Waiting For Dr. Barry

The NY Times reports on Obama's presser and includes this bit of oblivion about the IRS scandal:

Mr. Obama’s comments about the I.R.S. left the agency and its leadership alone in answering charges that its employees had put added demands on Tea Party and other conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status from 2010 to 2012, even though none appeared to have been denied the classification.

They aren't worried about a chilling effect? Perhaps they were too excited about Barry's medical metaphor:

A few hours later, at a Democratic fund-raiser in New York City, Mr. Obama bemoaned “hyper-partisanship in Washington” and said he had hoped that Republicans might have been more willing to cooperate after his re-election last year.

“My thinking was when we beat them in 2012 that might break the fever, and it’s not quite broken yet,” Mr. Obama told supporters at the five-story West Village home of the film mogul Harvey Weinstein. “But I am persistent. And I am staying at it.”

You'd have to be sick to criticize Obama? I'll just guess that between Benghazi, the IRS, the AP subpoenas and Iran-Contra ObamaCare, the fever may persist a bit longer.

THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING IF OABAMA WERE IN CHARGE: Team Obama has explained that the IRS is an independent agency and the Justice Department controls the scope of its investigations. So if hyper-partisan Democratic operatives are running amuck, what is a poor President to do?

Comments

[Jeff Dobbs]

Heh, I shoulda known a new thread was imminent.

[Jane]

Even MA democrats are outraged over the IRS intimidation. Wouldn't it be poetic justice if the tea party brought Obama down.

[MarkO]

Obama Fever: Catch It.

[pagar]

From the NY Times lin:

"And we will make sure that we find out exactly what happened on this.”"

Aren't we still waiting to find out exactly what happened in some other situations; like what happened doing his college years?

[pagar]

A fake Indian running for the US Senate doesn't bother MA democrats but IRS intimidation is understandably bad. Got it!

[Rob Crawford]

A fake Indian running for the US Senate doesn't bother MA democrats but IRS intimidation is understandably bad.

I can only figure Mass. Dems overwhelmingly cheat on their income taxes.

[peter]

From the great professor, Richard Epstein: LUN

[Jane]

I got a mention by Instapundit and he spelled my name wrong. Since he never spells anything wrong, I think that's pretty funny. Maybe he has my illness.

[Gus]

The prescription is more cowbell.

[NK]

Dr Barry goes to the West Village to rattle the tin cup with the swells: he's a lying, cheating, disgusting, narcissistic little prick -- isn't he.

[MarkO]

NK, and he's just not that smart.

[pagar]

" rattle the tin cup"

The fact that there are still Americans who will put something in his tin cup after what has been learned about the Obama regime in the past few days should terrify all Americans who believe in a free America, IMO

[NK]

Pagar-- you jest of course-- the cronies (i.e. green energy subsidies and wind turbine bird fine exemptions, TBTF Banks, mortgage originators, racial grievancers etc) and the Hollywood Libs all fall over each other to touch the crease on Obama's trouser leg with their Amex Black Cards.

[jimmyk]

"And we will make sure that we find out exactly what happened on this."

And OJ is still looking for the real killer....

[Extraneus]

True the Vote, a Houston-based nonprofit which focuses on election integrity issues, was formed by Catherine Engelbrecht and her King Street Patriots Tea Party group. True the Vote applied to the IRS for their 501(c3) non-profit status in July 2010, and almost immediately their problems began.

Within two years, multiple federal agencies, along with an EPA-affiliated Texas state agency, began auditing True the Vote and its founders, visiting their group, their businesses, and asking questions of people who knew them. The IRS was not the only governmental agency involved…

Engelbrecht’s application with the IRS for non-profit status allegedly triggered aggressive audits of one of her family’s personal businesses as well. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) began a series of inquiries about her and her group; the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms) began demanding to see her family’s firearms in surprise audits of her and her husband’s small gun dealership–which had done less than $200 in sales; OSHA (Occupational Safety Hazards Administration) began a surprise audit of their small family manufacturing business; and the EPA-affiliated TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environment Quality) did a surprise visit and audit due to “a complaint being called in.”

