Last Wednesday, angry at being ordered by a federal court to run our ad criticizing Hamas and Islamic antisemitism, the New York City MTA voted to ban all political ads. Pamela Geller was there; she has a full account here, and you can see her own impassioned and eloquent remarks in defense of the freedom of speech and in opposition to the ban here. Go to PamelaGeller.com for more news and video about this.
AFDI is challenging this ban, which applies to everyone but was adopted solely in order to silence our ads — as they were the only ones discussed at the MTA Board meeting. Lawyers David Yerushalmi and Robert Muise have already written to the MTA stating that our ads are not political, and hence should run. We’ll see how these fascist foes of free discourse respond.
“Group behind anti-jihad ads challenges MTA ban,” by Rebecca Harshbarger and Rich Calder, New York Post, April 30, 2015:
The group that wants to run an anti-Muslim ad on city buses filed a letter in Manhattan federal court on Thursday charging that their ad is a public service and the MTA’s new policy violates its constitutional rights.
Judge John Koeltl ruled earlier this month that the MTA had to run an ad by The American Freedom Defense Initiative that read “Killing Jews is Worship that draws us close to Allah,” as well as “That’s His Jihad. What’s yours?”
On Wednesday, the MTA banned all political, religious, and opinion ads from the transit system following a fierce debate among officials over the First Amendment.
It still allows public service announcements, as well as commercial and governmental ads.
The MTA had filed a letter in court last Friday that said their proposed ad policy had rendered the AFDI’s claims “moot.”
The AFDI fired back in a letter on Thursday that “its public service advertisement is an educational message,” and that the MTA’s claims were “legally deficient, if not frivolous.”
It then urged the judge to require the MTA to show the controversial ad immediately.
It’s new policy prohibits any ads that advocate a political, religious, moral, or social message.
It also bans any ads that encourage unsafe behavior in the transit system.
The MTA said Thursday it was reviewing the letter.
Champ says
The New York City MTA is on the *wrong* side here by barring free speech and the truth; and in the end silencing the unvarnished truth about Hamas and Islamic antisemitism is foolish and dangerous. The truth sets people free, and hiding it simply isn’t fair and just …
Jay Airahs says
Golly gee, I am so surprised that Justin is not all over this in support of free speech and to criticize the West for surrendering to political correctness.
It seems that:
by contrast, whenever Muslims take pre-pubescent girls as sex slaves he will be all over that and go into a long off-topic diversionary rant about the perverted gay LGBT’s controlling the West.
If Muslims behead Christian children he will blame America.
I bet that Justin’s Islamic pray mat is wore through from him furiously pounding his head to get the perfect head bump.
duh_swami says
I see no merit in attacking a poster who is not here to defend himself…’A word to the wise should be sufficient’…
Jay Airahs says
Not to wise,
to kiss up to anti-Christian scum, duh_swami
Yes duh_swami will criticize Justin and even Ismail (sort of) as a foil.
But don’t you just love these trolls that lay out your menu on a platter?
I suspect that if the shit hits the fan and Muzzies get the upper hand you may not like it but will console yourself by painting “n” on the doors of Christian homes.
duh_swami , said
“Justin… I do believe homosexuals are living in sin and yes, they will be punished for that sin unless they repent of their sin and turn to God.
Who is going to punish them, Justin? What if they don’t believe in your ‘sin’? Are atheists going to be punished for not believing in sin as well? Who is this God you refer to?”
Who are you really criticizing here? — duh_swami — hint (not Justin)
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2015/04/imam-of-the-kaaba-islam-is-a-religion-of-peace-love-and-compassion/comment-page-2#comment-1228040
Beagle says
Pamela joins the ranks of greats like Logan of Logan Act fame, Wilt Chamberlain of three seconds, or Sam Snead of the straddle putting rule. She has officially caused her own personal Geller law to be created.
What is most ironic is that the message of her ad can be legally preached in any mosque in New York, but quoting that Friday sermon and attempting to make it public could now be banned on buses.
Linde Barrera says
God bless Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer. Amen.
mortimer says
Pamela is a prophetess.
Rob says
‘Group punishments’ nuttin’ like ’em!
nacazo says
frivolous changing of the goalposts. Irreparable harm to AFDI as they could not exercise their freedom of speech in response to the original anti-Israel ads.
