Bloggers Beware: Freedom of Speech is NOT for you!

*cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita*

Freedom of Speech for them, but not for you!!!


It seems the White House desperadoes are now coming right out and asking Americans to snitch on each other. Some months back I found a site that appalled me. It is called the Obama Nation, and on that forum it had threads encouraging readers to name names; this included listing licence plate numbers of cars sporting Republican stickers, and also encouraged children to report and list not just their neighbours who supported anyone other than BO, but also to turn in their parents. The first time I found that site, (and yes, I did register to get the goods) I was appalled at the rampent racism as regular posters called any dissenters "crackas", and delighted in sharing what they should do with - and to - "honkey women":. No, I am not going to give the link to that site. It IS disgusting. I did email the White House and ask if this is what they want their dear leader's name associated with; no reply, of course! And the hatred continues unfettered.


During the election campaign (no, not the never-ending campaign; the official campaign that was supposed to end on voting day, ) BO minions volunteered on a team with the title "Fight the Smears." Their 'job' was to troll the internet, and swoop onto the offending sites and attack any who dared voice disagreement with the proposed Utopia that many swallowed hook, line and sinker on voting day. Hey, even dead people voted for the "vision."


Today it has become official: the White House boldly goes where no-one (except themselves) has gone before, at least in America. It seems that questions from patriots (or right wing terrorists like grannies scared of the proposed health care "reform",) can now be reported directly to the White House. I kid you not. They have established an official email address just for this purpose.


From the White House "The Blog" comes this gem:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2009 AT 6:55 AM

Facts Are Stubborn Things

Posted by Macon Phillips

Opponents of health insurance reform may find the truth a little inconvenient, but as our second president famously said, "facts are stubborn things."

Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to "uncover" the truth about the President’s health insurance reform positions.

In this video, Linda Douglass, the communications director for the White House’s Health Reform Office, addresses one example that makes it look like the President intends to "eliminate" private coverage, when the reality couldn’t be further from the truth....

There follows a video which, truthfully, I didn't have the stomach to watch, but what is further down the entry is even more interesting, and should alarm all freedom of speech loving Americans:

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

Yes, that is a direct copy and paste. "Seems fishy"???????? What IS fishy (among many other details) is a President who is determined to ram this bill through, even as he says HE is not familiar with certain sections of HIS healthcare bill. Michelle Malkin has a post up on this here, and as always, the comments are well worth the time. If you won't believe me, go over to the White House site yourself, and check out the 'transparency in government' you were all promised. Here it is. Your tax dollars at work.

Seems the halcyon days when Hillary Clinton declared that "dissent is patriotic" are long gone.

America, I weep for you but yes, I WILL be writing more on this healthcare bill. You have my word on that...

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AdHoc Committee: African Submission

Outline for the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards Consultations

An additional mechanism, the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards was created by the Human Rights Council in 2006 to fill gaps in CERD, and to provide new normative standards aimed at combating all forms of contemporary aspects of racism.

The committee's mission is to write new international legislation to criminalize criticism of Islam. They solicited suggestions from the member nations to get the process started.

The African Group submission by Egypt, makes reference to two external documents:

• Human Rights Council decision 3/103
• "Non-Paper on Complementary international Standards"
• ICERD

The curious reader will find some satisfaction in reading the above listed "Non-Paper" and will recognize it as the source of a significant part of the African submission.

The African Group begins by laying down a list of general principles. When reading them, bear in mind the broad definition of racism, which includes "related intolerance" which translates to "Islamophobia". Wherever "racism" is written, read criticism of Islam.

• Although laws alone are not sufficient to eradicate racism and racial discrimination, laws remain essential to such efforts.

• International standards on combating racism must provide for deterrence and be perceived, as far as possible, by actual and potential victims, as satisfactory.

• No attempt to legitimize racism and racial discrimination can be tolerated in a society ruled by law.

• The exercise of the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association may be restricted with a view to combating racism in accordance with international human rights law.