[Janet]

Jane's Instapundit shout out. Congrats!

[Danube on iPad]

It would be impossible to overstate the joy these three scandals are giving me. Ecstasy is not too strong a word.

We are now reaching the point where those who continue to defend this man will be mocked.

[jimmyk]

Congrats, Jane, and he was nice enough to use a pseudonym for you. :)

[Rob Crawford]

We are now reaching the point where those who continue to defend this man will be mocked.

Really?

I expect the press to figure out a workable narrative (Journolist to the rescue!), focus on it, and begin attacking anyone who mentions these subjects as "distracting the President at a critical time".

[pagar]

http://www.redstate.com/dloesch/2013/05/14/reporter-claims-irs-harassment-after-tough-obama-interview/

I don't remember hearing of any tough interviews, does any one else? But if Obama disliked a question I have no doubt that the IRS would stand ready to take action against the offender and his family.

[Rob Crawford]

So now the NAACP chair has weighed in -- the IRS was perfectly correct to target the "admittedly racist"(?) "Taliban wing of American politics".

via MyPetJawa.mu.nu, which has video that I can't watch.

I wonder what this POS would say if the NAACP was audited, repeatedly, during a Republican administration. The NAACP is, after all, "admittedly racist" and has come to represent a particularly nasty strain of conspiracy theorist and race-hate in America.

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

I don't agree with the intelligencia that the IRS matter is the big problem. AP's wired journos have a distinct advantage for those with a Power Perch. Sources dry up; reporters get even more cautious;public trust is dehydrated.

There is great advantage in creating a chilling effect for every sumbitch who sticks his head up and starts talking.

Just becuz they were operating within TEH LAW doesn't mean what they think it means.

[Jane]

Jake Tapper reveals a Ben Rhodes email that contradicts the narrative:

All –

“Sorry to be late to this discussion. We need to resolve this in a way that respects all of the relevant equities, particularly the investigation.

“There is a ton of wrong information getting out into the public domain from Congress and people who are not particularly informed. Insofar as we have firmed up assessments that don’t compromise intel or the investigation, we need to have the capability to correct the record, as there are significant policy and messaging ramifications that would flow from a hardened mis-impression.

“We can take this up tomorrow morning at deputies.”

[pagar]

NK, I don't believe any of those people you mentioned care much about a free America.
----------------------------------------------
Now this guy?

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-05-14/russia-captures-us-embassy-worker-act-cia-recruitment

[Threadkiller]

NBC’s Lisa Myers says that the Obama Admin has a history of intimidating reporters and sources

Video at link

http://www.westernjournalism.com/obamas-history-of-intimidating-reporters/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Threadkiller]

Flashback:

http://www.wnd.com/2012/03/did-threats-silence-media-on-obama-probe/

[Danube on iPad]

Ron Fournier:

"President Obama and his insular team are violating almost every principle of crisis management. Shoot straight. Ditch the spin. Don´t feed the fire. Restore trust. While the West Wing is run by smart and dedicated public servants, their crisis communications instincts are horrible. They dissemble. They make things worse. They undermine the administration’s credibility."

[James D.]

DoT, that's an amazing comment from Fournier. How can any thinking person say that with a straight face?

[NK]

RobC@1:03-- tells us exactly what the Legacy Media will do.

Fournier's wrong-- The Admin has NO credibility to lose.

[Danube on iPad]

Borowitz:

"PYONGYANG (The Borowitz Report)—As controversy swirled around the Department of Justice’s move to obtain journalists’ phone records, the White House picked up a vote of support today from an unexpected source, Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un of North Korea.

“'I honestly don’t see what the fuss is all about,” Mr. Kim said in an official statement today. 'Of course it’s the government’s right to know what people are doing at all times—and journalists would be right at the top of the list.'

"Mr. Kim also offered a vigorous defense of the I.R.S. policy of auditing the tax returns of organizations that oppose the government: 'Again, this is something I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep over, and I know Dad felt the same way.'"

[Danube on iPad]

"Did threats silence media on Obama probe?"

No. The facts did.

