Category Archives: Freedom

KEITH KRACH

Last March, I testified before Montanas House Judiciary Committee about the threat posed by TikTok to Montanans. About a month later, Montana became the first state in the nation to ban this digital weapon of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) statewide and created a model for other states to replicate.

There is a broad bipartisan consensus about the danger TikTok poses to Americans. FBI Director Christopher Wray said the Chinese government uses TikTok for influence operations and espionage. Montanas Attorney General Austin Knudsen accurately called TikTok a pernicious spying application.

The threat from TikTok is multifold, but let me emphasize three points.

First, TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance, which is controlled by the Chinese government from a legal, structural, governance, and leadership perspective. The CCPs 1% golden share stake in the company effectively gives it control of TikToks algorithm.

Furthermore, all Chinese companies and citizens are bound by Chinas National Intelligence Law. Under this law, they are forced to turn over all dataproprietary or otherwise to the Chinese government upon request or suffer draconian consequences. TikToks Chinese employees have no choice in the matter.

Second, TikTok is programmed to track your keystrokes to capture personal data, such as your credit card information, drivers license, bank and medical records, passwords, and location. The Chinese government has been caught red-handed using TikTok to track whistleblowers and reporters in attempts to intimidate them.

TikTok also preys on children. The app is disguised as candy, but its really cocaine. In fact, the version of TikTok peddled to American kids is not available in China. Instead, the algorithm of its Chinese version is used for STEM education.

Finally, China uses TikTok as a powerful propaganda and censorship tool to sow discontent and limit your freedom of speech. Just try posting something critical of the CCPs Uyghur genocide or in favor of Taiwanese independence.

During my tenure as under secretary of State, my team built the Clean Network Alliance of Democracies that defeated the CCPs master plan to control 5G. The Clean Network included a number of other efforts Clean Carrier, Clean Cloud, Clean Cable, Clean Apps, and Clean Store.

The Clean Store approach, adopted by Montana, is focused on removing untrusted apps, including TikTok, from U.S. mobile app stores, because Chinese apps proliferate viruses, spread propaganda, and threaten our national security. Montanas significant military infrastructure and its residents most sensitive personal information must be protected from Americas top foreign adversary.

Here in Montana, you are familiar with the Chinese governments attempts to spy on Americans. We owe the residents of Billings a big thank you for spotting the Chinese surveillance balloon. If the CCP can weaponize a balloon, imagine what it can do with 150 million U.S. TikTok users at its mercy, including hundreds of thousands of Montanans.

President Reagan said, Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

We live in a world of tyrants determined to bend us to their will. With its TikTok ban, Montana has taken a bold step to protect its citizens from the long reach of Xi Jinping, paving the way for other states to do their part in saving freedom from extinction. Otherwise, as Reagan warned, one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our childrens children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

Keith Krach served as U.S. Under Secretary of State from 2019-21. He is currently the Chairman of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue and serves as Co-Chair of the Global Tech Security Commission. Krach previously served as Chairman and CEO of DocuSign and Ariba and Chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees.

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Keith Krach: TikTok ban can save freedom from extinction - Billings Gazette

As scholars in the Brenda H. Tapia CDF Freedom Schools at Davidson College, they encounter a wide variety of stories through books, engage in art and physical activities, and explore the world around them on field trips.

Scholars range in grade from kindergarten through eighth, but all start the day in the gymnasium with breakfast and Harambee, which means all pull together in Kiswahili. Guest readers join the daily ritual of singing, dancing and storytelling.

The Freedom Schools program, based on the Mississippi Freedom Summer project of 1964, was developed by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) in 1995 to address equity issues within the U.S. education system. In 2005, Davidson College became the first higher education institution to sponsor a Freedom Schools program. Davidson College students, who lead the activities and lessons, are trained as servant leaders by the Childrens Defense Fund.

The 2023 Freedom Schools session ended July 21 with a finale celebration featuring performances and the scholars artwork in the E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center McKay Atrium.

