14 May 2012

Grassley, GOP Judiciary Members Question Handling of Known Hezbollah Figure who was in U.S. Custody

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - After learning that an Iraqi court would release Ali Musa Daqduq, a known Hezbollah figure and orchestrator of a plot that led to the deaths of five American soldiers, all Republican members of the Judiciary Committee asked Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta for information about the Obama administration's plans for dealing with the terrorist.

 

The members wrote, "Now an Iraqi court has cleared Daqduq of any criminal charges under Iraqi law and, as we and many other observers had feared, may be set free without being held to account for his crimes against the United States and its soldiers."

 

Daqduq was captured on the battlefield in Iraq and was in U.S. custody until December 2011 when the Obama administration turned him over to Iraqi authorities.  Before handing the terrorist over to Iraq, a number of senators sent several letters to the administration urging them to try Daqduq before a military tribunal, instead of releasing him to Iraq, because of concerns that the Iraqi government would free the terrorist and he would be able to rejoin the battlefield and innocent people could be killed.  Those letters can be found here.

 

Following the turnover of Daqduq to Iraqi custody, the administration charged Daqduq with war crimes, but knowledge of those charges were only made public when the New York Times obtained a copy of the document.  It appears the administration made the charges only after the handover when Daqduq wouldn't be accessible to the U.S. government.

 

Here's a copy of the letter to Holder and Panetta.  A signed copy of the letter can be found here.

 

May 10, 2012

 

Via Electronic Transmission

The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.                            The Honorable Leon Panetta

Attorney General                        Secretary of Defense

U.S. Department of Justice                        Department of Defense

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.                           Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20530                          Washington, D.C. 20301

 

Dear Attorney General Holder and Secretary Panetta:

 

According to a report in the New York Times on May 7, 2012, an Iraqi court has ordered the release of Ali Musa Daqduq.  Daqduq is a senior Hezbollah field commander who allegedly orchestrated a kidnapping that resulted in the deaths of five U. S. soldiers in Karbala, Iraq in 2007.  He also has close ties with Iran's Qods Force, including training its fighters in the use of improvised explosive devices (IED) and other insurgent tactics employed against U.S. troops.  Daqduq had been in U.S. military custody until the United States turned him over to Iraqi authorities upon exiting Iraq in December 2011.

 

According to another report in the New York Times earlier this year, Daqduq has been charged with war crimes, including murder, terrorism, and espionage, before a U.S. military commission.  However, those charges were not made public until the New York Times obtained a copy of the charging document.   In fact, it appears that the Administration knew it was going to pursue charges against Daqduq, waited until he was released to Iraq, and then filed the charges, but failed to keep Congress apprised of its plans.

 

We have expressed a keen interest in Daqduq and in the Administration's plans for him.  In May 2011, Attorney General Holder appeared before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary (Committee) and was specifically asked about prosecution plans for Daqduq.  We followed up with a letter to Attorney General Holder on May 16, 2011, again expressing concerns about, and interest in, how the Administration was going to prosecute Daqduq.  On July 29, 2011, another letter was sent to Secretary Panetta, seeking information about issues relating to Daqduq held by the Department of Defense.  Finally, on August 8, 2011, the Department of Justice responded through a letter from Ronald Weich that indicated the "ultimate disposition of this matter is under consideration by an interagency process that includes . . . the Department of Justice."

 

Subsequently, Administration officials briefed Congress about Daqduq's imminent release into Iraqi custody.  Yet, they never mentioned that the Administration was considering charges, which were filed approximately two weeks later.  Eight pages of charges, surely involving classified materials or evidence, would require more than two weeks to review, organize, and approve.  This appears to indicate that either the Administration was purposefully withholding information from Congress or it had not done the due diligence required to file charges in a serious case against a dangerous terrorist.  Furthermore, in the future, when the Administration claims that it is aggressively pursuing Daqduq, it will sound disingenuous since we know that he was only charged after he was released to another country.  If the Administration was serious in pursuing Daqduq, officials had many years when they could have brought charges against him, yet the Administration waited until he was not available to prosecute.

