lifesitenews--2020-10-15--Judge rules against reinstating Catholic to student govt office over fears of creating ‘tumult and c

Judge rules against reinstating Catholic to student govt office over fears of creating ‘tumult and chaos’

Justice Allen Winsor ruled October 8 that Jack Denton ’ s constitutional right to free speech had been violated .
He stated that Denton , 21 , should be paid the salary he expected as the president of the Florida State University student senate for the remainder of the term for which he was elected .
However , Winsor also ruled that it was not in the “ public interest ” for Denton to be reinstated .
The reason was the “ extreme and emotional ” reactions of FSU senators , which made it unlikely that Denton could effectively carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was elected president of the student senate in 2019 , was removed on June 5 , 2020 after a second non-confidence vote by the senate .
This followed a three-day campaign to have him removed after messages Denton wrote on a private Catholic group chat were made public .
Denton had advised fellow members of the Catholic Student Association that certain groups being proposed for their support actively promoted causes contrary to Catholic doctrine .
A member of this chat group took screenshots of his remarks and circulated them around the university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one senator insisted , “ so that we may begin the work to heal.
” That senator said she just ‘ do ( es ) not feel comfortable developing a professional relationship further ( with Denton ) .
’ Another senator insisted keeping Denton ‘ would be effectively enabling bigotry.
’ She closed by saying that “ upon thinking that I had to spend ... another three days serving under President Denton , I immediately began to cry.
’ ” Winsor stated that a defense of these reactions was not necessary “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning Denton to his leadership position could produce tumult and chaos.
” He concluded , therefore , that reinstating the young man would “ cause more harm than good.
” A “ senate beside itself over its president ’ s expression of Catholic views ” was “ unlikely ” to be able to carry out its duties to the university , the judge said .
The other students in the government “ deserve a functional government , ” and not all of them are to blame for Denton ’ s “ unconstitutional removal.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ term in office would have lasted only a few more weeks after the judgment , and Winsor felt that the young man had “ shown substantial benefit ” in being reinstated for such a short period of time .
Denton still holds the office of student senator .
As harm has clearly been done to Denton ’ s First Amendment rights , but because Winsor deemed it unlikely that the young man would succeed in winning damages from the defendants , Winsor directed that Florida State University should pay him “ prospectively for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remainder of the current term of student senate president.
” “ The Court said today that this was wrong and told the University to stop giving any effect to the vote removing Jack and to start paying him as the rightful Student Senate President .
The bottom line is that all students should be able to peacefully share their personal convictions without fear of retaliation .
That ’ s why ADF will continue to advocate for Jack ’ s constitutional rights to be fully restored.
” “ Bishop Wack expressed how proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him that he was praying for him .
Bishop Wack also offered any kind of assistance that Mr. Denton needed .
Mr. Denton said he was fine and appreciated his support , as well as thanked him , ” she continued .
Adams added that in “ the political and moral realm , Catholics have been facing many challenges concerning religious freedom .
“ As Catholics , we are called to practice our faith and follow the teachings of our Church , whether it be in public squares such as colleges and universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be silent ; we need to let our voices be heard for the sake of the Gospel.
” The various funds on that list are fine causes as far as I know , but everyone should be aware that BlackLivesMatter.com , Reclaim the Block , and the ACLU all advocate for things that are explicitly anti-Catholic .
I don ’ t mean to anger anyone – I know this is a very emotional topic .
However , it is important to know what you ’ re supporting when you ’ re Catholic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sisters may be supporting an organization that promotes grave evils , I have sinned through my silence .
I love you all , and I want us all to be aware of the truth .
As far as it ’ s a religious issue or not , there isn ’ t an aspect of our lives that isn ’ t religious , because God wants our whole lives and everything we do to be oriented around him !

