Greg Lukianoff of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is a gentleman I've come to know and respect. He will be speaking at college campuses throughout Texas on the topic of "Unlearning Liberty."
The interesting thing about FIRE is they've been called "right-wing" by activists on the left because many (though, not all) of this law firm's clients end up being right-leaning libertarians and conservatives. But a moment's research into FIRE's background will tell a different story.
Both Greg and FIRE's Co-Founder, Harvey Silvergate, have worked closely within the ranks of the ACLU, another law firm which conservatives legitimately hold suspect for its avowedly pro-communist roots in its early days. Contemporary observers will more likely know the ACLU for its liberal advocacy on social matters, pornography, and on obscene speech and broadcasting.
Both Harvey and Greg to this day are staunch believers in free speech... to a point traditional conservatives will probably say is to a fault. But unlike the rest of the ACLU, their commitment has led them to fight against left wing oppression too often seen on college campuses nationwide. This is what Hayekian "liberalism" looks like when applied consistently: not just to gays and pornographers, but to beleaguered conservative students on campuses dominated by political correctness; each end up benefiting from FIRE's defense.
This, of course, comes as a welcome relief to students facing unjust punishment from left wing faculty and administrators, but what will this mean for students attending private Baptist institutions, such as Baylor University? My understanding, as Greg intones in the Q&A portion of the linked lecture, is that the first amendment in its fullest expression exists so that private institutions like Baylor can not only exist, but thrive.
That's what students will find out this November 5th. Conservatives may not come to fully agree with liberalism, as construed by 60's style politics; but the kind of liberalism FIRE promotes is one which merits the conservative's careful contemplation.
UPDATE: FIRE maintains a handy database which profiles each university based on their policies regarding speech restrictions. Here is FIRE's dossier on Baylor University.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
It's My Flag, It's My Right
Freedom of expression. Oh yeah, you have it, if you're expressing the same opinions as everyone else. Sharing the majority opinion isn’t something I’m known for, but I can honestly say I don’t know anyone who thinks we should not be allowed to display the American Flag.
But apparently, somebody does, and now all hell is breaking loose.
First, was a remark made to J.E. that she couldn’t display her flags in her window, and someone in the apartment below removed his. Then she received a phone call saying she had to take it down because nothing was allowed in the windows period. We were disgruntled, but I didn’t think too much of it. Then I saw this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3kAfbVQwl8
and this:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=190081653437
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/10/17/news/doc4ad93893e311f016185961.txt
So is this just an uncanny coincidence, or a genuine threat to our nation’s flag? I don’t know about you, but I find the whole “everything has to come down”, “sports flags are also not allowed”, and “nothing is allowed on the lockers” too thin an excuse, and I don’t believe in coincidences, especially not when they come in threes.
The fact that these people are facing eviction for these flags is complete un-American. We are allowed to burn flags, wear rude T-shirts, and worse under the First Amendment and yet we can’t fly the flag because “someone might be offended”?
Well, if that someone is going to be so put out by my flag, they can get the hell out of my country! No one complains when my friends from other countries walk around with German flags pinned to their backpacks, or Mexican flags hanging off the rearview mirror of their car. If I’m not allowed to fly my own flag in my own country, what does that say to them?
Now I understand it is one thing to say you can’t have it in the window of your apartment, because it is technically the property of the apartment complex owner. But to say that you can’t have it on your car? Hello! That’s your property. To think that anyone could try and tell me what I can and can’t have on my car, which I paid for, maintain, and value as my own, ultimate personal space, is utterly absurd. The fact this even became an issue is mind boggling to me.
My flag is not in my window or on my car (I don’t believe in stickers, and I have no antenna to fly it on.). I have it on my bedspread. I’ve had that patriotic quilt for seven years, and I can’t help but wonder is someone going to say “You need to put that in the linen closet” and try to evict me when I tell them to take a hike?
Too many people have paid in blood for that flag and what it stands for. It’s bad enough that people are allowed to desecrate it and we can’t protect it, but to deny us the right to respect and cherish, and DISPLAY, our flag at all? Next we’ll be denied our right to sing the national anthem at football games, the Pledge will be banned from schools for reasons other than “Under God”. Soon we will be denied the right to respect and cherish our nation itself.
