http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/freespeech/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:44:44 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418370/posts A federal appeals court reaffirmed its ruling Wednesday that allowed sponsors of California's ban on same-sex marriage to withhold campaign strategy documents from gay rights advocates who are seeking to overturn the ballot measure. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Dec. 11 had overturned a judge's order to produce the documents, ruling 3-0 that their disclosure might discourage participation in future campaigns and inhibit strategists from speaking candidly. . . . Proposition 8, amended the California Constitution to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman, overturning a May 2008 state Supreme... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418370/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:44:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418041/posts A Tennessee congressman has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives known as “the Citizen Participation Act of 2009” that would provide protection for people who are sued for exercising their First Amendment rights of petition and speech. If passed, the measure by Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., would become the first federal anti-SLAPP law on the books. SLAPP is an acronym for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. A SLAPP suit seeks to silence an individual or a business simply because that person or entity has spoken out or exercised First Amendment rights. The filer of a SLAPP suit... First Amendment Center http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418041/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:00:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415415/posts Recently the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), had asked Obama to address what they call an “alarming level of anti-Islam hate” in the country. While it is true that the voices against Islam in America are on the rise, CAIR fails to mention that there is a very good reason that our voices are on the rise. What they fail to mention and condemn is what pro-Sharia Muslims are saying across America. You see CAIR is like Islam, a one-way street. Muslims can say whatever they want, but according to them we can only say what they approve of.... Logan's Warning http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415415/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:39:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1395668/posts The conviction last week of Ali al-Timimi, an American-born Islamic scholar, on terrorism charges thrust the so-called "Virginia Paintball Jihad" case to the forefront as the federal government's greatest court victory against terrorism. All told, federal prosecutors counted 10 convictions in the case. Al-Timimi's conviction marked the first post-Sept. 11 case in which the government won a terrorism conviction for actions tied to philosophy and words designed to help the enemy, rather than deeds, such as providing money, equipment or actual combat help to that enemy. "Until now these people have escaped. It is a very powerful position to be... Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1395668/posts#comment Tue, 3 May 2005 07:42:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412781/posts "OIC Slams ‘Demonic’ Portrayal of Islam, But Support for Religious ‘Defamation’ Measures Continues to Erode" SNIPPET: "(CNSNews.com) – An Islamic-led campaign against religious “defamation” has taken another blow the United Nations, where support among member states has dropped to a new low amid escalating concerns that defamation resolutions endanger non-Muslims in Islamic societies and harm freedom of expression. While much of the world’s attention was focused on Copenhagen late last week, the U.N. General Assembly passed a range of human rights-related resolutions. For critics of the world body the results were mixed. The latest in a string of religious defamation... CNS NEWS.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412781/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:27:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411589/posts Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), darling of the far left for his exaggerated, over the top criticisms of Republicans - including his contention that opposition to health care reform by the GOP means they want you to "die quickly" - has written a letter to AG Eric Holder asking that a political opponent who runs a website called "mycongressmanisnuts.com." be fined and imprisoned for 5 years. Mark Matthews of the Orlando Sentinel writes: "Specifically, Grayson accuses Republican activist Angie Langley of lying to federal elections. His four-page complaint highlights the fact that the Clermont resident lives outside his district, but that... The American Thinker Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411589/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:41:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408297/posts Mayor: School boss should apologize to boy who drew cross By Laura Crimaldi and Laurel J. Sweet | Tuesday, December 15, 2009 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Coverage Photo by Taunton Gazette Taunton Mayor Charles Crowley called School Superintendent Julie Hackett from his vacation today and asked her to apologize both privately and publicly to the family of an 8-year-old special needs student sent home from school and ordered to undergo psychological testing after drawing a stick-figure picture of Jesus Christ nailed to the cross. “Mayor Crowley’s sentiments were that he would hope Dr. Hackett would meet with the family today,... Boston Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408297/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:46:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2406392/posts ON THE INTERNET: www.revolutionmuslim.com/index.php?option=com_yvcomment&view=comment&ArticleID=2117&url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5yZXZvbHV0aW9ubXVzbGltLmNvbS8jeXZDb21tZW50MjExNw==#yvComment2117 www.revolutionmuslim.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2117:upwards-a-onwards-yousef-al-khattab&catid=1:yousefalkhattab&Itemid=4 "Upwards & Onwards-Yousef al-Khattab Saturday, 12 December 2009 23:09 Revolution Muslim" Last Updated on Saturday, 12 December 2009 23:15 # Note: Includes slideshow. www.revolutionmuslim.