Follow-up of already-articulated issues includes extended/indented-quotes [related to the NY-Times, ObamaDon’tCare, and the agenda advocated by Heritage Action]; again, the action-item is to note why Obama and Clinton are now seen as deceitful on Benghazi by a majority of Americans [via FNC-poll] and, thus, how Presser-Carney must, by now, be dreading prepping for the daily news briefing, for it would seem he has nowhere to go but to begin to recant prior quotations.

Note fascinating history… researchers-believe-they’ve-found-wreck-columbus-ship-santa-maria possible Columbus wreck off Haiti in danger of looting

…some levity… lip Sync Battle: Emma Stone vs. Jimmy Fallon woodworker Created A Ring Using Simple Colored Pencils

…clips of amazing animal behavior… drinking milk in a pinwheel cat saves boy from dog attack

…an intuitive invention… solar roadway tech could turn roads Into giant solar energy farms we drive on

…and a unique residential setting in the D.C.-‘burbs… If you want to live in a gated-community, consider moving into the (soon to be redeveloped, probably) former Lorton Prison.

Thus, the “BHO’s Scandal-Sheet” update includes the VA cover-up [noting today’s hearings] as well as prior components [Fast & Furious, IRS, Benghazi-Gate, and NSA]; FORT HOOD is categorized more as an example of BHO’s conscious effort to ignore Islamism, despite the intuitive cover-up facets thereof. Local-themed articles are isolated [some old, some new, all worthy of contemplation as the election-season heats-up].

Racism & Reverse-Racism

It may be recalled that graphics are often inserted to provide an exclamation-point to a set of concepts; because the prior “blast” e-mail was so dense, the relevant “color-commentary” has been included here, along with hyperlinks [not particularly current, not totally on-point] serving an “introductory” role.

kkk-fliers in chicago

Feds Charge White Knockout Game Player with Hate Crime

Schools suspend black students twice as often as whites

John Featherman observed that the DOJ pursues selected cases because AG-Holder holds racist views; for example, regarding the New Black Panther voter intimidation case in Philadelphia [Fairmount Ave.] in ‘08, note that Holder refers to "my" people instead of basing his views/actions on ALL Americans:

HOLDER: "When you compare what people endured in the South in the ’60s to try to get the right to vote for African Americans, to compare what people subjected to that with what happened in Philadelphia… I think does a great disservice to people who put their lives on the line for my people."

The reader is invited to revisit what transpired ["Security" patrols stationed at polling places in Philly] and to note this update [Black Panther voter intimidation case dismissal evidence from Judicial Watch].

Black Student 'Lynches' Two White Men for Art Project midwood/mom-punched-while-walking-with-young-daughter movie-goers-attacked-during-christmas-day-race-riot-at-jacksonville-theater

church-creates-nativity-scene-with-bleeding-trayvon-martin

Follow-Up Observations

Regarding Philly, the Philadelphia Daily News characterized the city as being “In ruins” as it explored How Philadelphia became the poorest big city in America; for decades, City Hall has been an indifferent steward of Philadelphia's most elemental resource, the land itself. The result has been low collection rates on real estate taxes, inaccurate property assessments, suspect property data, and poor management of thousands of parcels owned by city agencies.

regarding the City Council at-large election, Inquirer endorsed Matt Wolfe regarding City Council is dysfunctional, Where in the world is Jannie Blackwell? regarding the Committee of Seventy, candidates for mayor should Resign regarding city-union strife, Nutter-gave-up-appeal-of-firefighters-arbitration-award; regarding regional economic development, Camden waterfront eyed for World Trade Center; regarding big-business, 1:1 leadership and good-manners earned praise for aramark regarding potential-corruption, reputed mob figure landed major city [auto] contract regarding TV News, the system Is Broken and The Ratings Suck, so people with great stories are

advised to stop going to [and being rejected by] the local media; they are advised instead to “Tell Your Own Story” via PhillyCAM, which can change the way people think about local news.

regarding radio-news, KYW radio saw a big drop in ratings regarding stories originating in Philly with national-import, the Widow of Murdered Police

Officer, Maureen Faulkner, condemned President Obama's DOJ Nomination ["It's Like Spitting on All of Our Officers"] and it was successfully blocked.

