CIVIL LIBS-CHURCH & STATE selective persecution

Beware when state oppresses church, even if it’s not your church; it soon will be.

 

Isn’t it interesting that a liberal, Episcopal church has run afoul of the IRS?

 

It is an outrageous use of government power to go after this particular church, as it represents the first action taken by the IRS, in this regard, since the Bush administration assumed office. This is the very same IRS that has studiously ignored some 100 cases – every one, save this one, involving a fundamentalist church – under investigation by the Clinton administration at the time they left office – guess they couldn’t put any of those cases together, eh?

 

Since 2000, there have been numerous and well-documented instances of fundamentalist churches becoming intimately involved in the election process; many to the point of handing out brochures, as parishioners exited the church after service, with the results of questionnaires and a not-subtle plea to vote for the candidates who “reflect our values.” Other records show clear use of church facilities and resources, on a consistent and sustained basis, for this or that political purpose. This IRS has failed to file against a single right-of-center church.

 

The record on this type of abuse by church, of state, is clear as a bell: one can count on the fingers of one hand the more liberal churches which have engaged in this unconstitutional behaviour over the past 30 years. In contrast, fundamentalist churches, since the mid 70s, have a rich history of separation-type transgressions; occasionally inadvertent, but mostly with plenty of proof of attempts to cover up their activities.

 

This action by the Bush IRS (they have politicized and cronyized all but a very few oversight agencies) is nothing less than police-state oppression of protected speech; and pretty damned obvious, at that.

 

NjW 09-23-06

 

 

 

Via MTA

Common Dreams News Center

Published on Friday, September 22, 2006 by the Los Angeles Times
All Saints Episcopal Church Won't Comply With IRS Probe
Pasadena's All Saints Episcopal parish board challenges a request to turn over documents in a case over a 2004 antiwar sermon.
by Louis Sahagun

A liberal Pasadena church on Thursday declared that it will refuse to comply with an IRS investigation into its tax-exemption status launched after a guest speaker was critical of President Bush in a sermon.

At a news conference attended by 50 cheering supporters gathered before the marble altar at All Saints Episcopal Church, the Rev. Ed Bacon said his 3,500-member congregation did not violate tax regulations barring tax-exempt organizations from endorsing or opposing candidates when a former rector, George F. Regas, criticized the Bush administration two days before the 2004 presidential election.

The Episcopal faith, the 58-year-old rector said, "calls us to speak to the issues of war and poverty, bigotry, torture, and all forms of terrorism … always stopping short of supporting or opposing political parties or candidates for public office."

Joined by members of other faiths, he added, "We are also not here for ourselves alone but to defend the freedom of pulpits in faith communities throughout our land."…

 

 

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“I think it would be a good idea.” – Mahatma Gandhi

  (when asked what he thought of Western civilization)

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Nigel J Watson  think@ij.net  727 822-9290 Real Estate Broker

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to get on FreeThinkers: 1reply  2type add in Subject  3send

 

 

BUSH-WAR POWERS can Bush just bomb Iran?

From:
To: think@ij.net
Subject: can Bush just bomb Iran?

 

 If you have time, could you please answer this question for me.  As a person of average intelligence, I once thought I knew the answer to this question.  Now, I have no idea.

 

Can Bush bomb Iran without permission from Congress?  Can Bush continue to increase this insanity any old way he pleases?

 

Of the people sending E-mails, I trust your opinion most. (thank you)  Is it possible this man can just go bomb more people?

 

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Dear ______;

 

The short and pathetic answer is, yes. Bush’s powers as Commander-in-Chief are derived from Article II of the U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973. I include the relevant portions below. What makes this president different is that he feels that God has placed him at America’s helm in its hour of need. Karl Rove is Bush’s equal in terms of Protestant fundamentalism. In Old Karl’s case, he sees himself as Bush’s guiding hand. While it’s not yet megalomania, it’s getting there.

 

Add to this Bush’s knowledge that, even if the GOP retains the Presidency in 2008, the man who replaces him will not be a Neocon. Even Condi, absent the religious fervor, will not summarily bomb Iran without legitimate cause (there is none - Iran was fully in compliance with the Arms Limitation Treaty at the time it kicked out the UN inspectors). Bush pretty much knows it must happen on his watch, or probably not at all.

 

As to how far Bush can take all this – he’s a zealot; and sublime in his ignorance – my guess is only Karl and Dick have much say anymore – I am most concerned about the interregnum from the time the 44^th President is determined to Inauguration Day, 2009

 

This is not a happy time for the world.

 

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Article I. - The Legislative Branch

Section 1 - The Legislature

Section 8 - Powers of Congress (all require legislation before action may occur)

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies,  ….

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia (National Guard) to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, ….

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

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Article II. - The Executive Branch

Section 1 - The President

Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices

 

WAR POWERS ACT of 1973 explained 09-13-01 http://www.slate.com/id/1008290

 

WAR POWERS ACT Google links http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=RNWE,RNWE:2005-49,RNWE:en&q=war+powers+act

 

 

Wish the news was better

 

Take care…

 

Nigel