• The prohibition of racism and racial discrimination applies to all public authorities as well as natural and legal persons, both in the public and private spheres.

• There is a need for a uniform and consistent application of the law to ensure the effectiveness of international efforts to counter racism and racial discrimination.

The discriminating reader has learned that, according to Egypt, complementary standards for combating criticism of Islam must produce legislation sufficient to satisfy the demands of the OIC and will eliminate our right to free speech.

Seven substantive provisions are listed, the fifth of which contains several subordinate clauses of great interest.

5. Combating incitement to racial and religious hatred. Such acts include:
• Public insults and defamation and threats against a person or group of persons on the grounds of their race, color, language, religion, nationality, or national or ethnic origin.
• The public expression which has the purpose or effect of denigrating a group of persons on the basis of the above-mentioned grounds.
• The public dissemination or distribution, or the production of written, audio or visual or other material containing manifestations of racism and racial discrimination in accordance with the ICERD and the present submission.
• In addition, these acts must be criminalized in national laws, and the perpetrators thereof punished, as well as those instigating, aiding or abetting them.

Re-read that list, bearing in mind the broader definition of "racism", substituting "criticism of Islam" wherever it is used in the substantive provisions. These provisions will have the effect of criminalizing all negative expressions about Islam, not just the Danish Cartoons, and Fitna, but these blog posts will be illegal.

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AdHoc Cmte USA Submissionrelated intolerance,complementary standards, Islamophobiarelated intolerance,complementary standards, Islamophobia

Outline for the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards Consultations

An additional mechanism, the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards was created by the Human Rights Council in 2006 to fill gaps in CERD, and to provide new normative standards aimed at combating all forms of contemporary aspects of racism.

The committee's mission is to write new international legislation to criminalize criticism of Islam. They solicited suggestions from the member nations to get the process started. Islam, because it is false and malicious, can not tolerate criticism. Islamic law prescribes the death penalty for any criticism of Allah, Moe, and their doctrines. Muslims, acting through the OIC and its clique in the United Nations, are demanding the enactment and enforcement of national and international legislation to criminalize criticism of Islam. While specifically complaining of the Danish Cartoons and the short documentary created by Geert Wilders, their demand for censorship is much broader.

Unlike Iran and Pakistan, the United States did not submit demands for criminalizing criticism of Islam. Unfortunately, the two page submission, which begins on page 26, displays an a high level of cognitive dissonance. [ Emphasis added.]

The United States wishes to reiterate its committment to fighting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and looks forward to working with other States contributing to initiatives that promote tolerance and respect for diversity. The United States is home to individuals from diverse racial, religions and ethnic backgrounds. .We are profoundly aware of the destructive consequences of racism and understand the concerns that have given rise to the work of this Committee.

"Related intolerance" is a code phrase for "Islamophobia", which is equated with racism. There is no rational basis for fighting rational objections to Islamic doctrine and practice!

The United States has learned from the experience in our own country how crucial robust free expression and a thriving marketplace of ideas are to the promotion of tolerance, religious freedom, greater understanding among individuals of different backgrounds, and ultimately to the defeat of racist and discriminatory ideas in societies. Similarly, the United States believes in the importance of engaging in proactive governmental outreach and policies to
assure racial, ethnic, and religious groups are protected and respect for diversity is promoted. Such governmental outreach can take a variety of forms, including the holding of town hall meetings and conferences with affected groups to listen and learn of the challenges they face and develop ways for the government to better address their concerns. These actions, which are based upon a moral and social responsibility to combat advocacy to national, racial or religious
hatred, rather than a legal obligation to punish hateful expression, are essential to simultaneously maintaining robust free expression and allowing the government to take an active role in the promotion of tolerance and respect.

This would appear, at first glance to be a robust defense of our first amendment freedom of expression. But an examination of the first listed objective throws a bucket of cold water on that hope. "promotion of tolerance", in this context, can only mean tolerance of the intolerable: Islam.

