Falwell cleared in election statement

Washington Times ^ | 7/20/05 | Bob Lewis

[ZGuy]

The Federal Election Commission has cleared the Rev. Jerry Falwell of a charge that he broke federal election law by urging followers last summer to re-elect President Bush, Mr. Falwell's attorney said Monday.

Mr. Falwell, the founder of television's long-running "Old Time Gospel Hour," was exercising a "press exemption" that gives him the same right to speak on politics as publishers, columnists and editorialists, attorney Mathew D. Staver said in a press release.

Mr. Staver said the FEC notified him that it had ruled in Mr. Falwell's favor by a vote of 6-0. The release also was published Monday on the Web site of Mr. Staver's organization, Liberty Counsel. "Dr. Falwell does not lose his right to personal expression each election cycle," Mr. Staver said. "As a member of the media, the media outlets through which he communicates enjoy the protection of the First Amendment, just as much as The Washington Times."

[since1868]

This is good news!

[Leonard210]

Congrats Dr. Falwell. This is an enormous defeat for the Dems as they have been able in recent election cycles to silence Christians through intimidation by the IRS.

[An.American.Expatriate]

WTF??

A "press" exemption???

So, now I need to be a member of the "press" in order to talk to a group of people about my political beliefs during an election cycle??

I just LOVE CFR and the Blacked Robed Thugs who upheld this violation of my freedom of speech . . .

[KC_Conspirator]

Then why is the NY Slimes not on trial for endorsing Kerry for President just 16 days before the election last November?

[wideawake]

So, now I need to be a member of the "press" in order to talk to a group of people about my political beliefs during an election cycle?

NO, you need to be a member of the "press" in order to talk to a group of people about my political beliefs during an election cycle IF you are simultaneously claiming a tax exemption because you are talking to those people.

The lesson here, for any pastor who is payinmg attention, is to set up your own journalistic blog or become a columnist or regular at some website or blog. In this way, one can claim exemption and still give one's flock guidance in godly citizenship.

[An.American.Expatriate]

So I CAN take out a full page ad in the NYT National Edition telling people to vote for "X" the day of the election??

WOW! That's news......

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

The results are good. The reasoning is lousy. Why should the press have more rights than the rest of us?

[since1868]

I am not sure that was the reson for this ruling.
He was not preaching to his church at the time.

[StonyBurk]

Pure harrassment by the Infidel like Barry Lynn who once
professed to be an ordained minister -but could not find in Scripture any passage to verify his wicked claims of
what Scripture (according to the unbeliever) supposedly declares. Today it is rare indeed to find a Preacher who will speak the Truth in Love and not clear it with the
church board first to edit out anyhting Scripture says so
clearly relative to the moral decay seen today. Lest any
unbeliever be offended and take the church before the unjust Judges.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

My point being that it seems hypocritical to me to allow the press a free pass anytime and anyplace, but to slam religionists gratuitiously.

[El Gato]

Then why is the NY Slimes not on trial for endorsing Kerry for President just 16 days before the election last November?

Press exemption. They can deliver their opinions, you however cannot. You can't buy TV or radio time, or newspaper ads to express it. McCain-Fiendgold AKA CFR as upheld by the Black Robes.

[El Gato]

My point being that it seems hypocritical to me to allow the press a free pass anytime and anyplace, but to slam religionists gratuitiously.

You'll note that no one is going after the Reverend Jackson or Reverend Sharpton for similar actions.