This highlights the authoritarianism of Facebook’s speech police. Facebook routinely flags posts that are critical of jihad terror and Sharia oppression as “hate speech”; in February 2017, referrals to Jihad Watch from Facebook dropped by 90% in a single day and have never recovered. The “hate speech” label is a tool of powerful in order to silence the powerless, and the political and media elites have decided that opposition to jihad murder and Sharia oppression of women, gays, and others falls into this category. This story, however, shows how absurd this whole enterprise really is.
“Facebook flags Declaration of Independence as hate speech,” by Victor Morton, Washington Times, July 4, 2018 (thanks to Noor):
In the week of America’s Independence Day, the algorithms of Facebook decided that the Declaration of Independence was hate speech.
The Liberty County Vindicator, a community newspaper between Houston and Beaumont, had been posting the whole declaration in small daily chunks for nine days on its Facebook page in the run-up to July 4. But the 10th excerpt was not posted Monday as scheduled, and the paper said it received an automated notice saying the post “goes against our standards on hate speech.”
Part of the standard notice, Vindicator managing editor Casey Stinnett wrote, included a warning that the newspaper could lose its Facebook account, on which it depends for much of its reach, if there were more violations.
The offending passage?
It was part of the document’s “Bill of Particulars” against Britain’s King George III: “He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”
Mr. Stinnett dryly replied in an article about the rejection, “Perhaps had Thomas Jefferson written it as ‘Native Americans at a challenging stage of cultural development’ that would have been better. Unfortunately, Jefferson, like most British colonists of his day, did not hold an entirely friendly view of Native Americans.”
He noted that the newspaper wanted “a means of contacting Facebook for an explanation or a opportunity to appeal the post’s removal, but it does not appear the folks at Facebook want anyone contacting them. Or, at least, they do not make it easy.”
Within a day, Facebook had paid heed, allowing the posting and sending the Vindicator an apology.
“It looks like we made a mistake and removed something you posted on Facebook that didn’t go against our Community Standards. We want to apologize and let you know that we’ve restored your content and removed any blocks on your account related to this incorrect action,” Facebook wrote back, the Vindicator reported….
nicu says
I was banned 6 times already – once half a year ! Speaking the truth is not welcomed there !
JawsV says
I don’t bother with totalitarian Fake Book.
J D S says
Facebook! What a waste of people’s time..There are so many things that one could be doing that is more productive ..Oh I know we love pictures and family comments and some newsworthy items..but wouldn’t a visit or a phone call or forwarding pics etc be more personal and why does anyone want the Facebook world to know what’s going on in one’s home life. Get off Facebook and get back to life before it…Remember what was?
Idem Esung says
Sorry. Its so sad.
Gea says
Zuckerberg had gone insane and suicidal as a Jew…Shanda! Oy vey… thosWe need to sue their pants of (Facebook, Google, YouTube and Twiter) for violating Frist Amandment of the US Constitution…lest get thos morons who had lost their common sense with their quest of powein in the cyberspace.
Emilie Green says
And to leftists generally the Declaration is hate speech. Big Brother does not take kindly to being told to get lost which is what the Declaration did. I liked the 1777 Articles of Confederation with its requirement that all the states consent before the Congress could do much of anything. That kept a real leash on fedgov. No wonder lefties didn’t like those Articles; lefties want big and bigger government. The 1787 Constitution gave a little too much leeway to fedgov, and many were displeased with that. And modern events – beg. most intensely with Wilson, and bursting through with FDR and the USSC’s expansive “reinterpretation” of the Commerce Clause (starting in 1937) and the rise of the Administrative State – have proved the anti-federalists of the late-1780s correct.
Vann Boseman says
To me, this is critical theory, raw and open. Most people who consider the left’s interest in critical theory believe that Communism is the end game, that Communism will be able to slip into the void when the foundations of Western civilization are destroyed. To me, I do not believe there is an end game anymore. Jihadists, Communists, and others see what is happening and I’ve seen some evidence that at least these two groups are looking at the long term consequences of what the left is attempting now.
