by Robert M. Traxler
“Author and neuroscientist Sam Harris raised eyebrows on Twitter Thursday over comments he made about Hunter Biden, saying that his alleged laptop controversy was less significant than the potential damage Donald Trump could do to “democracy.”
“Hunter Biden literally could have had the corpses of children in his basement, I would not have cared,” Harris told Trigger Pod hosts Konstantin Kisin and Francis Foster in a video clip that has been viewed online more than 2.1 million times on Twitter.”
Mr. Harris, or should I say Mx. (Progressive abbreviation for Mr.) Harris is a progressive icon, author, neuroscientist, self-appointed defender of intellectual freedom and podcaster. Left of center even for the progressive movement, he freely advocates the progressive movement’s need, indeed obligation, to censor all speech in the name of advancing free speech. Folks, you can’t make this stuff up.
Mr. Harris, an advocate for free speech, canceled his account on Twitter when it reinstated former President Donald Trump’s access. Got to love those socialist free speech icons; free speech means allowing only approved woke speech. The truly puzzling thing is that the intellectual elite, the social justice leaders, the influencers, the equity advocates, mostly favor censorship on a massive scale in the name of banning “hate speech.” The popular definition of hate speech is anything the socialist/progressive movement could in a prophylactic definition disagree with.
Mr. Harris’ words are not found in the progressive media, as leftist wingnuts are rarely or ever quoted, only rightwing nuts are quoted, leaving most folks to feel the radicals are only on the right side of the political divide. Mr. Harris is an example of the media being one-sided and biased in canceling anyone not in keeping with the accepted narrative of the socialist movement. Disregarding the progressive wingnuts like Mr. Harris, an act of omission is as much censorship as an act of admission. The media ignore the radical progressives’ outlandish statements, while printing every inflammatory word spoken by right wingnuts.
The media will print anything to do with right wing armed groups, but not groups like the John Brown Gun Club, an armed progressive group most Americans have never heard of. They were an integral part of the Autonomous Zone in Seattle after it was occupied by the socialist movement, who called themselves CHOP, CHAZ. The John Brown Gun Club carried the dreaded AR-15 with the evil 30 round magazines. Does anyone believe that an armed, organized right-of-center group occupying portions of a major American city would not be covered wall-to-wall in the media, and you would have heard of them hundreds of times as the mainstream media beat the drums of politically correct “news.”
Mr. Harris is not important in his own right, but he is an example of the managed news we are subjected to in our media; even this esteemed newspaper canceled dissenting views. Part of the censorship of omission we find in the media writ large. Mr. Harris has millions of followers on social media, but he is hardly to be found in the mainstream media. Only radical right wingnuts need apply for derogatory news coverage; you never hear of the radical left wingnuts, as they distract from the approved media narrative. But right wingnuts (however few in number) reinforce the socialist approved narrative.
The riots during the Trump administration are called demonstrations; people murdered, buildings burned, cars burned, police officers attacked with firebombs, stores looted, and cities taken over by armed groups are mostly peaceful protesters. Really? Yes, just Google it, free speech is approved speech. As Mr. Harris has stated, to lie in defense of the movement is justified; he speaks for most of the progressive, socialist movement, but you will not find his words in the media.
Where are the liberals of old who supported free speech? Deaf and dumb, intimidated, belittled and shouted down in the public square as purveyors of hate for allowing free speech. Most have surrendered to the woke, the influencers in social media and the mainstream news and echo the approved party line.
My opinion.
Mr. Traxler,
I believe you are incorrect in stating that this publication “cancelled” dissenting speech. The editor cut off the unproductive name-calling and bullying of one particular responder to columns in his publication. Had that person been offering up constructive alternate points of view rather than nasty screeds, I’m sure the editor would have allowed him to provide another point of view, as he has other conservative and liberal opinion-holders. There are at least two other responders who reply with unproductive comments that come awfully close to unacceptable bullying and name-calling who have been allowed to continue their nasty remarks, on both sides of any issue, be it liberal or conservative. While these people don’t offer thoughtful ideas, their comments continue to be found at the end of columns provided by regular contributors. That you continue to make this claim I find irresponsible and inaccurate.
Ms. Mandaville,
Thank you for making my point. The progressive folks who make “unproductive comments” in this paper are not mentioned by you as their comments go unnoticed. Bullying and hate speech are the go-to arguments against decent any decent from the conservative side.
As to being “irresponsible and inaccurate”, did you not call for the cancellation of the person in question? Was the person not canceled? The left wing “unproductive comments” are not judged as worthy of your comment, making the point of my column, thank you kindly for that.
Thanks for the comment.
