"The problem with labeling certain discussions about COVID-19 treatment as “health misinformation” was that the Surgeon General Defendants suppressed alternative views to those promoted by the government. One of the purposes of free speech is to allow discussion about various topics so the public may make informed decisions. Health information was suppressed, and the government’s view of the proper treatment for COVID-19 became labeled as “the truth.” Differing views about whether COVID-19 vaccines worked, whether taking the COVID-19 vaccine was safe, whether mask mandates were necessary, whether schools and businesses should have been closed, whether vaccine mandates were necessary, and a host of other topics were suppressed. Without a free debate about these issues, each person is unable to decide for himself or herself the proper decision regarding their health. Each United States citizen has the right to decide for himself or herself what is true and what is false. The Government and/or the OSG does not have the right to determine the truth."
They won't...I have been truly amazed about how much they don't know. Not just about health matters but Ukraine and more. They're just not being given information. I'm currently reading "The Gray Lady Winked" by Ashley Rindsberg....how the New York Time's misreporting, distortions & fabrications radically alter history. Extremely well researched and jaw dropping to say the least.
Therein lies the rub. Critical thinkers and sceptics *seek* information. The rest just unthinkingly swallow whatever pabulum is churned out for them by the MSM propaganda arms of big industry and co-joined fascist governments.
"Pabulum". A great word that embraces complete ambiguity. "Intellectually stimulating" or could be "bland pap". Describes the MSM output perfectly. I will be using it in my next interaction with a BBC or Guardian believing numpty. Thank you.
Here is how one leftist site covered the decision. The site’s main goal is to elect more democrats and used to be against war, but is now fully behind Ukraine in their conflict. I find it truly sad how much it has changed.
The response is no surprise - which doesn't make it any easier to read.
"The judge is right-wing, and therefore incapable of fairly interpreting the case", adhominem attacks .... and of course, nothing has been done that should be perceived as "wrong".
Yes, under the Constitution, the government is not empowered to determine what is and what is not "the truth." That is the very essence of the 1st Amendment. No restrictions in religion, nor speech, nor the printed word, nor assembly nor petition.
The WSJ is as part of the MSM as the NYT is. I have been a subscriber since the mid 1970’s and the news section is as corrupt as any MSM entity. The only thing that sets it apart is the independence of the editorial pages. Given what the Murdochs did to Tucker Carlson tells me that the days of independence for the editorial section of the WSJ are limited.
Yes the WSJ belongs to Murdock, however they need to give actionable information to investors so they tend to be closer to the truth than other major US papers
I was commenting on what I have observed since my eyes were opened during COVID by people like you. The news section just prints stories that fit the overall narrative while the editorial pages still appear to be very independent and willing to address reality. But with what they did to Tucker Carlson it is evident that the old man has turned over power to his kids who are not at all on the side of freedom and liberty.
I was a subscriber until the spring of 2020. When they started running opinion pieces on the legitimacy of the draconian measures I canceled. I knew something was really wrong. They ran videos of 'nurses' swearing about how blood poured out of every crevice from patients and "f" those who didn't believe. It seemed very real and they seem truly despondent. I realize now that must have all been staged because I never saw any other stories like it. The headline from the WSJ shows how corrupt they are. The Federal government knowingly, intentionally and with the greatest contempt for the Constitution, used social media to violate our first amendment rights.
It's only a straw in the wind thus far - but a highly encouraging one in the fight against the tyranny of the Biden crime administration, and against despots in government everywhere.
Well, that says it all (re: WSJ reaction). Meryl, thanks so much for your up-to-date reporting on this case. Challenges to first amendment rights are proliferating quickly, with bank accounts closed to non-woke account holders in England, talk of clamping down on climate change "disinformation" and other very recent developments. This is good news, although it could be short-lived if there is major political interference. I saw that one of the interviews with RFK (Jordan Peterson?) was taken down as misinformation. I could be wrong but I think that may be more obviously illegal than other instances of gagging on social media, since he's running for President. I know FCC rules would prevent this if it were TV.