I totally agree that the anti-federalists were right in their criticisms of the Constitution, ultimately. Ultimately, all of their worse nightmares came true and the narrow view of natural rights that became popular beginning at the beginning of the 18th century don’t seem to be worth mentioning to most people now. I believe that the Constitution mostly worked the way it was intended from 1801 to 1861. I like Patrick Henry’s actions a lot. He refused to serve on the Constitution Convention, even if he was consulted, because he “smelled a rat.” He smelled a rat because there was a rat there. Still, he served on Virginia Ratififying Convention, opposing the Constitution. I believe that at this convention, federalists made a great case, and at the end of the day, the sovereign state of Virginia ratified the Constitution with the stipulation that they could leave the US if they became unhappy with it. What could possibly go wrong? The views of the rat lived on in Henry Clay. Those same views became central to Abraham Lincoln. The 9th and 10th went out the window. Wilson and FDR represent the natural consequences of the ending of Jeffersonianism in 1861. Now people want to complain about freedom of speech concerning Facebook, but maintain support for Lincoln as one of the greatest presidents. The greatest aspects of the US are the ways that it still clings to the natural rights that it was founded on, but that foundation is compromised. For example, how often do you hear conservatives (liberals don’t even count here) complain about the “reinterpretation of the Commerce Clause? Conservatives generally preserve the status quo. Liberals over time have established what the status quo is, and continue to push for ever greater central government power.
The US was established based on natural rights. That had never been done before. In this way, the Declaration was profound. Other nations changed their governments to emulate the US. Facebook has established itself at this point as fundamentally disloyal to the United States. I cannot even imagine that Facebook has any interest whatsoever in advocating for a better form of government. They only seek to destroy, with no regard for the consequences.
infidel numero uno says
Why are these un-American, unpatriotic, communist social media or ganizations/allowed to exist? Until now, I have been against the government regulating these “social media companies.” However, in light of how they are now operating, ie., anti-American, anti-free speech, I think it is time for the government to get involved to ensure the promotion of communism and anti-1st Amendment actions are brought to a screeching halt.
b.a. freeman says
um, yeah, about that, Infidel …
remember that the employees of the national (*not* federal, as federalism died under TR and wilson) government are drawn from the general population; remember also that the true believers of the hard-core left will be more willing to trade a high salary for true power over the stupid stinking masses than any capitalist would be. now think what would happen were the national government given the power to direct the fascistbook and googal nazis, and keep in mind that that would be just the beginning. would U be willing to live in the resulting socialist (read “communist”) dystopia? i would not, and would no doubt soon be “re-educated” 6 feet under. so would many others who post here.
the hard-core left has controlled education in this nation for *decades*; thus, there are herds of millions of our fellow citizens who have never been taught to think for themselves (dangerous to the Party), and taught instead to look to what the Smart People say and do to determine what their responses should be. their kids went through the same indoctrination, and now their grandchildren are going through it as well. the media, also drawn from the pool of unthinking leftists, willingly lie to further their own views, because they are convinced that they are correct, and that it is their responsibility to “dress up” the story to make their side most appealing, never seeing that they are gutting the free press and turning it into a state propaganda organ.
we free citizens have sat on our hands for those decades, and in some cases, such as my own, have unwittingly participated in the killing of the republic. it is *very* late in the game, and the republic is unlikely to recover; nevertheless, i am trying my best to reach those who have been victims of the lies of the left, because they deserve to be free as much as we do, in spite of their unknowing destruction of their freedom and ours. i intend to obey the law to the last, since the law is what makes a republic work, so long as all have agreed to obey and respect the law, and so long as all are treated equally by it. mr. obama, the most breathtakingly successful traitor in american history, spent 8 years flouting the law, pushing the envelope to inure us to the lawlessness of the ruler, completing the treason of TR and wilson. when the law loses its power and we are ruled by fiat, we are on the doorstep of tyranny; thus, i will have no part in lawbreaking and the final destruction of our republic. once the republic is gone, however, then all bets are off, and it will be time for the tree of liberty to be watered with the blood of tyrants.
i suggest that all prepare for the end,
paul budrunas says
Adolph Hitler instituted the concept of “Hate Speech” and “Hate Crimes” as a tool to persecute the Jews. What the hell is the matter with my country today? Socialists and Communists are doing their best to destroy the USA. I love to ask Socialists and Communists to point to one Socialist or Communist country which is prospering and they mutter and turn away.
Westman says
Marxism calls for an equality of outcome – “to each according to his needs”, exactly what the young complaining left is demanding for the future. That celebrities, awash in wealth from capitalism and living private, guarded lives, would cheer them on suggests that the celebs, in fact, do not care about the preservation of the nation and believe they would not suffer any consequence of a marxist revolution.
History has shown otherwise. The incentive to produce is destroyed and the wealth of the rich is stolen to compensate for the shortfall in production until the economy reaches a mediocre instability that may not be able to feed the citizens.
