IRS casts a critical eye toward NAACP

[quaoar]

IRS casts a critical eye toward NAACP
Michael Janofsky, New York Times
October 29, 2004 CBOK1029




http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5058102.html

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Internal Revenue Service has begun reviewing the NAACP's tax-exempt status, citing concerns over a speech given by its chairman at its annual convention last July in Philadelphia.

In a letter dated Oct. 8 and released Thursday, the IRS told the NAACP it had received information that chairman Julian Bond conveyed "statements in opposition of George W. Bush for the office of presidency" and specifically "condemned the administration policies of George W. Bush in education, the economy and the war in Iraq."

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

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

[CarolynEC]

1. George Bush is mad at NAACP.. NAACP gets audited by the IRS...

Golly! What a coincidence!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. This is BULLSHIT!!!! Why don't they go after the Churches who back Bush?

:argh:

Racist Bush is using the IRS to intimidate Black people!!!

:mad:

[SoCalDem]

5. Why? Because they "own the team", and they play hardball.

They are brazen in their attacks on anyone and everyone, and they get away with it, because they coontrol the governmental agencies who have the power.

If the NAACP is being investigated for doing something illegal, then so should the evangelical churches, and the "private bible colleges" and the Republican think tanks..

This is gonna get uglier.

[Rose Siding]

17. Oh, but they *encourage* that

This will only serve to energize and motivate all of us who revile injustice. They should quit digging!

[tres_bohemienne]

36. Catholic Churches are the worst!

I grew up in rural & conservative W. PA. & especially there priests are saying their parishoners must vote for Bush & not Kerry. This is soooo political that it isn't even funny. Threatening eternal damnation is way more political than the NAACP!

I think I know why, but based on what they're doing to the NAACP, why doesn't the IRS come after the churches too?

www.stopthecrap.org

[samtob]

38. I don't agree, only because there are many churches

who also openly support Kerry. Remember when he appeared with J Jackson and Al Sharpton a couple of weeks ago? The minister introduced Kerry as the next president and followed it up with opinions regarding politics.

I think we need to leave the churches alone, not all of them support *, is it even a majority?

[VegasWolf]

3. Ok, then to be fair, why not look at the 700 club. BTW, is tammy

baker still around? miss that adorable face!!

New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional

[yardwork]

42. Tammy Bakker is no longer a Republican

She supports a lot of progressive causes, especially gay rights and HIV programs. I think that her son came out as a gay person. Tammy also has cancer, I think.

[BattyDem]

4. So ... not only have they started a religious war ...

they're starting a race war. Why don't they go after some of those damn churches who are practically blackmailing their parishioners into voting for Bush*! :grr:

[america2002]

6. Really...

Do you seriously think that Bush went to the IRS and told them to audit the NAACP. Come on that is pretty far fetched. That seems like something he would do right before the election because he wants to be caught in a racist scandel...

[RaRa]

7. Bye bye eom

[quaoar]

8. Sure. Why not?

Republicans have been after the NAACP for quite a while:

http://www.insightmag.com/main.cfm?include=detail&storyid=260519

[VegasWolf]

9. "Do you seriously think that Bush went to the IRS and told them to audit

the NAACP" hell No! bush is not that smart, we think Rove
or Cheeny did it.

New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional

[Jazzgirl]

12. I feel a tombstone coming on.....

n/t

[Langis]

19. Do you really think he wouldn't?

Come on....

[joeunderdog]

26. GOP racism wins votes from the rich white folk. Here's more

brash racism brought to you by your friends at Freeperville today...


How to shut down the Disenfranchise talk on the Radio. (Vanity)

Posted on 10/29/2004 4:05:56 AM PDT by Defendingliberty

My local morning talkers were going on about early voting and potential voter intimidation. I called and said this….(Me).”I voted early but I didn’t see a fire truck at the poll. Did you see a fire truck?”…..(Host) “No”….(Me) “Well how are we going to hose down the Blacks to keep them from voting, if we don’t have fire trucks?”….(Host) “ I get your point, I didn’t see any intimidation. What’s new at the movies?”……..

[Lerkfish]

30. welcome to DU!

enjoy your visit!

:)

[NeoConsSuck]

39. Bye.. And besides, it's 2004, not 2002

[Sara Beverley]

10. We must crush the fascist state before it's too late.

Nov 2 is very important.

[progressivebydesign]

11. Okay.. but the RNC mailings I've gotten lately..

.. say THEY are a non-profit organization!??

