Was it something I said? Today Twitter informed me that my personal account has been suspended. Although I was completely blindsided by the unexpected notice, I could not possibly be more elated; and I will carry the screenshot as a badge of honor and serendipitous life accomplishment. Since I rarely post on the platform, I can only assume that Twitter's accusation that I have artificially [amplified]
information and engaged in behavior that manipulates or disrupts people's experience on Twitter
is unrelated to my infrequent sharing of local events or the occasional Bible verse; but rather results from my one link to a controversial
[gasp] Trump-supporting political article that I wrote FOUR YEARS AGO to encourage some of my dearest friends who were in tears over that term's unanticipated election results. So, I'd like to thank Twitter for the honor of considering my first amendment protected speech to be threateningly audacious and worthy of complete censorship without question or reconciliation. Not only has the step toward silencing me reinforced my resolve to remain completely unmoved regarding my Christian beliefs and national patriotism, but the attempted cancellation of my voice of truth has also inspired me to boldly raise a hallelujah [and] sing a little louder in the presence of my enemies.
Likewise, I also encourage each of you to continue standing strong and having faith in the Lord Jesus knowing that gloriously brighter days are no doubt ahead of us ... because, FYI, spoiler alert ... God's gonna plow through this mess and win, so keep watching.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:10-12
As this information was originally published on Facebook, a discourtesous reader posted a comment questioning my understanding of the First Amendement. Subsequently, my response to her was this:
As an established journalist and the current owner of a digital news media publication, I am FULLY aware of where my First Amendment rights apply; and I am clearly not arguing for the right to post on Twitter. For the time being, they are not only exploiting their Section 230 immunity and avoiding civic responsibility by their virtue signaling censorship, but they are now also refusing me access to even READ anything on the platform. Thus, they are effectively now muffling both the mouth and ears of individuals at will. My post here is not a whiny plea for account reinstatement, but rather a declaration of my pride in being considered a threat to the liberal agenda and a warning to others that the foundational principles of our nation are no doubt actively under attack here and elsewhere by individuals who have set themselves in position to be the arbiters for the dissemination of a propagandized narrative. To me, the problematic issue is not that a private company would choose to regulate its own content but rather that a deceivingly hypnotized public would simply sit back and accept the twisted programming as not only normalized but also somehow honorable. So I don't deny Twitter's rights as a company; but seriously, can we stop pretending their smugly manipulative action to control the narrative is derived from some sort of benevolent attempt to produce freedom and unity in our country? Because, newsflash, it's NOT.