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Fox News' Todd Starnes Facebook page reinstated after talking about NRA, Paula Deen, Jesus

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'I'm politically incorrect and happy as a June bug,' Starnes declared on posting

There seems to be limits to free speech, at least on Facebook. Fox News reporter Todd Starnes made a cheerful post about Paula Deen, Jesus Christ and the National Rifle Association and found himself deleted from the social networking site. His Facebook post has since been reinstated, but an expected flood of controversy has greeted the incident.

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Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
7/2/2013 (1 decade ago)

Published in Celebrity

Keywords: Facebook, Todd Starnes, Paula Deen, freedom of speech

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "I'm about as politically incorrect as you can get," Starnes gushed on his Facebook page. "I'm wearing an NRA ball cap, eating a Chick-fil-A sandwich, reading a Paula Deen cookbook and sipping a 20-ounce sweet tea while sitting in my Cracker Barrel rocking chair with the Gather Vocal Band singing 'Jesus Saves' on the stereo and a Gideon's Bible in my pocket. Yes sir, I'm politically incorrect and happy as a June bug."

The post went viral, generating hundreds of comments. Facebook - which apparently has no problems with commentary from the far left -- claimed the post violated their rules and standards.

"We removed this from Facebook because it violates our Community Standards," Facebook told Starnes. "So you're temporarily blocked from using this feature." Facebook not only banned Starnes from posting, the site also prevented him from posting a daily Bible verse called "Morning Glory - Start Your Day Inspired."

The understandably perplexed Starnes expressed his dismay. "Does Facebook have a bigger problem with Jesus or plump juicy chicken breasts?" he asked.

An outcry from fans and supporters followed and Facebook lifted the ban and apologized.

"They said one of their staff members 'accidentally' removed the posting," Starnes wrote on his page. "'Accidentally on purpose,' as my grandfather used to say!" one person responded on Facebook. "Glad to be part of this God-fearing, America-loving front porch!!"

A number of other Facebook users expressed support for Starnes and his message. Facebook declined comment.

Starnes noted that this is not the first time Facebook has punished conservatives for little to no reason. Facebook punished Florida blogger Diane Sori earlier this year for a link to a beheading picture she never posted. A rule that holds all administrators responsible for what any administrator posts regardless of the circumstances.

Twitchy noted the irony of Starnes' banning, considering the site permits pages calling for the murder of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer on trial for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Other social networking sites like Online Fiends and United Patriots have sprung up, and a Facebook event calls on users to stay off the social media giant on Independence Day.

With Facebook's alleged role in the NSA's spying on U.S. citizens, it appears to be a very bad year for Mark Zuckerberg's creation .

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