Florida State University violated the free speech rights of the student after he expressed his religious beliefs, the district judge said, but added that it's not in the 'public interest' to allow the elected student senate president to return to his position.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, October 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A U.S. District judge ruled that reinstating a Catholic student expelled from office because of his privately shared religious beliefs would cause “tumult and chaos.”
Justice Allen Winsor ruled October 8 that Jack Denton’s constitutional right to free speech had been violated. He stated that Denton, 21, should be paid the salary he expected as the president of the Florida State University student senate for the remainder of the term for which he was elected.
However, Winsor also ruled that it was not in the “public interest” for Denton to be reinstated. The reason was the “extreme and emotional” reactions of FSU senators, which made it unlikely that Denton could effectively carry out the presidential role.
Denton, who was elected president of the student senate in 2019, was removed on June 5, 2020 after a second non-confidence vote by the senate. This followed a three-day campaign to have him removed after messages Denton wrote on a private Catholic group chat were made public. Denton had advised fellow members of the Catholic Student Association that certain groups being proposed for their support actively promoted causes contrary to Catholic doctrine. A member of this chat group took screenshots of his remarks and circulated them around the university.
“To put it mildly, the student senators reacted strongly to Denton’s views,” Winsor wrote.
“Regardless of how reasonable one finds those reactions, the fact remains that many were extreme and emotional. One senator could ‘think of no more abhorrent thing to hear coming from our senate leadership” than Denton’s remarks,’” Winsor continued.
“His discussion in the Catholic Student Union discussion group made her worry about ‘the safety’ of senators and the whole student body. Another senator echoed the ‘massive outcry from the student body to remove President Denton and do right by the LGBTQ+ community.’”
Denton’s removal was necessary, one senator insisted, “so that we may begin the work to heal.” That senator said she just ‘do(es) not feel comfortable developing a professional relationship further (with Denton).’ Another senator insisted keeping Denton ‘would be effectively enabling bigotry.’ She closed by saying that “upon thinking that I had to spend … another three days serving under President Denton, I immediately began to cry.’”
Winsor stated that a defense of these reactions was not necessary “to recognize that a federal court order returning Denton to his leadership position could produce tumult and chaos.” He concluded, therefore, that reinstating the young man would “cause more harm than good.” A “senate beside itself over its president’s expression of Catholic views” was “unlikely” to be able to carry out its duties to the university, the judge said. The other students in the government “deserve a functional government,” and not all of them are to blame for Denton’s “unconstitutional removal.”
In addition, Denton’s term in office would have lasted only a few more weeks after the judgment, and Winsor felt that the young man had “shown substantial benefit” in being reinstated for such a short period of time. Denton still holds the office of student senator.
As harm has clearly been done to Denton’s First Amendment rights, but because Winsor deemed it unlikely that the young man would succeed in winning damages from the defendants, Winsor directed that Florida State University should pay him “prospectively for six hours of work per week for the remainder of the current term of student senate president.”
Denton was represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom. In an October 9 press release, the ADF stated that it would continue to fight for his constitutional rights to be “fully restored.”
“ … Jack has the right to free speech just like all the students who spoke in favor of his removal,” the ADF said.
“And the university has a duty to uphold its students’ constitutional rights. Yet Florida State officials refused to stop this gross violation of Jack’s rights and have kept enforcing the Student Senate’s removal,” it continued.
“The Court said today that this was wrong and told the University to stop giving any effect to the vote removing Jack and to start paying him as the rightful Student Senate President. The bottom line is that all students should be able to peacefully share their personal convictions without fear of retaliation. That’s why ADF will continue to advocate for Jack’s constitutional rights to be fully restored.”
Pastoral support
A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee told LifeSiteNews that the diocesan bishop was in contact with Denton when he was removed from office.
“Bishop (William) Wack reached out to Mr. Denton after he was relieved from his position as president of the FSU student senate,” stated Sharmane Adams, the director of communications for the Florida diocese.
“Bishop Wack expressed how proud he was of Mr. Denton and told him that he was praying for him. Bishop Wack also offered any kind of assistance that Mr. Denton needed. Mr. Denton said he was fine and appreciated his support, as well as thanked him,” she continued.
Adams added that in “the political and moral realm, Catholics have been facing many challenges concerning religious freedom. “As Catholics, we are called to practice our faith and follow the teachings of our Church, whether it be in public squares such as colleges and universities or anywhere else. We cannot be silent; we need to let our voices be heard for the sake of the Gospel.”
The private messages that Denton wrote to his fellow Catholics and later caused so much apparent anguish to some fellow student senators were as follows:
The various funds on that list are fine causes as far as I know, but everyone should be aware that BlackLivesMatter.com, Reclaim the Block, and the ACLU all advocate for things that are explicitly anti-Catholic.
BlackLivesMatter.com fosters “a queer-affirming network” and defends transgenderism. The ACLU defends laws protecting abortion facilities and sued states that restrict access to abortion. Reclaim the Block claims less police will make our communities safer and advocates for cutting PDs’ budgets. This is a little less explicit, but I think it’s contrary to the Church’s teaching on the common good.
I don’t mean to anger anyone – I know this is a very emotional topic. However, it is important to know what you’re supporting when you’re Catholic. If I stay silent while my brothers and sisters may be supporting an organization that promotes grave evils, I have sinned through my silence. I love you all, and I want us all to be aware of the truth. As far as it’s a religious issue or not, there isn’t an aspect of our lives that isn’t religious, because God wants our whole lives and everything we do to be oriented around him!
To thank Bishop Wack for his pastoral care for Denton, please contact: — Article continues below Petition — PETITION: Urge Governor DeSantis to give parents freedom in school choice Show Petition Text 1114 have signed the petition. Let's get to 2500 ! Thank you for signing this petition! Add your signature: Show Petition Text Country... State... Sign this Petition It has never been more obvious that what the public schools are currently offering does not fit the needs of Florida’s children and families. That’s why Parents United for School Choice (FL) is partnering with LifeSite on this petition, asking Governor DeSantis to give parents the right to select which school is best for their kids – and, let their tax dollars follow their child to the school of their choice, be it a public, private, charter or home school. Please SIGN this urgent petition, urging Governor DeSantis to sign a crucial executive order that would allow for school choice. The School Choice executive order would: * Allow funds to be allocated to the family for the child to be used for: Curriculum materials
Technological educational materials
Tutoring
Extracurricular activities
Private school tuition
Support for Special Education * Ensure each child would receive the same amount of funding, regardless of where the child is enrolled * Protect non-public education providers from federal and state control Not only do we need to support parents in making decisions about their children's education, we also need to give parents the flexibility - in terms of resources and curricula - to 'custom design' their children's education. After all, it is parents who best know their own children. School choice would empower all parents to make consequential decisions regarding their children's education. And, this executive order could also encourage schools, of all types, to better tailor curricula and materials, as well as teaching style/method, to the needs of each individual pupil. And, of course, this executive order could help homeschoolers by making homeschooling more affordable and more engaging, as homeschooling parents would have greater recources at their disposal. Please SIGN this petition which supports school choice and which urges Governor Ron DeSantis to issue an executive order for immediate assistance to parents and families in desperate need of educational options. **Photo credit: Shutterstock.com Hide Petition Text Sign this Petition
The Most Rev. William A. Wack
c/o Jan Viau
Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
11 North B. Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-435-3500
[email protected]
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lifesitenews--2020-10-15--Barrett confirmation hearing highlights likelihood of polygamy going to the Supreme Court

