#IAm1A: ‘Journalism is an act, not a members-only country club’ [video]

http://twitter.com/#!/FranklinCenter/status/395937068809195520

The Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity is taking action against an attempt to give the government power to decide who is and isn’t considered a “journalist”:

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee led by Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham have attached an amendment to Senate Bill 987, which would give the Department of Justice power to determine who qualifies for protection as a journalist under the First Amendment.

Here at the Franklin Center, we believe in the power of a free press. We already have a law to protect the press from government meddling in our newsgathering efforts and excluding Americans from the reporting process. It’s called the First Amendment.

Gee, what could possibly go wrong with the government deciding who is and isn’t a “journalist”? We thought the government worked for the people, not the other way around.

http://twitter.com/#!/912inMA/status/395961998254419969

Video from the Franklin Center:

For more information on how to take action against this latest attack on free speech, go to IAm1A.com.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/10/31/iam1a-journalism-is-an-act-not-a-members-only-country-club-video/

‘Some nerve’! Dem coddles IRS boss, says ‘dark money’ groups need more scrutiny

http://twitter.com/#!/Barry_O44/status/479993617994354689

Today, IRS commissioner John Koskinen is testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee. And Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra, for one, thinks that’s a damn shame:

http://twitter.com/#!/pbolyard/status/479991250599563265

Becerra felt so sorry for Koskinen that he gave him advice on how to cope with this trying ordeal:

Commissioner, thank you for being here, and let me add my regrets to you that this hearing has been conducted as less [of ] a hearing than it has been as an inquisition. And you deserve better. You certainly are obligated to give us truthful answers, and we appreciate that you’re trying to. Let me suggest to you one thing: You have right to try and respond to any question. If you find that you are being badgered, or not given an opportunity to respond, just take a breath, then try to get your answer out. If you are not given that opportunity, then recognize that again, it’s just maybe not a hearing, but an inquisition. But that you have a right to make sure the record reflects what you, under oath, would like to say.

He may as well have just testified on Koskinen’s behalf. Geez.

http://twitter.com/#!/MitchBehna/status/479991272057225216

You know who should be badgered, though, according to Becerra? Groups sowing the seeds of “dark money”:

Becerra: Some want to confuse the real issue that’s been raised by this investigation. Let me ask you a question: In this added scrutiny that IRS was giving to these so-called “social welfare organizations,” is there evidence that shows that any number of different types of organizations, other than just far-right or conservative organizations, were being scrutinized?

Koskinen: There is evidence that organizations across the spectrum were reviewed. The bulk of the applications were from conservative groups, so the bulk of the reviews were of conservative groups.

Becerra: But it wasn’t just of conservative groups.

Koskinen: That’s correct.

Becerra: OK, so some would like to portray this as just targeting, or an attack on, conservative groups. But the evidence that’s been revealed to everyone, including members in this committee, is otherwise. I think we’re watching how people are trying to confuse the issue here. This investigation should truly be about what’s really wrong with the system. And that is that today in America, these so-called “social welfare organizations,” these not-for-profit organizations that get special tax breaks that ordinary Americans don’t get, they pay less in taxes than an organization that doesn’t have that tax status as a 501(c)4, they spent in the last election cycle, 2012, more money as social welfare organizations than the two political parties combined. $256 million spent by so-called “social welfare organizations” to conduct political campaigns, while the two parties, which are there to conduct political campaigns, spent less than the $256 million [that] these social welfare organizations spent. I hope at some point, Commissioner, we’ll have a chance to get into that, because my understanding is that we’re seeing now the seeds of this “dark money” that’s being spent. [Emphasis ours]

Katie Pavlich is pretty sure Becerra isn’t terribly concerned about liberal groups:

http://twitter.com/#!/KatiePavlich/status/479991949165096961

Others are inclined to agree:

http://twitter.com/#!/_AngelaMorabito/status/479992269337296896 http://twitter.com/#!/sqwerin/status/479991707992203265

This hearing isn’t about Scott Walker, either. And yet, Becerra managed to work him in:

http://twitter.com/#!/FL_Chelle/status/479991905443647490 http://twitter.com/#!/joethepatriotic/status/479992675580407808

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Related:

‘Wow’: As IRS boss refuses to apologize, US reps, Katie Pavlich give him well-deserved hell

‘BEASTMODE’: ‘Fired up’ Paul Ryan grills IRS chief; Blasts Dems’ apology to agency 

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2014/06/20/some-nerve-dem-rep-coddles-irs-boss-says-dark-money-groups-need-more-irs-scrutiny/

What This Family Found Located In Their Free Bedroom Provides You With Nightmares.

a boy visiting his mama the 2009 summertime obtained the shock of a very long time. When he went into an unused guest bed room, he found a giant, 3-foot wasp nest regarding the sleep.

The caretaker was not when you look at the space for all months, and anyone who was last-in the area left the window open. That evidently made an inviting target for huge number of wasps.

This is actually the nest. If the exterminator arrived, he estimated there have been at least 5,000 wasps when you look at the nest, alongside 700 queen wasps. He stated it was the greatest wasp nest he would ever before seen.

Following the initial shock wore down, the exterminator suited up, and reached work.

It absolutely was a tough fight, nevertheless they managed to get eliminate all the wasps. He even spared the blanket the nest ended up being built on.

Via: The Guardian

It is a living nightmare. Wasps tend to be last insect on Earth that I would need cohabit with. Yuck! I am hoping they setup new windows following this event.

Read more: http://viralnova.com/wasp-bedroom/