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Bush Used the IRS, FBI, CIA and Secret Service to Go After Opponents -- Where Was the Fox and GOP Outrage?

POSTED BY: NIKI2
UPDATED: Thursday, May 16, 2013 11:58
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VIEWED: 1246
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:18 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...


Quote:

The recent IRS flap shows an obvious double standard in Washington's reactions to Bush era and Obama era misconduct.

As your kindergarten teacher probably told you, two wrongs do not make a right. But the discrepancy in reactions to wrongs does, indeed, show how Washington so often serves the interests of the political right.

That’s one of the big – if deliberately ignored – takeaways from the reaction to news that the Internal Revenue Service allegedly targeting conservative organizations for extra scrutiny in their larger review of political groups’ tax exempt status. In the last few days, the allegations have generated a wave of national headlines, a congressional investigation,federal legislation and ever-louder calls for impeachment.

Considering the gravity of the allegations against the Obama IRS from the Treasury Department’s inspector general, congressional scrutiny is certainly warranted. However, there’s just one problem: most of the lawmakers and pundits today decrying the use of public resources against a White House’s political opponents had little – if anything – to say about equally troubling revelations about the Bush administration’s deployment of public resources against its opponents. In fact, conservatives said so little back then that Fox News apparently doesn’t even know (or is pretending not to know) the Bush administration used the IRS in the same way the Obama adminstration allegedly did.

And here’s the even more incredible thing: the Bush cabal didn’t just use the IRS for its political hackery – it mounted a full-scale government-wide assault on its enemies, marshaling disparate agencies in its smear efforts.

Bush’s use of the IRS was but one part of that larger assault. In 2005, Bush’s IRS began what became an extensive two-year investigation into a Pasadena church after an orator dared to speak out against President Bush’s Iraq War ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14715290, http://www.salon.com/2013/05/14/when_the_irs_targeted_liberals/]). Not coincidentally, the Los Angeles Times reports that the church targeted just so happened to be “one of Southern California’s largest and most liberal congregations.” That IRS church audit came a year after it launched a near-identical attack on the NAACP ( http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2004-10-29/news/0410290318_1_tax-exem
pt-organizations-audit-naacp
])
after the civil rights organization criticized various Bush administration policies.

That is not where the story ends, however. The Bush administration’s crusade against its enemies moved from the IRS into the Secret Service.

Under the Republican president, that law enforcement agency was repeatedly deployed to physically block suspected antiwar activists from attending public presidential events. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, the scheme eventually targeted some peaceful antiwar activists for arrest for the alleged crime of “holding up small handwritten protest signs outside the designated zone” of free speech (yes, the Bush White House cemented the precedent that the right to dissent is no longer a fundamental right, but is instead only allowed in certain “free speech zones”). Ultimately, in a case dealing with a man who was arrested for simply telling Vice President Dick Cheney that his “policies on Iraq are disgusting,” the Republican-dominated Supreme Court upheld the Bush administration’s use of “retaliatory arrests” against the administration’s ideological critics.

Then, in 2010, we learned that Bush’s targeting operation was also operating inside the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Recounting findings from the Justice Department’s Inspector General, the Washington Post reported that “the FBI improperly investigated some left-leaning U.S. advocacy groups after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/20/AR2010
092003100.html
])
…citing cases in which agents put activists on terrorist watch lists even though they were planning nonviolent civil disobedience.”

A year later, we learned that along with the IRS, Secret Service and FBI, the Bush administration may have also been using the Central Intelligence Agency against its political enemies. As the New York Times reported, “A former Central Intelligence Agency officer who was a top counterterrorism official during the administration of President George W. Bush, said the White House at least twice asked intelligence officials to gather sensitive information” on prominent Iraq War critic Juan Cole ( http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/us/politics/16cole.html?_r=0]). That story had an eerie similarity to the Bush administration’s effort to out CIA operative Valerie Plame as retribution for her husband’s criticism of that same war.

Unlike the noisy outrage that met today’s allegations of IRS misconduct under President Obama, these earlier – and well-documented – revelations of systemic IRS, Secret Service, FBI and CIA misconduct were met with a collective shrug of the shoulders in Washington. Sure, a few newspapers wrote about them, and a few Democratic lawmakers tried to raise questions about the Bush administration’s actions, but compared to today’s sound and fury over the IRS allegations, there was veritable silence. Indeed, as alluded to before, so little outrage was voiced about this kind of thing during the Bush years that a Fox News’ headline this week summarizing a Karl Rove interview blared: “What if IRS Under President Bush targeted liberal groups?” – as if that never actually happened…even though it most certainly did.

What explains this obvious double standard in the reactions to Bush era and Obama era misconduct? Partisanship, expectations and ideological bias.

In terms of partisanship, Republicans now screaming bloody murder over the IRS allegations clearly don’t care about the principles of equal protection, nonpartisan public services or impartial governance. We know this because most of them had nothing to say about the Bush administration’s actions against the GOP’s ideological opponents. In the context of that record, the GOP is really saying it is outraged when government resources are aimed at its friends, but more than happy to have those resources aimed at its enemies.

