You will recall that one of the most important functions of this site is that we be able to tell the White Hats (presuming that such people exist, which seems increasingly likely) what we really think about things. We need to do this in a timely fashion, too.
We are now entering one of the most dangerous phases of the Trump administration, where things get real – and therefore really dangerous. Honest, frank talk is needed. Free speech is needed. We need to be able to say what we really think. ALL OF US.
Trump is entering (openly, since we’ve always been “involved”) as a third party into a conflict where both sides, to some extent, hate free speech, hate certain truths, and rely on censorship as a tool of war.
This AMERICAN site, which treasures free speech and the truth, will not be a casualty of that conflict, nor of the tactics of the two sides.
A significant strategy of those who are either opposed to Trump and MAGA – or for whom Trump and MAGA are secondary considerations and expendable – has been to slowly drive people from the public square – including this very site – using a variety of tools and tactics. Some divisions are normal, but others are not. The recent divisions over Epstein and Gaza are not, in my opinion, organic, despite using important, organic issues.
One way to avoid division is to declare topics “off limits” – including in (most ironically) the “open threads”. That will not happen. Nor will a negotiated “code of silence” which accomplishes the same thing. The detente of non-discussion is not an acceptable term of peace. And yet, the fighting over specific issues is calculated to drive people away, ultimately. If we don’t speak, the enemies of free and true speech win. If we leave, the enemies of free and true speech win.
Therefore, I am going to create some capability for people to screen whose comments they see or don’t see, and what subjects they see or don’t see. In this way, people will not be forced to wade through content that makes their time here feel like a burden.
I think we have enough healthy exposure to opposing viewpoints here already.
I am already determining how exactly I am going to be able to let people control their feed. I will have to use a programming language I hate, and integrate my work with code that is (how do I say this kindly?) “less than optimal”. But it can be done. I have tested the basic concepts, and what I am thinking is possible, actually works.
Sadly, that programming will not be easy. It will take weeks.
Therefore, I am going to stop doing anything but placeholders on Mondays and Thursdays. After next week, you will only see placeholders on those days.
I ask for your patience during this time. Once I have the new code in place, I will let you know. I may or may not deploy interim versions – we’ll see. Please don’t complain if you see non-functional gizmos along the way!
You have my best wishes during this time. Please hang tough. If you can make it a few more weeks, that is all I need.
God bless all of you, you personally, Free Speech, President Trump, and America!
And if we can ask it most humbly and undeservingly, may God choose to bless this site as well.
Best wishes,
W
