Mary Margaret Olohan on April 22, 2021

• Twitter is refusing to address whether a tweet by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James violated the platform’s terms of service.
• “YOU’RE NEXT,” James tweeted to his millions of followers with the hashtag #ACCOUNTABILITY. He has since deleted the tweet.
• Twitter’s policy warns that users may “not engage in the targeted harassment of someone, or incite other people to do so. This includes wishing or hoping that someone experiences physical harm.” 

Twitter is refusing to address whether a tweet by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James violated the platform’s terms of service.

James tweeted, then deleted, a picture Wednesday of Ohio police officer Nicholas Reardon who shot 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant as she attempted to stab another girl, body cam footage showed.

“YOU’RE NEXT,” James tweeted to his millions of followers with the hashtag #ACCOUNTABILITY. He has since deleted the tweet.

The Daily Caller News Foundation began asking Twitter whether the tweet violated the platform’s terms of service around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday. Twitter did not respond to the DCNF’s request before James deleted the tweet around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Twitter’s policy warns that users may “not engage in the targeted harassment of someone, or incite other people to do so.” “This includes wishing or hoping that someone experiences physical harm.”

Twitter spokesman Trenton Kennedy told the DCNF Thursday morning that “our teams do not evaluate Tweets that have been removed.”

Kennedy did not return a further request for comment from the DCNF noting that the tweet was up for over an hour and garnered tens of thousands of likes and retweets. James has almost 50,00,000 followers.

The social media platform locked the New York Post out of its account in October after it published a report on alleged emails from Hunter Biden’s laptop that allegedly showed Hunter and his father, president-elect Joe Biden, met with an executive from the Ukrainian gas company Burisma in 2015.

Twitter also censored the story on its platform, prevented users from tweeting or sending the link, and locked the accounts of a number of high-profile Twitter users, such as former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who attempted to post the link.

The social media platform also repeatedly censored former President Donald Trump’s tweets during the 2020 presidential election with the caption: “Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is disputed and might be misleading about an election or other civic process.”

Twitter’s silence comes amid massive media misinformation on 16-year-old Bryant’s death.

Media outlets and public figures immediately reported Tuesday afternoon that police had killed an unarmed girl, though body camera footage from the incident showed Bryant pushing one woman down on the sidewalk before swinging a knife at a different woman.

Police shot Bryant multiple times after they repeatedly told her to “get down.”

Twitter itself sparked a backlash through its description of Bryant’s death in a Wednesday Twitter Moment that made no mention of the fact that Bryant had a knife and was attempting to stab another black woman.

Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF on why it did not include the full picture surrounding Bryant’s death.

The post Twitter Refuses To Address Whether Lebron James Tweet Violated Terms Of Service appeared first on The Libertarian Republic.

Mary Margaret Olohan on October 24, 2020

Religious nuns wearing “Make America Great Again” masks at President Donald Trump’s rally excited the attention of Twitter users Saturday evening.

At least three different nuns can be seen standing behind the president as he spoke Saturday night in Circleville, Ohio. The nuns, dressed in white, black and purple habits and wearing crosses around their necks, also wore black masks with the letters “MAGA” on them, were in the front row of the Trump rally.

One nun held a bible in her hands, pictures show, while others held rosaries.

The nuns can be seen applauding throughout the president’s speech, as Twitter users noted.

The post MAGA Mask Wearing Nuns Steal The Show At Trump Rally appeared first on The Libertarian Republic.

Thomas Catenacci on October 23, 2020

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden promised Thursday that if elected he would both “transition from the oil industry” and not ban fracking.

The former vice president said his administration would phase out the oil industry, but denied saying he ever opposed fracking during the second and final 2020 presidential debate.

“I do rule out banning fracking,” Biden said.

President Donald Trump responded saying that in the past Biden had supported a fracking ban “on tape.”

“The fact of the matter is, he is flat lying,” Biden said. “I have never said I oppose fracking.”

Biden promised “no new fracking” during a CNN Democratic debate in March. His climate plan calls for an “emissions-free power sector” by 2035.

The topic of fracking led to the candidates’ views on the oil industry more broadly during Thursday’s debate.

“Would you close down the oil industry?” Trump asked Biden.

Biden responded: “I would transition from the oil industry, yes.”

“Because the oil industry pollutes,” Biden added after debate moderator Kristen Welker pushed him on the topic.

