In some ways, I believe that these tech giants are more powerful than Government officials. This is a fascinating take on Donald Trump's lawsuit against Big Tech, which banned him from their platforms because they thought the First Amendment didn't apply to them. After all, the Bill of Rights protects us from "governmental action", right? And, private corporations shouldn't have to be constrained by the First Amendment, right? After all, they have their own right of free speech. However, in an Internet age, when all communication runs through the Internet, should a group of private individuals and corporations be allowed to control the flow of thought and information? Shouldn't the right to free speech belong to all of us? Should we examine the connection between government and large corporations, who may be in collusion with each other? When does private action become tantamount to public action? Free speech depends upon everyone being on a level playing field. This article, by a former head of the ACLU, thinks the lawsuit by Trump raises some important Constitutional questions. Perhaps someone like Trump can be described as obscene, gross, and legitimately disgusting. What happens when the shoe is on the other foot? Isn't sauce for the goose also sauce for the gander? Should the Supreme Court expand the definition of government action? What do you think?
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