Exploding IRS scandal.

[ivwshane]

Yet another midiot who believes that anyone who deosn't agree with the left 100% of the time is a True Believer. Although I do believe "Truthiness" is your own unique delusion, so don't let anyone tell you you've got nothing going for you Sunshine.

Were you doing some reflection just now? Please re read all of your posts and try to count how many times your opinion on a subject is dependent on unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories.

You are the epitome of what you just wrote.

 

[Jhhnn]

Yet another midiot who believes that anyone who deosn't agree with the left 100% of the time is a True Believer. Although I do believe "Truthiness" is your own unique delusion, so don't let anyone tell you you've got nothing going for you Sunshine.

You're so cute when you dive into the bunker o' denial, cling desperately to what you believe in your gut to be true. It's exactly what I was talking about. Take a long hard look at what you believe, as if you didn't believe it in the first place. Leave your gut, your heart & your nutsack out of it- just use your brain, if you can.

Truthiness is, ‘What I say is right, and [nothing] anyone else says could possibly be true.’ It’s not only that I feel it to be true, but that I feel it to be true. There’s not only an emotional quality, but there’s a selfish quality.

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/20...ic-pioneer-the-truth-in-truthiness/?mobile=nc

Too deep? Can't keep your head above water when you go there? Probably so. Don't pretend to swim when your feet are on the bottom of the pool...

 

[Bowfinger]

I have three problems with the CIA classifying Plame as a covert agent. First, her "cover" was that she was a low level diplomat's wife. It should be axiomatic that potential human intelligence assets cannot freely meet with a US diplomat's wife, however lowly. As a covert agent her value is nil because she is openly associated with the US government. Second, Plame and Wilson were engaged in a plot to control US policy. Whether one believes they were right or wrong in the facts, it is indisputable that their actions were fundamentally dishonest. To support her assertions as an analyst, Ms Plame sent her husband, a completely untrained diplomatic corps functionary, to "investigate" her allegations. His investigation consisted of having tea with Nigerian officials and asking them if they were selling banned materials to Iraq. He then returned, wrote an op ed, and told everyone who would listen that he had been sent by Vice President Cheney when in fact Cheney had not requested that anyone go, was unaware anyone had gone, had no idea who Wilson was, and very likely had never seen his "report" even after it was published. Wilson also did this AFTER meeting with the Kerry campaign. But my biggest problem with classifying Plame as covert lies in the fact that Wilson himself was the one spreading her name around. You can't have it both ways; if Plame was a covert agent, then Fitzgerald had an obligation to prosecute Wilson, the one man who would absolutely have known if Plame was a covert agent. ...

Just wow. Ladies and gentlemen, ^this^ is your brain on Fox. Except for spelling, virtually nothing in it is factually accurate. It is a slab of long-discredited Rovian talking points, iced with a gooey layer of delusional paranoia. In short, it's another giant turd cake, eagerly gobbled by mindless Bush apologists who desperately needed something to discredit that bad man with the temerity to point out the Bush administration was lying about Iraq.

Never mind that a few years earlier, Bush Sr. had hailed Wilson as a "true American hero" for standing up to Saddam Hussein and protecting scores of Americans in Iraq. Never mind that by exposing Plame, a covert CIA analyst specializing in WMD proliferation (you know, the very thing Bush alleged Iraq was guilty of), BushCo not only ruined her career, but also jeopardized the safety of all of her foreign contacts as well as those of any other NOCs who used the same front company as cover. Never mind that Wilson was absolutely right in calling out BushCo for trying to invent a case for war using distorted intelligence. No, Wilson showed the emperor had no clothes, and for that he had to be destroyed, truth and honor be damned.

This is today's mainstream Republican, a brainwashed tool who cowers within the safety of the nutter bubble, impervious to facts and unconcerned with quaint concepts like honesty and integrity. They are driven by naked greed and party loyalty, and will say, do, or swallow whatever it takes to rationalize why their craven behavior is actually good. Werepossum's string of self-deluding lies above is a perfect example.

 

[Bowfinger]

The left has plenty of people like yourself working hard to make sure these scandals DON'T get serious attention. But hey, when our government can openly discriminate on the basis of political orientation, break laws for political gain, sell guns to drug cartels, tap your telephone calls and emails without cause or warrants, and freely lie to the public, at least President Obama can't tell you "you didn't build that".