 

Now an Iraqi court has cleared Daqduq of any criminal charges under Iraqi law and, as we and many other observers had feared, may be set free without being held to account for his crimes against the United States and its soldiers.  As it appears Daqduq is on the verge of escaping justice, we again ask for information about the Administration's plans for dealing with this situation.

 

Accordingly, provide the following information:

 

·         A copy of the military commission charging document filed against Daqduq;

·         A list of who was involved in this decision and who was the final decision-maker;

·         An explanation of when, if at all, the families of his U.S. victims were consulted about his prosecution;

·         An explanation of whether Daqduq has been notified of the U.S. charges against him;

·         A description of which components in the Administration have been, currently are, or expect to be involved in the Daqduq matter;

·         A description of efforts to have Daqduq transferred into U.S. custody after he was charged, including whether any formal extradition request was made to the Iraqi government;

·         A description of any conditions (such as transfer to a civilian court) required by the Iraqi government for extraditing Daqduq and the U.S. response to those conditions;

·         An explanation of where Daqduq is expected to be held, if he were transferred into U.S. custody;

·         A description of charges against Daqduq from any other country of which the Administration is aware;

·         A description of whether and how the Administration assisted in Daqduq's prosecution by the Iraqi government;

·         An explanation of why briefers from the Administration failed to indicate that criminal charges were prepared but not presented to a military commission prior to turning Daqduq over to the Iraqi government.

·         An assessment of why the Iraqi prosecution of Daqduq failed, including any problems with the Iraqi court's willingness or capability to consider valid evidence provided by the United States, such as forensic evidence and statements made while in U.S. custody;

·         A description of options the Administration is considering for next steps in the handling of Daqduq's case; and,

·         A description of Administration discussions with the Iraqi government about next steps in the handling of Daqduq's case.

 

Given the serious consequences that could result from Daqduq's release from Iraqi custody and the important issues raised regarding future decisions to turn over detainees to foreign governments, we appreciate your response no later than May 25, 2012.

 

Sincerely,

14 May 2012

Veterans History Project Hosts Arts, Military + Healing Closing Event, Collects Stories of Veterans Through Performance Workshops

By Library of Congress
The Veterans History Project (VHP) will host the closing event of a weeklong initiative to promote creativity, wellness and resiliency in military communities on Friday, May 18 at 7 p.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, located at 10 First St., S.E., Washington, D.C. The program features staged readings of excerpts from author Kate Wenner's play, "Make Sure It's Me," based on her interviews with Iraq war veterans who sustained life-changing traumatic brain injuries. VHP Director Bob Patrick will accept into the Library of Congress collection veterans' stories recorded as part of "The Telling Project" workshops. Togo D. West, Jr., former Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Former Secretary of the Army, will offer remarks.

"The arts have an important role to play in the healing of physical and emotional wounds of our nation's veterans," said Patrick. "The Veterans History Project is proud to be a collaborator in this effort and to have veterans' stories collected through this unique initiative become part of the Library of Congress' permanent collection."

The closing event caps a six-day collaboration titled, "Arts, Military + Healing," occurring in Washington, D.C., May 13-18. Artists, veterans and cultural institutions will unite to raise awareness of the role of the arts in the healing process for veterans and military families. A full schedule of workshops and events may be found at www.artsandmilitary.org.   

The Library of Congress, the nation's oldest federal cultural institution, is the world's preeminent reservoir of knowledge, providing unparalleled collections and integrated resources to Congress and the American people. Many of the Library's rich resources and treasures may also be accessed through the Library's website, www.loc.gov.

Congress created The Veterans History Project in 2000 as a national documentation program of the American Folklife Center (www.loc.gov/folklife/) to record, preserve and make accessible the first-hand remembrances of American wartime veterans from World War I through the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. More than 80,000 individual stories comprise the collection to date. The project relies on volunteers to record veterans' remembrances using guidelines accessible at www.loc.gov/vets. Volunteer interviewers may request information at vohp@loc.gov or the toll-free message line at (888) 371-5848. Subscribe to the VHP RSS to receive periodic updates of VHP news.

