Coverage of the Obama Administration scandals - IRS targeting conservative groups, DOJ tapping AP reporters' communications, Benghazi lies, and Extortion 17 (the deaths of SEAL Team 6 members)
Conservative Group to House GOP: Don't Draw Attention from Obama Scandals - Heritage Action president Michael Needham wrote to House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor on Thursday, urging them not to divert attention from President Barack Obama's multiple scandals by trying to rush big government legislation through the House.
Arkansas' Democrat State Treasurer Arrested for Extortion
Posted May 20, 2013
On Saturday the FBI arrested two-term Arkansas State Treasurer Martha Shoffner (D-Newport) on charges of "extortion under color of official right," a violation of the Hobbs Act, which prohibits actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce.
Va. GOP picks conservatives for fall ticket; black minister is lieutenant governor choice
Posted May 20, 2013
RICHMOND — Thousands of Virginia Republicans on Saturday picked a slate of statewide candidates who vowed to stay true to conservative principles, resisting calls to remake the GOP message after losses in 2012.
At the top of the ticket is gubernatorial hopeful Ken Cuccinelli II, the attorney general. Known for high-profile battles against “Obamacare,” abortion and a university climate scientist, Cuccinelli stood by what detractors have called an out-of-the-mainstream agenda.
Voter fraud is easy with 13,000 in Maryland still on D.C. records
Posted May 20, 2013
Washington, D.C., has failed to remove from its voting rolls as many as 13,000 former residents who years ago moved to Prince George’s County and cast ballots there, making fraud by voting in two jurisdictions as easy as going to the polls in their old neighborhoods, The Washington Times found in a review of records.
In dozens of cases, names are listed as voting in both jurisdictions in the November presidential election. Provided a subset of the names, the District pulled paper records and said most did not vote, but that other voters accidentally associated their ballots with the former residents’ names instead of their own.
For others listed as voting in both jurisdictions, they had no such explanation.
[Video] Amazing Video – Entire Audience at NJ Gun Hearing Disobeys Senators Orders, Recites Pledge
Posted May 20, 2013
The First Big Step Toward Obama’s Impeachment
Posted May 17, 2013
Over the last few days, I’ve heard the word “impeachment” from more of my sources on Capitol Hill than in the last six years combined.
One member of Congress told me to look at the Richard M. Nixon articles of impeachment and just change the name to Barack Obama.
That member believes that many of the arguments about the Watergate cover-up apply to the current Benghazi cover-up scandal, the IRS Tea Party scandal, and the AP telephone records scandal.
Here’s how article one against Nixon laid out the charges:
making false or misleading statements to lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States
withholding relevant and material evidence or information from lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States
Judge Upholds AZ Denying Licenses to Illegal Immigrants
Posted May 17, 2013
A judge has refused to halt Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's policy denying driver's licenses for young immigrants who have gotten work permits and avoided deportation under an Obama administration policy.
The decision Thursday by U.S. District Judge David Campbell rejects the argument by immigrant rights advocates who say her policy is unconstitutional because it's trumped by federal law.
Last summer, the Obama administration took steps to shield thousands of young immigrants from deportation.
Arizona's refusal to view those in the deferral program as legal residents has become the most visible challenge to the program the president announced in June.
Brewer's lawyers asked for the lawsuit challenging her policy to be dismissed.
The judge dismissed one claim, but another remains alive.
Congressmen: Were Conservative Car Dealers Targeted for GM Closures?
Posted May 17, 2013
Two Congressmen are asking the Treasury Department if it inappropriately scrutinized conservative-owned businesses the same way it targeted Tea Party groups filing for tax-exempt status.
Republicans Mike Kelly (PA-03) and Jim Renacci (OH-16) circulated a letter Thursday requesting Treasury Secretary Jack Lew release documents detailing the process and methodology the Automotive Task Force used to shut down General Motors dealerships in 2009 during the automotive industry crisis.
