The InterMountain Education Service District is facing an interesting lawsuit brought by employee Rod Theis and his counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom, over an order to remove books deemed “transphobic” from his desk.
Another employee spotted books on Theis’s desk including “He is He,” “She is She,” and “Johnny the Walrus.” He used the covers as decorations in his workspace. Here are the covers that were included in the complaint:
As noted by College Fix, Amazon.com describes the book “She is She” as a work that “explores what it means to be female…and love it!
The appearance of the covers on his desk triggered a co-worker:
“an employee at one of Mr. Theis’ schools saw the covers of the Books and complained that they were “transphobic.” IMESD labeled the display as “a hostile expression of animus toward another person relating to their actual or perceived gender identity” and ordered Mr. Theis to remove them. IMESD then warned him that “further conduct of this nature” may result in discipline, including termination of his employment. But Mr. Theis’ display of the Books caused no disruption. Indeed, not one student or school staff member had even commented about the Books to Mr. Theis since he began displaying them. The school principal even told Mr. Theis that he did not consider the Books to be offensive or inappropriate.”
The district defines “Bias incident” as a “person’s hostile expression of animus toward” another “person’s perceived … gender identity[.]”
However, the standard and underlying process of what constitutes such a violation is vague. There is no required showing of an impact on a group or any identifiable individual.
The district rules allow employees “to decorate their offices with personal items including paintings, photos, quotes, books, and even posters or statements that convey political messages.”
The complaint notes that other employees have decorated their spaces with political material as well as material supporting alternative views of gender. These include pride symbols and material. However, Theis was denied the same privilege.
This was the space and the covers that were found triggering and unacceptable:
The lawsuit claims that the district is maintaining a discriminatory Speech Policy that allows expression of support for alternative views of gender while forbidding express support for a biological view. The resulting censorship is being challenged under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Theis is seeking a preliminary injunction.
We have not heard from the district, so this is obviously only one side of the dispute. However, if true, this seems like a strong claim that could create a new and important precedent in favor of free speech.
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
How quickly we have gone from “we just want to get married” to “just shut up and bake the f*cking cake” to “you’re a genocidal bigot if you oppose sexual mutilation of children.” Damn… that slope sure was slippery.
“I have been studying the various episodic mass suicides of trans youth throughout the eons of human history.” …..not
Isn’t that what we are being told? If boys don’t get expensive hormones (supplied by big pharma), sex-change surgery (performed by big medicine) and start dressing up like girls that there will be an epidemic of suicides?
Where is the data? Where is the historical accounts of youth suicides? Where does this exist outside of western civilization, specifically in places that are woke? It won’t be available on Google or Wikipedia.
This whole “trans youth” craze is just that, a craze. It is a warped idea perpetrated by persistent and vocal activists. Their agenda is to weaken and destroy families and traditional ideals.
Forty years ago, the number of gender dysphoria cases were rare. Those that were allowed to simply grow up, no longer had a problem.
From the sick minds of Drs. John Money and Alfred Kinsey came much of this bizarre idealistic garbage that has been foisted on our nation and culture.
I am glad to see people willing to stand up to these lies.
Yes, another piece without any national significance and to divert attention away from the failures and open corruption of Trump. Let’s start with him imposing himself as a “graduation speaker” at West Point, wearing his stupid “MAGA” hat. Trump’s sociopathy was on full display–how could a cowardly draft dodger, who has referred to members of our military as “suckers and losers” have the gall to stand before West Point graduates–men and women who have dedicated their lives to the service of America? He stood there and lied about “rebuilding” the military, taking credit for increased recruitment that actually went up under Biden after the pandemic, and which experts say is the result of Biden’s recruitment reforms. As usual, if something is going well, Trump lies and tries to take credit for it, but if something is not going well, he blames Biden.
Then, there’s the cryptocurrency scandal. Trump has doubled his net worth since entering the White House—all from people, including foreigners, who are paying for access. From “Axios”:
May 7, 2025 –
Politics & Policy
Congress erupts over Trump’s billion-dollar crypto deal
Zachary Basu
“A $2 billion crypto deal involving President Trump’s family and a foreign government is threatening to derail bipartisan stablecoin legislation that Congress has been working on for months.
Why it matters: Democrats see the potential for gob-smacking corruption in Trump’s lucrative crypto projects, which they consider to be the clearest conflicts of interest in a sea of new business ventures launched by the president and his inner circle.