There is no nation that offers more equality of opportunity than the US. University students, Druggies, and the lazy may claim otherwise, however, their unique abilities and willingness to give as much as they take are the real factors of success.
A college education is not a substitute for work, including manual work and getting soiled – and it does not guarantee a job. The air of superiority that humanities professors give to inexperienced grads for several years is the bane that sets them up for feeling alienated, as adults, in a world that only cares about what they produce. The universities have become huge wasters of resources and years of misplaced student’s lives. Many students will never catch up to others who saw the reality or picked well-paying disciplines. It’s no wonder they want equality of outcome.
abad says
The Millenials for the most part, at least the vocal ones, have no work ethic.
The United States of America was founded upon and built upon a work ethic.
Now.
I am more than well aware that the word “work” is far more vulgar than the f-bomb to these kids today but at some point they need to wake up to reality and learn to take care of themselves.
The government is not going to take care of these kids for them.
Brian hoff says
your generation ran up the national debt as they where unwilling to pay taxes and lower taxes too much.we left the younger generation than debit which might never get paid off.
gravenimage says
What “Brian hoff” does not say here is that he wants this replaced with Shari’ah and the imposition of Jizya on the Infidels.
Walter Sieruk says
What’s wrong with those people of the Facebook site? Do they actually think that the words of wisdom contained in the Declaration of Independence Is “hate Speech” ? If that’s how they feel that only shows that they don’t understand what real hate speech is . An actual example of hate speech is words spoken by the imams and mullahs which incite young Muslim to commit Islamic terrors attacks of by suicide/homicide jihad bombings. Furthermore, concerning such murderous bombings and America’s homeland Security and of Islamic suicide/homicide – bombers /attackers of ISIS with their mad and irrational deluded Islam quest They are so thoroughly brainwashed and deluded that they actually think of their murderous actions as “martyrdom operations.” This jihad evil and madness is based on the Koranic doctrine, 9:111. , of a far-fetched and nonsensical doctrine of a sex- filled paradise with many virgins, hours, in it for the use only the jihadist/Muslim male who dies as a “martyr” fighting for the cause of Islam. This weird religious/Islamic teaching is found contained the Koran in 44:56. .55:56. 78:31. This bizarre and odd, irrational Koranic doctrine is not open, to the jihadist, to inquiry, questioning, logic or reason. So this blind unreasoning kind of “faith” in the Koran is a reminder that Thomas Jefferson had written. “Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without a rudder, is the sport of every wind. With such persons, gullibility, which they call faith, takes helm from the hand of reason and the mind becomes a wreck.” Likewise, Benjamin Franklin had printed in POOR RICHARD’S ALMANACK something which may apply to this topic. For Mr. Franklin had printed “The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.”
WPM says
Face book should be dump by all people with half a brain in America ,if a media is going to censure your Declaration of Independence the document that started this country into the road of freedom we enjoy today. The brave men who put their lives on the line writing that document in 1776 and signing what could have them hanging from a tree so we could enjoy the freedom we take for granted today who the F**k needs face book.
Ray Jarman says
At least this one time the Vindicator was vindicated. I still don’t understand why anyone uses Facebook as I receive this and other sites via old fashioned e-mail. If for even a short period of time people would boycott Facebook and its sponsors, a change of attitude might occur.
Lydia Church says
FB is the one guilty of hate speech, and not only in this case!
It’s like their message is “How dare you celebrate being an independent, sovereign nation with borders in an age of the one world government!?” How ‘pressumptious’ and ‘self-centered’ of you!
They are pathetic and ridiculous!
TruthWFree says
We need a Faccebook alternative.
Vann Boseman says
There are several alternatives to FB.
FB is a business first. They stand for making a profit. They do care about ethical issues largely in terms of making a profit. But there is something else going on here. There is an extremely strong correlation between free speech absolutists and intelligence. A free speech absolutist is someone who believes people should have the right to speak about anything, no matter how unpleasant that may be. While it may not represent a plan, FB, in restricting free speech, may tend to appeal to a US population that is tending to lose IQ points. Please listen to the last 7 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC2xU_efdzU
granddaddy says
Finally, they speak the truth: Facebook hates America. The only reason they apologized is because someone or something forced them to. This is the face of Facebook: hate.
Shmoovie says
The section describing George lll, and specifically the natives’ “known rule of warfare”, comes close to comparing modern-day UK elitist tyrants who welcome waves of migrants with very different ideas of living, to say the least.
