Archive for AP

“Blame Congress” for IRS procedures. “But don’t look to Congress to fix anything. Its members benefit.”

blame stick figures

Today’s L.A. Times letters to the editor, because our voices matter:

Re “Anger widens as IRS details emerge,” May 14

While members of Congress want to know more about the IRS targeting of conservative 501(c)(4) groups, they should look no further than themselves for the blame.

I tried to read the tax code regarding just what a “social welfare” group is, and my head almost exploded. The IRS didn’t write these rules, Congress did. If there isn’t clarity in the IRS procedures, blame Congress. But don’t look to Congress to fix anything. Its members benefit from the spending these tax-exempt organizations do. If anything, this loophole should be closed.

Shirley Conley

Gardena

***

Yes, the IRS and Associated Press scandals smell bad. But I wonder if one reason the members of one political party spend so much time spewing out self-righteous rants about the other party’s possible screw-up of the day — rather than working on vital legislation — has something to do with being in perpetual campaign mode brought on by their refusal to compromise on meaningful campaign finance reform.

Jack Cooper

North Hollywood

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Re “Journalists’ records secretly collected,” May 14

It would be helpful for the AP if Republicans had not filibustered the proposed reporter shield law in 2008. This legislation would have specifically prohibited the kinds of abuses being visited upon the AP.

When the bill was in the House, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), now in high dudgeon over the matter, was one of only 21 representatives to vote against protecting reporters’ sources.

Kevin P. Smith

Newbury Park

VIDEO: Holder to Issa (who voted against media shield Law): Your conduct “is unacceptable. It is shameful.”

please,just shut up

So many stories to report, so little time. Here’s something that’s been eating at me for awhile now, and someone whose work I respect and admire feels the same way. Richard (RJ) Eskow:

Apparently it never occurred to Attorney General Eric Holder that the Associated Press might be “too big to fail.” If it had,then his Justice Department probably never would have investigated it. [...]

That policy has led to extraordinary prosecutorial passivity in the face of overwhelming evidence. There’s certainly no sign that the Justice Department has ever sought the phone records or emails of America’s top bankers.

Bam.

Then as I was poking around, I came across this from TPM:

Attorney General Holder at a House Judiciary Committee hearing:

“I am not going to stop talking now… It is inappropriate and too consistent with the way in which you conduct yourself as a member of Congress. It is unacceptable. It is shameful.”

He said that to the very same Darrell Issa who voted against a media shield law only a few years ago. BuzzFeed:

Republicans In Congress Killed A Media Shield Law That Would Have Protected The Associated Press

The defeated bill would have required approval from a federal court before reporters’ phone records were subpoenaed. Darrell Issa, who condemned the AP subpoena Monday voted against it. [...]

Issa didn’t mention that he voted against a measure that would have protected the AP from the DOJ’s subpoena in 2007. Issa was one of 21 House members who opposed the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007, a measure that would have forbidden federal investigators from compelling journalists to give evidence without first obtaining a court order. The bill included a section that specifically forbid subpoenaing journalists’ phone records from “communication service providers” to the same extent that the law protected the journalists themselves.

Timing is everything:

The White House asked Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., to reintroduce reporter shield legislation, White House officials told CNN on Wednesday.

Another day, more Republican hypocrisy to share. Hence my earlier post, More candidates for jail in IRS “scandal?” In 2011 GOP Congressmen demanded the IRS audit AARP.

VIDEO– Jay Carney: “Imagine the story on Fox” if President Obama checked with A.G. Holder on AP probe

fox benghazi cartoon

Jay Carney on why President Obama hadn’t called Attorney General Eric Holder regarding the AP phone records probe:

“A great deal prevents the president from doing that, it would be wholly inappropriate for the president to involve himself in a criminal investigation, that as Jessica points out, at least as reported involves leaks of information from the administration. I mean, imagine the story on Fox if that were to happen. So, that’s why.”

Fox has gone after this president so relentlessly, Carney was just stating the truth. It was good to hear a few members of the press laughing in response. Hey, I laugh out loud at ClusterFox all the time.

The Hill:

Carney confirmed that Holder recused himself from the investigation of The Associated Press, but said a call from the White House to anyone at the Justice Department would be inappropriate.

More generally, “a careful balance … must be obtained” between press rights and national security concerns, said Carney, who is a former reporter… Carney also defended Obama’s record on the freedom of the press, pointing to press shield legislation he sponsored during his time in the Senate.

Come to think of it, every time I imagine any story on Fox, I find myself reaching for a mug of wine and a few Tums.

Video- President Obama Arrives in Israel: ‘Wonderful to Be Here’

VIdeo- Scout Families Deliver 1.4 Million Signature Petition To End No-gay Policy

That’s some good grassroots action. Let’s hope it works.

AP- A group of gay Boy Scouts, leaders and their families say they have 1.4 million signatures on a petition to the organization to end its ban on gay members. The Boy Scouts may consider reversing its policy during a leadership meeting. (Feb. 4)

Video- Chuck Colson, Former Watergate Figure Dies



More about Mr Colson here.
This is funny, from John Dean’s Twitter.


**NOTE
- Link fixed.

Video- Evicted 101-year-old Detroiter Returns Home

Sometimes you just need a good story. Yes, I cried.

DETROIT — Baking cookies never seemed as sweet for 101-year-old Texana Hollis as it did on Wednesday, when she tearfully was allowed back into the home her husband bought after World War II following her eviction seven months ago.

Foreclosure initially forced Hollis from the home where she’d spent six decades of her life, then federal officials wouldn’t let her move back in because of its dilapidated condition. That’s when Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom and his charity stepped in, and convinced volunteers and businesses to do the same.

(snip)

Albom and his charities helped renovate Hollis’ house after buying it from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Albom spent $30,000 – much of it out of his own pocket – on the project, and more than 100 volunteers spent months putting in new flooring, drywall, appliances and even a portion of the roof.

“I promised Texana that all she has to do is just stay alive and give us another 101 years,” he said after pushing Hollis up a newly constructed wheelchair ramp and into the gleaming home. “She will never lose this house again.”