WASHINGTON D.C. , October 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – During this morning ’ s Supreme Court confirmation hearing , Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) asked Judge Amy Coney Barrett , “ Is there any constitutional right to a polygamous relationship ?
” Barrett responded , “ That might be a question that could be litigated .
Polygamy obviously in many places is illegal now , but that could be an issue somebody might litigate before the court at some point.
” “ Somebody might make the argument that it ’ s possible for three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would work its way to the court if somebody wanted to make that argument , is that correct ?
” Graham continued .
Barrett has repeatedly stated during her confirmation hearings that it is inappropriate for her to express her views about any previous case , or comment on the constitutionality of any case that may be litigated by the Supreme Court in the future .
Yesterday , Senator Maize Hirono ( D-HI ) criticized Barrett for her use of the term “ sexual preference.
” Hirono complained , “ Sexual preference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by anti-LGBTQ activists to suggest that sexual orientation is a choice.
” Citing judicial opinions of Justice Scalia , whose judicial philosophy Barrett has said she shares , Hirono said that many same-sex couples “ are rightly afraid ” that if Barrett is confirmed , she will help “ roll back everything the LGBTQ community has gained over the past two decades.
” Barrett later replied , “ I certainly didn ’ t mean and would never mean to use a term that would cause any offense in the LBTQ community , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I greatly apologize for that .
I simply meant to be referring to Obergefell 's holding with regard to same-sex marriage.
” Barrett also reiterated the reason she abstained from expressing her views on Obergefell v. Hodges , the decision that imposed same-sex “ marriage ” on the country in 2015 .
“ I was certainly not indicating disagreement with it .
The point of now answering was to simply say it was inappropriate for me to say a response , ” she said .
Regarding the question of whether polygamy might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is notable that polygamy is significantly more accepted today than it was 14 years ago .
A Gallup poll released June 23 , 2020 found that a full one-fifth ( 20 percent ) of Americans find polygamy admissible , whereas in 2006 , only five percent of Americans did .

'Somebody might make the argument that it’s possible for three people to love each other genuinely,' noted Sen. Lindsey Graham.
WASHINGTON D.C., October 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – During this morning’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing, Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) asked Judge Amy Coney Barrett, “Is there any constitutional right to a polygamous relationship?”
Barrett responded, “That might be a question that could be litigated. Polygamy obviously in many places is illegal now, but that could be an issue somebody might litigate before the court at some point.”
“Somebody might make the argument that it’s possible for three people to love each other genuinely and that would work its way to the court if somebody wanted to make that argument, is that correct?” Graham continued.
“Somebody could, yeah, make that argument,” responded Barrett.
Barrett has repeatedly stated during her confirmation hearings that it is inappropriate for her to express her views about any previous case, or comment on the constitutionality of any case that may be litigated by the Supreme Court in the future.
Yesterday, Senator Maize Hirono (D-HI) criticized Barrett for her use of the term “sexual preference.” Hirono complained, “Sexual preference is an offensive and outdated term used by anti-LGBTQ activists to suggest that sexual orientation is a choice.”
Citing judicial opinions of Justice Scalia, whose judicial philosophy Barrett has said she shares, Hirono said that many same-sex couples “are rightly afraid” that if Barrett is confirmed, she will help “roll back everything the LGBTQ community has gained over the past two decades.”
Barrett later replied, “I certainly didn’t mean and would never mean to use a term that would cause any offense in the LBTQ community,” Barrett said. “If I did, I greatly apologize for that. I simply meant to be referring to Obergefell's holding with regard to same-sex marriage.”
Barrett also reiterated the reason she abstained from expressing her views on Obergefell v. Hodges, the decision that imposed same-sex “marriage” on the country in 2015. “I was certainly not indicating disagreement with it. The point of now answering was to simply say it was inappropriate for me to say a response,” she said.
Regarding the question of whether polygamy might be litigated before the Supreme Court, it is notable that polygamy is significantly more accepted today than it was 14 years ago. A Gallup poll released June 23, 2020 found that a full one–fifth (20 percent) of Americans find polygamy admissible, whereas in 2006, only five percent of Americans did.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-14--‘Digital civil war’: Facebook, Twitter censor article detailing Biden corruption