# # #
14 May 2012

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc announces new beginnings for their Benefit Sales

By Sister Mary Ann Vogel

The annual benefit sale for Humility of Mary Housing that started in a garage 22 years ago and eventually moved to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds has moved again. The new location is 3805 Mississippi Avenue, the new office building and donation center of Humility of Mary Housing. This building is off Kimberly, between Bridge and Eastern, just north of Habitat ReStore and east of Dahl Ford.

There will be two sales a year, one in the spring and another in the fall. The first semi-annual benefit sale will be Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m

This sale continues to carry a large selection of gently used or new items, all in working condition, including house wares, bedding, toys, jewelry, gift items, furniture, books, games and much more. This year clothing has been added to the sale. The sale is staffed by a growing number of fantastic volunteers who turn the sale into a social event. One is sure to go away with some special treasure.

All proceeds from this sale are used by Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. to provide housing and program services for single parents and their children who have been homeless. Through the program lives get turned around, children learn there is a different way to live, parents are provided with opportunities upon which they build the foundation for a greater future for their families.

14 May 2012

"PAY WHAT IT'S WORTH" FOR JOHN LOGAN'S RED, AUGUST 17 - SEPTEMBER 1

By Rick Martin
Author John Logan's Tony Award-winning Red will be presented by an independent group of theatre professionals with numerous area credits. And in a ticket-pricing format never before attempted in the Quad Cities, the play will be offered to local audiences with a "Pay What It's Worth" policy, allowing audience members, after the production ends, to determine their own ticket prices.

A captivating, 90-minute drama about abstract-expressionist painter Mark Rothko, Red won six Tony Awards in 2010 (the most awarded to any Broadway show that year) including citations for Best Play, Direction, Featured Actor, and Scenic, Lighting, and Sound Design. Set in the late 1950s, the production follows the great American painter Mark Rothko (Mike Schulz) - as seen through the eyes of his young assistant Ken (Thomas Alan Taylor) - as they create murals for a flashy new building in New York City. Consequently, Red's audience becomes a collective "fly on the wall" in the painter's studio, as polar opposites Rothko and Ken dive into the most important work of their careers.

Written by acclaimed author John Logan - whose screenwriting credits include the Oscar-winning films Gladiator, The Aviator, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Hugo, and Rango - Red will be staged in Rock Island's Center for Living Arts (2008 Fourth Avenue) on Friday and Saturday evenings, August 17 through September 1. Produced and directed by Tyson Danner, whose area directing credits include the Curtainbox Theatre Company's Time Stands Still and the Green Room Theatre's Doubt, john & jen, and Songs for a New World, the cast and production team will include :

* Mike Schulz (the Curtainbox's Time Stands Still, Speed-the-Plow, "Art"; Augustana College's How I Learned to Drive; the Prenzie Players' Cyrano de Bergerac)
* Thomas Alan Taylor (New Ground Theatre's Mr. Marmalade; Circa '21's Hairspray; the University of Iowa's Akarui, Salvage, How Catherine D__ Got Her Expression, Angel Bones)
* Jessica Denney (New Ground's Mr. Marmalade; the Curtainbox's Time Stands Still; the Gorilla Tango Theatre in Chicago's Quake)
* Lauren Nigri (the University of Iowa's How Catherine D__ Got Her Expression, Angel Bones, Operation Midnight Climax)
* Daniel DP Sheridan (Artistic Director for Davenport Junior Theatre; the Curtainbox's Danny & the Deep Blue Sea, Glengarry Glen Ross; St. Ambrose University's Dakota Jones & the Search for Atlantis)
* Jessica Sheridan (the Prenzie Players' Tartuffe; the Curtainbox's Wit, Fool for Love, Glengarry Glen Ross)

"We know that this play will speak to our audiences as strongly as it speaks to us," says Danner. "And aside from that, it's a thrilling piece of drama."

The team will also be presenting the show under the "Pay What It's Worth" policy, a ticket-pricing format never before employed in the Quad Cities.

Like many "pay what you can" programs, this method allows audience members to determine their own ticket prices. However, unlike those programs, Red's audience members will see the play first and then pay on their way out, allowing viewers to determine what the experience was worth to them.

This innovative pricing strategy is designed to create a completely accessible theatrical experience, regardless of financial means. It will also keep the driving force of Quad City theatre in the hands of audience members. According to Danner, "One way or another, audiences always have the final say in how much and what kind of theatre happens in their community.

