If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine

The immortal words of Obi-Wan Kenobi came to mind as I have been processing this sudden thrust for social media/tech companies to consolidate power and purge dissenting political voices from various platforms (Twitter, Facebook, IOS and Google Play Store)

Banning and censoring and silencing controversial conservative voices seems like a very ill-conceived plan, if you ask me. Rather than let people's words stand on their own, and be either accepted or rejected based on the legitimacy of their content, the Powers That Be have apparently decided that now is the opportune time to forcibly mute voices that present differing points of view and opinions that diverge from the scripted narrative promulgated by MSM and liberal orthodoxy.

Why make Trump or Limbaugh or their supporters martyrs? I think it's a very perilous path to decide that political figures (that don't align with the prevailing opinions in Big Tech) should be silenced. IMO doing this portrays such people as sympathetic figures, and it sets up a psychological condition where people that ordinarily wouldn't care what Trump puts out in a Tweet are now going to try to track down his messaging to see why it's controversial and why it's not suitable for Twitter/Facebook.

I don't have really any social media accounts, and personally I don't really care if I never hear another word uttered by Trump again, so in a sense I have no "skin in the game". Nevertheless, I think that the Big Tech/social media are setting themselves up for much closer scrutiny and criticism from all quarters by their actions here.

Sometimes the best course of action is to ignore people you disagree with rather than attack them, and potentially give them a reason to be acknowledged and pitied by neutral parties.

tyrant mindset.

have force, use force.

no mercy on opposition.

a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

Donald Trump isn’t being censored. He has a press room in his house where he can talk to America. Give statements and answer questions.

Spare me the victim mentality.

I think that you can legally justify establishing and enforcing a demarcation between political speech and organizing/coordinating insurrection activities. The 1st Amendment was never supposed to be a suicide pact.

Using a social media platform isn't a right; it's an agreed upon arrangement that the owner of the platform has the right and responsibility to monitor and maintain, and just like some platforms don't allow porn and all platforms ban kiddie-porn, some of these platforms are now drawing the line at sedition.

a reply to: underwerks

He should call a press conference, walk in and jerk all their press passed and say “Welcome to Twitter.”

Then have them kicked out for trespassing without a press pass.

originally posted by: underwerks
a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

Donald Trump isn’t being censored. He has a press room in his house where he can talk to America. Give statements and answer questions.

Spare me the victim mentality.

If the networks aren't carrying his full address or press conference live, and rely on editorial discretion to control their narrative, then yes, he really is being censored

originally posted by: underwerks
a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

Donald Trump isn’t being censored. He has a press room in his house where he can talk to America. Give statements and answer questions.

Spare me the victim mentality.

Can you expand on your point a little? Are your referring to the "bully pulpit" as Trump's "press room"? That's going away in about 2 weeks after Biden assumes office.

Labeling me a victim is skirting the issue and relying on ad hominem rather than engaging in honest debate on the matter. I was rather clear in my position that I neither subscribe to social media nor GAF about what Trump says. I'm actually looking forward to the massive increase in my portfolio value as Biden and his handlers go completely overboard in handing out stimulus/bailouts to everyone in sight, including states and cities that have fiduciary issues going back decades before COVID, and accelerating the expansion of our current debt bubble.

But thanks for confirming the mindset I figured you would adopt here, which is an authoritarian position in favor of muting those who you disagree with. It's funny, because day by day your political ethos is becoming "the establishment": complete and utter assault and commercially/government sanctioned warfare on your political opponents.

He will arise, and it will be down to you to strike him down once more.

originally posted by: underwerks
a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

Donald Trump isn’t being censored. He has a press room in his house where he can talk to America. Give statements and answer questions.

Spare me the victim mentality.

Yup. The same way that every other president has communicated. But Trump needs extra special treatment, just as he has gotten since birth, otherwise... so victimized!

a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

The irony of so-called "anti-fascists" underwriting and supporting fascist actions regarding dissenting political voices is not lost on me.

I think there are a few card-carrying Antifa members on this forum that should consider whether or not they are on the "right side" nowadays.

ETA it's also rich to hear criticism of laying down "The Victim Card", which number one, pretty sure I made it clear I don't follow Trump's Tweets/messages, and number two, the past four years have been one continuous series of laying down Victim Cards.

originally posted by: Cobaltic1978
He will arise, and it will be down to you to strike him down once more.

Huh?

a reply to: underwerks

You obviously didn’t read the entire OP. Just went for the smash and grab.

If you had, you would have seen that the OP isn’t a Trump fan.

What you also would have seen is a level headed OP, that knows this topic isn’t about Trump — it’s about ALL of us and our rights of free speech.

Zoom up dude. There is a bigger picture here.

originally posted by: KKLOCO
a reply to: underwerks

You obviously didn’t read the entire OP. Just went for the smash and grab.

If you had, you would have seen that the OP isn’t a Trump fan.

What you also would have seen is a level headed OP, that knows this topic isn’t about Trump — it’s about ALL of us and our rights of free speech.

Zoom up dude. There is a bigger picture here.

Does the bigger picture include all these super genuine 'I never really liked Trump' but 'I repeat all the same laughable garbage and fake-victimization that he does' approach?

Yay capitalism... I mean, boo capitalism!! Boo government control... I mean, yay government control!
It's all up is down and down is up these days.

a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

First they came for the Trumpers, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trump supporter.

Then they came for the Conservatives, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Conservative.

Then they came for the Independents, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Independent.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

I cannot say how very dangerous this first step is right now for millions of Americans.

originally posted by: underwerks
a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

Donald Trump isn’t being censored. He has a press room in his house where he can talk to America. Give statements and answer questions.