As Towns Say No, Signs of Rising Resistance to Smart Meters
Posted May 20, 2013
BRADY, Tex. — In October, the City Council of this Central Texas town voted unanimously to purchase advanced electric meters, known as smart meters, for the city-owned electric utility. But some residents resisted, and the smart meter vote played a large role in last weekend’s recall of the city’s mayor and the electoral defeat of two council members.
Voters here passed a referendum last weekend to enshrine in the City Charter the right of residents to refuse the installation of smart meters on their property. Sheila Hemphill, an organizer of the effort, called the victory her “San Jacinto.”
Rains County Texas Proposes Line in the Sand Resolution Supporting 2nd Amendment Rights
Posted May 20, 2013
On May 23, 2013 at 10am, a resolution to “Protect and Defend the Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms” will be considered by the Rains County Commissioners Court in Emory, Texas. Working with local grassroots activists, the resolution was submitted by Commissioner Sylvia Witt.
Invasion of Privacy and Dereliction of Fiscal Duty
Posted May 20, 2013
This year, Senator John Carona (Dallas) authored a bill (SB 241) that would allow electricity consumers to opt-out of the advanced meters (aka smart meters) without additional fees, but the bill is dead in the senate. This story reads much like the TSA Anti-Groping bill by David Simpson in the 82nd legislative session.
The Internal Revenue Service was being dragged through the mud this week, after it came to light that agency had been targeting conservative groups. But Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has a solution to make the scandal all go away: abolish the IRS.
Cruz took to Twitter this week, calling for the IRS to be abolished and for the tax code to be simplified, calling for “fairer” and “flatter” taxes.
As you probably know, the Obama Administration has received a great deal of heat and well-deserved criticism for trying to force politically-active 501(c)(4) non-profits to disclose the identity of their donors.
What you may not know is that a Texas bill to accomplish the same thing* is now sitting on Gov. Perry's desk--and he's actually considering signing it.
(*-To be fair, there is at least one difference: the Texas bill specifically exempts labor unions and affiliates.)
SB 346, by state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, would force tax-exempt, politically active nonprofits that fall under section 501(c)(4) of the tax code — the part that oversees groups involved in “social welfare” — to disclose their donors. The bill, which would affect major political givers on both sides of the aisle, originally passed the Senate 23-6; a day later, led by state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, senators voted 21-10 to reverse themselves, some saying they hadn’t understood what the bill required. Seliger said at the time that his colleagues had faced heavy lobbying by major political donors to change their votes.
The bill in question, SB-346, by Amarillo Republican Kel Seliger, would change the state election code so that 501(c)(4) nonprofits operating in the political realm would be required to disclose their donors, as political action committees (PACs) already must do. On Tuesday, the bill was met with little discussion and passed the chamber with a 23-6 vote. Patrick’s recall resolution cleared the Senate in a 21-10 vote.
From now on political nonprofit groups will have to post any contributions being received from lawmakers or money going towards political campaigns thanks to a bill passed in the Texas Senate and now House.
The bill, authored by Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and carried in the House by Rep. Charlie Geren, R-River Oaks, would require all political groups or 501.C4 organizations disclose who is bringing the money in and where it is going.
The bill would basically expand the legal definition of “political committee” to capture more groups and require them to report the name, address, and other information with respect to persons who donate more than $1,000 to the group. At first glance, that sounds innocuous. But it is entirely unnecessary given the current definitions in the Election Code. It would also impose a substantial burden on many nonprofits and chill free speech.
If you believe it's none of the government's business who donates to your non-profit group, you would be well-advised to call Governor Perry NOW and ask him to VETO SB346. If Governor Perry does not veto the bill, the donor disclosure demands recently made by Obama's IRS will become mandatory under Texas law.
Texas May Have Its Own Gosnell: Houston Doc Accused of Gruesome Illegal Abortions
Posted May 17, 2013
Although Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortionist found guilty this week of three counts of first-degree murder, has been successfully removed from civil society, another abortion practitioner like him may be on the loose in Houston, Texas.
