The New Discrimination

[Beetow]

"I disapprove of what you say,
But will defend to the death your right to say it."

The above was at one time a popular motto in America, the land of the free; but
somehow, somewhere; print media, broadcast media, social media, employers, bar
associations, business managers, and even educators lost their way and became
intolerant.

Thus far in America, we have managed to obtain laws prohibiting discrimination
based upon gender, age, race, and religion; but none to regulate political bias. I
think it's high time that our legislators begin addressing this issue.
_

 

[Reba1]

"I disapprove of what you say,
But will defend to the death your right to say it."

The above was at one time a popular motto in America, the land of the free; but
somehow, somewhere; print media, broadcast media, social media, employers, bar
associations, business managers, and even educators lost their way and became
intolerant.

Thus far in America, we have managed to obtain laws prohibiting discrimination
based upon gender, age, race, and religion; but none to regulate political bias. I
think it's high time that our legislators begin addressing this issue.
_

The legislators addressing issues is a big, HUGE, reason we are in this ugliness.

 

[Beetow]

.
My primary concern is livelihood. People have been losing their jobs, as well as
threatened to lose their licenses to practice law and real estate etc, and suffering
boycotts and losing distributors for their manufactured goods simply because of
differing political opinions.

Another weapon in the arsenal of the anti free speech movement is a tort action
called a SLAPP suit (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation)

The end game of a SLAPP suit isn't compensation, no, it's all about intimidation, i.e.
extortion. The suit's purpose is to obtain a non disclosure agreement wherein the
plaintiff will drop its case if the defendant agrees to stop speaking out against the
plaintiff's behavior and/or its products and services.

In other words; a SLAPP suit's purpose is to shut you up; and if you don't shut up,
they will proceed to hound you in court for however long it takes till mounting legal
expenses totally ruin you.
_

 

[Beetow]

While active on another Christian forum some years ago, one of my posts pointed
out that the Bible teaches that gays and lesbians are in just as much danger of
ending up in Hell as murderers. Well; one of the moderators deleted my comment
as "hate speech".

NOTE: The United States does not have codified hate speech laws; since the
U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that laws criminalizing hate speech violate
the guarantee to freedom of speech contained in the First Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution.

To my knowledge, and in my experience, neither the US Supreme Court nor the US
Constitution have jurisdiction in cyberspace; which is quite likely why human rights
abuses are common on the internet.
_

 

[Cactus Kitten]

There is one matter perhaps to consider. Any Internet forum is a private entity. As such said forums are able to enforce rules and terms of use requiring potential members to agree to when seeking membership in said forum(s).
Which is why any post is able to be deleted for any reason when falling within the body/language of the aforementioned terms of use. It isn't persecution. It is concession. One concedes to accept and abide by the posted rules of the forum, typically noted at the bottom of the registration form, and as such are therein made subject to said rules and terms of use.

 

[Beetow]

Any Internet forum is a private entity. As such said forums are able to enforce rules
and terms of use requiring potential members to agree to when seeking
membership in said forum(s).

It is nigh unto impossible for users of social platforms to comply with a rule that
forbids "inappropriate and/or offensive" content because opinions about what
constitutes that kind of content varies from person to person, and culture to
culture.

It would be very helpful if platform managers would precisely define and/or
describe inappropriate and/or offensive content so people don't have to guess at it.

Precise definitions and descriptions would help to curb abuses too because without
them, platform managers can ban just about anything they want by arbitrarily
deeming it inappropriate and/or offensive; not only comments and discussions
related to the 2020 election; but even Betty Crocker cake recipes.
_

 

[Cactus Kitten]

It is nigh unto impossible for users of social platforms to comply with a rule that
forbids "inappropriate and/or offensive" content because opinions about what
constitutes that kind of content varies from person to person, and culture to
culture.

It would be very helpful if platform managers would precisely define and/or
describe inappropriate and/or offensive content so people don't have to guess at it.

Precise definitions and descriptions would help to curb abuses too because without
them, platform managers can ban just about anything they want by arbitrarily
deeming it inappropriate and/or offensive; not only comments and discussions
related to the 2020 election; but even Betty Crocker cake recipes.

I have read terms of use that do include what will not be tolerated. I will say, to the point you made in the last paragraph of your post, that there are forums wherein that very thing occurs. Personal feelings leading those overseeing any forum to delete or censor at will. One forum I know of is very well known for this, which is possibly why they don't see newbies who post a hello thread remaining aboard for long.
Once a moderator or the administrator takes issue with an individual there especially, their posts will be attacked as soon as the appear.

We are indwelt by the holy spirit however some of us show we're still able to be petty, abusive and egocentric. It's never a good outcome to run into that when it has the power to overcome peoples free thought on a forum.