When it comes to school prayer, Fox & Friends isn't too keen on the "Establishment Clause." But when a Christian minister, who assaults and hurls anti-Islamic rhetoric at a Muslim, is court ordered to learn about Islam - it's a whole different Constitutional story!
This morning, Steve Doocy introduced the story as "a head scratcher." He then reported that Massachusetts' highest court will hear the appeal of a Christian pastor who has been convicted of assault and battery against her Muslim tenant and ordered to take a course on Islam to "quote, learn some respect." Doocy asked if the sentence violated her constitutional rights. He introduced Roger Ailes' personal attorney and Fox legal analyst Peter Johnson Jr. who explained it all for us.
A visibly angry Johnson said that more than a head scratcher, this "is a constitutional outrage." After describing the minister, Daisy Obey in glowing terms, Johnson incredulously noted that Obey has been sent to prison for two years but that a year of that would be suspended if she complied with a court order requiring her to respect those who are Muslim. Johnson read the relevant part of the order. Johnson reported that her lawyer is arguing that the conviction be overturned and the "sentence thrown out based on the 1st Amendment violation, the free exercise of laws, the Establishment Clause of the Constitution that this Christian minister should be forced to go to the Islamic Society of Boston and learn the Muslim faith in an introductory course."
As the banner asked "if the punishment fit the crime," Doocy asked if it would be more appropriate to require Obey to take anger management classes. When he added, "but go learn about a new religion," Johnson responded "you're dead on." Without citing any details of the case, Johnson informed us that Obey wasn't charged with a hate crime. Johnson continued to yell about the injustice of the case. As Doocy blithered about something, Johnson attacked the judge and validated Obey's lawyers who, according to Johnson, are asking "what has come to pass in this country."
A really revved up Johnson shouted "to say, that someone should go to the Islamic Society of Boston, the place where the Tsarnaev's were and Lady Al-Qaeda was and say you learn the Muslim faith and if you act up maybe I'll put you back in prison." (In other words, violate her probation). After asking "what does this mean," Doocy gushed over Johnson's great command of the law and asked if he had ever heard of something like this. Johnson responded that this is "unprecedented" for something that is not a hate crime. After yelling about how awful this is for a Christian minister to be ordered to learn about Islam, Johnson noted that he respects Islam, but "come on." Doocy, "yeah, come on."
Reality Check:
As CBS reports, Obey's Muslim tenant claimed that after she moved in, Obey stood on the front stairs and repeatedly yelled anti-Muslim insults. The tenant also testified that Obey pushed her down 15 stairs which resulted in injuries. Other tenants have issued harassment orders against her. Some legal experts have opined that the sentence isn't unconstitutional because it isn't requiring her to convert to Islam but to merely learn about it. Johnson and Doocy claimed that this is unprecedented but, in September, a judge ordered a mother to enroll in Christian counseling in order to regain custody of ther daughter. In August, a judge sentenced a man, accused of abusing his girlfriend, to Christian counseling and writing bible verses.
But a Christian pastor who just might be a tad Islamophobic is ordered to learn about, OMG, Islam - "come on!" Come on, indeed!
“Not nice to lie so close to Xmas ~ might make Santa fly right over their houses.”
Or make Santa STUFF THEIR STOCKINGS WITH COAL!
;^)
She wasn’t “ordered” nor was it mandatory in her sentencing to do anything. It was her choice ~ take the course & reduce her jail time ~ or not! How these Fox morons honestly believe their lies is beyond me & what’s worse yet ~ their followers won’t even bother to verify the facts for themselves.
Here’s hoping Santa leaves all of them all they deserve.