Ben Swann's list of suspects

COAST will on these pages bring you the names of the IRS wrongdoers, as we learn them, and it will grow.  Here are the names WXIX reporter Ben Swann has identified so far:

Director:

Lois Lerner

Supervisor:

Holly Paz

Manager: 

Cindy Thomas

Staff Assistant:

Tracy Dornette

Agents:

Mitch Steele

Joseph Herr

Carly Young

Liz Hofacre

Grant Herring

If COASTers know any of these IRS employees and want to share information on them, if you are an honest IRS employee and want to share details on this, please e-mail us a legal@gocoast.org to help us fill in the blanks on these mendacious employees who chose to target the patriots helping to save America.

Ben Swann of WXIX unquestionably is leading the pack in IRS scandal coverage

Today, WXIX's Ben Swann came out with this second probing analysis of the organizational chart of the Cincinnati IRS' tax exempt organizations determinations unit.  When you consider that the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and every cable and network T.V. outlet are working the story furiously, and that dozens of Congressional investigators are digging in furiously, that our humble local T.V. anchor is able to produce such deep, original investigative journalism is nothing short of remarkable.

FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather

We predict Ben Swann is headed to national prominence as a T.V journalist.

Bravo!

Intellectual honesty from City Beat

For any of us in any profession, one of the warmest compliments we can receive is that we have been intellectually honest.  What that means, many times, is that we admit that an engrained position we have held is simply wrong, or that a person or organization we have opposed is in fact correct in a position that they hold.  But swallowing our pride, and admitting our error takes a big person to undertake.

Lois Lerner placed on adminstrative leave

Gone, and we predict never to return. Lois Lerner has been placed on administrative leave from the IRS, which presumably means that she will keep getting paid to do nothing.  In the case of Lois Lerner, that's much better than getting paid to harass conservatives.  Read it here.

Countdown to insolvency

Cincinnati is down to one week (maybe two) to make the decisions that will determine its fiscal future.

By next Wednesday's City Council meeting, the Council will vote -- finally -- on two important issues.  First, they must decide on their spending priorities.  How many layoffs?  Will Cincinnati improve and modernize, or will it remain the unproductive leviathan it has become?  Today, key business leaders asked the City finally to address its fundamental inefficiencies.  We will soon find out.

Josef Stalin's KGB = Barack Obama's IRS

One of the most monumental tyrants of the 20th Century, responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of his own people, was the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union for thirty years, from 1922 to 1952, Comrade Josef Stalin.  He was responsible for the torture and oppression of tens of millions more.

Four things the IRS will never be able to explain away

As the Obama administration dodges, bobs and weaves to explain the IRS fiasco, or to simply avoid the   shrapnel flying from the daily bombshells, there are four fundamental and glaring positions taken by the IRS that are, ultimately, inconsistent with fundamental American values, and violative of the US Constitution and numerous federal statutes.

1. The targeting of conservative groups, groups that question government power is inexcusable.  The notion that IRS agents were simply taking a shortcut, or trying to be efficient in grouping applications, is absurd.  Read of the outrageous, callous targeting here.
2. Beyond the targeting, however, is the over-the-top, intrusive questioning that could not possibly serve any purposes other than to abuse, harass, and possibly illegally learn the workings of the Tea Party groups, and for future targeting of groups and individuals.  It was more than "impolite" "horrible customer service," and "insensitive," it was illegal, unconstitutional, and conspiratorial. Read here the questions asked and understand the evil depths to which IRS agents sunk.  Please read the Liberty Township Tea Party letter here to understand just how over-the-top, intrusive and improper the IRS actions were, once a Tea Party group was targeted.
3. Third, the lie spun by the IRS that this all evolved from the actions of two rogue agents in the Cincinnati office is purely and simply a lie.  And the intentional misrepresentations about the IRS policy, practice and procedure to target and then harass Tea Partiers is evidence of the nefarious nature of the harassment plan.
4. Finally, the fact that they simply would not stop, even after corrected, the fact that the administration covered up the scandal for a year after the investigation was completed, the declaration of the 5th, and the continuous prevarication, is an indication that this administration has no intention to come clean with the public and cleanse itself of the filth with which they have cloaked themselves.

As we have said before, Laverentiy Beria would be exceedingly proud of Mitch Steele, Joe Herr, Cindy Thomas and Lois Learner.  These bastards have threatened to undermine the very foundations that underpin America.  Let them suffer the consequences of their "poor customer service."

COAST Applauds Massie, Wenstrup

In the debate over increasing Federal involvement in the taxing and regulatory power of the states, two members of the local Congressional Delegation deserve particular praise.