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2110:salute-to-israel-day-parade-spring-2009&catid=18:protests&Itemid=37 "Salute to 'Israel' Day Parade Spring 2009 Saturday, 12 December 2009 08:19 Revolution Muslim" SNIPPET: "RM's Speech There: Israeli Cancer State – Resisting the Historical Lies, Deception, and Violence of the "Jewish” Nation" SNIPPET: "We seek a resurrection of the Islamic system that the entire collective body of nation states and its dogma of secular nationalism gathers to combat in the global arena today. We implore all to participate in rescuing... RevolutionMuslim.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2406392/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:14:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2406133/posts Muslim nations are agitating at the UN to silence criticism of their 7th century, obscurantist, global freak show They're using the UN to push a kind of international thought crime speech code, and the Obama Administration is helping, according to Stuart Taylor at National Journal: I'm talking about a little-publicized October 2 resolution in which Clinton's own State Department joined Islamic nations in adopting language all-too-friendly to censoring speech that some religions and races find offensive.The ambiguously worded United Nations Human Rights Council resolution could plausibly be read as encouraging or even obliging the U.S. to make it a... Western Hero http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2406133/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:57:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404466/posts ...The capitalistic system on and off the Internet encourages economic growth by the use of free and open markets to distribute goods. While some could argue that a free and open Internet means less regulation and oversight, my experience leads me to believe that an Internet that encourages innovation and startups is one that supports net neutrality — and unless such neutrality is enforced, capitalism on the Internet is in serious jeopardy.... Imagine, for example, if your service provider had a business relationship with a specific set of e-commerce sites and applied policy that allowed their web sites to load... Benton Foundation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404466/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:43:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402271/posts Mara Liasson is National Public Radio's top political correspondent. She also helps hold down the left flank on panels where she appears as a FOX News contributor such as Special Report with Bret Baier. Josh Gerstein reports that NPR management has asked Liasson to reconsider her appearances on Fox News because of what they perceive -- in accord with the teaching of the Obama administration -- as the network's political bias: Powerline http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402271/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 20:24:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2400587/posts Among other things, Morris Davis, retired United States Air Force Colonel, is an expert on military commissions. He served as Chief Prosecutor for the Guantanamo military commissions. He resigned from the position and retired from active duty last year and took a job with the Congressional Research Office (CRO) running the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division. Last month Davis wrote an op-ed for the WSJ where he criticized the Administration's decision to try some detainees via military commissions and others in civilian courts . Davis wrote: "The administration must choose. Either federal courts or military commissions, but not both,... Newsweek/The Lid http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2400587/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 23:16:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399947/posts Print them free: http://www.freespeechstickers.com/?gclid=CMHZle78u54CFQsMDQodyEwelg Glenn Beck Website http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399947/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 04:52:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399075/posts BERKELEY — Calling UC Berkeley's 1960s turmoil "a dead movement," protesters on Wednesday knocked a tribute to the Free Speech Movement off the steps of Sproul Hall and voiced their own concerns about student-fee hikes and other issues. Exactly 45 years after the face of the movement, Mario Savio, spoke to thousands on the same steps, a few dozen demonstrators forced student-government leaders to cancel their commemoration. The same protesters later read a line from Savio's Dec. 2, 1964, speech in unison. Organizers of the invading demonstration said it was time to focus on "a living, breathing movement" rather than... Contra Costa Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399075/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 05:39:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2397610/posts Here is video of Arizona Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio being heckled out of an event on the campus of Arizona State University. Arpaio has been strong on cracking down on illegal immigration, and protesters showed up to drown him out as he tried to answer questions at an event on the ASU campus. The protesters began singing, making it impossible for the Sheriff to be heard. He eventually simply got up and walked out, ending the forum. University officials said the protesters' actions were "very shortsighted." It warms your heart to see that liberal First Amendment tolerance for diversity... Freedom's Lighthouse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2397610/posts#comment Tue, 1 Dec 2009 15:07:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2396298/posts Originally I just saw a "thread pulled" message, but now it has: "Site has links to trutherism, don’t post it here again" So now content is banned because the site *links* to objectionable content? I'd suggest that's true of most major news outlets for one thing. "Free"republic should support "free speech", it's one of the cornerstones and strengths of our system. Censorship is the antithesis of the American system. Self http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2396298/posts#comment Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:03:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395924/posts EDITORIAL Christian Leaders' Stance On Civil Disobedience Is Dangerous Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox leaders are going too far when they declare they will break laws on abortion and same-sex marriage. November 28, 2009 Philosophers have argued for centuries over whether it is ever justifiable to break the law in the service of a higher cause. The question acquired a new complexity with the advent of societies such as the United States, in which laws were enacted by elected representatives and not decreed by a monarch or dictator. Few today would criticize civil rights activists, including the Rev. Martin Luther King... LATimes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395924/posts#comment Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:24:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392668/posts <p>FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin promises to limit her enthusiasm during her visit to North Carolina's Fort Bragg.