Wednesday, January 14, 2015

BloggeRhythms

Two subjects buried in the news today, not getting much attention at all, are quite distressing. Both clearly illustrating how significantly the administration has either lost control, or is purposefully working against the good, security and best interests of the nation.
 
Charles Hoskinson in washingtonexaminer.com writes that, “New sanctions legislation from Congress could bring a halt to talks on limiting Iran's nuclear program, Iran's foreign ministry spokeswoman said Wednesday, as Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Geneva to prepare for the next round.”
 
Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said, “according to Press TV. “It is totally clear [that] using a worn-out tool which has been evidently proved ineffective is not helpful.”
 
At the same time, according to Adam Kredo of washingtonfreebeacon.com, “Iranian military leaders admitted this week to building and operating missile-manufacturing plants in Syria, where it was also revealed that Tehran is helping to build a secret nuclear facility.
 
“IRGC Aerospace Commander Haji Zadeh touted Iran’s capabilities and bragged that Iran has gone from importing most of its military hardware to producing it domestically, as well as for regional partners such as Assad.
 
“It has long been suspected that Iranian forces operating in Syria are providing weaponry to Assad’s forces. Zadeh’s remarks confirm that Tehran is committed to a long fight in Syria and hopes to turn the country into an Iranian proxy state.
 
Iran’s military actions in Syria could constitute a gross violation of sanctions on the regime enacted by the United Nations and Western  powers. Zadeh also bragged about Tehran’s ability to build missiles capable of travelling at least 2,000 kilometers, far enough to reach into Israel and other Middle Eastern countries, according to the report.”
 
So, here we have continuing confirmation of Iran’s purposeful disregard for any type of efforts to curb its nuclear weapon capability, regardless of threats, appeals or sanctions. However, what’s most incredible is that the administration keeps buying the Iranian pap being fed to them while the conclusion’s been blatantly obvious for more than the past four years. 
 
On another issue, Fox News reports that, “Taxpayers could see delays in getting their refunds this year -- as well as "unacceptable" customer service -- as the IRS commissioner warns budget cuts are forcing the agency to cut back. 
 
“IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, in an email sent to workers predicted a messy tax season on several fronts, writing, “The effect of these cuts will hurt taxpayers and our tax system."
 
While the cuts could “force the IRS to shut down operations for two days later this year, resulting in unpaid furloughs for employees and service cuts for taxpayers, in the near-term, the commissioner said cuts in overtime and temporary staff hours could cause delays in refunds. 
 
"People who file paper tax returns could wait an extra week -- or possibly longer -- to see their refund," he wrote, adding: "Taxpayers with errors or questions on their returns that require additional manual review will also face delays." 
 
Now, what was really eye-catching was a warning buried farther along in the column, as follows: “Further, he warned of delays to IT investments of more than $200 million, predicting this would delay "new taxpayer protections against identity theft." 
 
That alert stood out strongly whereas it was remindful of former Representative, Michele Bachmann, who was one of a number of Republican lawmakers who sought to link the Internal Revenue Service and the president’s health care tax.
 
Back on Monday, May 20th, 2013 in politifact.com from the Tampa Bay Times, Louis Jacobson wrote, “The IRS has a number of roles in implementing the health care law -- the agency has posted a list that includes everything from levying additional payroll taxes on certain high-income Americans to taxation of medical devices and brand-name drugs. Its best known role, beginning in 2014, is to confirm that a taxpayer has health insurance and to assess a financial penalty if they do not. 
 
“In another fact-check, we discussed another key role for the IRS -- approving subsidies for Americans seeking insurance on the newly created health exchanges. To do this, the IRS will need to check its databases to make sure an applicant is eligible to receive subsidies.”
 
So, here we have an agency that cannot even properly perform the responsibilities it’s primarily responsible for; administration of taxation. Yet, it has also been assigned significant tasks critical to the health and well-being of citizens. Which is the same as letting kindergarten classes practice neurosurgery. 
 
That's it for today folks.
 
Adios

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