Our divinely inspired Founders were more than brilliant.
Freedom of speech, granted by our creator, not the state, is enshrined and more importantly codified, in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
It's our first freedom for a very good reason; we have no republic or liberty without it.
Let’s review.
Amendment I
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
---Constitution of the United States of America
On Tues. Jan. 24, 2023, DirecTV, in concert with its parent company, AT&T, deplatformed Newsmax Media Corp., attempting to block access for 13 million viewers.
Curious timing indeed, expecially when one considers that the echo chamber known as the World Economic Forum (WEF) concluded just days ago, but not before, fired-from-CNN-anchor, Brian Stelter, led an Orwellian panel, "The Clear and Present Danger of Disinformation." (This writer's very recent Newsmax column on the WEF may be found here.)
Did the elite "enlightened" bankers and corporate bosses leave Davos with a mission to strike at "dis-informers?” (Note: "dis-informers" are those with whom they disagree)
After all, how can you have a New World Order if We the People can freely exchange information and ideas?
Balls and strikes.
Contrary to what the corporate media mega-giants, who are so desperately in need of anti-trust attention from the Federal Trade Commission say, Newsmax pursues fact-based journalism.
Is there a conservative perspective?
Certainly, and in some instances, you will find a liberal view there as well.
As a proud member of the team and astute observer, this writer can attest that the golden rule at Newsmax is to pursue the facts and to be accurate.
Period.
The Davos kids don’t like it.
The woke bankers don’t like it.
So, the suits in the C-Suite on Wall Street do their bidding.
Today, the meaning of C-Suite actually means the "Cancel-Suite." What the suits do not realize is one step out of line means they’re the next on the chopping block.
Is this business interference or political collusion?
One might argue that AT&T has no duty to provide freedom of the press protection to Newsmax through its DirecTV distributor, given that it's not a government entity.
However, AT&T certainly enjoys taxpayer dollar support through massive telecommunications contracts in addition to tax subsidies and federal benefits.
It’s really elementary — corporations on the Cancel Culture Train with the WEF kids can cancel whomever they want on the condition they return every penny of taxpayer dollars ever received.
The American people have essentially become stakeholders in the Fortune 500 with all those handouts, PPP cash, and pay-to-speak shenanigans.
Perhaps this palaver over our quaint Bill of Rights masks a darker motive.
AT&T owns mainstream media titan, Warner Bros. — comprised of: Discovery Inc., CNN, and CNN+, which lead the lineup of their numerous media channels and outlets.
Hansel and Gretel couldn’t have laid down the breadcrumbs any better.
Viewership at CNN has plummeted by 90% over the last year in the most important 25-54 demographic, while Newsmax audience numbers are on the ascendency.
Sadly and quite disturbingly, this is not AT&T’s first censorship campaign.
One America News (OAN) was dropped this time last year.
AT&T and DirecTV did not like the investigative journalism OAN embarked on with regard to the 2020 Presidential Election.
OAN lost a major ruling in the case in court just days ago.
Did that embolden AT&T to go after another?
I suspect CNN executives are breathing a temporary sigh of relief in the breakroom.
The bottom line is that massive media machines owned by the people’s tax dollars, but controlled by D.C. politicians and influencers are dictating public speech.
Attention Klaus Schwab! Does this make you a free speech denier?
Just because they attend fancy parties in the Swiss Alps, flown in on 1,000 private jets, don’t mistake for a second that the C-Suite, bankers, bureaucrats, and political elite want to join Klaus’ club.
And it’s not the Mickey Mouse Club.
George Orwell warned us about this star chamber of Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) elites being more facists than freedom-lovers.
In 1946 German pastor, Martin Niemöller authored the famous poem "First They Came" to describe the enormous lament he felt by not speaking out during the Holocaust.
The last line is pitch-perfect for today:
"Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me."
Think twice before you discard what is happening today as the 2023 version.
Advocating for freedom of speech is beyond party and a party's politics — it’s American.
Please call your representative and senators now. It's well-beyond urgent that you do so.
To our Congress, remember that oath you took two weeks ago?
It’s time to make good on it.
Corporate media, obsolescence awaits.
Thank you, DirecTV for sharing with the American people your greatest fear: Free speech and the freedom of choice.
I am a humble member of the Newsmax family, but I appreciate you elevating our news profile today — as now millions of Americans may be curious to change the alphabet network dial to our channel.
It’s Newsmax TV today, but ask yourself, when they will come for you?
Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt (retired) is a co-founder of Restore Liberty, a former deputy representative to NATO, a lifetime member on the Council on Foreign Relations, and a Newsmax contributor. The views presented are those of the author and do not represent the views of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or its components. Read Gen. Holt's reports — More Here.
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