The Trump family’s crypto dealings could now jeopardize legislation that the crypto industry has aggressively lobbied for as a way to gain legitimacy and legal clarity in the U.S.
What’s happening: Senate Democrats unveiled a sweeping new proposal Tuesday to ban presidents, lawmakers and their families from issuing, endorsing or sponsoring crypto assets, Axios’ Stephen Neukam scooped.
The new bill comes days after Senate Democrats suddenly voiced opposition to the GENIUS Act — landmark bipartisan legislation that would create the first-ever regulatory framework for stablecoins.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) introduced bills targeting Trump’s multibillion-dollar meme coin, which Murphy called “the single most corrupt act ever committed by a president.”
Over in the House, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) led a Democratic walkout of a joint hearing on crypto regulation, plunging the session into chaos in hopes of drawing new attention to Trump’s alleged “corruption.”
Between the lines: Democrats have long accused Trump and his family of profiting from the presidency. But on two particularly brazen crypto projects, Trumpworld may have flown too close to the sun.”
Mary, may we end financial assistance and affirmative action yet or do you still need it?
Mary is Gigi after a steroid injection.
Oh, so I lied? Are you saying Trump didn’t wear a MAGA hat, take credit for increased recruitment that actually started under Biden, that he dodged the draft by claiming bone spurs that didn’t keep him off the golf course and that Gen Kelly lied about Trump calling our military “suckers and losers “?
And I guess, according to you, that it’s OK to sell access to the President to the biggest purchasers of Trump’s personal cryptocurrency, along with a private tour of the White House and dinner (which, reportedly, was reminiscent of airplane food), and for the president to enrich himself by selling crypto currency and private access, mostly to foreigners?
Financial assistance and affirmative action are unconstitutional and bereft of any legal basis other than that of Karl Marx’s slogan, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”
Are you a communist, a “his,” or both?
Trump rightfully took credit for increased recruitment. That never happened under Biden. Anyone and everyone with a IQ above 80 could see and knew full well Biden was not in charge of anything. No one wanted to be in the military or SS, Coast Guard, etc under the Biden admin. Biden did not instill confidence or command. The “increased recruitment that actually started under Biden” is nothing but a MSM lie. Or, if increased recruitment did occur under Biden, it was after Harris lost the election but before Trump was sworn in.
So you hate Making American Great Again…. Typical hater
I Object. Not responsive.
Mary
Of course this has national significance.
You idiots on the left have constantly been claiming that those on the right are engaged in censorship because they they make age appriate choices about school curicula.
Yet, here you are – this person is not making curicula choices. He is engaged in pol;itical expression – which district policy allow. There has been no disruption – so the tinker standard is met.
What Turley is pointing out is the massive hypocracy of the left.
Free speech for thee but not for me.
It is time for conservative commentators to learn to spell the word “hypocrisy.” This is a word we use often, and rightly so, to describe the activities of our leftist adversaries, but when we misspell it they roll their eyes and say to themselves, “There goes another uneducated, knuckle-dragging troglodyte.” Please folks. It’s not that hard. Next, learn how to spell “bureaucracy.” A little more difficult, but doable.
” Let’s start with him imposing himself as a “graduation speaker” at West Point”
Biden spoke at commencement at West Point – Presidents often do.
If your going to feign outrage – atleast pick something unusual that Trump has done.
“wearing his stupid “MAGA” hat.”
What exactly is wrong with “Make America Great Again”
On Sept 12 2001 like millions of americans – I installed a flag pole at my home.
I flew the american flag for years after.
As soon as it arrived I also flew the Gadsen “Don’t Tread on Me” flag – again as many americans did.
I flew it like myriads of americas to warn those foreign enemies not to mess with America.
There is still a flagpole at my home and the Gadsen flag still flies on it. Warning not merely foreign enemies of america but domestic ones.
If you wish to have a debate about What makes america Great – lets have that debate.
Trump does not own the understanding of what constitutes american greatness,
Though his conception of what makes america great is shared by the overwhelming majority of americans.
Or are you upset because you do NOT want America to be great ? Or because you do not beleive America ever was great ?
Regardless – speak the truth. Compare and contrast YOUR values with Those of the majority of americans.
Again lets have the debate about what constitutes american greatness.