We have very few elements of government not weaponized against us, and much of the judicial system is corrupt, but this decision is crucial, especially in conjunction with Justice Gorsuch’s rebuke that COVID was used to produce the greatest infringement on civil liberties outside of wartime. When a nation shifts to fascism the judiciary’s opinions on crucial cases is often the canary in the coalmine. A decade ago I attended a lecture by the director of the Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles that addressed the topic of how the German laws changed to accommodate the dictatorship. The surprising answer was “very little.” Few new laws needed to be passed and few old laws needed to be discarded. The key was reinterpretation “in the spirit of the times.” An example was a famous Jewish film director under guaranteed contract who was due 50% of his fee if the studio cancelled for any other reason than his dying or becoming disabled. He was alive and well when the studio fired him. The case went to Germany’s high court which decided in favor of the studio, arguing in the Spirit of the Times that in light of Hitler’s programs the director, being undeniably a Jew, might for all practical purposes be considered either dead or disabled. So hang on to this one from Judge Doughty. We need it. We are skating on exceptionally thin ice. Michigan recently passed a "hate crime" bill with felony time of up to 5 years and $10,000 for such against any protected category--which includes transexuals and their choice of pronouns--for using force or violence or causing grave bodily injury OR "intimidating" someone. Yes, smashing someone with a baseball bat is the same as intimidating them if the motives are the same. Both are "hate crimes" and subject to the same punishments. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2023-2024/billengrossed/House/pdf/2023-HEBH-4474.pdf So we need a lot more of Gorsuch and Doughty while the Biden administration culls and winnows such people from judicial appointments. This, in the Spirit of the Times, is equal protection under the law, as is this bone-shaking example from New Jersey:
New Jersey AG Sues School Districts Over Policies Prohibiting Teachers From Secretly Transitioning Students
All three school districts recently enacted policies that require school staff to reveal a student’s transgender identity to parents, according to the three briefs filed by the AG. (RELATED: House Armed Services Committee Moves To Suspend Program Responsible For US Navy Drag Queen)
“The involuntary disclosure of students’ gender identity or gender expression will irreparably harm transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary students, who already face vastly increased and even deadly risks to their health and safety,” the briefs read.
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination requires that schools not subject students to different treatments based on their “gender identity and expression.” The New Jersey Department of Education’s Transgender Guidance also stipulates that “a school district shall accept a student’s asserted gender identity” and that “parental consent is not required.”
Thank you for posting these via paywall workarounds. After a loyal 20 yr subscriber I cancelled 2 years ago due to their poor reporting (or non reporting) over the 2020 election fraud and Covid/Vaccines.
Looks like the main goal was not to find illegality for the State "persuasion," but to give rationale for higher courts to make it clear that censorship of even those media outlets that aren't "persuaded" by the State is unconstitutional. We've seen States use "emergencies" to suspend their constitutions, before. So hold on to a plan to resort to non-compliance.
The RINO's aren't giving me any reason to think we have a win wrapped up yet. Without them, the Court can do nothing. It has no enforcement power. Alexander Hamilton tried to calm down the opponents of the ratification of the Constitution with just that argument (combined with the argument that any prolonged corruption of the court clearly implies the complicit corruption of Congress since they can impeach judges who disregard the Constitution). IOW, the Court really IS the weakest branch, just as Hamilton argued.
Thanks again for your tireless efforts to keep us informed. Since the power mongers are such experts at damage control, I pray that some justice seeps these charges.
While I cherish free speech and dispise censorship some restrictions should still apply. Outright lies and failure to differentiate between fact and opinion should be restricted.
It seems that our freedom movement has become a platform for unscrupulous business practices. Every day I am bombarded with email ads that promise outlandish benefits.
For example, it may be true that our power grid is poised for collapse, but can we believe that a device, that costs under $100 or at any price, can produce an unlimited supply of free energy, water, food or whatever? What happened to the concept of truth in advertising? I think we may be allowing our own brand of disinformation by allowing this type of trickery skate on our rink. Any thougjts?
hopefully someone will address geoengineering. RFK recently discussed this with Dane Wigington.
interesting explanation he gives on the White House blocking the sun initiative ... he says what they are saying it as a cover story because geoengineering is becoming visible. seems something rather important..
I love this part of the ruling (page 102):
"The problem with labeling certain discussions about COVID-19 treatment as “health misinformation” was that the Surgeon General Defendants suppressed alternative views to those promoted by the government. One of the purposes of free speech is to allow discussion about various topics so the public may make informed decisions. Health information was suppressed, and the government’s view of the proper treatment for COVID-19 became labeled as “the truth.” Differing views about whether COVID-19 vaccines worked, whether taking the COVID-19 vaccine was safe, whether mask mandates were necessary, whether schools and businesses should have been closed, whether vaccine mandates were necessary, and a host of other topics were suppressed. Without a free debate about these issues, each person is unable to decide for himself or herself the proper decision regarding their health. Each United States citizen has the right to decide for himself or herself what is true and what is false. The Government and/or the OSG does not have the right to determine the truth."
THAT is getting posted wherever possible......and I wish I could be that "fly on the wall" when lefty friends and family read it!
They won't...I have been truly amazed about how much they don't know. Not just about health matters but Ukraine and more. They're just not being given information. I'm currently reading "The Gray Lady Winked" by Ashley Rindsberg....how the New York Time's misreporting, distortions & fabrications radically alter history. Extremely well researched and jaw dropping to say the least.
No.
They will not.
