Accountability, Not Free Speech, When Educators Cheer Assassination

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   Sharlee01posted 2 days ago

   
   
   "A conservative political action committee launched an effort to expose teachers across the country justifying Charlie Kirk’s assassination online and is pushing back on claims from the left that conservatives are being hypocritical about free speech.
   
   Stefano Forte, executive director of 1776 Project PAC, spoke to Fox News digital about the new form live on the organization’s website where users can flag teachers and administrators who have justified Kirk’s killing online, a form he says has already yielded an "endless stream of tips."
   
   "Many people are essentially happy that Charlie Kirk has been killed. And these people are in charge of the next generations," Forte said.
   
   As conservatives online have launched a variety of efforts to expose online hate directed at Kirk, numerous elected officials and pundits on the left have accused the political right of cracking down on free speech, which Forte called "ridiculous."
   
   "When they had social power, they didn’t care about our free speech at all," Forte said. They didn’t care who was canceled for having basic Republican opinions, or fired for supporting Trump, or even for retweeting Charlie Kirk. The only speech they want protected is their own."
   
   "No one is saying they can’t talk. They can post whatever they want—but there are consequences. If you’re openly celebrating the murder of Charlie Kirk, you shouldn’t be teaching children. That’s not about free speech; it’s about judgment and character. These are cruel people, and it’s dangerous to have them in classrooms."
   
   Social media posts celebrating, justifying, or downplaying Kirk’s assassination have been prevalent in the academic community, with many of the individuals losing their jobs as a result.
   
   In one case, Fox News Digital first reported that an administrator at George Washington University posted on social media his thoughts about why it was "fair" that Kirk was killed and that he felt "no thoughts" and "no prayers" over the killing.
   
   "It also points to something bigger: if you’re okay with Charlie Kirk being killed, then you’re likely okay with people who agree with him—or people further right than him—being killed too," Forte told Fox News Digital. "That’s a serious problem. So yes, we’re amplifying their speech. They chose to make it public. We’re just making sure people know what they said."
   
   The George Washington University administrator’s Facebook post was "liked" and "loved" by at least 37 people, some of whom were employed at universities across the country.
   
   "The rot is incredibly deep," Forte told Fox News Digital. " Some far-left organizations, like DSA, even put out PSAs telling their members what to post. It shows how many of these people are out there, self-reporting. They’ve gotten so comfortable in the cancel culture they built that they assumed only right-wingers could ever get in trouble for speaking their mind. They thought nothing would happen to them."  Fox News
   
   https://www.foxnews.com/politics/conser … arlie-kirk

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   Sharlee01posted 2 days ago

   My View---
   
   I couldn’t agree more with what the 1776 Project PAC is doing. This isn’t about stifling speech—it’s about exposing just how deeply the rot runs in our education system. When the very people entrusted with shaping young minds openly cheer the murder of someone they politically disagree with, it reveals a character problem that should disqualify them from the classroom. Teachers are supposed to be role models, not activists who celebrate violence.
   
   For years, the left had no problem silencing conservatives for expressing basic Republican views, calling it “accountability.” Now, when the tables turn and they’re held accountable for their own words, suddenly it’s “free speech” being violated. That double standard is dangerous, and it shows exactly why this PAC’s work matters. Our kids should not be influenced by adults who believe political assassination is “fair.”
   
   Here are just a few examples of what some educators actually said online about Charlie Kirk’s murder:
   
   Anthony Pohorilak — Assistant Director of Academic Initiatives, George Washington University’s Mount Vernon Campus. Reported to have written that Kirk’s killing was “fair” and added “no thoughts, no prayers.”
   Fox News
   
   Johnathan Perkins — Director of Race & Equity (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion office), UCLA. Reported social-media posts include phrases like “It is OKAY to be happy when someone who hated you … dies — even if they are murdered” and variants reported as “Good riddance” and similar language; UCLA placed him on administrative leave while investigating.
   Los Angeles Times
   
   Lynette Fields — English teacher, Midland Independent School District (Texas). Local reporting says she was placed on leave and then fired after allegedly telling students Kirk “got what he deserved” / “deserved what he got” in class.
   
   No one with that mindset should be trusted to teach children. Period.

