Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) issued the following statement regarding the Internal Revenue Service informing the Committee that they have lost Lois Lerner emails from a period of January 2009 – April 2011. Due to a supposed computer crash, the agency only has Lerner emails to and from other IRS employees during this time frame. The IRS claims it cannot produce emails written only to or from Lerner and outside agencies or groups, such as the White House, Treasury, Department of Justice, FEC, or Democrat offices.
“The fact that I am just learning about this, over a year into the investigation, is completely unacceptable and now calls into question the credibility of the IRS’s response to Congressional inquiries. There needs to be an immediate investigation and forensic audit by Department of Justice as well as the Inspector General.
“Just a short time ago, Commissioner Koskinen promised to produce all Lerner documents. It appears now that was an empty promise. Frankly, these are the critical years of the targeting of conservative groups that could explain who knew what when, and what, if any, coordination there was between agencies. Instead, because of this loss of documents, we are conveniently left to believe that Lois Lerner acted alone. This failure of the IRS requires the White House, which promised to get to the bottom of this, to do an Administration-wide search and production of any emails to or from Lois Lerner. The Administration has repeatedly referred us back to the IRS for production of materials. It is clear that is wholly insufficient when it comes to determining the full scope of the violation of taxpayer rights.”
Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany Jr., M.D. (R-LA) added, "In the course of the Committee's investigation, the Administration repeatedly claimed we were getting access to all relevant IRS documents. Only now - thirteen months into the investigation - the IRS reveals that key emails from the time of the targeting have been lost. And they bury that fact deep in an unrelated letter on a Friday afternoon. In that same letter, they urge Congress to end the investigations into IRS wrongdoing. This is not the transparency promised to the American people. If there is no smidgeon of corruption what is the Administration hiding?"
#2
Due to a supposed computer crash, the agency only has Lerner emails to and from other IRS employees during this time frame. The IRS claims it cannot produce emails written only to or from Lerner and outside agencies or groups, such as the White House, Treasury, Department of Justice, FEC, or Democrat offices.
Hey, no problem. Just subpoena the WH, Treasury, DoJ, FEC, and Dem offices for any e-mails THEY have either 'to or from' Lerner.
Whilst we await those, I'm sure the IRS won't mind if we just have a [non-gov't] discreet forensic look into any computer that Lois might have come in contact with.
[BREITBART] Former New York City Mayor Michael Nanny Bloomberg donated $250,000 to the pro-Thad Cochran super PAC "Mississippi Conservatives" in late May, Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings the organization provided show.
Bloomberg's donation to the Super PAC supporting Cochran could end up becoming a kiss of death for Cochran in the heated runoff against conservative state Sen. Chris McDaniel, who bested Cochran in the popular vote in the primary a little over a week ago, forcing a runoff a week from Tuesday.
"This is not a battle of dollars, this is a battle for the hearts and minds of America so that we can protect our children, protect innocent people," Bloomberg said in a recent television interview about his renewed fight against the National Rifle Association.
"We're the only civilized country in the world that has this problem," Bloomberg added, while highlighting gun-related deaths in the country.
While the NRA has interestingly enough also thrown its weight--with Bloomberg--behind Cochran, pro-2nd Amendment groups like National Association of Gun Rights and Gun Owners of America have endorsed McDaniel.
But at the recent NRA convention in April, NRA chief lobbyist Chris Cox attacked Bloomberg as if speaking directly to him: "Stay out of our homes, stay out of our gun cabinets... because this freedom is not for sale."
Posted by: Fred ||
06/13/2014 11:57 ||
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From the "Let's keep conservative money out of politics" crowd.
[WASHINGTONEXAMINER] If House Republicans respond to the shocking primary defeat of Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., by elevating his handpicked successor Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., it would be beyond tone-deaf. It would be pure absurdity.
Though we'll never know precisely why Cantor was knocked off by Dave Brat, an obscure economics professor, it's clear that in recent years, Cantor lost the trust of the conservative base and became a symbol of Washington. Whether it was on immigration or fighting to shrink the size and scope of government, Cantor was increasingly at odds with conservatives and far too cozy with business interests.
His defeat presents House Republicans with an opportunity to signal - ahead of the 2014 midterm elections - that they're listening to conservatives. But by elevating McCarthy, who is next in line as whip, they'd be sending the opposite message - that they're determined to crush conservatives.
Several groups placed McCarthy's voting record well to the left of Cantor's for 2013. The American Conservative Union rated McCarthy at 72 percent compared with 84 percent for Cantor; Heritage Action ratings place Cantor at 53 percent and McCarthy at 42 percent; and Club for Growth had Cantor at 68 percent and McCarthy at 53 percent. Moving away from conservative groups, the National Journal rated Cantor the 80th most conservative member of the House while McCarthy was 170th.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/13/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
If they do this then the GOP has learned nothing. Time for ALL of them to go.