Trump called Biden’s comments on the oil industry a “big statement” later noting that it would not help the former vice president’s election prospects in Pennsylvania, Texas or Ohio.

The post Joe Biden Denies Ever Saying He Opposed Fracking But Promises To Eliminate Oil Industry appeared first on The Libertarian Republic.

Andrew Kerr on March 15, 2020

The governors of Ohio and Illinois announced Sunday that they will sign orders closing all bars and restaurants in their states to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that his order will close all bars and restaurants in the state indefinitely starting at 9 p.m. Sunday. Establishments will still be able to provide carry-out and delivery service to their customers, DeWine said.

“What we can’t have is people congregating and seated,” he said.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, announced on Sunday that he will also be signing an order closing all bars and restaurants to dine-in customers in his state starting at the close of business Monday.

However, unlike DeWine’s, Pritzker’s order is set to expire on March 30.

“The time for persuasion and public appeals is over,” Pritzker said. “The time for action is here. This is not a joke. No one is immune to this, and you have an obligation to act in the best interests of all people of this state.”

Both Ohio and Illinois are scheduled to hold presidential primary elections Tuesday. The top election officials in both states joined officials from Arizona and Florida, which also vote Tuesday, saying voters can “safely and securely” cast ballots since polling locations don’t produce the same level of exposure as other types of mass gatherings.

Pritzker said Sunday when announcing his restaurant closure order that he will not postpone Tuesday’s primary, saying “democracy must continue.”

“If we delayed the election, it is unclear when we might be able to hold another one,” Pritzker said.

The restaurant and bar closures in Ohio and Illinois follow the closures of schools in at least 20 states due to coronavirus.

Ohio may keep its schools closed for the remainder of the year, DeWine said on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.

“I have learned about talking to the experts, it’s not just one thing, [we] have to do a lot of different things and do them early,” the Ohio governor said. “And that’s what we’re trying to do in Ohio.”

This article is republished with permission from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The post All Bars And Restaurants In Ohio, Illinois To Close Due To Coronavirus Pandemic appeared first on The Libertarian Republic.

The comparison has seemingly gained traction following a photograph that has gone viral from a protest of a wave of new anti-abortion laws. The photo making the rounds on social media is of three girls holding a sign that says Parasites Don’t Have Rights.

The claim that a fetus is a parasite derives from the act of a fetus being hosted by the mother, who provides nutrients for the developing human.

Forget the dehumanization factor. Is the statement that a fetus is a parasite even accurate?

Short answer? No.

Long answer? Noooooooo.

The relationship between a parasite and the host is a form of symbiosis. A pregnancy is also a form of symbiosis, but what makes a pregnancy non-parasitic is mutualism.

In other words, a parasite holds a one sided relationship and provides absolutely no benefit to the host. A fetus on the other hand, provides a number of health benefits to the mother. These include immune system boosts that protect against various ailments like heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and even forms of cancer.

Furthermore, there are three classes of parasites, none of which describes a fetus. The protozoa is a single celled parasite, and a cluster of cells is certainly outside of that class. The second are helminths which are worms, and a fetus was only ever going to develop into a human and a not a worm. The third are ectoparasites like mosquitoes and ticks that attach themselves to the skin’s surface, which again cannot describe a fetus.

There is no medical or scientific case for a fetus to be called a parasite. The only case to be made is strictly hyperbole. And if we’re going to argue in hyperbole, turnabout is fair game.

The post Is A Fetus A Parasite? appeared first on The Libertarian Republic.

For every action there is a reaction. When the pendulum swings one direction, it will swing the other. The emergence of these laws being passed is a response to New York and Virginia’s extreme legislation allowing an abortion during delivery. That is never a medical necessity, and you have a completely viable baby by anyone’s standards at full term.

Alabama just signed into law a total ban on the procedure outside of medical necessity.

Missouri, as well, just passed a heartbeat bill, which appears to be the straw that broke the camel’s back on Social Media. With the passage of Missouri’s bill, the rest of the country has lit up the internet.

If you have spent any time on Facebook or Twitter, you’ve seen posts about the topic and arguing in the replies.

You’ve likely noticed the Pro Choice side framing the debate as an attack on women by men. That men are making these choices for women. This framing relies on the supposition that Pro Choice men are in the vast minority (The Few, The Proud, The Brave). It also assumes that Pro Life women are in the vast minority, or virtually non-existent.

The most recent data (2018) from Gallup indicates that this topic does not have a functional minority.