But you do not seem to have any interest in that debate, only insulting those who see America as “the land of the free and the home of the brave. “
“Trump’s sociopathy was on full display”
All or nearly all politicians are likely sociopaths. Most CEO’s ministers, doctors, teachers and policemen are sociopaths.
What matters is whether they act within the law or not.
“how could a cowardly draft dodger”
Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden – all presidents who did not serve.
Nice whataboutism there.
“who has referred to members of our military as “suckers and losers” have the gall to stand before West Point graduates–men and women who have dedicated their lives to the service of America?”
Repeating debunked garbage does not enhance your argument.
As to Trump’s bravery – He faced two assassination attempts.
One that came within millimeters of killing him.
And he got back up immediately.
The graduates at West point have not yet been tested in that way, and many never will.
Hopefully few of them will be found wanting.
Trump was not.
Further Trump has dedicated his life to service of America.
Had he chosen not to run in 2016 – The left never would have concocted this idiocy about him.
Had he chosen not to run again in 2024 – there would be no indictiments, no lawfare.
Trump is fighting against YOU and FOR america.
You can debate the merits of his vision of american greatness if you wish.
Please lets have that debate instead of these stupid games you are playing.
But only a moron would claim that Trump is not acting in service of his vision of american greatness.
The fact that it is not yours does not change the fact that he is actually serving the country.
” He stood there and lied about “rebuilding” the military, taking credit for increased recruitment that actually went up under Biden after the pandemic, and which experts say is the result of Biden’s recruitment reforms. ”
In what world do you live in – Recruitment not only tanked shortly after Biden became president, the Military has fallen FAR short of targets for the past 4 years.
But the moment it was clear Trump was going to be president – recruitment spiked.
“As usual, if something is going well”
Recruitment IS going well, it was NOT this time last year.
Trump is not taking credit for something Biden did,
He is blaming Biden for very real failure that is easily established by data.
And he is taking credit for changes that took place immediately after he won the election.
John Say,
Well said and spot on! After Trump won the election, the mood of America changed for the better! There was a great sigh of relief as we Americans knew we have won, left a very dark time behind us and a new, brighter and better future was on the horizon! The leftist Democrat agenda is dying and with a successful Trump and hopefully Vance presidency, the leftists agenda will die.
“Then, there’s the cryptocurrency scandal. Trump has doubled his net worth since entering the White House—all from people, including foreigners, who are paying for access.”
According to Forbes Trump’s net worth about this time last year was 7.5B, currently it is 5.5B.
At the end of his first term it was 2.5B.
You (and axious) seem to have a problem with reality.
Trump has been involved in Crypto since 2021. Any valuation of Trump’s crypto holdings is speculative at best.
Regardless, Trump got in on the ground floor of some Crypto currencies and NFT’s in 2021.
That was a big gamble. It appears to be paying off. At the same time, outside of Bitcoin and maybe etherium all other Crypto has enormous risk. Even Bitcoin is incredibly volatile, though after 20yrs people are starting to greasp that it is not going away and it is outperforming the stock market despite tremendous short term volatility.
I have no idea what congress is looking to legislate – but there are only two things that they should do with Crypto.
First – Get out of the way. Recognize crypto currencies as just exactly that – CURENCIES,
People do not get taxed on dollar holdings if the value of the dollar increases.
ALL Money is a form of investment – as well as having other uses.
Treat all crpto currencies in exactly the same way as they would any other currencies.
Second the US government should likely add Bitcoin to its holdings – just as it holds gold.
Other than that – crypto currencies are NOT the business of the US govenrment,
and the last thing I would want to see is crypto Legislation beyond what I addressed above
The worst thing that can happen to anything in the free market is for government to get involved.
“Why it matters:”
It doesn;t.
Just like everyone else in government Trump and his family can invest in anything they want – with the exception, that they are not supposed to use insider knowledge of Government actions – like Pelosi and large numbers of congressmen have done to engage in the equivalent of day trading.
“Democrats see the potential for gob-smacking corruption”
Democrats see all kinds of things that are not there.
The collusion delusion.
Russian disinformation in Hunter Biden’s laptop.
Joe Biden as competent.
military recruitment going up under Biden and down under Trump.
Nazi’s everywhere.