Regarding Philly-Sports: the Phillies have a host of problems, despite their having traded michael-young-to-dodgers and having added pitching-inventory via two-trades; the Eagles were bashed by Terrell-Owens-in-cheesesteak-burger-ad [as the new-cowboys-qb-jon-kitna-donated his salary-to-high-school and hope springs eternal that, next year, the song “flyeaglesfly” will echo during the Super Bowl [recalling that the fact that riley-cooper and cary-williams-scuffled-at-practice seemed irrelevant]; and compiled for viewing-pleasure are [c/o the Sixers] the greatest-allen-iverson-career-highlights. Once Guzzardi failed to appeal the PA-Supremes’ decision to dump him from the ballot [despite his having complied with requirements of the DoS], the focus here has drifted from Harrisburg [with all due respect to Congressman Kelly, who laments the fact that PA Republicans are adopting a prematurely defeatist attitude in gov race, which has been the subject of multiple comments (on PoliticsPA and eyeball-to-eyeball with politicos) during the past two years]; nevertheless, it is instructive that the victory of Scott Wagner hasn’t stopped the intransigent YORK COUNTY GOP CHAIR from declaring a CONSERVATIVE GROUP NEEDS 'TO STAY OUT' of the primary-race for the House. {Also, State lawmakers want independent corruption-fighting agency.}

After the Sasse-win, an attendance-expansion will likely occur when Tea Party Leaders Assemble for the Senate Tea Party Caucus, for conservative-insurgents struck a blow against the gop-establishment. Even as Obama claimed Amnesty to be Necessary ‘For Our Safety and Security,’ a military-expert-warned amnesty-push-politicizes-u-s-national-security.

Regarding ObamaDon’tCare, Burwell aims to get misspent funds back; during a confirmation hearing, she says she wants to learn from states with failed exchanges. This entire article should be reviewed:

Cold Realities Lie Ahead On ObamaCare’s Costs By Grace-Marie Turner Forbes, April 22, 2014 The White House is trying to manufacture good news about ObamaCare, but cold realities lie ahead that will reveal the truth about the law’s success or failure. All we have to do is follow the money. Who has paid? This is crucial to determining how many of the eight million that the president says “enrolled” in federal and state exchanges actually completed the purchasing contract by paying the premium. If the news were good, we’d assume the administration would have released it. A McKinsey survey estimated that only 53% of previously uninsured enrollees had paid their premiums, while 86% of previously insured enrollees had paid. Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said that insurance companies participating in the ACA exchanges in his state have received payment from only about half of those who applied for coverage. Georgia insurers received more than 220,000 applications for health coverage, but premiums had been paid for only 107,581 of those policies by the end of March. The number of paying customers may be higher in other states. But how many who do pay the first month’s premium will pay the second, third, and fourth month, especially after they learn of the limited benefits and high deductibles the policies carry? Big premium increases: The Obama administration has touted a Congressional Budget Office report that says the health law will cost about $5 billion less than originally projected this year and $104 billion less over 10 years. That’s partly because the Supreme Court made Medicaid expansion optional for the states and because the Obama administration has made (mostly illegal) changes to the law that give more people escape hatches. CBO numbers are one thing, but pocketbook costs are another. Avik Roy writes in Forbes that individual-market premiums this year are 41% higher on average than last year and, in some states, more than 100% higher. Lower spending for the government doesn’t mean lower costs for people. Sticker shock is coming for next year’s rates, according to insurance company executives. While companies are trying to keep premiums low to keep and attract enrollees, analysts expect premiums to triple in some states. People will begin to learn just how high the new prices will be this fall before the next enrollment period begins in November.