#2
There is more than one flavor of Blue State model politicians.
The Alinskyite flavor that defines nearly 100% of the Democrats is one. The cozy-with-big-business flavor that predominates in RINOs like Cantor and McCarthy is the other.
The Blue State model is moribund. It is dead but doesn't know enough to lie down. It was successful in a unique time in history, those two or three decades after WWII when the rest of the world's industrial base was shattered and the U.S. had no real competition for goods.
Now that other nations have rebuilt, this model is outdated and is causing grievous harm. It used to be that all (or most) Americans could be happy and comfortable, and that we could be solvent as a nation, with the Blue State model. That is no longer the case, but there is a very powerful minority of politicians, big companies, and publicly funded individuals and groups like the education industry and the ag combines who would be devastated if the Blue State model were to be replaced by something else. They will fight literally to the death of the nation to prevent the Blue State model from collapsing.
That is why we are seeing McCarthy offered as the next majority leader.
Posted by: no mo uro ||
06/13/2014 6:54 Comments ||
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In the best Bob Dole tradition: "It's my turn, dammit."
The natives are getting restless, more than one carefully choreographed career is going to ride the toboggan in the next couple of years.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
06/13/2014 7:33 Comments ||
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...more than one carefully choreographed career is going to ride the toboggan in the next couple of years.
I'd much rather see them take the short drop, with a sharp stop. Just short of the ground.
#7
It would be bizarre if instead of going in a new direction after this stunning defeatÂ…
Hold yer powder there Butch. Regardless of the figurehead the house calendar is pretty much set through November. After that there will be an election for the entire leadership.
[WASHINGTONEXAMINER] President B.O., who rode his opposition to the Iraq War straight into the White House, isn't so eager to talk about the conflict there anymore.
The chaos just outside Storied Baghdad has the potential to puncture Obama's carefully crafted narrative, even more than the civil war in Syria or Russian aggression in Ukraine, because his political Image is more closely linked to Iraq than any foreign policy issue.
The capture of djinn-infested Mosul ... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn... and Tikrit by faceless myrmidons tied to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has once again called into question whether Obama is quick enough to deploy U.S. resources that could deter instability abroad -- a point that even some of the president's allies acknowledged.
"This is a huge deal," a former Obama counterterrorism adviser told the Washington Examiner. "You can't really overstate how big Iraq is when it comes to perceptions of the president. His arguments aren't nearly as persuasive if the entire country is in shambles."
Just this week, Obama's aides cited his handling of Iraq as among his greatest foreign policy accomplishments. In the 2012 presidential debates, Obama mocked Republican rival Willard Mitt Romney ...former governor of Massachussetts, the Publican nominee for president in 2012. He is the son of the former governor of Michigan, George Romney, who himself ran for president after saving American Motors from failure, though not permanently. Romney has a record as a successful businessman, heading Bain Capital, and he rescued the 2002 Winter Olympics from the midst of bribery and mismanagement scandals.... for even suggesting his administration should have left more U.S. troops behind in Iraq. And in 2008, then-Sen. Obama used his disapproval of the Iraq War to win over progressives wary of frontrunner Hillary Clinton ... sometimes described as The Liberatress of Libya and at other times as Mrs. Bill, never as Another Walter Q. Gresham ... .
With turbans now marching toward Storied Baghdad, the GOP has pounced on the instability as proof of Obama's naivety about a region spiraling out of control.
The president on Thursday said he was not ruling out the possibility of Arclight airstrikes in Iraq, a sign of just how dramatically his calculations there have shifted. The Iraqi government has been pushing for some form of air support from the B.O. regime with little success.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/13/2014 00:00 ||
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The master strategist strikes again. To everyone who is upset about loosing Iraq after putting so much in, the message his 'O'ness sends is the same as his well thought out ACA health plan: Your little lives are meaningless to me.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
06/13/2014 7:17 Comments ||
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#2
The ONE has never had a foreign policy. For that matter he has never had a domestic policy other than to assiduously undermine the country. Why would anyone be surprised at the unraveling of Iraq? Hildebeast is not the answer; she is part and parcel of this same mentality as Obama. She's in politics for one reason--she is cut from the same narcissistic cloth that Obama is. I hope women in this country don't go wobbly just to elect a women for the sole reason as to plow new ground. They need to ask: "How did that work out when Obama was elected?"
#3
Zero isn't running for anything more (I don't think) so what difference, at this point, does his political image matter? Hillary's image ought to be getting hammered, but she still has a media pass, plus she got out before it all fell apart, so she can blame Kerry. Besides, as I am continually reminded, "It's all Bush's fault" - that excuse never seems to expire.
#4
The Messiah, and the thrill up your leg. And the Grecian Columns. The Smartest man in the room who will bring us all to transparency and amity. The NBC, prog dream come true.
