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Showing Original Post only (View all)NYT: Why Darrell Issa Turned Off the Mic [View all]
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/06/why-darrell-issa-turned-off-the-mic/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0This kind of behavior is typical of Mr. Issa, who runs his committee like a permanently angry Marine drill sergeant. Democrats held news conferences and complained on television and introduced a resolution of disapproval, which of course will go nowhere. But as Nancy Pelosi, the minority leader, pointed out, this was bigger than mere rudeness. Its about not hearing what you dont want to hear, she said.
There was a good reason Mr. Issa cut off his colleague. For months he has been on a single-minded crusade to prove the Obama administration ordered the I.R.S. to target conservative and Republican groups that spent unlimited secret money on political activity in 2012. He has accused the I.R.S. of targeting Americans for their political beliefs, a very serious charge for which he has produced not the slightest piece of evidence, clearly hoping that if he says it often enough, and loud enough, the message will sink in.
But Mr. Cummings has very effectively prevented that message from becoming accepted wisdom. He and the committees Democratic staff have shown that the I.R.S. didnt just scrutinize Tea Party groups, but also groups with names that included progressive and occupy. Thats because the agency wasnt on a political witch hunt, but was instead trying to figure out whether thousands of social welfare groups were abusing their tax exemptions by engaging in politics, of whatever stripe.
That undermines Mr. Issas narrative of aggrievement. It shows that Mr. Issas endless hearings are nothing more than hyperbolic stagecraft. And its exactly the kind of thing that House minorities are supposed to point out when it happens. For Mr. Issa, the fear of again being exposed as a fraud was greater than his fear of being accused of trampling on minority rights. When politicians reach for the microphone switch, you know theyve lost the argument.
There was a good reason Mr. Issa cut off his colleague. For months he has been on a single-minded crusade to prove the Obama administration ordered the I.R.S. to target conservative and Republican groups that spent unlimited secret money on political activity in 2012. He has accused the I.R.S. of targeting Americans for their political beliefs, a very serious charge for which he has produced not the slightest piece of evidence, clearly hoping that if he says it often enough, and loud enough, the message will sink in.
But Mr. Cummings has very effectively prevented that message from becoming accepted wisdom. He and the committees Democratic staff have shown that the I.R.S. didnt just scrutinize Tea Party groups, but also groups with names that included progressive and occupy. Thats because the agency wasnt on a political witch hunt, but was instead trying to figure out whether thousands of social welfare groups were abusing their tax exemptions by engaging in politics, of whatever stripe.
That undermines Mr. Issas narrative of aggrievement. It shows that Mr. Issas endless hearings are nothing more than hyperbolic stagecraft. And its exactly the kind of thing that House minorities are supposed to point out when it happens. For Mr. Issa, the fear of again being exposed as a fraud was greater than his fear of being accused of trampling on minority rights. When politicians reach for the microphone switch, you know theyve lost the argument.
Emphasis mine.
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More "rightist clue" organizations, or a higher percent of the 501's with "clues"?
Scuba
Mar 2014
#11
Sure. You wrote "the vast majority of applications that were scrutinized had rightist clues".
Scuba
Mar 2014
#19
I think because Issa is an ass and it is cheaper to take the 5th than deal with his requests.
hollysmom
Mar 2014
#35
Ididn't mean that literally that she did not testify because he was an ass, but
hollysmom
Mar 2014
#63
Yes, I knew what you meant But I still think everything you described, in and of
merrily
Mar 2014
#66
The RW uses this same exact lack-o-logic to "prove" the existence of the mythical
Dark n Stormy Knight
Mar 2014
#36
That may be the truth. Because, after all, it is probably like 99-1 the amount of R/L groups.
silvershadow
Mar 2014
#75
"When politicians reach for the microphone switch, you know they’ve lost the argument."
calimary
Mar 2014
#8
Perfect synopsis!!! K&R!!TeaParty dramas/antics are about defending their own fantasies!
hue
Mar 2014
#17
Please don't pair this guy with USMC, he was run out of the army less than Hon. Then he
CK_John
Mar 2014
#21
Hey, "not a Republican" is the entirety of the Democratic Party message these days.
Scuba
Mar 2014
#56
This stunt by Issa may bring out the undoing of the plot. He presented himself as very childish
Thinkingabout
Mar 2014
#32
when questioned as to why he cut off the mic, issa made the following statement...
Javaman
Mar 2014
#34
Let's review his rap sheet - serial auto theft, unregistered weapons, arson for insurance
UTUSN
Mar 2014
#37
I disagree. Issa knows there's nothing there, but he also knows Fox sheeple ......
Scuba
Mar 2014
#54
Cummings better watch his back. Issa-asshole will steal his car and burn down his house.
olegramps
Mar 2014
#69