In the game of politics, we often have heated arguments on everything ranging from the economy to the current President. It was my belief when I joined this site that it would be a platform in which I could voice my opinions and write on matters that I believed were pertinent. Today, I am writing a note of disappointment regarding the site. Let me explain why...
In the course of a normal conversation with a friend who is also a member of this site, he mentioned that he had recently written a diary that was critical of President Obama and the current administration. Shortly thereafter, his ability to post comments and write diaries had been taken away-which I amount to a ban. This is the diary.
Progresista sin miedo has been a friend of mine for 4 years now. In fact, he was the one who introduced me to this site years ago. We both recently graduated from college together, and are now heading out into the world (well, hes going to law school next year), regardless after I read the diary, I was shocked that he got banned for writing it. In short his argument was this:
In essence, President Obama and his political party are a party owned by the corporate powers who own this country and the military industrial complex who profits from the wars we face aboard and demand more and more war by making peace a bad business model. How can we change our nation if we keep those who are selling it to the millionaries in power.
The 2008 elections proves to us that a change in party is not going to change anything if corporations are in the drivers seat.
That is a sentiment that many on this site share. We are progressives, we do not stand for the status quo. Its really sad to see that my friend got banned for saying something that was critical of the establishment when this site prides itself as an open community and extolls the virtues of free speech. Many others on this site are also not satisfied with some things the administration has done. I understand that there is a ton of trolling that goes on in this site, but my friend is not a troll. We were both early supporters of Barack Obama, and campaigned hard for him both in our college and elsewhere. If you read the diary and the comments, many people agree with his sentiments. Many people on the comments also disparage him, one even going so far as to say "get out of your moms basement". I didn't know we were in kindergaren anymore and I'm quite confused why people chose to attack his character rather than this points. He is not alone in this.
I wrote a diary a few months back regarding my disenchantment with some of the administration's policies, and I was told by many to pretty much shut the fuck up and get in line. This is not good for the community, nor is it good for the future. My demographic was key in brining Barack Obama to the White House and I believe that it is the one of, if not the most progressive generation in while. Being a progressive means that we often question those that are in power, whether they are in our camp or not. My friend did that, and he got banned for it. I understand that he may some stupid things, and I may not agree with many things that he says-but to ban him from posting is going to far in my opinion. In the words of Hall:
I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it
In the spirit of those words, I ask both the community and the editors to look into this matter and see if we can come to a resolution. By limiting my friend's ability to speak, you also take away my voice.