"We trust our work and we trust the local theatre audience," says Danner of Red's "Pay What It's Worth" policy. "It's a no-brainer."

Performance Dates (7:30 p.m. performances, 6:30 p.m. doors):
Friday, August 17
Saturday, August 18
Friday, August 24
Saturday, August 25
Friday, August 31
Saturday, September 1

Location:
The Center for Living Arts
2008 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island, IL
14 May 2012

Congressman Dave Loebsack to Join Nurses to Highlight Benefits of the Affordable Care Act

By Joe Hand
IOWA CITY - Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-2nd District) and three SEIU Local 199 Registered Nurse members from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) will hold a press conference Friday, May 11 at 3:45 pm at the UIHC to highlight the many benefits for patients and providers in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. For instance, despite the difficult financial picture for next year that UIHC officials recently painted for the Board of Regents, the ACA will actually help hospitals' bottom lines, said Pauline Taylor, an SEIU Member and an operating room nurse.
"Simultaneously it will drive down costs and improve patient outcomes. That is why it is so important to fight for it no matter what the Court ultimately does," added Matt Sinovic, Executive Director of Progress Iowa, which shares SEIU's support for the ACA. In Massachusetts, where healthcare reform has been in full swing for several years, the Massachusetts Hospital Association reports that hospitals have taken billions of dollars out of the rising expense trend over the last three years.
We have been going around the hospital over the past few weeks, educating our members about the ACA and how critical it is for us as providers and for the Iowans we care for, said Taylor.

###

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, and nearly 6,000 in Iowa, SEIU is the fastest-growing
union in the Americas. SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while
uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs-
-benefit from today's global economy.
Progress Iowa is a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization. Year-round, we promote progressive ideas and causes with creative earned media strategies, targeted email campaigns, and cutting-edge new media. With our allies, we work to significantly improve the communications effort of the entire progressive community in Iowa.
14 May 2012

Enjoy America's River at Summer of Paddling 2012 Event

By Rick Martin

Moline, Ill. - As part of the Summer of Paddling 2012 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps of Engineers will hold a paddling excursion from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at Sylvan Slough on the grounds of the Moline Rowing Club.

Beginning at 1 p.m. speakers from the Department of Interior, Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Izaak Walton League and River Action will describe their roles in the broad partnership involved with the Summer of Paddling and express their support for paddling as a mode of experiencing America's Great Outdoors.

Following the remarks participants will learn paddling techniques and have the opportunity to take a kayak or canoe in Sylvan Slough, a backwater area of the Mississippi River. Expert river biologists will be on hand to provide riverine interpretation.

Inexperienced paddlers are invited to try paddling with instruction by trip leaders to learn effective paddling techniques.

To register for the event, call Jovita at 309-794-5505 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. or email jovita.a.martin@usace.army.mil. To learn more about the Summer of Paddling, visit www.SOP2012.org.

The Summer of Paddling 2012 is a series of events designed to get Americans outside to enjoy the Mississippi River via canoe, kayak or other paddle craft, and take part in a summer full of paddling events on and near the river.

Paddlers of any level can take part in events. Experienced paddlers from a variety of conservation agencies, not-for-profit organizations and adventure guide services will lead participants through the backwaters, bayous and braided streams of the Mississippi River.

All events will be listed on this website. Register for events by contacting the host listed on each event's description.

The Summer of Paddling 2012 is aligned with the Presidential Initiative America's Great Outdoors, encouraging people to be active and get outside to experience nature.

For more information about the Summer of Paddling, call Bob Clevenstine at 309-757-5800 extension 205 or email info@SOP2012.org.

For more information on the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visit http://midwest.fws.gov.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwmidwest, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwsmidwest, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/.

 

- FWS -

14 May 2012

Braley, DeLauro Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Middle Class

By Jeff Giertz

Braley, DeLauro Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Middle Class

Comprehensive Bill Makes Investments, Creates Stability, Restores Fairness Necessary to Rebuild America 

 

Washington, DC - Representatives Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), co-chairs of the Populist Caucus, today introduced the Rebuild America Act, comprehensive legislation to rebuild the American middle-class.  The bill invests in our future through three main tenants: investment to foster jobs and growth, creating financial stability for middle-class families and restoring fairness to the tax code.  This stands in direct contrast to the vision for America Republicans are pushing today: slashing the social safety net to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.

