This whole thing — is just so… precious. Hinderaker was one of the loudest voices in every room he entered, in favor of corporations — for profit corporations! — being imbued with full individual US constitutional / human rights, in the early 2000s. He took this stand without really thinking it through.
In the near term (through at least 2012), it meant (via the Supremes’ wrong headed Citizens United decision) that what were generally right of center for profit corporations, very large ones, could spend freely to influence the outcome of US electoral politics. He assumed these vast piles of cash… would always back right wing type candidates. In a word, “his” people.
As I say — he guessed… wrong. Now in the second decade of the new millennium, it has become clear that corporations increasingly see the value in mirroring the views of a younger, more environmentally aware, more diverse and yes… less patrician electorate… in order to maximize the corporate profits.
And so, these admittedly powerful corporations… choose to speak, or not — based on what they think improves their chances in the marketplace. Specifically, several social media corporate chains… decide that they may (or may not) admit certain liars, miscreants or insurrectionists… into their living rooms, as house-guests. Quite properly, in their case — assessing what will maximize ad revenue and positive engagement.
In this, John (without any logical inferences!) claims that our and their freedoms of expression and association should be circumscribed (STILL!) by what the hard right wants.
The transparent lunacy — and illogic — of this whole line of argument… falls of its own weight.
If Hinderaker had not decided that corporations are fully human (and received the Supremes’ blessing, in 2010, for that view)… he would be correct, in asserting that their expression, or silence — or allowing or disallowing certain people to become members of their clubs… is a very proper matter, for advertising style time, place and manner limitations (but only by Acts of Congress, as signed by a President).
But he didn’t. He took the money, instead. He insisted that they be full humans, with human rights.
As such, what they do in terms of inviting social guests into (or ushering others out of) their virtual living rooms… is NONE of the government’s business (absent advocating the violent overthrow of the USA). And it is certainly… none of the business of GOP House Committees who utterly falsely claim that these companies now effectively run the FBI, DoJ and yes, CIA.
Funny, but when Bill Barr was pushing his thumb on the scales of justice to help Tangerine avoid impeachments, and indictments… Hinderaker was as silent as the tomb.
But now he lustily applauds the utterly insipid sh!t show these Goopers are running — in their House Committee hearings.
I guess what is true of Johnson (see immediately prior balloon post) is true of Hinderaker: creeping senility… leaves him with only a third grader’s understanding of the world, our systems of ordered liberty, and (in fact)… his prior bad decision-making.
C H A R M I N G.
Powerline Lies... 