One reason premiums will increase next year is because the exchanges have not succeeded in enrolling enough healthy young people to pay more than their share of premiums, partly because young people up to age 26 were allowed – even encouraged – to stay on their parents’ plans. Another factor: After strong blowback from people angry their plans had been cancelled, the administration is letting states allow people to keep their old health plans instead of forcing them into the new exchanges. This worked against the administration’s goal of attracting a normal risk pool in the exchanges. Sicker enrollment mix: Pharmaceutical benefit manager Express Scripts found that enrollees in the ObamaCare exchanges are likely to be more expensive than patients in commercial risk pools. Its new study shows that enrollees in federal and state exchanges have a 47% higher use of specialty medications than in commercial plans in general. The rate for HIV medications in ObamaCare exchange plans is four times higher, and the proportion of pain medication prescribed was 35% higher than commercial plans. While it was to be expected that those with more health needs would have a greater incentive to sign up for coverage, their higher costs will not be offset by the 40% of healthy younger people who the administration needed to enroll and pay disproportionately higher rates for their insurance. Only 28% of enrollees were in the coveted 18-34 age group. All of this is likely to add to the sticker shock to come. Payback: While the penalties for not having compliant health insurance are relatively modest the first year, the bigger financial burden for some exchange enrollees could be paying back extra subsidies they may receive. People who make more money in 2014 than they estimated on the ObamaCare enrollment form will likely receive a larger subsidy than they were eligible for. They will have to pay back the difference, or some part of it, to the federal government when they file their tax returns next year. This could be an unexpected hit of several thousand dollars for some people. Paying through rationing of providers: Millions of Americans are facing much higher health insurance costs as a result of the law’s mandates, and many more are finding it difficult to find a doctor to see them because of the tiny networks in the ObamaCare health plans. This is especially vexing for patients with chronic illnesses who are losing their doctors and who are seeing treatments interrupted or even stopped. Washington State has decided to create more bureaucracy to try to “fix” the problems caused by having too much bureaucracy. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is expected to approve new rules this week that would make it harder for health insurance companies to offer narrow networks in order to keep premiums down. Consumers shouldn’t have to drive too far or wait too long for care and should be able to find specialists who will see them, he insists, adding that he doesn’t believe prices will increase as a result.

“This is called the Affordable Care Act, not the Accessible Care Act,” said Bill Hinkle, a former state legislator. According to Seattle’s KPLU radio: Board member Bill Baldwin lobbed a string of adjectives at Kreidler’s proposal: “burdensome,” “bureaucratic,” “complicated,” “excessive,” “countercompetitive,” “counterproductive” and “kind of Big Brother.” Sydney Smith Zvara of the Association of Washington Healthcare Plans says the new rules would require stacks of paperwork, including thousands of maps. “The sheer weight and volume of the administrative and reporting requirements that come along with that have the effect of just smothering the ability to provide more innovative networks," Zcara said. Companies in the private marketplace compete vigorously to provide American consumers with the best value for their money. But that’s not how ObamaCare works. Instead, companies are forced to jump through an endless array of regulatory hoops to appease government bureaucrats. The result is high deductibles, high premiums even after subsidies, and limited choices of doctors and hospitals, jeopardizing health coverage for those who get insurance at work when the employer mandate is reactivated. Taxpayers are footing the bill.

Regarding Fannie and Freddie, reform will get more difficult. Shifting leadership dynamics underscore why supporters pushed so hard for this year's proposal, which probably won’t be voted upon in ’14 due to opposition by some Dems. The Senate Banking Committee approved legislation that would get rid of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and overhaul the mortgage finance market. Regarding Common Core, Student 'hopes and dreams' are “for sale”; there is a lucrative market of peddling profiles with consent, even when it may not be entirely informed. {Also, a Soros-Backed Advocacy Group Claimed Charter Schools [in New Orleans, Chicago, and Newark] Are Racist.} VA Spends Close to $500 Million on Conference Room, Office Makeovers Under Obama - President Barack Obama has increased the Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget each year since he took office, claiming the funds would give veterans the health care they deserve. However, an analysis of records show the agency has spent close to $500 million solely on office furniture under the Obama administration. geithner-backs-off-claim-white-house-pressure-after-memoir-stirs-controversy Where Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For? - VOX DOT DOM explainer-in-chief Ezra Klein is happy to report the millennial generation, which turned out in droves to elect Barack Obama in 2008, is “losing faith in the presidency.” [Note that displeasure with its occupant leaks to the office itself.] That is why Surviving Barack Hussein Obama has become the number one priority for all Americans and for the nation. Young Hillary Supporters Struggle to Name Her Achievements. {Some feel she should be targeted

politically ASAP regardless of her physical/mental-capacities and/or Dem/GOP-competitors because of the strength her supporters have already mustered [ref., “HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton” by Allen and Parnes]. Innumerable organizations constitute a subculture that already has a head-start, working on her behalf; just the combined rolodexes of Obama, Bill Clinton and Hillary have more fundraising abilities than all of the Republicans combined; everyone should beware that they could be expert in the “politics of destruction” [noting prior victims, including Sarah, Cheney, Rummy].

