Category Archives: Free Speech

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR ROY BLUNT (MO.)

Senator Blunt Co-Sponsors Bill To Prevent IRS Targeting, Protect Free Speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) co-sponsored the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act (S. 2011), which was introduced today by U.S. Senators Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Pat Roberts (Kan.) and is co-sponsored by 36 additional senators.

The bill would protect the free-speech rights of 501(c)(4) organizations by prohibiting for one year the finalization of a proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulation that would significantly limit the advocacy and educational activities of these groups. The bill would also prevent additional targeting of 501(c)(4) organizations by restoring the IRS 501(c)(4) standards and definitions that were in place before the start of the agencys targeting of conservative groups in 2010.

People in Missouri and across the country are rightly concerned about government overreach and political targeting that weve witnessed under this administration, Blunt said. Im fighting for more transparency and accountability in Washington, and I'm pleased to join Senators Flake and Roberts in this effort to protect Americans First Amendment rights.

Background:

On November 29, 2013, the Department of Treasury published a proposed IRS rule that would broadly define 501(c)(4) political activity to include voter registration, voter education, communications that mention a candidate or party, grants to 527s, and events in which a candidate participates, among other activities. Even non-partisan activities would be limited. The regulations specifically single out 501(c)(4) organizations, and do not apply to other nonprofit organizations such as charities, labor unions or trade associations.

The administration has already faced harsh criticism for earlier attempts by the IRS to target these same organizations. On May 14, 2013, the Treasurys inspector general for tax administration released a report finding that the IRS had inappropriately targeted and applied excessive scrutiny to the applications of conservative groups applying for 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status. Several IRS employees, including the acting commissioner, resigned as a result of the scandal. Investigations by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Department of Justice are ongoing.

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Senator Blunt Co-Sponsors Bill To Prevent IRS Targeting, Protect Free Speech

CAFERTERIA MAN COMING TO FREE SPEECH TV

By: freespeechtv

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CAFERTERIA MAN COMING TO FREE SPEECH TV - Video

Died For Free Speech, Yet We Are Persecuted Today In England
please visit http://musingsofcurmudgeon.blogspot.co.uk/ sharing local news views comments FREE SPEECH!

By: Sameoldfitup Tameside

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Died For Free Speech, Yet We Are Persecuted Today In England - Video

Why You Should Know About Free Speech Me
The Home for All Things Michael W. Dean http://www.michaelwdean.com FreeSpeechMe Open-Source Free Browser Plug-In Protection Against Website Censorship and Hijacking FreeSpeechMe, the Open-Source...

By: radiofreedomus1

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Why You Should Know About Free Speech Me - Video

Do Americans Have A Free Speech Right to Flash Their Headlights? A Debate on the Sean Hannity Show
Do Americans have a free speech right to flash their headlights to warn other motorists of a speed trap? Is the Obama Administration attacking the heart of the American work ethic? Should...

By: SunnyDayAmerica

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Do Americans Have A Free Speech Right to Flash Their Headlights? A Debate on the Sean Hannity Show - Video

To inform the discussion over free speech and hate speech, this study examines the way racial, religious and ethnic slurs are employed on Twitter.

Executive summary: How to define the limits of free speech is a central debate in most modern democracies. This is particularly difficult in relation to hateful, abusive and racist speech. The pattern of hate speech is complex. But there is increasing focus on the volume and nature of hateful or racist speech taking place online; and new modes of communication mean it is easier than ever to find and capture this type of language.

How and whether to respond to certain types of language use without curbing freedom of expression in this online space is a significant question for policy makers, civil society groups, law enforcement agencies and others. This short study aims to inform these difficult decisions by examining specifically the way racial and ethnic slurs (henceforth, slurs) are used on the popular microblogging site, Twitter.

Slurs relate specifically to a set of words, terms, or nicknames which are used to refer to groups in a society in a derogatory, pejorative or insulting manner. Slurs can be used in a hateful way, but that is not always the case. Therefore, this research is not about hate speech per se, but about epistemology and linguistics: word use and meaning.

In this study, we aim to answer two following questions:

(a) In what ways are slurs being used on Twitter, and in what volume?

(b) What is the potential for automated machine learning techniques to accurately identify and classify slurs?

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Anti-social media

HRW urges Kuwait to amend laws curbing free speech
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By: MediaoneTV Live

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HRW urges Kuwait to amend laws curbing free speech - Video

Is Wellesley #39;s Underwear-Clad Statue Too Scary for Free Speech?
Is Wellesley #39;s Underwear-Clad Statue Too Scary for Free Speech?

By: Conservation

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Is Wellesley's Underwear-Clad Statue Too Scary for Free Speech? - Video

Free Speech Arrest Part 2 - Man In Fear Of Life - The TakeDown
Free Speech Arrest Part 2 - Man In Fear Of Life.

By: Yasin Degirmenci

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Free Speech Arrest Part 2 - Man In Fear Of Life - The TakeDown - Video

Free speech is both celebrated and protected in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Tennessee Constitution states, The free communication of thoughts and opinions, is one of the invaluable rights of man and every citizen may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.

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Editorial: Lawmakers must reject attempt to stifle free speech