Fact and Opinions on the IRS

OK! I'm alive. I have been trying to figure out the wonderful world of Blogspot recently, and I was almost conquered by the Pages feature. But as you can see, I have emerged victorious, and I am pleased to say that I have created a two-part report on the recent IRS scandal. For those of you who are not aware of the entirety of what has been going on, I suggest you take a look at my summary of recent events for a refresher. For those of you who are updated, look at it anyway. I summarized the Inspector General's report on the IRS, and it is quite enlightening - and very sobering.

Part Two of my report is what I have Concluded from doing the work to dig all this up for you guys (with a Capital C, because it is a Very Definite Conclusion). You have one of three options: read the factsheet, read the opinion post, or read both. But for the love of all that is holy, please read at least one of them. This is a very tangled situation we find ourselves in, and the more light we can shed on the deal with the IRS, the better. Also if I sound flat as a pancake, I promise there is a reason for it. I've been slogging away at this for the better part of four days, so I could be as thorough as I can be. I promise to give you only my best, so you'll have to read what I've written and tell me what you think! Have at ye:

Part 1: (Facts): Here
Part 2 (Opinions/Facts): Here

Where's Kathryn?

You know, I was thinking of some grand way to open this, but I believe I shall merely start at the beginning, which has consistently been the very best place to start. My name is Kathryn Klett, and I am notoriously horrible at keeping a journal about my daily life. So rejoice! That is not what you shall find at Where's Kathryn?.

Where's Kathryn? will not necessarily inform you as to my geographic location, although I might throw in that information if I feel it is necessary. For now, know that the purpose of this blog is to tell you Where Kathryn Is in her opinions concerning worldwide activity, be it here where I live, in my country, or somewhere else on the planet.

For the record, we're starting out in College Park, Maryland, close to the Washington, D.C. area.

Happy?

I decided to start a blog because it occurred to me that in a country such as ours, quelling one's opinions on matters essentially equates to throwing away a gift. Unfortunately I am not very good at that sort of thing - I love presents! In this world-famous journalistic system we have in the U.S. of A., freedom of speech and expression is a gift we have been fundamentally guaranteed from the outset. Our government was set up to protect its people from federal control, and specifically designed to allow the press free reign. With that in mind, I hope you all will excuse me as I use that free reign to its fullest extent. Here you will find all of my open opinions and honest answers to what may potentially be some hard questions. I should hope I will be proud of my posts: I am not accustomed to hiding anything, and so I expect that as my writings go on, I might rack up some friendly opposition. But then, one inevitably steps on toes in the dance of discourse, yes?

As I go about asking these hard questions and giving out my two cents on matters in the news (and in other places), I would ask one thing: Readers, be civil. I once read a pamphlet that made a great impression on me. It said,

"I respect your right to free speech.

I am a conservative.

Do you respect mine?"

The internet is a place where things may be hastily written and posted without a second thought. I expect from everyone who reads my blog that any commentary will be written with forthrightness, and yet with kindness, with consideration for other readers (and, hopefully, myself!). Civil discourse, I believe, is a responsibility we have towards each other, and if we continue in this way, much good can only come of it.

To end this first post, I would like to thank all of my readers in advance. I have great hopes for our future together, and I grateful that you are somehow willing to put up with my ever-improving writing style and bad humor. You may as well ask: Where's Kathryn? Kathryn's about to step

through a new gate in life. You are more than welcome to come along if you'd like.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Klett