.  We'll celebrate summer a bit later.   In a more cheerful way.  Promise.   Meanwhile I wish you all lots of "hot fun in the summertime" starting right now:  One. . . two. . . three . . . GO!

Hard Facts About Gun Deaths in America

Stats from New England Journal of Medicine posted on FB by Flock the NRA.

 

The number of deaths from gun violence is staggering.  And yet it's so prevalent that news media and news consumers aren't "plugged in."  Ho Hum.  The news ain't sexy.  It doesn't sell products.  The NRA is "too powerful."  We've visited and revisited the gun issue here, and we're far from done with it.  

 

"Using the most recent CDC estimates for yearly deaths by guns in the United States, it is likely that as of today, 6/20/2013, roughly 15,687 people have died from guns in the United States since the Newtown shootings."  (Slate.com)  Suicides apparently make up about 60% of gun deaths and they aren't usually included in the estimates!  See the details at Slate.

 

Reminder:  Slate partners with @GunDeaths for an interactive, crowd-sourced tally of the toll firearms have taken since Dec. 14.  Find it here:  http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/crime/2012/12/gun_death_tally_every_american_gun_death_since_newtown_sandy_hook_shooting.html

 

Let's keep sharing the numbers and other gun-violence related info; let's continue to speak up in conversations about guns.  On the gun issue we especially need to Speak our truth even if our voices shake. 

 

Stay passionate and carry on!

Sometimes There's Good News

And here it is.  My favorite story of the week:  A five-year-old with a blossoming social conscience.  A girl named Jayden learned about the hate being spewed Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, and what did she do?  She set up a lemonade stand across the street from the Westboro compound to raise money for peace!


Wish I could have clicked my heels together and landed in Kansas just long enough to buy a cup or two of Miss Jayden's lemonade.  Wouldn't it be great if this real-life girl and her act of love and peace were to be remembered through time— like the other famous girl from Kansas with the dog named Toto?

Read about it at HuffPost.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/15/westboro-baptist-church-lemonade_n_3444490.html

Blame it on Papa

On this Father's Day I'm here to tell you it's all my father's fault:  He gave me my passion for politics.  Especially progressive-liberal politics.  He was a proud Democrat—in South Carolina, yet—when switching to the GOP seemed the cool and shrewd thing to do.  

 

My father ran for the South Carolina House of Representatives in the early 1950's where he served one term before running successfully for the Senate.   He was defeated once, he'd say, "for health reasons.  The voters got sick of me." But he was urged to run the next time and won.  In fact he was second in seniority when he retired.  If not for the one defeat, it's likely he'd have led the Senate for a number of years.

 

Thanks to Papa,  I was an activist at age six, meeting mill shifts with him, handing out cards and talking with voters at the polls on election days.  We'd go door to door, leaving his unsophisticated fliers in screen doors when people weren't home.  Some of those summer days were hotter than dogs' breath, too.   And there was no a/c when we got home at the end of those long days.

 

My father once said he was a Democrat "because I care about people."  And he did. He cared about all people—whatever their race, gender or economic circumstances.  He was a self-proclaimed "country lawyer" with his one-man practice.  He also was said to be one of the best attorneys to walk into any courtroom in the State.  I'm grateful for my political passion and only wish I'd inherited his gift for public speaking.  Just haven't broken through that particular fear.    But I got some of his optimism and all of his sense of humor.

 

Papa's sense of humor and disarming attitude endeared him to Democrats and a good number of Republicans as well.  One Republican governor said that my dad was the only Democrat he'd trust enough to take hunting.  (A funny thing, since Papa was no hunter, had no affinity for firearms at all.  The few times he gave in to insistent friends and went hunting, he'd shoot the gun in the air, hoping not to kill anything.)

 

I'm grateful for my love-hate relationship with politics.  Some days I vow to stay the hell out of an issue or campaign—and before I know what hit me,  I'm signing a petition, writing my congressional delegation,  making calls, writing a check I have no business writing, or giving unsolicited advice.  Can't seem to help it.  Maybe I should look into starting a 12-step program. 

 

  I've been told that when people mature (grow older) they become more conservative.  I've been assured that would happen to me in time.  Ha!  No chance.   In fact, I find myself more of a Liberal now than ever and proud to be in that demographic.  You see,  I care about people, too.  And there are too many politicians and public servants today who don't seem to care.  Those of us who do need to stay involved, don't you think?

 

Father's Day prompted this post, and I'm repeating some things I've said here in the past; also, some things I talk about in Dancing on Mars.  I posted something about Father's Day on Facebook this morning, too.  I'll share that post here, for Lucy visitors who don't visit Facebook.  And before I do, let me say "Thank you, Papa" for showing me that I'm a Democrat, down to the marrow of my bones. 

