Here is a little background funding info on Truthout.
Truthout is funded by (or affiliated with) a group called SEE (Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs): Once again, it seems all these liberal activists are doing the 501(c) "non-profit" shuffle. Environmental groups aligned with anti-war groups etc.
Here are some things that make you go HMMMMM;
According to their 2001 form 990, available at www.guidestar.org and other companies which provide public records, SEE provided funds to Truthout as well as pressing "environmental" causes as:
1.The World Media Alliance
2.Unprecedented-The 2000 presidential election. An independent "film" (I'd have called it-democrats: how to spin like a top - sans vertigo.)
3.A charming little society called the J20 coalition- which is, and I'm quoting from the SEE 990 here, "a determined effort to dog Bush during the tenure of his illegitimate presidency"- Some info on them here:
http://www.actionla.org/J20/ To see the BBB report on SEE (Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs) AKA- Afghan Women's Mission, American-Soviet Film Initiative-click here:
http://www.give.org/reports/care2_dyn.asp?800 To see the form 990 on guidestar, click here (you might have to register and use truthout in a keyword search, if link doesn't work):
http://documents.guidestar.org/2001/954/116/2001-954116679-1-9.pdf Some info on a few of SEE's board members:
Steven Sugarman
1. California State University grad -MA in research Psychology. (There is another Steven Sugarman in New Mexico who is known for his litigation on behalf of the eco-nuts. I haven't found any documentation linking the two):
http://www.thehabitattrust.org/about.html (info halfway down page)
2. Max Gail
Possibly the actor/activist: based on info here
http://www.lap.org/LAP/Full_Circle/full_circle.html 3.Andrew Beath
Profile here:
http://www.nonviolenceworks.com/snv/snv2002/AndrewBeath.htm O.K., There's the facts, as far as I can determine, now here's the rant.
I'm no Bushbot. I've certainly disagreed with several of his policies. However, I want to know why in the HELL these non-profits can give unlimited amounts to issue advocacy groups (in my opinion, left-leaning groups like truthout and j20 coalition qualify as issue and candidate advocacy) and not be constrained by CFR and their tax-exempt status. Why does a non-taxpaying organization have more leeway and (less regulation) to spend money in political expression and candidate/election advocacy than an individual taxpayer does? (-PAGING JOHN MCCAIN-)
If I, as an individual were to send money overseas, Id have to account for it. As far as I can determine, these "non-profits" can engage in political advocacy, ship money from one 501(c) to another (each taking a cut) or even overseas virtually unfettered. I don't know if this inequality violates IRS code, CFR, or even the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, but I'm damn sure it is a burden on individual taxpayers and a drag on the US economy.
So the next time a liberal politician whines about "tax-cuts for the rich", and how they want to tax only "ultra-rich" corporations, tell them to start with their OWN DAMN 501(C)"NON PROFIT" CORPORATIONS!
Ranting aside, I hope there is some useful info in here for you.
Fantastic job! Thank you.