“Harris County authorities and the Texas Department of State Health Services are investigating a local doctor accused Wednesday by an anti-abortion group of performing late-term abortions in 2011,” the Houston Chronicle reports.
The abortionist, Douglas Karpen, has been accused by three former staffers, Deborah Edge, Gigi Aguliar, and Krystal Rodriguez, of performing several illegal abortions. Their testimony, and alleged photographic evidence, was brought to light by Operation Rescue, a pro-life watchdog.
Wednesday evening, President Obama announced the acting IRS commissioner has resigned.
Steven Miller submitted his resignation to the United States Secretary of the Treasury after an audit from the inspector general showed that the IRS targeted conservative groups that were applying for tax exempt status.
While the law, specifically Brady v. Maryland, requires release of evidence which is often handled as a simple administrative matter, the delay in this case suggests prosecutors’ discontent with the widespread media attention and public scrutiny.
KONNI BURTON ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 10
Posted May 15, 2013
Today, Tarrant County resident Konni Burton officially launched her campaign against Wendy Davis for State Senate District 10. Konni Burton is a conservative activist who has been engaged in grassroots politics at the state and national level. In addition to her boots on the ground work to send conservatives to Austin and D.C., she has worked to educate & mobilize other grassroots conservatives as well. She has worked with various conservative grassroots groups and is currently on her second legislative session with the Tea Party Caucus Advisory Committee that travels regularly to Austin to meet with legislators.
In announcing her candidacy Burton stated, “After being approached by conservatives across Tarrant County about running for State Senate, I’ve decided to enter the race. With the federal government’s mounting debt, it is imperative that we make Texas strong. We need public servants in Austin that will protect the taxpayer and put Texas on the path of sound fiscal policy while reducing the size of our state government. We need to keep our state's Rainy Day Fund strong so that it’s there for our citizens in the event of an economic downturn. We need to prevent the implementation of ObamaCare in Texas so that this government overreach doesn’t bankrupt our state. We need to stop the state of Texas from using our tax dollars to pick winners and losers in the market. Parents need to have the choice to choose which school is best for their child's education. And our 2nd amendment rights need to be protected and the rule of law enforced so that our citizens can feel safe in their communities.”
Leaders, grassroots activists and elected officials in the district and across Texas weighed in on Burton’s announcement.
Bedford State Representative Jonathan Stickland endorsed Burton saying, "Konni Burton is one of the strongest conservative leaders in Tarrant County. She’s a fiscal and social conservative who can articulate our values in a way very few can. I'm proud to endorse her campaign and look forward to serving alongside her in the Texas Legislature."
Robert D. Smith, Board & Steering Committee Member of the NE Tarrant Tea Party said, “I have known Konni for several years. She is a great conservative. I have worked with her on conservative causes and she goes all out dedicating her time, talents and resources. She will do anything needed to support her candidate or cause. I support her because I know she will make a great State Senator.”
Executive Director of Grassroots America and chairman of the Tea Party Advisory committee JoAnn Fleming also endorsed Konni saying, “"Texas desperately needs leaders who will actively work for - not just talk about - limited government, economic liberty for all, and driving special corporate interests out of the Capitol. Konni Burton understands state government needs to steer clear of piling more debt on future generations of Texans because she knows "borrow and spend" is just as bad as "tax and spend." For commonsense leadership that won't play games with your money and your liberty, support Konni Burton for state senate. I am."
Konni and her husband Phil reside in Colleyville and have two daughters. Tori is a Junior at Tarleton State University and Faith is a Junior at Grapevine High School. Konni and her family are active members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Richland Hills.
Common Core is a nationwide initiative designed to herd states into national K-12 standards and national tests thus taking control of education out of the hands of the states.
National Briefing
Texas Briefing
As you probably know, the Obama Administration has received a great deal of heat and well-deserved criticism for trying to force politically-active 501(c)(4) non-profits to disclose the identity of their donors.