[Jane]

Jay Carney is drowning in "unfettered" BS in this press briefing.

[Danube on iPad]

Politico:

"Reporters across The Associated Press are outraged over the Justice Department’s sweeping seizure of staff phone records - and they say such an intrusion could chill their relationships with confidential sources. In conversations with POLITICO on Tuesday, several AP staffers in Washington, D.C., described feelings of anger and frustration with the DOJ and with the Obama administration in general. 'People are pretty mad — mad that government has not taken what we do seriously,' one reporter said on Tuesday. 'When the news broke yesterday…people were outraged and disgusted....'"

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

" 'When the news broke yesterday…people were outraged and disgusted..."

It's a bipartisan hackfest.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/nycsouthpaw/gop-congressmen-killed-a-media-shield-law-that-wou-4xje

[Threadkiller]

Facts?

[Threadkiller]

Holder on cspan.

[NK]

DoT-- but you see the Media and Obamaniacs are on the same team-- even so there is friction. The Media are benchwarmers ON THE JV-- JEF and Holder are the STARS of the Dem/Media Team. So JEF and Holder grab the scrubs girlfriends (or boyfriends) boff the crap out of 'em and hand them back to the Media as spoiled goods-- the Media, like the JV benchwarmers, are outraged at the abuse by the Stars, but they'll suck it up for the good of the team. GO DEMs!!

[Porchlight]

I don't remember hearing of any tough interviews, does any one else?

I actually do remember that interview. Here it is if you want to watch: http://www.kmov.com/video/yahoo-video/News-4s-Larry-Conners-sits-down-with-President-Obama-147240915.html

There was another one in Texas, DFW area, I think, that got Barry all wee-wee'd up.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--'People are pretty mad — mad that government has not taken what we do seriously,'--

If the press doesn't take what they do seriously why do they expect the government to?

[C.R.]

Regarding Rocco's comment last night:

I want to know more about this Lawrence M. Axelrod who is Special Counsel to the Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate)at the IRS who graduated from the same high school as David Axelrod. I can't find anything online.

[lyle]

"Reporters across The Associated Press are outraged over the Justice Department’s sweeping seizure of staff phone records - and they say such an intrusion could chill their relationships with confidential sources.

Tough shit. You lice abdicated your actual responsibilities for taste of O's flesh anywhere below his waist. After you freely giving up reporting the truth about the most corrupt admin is history, now we should feel sympathetic outrage?

[Porchlight]

My tinfoil hat says this is an Obama-Clinton war playing out.

[bgates]

Reporters across The Associated Press are outraged over the Justice Department’s sweeping seizure

The AP/Obama scandal reminds me of the Iran-Iraq war, in that I hope within 15 years a Republican President causes the leader of one side to be hanged.

[jimmyk]

Porch, it's like the Iran-Iraq war--the longer and bloodier the better.

[NK]

Ig@1:55-- fabulous-- that was John Yoo's take last night-- couldn't agree more;

C.R. --LawrenceM is not a sibling of David M Axelrod. david grew up in StuyTown and StuyHigh (class of '72) Lawrence graduated StuyHigh in 1967-- in the StuyHigh 100th Anniversary Directory, LawrenceM is listed, but no indication where he grew up. StuyHigh is a City-Wide school based on entrance exam admission (apparently I was some kind of Greek affirmative action case) No reason to believe Lawrence is a blood relation to David Axelrod.

[Danube on iPad]

From the very first time I saw him I thought Brennan was one extremely creepy dude. On that basis, I am prepared to finger him as the leaker.

[Danube on iPad]

How come no one has threatened World Net Daily? They report on the "Obama robe" each and evry day.

[jimmyk]

Honest, hadn't seen bgates's 2:00 before my 2:03. And there are no incriminating e-mails to show otherwise.

[pagar]

I think the main reason the leftists are upset about the wiretaps is that they don't think that being leftist propaganda spreaders could possibly be wrong. Anyone remember the last time the AP posted a story that was even remotely critical of the Obama regime?

[C.R.]

NK, Perhaps not, but the White Pages show 9 Axelrods for all of Manhattan today.

