Daily Archives: February 11, 2014

Heres your daily reminder that freedom of speech doesnt mean freedom from consequences.

Kent State wrestler Sam Wheeler has been suspended indefinitely for making several anti-gay statements on Twitter. Like clockwork, this is bringing out the armchair constitutional lawyers who claim that this is an all-out assault on free speech. Duck Dynasty. #FreePhil.

I though we had free speech would they supend a gay person if they made anti christian or post about straght people, says one commenter on FOX Sports Ohios Facebook page.

What ever happened to freedom of speech! Isnt this American! Why are we being forced to accept things we may not agree with! Who cares what you do behind closed doors, keep your sex life to yourself! says another commenter.

Ok, lets take a look at what Sam Wheeler actually said. Referencing Missouris Michael Sam, who just announced that he is gay ahead of the NFL draft, Wheeler lamented that he cant even watch SportsCenter without hearing about that fag from mizzou. He later tweeted at two other users, calling them queers.

O geez I got all these fag boys mad at me now, he said.

All of the tweets (as well as his entire account) has since been deleted. But this is the internet, so here they are (courtesy outragedc.com):

Free speech!

Wheeler has been suspended indefinitely for his tweets.

Here is the original post:
Kent State Wrestler Suspended for Anti-Gay Tweets, So Of Course Free Speech Is Once Again Under Assault

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR ROY BLUNT (MO.)

Senator Blunt Co-Sponsors Bill To Prevent IRS Targeting, Protect Free Speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) co-sponsored the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act (S. 2011), which was introduced today by U.S. Senators Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Pat Roberts (Kan.) and is co-sponsored by 36 additional senators.

The bill would protect the free-speech rights of 501(c)(4) organizations by prohibiting for one year the finalization of a proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulation that would significantly limit the advocacy and educational activities of these groups. The bill would also prevent additional targeting of 501(c)(4) organizations by restoring the IRS 501(c)(4) standards and definitions that were in place before the start of the agencys targeting of conservative groups in 2010.

People in Missouri and across the country are rightly concerned about government overreach and political targeting that weve witnessed under this administration, Blunt said. Im fighting for more transparency and accountability in Washington, and I'm pleased to join Senators Flake and Roberts in this effort to protect Americans First Amendment rights.

Background:

On November 29, 2013, the Department of Treasury published a proposed IRS rule that would broadly define 501(c)(4) political activity to include voter registration, voter education, communications that mention a candidate or party, grants to 527s, and events in which a candidate participates, among other activities. Even non-partisan activities would be limited. The regulations specifically single out 501(c)(4) organizations, and do not apply to other nonprofit organizations such as charities, labor unions or trade associations.

The administration has already faced harsh criticism for earlier attempts by the IRS to target these same organizations. On May 14, 2013, the Treasurys inspector general for tax administration released a report finding that the IRS had inappropriately targeted and applied excessive scrutiny to the applications of conservative groups applying for 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status. Several IRS employees, including the acting commissioner, resigned as a result of the scandal. Investigations by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Department of Justice are ongoing.

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See the original post here:
Senator Blunt Co-Sponsors Bill To Prevent IRS Targeting, Protect Free Speech