It's About Damned Time...

[Guest MikeSC]

NAACP leader's speech probed for tax-exempt offense

 

 

 

 

BY TONY PUGH

KNIGHT RIDDER TRIBUNE

 

October 29, 2004

 

WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service is investigating whether a speech by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond last summer that criticized the Bush administration violated a federal law that prohibits tax-exempt charitable organizations from engaging in most forms of political activity.

 

Bond said he felt the probe was politically motivated and meant to have a chilling effect on the NAACP, in particular its efforts to register black voters, who support Sen. John Kerry overwhelmingly.

 

Bond is wrong, IRS Commissioner Mark Everson said.

 

"The IRS follows strict procedures involving the selection of tax-exempt organizations for audit and resolution of any complaints about such groups," Everson said. "Career civil servants, not political appointees, make these decisions in a fair, impartial manner."

 

In a letter outlining the alleged violations, the IRS cited a federal law that prohibits tax-exempt charitable organizations "from intervening in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office."

 

Bond, in a speech in July at the civil rights group's convention in Philadelphia, declared: "The election this fall is a contest between two widely disparate views of who we are and what we believe.

 

"One view wants to march us backward through history -- surrendering control of government to special interests, weakening democracy, giving religion veto power over science, curtailing civil liberties, despoiling the environment.

 

"The other view promises expanded democracy and giving the people, not plutocrats, control over their government."

 

Frances Hill, a University of Miami law professor and an expert on the political rights of tax-exempt organizations, read Bond's speech and said it was indeed critical of President George W. Bush. But she added that Bond was probably on safe legal ground because his speech was broadly conceived, didn't focus solely on Bush and touched on a range of issues that have long been trademarks of the NAACP, such as equality and justice.

 

"You can be passionate and still have a tax-exempt status," Hill said. "If the IRS thinks that this speech is sufficient to trigger an audit, then I think we have quite a new standard and they must be planning to audit hundreds of other groups."

 

If Bond's speech is found to have violated federal law, the NAACP could lose its tax-exempt status, which could severely limit its ability to attract donations.

 

"It would be catastrophic," Bond said. "It would mean that people who give $100 and who write it off their income taxes couldn't do it anymore."

 

Bond acknowledged that his wide-ranging speech was critical of Bush. But he said the criticism wasn't done in support of Kerry, who accepted an NAACP invitation to speak at the group's convention after Bush turned the group down.

 

"It is Orwellian to believe that criticism and partisanship are the same thing," Bond said.

 

The NAACP must respond to the charges by next Friday.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/na...y-top-headlines

Investigate the black churches that the Dems flock to every 4 years and, flat-out, give campaign speeches at while you're at it.

 

Bond doesn't realize that there is a WEALTH of evidence to use against NAACP. One speech isn't all there is about their blatant electioneering.

-=Mike

[NoCalMike 0]

well yes, deservedly so, but the problem here is that there is a ton of churches that do this with a specific bias towards a politician of their choice, they should ALL BE CHECKED and punished, but I guess you gotta start somewhere.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Uh-oh. Methinks some people looking into this are going to get the RACIST label...

[The Thread Killer 0]

You WOULD say that. You have KKK in your name...plus you want fry Mumia who is obviously a political prisoner held by the racist power structure. If you can't see the conspiracy there...well it must be nice to be in your world. [/C-Bacon]

 

I think that if they all just sat down and talked about it real nicely, everything could be resolved peacefully between George Bush and The NAACP. [/iNXS]

[cbacon 0]

You WOULD say that. You have KKK in your name...plus you want fry Mumia who is obviously a political prisoner held by the racist power structure. If you can't see the conspiracy there...well it must be nice to be in your world. [/C-Bacon]

[teke184 0]

In addition to the NAACP, the NEA (teacher's union) is being investigated for funding massive political efforts out of its general budget.

 

 

Looks like a LOT of the usual players will be undergoing some changes by 2008.

[Guest BDC]

In addition to the NAACP, the NEA (teacher's union) is being investigated for funding massive political efforts out of its general budget.

 

 

Looks like a LOT of the usual players will be undergoing some changes by 2008.

Oh damn.

 

[Guest CronoT]

If they're going to be investigating churches, they should start with Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. Falwell's had his fingers in more than a few pies.

[Guest Banders Kennany]

That's very true there CronoT. Don't forget about Falwell too. He also looks like he's eaten a good many pies as well.

[teke184 0]

Falwell and company have already been investigated for a good part of a decade and had to pay some fines, but didn't lose their tax-exempt status.

[Guest MikeSC]

If they're going to be investigating churches, they should start with Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. Falwell's had his fingers in more than a few pies.

Christian Coalition already got investigated under Clinton.

-=Mike