July 17, 2018
The left has been warring against free speech for some time now. We’ve all heard the attacks against hate speech, which often is simply speech or ideas that those on the left disagree with.
Students on college campuses riot and attack speakers that they do not agree with on the grounds that people should not have the freedom to say what they want, especially if it flies in the face of accepted liberal dogma.
The New York Times ran an opinion piece disguised as news on its front page which was titled “How Conservatives Weaponized Free Speech”—and of course, this is very dangerous reasoning. This phrase was coined recently by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan who has dissented in a number of opinions that upheld free speech.
The phrase “weaponizing the First Amendment” reminds me of the scene from the recent movie about Winston Churchill in which Churchill won over the British Parliament in his famous speech to fight and never surrender. One character asks another what happened, and the response is that Churchill “mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”
One of those ideas that the left hates so much is the Citizens United decision that allows non-profits like THSC to participate in political speech.
Once again, those on the left want to limit this free speech by forcing these groups to be treated like Political Action Committees (PACs) and requiring them to identify their donors.
As Texas Gov. Perry recognized when he vetoed legislation on this issue, such requirements have a “chilling effect” on free speech because those who oppose an idea often attack the donors in an attempt to make them cave in and pull their support.
This battle is being played out here in Texas as well, as THSC has sued the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) in regard to its rules that we believe are violating the Texas Election Code and are unconstitutional. We are currently awaiting a ruling from the Texas Third Court of Appeals on this matter.
Empower Texans reports that in 2013 TEC Chairman Paul Hobby was quoted in an interview, “You ought to see these people who leave our meetings in tears, these sweet, simple people who missed a box, missed a deadline. They get a letter [from the Ethics Commission] and they can’t sleep at night, they hire a lawyer they can’t afford. There’s no moral sanction here, they’re not convicted felons. But these people swear, they promise, ‘I’ll never participate in the process again.’”
The TEC has recently adopted new administrative rules for the first time in 25 years but the new chairman says those rules don’t matter. It has been said by some who have been dragged through the TEC process that “the process is the punishment.”
The TEC continues their assault against free speech. THSC and others continue our battle to protect the right of every non-profit group in Texas to freely participate in political speech.
Ideas have consequences and, as Churchill proved, one can “mobilize the English language” to win the battle of ideas which have real consequences.
Thank you for your prayers and support of THSC and our efforts in Keeping Texas Families Free.” We believe that parents should be empowered to raise the next generation of leaders. Would you please continue in your support of THSC and donate today?
Read the rest of The Family Freedom Caller, including Tim’s Weekly Tweets
July 17, 2018
The left has been warring against free speech for some time now. We’ve all heard the attacks against hate speech, which often is simply speech or ideas that those on the left disagree with.
Students on college campuses riot and attack speakers that they do not agree with on the grounds that people should not have the freedom to say what they want, especially if it flies in the face of accepted liberal dogma.
The New York Times ran an opinion piece disguised as news on its front page which was titled “How Conservatives Weaponized Free Speech”—and of course, this is very dangerous reasoning. This phrase was coined recently by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan who has dissented in a number of opinions that upheld free speech.
The phrase “weaponizing the First Amendment” reminds me of the scene from the recent movie about Winston Churchill in which Churchill won over the British Parliament in his famous speech to fight and never surrender. One character asks another what happened, and the response is that Churchill “mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”
One of those ideas that the left hates so much is the Citizens United decision that allows non-profits like THSC to participate in political speech.
Once again, those on the left want to limit this free speech by forcing these groups to be treated like Political Action Committees (PACs) and requiring them to identify their donors.
As Texas Gov. Perry recognized when he vetoed legislation on this issue, such requirements have a “chilling effect” on free speech because those who oppose an idea often attack the donors in an attempt to make them cave in and pull their support.
This battle is being played out here in Texas as well, as THSC has sued the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) in regard to its rules that we believe are violating the Texas Election Code and are unconstitutional. We are currently awaiting a ruling from the Texas Third Court of Appeals on this matter.
Empower Texans reports that in 2013 TEC Chairman Paul Hobby was quoted in an interview, “You ought to see these people who leave our meetings in tears, these sweet, simple people who missed a box, missed a deadline. They get a letter [from the Ethics Commission] and they can’t sleep at night, they hire a lawyer they can’t afford. There’s no moral sanction here, they’re not convicted felons. But these people swear, they promise, ‘I’ll never participate in the process again.’”
The TEC has recently adopted new administrative rules for the first time in 25 years but the new chairman says those rules don’t matter. It has been said by some who have been dragged through the TEC process that “the process is the punishment.”
The TEC continues their assault against free speech. THSC and others continue our battle to protect the right of every non-profit group in Texas to freely participate in political speech.
Ideas have consequences and, as Churchill proved, one can “mobilize the English language” to win the battle of ideas which have real consequences.
Thank you for your prayers and support of THSC and our efforts in Keeping Texas Families Free.” We believe that parents should be empowered to raise the next generation of leaders. Would you please continue in your support of THSC and donate today?
Read the rest of The Family Freedom Caller, including Tim’s Weekly Tweets
