Category Archives: Freedom of Speech

August 2023 Newsletter

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Bring Your Bible to School Day Oct. 5th

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
– The Constitution of the United States First Amendment, Ratified December 15, 1791

Bring Your Bible to School Day, created by Dr. James Dobson‟s Focus on the Family ministry, began in 2014 and has continued as an annual event. The first Thursday in October is always designated as a “student-led celebration that empowers Christian students to live out their faith. “All it takes is two simple steps – bringing your Bible to school and sharing what God‟s Word means to you.” Last year‟s Day was “an awesome success! Thanks to everyone who participated last year and [we] are looking forward to even more this year.”

Students may register online at focusonthefamily.com/Bring-Your-Bible/ and purchase Bring Your Bible to School Day badges, stickers, patches and T-shirts that are available in colors and imprinted on the front with “Bring Your Bible to School,” and “God is With You” on the back.

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023
S.1669 “AM radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023” by Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) was introduced into the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee May 17, 2023 and passed the committee July 27th. Final passage is needed because some manufacturers are leaving AM radios out of vehicles, whether or not they use electricity, gasoline or diesel fuel. It applies to motor vehicles made or imported in the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce.

AM Radio: How important is it?
AM radio provides news and talk, sports coverage, up-to-date current event data and opinion pieces; broadcasts emergencies, weather and Amber alerts, with long-distance signals that penetrate buildings, and warn multitudes of people quickly. Some stations specialize in religious programs of spiritual messages and prayer; others air classic hits and unique music genres, such as “golden-oldie” favorites of nostalgic listeners. All may include seasonal live play-by-play sports, while communicating with experts and commentators on the field.

Requirements of S.1669: The DOT and FEMA must jointly issue a rule to install as standard equipment in new motor vehicles devices that access AM broadcasting. Prior to the effective date of the rule, manufacturers must, through clear and conspicuous labeling, inform purchasers that the vehicle has no device to access AM broadcasting. DOT may assess civil penalties against any manufacturer that fails to comply with the mandate. DOJ may sue violators.

Also, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must study and report (a) what a different system would cost and (b) the cost and the time needed to develop and implement replacements.

Since S.1669, currently, awaits a full Senate vote, all U.S. senators need to be contacted. U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Osoff should hear from Georgians.

ACTION – Support. Text “AM” to 52886 or call the Capitol switchboard at 1 877 762-8762 to be connected with senators or representatives. Please ask them to keep AM radio in all motor vehicles.

Read more of the August 2023 newsletter here.

February 2020 Newsletter

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Are you ready to let 16-year-olds vote?

No person shall vote in any primary or election held in this state unless such person shall be: (1) Registered as an elector in the manner prescribed by law; (2) A citizen of this state and of the United States; (3) At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary or election in which such person seeks to vote; (4) A resident of this state and of the county or municipality in which he or she seeks to vote.
– O.C.G.A. 21-2-216(a)

H.R. 893 Vote at Age 16 in School District Elections, introduced January 16th by Democrat Representatives Sandra Scott (Dist. 76) and Kim Schofield (Dist. 60), provides for 16-year-olds to vote in elections for school board members and funding (sales and use taxes) for schools. Representative Scott’s district includes portions of Clayton and Henry Counties; Representative Schofield’s district is in portions of Clayton and Fulton County. When asked about her bill, Representative Scott explained that it is meant to encourage 16-year-olds to be more active in civics and become political activists.
ACTION – Oppose. Call Governmental Affairs Committee Representatives Rynders, Ch., 404 656-6801; Jones, V-Ch., 656-0213; Blackmon, Sec., 463-7853; Burnough, 656-0116; Collins, 656-1803; Gravley, 463-8143; Gullett, 656-0177; Lumsden, 656-5087; Nguyen, 656-0314; Oliver, 656-0265; Powell, Alan, 463-3793; Shannon, 656-7859; Taylor, 6560109; Trammell, 656-5058; Turner, 656-0152; Williams, M., 656-0287; Williams, R., 656-0287; Williamson, 656-5024; Fleming, 656-5125.

  • To read the rest of this newsletter in PDF format, please click here.

July 13, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Life & Free Speech Upheld by Supreme Court

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, July 13, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

On June 26th the Supreme Court overruled a California law that (a) forced medically licensed pro-life pregnancy centers to post in a conspicuous place in their waiting rooms signs in 22-inch font or distribute forms advertising that the state offers free or low-cost abortions. That law, also, (b) required pregnancy centers dedicated to ending abortion to include on that sign a phone number that would refer women to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.

But that law went further. It forced pregnancy centers, including religious pro-life centers that are not medically licensed by the state, to post in waiting rooms and advertisements a disclaimer in up to 13 different languages, that they are not a medical facility. During the hearing, Justice Kennedy asked, “What would happen if an unlicensed entity, unlicensed center, just had a billboard that said ‘Choose Life.’ Would they have to make the disclosure?”

The answer was “yes.” That center would have to post a disclaimer on that billboard, in the same size font as “Choose Life,” in up to 13 different languages, which would completely drown out the pro-life message. Continue reading →

June 1, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Red light, Yellow Light, Green Light

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 1, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

In this politically correct society, you’d think everyone would bend over backward to keep from offending a majority of the population, but not so! The academic elite have decided college and university students are the only folk who should not be offended. As a matter of fact, that protective mind-set has so thoroughly permeated higher education that administrators comply with the whims of students who demand cancellation of a speaker’s invitation.

If acted upon, those demands become “dis-invitations,” that may materialize in various ways – administrators may issue a formal cancellation, or students may demand cancellation, or a speaker may withdraw due to student rebellion. When speakers DO come, students may persistently disrupt or heckle them during their speech.

While surveying 449 of the 5,300 colleges and universities in the United States, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) reported serious free speech violations in a tenth of the schools. Because the federal government subsidizes public colleges, they are required to uphold the First Amendment rights of the students and faculty, as well as visiting speakers. But, right now, some schools are not doing so well with that. Continue reading →