Mr. Traxler,
If you had read my comments more closely you would have noticed that I said there are at least two other responders who come close to the name-calling and bullying. I didn’t say that they were conservative, since I am all to aware that a couple of liberal responders come very close to DTOM in their vile comments.
I never called for DTOM to be shut off from commenting. I suggested that, when he was allowed to resume his wretched diatribes, it might be time to discontinue his privileges once again. The editor agreed, and we have not heard his bilious comments since. But it was not my call, and I certainly didn’t suggest that his freedom of speech be compromised. His comments verged on hateful in nature.
Finally, I know of no one who believes that comments with which we don’t agree should be labeled hate speech. Conservative or liberal, differing opinions do not, in and of themselves, constitute hate speech. But true hate speech should be silenced, quickly and entirely. And like pornography which is hard to define, most people recognize hate speech when they see and hear it.
Alrighty then,
Master Robert M. Traxler
All that I hear is the same worn out Drum, same in-congruent, disharmonious song. Albeit with the likelihood of new sticks, I fear you may wear them out too often Sir.
Whenever some form of significant “negative press” regarding “your camp” or the “savior” of the implied most worthy, self-righteous, primarily uneducated, yet “more appropriately aggrieved” group, is prominent in “the evil media”, there is noticeable backlash, rife with attempts to distract, and blame shift, along with a palpable level of anger in your “column”. Did something happen this week on a national level to upset you kind Sir? Its OK, no need to answer, most of us have a good idea, I’ll try not to further irritate or inflame that obvious sore spot.
The assumptive attempts to frame “all (mainstream-however that is defined) media” as somehow more bias against your chosen team is laughable in even the best of light. The most apparent reality, is that all forms of media are polarized and biased in some form, to various degrees. They obviously operate off from playing to our worst fears, drumming up viewership by banging on our emotional nerves, reinforcing the worst ideals about our differences. Planting disingenuous “seeds of doubt” about our neighbors, family members, and former friends. It is all “fake news” to some regard, from all proclivities, every curated angle. You are entirely correct in that “folks, you cant make this stuff up” as far as the exact hard facts of a situation/topic. What is most certainly invented is all of the shaping, re-framing, and of course, the intentional omission of context.
I am grateful that you invoked Mr Harris, I was not aware that he is considered a paragon of thought authority of “the left(ists).” I will unfortunately not be able to take your much aligned opinion on his opinion into any account of worth. When I get the opportunity, I will attempt to grasp the entire scope of the specific conversation/comments for an honest evaluation with an effort at checking my own biases.
For whatever it may be worth, what little I have heard from him sounds like he is absorbed into an area of contemplation that is often insufficiently communicable in normal settings. My limited impression is that he comes across as jaded, depressed and tired of the ignorant oversimplification and distillation of complex concepts into polarized, weaponized, ammo for the unrelenting sociopolitical conflict that is eroding the capacity and original nature of this fantastic nation of ours.
As for the most noble of “thought leaders” from the right, one could go on for days with lists of disingenuous, emotionally manipulative, and illogically simplistic “rhetoricians.” With all of the dangerous ignorance and dare I say lunacy that is propagated, regurgitated and blindly reabsorbed, it is no wonder we are “circling the drain” as far as discord is concerned.
I am genuinely curious, even requesting, are there any positive thoughts or comments that you wish to share with our local community(ies)? Unless I missed it, I have yet to hear you even mention anything positive regarding your associated cohorts, let alone sing any praises? Perhaps your actual, personal life is full of many wonderful, positive, reinforcing occurrences and individuals. Forgive my judgement, but it comes across as if you are in lack of the “good stuff.” I would love to be entirely incorrect on this observation.
With note to these relatively insignificant observations of mine, they are just one perspective from my humble standpoint. I would not even deem them worthy of elevation to something so entitled as an opinion.
Happy Easter Sir
Tony, Rather long winded comments lately. Just a suggestion, perhaps concentrate on condensing your thoughts. My opinion. Good day.
All apologies David,
It is unfortunately disappointing if my immense missives are overwhelming your processing capacity. Am I too bright for tired eyes?
Perhaps you desire to control or limit my constitutionally protected right of freedom to exercise political speech? Good luck with that.
As far as I know, no one said you had to read it or even attempt to follow along. Is someone forcing you to participate in these communications?
Last I checked, even though you share the same name, I don’t believe you are the editor or proprietor.
I hope you are able to experience some of this improving weather we are experiencing. Maybe some of the sunshine will improve your mood a bit. I wouldn’t normally make personal comments, but hey, you initiated the critiquing.
Thank You Editor, for the wise correction of my original “draft”. I had significant regrets after submitting it (hitting the post comment button).