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'All Pull Together': Davidson College Freedom Schools in Photos - Davidson News

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Opinion: Freedom of association | Columns | idahostatejournal.com - Idaho State Journal

WASHINGTONNoting that children were safer now that these sick individuals were off the street, the FBI arrested millions of Americans Friday who did not see Sound Of Freedom under suspicion of child trafficking. Today, weve detained countless citizens believed to be child traffickers who clearly did not see Sound Of Freedom due to a guilty conscience, said FBI chief Christopher Wray, adding that the raid, which spanned all 50 states, rounded up millions who likely could not face watching the movie because it featured unspeakable crimes identical to those theyd committed. To the many brave Americans who saw the film, we know you are clean. But to everyone else, we just have one question: Why couldnt you stand to watch it? Perhaps its because deep down, you know exactly what kinds of sick, twisted things youve done, and you cant bear to look yourselves in the mirror. At press time, Wray walked back several arrests after 73 million of the people hed arrested for not seeing the movie ended up being children.

This Week's Most Viral News: June 30, 2023

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FBI Arrests Millions Of Americans Who Didn't See 'Sound Of ... - The Onion

In the early 2000s, Jim Caviezel was on the cusp of Hollywood stardom, as Caviezels essential truth-telling, quiet charm, and sheer unpretentiousness gave Caviezel a disarmingly effective screen presence in the films Angel Eyes, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Frequency.

Of course, Caviezel gained worldwide fame with his titular performance in the 2004 Mel Gibson-directed biblical drama film The Passion of the Christ, which was a great commercial success but sharply divided audiences and critics, largely along political and religious lines, as the film was criticized for being excessively violent and containing perceived anti-Semitic representations.

Despite the fact that The Passion of the Christ grossed more than $600 million at the worldwide box office, Caviezels strong identification with the film, and especially the role of Jesus Christ, along with Caviezels strict adherence to his Catholic faith, seemingly made Caviezel undesirable in Hollywood.

Caviezel is experiencing much the same kind of dichotomy with his latest film, the independently-released child-trafficking action film Sound of Freedom, which has become the surprise box office hit of 2023 but has also been labeled as being controversial and divisive due to the films political and religious undertones.

Jim Caviezels personal beliefs impacted his career even before he was cast in The Passion of the Christ, as Caviezel had previously refused to perform graphic on-screen sexual scenes with female co-stars, specifically with Jennifer Lopez in Angel Eyes and Ashley Judd in High Crimes, in keeping with Caviezels deep commitment to his marital vows.

However, Caviezels performance in The Passion of the Christ irrevocably changed the trajectory of his career. Indeed, Caviezel has said that the films director, Mel Gibson, after offering Caviezel the films titular role, tried to talk Caviezel out of accepting the role, as Gibson warned Caviezel of the potential discrimination and typecasting that Caviezel might encounter in the wake of the films release. Of the impact that The Passion of the Christ had on Caviezels career and life, Caviezel said:

I made a choice. What you find out is that some choices are viewed as evil, and I dont see it that way. If there was a comedy out there, I would do it, but after playing Jesus, you dont really get offers like that anymore. As soon as I did Passion, other film offers stopped coming in.

Related: Best Jim Caviezel Movies, Ranked

Following the release of The Passion of the Christ, Caviezel starred as professional golfer Bobby Jones in the independently-released biographical drama film Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius and then appeared, in the role of a terrorist, opposite Denzel Washington in the big-budget action science-fiction thriller film Dj vu.

Moreover, as many of the film roles that Cazievel received following The Passion of the Christ had Caviezel playing grayish-shaded characters in various action and thriller films, Caviezels screen persona became increasingly morally ambiguous and sometimes villainous, as evidenced by Caviezels cold-blooded performance opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone in the 2013 action-thriller film Escape Plan, in which Caviezel plays a sadistic prison warden.

While The Passion of the Christ played havoc with Jim Caviezels previously burgeoning film career, Caviezel did subsequently find success on network television as the star of the CBS drama series Person of Interest, which aired from 2011 and 2016 and featured Caviezel as John Reese, a former CIA agent and Special Forces soldier who is approached to join a computer-driven vigilante team that aims to monitor, and predict, terrorist activities.

However, while Caviezel received excellent reviews for his work on the series, the cancellation of Person of Interest in 2016, after five seasons, heralded Caviezels break from Hollywood, as while Caviezel has never again acted on television following the shows cancellation, Caviezels subsequent film appearances have been in decidedly non-Hollywood productions, most of which bear a connection to Caviezels political and religious views.

Related: Sound of Freedom: Breaking Down Every Controversy Surrounding the Divisive Film

Prior to Sound of Freedom, which was filmed in 2018, Caviezel played Saint Luke in the 2018 biblical drama film Paul, Apostle of Christ and then starred in the 2020 political thriller film Infidel as Doug Rawlins, an outspoken Christian American blogger and journalist who, while visiting Cairo, Egypt, as part of a speech tour, is kidnapped by members of the Iranian regime and then put on trial on a bogus spying charge.