Combating advocacy to religious hatred requires combating Islam because Islamic doctrine expressed in the Qur'an is the primary source of religion based hatred.

"Rather than a legal obligation to punish hateful expression" is a loaded clause which, while appearing to deny demands for blasphemy laws, actually condemns the Danish Cartoons, Fitna, and all other truthful negative expressions about Islam. as "hate speech".

"Promotion of Tolerance and respect" is an indication of irrational idocy. In the current context, it can only mean "tolerance of and respect for Islam". Islam is not worthy of respect and must never be tolerated because it is perpetual war and confers an open season license to kill, enslave, rape, pillage & plunder.

The United States does not believe that amendments to the international human rights legal framework - or new interpretations of existing legal obligations - are warranted to fight the scourges cf racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Rather than seeking additional restrictions to expression, the United States advocates for more robust governmental outreach policies with respect to racial, ethnic and religious groups as well as the institution of appropriate legal regimes that deal with discriminatory acts and hate crimes.

Nothing is warranted to fight "related intolerance", which is a code phrase for opposition to Islam. Ordinarily, I would happily accept the rejection of Islam's contumacious demand for legislation unconstitutionally restricting my right of free expression. But that rejection is coupled with an implicit acceptance of the enemy's false premise, which renders it null and void.

The United States views racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance as serious challenges facing the international community and believes they must be dealt with by the Ad Hoc Committee in a methodical and deliberate manner. The United States submits that this process of self-examination and action by international community begin with greater opporttutities to exchange views and address empirical data and practice on matters related to racial, ethnic, and religious diversity, discrimination, and intolerance so as to broaden our common understanding of these important issues and provide a solid foundation f or a broad-based consensus further actions and initiatives.

Inclusion of "related intolerance", which refers to objections to Islamic doctrine & practice, implicitly accepts the enemy's false premise and can not be accepted. It makes me ashamed to be an American. How can my government sink so low as to condemn my advocacy of life & liberty and demand that I tolerate the existence of a predatory institution whose mission is mercenary and whose method is to deprive free men of life, liberty and property?


The submission offers a list of suggested substitutes for the legislative program demanded by Islam. It proposes to study the cause of "advocacy of hatred", ignoring the fact that the damnable doctrines enshrined in the Qur'an, preached in every Mosque and taught in every Madrassa, are the principal source of that advocacy.

Another suggestion constitutes an irrational surrender.

• Evolution of Legal and Policy Frameworks: An assessment of the evolution of domestic legal and policy frameworks dealing with these issues and how effective they have been in dealing with intolerance and discrimination. Such an assessrnent would also review any distinctions made within these frameworks between actions taken based upon a moral and social responsibility to combat advocacy to national, racial or religious hatred on the one hand and those based upon a legal obligation to prohibit such advocacy on the other, and analyze the relative results of each;

To the extent that a person is rational and informed, he will hate Islam, and no attempt should be made to reduce his ardor or extinguish the fire of hatred. Islam is inimical to human life and liberty. Its supremacism, triumphalism and intolerance render it intolerable. The concept of a divine mandate to conquer the world, terrorizing and killing or enslaving everyone who resists is absolutely intolerable. How can there be a legal obligation to prevent rational discussion of the doctrines and practices of a religion of world domination through genocidal warfare?

While ostensibly objecting to demands for legislation eliminating our right of free expression, our government is actually pandering and attempting to appease the enemy by implicitly accepting their false premise.

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AdHoc Cmte: Pakistani Submission

Outline for the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards Consultations

An additional mechanism, the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards was created by the Human Rights Council in 2006 to fill gaps in CERD, and to provide new normative standards aimed at combating all forms of contemporary aspects of racism.

The committee's mission is to write new international legislation to criminalize criticism of Islam. They solicited suggestions from the member nations to get the process started.

Pakistan's submission to the committee begins on page 39 and ends on page 41. Since Pakistan acts as the representative of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, there is an emphasis on protecting Islam from criticism. It refers to Human Rights Council decision 3/103, which created the committee, and to ICERD.

