Documentary Film Short Open Dialogues: Gen QueerZ To Premiere October 11th, National Coming Out Day Thu Sep 28 2023 16:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Add Mediterranean Flair To Your Dinner Table Family Features April 13, 2023 Share During the past year, many people have missed the opportunity to travel and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the world, but it's easy to explore other cultures and cuisines by experimenting in the kitchen. If you're looking to transport your taste buds to the shores of Spain or the beaches of Greece, one of the best places to start is with the Mediterranean Diet. Renowned Chef Geoffrey Zakarian recommends these tips to help home cooks elevate their dishes and easily incorporate the popular diet into everyday cooking. Reach for Pantry Staples. There's no single definition of the Mediterranean Diet, but it's high in Vegetables, Fruits, Whole Grains, Nuts, Seeds, Olive Oil and Seafood. By keeping your pantry stocked with canned versions of ingredients like Beans and Fish you can easily add them to your favorite dishes. Yellowfin Tuna Pasta Salad with Arugula Pesto and Dates and Tuna Aioli Dip with Balsamic Drizzle are flavorful ways to bring Mediterranean flair to your dinner table. Add Seafood. Eating more Seafood is one of the leading principles of the Mediterranean Diet. Tuna Salad is one tried-and-true dish that can help incorporate Fish into your menu. To make it more nutritious, opt for Tuna that's packed in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, so you don't have to add much Mayo to the base. For example, Genova Premium Tuna provides a tasteful addition to recipes and is high in Protein, a great source of Omega-3's and has a uniquely rich and savory flavor that offers a taste of the Mediterranean in every bite. Visit: www.GenovaSeafood.com for more recipe inspirations. Tuna Aioli Dip With Balsamic Drizzle Prep time: 15-20 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes Servings: 4 • 6 Ounces of Genova Albacore Tuna in Olive Oil • 1/4 Cup of Balsamic Vinegar • 1 Dried Bay Leaf • 1 Sprig of fresh Rosemary • 1/3 Cup of Mayonnaise • 2 Tablespoons of capers, drained • 2 Anchovies • 1/2 Lemon, Juice only (about 1 1/2 Tablespoons) • Raw Vegetables, such as Carrots, Celery, Cucumber Spears, Endive Leaves, Sliced Fennel and Bell Pepper strips, for dipping Drain the Tuna, reserving 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil. In a small saucepan, combine the Balsamic Vinegar, the Bay Leaf and the Rosemary Sprig. Bring it to a boil and reduce it until it's syrupy, about 1 Tablespoon. Let it cool slightly; discard the Bay Leaf and the Rosemary Sprig. In a blender or a food processor, process the Tuna and the reserved Olive Oil, the Mayonnaise, the Capers, the Anchovies and the Lemon Juice to make a smooth Dip. Transfer it to a flat serving bowl. Drizzle it with the Balsamic syrup. Serve it with the raw Vegetables. Yellowfin Tuna Pasta Salad With Arugula Pesto and Dates Prep time: 20-30 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes Servings: 4 • 2 Cans of (5 ounces each) Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil, drained • 1/2 Cup of Pine Nuts • 4 Cups of Arugula • 1 Garlic Clove • 2 Tablespoons of Butter (optional) • 1 Cup of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus additional for garnish (optional) • 2 Lemons, Zest only (optional) • 1/2 Teaspoon of Kosher Salt • 1/2 Teaspoon of freshly ground Black Pepper • 3/4 Cup of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil • 8 Ounces of Whole-Wheat Orecchiette • 1/2 Cup of jarred Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil, chopped • 1/2 Cup of Dates, pitted and quartered • 1/4 Cup of Kalamata Olives, pitted and chopped • 1/4 Cup of Dill, chopped (optional) • 1/4 Cup of Parsley, chopped (optional) Preheat the oven to 325F. On a sheet tray, toast the Pine Nuts for 8-12 minutes, or until golden. Set it aside to cool. Bring a large pot of Salted Water to a boil. Prepare an ice water bath by filling a large bowl with cold Water and ice. Stir the Arugula into the boiling Water and cook it until it is bright green and tender, about 30 seconds. Drain the Arugula, immediately shock it in the ice Water and set aside to fully drain; cover it with a towel. In a blender or food processor, add the Arugula; the Garlic; the Pine Nuts; the Butter, if desired; Parmigiano-Reggiano; Lemon Zest, if desired; Salt and Pepper. Puree on high, incorporating the Olive Oil to the desired thickness. Place the Pesto in a bowl and cover it tightly to avoid discoloring. Bring a large pot of Salted Water to a boil. Add the Pasta and return it to a boil, stirring occasionally. Taste the pasta for doneness 2 minutes earlier than the package's instructions. Once cooked, drain the Pasta and transfer it to a large bowl. Do not rinse. Add the Pesto gently until it is evenly distributed. Fold in the Tuna, the Sun-Dried Tomatoes, the Dates and the Olives. Divide between the shallow bowls and finish it with additional Parmigiano-Reggiano, Dill and Parsley, if desired. < Previous News Next News >