Infidel was executive produced by prominent conservative author and commentator Dinesh DSousa, and Caviezel has, in recent years, become increasingly attached to conservative politics and linked to the controversial QAnon political movement, which has expressed total support for Sound of Freedom.

In Sound of Freedom, Jim Caviezel plays Tim Ballard, a real-life anti-human trafficking activist, and a former government agent, who embarks on a perilous mission to rescue kidnapped children from sex traffickers in Colombia.

As the reaction to Sound of Freedom has been so deeply politicized, due not only to the films content but also Caviezel and Ballards alleged QAnon ties, the quality of the film itself has almost become a moot point, as expressions of dislike and support for the film have become the equivalent of wearing a badge of moral and political courage.

Given that Sound of Freedom might ordinarily have been dismissed as a fairly routine action film, this controversy has been a blessing, so to speak, for the film, which has presently grossed more than $140 million at the domestic box office against a production cost of less than $15 million.

However, for Caviezel, the only effect that the films success has had on his career is to seemingly further cement his status as a Hollywood outsider. Indeed, as Sound of Freedom continues to shatter commercial expectations and norms, Caviezel seems now to be as far removed from Hollywood, figuratively speaking, as hes ever been.

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How Sound Of Freedom Star Jim Caviezel Became a Hollywood ... - MovieWeb

News item | 03-08-2023 | 14:48

In mid-June,the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia and Project Multatuli joined forces to organize an incredible #WorldPressFreedomDay 2023 celebration. We took this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the power of the press and its crucial role in shaping our world. The festivities unfolded across three cities: Surabaya, Jakarta, and Labuan Bajo. In Jakarta, the heart of the celebration was at our Erasmus Huis on June 3rd. The event kicked off with a film screening of 'Wisisi Nit Meke', a short film about electronic music from West Papua.

Maresa Oosterman, Head of Political Affairs at the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia. noted in her opening speech that the role of the media is very important ahead of the 2024 Indonesian elections, representing the voice of the people as well as preventing the spread of hoaxes. The discussion, held with members of the Press Council, Jentera academics, Sinar Pidie journalists and Project Multatuli, discussed the future of small media in Indonesia facing a political year that is predicted to be full of intrigue.

After a thought provoking discussion, the audience was treated to a mesmerizing theatre performance titled 'Kinrohosi dan Hikayat Tolak Bala,' a spectacular collaboration between Lampaq Teater Sendratasik UNU and Sekolah Pedalangan Wayang Sasak. Later on, visitors were treated to hilarious stand-up comedy acts, electrifying musical performances, unforgettable karaoke sessions, and mind-bending quizzes that put their knowledge to the test.

And to top it all off, we celebrated Project Multatuli's second anniversary, marking two years of relentless dedication to the cause of press freedom.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who supported this incredible event. Let's keep the spirit of press freedom alive and thriving, igniting change and inspiring the world. Together, we can make a difference!

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Celebrating Press Freedom in Indonesia and Beyond | News item - The Netherlands and You

On May 3, NEA members, parents, and allies stood together across the country to defend and protect truth in education during the Freedom to Learn National Day of Action, an initiative of the National Womens Studies Association, in partnership with theAfrican American Policy Forum and several other organizations.

Instead of cultivating belonging, critical thinking, and funding public schools, some politicians across the country are banning books, censoring curricula, and passing state laws that limit classroom lessons on race and gender. The effects are damaging. Teachers, principals, administrators have lost their jobs; lives have been threatened, and students freedom to learn, be themselves, and pursue their dreams have been compromised.

We cannot, and we will not, allow politicians to grasp and hold on to power by fueling fear and division, and limiting our students' access and opportunity to an honest and accurate and complete education, said NEA President Becky Pringle, in April, during an NEA webinar on the "power of truth," adding that attacks on educators and their unions are driving teachers and education support staff out of the profession.

It is our shared responsibility to ensure that every student, every educator, and every school is excelling, she says.

Politicians in at least 44 states have introduced legislation or pursued other measures that would require educators to overlook or deny the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, and other forms of oppression throughout U.S. history. These laws and restrictions have been imposed in at least 18 states, according to research from the Zinn Education Project.

