You gotta love free speech. Well, not everyone does. My article of yesterday, The False Advertising of Sonia Sotomayor drew attention on the Propeller social networking website. That’s the good news. The not so good news? Because eight users opted to “drop” the article, the equivalent of a “No” vote, the Propeller organization took the following action. “This story has been grounded by your fellow Propeller readers, due to excessive down voting.” I should also say that last month I was threatened with removal from Twitter Twibes because of an article I wrote questioning President Obama. I was called a “spammer” and a “crazy person” and warned of my pending expulsion.

Though I absolutely respect the right and opinion of the users that dropped the above article, and totally respect the right of the Propeller organization to “ground” an article, I am disappointed in their decision.

That the article is critical of the Obama administration, the Republicans and Democrats of the Senate Judiciary committee, the flawed nomination process and a sitting Supreme Court Justice, the grounding reflects some of us simply can’t stand any negative commentary as it pertains to our current President.

Speech and opinion that is contrary to the norm, in my estimation, should be the most protected speech of all. Unpopular speech, thoughts outside the mainstream are those most in need of protection. When a government moves to “ground” dissent, we should all take notice and umbrage. When we do it to each other, we should all stop and pause. Squelching alternative viewpoints because we believe them to be wrong, is not always right.

When we decry the current Congressional attempt to create a “kill switch” for the Internet, what does it truly matter if we are killing expression on the Internet ourselves?

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