Yet another example of the shameless dishonesty of the wing-nut fringe. I am the one who from the very beginning has been calling for an honest, independent investigation into the IRS issues. It's party hacks like Werepossum, in contrast, who are delighted to let the GOP's favorite liar conduct a show trial, where hearsay and baseless innuendo become sweet, truthy "fact" and inconvenient testimony is suppressed (exactly as predicted). Werepossum and his ilk want lies, they crave lies, they are addicted to being fed fairy tales that make them feel good about their cult. Truth is the last thing they want, and Issa doesn't disappoint.

 

[werepossum]

Were you doing some reflection just now? Please re read all of your posts and try to count how many times your opinion on a subject is dependent on unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories.

You are the epitome of what you just wrote.

LOL Your world view depends on the Democrats being correct on every single issue, always. In this case, your "unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories" include factual findings by the IRS itself.

You're so cute when you dive into the bunker o' denial, cling desperately to what you believe in your gut to be true. It's exactly what I was talking about. Take a long hard look at what you believe, as if you didn't believe it in the first place. Leave your gut, your heart & your nutsack out of it- just use your brain, if you can.

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/20...ic-pioneer-the-truth-in-truthiness/?mobile=nc

Too deep? Can't keep your head above water when you go there? Probably so. Don't pretend to swim when your feet are on the bottom of the pool...

How could I have ever thought that someone who marches behind the progressive mantra on literally every issue could ever have an original thought? Consider Colbert duly credited. And give yourself another gold star on your Mindless Following badge - assuming there is room.

Just wow. Ladies and gentlemen, ^this^ is your brain on Fox. Except for spelling, virtually nothing in it is factually accurate. It is a slab of long-discredited Rovian talking points, iced with a gooey layer of delusional paranoia. In short, it's another giant turd cake, eagerly gobbled by mindless Bush apologists who desperately needed something to discredit that bad man with the temerity to point out the Bush administration was lying about Iraq.

Never mind that a few years earlier, Bush Sr. had hailed Wilson as a "true American hero" for standing up to Saddam Hussein and protecting scores of Americans in Iraq. Never mind that by exposing Plame, a covert CIA analyst specializing in WMD proliferation (you know, the very thing Bush alleged Iraq was guilty of), BushCo not only ruined her career, but also jeopardized the safety of all of her foreign contacts as well as those of any other NOCs who used the same front company as cover. Never mind that Wilson was absolutely right in calling out BushCo for trying to invent a case for war using distorted intelligence. No, Wilson showed the emperor had no clothes, and for that he had to be destroyed, truth and honor be damned.

This is today's mainstream Republican, a brainwashed tool who cowers within the safety of the nutter bubble, impervious to facts and unconcerned with quaint concepts like honesty and integrity. They are driven by naked greed and party loyalty, and will say, do, or swallow whatever it takes to rationalize why their craven behavior is actually good. Werepossum's string of self-deluding lies above is a perfect example.

Wilson WAS a "true American hero" for standing up to Saddam Hussein and protecting scores of Americans in Iraq, after his boss had fled. Google Benedict Arnold. And again, it was Wilson who was working overtime to tell reporters that his wife was a CIA analyst. How do you imagine her "cover" as a CIA covert operative was possibly intact when she went to work every day at Langley AS AN ANALYST and her husband is telling everyone who'll listen that she's a CIA analyst? That Wilson truly believed he was doing what was best for the country by participating in this sham does not somehow make what he did less dishonest.

Incidentally, there are two facts that bear repeating here. The first is that Wilson himself admits that Saddam approached Nigerian officials and that it could have been about buying uranium. The second is that Saddam Hussein did buy yellowcake uranium, probably from Niger. We recovered this in the invasion, and it has been sold to Canada. You can Google it.

And LOL at the idea that the IRS investigating the IRS is "an honest, independent investigation." Without Congressional Republicans this would still be going on. And double LOL at the idea that I, who disagrees with the Republicans on probably 1/3 of the issues, am a party hack whereas you, who disagrees with the Democrats only on their lack of viciousness with Republicans, are not.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Because he's flattered that Issa panders to him, of course.

Probably true.

Sad that people like monovillage will blame people for fake scandals all the time, and never blame the people that are lieing to him. How pathetic is that?

Guess he has moved on to troll another faux outrage.

 

[ivwshane]

Lol! Issa-"the white house was never involved"

"I never said the white house was involved"

Holy fuck this guy is such a scumbag!

http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2...-the-irs-targeting-was-politically-motivated/


Just like the Benghazi "scandal" I'm guessing we won't be seeing the OP and his trolling hypocrites again!