There is a Bluelight special in aisle six at Walmart, why don't you bend way over and pick it up in your Spandex.... and while you are down there.... be sure to vote Democrat.
Oh... and don't forget the wonders of Hope and Change.
Posted by: Big Thromoth3646 ||
06/13/2014 7:28 Comments ||
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The Iraqi government was NOT destined to unravel. In early January, 2009, it had American troops to ensure it didn't go too far in repressing people, and American troops to give people a sense of security. The Iraqis were proving themselves to be well ahead of their new government in their willingness to rebuild their country. The Sunnis were calming down (since American troops guaranteed that the Shi'a government wouldn't oppress them), Shi'a were calm (since American troops guaranteed that Sunni militants wouldn't blow them up) and Kurds were calm (because American troops and their own militia guaranteed that everyone else would leave them the heck alone). Iraq was being given a chance and was taking advantage of it.
Then we left.
Every major change in governance -- EVERY one -- needs time to consolidate. The American revolution needed a decade as British loyalists moved to Canada and new political leaders took charge. We had the time as no outside power molested us. Germany and Japan after WWII had major changes, and through American guarantees of their security had the time to do so. Ditto South Korea. To see what happens when one doesn't get the time, look at Poland, 1946, South Vietnam, 1974, or France, 1789.
Iraq needed, and needs today, a decade (at least) of external and internal security guarantees. Then representative democracy WOULD take hold. It's unfortunate that Iraq's own security forces aren't able to hold together (again, look at South Vietnam, 1974). But that's life.
We broke the eggs, we should have stayed for the omelette.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/13/2014 8:46 Comments ||
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There has always been a problem of tribal conflict in this region. I'm not sure a decade of tranquility would be enough to over-ride these internecine tribal frictions. Hard to get optimistic when the local history is reviewed. Maybe it would work. Obummer was never committed to the long run.
#7
IIRC the legitimate Iraqi government was unwilling to extend out troop presence without unacceptable shackles, which pretty much forced Obama to withdraw. That's the kind of situation adult diplomacy is designed to deal with: it did not.
#8
No SOFA agreement, no problem. Meet your new Military Governor, US Army General Smith. He'll be on hand to sign the SOFA agreement and issue the cards. If you arrest or detain one of our people, we will kill you. Have a nice day.
#11
Iraq needed, and needs today, a decade (at least) of external and internal security guarantees.
Part of that never-to-be-accomplished security guarantee would have been massive American expenditures and losing an American squad a month, or so, for 10+ MORE years. (Also necessary in Afghanistan). The US electorate, left, right, center, etc., would not put up with that.
#12
...just as a point, during the Cold War we'd lose several troops a week in Europe due to traffic accidents, training accidents, motor pool accidents, etc. No one got too worked up about that other than the command with an investigation, determination if any liability existed, and a need for any remedial action if necessary.
#13
It would have taken us a hundred years in Vietnam and even then it might not have worked. Same thing in Afghanistan. I was foolish enough at one time to believe there was hope for Iraq but no such luck. Some things, some places and some people just aren't worth it. Let's just be glad that it's happening on Obama's watch so we get to watch him squirm with it.
Really? Who denied them the time? The English? On the other hand, Cromwell had a decade and the kings still came back. On the other hand, the Kurds seem to be doing pretty well in spite of being caught between the Syrians, Iraqis and Iranians without any time to consolidate.
We broke some eggs, we should have stayed, but it's unlikely we could have turned the Iraqis into the arab SORKs in 50 years. It's that cultural thing. But at least we'd have been able to keep our intelligence networks together and have a place to surge from.
#15
Germany and Japan were different but remember, we still have boots on the ground in Germany and up until recently in Japan as well. We might not ever get them out of Germany and if we do what are chances they'd be going at it with France or Russia some time shortly afterward? And in Japan that old Chinese bugaboo is getting worrisome again.
Is the oil worth the blood? That's the question. How about we stay home this time and drill, baby, drill?
[MEDIAITE] Given the unfolding rebellion in Iraq, how can the White House claim the end of the Iraq War and the "decimation" of al Qaeda as "two signature achievements"? That was the key question posed by ABC news hound Jon Karl to White House spox Jay Carney on Thursday afternoon.
"There is no question that the president pledged to end the War in Iraq and he did," Carney immediately responded, prompting Karl to question: "There is no war in Iraq now?" And so Carney clarified: "[No] U.S. combat mission in Iraq."
Carney defended the administration's being a "good partner" to the Iraqi government -- such as providing assistance at their request -- and suggested that "Iraq's future has to be decided through reconciliations within Iraq and a unified approach to dealing with the challenge posed by a group like the ISIL."
Karl pushed once more on the White House claims of al Qaeda "decimation," considering how an al Qaeda-linked group of gunnies have just taken over the second-largest city in the country.