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      Willowarborposted 2 days agoin reply to this

      So Ideological purity test for teachers, at every level?   And why stop just at teachers?. Tests for all?
      
      Or just come after people for their speech? Squash free speech

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         Sharlee01posted 2 days agoin reply to this

         No tests should be necessary. The hotline can serve as a warning system, but the real solution is simple: teach the subjects you were hired to teach, and keep your political opinions to yourself.

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            Willowarborposted 2 days agoin reply to this

            A hotline? Do you mean like a line to a government sanctioned agency where people turn in other people.... For their social media? For things that they say or right outside of their work environment?     All of the examples that were provided in the original posting were examples from individuals social media... So I guess the idea is to come after them for their social media postings?
            
            If I find that my child's teacher is posting things I disagree with on social media, I should report him or her?
            
            Didn't we do this once before? It was called McCarthyism

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               DrMark1961posted 34 hours agoin reply to this

               You only need to go back to COVID. Werent most Dems in favor of turning in your neighbor back then? Please prove me wrong.

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                  Willowarborposted 34 hours agoin reply to this

                  I think maybe you should try and prove your own point.. no idea what you're talking about

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                     DrMark1961posted 33 hours agoin reply to this

                     I am sorry that you are not able to tie together two basic points. You were complaining about the threat of people informing on their teachers, and I pointed out that you did not have to go all the way back to McCarthyism since it had happened quite recently when people informed on others for not wearing masks, going to the beach, etc.
                     Are you able to understand this now or do you need it is more basic language?

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                        Willowarborposted 33 hours agoin reply to this

                        "Are you able to understand this now or do you need it is more basic language?"
                        
                        First of all ... RUDE.
                        
                        Second, I live in a town that most people never wore a mask during covid and never faced any repercussion. There certainly were no 'hotlines"    But please tell me more about America...

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                           DrMark1961posted 32 hours agoin reply to this

                           The rudeness started with you, but I guess that is something you are conveniently forgetting. Do you not recall telling me I do not understand how representative government works since I do not agree on your viewpoint?

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                        Willowarborposted 31 hours agoin reply to this

                        'I am sorry that you are not able to tie together two basic points. "
                        
                        Rude.... Are you implying that I'm stupid? Because it sure seems like you're implying that I'm stupid...

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                  Sharlee01posted 33 hours agoin reply to this

                  Doc,  Good point.  During the height of COVID-19, a number of states and local governments set up hotlines or online portals where people could report neighbors, businesses, or gatherings they believed were violating pandemic restrictions. In my view, the comparison is valid because both situations actively encourage individuals to observe and report on the behavior of others. In each case, people are put in a position where they are expected to monitor the actions or words of those around them and communicate those observations to an authority or governing body. This shared dynamic, of citizens being asked to watch and report on their peers, is what makes the comparison very much alike.
                  
                  For example:
                  
                  New York City set up a “social distancing tip line” where residents could text photos of alleged violators. It was so heavily misused that it was eventually shut down.
                  
                  Los Angeles County had an online form and phone line for reporting businesses or gatherings that weren’t complying with restrictions.
                  
                  Illinois, Kentucky, and other states also encouraged residents to report violations of mask mandates, capacity limits, or stay-at-home orders. In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear specifically asked people to report mass gatherings over Easter in 2020.
                  
                  So yes, in practice, people were asked by government authorities to “turn in” their neighbors or businesses if they thought they were breaking COVID rules.

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                     Willowarborposted 33 hours agoin reply to this

                     What's a good point? This didn't exist.

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                        Sharlee01posted 33 hours agoin reply to this

                        Bait

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                     DrMark1961posted 32 hours agoin reply to this

                     I am not in favor of those types of programs since no matter how well meaning they start people end up abusing them, kind of like what you mentioned in NY.
                     It is amazing how those people that were so in favor of them are now the ones telling you that reporting the teachers is a bad thing. I guess this is a case of "for thee but not for me".

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                        Willowarborposted 31 hours agoin reply to this

                        I'm not a in favor of hotlines for turning anyone in...

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                           Readmikenowposted 30 hours agoin reply to this

                           Surprising.  During COVID...the democrats were all in on hotlines for turning in people.
                           
                           How Should You Report Social-Distancing Violations? (Hint: Don’t Dial 911.)
                           
