Gene Edward Veith Jr.'s Blog, page 408

IRS harassment of pro-life groups

More increasingly alarming details are coming out about the IRS scandal.  See this, for the kind of intrusive information the IRS demanded.  See also this and this for how liberal organizations applying for the same status were routinely and quickly approved, no questions asked.  And how as many as 500 conservative organizations were targeted.  We [...]

Should you be able to buy a car online?

It’s illegal to buy a car direct from the factory or over the internet.  You have to go through a local dealer.  The electric car company Tesla is trying to change that.  But state and local governments are resisting.  That, arguably, goes against the free market and against the trends of the new technology.  But [...]

Rand Paul courts Christian conservatives

Sen. Rand Paul is presenting himself as a “libertarian Republican” rather than a “libertarian,” and is courting evangelicals and other Christian conservatives.  In an apparent effort to position himself as a credible GOP presidential candidate, Paul is backing away from conventional libertarian positions, such as legalizing drugs, and is nuancing his support for gay marriage. [...]

Abortionist to get life in prison

Kermit Gosnell, the abortionist found guilty of murder, will not be executed.  He agreed not to appeal his conviction in exchange for a life sentence. From Doctor convicted of murder in abortion case gets life in prison – CNN.com: A Philadelphia abortion provider found guilty of first-degree murder has agreed give up his right to [...]

IRS gave confidential info to left-wing journalists

More malfeasance by the IRS.  The progressive journalism site ProPublica admits that the IRS sent them confidential material from conservative groups.  ProPublica had requested information about organizations whose tax exempt status was approved, but the IRS, in addition, sent them copies of applications whose approval was pending, in direct violation of the law. From Progressive [...]

“A dagger at the heart” of a free press

Maybe we need to start worrying about those black helicopters after all.  The Obama administration keeps confirming the alarms over intrusive government and the violation of civil liberties.  In an effort to track down the source of leaks, the justice department has secretly subpoened and seized two months of phone records of the Associated Press.  [...]

Court rules against German homeschoolers

The German government threatened to take away the children of a couple on the grounds that they were being homeschooled.  So the family fled to the United States and applied for asylum, claiming that they faced persecution for their beliefs.  Their application was first accepted, but later overturned, leading to a series of court battles, [...]

A heresy trial over baptism

Reformed theologian Peter Leithart is in trouble again over his views on baptism.  He was tried by the Presbyterian Church in America and found innocent of doctrinal violations, but when the prosecutor in that case recently converted to Catholicism, the church body is questioning that decision and looks to put Rev. Leithart back on trial.   [...]

Abortionist convicted of first degree murder

After 10 days of deliberation, the jury found abortionist Kermit Gosnell guilty of capital murder for killing babies a few moments after they were born, as opposed to his usual practice of killing them a few moments before they were born, which is legal. From the Washington Post: Abortion provider Kermit Gosnell was convicted Monday [...]

The IRS plot thickens

More information is coming out about how the IRS harassed groups critical of the government.  Allegations are coming out that the agency audits businesses whose owners have questioned government actions and that it has leaked confidential tax records.  Also, the Washington Post is reporting that the initiative to target conservative organizations came not from rogue [...]