Facebook Post:

To all the fathers out there: You might have no idea how important you are, how important you will be forever, to your children. No matter how old they are. So, I just want to assure you it's true. Pay attention to the little things because the little things are probably big things. Know that, of all the roles you play in this life, none is more critical, more significant than that of "father." And of course you don't always know best. But that's okay as long as you DO your best. Feel the love today, accept the tokens of appreciation and affection. Your children will love you, whether you're in this world or gone from it. Always. And when you're gone, they will miss you. I guarantee it. I miss my Papa and think of him every day.  Happy Father's Day, y'all.

Sounding Off

(Thanks to Liberals are cool/Facebook for this.)

I say it often:  We're all "pro life" unless we have serious mental health problems.  We liberals also believe women's bodies (men's bodies, too) belong to them.  Not their doctors.  Not their government.  Not their ministers.  "Pro life" Lefties are mostly pro life when it comes to the death penalty and fighting wars of choice.  

House Republicans are immersed in their abortion obsession again.  Rep. Trent Franks said the number of pregnancies resulting from rape "are very low."  He's sponsoring a bill to ban almost all abortions after a fetus reaches the age of 20 weeks.  We know by now these men are pro-fetus, anti-woman.  They have no qualms about cutting funding that benefits BABIES and CHILDREN after they come into this world.  No problem cutting Planned Parenthood, WIC or food assistance (formerly known as food stamps-- about $30 a week, often to feed a whole family).   They have no problem seeing Head Start cut to the bone.  And of course they've been doing all they can to eradicate public education for a while now.  Don't get me started on their efforts to repeal "Obamacare."

I will stop before I blow my lid about all things Republicans this morning.   Especially those who ran on platforms of job creation and, once elected, becoming focused on restricting women's health choice.   Good Lefties from all over:  We must clean House next election!

On Hypocricsy and Feeling Conflicted

(Thanks to Democratic Underground via Rachel Maddow/Facebook for this.)

There's no guessing whether this is hypocrisy!  Blatant.

 

On the subject of the NSA program and the Snowden leak:  I had a conversation with a friend this morning.  A very bright, well-informed liberal friend.  She's been experiencing a range of emotions about this whole thing—anger,  frustration and conflicting thoughts.   Like me, she has been disappointed by some of the Obama administration's adherence to (and expansion of) Bush administration surveillance policies.  Angry about the big net being used to "keep us safe" with what seems like outrageous amounts of data mining and privacy invasion.  And yet we know there needs to be a certain amount of secrecy when it comes to warding off terrorism.  We were both glad to have awareness of the information Snowden revealed.  She wondered whether I think he should be prosecuted.  And here's what I think about that—today.

 

Edward Snowden is young, but he's an adult, and it seems he chose the route he took knowing the consequences of his actions.  He might be considered a hero, and he's also a criminal. It's hard to hold those two realities in the same thought bubble, isn't it?   From what I understand, he could have accomplished the same, or nearly the same, "mission" by simply doing it differently— as a whistleblower.   I don't see, given what he has done, how the government can do anything but apprehend and prosecute.   We can't pick and choose which citizens to let off the hook and which to prosecute for breaking the same law.  Right?  (I'm beginning to doubt damn near everything, and trying so hard not to become completely cynical.)

 

My friend was doubting her own thoughts and feelings on the NSA thing; however, being a devotee of PBS, she was watching a segment with Shields and Brooks on The News Hour and heard many of her own thoughts reflected there.   And she mentioned that it's mind-boggling to hear conservatives saying what liberals "should" be saying and the liberals often saying what you'd think would traditionally be coming from the mouths of  conservatives!  Anybody else noticing that trend?  (When I say "conservative" I mean the David Brooks conservatives, a dying breed with the likes of Ted Cruz and Rand Paul taking over the Republican Party.) 

 

By conversation's end,  my friend and I agreed that it's a complex situation.  Pretty much where we began.  But we felt better after sharing our feelings.  We agreed that we're disappointed in some of our President's actions— and in his failure to act decisively in other instances.   One thing that's not confusing or conflicting:  the abundance of hypocrisy among the GOP and their news source of choice.  The hypocrisy is crystal clear.   And you're the poster guy today,  Mr. Hannity. 

Love It

(Image from Being Liberal's Facebook page.  Thanks, BL!)

Jonathan Capehart on Santa Monica

One of my favorite journalist-thinkers, Jonathan Capehart, has some thoughts on the recent Santa Monica shootings.  It's in the Washington Post's  "Post Partisan" section.  I'm posting a link because we need the mitigation of gun violence to remain high on our priorities list.  We can't allow it to disappear from the consciousness of the country or from the "to do"lists of our elected representatives.  This horrifying "incident" has gotten little attention.  "Ho hum, only a few people killed" is not where we want to be.   It seems to me it would be a good "jumping off place" for bringing the background check bill back—for passage this time!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/06/10/santa-monica-is-no-newtown/

The Thread: Stronger Today?

