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Initech

(100,099 posts)
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 05:40 PM Apr 2019

Question I have about free speech.

Why is it that when conservatives talk about getting banned from social media sites because of their views and politics, the first thing they immediately do is talk about how Hitler banned free speech. They immediately go to the Hitler card as an excuse to spew their hatred and vitriol.

My question is, is there a counterpoint to this talking point? What's the actual history behind this logic? And if I find myself in a conversation with a MAGAhole is the a way to counter it?

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Codeine

(25,586 posts)
2. Tell them that as soon as the government
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 06:31 PM
Apr 2019

starts limiting their speech then they’ll have a talking point. Until then these are private businesses making private business decisions applying exclusively to their own private business platforms.

“Don’t you support the rights of private enterprise above all? Isn’t that a huge part of your pathetic philosophy? Then shut the fuck up, you slack-jawed yokel.”

Aristus

(66,446 posts)
7. Using their own weapons against them is effective and fun.
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 08:27 PM
Apr 2019

"Unless the government throws you in jail for what you said, your free speech rights have not been violated. Private businesses are allowed to regulate content. Do you hate private business? Do you hate capitalism?!? ARE YOU A COMMUNIST?!?! HUH?!"

And so on...

They won't like that very much.

 

shanny

(6,709 posts)
3. Ask 'em if the government banned them...
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 06:31 PM
Apr 2019

Or was it a private company? Ask 'em if they are in favor of telling private companies how to run their business? Ask 'em if their feelings are more important than a business' profits?

Probably won't work. Lil' snowflakes.

0rganism

(23,967 posts)
4. ask them what they actually *did* to get banned
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 06:52 PM
Apr 2019

it wasn't just "conservative" views and politics, i see plenty of that on what i consider social media. regularly.

to actually get banned, you have to do something exceptional -- at least by the site's standards. one doesn't typically get banned for steady state assholery.

the devil's in the details, and there's a whole lot of devil going on lately.

 

VarryOn

(2,343 posts)
6. They created their own news network...
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 07:56 PM
Apr 2019

Let them create their own social media...Foxbook would be a sart.

sl8

(13,864 posts)
9. Hate speech is protected free speech in the United States. It is not illegal.
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 08:55 PM
Apr 2019

Of course, private organizations, for the most part, can restrict speech as they see fit.

 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
12. Unless that incitement can be shown
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 09:44 PM
Apr 2019

to incite violence that is both “imminent and likely” then it is very much protected speech as has been determined and upheld in multiple decisions by the Supreme Court.

The original decision protected a statement made by a protester during a confrontation with the police stating they’d come back and “take the street later”, so good luck proving that random-ass Internet blitherings are incitement that fulfills both of the above requirements.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
13. Just explain that advocating hate is not free speech.
Sat Apr 13, 2019, 10:11 PM
Apr 2019

Also explain that Hitler would most likely be on their side, not ours. Hitler was anti-immigrant, anti-minorities, a white supremacist, anti-science, ect. Hitler was like republicans and the right are now.

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