U.S. Government Contractors (at least five companies) Attended Iran Oil Show in Tehran. [Also, Iran Sending Chlorine Bombs to Syria.} Regarding Israel, events occurring on Nakba Day illustrate why no Plausible Peace Plan can be taken seriously until/unless the Palestinian Arabs entertain the concept of recognizing a Jewish Israel; that is also why, after J Street Activists Defame Former IDF Spokesperson, it is understandable why it was rejected by the Conference of Presidents of the Major American Jewish Organizations. Indeed, detailing J STREET’S BIGOTRY & INTOLERANCE served as the basis for A RESPONSE TO JEREMY BEN-AMI; finally, What’s Next for J Street’s Operation In Philadelphia is unclear, although it’s clearly self-marginalized.

The state of Jewish Organizational activity remains diseased, nationally, noting that it was the Hillel that Forced a Pro-Israel Speaker Off Campus at UC Irvine; Nonie Darwish, prominent Arab Zionist, was set to respond to Muslim Students' 'Anti Zionism.

The state of Jewish Organizational activity remains diseased, locally, noting that [word has it] it has “flip-flop-flip’ped” its policy regarding the Mandate to Educate all public/charter-school students regarding the “Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Violations”; apparently, the forces-of-evil have re-emerged, and the local Philly entity has opted to prioritize acquiring annual grant-monies over ensuring all kids are told not only of the Shoah, but also of its historical correlates and many contemporary manifestations. [This battle is ongoing; details “prn.”]

The state of Israeli military policy also remains diseased—not dissimilar to BHO’s new rules-of-engagement in Afghanistan—and, as a result, “Tens of thousands ‘liked’ a Facebook page bemoaning the fact that that troops’ hands are tied when they deal with Palestinian protesters.

Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Suspended Talks [aimed at ending the ongoing unrest in the country] with Nicolas Maduro, prompting some U.S. lawmakers to renew their calls for sanctions against the government. Tensions Mount in South China Sea Dispute Over Chinese Oil Drilling - China is stepping up provocative actions and harsh rhetoric in maritime disputes in the South China Sea as Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi traded words on the growing tensions. West Virginia Democratic Senate Candidate [Secretary of State Natalie Tennant] Accused of Mismanagement. Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation Honors Ukrainian Human Rights Activists - The Victims of

Communism Memorial Foundation will announce its 2014 Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom winners on Wednesday, with honors going to two Ukrainian human rights activists. Feds Spending $1.5 Million to research two anti-obesity concepts: ‘Bicycle Trains’ and ‘Walking School Buses.’ Harry Reid MUST ACT NOW on Climate Change Legislation - Democrats are eager to declare part 1 of the climate change debate over (Is it real? What’s causing it? And so on). SCIENCE has spoken. It may be recalled that the Executive Editor of the NY-Times recently dissed BHO as non-transparent; that may explain why Abramson was fired, for her departure will ricochet. One lesson is that Great reporters are not always great leaders, and a second lesson is that the Boys on the bus are back; in this regard, it is argued that the firing of Jill Abramson highlights the journalism industry's gender issues. Apparently, she demanded equal-pay as had been given to her predecessor, Bill Keller, and she had been in an “administrative rehab” program when she was replaced with Managing Editor Dean Baquet. [Initially, when the NEW YORK TIMES REPLACED HER, IT DIDN'T KNOW WHY; The Times reported that "the reasons for the switch were not immediately clear."]