October 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Yet another attack has been made against free speech and reporting by Facebook and Twitter , which deliberately censored promotion of a New York Post story revealing that Joe Biden was aware of his son ’ s Ukrainian business dealings .
Andy Stone , policy communications manager for Facebook , tweeted that “ we are reducing its distribution on our platform.
” Stone continued by inferring that the article contained misinformation and thus its distribution needed to be limited : “ This is part of our standard process to reduce the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Censorship occurs before fact-checking on Facebook , according to Stone .
The article in question presented email evidence that Joe Biden had been introduced by his son “ to a top executive at a Ukrainian energy firm less than a year before the elder Biden pressured government officials in Ukraine into firing a prosecutor who was investigating the company.
” The report has been touted as a “ smoking gun ” and the Trump campaign warned voters that “ Joe Biden lied to you !
” Joe Biden had previously repeatedly denied speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another page run by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign posted a message on Twitter in response to Facebook ’ s censorship of the article , protesting that the social media site was acting in favor of Biden : “ Facebook is actively interfering in the election .
Facebook is rigging the election for Joe Biden.
” Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Missouri , sent a letter to Facebook , demanding that the site give an account of their censorship , strongly hinting at the political bias present in the organization .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employed by Facebook , when the site “ did nothing to restrict access to the recent New York Times story on President Trump ’ s tax returns.
” Stone ’ s own professional resume reveals a long history of working for the Democrat Party before moving to Facebook in 2014 .
The censorship of the Post article is not limited to Facebook .
Sohrab Ahmari , the op-ed editor for the Post , posted that Twitter was preventing him from promoting the article .
Ahmari called out the social media site : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is digital civil war , ” he said .
He went on to detail what Twitter had blocked .
“ I , an editor at The New York Post , one of the nation ’ s largest papers by circulation , can ’ t post one of our own stories that details corruption by a major-party presidential candidate , Biden.
” Twitter is also blocking the Post ’ s article from being shared in private messages .
Both Twitter and Facebook are well known for censoring conservative views .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effort to counteract social media censorship , but Twitter has continued its regular practice of censoring the president ’ s tweets .
LifeSite recently began a series of articles and videos highlighting censorship by Big Tech companies .