That context, though, hasn’t been publicly referenced by most Democrats. Indeed, other than Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), most Democratic lawmakers have not dared to mention that the problem of politicized government goes back many years.

That gets to expectations and ideological bias – simply put, the expectation in a Washington where both parties and most media outlets tilt to the right is that conservative groups should never be treated the same way liberal groups so often are. Why? Because conservative causes (say, the anti-tax movement) tend to be aligned with the interests of the transpartisan moneyed establishment while liberal causes (say, the anti-war movement) tend to be at odds with those interests.

Thus, when conservative groups happen to be treated like liberal groups, the Washington Outrage Machine turns the noise up to 11 – even though when liberal groups were targeted, that Outrage Machine remained dormant. And with today’s national press corps reoriented around amplifying – rather than challenging – power, this double standard is then predictably reflected in a corresponding discrepancy in coverage.

Taken together, the lesson should be straightforward: according to Washington, politicized government is perfectly fine when it is punishing liberal forces that challenge the status quo, but totally outrageous when it is targeting conservative groups that preserve the status quo.

Neither should be acceptable, of course. But that truism is ignored by a hypocritical political culture whose unquestioned assumptions so obviously favor the right. http://www.alternet.org/bush-used-irs-fbi-cia-and-secret-service-go-af
ter-opponents-where-was-fox-and-gop-outrage


The thing is, we say "But Bush..." for a REASON. The supposedly totally left-wing media didn't scream anything like as loudly when these things happened, and there were no screams out outrage from the right, so why shouldn't we point out that both sides have done bad things? That you guys want to focus obsessively on what's happening now comes across as exactly what it is, and we dismiss it as exactly that.

The IRS was wrong, period. It was wrong then, it's wrong now. The other agencies were wrong then; if they're doing stuff like that, it's wrong now. But where were you THEN?!? Or is it (shock) just because it's a DEMOCRAT in the White House that you're screaming NOW?

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:27 AM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up


Quote:

Originally posted by Niki2:
Or is it (shock) just because it's a DEMOCRAT in the White House that you're screaming NOW?



Or perhaps because it's happening NOW?


"When your heart breaks, you choose what to fill the cracks with. Love or hate. But hate won't ever heal. Only love can do that."

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:34 AM

JONGSSTRAW


The blame-Bush well never runs dry.

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:34 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...


Or maybe we agree the IRS mess is wrong and whoever's responsible should be dealt with, agree Benghazi needed to be investigated, and when it was and there was no conspiracy, dismissed it, and agree the AP stuff needs to be investigated, anyone found in the wrong to be held accountable, but we don't want to spend our entire lives obsessing about them and think none of these scandals are "Watergate and Iran Contra, times ten" when there are other, very real, very serious things that need to be dealt with in this country?

Naahhh, couldn't be that...


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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 8:34 AM

REAVERFAN


[IMG][/IMG][/IMG]

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 5:25 PM

KWICKO

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)


Quote:

Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
The blame-Bush well never runs dry.




Apparently neither does the never-blame-Bush well.


And Geezer's weak "because it's happening NOW" doesn't really explain his utter and complete lack of outrage back then, when it was also "happening NOW" at that time.


But naaaahhhh - it couldn't possibly be because Obama's a Democrat, or because he's black. Suuuuuuuure it couldn't.



"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence [sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero

"I was wrong" - Hero, 2012

Mitt Romney, introducing his running mate: "Join me in welcoming the next President of the United States, Paul Ryan!"

Rappy's response? "You're lying, gullible ( believing in some BS you heard on msnbc ) or hard of hearing."

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 5:28 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!



No he didn't.

This only shows that the O-cultists can't allow for anything bad to be from Obama...it's all BUSH!

Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen

Resident USA Freedom Fundie

" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 6:43 PM

STORYMARK


Quote:

Originally posted by Geezer:
Quote:

Originally posted by Niki2:
Or is it (shock) just because it's a DEMOCRAT in the White House that you're screaming NOW?



Or perhaps because it's happening NOW?



Convenient how you ignore the part where you were fine with it when it happened then.

As per usual.




Excuse me while I soak in all these sweet, sweet conservative tears.

"We will never have the elite, smart people on our side." -- Rick "Frothy" Santorum

"Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 6:45 PM

STORYMARK


Quote:

Originally posted by AURaptor:

No he didn't.

This only shows that the O-cultists can't allow for anything bad to be from Obama...it's all BUSH!



Sure, sure. You had no problem with it when Bush did it, but now its all horrible, the administration is "crumbling" and other assorted horseshit.

Hypocritical douchebags to the end.




Excuse me while I soak in all these sweet, sweet conservative tears.

"We will never have the elite, smart people on our side." -- Rick "Frothy" Santorum

"Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"

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Thursday, May 16, 2013 12:22 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!