Peggy says
I am so glad that there are people like Robert and Pamela to fight for us all.
Without free speech we are all doomed to a life of bondage. I may totally disagree with a statement but a person making that statement should be allowed to make it. If what they say is wrong or hurtful they will pay the price in the court of public opinion but no government should restrict the statement.
No matter how upsetting the truth is the most important thing.
Jay Airahs says
@Peggy
EXCELLENT CON JOB Peggy
Peggy, the defender of the atrocious troll (Justin) is tossing out a TURD coated with sugar here.
I guess Peggy can be trusted after all — NOT
Knowing full well of Peggy’s habit of playing innocent while slipping in a curve ball I, noticed that what might be an innocent comment had another commenter said it very suspicious wording here.
The main point Peggy is trying to make here is “If what they say is wrong or hurtful ”
The defender of Justin’s first sentence “I am so glad that there are people like Robert and Pamela to fight for us all.” is just a magician’s diversion to draw attention away from Peggy’s passive aggressive payload of “If what they say is wrong or hurtful ”
Here is a recent sample of Peggy using the Bait of false equivalence:
“I find it extremely disturbing that some Christians are so radical about their Christianity and fail to see that they are becoming just as intolerant as the other side.”
Champ says
“I find it extremely disturbing that some Christians are so radical about their Christianity and fail to see that they are becoming just as intolerant as the other side.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
True, Jay. And the above comment from peggy was directed at me, on that Bosnia thread; and those who know me best, know that I am certainly NOT “radical” or “becoming just as intolerant as the other side”, as she alleges. Her message was just as you stated: false equivalence.
BTW, I saw your comment on that thread–again, thank you!
Jay Airahs says
That (defender of Justin), Peggy is a clever one.
Her sweet and innocent coyness does not cut it when she defends slimy trolls like Justin and uses false equivalence to attack you.
Champ says
Yes–I think you’re right, Jay; that does make sense.
Champ says
ps Jay,
Like you pointed out–it’s all bait, anyway …
Jay Airahs says
We can be certain that whenever Peggy uses the word “radical” and “Christianity” in the same sentence around like minded people, she and her ilk are not referring to just ‘some’ Christians but are stereotyping us all so they can feel better about themselves at our expense.
Champ says
Oops, I meant to post that comment down here …
Yes–I think you’re right, Jay; that does make sense.
🙂
Firebug says
It would be nice if readers could come here to read what’s not broadcast/published by the MSM without having to read all this name-calling crap. Specifically, the users Justin and Peggy, who although I personally don’t agree with, have a right to voice their opinions.
The irony is delicious: article about free speech and how it’s being shouted down all over the West, and we get you two slavering over Peggy’s comments like a couple of rabid dogs, and how the readers of this site should disregard anything they post because they do not conform to your view.
I think you guys would do well in Leftist politics – you seem to be totally against free speech.
Peggy says
Well said.
If you read my comment on this topic you will see that I have not said anything wrong and yet I am attacked again and again. They just can’t stop.
Free speech? Well only when you can convince some that you are telling the truth. I don’t defend anyone, as I have stated time and time again, I defend free speech but it seems that I am anti Jesus and a liar because of it.
Amazing how they can pick my posts apart but don’t seem to see how they are filled with venom and unleash it whenever they see someone they can’t get to feed their ego.
Those three should get a room.
Peggy says
Actually I still don’t get what exactly they disagree with me about. I have stated many times how much I hate Islam and the west should not have supported any of them. It will be impossible to find one comment I made that contradicts that. So, really I think we don’t actually disagree but because I dared to point out that Justin should not be called names and attacked, they turned on me too.
So I would really like to know what exactly they, and yes you too actually disagree with.
I thank you for being respectful about it. I don’t mind when people disagree with me at all but it would help to know exactly what I said that was on the nose.
Jay Airahs says
Firebug or should I say Peggy the Hypocrite
Cut the crap.
I am not disputing Peggy’s opinion about Bosnia or the history of Europe.
If Peggy wishes to defend Justin’s outrageous attempt to smear Christianity with his hateful irreverence than I have a right to use my free speech to expose their SHAM.
Vulgar Justin calls himself a Christian then attempts to define Christians by the Muslim/Leftist stereotype as hateful radical and irreverent.
