--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IRS Asked to Revoke PETA's Tax Status

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Story Filed: Tuesday, March 05, 2002 1:52 AM EST

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- A group that tracks criminal acts against businesses wants the federal government to revoke the tax-exempt status of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise said in a complaint Monday to Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rossotti that ``publicly available information strongly suggests that PETA induces or encourages the commission of unlawful acts.''

``It's been linked to the breaking of the law. Its own people have extensive arrest records,'' said Ron Arnold, executive vice president of the Bellevue, Wash.-based center. ``Any kind of law-breaking to us does not deserve tax-exempt status.''

Norfolk-based PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said the center is preying on people's fears of terrorism since the Sept. 11 attacks ``and trying to paint with a very broad brush all agitators for social change, no matter how peaceful.''

An IRS spokesman in Washington said he could not confirm receipt of the complaint and that any action, such as an audit, that could occur as the result of a complaint is not public record.

I just wanted to post this for anybody who didn't see it. I wish the outcome were true, but I am not going to hold my breath, as they say. This anti-farming/homesteading group has become militant and does not deserve tax exempt status. I would like to say much more, but will hold my tongue.

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), March 06, 2002

Answers

I didn't even know they had tax exempt status!!!

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002.

Amen! Animals are here for us that includes raising them to eat or hunting them wild. PETA needs to get a clue. Have another bowl of Tofu.

PoePoe

-- PoePoe (rpd932@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002.

They are no worse than some of the so-called "religions" or "charities" that have tax-exempt status these days.

By the way, there was an article in the paper recently saying that just because an organization has tax-exempt status does not mean they were checked out or approved as being an honest charity, so you still have your own checking to do. The article was specifically talking about all the "charities" that have sprung up in the wake of 9/11.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), March 06, 2002.

Diane, You (and I) learn something new everyday.

Poe Poe, way to go. (Sorry about the rhyme, couldn't help it. )

GT, I will agree with you that PETA is not a lot better, or worse, than some other charities.

The one that I have heard about recently was Jesse Jackson (Rainbow- Push Coalition). He paid his pregnant mistress to go away with tax- exempt donations. That was bad enough, but even worse is no one has the guts to investigate him, such as the IRS.

I agree again that one must check out the charity before giving them any money. I know I am glad I did several times. A charity that is using 40%+ for fund raising will NOT get a cent from me. Charities need to be at least 80% efficient (80% goes to the cause, not administration and fund raising) with the money they get or they will not get any from me.

The United Way still is being very slow in distributing the 911 funds to the survivors. They wanted to give the money to many other groups, who were not related directly with the event. One group was a dance company who had seen business slide since the attack. What does that have to do with the families of the victims that the money was donated for. The money was donated by Americans for a SPECIFIC cause. Until they change tactics the United Way, at least the National organization should not be given funding.

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), March 07, 2002.