But apparently, somebody does, and now all hell is breaking loose.
First, was a remark made to J.E. that she couldn’t display her flags in her window, and someone in the apartment below removed his. Then she received a phone call saying she had to take it down because nothing was allowed in the windows period. We were disgruntled, but I didn’t think too much of it. Then I saw this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3kAfbVQwl8
and this:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=190081653437
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/10/17/news/doc4ad93893e311f016185961.txt
So is this just an uncanny coincidence, or a genuine threat to our nation’s flag? I don’t know about you, but I find the whole “everything has to come down”, “sports flags are also not allowed”, and “nothing is allowed on the lockers” too thin an excuse, and I don’t believe in coincidences, especially not when they come in threes.
The fact that these people are facing eviction for these flags is complete un-American. We are allowed to burn flags, wear rude T-shirts, and worse under the First Amendment and yet we can’t fly the flag because “someone might be offended”?
Well, if that someone is going to be so put out by my flag, they can get the hell out of my country! No one complains when my friends from other countries walk around with German flags pinned to their backpacks, or Mexican flags hanging off the rearview mirror of their car. If I’m not allowed to fly my own flag in my own country, what does that say to them?
Now I understand it is one thing to say you can’t have it in the window of your apartment, because it is technically the property of the apartment complex owner. But to say that you can’t have it on your car? Hello! That’s your property. To think that anyone could try and tell me what I can and can’t have on my car, which I paid for, maintain, and value as my own, ultimate personal space, is utterly absurd. The fact this even became an issue is mind boggling to me.
My flag is not in my window or on my car (I don’t believe in stickers, and I have no antenna to fly it on.). I have it on my bedspread. I’ve had that patriotic quilt for seven years, and I can’t help but wonder is someone going to say “You need to put that in the linen closet” and try to evict me when I tell them to take a hike?
Too many people have paid in blood for that flag and what it stands for. It’s bad enough that people are allowed to desecrate it and we can’t protect it, but to deny us the right to respect and cherish, and DISPLAY, our flag at all? Next we’ll be denied our right to sing the national anthem at football games, the Pledge will be banned from schools for reasons other than “Under God”. Soon we will be denied the right to respect and cherish our nation itself.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Don't Tear Me Down
I was just complaining to J.E. that I wanted to write a post, but I was completely unable to decide what to write about. Then I found my answer. I was too tired to post at the time, so I'm taking my night-off-of-the-week to write this, and can't think of a better way to spend it:
J.E. posted a video on her facebook, which I reposted on mine, about the Mojave Desert War Memorial, and the danger it faces of being taken down. Before I continue, let me explain this memorial is, and why it matters:
The Mohave Desert War Memorial was erected in 1934 by WWI veterans to honor their fallen comrades. The memorial is a simple cross, on a rock, in the middle of the desert. The cross, while a "Christian" symbol, is also a symbol used worldwide for such memorials, with and without religious reasons.
This cross has stood there for 75 years without anybody complaining, until now.
The scoop: On man, who lives in Oregon (the memorial is in California), complained that he didn't believe that the cross should be on government property. Now the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is attempting to tear down the memorial. For the moment, it is covered up, but still standing.
So, plainly speaking, one guy who lives nowhere near this one random cross in the middle of nowhere, makes a stink about it, and now a 75 year old memorial raised by the veterans of one of the greatest and most terrible wars of all time is in danger of being destroyed?
The Supreme Court hearing on this issue started today (Or rather, yesterday, since writing this has taken me past the midnight mark). When did I hear about this? Yesterday (The day before, now.). Naturally, given the unreliability of our public media, I'm not surprised that this is the first I heard of this issue, but it does not make me any the less angry that I was prevented from hearing sooner, so I could speak out and take action sooner.
This memorial stands not only for WWI veterans, but for all who fall in the service of their country. Think nothing of the fact the symbol of the cross can be associated with Christianity. Think for a moment, only of the fact that it is a symbol for fallen veterans. In what way does anyone gain from dishonoring their memory? What message does this send out to soldiers fighting today? If we cannot respect the soldiers of our past, what can they expect in the future? I don't know about you, but after what some of my family and friends have gone through, I expect better from our citizens.
