Posted on 07/30/2022 7:23:20 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
A senior Justice Department official recently flagged by a U.S. senator in an FBI whistleblower probe into alleged politicization of prosecutions played a key role in the Lois Lerner IRS scandal a decade ago in which conservative Tea Party groups were improperly targeted for scrutiny, government emails and congressional evidence shows.
Richard Pilger, the current chief of the DOJ Elections Crime Branch of the department's Public Integrity Section, engaged in discussions in 2010 and 2013 with Lerner and other IRS officials about ways to pursue criminal prosecutions of conservative nonprofits, the records show.
The discussion led the FBI, with Pilger's direct help, to obtain and review 1.1 million pages of documents from conservative groups and even ponder charging the groups with making false statements on their IRS applications as nonprofits because they had engaged in political speech activities, according to congressional investigators.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired then by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), concluded in 2014 that Pilger's discussions were part of a larger effort by the Obama administration to criminalize political speech by conservative groups that opposed the administration's agenda.
"These documents suggest that the Department actively considered prosecuting non-profit groups for their political activities," the final report concluded. "The Department went so far as to meet with the IRS about the investigation and to gather a 1.1 million-page database of information as potential evidentiary material. Even more astounding, the Department considered prosecuting non-profit groups for actions that are legal for 501(c)(4) groups under federal tax law — that is, for engaging in political speech."
(Excerpt) Read more at justthenews.com ...
Accepting your premise, the question then becomes “how do you co-exist with people who don’t, and never will, share your principles and values?”
I don’t “sit and complain and do nothing”
I’m going to actively support Desantis for the 2024 nomination. That’s definitely doing something
And please stop making excuses for Trump. It would be one thing if he tried to clean up the FBI but wasn’t able to. But he did the opposite - he solidified the FBI’s corruption by appointing Wray to lead it.
Defund FEDERAL police.
And please stop making excuses for Trump. It would be one thing if he tried to clean up the FBI but wasn’t able to. But he did the opposite - he solidified the FBI’s corruption by appointing Wray to lead it.
My humble suggestion is to establish a litmus test for those we vote for. In exchange for my vote I want to hear a specific commitment from the candidate outlining what they will do to shrink the government. If we keep electing people who keep expanding the size, scope and power of the federal government there is no hope of ever saving the republic.
Bear in mind also that big government is the cudgel that the Left relies on to advance its agenda. We have to take that weapon away from them.
While this won’t solve all our problems it will be a step toward getting the country back to the original vision of the Founders (federalism/limited government), which sounds like something you could get on board with. It would also let the GOP know that our votes are contingent on them producing RESULTS that will help restore some of this country’s founding principles.
This is also why the Founding Fathers insisted on "money" being gold and silver, and ones like Jefferson fought bitterly against having a national bank / central bank.
Its been known for 1000s of years that a central authority that can print its own fiat money and create debt at will, will become corrupt and infested with rent-seekers.
I’m going to actively support Desantis for the 2024 nomination. That’s definitely doing something
I support Trump for what he stands for. MAGA. I recognize he is not perfect. He got an amazing amount done in an impossible situation.
I can support DeSantis for what he stands for, his time is coming.
I like Trump but one of his biggest mistakes was not cleaning house when he was elected. Failure to do that cost him and the country dearly (or bigly, if you prefer).
I do think he recognizes that error now. After all that happened to him how could he not?
POTUS Trump was a definite plus. Naive as to the ways of Washington even though he used the term the swamp. Failed to comprehend that in DC your part time allies are just as much your part time enemies.
Wiser to the ways of Washington we all gradually got to look behind the stench of the putrification pile and found it to be far beyond the imagination of all. AND THAT MEANS YOU FBI. Disgusting every one—and your inJustice conspirators.
Not exactly resume enhancements—better stick where a corrupt g-man can make it—only in goberment.
Is there one good man?
After reading your post, I must say that your FReeper name is accurately descriptive
He got an amazing amount done in an impossible situation.
I can support DeSantis for what he stands for, his time is coming.
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1) That is absolutely true. I am still amazed at what Trump was able to accomplish despite everything he was up again (the entire DC Swamp, including the GOP).
2) I can support DeSantis but Trump has the better business/economic chops. The economy is going to need a MAJOR overhaul after four years of Biden’s mess. I’m very confident in Trump’s ability to do that.
I grew up in a family that was strongly Democrat.
I loathe the Democrat Party.
No one sat me under a bright light to change my mind.
Reality forced me to look at the Democrat Party and realize it is just a gathering of criminals.
Perhaps this is because I’ve never used drugs.
I read that 30% of Americans are addicted to Marijuana.
They feel disconnected from reality.
They do not learn the lessons that reality teaches.
They are cowards.
We have to shame the marijuana cowards.
The question to be asked is ....”Why are he and Lois still alive? “
They should have been exterminated for their crimes against the Republic. They forfeited their right to life by committing the crimes.
Law you say. There is no law. Their lives are not protected by law that is nonexistent
To his great credit, Trump defined the Swamp. But it was much wider and deeper than he ever imagined.
So far we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. Trust me, the Swamp is vast and very well protected. If only more people knew how bad it really is.
As I said earlier, the corruption is now endemic and the system is rotten to the core.
he solidified the FBI’s corruption by appointing Wray to lead it.
????
I don’t think Mark Levin would be confirmed
While this won’t solve all our problems it will be a step toward getting the country back to the original vision of the Founders (federalism/limited government), which sounds like something you could get on board with.
Just emphasizing we do not want an efficient govt. Many here want things fixed overnight and do not understand the dangers of an efficient government. They think another law will fix things.
The Apollo moon mission was off course 99% of the time and only reached the target with constant small corrections.
We failed to make the constant small corrections and need to start now.
I am encouraged by the many small things happening. states taking back some of their power, the self destruction of our federal govt, supreme court, and other things.
Zec 4:10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
Whether one believes the Bible or not, there is much practical wisdom there.
after reading your post, I must say that your FReeper name is accurately descriptive
As you probably know our obscene national debt is DWARFED by our unfunded liabilities (some $170 trillion, but whose counting?). The ability to simply print money has put this country in an untenable financial position. Future generations are being left with a giant bag to hold which is immoral as hell.
Correct
Just emphasizing we do not want an efficient govt.
**********
I understand your point (checks and balances to ensure deliberation and gradualism, etc.) and the dangers of haste, for lack of a better word. We are seeing the consequences of abrupt and ill considered changes right now.
But issues of efficiency shouldn’t be conflated with matters of corruption and malfeasance. They are separate things.
Its OK to be pondering and slow as long as the system functions in a legal, fair and honest manner, which is presently is not.
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