Spicy Sammich

quickhits:

IRS ‘scandal’ another example of ‘It’s only OK when Republicans do it.’

Alex Seitz-Wald: While few are defending the Internal Revenue Service for targeting some 300 conservative groups, there are two critical pieces of context missing from the conventional wisdom on the “scandal.” First, at least from what we know so far, the groups were not targeted in a political vendetta — but rather were executing a makeshift enforcement test (an ugly one, mind you) for IRS employees tasked with separating political groups not allowed to claim tax-exempt status, from bona fide social welfare organizations. Employees are given almost zero official guidance on how to do that, so they went after Tea Party groups because those seemed like they might be political. Keep in mind, the commissioner of the IRS at the time was a Bush appointee.
The second is that while this is the first time this kind of thing has become a national scandal, it’s not the first time such activity has occurred.
“I wish there was more GOP interest when I raised the same issue during the Bush administration, where they audited a progressive church in my district in what look liked a very selective way,” California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff said on MSNBC Monday. “I found only one Republican, [North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones], that would join me in calling for an investigation during the Bush administration. I’m glad now that the GOP has found interest in this issue and it ought to be a bipartisan concern.”
The well-known church, All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena, became a bit of a cause célèbre on the left after the IRS threatened to revoke the church’s tax-exempt status over an anti-Iraq War sermon the Sunday before the 2004 election. “Jesus [would say], ‘Mr. President, your doctrine of preemptive war is a failed doctrine,’” rector George Regas said from the dais.

The IRS under the Bush administration also targeted Greenpeace and the NAACP for extra IRS attention. And the Republican use of the IRS as a political tool didn’t end with the Bush administration; in 2011, Republicans pushed for an audit of the AARP, after the group that lobbies on behalf of seniors announced its support for Obamacare.
There’s no evidence that the IRS focused on Tea Party groups to punish them, rather it seems it was a case of bad management from an agency whose commissioner was on the way out. Under the Bush administration, however, the story seems to be very different. A lot of the Republicans clawing their eyes out over this IRS “scandal” were awfully quiet when it happened on Bush. And those who actually called for the AARP to be punished… Well, let’s say they can enjoy a nice cuppa STFU.
In the end, it’s more a story about the squeaky Republican wheel getting the media grease. But keep in mind they’re complaining about something their party has actively encouraged.

IRS ‘scandal’ another example of ‘It’s only OK when Republicans do it.’

Alex Seitz-Wald: While few are defending the Internal Revenue Service for targeting some 300 conservative groups, there are two critical pieces of context missing from the conventional wisdom on the “scandal.” First, at least from what we know so far, the groups were not targeted in a political vendetta — but rather were executing a makeshift enforcement test (an ugly one, mind you) for IRS employees tasked with separating political groups not allowed to claim tax-exempt status, from bona fide social welfare organizations. Employees are given almost zero official guidance on how to do that, so they went after Tea Party groups because those seemed like they might be political. Keep in mind, the commissioner of the IRS at the time was a Bush appointee.

The second is that while this is the first time this kind of thing has become a national scandal, it’s not the first time such activity has occurred.

“I wish there was more GOP interest when I raised the same issue during the Bush administration, where they audited a progressive church in my district in what look liked a very selective way,” California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff said on MSNBC Monday. “I found only one Republican, [North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones], that would join me in calling for an investigation during the Bush administration. I’m glad now that the GOP has found interest in this issue and it ought to be a bipartisan concern.”

The well-known church, All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena, became a bit of a cause célèbre on the left after the IRS threatened to revoke the church’s tax-exempt status over an anti-Iraq War sermon the Sunday before the 2004 election. “Jesus [would say], ‘Mr. President, your doctrine of preemptive war is a failed doctrine,’” rector George Regas said from the dais.

The IRS under the Bush administration also targeted Greenpeace and the NAACP for extra IRS attention. And the Republican use of the IRS as a political tool didn’t end with the Bush administration; in 2011, Republicans pushed for an audit of the AARP, after the group that lobbies on behalf of seniors announced its support for Obamacare.

There’s no evidence that the IRS focused on Tea Party groups to punish them, rather it seems it was a case of bad management from an agency whose commissioner was on the way out. Under the Bush administration, however, the story seems to be very different. A lot of the Republicans clawing their eyes out over this IRS “scandal” were awfully quiet when it happened on Bush. And those who actually called for the AARP to be punished… Well, let’s say they can enjoy a nice cuppa STFU.

In the end, it’s more a story about the squeaky Republican wheel getting the media grease. But keep in mind they’re complaining about something their party has actively encouraged.

(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)

current:

A Milwaukee second-grader recently wrote to Joe Biden with an idea to limit gun violence. “Dear Vice President Biden, I have a great idea to help make our country safer, better and the best,” Myles, a student at Downtown Montessori Academy, proposed. “I think guns should shoot out chocolate bullets. Then no one will get killed and no one will be sad.”

Biden wrote back, endorsing the concept. “I really like your idea,” Biden’s note reads. ”If we had guns that shot chocolate, not only would our country be safer, it would be happier. People love chocolate. You are a good boy.”

Joe Biden: the actual best.

i really want to see some of these heartfelt letter from Dick Cheney. There has to be a few right?

(Source: wisconsinforward, via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)

(Source: bassquiat, via afternoonsnoozebutton)

at 蓝色港湾公园16号湖滨餐厅

I’m about to eat this. Holy fuck holy fuck (at 全聚德 | Quanjude Peking Roast Duck)

Whole duck incoming (at 全聚德 | Quanjude Peking Roast Duck)

Fried duck hearts. Yummy! (at 全聚德 | Quanjude Peking Roast Duck)

basquavita:

lamocosa666:

the-vashta-nerada:

so yeah did you guys hear about the ceo of abercrombie and fitch who said that he doesn’t want ugly chicks wearing his clothing

like excuse you ceo of abercrombie and fitch

you look like gary busey went bobbing for apples in a tub of bees

you couldn’t wear your own clothing

Omfg

BAHAHAHAHA and he does too

the fact that he’s ugly doesn’t bother me, it’s the fact that he’s 68 years old (68!) and wearing Abercrombie and Fitch

Hot pot in Suzhou!

instanba:

We don’t mind being the underdog. Makes moments like tonight even sweeter. #DubNation | :: http://bit.ly/Zrykld

this is amazing….

(Source: danieldaylewis, via tumboner)

thenationmagazine:

This is what the sequester looks like. (h/t Congressional Progressive Caucus)

(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)

(Source: bl0w-f1sh, via afternoonsnoozebutton)

shitstraightwhiteguyssay:

Raise your hand if you know a toddler with a better understanding of homosexuality than this grown man.

[source]

(In response to Jason Collins coming out)

we have our first bigoted response from another profession athlete!

(via afternoonsnoozebutton)

(via thefrogman)