Now you can consider the cross in its Christian context. In our nation, we are supposed to have a wonderful constitutional right called freedom of religion. Yet here we are, wasting time and energy about a single cross? I pass about 3 different crosses every time I drive from school to home, as well as the Israeli flag twice, and nary a complaint from my fellow commuters or myself. If someone decided to fly the Alam al-Shahada from their flagpole, I wouldn’t complain. I see symbols, signs and sayings everywhere, on private and public property, that I may not believe in or agree with, but that’s the glory of this nation-that everyone is supposedly allowed to express their beliefs and opinions without persecution. Sadly, in my own experience, persecution has ever been my companion, a story I may tell later on, because I have to wonder: Who will continue to stand and fight, when they gain nothing but hatred, and how long
before Christians themselves may still stand, but have to be hidden, like the cross in the desert?
Both issues touch close to home for me. I have veterans amongst my family and friends, people who have given their time, their health, their lives, for a greater purpose, and I, frankly speaking, am just plain sick of having to fight for my religious rights in a supposedly free country.
~Caera
Official Site:
http://www.donttearmedown.com/
The Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeuBB_mOFIA&feature=channel_page
J.E. posted a video on her facebook, which I reposted on mine, about the Mojave Desert War Memorial, and the danger it faces of being taken down. Before I continue, let me explain this memorial is, and why it matters:
The Mohave Desert War Memorial was erected in 1934 by WWI veterans to honor their fallen comrades. The memorial is a simple cross, on a rock, in the middle of the desert. The cross, while a "Christian" symbol, is also a symbol used worldwide for such memorials, with and without religious reasons.
This cross has stood there for 75 years without anybody complaining, until now.
The scoop: On man, who lives in Oregon (the memorial is in California), complained that he didn't believe that the cross should be on government property. Now the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is attempting to tear down the memorial. For the moment, it is covered up, but still standing.
So, plainly speaking, one guy who lives nowhere near this one random cross in the middle of nowhere, makes a stink about it, and now a 75 year old memorial raised by the veterans of one of the greatest and most terrible wars of all time is in danger of being destroyed?
The Supreme Court hearing on this issue started today (Or rather, yesterday, since writing this has taken me past the midnight mark). When did I hear about this? Yesterday (The day before, now.). Naturally, given the unreliability of our public media, I'm not surprised that this is the first I heard of this issue, but it does not make me any the less angry that I was prevented from hearing sooner, so I could speak out and take action sooner.
This memorial stands not only for WWI veterans, but for all who fall in the service of their country. Think nothing of the fact the symbol of the cross can be associated with Christianity. Think for a moment, only of the fact that it is a symbol for fallen veterans. In what way does anyone gain from dishonoring their memory? What message does this send out to soldiers fighting today? If we cannot respect the soldiers of our past, what can they expect in the future? I don't know about you, but after what some of my family and friends have gone through, I expect better from our citizens.
Now you can consider the cross in its Christian context. In our nation, we are supposed to have a wonderful constitutional right called freedom of religion. Yet here we are, wasting time and energy about a single cross? I pass about 3 different crosses every time I drive from school to home, as well as the Israeli flag twice, and nary a complaint from my fellow commuters or myself. If someone decided to fly the Alam al-Shahada from their flagpole, I wouldn’t complain. I see symbols, signs and sayings everywhere, on private and public property, that I may not believe in or agree with, but that’s the glory of this nation-that everyone is supposedly allowed to express their beliefs and opinions without persecution. Sadly, in my own experience, persecution has ever been my companion, a story I may tell later on, because I have to wonder: Who will continue to stand and fight, when they gain nothing but hatred, and how long
before Christians themselves may still stand, but have to be hidden, like the cross in the desert?
Both issues touch close to home for me. I have veterans amongst my family and friends, people who have given their time, their health, their lives, for a greater purpose, and I, frankly speaking, am just plain sick of having to fight for my religious rights in a supposedly free country.