Lol fuck you people!

 

[Bowfinger]

[ ... ]
Wilson WAS a "true American hero" for standing up to Saddam Hussein and protecting scores of Americans in Iraq, after his boss had fled. Google Benedict Arnold. And again, it was Wilson who was working overtime to tell reporters that his wife was a CIA analyst. How do you imagine her "cover" as a CIA covert operative was possibly intact when she went to work every day at Langley AS AN ANALYST and her husband is telling everyone who'll listen that she's a CIA analyst? That Wilson truly believed he was doing what was best for the country by participating in this sham does not somehow make what he did less dishonest.

Incidentally, there are two facts that bear repeating here. The first is that Wilson himself admits that Saddam approached Nigerian officials and that it could have been about buying uranium. The second is that Saddam Hussein did buy yellowcake uranium, probably from Niger. We recovered this in the invasion, and it has been sold to Canada. You can Google it.

I have to give you credit for clinging to the official nutter bubble narrative no matter what. Nonetheless, your "facts" remain empty partisan propaganda, spun to deflect attention from the Bush administration's lies about Iraq. I won't waste much effort trying to educate you since you clearly prefer that blissful bubble of denial. For those who may be curious, however:

1. The "Benedict Arnold" talking point is especially cute, albeit childish. I assume Fox and its peers drilled that one into the nutters' compliant little heads by repeating it hundreds of times.

2. Before Novak published Plame's covert identity, Wilson was not "telling everyone who'll listen" of his wife's job. There was an unsubstantiated allegation that Wilson told one person about it while waiting to go on some show. That report was highly questionable and self-serving.

3. Werepossum's continued insinuation that he understands Plame's status better than both the CIA and the special prosecutor is the height of both arrogance and ignorance. The risk to her covert contacts did not magically end the day she moved to a desk at Langley. The law recognizes this, even if Werepossum doesn't.

4. The continued insinuation that this was a sham and Wilson was the one being dishonest is a pure smear, invented out of thin air by Karl Rove. He was and is the master of the politics of personal destruction. As we can see here, he has a huge flock of RNC sheep who will swallow whatever he spews.

5. Yes, Wilson did report that a Nigerian official said the Iraqi government approached him about opening trade, but was turned away. That does not match BushCo's assertion that Iraq sought to buy large quantities of uranium. As with most of the rest of the phony case for war, BushCo took a speculative tidbit and grossly misrepresented it as fact. Wilson called them on it, and all the little Bush sycophants got butt-hurt.

6. The yellow cake found in Iraq was known from the first Gulf War, and was under IAEA seal. To pretend it was something new is more dishonesty.

And LOL at the idea that the IRS investigating the IRS is "an honest, independent investigation." Without Congressional Republicans this would still be going on. And double LOL at the idea that I, who disagrees with the Republicans on probably 1/3 of the issues, am a party hack whereas you, who disagrees with the Democrats only on their lack of viciousness with Republicans, are not.

More dishonesty, there's a shocker. I've never stated the internal IG report should be the last word or the only independent investigation. On the contrary, I've stated the exact opposite on multiple occasions here, including at least once to you. That you continue to repeat this lie only shows how indefensible your support for Issa is. He is a liar, his investigations are a fraud, and you love it because you are a partisan hack who doesn't care a bit about truth. That you constantly need to convince yourself otherwise is your problem, not ours.

 

[BlueWolf47]

Point. I myself thought the Patriot Act was no big deal. I now realize that I was wrong in the original and in its renewal, as I should have seen this coming. Power given will always be exercised.

Ya, all of us liberals who hate the constitution raised alarms that it would be abused. But we were just partisan libtards.

 

[werepossum]

I have to give you credit for clinging to the official nutter bubble narrative no matter what. Nonetheless, your "facts" remain empty partisan propaganda, spun to deflect attention from the Bush administration's lies about Iraq. I won't waste much effort trying to educate you since you clearly prefer that blissful bubble of denial. For those who may be curious, however:

1. The "Benedict Arnold" talking point is especially cute, albeit childish. I assume Fox and its peers drilled that one into the nutters' compliant little heads by repeating it hundreds of times.

2. Before Novak published Plame's covert identity, Wilson was not "telling everyone who'll listen" of his wife's job. There was an unsubstantiated allegation that Wilson told one person about it while waiting to go on some show. That report was highly questionable and self-serving.

