Hovind Sentencing: Whiny Git Update
The Pensacola News Journal has another article about Kent Hovind’s sentencing. This one points out the contrast between Hovind’s behavior before the trial:
In a recording of one of the telephone conversations played in court Friday, Hovind said the Internal Revenue Service, presiding judge and prosecutor broke the law by going after him, and there were things he could do “to make their lives miserable.”
Comparing himself to a buffalo in a lion fight, Hovind’s voice was heard saying “As long as I have some horns, I’m going to swing. As long as I have some hoofs, I’m going to kick. As long as I have some teeth, I’m going to fight. The lion’s going to know he’s been in a fight.”
and after spending two months in jail:
Before his sentencing, a tearful Kent Hovind compared his situation to that of the lion and the mouse in Aesop’s Fables.
“I feel like the mouse,” Hovind told U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers. “I stand here in great fear of the power of this court. Your decision can destroy my life, my ministry and my grandchildren.”
Note, also, the subtle difference between Hovindland and the real world:
“I am not a tax protester and never have been,” Kent Hovind told Rodgers. “The laws are just fine. It is just that some are enforcing laws that are not there.”
The recordings, compiled by the IRS from phone conversations from jail, showed Kent Hovind was trying to hide assets from the government, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer said.
See? Just because he hid money from the government and didn’t pay payroll taxes, doesn’t mean he’s a tax protester. And besides, he’s a fine upright moral citizen:
“My father is not a man who is in love with money. He’s in love with God,” son Eric Hovind said. “He is a man who loves this country and loves others.”
Hovind’s supporters don’t get it either. Apparently a man is either 100% good or 100% evil. They can’t imagine that Hovind might be a liar and a crook, and also be kind to puppy dogs.
Oh, and the judge didn’t let the bit about loving his country slip by:
When handing down the sentence, Rodgers admonished those present the trial “is not and has never been about religion.”
…Furthermore, Rodgers contended Kent Hovind had failed his fellow citizens and the men and women of the military — who fight to defend his freedoms — by refusing to pay taxes.
So let’s not have too much bogus sympathy for Hovind. He brought this on himself. He had every chance in the world to comply with the law, to make restitution before the matter came to trial, to plea-bargain. Heck, he didn’t even mount a defense, and tried to play tough throughout. Well, it looks like he picked a fight with the wrong federal agency. Maybe he’ll learn something in Federal PMITA Prison, but I wouldn’t count on it.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Let me see if I have this right: In America it is illegal to charge someone tax if their withdrawals are under $10,000. Kent Hovind’s withdrawals were under $10,000, so it is illegal to charge him tax, but instead he was charged for not making them over $10,000 so that he could pay tax on them???
September 20th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Sorry, you have that wrong: you can deposit or withdraw as much money as you like, and it doesn’t affect any taxes you owe. However, when you withdraw US$10,000 or more, the bank is required to notify the IRS, because the government wants to keep track of the movement of large sums of money.
What the Hovinds were charged with (well, one of the things) is not withdrawing large amounts of money, but trying to hide it from the government.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
The “State” tried to convict k.hovind on more than one occasion in the past. It seems it was difficult for several judges to indict hovind based on the evidence presented. but i think it was thier conscience that prevented them. so someone must have had a serious political or social agenda to WANT to put him away. and that is my point. why did they WANT to lock him up? because they don’t believe in God? or they are uncomfortable with the thought of God’s existence? or jealousy? or bitterness? I don’t agree with everything hovind did. I understand some of his actions were simply in the interest of survival, but I don’t necessarily agree with them. but the undeniable fact here is that someone had to want to prosecute him. why did they not audit him? tax levy or leins against property? they went straight for the jugular, and that has agenda written all over it. the whole thing stinks.
October 21st, 2007 at 11:25 am
sciencegamer,
Maybe because he never paid taxes?
Why don’t you invest some time in a little reading before engaging in a public demonstration of your ignorance?
Duh.
There are these things called laws intended to encourage, and impose where necessary, some responsibility upon those who enjoy the protections afforded by the government of the United States. News flash for you cupcake, they even apply to sociopaths.
November 13th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Well,the biggest and most important reason to shut him up is A)he reaches millions.B)can you imagine how many people will follow suit if he was to get away with it or got a slap on the wrist.Check it out,he is right,there is no law for what he is charged with.And its not that he wont pay taxes,he does and lots of it,just not a few that we really are no required to pay.Give him some credit for having a huge set of balls.Take on the IRS,not me man……..and its not even like he was trying to hide it.Its on some of his semenars,I dont think you would do that if you didnt believe you were right.I think as americans we should really check this out for our own benefit.I pay taxes and always finding ways to reduce the tax owed as close to $0.00 as possible.All he did was refuse to pay for something he didnt owe,dont blame him.I dont want your car payment sent to me just because you want me to pay it,nor do you want mine.The goverment cant handle the money it gets,why give it more to just piss away.So take alittle time to think about it,its not Kent whos screwing us or our soldiers,its the goverment whos srewing us.make up laws as you go.Actually we should have great concern on how easy they can hand out ten yrs.