Two seconds to identify as "more right-wing bs from THIS guy", and it's time to turn the page.
I know it. You know it. We all know it.
Sad as hell.
As to what sounds like a recommendation? Sounds interesting, infuriating - and I may have found my next 'read'. Thx!
"They're just not being given information."
Therein lies the rub. Critical thinkers and sceptics *seek* information. The rest just unthinkingly swallow whatever pabulum is churned out for them by the MSM propaganda arms of big industry and co-joined fascist governments.
"Pabulum". A great word that embraces complete ambiguity. "Intellectually stimulating" or could be "bland pap". Describes the MSM output perfectly. I will be using it in my next interaction with a BBC or Guardian believing numpty. Thank you.
Depending on which way the conversation goes, you could have fun messing with their minds a bit! 😂
Thank you, AJ! I'm going to get this book.
Here is how one leftist site covered the decision. The site’s main goal is to elect more democrats and used to be against war, but is now fully behind Ukraine in their conflict. I find it truly sad how much it has changed.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/7/5/2179394/-Trump-appointed-judge-injects-some-QAnon-into-the-federal-judiciary
But if Trump had done what Biden did they would have a different opinion. Count on that.
The response is no surprise - which doesn't make it any easier to read.
"The judge is right-wing, and therefore incapable of fairly interpreting the case", adhominem attacks .... and of course, nothing has been done that should be perceived as "wrong".
Amazing.
Do this one more time and I will be forced to block you.
Please block. This is not a real person. Unfortunately, they will just come back under a new ID, but we might get a few days peace.
That's nothing but a bot, Meryl - and thx for all you do! .....click on the name - NOTHING, no info.
BOT Alert.
Yes, under the Constitution, the government is not empowered to determine what is and what is not "the truth." That is the very essence of the 1st Amendment. No restrictions in religion, nor speech, nor the printed word, nor assembly nor petition.
The WSJ is as part of the MSM as the NYT is. I have been a subscriber since the mid 1970’s and the news section is as corrupt as any MSM entity. The only thing that sets it apart is the independence of the editorial pages. Given what the Murdochs did to Tucker Carlson tells me that the days of independence for the editorial section of the WSJ are limited.
Yes the WSJ belongs to Murdock, however they need to give actionable information to investors so they tend to be closer to the truth than other major US papers
Since when is "closer to the truth" acceptable? Raise your standards whenever possible.
In respect to the holiday...
Independence must have warriors.
I was commenting on what I have observed since my eyes were opened during COVID by people like you. The news section just prints stories that fit the overall narrative while the editorial pages still appear to be very independent and willing to address reality. But with what they did to Tucker Carlson it is evident that the old man has turned over power to his kids who are not at all on the side of freedom and liberty.
I was a subscriber until the spring of 2020. When they started running opinion pieces on the legitimacy of the draconian measures I canceled. I knew something was really wrong. They ran videos of 'nurses' swearing about how blood poured out of every crevice from patients and "f" those who didn't believe. It seemed very real and they seem truly despondent. I realize now that must have all been staged because I never saw any other stories like it. The headline from the WSJ shows how corrupt they are. The Federal government knowingly, intentionally and with the greatest contempt for the Constitution, used social media to violate our first amendment rights.
It's only a straw in the wind thus far - but a highly encouraging one in the fight against the tyranny of the Biden crime administration, and against despots in government everywhere.
I object to the WSJ's Mr. Gerschman's word choice of word mob in
"...after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by a mob of his supporters."
Also word "attack" suspect as well.
This is weaponized journalism, not quality journalism.
Well, that says it all (re: WSJ reaction). Meryl, thanks so much for your up-to-date reporting on this case. Challenges to first amendment rights are proliferating quickly, with bank accounts closed to non-woke account holders in England, talk of clamping down on climate change "disinformation" and other very recent developments. This is good news, although it could be short-lived if there is major political interference. I saw that one of the interviews with RFK (Jordan Peterson?) was taken down as misinformation. I could be wrong but I think that may be more obviously illegal than other instances of gagging on social media, since he's running for President. I know FCC rules would prevent this if it were TV.
Thank you Dr Nass. Very fitting for the post 4th of July celebration! 🔥 🎆🎇
Thank you for posting this important WSJ article Dr. Nass.
Yes, Thank you Dr. Nass!