3. Werepossum's continued insinuation that he understands Plame's status better than both the CIA and the special prosecutor is the height of both arrogance and ignorance. The risk to her covert contacts did not magically end the day she moved to a desk at Langley. The law recognizes this, even if Werepossum doesn't.

4. The continued insinuation that this was a sham and Wilson was the one being dishonest is a pure smear, invented out of thin air by Karl Rove. He was and is the master of the politics of personal destruction. As we can see here, he has a huge flock of RNC sheep who will swallow whatever he spews.

5. Yes, Wilson did report that a Nigerian official said the Iraqi government approached him about opening trade, but was turned away. That does not match BushCo's assertion that Iraq sought to buy large quantities of uranium. As with most of the rest of the phony case for war, BushCo took a speculative tidbit and grossly misrepresented it as fact. Wilson called them on it, and all the little Bush sycophants got butt-hurt.

6. The yellow cake found in Iraq was known from the first Gulf War, and was under IAEA seal. To pretend it was something new is more dishonesty.



More dishonesty, there's a shocker. I've never stated the internal IG report should be the last word or the only independent investigation. On the contrary, I've stated the exact opposite on multiple occasions here, including at least once to you. That you continue to repeat this lie only shows how indefensible your support for Issa is. He is a liar, his investigations are a fraud, and you love it because you are a partisan hack who doesn't care a bit about truth. That you constantly need to convince yourself otherwise is your problem, not ours.

To my knowledge, no one has raised the "Benedict Arnold" point. My point was that even though someone is a hero at one point, does not mean that he cannot be a cad at the next, especially if he is convinced he is doing the right thing. More to the point, I quoted earlier an extant recording where Wilson's touting of his wife's status was discussed with some amazement. If you wish to ignore or disbelieve it, can't say I'm surprised or concerned.

As far as dishonesty, my comment was "And LOL at the idea that the IRS investigating the IRS is "an honest, independent investigation." You raised a straw man that I had somehow accused you of saying that "the internal IG report should be the last word or the only independent investigation." Dishonesty or stupidity, your call.

And if you think an analyst sending her husband, an untrained diplomat, to verify her analysis while claiming that the Vice President sent him is ethical, then there really isn't much I can say to you. Same thing with the leak: It was anti-war Richard Armitage in the anti-war State Department. Everyone knows this, even if some find it does not suit their foamy fantasies.

 

[werepossum]

Ya, all of us liberals who hate the constitution raised alarms that it would be abused. But we were just partisan libtards.

I'll say it again: You were right, I was wrong. Although honestly my concern is not so much about specifically what Bush did or Obama is doing, but the persistent march if infringement.

Curiously, I haven't see you weigh in on this new and drastically expanded expansion of 4th Amendment infringement under Obama. I'm sure that's merely scheduling issues rather than partisanship on your part, but you may have missed how many of your progressive buddies have no problem at all with Obama's radically expanded domestic spying.

But perhaps this is just another agency over which Obama has no control, no? No doubt they are merely carrying out the orders of Bush - who apparently held some secret powers that Obama lacks. Probably due to his skin color . . .

 

[Bowfinger]

To my knowledge, no one has raised the "Benedict Arnold" point. My point was that even though someone is a hero at one point, does not mean that he cannot be a cad at the next, especially if he is convinced he is doing the right thing. More to the point, I quoted earlier an extant recording where Wilson's touting of his wife's status was discussed with some amazement. If you wish to ignore or disbelieve it, can't say I'm surprised or concerned.

And if you bother to compare dates, you will discover that this all happened after Armitage learned of Plame's status through the Bush administration memo about Wilson and his trip. The cat was already out of the bag.

As far as dishonesty, my comment was "And LOL at the idea that the IRS investigating the IRS is "an honest, independent investigation." You raised a straw man that I had somehow accused you of saying that "the internal IG report should be the last word or the only independent investigation." Dishonesty or stupidity, your call.

I have great confidence in your ability to be both. Here is what I said:

Bowfinger: 'I am the one who from the very beginning has been calling for an honest, independent investigation into the IRS issues."
​

This was your response to that comment:

Werepossum: "And LOL at the idea that the IRS investigating the IRS is 'an honest, independent investigation.'"
​

The straw man is yours and yours alone, twisting my call for "honest, independent investigation" into a straw man about the IRS investigating itself. I said nothing of the sort. It's all yours, baby. Own your own words like a man.

