- Posted by Christopher Estep on November 4, 2008
The left like to tell everyone that they’re all about preserving basic civil liberties. What they don’t tell you is that they only want to preserve those liberties if you “think right”.
The political correctness movement has come back with a vengeance, mostly due to the racial composition of Barack Obama. While political correctness is long known to be a tool to squelch free speech, with Obama it has reached new heights.
Whenever you oppose Obama on a position, it’s racist.
If you use a term to describe its policies, it’s racist.
If you believe Obama will be a bad president, you must be a racist. It’s circular reasoning at its finest. Your opposition to Obama is evidence of your racism.
Throughout his campaign, Obama has tried to control the criticisms against him. I’m not saying he tried to defend against them or even deflect them. He tried to stop them outright by declaring them out of bounds.
If his wife talks about how Barack will make everyone have a smaller piece of the pie, you can’t criticize that because that’s his wife. If she says while on the campaign on behalf of her husband that America is “downright mean” you don’t dare question that because that’s his wife. If you talk about his characterization of his grandmother as “a typical white person” you are castigated for involving his family.
At a very basic level, Obama has tried to control the speech and words used in this campaign and he’s been largely successful. But I’m sure people are thinking, “that’s not squelching free speech at all” but as his election/coronation gets closer, Obama has shown his true colors and sent a message to the entire media what will happen if they don’t “play ball”.
Multiple TV stations have been refused any future interviews after asking Joe Biden questions he didn’t like. But what is most frightening is that Obama kicked 3 newspapers off of his plane after they endorsed John McCain.
If you look at that one act alone and do so objectively, you’ll see that Obama is heading toward creating a TASS-type agency.
These newspapers found out that free speech that is punished, isn’t free at all.
Further, there’s the Fairness Doctrine. While Obama thankfully has said that he doesn’t support a return of the FD, he also said he supported public funding of his campaign. What isn’t in question is that the Democratic congress wants the Fairness Doctrine so bad they can taste it. If you don’t know, the Fairness Doctrine was a law that required radio stations to give opposing viewpoints on political issues. The problem is that radio is a business and it’s a sad fact for the Democrats that liberal talk radio doesn’t sell.
If Pelosi and Reid want the Fairness Doctrine, they’ll package it in some bill he’ll have to sign.
Next up: Abortion
- Posted by Christopher Estep on October 29, 2008
My local county board has had its rights affirmed by an appeals court who said that prayer before meetings is fine.
ATLANTA (AP) -- A federal appeals court has upheld a suburban Atlanta county's practice of allowing clergy to open meetings with Christian prayers.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals 2-1 ruling on Tuesday allows Cobb County officials to open meetings of its Board of Commissioners and planning commission with invocational prayers from invited clergy.
Cobb County officials said clergy from all faiths are allowed to deliver the prayers, but lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union contended the invocations are "overtly Christian prayers" that send a message that the religion is sponsored by the county.
Read the last paragraph carefully. Notice that the issue isn’t prayer. It’s “Christian prayers”. If they had an Imam there doing the prayers (but not a Rabbi) or a neo-pagan, there would be no problem. The issue is Christianity again.
- Posted by Christopher Estep on June 5, 2008
I highly doubt that is the case, but when you see the following screen from the company founded on the motto, "Don't Be Evil" you have to wonder:
![iranCropperCapture[1]](http://www.christopherestep.com/content/binary/WindowsLiveWriter/GoogleCensoringIranNews_B7C0/iranCropperCapture%5B1%5D_thumb.jpg)
ahmadinejad - Google News
- Posted by Christopher Estep on May 22, 2008
Setting aside for a moment my objections to the free speech restrictions that the IRS place on pastors and candidates in order to bully them with their tax-exempt status, I had to laugh when I saw this.
HARTFORD, Conn. — The Internal Revenue Service says the United Church of Christ did not violate rules when it hosted Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at its convention in Hartford, Connecticut, last year.
In a letter to the national church, the tax agency says it found the UCC had taken the necessary steps to avoid any appearance that the Obama event was political.
