Posted on 12/20/2006 5:25:17 AM PST by AmericanMade1776
LAST WEEK, the Federal Election Commission fined MoveOn.org, the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and two other groups a total of $629,500 for violating campaign finance laws during the 2004 election. According to the FEC, these "527" organizations (so named for the tax code provision governing their activities) ought to have registered as political action committees, which would have limited their ability to receive large donations and, in the case of MoveOn and the Swifties, would probably have shut both groups out of the 2004 election altogether.
For decades, only groups that contributed directly to candidates, coordinated their activity with candidates or "expressly advocated" a candidate's election or defeat in public advertising (with phrases such as "support" or "vote against") qualified as PACs. But in a landmark ruling, the FEC held that even if the Swifties and MoveOn stopped short of using such magic words in public, they were PACs because their fundraising "clearly indicated that the funds received would be targeted for the election or defeat of specific federal candidates." All three organizations decided to pay up rather than take on the government in court. The FEC warns that future fines will be more severe.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Power to the Swift Boaters, but Who cares about George Soros's Moveon.org?
We can't have free political speech. It might interfere with our first amendment protected titty shows.
We can't interfere with the propaganda operations of approved government sources: AP, UPI, NBC, cBS, ABC, CNN, New York Times, etc.
I am sure. It's a disaster.
They are just figuring this out now?
Or are they just upset that Moveon.org was fined also?
The FEC admitted that, after a "thorough" investigation, it found no evidence that any of the groups operated in concert with candidates or sought legislative favors.
The FEC admitted to going easy on the groups, given the "uncertainty" in the law.
In my view, there is no uncertainty — the groups did not violate the law at all.
Interesting isn't it that Move on was not even mentioned in the title of this article?
Maybe the Federal Election Commission is just dipping into deep pockets? Is that Illegal?
Is there a fund to contribute toward paying the Swift Boat fine? Free Speech isn't free anymmore in this country.
especially when the article goes on to complain about how people (voters) won't know what's going on
Kerry had the US Navy protecting his bag of lies (can't give the public any info because it would expose Kerry for the liar he is, err, violate his privacy). Now here comes the FEC saying if you try and sidestep the protected wall both Kerry and the Navy put up to protect his public deception, we will fine you.
Kerry must be very pleased.
No doubt many Americans think that the Swift Boat Veterans were terrible, smearing the reputation of an honorable Vietnam War veteran. And no doubt many Americans think that MoveOn.org was terrible, making misleading and unfounded charges that undermined American unity in time of war.
While the article was more balanced than most, the statement above proves that the LAT believes their side should be heard, and the other side should be silenced.
Yes and he is already bloviating about it.
Asked by David Gregory on this morning's "Today" whether his dismal poll numbers would deter a presidential run, Kerry responded: "Not in the least. You know, most of those other people haven't had several hundred million dollars worth of negative framing against them."
If the article correctly states the FEC ruling, it seems the Swift Boat people were not fined for what they did against Kerry, but for how they solicited funds.
If their fundraising letters and web site had said they were going to "expose the truth of Kerry's service".
$629,000 ??
A small price to pay for keeping a communist traitor out of the White House.
Money well spent!
The Swiftboaters should get the Presidential Freedom Medal. Kerry is quickly overtaking algore as "Fool of the Century"...what a pair of dueces, er...dunces. Same difference.
We can't interfere with the propaganda operations of approved government sources: AP, UPI, NBC, cBS, ABC, CNN, New York Times, etc.
Not as long as there's an Internet. We need to stay vigilant. They're coming after it no doubt about it.
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