PETITION UPDATE (12/11/2020)
Right before Thanksgiving, YouTube deleted a LifeSite video of a distinguished Canadian physician protesting the "unfounded public hysteria" over COVID-19 and accused us of spreading "medical misinformation."
Our account was suspended, and we were prohibited from posting videos on our YouTube channel for one week. And, while that may not seem like a big deal, it's a huge deal for a news organization like LifeSite.
Then, earlier this week, YouTube again suspended our account – this time for two weeks – over an episode of The Bishop Strickland Show wherein Bishop Strickland said he would not take an unethical COVID-19 vaccine.
We were able to appeal the suspension, and our request was granted.
This means that in YouTube's three-strikes-and-you're-out content-policing, idea-cleansing scheme, we are back down to one strike. But, we still face the threat of losing our account permanently.
And, we're not the only ones.
In a recent turn of events, YouTube just announced that it will remove videos alleging widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
But, what is YouTube afraid of? The truth???
Thankfully, however, there is a one, big bright spot on the horizon: 48 states filed suit against Facebook just this week.
And, although this seems like a step in the right direction, the draconian measures which YouTube just rolled out, which are already wielded by Twitter, are an assault against free speech.
So, the fight for freedom of speech against Big Tech goes on. And, we must do everything we can to protect it!
Please SIGN and SHARE this petition today!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-youtube-reverses-ban-on-lifesitenews?
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/youtube-bans-lifesite-over-video-of-bp-strickland-refusing-to-take-corona-vaccine
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/lifesites-channel-was-suspended-by-youtube-heres-how-you-can-still-watch-our-videos
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/youtube-starts-removing-videos-that-contain-allegations-of-mass-voter-fraud
https://tennesseestar.com/2020/12/10/facebook-sued-by-48-states-federal-trade-commission-over-allegations-of-monopolistic-practices/
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PETITION UPDATE (11/18/2020)
Everyone thought the censorship by Big Tech corporations would decrease after the 2020 election, but the truth is that censorship is being felt just as much as it was before the election.
And, given the election outcome, perhaps Big Tech censorship now is even more consequential than it was before the election!
The two biggest social media platforms, Facebook and Twitter, and other Big Tech companies, are still censoring and suppressing stories and posts favorable to conservatives, and especially anything that has to do with election fraud.
Here are a few recent examples:
Women for America First organized the March for Trump on November 14, which was shut down by Facebook, MailChimp and Eventbrite. Despite Big Tech’s best efforts to cancel the event, the march went on and gathered a huge crowd.
Twitter has been suppressing a large number of President Trump’s Tweets. Most of his Tweets have been flagged arbitrarily with a warning stating: “This claim about election fraud is disputed."
Please READ this recent article about Big Tech's attempt to choke information conerning the recent Million MAGA March in Washington, DC: '5 things mainstream media won’t tell you about massive DC ‘Stop the Steal’ rally'
Then, please SIGN and SHARE this urgent petition, which calls on the Congress, the president, and governors to defend freedom of speech as Big Tech continues their rampant censorship.
PETITION UPDATE (10/15/2020)
In a remarkable development, Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham have announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee will be issuing subpoenas to Twitter's Jack Dorsey and Facebook's Mark Zuckerburg for their company's suppression of two critical expose news stories about how Hunter Biden and the Biden Family allegedly profited from business deals made because of Joe Biden's position as Vice President.
Please WATCH LifeSite's exclusive video of the announcement by Senator Ted Cruz below.
According to the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Lindsey Graham, the subpoenas will be issued next Tuesday, for hearings to be held on Friday of next week.
This is a MASSIVE development, and should be welcomed by those who champion freedom of speech.
Again, this is all happening because Twitter and Facebook refuse to allow their members to share stories which would be favorable to conservatives.
Here's the timeline:
Yesterday, Twitter and Facebook suppressed a NY Post story about how Hunter Biden allegedly profited from introducing a Ukrainian businessman to his then-Vice President father, Joe Biden. The story also alleges that Vice President Biden then subsequently pressured Ukrainian authorities to fire a prosecutor who was investigating the businessman's company.
And, just this morning, Twitter suppressed another expose by the NY Post alleging that the Biden Family improperly profitted from deals made with one of the largest Chinese energy companies because of Vice President Biden's position in government.
But, right after the story broke, Senator Cruz tried to share the latest story on Twitter and was blocked. Twitter says that they are blocking the stories because they claim that the information was obtained illegally. However, Twitter showed no problem allowing illegally obtained information about President Trump's tax returns to be shared.
Please SIGN and SHARE this urgent petition, which calls on the Congress, the president, and governors to defend freedom of speech as Big Tech continues their rampant censorship.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
'GOP senators decry Big Tech censorship of NY Post story exposing Biden corruption' - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/gop-senators-decry-big-tech-censorship-of-ny-post-story-exposing-biden-corruption
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PETITION UPDATE (9/17/2020)
Big Tech is out to kill free speech. LifeSite is out to protect it!
LifeSite has been digging deep into the many claims of liberal bias and selective censorship of pro-life, pro-family, and conservative voices on social media.
And, we are now launching our new series 'Uncensored: Big Tech vs. Free Speech', which will unpack how the actions of Big Tech censors actually affect conservative and Christian organization and individuals.
Please WATCH the first video in our series featuring Brigitte Gabriel, the Founder of ACT For America, one of the nation's premier national security grassroots organizations.
Ms. Gabriel's organization, ACT For America, has been targeted by Big Tech especially in the manipulation of search results.
Big Tech “think[s] they are God and they are exercising their godly power over everybody else,” Gabriel explained. "Because in today's world, anytime you want to find out any information about somebody, what do you do? Google. You go to the internet to find out some information about them. When you research anything about somebody, the first thing that comes up [in the search results] is the Southern Poverty Law Center’s labeling of ‘hate groups.’”
“And who are the ‘hate groups’? Family Research Council is a hate group because they are pro-family. American Family Radio is a hate group…LifeSiteNews is a hate group. My organization is a hate group because we sound the alarm about terrorism and protecting our constitutional freedom. And so they try to character assassinate you. And they control the language.”
LifeSite's research shows that Facebook, Google, YouTube, Twitter, and others have become far too dangerous for democracy.
They can and do sway elections and public opinion in whatever direction they want, primarily by manipulating search results, tracking our online behavior, and by blocking truthful content from their platforms.
Today, LifeSite is starting to fight back, with facts and with stories of conservatives and Christians who are being negatively impacted by Big Tech's liberal bias.
Please continue to follow our 'Big Tech vs. Free Speech' series which aims to launch a new video each week for the next eight weeks.
And, please sign our petition demanding that Big Tech monopolies are broken up. Thank you!
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ORIGINAL PETITION BACKGROUND TEXT:
The outrageous erasing of the White Coat Summit from the internet is only the latest in a long series of brazen acts of censorship against conservatives and all those who support legitimate free speech.
You may agree or disagree with the efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine against the coronavirus, but everyone should agree on this point:
No Big Tech company should have the power to erase from the internet the medical opinions of licensed practicing doctors simply because they do not like what they have to say about the coronavirus or their experience treating it. Americans and other free peoples do not need leftist computer programmers deciding what the best course of medical treatment is for them.
Google/Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Apple and their Big Tech friends want to control what you see, what you read, what you think, and ultimately, how you vote. Not only do they spend hundreds of millions of dollars on lobbying congress and buttering up big Washington DC think tanks, but now they brazenly and directly censor any content they don't want you to see.
Big Tech, like other interest groups, aggressively lobby to help their businesses thrive, but increasingly, Big Tech is using blatant internet censorship to impose its radical world view over those they consider to be "deplorables."
This must stop, but it won't unless we demand it as forcefully as legally possible. We believe that we have reached the point were Big Tech must be broken up if legitimate free speech is going to survive and continue to thrive on the internet.
Please sign our petition to demand real consequences for Big Tech's suppression of legitimate free speech.
In 2016, emails revealed by Fox News' Tucker Carlson proved that Google tried to influence the election by affecting voter turnout. Thankfully they failed. But they didn't give up. Instead, they have been preparing and testing how to manipulate information to continue to abuse their monopolistic power.
In 2018, Google/Youtube et. al. succeeded in manipulating the Irish abortion referendum by blacklisting pro-life videos, manipulating pro-life search terms and results and intentionally withholding pro-life information. Again, this is not an opinion or a conspiracy theory, Project Veritas obtained first hand information proving the intentional censorship by Big Tech.
And the Coronavirus has just made things worse. You see, scared people are more easily manipulated into giving up their freedom of speech. Children are being kept from going to school, tens of millions of Americans are out of work, and rioting has broken out in most major American cities.
Now, more than ever, freedom of speech is necessary to secure all of our freedoms. Freedom of speech is crucial to truly exercise the freedom to vote for the person that best represents one's own views, or the freedom to decide what course of medical treatment to accept - especially the decision to control what vaccines are administered to our children.
Some experts, like Dr. Robert Epstein, a behavioral psychologist who has testified before congress against Big Tech believes that we may already be too late to control Big Tech's tyrannical control over information.
President Trump took a step in the right direction with his Executive Order calling for increased regulation of Big Tech. But much more can be done and needs to be done right now.
In an era where almost everything is polarized, there is an overwhelming support for breaking up the Big Tech monopolies. A recent Pew poll found that 75% of Americans believe that Big Tech companies have too much influence.
It is time to bring serious accountability to Big Tech for their attempts to use their monopolies to kill free speech.
It is time to break up Big Tech.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Google, Facebook, Twitter shut down ‘frontline’ US doctors who promote ‘cure for COVID’ - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/google-facebook-twitter-shut-down-frontline-us-doctors-who-promote-cure-for-covid?utm_source=featured&utm_campaign=standard
Americans overwhelmingly agree Big Tech has too much power: Pew poll - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/americans-overwhelmingly-agree-big-tech-has-too-much-power-pew-poll
Leaked Google employee's email reveals effort to boost Latino vote, surprise that some voted for Trump - https://www.foxnews.com/tech/leaked-google-employees-email-reveals-effort-to-boost-latino-vote-surprise-that-some-voted-for-trump
Undercover video proves Google interfered in Irish abortion referendum - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/americans-overwhelmingly-agree-big-tech-has-too-much-power-pew-poll


