Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund: Difference between revisions
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|date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> It is registered with the [[Internal Revenue Service]] as a [[501(c)(4)#501.28c.29.284.29 | 501(c)(4)]] social welfare organization, which requires that its activities not be primarily political,<ref name="IRSman">{{cite web | url = http://www.irs.gov/irm/part7/irm_07-025-004.html#d0e332 | title = 7.25.4 Civic Leagues, Social Welfare Organizations and Local Associations of Employees | accessdate = 2012-08-22 | author = [[Internal Revenue Service]] | work = Internal Revenue Manual | publisher = [[Internal Revenue Service]] | quote = An exempt IRS 501(c)(4) organization may intervene in political campaigns as long as its primary activity is the promotion of social welfare.}}</ref> the group is not required to disclose its donors and OPSEC has not discussed its funding.<ref name=Ohlheiser/><ref name=reuters1/> Contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations are not tax-deductible.<ref name="IRSman"/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 06:22, 24 August 2012
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| Abbreviation | OPSEC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Alexandria, Virginia |
President | Scott Taylor |
Spokesperson | Chad Kolton |
Spokesperson | Ben Smith |
| Website | www.opsecteam.org |
Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund, Inc. (OPSEC) has the tax status of a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization[1] and is composed of former members of U.S. special operations forces and intelligence community. The organization began a media campaign critical of President Obama in 2012, accusing his administration of disclosing sensitive information about the killing of Osama bin Laden and taking too much credit for the operation. OPSEC's leaders have ties to the Republican Party and Tea Party movement,[2][3] though the group says it is non-partisan.[4] As of mid-August 2012, it claims to have raised almost $1 million.[5][6] "OPSEC" is short for Operational Security, an essential element of covert operations.
Leadership
OPSEC's president is Scott Taylor, a former Navy SEAL who vied for the Republican nomination for a Virginia congressional seat in 2010.[6] Its spokesperson is Chad Kolton, who worked for the Bush administration as a spokesperson for the Director of National Intelligence,[5] and who was hired to perform media relations for OPSEC in July 2012 through HDMK, a Republican strategic communications firm.[7] Another spokesperson and former SEAL, Ben Smith, was also a spokesperson for Tea Party Express.[3]
Activities
During the 2012 United States presidential election it began a media campaign asserting that leaks of sensitive information from the Obama Administration have endangered U.S. personnel and compromised national security, and that Barack Obama has taken too much credit for the death of Osama bin Laden.[5] It plans to run Internet ads and to air TV ads during the balance of the 2012 presidential election campaign.[6]
On August 15, 2012, the organization released Dishonorable Disclosures, a 22-minute documentary film that criticizes the Obama Administration, featuring interviews with former special forces personnel. The film appears on the organization's website and on Youtube, and OPSEC also intends to show it in a handful of swing states, including Virginia, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and Nevada.[2][6]
Funding
The group says it has raised almost $1 million between June and mid-August 2012.[5] It is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, which requires that its activities not be primarily political,[8] the group is not required to disclose its donors and OPSEC has not discussed its funding.[6][4] Contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations are not tax-deductible.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Hosenball, Mark (August 17, 2012). "Group behind Obama attack ad has Republican Party ties". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ a b Shane, Scott (15 Aug 2012). "Ex-Officers Attack Obama Over Leaks on Bin Laden Raid". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ a b Rogin, Josh (2012-08-21). "In Facebook postings, OPSEC spokesman rips 'Communist-in-Chief Hussein Mao-bama'". Foreign Policy. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ a b Hosenball, Mark (August 14, 2012). "Special ops group attacks Obama over bin Laden bragging, leaks". Reuters.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d McConnell, Dugald (August 16, 2012). "Former special forces officers slam Obama over leaks on bin Laden killing". CNN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Ohlheiser, Abby (August 15, 2012). "Special Ops Group Launches Anti-Obama Media Blitz". Slate.
- ^ Mundy, Alicia (August 15, 2012). "Faulting Obama, Former Officers Plan Ads on Bin Laden Leaks". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ a b Internal Revenue Service. "7.25.4 Civic Leagues, Social Welfare Organizations and Local Associations of Employees". Internal Revenue Manual. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
An exempt IRS 501(c)(4) organization may intervene in political campaigns as long as its primary activity is the promotion of social welfare.