NPR recently discussed the impact of independent political groups on its show, Morning Edition. Click here to go to NPR's page to listen.

The nonprofit blog was mentioned recently in The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness' WatchDog Watch blog. Click here to read the entry. In the entry, WatchDog Watch accused OMB Watch of not blogging on conservative nonprofit issues, yet calling itself nonpartisan. I welcome Winston's e-mails on exactly what comprises a conservative nonprofit issue, since any issue that effects 501(c)(3)s ends up touching all of nonprofits.

A federal appeals court has ruled that the city's mass transit agency (MBTA) violated the First Amendment by refusing to put up a nonprofit's ads because they encourage the use of marijauna. The MBTA should have known that they can't deny ad space on the basis on content. In 2003, the same nonprofit, Change the Climate, sued the government over the placement of ads in terminals of Washington, D.C.'s Metro system. Judge Paul L. Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the government’s attempt to censor the ads was illegitimate and constitutionally impermissible. He issued a permanent injunction against Istook’s appropriations rider, saying that, “there is a clear public interest in preventing the chilling of speech on the basis of viewpoint.” The injunction prohibits the enforcement of the law. As a result, Change the Climate and other groups can again display their ads — criticizing drug policies — on the subways and at bus stop shelters.

Outgoing Atty General John Ashcroft has been actively decimating the civil liberties of nonprofits and individuals, but has little success to show for the efforts. It is hard to imagine that his successor, Bush crony Alberto Gonzales, will be any different. Read this Salon article for the full scoop.