Drudge Headlines: NYT SHOCK MEMO: 'OUR JOURNALISM ADVANTAGE SHRINKING' WAR: NYT JILL FIRED AFTER ASKING 'FOR EQUAL PAY' Publisher says was paid MORE than predecessor Always Clashed With Abramson 'Polarizing and mercurial' CLAIM: Slow to go digital 'They're gonna have to drag me out of here feet first' Questions REPORT: Journalism has a woman problem Other headlines: jill-abramson-out-as-new-york-times-executive-editor new-york-times-turbulence jill_abramson_was_everything_to_young_women_at_the_new_york_times New York Times Editor Jill Abramson Abruptly Removed From Top Job

From Commentary Magazine: Judge the Times the Way It Judges Others:

Love it or hate it, the New York Times remains one of the principal institutions of American journalism. So when its executive editor is abruptly and publicly fired with none of the usual platitudes or polite white lies about the victim deciding to explore other opportunities or spend more time with their families and with the process not dragged out to ensure a smooth and seemingly orderly transition, it is big news in the world of journalism. But the decision of Times publisher Arthur “Pinch” Sulzberger Jr. to “oust”—to use the word used by the newspaper in the headline of its own story about the firing—Jill Abramson seems more like a public hanging than a routine replacement of a top editor. Abramson is a deeply repellent figure in many ways, but her treatment is shocking not because it might be undeserved but

because it is highly unusual for someone at this level to walk the plank in such a manner….

{Also, LE MONDE editor quit over digital turmoil...Staff lack confidence in plans to move online}

The Agenda of “Heritage Action” [c/o Mike Henry, Regional Coordinator [202 276 9395, @mhenryjr]:

Shaheen-Portman Last week the Senate agreed to proceed to the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 (S. 2262). Introduced by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), the bill claims to promote energy savings in industrial and commercial buildings. However, by providing federal incentives (i.e. taxpayer dollars) to make building and manufacturing processes more efficient, the bill would burden taxpayers and consumers alike while producing no tangible benefits. Like most government-initiated efficiency programs, this one is fatally flawed because it is based on the idea that businesses and families will act irrationally unless the government intervenes. On Monday night, this bill lost a cloture vote in the Senate. It was a huge victory for the grassroots conservatives that support common-sense energy policies. Export-Import Bank As the battle over Ex-Im continues to threaten deep pockets of special interests across the country, many are the feeling the heat of the bank’s likely demise. While this is a clear victory for American taxpayers, some DC powerbrokers will go to great lengths to avoid dissolving the corporate slush fund. To this end you will notice many in the political class seeking Ex-Im “reforms” in place of termination. Behind the façade of compromise, these advocates know they are protecting status quo protection of big-business interests. Half-measures and superficial improvements cannot guarantee taxpayer safety any more than they can put a stop to the cronyism that results from bureaucrats taking the place of bankers. The only way to reform Ex-Im is to end it. Tax Extenders This week, Senate Democrats plan to bring to the floor an $85 billion grab-bag of tax promises extending current policy. This “tax extenders” package is a sad display of the well-connected special interests finding preference in our nation’s tax code. Congress should allow the extenders that do not move us toward a pro-growth, neutral tax code to expire and return to the drawing board to develop fair policy that brings an end to the influence of well-fed lobbyists. As Heritage Action CEO Mike Needham has pointed out, “Wind-energy, NASCAR, and the horse racing industry have no business using our nation’s laws to give themselves a leg up on the rest of us.” Heritage Action will be key voting against the package. OPIC Last week, the House passed the Electrify Africa Act which sneakily included a three-year reauthorization of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a similar agency to Ex-Im that provides corporate welfare, subsidizes risk and causes flagrant harm. The vote was yet another violation of the Hastert Rule (House Leadership’s sixth), which states that if a certain bill does not have the support of a majority of the majority party,

it should not be brought to the floor for a vote. In spite of its passage, 117 representatives voted against this corporate welfare fund after being made aware of the hidden OPIC language by an aggressive grassroots push from conservatives on the ground. If these same members continue to oppose political favoritism and corporate handouts in all forms, with the help of devoted and informed activists they can defeat the Export-Import Bank this fall. Immigration Representative Jeff Denham’s (R-CA) Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training, or “ENLIST,” Act (H.R. 2377) continues to stall in the House. The ENLIST Act would allow DREAMers—unlawful immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors—to acquire lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in exchange for military service. Essentially, by allowing illegal immigrants to sign up for the armed forces, the government would grant them, a) pardon for violating the law, b) the full battery of military benefits, c) lawful permanent resident status in the U.S., and d) a back-door promise of instant citizenship. As Heritage Action’s Wade Miller has stated:

"Allowing DREAMers...to acquire lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in exchange for military service turns military service into a penance. Our volunteer military thrives in large part because American citizens recognize that it is a privilege, not a punishment, to serve in the military."

