Tag: First Amendment

BIGOTRY: Boston bureaucrat practices religious discrimination

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https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2022/01/20/exclusive-kobach-supreme-court-appears-ready-to-protect-a-christian-flag-in-boston-case/

Exclusive–Kobach: Supreme Court Appears Ready to Protect a Christian Flag in Boston Case
KRIS W. KOBACH
20 Jan 2022

*** begin quote ***

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments concerning the City of Boston’s refusal to allow a private organization to fly a Christian flag on a flagpole next to City Hall that was routinely made available to any private organization that applied to do so.  The case is Shurtleff v. City of Boston.

*** and ***

The conservative Justices seemed likely to rule against the City.  Justice Gorsuch pointed out that the City was “treat[ing] religious viewpoints the equivalent of offensive or inappropriate ones.”  Justice Thomas reacted to the City of Boston’s claim that it was celebrating diversity by allowing other nations’ flags to fly by pointing out, “it would seem to me that Christians in Boston would be a part of that diversity calculus.”

Even Justice Kagan suggested that “this was a mistake” by the Boston bureaucrat who denied the application.  She wondered why the City had not settled the case with the plaintiffs.

These and other statements suggest that the Court isn’t buying Boston’s arguments.  Hopefully that proves to be true when the Supreme Court’s decision is issued.  For too long, too many government bureaucrats have been hostile to Christianity and its symbols.  A victory in this case for the plaintiffs would do much to reverse that trend.

Kris W. Kobach served as the Secretary of State of Kansas during 2011-2019.  Prior to that, he was a professor of constitutional law at the University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Law during 1996-2011.  An expert in immigration law and policy, he was also an informal adviser to President Trump.  He is currently General Counsel of the Alliance for Free Citizens.  His website is www.kriskobach.com. 

*** end quote ***

While I have no real problem with SCOTUS smacking down the Boston bureaucrats, I wonder why the flag pole is there at all.

It serves no legitimate public purpose other than making work for the politicians and bureaucrats.

Also, I don’t think Churches should fly the Gooferment’s flag EVER.

In the old days, “the Church” was a power that kept the King in check.  Today, it’s like a rubber stamp for the Gooferment.

We need more protection from the tyranny of the Big Deep State and its politicians and bureaucrats.

Argh!

—30—

 

POLITICAL: First Amendment and Washington Metro

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/05/29/we-know-what-happens-when-you-criticize-muhammad-we-know-how-some-people-react-to-that/

The Volokh Conspiracy
‘[W]e know what happens when you criticize Muhammad, we know how some people react to that’

By Eugene Volokh May 29 at 9:45 AM

*** begin quote ***

U.S. News (Steven Nelson) reports:

“The mass transit authority that oversees commuter buses and trains in the nation’s capital is banning issue-oriented ads for the remainder of the year after receiving an ad proposal featuring a cartoon of Muhammad, Islam’s central figure.”

The cartoon that prompted the decision was apparently this one, a combination of an earlier cartoon by artist Bosch Fawstin with the addition of the caption “Support Free Speech,” and the American Freedom Defense Initiative logo:

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but that’s not good enough.

They were taking ads up until they got one that was a “hot grounder”.

As part of the Gooferment, they don’t get to censor speech. 

This issue was tried up in NYC and the First Amendment won.

As a pro-life pro-choice little L libertarian, I get “offended” all the time.

Politician corruption offends me, but I have to “tolerate” it.

Argh!

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RANT: Bloggers are “journalists” in terms of the First Amendement

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

SurvivalBlog.com by Jim Rawles 
Odds ‘n Sods:

*** begin quote ***

Congress and the Justice Dept’s Dangerous Attempts to Define “Journalist” Threaten to Exclude Bloggers. JWR’s Comment: Considering that many blogs have readerships of 100,000 or more, while many magazines and newspapers only have 50,000 subscribers, it is ludicrous to deem the former “legitimate”, whilst excluding the latter. In a free and modern society, the very concept of “press credentials” is anachronistic and smacks of elitism, favoritism, and cronyism. For our public servants to only grant a few the “privilege” to access to attend public meetings, to observe public court trials, and to sit in the gallery of legislative chambers is haughty and supercilious. And we’ve already seen the peril of declaring it a privilege to take photos on public streets. To allow some to do so, but not others implies that the public at large is somehow de classe and that we are mere contemptuous rabble. (OBTW, as I’ve mentioned before, the level of contempt by police officers has risen to the point that there have been some cases when credentials don’t help, even if you are from a television news station.)

*** end quote ***

Just look at what the Free Staters in New Hampshire put up with.

Or read “photography is not a crime”.

Any interaction with “the authorities” by a Mundane has the potential to go very wrong.

CZ was indicted based on his statement to the police.

Argh!

Fight back now.

