Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund: Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | '''Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund, Inc.''' (OPSEC) is a [[501(c)#501.28c.29.284.29 | 501(c)(4)]] organization composed of former members of [[United States special operations forces|U.S. special operations forces]] and the [[United States Intelligence Community|U.S. intelligence community]]. The organization began a media campaign critical of [[Barack Obama|President Obama]] in 2012, accusing his administration of disclosing sensitive information about the [[Death of Osama bin Laden | killing of Osama bin Laden]] and taking too much credit for it. OPSEC's leaders have ties to the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and [[Tea Party movement]],<ref name='NYT_2012-08-15'>{{cite news |
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'''Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund, Inc.''' (OPSEC) is a [[501(c)#501.28c.29.284.29 | 501(c)(4)]] social welfare<ref name="SW">{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/20867.html |
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|title=Some Compare the 501(c)(4) OPSEC to “Swift Boat” Group |
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|first=Michael |
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|last=Wyland |
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|publisher=Nonprofit Quarterly |
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|first = Scott |
|first = Scott |
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|last = Shane |
|last = Shane |
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Revision as of 05:39, 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) is a 501(c)(4) organization composed of former members of U.S. special operations forces and the U.S. 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 it. OPSEC's leaders have ties to the Republican Party and Tea Party movement,[1][2] though the group says it is non-partisan.[3] As of mid-August 2012, it claims to have raised almost $1 million.[4][5] "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.[5] Its spokesperson is Chad Kolton, who worked for the Bush administration as a spokesperson for the Director of National Intelligence,[4] and who was hired to perform media relations for OPSEC in July 2012 through HDMK, a Republican strategic communications firm.[6] Another spokesperson and former SEAL, Ben Smith, was also a spokesperson for Tea Party Express and has taken extreme positions against President Obama, including asserting that Obama is a Marxist, a Socialist and a Muslim; and claiming that Obama was not born in the United States and is attempting to create a "Caliphate through the incrementalism of Socialism".[2]
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.[4] It plans to run Internet ads and to air TV ads during the balance of the 2012 presidential election campaign.[5]
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.[1][5]
Funding
The group says it has raised almost $1 million between June and mid-August 2012.[4] As a 501(c)(4) organization, which requires that its activities not be primarily political,[7] the group is not required to disclose its donors and OPSEC does not discuss its funding.[5][3]
See also
References
- ^ a b Shane, Scott (15 Aug 2012). "Ex-Officers Attack Obama Over Leaks on Bin Laden Raid". The New York Times. 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. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ a b Hosenball, Mark (August 14, 2012). "Special ops group attacks Obama over bin Laden bragging, leaks". Reuters.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.