</p> <p>The former Republican vice presidential candidate planned to sign copies of her new memoir at a post store Monday. Army officials say Palin will not make a speech, pose for photos, or personalize notes in the books she signs.</p> The AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392668/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:11:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392580/posts Some D.C. Council members and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton are reaching out to the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington to see whether they can find a compromise so the Church will not end its social services contracts with the city if the council legalizes same-sex marriage. After a week of heated rhetoric, District officials said Thursday that they see a way for Catholic Charities to continue operating programs with city money while assuring that the organization's gay and heterosexual employees would be treated equally if they got married. Washington Compost http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392580/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:21:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390775/posts Public officials need to take seriously their oath to uphold the Constitution. Just as important, the people of the United States, charged with electing these officials to public office, should spend time on this exercise. After giving the Constitution proper consideration, we should ponder an important question. We should give serious thought to whether public apathy or indifference to the workings of the government has played a role in allowing heretofore acknowledged 1st Amendment Rights under the Constitution to become abridged. The New Media Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390775/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:16:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2389392/posts How do you say “You lie!” in Mandarin? By Michelle Malkin  •  November 18, 2009 09:20 AM Obama’s double-talk on political dissent by Michelle MalkinCreators Syndicate Copyright 2009President Obama traveled all the way to China to praise the free flow of information. It’s the only safe place he could do so without getting heckled. With a straight face, Obama lauded political dissent and told Chinese students that he welcomed unfettered criticism in America. Fierce opposition, he said, made him “a better leader because it forces me to hear opinions that I don’t want to hear.” How do you say “You lie!” in... michellemalkin.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2389392/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:56:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386386/posts "Magic Mirror on the Wall, who is the fairest one of all?" was uttered by the wicked Queen in the 1937 Walt Disney animated movie 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.' Do you remember that poignant little snippet from the movie that became a childhood classic for generations? The nation did not necessarily embrace the evil Queen as a hero but some were on the edge of their seats wondering if the truth or the continued lie would ever come out. The question which many have speculated over was whether or not this movie's focus on the dark side of... Renew America http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386386/posts#comment Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:42:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385700/posts WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama signed the Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law Oct. 28. It expands the 1969 hate-crimes law to include crimes against people committed because of gender, sexual orientation or disability. The president said the law would “help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray.”Religious leaders, in particular, objected to the bill’s original language because they worried that it would not protect First Amendment rights and religious freedom. Some felt that the law might restrict clergy and others’ ability to speak out on issues of morality, such... ncr http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385700/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:48:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2382125/posts The case of Mortgage Lender Implode-O-Meter vs. Mortgage Specialists Inc (MSI) has reached the New Hampshire Supreme Court. MSI has demanded Implode-O-Meter reveal the identity of one of its sources in a defamation case and Implode-O-Meter refuses. Please consider New Hampshire Suit Challenges Mortgage Blogger's Use of Anonymous Sources The New Hampshire Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that calls into question the legal protections available to independent Web sites that cover news. The case involves mortgage lender Implode-Explode, a Las Vegas-based site launched in 2007 that publishes stories about the meltdown of the mortgage industry. The... Global Economic Trend Analysis http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2382125/posts#comment Mon, 9 Nov 2009 15:42:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2381536/posts "You cannot have an opposition movement without opposition media." -Van Jones, former Green Jobs Czar for President Obama.Free speech and dictatorship don't mix. Just think about it. If I were a Third World dictator and wanted to keep power indefinitely and still pretend to be legitimate, could I do so if the newspapers and television stations were all speaking out against me? Heck no. Free speech is a powerful tool for democracy, as our Founding Fathers knew. That's why if I were a dictator, I might eventually take the step of shutting down the opposition newspapers and TV stations, like... Daily Inter Lake http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2381536/posts#comment Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:16:08 GMT