"Core [al Qaeda], based in Afghanistan and Pakistain, have been severely compromised and decimated. I don't think anybody would disagree with that," Carney responded. "I don't think you can argue that when it comes to the Afghanistan and Pakistain region, that the strategy of going after core al Qaeda leadership has not been effectively prosecuted."
Pushed once again on the same question, Carney told Karl: "I would have to remind you that the most severe military attack on the United States in our lifetimes occurred and was ordered out of Afghanistan and Pakistain by core al Qaeda."
Posted by: Fred ||
06/13/2014 00:00 ||
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Are some in the MSM growing a pair and getting testy with the "about to be former State head of propaganda (and lies)?"
#11
Are some in the MSM growing a pair and getting testy with the "about to be former State head of propaganda (and lies)?"
They probably don't like the fact that Obean is finally being revealed for what he really is/isn't, and that they are even more the fool for not figuring it out long ago.
You might find this interesting about the "Biscuit Minister (Motsoeneng)" who selected a wife. He has an unusual way of exorcising devils. A bit of a perverse Elmer Gantry type. Here.
#13
Actually, as Winston well knew, it was only four years since Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia. But that was merely a piece of furtive knowledge, which he happened to possess because his memory was not satisfactorily under control.
#14
Are some in the MSM growing a pair and getting testy with the "about to be former State head of propaganda (and lies)?"
More like sensing disaster; the press corps maneuvered itself by acquiescence and toadyism into near-irrelevancy. Now it's slowly maneuvering toward the lifeboats.
[BREITBART] House Minority Leader Nancy San Fran Nan Pelosi Congresswoman-for-Life from the San Francisco Bay Area, born into a family of professional politicians. Formerly Speaker of the House, but it's not her fault they lost. Really. Noted for her heavily botoxed grimace... spoke about the wave of violence hitting Iraq from Islamic murderous Moslems, asserting that the United States does not have a responsibility to assist the country with military action.
"I don't think this is our responsibility, but I do think we were irresponsible for going into Iraq for a variety of other reasons," she told news hounds on Capitol Hill on Thursday.
Pelosi called the violence "troubling" but asserted that there was no American appetite for further military action in the country.
"It is a fact; the American people have been exhausted with wars," she said.
Pelosi reminded news hounds that the Bush administration had "misrepresented the facts" on the reasons for going to war "on a false premise."
"War begets war; it's just not a good idea," she explained, comparing it to a "flywheel" that provokes more violence.
"I think this represents the failed policy that took us down this path eleven years ago," Pelosi said.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/13/2014 00:00 ||
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Where's the hook that pulls this old bag off the stage? What did the rest of us do that the San Francisco Bay area voters gave us the finger and poked their thumbs in our eyes with this nutjob?
#4
Where was San Fran Nan when Congress abandoned South Viet Nam? Except in this case, she probably means, "It's Bush's fault."
Posted by: Bobby ||
06/13/2014 7:05 Comments ||
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but we are apparently responsible to feed, house, educate, and raise Central American future democrats illegal alien children.
I propose we house them in San Francisco - Sanctuary City and Nancy's house(s) in particular - at their expense
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/13/2014 7:16 Comments ||
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" feckless old rodent" ? yeah? I really got to remember that one.
She even sort of LOOKS like a feckless old rodent too.
Posted by: Big Thromoth3646 ||
06/13/2014 7:36 Comments ||
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#7
Nancy has been in the House of Representatives since 1987. In order: CA-5th, 8th and 12th districts.
You would have to actually interact with some of the denizens of the SanFran area to comprehend how/why they keep sending this leathery old hag back.
Also, keep in mind, to a large percentage of her constituents Nancy isn't "Liberal" enough. They just haven't been able to find anyone crazier than her to elect.
Leftism is a mental disorder, and if we don't start acting like it is and respond accordingly, all will be lost. If it isn't already.
#8
What did the rest of us do that the San Francisco Bay area voters gave us the finger and poked their thumbs in our eyes with this nutjob?
You upended the country so all the loose fruits and nuts from all over the country, all over the world, rolled out to San Francisco. The hippies, the illegal aliens, the homeless beggars who pee and poop on the streets...very few of them are native Californians. Tom Ammiano, for instance, a leading donk in the state Assembly and looney as all get out, is from New Jersey.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) issued the following statement regarding the Internal Revenue Service informing the Committee that they have lost Lois Lerner emails from a period of January 2009 – April 2011. Due to a supposed computer crash, the agency only has Lerner emails to and from other IRS employees during this time frame. The IRS claims it cannot produce emails written only to or from Lerner and outside agencies or groups, such as the White House, Treasury, Department of Justice, FEC, or Democrat offices.
Michael 
Hillary Clinton
Nancy 
"Pottery house rules"...[you feckless old rodent] "You break it, you buy it." 