CULTURE & COCKTAILS At The Ben Wed Dec 18 2024 18:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Aventura Branch Library Happenings: Renaissance Dance, Color Your Cares Away, Falun Gong Meditation & Exercises And Much More April 7, 2023 Share The Aventura Branch Library has a wide variety of On-line and In-Person events. There will be Homework Help and Tutoring, Building Blocks Club, Introduction to Computers and much more. Some events may require you to RSVP, so, please go On-Line to register at: https://mdpls.org/branch-northeast-dade-aventura Or for more information prior to attending the event, call: (305) 931-5512. Beginner Knitting Basics Friday, April 14th, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Join us to learn the basics of knitting and socialize while you get started on your own project. Please bring your materials. Space is limited. Registration is required. For more information, please contact: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 12 years and up. Reading Circle Friday, April 14th, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Practice your English reading skills while improving your listening comprehension. Each participant will take turns reading parts of a selected story aloud and then discuss it with other learners. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 19 years and up. Homework Help and Tutoring Saturday, April 15th, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Certified teachers meet with small groups of students in one-hour sessions to provide homework help and tutoring in reading, math and science. Students are encouraged to bring homework material or school assignments for assistance in specific subject areas. This free service is available to all students in grades K-12. Please visit: https://www.mdpls.org/tutor/ for course offerings, location information and to register. Funded in part by The Children's Trust. Renaissance Dance Saturday, April 15th, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Let's Dance! Join Us And The Society Of Creative Anachronism in person for a bit of history through Renaissance Dance. Learn the traditional dances of Italy, France and England - the building blocks of American Square dancing. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 12 years and up. Introduction to Computers Saturday, April 15th, 2023, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Learn the basics of a computer including using a mouse, getting on the Internet, setting up and using an email account and more! Taught by instructors from Collective Sistahood. Instruction also available in Spanish and Creole. Ages 19 years and up. Building Blocks Club Saturday, April 15th, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Join us for an hour of family fun building and creating with blocks. Themes, challenges and building block pieces will be provided. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 6 years and up. Talking is Teaching - Talk, Read, Sing for Toddlers Monday, April 17th, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Enjoy stories, music and playtime for toddlers and their caregivers. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 18 months - 3 years. Chess Club Monday, April 17th, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sharpen your chess skills by playing with fans of this classic game! Meets in the teen area. Beginners are always welcome. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 8 years and up. Online Event: Falun Gong Meditation & Exercises Wednesday, April 19th, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Falun Gong is an ancient, high level Chinese practice that uses gentle movements and meditation to cultivate the body, mind and spirit. Space is limited for this online event. Registration is required. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants within 24 hours of the event start time. For more information, please contact: (305) 931-5512. Ages 19 years and up. Color Your Cares Away Wednesday, April 19th, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Relax and relieve stress while coloring and listening to the soft sounds of relaxing music. Choose from a variety of coloring sheets, crayons, colored pencils and other supplies. Registration is required. For more information, please contact: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 19 years and up. Crafty Recycling With Clay Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. In celebration of Earth Day, make a piggy bank or dangling octopus using recycled materials and modeling clay. Materials will be provided. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 6 - 11 years. Introduction To Computers Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Learn the basics of a computer including using a mouse, getting on the Internet, setting up and using an email account and more! Taught by instructors from Collective Sistahood. Instruction also available in Spanish and Creole. Ages 19 years and up. Multilingual Story Hour For Adults Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Read your favorite short story, share a story you have written or practice your storytelling skills. Stories in all languages are welcome. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 18 years and up. Online Event: What's New For Adults At The Northeast-Aventura Branch? Thursday, April 27th, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Learn about all the new titles that have been added to our collection for the month, including fiction, nonfiction, DVDs and magazines. Books and DVD suggestions are also welcome. Registration is required. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants within 24 hours of the event start time. