Rev. Franklin Graham condemns Disney as being 'in the gutter' during blistering rant: A 'moral failure'



Rev. Franklin Graham hit out at the Walt Disney Company in support of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying that LGBTQ+ activists are guilty of "using corporations to force their agenda on the public."

He added that he believes the company has failed its founder, Walt Disney, and that the company is no longer promoting wholesome family values.

What are the details?

In a now-viral Facebook post, Graham — pastor and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association — said that the Walt Disney Company is trying to "flaunt sin."

The post, which has been shared more than 10,000 times at the time of this reporting, read, "LGBTQ activists are using corporations to force their agenda on the public, and companies may want to take another look at what they are allowing to happen."

"Disney," Graham insisted, "has gone too far. The people of Florida have revolted, and it’s going to cost Disney big time. Disney had a special tax status in the state which they benefitted from in a huge way — but because they came out against the parents of Florida, the governor and legislators have revoked that status."

He continued, calling the company's move a "moral failure."

"Walt Disney had a vision for wholesome family entertainment," Graham added. "He was committed to the family. The morals of the corporate leadership of Disney today are in the gutter, and they want to redefine family counter to God’s original design and flaunt sin."

The pastor added that his support and gratitude remains with DeSantis.

"Thank God for Governor Ron DeSantis who is willing to take a bold stand," he insisted. "We need more leaders like him. God bless him and the Florida legislature."

What else?

In a statement, Graham told Newsweek that he is disappointed at how far he believes Disney has fallen.

"My father was friends with Walt Disney and took me to meet him when I was a child. He signed a photo for me, and I have it hanging on the wall in my office. The hour-long program, Walt Disney Presents, that came on every Sunday night was one of the few things as kids that we were allowed to watch on television," Graham told the outlet. "I have always appreciated how Walt Disney offered wholesome family entertainment for millions of families around the world. Those family values are what made Disney such a wealthy and loved company."

He added, "It's incredible how far Disney has fallen morally from its founder. I'm glad Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is standing for what's right, and I hope Christians will continue to pray for the governor and support him."

DeSantis' spokesperson Christina Pushaw also told the outlet that the administration appreciates Graham's remarks.

"We appreciate the message of support from Rev. Franklin Graham and other Americans who are disappointed that Disney has evidently forgotten the reason for its success — 'wholesome family entertainment,'" Pushaw stated. "Given this context, it is especially surprising that Disney would declare war on parental rights in Florida. Governor DeSantis will continue doing what's right for Floridians, and that includes standing up for parents' rights, child protection, and a more even playing field for businesses."

Facebook sorry after reportedly deleting posts about the UK's Plymouth Hoe and penalizing posters



Looks like a Facebook algorithm needs a course in European history.

Because the venerable social media giant apparently with wisdom out the wazoo now has some egg on its face. Or perhaps a full English breakfast.

What are the details?

The hubbub concerns the Plymouth Hoe, a historic seafaring site on England's coast. Here's what the Visit Plymouth website says about "the Hoe":

It is here where Sir Francis Drake, intrepid explorer and local hero, is immortalized in a statue, situated just a few meters from the green where he finished his game of bowls before heading out to defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588.

At the eastern end of the Hoe you'll find The Royal Citadel, the most impressive 17th century fortress in Britain and for many years England's most important defense against attack from the sea. The Citadel has been in constant military occupation since it was built and today it is home to some of Plymouth's modern heroes — the troops of 29 Commando Royal Artillery.

The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word "hoe," the Guardian reported, which is a sloping ridge shaped like an inverted foot and heel.

But some Facebook users got in trouble after referring to the landmark in recent posts, presumably because "hoe" is considered a misogynist term elsewhere.

The administrator of one Plymouth Facebook page warned its users to be careful when mentioning the Hoe, the paper said.

"Just a quick post to say anyone living Plymouth h o e, please don't write it as one word," the message read, according to the Guardian. "Facebook are saying it's harassment and muting people and giving them a Facebook ban. It's not us doing that."

One Facebook user's comments were removed on several occasions, the paper said, adding that, "Now I am writing Oe."

Another user told the Guardian that "someone asked me where I swam in Plymouth, and I replied, 'Plymouth H O E.' I got told off for bad language and could not comment for two days."

Still another Facebook poster noted that when she mentioned the Hoe, she received the following message: "Are you sure you want to post this, it may be deemed offensive to some?" the paper said.

Apologies

When all was said and done, Facebook apologized for its mistaken actions and promised to take steps to ensure residents and visitors can use the term "hoe" in relation to the Devon landmark, the Guardian said.

"These posts were removed in error, and we apologize to those who were affected," a Facebook spokesperson said, according to the paper. "We're looking into what happened and will take steps to rectify the error."

Police threaten TV crew with arrest after reporter attempts to ask Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a question at a town hall event



Authorities threatened to arrest a TV reporter and videographer in attendance at Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's town hall event Wednesday night.

A reporter and videographer from a local Georgia station were reportedly in attendance at the event following an invite from Greene's office but were asked to leave after attempting to ask the Republican lawmaker questions about ongoing controversies.

What are the details?

According to WRCB-TV, the reporter and videographer were threatened with arrest after attempting to ask Greene a question.

Meredith Aldis, a reporter with the station, said that the journalists were invited to attend the event.

The station said that when the crew arrived at the event, they were told that they would not be permitted to speak to either the constituents or to Greene herself.

According to the station, Greene was addressing a CNN investigation of Facebook posts that appeared to show that she expressed support for violence against Democrats and liberals before her successful bid for Congress. When the reporter tried to ask Greene about the posts in question, she allegedly told them that she was there to speak to her constituents, and not speak about the reports.

The station noted that the reporter attempted to ask Greene about Rep. Jimmy Gomez's (D-Calif.) announcement that he will introduce a resolution to expel Greene from Congress.

At that point, a member of Greene's staff allegedly told the reporter that they would have to leave. A Whitfield County sheriff's deputy escorted the journalists out of the town hall and threatened to arrest and charge the crew with criminal trespassing if they refused to leave.

A spokesperson for Greene's office said that the crew was removed because the town hall event was "not a press conference," despite the station reporting that Greene's office itself invited the media to attend the event.

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