The submission lists several "Action Points", the following items are from that list. [Emphasis added.]

• further defining the existence of link between an act of incitement and the likelihood of a violation, or the threshold required for reaching such a determinant consistent and uniform application and maximize protection for actual or potential victims.
• development of new internationally binding normative standards in the area of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance while incorporating the following contemporary issues;
• defamation of religions, religious personalities, holy books, scriptures and symbols,
• provocative portrayals of objects of religious veneration as a malicious ` violation of the spirit of tolerance,
• prohibition of publication of material with the aim of protecting the rights of others and against seriously or gratuitously offensive attacks on matters regarded as sacred by the followers of any religion,
• racio-religious profiling,intolerance and discrimination,
• incitement to religious hatred, discrimination and violence,
• abuse of the right to freedom of expression in the context of racio-religious profiling, negative or insulting stereotyping, incitement to
  hatred and violence,
• Islamophobia, xenophobia, and ideological racism,
• new instrument should provide for;
• mandatory prohibition by law to- eliminate racio-religious profiling or profiling based on any grounds of discrimination recognized under
  international human rights law with provisions for legal action against perpetrators, as well as legal guarantees to remedy and reparation for victims,
• legal restrictions on the dissemination or distribution or production, in public or otherwise, of all ideas in any farm based upon racial and religious superiority or hatred and incitement to hatred, and violence,including by use of modern information and communication technologies,
• legal prohibition of publication of material that negatively stereotypes, insults, or uses offensive language cm matters regarded by followers of any religion or belief as sacred or inherent to their dignity as human beings, with the aim or protecting their fundamental human rights,
• legal restriction to public insults and defamation, public incitement to violence, threat against a person or a grouping of persons
  on me grounds of their race, color, language, religion, nationality, or national or ethnic origin,

The bottom line: Pakistan & the OIC join with Iran in demanding national and international legislation to criminalize criticism of Islam. Western Civilization is under attack by Islam. Effective and adequate defense requires objective identification & description of the enemy and its doctrine set. The proposals from Iran & Pakistan are designed to hamper our self defense efforts.

They imply that the Danish Cartoons, which portray Muhammad as a terrorist, which, by his own admission he was, constitutes defamation of religion. They imply that Fitna, which juxtaposes Allah's Jihad imperatives in the Qur'an with Islamic violence, constitutes defamation of religion. They demand that all such expressions be criminalized.

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Rest in Peace, Captain Speicher

Captain Scott Speicher is finally coming home. After eighteen long years, Captain Speicher's family has answers; not the answers any of us wanted. CJ, of A Soldier's Perspective, has shared his thoughts on this news:

Capt. Scott Speicher to Come Home
August 2nd, 2009 by CJ

I remember attending High School at Nathan Bedford Forrest High School in Jacksonville, FL during Desert Storm when the news that Captain Scott Speicher was shot down and missing in Iraq. We heard this because Speicher was a graduate of NB Forrest HS as well. If you go there today, there is a memorial in his honor in the front office foyer. I've written about Speicher a few times on this site as well as I've never forgotten him. Part of my job in Iraq was also to ask locals if they had any idea where he may be. We followed a lot of dead-end leads.

Well, Capt. Speicher is no longer missing.

The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) has positively identified remains recovered in Iraq as those of Captain Michael Scott Speicher. Captain Speicher was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet over west-central Iraq on January 17th, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Speicher's family for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country," said Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy. "I am also extremely grateful to all those who have worked so tirelessly over the last 18 years to bring Captain Speicher home."

“Our Navy will never give up looking for a shipmate, regardless of how long or how difficult that search may be,” said Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Captain Speicher and his family for the sacrifice they have made for our nation and the example of strength they have set for all of us.”

Acting on information provided by an Iraqi citizen in early July, US Marines stationed in Al Anbar Province went to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Captain Speicher’s jet. ...

To read the rest of what CJ has to say, go here.


Keeping the Captain and his family in my thoughts.

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