 

"The Rebuild America Act is the kind of comprehensive plan we need to strengthen the middle class, grow America's economy, and invest in the future," Braley said.  "From the modernization of America's schools to the expansion of renewable energy, from a national manufacturing strategy to raising the minimum wage, this bill is the kind of bold vision that will put America back on a path to prosperity and progress.  Congress has been paralyzed by inaction, but I believe this common sense plan can appeal to people regardless of partisanship."

 

"The debate in Washington has gone on for too long.  We need to stop talking and start implementing solutions to get America back to work," DeLauro said.  "The Rebuild America Act makes bold, critical investments in our future to create jobs and promote the financial stability so crucial to middle-class Americans.  These families have been facing pressures on all fronts, from struggling schools to declining manufacturing to the squeeze on pensions and retirement security.  This bill will help both individuals and businesses start to pull themselves out of the morass we have been in and prepare our economy for future challenges."

 

The Rebuild America Act has three overarching principles:

 

  1. Investing in America to Create Jobs and Future Growth
  2. Creating Financial Stability and a Better Future for Middle-Class Families
  3. Restoring Fairness to the Tax Code and Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

 

Investing in America to Create Jobs and Future Growth

Creating solid middle-class jobs that cannot be outsourced will lay the foundation for long-term economic growth.  To do this, we need to move from being a nation that consumes to one that builds and exports.  The Rebuild America Act invests in our schools and teachers, renewable energy and roads, bridges and infrastructure.  It also rebuilds our manufacturing power through expanded tax credits and access to credit for business.

 

Creating Financial Stability and a Better Future for Middle-Class Families

Middle-class families are facing enormous financial pressures, both during their working years and in retirement.  The Rebuild America Act helps ease this stress by strengthening social security, establishing a fair minimum wage and ensuring paid sick days are available for workers across the country.

 

Restore Fairness to the Tax Code and Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

Our current tax system is unfair, too complex and keeps us on a path of perennial deficits.  The Rebuild America Act takes action to level the playing field for all Americans.  The bill includes the Buffet Rule, ends tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and makes Wall Street take responsibility for their irresponsible actions that led to the 2008 financial collapse.  Crucially, the Rebuild America Act protects the pensions that workers are counting on to get through retirement by encouraging employers to continue to provide pensions and creating additional protections for people whose pension is a casualty of bankruptcy.

 

The following organizations support the Rebuild America Act:

 

SEIU

AFSCME

AFL-CIO

AFT

Building Trades Unions

Machinists Union

UAW

NEA

IAFF

USW

IUPA

Main Street Alliance

American Sustainable Business Council

Campaign for America's Future

American Dream

National Women's Law Center

National Partnership for Women and Families

National Employment Law Center

Urban League

US Action

Community Change

Moms Rising

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Children's Defense Fund

Young Invincibles

Social Security Works

Coalition on Human Needs

Family Values at Work

ADA

First Five Years Fund

NAEYC

CLASP

NWLC

PEW

PreKnow

Independent

NACCRAA

ECE Consortium

Zero to Three

Head Start

First Focus

Voices

NAWB

Workforce Alliance

JAG

American Progress

Knowledge Works

Alliance for American Manufacturing

American Small Manufacturer Coalition

Industrial Unions Council

United Spinal Association

The Arc

 

Formed in 2009, the House Populist Caucus is the only caucus in Congress dedicated soley to strengthening America's middle class.  The Populist Caucus has 28 members.

 

# # #
14 May 2012

Taco Dinner Fundraiser

By Karen L. Davies
  Wilton Masonic Lodge #167 Scholarship Fundraiser

 Taco & Ice Cream Dinner

3 Tacos and Ice Cream

Saturday, June 9, 2012

4:00 pm until 7:00 pm

at the Wilton Masonic Lodge

405 Cedar Street, Wilton IA

 Dinner is $7.00 per person

 We hope you can attend and if unable we hope you will help support our Scholarship Fundraiser

 

 

 

14 May 2012

Braley Joins Westmoreland to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect American Manufacturing Jobs

By Jeff Giertz

Bill would reverse regulation threatening Marshalltown refrigeration manufacturer

 

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today joined Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) to introduce a bipartisan bill that would remove burdensome government regulations on refrigerated deli-style display cases that threaten the future of their manufacture in the United States.