Spare me the victim mentality.

Yeah, he is. Tell me one other person Twitter has done this to for political reasons and you know darned well that's what it was.

originally posted by: underwerks
a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

Donald Trump isn’t being censored. He has a press room in his house where he can talk to America. Give statements and answer questions.

Spare me the victim mentality.

Ha great point!!! What a joke

Other thing is Rush deactivated his Twitter. Both are scum.

One thing I've noticed with all these election threads is that no-one is defending or praising Joe Biden. It's all levels of Trump hate. Maybe there is something we can all agree on, that Joe Biden is a corrupt, demented old P.O.S.

originally posted by: Blue_Jay33
a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

First they came for the Trumpers, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trump supporter.

Then they came for the Conservatives, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Conservative.

Then they came for the Independents, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Independent.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

I cannot say how very dangerous this first step is right now for millions of Americans.

I think you mean "First they came for anyone that opposed Trump, and I did not speak out... because I was a Trump supporter"
Funny how you left the actual reality/first step out of your list.

Dominion worker who received death threats sues Trump campaign and conservative media

Michigan Legislative Offices Shut Down Due To ‘Credible Threats Of Violence’ Ahead Of Electoral College Vote

Long-time GOP election official says he's receiving death threats over Trump cricitism

Delegates face death threats from Trump supporters

Election officials are facing death threats in key swing states where Trump is trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential race

After Death Threats At Pro-Trump Rally, Milwaukee Health Inspectors Will Get Police Escorts

Another Trump Supporter Arrested After Death Threats Against 3 Democratic Lawmakers

From Congress To Local Health Boards, Public Officials Suffer Threats And Harassment

A lifelong Republican stood up to Trump. His reward: Death threats

a reply to: SleeperHasAwakened

I recently attended a community event and everyone was laughing, and enjoying their time together.

I was truly surprised that no one brought up any political talk, and not one word was spoken about the event at the Capitol.

I will admit, I was waiting for someone to say something, because the majority of my neighbors are Trump supporters. But no political conversation ensued. I think so many attended because they needed a breath of fresh air, and needed to immerse themselves in real reality for a spell.

I have four friends that are convinced that Trump is a warrior sent here by God, and he will save the world. They do not believe it is over, and believes that Trump will be lifted by God into a position to rule the world, sometime in February.

I have two friends that say they are Democrats but they do not fit the picture that the internet will have you believing that an evil Democrat looks like.

My feelings for my friends have not changed. In fact, I think I feel closer to them then ever before, because I don't agree with them, and none of us feel I "have" to.

Basically what I am trying to say is, the BS that so many keep eating up on the internet is nothing more than a mass of soy, that is flavored to fit the deception that your influencers are feeding you, and want you to believe is the truth.

Believe what "you" believe. Stop listening to the bullcrap that is being spewed on the internet to manipulate your feeling and your actions.

I honestly believe that the majority of those that attended the rally on the sixth, went with honest, and good intentions. What happened was they were hijacked and thrown off the cliff without realizing that they were suckered, used, duped, and hung out for slaughter.

The internet is not the place to put your trust or to invest your time. If you really belive that America is in trouble, then cut the cord and put your time, money, defense, and trust in yourself and your community.

It is the only way to make America great again.

originally posted by: SleeperHasAwakened

Banning and censoring and silencing controversial conservative voices seems like a very ill-conceived plan, if you ask me. Rather than let people's words stand on their own, and be either accepted or rejected based on the legitimacy of their content, the Powers That Be have apparently decided that now is the opportune time to forcibly mute voices that present differing points of view and opinions that diverge from the scripted narrative promulgated by MSM and liberal orthodoxy.

Here's something to think about: How deeply entwined do you think the Federal government and Corporate America are? Whatever your answer, I can almost guarantee it's worse. They work together to maximize profits for both.

When a corporation is wealthy enough to buy influence in the Federal government, they expect something in return. They get it. On the other hand, when Federal government wants something from a corporation, they get it, if the corporation wishes to remain profitable. There are many well known ways the money changes hands, campaign contributions, tax breaks, bailouts, low interest loans, fundraisers, charities, foundations, etc. More discrete Federal agencies use methods more akin to money laundering.

Take CNN, FOX, MSNBC, or any major news media today. They would have you believe they are a news organization. But what is the most important thing for a news organization to have? A reputation for honesty, fairness, impartiality, things like that. Who would tune in to watch the news station when they have lied to you so many times in the past? Theoretically, as a business, they should be going bust.

So, where are they getting their money. Why, advertising, of course, right?

So, where are the advertisers getting their money? More importantly, why would corporations want to advertise on a platform known for lies?

Well, look at the ads. What do you see? Well, there's an ad for a new pill that will help with some problem I wasn't aware of but I think I may have now. Pharmaceutical companies, one of the biggest, if not the biggest, lobbies in Congress. Coincidentally, Congress passed many favorable laws for pharmaceutical companies. They would also be key players in any chemical or biological warfare program. It's a nice little circle of profit

Insurance companies, financial institutions, charities, and others also buy a lot of ad space. Same money and influence transfers all the way around.

I'm sure you remember a time when the online content of "news" organizations allowed comments on their articles from their readers. They don't do that anymore. As that CNN reporter let slip, they feel it is their job to tell you what your opinion is, not listen to yours. As long as CNN cooperates with the Federal government, they get the advertising dollars, and they get access to people and places a real news organization wouldn't get.

Now the target is social media. The opinions of the people must be controlled. If the Federal government or Corporate America want something, it's up to news and social media to convince the American people that they want it, too. Anyone who does not play ball is not getting the money.