I've been notified by Blogger, the Google-owned service I use to publish this blog, that an entry of mine was deleted. They deleted my most recent "News Weakly" entry (12/13/2025) because a reader complained. They said it contained "misleading content." They gave no indication exactly what content was misleading, so I'm not at all clear. In fact, it very well could be that if I speculate here about which one it could be, they could complain again for mentioning it. Maybe it was about ICEBlock or COVID or ...? (Wouldn't it be funny if it was some of the Bee content?) Needless to say, I'm disappointed.
In my early blogging days, I found a site that would tell me if my blog was banned in China. It was. Still is, last time I checked. My primarily Christian-based blog is banned in a primarily atheist-centered country, and I felt like it was a badge of honor. Now ... I'm blocked from reporting news and offering an opinion ... in America? What did I say that so upset a reader? Where have we come to when we can't even discuss it? What does that say about America today?
I need to be clear. I don't think this is a constitutional violation. The government can't limit free speech, but organizations can. But I think it's ironic that in a "free" country we face being blocked from expressing thoughts and opinions that are not allowed by the powers that be. Not seditious opinions, treasonous statements, malevolent ideas ... just "misleading." "Misleading content" is a bizarre variable. For instance, an RFK Jr. type would consider a Fauci type as presenting "misleading content." But we aren't allowed to discuss it. Not even allowed to bring it up. (And I'm not even an "RFK Jr. type" or a "right-wing conspiracy theorist" kind.) So when something I wrote upsets someone who is among the race that Scripture says "by their unrighteousness suppress the truth" and whose hearts are "deceitful above all things, and desperately sick" (Jer 17:9) enough to take legal action, do I take it as an offense or another badge of honor? I'm not sure.
What a disappointing, overreactive, and completely baffling action by Blogger. Your post contained “misleading content”?! Piffle! Seriously, have you been on the Internet much, Offended Reader? Surely Blogger is aware of much, much worse content within their platform--all of which is left undisturbed.
ReplyDeleteAnd anyway, this clear warning appears right at the top of your weblog page, preceding every post entry: “Foolish guys to confound the wise (1 Cor 1:27).” I say that is pretty fair warning ;).
In any event, shake it off and carry on? (I hope so!)
"Piffle!" I like it.
DeleteWell, “Piffle!” came from you, of course!
DeleteI've got a couple of thoughts on who complained, but it's probably some random guy.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of an appeal process or the ability to respond is concerning to say the least.
Craig, there is an appeal process, but without knowing what was "misleading content," I wouldn't know what to appeal.
DeleteCraig, I had some guesses, too, but then I looked over the entry. One was about ICEBlock which might me monitoring the internet for mention of their name. One was about the investigation into COVID vaccination deaths, where I questioned the entire response to COVID ... another "no-no." And a third was about the Colorado woman serving time for trying to overturn the 2020 results on voter fraud. Another "no-no." It could have been someone, or it could have been a standard bot looking for "trigger" content.
DeleteStan, There is one way to test for the offending content, of course. You could post each of your News Weakly blurbs in separate entries. If one is flagged and then deleted, while the others are not, you have identified the culprit.
DeleteThat is frustrating. Keep up the good work.
DeleteJust in a practical level, it seems like it would be important to Blogger to let you know what was actually misleading so that you can either correct your information or avoid it in the future. Personally, I'd take it as a badge of honor. Upsetting the powers-that-be enough to silence you without explanation is always a sign you're in the right side.
ReplyDeleteDavid, it was interesting that they could find it, review it, delete it ... but not tell me what the objectionable content was. Very disappointing. I agree with you.
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