Quote:

Originally posted by Storymark:
Quote:

Originally posted by AURaptor:

No he didn't.

This only shows that the O-cultists can't allow for anything bad to be from Obama...it's all BUSH!



Sure, sure. You had no problem with it when Bush did it, but now its all horrible, the administration is "crumbling" and other assorted horseshit.

Hypocritical douchebags to the end.



No,it's because it never happened as some are attempting to claim.

Yes, the IRS has a long history of excessive abuse, and that's one of the valid reasons to do away w/ the agency entirely. Preferably w/ the FAIRTax. But to claim that there's no 'THERE' there, even after Obama has admitted to there being a problem, and sacked ( well, he wasn't going to be there long anyways ) the acting director, only goes to show how biased and blind some folks are to the real world.

This sort of intimidating, specifically targeted at 1 group, conservatives, is unprecedented in US history. To try to dismiss or play the equivocation game and claim ' But Bush did it too! ', goes beyond childish.

A new low. Even for the Left ( And that's saying MUCH )

Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen

Resident USA Freedom Fundie

" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall

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Thursday, May 16, 2013 5:11 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...


Let's see:
Quote:

can't allow for anything bad to be from Obama

Who here exactly has said what the IRS did ISN'T bad, SHOULDN'T be dealt with, and WASN'T part of the Obama administration?
Quote:

But to claim that there's no 'THERE' there

Alright, 'fess up, who said there was no "there" there?? C'mon, admit it...who??

What we're LAUGHING AT is that this has always gone on, OF COURSE needs to be stopped when we find out about it, but the country isn't going to sink into some kind of black tyranny hole because it happened. It will be dealt with, and it will happen again, as it's happened before. The ecstasy you are obsessed with will pass, and you'll let someone on the right get away with exactly the same, and worse, things...there's a prediction you can take to the bank!


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Thursday, May 16, 2013 7:35 AM

WULFENSTAR

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg


Desperation.

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you... YOU are locked in here with ME."

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Thursday, May 16, 2013 7:48 AM

STORYMARK


Quote:

Originally posted by AURaptor:

This sort of intimidating, specifically targeted at 1 group, conservatives, is unprecedented in US history.



Except, its already been shown they didn't only go after conservative groups, but also targeted liberal groups. And that those conservative groups they did look into, were claiming to be non politicfal, when they were expressly political. And Bush did target his opponents.

So, basically, your entire argument relies on half-truths or outright fabrications.

As per usual. And you're right - you are being very childish. Again, as per usual.







Excuse me while I soak in all these sweet, sweet conservative tears.

"We will never have the elite, smart people on our side." -- Rick "Frothy" Santorum

"Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"

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Thursday, May 16, 2013 7:49 AM

STORYMARK


Quote:

Originally posted by WULFENSTAR:
Desperation.

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you... YOU are locked in here with ME."



Ah, look, wulfie figured out how to spell one word, and keeps copy'n'pasting. Cuz forming sentences is hard.




Excuse me while I soak in all these sweet, sweet conservative tears.

"We will never have the elite, smart people on our side." -- Rick "Frothy" Santorum

"Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 16, 2013 11:58 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!


Quote:

Originally posted by Niki2:

Let's see:
Quote:

can't allow for anything bad to be from Obama

Who here exactly has said what the IRS did ISN'T bad, SHOULDN'T be dealt with, and WASN'T part of the Obama administration?
Quote:

But to claim that there's no 'THERE' there

Alright, 'fess up, who said there was no "there" there?? C'mon, admit it...who??



Obama said it, albeit about Benghazi.



( Which he's been lying about, for 8 months.. but I digress )

Quote:



What we're LAUGHING AT is that this has always gone on, OF COURSE needs to be stopped when we find out about it, but the country isn't going to sink into some kind of black tyranny hole because it happened. It will be dealt with, and it will happen again, as it's happened before.



Problem is, it HASN'T " always gone on ", as you claim.

Q: Why did Obama accept the resignation of the interim IRS chief, when the guy had said he was going to leave the IRS anyways, before this story even broke ?
( And also, why did Obama couch this 'resignation' as having ANYTHING to do w/ the scandal ? This guy wasn't there for when most of it was going on, all he did was KNOW about it,and say nothing , for about a year. )

Quote:

The ecstasy you are obsessed with will pass, and you'll let someone on the right get away with exactly the same, and worse, things...there's a prediction you can take to the bank!




This makes it easier for Democrats like House Oversight and Government Reform Committee member Elijah Cummings to pop off, as he did on CNN on Tuesday, calling the IRS scandal “one of the most alarming things” he’s ever seen. Ouch.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/dc-turns-on-obama-91386_Page2.ht
ml#ixzz2TUjhjSVJ





Elijah Cummings. Black. Liberal TEA Party Patriot ? Is that what you're trying to sell us , Niki ?






Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen

Resident USA Freedom Fundie

" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall

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