The Big Picture “The full value of this life can only be got by fighting; the violent take it by storm. And if we have accepted everything we have missed something — war. This life of ours is a very enjoyable fight, but a very miserable truce." — GK Chesterton

Colbert aired a spoof-ad supporting efforts by the-koch-brothers to cut funding of the-columbus-zoo. [Although he’s portrayed as a lib, he’s hysterical!] {Also, the Director of the Next ‘Star Trek’ Film, Roberto Orci, Is a 9/11 Truther.}

BHO’s Scandal-Sheet The rapid growth of surveillance under BHO has prompted yearning [all-i-want-for-christmas-is-my-freedom-back] and levity [Obama Commemorative 'Scandal' Plates]; Jon Stewart sumed-up what America has learned about domestic spying over the last 6 months: Lots of change, not that much hope. None of this relates to 9-11 conspiracies [Michael Moore Was Right? and saudi-911-coverup]; rather, it includes Fast & Furious [if nothing else, to give justice to Brian Terry on the anniversary of his Murder].

Lesser-known federal agencies are involved, such as the EPA [IG: Personal Information Stolen from 104,179 after Energy Department Cyber Attack; Clandestine EPA operating 'in shadows'; and Lisa Jackson hauled back before Congress]. Also, the creation of a military entity was authorized within the ObamaDon’tCare enabling legislation.

Prominent in the news is the VA appointment-scheduling scandal which HOLDER already has dismissed [just like he and BHO did regarding the IRS, vide infra]; thus, he contemplates no Investigation Into Secret Waiting Lists or Veteran Deaths at VA Hospitals [because, incredulously, he awaits further news reports of abuses]. Nevertheless, Federal prosecutors entered this VA death scandal and, thus, criminal charges are possible; in an atmosphere where “investigations” are perpetuated, the va-chief said he would withhold-information-from-congress by citing-ongoing-investigation. [This recalls the advice that Congress should mirror what Judicial Watch has done, namely, rather than issuing subpoenas, it should file FOIA-requests.] Meanwhile, predictably, Defense chief Hagel says he supports VA's Shinseki, but wants accountability, and the consensus-view on FNC this-p.m. was that Fixing the VA Requires More Than a Fall Guy. Although one DEM SENATOR said the VA IS DOING A 'PRETTY DARN GOOD JOB,' but Senators call for VA secretary's resignation amid mounting scandals

Benghazi-Gate Newly-released benghazi-emails-lead-directly to the white-house. This shifts the focus increasingly to querying what BHO was doing all-night [before/after] obama’s-10 p.m. call-to-clinton which, allegedly, was about crafting a cover-story…while-two-victims-were-still-alive. Sharyl-attkisson of CBS-News said the obama-administration was pressuring-benghazi-survivors-not-to-talk [and wonders why we can’t see Photos at White House During Benghazi Attack] and John Kerry Refused to Allow Congress to Question Benghazi Survivors, but investigators hope that at least one of the dozens of operatives will be unearthed to explain what they were doing [did BHO-turn-benghazi-into-al-qaeda-terrorist-hub?] and to clarify whether publicly-released info was censored and/or spun [employing the mantra “What did you know and when did you know it?”]. At the very least, they should be asked to clarify the veracity of the claim by CIA officers that there was a clash over how quickly they should go help the besieged U.S. ambassador during the 2012 attack on the Libyan outpost/annex, and the existence [or lack thereof] of a standing order for them to avoid violent encounters.

A-year-later, as the libyan-government-commemorated-september-11-by-refusing-to-arrest-benghazi-killers despite the fact that all of the benghazi-terrorists remain free, BHO claimed he remained committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice; indeed, Known Benghazi Liar Susan Rice was poised to Brief Congress on Syria.

Conservatives remain concerned about a cover-up of a cover-up of a cover-up [such as when tom-cotton-savaged-democrats-on-benghazi], and they quote a Benghazi Mother [‘I Begged’ Administration for Answers] as illustrative of the claim that No justice for the Benghazi victims has yet been attained; they even note how the current situation in Libya is deteriorating [explosion-at-government-building-in-

benghazi on 9/11/2013], and some launched a campaign to ‘fire Boehner’ over his sluggish Benghazi response. [In this regard, some feel energies should be directed solely @ BHO and the Dems, whereas others feel the GOP can easily multitask; in my view, this reflects accumulated frustration regarding Boehner’s sub-par leadership…and potential to ram-thru Amnesty.]