Let's get real. Barack Obama doesn't have an apolitical bone in his body. Everything he says, everything he does is calculated for political advantage and this becomes more evident with each dissemblance and excuse over his past statements and positions. It is laughable to state that any speech by any presidential candidate is not political in its intent and content as well.
However, I can't set aside my objection to the free speech restrictions after all. It's a subject about which I'm very passionate, as I am about freedom of religion which comprise 2/3 of the First Amendment.
I've always been a strict constructionist when reading the Constitution. The words are plain in the conception and that plainness is amplified by the intent of the Founders in their many writings of the period. I don't believe that the USC needs to be "interpreted" nor do I believe it is a "living document" outside of its own prescribed method of amendment.
I don't see how it can be held that a church supporting a political candidate is not a violation of its freedom of religion. Congress, by way of the IRS, has literally dictated the parameters of what constitutes worship. Oh sure, one could say that they're not restricted but they just have conditions for their tax exempt status. That's bullplop as much as it is extortion. Revocation of tax exemption is a fine in reverse and everyone knows it.
Furthermore, who is Congress (again by way of the IRS) to tell Barack Obama or any political candidate that they can't say whatever they want, just because of the location? Doesn't this sound a bit fascist? Doesn't this sound a lot fascist??
If a church wants to say, "you should vote for Obama" or "you shouldn't vote for Mitt Romney" and do it from the pulpit, that's fine with me. If they want to turn their church into a political organization, that's also fine with me. Heck, I don't care if they use church facilities for fundraising. It's all a matter of principle. You can't tell a church that their religion can't have political tenets and you can't tell pastors and politicians what they can't say. These are two of the very founding principles of the Constitution and we've let Congress (with the help of McCain, ironically) chip away at free speech far too long. It's a joke that the IRS says that a church can be political but they can't support specific candidates.
It's a good thing they didn't have the IRS in Israel, huh? Otherwise you would have Bible verses that look like this.
![Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon [NAME REDACTED] from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.](http://www.christopherestep.com/content/binary/WindowsLiveWriter/IRSThinksBarackObamaSpeechIsntPolitical_9663/bible_redacted_068a538c-068e-40aa-afd0-8d7b8954cefe.png)
IRS OKs Obama Appearance at Church Convention - America’s Election HQ
- Posted by Christopher Estep on May 16, 2008
KNZR talk show host Jaz McKay is being criticized for some acerbic bumper stickers that democrats obviously don't like:
[Bakersfield, CA] radio talk show host Jaz McKay is taking some heat after some controversial Barack Obama bumper stickers found their way onto the station's website.
McKay is saying this has all been blown out of proportion.It all started last week when some negative Barack Obama bumper stickers were put on Jaz McKay's webpage on the KNZR website.
Each bumper sticker has the Obama '08 logo, followed by an added remark at the bottom.
One said "kill whitey" while another said "Yes we can. Kill white folks."
Since I'm a white guy, shouldn't I be the one who is offended? I'm not. It's funny. But for whatever reason, democrats are mad. And in typical Commiecrat form, they would rather squelch someone's speech than engage in a debate about what is being said or simply ignoring it as juvenile:
We spoke earlier with Bernita Jenkins, who will be one of the pledged delegates represented at the democratic convention in August.
She said McKay should lose his job.
Fortunately, the radio station isn't bending over (a metaphor which gains new relevance considering yesterday's news on CA gay marriage) and taking it up the pooper but have defended him and have not issued an apology. Good for them!
Local radio host criticized for controversial web logo | KGET TV 17
The comments on the TV story are priceless and are great examples of why liberals are typically clueless idiots:
Let's hope these bumper stickers don't encourage people to commit prejudicial crimes or this radio station could have blood on its hands. If we begin to see a rash of hate-crimes in the community, we'll know who to hold partially responsible - The station's "5 minutes of fame" may last longer than they think.
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There are many prejudiced people in radio-land and they could be looking for an impetus to act. Promoting prejudicial "humor" is adding fuel to the flames. This radio program obviously is a "Rush" wannabe. It sounds like they're enjoying their five minutes of fame - it's probably all they'll get.