Yet Peggy then has the shameless hypocrisy to criticize Champ and complain that “radical Christians” are like radical Muslims while completely ignoring her support of Justin the troll posing as a foaming at the mouth “radical Christian”.
Can’t have it both ways and not expect to be called out for it.
That is a Muslim’s sense of entitlement type thinking.
My conclusion is that both Peggy and Justin are LYING TROLLS.
Champ says
Jay, I bet you’re right, since “firebug” has only shown up on threads where peggy/justin post comments. Hmm, and double hmm …
Good catch, Jay!
Champ says
Jay wrote:
If Peggy wishes to defend Justin’s outrageous attempt to smear Christianity with his hateful irreverence than I have a right to use my free speech to expose their SHAM.
Vulgar Justin calls himself a Christian then attempts to define Christians by the Muslim/Leftist stereotype as hateful radical and irreverent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Indeed, Jay; and yesterday ‘justin’ left yet *another* vulgar comment directed at me and another poster (on the Bosnia thread), but that very gross comment got removed. I have it in my personal files, but no way will I show it here. Subsequently, yesterday all of ‘justin’s’ comments were removed–again.
You also wrote:
Yet Peggy then has the shameless hypocrisy to criticize Champ and complain that “radical Christians” are like radical Muslims while completely ignoring her support of Justin the troll posing as a foaming at the mouth “radical Christian”.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes–this is also true, Jay. Anyone interested can read through the Bosnia thread and see for themselves. Her lies are all right there in black ‘n white. And yet here she plays the victim and pretends to be clueless about what she has *done wrong* regarding her own offenses and insults directed at me. Just more lies courtesy ‘peggy’.
Anonymous says
I have to agree with Firebug. Justin and Peggy, in the few comments of theirs that I did read, appear to be doing nothing more than pointing out that the western governments, especially the US has sided with the muslim cause on numerous occasions, even before Obama’s ‘reign’.
The only sentiments that their statements indicate are those of pessimism and skepticism (again directed at the US government). I find myself agreeing with many of their statements, that does not mean I am or they are undercover muslims.
Offer binshtok says
Pamela Geller: You can find in most of advertising, connection to religion:
1. The short clothes = religion
2. Clothing covering the woman with head covering = religion.
3. Halal food advertising = religion.
4. Advertising for food is not halal = religion.
You can find in almost every advertising, a religious-cultural message of some kind.
Sue them and you will prevail!
Brian Hoff says
It is culture not religion. The Christmas tree is culture not religious many christian donot Christmas as Christ birthday anymore.
duh_swami says
The group that wants to run an anti-Muslim ad on city buses
‘Anti-Muslim’ is a device, used to make the issue personal to Mahoundians, painting a target on the back of anti-jihad freedom fighters…When I see that, I know a load of BS is to follow…
Creative attacks on free speech are still attacks on free speech.
Always On Watch says
But “public service ads” promoting the whitewash of Islam are fine and dandy.
Just look at what is happening to America!
Peggy says
A lot of taqyia is happening in America as in the rest of the western world.
The media, government and the wider establishment are in on it too. We are constantly told so much BS that it’s sickening.
Truth has a way of coming out and it will but I fear it may be at a high cost, especially to our children and grandchildren.
Thank God for brave people like Robert, Pamela, John Pilger, Julia Gorin, Brigitte Gabriel and so many others who are prepared to take the anger and ridicule of so many brainwashed.
cs says
I don’t really feel that the AFDI messages are to be on the vehicles, but those guys displayed CAIR messages against Israel, so really that is taking sides. Now they are pretending they are apolitical, they are just hypocritical.
Mike Holt, CEO RestoreAustralia says
I wonder if the MTA would have responded the same way if the adverts were aimed at the Catholic Church for protecting pedophiles?
Peggy says
Champ says
May 1, 2015 at 7:55 pm
Jay, I bet you’re right, since “firebug” has only shown up on threads where peggy/justin post comments. Hmm, and double hmm …
Good catch, Jay!
=======================
All I can say is that you must be off your meds.
Your implications are not only wrong but they sound very foolish. Can you give it a rest?
Anyone who disagrees with you now or in any way supports a part of my statement automatically becomes Justin. I know you think that I am Justin and now you think that Firebug is also Justin as well as another person but i can’t quite remember the name now.
Do you not for one second think that maybe, just maybe, other people see how disturbed you sound and want to point it out?