A Free Press for Me, But Not for Thee

Corporate media outlets like CNN, The Washington Post, and The New York Times have recently claimed President Donald Trump, who has not taken any legal action against any member of the corporate media (unlike the previous President), attacks the First Amendment when he criticizes corporate media outlets and labels them as the “enemy of the people” for reporting fake news and partaking in unethical journalistic practices.  Ironically, just this past month, these same corporate media outlets led the charge in lobbying the tech utilities based in Silicon Valley to censor independent media outlet InfoWars. 

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On Trump Derangement Syndrome

A woman exhibiting severe Trump Derangement Syndrome

The level of hate aimed at President Donald Trump in the political sphere is much greater than what any of his predecessors faced.  Members of Congress have endorsed public harassment of cabinet members, accused the President of capital crimes, and even suggested a military coup to remove the President from power.  People in such prominent positions of power would never have even considered such careless rhetoric in the darkest days of the Bush and Obama presidencies.  But we have entered a new era.  Trump threatens the established order, and so, he and his followers are forced to feel the wrath.

Choosing Peace

Credit: Getty Images

The historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this past month in Singapore signaled a significant shift toward peace.  This stood in stark contrast to the situation in April 2017 when I wondered whether the rapidly deescalating situation would lead to violence.  I proposed a path to peace.  With former NBA star Dennis Rodman as perhaps the only mutual friend of Trump and Kim, the latter acquaintance made through Basketball Diplomacy, Rodman stood in a unique position to bring the two leaders together.  His efforts, in one way or another, made the Singapore summit a reality.  Where their predecessors failed, Trump and Kim realized the potential for peace through the portal Rodman opened.

The Unforgivable Sin

The most popular show on television today is canceled and every trace of it removed from the record; a consequence of the show’s top star committing the unforgivable Sin.  This Sin is not spousal abuse, not child molestation, not even murder.  In these twisted times, the unforgivable Sin does not even require a victim. In fact, it does not even require intent.

Escaping the Mental Plantation

 

Image: TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP/Getty Images

The thought police want to suppress freedom of thought

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 22, 2018

there was a time when slavery was the trend and apparently that time is still upon us. But now it's a mentality.

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 22, 2018

This past week, entertainer Kanye West set off a twitterverse supernova with a series of tweets promoting conservative causes, personal responsibility and freedom of thought in the African American community.  The gist of Kanye’s thesis imagines African Americans as the mental slaves of corporate elites; those who encourage people, particularly African Americans, to hate President Trump and disregard his many accomplishments.

Internet Bill of Rights

Milo Yiannopolus, Roger Stone, Paul Nehlen, Jared Taylor, Baked Alaska, Ricky Vaughn, and thousands of supposed “Russian bots” are just a few of those Twitter has permanently banned, seemingly for expressing unpopular political viewpoints.  Wikipedia chronicles the various prominent accounts Twitter has banned and suspended.  Nearly all belong to right wingers.  Internet viewpoint discrimination goes beyond Twitter. YouTube (Google) routinely deletes accounts and videos of right wingers, particularly in the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting.  The problem of Internet censorship is also not isolated to social media.  Most notably, after featuring a joke about the woman who died at the Charlottesville protests, Andrew Anglin’s popular site The Daily Stormer has had to jump from host to host, prompting concerns among civil libertarians.  Once a last refuge for free speech, the Internet has become increasingly less so.  Perhaps we have reached the breaking point.  Is it time to adopt an Internet Bill of Rights to protect our God-given right of free speech on the web?

The Vicious Cycle

Gun control has become a cyclical issue.  A horrific shooting occurs.  The usual suspects vociferously demand gun control.  Then, after a period of time, we move on to other topics. 

Release the Memo

The abuses within the Deep State are finally coming to light.  As the sun rises tomorrow morning, we may all have access to the four page memo detailing rampant corruption and lawlessness within the FBI and DOJ.  President Trump confirmed this on a hot mic yesterday after delivering the State of the Union address.  As the truth shines through, many questions will be answered, and perhaps, the witch hunt of special prosecutor Robert Mueller will be exposed as the fraud it is.

NYC Mayoral Swear-In to Pair Potential 2020 Presidential Prospects

Originally published at Wikinews

Bill de Blasio
Image: Kevin Case

Bernie Sanders
Image: Gage Skidmore

On New Years Day 2018, on the steps of New York City Hall, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, runner-up for the Democratic Party’s 2016 presidential nomination and potential 2020 presidential candidate, is to conduct the swearing-in of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, himself a potential 2020 presidential contender.  In a statement, de Blasio, who was re-elected as Mayor this past November, claims to have invited Sanders due to the progressive icon’s Brooklyn, New York roots and advocacy on behalf of working people. Analysts say the invitation is a calculated political move on behalf of de Blasio to take advantage of Sanders’ popularity.