“And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests, as for example in Leningrad, when they arrested a quarter of the entire city, people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers, or whatever else was at hand? . . .” — Alexander Solzhenitsyn

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RANT: The Constitution doesn’t prevent squat

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http://www.theblaze.com/stories/white-house-petition-calls-for-deporting-piers-morgan-over-anti-gun-views/

MEDIA

WHITE HOUSE PETITION CALLS FOR…DEPORTING PIERS MORGAN OVER ANTI-GUN VIEWS

Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:54pm by Madeleine Morgenstern

*** begin quote ***

A new online White House petition is calling for CNN’s Piers Morgan to be deported for “attacking the Second Amendment” following the Connecticut elementary school massacre.

“British Citizen and CNN television host Piers Morgan is engaged in a hostile attack against the U.S. Constitution by targeting the Second Amendment,” the petition states. “We demand that Mr. Morgan be deported immediately for his effort to undermine the Bill of Rights and for exploiting his position as a national network television host to stage attacks against the rights of American citizens.”

*** and ***

“Ironic U.S. gun rights campaign to deport me for ‘attacking 2nd Amendment rights’ – is my opinion not protected under 1st Amendment rights?” Morgan wrote.

*** end quote ***

Interesting, but true.

Does the Constitution limit the power of the Federal Government?

As old Lysander taught us: “It’s just GD peive of paper”. Oh no, that was one of the many “presidents”. Spooner pointed out how the Consititution is of “no effect”.

Now the American People can apply “market discipline” to the Brit. If he’s anathema to the American Public, (think Jane Fonda’s ability to take a lover at Vetran’s convention — not very likely if she was the last woman on Earth!), then maybe he’ll understand the role of being a guest in someone  else’s country. Didn’t the Brits forbid Michael Savage from goign to London to speak?

But we know the Constitution is powerless to reign the abuse of the Federal Gooferment, so maybe the abuse of this person’s First Amendment rights would be instructive.

Maybe the Sheeple would get the message?

Then they will ask what is the difference between one nut killing children in CT and the USA killing children aka “collateral damage” in AfPak?

Anyone wonder why we aren’t beloved?

Argh!

–30–

POLITICAL: The IRS is politicized?

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http://www.wnd.com/2012/03/obamas-irs-on-warpath-against-tea-parties

WND EXCLUSIVE
Obama’s IRS on warpath against tea parties
Government requiring names, addresses, contacts, relationships
Published: 12 hours ago
by Bob Unruh

*** begin quote ***

“Basically, we’re objecting to information that the IRS is requesting that is beyond the scope of its legitimate inquiry.”

On the ACLJ website, several questions from the IRS were quoted:

(1) Do you directly or indirectly communicate with members of legislative bodies? If so, provide copies of the written communications and contents of other forms of communications.

(2) Please describe the associate group members and their role with your organization in further detail. (a) How does your organization solicit members? (b) What are the questions asked of potential members? (c) What are the selection criteria for approval? (d) Do you limit membership to other organizations exempt under 501(c)(4) of the Code? (e) Provide the name, employer identification number, and address of the organizations.

(3) Do you have a close relationship with any candidate for public office or political party? If so describe fully the nature of that relationship.

“The quoted requests are merely the tip of the iceberg,” the ACLJ said. “We’re still reviewing the IRS letters and will have more information as we complete our review.”

The report continued, “Critically, the demands we’ve seen are made not in response to complaints of wrongdoing but instead in response to applications for exemption. In other words, the IRS appears to be conditioning the grant of exemptions on the extensive violation of the tea party’s fundamental First Amendment freedoms.”

*** end quote ***

It’s apparent that there’s a Nixon style enemies list.

How does one fight the IRS with a First Amendment argument?

It revolves around the “charitable deduction”. Guess you just have to forego that.

“We, The Sheeple” better wake up. Could be you next!

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POLITICAL: MYOB as a foreign policy

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan212.html

Who Commissioned Us to Remake the World?
by Patrick J. Buchanan

*** begin quote ***

We believe in freedom of speech and the press.

Yet, in France, if you deny the Turks committed genocide against the Armenians in 1915, you are guilty of a crime, while in Turkey if you affirm that the Turks committed genocide, you have committed a crime. Should U.S. diplomats battle for repeal of both laws? Or mind our own business?

If America wishes to lead the world, let us do it by example, as we once did, not by hectoring every nation on earth to adopt the American way, which as of now, does not seem to be working all that well for Americans.

McFaul should stick to his diplomatic duties.

Jefferson had it right, “We wish not to meddle with the internal affairs of any country.”

*** end quote ***

Seems pretty simple?

As Ron Paul said in the debates that “we” do to others what “we” wouldn’t like done to us.

No humility in our dealings with other countries.

When “we” get all our problems fixed here, “we” should still refrain from commenting on policies in other countries.

If they want to handicap themselves, that’s their business.

Argh!

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LIBERTY: Catholics, specifically, and Pro-Lifers in general are infringed upon

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan213.html

Obama Sandbags the Archbishop
by Patrick J. Buchanan

*** begin quote ***

In the letter, the Church denounced the Obama administration for ordering all Catholic schools, hospitals and social services to provide, in their health insurance coverage for employes, free contraceptives, free sterilizations and free “morning-after” pills.

