Why on earth do you imagine I think, or even want, the first amendment to be altered? That's for the Americans to determine, and as there is plenty of scope already available in its interpretation, it seems unlikely.

This has almost nothing to do with the first amendment, other than in Torba's mind and those of his fan base, like you.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Trump's situation directly. His only connection is that he is still able to use Torba's platform to spread "alternative facts". Aka lies.

It is actually also nothing to do with left or right politics, although the right appear to believe it is.

This has much more to do with whether and how a country, acting with the authority of its people via their elected representatives, can ensure they create a safe and responsible environment for their people.

That's not authoritarianism at all. It's democracy.

I have argued many times totally unrestricted free speech in a democracy is a myth. It doesn't exist and never has. As soon as laws are written, some restrictions exist. Only anarchists can genuinely argue for unrestricted free speech. That's not a "leftist" desire at all. It's just a mark of democracy, which imposes responsibilities alongside rights.

I was briefly "red carded" through a misunderstanding, which was quickly corrected. Being able to freely exchange views in a democracy is an essential and precious right. So long as it is done responsibly and causes no harm to others. Which is why you can think whatever you like, and freely express it in private. Do so elsewhere, and some laws apply because you don't own that space. We all do. The Germans own theirs. It's going to be interesting.

We could wonder: are they banning Twitter, apparently thousands of racist tweets according to Sky Sports News and BBC?
Are they banning Facebook for all of its illegal data gathering and election interference?
Are they banning Snapchat and Tik Tok for all the grooming and underage misuse?
All extensively reported on by mainstream media but no action.
Why then the need to rush to ban these platforms? You decide.

I subscribe to Gab's emails and keep an eye on their site, making the occasional comment.

Today I received this missive:-

[Link]

Whilst I am pretty sure a couple of regular posters will agree wholeheartedly with everything that Torba writes, I wonder what others think?

Do you think Germany has a "tyrannical" government?

Do you think because a company is based in the USA they can, or even ought to, ignore the laws of other countries, if they offer their services there?

Or are, in the internet age, companies free to ignore laws they don't like?

Do you think "fake news" is whatever a Government says it is, or is it demonstrable untruths which are considered dangerous by elected representatives?

Do you think that the appeals to God as the ultimate authority, and justification, is wise, given that there are echoes of the reasoning used by extremists of other faiths to be heard?

Should unrestricted free speech exist online, or should companies be expected to respond to complaints of dangerous misinformation and, having verified the transgression, remove them from their platforms?

In our increasingly borderless world, if individual countries are unable to determine what is acceptable, or not, who can?

To summarize. You want to censor anything you don't agree with whilst claiming to love free speech and only the people who you disagree with tell bad lies.

The lies you and your like minds tell are OK of course.

Good god, you are deluded.... And boring.

Reading it, they seem like nutters. There isn't anything I've spotted that infringes on anyone else freedoms, or anything that is deliberately deceptive.

It's quite obvious to the reader that it's an opinion piece and a bit strange that Germany wants to take action against them.

The story itself could be fake news?

In previous generations these people would be wearing tin foil on their heads claiming the government could read our minds.

I would never describe you as boring! Ridiculous, prejudiced and often unpleasant, but not boring. You are too funny for that!

So thanks again. I needed a laugh this morning.

That's no more a summary of my views than it is a summary of Einstein's theory of special relativity!

I won't bother to explain why. Anyone sensible will already understand, whilst those who see any alternative view as a lie, like yourself, won't.