As an American citizen, the 1st Amendment, in my opinion, is the most important amendment to our nation's constitution. The 1st Amendment gives American residents the absolute right to express their opinions, and the right of free speech. It is also guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
Recently, a slippery slope has occurred in regards to a notorious, hate-filled, conspiracy theorist, and media personality Alex Jones. In addition to Alex Jones widespread media banishment, he is also being sued in court for defamation by multiple parents of the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting massacre. One of Alex's awful, stupid and hurtful conspiracy theories is that the Sandy Hook infant children shooting and deathly massacre in Connecticut was a hoax. This detrimental attention crazed human, Alex Jones thinks the murderous Sandy Hook shooting event was "fabricated" to constrain national gun rights. An example of modern Idiocracy. This man is mostly hated in society. It loathes me, just to report on his evil mindset.
Alex Jones has recently been banned, reprimanded and removed from numerous private media channels such as..... (per InfoWars.com below)
YouTube
Apple
Google Podcast
Spotify
TuneIn
Spreaker
iHeartRadio
Audioboom
MailChimp
Stitcher
Disqus
Sprout Social
Flickr
Vimeo
Shopify
Criteo
I am also sad to state that Alex Jones, airs his show and may also live in my progressive, friendly, and growing home city of Austin, Texas. Of all the cities to live in America.... and he chooses the blueberry city within the rural red apple pie known as Texas? I have personally never seen him, nor ran into him at the grocery store. Does your city have any nationally despised and loathed residents?
In my opinion, no matter how much I, 100 percent DISAGREE with Alex Jones's tyrannical spewing and off the wall opinions, in the U.S.A. he has the right to have, and to express them. Except for the problem with Alex Jones specifically and perhaps others spewing conspiracy theories is their blatant disregard and denial of facts and the truth. There are facts, there are opinions and then there is the flat out knowingly LIE category. Knowingly being aware of realness and the truth, while simultaneously going against it with lies, and intent for harm is shameful.
The understandable reasoning for the banning of Alex Jones's media broadcast and opinions is coming down from PRIVATE companies. In regards to private for-profit companies, I believe in the private company's absolute discretion as to how and whom they run their business. Does this make sense? To reiterate, despite my personal loathing and complete disapproval of Alex Jones's conspiracy spewing, I respect his 1st right freedom of speech. It's just that Alex's level of pulchritude and societal disdain has become so incredibly mean, vulgar, polarizing and anger-inducing, that he has gotten himself banned and sued simultaneously.
In today's clouded, multiple outlet media world, the normal and honorable news, may not be as click bait popular, as the crazy headlines. Traditional print media is hanging on, dusty magazines wait by the aisle and newspapers are dwindling and outright closing. Somehow TV is still thriving, Netflix is dominating, and Social Media is becoming mainstream and preferred.
SHOCK media and news draws eyeballs and attention. Insert Howard Stern the legendary and popular shock radio jock reference. I personally like Howard Stern. Howard Stern is more interesting than degrading. As our country becomes numb to shifting degrees of outlandishness, perhaps this crazy method was the only manner in which Alex Jones could draw attention. Which is just sad!
Moving forward, here is an example of a private business's ability to discern its clientele. Let's say a patron visits a private business and commercial BAR establishment. After drinking too many alcoholic beverages, let's say this patron becomes obnoxiously intoxicated, is cut off, and or starts a physical fight and altercation. This private bar and business has every right to serve, welcome or KICK OUT, any patron they choose. Just how we as citizens can pick our services and favorite establishments, they also have the right to not serve us. Alex Jones is the "drunk" media guy, intially given a chance and seat at the table, yet is now being kicked out of the bar by the media companies. He had his opportunity to play within the field lines, yet broke out of bounds and is now being penalized for it. At least he was given a chance and opportunity?
I remember when I was 25, physically slender and a model man in Manhattan NYC, often the big time nightlife velvet rope clubs would DENY me entry to right to my face. Envision the pretentious Chelsea and Meatpacking Nightlife Clubs. Why would they not permit me inside the club? I don't actually know. It's probably because I wasn't spending thousands of dollars on bottle service? Maybe the doorman wasn't fond of my friendly crew? Maybe the club ratio was hurting and was in dire need of model women at that moment? Velvet Rope Club Culture can be a fickle and confusing thing.
Getting back near topic, let's continue to embrace the Golden Rule in Life. Treat people how you want to be treated. Unfortunately, the legendary, soulful and hall of fame singer and performer Aretha Franklin passed away and died from cancer. What a wonderful woman! One of her favorites and best-known songs was about respect. "R.E.S.P.E.C.T., find out what it means to me". It is an excellent song that is lively and whose encouraging theme has stood the test of time, along with decades of playful existence. Individual, law-abiding, wholesome humans deserve respect. We may have differences, and it is almost impossible to change someone's mind, but at the end of the session, you have to just let people be. I've noticed in my time, it is much easier and safer to simply walk and move on than to argue, or become entrenched with stubborn people. It is very very difficult to change people's mindset, thinking, and opinions in today's times. My advice to confrontation is to drop it and simply move along.
In modern times, our 2 Democratic and Republican political parties have drifted so far apart, that moderation is hard to find. Also the followers of each side, instead of being willing to find common ground have dug in and become even more burrowed into their ideological corner. In my opinion, I think it is time for moderate politicians to be elected and bring our country's viewpoints back to the center. Is former Vice President and Democratic Joe Biden the moderating and nation uniting choice and next USA president? Time will tell.
In today's constant content creating SOCIAL MEDIA world, it can be dangerous to post your opinions on Social Media. With the #Me Too movement, and with sensitivity heightened, be careful what you post on social media. Numerous Hollywood actors, directors, and everyday corporate Americans have been FIRED for their unpopular, creepy, negative, and even racist social media public posts. Just this year, Roseanne Barr a funny and authentic old-school comedian was FIRED from her #1 ABC sitcom television show, because of her incendiary, cruel and pharmaceutically induced twitter rants. I think she blamed the sleeping pill Ambien? Be careful on Social Media my friends. Don't booze and social media post, you'll regret it, I promise.
I'm still taking Freedom of Speech for the win, yet in today's current times, remember to be a little more Public Relations cognizant. Be aware of your audience and social circle surroundings. I'm glad every human is different, has a unique personality, and also sees the world differently! It's ok. You still and will always have your 1st Amendment rights. It's just lately, we've become a more cloudy, easily jarred and sensitive society. So many feelings to contend with.
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