~Caera
Official Site:
http://www.donttearmedown.com/
The Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeuBB_mOFIA&feature=channel_page
Sunday, September 27, 2009
On the Issue of the New 'Obama Song'
"Where we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers." Barack Hussein Obama
Over the past few months, I have become less exasperated over the outrageous statements from the left. This does not mean that I am any less horrified, insulted, and even angered to a degree by these statements. I am. If I dove into everything with the passion that I feel, I likely would never sleep. That said, there are moments that require one to stop, breathe, and state their opinions.This is, for me, one of those times.
Though I keep myself informed, I am running this way and that so much during the school semester that I often miss very large happenings. It's easy to do, but it makes me wonder how long I've missed this. I tend to catch half of the Glenn Beck show on Fox News after I finish with classes and before I run off to work in the afternoons. In between bites of my pizza roll late lunch/early dinner, the story that he was covering both shocked and horrified me.
My father, jokingly, asked if it brought tears to my eyes because of the wonder of it, and I told him that it did, but only because I'm so frightened for the children. At B. Bernice Elementary school in Burlington, New Jersey, Barack Obama was quite litterally worshiped. The lyrics that were taught to these kids are as follows:
"Mm, mmm, mm! Barack Hussein Obama
He said that all must lend a hand
To make this country strong again
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
Yes!
Mmm, mmm, mm
Barack Hussein Obama"
I'd like to break down this song if you'd give me a few moments.
“He said that all must lend a hand
To make this country strong again”
Obama has spent his first eight to nine months in office apologizing for our country. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty proud of the country that my grandfathers fought for. I’m proud of our soldiers who fight now. I’m proud of the strength that we have, that we have had, and that I believe the people of this country will always have. I saw America’s strength in my father’s father until the day he died, and continue to see it in my one remaining grandfather (both verterans of WWII). I saw it at the Hillsboro tea party when a woman stood up and told us about her son that died in Iraq. The pride that she had in her children was clear as she spoke of how her second son had just enlisted. I see the strength in town hall meetings for those that stand up (on either side) to defend what they believe in. Even the woman who sat next to me in my own city's town hall. I will never agree to the atrocities that I believe our government is attempting to commit, but she was there for her beliefs and showing her own American strength.
I suppose the president thinks America isn’t strong anymore because he looks at the spineless fakes that we have elected to office up in Washington DC.
“He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay”
And it’s a stretch to call him a Socialist? Really? Obama has already admitted to believing in the ‘redistribution of wealth,’ which is Socialism. I have had long talks about this with various people that I've come into contact with. Is it ‘fair’ for someone to work hard for their degree, put money into their education, and then for the government to take their hard earned money and give it to someone who has not? Eventually what happens in a system like that is that people simply stop working. More people go onto the government dole than the system can handle and it will collapse.
“He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance”
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around why it is that America is such a horrible place and his majesty Obama has to fix it… Perhaps I’m not as awe struck with him, but I prefer results as to mindless agreement. We (Americans) have been taking a stand. We took that stand in 1775 at Lexington; in 1776 with our declaration to the world that we would not be held down; from 1861-1865 when we finally stood by our own notion that 'all men are created equal'; in 1941 when quite litterally helped to save the world; during the Civil Rights movements; and after the attack on our own soil in 2001. Has Obama and those that write these praises to him forgotten our history? I have not.
“He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight”
This is an attack on our faith. I am not swayed by what Obama has said, this country is based and founded on Judeo-Christian principals and God help me that I do not forget that and that you do not either. To forget one's own history is to open up to many dangers.
Do you remember, like I do, the song we sang in Sunday school so many years ago? “Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.” This is an attack on Christianity. These people are putting Obama in the place of Jesus Christ. It may not be as blatant and straight forward as taking prayer out of our schools, but it is there in all of its horror. To take a song for Christ and turn it into praise of a man that holds himself up to be a god sickens me.
I always thought brainwashing was a strong term to use, but perhaps it is not. After all, when you want to rip apart a country’s core foundation and principals, best to start with small children, isn’t it?
Mr. Obama, I say to you that we are a Christian nation, even if there are many others among us. We were built on Christian principals, and our soul is a Christian soul. I say that I trust people like John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson wholly over you and your leftist agenda. I say that we are a strong, brave people and we are done apologizing and bowing our head to a false god. Much less telling the children of our country that they should.