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This is racism -- plain and simple. I hate his show, and he should be fired. Yes, it's publicity for him, but it also makes all of Bakersfield look bad. What a despicable human being.
Not to mention that they are totally devoid of any sense of humor.
- Posted by Christopher Estep on May 15, 2008
How cool is that? Now if we can just get Chuck Norris to shut up.
Our nation has some serious issues to work through for today … and for the next generation. Now isn’t the time for conservatives to be looking for a tailored message or a politically expedient route to victory if the end result is going to be the inevitable slide toward the liberalization and secularization of America, and the growth of government and loss of freedom that inevitably ensues. For us conservatives it must be about principles and policies that are grounded in freedom, free markets and the rule of law. That’s what I’ve been talking and writing about for the past few years, and that’s what I want to talk write about here on Townhall and in the new Townhall Magazine.
I joined Townhall and am writing exclusive commentaries for Townhall Magazine because I see them elevating the discourse on issues based on these principles -- smaller government, individual liberty, standing for common values that have become all too uncommon, a strong national defense and, most of all, an optimism and belief in America.
I’m glad to be back here in familiar territory, and we’ll be talking to you soon.
Townhall.com::Blog
- Posted by Christopher Estep on May 14, 2008
I've been getting a lot of hits for people looking for Mulligan's Bar in Marietta. For your convenience, I've included the address and a few pictures courtesy of Microsoft.
You can see from the pictures that this is a very little bar. But because Obamaniacs and the victim class can't just ignore it, it's getting national press and attention. It's not even in a good part of town. The only reason I ever go to that part of Marietta is to get my car fixed at Bowlin's across the street. Yes, that's a shameless plug. Tell Billy hi for me. :)
Related post: Obama the Victim of Free Speech in Marietta, Georgia
- Posted by Christopher Estep on May 13, 2008
Where is the ACLU now?
Marietta tavern owner Mike Norman says the T-shirts he's peddling, featuring cartoon chimp Curious George peeling a banana, with "Obama in '08" scrolled underneath, are "cute." But to a coalition of critics, the shirts are an insulting exploitation of racial stereotypes from generations past.
"It's time to put an end to this," said Rich Pellegrino, a Mableton resident and director of the Cobb-Cherokee Immigrant Alliance. It was among the organizations planning to gather outside Mulligan's Bar and Grill Tuesday afternoon to protest the "racist and highly offensive" shirts.
One small problem, Rich. You see, in this country free speech is still a right. What that means is that he has the absolute right, guaranteed by the United States Constitution, to insult and offend you with "racist and highly offensive" shirts. Deal with it.
Also, It's not like the bar doesn't already have a history of saying what's on its owner's mind:
"There's no place for these views, not in this day and age," he said.
You see, actually there is. It's Mulligan's Food & Spirits on Roswell Street (not Roswell Road...that's different) in Marietta, Georgia. It's where the INS always eat free and "no habla espanol -- and never will"
Whatever residents think of the signs, organized opposition to his blunt commentaries — ongoing for 16 years — had been nonexistent. No longer, says Pellegrino, who, though familiar with Norman's politics, said he was still surprised by the stark imagery of the Obama T-shirts.
"There's a lot of people hurt by this," he said.
Wahh!!! Boo Freaking Hoo!! Hurt? Give me a break! Yeah, I think the shirts are a bit over the top. But people are hurt? oh, puhleeze!
Norman said those offended are "hunting for a reason to be mad" and insisted he is "not a racist."
Why picture Obama as Curious George? "Look at him . . . the hairline, the ears, he looks just like Curious George," Norman said.
Well, he kind of does have a point, you know. I realize that I'm going to catch flak for validating the comparison, but let's take a look:
He said it's just a coincidence that the character he chose for the T-shirt is a monkey.
Well, I don't know about that...
Pellegrino said Mulligan's is giving Marietta a bad name, adding that the critics intend to remain vocal.