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 18 years and up. Creative Kids Thursday, April 27th, 2023, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Join us for this dynamic art program that helps kids explore their inner creativity. From painting to collage, local art magnet student instructors will provide a fun environment to nurture and develop creative skills. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 6 - 11 years. Stars: A Musical Performance - Presented tby Vessels Of GOLD Friday, Apr 28th, 2023 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Join teen musical theater ensemble Vessels of GOLD to enjoy selections from their latest show "Stars," a story about high school students learning to develop their talents while working together to prepare for a summer theater show. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . All ages. Some of the above events require pre-registration. To register, go to: https://mdpls.org/branch-northeast-dade-aventura For more information, feel free to contact the Aventura Branch at: (305) 931-5512. The Aventura Branch library is located at 2930 Aventura Boulevard, Aventura, Florida 33180. < Previous News Next News >

Concrete Ways to Prepare Kids for a Rapidly Changing World June 6, 2024 Share Young people face an increasing medley of challenges as they pursue higher education — rising tuition costs, daunting prospective student debt, and a talented and competitive applicant pool. After a decade of preparing students for the ever more difficult admissions process, college counselor Greg Kaplan wishes parents would stop thinking, “What should I do to get my kid into a good college?” and instead ask, “How can I best prepare my child for what comes next?” Having practiced law and worked in investment banking early in his career before pivoting to working with students, parents and educators, Kaplan knows what the world — and its population of college admissions officers — is looking for in today’s youth and tomorrow's leaders. In his new book, The Journey: How to Prepare Kids for a Competitive and Changing World, Kaplan goes beyond the well-chronicled college admissions madness and cuts to the core of parental angst, delivering a definitive guide that shares what parents can do now to help their children make the most of the opportunities they will encounter in the future. Emphasizing these fundamental tenets of successful adulthood — grit, leadership and passion — The Journey paints a realistic picture of the lack of preparedness among today’s youth. Using stories of parents and students who have struggled and succeeded, Kaplan pushes students to consider: What do you want to get out of your college and work career? How can you jumpstart your journey into the real world? He asks parents: Are you preparing your children to attain a life of health, happiness and financial independence? “Greg Kaplan’s The Journey reframes and reimagines the stressful college application process into a powerful journey of self-discovery, authenticity, and leadership development.” — Matthew Breitfelder, Partner and Global Head of Human Capital, Apollo Global Management Rooted in humorous stories sprinkled with bits of brutally honest advice, The Journey provides valuable information for parents, empowers young people and encourages families to work together in healthy ways to prepare kids for their next steps. Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Prepare-Competitive-Changing-World/dp/0757325041/ < Previous News Next News >

Flipping Through History: The Broward County Library Helps Us Learn From Our Past Thu Dec 30 2021 05:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Aventura Branch Library Happenings Thu Sep 16 2021 05:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Looking For A Great Job? Apprenticeships Are Creating High-Paying Jobs Thu Nov 18 2021 05:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Summer Fun In The Sun - City Of Aventura Summer Camp & Tennis Camp 2025 South Florida Sun Times May 22, 2025 As The School Year Winds Down And The Long Days Of Summer Approach, Families Throughout South Florida Begin Planning Their Children’s Summer Adventures. This Year, The City Of Aventura Is Once Again Stepping Up To Deliver A Dynamic Lineup Of Engaging, Educational And Exciting Camps For Children Of All Ages And Interests. From Sports To Science And Everything In Between, Aventura’s 2025 Summer And Tennis Camps Offerings Are Designed To Create A Season Filled With Laughter, Learning And Lasting Friendships. Running from Monday, June 9th, 2025 through Friday, August 8th, 2025 the City of Aventura’s camps are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., making them not just fun for kids but convenient for working parents as well. With a variety of specialized programs including General Camp, Tennis Camp, STEM, Art, Dance, Soccer, Basketball and Travel Camp, families can tailor their child’s summer experience to match their interests and aspirations. A Camp for Every Kid At the heart of Aventura’s summer programming is the General Camp, designed for children ages 5 to 12. This traditional-style camp keeps kids active and entertained with supervised activities like arts & crafts, games, sports, in-house field trips and special events. It’s a great all-around experience for younger children who want a mix of everything summer has to offer. For those with a passion for sports, Basketball and Soccer Camps offer an energetic, skill-focused environment for kids ages 5 to 12. Campers will practice techniques, engage in friendly competitions, learn the value of teamwork, sportsmanship and fitness. Young scientists and problem-solvers can dive into the