Illustrating re-election woes facing Dems, note how Annie Kuster [N.H.-2] refused to answer a question on Benghazi [“I’m certainly not here to talk about it. I’m here to talk about the Middle East.”] when she spoke to the Jewish Federation in Manchester.

IRS

New-documents-show-irs-targeting-came-directly-from-washington-dc. Thus, even if The Hill correctly Insisted the GOP was Abandoning the IRS Investigation, this certainly isn’t the case any longer. The following WSJ-exchange was triggered by OBAMA’s ATTEMPT TO MAKE IRS TARGETING TEA PARTY LEGAL and, although composed ½-year ago, captures both the legitimate component of the controversy [#1] and the proper way it should be perceived [#2]:

Bradley A. Smith (“The Latest IRS Power Grab,” op-ed, Dec. 9) asks the question: “Why is the IRS regulating political activity at all?” He attributes IRS regulation to “Democratic politicians and progressive activists” when, in fact, the IRS has long limited the extent to which many types of tax-exempt entities can engage in electoral politics. The IRS is doing its job—or more accurately—contemplating doing its job after years of dereliction. Mr. Smith attributes “three myths” to the Campaign Legal Center, but it is he who’s ginned up myths. Regarding “Myth No. 1,” the Legal Center knows that 501©(4)s aren’t “charities” and does not refer to them as such. Indeed, the Legal Center itself is tax exempt as a 501©(3), the tax code section covering “charities,” religious and educational organizations. Regarding “Myth No. 2,” despite Mr. Smith’s claims, Section 501©(4) of the tax code does require organizations claiming tax exemption to be operated “exclusively for the promotion of social welfare.” IRS regulations state explicitly: “The promotion of social welfare does not include direct or indirect participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.” Finally, regarding “Myth No. 3,” all tax-exempt organizations enjoy a “tax break”—they are not required to pay federal income tax for funds raised and spent to advance their exempt purpose. Even candidate and party committees get a tax break, but under Section 527 of the tax code, which requires disclosure of donors. By contrast, 501©(4)s aren’t required to disclose their donors publicly. What’s really at stake here is disclosure of money spent by tax-exempt groups on candidate-related election activity. There are no limits on how much these groups can spend on election activity. The question is whether such groups are subject to donor disclosure. The Legal Center sides with the Supreme Court that voters are entitled to know whose money is being spent to influence their votes. Mr. Smith’s Center for

Competitive Politics believes in denying voters this crucial information, allowing special interests to dominate our electoral discourse by hiding behind 501©(4) tax status. Paul S. Ryan The Campaign Legal Center Washington Mr. Smith rightly criticizes proposed IRS rules “limiting political speech” by nonprofit 501©(4) groups. Those rules restrict even truthful, nonpartisan criticism of IRS and bureaucratic wrongdoing by classifying it as “candidate-related political activity.” For example, if an IRS official subjects citizens to incredibly burdensome demands for irrelevant information just to harass them for their political or religious beliefs, no 501©(4) group could later criticize that official’s nomination to be IRS commissioner, without engaging in restricted activity. That’s because the IRS’s proposed regulation defines even unelected government officials, like agency heads and judges, as “candidates” if they have been nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation. The IRS’s proposed rules are an attack on the First Amendment that will make it easier for the government to get away with harassing political dissenters and whistleblowers in the future. Hans Bader Competitive Enterprise Institute Washington

Another news-tidbit is that the wife-of-irs-commissioner-shulman-was-part of ofa-occupy-dc-and-attacked-groups-shulman’s-agents-targeted.

