Daily Archives: January 31, 2014

Christopher Hitchens - Free Speech
In Defense of Freedom of Speech - Christopher Hitchens.

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Christopher Hitchens - Free Speech - Video

Shermans right to free speech
Seahawks db.

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Shermans right to free speech - Video

The Beer Barrel - Free Speech Community For Even The Most Radical Ideologue
http://thebeerbarrel.net/ WE AT THE FREE SPEECH FORUM http://WWW.THEBEERBARREL.NET/ LOVE OURSELVES SOME FREE SPEECH. WE COME FROM ALL DIFFERENT IDEOLOGIES, A...

By: Ivan Paskalevo

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The Beer Barrel - Free Speech Community For Even The Most Radical Ideologue - Video

Suspicious language in a statement from the Board of Education that appeared to restrict free speech rights is now under review after The Darien Times brought this concern to the school board.

The statement, delivered by board Chairman Betsy Hagerty-Ross on at least one occasion, restricted speakers from discussing their children at board meetings. After telling the audience that the board would not engage in dialogue with speakers, Hagerty-Ross said that any comments of a personal nature about your student, staff, or board member will not be permitted.

This statement is troublesome to experts of the First Amendment, the clause in the U.S. Bill of Rights that establishes free speech as a cornerstone of the democratic process. Rose Cavanagh, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said Hagerty-Rosss statement seemed overbroad to prohibit parents to speak about their children.

Given the controversy surrounding the schools actions of late with regards to students rights, it may be more prudent for the Board of Education to allow parents to express the students perspectives, Cavanagh told The Darien Times.

The Board of Education has taken unprecedented and expensive steps to fix an assortment of legal problems with its special education programming.

Problems included a lack of communication with parents from the school board and administration. Part of the districts mitigation effort has been the addition of a public comment section during school board meetings.

Top 10 of 2013: No. 1 Special education

Communication woes run deeper than special ed

School board critics and supporters alike have lauded this effort. However, the directive to restrict parents has some concerned.

Ken Paulson, a lawyer and president of the First Amendment Center, said that this restriction would also prevent parents from sharing good news about their children.

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Darien school board restricts free speech, later rescinds

Fianna Fil Senator Averil Power. Dara Mac Donaill

The Iona Institute has been accused in the Seanad of being afraid of the debate on same-sex marriage after it sued RT over allegations of homophobia during a recent interview on The Saturday Night Show.

However, the institutes solicitor Kevin Brophy said he was dismayed at the critical reaction by politicians and the gay community following the broadcasters decision, via a legal settlement, to accept it was wrong to label members of the Iona Institute as homophobic.

Mr Brophy would not be drawn on the amount of the settlement but confirmed it was not a nominal figure and he was happy to recommend it to his client.

Sources have indicated efforts are afoot to invite Rory ONeill, also known as Panti and who was the subject of the interview, back on to the show alongside a representative of the institute. RT said The Saturday Night Show tomorrow would feature a debate on What constitutes homophobia and who gets to define the word?, adding that panel details will be announced closer to transmission.

In the last few days, there have been 847 complaints to the broadcaster in relation to the interview, although their nature and breakdown are as yet unclear.

Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, Fianna Fils Averil Power demanded details of the financial settlement saying those with the deepest pockets were bringing their weight to bear on the debate.

The motivation of the Iona Institute in bringing the case is clear. It is afraid of the referendum and the fact that at the Constitutional Convention, in which people heard both sides of the debate over the course of two days, 80 per cent of those involved voted in favour of equality.

Ms Power requested Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte to intervene in the matter.

However, Mr Brophy rounded on recent criticism of the institute, saying its members had a right to free speech and that holding a position against same-sex marriage was not tantamount to homophobia.

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Iona Institute is ‘afraid’ of same sex marriage debate says Senator