fascinating world of STEM Camp, tailored for ages 7 to 12. This program integrates science, technology, engineering and math into fun challenges that ignite curiosity and foster creativity. Whether it’s building a simple robot or launching a mini-rocket, STEM Camp is both educational and exhilarating. For the artistically inclined, Art Camp encourages self-expression and artistic development. Campers ages 5 to 12 will learn about famous artists, explore different artistic techniques, create hands-on masterpieces using a variety of media in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Dance Camp keeps things moving with lessons in music and movement for ages 5 to 12. Participants will explore different dance styles and work together to learn choreography, building confidence and coordination along the way. One of the most popular options year after year is Tennis Camp, which serves a wide age range of 6 to 17. Whether your child is just picking up a racquet for the first time or refining their competitive edge, this camp delivers high-quality instruction, skill development and plenty of on-court fun. And for the adventurous spirit, Travel Camp is a can't-miss opportunity. Available for children ages 8 to 12, this unique program offers daily field trips to local attractions, community parks, swimming spots and more. It’s a fresh adventure every day—perfect for curious and energetic campers. Affordable Fun for Aventura Families Affordability and accessibility remain top priorities for the City of Aventura. Aventura Residents can register for the General Camp at a bi-weekly rate of $370, while Tennis Camp is $325. Non-Residents are welcome as well, with rates of $444 for General Camp and $410 for Tennis Camp. Two-week session rates provide flexibility for families planning around summer vacations or other commitments. All participants must be registered prior to attending any camp program. Online registration is required and can be completed by visiting: http://cityofaventura.com/ors . To avoid Late Fees, families should register before the Sunday prior to the start of their desired session—after that, a $20 Late Fee will be applied. For more information, contact the City of Aventura Community Services Department at: (305) 466-3883. Or via email at: crcenter@cityofaventura.com . Previous Next

100 Jewish American Mothers Visit Israel As Part Of Emotional Trip With Momentum By Linda Chase - Jewish Connection News Jan 7, 2025 A delegation of Jewish mothers from eight U.S. cities took part in Momentum’s year-long Journey of Growth, connecting them with their Jewish identity and heritage. A group of 100 women from eight American cities visited Israel from November 4-11 as part of an eight-day trip organized by the global Jewish organization Momentum, which aims to inspire Jewish women to lead a Jewish future by becoming more connected to their identity, heritage, and Israel. The eight-day trip was part of the Momentum year-long program known as the Journey of Growth, an initiative that provides women with the opportunity to delve into the spirit of Jewish unity that defines their homeland. Momentum, which works closely with the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, brings Jewish parents from around the world, the majority of whom are mothers, to Israel and empowers them to be change agents in their respective Jewish communities. Many stops on their itinerary paid tribute to the victims and heroes of October 7, like a tour of the ANU–Museum of the Jewish People and its new exhibition, “October Seventh,” which examines how Israeli culture reacted to the war, a visit to Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, where participants expressed their solidarity with the families of the kidnapped victims and a day where they traveled to Israel’s South which included a stop at Kibbutz Kfar Aza and the Nova Festival Memorial site. The women also heard from Dr. Zohar Raviv, Momentum Scholar-in-Residence and the International Vice President of Education and Strategy at Taglit-Birthright Israel, who discussed how each woman can make a difference in advocating for Israel. They also listened to remarks from Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Yaron Buskila, who confronted more than a dozen terrorists on October 7. Participants hailed from seven cities; including Cooper City, Orlando, northern New Jersey, Toronto, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, New York City and Minneapolis. Native Israelis (who were part of the group) shared accounts of their life experiences since the war broke out. The educational programming mirrored the trip’s overall theme of acknowledging loss but also underscoring the Jewish’s people’s longstanding tradition of living a prideful and joyful life. Topics discussed during group sessions included delving into the power of memory, learning, growth, prayer, and taking action. The volunteer activities and emotional meetings are meant to inspire and prepare them to engage in meaningful dialogue so those in their home communities understand why the land of Israel is so integral to the story of the Jewish people. The trip was a powerful display of Jewish leadership in action. “While the events of October 7 have definitely influenced our Journey of Growth, we want our participants to bear witness to the atrocities of that day, we’re also passionate about showing these women the incredible resilience of the Jewish and Israeli spirit,” said Orit Mizner, Chief Operating Officer at