[quaoar]

13. From the Washington Post version:

< snip >
“Specifically in a speech made by Chairman Julian Bond, Mr. Bond condemned the administration policies of George W. Bush on education, the economy and the war in Iraq,” said an IRS “information document request” sent with the letter.
The IRS asked for the cost of the convention, including a “listing of all expense,” and the “names and addresses of each board member and indicate how each voted.”
Experts on the IRS said it was unusual for the agency to send such a letter to a national organization. Jan Baran, a Republican tax and election lawyer, said the IRS has sent cautionary letters to churches but said he could not recall a similar recent investigation.

< snip >

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7433-2004Oct28.html

[loudsue]

14. Yep. Welcome to fascist amerikkka, where only bush supporting

non-profits are allowed to break the rules.

:kick::kick:

[beanball]

15. NAACP

I wonder if Colin and Condi are members of the NAACP?

[Democat]

16. The NAACP should tell the IRS to fuck themselves until they audit churches

This should be fought in the public.

You cannot use the IRS to go after only one political party and not the other.

Every church that has had anyone in the church be critical of Kerry or supportive of Bush should be investigated equally or all charges against the NAACP should be dropped.

This is an issue worth fighting until we win. Bush must not be allowed to use taxpayer money and resources to attack Black Americans.

Imagine if Clinton started auditing every right wing newspaper, political group, and church. Even that isn't comparable because this is the Republican party almost proving their often suspected racism.

"Bush attacks blacks for not bowing to him," would make a better headline.

[n2mark]

18. NAACP

The IRS then need to go after the Catholic Church also, they are telling us how to vote.

[jumptheshadow]

24. Precisely

And George Bush met with the Pope to ask him to muster the support of the Church here...

[jdj]

34. for real, this is a stupid move for the RNC right before an election.

anytime, but especially now. We need to thank them for helping get out the vote.

[msongs]

20. how about next, the Mormon Church?? eom

[Aunt Anti-bush]

21. HELLO?

What about all of the churches and religious organizations that are telling people they HAVE to vote for Bush because Kerry "supports" abortion???

[T Bone]

22. Yeah what about all the fucking TV ministers cheerleading for Bush?

700 club, Falwell, all those blowjobs for Bush. AND they use the public's airwaves on top of it all !!!

[T Bone]

23. is the Chamber of Commerce a non-profit, look at this

from another DU thread:

{this year)...
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business have launched voter education efforts that are equally ambitious and more pointedly critical of the Democratic ticket....


http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-votebiz...

[Blaq Dem]

25. NAACP close ties to Jews...

Need not worry. NAACP was originally started with the help of Jews and other progressives. That's why it's still referred to "Colored People" whether than "Black People."

Bush is still mad about the James Bird ad that was made back in 2000. That ad drew many blacks to the polls.

As a side note to all you caucasians: NAACP is out of touch with the general population. It's outdated. It's not connecting with the new generation of black people nor our growing Latino population.

[demokatgurrl]

41. Hi, Jewish donor to NAACP here-

Please tell me more about how the NAACP is out of touch- I want to be helping out an organization that is actually helpful. Is there some other group that's working better?

[wysiwyg]

27. IRS dropped audit of Paula Jones because of "appearances"

I remember when Clinton was President and Paula Jones' tax returns were automatically selected by whatever scoring method the IRS uses to flag people for audits. The IRS dropped the audit to avoid the appearance that the audit was politically motivated.

So, Paula Jones gets all of this financial help, cash, and donated services from friendly Republicans and she gets a pass from the IRS. The chair of the NAACP criticizes Bush in a speach and their tax exempt status is challenged.

[AspenRose]

28. I guess this puts LULAC and La Raza on notice

They could be next....

[maddezmom]

29. ok, just tell me this, does Pat Robertson get any exemptions??

[robbedvoter]

31. Yup. Special interest group - every freeper knows that. Unlike say

Pat Robertson, Falwell's totally apolitical ministeries....

[wishlist]

32. MSNBC just covered this- Hope it fires up voters to vote Democratic!!!!!

Good timing- if all the other media cover it the way MSNBC just did, is sure to fire up voters!

[Gothmog]

33. This is retaliation and needs to be dealt with

The catholic church has gone a great deal further in endorsing candidates and have not been challenged. Bush is reverting to true Nixon form with an enemies list.

[rocktivity]

35. Way to get the black vote, Georgie!

rocknation

[tres_bohemienne]

37. Will this affect the Black Vote?

Will this story have any effect on the vote? Could it sway undecided Black voters away from the Republicans?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, the IRS is not politically motivated. Whatever. But this is definitely a rights issue.

www.stopthecrap.org

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wellst0nev0ter]

43. Jesus, This Thread Is Just Some Good Freeperbait

Isn't it?

[Sinnerman]

44. Freedom of Speech..... on the Ballott

[Catfight]

45. As if Black people have never been bullied before! Intimidation

will fail this time, VOTE OR DIE!