[Ann]

Porch:

The IRS went after Larry Conners.

http://patdollard.com/2013/05/report-irs-targeted-news-anchor-after-obama-interview/

[NK]

Axelrod = not uncommon Asskenazy name in the USA (current Manhattan White pages notwithstanding)

[NK]

typo alert

Ashkenazy

[Ann]

Sorry, pagar.

Should of read the whole thread. :(

[NK]

Dick Cheney speaks some simple truthes: http://www.newsmax.com/newswidget/cheney-obama-lied-benghazi/2013/05/13/id/504294?promo_code=1238F-1&utm_source=1238FInstapundit&utm_medium=nmwidget&utm_campaign=widgetphase1

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

"On that basis, I am prepared to finger him as the leaker."

He was summarily interviewed on the subject and made whole.

Then came the nomination. Obama must be channeling Lincoln.

He proffered bribes and government appointments to get what he wanted, as well. Obama, however does it keep them in his secret garden.

[pagar]

Ann, I'm pleased every time I see one of your posts. I don't think it is possible to overemphasis the miss steps of the Obama regime.

[narciso]

Their goal is to suppress all opposition, Pagar;

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/14/IRS-Intimidation-Forced-Founder-To-Shut-Down-Tea-Party-Group

[Gus]

Obama is Otter from Animal House. He's telling the media!!! "You fuxed up, you trusted us"

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

2:44

The intimidation efforts are not confined to the IRS or the TParty.

But, carry on.

[Ann]

How sweet. Thanks pagar ♥

[Extraneus]

IRS Asked About Political Views, Tea Party Groups Claim Mistreatment

When Jennifer Stefano of suburban Philadelphia tried to start a tea party group, the IRS sent her so many questions that she figured it was easier to quit.

"In the documents that were sent to me, if you did not tell the whole truth by not putting all your personal information out there by Facebook, by Twitter, of your personal relationship with candidates and parties ... it could be considered perjury and perjury carried jail time," Stefano, 39, told ABC News.

"That was frightening and that's why I shut it down. I shut my group down."

This calls the validity of the 2012 election into question.

[OldTimer]

And was the question that started the entire IRS brouhaha a plant?

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/348280/question-launched-irs-scandal-planted

[Jane -]

It's all dirty. Always has been and always will be.

[Gus]

OldTimer, the planted question reminds me of the good old days, when Obama only answered planted questions. Every motherfuxing inch of this administration is corrupt. And the funny thing is, they are all so filthy that the domino effect is going to be epic. Canaries if you will singing!! Holder needs to be the first to be frogmarched. The rest follow.

[OldTimer]

I'm prepared for epic, Gus, but the question is: Will the Republicans stop talking softly and start ACTING ruthlessly with the biggest sticks they can find?

I'm fed up with my country being brutalized, impoverished and threatened by a cabal of tyrannical bullies and thugs.

[Gus]

It's the media that will run this OldTimer. Unfortunately I've been right about Lil Johnny Boner all along. NO BALLS.
Someone is going to make his bones with this mess, and we don't know who yet. Cruz?? It'll probably be one from the Senate and one from the House. I sure hope it isn't Peter King.

[Extraneus]

In scandal-plagued Washington, lawmaker struggles to keep track of issues

At Rep. Steny Hoyer's weekly meeting with reporters on Tuesday, the Maryland Democrat was asked if he was concerned about the DOJ seizing phone records from Associated Press journalists working in the House press gallery in the Capitol building.

Hoyer's answer was well-delivered: Articulate, clear, firm and precise.

One problem: He responded to the wrong scandal.

"The IRS activity was inappropriate, inconsistent with our policies and practices as a country, very concerning, needs to be reviewed carefully," Hoyer, one of the top-ranking House Democrats, said in response to a question from Fox News' Chad Pergram about the DOJ.