For context to others, I had originally included a few “terms of endearment” that were less than cordial (perhaps even downright inflammatory) in my previous reply to David. I am glad they were omitted by the wisdom and experience of “better angels”.
This perhaps gets to the crux of the topic, editing a privately owned publication is not “canceling free speech”. It is in my experience, the use of guardrails to maintain some semblance of civility in an otherwise overly contentious, often blind rage, environment.
I continue to believe the assertion that “the right” is always or more so silenced or “cancelled” is an entirely spurious notion. If you want to “let it all hang out” go try it in the actual town square if you are without resources or capacity to publish your own media, see how that works for ya.
In case anyone did not see the positive news, a Wildcat team won a First Place State Competition. If those types of positive news stories received half of the attention that these relatively pointless political debates receive, we would likely be WAY better off. If all of us sour-pusses were able to send some positive comments in the spirit of respect and appreciation for those Cats on that article, it might actually bring a bit more respect and civility to this community.
Thanks once again for the laughter and maintained smirk. The Far Right….My opinion
Sounds like someone’s a little jealous Because they can’t complete a paragraph. It’s ok David stick with what you know.
It’s fascinating that “Army Bob” Traxler is railing about people from this “esteemed publication” being “cancelled.”
Mr. Traxler has been getting his opinion pieces published by Townbroadcast for over eight years. Often his opinions about multiple subjects are delivered sans kid gloves, yet Mr. Traxler has figured out what is and isn’t acceptable to Mr. Young, Townbroadcast’s owner/editor, so his regular opinion columns continue to be published.
I strongly suspect editor/owner had communication with the former contributor telling them their tone needed to be moderated if they wanted to continue being published. Warnings weren’t heeded and their submissions ceased to be published. It’s what editors do.
There are publications like the WSJ, NY Post, Washington Times, multiple cable news outlets, web sites, podcasts and YouTube channels with a plethora of “conservative” viewpoints being produced daily. There isn’t a shortage.
There is nothing stopping the critics of this publication’s editorial choices from buying software, finding server space and renting some bandwidth in the cloud to create their own online publication so more of their opinions can be heard.
Mr. Couchman,
According to you we are all dead in just over 6 years. Should people who do not agree with you and the undeniable and settled science of the end of the world in 2030 be denied medical treatment for cancer as you said before? Please answer the question. As a Navy veteran with” battle experience”, you must have the intestinal fortitude to answer a question.
Your words “Often his opinions about multiple subjects are delivered sans kid gloves, yet Mr. Traxler has figured out what is and isn’t acceptable to Mr. Young, Townbroadcast’s owner/editor, so his regular opinion columns continue to be published.” Thank you for making my point concerning the cancel culture. Toe the party line or be canceled; you just made the best argument you could have to support the point of the column, thank you kindly.
You went on to say, “There is nothing stopping the critics of this publication’s editorial choices from buying software, finding server space and renting some bandwidth in the cloud to create their own online publication so more of their opinions can be heard.” Both sides of an argument should not be allowed in Progressive publications, thanks again for reinforcing the point of the column. It is sad you do not even understand that what you are saying is advocating the cancel culture and censorship. But why care? We are all dead in 6 years, per your preaching of undeniable science, or are we? We await your sermon.
Mr Traxler,
Time start your own publication and quit complaining about Townbroadcast.
Based on the fact every elected official in Allegan County, Congressman Bill Huizenga, State Senator Aric Nesbitt and the state representatives are all “conservative” Republicans who were elected by comfortable margins one would think the you are preaching to a very large choir. You and others unhappy with Townbroadcast should have a ready made audience that should attract many advertisers.
Do you have the wherewithal to start it up and make it 5 years or longer.
Waiting for your new conservative publication that will have your editorial touch.
Mr. Couchman,
Time you answered a question rather than hide, are we all dead in 2030 as you said was undeniable and settled science. Time you answered a question, should people who disagree with you not receive medical treatment and die? Please explain why you hide, duck and cover every time asked?
As the only conservative still standing in this esteemed paper I know free speech makes you angry, you can not cancel this column, no matter how hard you try, or loud you shout.
So have some self respect and answer the question. An honorable Navy veteran with “battle experience” you should have the guts to just answer the question.
Robert M Traxler,
You relentlessly demand answers, while continuing to demean and unjustly degrade a fellow service member’s contributions. Simultaneously avoiding the many questions I have respectfully placed on you. This strikes me as the hight of irony.
The hypocrisy you exhibit is entirely DIShonorable! It is enough to motivate one to request that the editor omit this unbecoming behavior. Perhaps he is intentionally allowing you to display your true self.
What a farce….my opinon.
In what way, kind sir? Care to elaborate David?