Over the past few months, I have become less exasperated over the outrageous statements from the left. This does not mean that I am any less horrified, insulted, and even angered to a degree by these statements. I am. If I dove into everything with the passion that I feel, I likely would never sleep. That said, there are moments that require one to stop, breathe, and state their opinions.This is, for me, one of those times.
Though I keep myself informed, I am running this way and that so much during the school semester that I often miss very large happenings. It's easy to do, but it makes me wonder how long I've missed this. I tend to catch half of the Glenn Beck show on Fox News after I finish with classes and before I run off to work in the afternoons. In between bites of my pizza roll late lunch/early dinner, the story that he was covering both shocked and horrified me.
My father, jokingly, asked if it brought tears to my eyes because of the wonder of it, and I told him that it did, but only because I'm so frightened for the children. At B. Bernice Elementary school in Burlington, New Jersey, Barack Obama was quite litterally worshiped. The lyrics that were taught to these kids are as follows:
"Mm, mmm, mm! Barack Hussein Obama
He said that all must lend a hand
To make this country strong again
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
Yes!
Mmm, mmm, mm
Barack Hussein Obama"
I'd like to break down this song if you'd give me a few moments.
“He said that all must lend a hand
To make this country strong again”
Obama has spent his first eight to nine months in office apologizing for our country. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty proud of the country that my grandfathers fought for. I’m proud of our soldiers who fight now. I’m proud of the strength that we have, that we have had, and that I believe the people of this country will always have. I saw America’s strength in my father’s father until the day he died, and continue to see it in my one remaining grandfather (both verterans of WWII). I saw it at the Hillsboro tea party when a woman stood up and told us about her son that died in Iraq. The pride that she had in her children was clear as she spoke of how her second son had just enlisted. I see the strength in town hall meetings for those that stand up (on either side) to defend what they believe in. Even the woman who sat next to me in my own city's town hall. I will never agree to the atrocities that I believe our government is attempting to commit, but she was there for her beliefs and showing her own American strength.
I suppose the president thinks America isn’t strong anymore because he looks at the spineless fakes that we have elected to office up in Washington DC.
“He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay”
And it’s a stretch to call him a Socialist? Really? Obama has already admitted to believing in the ‘redistribution of wealth,’ which is Socialism. I have had long talks about this with various people that I've come into contact with. Is it ‘fair’ for someone to work hard for their degree, put money into their education, and then for the government to take their hard earned money and give it to someone who has not? Eventually what happens in a system like that is that people simply stop working. More people go onto the government dole than the system can handle and it will collapse.
“He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance”
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around why it is that America is such a horrible place and his majesty Obama has to fix it… Perhaps I’m not as awe struck with him, but I prefer results as to mindless agreement. We (Americans) have been taking a stand. We took that stand in 1775 at Lexington; in 1776 with our declaration to the world that we would not be held down; from 1861-1865 when we finally stood by our own notion that 'all men are created equal'; in 1941 when quite litterally helped to save the world; during the Civil Rights movements; and after the attack on our own soil in 2001. Has Obama and those that write these praises to him forgotten our history? I have not.
“He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight”
This is an attack on our faith. I am not swayed by what Obama has said, this country is based and founded on Judeo-Christian principals and God help me that I do not forget that and that you do not either. To forget one's own history is to open up to many dangers.
Do you remember, like I do, the song we sang in Sunday school so many years ago? “Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.” This is an attack on Christianity. These people are putting Obama in the place of Jesus Christ. It may not be as blatant and straight forward as taking prayer out of our schools, but it is there in all of its horror. To take a song for Christ and turn it into praise of a man that holds himself up to be a god sickens me.
I always thought brainwashing was a strong term to use, but perhaps it is not. After all, when you want to rip apart a country’s core foundation and principals, best to start with small children, isn’t it?
Mr. Obama, I say to you that we are a Christian nation, even if there are many others among us. We were built on Christian principals, and our soul is a Christian soul. I say that I trust people like John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson wholly over you and your leftist agenda. I say that we are a strong, brave people and we are done apologizing and bowing our head to a false god. Much less telling the children of our country that they should.
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