47% of men are Pro Choice while 49% are Pro Life.

48% of women are Pro Choice while 47% are Pro Life.

The margin of error is +/- 4 points, so these numbers are close enough together that we can safely assume an even working split with both men and women.

So what we really have is half of men and women vs the other half of men and women. The incorrect men vs women framing has effectively discounted half of all women. The Pro Life half of women.

Half of all women are being marginalized. They’re being told to shut up or are being ignored completely; as if they’re a fringe minority and not real women. Their voices are falling on the deaf ears of people supposedly fighting for their interest.

So I asked Pro Life Women. I sought them out and I heard them. I ask you to hear them too.

“Using your young daughters as political props in favor of abortion seems a little disingenuous when you tell pro-life women that you hope our daughters are raped because we disagree with you. As does pretending to care about women who miscarry when you call their babies “parasites” and “clumps of cells”. Also that whole thing about supporting the abortion of those very same daughters if they were just a tad bit younger.”

-Amanda R

“I’m pro-life because I believe everyone, including the unborn, has the right to live. I believe they are just as much a human being before birth as they are after.

I’m frustrated by the fact that many pro-life advocates have made the issue a religious one, rather than one based in science and human rights.

But I’m even more disturbed by the SJW’s strawman narrative that the pro-life movement is solely made up of old white men who want to outlaw birth control and give the death penalty to those who miscarry.”

– Hannah C

“I’m tired of men (liberal men) telling me my opinion is wrong. I’m tired of being shamed by other women for being pro-life…..when I have NEVER shamed a woman for having an abortion (Outside the celebrities that brag about theirs).”

– Crystal S

“I believe all human beings deserve the chance to live, be loved, and pursue their purpose. I believe in the humanity of the unborn.”

– Jamie B

“One of the big arguments I get from the pro-choice group is that we already have kids that are living in poverty and foster care. At some point we have to admit that it is NOT better to be dead rather than poor.”

– Jennifer W

“When my mother found out she was pregnant with me, she was about 5 months in. She was 39 so she thought it was just menopause. She was RH negative, I was positive, and her blood was trying to kill me. They told her there was a chance I would be born a vegetable. Or just with hearing damage. Glad I got the chance to find out which.”

– [Protected Source]

“I was pro-choice up until about two years ago. I thought the choice to kill should be available to a woman if her life is at risk because of a pregnancy. I came to think that was pretty selfish. I am normally selfish but to think it’s ok to a kill my baby to save myself is just too much. The rationalizing of abortion became invalid to me.”

– Maria E

“All human life should be cherished, even the unborn.”

– Olivia O

“It baffles me that I am portrayed as being evil for wanting to protect life.”

– Andrea G

“I am pro life- and have been since I became aware of Roe v  Wade in 1973. It is not just a faith issue for me- it is one of the intrinsic worth of human beings and the fact that we have a right to life enshrined by Natural Law as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence. I grew up with a special needs brother and am the better for it.  My husband and I donate to help mothers and children in distress, we adopted our sons, and help to raise our grandson. I truly believe what is going on with abortion is nothing less than infanticide, and I will have no part in being complicit.”

– Elisabeth Y

“Abortion on demand is oppression disguised as empowerment.

Stop telling women they can’t have children and a career and start telling them they’re capable of both.”

-Addyson G

“I am pro-life because I believe life begins at conception and therefore human rights begin at conception.  I believe we have a duty to speak up for those who have no voice. They deserve to live.”

– Tamara W

“My son is adopted. He was conceived in rape and incest. When we were afforded the opportunity to adopt him, there was never a moment’s hesitation. This is how we felt about all babies–all of them are wanted by someone.

I’ve heard all kinds of words being said. The nicest is that they are “unwanted”. The cruel words are “rape fetus”, “monster”, “not intended by God”. And yet, I look at my son who is beautiful, smart, and perfect in every way, and I see a blessing.

– [Protected Source]

“I have been pro life, but used to think that a woman should be able to get one before a fetus is viable as long as no taxpayer money goes towards abortions. Then my friend had an abortion and I found out she used absolutely no form of protection or contraception. Why should an innocent being have to be killed because people are irresponsible? I think I read that 99% of abortions performed as a means of birth control. Abortions were supposed to be rare, even Bill Clinton is quoted as saying that. I wish people would realize sex is a big deal and be more responsible about the consequences of it.”