Thomas Massie of Northern Kentucky and Brad Wenstrup of Southern Ohio's District 2. Massie wrote a letter to Speaker Boehner opposing the "Marketplace Fairness Act" (a nice wholesome sounding name for a truly horrible bill). Wenstrup was among the first to sign the letter.

COAST applauds the efforts of Massie and Wenstrup to protect against the expanse of government via the internet tax.

Northern Kentucky COASTers can contact Massie here.

Southern Ohio COASTers can contact Wenstrup here.

Senator Portman calls for special prosecutor in IRS scandal

More given to caution and calm than desk-pounding, our our own Senator Rob Portman made an important announcement over the weekend: The IRS scandal is of such magnitude that it calls for the appointment of a special prosecutor.

This development has gone largely unreported in the main stream press, but our very much respected and mainstream Senator would not be taking this approach if he did not see an important need for an independent look at the tidal wave of controversy engulfing the agency.

Read it in the LA Times here.

Remarkable development in IRS scandal: Key manager in Tea Party harassment gave Obama campaign $4,000 in 2008

In an important development in the IRS scandal, WCPO Digital reports here that an IRS manager that orchestrated and oversaw at least some of the harassment of the IRS, Holly Paz, was recently promoted and transferred to D.C and donated $4,000 to the Barach Obama campaign in 2008.

Other in-depth, good investigative journalism is being done as well, focusing on the misdeeds in the monolith at Fifth and Main Streets (the Federal Building) in downtown Cincinnati.  As they methodically worked to squelch the growing Tea Party movement, in the fashion of tyrans and bureaucras worldwide and throughout history, they left a meticulous paper trail that will soon be their own un-doing.

Read here, as a even democrat Congressmen agrees that the IRS flat out lied to Congress.  

Read here as the Washington Post details how the scandal developments.  

And finally, in perhaps the most important development, our own Senator Rob Portman (also the senator of many of the "rogue" agents) has called for the appointment of a special prosecutor in the matter.  Read that in the LA Times, here.

COAST will keep you updated on the fast-breaking story as it develops.

"This is Big Government Cronyism"

And this is precisely why the Constitution sets out a limited government. A government operating within the constraints of the Constitution simply would not have the power to do what was done by the IRS.

Wenstrup Calling for Reports in IRS Tea Party Abuse Investigation

If you are an IRS employee with information about the abuse of Tea Party and conservative groups or your group was illegally targeted, please read below and use the link to contact Congressman Wenstrup with your information

From the Office of Congressman Brad Wenstrup:

The House Ways and Means Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are conducting investigations of the IRS’s conduct regarding 501(c)(4) groups.

The Second District of Ohio has been ground zero for many of the allegations that have come forward in recent days. If you are either;

(i) an IRS employee and a resident of the Second District of Ohio who wishes to share specific information about the political targeting that has taken place or,
(ii) a resident of the Second District of Ohio who has specific information about a 501(c)(4) group that was targeted by the IRS for political reasons,

please fill out the below form.

I will provide your information directly to the investigating committees for their review and potential follow-up. It is incredibly important that the Congress has complete and accurate information about what happened, who was involved, and how far up the chain of responsibility this goes

http://wenstrup.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=333984

Watch the IRS Hearings here

Part I


Part II

Read the IRS form 1024 Tax Exemption Application here

Read this application and please, please, tell us what justifies the abusive questions the IRS sent to Tea Party and other conservative organizations.

All the IRS should need to make a determination on a tax exemption application is a completed 1024 form. Every question the IRS asked tea party groups that wasn't a part of the 1024 form is abusive and discriminatory. It is that simple.

This is why we believe in a small government. A government powerful enough to provide all your needs is a government powerful enough to take everything from you. Clearly, ours is a government that is too powerful.

  irs form 1024

Richmond Tea Party Targeted by IRS - Read the letter here

COAST is working to catalog each of the creepy letters sent by the IRS to Tea Party organizations nationwide.  If your organization has received such a letter, please email it to us at coastusa@gmail.com

Read the Richmond Tea Party letter below. Read the Liberty Township and Hawaii Tea Party letters here.

  Richmond Tea Party IRS Letter

Krauthammer on IRS Chief testimony: How stupid do you think we are?

Once again, Charles Krauthammer's expert analysis is spot on. The story coming out of the IRS is simply unbelievable and an insult to our intelligence.

This much is certain: the IRS' targeting of conservative groups was not the product of mere "rogue" employees; this was a systematic attack on perceived "Enemies of the People." Big Brother would be proud.