lifesitenews--2020-10-14--Liberal com-box trolls melt down over Barrett’s comments about believing in ‘power of prayer’

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett asserting her belief in the power of prayer triggered a barrage of angry denunciations @ @ @ @ @ section , ridiculing her Christian faith .
Comments ranged from calling Barrett a “ moron @ @ @ @ @ ” to equating Christianity with belief in leprechauns and fairies to saying her words induced @ @ @ @ @ shortly after LifeSiteNews posted the conclusion of Barrett ’ s opening remarks to the Senate @ @ @ @ @ in the power of prayer , and it has been uplifting to hear that so @ @ @ @ @ me .
I look forward to answering the Committee ’ s questions over the coming @ @ @ @ @ am fortunate enough to be confirmed , I pledge to faithfully and impartially discharge my @ @ @ @ @ as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court .
In general , Amy Coney Barrett @ @ @ @ @ they think faith in God is delusional , prayer is a waste of time , @ @ @ @ @ should automatically disqualify a nominee for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court .

Comments ranged from calling Barrett a 'moron' and a 'psychopath' to equating Christianity with belief in leprechauns and fairies to saying her words induced vomiting.
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A 43-second video of
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett asserting her belief in the power of prayer triggered a barrage of angry denunciations from leftists in the comment section, ridiculing her Christian faith.
Comments ranged from calling Barrett a “moron” and a “psychopath” to equating Christianity with belief in leprechauns and fairies to saying her words induced vomiting.
The attacks began shortly after LifeSiteNews posted the conclusion of Barrett’s opening remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee:
I believe in the power of prayer, and it has been uplifting to hear that so many people are praying for me. I look forward to answering the Committee’s questions over the coming days. And if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, I pledge to faithfully and impartially discharge my duties to the American people as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
In general, Amy Coney Barrett’s detractors revealed that they think faith in God is delusional, prayer is a waste of time, and a belief in Christianity should automatically disqualify a nominee for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.
LifeSiteNews readers pushed back against the comments attacking Judge Barrett’s faith.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-14--Amy Coney Barrett lays out timeline from legal contraception to 60M abortions

WASHINGTON , D.C , October 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — On the third day of the hearings to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett , she and her questioners visibly presented the moral and legal links joining contraception and abortion , as well as same-sex “ marriage.
” Sen. Coons ( D-Del . )
made mention of the 1965 case Griswold v. Connecticut , which states that married couples can not be legally forbidden to use contraceptives in their own homes .
He then repeatedly asked Barrett if she agrees with former Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thus states should be able to make it illegal to use contraceptives if they so chose [ . ]
” Barrett answered by reminding the senator that she could not express a view on such a matter but that Griswold was “ very , very , very unlikely to go anywhere.
” However , she went on to note that “ the only reason that it ’ s even worth asking that question is to lay a predicate for whether Roe was rightly decided , because Griswold does lie at the foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then presented the link between the legalization of contraception and a whole host of other changes in moral practice over the years .
“ It anchors a lot of modern liberty interests ... it was extended to unmarried couples in Eisenstadt ; it was extended into the right for women to control their reproductive choices in Roe and in Casey.
” The senator further presented the link between contraception and the promotion of the homosexual movement : “ it was also extended to support same-sex couple intimacy in Laurence v. Texas , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to marry in Obergefell.
” The Eisenstadt case extended the use of contraceptives to un-married couples in 1972 , while Roe used the arguments and language of Griswold and Eisenstadt to impose legal abortion on all fifty U.S. states in 1973 .
The legal precedent set by the Griswold case , allowing married couples to use contraception , was thus employed throughout the decades until the Obergefell decision in 2015 , which , citing Griswold , ruled that no state could refuse to recognize two men or two women calling themselves “ married @ @ @ @