“Trump’s lucrative crypto projects, which they consider to be the clearest conflicts of interest in a sea of new business ventures launched by the president and his inner circle.”
How is crypto a conflict of interest ? IOf Trump invested in gold – would that be a conflict of interest ?
Further, I am not all that interested in Faux conflicts of interest.
I want a president and congressmen, that bets on the country and I want them to work towards and win that bet. Those who run our country should be encouraged to bet heavily on the success of the country. What they are not permitted to do is place bets based on secret insider knowledge that the rest of us do not have.
The easiest way to avoid that is to require those who run our country to do their investing publicly – not so that there is nothing hidden. If Trump bets on Crypto – you can chose to place the same bet – or not.
The FACT that you are reporting on the investments of Trump officials means that you have fundimentally the same knowledge that they do. You can decide that they know what they are doing – and match their investments and profit as they do,
Or you can decide they do not know what they are doing and bet against them.
You do not seem to understand what public corruption is.
It is not betting on the success of the country.
It is getting paid to excercise public power for someone else’s gain – as the Bidens did.
“The Trump family’s crypto dealings could now jeopardize legislation that the crypto industry has aggressively lobbied for as a way to gain legitimacy and legal clarity in the U.S.”
The only legislation cryto needs is legislation to undo stupid decisions by bureaucrats.
Crypto is MONEY, and should be treated exactly the same as money by the government.
Trump’s cyrpto choices are meaningless so long as that is what government does.
Crypto does not need anything else from Government and should not get anything else from government.
The fastest way to ruin something in the private sector is for government to give it special treatment.
“What’s happening: Senate Democrats unveiled a sweeping new proposal Tuesday to ban presidents, lawmakers and their families from issuing, endorsing or sponsoring crypto assets, Axios’ Stephen Neukam scooped.”
Such legislation – even if it passed would be unconstitutional. It would violate the first amendment, the 5th amendment, and the contracts clause at the bare minimum.
“The new bill comes days after Senate Democrats suddenly voiced opposition to the GENIUS Act — landmark bipartisan legislation that would create the first-ever regulatory framework for stablecoins.”
The only regulatory framework needed is to treat Crypto as exactly what it is MONEY.
Treat it exactly the same as dollars, gold, rupees, Yen.
The worst thing that can happen to crypto is Govenrment doing ANYTHING else.
I do not know much about the details of this proposed legislation, but if it does anything beyond protect Crypto from being regulated differently from other forms of money – then I oppose that legislation. And if it Tanks – great!
“Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) introduced bills targeting Trump’s multibillion-dollar meme coin, which Murphy called “the single most corrupt act ever committed by a president.””
1) Senate democrats are not getting any legislation before a sommittee much less to the senate floor.
2). In what possible way would a president introducing a meme-coin be corrupt ?
If Trump encouraged people to buy gold or silver would that be corrupt ? Of course not.
I would personally recomend against people buying any crypto except bitcoin or possibly etherium. I expect most of the rest of crypto currencies to fail. We do not need bazillions of different cyrpto currencies. Almost all of which are little more than clones of bitcoin.
Why buy a clone when you can have the real thing.
But if you wish to buy Trump coin or Trump golden sneakers, or Trump bibles – that is up to you,
And efforts by congress to stop that would be unconstitutional.
“Over in the House, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) led a Democratic walkout of a joint hearing on crypto regulation, plunging the session into chaos in hopes of drawing new attention to Trump’s alleged “corruption.””
That would be the corrupt maxine waters whose family owns banks that she regulates ?
“Between the lines:”
Not at all between the lines – Democrats are overt in their accusations.
They are also stupid.
“Democrats have long accused Trump and his family of profiting from the presidency.”
Every politician profits from office. That is NOT corruption. It is litterally something we WANT.
We WANT politicians to bet on the success of the country.
What they can not do is secretly place bets based on secret knowledge.
“But on two particularly brazen crypto projects, Trumpworld may have flown too close to the sun.”
Nope. The very fact that you are ranting about this is evidence that there is no secret dealing going on.
You are perfectly free to make the same bets Trump is making.
Or not.
Personally, I do not own a Trump Bible, or Trump Golden sneakers, or Trump NFT’s or Trump crypto. I do not beleive any of these are good investments.
I would guess that you have chosen not to put your money in any of these either.
That was YOUR free choice. Those who have – made their own free choices.
