Who is responsible for controlling the dissemination of misinformation?

[ohioboy]

Some will disagree, and that's fine. Many will. But American citizens have been steadily stripped of their property rights for decades now, as well as their right to freely associate with only those people they wish to. As I see it, if businesses like Facebook and Twitter want to kick people off their platforms (whose opinions they don't like) then we need to restore the rights of house and apartment owners to be able to rent or sell to only those people they wish to

That philosophy is not recognized today, except by the "sovereign citizen" types. It has no useful purpose, legally or fairly.

 

[fmdog44]

"Controlling information", dissemination or content be careful.

 

[AnnieA]

We could start a club, buy a clubhouse, and only grant membership to whom we pleased. Remember that? That was the right of free association. Well, that right too was stripped away. Now you can be legally forced to allow people into your club whether you like it or not.

That's not true. Burning Tree Golf Club in Bethesda MD does not allow women on the premises as members, staff or even guests except for very limited occasions. They are denied some local tax breaks because of discrimination but with pricey initiation and monthly fees, they don't struggle to pay the extra taxes. Private clubs that make no money off of any sort of public accommodation are exempt from federal discrimination laws.

 

[squatting dog]

Who do you trust?
Here is a perfect example. On December 14th, the CDC reported on deaths of vaccinated people. Hours later, on the same day, the CDC site then shows only half the number of deaths. How does this build trust when our own agency fudges numbers hourly?

 

[Sunny]

You can still discriminate against someone if you don't like their political beliefs or some organization that person belongs to. You just can't discriminate because of a person's sex, race, ethnicity, or religion. I'm not sure the purpose of that is the "public good." I think it's more to protect certain groups of people who have characteristics they have no control over.

The Constitution protects a person from religious discrimination, I believe. Gay people are protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, so you can't discriminate against them, either.

Is that true, Irwin? That a business owner can discriminate against someone based on political beliefs or membership in organizations? So if you
are an extreme right-wing business owner, you can refuse service to a Democrat who happens to walk into your store or restaurant, or a member of ACLU?

Not saying that isn't true, I just wasn't aware that people had the right to do that.

 

[Alligatorob]

So if you
are an extreme right-wing business owner, you can refuse service to a Democrat who happens to walk into your store or restaurant, or a member of ACLU?

Good question, I don't know the legal answer, but it would seem a pretty stupid business practice. Good business people want all the paying customers they can get. If some started discriminating against Democrats I'd think the business would not last long. I am not a registered Democrat, but I sure would not go into such a place. Much more effective at controlling such practices than government regulation.

 

[Irwin]

Is that true, Irwin? That a business owner can discriminate against someone based on political beliefs or membership in organizations? So if you
are an extreme right-wing business owner, you can refuse service to a Democrat who happens to walk into your store or restaurant, or a member of ACLU?

Not saying that isn't true, I just wasn't aware that people had the right to do that.

Yep. Remember when Sarah Sanders was refused service at a restaurant?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...ften-refuse-service-based-politics/734215002/

“Unless you are a member of a protected class, you don’t have rights in a court of law if you are asked to leave a restaurant,'' says Reginald Shuford, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

 

[rgp]

Is that true, Irwin? That a business owner can discriminate against someone based on political beliefs or membership in organizations? So if you
are an extreme right-wing business owner, you can refuse service to a Democrat who happens to walk into your store or restaurant, or a member of ACLU?

Not saying that isn't true, I just wasn't aware that people had the right to do that.

If so, why was it then that the baker & the photographer that rufused to serve two pairs of queers involving their weddings were told either provide the service or close your doors ?

 

[fmdog44]

What ever happened to not yelling FIRE in a theater?

 

[helenbacque]

You cannot legislate decency. Lies and misinformation will soon be judged and scorned by the well informed and fact seeking public. Others will also learn but it will take a little longer.

 

[ohioboy]

If so, why was it then that the baker & the photographer that rufused to serve two pairs of queers involving their weddings were told either provide the service or close your doors ?

Provide the court decisions in those first.

 

[Mr. Ed]

Can't confirm / track down everyone who responds and contributes to social media. There is no oversight. How can there be? Accountability works both ways. As a social media consumer, my action and thoughts are mine alone. So, if go off the deep end because of social media, I should find a different hobby.