Becky Gerritso of the Wetumpka Tea Party
“I’m not here as a serf or a vassal,” she said, starting to tear up. “I’m not begging my lords for mercy. I’m a born-free American woman, wife, mother, and citizen. And I’m telling my government that you’ve forgotten your place.”
“It’s not your responsibility to look out for my well being and to monitor my speech. It’s not your right to assert an agenda. The post that you occupy exists to preserve American liberty. You’ve sworn to perform that duty and you have faltered.
“I’m not here as a serf or a vassal,” she said, starting to tear up. “I’m not begging my lords for mercy. I’m a born-free American woman, wife, mother, and citizen. And I’m telling my government that you’ve forgotten your place.”
“It’s not your responsibility to look out for my well being and to monitor my speech. It’s not your right to assert an agenda. The post that you occupy exists to preserve American liberty. You’ve sworn to perform that duty and you have faltered.
Becket Adams, TheBlaze — Congress for the second time this week held a hearing on the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups on Tuesday.But unlike previous hearings on the matter, no government official appeared on Tuesday to testify on the IRS’ stifling of grassroots organizations. Instead, the House Ways and Means Committee called on the leaders of six conservative groups that were allegedly targeted by the IRS.
From left, Kevin Kookogey, founder and president, Linchpins of Liberty; Diane Belsom, Laurens County, S.C. Tea Party; John Eastman, chairman, National Organization for Marriage; Karen Kenney, San Fernando Valley, Calif. Patriots; Sue Martinek, Coalition for Life of Iowa; and Becky Gerritson, Wetumpka, Ala. Tea Party. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The lineup of witnesses included John Eastman (National Organization for Marriage), Diane Besom (Laurens County Tea Party), Becky Gerritson (Wetumpka Tea Party), Karen Kenny (San Fernando Valley Patriots), Kevin Kookogey (Linchpins of Liberty), and Sue Martinek (Coalition for Life of Iowa).
Here are four of the most memorable moments from Tuesday’s hearing:
4. It’s the Tea Party’s Fault?
Rep. Jim McDermott (Democrat-Washington) (AP)
Amazingly enough, a few U.S. lawmakers say the IRS scandal could have been avoided if only conservative groups hadn’t applied for tax-exempt status.
Congressman Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) is one such lawmaker:
Jim McDermott: Tea Party Believes They Should 'Be Free Of Any Scrutiny' From The IRS
Unfortunately for McDermott , Rep. Paul Ryan (Republican-Wisconsin) wasn’t about to let him get away with his “blame the victim” strategy:
IRS Hearings: Paul Ryan Nails it !!!!!
3. Standing Tall: ‘I’m a Free-Born American’
Becky Gerritson of the Wetumpka, Ala. Tea Party testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Becky Gerritso of the Wetumpka Tea Party in a moving and passionate speech on Tuesday reminded members of Congress that she is a free American.
“I’m not here as a serf or a vassal,” she said, starting to tear up. “I’m not begging my lords for mercy. I’m a born-free American woman, wife, mother, and citizen. And I’m telling my government that you’ve forgotten your place.”
“It’s not your responsibility to look out for my well being and to monitor my speech. It’s not your right to assert an agenda. The post that you occupy exists to preserve American liberty. You’ve sworn to perform that duty and you have faltered.”
Becky Gerritson gives testimony to Ways and Means Committee
on IRS targeting her Tea Party group
on IRS targeting her Tea Party group
2. The IRS Is in the Business of Protecting Planned Parenthood?
Sue Martinek of Coalition for Life of Iowa, right, accompanied by Karen Kenney, San Fernando Valley, Calif. Patriots, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sue Martinek, President of the Coalition for Life of Iowa, made some pretty shocking allegations regarding the IRS’ handling of her group.
“In June of 2009, [IRS Agent] Richards told me verbally that we needed to send in a letter with the entire board’s signatures stating that under penalty of perjury we would not picket/protest or organize groups to picket/protest outside of Planned Parenthood,” Martinek said. “Upon receiving such a letter, she indicated that the IRS would allow our application to go through.”
“[T]he IRS continued questioning us,” she continued. “On June 22, 2009, IRS Agent Richards sent us additional written requests, as follows: ‘Please explain how all of your activities, including the prayer meetings held outside of Planned Parenthood are considered educational as defined under 501(c)(3).”
She added, quoting Richards:
Organizations exempt under 501(c)(3) may present opinions with scientific or medical facts. Please explain in detail the activities at the prayer meetings. Also, please provide the percentage of time your organization spends on prayer groups as compared with the other activities of the organization.So, the IRS allegedly asked her group to promise to leave Planned Parenthood alone and requested that they provide details of “prayer meetings”?:
Please explain in detail the signs that are being held up outside of Planned Parenthood and explain how they are considered educational.
Ways and Means Testimony of Coalition for Life of Iowa President Sue Martinek
1. Serious Accusations
Dr. John Eastman, chairman of the National Organization for Marriage.
John Eastman, chairman of the National Organization for Marriage, accused the IRS of intentionally leaking confidential donor information to groups hostile to his organization.
“This just smells and I hope this committee gets to the bottom of it,” he said, adding that his group had “identified that [the leaked information] came from within the IRS.”
The National Organization for Marriage’s “forensic” specialists were able to strip layers from the document and discovered that “the original document that was posted had originated from within the IRS,” Eastman said.
He also said the document has “internal IRS stamps,” which “only exist within the IRS.”
“You can imagine our shock and disgust over this,” he added. “We jealously guard our donors.” » Full Article
Paul Ryan Talks With Tea Party Organizers Testifying to Congress Re: IRS Scandal
» TheBlaze
» Becket Adams | Article Archive
About the Author
Hailing from South Bend, Ind., Becket Adams is one of 12 children. He graduated with a BA in history in 2008 before enrolling in a Master of Science in Business Analysis program two years later (after waiting tables and selling guitars) at The Catholic University of America. He has interned with The National Journalism Center and had the opportunity to serve as chief research assistant to both the Washington Examiner’s David Freddoso and The Wall Street Journal’s Stephen Moore. Becket joined The Blaze after graduating from CUA and The NJC.
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