We have very few elements of government not weaponized against us, and much of the judicial system is corrupt, but this decision is crucial, especially in conjunction with Justice Gorsuch’s rebuke that COVID was used to produce the greatest infringement on civil liberties outside of wartime. When a nation shifts to fascism the judiciary’s opinions on crucial cases is often the canary in the coalmine. A decade ago I attended a lecture by the director of the Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles that addressed the topic of how the German laws changed to accommodate the dictatorship. The surprising answer was “very little.” Few new laws needed to be passed and few old laws needed to be discarded. The key was reinterpretation “in the spirit of the times.” An example was a famous Jewish film director under guaranteed contract who was due 50% of his fee if the studio cancelled for any other reason than his dying or becoming disabled. He was alive and well when the studio fired him. The case went to Germany’s high court which decided in favor of the studio, arguing in the Spirit of the Times that in light of Hitler’s programs the director, being undeniably a Jew, might for all practical purposes be considered either dead or disabled. So hang on to this one from Judge Doughty. We need it. We are skating on exceptionally thin ice. Michigan recently passed a "hate crime" bill with felony time of up to 5 years and $10,000 for such against any protected category--which includes transexuals and their choice of pronouns--for using force or violence or causing grave bodily injury OR "intimidating" someone. Yes, smashing someone with a baseball bat is the same as intimidating them if the motives are the same. Both are "hate crimes" and subject to the same punishments. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2023-2024/billengrossed/House/pdf/2023-HEBH-4474.pdf So we need a lot more of Gorsuch and Doughty while the Biden administration culls and winnows such people from judicial appointments. This, in the Spirit of the Times, is equal protection under the law, as is this bone-shaking example from New Jersey:
New Jersey AG Sues School Districts Over Policies Prohibiting Teachers From Secretly Transitioning Students
All three school districts recently enacted policies that require school staff to reveal a student’s transgender identity to parents, according to the three briefs filed by the AG. (RELATED: House Armed Services Committee Moves To Suspend Program Responsible For US Navy Drag Queen)
“The involuntary disclosure of students’ gender identity or gender expression will irreparably harm transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary students, who already face vastly increased and even deadly risks to their health and safety,” the briefs read.
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination requires that schools not subject students to different treatments based on their “gender identity and expression.” The New Jersey Department of Education’s Transgender Guidance also stipulates that “a school district shall accept a student’s asserted gender identity” and that “parental consent is not required.”
https://dailycaller.com/2023/06/23/new-jersey-ag-school-districts-gender-transition-sue/
Don't forget that Biden had a list of those at FDA , CDC that big pharm wanted fired on his first day on office, like FDA David gortler:
David Gortler: FDA Senior Advisor to FDA Commissioner
Fired the day Biden took office.
https://www.covidlawcast.com/p/david-gortler-fda-senior-advisor#details
Thank you for posting these via paywall workarounds. After a loyal 20 yr subscriber I cancelled 2 years ago due to their poor reporting (or non reporting) over the 2020 election fraud and Covid/Vaccines.
Our government censors belong behind bars.
Looks like the main goal was not to find illegality for the State "persuasion," but to give rationale for higher courts to make it clear that censorship of even those media outlets that aren't "persuaded" by the State is unconstitutional. We've seen States use "emergencies" to suspend their constitutions, before. So hold on to a plan to resort to non-compliance.
The RINO's aren't giving me any reason to think we have a win wrapped up yet. Without them, the Court can do nothing. It has no enforcement power. Alexander Hamilton tried to calm down the opponents of the ratification of the Constitution with just that argument (combined with the argument that any prolonged corruption of the court clearly implies the complicit corruption of Congress since they can impeach judges who disregard the Constitution). IOW, the Court really IS the weakest branch, just as Hamilton argued.
Beautiful, thank you for posting this. Looking forward to the NYT and WAPO articles when they decide to cover this too. I won't hold my breath!!
Thanks again for your tireless efforts to keep us informed. Since the power mongers are such experts at damage control, I pray that some justice seeps these charges.
While I cherish free speech and dispise censorship some restrictions should still apply. Outright lies and failure to differentiate between fact and opinion should be restricted.
It seems that our freedom movement has become a platform for unscrupulous business practices. Every day I am bombarded with email ads that promise outlandish benefits.
For example, it may be true that our power grid is poised for collapse, but can we believe that a device, that costs under $100 or at any price, can produce an unlimited supply of free energy, water, food or whatever? What happened to the concept of truth in advertising? I think we may be allowing our own brand of disinformation by allowing this type of trickery skate on our rink. Any thougjts?
Surprisingly accurate and “just the facts” for an MSM paper. Thanks for posting Meryl and keep up the fight!
Here is the Preliminary Injunction. Note the date. Maybe the judge was sending a message to the Big Tech and Deep State autocrats:
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.lawd.189520/gov.uscourts.lawd.189520.294.0_2.pdf
finally, someone speaks up.
hopefully someone will address geoengineering. RFK recently discussed this with Dane Wigington.
interesting explanation he gives on the White House blocking the sun initiative ... he says what they are saying it as a cover story because geoengineering is becoming visible. seems something rather important..
https://usawatchdog.com/biden-blocking-sun-destroying-earth-dane-wigington/