November 13th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Get on the horn and warn the villagers - the dam on someone else’s stream of consciousness has been breached.
November 13th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
BOB blithered:
Every time someone says there’s no law that you have to pay taxes, God kills a pony.
Why do you want to kill ponies?
December 20th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
It never fails to amaze me. Fundies feel like Hovind is being wrongly persecuted because “his message reaches millions.” And which message is that? If you sell snake oil to the public (in this case, his outmoded, downright psychotically bizarre, not to mention unqualified look at the origin of the universe), in the form of a religious message, you are exempt from the tax laws? I think Kent Hovind is simply one of the sort of con men who think that religion=no taxes, so preach religion, pay no taxes, even if you do lead people down the wrong path towards ancient fairy tales and call it science. I really don’t think there is anything spiritual about him, he is just a common thief and con man and is getting his just desserts.
I pity the poor people who think there is anything resembling intelligence or sincerity in this man. The seminars I have seen (as well as having read reviews) are nothing short of a disjointed, disorganized salesman’s pitch, resembling a meeting where the pyramid scheme is being sold.
Kinda like George W Bush…..
December 20th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Dave:
An even scarier thought is that Hovind might be sincere in his beiefs about creationism. After all, he’s crazy enough to have gone to jail over his beliefs about taxes. You’d think that if he were knowingly breaking the law, he’d have tried to disguise it better, especially since the IRS gave him plenty of warning.
Likewise, if he were intentionally fleecing the credulous with his creationist slide show, I would expect him to do a better job of it (yes, he pulled in hundreds of thousands of dollars a year with his presentations; but the Discovery Institute makes millions, if I’m not mistaken).
Finally, there’s the drivel he’s been posting from prison. It’s still possible that he’s engaging in an elaborate, if incompetent, charade, but personally I think he’s sincerely deluded.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:19 am
How many of you who believe Kent is a con artist or simply crazy have actually seen, in full, his creation tapes (which, by the way he makes a point of saying are not copywrited, and encourages everyone to copy and distribute them for free—he also gives out other material for free). And from that point, not stop in your independent quest but continue to check out what he says with other science material (from real scientists, PHD’s & specialists in all fields)? There is a term for the condition of those that believe what they have been taught all their lives (every day pumped into their little heads at state schools) and also, at the same time, feel easier about believing what the majority around them are saying and what would (coincidentally) allow them to live a more convenient life. Real and logical free thinking could go a long way, even though it might be frightening.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Julie:
Me, for one.
There’s some contention about that: someone took some of these videos, spliced in rebuttals between Hovind’s points, and CSE claimed copyright infringement and had the videos taken down.
Yup, done that as well. That’s how I know he’s wrong.
Is it the same term as for the condition of those who believe what they’ve been taught all their lives at home and in church, which makes them feel better by being part of a group?
I agree 100%. Unfortunately for Hovind and his fans, facts and logic are not on his side.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:28 am
And what would that term be, Julie?
March 11th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Poor old Kent Hovind. First, he is the laughing stock of…well, everybody. And now this. Shame Kent. We feel for you. Really.
P.S Don’t pick up the soap in the shower..
April 7th, 2008 at 12:26 am
I’m sorry to say it, but all yall who don’t believe Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, died on the cross, for your sins and mine, and rose again the third day…are going to hell. Why don’t you stop focusing on the unimportant stuff and get right with God. I’m sure he could use you on the winning side.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Tdog,
While that’s very flattering, I’ve found that I tend to not get along with those overly negative, egotistical types who are so insecure they wish an eternity of suffering upon anyone who doesn’t agree with their position on something.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:56 am
To all the “clever” ones out there, can anyone quote or send reference to the actual law that was “broken” by the actions of Kent. To date I heard lots of stories but no law quoted. His business was registered as a non-profit organisation as far as I know, which is exempted from all kinds of taxes - by law. The fact that they overruled the appeal shows there incompetence and fear that the truth may have surfaced and boomeranged on the judge! The judge and jury are probably underwriting the Georgia guide stones - part of the evil team. Real Judgement Day is coming - soon - to a city near you! So if anyone has a hidden agenda or is just plain ignorant, better have your stories ready….
April 27th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Mac,
Why should anyone bother providing you any kind of substantive reply when, historically speaking, those of your ilk (ie. mouth-breathing cowards) don’t bother to stop back by for the education you so desperately need?