PETITION UPDATE (9/26/2020):
With President Trump's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we are closer than we have been in decades to seeing Roe vs. Wade overturned.
We now encourage the Senate to confirm Barrett as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
Judge Barrett has a fantastic track recond on sanctity of life issues, has seven children, and is a devout believer. She is the perfect remedy for Ruth Bader Ginsburg's radical pro-abortionism.
Please READ the full story here: 'BREAKING: Trump nominates Catholic mom of 7 Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court'
And then, please SIGN this petition telling the High Court that it's now time to end the activist Roe vs. Wade judgment. Thank you!
__________________________________________________________________
PETITION UPDATE (6/29/2020):
In a decision which has imperiled more abortion-minded women, sentenced more preborn to death, and upset pro-lifers across the nation,the United States Supreme Court decided 5-4 to strike down a Louisiana law requiring basic medical precautions in the event of abortion complications, with Chief Justice John Roberts reversing his own past decision to uphold a similar Texas law.
Liberal Justice Stephen Breyer wrote the majority opinion, which held that the Louisiana law was unconstitutional for the simple fact that it was “almost word-for-word identical” to the Texas one the court already struck down in 2016.
In his concurring opinion, Chief Justice Roberts acknowledged that he had “joined the dissent in Whole Woman’s Health and continue to believe that the case was wrongly decided. The question today however is not whether Whole Woman’s Health was right or wrong, but whether to adhere to it in deciding the present case.”
We call on the Supreme Court to stop supporting the culture of death and overturn Roe vs Wade, now.
PETITION UPDATE (1/20/2020):
Hundreds of thousands of people will gather in Washington, D.C., this coming Friday, January 24th, for the March for Life. They will be praying for an end to Roe vs Wade, as the Supreme Court will hear a crucial, abortion-related case later this year in March. United our voices can change the course of history. Sign this petition TODAY! (LEARN MORE BELOW)
PETITION UPDATE (1/3/2020):
In advance of the Supreme Court's hearing arguments in an important abortion case later this year in March, 207 U.S. Senators and Representatives have signed amicus briefs supporting a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital nearby an abortion center.
Some of these supporting briefs also suggest that now is the time to reconsider Roe vs Wade as sound law.
Please SIGN this petition, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down Roe vs Wade.
_____________________________________________________________________________
More than 60 million Americans have been slaughtered in their mother's wombs as a result of Roe v. Wade. This activist, unconstitutional ruling in 1973 has left countless women emotionally and psychologically scarred.
It was believed by many that Roe would be overturned in 1992 with Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Despite having eight Republican-appointed judges at the time, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to uphold it.
Since then, major gains have been made in the fight for life, and many lives have been saved.
However, Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land, leaving millions of defenseless pre-born children vulnerable to murder.
According to a 2016 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35% of aborted babies are African American, despite black women only making up six percent of the U.S. population. 19% of aborted babies are Hispanic.
We thus again call on the court to do everything they can to end Roe vs Wade.
Now is the time for pro-lifers to join together and ensure that all of God's children have a right to life.
Roe v. Wade must come to an end!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/supreme-court-strikes-down-louisiana-abortion-regulations
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/over-200-congressmen-as-us-supreme-court-to-reconsider-roe-v-wade
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/congress-members-file-competing-legal-briefs-in-key-scotus-abortion-case


lifesitenews--2020-10-14--US bishop: Right to life must be ‘paramount’ in 2020 election

CLEVELAND , Ohio , October 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bishop Edward Malesic of the Diocese of Cleveland released a letter on his diocesan website regarding the “ paramount consideration ” that must be given to the right to life and opposing abortion above all other issues when voting in next month ’ s election .
“ The consistent teaching of the Church regarding the intrinsic evil of abortion seeks to secure all other rights as well , ” Malesic wrote in his Sept. 30 letter .
He agreed with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Faithful Citizenship : A Call to Political Responsibility , that “ the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family and because of the number of lives destroyed.
” Malesic went on to say that it is not enough to vote according to conscience , but that one ’ s conscience must be properly formed .
“ A properly formed conscience comes through prayer , Scripture and studying the teaching of the Church that is promoted and protected by the apostles and their successors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bishops : A Catholic voter can not vote for a candidate who favors a policy promoting an intrinsically evil act , such as abortion , euthanasia , assisted suicide , subjecting workers or the poor to subhuman living conditions , redefining marriage in ways that violate its essential meaning , or racist behavior , if the voter ’ s intent is to support that position ... At the same time , a voter should not use a candidate 's opposition to an intrinsic evil to justify indifference or inattentiveness to other important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thank you for signing this petition !
Malesic made it clear that , even though there are other social justice issues that need attention , the right to life is foremost .
“ When we cast our vote , we must not remain indifferent to those positions and policies that would negatively impact religious freedoms , erode the traditional family , or make it difficult for the poor to access adequate education , housing and healthcare .
We must carefully consider how to fix our broken immigration system , address the worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , protect the environment and strive for humane solutions to global conflict and terrorism , ” he said .
“ But , to be clear , although there are many causes our Church stands for and is vocal about , the right to life itself must be given our paramount consideration so that people can have the chance to secure all the other benefits that life can afford , ” he added .


lifesitenews--2020-10-14--WATCH: Man who left LGBT lifestyle says he’ll be jailed under new Canadian law for telling story

