I have to wonder were this will go

From this morning's briefing in the NYT:

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Facebook kicks out extremists

The social media giant barred seven prominent users on Thursday, including Alex Jones, the conspiracy theorist and founder of Infowars, and Louis Farrakhan, the outspoken black nationalist minister who has a record of anti-Semitic remarks. The company said they had violated policies against “dangerous individuals and organizations.”

One of the tech industry’s broadest actions yet to punish extremists, the move comes as social media companies have been under fire for allowing the spread of hateful content and misinformation. Critics said the decision had been a long time coming.

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Sad we can't loose Alex Jones the only real screw ball out there.

Don't ban a thing. At the first sign of a vulgar post I just skip the rest and move on. I do however prefer to read opposing views. [ that's why I pay close attention to Daves posts :) ]

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Originally Posted by Independent Voter

Don't ban a thing. At the first sign of a vulgar post I just skip the rest and move on. I do however prefer to read opposing views. [ that's why I pay close attention to Daves posts :) ]

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If only all were that smart. There are too many who believe everything they read though or want to fight. The same reason Mike has to close stuff here every now and then, not that you didn't know all that.

Just curious , how many of us are Facebook users ?. I am at the present time, however, I have made a decision to give them until the end of the month to reverse their decision to ban certain users, If the ban is not lifted then I will [ sadly ] delete my F B account .

Free speech should not and cannot be silenced. F B is unlike this forum. We are a tiny group and not a World Wide platform . Because of that, I am willing to accept content rules put in place by the owners. Facebook on the other hand is a World Wide social platform and banning people is, IMO , withholding free speech.

Now, that being said, I could accept the prohibition of what is classified as speech intended to or likely to cause harm to individuals . Ie. The FIRE in a crowded theater example. Other than that, we must be allowed to make our own decision as to what is or is not acceptable.

Louis Farrakhan is a hate monger and a race baiter we'd be in a civil war black on white if it was up to him. Knowing the gullibility of the young I say good riddance to him. Race is to hot a topic and already on the edge, there are people waiting on him to give the word so to speak. Alex Jones ??? Wouldn't that be like banning Dave for his views on Trump? I really don't know much about him.
I'm not a Facebook user, I have an account that I got to keep an eye on my little girl who is 25 now and found out that I could see more pictures of the grandchildren in Vegas if I stayed on it. I guess I am a user I've never seen anything like what you're saying I look at pictures of my 11 grandchildren. As far as free speech I'm with you but when I see Farrakhan's picture I run, as far as I'm concerned he's yelling fire. I wouldn't ban Dave though:flip:

I bend strongly both ways. The 2nd A. applies only to government actions an entities, yet, on the other hand, giant social media concerns have morphed into monopolies more akin to utilities than private companies. I imagine I speak for most of us when I say the more speech, the better, as a general rule, but shouldn’t owners have control over their own platforms and content?

This is not an easy issue. All the giant social media platforms are owned and controlled by hardcore Leftists who have demonstrated far more propensity for foisting/suppressing their ideology over their opponents than the dread Russians ever did in attempts to sway thoughts and elections.

I agree with Joe - that this is not an easy issue. Having said that, I can understand "social network" companies attempting to control who's posting. Yet, if this crosses into banning political organizations, I'm not for it.

Hunter

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Originally Posted by UTAH

I agree with Joe - that this is not an easy issue. Having said that, I can understand "social network" companies attempting to control who's posting. Yet, if this crosses into banning political organizations, I'm not for it.

Hunter

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That's a good way to put it, far better than my blather.
Certain rules apply to just about everything IV. A little site like this or a big one like FB both have to keep order.