Speech, Part III (I Am Not Making This Up)

First, we had former President Obama's speech at Stanford on "disinformation."  Obama:  "I'm pretty close to a First Amendment absolutist...that said, the First Amendment is a check on the powers of the state."  Obama then explained how the First Amendment does not apply to private companies, such as Facebook, Twitter, the New York Times and Fox.  

Then, Obama said this:  "...tech companies need to be more transparent about how they operate.  So much of the conversation around disinformation is focused on what people post.  The bigger issue is what content these platforms promote."  And this:  "In a democracy, we can rightly expect companies to subject the design of their products and services to some level of scrutiny."  

I have my own issues with these social media tech companies frequently suspending or banning conservative speech.  But, Obama should not be claiming to be "pretty close to a First Amendment absolutist," when he asserts a need for "scrutiny," and apparently for regulation.  I also have an issue with the content promoted by the platforms of the New York Times, the Washington Post and the rest of the mainstream media.    

Although, I am curious about Obama claiming in 2013, "if you like your health plan, you can keep it."  Politifact called that the "lie of the year."  And that was just one of many lies told by Obama.  Yet, I do not recall Obama facing any consequences for his spreading disinformation. 

But now that Elon Musk has purchased Twitter, the Biden Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security, have announced the creation of the "Disinformation Governance Board."  If you think that sounds like something out of a George Orwell novel, you are not alone.  But, as I said, I am not making this up.  Although I wish I was.  The person heading up this Ministry of Truth will be Nina Jankowicz, described as a "Russian disinformation specialist."

After NPR asserted that "women face disproportionate attacks online," Ms. Jankowicz Tweeted:  "I shudder to think about if free speech absolutists were taking over more platforms, what that would look like for the marginalized communities...which are already shouldering...disproportionate amounts of this abuse."  Ms. Jankowicz also referred to the Hunter Biden laptop as a "Trump campaign product."  Wait...did the head of the Disinformation Governance Board spread disinformation?  Hmmm.  

The Daily Mail reported that the Board would fight disinformation before the November midterms, especially in Hispanic communities.  Not to be suspicious, or anything, but I wonder if the focus on Hispanic communities might be because, thanks to Trump, Hispanics have been increasingly gravitating towards the Republican party and away from the Democrats.  But no fear, the Biden Administration will be spending money to combat that disinformation.  

I cannot help but wonder if the money will be spent on "public service announcements" that, coincidentally, mimic Democrat talking points.