TORONTO , October 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A Canadian man who has struggled with unwanted same-sex attractions and transgender inclinations is pleading with the Trudeau Liberals not to criminalize therapy that helps minors deal with the same struggles he did .
“ The reason it took me so long to make this video was because I think I had to adjust to the shock that it would possibly be illegal for my own story to be shared , ” Hudson Byblow , an internationally renowned Catholic teacher , speaker and member of Courage International , says in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( MPs ) .
“ I ’ m a person who has same-sex attractions and transgender inclinations , both being part of my story , and I have spent a lot of time sharing my story of finding peace and joy outside of that mindset , regardless of wherever my attractions were , ” added Byblow , a 39-year-old who lives in Saskatchewan .
“ I have a voice , and the moment that it ’ s going to get suppressed , it ’ s like , what does that say about our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Byblow ’ s video is the fifth in a series co-produced by Campaign Life Coalition , Canada ’ s national pro-life , pro-family political lobbying group and LifeSiteNews , in which individuals relate how they were helped in dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion .
They all urge Canada ’ s MPs not to pass Bill 8 — reintroduced by the Liberals in October as Bill C-6 .
The sweeping bill adds five new offences to the Criminal Code : causing a minor — defined as under age 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy abroad ; causing a person to undergo conversion therapy against his will ; profiting from providing conversion therapy ; and advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy .
The first three offences are punishable by up to five years in prison , the last two by up to two years in prison .
The bill defines “ conversion therapy ” as any “ practice , treatment or service designed to change a person ’ s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or sexual behaviour.
” Bill C-6 notes : “ For greater certainty , this definition does not include a practice , treatment or service that relates to a person ’ s gender transition ; or to a person ’ s exploration of their identity or to its development.
” His story “ too hot for the law ” However , if the bill passes , “ then I guess I ’ m just going to have to go to jail for sharing my story .
And…I ’ ll have the Canadian lawmakers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his message to MPs .
“ I don ’ t want that to happen , obviously , but …what does that leave a person to do , right ?
It leaves a person hide – hide because their story is too hot for the law.
” In an extended interview with Grandin Media in 2018 , Byblow related his journey from a troubled youth ensnared in homosexual pornography and transgenderism to a practicing Catholic who has found the joy of living a chaste life .
He said he is now a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for men and women who experience same-sex attractions and want to live according to the teaching of the Catholic Church .
“ I asked myself ‘ Am I a sexuality with a person or am I a person with a sexuality ?
’ For me that was like ‘ Boom !
’ .
I can ’ t , as a matter of self-honesty , call myself a straight person or a gay person or a trans person .
I have to call myself a person .
My personhood is my first ingredient , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then .
“ It ’ s important that this topic not be reduced to mere behaviour management .
This is about real people with real hearts , but also real choices to choose to live chastely or not , ” he added .
“ But I know that I never could have conscientiously chosen to live chastely unless I had first come to see the joy of it myself from others , ” Byblow told Grandin Media .
“ We never know what God can do .
Sometimes He lets us carry a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not experience .
It ’ s up to us to take up that cross and follow Him anyway.
” In his message to MPs , Byblow urged them not to “ kowtow to the demands ” of “ extreme activists ” and described the “ LGBTQ pride movement ” is “ a religion in itself ” and an “ opposing ideology.
” “ I ’ ve had activists tell me over coffee… to say something , like , anything short of absolute affirmation is a form of hate , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m really worried about , is that so that makes ideas that broaden the narrative a form of hate .
And of course , …if our laws kind of kowtow to the demands of these…I would say , extreme activists , then ideas become hate.
” If that happens , “ some spiteful people ” will have the ability to “ hamstring anybody who believes something differently , ” Byblow said .
“ To me , that makes the LGTBQ pride movement , or the activist movement , nothing short of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now we ’ re talking about opposing ideologies.
” Canadians are free to express ideas that dissent from the mainstream narrative in other areas , but not when it comes to same-sex and transgender inclinations , he said .
However , “ these are ideas that brought me freedom , and have brought lots of other people freedom too , he said .
“ I have walked away from the LGTBQ mindset and have found a new life – I have found a way to find peace and joy.
” Media refuses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s website , he speaks in the USA and Canada “ about human sexuality , in accordance with Pope JPII ’ s Theology of the Body , in a way that is engaging , unifying , and personalized.
” He has also consulted for Catholic Answers , LifeTeen , and Courage International , ” and has been published in the Chastity Project , National Catholic Register , Ascension Press , One Peter Five , CRISIS Magazine , and Catholic World Report .
Campaign Life ’ s director of political operations Jack Fonseca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media ’ s misleading portrayal of “ conversion ” therapy .
“ The biased Liberal media has been pumping out story after story , column after column , to falsely vilify effective and helpful counselling supports for people who struggle with unwanted gender confusion or same-sex attraction , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
“ It won ’ t report on people like Hudson and the others in our video series who can testify to the personal experience of finding healing for therapy and/or spiritual counselling to walk away from an LGBT lifestyle.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ send their MP a link to Byblow ’ s message , as well as to the other videos in the series .
“ The more people who share these videos with their MP , the more likely the lawmaker will watch it and take the message to heart.
” To find out who your MP is and contact information , go to the Campaign Life Coalition website here .