Florida House Rep. Frank Artiles stepped into hot-water Wednesday after he shared a Facebook photo from a fellow conservative that questions President Barack Obama’s Christian faith.
The post which was posted on a pro Benjamin Netanyahu Facebook group was then shared by Artiles.
The photo uses five examples of what the world looks like “According to Liberal America”. There are references to Caitlyn Jenner, Rachel Dolezal and the #IStandWithAhmed movement.
But the most controversial photo is the first one. It is a photo that first circulated during the 2008 Democratic Primary campaign and it shows Obama dressed as a Somali Elder during his visit to Kenya in 2006. Obama campaign staffers blamed the Clinton campaign for the photo’s publication in the Drudge Report.
“According to Liberal America… This is a Christian,” the caption says of Obama.
Here is a better version of the photo in question:
Obama is a Christian and has spoken at length about the importance of his faith.
Artiles is a Republican who represents parts of Miami in the Florida House of Representatives. He came to prominence earlier this year after filing legislation to ban transgender people from public bathrooms.
A message sent to Artiles’ private Facebook page was not answered by publication of this piece. A spokesperson in Artiles’ Tallahassee office said she would pass along Rise News‘ inquiry to Artiles.
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Cover Photo Credit: Screenshot (Rep. Frank Artiles Facebook)
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Has Toxic Algae Made It To Miami?
Miami Shores residents are concerned that toxic blue-green algae that has brought ecological disaster to parts of Florida, has come to town.
According to NBC Miami, multiple residents of the quiet Miami suburb have expressed concerns that the algae has come to a canal in the area.
“In the late afternoon, there was some type of green algae that was floating on top of the water,” Miami Shores resident Michael Schock told NBC Miami. “Unlike anything I have seen before. I was concerned about the algae.”
Residents told the TV station that algae was seen floating everywhere in the canal over the weekend, but it had dissipated some by Monday.
According to NBC Miami, state officials will be coming out to the area to conduct tests on the water.
The toxic blue-green algae found in other parts of the state has been known to cause rashes and hay fever like symptoms in people that it has come in contact with, and nausea and vomiting in people who ingest it.
WATCH: NBC Miami report on algae found in Miami Shores canal
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us.
Cover Photo Credit: Brian Goodwin/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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WATCH LIVE: Justin Trudeau Sworn In As New Prime Minister Of Canada
Justin Trudeau, the young and dashing leader of the Liberal Party is to set to be sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada later this morning as the country braces for the end of nearly 10 years of Conservative rule.
The ceremony is expected to begin at 10:30 AM EST.
Read More: Justin Trudeau knocks off Stephen Harper and the Conservatives in historic election
Watch Live: Video feed from CBC.
Canada’s 23rd Prime Minister has arrived. #parl42 pic.twitter.com/xe6UUsM33P
— Alison Crawford (@alisoncrawford5) November 4, 2015
And here they are. #hw pic.twitter.com/enY3vJvQsV — Catherine Cullen (@cath_cullen) November 4, 2015
Cover Photo Credit: Alex Guibord/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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Joshua Wong’s Visit To The US Will Do More Harm Than Good, Thanks To His Political Immaturity
By Raphael Blet
Earlier this month, young activist and Umbrella Revolution leader Joshua Wong visited Washington as part of an event held by a US congressional panel co-chaired by Sen. Marco Rubio.
Not only was Wong’s picture with Rubio of very bad taste, it did also send a clear message to the world that Hong Kong’s pro-independence movements might be backed by the United States.
This is not good as it gives more credibility to those who previously accused Wong and his movement of being America’s puppet.
Such brainless actions provide more grounds justifying the controversial implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law which would prohibit local political groups from establishing ties with foreign bodies.
Nevertheless, such a measure is unlikely to take place.
Isn’t it paradoxal to advocate ‘self determination’ when at the same time, you are flattering a warmonger who cares about anything but Hong Kong’s well being?
Read More: Hongkongers Might Lose Trust In The Judiciary, Thanks To Political Greed
Isn’t it contradictory for a ‘self-determination’ advocate to pose with someone who supported America’s invasion of other countries?
Maybe did the sophomore politician saw in Rubio a figure of peace and unity, in other words: a progressive, a visionary (which Rubio obviously isn’t).
Why not instead meet with Elizabeth Warren, a sincere progressive who is for the people?
Joshua Wong should consider hiring an adviser or make background researches prior to his meetings so as not to come under fire.
The young activist might not know that, but Rubio as well as his fellow colleagues support anything but democracy and freedom: they support wars, conflicts and supranational submission.
Rubio’s only hope being to boost US military presence in the South China Sea by destabilizing the region, including Hong Kong.
One might argue that a photo isn’t necessarily representative.
Well, as we commonly say, ‘a picture speaks a thousand words’.
I am not attacking Wong’s person, I am instead attacking his action by pointing out his lack of political maturity which makes him easily manipulable and corruptible.
Some might perceive Wong’s visit to the US positively and see it as a way to put Hong Kong’s issues on the US agenda.
Alas, with or without Wong, Hong Kong is on the US agenda.
In other words, his visit to Washington will have no positive impact on Hong Kong’s future.
Moreover, most of us understand that foreign interferences of all sorts have led to anything but peace and democracy.
There is no more need for me to remind you about the number of crimes committed by the Bush administration under the name of ‘democracy’, thanks to local facilitators like Joshua Wong.
Read More: This Online Platform Is Revolutionizing Hong Kong Sex Education
In addition to this, the panel recommended Congress to ‘seek its support to US non-governmental organisations operating in Hong Kong, which are assisting local civil society and political groups’.
The so called ‘conspiracy theory’ which consisted of saying that American organisations in Hong Kong were used as political and influential tools might be reality.
We have to assume that some American organisations such as the Fulbright Program have a strong influence in Hong Kong, particularly in education.
Since 2012, the US Fulbright program played an important role in the setting-up of university curriculums around the territory and came under criticism by some academics and members of the public, including myself.
Many Hong Kong citizens are aware and opposed to any kind of external interference in Hong Kong’s local affairs.
Unfortunately, it seems that making such a criticism is enough to case us on the other side of the political spectrum, thanks to double standards.
Read More- Photo Essay: Goodbye (For Now) To Hong Kong’s Hipster Paradise Hidden Agenda
All this to say that YES, there is a US interference in Hong Kong and that it will only do more harm than good.
Joshua Wong should come back to rationalism and stop his nonsensical and harmful actions.
Only by looking at both sides of the coin can we improve the situation.
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