
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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 <a href="https://punchingbagpost.com/new-york-times-misrepresents-covid-19-deaths/">my analysis</a> of the Covid-19 pandemic based on government statistics, and the other <a href="https://punchingbagpost.com/why-did-i-bother-getting-the-covid-19-vaccine/">my own response</a> to being vaccinated.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">There was only one distinction to be made. </h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In one, I questioned analysis of the Covid-19 numbers published by the <em>New York Times</em>. ; 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.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">I cannot help but conclude that I have been the victim of Facebook censorship.</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The fact that it is being down over matters of legitimate political opinion is disturbing – to say the least.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The garrote of censorship is now invading the social media platform – once viewed as the last bastion of free speech.</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>