*** and ***

This affront should tell the Catholic hierarchy, if they did not already know, where they stand in the party of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Kathleen Sebilius. And where they sit – in the back of the bus.

Yet if the bishops will look upon this crisis of conscience, this insult, as an opportunity, they can effect its reversal and recapture a measure of the moral authority they have lately lost.

Not only should the bishops file suit in federal court against the president and Sebelius for violation of the constitutional principle of separation of church and state, they should inform the White House that no bishop will give an invocation at the Democratic Convention.

Then, they should inform the White House that in the last two weeks of the 2012 campaign, priests in every parish will read from the pulpit at Sunday mass a letter denouncing Obama as anti-Catholic for denying the Church its right to live according to its beliefs.

*** end quote ***

Apparently, this is enough of a slap in the face to get the Catholic Church into action?

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LIBERTY: Is the “Free Press” on the people’s side?

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http://www.againstcronycapitalism.org/2012/01/are-the-mainstream-media-and-the-state-one-and-the-same

Are The Mainstream Media and The State One and the Same?
by Nick Sorrentino

*** begin quote ***

What would have happened if Goldman, and JP, and Barclays went under along with the other big banks? Yes, there would have been huge disruption. There would have been a very sharp shot to the economy for sure.  We would have had a “depression.”  And there would have been many destroyed bankers littering the alleyways of New York. They leveraged up, and then they paid the price. Now we can move on.

But we haven’t been able to move on. The Blankfiens and Dimons of the world sent the word out. Capitalism be damned! Print, print, print!

This has kept the same crew that was in power prior to the collapse remaining in power. And even when they mess up again, despite all the free money,  these guys are untouchable. Why in God’s name is Corzine running around looking at new villas in the South of France? There is $1.2 billion of his client’s money that just “disappeared.” He co-mingled the MF Global’s funds with his clients in a last ditch effort to save his posterior and now that money is gone. Where are the leg irons? Oh I’m sorry, anyone who was up for Treasury Secretary is above the law we should know that by now.

But that’s part of Smith’s point. The media has been so well trained to avoid the real issues that the American public just stumbles along in sort of a light drunken haze. It’s more pleasant than reality but the buzz will wear off eventually. The question is if it will wear off before or after everything we once loved about America is gone.

*** end quote ***

First Amendment was to give “We, The Sheeple” an ally in keeping the Gooferment under control.

Like the Gooferment, it has been captured by the global elite.

No wonder we can’t catch a break. The deck is stack against the People.

Argh!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: BHO44 mandates violate the First Amendment

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http://www.theblaze.com/stories/obama-admin-mandates-religious-employers-cover-contraception-cost-catholic-bishops-furious/

Faith Obama Admin Mandates Religious Employers Cover Contraception Cost, Catholic Bishops Furious
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:21pm by Tiffany Gabbay

*** begin quote ***

The Catholic Bishops of the United States are reportedly furious over what they call the “literally unconscionable” decision by the Obama Administration to require that contraception be included in virtually all health plans provided by religious-affiliated institutions to their employees.

*** end quote ***

The Gooferment’s attack on the Church continues.

In clear violation of the First Amendment.

When do “We, The Sheeple” wake up?

When do Christians and Catholics stand up?

When do “we” stand for our rights?

You only have them if you defend them.

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NEWJERSEY: “Christian beliefs wrong”; decision, and perhaps the “law”, unconstitutional

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http://www.wnd.com/2012/01/judge-says-following-christian-beliefs-wrong/

Judge: Following Christian beliefs wrong
You won’t believe latest attack on those faithful to Jesus
by Bob Unruh

*** begin quote ***

A ministry that follows the dictates of its faith is engaging in wrongdoing, according to a New Jersey judge who recommended today that the state Division on Civil Rights find the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association violated the state’s nondiscrimination law.

“The respondent violated the [Law Against Discrimination] when it refused to conduct a civil-union ceremony for Ms. Bernstein and Ms. Paster,” wrote Solomon Metzger, an administrative law judge whose determination will become final if not overturned by the Division of Civil Rights.

“Respondent opposes same-sex unions as a matter of religious belief, and in 2007 found itself on the wrong side of recent changes in the law.”

The seaside location has been popular for years for weddings, but the association, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, determined it could not biblically allow same-sex ceremonies to take place on its property.

*** end quote ***

Excuse me “Judge”, but where do you get off trumping the First Amendment.

Now the Dead Old White Guys discovered “religious tolerance” not out of some love for their fellow man, but for their distrust of other colonies. Best way to start a war is to argue over “religion”. So those smart Dead Old White Guys put “religion” out of bounds.

How can any religion be on the wrong side of the “law”?

If the law mandates this, then it is unconstitutional on its face and should be struck down.

Immediately!

What’s next forcing Catholics to participate in abortions?

Oh yeah, “they” are doing that now.

Argh!

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