To the extent that is possible all of us have the same knowledge or atleast the ability to obtain the same knowledge if we wish.
I do not know the details of Trump’s crypto – but to an extremely large extent Crypto is more anonymous than Cash. Those buying and selling things with Crypto or buying and selling Crypto do not know who they are buying or selling to – just like cash. This is why govenrments tend to be hostile to crypto.
While not impossible, it is actually extremely hard to “influence pedal” with Crypto.
“That is the very definition of not corrupt. ”
How so ?
It is not enough for those with crap for credibility to lob accusations and expect to be believed.
Congress erupts over Trump’s billion-dollar crypto deal
**********************
OMG You loons said zip about Nancy P and her stock trading. Notice all these loons are dems
To correct the record: there is no independent confirmation that Trump ever called our war dead “suckers and losers.” A group that Trump honored, bare-headed, in the rain, at Suresnes American Cemetery, on the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.
There was another cowardly draft-dodger who “has the gall to stand before West Point graduates” — one Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr,, the sixth generation in America to fail to serve in the US military.
Before both West Point grads and Annapolis grads, Biden claimed that Sen Boggs had “shortlisted him for Annapolis.” The problem is that a physical comes fairly early in the process, and a history of asthma is an automatic DQ.
But, Joe claimed at 25 he should be exempt from the draft bc of “childhood asthma.”
Mary – obviously you’re disappointed that Mr. Turley wrote about the topic he wanted to, rather than the topic you wanted him to. Is that why your comment was a complete non sequitur? Even with some gummies, I’m not sure I will be able to draw a line between what we all read, and what you wrote.
Most of this nonsense would go away if writers and editors just avoided the nonsense word, “transgender.” No person has ever been or ever will be a gender different than the one they were at birth. Of course there are birth defects that lend the appearance of mixed gender characteristics in a fraction of instances and these are seized on by advocates who make claims on behalf of a fictitious new civil rights class. But the truth is that, notwithstanding the widespread acceptance of the possibility of individuals changing genders, what we are witness to is nothing more than the continued existence of people masquerading as the opposite sex. Except this time the poseurs come not just armed with a change of clothes but with a battery of pharmaceuticals, surgeries, and therapeutic defenses to extend the ruse. They are simply bog-standard transvestites and that is what they should be called. It is time honored term. They may be experiencing gender dysphoria but anyone who accepts their claims has fallen under what Dr. Robert Malone calls a Mass Formation Psychosis. The afflicted have lost their bearings and perhaps their minds and no longer know what a woman is, even if they may sit on the Supreme Court.
Actually, I think “born in the wrong body” is among the dumbest phrases. I was obviously born in the wrong body because I’m only 5’10” and my rightful body is 6’6″. Obviously. Whoever has the body I should have been born in needs to return it.
It is clear now why Oregon legalized euthanasia.
OT
MEDICAID – Medicaid is nonsense. There was no Medicaid in 1789, and there is no legal basis or citable section for Medicaid in 2025. Medicaid is illegal charity. Who arbitrarily awarded Medicaid as charity to their favorite supplicants? Medicaid is legally invalid and illegitimate. Medicaid covers ~18% of the population. Clearly, Medicaid is not “general Welfare” and cannot be taxed for or funded by Congress per Article 1, Section 8. Illegal aliens are subject to the jurisdiction of foreign countries and have no rights in America, yet they are covered by Medicaid. Who the —- is running this place?
Illegal aliens do not get Medicaid or any other welfare benefits certainly not in California…
Transphobic, of course!
Normal people are the phobes, and trans biological entities are the defects, perversions, and freaks of nature.
Defects, perverts, and freaks self-terminate and do not replicate; what’s that tell you about their legitimacy and worth?
Whatever happened to sanity?
___________________________________
“Just the facts, ma’am.”
– Joe Friday, Dragnet
_________________________
Fear is a primary natural defense mechanism.
In the “fundamentally transformed” “Land of the Free,” if you hold an opinion or preference, including one that is rational, normal, accurate, and legitimate, you are phobic.
Were the American Founders Afrophobic?
Did the American Founders and Framers cause being Afrophobic to be unconstitutional in their fundamental law of 1789?
Under the constitutional freedom of speech, Americans may use every component of abject and base profanity in film and TV presented to the public, but they may not use the n-word.
Who the —- is running this place anyway?