Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831

Rule Of Law Battle Cry

The latest battle cry among democrats is “We don’t follow the rule of law in this country these days”. Is the House of Representatives playing the white knight battling a lawless pretender in the White House? Find out in Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831.

Democrats and Republicans Fight Like Cats and Dogs

Especially relevant is the ongoing battle between democrats the house and the republican president. The flashpoint? Recent committee hearings on Attorney General Barr’s ‘summary’ of the Mueller report on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

A Bad Divorce

Even more like a bad divorce, Mueller publicly released a letter criticizing Barr’s summary. Consequently a House committee ‘investigating’ Barr’s conclusions demanded Barr ‘testify’ again. Barr refused. As a result, the House Judiciary Committee finds Barr in “contempt of congress”.

Media Churns Up Outrage With Little Background

Hit play on the media machine and this is what you get. Gasp. Barr is in ‘contempt’. Trump is not ‘obeying’ the ‘rule of law’! Horrors! Due to this contempt of the rule of law, something must be done!

What does ‘contempt of congress’ mean?

Will Trump and Barr be cellmates in the house jail?

Time For A Midnight Walk and Talk

On a midnight walk and talk I look into this. People shouting about the ‘rule of law’ might be shocked to learn just what contempt of congress means. How does contempt of congress contrast with contempt of court? Check out Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831.

Everyone Holds All Of Them In Contempt

In addition the administration is in distinguished company when it comes to contempt of congress. Presidents back to the federalists and anti federalists have held congress in contempt and have been held in contempt by congress.

A Kerfuffle Boiled Into ‘Crisis’

Finally do people fully understand the overblown “constitutional crisis” is nothing more than business as usual in Washington? Certainly these kinds of disputes are nothing new.

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Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831

 

Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829

Facebook Bans

Lots of talk about social media and free speech these days. Facebook just banned several top content creators. Learn more in Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829.

Byzantine Policies For Advertising

My personal struggles with Facebook’s byzantine rules for advertising my podcasts is especially relevant. In addition I provide some ways to circumvent the rules I am sure the Russians have already figured out.

Who Decides What Free Speech Is?

Moreover the question of whether the constitution or a company determines free speech, is key.

Alex Jones and Louis Farrakahn…Strange Bedfellows

Facebook banned Louis Farrakhan Alex Jones, Paul Nehlan, Mllos Yiannapoulis, Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Noomer last week. Twitter banned actor James Woods. Who’s next?

Russia Russia Russia

Some say this all started with Charlottesville a couple of years ago. Even more alleged Russian ‘election tampering’ through social media has really got the social media companies running scared.

Silicon Valley In The Dog House

A litany of testimony in front of House and Senate committees from big Internet companies and the threat of antitrust enforcement have Silicon Valley billionaires shaking in their sneakers. In a way I almost feel sorry for them. Politicians used to love social media. Now Zuckerberg’s in the doghouse. Details in Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829.

Opinions Are Suddenly Frightening and Dangerous

Consequently one wonders whether people in this country will ever be able to hear an opinion they don’t agree with, without being ‘triggered‘, or thinking there’s an international conspiracy against them.

What’s A Mother To Do?

Certainly users can block, mute or unfollow unsavory characters and people they don’t agree with.

However this isn’t enough.

Gag Them! Shun Them! How Dare People Express Opinions I Do Not Agree With!

As the result of their crimes, offenders must be gagged. Even more, permanently prevented from having their say. This is the corporate version of free speech, backed by a roiling mob.

Try Banning The Backlash

Finally the real truth is you can ban someone from expressing their opinions or entertaining, but you can’t ban the backlash. Sooner or later competitors to these companies will emerge. Content Creators will find other platforms.

In conclusion and in defense of Facebook, getting them to let me advertise podcasts has been clunky and frustrating…

Not impossible.

Moreover some of the worst trolls hide behind anonymity. In this sense, I can understand why ‘registration’ and ‘authentication’ is now part of the process for media businesses on some platforms.

No Longer A Democracy

There will be challenges to  gaggings. Some of those challenges will be based on the first amendment and perhaps equal protection clauses of the fourteenth amendment.

And there should be.

I may not agree with your crazy conspiracy theory or your opinion, but I defend your right to tell the world about it.

Without free speech, we are no longer a democracy or if you prefer a representative republic.

THAT is truly terrifying.

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Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829

 

Celebrating These United States-Bob Davis Podcast 818

These days it is common to hear all kinds of cute ideas about changing the nature of our government. What’s good for the goose is not necessarily what’s good for the gander, especially when it comes to rights. Learn more in Celebrating These United States-Bob Davis Podcast 818.

A Republic Madam, If You Can Keep It

Moreover, apparently it has become controversial to correctly refer to The United States as a Representative Republic. Sanding and buffing away the differences in search of ‘democracy‘ in “These United States” has created a nearly monolithic “The United States”.

Civil War and World War 2

Especially relevant in this process were two significant events for the US and the world. The US Civil War and Reconstruction, and World War 2. Both events had far reaching consequences. I’ll explain why and how in Celebrating These United States-Bob Davis Podcast 818.

Buy Local

Consequently I think it is time to celebrate “These United States” as a concept. I have traveled on back roads all over this country. I have learned and often talked about the differences between states. While these differences should be celebrated, our politicians seem hell bent for leather to sand away the federal system. It’s time to suggest this action negatively effects our individual rights.

Sovereignty

When it comes to our local, state and federal governments a key word is sovereignty. The concept of joint sovereignty in the United States federal system is often overlooked when it comes to politics. The fact that this is what makes it all work, is lost on politicians who want a chicken in every pot, or tell us our boys won’t be sent to any foreign wars.

Pure Democracy is the Mob

Finally I think one of the most overused words in politics today is ‘democracy‘. We are not a ‘democracy’. As a people we don’t decide every issue. We elect representatives to do that for us, so we can get on with the pursuit of happiness. When representatives start messing with sovereign rights it is time to “throw the bums out” regardless of party.

Don’t Mess With The Core Code

In conclusion when politicians start tinkering with the core code, getting rid of the electoral college, expanding the power of the federal government, turning the Supreme Court into a mini senate and increasing the membership of congress we should pay attention.

When government is used to solve all the world’s problems and “make” us happy, tyranny is often the result.

(Photo By Andrew Davis)

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Celebrating These United States-Bob Davis Podcast 818