COAST chairman Tom Brinkman announces endorsement procedure

COAST looks forward to consider endorsing candidates for Cincinnati City Council.
Upon the certification of all candidates by the Board of Elections; a brief survey will be sent to the candidate’s home address.

Candidates will have several weeks to return the surveys should they wish to be considered for the coveted COAST endorsement.

NO candidate will be considered unless they complete and return the survey.

The COAST board will gather in early to mid-September and consider endorsements.

COAST will consider endorsement in other local elections on a case by case basis.

Please contact the Chairman once the candidate is certified by the Board of Elections in late August.
An interview or survey will be used to gather data for the Board of COAST to consider prior to any endorsement.

Please direct any questions about this procedure to Tom Brinkman at 513-321-6591.

Rein in the IRS Rally - Tuesday, May 21

The IRS has targeted Tea Party groups all over the country.  Cincinnati is the epicenter of this violation of freedom.  This is something that cannot stand.   Jefferson said, "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."  We will fear our government, no longer. Join us to "Rein in the IRS".  We will rally together.  Bring your signs, your flags and you devotion to the Constitution. When:  Tuesday, May 21st - at Noon Where:  Fountain Square At noon, we will march from Fountain Square to the Federal Building. Register Here! Spread the Word through Facebook Click here for Event Spread the word about this rally on Facebook/Twitter and through your email connections.  Twitter hash tag:  #reininirs.

Smitherman conducts blistering, brilliant cross examination of City Manager on Streetcar

It's possible for the explosive developments at City Hall to get lost in the cacophony of treble scandals emanating from D.C.  But still, Monday's cross examination by Council member Christopher Smitherman of Cincinnati City Manager Milton Dohoney over his plan to continue with the Streetcar, and to fund the $17.4 million in already-known cost overruns, was notable.

Here are some highlights:

• The City Manager predicts further (but unknown in amount) overruns as the project progresses.  Indeed, now that the bid with low bidder Messer has expired, he has no idea even what the initial contact price will be.
• The Manager has no upward limit for the cost of the Streetcar at which even he would recommend pulling the plug. The "sky's the limit."
• The Manager has no authority from Council to fund the Streetcar at the current budget, but he intends to keep spending until there is an affirmatie vote of the Council to stop the waste.  In other words -- despite what Roxanne Qualls has said, he has a blank check from Council.  
• He admits there is no reason to build the boondoggle unless it extends up the Vine Street hill to Clifton and around the uptown area, but he also has no idea how much that will cost, how he intends to pay for it, or when that leg possibly wil be built.
• He is still hoping for some magic Obama money to fill some of the gaps in the funding of the Cincinnati Streetcar project.
• The original budget for the Streetcar was $110 million, and that included getting up the Vine Street Hill.  And now that the project is at $135 million and counting just to go to Findlay Market, no one has been held accountable, no one disciplined, and no one fired for their errors in being off at least 20% in the project costs.

In short, Dohoney remains just as defiant, just as deluded, just as foolish as when the project was first conceived.

It was a blistering, brilliant performance by Christopher Smitherman, and yet another disappointment from an out-of-touch-with-reality City administration.

Local Tea Partiers headed to D.C. to testify in IRS scandal investigation

Cincinnati Tea Partiers Justin Binik-Thomas (Jewish Cincinnati Tea Party organizer singled out by the IRS as an "enemy" of the admistration)  and Tim Savaglio (Liberty Township Tea Party) along with Ohio Liberty Council organizer and former chairman Tom Zawistowski are currently traveling to Washington, D.C. to testify before the House Ways and Means Committee in the growing scandal surrounding the IRS.

They will testify Friday.  We hope those hearings are just the beginning of a thorough airing not just of the improper targeting of Tea Party groups, but of the over-intrusive questioning - waaaaay over the top -- to which they were subjected.  Read the COAST bombshell story and a few IRS letters on this topic here.

Who is Mitch Steele?

Comrade Joseph Stalin would be proud of the tactics of "low level" IRS staffer from the Cincinnati office, Mitch Steele, and whomever instructed him to ask the bizarre and intrusive questions that appeared on Tea Party questionnaires that were sent to Tea Parties, "Patriot" groups and 9/12 groups throughout the nation.

We also hope the Ways and Means Committee subpoenas Mr. Steele to testify as to the motivations for -- and who put him up to -- his nefarious deeds, as speculation is that "low level" IRS employees don't take such initiative on their own.  Someone put him up to this inquisition-lie probing of honest citizens attempting to pursue better government.

Again read for your self here just some of the bizzarre interrogation of these fine citizens.