(From Beware of Images via Upworthy)

The thread of anti-intellectualism seems to grow stronger by the minute.  Any people, or groups of people, who think, reason, and insist on facts—insist on looking at the totality of a situation—are considered "elitists" who scorn those who—well, watch only Fox "News." 

Let's explore this and talk about whether it's possible to shift this—shall we, dear Lefty Elitists? This is a hefty topic for early on a Monday morning.  Maybe we should wait until Tuesday to discuss.  What do you think?

Yes, Yes, Yes!

(Thanks to Global March for Peace and Unity/Facebook page)

That's a question I ask myself when I hear anyone proclaiming how much they love America.  Well, so do I.  Love America.  

 

I feel, however,  like a citizen of the world.   When I hear politicians and others saying "God bless America," I sometimes can't stop myself from saying, "God bless the world; America is already richly blessed."

Eracism

(from One Million Vaginas/Facebook page)

I'll drink to that, dance to that, sing to that, campaign for that!

 

But first I'll suggest that we all send positive thoughts and/or prayers that the Supreme Court rules favorably to keep all aspects of the Voting Rights Act in force.  We need it as much as ever, maybe more.  The voter suppression efforts continue as if there were no such thing as "rights"—as hard gotten as voting rights were for too many Americans.   

 

Close your eyes and picture the announcement on the news channels— a bulletin saying the Court has ruled in favor of continuing Federal intervention when the right to vote is in jeopardy.   Feel the relief flooding through you.  See hope for future elections.  See ERACISM. 

 

 The Court's decision is expected this coming week. 

The L Word

“Being a liberal is the best thing on earth you can be. You are welcoming to everyone when you’re a liberal. You do not have a small mind… I’m total, total, total liberal and proud of it." 

          “I’m a total Democrat.  I’m anti-Republican. And it’s only fair that you know it.  I’m liberal…  the 'L' word." ~  Lauren Bacall

 

Bravo, Ms. Bacall.  I agree—being a liberal is the best thing on earth to be.  I enjoyed this short read and learning that this sister-liberal remains, at 88, a force to be reckoned with. 

Here's the article:  http://www.glittersnipe.com/2013/06/07/lauren-bacall-a-spitfires-life-of-sharp-tongued-barbs-come-hither-looks/  

 

Facts: A Good Thing

Ever since the IRS "scandal"was reported  I've had doubts.  Wondered how much of the hype was Fox and right-wing radio talkers jumping to wish-fulfilling conclusions.  God knows they've been looking for an Obama administration scandal—ever since our President put his hand on the Bible to take the oath of office for his first term.

 

The newly-decided Citizens United case changed eligibility criteria for some organizations seeking 501 (c)(4) tax exempt status; sometimes a few words (or even one word) in a law or regulations can make a big difference.  One change had to do with how much an organization is involved  in political activities.   

 

IRS employees in the Cincinnati office were responsible for evaluating the influx of post-Citizens United applications.  I imagine someone in that office came up with what he thought would be an efficient way to begin processing the requests for exemption.  They would determine, first, whether the organizations met the newly-mandated criteria insofar as political involvement goes.  The "scandal" was based on the complaint that IRS bureaucrats applied greater scrutiny to the Tea Party and other conservatives' applications.  

 

Had I worked in that Cincinnati office,  I might have come up with a similar preliminary sorting method myself.  That is,  if I had seen the abundant, hard-to-miss news coverage of Tea Party rallies.  Remember all those signs?  Mean-spirited, hate-filled ones in many cases.  Blatantly political.  I don't remember any rallies that didn't look, to me, totally political!  So, it stands to reason that anything that carried the "Tea Party" name, would be carefully scrutinized.   Of course a person would put those questionable applications in one pile to be investigated further.   A no-brainer.

Apparently 176 organizations seeking this category of tax exemption have been approved  since the year 2010. This  IRS data is likely  "to confuse conservatives and validate liberal criticisms of Fox news and the Tea Party’s cynical persecution complex," says Omar Rivero in his piece at Occupy Democrats, http://occupydemocrats.com/scandal-falls-flat-irs-approved-twice-as-many-conservative-groups-as-liberal-groups/ .  

- 122 conservative groups
- 48 Liberal/non-conservative groups
- 6 unknown


After writing this, I watched a related video— posted under the linked piece.  Do watch it for some solid information and insights.    


We'll stay tuned.

Climate Silence

(Image from Living Blue in Florida/Facebook) 

The silence is deafening.