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Quick question…have you ever told a lie? Stolen anything (irrelevant of value)? Disobeyed your parents? Used God’s name in vain? Hated someone? Now even if you answer at least yes to one of those, then lets just say for a moment that God does exist, if God was to judge you by the standard of the 10 commandments, would you be guilty or innocent of breaking HIS LAW? Probably guilty wouldnt you? And lets say there was a heaven or hell, where do you think you’d be going? Most likely hell wouldnt you? Now if you’re open minded like me, you’d consider this….lets say God does not exist, and you live a moral Christian lifestyle, and all that was not true and evolution was very true……then pretty much when you die…..you disinegrate into slime and dissipate and that’s the end of your story like everyone elses, then well really, you didnt loose a thing. But what if you’re wrong and God did exist and you’ve lived your totally selfish evolutionary deathstyle, and hell is true and whatever else the Bible said was true, then when you die…..you’ve pretty much lost everything and an eternity of everlasting torment and gnashing of teeth with no redemption awaits your eternal everlasting soul. As you’re thinking about this info I want to take my time and thank God that there’s people out there who are filling in while Kent Hovind is temporarily on a mission field in prisonm, bringing open minded people to Christ. God Bless Kent Hovind and his understanding of God and let people like Kent Hovind inspire more youth and other people to continue his ministry and by the way…..there is not a single thing, Constitutionally (if you brainwashed children even know what a constitution is in this country and how to read it and interpret it) that Kent Hovind did wrong about his INCOME TAXES. Before you splatter stupidity out of your filthy mouths, do some plain and simple research (on your own) and find out what the CONSTITUTION says about INCOME TAXES, and reasearch Kent Hovind and his real argumentation, and not someone elses opinion on what he said.
God Bless ya’ll
PS. please visit my favorite website, it’s http://www.needgod.com
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Dear Mr. Ray Comfort Fanboi,
Thank you for your interest, but I do not wish to subscribe to your newsletter at this time.
PS: when you say “Used God’s name in vain”, do you mean things like “Wow, that was a meal fit for Jehovah!”? Do exclamations like “Jesus titty-fucking Christ!” count?
[snip tirade]
Is that how they say “fuck you” where you live?
PPS: It’s spelled “y’all”.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Russ,
I hope you wiped your cum and spittle off the computer when you were finished.
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Gosh, Ray Comfort AND Pascal’s Wager together in one place! But “totally selfish evolutionary deathstyle” really caps it off. Sounds like a totally cool name for a rock musical.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Eamon:
“Ray Comfort and Pascal’s Wager” reminds me a bit too much of “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell”, aka 700 pages of solid boredom. But I can see “Ray & Pascal” as the name of a folk duo, or “Pascal and the Wagers” as a Christian classic-rock band. Or even “Banana Wager” as an indie band of some type.
“Evölütiönary Dëäthstÿlë” would obviously have to be a metal band.
July 7th, 2008 at 2:38 am
it’s easy for people who don’t believe in an absolute truth & that are not in prison to mock those that have belief in absolute truth & that are in prison. so make your little jokes… make your little smart ass remarks… but just don’t look the wrong way or grow old or make any mistakes that might just put you in a coffin anytime ever & you’ll be just fine… you’ll live forever right..?
July 7th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Why does it always come down to threats with you people?
July 7th, 2008 at 9:50 am
I was tempted to comment on “ben dover”. But there’s something about that name that makes me suspect you’re being trolled.
Or maybe that says something about me, I dunno ;-).
July 7th, 2008 at 10:17 am
arensb,
Because once the steel brush of reality meets the foreskin of their delusion the animal reaction is lashing out from the logic-induced pain.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:04 am
the irs is not even realy apart of america it’s apart of the u.n. http://www.serendipity.li/jsmill/uscorporation.htms and besides that the u.s. is not even a country it’s a corrperation> http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode28/uscsec2800003002—-000-.html
July 9th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Now that’s novel. Psychotic, badly spelled and wrong, but novel. Another fundie homeschooler?
July 9th, 2008 at 9:42 am
J dude, three words:
SHINY SIDE OUT!
August 15th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
When it was tax time a follower of Jesus ask him about paying taxes and Jesus replied after pulling a coin out of the mouth of a fish for the tax, “give to Cesar what is Cesar’s. (on the coin is Cesar’s pic)….Pay your taxes…follow the law as long as it does not conflict with God’s law…..Pray for our leaders to do right with the monies they extract from us in so many ways for so many things we don’t like…vote in good guys and pray for them too!
August 15th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
george e mehlmauer:
Out of curiosity, what do you expect to happen as a result of these prayers?
October 4th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Look at all of the people willing to put everything on the line just to promote their hate for christians. Everyone of you need to realize that we all sin. One day you WILL have to answer for yours and yours alone.
October 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
REM:
Why does it always come down to threats with you people?
October 5th, 2008 at 8:23 am
REM:
I don’t hate Christians, I just hate you. Go away.