IRS Scandal: Armed Police 'Escort' Reporters Through Cincinnati Office

IRS Scandal: Armed Police 'Escort' Reporters Through Cincinnati Office

Monday afternoon, ABC News released a chilling report that details what journalists have faced while trying to get some answers from the Cincinnati IRS office, which is where a majority of the Tea Party targeting took place.

According to ABC, an "armed uniform police officer with the Federal Protective Service" "escorted" reporters through the public building. ABC says if the intent wasn't to "scare off" employees who might talk, "it was the effect."

ABC News is also hearing conflicting reports from Cincinnati IRS employees and the IRS Headquarters in Washington. A Washington spokesman told ABC that press queries are "referred to the press office," but that "people have First Amendment rights, they are entitled to speak." .....................


[color=cyan]An employee in OH said that is not the case and that staffers have been threatened with their jobs if they are caught talking to the media

Interesting.

Now we see even more spinning.

They are using the old "the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing" trick

They are doing Anything and Everything to deflect and divert.

Where is Agent 86 when we need him ?

An employee in OH said that is not the case and that staffers have been threatened with their jobs if they are caught talking to the media

This is common practice for any organization that is currently being investigated. Doesn't matter if it is the IRS or McDonalds...employees are not to talk to the media. I have worked many places that had certain legal issues where memos were sent out instructing employees to NOT talk to anyone and refer them to the legal department, and if you did talk to the media it was grounds for termination.

This isn't a "scandal"...this is standard operation procedure for any organization. Insider organization information is confidential, which I'm sure any employee signed a confidentiality agreement when hired.

reply to post by flobot


Funny... I can't recall ever seeing armed escort of a media figure or other journalist like this before. The only places I've personally been escorted were ones that security clearance was required to be allowed to just roam free. If the IRS has classified sections, that alone is a point of interest I'd like to hear more about in a field office.

It's funny to watch though. Every thread...no matter what the angle, the arrival of the "nothing happened, nothing to see, nothing to talk about, now quiet and move along" folks is near instant. Same arguments...over and over, too.

I'm thinking that since the IRS people themselves have admitted to it being outright misconduct and improper political targeting of organizations? This one has more legs than most right now....so armed escorting of media is something I find quite interesting.

reply to post by xuenchen


Hate to be a Smart @$$ here, .. But, Um, .. What Uniformed Police Officer is NOT Armed?

Hopefully with this Whole Mess we shall see the End of the IRS.

I know that might make Allot of People Happy, However, there will be a Different Agency in Charge of "Collections" now. Maybe.

There has also been talk of the elimination of Income Tax Entirely in favor of a National Sales Tax.

We Shall See.

Originally posted by Wrabbit2000
reply to post by flobot

 

Funny... I can't recall ever seeing armed escort of a media figure or other journalist like this before. The only places I've personally been escorted were ones that security clearance was required to be allowed to just roam free. If the IRS has classified sections, that alone is a point of interest I'd like to hear more about in a field office.

It's funny to watch though. Every thread...no matter what the angle, the arrival of the "nothing happened, nothing to see, nothing to talk about, now quiet and move along" folks is near instant. Same arguments...over and over, too.

I'm thinking that since the IRS people themselves have admitted to it being outright misconduct and improper political targeting of organizations? This one has more legs than most right now....so armed escorting of media is something I find quite interesting.

The fact is that there have been many "leaks" lately involving the media. The IRS has the right to and the responsibility to protect their confidential information that they collect on indivduals and organizations. If that means stepping up security while they are being scrutinized, then that is what they should do.

Tell me, do you think there is anything illegal about having security or a federal officer escort visitors of any kind, including media, while they are on government property?

If not...then what is the "scandal" that the OP is trying to push?

reply to post by flobot


Appearances used to mean something in the United States. It hasn't always required the outright violation of law or a black and white policy in a book to know something just isn't a good idea for appearances or for impact on the situation. Escort under guard sends a message as I'm sure it was meant to.

Now, laws were apparently broken in the targeting of groups based on politics. That's what has been generally stipulated to having happened by no less than Obama himself. How the media is being treated, even now? There are no laws against that. Being a completely tone deaf fool isn't a violation of any code I'm aware of. If it were, the people running that IRS office would be guilty on the shortest deliberation in history.

You'd think they'd be trying to show a bit of a friendly face. Institutional remorse, as it's usually demonstrated. They've circled the wagons, with guns, was the actual message. Not the most helpful for an agency the public hates to begin with and now the Media has real reason to go poking around in the business of, at every level. Oh, this gets fun now.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


I don't care about appearance or image, I care about legality.

If it is just "appearance" that you are upset about, that is fine, but it is ultimately pointless.

I think you misjudge the Wrabbit, but im sure hell be happy to set you straight....
The idea of a police escort with or without weapon is not pleasant.....why not send a secratary to fetch the guy?
The IRS, like most government agehcies, relies upon intimidation as much as a biker club does.....
Both are masters at it.

The old ways of Parody and Satire, like the court Jester mocking unbeknownst to the king.

Ahahahaa...*cough*.haahaaah