Momentum. “Israel existed before October 7 and will continue much after. As an educational organization, we have a responsibility to foster Jewish identity, reclaim the Jewish and Israeli narrative and celebrate it. We also hope that the Israeli motivation to push forward inspires our community of women as they go home and find ways in which they can be positive agents in their communities.” The trip is just one aspect of the organization’s comprehensive Momentum Action Network. The multi-pronged initiative was spearheaded in the early days of the war to create a connection to what’s happening in Israel through the lens of the organization, deliver support through educational initiatives and inspire action through opportunities to do something positive for Israel in their own Jewish communities. This comes in addition to the organization’s campaign called “This Year I Will, This Year We Will,” which encourages all Momentum participants to take on the responsibility of finding ways to come together and give back to their Jewish community either individually or as a collective. Trip participant Samantha Schepps of Washington, D.C., said, “I wanted to continue to grow spiritually, and this is a great way to do that. The trip has been amazing, and I also appreciated the opportunity to visit the site of the October 7th victims. That experience helped me understand what happened that horrible day. I have young boys and have avoided watching the news, but now I feel confident in sharing what I saw when I got home and letting everyone know Israelis are resilient and the country is safe.” Momentum is a strong proponent in working with Jewish organizations around the world and has worked with over 300 partner organizations to coordinate its myriad activities. For this particular trip, Momentum collaborated with The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership2Gether (P2G) Program and The Jewish Federations of North America. Momentum was founded in 2009 and brought 24,000 participants from 36 countries to Israel. Since October 7th, the organization has brought some 800 participants from 15 countries to bear witness to Israel’s story and share what they heard with their own communities when they return home. Momentum is also fully connected to the organizational ecosystem across the Jewish world, maintaining partnerships with approximately 350 Jewish organizations and federations. The organization was established when Lori Palatnik, along with seven other Jewish mother leaders (known as the Utah 8), noticed that communities were struggling to connect women with Jewish values and Israel, and together with eight women from the Washington, D.C. area developed the concept of a subsidized trip to Israel for Jewish mothers as a transformative investment in the Jewish family. Formerly the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, Momentum has seen tremendous success in its mission of inspiring women to not only discover but become enchanted with Israel. About Momentum (momentumunlimited.org): The Momentum Year-long Journey is a partnership between Momentum and Israeli’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and fighting Antisemitism launched with a visit to Israel and caters to Jewish women with limited connection to Israel. The program targets Jewish people from around the world with the aim for them to fall in love with Israel and to connect with their Jewish identity. Momentum encourages women to tap into Jewish values and develop leadership in their local Jewish communities. The organization has reached 23,000 women from 36 countries and works with more than 400 Partner Organizations such as Jewish Federations, JCC’s and local communities. Previous Next

Miss Saturday Night - Leslie Jones: A Trailblazer And A Symbol Of Resilience And Determination Tue May 16 2023 16:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Protected Political Speech? Things Are About To Get Even Dicier For Those Exercising Their Right To Political Expression By John & Nisha Whitehead October 13, 2022 Share Anti-Government speech has become a four-letter word. In more and more cases, the Government is declaring war on what should be protected political speech whenever it challenges the Government’s power, reveals the Government’s corruption, exposes the Government’s lies, and encourages the citizenry to push back against the Government’s many injustices. Indeed, there is a long and growing list of the kinds of speech that the government considers dangerous enough to red flag and subject to censorship, surveillance, investigation and prosecution: hate speech, conspiratorial speech, treasonous speech, threatening speech, inflammatory speech, radical speech, Anti-Government speech, extremist speech, etc. Things are about to get even dicier for those who believe in fully exercising their right to political expression. Indeed, the Government’s seditious conspiracy charges against Stewart Rhodes, the founder of Oath Keepers and several of his associates for their alleged involvement in the January 6th Capitol Riots puts the entire concept of Anti-Government political expression on trial. Enacted during the Civil War to prosecute secessionists, seditious conspiracy makes it a crime for two or more individuals to conspire to “‘overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force’ the U.S. Government, or to levy war against it, or to oppose by force and try to prevent the execution of any Law.” It’s a hard charge to prove and the Government’s track record