"These T-shirts were almost a godsend," he said. "We're a coalition now, and we're very determined."
Well, good for you. And by focusing on it, you give him more attention and more business.
And besides. He really does look like Curious George. It's all about the hair and the ears, baby!
Cobb bar protested as racist for Obama T-shirts | ajc.com
- Posted by Christopher Estep on April 9, 2008
Political correctness has done more to damage race relations than the KKK ever did. It has created a climate where people cannot deal with real feelings and real issues by fostering false offense. It has elevated mere words to the level of actual deeds and the result not only prevents any real, honest debate but more importantly leads to the violation of our 1st Amendment rights.
Imagine you have a house with a young tree in the front yard. You notice that the neighborhood kids are climbing on this tree, its branches straining to hold their weight. You rush out there to get the children out of the tree and a discussion ensues with their parents. You explain to them that you didn't buy that tree to let kids climb on it like monkeys.
Nice picture, huh? It's a real monkey, climbing a tree. When you think of a monkey, is that what you think of? That's exactly what I think of. Unfortunately, that's not what the liberal victim-class thinks. When you say "monkey climbing a tree" they think of this:
[Property owner Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski] said the parents were outside supervising the children, but she went over and told them to get out of the tree because she was concerned about the boys' safety and because the small magnolia tree was being damaged.
The father of one of the boys told her it was none of her business, she told the Chicago Tribune, and "I calmly said the tree is not there for them to be climbing in there like monkeys."
Forget for a moment that one of these fathers had the gall to tell her that the boys' safety (and hence her own liability) and her own tree in her own yard wasn't her business. Did she call them anything? No. Did she say anything derogatory about them? No. She said, "like monkeys", not that they were monkeys. And why did she make that comparison? Well, see the first picture. Monkeys climb trees, duh!
Any reasonable person (and certainly any conservative) would have respected her property rights and taken their kids home. They would have no problem with the comparison to monkeys, because they were in fact, in a tree ... just like monkeys. In fact, they probably have called their children monkeys themselves, because most parents do that when their kids are climbing all over everything. Why? Well, because (again) monkeys do climb trees. Ah, but I said reasonable person. These are liberal victims we're talking about:
The mother of one boy called police.
Cmdr. Michael Kilbourne said Tuesday a ticket was issued because the ordinance bans conduct that disturbs or alarms people. One of the boys told police he was scared by her comment and a mother said she was disturbed, he said.
That's right, she called the police. Even if the property own had meant it as a slur, who calls the cops when their kids get called a name?!
But it wasn't a slur, it was an apt comparison. Kids climbing trees are like monkeys. To a liberal black person everything, no matter how small or innocent, must be about race and it must be oppressing them somehow.
What is even more ridiculous is that the cops didn't just say, "oh shut up!" and leave. How can there be a law preventing conduct that disturbs or alarms? That's unconstitutional. I could put up the most offensive sign in my yard and as long as it doesn't violate any zoning laws, there's not a thing anyone can do about it (except my landlord, of course).
This kind of thing makes me want to go to that town carrying signs saying, "if your kids climb trees, they are acting like monkeys even if they are black" and dare them to cite me!
The upshot is that Barack Obamakova tossed the woman under the bus because she was also his delegate and she was forced to resign.
Way to go, Barry!
- Posted by Christopher Estep on March 28, 2008
The 17 minute Dutch anti-islam video that numerous American ISP's wussed out on has been posted on liveleak.com. I'll be embedding the video in this blog later tonight as a show of support for free speech. Until then, you can find the links over at Michelle Malkin's site.
I can't stress enough how important this is. The radical islamic community has been bullying country after country and person after person just because they say something critical of Muhammad or make a caricature of him. Well, that's just too bad, it sucks to be them. We have free speech and if they don't like it they can just go meet Mo in the sky.
As my own tribute to the Religion of Perpetual Outrage, I'm linking to my recent memorial to Islam and Mo entitled Mohammed Liked Boys and Allah is the Hillbilly of Deities. In fact, I think I'll put that right on my front page as well.
