Americans Must Remain Committed to Free Expression After the Assassination of Charlie Kirk
Americans are grappling with the horrific assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk was killed during an event while engaging in civil discourse and debate. This heinous act of violence was not just the murder of a man, father, and husband, but also an assault on the premise and practice of free expression in a liberal democracy. But as we all process such a moment of political violence and the concerning attack on free expression it represents, we should not pursue policies that would also undermine free expression.
Kirk had been an advocate for free expression and rejected the idea of hate speech laws, posting online that even ugly and evil speech “ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment. Keep America Free.” He frequently defended greater free expression in his discussions on college campuses, even if his organization, Turning Point USA, wasn’t perfect on issues of speech. Click here to read more.
Biden FBI Snooped on 92 Conservative Targets in Trump Witch Hunt
The FBI under President Joe Biden investigated no less than 92 conservative or Republican groups and individuals, as part of an operation code-named, “Arctic Frost,” which scoured the dregs for a way to charge President Donald Trump with crimes related to the 2020 election, according to documents released Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“In other words, Arctic Frost wasn’t just a case to politically investigate Trump,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. “It was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and DOJ [Department of Justice] prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends and improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus.” Click here to read more.
22-year-old arrested in fatal shooting of beloved pastor; family offers forgiveness as Bible teaches
A 22-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting death of a California pastor whose loss has devastated his family and congregation. The family says they are choosing to forgive, citing the Christian teachings their loved one preached.
Deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at around 2:35 p.m. on Sept. 7 at a home on Eighth Street in Ramona, where they found 40-year-old Felipe Ascencio, the pastor of Templo Monte Horeb, suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics were called, but Ascencio was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Friday, authorities arrested Joel Martin Dukes III, a 22-year-old Ramona resident, on suspicion of murder, FOX 5 reported. Detectives were quoted as saying they're continuing to interview witnesses and gather evidence, and the motive remains under investigation.
The shooting was an isolated incident and posed no ongoing threat to the community, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Ascencio led the devoted Spanish-speaking congregation, Templo Monte Horeb, in worship and community outreach. Click here to read more.
Libraries to Beg Governor Whitmer to Guard the Gender Shelves
LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan Library Association (MLA) has launched a petition aimed at Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature, calling for protection of library shelves from what they describe as censorship. In practice, that means ensuring books with sexually explicit and gender-related themes remain available, including in areas accessible to young readers.
The “Protect the Freedom to Read in Michigan” petition, launched in July, has compiled about 3,000 signatures so far and will eventually be delivered to the governor in Lansing in October. Amid ongoing attempts to ban gender-themed books in local libraries by concerned parents and taxpayers, Michigan’s library association and their supporters are urging state leaders to boost funding, push local boards to reject censorship, and reaffirm the public’s right to free access to information. Click here to read more.
Educators face consequences for Kirk comments in Hopkins, Vassar, Flint, Ann Arbor, Kalkaska, Galesburg, Grand Ledge.
Another Michigan school teacher is facing disciplinary action over inappropriate comments to students regarding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Parents of middle schoolers in Hopkins Public Schools learned an unidentified English teacher was suspended this week, WZZM reports.
“Last weekend there was a communication sent to HPS families regarding an ongoing investigation into unprofessional comments,” the email to seventh-grade parents read. “While it was found there were unprofessional comments made about personal beliefs from a staff member, there were no comments made that encouraged or supported the use of violence towards anyone for their beliefs.
“In fact, the investigation suggests (the teacher) denounced violence and murder in all situations at the beginning of this conversation,” the email continued, noting district policy allows for both “progressive consequences” and “protections for privacy.” Click here to read more.