                           KEY FACTS
                           Police in Ohio, Michigan and San Antonio have asked residents to call non-emergency lines if they wish to report social distancing noncompliance.
                           
                           But in Chicago, callers reporting social distancing noncompliance to 311 are forwarded to 911, because it is considered a life-threatening situation, according to The Chicago Tribune.
                           
                           “We believe people should absolutely not call 911 for this type of thing,” Jim Burch, the president of the National Police Foundation, told Forbes.
                           
                           According to Burch, the best way to report social distancing violations is to call a local public health organization, who receive specific training and have proved successful in shifting community behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic.
                           
                           Calling 911 to report social distancing violations would flood emergency lines, overwhelm already-limited agency resources, unnecessarily introduce more people into the problem at hand and place police in “an untenable situation,” Burch said.
                           
                           While some jurisdictions have treated social distancing as a matter of criminal law, Burch told Forbes that in his eyes, “certainly, not calling 911 is a better approach.”
                           
                           https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieport … -dial-911/

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                              Willowarborposted 28 hours agoin reply to this

                              Lol.... Doesn't  change my statement or stance.. I'm not for hotlines set up for neighbors to turn in neighbors....

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                                 Readmikenowposted 28 hours agoin reply to this

                                 Maybe not, but it seems most liberal democrats love it if they can get away with it.

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                           DrMark1961posted 30 hours agoin reply to this

                           They have those in the UK at the moment.

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                        Sharlee01posted 30 hours agoin reply to this

                        I find it hypocritical. I’ve come to feel that we often end up borrowing from their logic—giving back as good as they gave. The PAC is most likely set up as a deterrent for teachers, encouraging them to keep their political views out of the classroom. A few months ago, I might not have supported a website for reporting teachers who bring politics into the classroom, but I’ve rethought it. I now feel that the rhetoric may be starting in classrooms, spreading from there, and influencing young adults in ways that could amount to a form of brainwashing. Just consider what we are witnessing from our youth. We can’t ignore the need to examine what they are being exposed to in schools and universities.
                        
                        As a conservative, I’ve come to realize I’ve ignored a lot of rot in society—and I’m not willing to do that any longer. I saw a young man shot just for speaking his views and sharing his faith, and his death was celebrated, most likely by people who never even heard him speak a word. It sickened me to my core. I see now that complacency and placation have allowed a truly vile root to take hold. So I hope this new website will help rein in any teacher who thinks they have the right to bring their political agenda into a classroom.   They're getting what they dished out... And your pointing this out was on the money,
                        
                        DrMark1961 wrote:
                        You only need to go back to COVID. Weren't most Dems in favor of turning in your neighbor back then? Please prove me wrong.

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                           Willowarborposted 28 hours agoin reply to this

                           "I might not have supported a website for reporting teachers who bring politics into the classroom,"
                           
                           Your original post had nothing to do with the classroom, did it? It was revolved around opinions on social media and outlets outside of the classroom...

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               Sharlee01posted 33 hours agoin reply to this

               I’ve already shared my view, but I’ll add this — I think it’s a sad day when a site like this even has to exist. There’s far too much hate speech out there, and far too little being done to rein it in. What’s worse is that it now seems to be openly accepted by some, when not that long ago it never would have been tolerated.

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                  Willowarborposted 33 hours agoin reply to this

                  View noted...hotline to turn in people for the contents of their social media or speech outside of a work environment.
                  
                  MAKE MCCARTHYISM  GREAT AGAIN

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                     Sharlee01posted 33 hours agoin reply to this

                     Thanks for sharing your view. Hopefully, you don't feel the need to add the same repetitively.

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                  Willowarborposted 31 hours agoin reply to this

                  Maybe hate speech can't be "reigned in" because it is protected under the First amendment? 
                  
                  I remember on this very forum when Elon musk purchased Twitter and posters here were so pleased with the free speech absolutist stance he was taking... And now we're looking for  hotlines to report neighbors???

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                     Sharlee01posted 30 hours agoin reply to this

                     Looks like some are fighting back. That's what I see. Giving back all that was given.

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                        Willowarborposted 28 hours agoin reply to this

                        People can either support the First amendment as written or not. It's really just as simple as that.  I find it unusual that the followers of Charlie Kirk would be taking such an opposing position to his on speech.

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