In Oklahoma, for example, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law restricting topics that could make a student feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex, among seven other banned concepts.

[The law] is so vague, said Kristi Williams, founder of Black History Saturdays, in Tulsa, Okla., in early May. Educators are afraid to teach any aspect of Black history because they don't know what's going get them in trouble.

In response to these laws, educators, students, and community allies took part in collective actions in more than two dozen states across the country to show their support for the freedom to learn and demonstrate that the public supports equity in schools, campuses, and the workplace.

Actions included reading banned books, book-ban giveaways, teach-ins, social media blitzes, rallies, and more.

Three years ago, NEA and the Zinn Education Project launched the first national day of action to teach the truth, and another one is on the horizon: Teach Truth Day on June 10, when educators pledge to teach truthfully about U.S. history, defend LGBTQ+ rights, andspeak out against anti-history education bills, banned books, and more.

The day of action is sponsored by the Zinn Education Project and coordinated with Rethinking Schools and Teaching for Change.

NEA leaders firmly and unequivocally support these actions and urge the union's 3-million members to organize, participate, and engage to help raise awareness about the danger of these attacks on public education.

In Georgia, for example, people will meet at Stone Mountain Park for a truth-telling walk to discuss the areas connection to White supremacy and listen to a read-aloud of the book That Flag" by Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikkolas Smith. In Kansas, people will gather at Quindaro, a neighborhood located north of Kansas City that was once a stop along the Underground Railroad. This event is co-sponsored by various groups, including the National Education Association-Kansas City.

To participate, visit NEA'sFreedom to Learn and Teach Truth Day of Actionevent pageto help plan actions in your city.

Large swaths of the U.S. already have plans in place, which you can find here:

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Freedom to Learn Day of Action | NEA - National Education Association

SKOPJE/VIENNA, May 17, 2023 The ninth South East Europe Media Conference, "At a Crossroads: Safeguarding Media Freedom to Protect Democracy," concluded today. The conference was organized by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) in collaboration with OSCE field operations from South East Europe.

This year's conference brought together over 160 participants from various sectors, including journalism, media and legal experts, academia, civil society, and relevant state actors from the region and beyond. It featured interactive panels, side events, and debates, providing a platform for in-depth discussions on media freedom in South East Europe. The conference explored current and emerging challenges and developments, while seeking viable solutions.

The conference focused on the importance of independent journalism as well as on the need to seriously address the challenges related to the dynamics of the digital realm to promote and protect democratic values. Special attention was given to improving the safety and working conditions for media professionals, recognizing that the threats they face not only endanger them individually but also pose a significant risk to democracy itself. Teresa Ribeiro, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, highlighted this concern, stating, "The threats to media and journalists are real and alarming, as they have a profound impact on the sustainability of peoples lives. Without ensuring journalists' safety encompassing physical, digital, economic, legal, and psychological aspectsquality and independent journalism cannot thrive, nor can a lasting and well-functioning democracy."

This years Media Conference is particularly important given that the issues discussed - supporting independent journalism, addressing challenges in the digital realm and improving the conditions for media freedom - are challenges not only throughout the region, but across the globe, stated Ambassador Kilian Wahl, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

I believe it is most fitting that the conference took place this year in Skopje, during North Macedonias OSCE Chairpersonship, especially given the importance the Chair places on free media and safety of journalists, he added.

Discussions during the conference revolved around several key topics, such as the physical and online safety of journalists, the comprehensive viability of media organizations, legal harassment, the impact of artificial intelligence on freedom of expression, media self-regulation, and the detrimental effects of hate speech. Participants shared their experiences and insights, focusing on ongoing reforms and best practices to further enhance the environment for media freedom in the region.

More information about the conference can be found here:OSCE South East Europe Media Conference "At a crossroads: Safeguarding media freedom to protect democracy" | OSCE

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States.Sheprovides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter:@OSCE_RFoMand onwww.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

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Urgent collective response needed to safeguard media freedom and ... - OSCE

Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment have unveiled the lineup for the second annual Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom, set for Monday, June 19, at Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California, at 8 p.m. ET.

SWV, Miguel and Jodeci are among the first slate of performers tapped for the celebration, airing worldwide on all CNN platforms, with OWN broadcasting it nationally.

This upcoming performance builds anticipation for Jodecis Summer Block Party Tour, which SWV and Dru Hill will support as special guests.

