4479

To expand upon what @Penny_Dreadful, the answer ANY time you ask the question, “why does suchandsuch have tax exempt status,” is: because Republicans.

4480

Should throw a lot of churches into the mix too, with their suggestions during weekly services. Anti-abortion, etc. Religion is definitely way more involved in politics than I care for.

4481

Technically, they are two groups, for this purpose, AFAIK.

4482

This a million times.

4483

They have a political organization and a separate community service organization. The latter is tax-exempt and ostensibly teaches gun safety, etc.

This isn’t unusual, the same is true of the ACLU, Sierra Club, etc. When you donate to them, the donation is only tax deductible if it is designated for the community service organization.

4484

Ahh, that makes more sense, thank you.

4485

Actually, there is more to this. The NRA’s political organization is also tax-exempt, because it is a “527 group”. This means that it advocates for a particular issue, but cannot directly advocate for any candidate or party. Again, there are many examples on the left and right, including the SEIU and ActBlue. However, donations to 527s are not tax-deductible.

4486

But they do! Like if that is the requirement, they are in so blatant violation of that it isn’t even funny.

4487

Actually, I take that back. If they directly advocate for a candidate or party then they are subject to additional restrictions, but they don’t necessarily lose their tax exempt status.

4488

Which is hilarious because they were threatening to kill people who didn’t worship Trump enough.

4489

So, in other words: Trump is asking the Russians to fund his impeachment defense.

4490

… aaaaaaand Rudy is flat-out being paid by the Russians (to appear at a conference.)

4491

Really, your example of political cowardice is John McCain??? You realize he has received numerous award for political courage, by numerous Democrats. Campaign finance reform, opposing torture, support the surge in Iraq, a vocal critic of not only Trump, but both both Bushes.

4492

Well that was a quick change of plans:

4493

Political courage in action! He has about 8% courage it seems.

Also, seems like he loves him some Trump:

4494

Interestingly those are all positions held by the entire Democratic caucus. I guess it’s only bravery if the right thing is just a rare deviation from someone’s usual behavior.

4495

What is the law, regarding an administration official who release information that the executive branch deems as being privileged? How does executive privilege apply to whistleblowers regarding the President?

I agree the law is un-ambiguous, and executive privilege is abused. But I’m also realistic enough to know that nobody gives a shit about what you and I think the law means and it is not our job or our freedom on the line.

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/secrecy/R42670.pdf

Supreme Court decisions have left considerable gaps in the law of presidential privilege. Among
the more significant issues left open include whether the President must have actually seen or
been familiar with the disputed matter; whether the presidential privilege encompasses documents
and information developed by, or in the possession of, officers and employees in the departments
and agencies of the executive branch, outside of the Executive Office of the President; whether
the privilege encompasses all communications with respect to which the President may be
interested or is confined to presidential decision making and, if so, whether it is limited to a
particular type of presidential decision making; and precisely what kind of demonstration of need
must be shown to overcome the privilege and compel disclosure of the materials.

4496

Really which Democrats supported the surge in Iraq?

4497

I mean, yeah. It’s easy to do the right thing if all your friends will reward you for it.

“The only time a man can be brave is when he is afraid.” I’m pretty sure that’s in the Bible.

4498

Ummmmmmmm