– Hera B

“From a purely logistical perspective, a baby born at 22-23 weeks today has at least a shot at survival. Even as recently as a decade ago, death would have been almost imminent.

I’m uncomfortable with a human’s perceived value or worth being even partly contingent on available science and technology.”

– Judith K

“I am a pro life libertarian. Life begins at conception and one of the few things government is suppose to do is protect life. Those who claim otherwise seem to be conflating anarchism with libertarianism.”

– Padi P

“I was raped at 16 and never did I ever think that abortion was a way out.

My childhood was broken, no father figure in my life, multiple men, not a Christian. I knew that abortion, even at 6 weeks was not an option.

My only options were to carry my child and raise him or put him up for adoption.

He is now on a full ride to his college choice, in his 3rd year majoring in biology to become a genetic counselor.”

– [Protected Source]

The post Dear Pro Life Women: I Hear You appeared first on The Libertarian Republic.

Grace Carr on December 23, 2018

Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill Friday banning dilation and evacuation abortions, common second-trimester abortion methods.

Senate Bill 145 prohibits doctors from performing dilation and evacuation abortions, an abortion method used when women are between 13 and 24 weeks pregnant. Dilation abortion involves tearing the fetus apart limb by limb so that the body parts can be extracted from the womb.

The law makes exceptions for cases where the mother’s life is in danger. No exceptions for rape, incest or fetal abnormalities are included in the bill, Fox31 reported Saturday.

“The method ban dangerously limits people’s options, undermines patients’ constitutional right to access safe, legal abortion, and compromises medical providers’ decision making,” Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio president Iris Harvey said in a statement, according to Fox31.

Pro-life Ohioans applaud the new law. “Ohioans can sleep easier tonight, knowing that the horrendous practice of dismemberment abortions is behind us,” said Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis, Fox31 reported.

Thank you Governor @JohnKasichfor passing this law which will protect Ohio’s babies from being barbarically dismembered in the womb. #EndDismemberment

— Ohio Right to Life (@ohiolife) December 21, 2018

The ban on dismemberment abortions comes after Kasich vetoed a billbanning abortion upon the presence of a baby’s heartbeat in late November. He vetoed a similar “heartbeat bill” in 2016.

The ban on dismemberment abortions also comes amid a myriad of violations by Ohio abortion clinics. Your Choice Healthcare opened July 9 on the Northeast Side of Columbus, Ohio and was sued not even two weeks later for violating its contract. (RELATED: Watch Woman Sing Creepy Lullaby To Baby She Aborted As A Blessing On Abortion Clinic)

Toledo Capital Care faces a $40,000 fine following an April 2017 Ohio Department of Health (DOH) inspection revealing that the clinic staffed failed to follow its own emergency procedure, according to The Blade. The clinic also failed to provide the paperwork requested by Ohio’s DOH on April 11, 2017.

State inspectors found 24 violations at the Toledo abortion clinic in the past 10 years, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

WATCH:

Nine other states ban dismemberment abortions, but the laws are only active in Mississippi and West Virginia, according to Fox31.

The number of U.S. abortions has hit a historic low, according to the latest numbers from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Nov. 21.

Ohio’s new dismemberment ban will become effective in March, according to Fox31.

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The post Ohio Bans Second Trimester Abortions appeared first on The Libertarian Republic.

by Nick Givas

“Today I’m having formal announcement for candidacy, I’m running for governor of Ohio. The Democratic nomination,” he said. “I’m really charged this morning and I’m very excited to take this big step forward on behalf of the people of Ohio.”

Host Steve Doocy pointed out how President Donald Trump won Ohio by more than eight points and asked how Kucinich, a liberal Democrat, would appeal to middle America voters.

“I think I represent the mainstream and aspirations for jobs and healthcare and education and for a better environment and all kinds of economic progress in the state,” Kucinich replied.

He then pivoted from liberal priorities and also embraced stances important to the Trump voter base, including the economy and financial markets.

“I know there is another Democrat in Ohio who could run for office and do. I can reach out to the people who voted for President Trump. I can show them that there are Democrats who stand solidly for economic progress. Who want to protect our markets, who want to stand up for everyday Americans,” he continued.

“That’s my constituency too,” Kucinich added. “I’m reaching out and I’m not going to leave anyone out of the picture.”

Earlier this month, Kucinich warned Democrats not to focus on impeaching Trump and said focusing on economic growth would be the best thing for the party and the American people.

You can Follow Nick on Twitter and Facebook

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