And if you think an analyst sending her husband, an untrained diplomat, to verify her analysis while claiming that the Vice President sent him is ethical, then there really isn't much I can say to you. Same thing with the leak: It was anti-war Richard Armitage in the anti-war State Department. Everyone knows this, even if some find it does not suit their foamy fantasies.

I guess I should have added this:

7. The claims that Plame sent her husband to Niger, and that Wilson claimed Cheney sent him, are also key elements in the Rovian smear against Wilson. Plame did not send Wilson. She didn't have that authority, nor was it her role in the CIA. It was CIA management that sent Wilson, with Plame's role only incidental according to testimony. Further, Wilson never claimed Cheney sent him. The CIA, however, noted that Cheney's office requested additional information about the Niger claim, and the CIA decided to send Wilson to satisfy that request. Wilson accurately reported that.

Any more brainwashing you care to have flushed?

 

[MooseNSquirrel]

I love all these faux Obama scandals, it makes listening to Rush (the man) and Rush (the Band) even more entertaining.

 

[michal1980]

IRS comes out and says they really targeting conservatives not liberals:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/27/irs-auditor-reaffirms-conservatives-not-liberals-w/

 

[ivwshane]

Curiously, I haven't see you weigh in on this new and drastically expanded expansion of 4th Amendment infringement under Obama. I'm sure that's merely scheduling issues rather than partisanship on your part, but you may have missed how many of your progressive buddies have no problem at all with Obama's radically expanded domestic spying.

But perhaps this is just another agency over which Obama has no control, no? No doubt they are merely carrying out the orders of Bush - who apparently held some secret powers that Obama lacks. Probably due to his skin color . . .

lol your alternate reality strikes again!

 

[Fern]

IRS comes out and says they really targeting conservatives not liberals:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/27/irs-auditor-reaffirms-conservatives-not-liberals-w/

Yeah, the IG is confirming his 'investigation' found no evidence that the IRS employed the word "progressive" to target groups for extra scrutiny.

I read his report and didn't recall any list (of the several quoted in the IG's report) with "progressive" in it. I intended to post about it but hadn't gotten around to reviewing the report again to confirm my recollection. No need now.

Fern

 

[werepossum]

Yeah, the IG is confirming his 'investigation' found no evidence that the IRS employed the word "progressive" to target groups for extra scrutiny.

I read his report and didn't recall any list (of the several quoted in the IG's report) with "progressive" in it. I intended to post about it but hadn't gotten to reviewing the report again to confirm my recollection. No need now.

Fern

But - but they have a piece of paper!

 

[werepossum]

I love all these faux Obama scandals, it makes listening to Rush (the man) and Rush (the Band) even more entertaining.

At the same time?

A liberal friend showed me something when Rush had his television show. Wait til he gets really wound up, hit mute, put on some death metal. Hilarious.

 

[fskimospy]

But - but they have a piece of paper!

The IG says something you don't want to believe? THE IRS CAN'T BE TRUSTED.

The IG says something you do want to believe? SEE LOOK GUYS I TOLD YOU.

 

[werepossum]

The IG says something you don't want to believe? THE IRS CAN'T BE TRUSTED.

The IG says something you do want to believe? SEE LOOK GUYS I TOLD YOU.

LOL True. Of course, that works both ways. If the IG is to be believed, then there was no similar programs against progressive groups.

My point about the IG was not exactly that the IG cannot be trusted, it was that the IG is not a fair and impartial investigation. Read my remarks as "See, even government itself agrees this was only aimed at conservative groups."

 

[Jhhnn]

Lol! Issa-"the white house was never involved"

"I never said the white house was involved"

Holy fuck this guy is such a scumbag!

http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2...-the-irs-targeting-was-politically-motivated/


Just like the Benghazi "scandal" I'm guessing we won't be seeing the OP and his trolling hypocrites again!

Lol fuck you people!

Issa's hair splitting collapses their whole conspiracy theory. Not to worry- they're so deep into the delusion that they won't even notice.

Repub operatives are trolling for some new "scandal" where they can apply their practiced skills of innuendo & projection to encourage the Faithful to jump to the usual paranoid conclusions, then exhibit their standard inflexibility of belief to thrash around in futility to defend the indefensible. It's pure emotion & dog whistle politics with a flaking veneer of rationality.

Not that they'll notice, having made an emotional commitment.

 

[Jhhnn]

LOL True. Of course, that works both ways. If the IG is to be believed, then there was no similar programs against progressive groups.

My point about the IG was not exactly that the IG cannot be trusted, it was that the IG is not a fair and impartial investigation. Read my remarks as "See, even government itself agrees this was only aimed at conservative groups."