[Threadkiller]

Cleta Mitchell, one of Washington's most respected elections attorneys, told Newsmax she has tangible proof that high-ranking IRS officials in Washington were fully aware of the agency's campaign to target conservative groups for heightened scrutiny, despite their denials. And she thinks the president knew about the practice too. If proven, she said, it could be an impeachable offense. Mitchell, in an interview with Newsmax TV on Tuesday, said she was told by a Cincinnati IRS agent that applications by two of her conservative clients were being processed by — and would ultimately be approved or denied — in Washington. 

http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2013/05/attorney-cleta-mitchell-irs-scandal.html?m=1

[Extraneus]

"We're talking about two things," Pergram, who apparently had not heard the first mention of the IRS, said from across the table, "You said Lois Lerner and the IRS."

Another reporter sitting closer to Hoyer, Public Radio International's Todd Zwillich, learned over and said softly, "He's talking about the AP story."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, excuse me," Hoyer said, pausing briefly. "Whatever happened, we need to find out why it happened. But clearly it should not have happened. I don't know enough about whether there was a warrant sought."

[Sue]

This has been an exciting day.

[Rob Crawford]

Would have been hilarious if Hoyer's answer mentioned a new, previously undiscovered scandal.

[Danube on iPad]

I'm just letting the joy wash over me.

[maryrose]

DOT:
Your joy is contagious! I also feel vindicated.
I agree with ExT. This practice of shutting down possible Tea Parties and the Steve guy knowing about all this in May 2012 BEFORE the election and not saying anything? Well I call illegal election. Imagine how many additional people would have voted if they knew this IRS scandal was happening? Preezy succeeded in covering up everything. How could he sleep at night knowing any one of these scandals could pop at any moment?

[Clarice]

DoT, I wish I were there to share martinis with you right now. Smooooooooooooooches.

[Clarice]

Great, Jane. I think you ought to make yourself vailable to any Congressional investigation.

[maryrose]

Congratulations Jane! I am sorry your group was affected by this IRS plan to shut down Bammy opposition.

[Dave (in MA)]

I got a mention by Instapundit and he spelled my name wrong.

They all do it.

[OldTimer]

Well, we now know if you support Israel (I do); support constitutionally limited gov't and liberty (I do), the IRS has you in its sights.

I'm waiting for my audit...

[Clarice]

We're all Spartacus, now, right? even the press weasels are stepping out from under their Obama posters to talk about bullying and actually asking questions at pressers. I knew this day would come. It's always been Kipling's "The Man Who Would be King"..Time for Peachy to watch him head over the wooden bridge.

[daddy]

Jean,

I think it is inexcusable that Instapundit misspelled your name and if I was you and he had misspelled my name I would be absolutely livid:)

[Jeff Dobbs]

Jayne should sue Instapundit.

[squaredance]

Porch has it exactly right: It is a war between Obama and Clinton.

Note the Libya scandal has now been pushed completely aside now and will soon go down the memory hole just as FAST AND FURIOUS did.

[Jane -]

Actually I think it is a blessing he misspelled my name. Otherwise I would get audited.

[Neo]

“Those from the IRS that have spoken about this obviously have much greater insight into what took place than we do. We have not seen the report. We have not independently collected information about what transpired. We need the independent inspector general’s report to be released before we can make judgments. One person’s view of what actions were taken or what that individual did is not enough for us to say something concretely happened that was innapropriate,” said Carney.

I guess we are to believe that all apologies are vacuous.

[squaredance]

My money is on Hillie: the press will side with her.

(She most likely is the source of the AP bombshell--it has her hoof prints all over it.)

A few people will be sacked at Justice, the IRS and State, the ruffled feather will be smoothed out, and then it will be back to our "new normal". The only difference will be that the admin will have been put on notice that they had better make way for the Clintons. Do not think for a second that the same abuses will not come up again in the next few election cycles.

At best, it will make the Dems work for their seats in 2014.

The real damage done to the country and its institutions by all these scandals will not be even substantially addressed, and the real culprits will keep at it. Its effect on the last "election", the most glaringly obvious one, will neer even be mentioned by the MSM.

If we ever do fully recover from the very real structural, economic political and spiritual wounds Obama and his vipers have inflicted on the Republic it will take at least a generation to do so.

What truly evil people they are. How degraded this nation has become.