Scandals Back In The News 

The IRS and Benghazi scandals have receded from the headlines in recent weeks, but House Republicans have not forgotten them. And there are major revelations about both scandals today. 

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing today featuring top IRS officials who testified once again that the targeting of Tea Party organizations, conservative groups and Christian ministries was not the work of a few rogue agents in the IRS's Cincinnati, Ohio, office. 

Instead, we are learning that applications were directed to Lois Lerner's office and that the IRS's Chief Counsel's office in Washington, D.C., was also involved in scrutinizing applications from conservative organizations. 

Why is that relevant? In order to maintain at least the appearance of impartiality, the IRS has very few political appointees. One of which is the agency's chief counsel, Mr. William Wilkins. 

Wilkins, before he went into government, defended Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church during a 2008 IRS probe of the church's efforts promoting then-Senator Barack Obama. 

The notion that the IRS's political targeting was the work of "rogue agents" in a remote office was bunk to begin with. But as their investigation narrows its focus to the IRS's D.C. office, perhaps congressional investigators should consider perjury charges in order to loosen a few more tongues! 

On Benghazi, one of the greatest sources of frustration for members of Congress investigating the September 2012 attacks on our consulate has been the administration's stonewalling on witnesses, including survivors of the attacks. 

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) made a stunning announcement on the House floor this morning: Survivors "have been asked or directed to sign additional non-disclosure agreements about their involvement in the Benghazi attacks." Why is the administration so desperate to prevent these people from talking? 

In addition to the survivors, congressional investigators have also been trying in vain to interview Marine Colonel George Bristol who commanded a key task force in northern Africa at the time of attacks. The Pentagon has refused to help locate Col. Bristol, contending that he had retired and, therefore, could not be compelled to testify. 

But, as Rep. Wolf noted, that is not true -- the colonel is still on active duty until the end of the month. Why is the Department of Defense misleading members of Congress? 

With scandals like these simmering in the public's consciousness, it's no wonder that so few Americans trust the government today and that so many increasingly fear it as a threat to their liberty. 

Bi-Partisanship Breaks Out In House 

There was an outbreak of bi-partisanship in the House of Representatives last night. Dozens of Democrats joined Republicans in voting to suspend major elements of Obamacare, proving yet again that the only bi-partisan aspect of Obamacare is the opposition to it. 

Responding to growing concerns from businesses and employers, and no doubt to bad press about job losses and reduced hours, the Obama Administration announced last week that it was suspending Obamacare's employer mandate for one year. 

The administration's authority for unilaterally suspending the law is highly suspect. But recognizing the negative impact of Obamacare's employer mandate on the economy, 35 Democrats joined 229 Republicans in voting to delay this job-killing mandate. 

Then, as a matter of fairness, Republicans offered a second bill to suspend the deeply unpopular individual mandate so that hard-working families would get the same break big businesses are getting. Twenty-two Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in support of that bill. 

According to a recent Rasmussen poll, 56% of likely voters support delaying Obamacare's individual mandate to buy health insurance. Yet 87% of House Democrats voted to keep the mandate. 

The whole law ought to be repealed, and the House has voted numerous times to do just that. Unfortunately, the liberal Senate majority has killed repeal legislation in the past and will make sure these bills never reach Obama's desk. 

"America's Racist God" 

Most of you have probably never heard of Anthea Butler, an associate professor of Religious Studies and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She burst into the news this week after her online screed condemning the verdict in the George Zimmerman case, as well as America and Christianity in general, went viral. 

Here's what Professor Butler wrote about the Zimmerman trial: "As a historian of American and African-American religion, I know that the Trayvon Martin moment is just one moment in a history of racism in America that, in large part, has its underpinnings in Christianity and its history." 

How disappointing and disgusting. Of course, America has its faults. No individual or nation is perfect. 

But as a historian, surely Professor Butler must know that many of America's Founding Fathers were deeply offended by slavery. Surely she recognizes the uniqueness of our Declaration of Independence, with its radical recognition that "All men are created equal" and that our rights come from our Creator, not government or any man. 

Surely she must know that the Abolitionist movement was started by Christians and that many white Christians died in the Civil War so that blacks would no longer be treated like property. Surely she must recognize America's role as a force for good in the world. 

Then again, I'm reminded of that great Ronald Reagan quote, "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so." 

As the countdown to the new academic year begins, Professor Butler serves as a timely reminder of why it is so important for parents to pay very close attention to the schools their children are attending, who is teaching them and what they are learning. Prepare your children for the left-wing indoctrination they will undoubtedly face in many of our institutions of higher learning.