Nation
Bezos Says He May Drop Southern Poverty Law Center, “Would Like A Better” Screener For Charities
During Wednesday’s House subcommittee tech hearing, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) questioned Amazon’s usage of the radical Southern Poverty Law Center to deem eligible charities for donations, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said he would look to alternative options.
Gaetz layed out a list of charities that focus on Christian and Jewish causes as charities unjustly labeled as “extremists” by the SPLC — to which Bezos said he accepts Gaetz’s criticism and “would like a better source if I can get it.”
One of the groups unjustly labeled as a hate group by the SPLC is the Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal group focused on defending religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and free speech. Their cases have included defending Jack Phillips, the Colorado baker sued for sticking to his religious beliefs.
Senior Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom Jeremy Tedesco spoke to SaraACarter.com about the SPLC and Bezos’ potential switch.
“The SPLC actively lobbies corporations to harm and economically discriminate against groups and people they don’t like,” Tedesco said. “Amazon needs to stop being an active participant in a system that’s ultimately bad for everyone.”
ADF is labeled as an “extremist group” for using “‘religious liberty’ legislation and case law that will allow the denial of goods and services to LGBTQ people on the basis of religion,” according to the SPLC’s site.
ADF regularly defends mistreated groups and individuals — from nuns being forced to fund abortion to female athletes having their locker rooms infiltrated by males in the name of social justice.
Due to this label as an extremist group, Amazon does not allow customers to select ADF as a recipient of their charitable donations through Amazon Smile — a portion of the site that lets customers donate 0.5% of their purchases to different charities and organizations.
Gaetz asked the billionaire CEO why groups like Catholic Family News and the American Family Association are also excluded — the radical group also once designated world renowned brain surgeon and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson an extremist.
“I’m just wondering why you would place your confidence in a group that seems to be so out of step and seems to take mainstream Christian doctrine and label it as hate,” Gaetz said to Bezos during a Wednesday House subcommittee hearing virtually attended by Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and others.
“I would like suggestions on better or additional sources,” Bezos answered. Gaetz responded saying he should “divorce” with the SPLC.
ADF’s Tedesco noted people on the left and right have said the center is “completely discredited” and that “we welcome Bezos’ recognition that this is a bad system.”
He referenced a petition by the National Center for Public Policy Research calling on Amazon to end their usage of SPLC’s opinionated conclusions.
“There is so much power in the hands of a few companies like Amazon and there is a ground swell for them to end partnerships with far left groups,” he said. “Something that exists to smear and stop people who disagree with their views is something they can’t do for much longer.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas filibustered his way around every question posed by lawmakers and refused to admit there is a crisis at the United States southern border when pressed by Senators.
In contrast, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) Chief Raul Ortiz stated emphatically that the United States had “no operational control” of its border with Mexico when asked by House members at a border hearing earlier this month. Fox News contributor and Investigative columnist Sara Carter attended the House Homeland Security Committee’s field hearing in south Texas. At the hearing, Ortiz also said that the porous border “represents challenges, and in some areas, a crisis situation.”
Mayorkas’ refusal to admit what is happening at the border has many Border Patrol agents infuriated with the administration.
Vice President of the National Border Patrol Council Chris Cabrera told this reporter Wednesday, that Mayorkas’ refusal to answer wether or not there is a crisis is not only disingenuous but risks the safety of the U.S. and agents hired to protect the nation.
“He should be ashamed of himself for not answering,” said Cabrera. “Does he think that if he doesn’t answer, the problem isn’t there? Of course, there is a crisis on the border. We are seeing numbers higher that I have seen in my 21 years as an agent. Unfortunately, I don’t see this crisis going away anytime soon.”
Shortly after Ortiz spoke to lawmakers in early March, Carter, who was joined by Texas DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez, spoke on Sean Hannity’s radio show . Carter stated on Wednesday, that Mayorkas’ testimony directly contradicts Ortiz.
“It’s shameful how DHS Secretary Mayorkas lies to the public and lawmakers,” said Carter. “There is no doubt that there is a crisis at the Southern border and the situation is culminating into a national security crisis. More than 1 million known got-aways are in this country and we have no idea who they are and what their intentions might be. Terrorists have been apprehended at the border, children are dying that are being trafficked and our own children face a Fentanyl crisis, that is nothing short of poisoning and killing our citizens. Mayorkas needs to resign. He is a liar.”
No, @SecMayorkas, the spike in illegal immigration is because of your and President Biden's intentional neglect of border security. @tedcruz is right, your answer is outright laughable and a betrayal of your duties to the American people. #ImpeachMayorkas pic.twitter.com/9KRGBSIB2Q
— Heritage Foundation (@Heritage) March 29, 2023
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas lashed out at Secretary Mayorkas’ handling of the border crisis.
“Mr. Secretary, I want to say to you right now, your behavior is disgraceful. And the deaths, the children assaulted, the children raped, they are at your feet. And if you had integrity, you would resign,” said Cruz.
The powerful Texas Senator continued to unleash on Mayorkas, “the men and women of the Border Patrol, they’ve never had a political leader undermine them. They despise you, Mr. Secretary, because you’re willing to let children be raped to follow political orders. This is a crisis. It’s a disgrace. And you won’t even admit this human tragedy as it is crisis.”
Asked if their are any new developments at the U.S. border with Mexico, Cabrera said, “we are experiencing an influx of Chinese Nationals.” He expressed that “the real issue is going to be the ending of Title 42. Does the agency have a plan in place for the removal of Title 42?”
SaraACarter.com reached out to the DHS’ Office of Public Affairs, MediaInquiry@hq.dhs.gov, asking if their is a plan in the works when title 42 comes to an end but has yet to receive a response.
You can follow Alexander Carter on Twitter @AlexCarterDC
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