Showing posts with label free speech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free speech. Show all posts

Saturday, August 14, 2021

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 027 - Teenagers

"In this episode, Peter opens a discussion around teenagers, Brandon Levy's recent victory in the Supreme Court, the first amendment, freedom of speech, and the laws surrounding what is and isn't allowed."

Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9ec4c456-4537-47d6-af10-62b13ae79f23

 

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 027 - Teenagers
wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 027 - Teenagers

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Student first amendment case coming to Supreme Court

In one of the first cases the Supreme Court will hear after the holiday break:
It was a Saturday in the spring of 2017, and a ninth-grade student in Pennsylvania was having a bad day. She had just learned that she had failed to make the varsity cheerleading squad and would remain on junior varsity.

The student expressed her frustration on social media, sending a message on Snapchat to about 250 friends. The message included an image of the student and a friend with their middle fingers raised, along with text expressing a similar sentiment. Using a curse word four times, the student expressed her dissatisfaction with “school,” “softball,” “cheer” and “everything.”

Though Snapchat messages are ephemeral by design, another student took a screenshot of this one and showed it to her mother, a coach. The school suspended the student from cheerleading for a year, saying the punishment was needed to “avoid chaos” and maintain a “teamlike environment.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

New York Times: "The ‘Red Slime’ Lawsuit That Could Sink Right-Wing Media"

From the New York Times, an article of interest for Franklin:
“Of course I was surprised, but at the same time, it was pretty clear that these people were trying to discredit the election and they were throwing out 25 conspiracy theories in parallel,” he told me in an interview last week from Barbados, where his company has an office. “I thought it was so absurd that it was not going to have legs.”

But by Nov. 14, he knew he had a problem. That’s when Rudy Giuliani, serving as the president’s lawyer, suggested that one voting company, Dominion Voting Systems, had a sinister connection to vote counts in “Michigan, Arizona and Georgia and other states.” Mr. Giuliani declared on Twitter that the company “was a front for SMARTMATIC, who was really doing the computing. Look up SMARTMATIC and tweet me what you think?”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Monday, September 23, 2019

Rep Cutler talks about the Mobtown Massacre - (audio)

In case you missed the presentation by Rep Cutler on the "Mobtown Massacre", the presentation copy and audio are available so you can listen and follow along.

What is the Mobtown Massacre?

"In his book Mobtown Massacre: Alexander Hanson and the Baltimore Newspaper War of 1812, author and State Representative Josh Cutler shares the story of how one Massachusetts town came to be named for a fiery Federalist newspaper editor from Maryland whose anti-war writings provoked a bloodthirsty mob, a midnight jailbreak and a brutal massacre that stunned the nation in 1812. This fateful but little-known episode in American history helped shape the course of a war and the nation's promise of a free press. And it all started with a headline.
When was the talk?
On Sunday, September 15, 2019 Rep. Cutler joined Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) at the Franklin Historical Museum to talk about the book and this fascinating period in American history.

"I am honored to bring Rep. Cutler to Franklin to shine light on a little-known episode in American history that helped shape the course of war and the free press," noted Rep. Roy. "His book is a gripping story of the press under attack, a fiery young editor who put his principles above popularity, and a challenge to populist thought that brings history to life. The book also foreshadows the toxic political arena in America today, but stands as a shining example of political courage."
The presentation copy:




The audio file:

Mary Olsson introduces Rep Jeff Roy who in turn introduces Rep Josh Cutler.




For additional details about the Mobtown Massacre, you can purchase Rep Cutler's book online or in your favorite book seller   http://mobtownmassacre.com/


FM #170

This internet radio show or podcast is number 170 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Mobtown Massacre talk by Rep Josh Cutler at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, Sep 15, 2019.

The presentation document can be found in the show notes.

Without further ado, here is the audio recording (approx 62 minutes).


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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

Overall:
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
  • If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes
subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Monday, January 15, 2018

"And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true"


"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. (My Lord, No, no, no, no) [applause] We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. (My Lord) Again and again (No, no), we must rise to the majestic heights (Yes) of meeting physical force with soul force."
The full text of Dr Martin Luther King's speech can be found here
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/i-have-dream




Sunday, November 2, 2014

Ford Hall Forums: Two FREE forums next week



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FHF logo, white on blue

   
TWO FORUMS NEXT WEEK!
Eve Ensler
Creator of The Vagina Monologues Eve Ensler talks about what drives her to make the world a better place through theatre.



President of Boston Theater Critics Association
Joyce Kulhawik moderates


Monday, November 3
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 
Jeremy Waldron



Co-presented with the
Suffolk University Forensics Team


A debate on whether  
hate speech is free speech

Boston Globe reporter
Hiawatha Bray moderates


Thursday, November 6
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
C. Walsh Theatre, 55 Temple Street, Boston
TWO FORUMS NEXT WEEK!

 


All forums are FREE 
and open to the public!






Hiawatha Bray
Moderator


 
 
For information on seating &registration, click here.






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Boston, Massachusetts 02114
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Sunday, September 21, 2014

Ballot question on constitutional amendment

Note: this event was originally to be held in the new FHS, it will be held in the Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium.



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Ballot question talk on Monday, September 22

Corporations are not peopleOn Monday, September 22, 2014 at 7:30 p.m., author Jeff Clements will speak about his new book "Corporations are not People: Reclaiming Democracy from Big Money and Global Corporations." The talk will take place in the Thomas Mercer Auditorium at the Horace Mann School at 224 Oak Street in Franklin. Clements will also entertain questions from the audience following his presentation.

