Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Liberal myths

2019-05-23T23:24:30Z

Antiliberalman:

'''Liberal myths''' are falsehoods heavily supported by a destructive belief system.

==List of liberal myths==

Liberal beliefs include:<ref>http://www.twilightslastgleaming.com/myths.htm</ref>

*The claim that neither [[evil]] nor the [[devil]] exist.
*The claim that government titles make someone important or significant.
*The claim that there is man-made "[[global warming]]".<ref>[http://www.nowpublic.com/some-exasperating-liberal-myths Some Exasperating Liberal Myths] NowPublic.com, August 27, 2007</ref>
*The claim that [[Earth]] and the universe are billions of years old.
*The claim that government regulations create jobs.
*The claim that environmental regulation saves lives.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/nov/15/why-republican-attacks-environment-laws]</ref>
*The claim that there is no voter fraud, it's about the GOP wanting to "prevent" people from voting.
*The claim that "The failed economic policies of George W. Bush" caused the recession and high unemployment.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-national/let-s-discuss-the-failed-economicy-policies-of-president-george-w-bush Let's discuss the "failed economicy policies" of President George W. Bush, Washington Examiner, December 9, 2010]</ref>
*The claim that unemployment benefits stimulate the economy.<ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/30660 The unemployment ‘benefits’ compassion sham, CanadaFreePress, December 3, 2010]</ref>
*The claim that the U.S. put Japanese soldiers to death for waterboarding.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2014/12/16/cheneys-claim-that-the-u-s-did-not-prosecute-japanese-soldiers-for-waterboarding/]</ref>
*The claim that GOP gerrymandering was responsible for the Democrats' [[2014 Midterm Elections]] defeat.
*The claim that Democrats lost the [[2010 Midterm elections]] because [[Barack Obama]] was not liberal enough.
*The claim that banning plastic bags, bottles, and other products will improve the environment.<ref>[http://www.dailycamera.com/guest-opinions/ci_23695266/gust-column-save-planet-use-plastic-bag Guest column: Save the planet, use a plastic bag, The Daily Camera, July 21, 2013]</ref>
*The claim that [[nationalism]] is the opposite of [[patriotism]].<ref name="Hazony2018">Hazony, Yoram (August 24, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-liberty-of-nations-1535120837 The Liberty of Nations]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved August 25, 2018.</ref><ref>Gregor, A. James (November 18, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/11/18/gregor-the-false-dichotomy-of-nationalism-versus-patriotism/ Gregor: The False Dichotomy of Nationalism Versus Patriotism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 18, 2018.</ref><ref>Ryun, Ned (November 15, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/trump-vs-macron-what-the-french-president-doesnt-understand-about-nationalism Trump vs. Macron: What the French president doesn't understand about nationalism]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved November 15, 2018.</ref>
*The claim that Early American [[Pilgrim]]s were illegal immigrants when there were no such things as national boundaries in what is now the United States prior to its establishment.<ref>[http://weaselzippers.us/2011/11/26/msnbc-analyst-on-thanksgiving-pilgrims-were-illegal-immigrants-indians-99-percenters/ MSNBC Analyst On Thanksgiving: Pilgrims Were “Illegal Immigrants,” Indians 99 Percenters, Weasel Zippers, November 26, 2011]</ref> No government or immigration laws were in existence at the time.
*The claim that human beings are beginning to overpopulate. This myth is used as an attempt to justify abortion and the theory of anthropogenic "global warming".
*The claim that people today are more knowledgeable and intelligent than in prior centuries.
*The claim that the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] tax cuts substantially reduced 2006 revenues and expanded the [[budget]] deficit.
*The claim that the Bush tax cuts have not helped the economy.
*The claim that some people are so poor they can only afford to eat Ramen Noodles.
*The claim that a [[fetus]] is not a living person.
*The claim the [[embryonic stem cell]]s will provide many cures. Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic cells have provided no known cures.
*The claim that [[gun control]] reduces crime.
*The claim that [[abortion]] and [[breast cancer]] are unrelated.
*The claim that [[abortion]] and mental depression are unrelated.
*The claim that [[gambling]] financially benefits state school systems.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/17/cbsnews_investigates/main3269456.shtml Is The Lottery Shortchanging Schools?] CBS News, September 17, 2007</ref>
