It appears the First Amendment to the Constitution is dead. Actions by Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Amazon (de-platformed Parler), Reddit, Google, Apple, Snapchat, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitch, Shopify and Pinterest have resulted in direct bans or restrictions on any communication by the President of the United States and many of his staff, political party and followers. These actions directly influence, eliminate and restrict free exercise of a basic Constitutional Right. And under the Constitution, is illegal. The Department of Justice should immediately file charges against these companies. They should also explore charges under the RICCO statutes. It is obvious these companies are colluding. These actions can not stand or go unpunished in the United States. If they do, the First Amendment is voided. ANY argument that these are private companies and can do as they wish is mute. They can do as they wish until it infringes on the Constitutional rights of others. Then it becomes illegal and Unconstitutional. ANY argument that it is a danger to the United States is also mute. These platforms facilitate the likes of ISIS, ANTIFA, Hezbollah and many others. This in effect silences any and all political discussion. Game over. Historically it was "I may not agree with you, but I'll defend to the death you're right to say it" Has been replaced by "Toe the line or we will destroy you"
Kelley Paul @KelleyAshbyPaul Hey @jack , remember how for the last three years you have allowed thousands of hateful tweets celebrating my husband’s assault and encouraging more violence against him? I do. 2:10 PM · Jan 10, 2021·Twitter for iPhone 8.2K Retweets 415 Quote Tweets 26.6K Likes
This is what the First Amendment says, word for word: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. As you can see it is quite clear that Congress cannot limit your Free Speech. Congress has not limited anyone's free speech. The tech companies are well within their rights to ban Trump and it is in no way a violation of Trump's first amendment rights. If you guys are going to claim that you love this country, our laws and constitution you should probably know what your rights are and aren't. Do you not recall the baker who refused to make a cake for a gay couple? Well, that case went all the way to the supreme court who ruled that the baker has the right to refuse them serviced because it is a privately owned business. This is no different. In order for Trump to sign up for Twitter he had to agree to their terms and conditions of use. Why can't Trump call a news conference if he wants to talk to the American people? Every news organization would show up to cover him. As President he could also ask the major networks for a prime time slot to address the nation. He has done neither. Further, your first amendment rights are not unlimited. Go into a crowded theater and yell "fire" and see what happens. You are also not protected from the consequences of your free speech. If you start talking shit and private companies want to shut you down from their platforms they can do that. Trump's banning from social media is more a consequence of his free speech than anything else. Either way, it is in no way a violation of Trump's first amendment rights.
What happens when government officials tell these companies to ban people and businesses and they do it? I think we have passed beyond the “private” company defense.
Nope. We have not. You are engaging in "what about ism".....The government has done nothing to silence Trump. Hell, it's still his own administration. You telling me that the Trump administration is censoring itself? Stop lying and go read the First Amendment.
Don't feed these monster companies...stop using Twitter and Facebook. Purchase from small businesses instead of Amazon. Avoid Google and Apple products as much as possible. Get in line for that competitive open source linux cell phone. Hold on to your current Apple or Android phone until it happens - don't upgrade. Forgo an Apple watch for Garmin or something else. Use Brave or Dissenter, or other private browsers. Decentralize wherever you can. Don't feed these monster companies and then complain about their power.
They have. It’s documented. AOC asked google to pull Parler and they did. As did Amazon. Kamala asked Twitter to ban Trump as did many other elected officials. Please stop lying.
This is where I am at. Really hard to look at the politicians for being politicians, but everyone has the right to dump and run. Let these shitholes turn into echo chambers and who knows, maybe not having opposing opinions will do more for a UNITED States than the direction we are clearly heading.
Here is an article that truly defines the threat to those with opposing thoughts and what they should fear the most https://www.outkick.com/why-big-tech-bannings-are-bad-for-americas-marketplace-of-ideas/
