Am I Being Canceled By Facebook?
When Facebook listed my recent birthday, I got more than 150 responses in a few hours. When I post family events – such as a birthday pizza with my kids, there are always a number of “likes,” “shares” and comments.
I am not bragging, but only setting the stage to make a point. I recently decided to upload two of my PunchingBagPost.com commentaries. Nothing dramatic – one was just my analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic based on government statistics, and the other my own response to being vaccinated.
But when I went back the next day to see who might have responded – and how – I was surprised to find that there were no … none … zero … responses. No “likes.” No “shares.” No comments. After another 24 hours – same.
I checked by to see when the last time I had no response to ANYTHING I posted. Even my most obscure, uninteresting “who cares” postings would get at least a few responses. But two postings – in a row –got nothing.
There was only one distinction to be made.
The two items presented my opinion on a topic that is the grist for left-wing media mills. And I must admit that my analyses were not in keeping with the prevailing left-wing media narratives.
In one, I questioned analysis of the Covid-19 numbers published by the New York Times. I provided a solid empirical and statistical basis for my opinion. Nothing offensive. No harsh language. No threats. Nothing that should have run afoul of Facebook’s guidelines.
In the second article, I explained why – based on the numbers and the statements of the medical professional – I felt that the vaccine gave me a secure feeling despite the shutdown. If the vaccine is 95 percent effective, why arethey telling me to continue to maintain the Draconian protective measures? Seems like a fair question.
I cannot help but conclude that I have been the victim of Facebook censorship.
Mark Zuckerberg & Company have three ways to deal with content they do not like. (Notice I did not say content that is dangerous, slanderous, provocative – just what they do not like.) They can take the posting down. They can ban me from Facebook – temporarily or permanently. Or most ominously, they can arrange the algorithms to simply restrict the dissemination.
I say, “most ominously” because you have no way to know what they did. Taking down a posting or banning a person is obvious – and requires some explanation. But simply stopping distribution eliminates any transparency. One can only deduce that Facebook did SOMETHING that resulted in the lack of responses.
The fact that it is being down over matters of legitimate political opinion is disturbing – to say the least.
We have already seen much of the so-called news media abandoned the ethics of journalism to become a partisan communications outlet for Democrats and the far left. They have long ago banished alternative views and information that does not comport to their left-wing narratives.
The garrote of censorship is now invading the social media platform – once viewed as the last bastion of free speech.
The restricting of free speech is an advanced stage of authoritarianism. It is not as if America is entering dangerous uncharted waters. We have seen this before. We find it in the autocratic regimes of Russia, China and North Korea. Censorship and propaganda were the tools that enabled a malignant political party to assume control of Nazi Germany.
Pushing back against political censorship by Facebook and other companies may be the most important thing we can do if we want our kids to live in a free Republic.
So, there ‘tis.
Consider yourself lucky. I left a long time ago.
communism
Larry, maybe your constant “I like Trump’s policies but really can’t stand him as a person” equivocating is no longer useful to the Big Tech censors. Write up a piece about how Mitt Romney would have been a much better Republican candidate in 2016 or even 2020. So ethical. So bipartisan. So gentlemanly. So dignified. See if that helps get you back in their good graces.
“I like most of Trump’s policies but can’t stand him as a person” was useful to the Left for awhile. Guess it’s not any longer. You should make amends. Write up a piece about how Mitt would have been a much better Republican candidate in 2016. So dignified. So ethical. So gentlemanly. So very Presidential. Whatever you do, don’t close your Facebook account.
Facebook, you are dead wrong to censor anyone for their opinion of our world today. You are sounding like the “Ministry of Magic” in the Harry Potter series. Cover up the truth, sweep everything under the rug, and lie to every one about your views on FREEDOM OF SPEACH. I hope Google drops you from it’s list of sites to enjoy.
You are traders to your followers.
So what happened to “let the free market decide”? If you and like minded individuals don’t like the way Facebook operates, start a social media platform that caters to you. Personally, I have NO social media accounts. I post on a couple of sites like this, but I don’t need validation from strangers to make my day.
Further more, I can’t believe that you may be advocating for the government to intercede in the way a private business regulates their product, are you?
How much does trump advocating for removal of protections for internet providers and platforms from liability from 3 rd party posters have to do with the hyper vigilant monitoring of questionable material?
And lastly, free speech keeps the government for censoring and regulating your speech. It does not mean that you are free from repercussions from private citizens or businesses. If you are in a restaurant and start spouting stuff the owner doesn’t like, they are free to remove you from the property. I don’t see how the internet is any different.
Then again, FB “friends” may just not agree with your opinion pieces and in order to keep a friendly relationship with you, they may have elected to simply not comment.
Facebook bans people who tell the truth
Get on Facebook’s good graces? Let Facebook decide? You two are profoundly beyond reach of reason. These ( paraphrased ) statements are the clear proof that the most ardent leftists are entirely unable to see the longterm effects of their mindless regurgitation of their narrative. Please just move to Venezuela where your ideology has already seen it’s victory.