NSA Recalling the movie “Minority Report,” it is uncanny that, in Texas, Search Warrants Can Now Be Based on a "Prediction of a Future Crime"; moreover, as noted last week, cars in PA can also be searched without prior acquisition of a warrant. Noting the intense debate between privacy/security [and how

some politicians have found themselves with “strange bedfellows”], it may require the flick by Dinesh D'Souza [which will Take on the NSA in the Upcoming 'America'] to distill the key forces at-play; also noted, not surprisingly, is the fact that Obama’s Half-Brother Backed-Out of D'Souza Movie Interview. After having followed surveillance-tactics developed by the nsa’s-mad-scientist targeting a Dragnet that Included Allies, Aid Groups and Business Elite, overall, Obama Can't Name a Single Terror Attack Stopped by NSA Snooping of ‘phone-records. {One is reminded of the aphorism “Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither” by Benjamin Franklin.}

Despite this admission, Consumers worried about NSA intrusions have little recourse, although state-level legislation [in PA, introduced by Sen. Mike Folmer, but still pending] can be used to nullify certain aspects of federal law [e.g., in michigan, the ndaa’s-indefinite-detention was blocked]. This is a hotly-debated concern, as evidenced by the order by a CNN host to producers that they cut [Conservative legal activist] Larry Klayman from screen during an interview, after Klayman got into an argument with host Don Lemon and legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin; he had been invited to discuss his victory in a lawsuit challenging NSA surveillance but, after he was cut, he compared Lemon to disgraced former MSNBC host Martin Bashir. In any case, some fear the nsa’s-next-move will be the silencing of university-professors [perhaps a manifestation of Liberal Fascism, the catch-phrase discussed in-detail a few days ago, quoting from Jonah Goldberg]. {Also, during discussion on FNC’s “Special Report,” Krauthammer noted that the FISA court rubber-stamped the request by AG-Holder to engage in surveillance @ the UN of foreign delegations, despite the obvious absence of any terrorist-threat to the USA.}

These revelations started years ago [when Bush-’43 was POTUS] when the NSA's searches of a database containing the phone records of nearly all Americans for three years violated privacy protections by failing to meet a court-ordered standard. The violations continued until a judge ordered an overhaul of the program in 2009. Subsequently, a U.S. judge ruled the NSA's program that collects records of millions of Americans' phone calls is lawful. Yet, a different federal district court Judge Ruled Against the NSA’s program entailing Bulk Collection of Phone Data, finding that such systematic ability to keep records of all Americans’ phone calls most likely violates the Constitution; as a result, he ordered the government to stop collecting data on two plaintiffs’ personal calls and to destroy the records of their calling history. In any case, the NSA can tap smartphone data, and the u-s-government-asked-google-to-remove-over-4000-posts-containing-political-content-in-2013.

In addition, security-searches-of-private-planes raised alarm, New military drones can deploy weapons without human control, the FEDS SEIZE LAPTOPS AT THE BORDER, and, as a key part of a campaign to embed encryption software that it could crack into widely used computer products, the NSA arranged a secret $10 million contract with RSA, one of the most influential firms in the computer security industry. {Note that the NSA CAN DECODE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS.}

Ultimately, a federal-judge-used every-known-nsa-defense-in-defense-of-the-nsa and a President's Panel Recommended Sweeping Changes to Data Collection, many of which have yet to be implemented. Furthermore, to appreciate the international import of the NSA’s activities, one must appreciate just how Interpol works; thus, Merkel compared the NSA to Stasi in a heated encounter with Obama [although some claim she was acting “holier than thou” because Merkel may also hear Obama's calls]. Thus, in a tongue-in-cheek fashion people know the nsa-is-coming-to-town, and it will be determined whether you have been-naughty-or-nice; the ability to dispute this determination is quite limited.

Snowden’s revelations were viewed as 'Cataclysmic,' the result of his having Stolen the 'keys to kingdom'; indeed, the Extent of Snowden's Leaks continues to Elude the Feds, and a CNN Legal Analyst said Snowden Is the Intel Equivalent of a 'Mass Murderer.' Regardless, Snowden now says his mission has been accomplished.

The NSA is open to cutting a deal with Snowden, for it will consider granting him amnesty in return for return of the documents; meanwhile, the RADIO HOST MIKE SAVAGE WAS BLOCKED FROM DEFENDING SNOWDEN IN THE UK. Curiously, Glenn-greenwald has bashed-neocon-hillary-clinton [“Americans-love-to-mock-the-idea-of-monarchy-and-yet-we-have-ours-own de-facto-monarchy”] and Greenwald called-out MSNBC on crony journalism [“I Defend Snowden Like You Defend Obama ’24 Hours a Day’.”].