Posted on 03/07/2014 5:20:52 PM PST by John Semmens
There is little doubt that former IRS official Lois Lerner possesses key information on illegal activities conducted by the Agency. Emails from her account verify that. Yet, on two occasions, Lerner has invoked the Fifth Amendment's guarantee against self-incrimination and refused to testify before Congress.
Lerners attorney Bill Taylor argues that it is her only chance if she hopes to come out of this alive. This point was made clear to me when we talked to representatives at the Department of Justice. The Administration has many potent options for taking extreme action against my client. Convincing the DOJ that she is unshakably loyal is the only safe course she has. Should there be a smidgen of doubt about this she's a goner.
Taylor portrayed a looming contempt of Congress citation as an inconsequential threat. Even if they levy this against her it will be up to the DOJ to pursue the case. We have assurances from AG Holder that she has nothing to fear along these lines. No one with any sense can blame Ms. Lerner for preferring to risk the animosity of an impotent Congress to that of a deadly earnest President Obama.
In related news, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz's call for the IRS to be abolished was labeled totally irresponsible by Commissioner John Koskinen. Cruz's proposal for a simple flat tax would eviscerate the Agency's flexibility. All income would be treated alike. We'd have no latitude to guide the economy by granting exemptions for favored activities or groups. The Agency's utility as a tool of the Administration for rewarding those who are contributing to the success of its policies would be severely curtailed.
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Opinion/151661-2014-03-07-semi-news-a-satire-of-recent-news-march-9-2014.htm
It is only fiction that this is fiction, one suspects.
Another fine column, John.
.
One of your better works. Thanks!
semi-news-a-satire
I wouldn’t attach a great deal of credibility to this supposed ‘leak’. The internet abounds with these phoney sites.
I know it’s satire,with leftists it can be hard to tell
In civil courts, you cannot (should not) assume guilt if someone will not testify against themselves, and we protect them from that requirement. But congress is not a civil court - it is a political body. It is - therefore - not out of line to assume that a political person, testifying in a political environment, has something to hide if they will not testify. It is obvious that she has a great deal to fear from the truth - it is up to the political process to hold her politically accountable as far as the law will allow.
If a public servant takes the 5th, she should no longer be a public servant
Where is Elliot Ness when you need him. He knows how to deal with “UNTOUCHABLES”.
That “0flat tax” idea has to be like garlic to a vampire.
Lois Lerner, “ASOF”. She should be in jail for treason and violating the constitution. Typical Demonkrat off the hook.
Excellent as always, John!
What does he mean when he says “coming out of this alive”, and “she’s a goner?”
She’s small fry. Give her immunity and let the fun begin.
Taking the fifth is one option.
Drinking a fifth is another option.
They are not mutually exclusive.
Yessa! Racist!
Satire? Hardly. Lerner only wants Immunity so she can take the fall for the Obama Administration to demonsrate her "loyalty" (thereby saving her own life) and then be free from prosecution.
Not satire.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.