Meanwhile, Miguel recently shared a new song, Give It To Me. Hes also enjoying a resurgence on the charts for his 2011 single Sure Thing.

Other acts set to perform at Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom include gospel legend Kirk Franklin, rising rapper Coi Leray and Afrobeats artist Davido.

Additional talent will be hitting the Greek Theatre stage to lift their voices in song and as presenters for the event.

Adam Blackstone and Questlove of The Roots will return as musical directors of the second annual Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom.

Last year, we launched Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom, and it was emotional and unforgettable for everyone involved. Weve teamed up with our partners at CNN and Jesse Collins Entertainment again and this year we are broadcasting live from the historic Los Angeles venue, the Greek Theatre. We are looking forward to educating and celebrating the Juneteenth holiday, says Shawn Gee, President of Live Nation Urban.

Chris Licht, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, says, We are proud to once again partner with Live Nation Urban to broadcast this powerful Juneteenth event on our platforms. We want to be a destination for people to both understand and celebrate a holiday of this magnitude.

We are thrilled to continue to elevate the importance of the Juneteenth holiday, adds Johnita P. Due, EVP of Integrity and Inclusion for CNN Worldwide. I look forward to the electricity of the 2023 show. It is meticulously crafted as an expression of the excellence and resilience of the Black community and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

Presale tickets are available today with the code LNU23. General on-sale begins this Friday, May 19, at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets and additional information about the event are available at ticketmaster.com.

Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment launched Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom last year after Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the U.S.

The inaugural event featured performances by Earth, Wind & Fire, Jhen Aiko, Anthony Hamilton, Michelle Williams, Lucky Daye, Robert Glasper and many more.

Coi LerayDavidoJodeciKirk FranklinMiguelSWV

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SWV to Perform at Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom - Rated R&B

If you have driven past Freedom Park recently, you probably noticed the army (pun intended) of military tents set up just to the east off Wall Street (County CC).

The deployment of troops to Freedom Park has become a regular occurrencein recent summers as various contingents of soldiers participate in hands on training by local professionals in a variety of skills from masonry, excavating and heavy equipment operation to, this summer, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC all in service of building Freedom Park Center. The 18,000-square-foot complex, designed to serve veterans, senior citizens and youth, is scheduled to open later this year.

The soldiers are receiving this training as part of the Department of Defense's Innovative Readiness Training program designed to take advantage of industry professionals willing to volunteer their time to train soldiers with valuable skills they can use during their military service and wartime missions.

In exchange for this training, the military looks for opportunities (across a wide range of sectors from healthcare and construction to transportation and cybersecurity), in this case constructing Freedom Park Center, to provide quality services with lasting benefits to communities throughout America.

The Innovative Readiness Training is providing the labor to build Freedom Park Center, but everything else, materials, fuel, food has to be paid for by the VFW.

As part of their fundraising efforts this summer, the Post has organized a number of events to help raise money to pay for those expenditures. If you are interested in contributing to the cause, here are some fun ways to do so.

Time: 7:30-11 a.m.

Date: Saturday, May 20.

Location: New Richmond Regional Airport, 625 West Hanger Road.

Cost: $10 adult breakfast; $5 kids, 3-10 years old.

Johnson Motors will be sponsoring a fly-in and car show at the Wings of Wisconsin corporate hangar 11-13 on the north ramp at the airport. All proceeds from the event will go towards the VFW Freedom Park Project. Local aircraft, race cars, vintage automobiles and fire trucks will be on display. Airport Manager Mike Demulling has even promised to let you shoot the 750 gallon-per-minute water cannon on the crash fire rescue truck for a $200 donation.

Time: 1-7 p.m.

Date: Monday, May 29.

Location: Lakefront Park, Hudson.

Cost: Free will donation.

On Memorial Day, FIT Real Estate will once again be hosting a concert to benefit the Freedom Park Center project.

The event is being promoted as a family friendly afternoon featuring food, drinks, bounce houses, face painting, kids hula hoop contest, silent auction and a concert.

The featured artists include Joshua Lassi at 1 p.m.; Jake Nelson Music at 2 p.m.; Tim Sigler at 3:30 p.m.; and U.S. Navy Veteran, Sailor Jerri, taking the stage at 5 p.m. This is a free will donation event with all proceeds benefiting the Freedom Park Center building project.

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Freedom Center fundraising in full gear | Local News ... - Hudson Star Observer