hasn’t been the greatest. It’s been almost a decade since the government tried to make a seditious conspiracy charge stick—against a small Christian militia accused of plotting to kill a police officer and attack attendees at his funeral in order to start a civil war—and it lost the case. Although the Government was able to show that the Hutaree had strong Anti-Government views, the judge ruled in U.S. v. Stone that “[O]ffensive speech and a conspiracy to do something other than forcibly resist a positive show of authority by the Federal Government is not enough to sustain a charge of seditious conspiracy.” Whether or not prosecutors are able to prove their case that Rhodes and his followers intended to actually overthrow the Government, the blowback will be felt far and wide by anyone whose political views can be labeled “Anti-Government.” All of us are in danger. In recent years, the Government has used the phrase “Domestic Terrorist” interchangeably with “Anti-Government,” “Extremist” and “Terrorist” to describe anyone who might fall somewhere on a very broad spectrum of viewpoints that could be considered “dangerous.” The ramifications are so far-reaching as to render almost every American with an opinion about the Government or who knows someone with an opinion about the Government an extremist in word, deed, thought or by association. You see, the Government doesn’t care if you or someone you know has a legitimate grievance. It doesn’t care if your criticisms are well-founded. And it certainly doesn’t care if you have a First Amendment right to speak truth to power. What the Government cares about is whether what you’re thinking or speaking or sharing or consuming as information has the potential to challenge its stranglehold on power. Why else would the FBI, CIA, NSA and other Government Agencies be investing in corporate surveillance technologies that can mine constitutionally protected speech on Social Media Platforms such as: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? Why else would The Biden Administration be likening those who share “false or misleading narratives and conspiracy theories, and other forms of mis-dis and mal-information” to terrorists? According to The Department of Homeland Security’s Terrorism Bulletin, “[T]hreat actors seek to exacerbate societal friction to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions to encourage unrest, which could potentially inspire acts of violence.” By the Government’s own definition, America’s founders would be considered domestic extremists for the heavily charged rhetoric they used to birth this nation. All across the country, those who challenge the Government’s authority with rhetoric no less colorful than the founders’ are being shut up, threatened with arrest or at the very least accused of being radicals, troublemakers, sovereign citizens, conspiratorialists or extremists. Some are being fined. In Punta Gorda, Florida, for instance, two political activists were fined $3,000 for displaying protest flags with political messages that violated the City’s ordinance banning signs, clothing and other graphic displays containing words that the City deems “indecent.” The protest signs displayed phrases which said “F@#k Policing 4 Profit,” “F@#k Trump,” “F@#k Biden” and “F@#k Punta Gorda, trying to illegally kill free speech.” Coming to the defense of the two activists, The Rutherford Institute challenged the City of Punta Gorda’s ban on indecent speech as a violation of the First Amendment’s safeguards for political speech. We won the first round with the Charlotte County Circuit Court ruling against the City, noting that the ordinance was clearly designed to chill political speech, which is protected under the First Amendment. You see, the right of political free speech is the basis of all liberty. No matter what one’s political persuasion might be, every American has a First Amendment right to protest government programs or policies with which they might disagree. The right to disagree with and speak out against the Government is the quintessential freedom. Every individual has a right to speak truth to power using every nonviolent means available. This is why the First Amendment is so critical. It gives the citizenry the right to speak freely, protest peacefully, expose government wrongdoing, and criticize the Government without fear of reprisal. Americans of all stripes would do well to remember that those who question the motives of government provide a necessary counterpoint to those who would blindly follow where politicians choose to lead. We don’t have to agree with every criticism of the Government, but we must defend the rights of all individuals to speak freely without fear of punishment or threat of banishment. This is how freedom rises or falls. As Comedian Lenny Bruce, a lifelong champion of free speech, remarked, “If you can’t say ‘F@#k’ you can’t say, ‘F@#k’ the Government.’” Unfortunately, what we’re dealing with today is a government that wants to suppress dangerous words—words about its warring empire, words about its land grabs, words about its militarized police, words about its killing, its poisoning and its corruption—in order to keep its lies going. If the Government censors get their way, there will be no more First Amendment. There will be no more Bill of Rights. And as I point out in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, there will be no more freedom in America as we have known it. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >