Freedom of Speech for Yee, but Not Me

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   Sharlee01posted 34 hours ago

   A Tale of Selective Outrage and Censorship
   
   
   Ah, the sweet, sweet irony of modern political discourse. While some on the left clutch their pearls over the alleged suppression of a late-night, in my view, low-rated show host's freedom of speech, a far more insidious and systematic effort to silence dissent has been unfolding under their very noses. Yes, while they feign outrage over a comedian's monologue, the Biden administration orchestrated a grand symphony of censorship, with Big Tech as its unwitting accomplice.
   
   The Biden Administration's Censorship Orchestra
   
   Under the guise of combating "misinformation," the Biden White House pressured big tech giants like Facebook, Twitter, Google, and YouTube to suppress content that didn't align with its narrative. This wasn't mere coincidence; it was a concerted effort to control the information landscape. In fact, the House Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan, uncovered that the Biden administration directly influenced these platforms to remove content related to COVID-19, election integrity, and other topics deemed politically inconvenient.
   
   Key Players and Methods of Contact
   
   The investigation revealed that several high-ranking officials within the Biden administration were involved in these efforts:
   
   Andy Slavitt, Senior Advisor to President Biden, was noted for his direct communications with tech executives. For instance, he had an hour-long call with Facebook's Nick Clegg, expressing strong dissatisfaction when content wasn't removed promptly. Slavitt was reportedly willing to engage multiple times a week to ensure compliance.
   
   Flaherty, another White House official, was documented pressing Facebook for more information on content removal and requesting "tangible examples" of enforcement. These interactions were not limited to formal meetings but included numerous emails and calls, indicating a persistent effort to influence content moderation.
   
   These communications were not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to align tech company policies with the administration's objectives.
   
   Big Tech's Role in the Censorship Conspiracy
   
   Initially, tech companies denied any wrongdoing, insisting their content moderation policies were independent. However, under the pressure of congressional subpoenas, the truth began to surface. Alphabet, Google's parent company, admitted that the Biden administration had pressured them to remove content that didn't violate their policies. In a letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Alphabet's chief counsel stated that such pressures were "unacceptable and wrong," reaffirming their commitment to free expression.
   
   Similarly, Meta (formerly Facebook) CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to censor certain COVID-19 content during the pandemic.
   
   The Hypocrisy of Selective Outrage
   
   Now, let's compare this with the left's reaction to a late-night show host's alleged suppression. While they decry the infringement on his freedom of speech, they turn a blind eye to the systematic silencing of countless individuals who dared to question the official narrative. This selective outrage isn't just hypocritical; it's a blatant double standard. If freedom of speech is truly a sacred right, it shouldn't be contingent on political alignment or public popularity.
   
   The Censorship Accountability Act: A Step Toward Justice
   
   In response to these revelations, Rep. Dan Bishop introduced the Censorship Accountability Act, which would allow individuals whose First Amendment rights were violated by federal officials to seek monetary damages. This bill aims to hold accountable those who weaponized censorship to suppress dissenting voices.
   
   A Call for Genuine Free Speech
   
   It's time to stop the charade. Freedom of speech isn't a commodity to be rationed based on political convenience. While some on the left rally behind a comedian's right to speak freely, they must also recognize the broader implications of government-overseen pure censorship. True commitment to free speech means defending it for everyone, not just those who share your views.
   
   So, the next time the left waves the flag of free speech in defense of a late-night host, perhaps they should first extinguish the flames of hypocrisy consuming their own credibility.   
   
   Censorship of media is generally associated with authoritarian or totalitarian governments, where the state seeks to control information to maintain power or suppress dissent. Some characteristics of these governments include:
   
   Authoritarian regimes – The government limits freedom of speech and press to prevent criticism or opposition. Examples historically include:
   
   North Korea – nearly all media is state-controlled.
   
   China – strict internet and media regulations; content that criticizes the government is blocked.
   
   Soviet Union (historically) – state-controlled media and censorship of opposing viewpoints.
   
   It seems this description fits exactly what the Biden administration did. This wasn’t just putting out thoughts or opinions, as Trump is famous for...
   
   The Biden team took actual steps to infiltrate and orchestrate censorship through tech and media outlets. Now, both his administration and the companies that went along with it have been exposed. Hopefully, the American people will see some form of justice for this blatant attack on our free speech, which was ultimately denied to us.
   
   I’ve long stopped being shocked by the Democrats; now, they only succeed in making my stomach turn.

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      Willowarborposted 32 hours agoin reply to this

      Haven't you advocated for limits on the first amendment when it comes to hate speech?  I think it would naturally follow that you may support the infringement to curb misinformation that may be harmful to the public at large....no?  What's the difference?

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