Lisa says
I stopped my Facebook account. That ridiculous,”progressive” idealogical absurdity has no place in my life! I recommend all sensible people do the same.
JawsV says
“I stopped my Facebook account.”
I never started. Fake Book go to heck! Leftist Z-berg go to heck! Move to Yemen! Enjoy Islam!
b.a. freeman says
i wonder how many *leftist* quotes get flagged. since there are more u.s. citizens who are leftist than conservative, it’s virtually a given that those on the left, who are as uneducated as those on the right (since the hard left has been lying to everybody in school for decades), are more likely to act as they have been trained and report “hateful” content to fakebook. the fakebook nazis then refer the complaint-generating post to a leftist arbiter, who will usually confirm the racism of the post without bothering to check in depth. the liars at fakebook, who now use the same type of system as that used by googal, will continue to be embarrassed when their corruption of their AI algorithms exposes their inherent bias.
sieg heil, fakebook!
gravenimage says
Facebook flags Declaration of Independence as “hate speech”
……………….
Well, *this* pretty much sums up the state of affairs…
762x51FMJ says
Once upon a time society realized they either
Chirped or Meowed and the Cat won the argument. This is why those who twitter and tweet will all be eaten.
eduardo odraude says
I hate Facebook. No doubt they have a right as a private business to censor ideas they don’t like, but then again, maybe they are also large enough to have an anti-trust lawsuit brought against them? I’d probably support that. Let Facebook get broken up into several smaller companies.
TL says
This passage has has a familiar ring to it on at least two counts:
So, um, who in the USA has been exciting domestic insurrections? Who has endeavoured—for generations—to bring on hostile inhabitants of our frontiers, and from places even farther away?
If not the white left, then who?
Ziba Delavar says
I wrote an essay critical of Islam and posted it on Reddit. I was told off by the moderators. The article had to be removed and I got banned. Everything happened within 5 minutes. Yes, 5 minutes.
JawsV says
Don’t even waste your time. Those people are idiots.
JEFFREY B says
DisgraceBook
jeff farrar says
I have been sent to Fascist Book Jail so many time I have lost count. For posting the truth about their precious Molems. But any other “religion is fair game.
Ed says
I don’t see the advantage of using Social Media to promote or distribute ideas given the real possibility of 3rd Party Censorship, especially when such party is easily lobbied (meaning the transfer of large sums of money) by special interest groups only interested in their advancement.
Having said that, also extends to “free” email services starting with the letter “G”, not to mention any names.
It’s a tidy system. Politicians and Main Stream Media bought off, working to make it illegal for free opinion or socially pressuring the populace to believe any independent thoughts or posing questions outside the “norm” as being wrong.
You would think this a Communist system, innocently shrouded and propagated by Political Correctness and not one espousing beliefs in Liberty and Free Speech.
Jedothek says
a scary aspect of this is that if the passage had not turned out to be from the declaration, Face book would never have reversed their position. What if someone in the year 2018 formulated their own opinion that there have been merciless Indian savages? Such a view might be supported, for example, by a citation of atrocities committed by the Comanche. Such a person could not be heard from on Face book. Would she be heard from anywhere else? Not, I think, with any help from Random House.
Vann Boseman says
The statement that tripped Facebook’s algorithm should be spoken to. The colonies in 1776 all recognized the Rights of Englishmen. At least some explicitly contained this in their charters. This is pertinent because not every place under English control had such rights recognized. Ireland is an example of this. Bias against the Irish was so bad that at one point, as a recruitment tool for the English, it was pointed out that the Irish, even if it was under limited circumstances, allowed women to own land. The English military pointed to this as proof of their barbarity. While the same view may not have been as extreme in 1776, the insult of being denied English rights was a big deal. Fortunately, for the US and the world, natural rights were a bigger deal. Ideas matter. Because ideas matter, it had to be acknowledged ultimately that all humans had certain natural rights. The word “ultimately” is key. The question of whether or not Native Americans, blacks, women, and Irish were fully human in the way that white men of English descent were human had yet to be hammered out practically. Denying various groups full inclusion in the human race was never going to be consistent with Jefferson’s ideas on natural rights and the 18th century American embracing of natural rights.
Over time, after spending a lot of money and blood, the definition of humanity expanded to include previously excluded groups. Islam is the greatest example I know of an idea that fundamentally clings to denying the full humanity of all biological humans. To me, Arabic culture has gone even beyond Islam throughout the history of Islam in denying the full humanity of all biological humans.
kouldb says
Imbeciles & traitors.