 

The Department of Energy has interpreted a 2005 energy efficiency law passed by Congress to include refrigerated deli display cases in the same category as standard refrigerators.  However, the Department of Energy acknowledges that the inherent design of display cases makes it impossible for them to reach the minimum efficiency standards established in the 2005 law, effectively outlawing their manufacture.

 

Braley and Westmoreland's Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations Act will simply create a separate product category for refrigerated deli-style display cases, effectively reversing the Department of Energy regulation.

 

Lennox Industries, Inc., manufactures the deli-style display cases covered by the regulation in their Marshalltown, Iowa, facility.

 

Representative Bruce Braley (IA-01) said: "When government regulations defy common sense and put jobs at risk, it's time for a change.  With their regulation, the Department of Energy has effectively outlawed refrigerated display cases commonly found in grocery stores, delis, ice cream shops, and restaurants.  This regulation is unfair and harmful to manufacturing in Iowa and America.  Our bipartisan bill will reverse this misguided regulation and protect American jobs.  I'm proud to work with Representative Westmoreland to create a common sense solution that will appeal to people on both sides of the aisle."

 

Representative Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) said: "Sometimes smaller issues, like this one, are overlooked in a federal government as large as ours.  But that doesn't mean they aren't important and don't impact the livelihood of many Americans, including many of your friends and neighbors here in Georgia.  By creating a separate product class for these display cases, we are allowing American manufacturers to continue to make and sell them - saving American manufacturing jobs - and we can do so at no cost to the American taxpayer.  It's bipartisan bills like this that show both sides of the aisle are opposed to the overregulation that has become commonplace in Washington.  The more regulations and red tape created by bureaucrats in Washington, the harder it is for American companies to succeed, making it harder for them to expand and hire new employees.  By eliminating unnecessary regulations, we are able to encourage job creation and economic growth.  I'm proud to have joined Congressman Braley in introducing the bipartisan BURR Act and encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in eliminating this unnecessary regulation."

 

A copy of the Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations Act can be downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/VAq

 

A photo of the refrigerated deli-style display cases manufactured by Lenox in Marshalltown can be viewed below:

 

LIIRefrigeration_ServiceDeli2 (2)

 

# # #
14 May 2012

Reports dings IRS whistleblower progress, President should engage

By Randy Stalsberg

May 10 


Today the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released a report calling for better Internal Revenue Service (IRS) management of the IRS whistleblower program aimed at curbing big-dollar tax cheating.  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa last week expressed his "extreme disappointment in the management of the program" in a letter to the agency.  Grassley wrote the 2006 law improving the IRS whistleblower office.

Grassley made the following comment on today's report.

"This report confirms my concern that the IRS isn't serious about processing whistleblower claims in a timely way.   Open-ended timeframes don't get the job done.  Ironically, taxpayers are subject to strict deadlines and stiff penalties for foot-dragging with the IRS.  The accountability is one-sided.  Meanwhile, while the grass grows at the IRS, big-dollar tax cheating continues.   Whistleblowers who are trying to expose the wrongdoing are left twisting in the wind.   If the IRS and the Treasury Department really want to close the tax gap, they need to focus on cleaning up the processing of claims and issuing awards.   Instead of going to conferences in Miami and San Diego, they should process whistleblower claims and make these payments.    For example, the whistleblower office director's approval of an award apparently has to be reviewed by an executive committee before a whistleblower can be paid.   As I said in my letter last week, the IRS needs to get the process moving.   President Obama should make this a priority.  While he promotes higher taxes on millionaires, his own administration is allowing big-dollar tax cheating to continue by letting whistleblower cases sit on the shelf.  He could do a lot for tax compliance by lighting a fire under the IRS on whistleblowers."


Today's report is available here.

The text of Grassley's latest letter is available here.

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar