‘God has given us free will to do the right thing,’ veteran tells school board<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/assets\/img\/icon\/chat-rect.svg\")
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<\/source><\/picture>A man named Mike Cee speaks during a Fort Worth ISD school board meeting August 22, 2023. <\/span> | Screenshot:YouTube\/Fort Worth ISD LIVE<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nA self-described disabled veteran was forcibly removed from a North Texas school board meeting after he began reading from a book about \u201chomosexuality and satanism\u201d that was recently removed from the school district\u2019s library.<\/p>\n
During the public comment portion of the Aug. 22 Fort Worth ISD board meeting<\/a>, a man who identified as Mike Cee began to read from the book Flamer<\/em>, a graphic novel by Mike Curato with references to oral sex and masturbation, which the American Library Associated named<\/a> as one of the \u201cmost challenged books of 2022.\u201d<\/p>\nAs Cee approached the podium, he referenced God and Satan and called on those present to \u201cdo the right thing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSome in this room may or may not know this. Satan rules the world. Satan speaks through some of you,\u201d he said. \u201cIt could be some of these board members; it could be some of the audience. God has given us free will to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
He then began reading from Flamer <\/em>\u2014 which, he added, \u201chas to do with homosexuality and satanism\u201d \u2014 as a board member warned him that he would not be allowed to read the book if it was \u201cvulgar.\u201d<\/p>\n“On page one<\/a>, it says, \u2018OK, who wants my hot wiener, oh yeah baby,\u2019\u201d Cee read as a board member pounded his gavel. \u201cWe\u2019re talking about a hot dog here. Page two \u2026 \u201d<\/p>\nHis microphone was then cut off as law enforcement officers approached the lectern and escorted Cee out of the room as a member of the audience shouted, \u201cDon\u2019t touch him. He didn\u2019t break the law!\u201d<\/p>\n
A video <\/a>from the meeting showed police taking Cee into an adjacent room, where he told officers, \u201cThis book is in the school system and you are defending it!\u201d<\/p>\nBystanders are heard in the clip telling officers, \u201cDon\u2019t touch him! You don\u2019t have the authority to!\u201d as one of the officers attempted to grab Cee around his waist.<\/p>\n
Cee is heard shouting at the officer, \u201cI am a disabled veteran, stop pushing me!\u201d and \u201cGet your hands off me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Police then escorted Cee out of the Fort Worth ISD building.<\/p>\n
\nOh great. Schools back in session and now we have more school board tyranny on display! Man forced out for reading from a book which was in the library. So much for free speech! Great for kids, but too obscene to speak out against at Fort Worth ISD board meeting? pic.twitter.com\/TsAl3iaC6Z<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Kristi Leigh (@KristiLeighTV) August 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
A Fort Worth ISD spokesperson told The Christian Post that the district \u201cis committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment, where all community members can voice their opinions and concerns in accordance with Board Policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district\u2019s statement read in part: \u201cDuring our last meeting, an individual was escorted out after failing to comply with repeated warnings from the Board president and legal counsel. We deeply value open dialogue. We invite everyone to share their perspectives while upholding decorum. The Board is receptive to public commentary and kindly asks all speakers to respect each other and Board Policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fort Worth ISD is also \u201cproactive\u201d in working to comply with House Bill 900<\/a> before it goes into effect Sept. 1 and \u201chas always conducted inventories periodically,\u201d according to the spokesperson.<\/p>\nHB900 requires books available in public schools and other public libraries to be rated and, if necessary, removed to guard against exposing children to obscene content.<\/p>\n
Flamer<\/em>, which was among a trio of books featuring explicit content that were uncovered <\/a>by parents and independent journalists this summer in Fort Worth schools, is about <\/a>a young teen named Aiden who \u201crealized that he might be gay during a stay at summer camp \u2014 even as he struggles with the difficult reality of what that might mean.\u201d<\/p>\nUpon the book\u2019s release in 2020, Curato wrote<\/a>, \u201c… We are not sinners for being gay. We sin when we believe the lies that are perpetuated against us. We sin when we apologize for being here.\u00a0<\/p>\n\u201cI sinned when I didn\u2019t want to give myself a chance because I didn\u2019t think I was worth anything. This story is my penance and my redemption.\u201d<\/p>\n
The book was reportedly <\/a>among three books removed from the district’s libraries this summer ahead of the new school year.<\/p>\nEarlier this month, another book that depicts masturbation, pedophilia and anti-Christian ideology was found in two Texas school district libraries, including Fort Worth ISD.<\/p>\n
