corrente

Though it would be interesting to see if this was applied to any churches that gave Democrats money:

Republicans in the House of Representatives have quietly introduced a measure to make it easier for churches to support political candidates, just days after the Bush campaign came under fire from liberal groups for inviting church members to distribute campaign information at their houses of worship.

As usual, when the Republicans are caught, they just intensify their wrong-doing.

The provision, called Safe Harbor for Churches...

Love the Orwellian language!

would allow religious organizations a limited number of violations of the existing rules against political endorsements without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. The bill, now proceeding on a fast track, is scheduled to move from committee to presentation on the House floor next week. I

Just in time lawmaking! And here comes the best part!

It would greatly reduce the tax penalties for either one or two deliberate political endorsements in a calendar year and would also allow a church to make as many as three "unintentional" political endorsements in a calendar year without penalty. It does not define "unintentional.''
(via NY Times)

Wow! What a novel theory of law enforcement!

STATE TO CHURCH: You broke the law by giving the Republicans money!

CHURCH TO STATE: But I didn't mean to! It was unintentional!

STATE TO CHURCH: Oh, OK. [strike 1]

STATE TO CHURCH: You broke the law by giving the Republicans money!

CHURCH TO STATE: But I didn't mean to! It was unintentional!

STATE TO CHURCH: Oh, OK. [strike 2]

STATE TO CHURCH: You broke the law by giving the Republicans money!

CHURCH TO STATE: But I didn't mean to! It was unintentional!

STATE TO CHURCH: Oh, OK. [strike 3]

Can you imagine any greater incentive for nudge-nudge-wink-wink lawbreaking than what these supposedly conservative Republicans have built into this bill?

After lying and looting, lawbreaking is what Republicans do best!