The talk is a public forum that will offer residents of the 10th Norfolk District information on the public policy question which will appear on the November 4, 2014 state election ballot. The ballot question asks essentially whether I, as your State Representative, should be instructed to vote in favor of a resolution calling for an amendment to the United States Constitution, stating that corporations are not people. This would be in response to the Citizens United decision, a U.S. constitutional law case dealing with the regulation of campaign spending by corporations.

Under Article XIX of the Massachusetts Constitution, Part I, the people have a right, in an orderly and peaceable manner, to assemble to consult upon the common good; give instructions to their representatives, and to request of the legislative body, by the way of addresses, petitions, or remonstrances, redress of the wrongs done them, and of the grievances they suffer. Over the summer, residents of the 10th Norfolk District signed petitions, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 53, section 19, asking that the ballot question on corporate person-hood be submitted to the voters.

The talk by Clements will offer background on the question posed and an introduction to his book on the topic. In his book, Clements explores the Citizens United decision, where the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations, as virtual persons, have the same free speech rights as living, breathing persons. He describes the strange history of the Citizens United ruling, its ongoing effects on democracy, and the growing movement to reverse it. He includes a new chapter, "Do Something!," showing how—state by state and community by community—Americans are using creative strategies and tools to renew democracy and curb unbalanced corporate power. Since the first edition, 16 states, 160 members of Congress, and 500 cities and towns have called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, and the list is growing.

Jeff Clements is a cofounder of Free Speech for People, a nonpartisan campaign working to reverse Citizens United, restore equal citizenship for all Americans, and reform corporate law. Mr. Clements served as Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Public Protection & Advocacy Bureau in the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office from early 2007 to 2009.  As Bureau Chief, he led more than 100 attorneys and staff in law enforcement and litigation in the areas of civil rights, environmental protection, healthcare, insurance and financial services, antitrust and consumer protection.  Mr. Clements also served as an Assistant Attorney General in Massachusetts from 1996 to 2000, where he worked on litigation against the tobacco industry and handled a wide range of other investigations and litigation to enforce unfair trade practice, consumer protection and antitrust laws. In 2012, he cofounded Whaleback Partners LLC, a funding partner for businesses engaged in sustainable food, agriculture, and local economies.

I hope that you will join us tomorrow evening for a thoughtful and timely discussion of this important public policy matter. I look forward to seeing you there.

Copyright © 2014 State Rep Jeff Roy, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Franklin Public Forum - Sep 22


Hello Steve, 
Please add to events on Franklin Matters the following public forum. On Monday September 22nd 730 pm at Franklin H.S. lecture hall will host Concord attorney Jeffrey Clements. He is a co-founder of Free Speech for Free People a nonpartisan campaign to reverse Citizens United. He is Author of Corporations Are Not People Reclaiming Democracy from Big Money and Global Corporations. 
He will be speaking about the need for campaign finance reform. Eighteen districts will be voting on this issue in November including Franklin.  
Thank you,  
Christine Manns

For more about the Jeff Clements visit his page here

For more about the 2014 edition of the book

For more about "Free Speech for Free People" 

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

We, the people


On this 4th of July, let's take a moment to reflect on the words that formed our government.



You may recall that the US Constitution begins
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
http://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/constitution/

What does the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts say? In the third paragraph, you'll recognize the key phrase but pay attention to the first two paragraphs!
The end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of government, is to secure the existence of the body politic, to protect it, and to furnish the individuals who compose it with the power of enjoying in safety and tranquility their natural rights, and the blessings of life: and whenever these great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to alter the government, and to take measures necessary for their safety, prosperity and happiness. 
The body politic is formed by a voluntary association of individuals: it is a social compact, by which the whole people covenants with each citizen, and each citizen with the whole people, that all shall be governed by certain laws for the common good. It is the duty of the people, therefore, in framing a constitution of government, to provide for an equitable mode of making laws, as well as for an impartial interpretation, and a faithful execution of them; that every man may, at all times, find his security in them. 
We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the great Legislator of the universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, an opportunity, deliberately and peaceably, without fraud, violence or surprise, of entering into an original, explicit, and solemn compact with each other; and of forming a new constitution of civil government, for ourselves and posterity; and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, do agree upon, ordain and establish the following Declaration of Rights, and Frame of Government, as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/Constitution

And of course, the Franklin Charter, by which we are empowered to govern ourselves begins:
We, the people of the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts, in order to form a more perfect community, reaffirm the customary and traditional liberties of the people with respect to the conduct of our local government and take fullest advantage of the Home Rule Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, do ordain and adopt this Home Rule Charter for our Town.

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_TownCharter/towncharter.pdf


Parts of this was originally posted to Franklin Matters Weekly
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2012/05/week-ending-may-20-2012.html

and Steve's 2 Cents
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2012/05/we-people.html

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

This Week on the Radio: "Take the Money and Run for Office"

I was behind on my audio listening having changed my routine to finish the Hunger Games trilogy of books on tape and caught up to this one on Monday's drive to work. How timely that it deals with the US Supreme Court decision on Citizens United that lead to the People's Rights Amendment.

Ira Glass and This American Life deal with this topic in their usual fashion including an interview with both Senators McCain and Feingold who were the architects of the campaign law modifications that were overturned by the Supreme Court decision. Interesting listening! And scary to think of the consequences of the last minute SuperPAC attack impacts!

What was the Citizens United decision? You can find the Wikipedia version here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission


Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via This American Life Updates by adrianne on 4/1/12

For anyone who has ever heard the term "Washington insider" and felt outside — we are with you. So this week, we go inside the rooms where the deals get made, to the actual moment that the checks change hands — and we ask the people writing and receiving the checks what, exactly, is the money buying?

Broadcast March 31 to April 2

Things you can do from here: