Lerner takes the FIFTH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think the larger issue here is that a government official is willfully withholding information, basically for fear that it could incriminate herself. She has that right, but at the end of the day, good deeds and innocent favors aren't typically used to bring criminal charges.

Her taking the fifth, while her right in my opinion translates into "I'm probably guilty of something here, I just don't want to get myself into more trouble..." It just doesn't look good that she's IRS management.

It is another Republican witch hunt. A Witch Hunt! Everyone should take the 5th when those nasty Republicans start to ask any questions. Thank goodness she got to read her prepared statement though before taking the 5th. It clearly proved that she was innocent of any wrong doing.

Given the GOPs previous cynical use of the perjury trap, and the highly politicized nature of the proceedings, I don't blame her at all. This is a fishing expedition. Fuck em.

Could you give some examples of the "perjury trap"? It's funny that you think this is highly politicized, one can say the same thing about the agency under fire, what with their specific targeting of those of a supposed political nature. But let's not politicize this....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think the larger issue here is that a government official is willfully withholding information, basically for fear that it could incriminate herself. She has that right, but at the end of the day, good deeds and innocent favors aren't typically used to bring criminal charges.

Her taking the fifth, while her right in my opinion translates into "I'm probably guilty of something here, I just don't want to get myself into more trouble..." It just doesn't look good that she's IRS management.

It is another Republican witch hunt. A Witch Hunt! Everyone should take the 5th when those nasty Republicans start to ask any questions. Thank goodness she got to read her prepared statement though before taking the 5th. It clearly proved that she was innocent of any wrong doing.

Given the GOPs previous cynical use of the perjury trap, and the highly politicized nature of the proceedings, I don't blame her at all. This is a fishing expedition. Fuck em.

Could you give some examples of the "perjury trap"? It's funny that you think this is highly politicized, one can say the same thing about the agency under fire, what with their specific targeting of those of a supposed political nature. But let's not politicize this....

Of course they were reviewing political groups that were applying for 501(c)(4) status. That's their f-ing job. It's what the law requires of them.

[Anonymous]

She trampled on the 1st amendment now takes the 5th.

[Anonymous]

List of people who took the 5th amendment and were totally innocent .

1. Nobody.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:List of people who took the 5th amendment and were totally innocent .

1. Nobody.

McGuire had his reasons...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think the larger issue here is that a government official is willfully withholding information, basically for fear that it could incriminate herself. She has that right, but at the end of the day, good deeds and innocent favors aren't typically used to bring criminal charges.

Her taking the fifth, while her right in my opinion translates into "I'm probably guilty of something here, I just don't want to get myself into more trouble..." It just doesn't look good that she's IRS management.

It is another Republican witch hunt. A Witch Hunt! Everyone should take the 5th when those nasty Republicans start to ask any questions. Thank goodness she got to read her prepared statement though before taking the 5th. It clearly proved that she was innocent of any wrong doing.

Given the GOPs previous cynical use of the perjury trap, and the highly politicized nature of the proceedings, I don't blame her at all. This is a fishing expedition. Fuck em.

Could you give some examples of the "perjury trap"? It's funny that you think this is highly politicized, one can say the same thing about the agency under fire, what with their specific targeting of those of a supposed political nature. But let's not politicize this....

Of course they were reviewing political groups that were applying for 501(c)(4) status. That's their f-ing job. It's what the law requires of them.

You are intentionally ignorant if you think that is the issue here. The issue is that the IRS did not behave impartially with respect to political affiliation. Conservative groups were singled out.

But you know that. It makes the Administration look bad and it is therefore hard for you to deal with, but you already know what the issue is. Why put any effort into convincing a bunch of strangers on a message board of something you know is false?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:List of people who took the 5th amendment and were totally innocent .

1. Nobody.

The Supreme Court already has determined that there are valid reasons for innocent people to plead the fifth. So no, you are wrong according to SCOTUS.

[Anonymous]

BTW I love how conservatives speak about certain amendments with utter reverence, and others with complete disgust. FIFTH!, like it's a disease.

Amazing. Fair Weather Americans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she's innocent, why not testify? Why would her testimony be a risky, danger-laden, high-wire act? Her taking the Fifth makes me think she has something to hide.

An honest person who has done nothing wrong would be inclined to answer questions.

She's also making the Obama Administration look even worse. The Tea Party will pounce on her refusal to testify.

Because testifying would dignify the inquiry. Which doesn't deserve to be dignified. Issa has no sense of shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She trampled on the 1st amendment now takes the 5th.

How did she trample on the 1st amendment?

The tea party groups have every right to say what they want to say. No one denied them that right.

The question at hand is whether their political speech deserves a tax subsidy. That's entirely within the purview of the IRS to decide, per the laws enacted by Congress.

[Anonymous]

honestly, I don't know how a group tells everyone that it has fielded candidates for office, and still claim a tax exemption.

[Anonymous]

How about the individuals who were repeatedly audited and harrassed? That cool too?

[Anonymous]

If nothing is unlawful why take the fifth . The use of government power to punish your political adversaries is why gun control can never happen. Nobody ... Can be trusted everybody gets corrupted. Government needs to be reigned in and knocked back down to size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If nothing is unlawful why take the fifth . The use of government power to punish your political adversaries is why gun control can never happen. Nobody ... Can be trusted everybody gets corrupted. Government needs to be reigned in and knocked back down to size.

Are you being deliberately ironic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If nothing is unlawful why take the fifth . The use of government power to punish your political adversaries is why gun control can never happen. Nobody ... Can be trusted everybody gets corrupted. Government needs to be reigned in and knocked back down to size.

If I have nothing to hide, why should I object to a government search?

If I have done nothing wrong, why can't the government read my email?