Tony Perkins, FRC: Pro-family groups got mostly good news in a trio of 5-4 decisions handed down today by the U.S. Supreme Court. In FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life, the Court ruled that public policy non-profits (like FRC and FRC Action) do not violate campaign finance laws when they run issue-oriented ads that mention an office-holder close to an election. A ruling the other way would have been a serious blow to freedom of speech, and to the ability of groups like FRC and FRC Action to mobilize public opinion in support of important policies. For now, at least, non-profits will have much wider freedom to talk about issues and legislators than BCRA, sometimes dubbed an "incumbent protection act," allowed them. In the case of Hein v. Freedom from Religion Foundation, the Court ruled that an atheist organization does not have standing to sue the government over the President's creation of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Finally, in the case of Morse v. Frederick, the Court upheld the actions of a school that suspended a student for displaying a banner with the bizarre message "BONG HITS 4 JESUS." FRC is concerned about restrictions on the free speech of students because it is often religious or conservative speech that is restricted, but in this case the Court ruled narrowly that the banner promoted illegal drug use and was therefore validly found to be disruptive. See also: Supreme Court rules in student free speech, faith-based funding, campaign finance cases Tags: FRC, free speech, Tony Perkins, US Supreme Court To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
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