By J.M. Phelps (One News Now)
Todd Starnes describes the ongoing assault on the Constitution through a story that hits close to home for the bestselling author.
While preparing for a live book signing on Tuesday, the award-winning Fox News broadcaster (pictured) told OneNewsNow that one of the largest social media giants blocked his marketing firm’s ability to advertise the event. While these types of signings have become increasing popular among authors of all genres, Starnes says his marketing firm was not allowed to buy advertising on Facebook to promote the live signing of his newly released book (September 10), Culture Jihad.
Starnes acknowledges that “a company does have the right to deny service” – and even in his case, he believes Facebook has this right. However, he points out “[the online social media and social networking service company] holds itself up as a place where nearly anyone can enjoy a free market and exchange ideas.”
“Clearly, that is not the case [for me] because they have – in effect – banned my book,” Starnes contends. He calls the ordeal a “big tech book banning.”
“When [my marketing firm] tried to buy ads, Facebook rejected the advertisements – and they did so multiple times,” the author explains. According to Starnes, his marketing firm was told the ads were banned because of the name of the book. A subsequent appeal was not granted.
While Starnes agrees the word “jihad” certainly makes for a provocative title for the book, he also acknowledges “we live in provocative times, facing censorship on an unbelievable scale.” Citing a few examples, he says sculptures, artwork, and books are being banned more often than ever before.
“And this,” he continues, “lends credence to the argument that our Constitution is under assault in America. It is under attack by Leftists.” Their end goal, he contends, is “to undermine the Bill of Rights and to target every single one of the rights we have.”
Initially, Leftists went after freedom of religion, he asserts – adding that “freedom of religion is the glue that holds everything together.” And without that freedom, the author contends “every other one of our rights is jeopardized.”
“Freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of conscience, and even the right to bear arms is under assault right now,” Starnes concludes. “[To stop it], we have to get back to basics and acknowledge the responsibility that moms and dads hold.”
America, he says, cannot rely on “government run schools to teach our kids about America, our Constitution, and our founding documents.” He warns that if parents rely solely on public education, “[our children] are getting a distorted view of what this country really is.”
The meaning and value of America’s vast number of freedoms must be talked about in conversations around the dinner table between parents and children, the author avows. “Big tech book banning,” he states, should never be allowed to prevail in a free society.
J.M. Phelps is a Christian activist and journalist based in the Southeastern U.S. He is also editor and publisher of the website Lantern of Liberty.
Originally published by One News Now on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
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