The bookBlankets<\/em><\/a>, a graphic novel by Craig Thompson, includes full frontal nudity of children and teenagers, sexual abuse, apparent depictions of pedophilia, and disparaging comments about Christianity.<\/p>\n\nIan M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Post and the author of\u00a0BACKWARDS DAD: a children’s book for grownups<\/a><\/em>. He can be reached at:\u00a0ian.giatti@christianpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nFree<\/span> Religious Freedom Updates<\/h2>\nJoin thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST<\/strong> newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/source><\/picture>A self-described disabled veteran was forcibly removed from a North Texas school board meeting after he began reading from a book about \u201chomosexuality and satanism\u201d that was recently removed from the school district\u2019s library.<\/p>\n
During the public comment portion of the Aug. 22 Fort Worth ISD board meeting<\/a>, a man who identified as Mike Cee began to read from the book Flamer<\/em>, a graphic novel by Mike Curato with references to oral sex and masturbation, which the American Library Associated named<\/a> as one of the \u201cmost challenged books of 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n As Cee approached the podium, he referenced God and Satan and called on those present to \u201cdo the right thing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSome in this room may or may not know this. Satan rules the world. Satan speaks through some of you,\u201d he said. \u201cIt could be some of these board members; it could be some of the audience. God has given us free will to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n He then began reading from Flamer <\/em>\u2014 which, he added, \u201chas to do with homosexuality and satanism\u201d \u2014 as a board member warned him that he would not be allowed to read the book if it was \u201cvulgar.\u201d<\/p>\n “On page one<\/a>, it says, \u2018OK, who wants my hot wiener, oh yeah baby,\u2019\u201d Cee read as a board member pounded his gavel. \u201cWe\u2019re talking about a hot dog here. Page two \u2026 \u201d<\/p>\n His microphone was then cut off as law enforcement officers approached the lectern and escorted Cee out of the room as a member of the audience shouted, \u201cDon\u2019t touch him. He didn\u2019t break the law!\u201d<\/p>\n A video <\/a>from the meeting showed police taking Cee into an adjacent room, where he told officers, \u201cThis book is in the school system and you are defending it!\u201d<\/p>\n Bystanders are heard in the clip telling officers, \u201cDon\u2019t touch him! You don\u2019t have the authority to!\u201d as one of the officers attempted to grab Cee around his waist.<\/p>\n Cee is heard shouting at the officer, \u201cI am a disabled veteran, stop pushing me!\u201d and \u201cGet your hands off me!\u201d<\/p>\n Police then escorted Cee out of the Fort Worth ISD building.<\/p>\n Oh great. Schools back in session and now we have more school board tyranny on display! Man forced out for reading from a book which was in the library. So much for free speech! Great for kids, but too obscene to speak out against at Fort Worth ISD board meeting? pic.twitter.com\/TsAl3iaC6Z<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kristi Leigh (@KristiLeighTV) August 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A Fort Worth ISD spokesperson told The Christian Post that the district \u201cis committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment, where all community members can voice their opinions and concerns in accordance with Board Policy.\u201d<\/p>\n The district\u2019s statement read in part: \u201cDuring our last meeting, an individual was escorted out after failing to comply with repeated warnings from the Board president and legal counsel. We deeply value open dialogue. We invite everyone to share their perspectives while upholding decorum. The Board is receptive to public commentary and kindly asks all speakers to respect each other and Board Policy.\u201d<\/p>\n Fort Worth ISD is also \u201cproactive\u201d in working to comply with House Bill 900<\/a> before it goes into effect Sept. 1 and \u201chas always conducted inventories periodically,\u201d according to the spokesperson.<\/p>\n HB900 requires books available in public schools and other public libraries to be rated and, if necessary, removed to guard against exposing children to obscene content.<\/p>\n Flamer<\/em>, which was among a trio of books featuring explicit content that were uncovered <\/a>by parents and independent journalists this summer in Fort Worth schools, is about <\/a>a young teen named Aiden who \u201crealized that he might be gay during a stay at summer camp \u2014 even as he struggles with the difficult reality of what that might mean.\u201d<\/p>\n Upon the book\u2019s release in 2020, Curato wrote<\/a>, \u201c… We are not sinners for being gay. We sin when we believe the lies that are perpetuated against us. We sin when we apologize for being here.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI sinned when I didn\u2019t want to give myself a chance because I didn\u2019t think I was worth anything. This story is my penance and my redemption.\u201d<\/p>\n The book was reportedly <\/a>among three books removed from the district’s libraries this summer ahead of the new school year.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, another book that depicts masturbation, pedophilia and anti-Christian ideology was found in two Texas school district libraries, including Fort Worth ISD.<\/p>\n The bookBlankets<\/em><\/a>, a graphic novel by Craig Thompson, includes full frontal nudity of children and teenagers, sexual abuse, apparent depictions of pedophilia, and disparaging comments about Christianity.<\/p>\n Ian M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Post and the author of\u00a0BACKWARDS DAD: a children’s book for grownups<\/a><\/em>. He can be reached at:\u00a0ian.giatti@christianpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST<\/strong> newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Free<\/span> Religious Freedom Updates<\/h2>\n