FEC clears Falwell on electioneering complaint

[truthpusher]

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--falwell-fec0718jul18,0,345109.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia

FEC clears Falwell on electioneering complaint; IRS claim still pending
--------------------------
By BOB LEWIS
Associated Press Writer
July 18 2005
--------------------------
RICHMOND, Va. -- The Federal Election Commission has cleared the Rev. Jerry Falwell of a claim that he broke federal election law by urging followers last summer to re-elect President Bush, Falwell's lawyer said Monday.

(snip)

Falwell, founder of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and the defunct Moral Majority, told religious conservatives in his July 1, 2004, "Falwell Confidential" Internet newsletter that "voting for principle this year means voting for the re-election of George W. Bush. The alternative, in my mind, is simply unthinkable."

He continued: "However, simply voting may not be enough. I believe it is the responsibility of every political conservative, every evangelical Christian, every pro-life Catholic, every traditional Jew, every Reagan Democrat, and everyone in between to get serious about re-electing President Bush."

(snip)

Nonprofit organizations such as Jerry Falwell Ministries, a 501(c)(3) public charity and educational organization to which contributions are tax-deductible, are not allowed to advocate the election or defeat of specific candidates. Liberty Alliance is a 501(c)(4) "social welfare" organization created largely for lobbying.

Staver, however, argued that Falwell founded Liberty Broadcasting Network, television station WTLU, the Liberty Channel cable network and radio stations WRVL-FM and WWMC-FM, and didn't relinquish the editorial rights inherent in them just because he's also a preacher.

complete story: http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--falwell-fec0718jul18,0,345109.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia

[bahrbearian]

1. Make him pay Taxes ,,Taxes ,,Taxes

[goforit]

4. Yes Yes Yes!!!........Tax all Religious institutions.

[napi21]

2. As much as I HATE to admit it, the court was probably right.

Fallwell is an AH, but not an idiot. He made his statements on his Cable network and freedoms apply there, the same as they apply to FOX (YUCK), and all the rest. I'm sure he had a lot of legal advice on how to handlehis political instructions.

[dArKeR]

3. I've heard this serpent endorse Bush and every GOP candidate he every

spoke about. Are you have to do is watch and listen to him. How could this possibly NOT be campaigning?

[mbperrin]

5. "the defunct Moral Majority"

really sounds good rolling off the tongue, don't it?

In fact, they are de fucked uppest group I ever heard of!

BTW, why do evil fuckers like Falwell live so long? I mean, if there is actually a god and he gives a shit?

[maddezmom]

6. take away his tax status now

:argh:

[NJmaverick]

7. The FEC is as corrupt as the republicans

This clearly violated the law and they once again turned a blind eye because it benefitted the republicans.

[pinniped]

8. That's who this guy reminds me of...

[WhiteTara]

9. maybe I'll become a church

that's the ticket. No taxes, I can get lots of folks to vote for my candidate. I bet I could be a better preacher than Falwell. No hell no damnation.