Truly desperate hair splitting on your part. The IG says that there was no similar program against applicants with "progressive" in their name. "Occupy" & several others were a different story, but you'd like to claim otherwise because it doesn't fit the narrative you want to advance.

Edit for linkage-

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...-that-fed-tea-party-row.html?alcmpid=politics

Yeh, they didn't target groups with "progressive" in their names, just some with "Progress".

Oh, my...

 

[monovillage]

Truly desperate hair splitting on your part. The IG says that there was no similar program against applicants with "progressive" in their name. "Occupy" & several others were a different story, but you'd like to claim otherwise because it doesn't fit the narrative you want to advance.

Edit for linkage-

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...-that-fed-tea-party-row.html?alcmpid=politics

Yeh, they didn't target groups with "progressive" in their names, just some with "Progress".

Oh, my...

That's not what the testimony under oath said.

On Wednesday Russell George, the Treasury inspector general whose original audit broke open the scandal, answered Rep. Sander Levin's charge that the audit had ignored the targeting of progressives. In a letter released Thursday, Mr. George couldn't have been clearer: The evidence showed conservative groups were singled out for abuse by the IRS, not liberal groups. While some liberal groups might have wound up on a BOLO list, the IRS did not target them. "We did not find evidence that the criteria you identified, labeled 'Progressives,' were used by the IRS to select potential political cases during the 2010 to 2012 timeframe we audited." One hundred percent of the groups with "Tea Party," "Patriot" or "9/12" in their names were given extra scrutiny. "While we have multiple sources of information corroborating the use of Tea Party and other related criteria . . . including employee interviews, e-mails, and other documents, we found no indication in any of these other materials that 'progressives' was a term used to refer cases for scrutiny for political campaign intervention."

I'd be surprised by your total lack of integrity if I wasn't so well aware of it before this issue.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...e/declarations.html+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[Jhhnn]

That's not what the testimony under oath said.



I'd be surprised by your total lack of integrity if I wasn't so well aware of it before this issue.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...e/declarations.html+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

When I point out one poster's hair splitting use of words as deception, another brazenly pipes right up to do exactly the same thing all over again. It's as if repeating a lie often enough makes it the truth.

Which fits perfectly with the whole premise, anyway. Right wing political groups wrongfully seek non-profit status, then whine when they get scrutiny from the IRS.

In other news, scientists discover that water is wet. Who knew?

 

[monovillage]

"According to a House Ways and Means Committee source, only seven of the 298 cases flagged by the IRS for extra scrutiny appeared to represent progressive causes. Not one of the seven was subject to harassment or abuse. Of the seven, only two were even sent follow-up questionnaires after their applications for tax exempt status were received. Neither of those two was asked inappropriate or invasive questions. And all seven saw their applications approved. "

Under questioning, Mr. Werfel admitted he had not interviewed his predecessors, who led the IRS in the scandal years, nor exemptions unit chief Lois Lerner.

Did Ms. Lerner attempt to cover up the targeting? "I don't know the answer. . . . There's no evidence on the record."

Who was the person responsible for the Cincinnati office's targeting of tea-party groups? "We are looking into the facts and circumstances that arose."

Who in Washington told IRS workers to hold up the applications? "I don't know the answer to that question."

How do you know the circumstances within the tax-exempt unit aren't more widespread within the IRS? "I've asked them to look for evidence of problems."

He did, however, agree that it appears tea-party groups were sent on for extra scrutiny. "We did not find evidence . . . we found no indication . . . that progressives was a term" used to alert screeners. So there's that.

Who initiated the targeting of donors to apply gift taxes to their donations? This is "subject to further investigation."

Who leaked the donor lists? "I do not have that information"

Who at the IRS was involved in covering up the patterns of abuse? That's being investigated, too.

In fairness to Mr. Werfel, there are a lot of people he can't talk to because they are talking to investigators. But if that's the case, he can't declare there's no evidence of intentional wrongdoing by individuals at the IRS. How would he know?

Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas zeroed in at the end: "This report is a sham."

No one has gotten near the bottom of this scandal. Journalists shouldn't be trying to make the story disappear. The revenue-gathering arm of the federal government appears to be politically biased, corrupt in its actions, and unable to reform itself.

The only way to make that story go away is to get to the bottom of it and fully reveal it. It's not a bungle, it's a scandal.

It's a gem.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...e/declarations.html+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us