*The claim to support the rights of women, never mentioning the oppressed women in Islamic countries.<ref>[https://www.aclu.org/womensrights/index.html About the Women's Rights Project] ACLU</ref>
*The claim that the [[media]] is not biased toward the liberal agenda.
*The claim that enabling [[oil]] drilling will not reduce long-term [[energy]] prices.<ref>[http://rightwingnews.com/mt331/2008/07/nancy_pelosis_energy_policy.php?comments=show Nancy Pelosi's Energy Policy] Rightwingnews.com, July 8, 2008</ref>
*The claim that enabling oil drilling will not provide [[energy]] security.<ref>[https://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=33767 Oil Money May Buy Drilling Vote, Liberal Says] CNSNews.com, August 7, 2008</ref>
*The claim that same-sex couple adoptions can replace the [[love]] from a mother and a father.<ref>[http://lesbianlife.about.com/cs/families/a/adoption_2.htm Lesbian and Gay Adoption Rights] About.com</ref>
*The claim that an individual's [[sexual]] preference needs to be a protected civil "right".<ref>[http://www.civilrights.org/research_center/civilrights101/sexualorientation.html GAYS AND LESBIANS] Civilrights.com</ref>
*That there is a "[[vast right-wing conspiracy]]" <ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,359741,00.html THE VAST LEFT-WING CONSPIRACY] Fox News, May 29, 2008</ref>
*The claim that opposing the [[homosexual agenda]] is "[[bigotry]]".<ref>[http://www.boycottmcdonalds.com/detail.aspx?id=102 Boycott McDonald's!] American Family Association</ref>
*The claim that the US acted unilaterally in Iraq. The USA and Britain led a 30-nation coalition in Iraq.<ref>[https://www.heritage.org/Research/Europe/wm558.cfm The Myth of U.S. Isolation] The Heritage Foundation, September 7, 2004</ref>
*The claim that [[President Bush]] "cheated" in the 2000 Presidential election.<ref>[http://archive.democrats.com/display.cfm?id=239 Floridagate] Democrats.com</ref>
*The claim that [[President Bush]] lied about WMD in [[Iraq]] to grab [[oil]].
*The claim that [[Saddam Hussein]] was not seeking to buy yellowcake Uranium.<ref>[http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/14/tenet-niger/ Tenet Agrees To Cooperate With Congressional Investigation Into Niger Fraud] ThinkProgress, May 14, 2007</ref>
*The claim that the [[9/11]] Islamic terrorist attacks were an "inside job" by the [[USA]].
*The claim that Foreign Intelligence & Surveillance Act (FISA) is for spying on Americans.<ref>[https://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35928prs20080709.html Senate Passes Unconstitutional Spying Bill] ACLU, July 9, 2008</ref>
*The claim that [[big government]] will benefit its citizens.<ref>[https://www.newsmax.com/politics/candidates_public_service/2008/09/11/130009.html McCain, Obama Discuss Views on Public Service] Ap, September 11, 2008</ref>
*The claim that [[military]] recruits are poor and uneducated.<ref>[https://www.heritage.org/research/nationalsecurity/cda05-08.cfm Who Bears the Burden? Demographic Characteristics of U.S. Military Recruits] Heritage Foundation, November 7, 2005</ref><ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3827/is_200612/ai_n17197505 Rangel Is Wrong About Recruits] Human Events, December 4, 2006</ref><ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/31/kerry.mccain/ Bush on Kerry remark: U.S. troops are 'plenty smart'] CNN, November 1, 2006</ref>
*The claim that [[government]]-run [[healthcare]] is better than a capitalist healthcare system.<ref>[http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr009=j7lglh8nq9.app5b&page=NewsArticle&id=9238&news_iv_ctrl=1283 Free, universal health care must be a right!] VotePSL.org, may 30, 2008</ref>
*The claim that going on the offense against [[terrorists]] creates more terrorists.<ref>[http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/03/madeleine-albright-we-created-more.html Madeleine Albright: "We Created More Terrorists... Our Soldiers Are the Problem"] Gateway Pundit, March 27, 2008</ref>
*The claim that terrorism should be handled by [[law]] enforcement.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/29/AR2008072902041.html Strategy Against Al-Qaeda Faulted] Washington Post, July 30, 2008</ref><ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,406901,00.html Bush: War on Terror is Not Law Enforcement Matter] AP, August 20, 2008</ref>
*The claim that the USA should negotiate with rogue [[nations]] and terror groups.
*The claim that [[socialism]] is "superior" to [[capitalism]].
*The claim that there is a [[gene]] which causes people to become homosexuals. No such gene has been found by the scientific community.
*The claim that [[humans]] and [[ape]]s have a common ancestor.
*The claim that [[gender]] is more than male and female.
*The claim that misogynistic sexism is the reason for any supposed gender gap in wages. Numerous studies showing that the difference in wages for men and women doing similar jobs is caused mainly by personal choices.
*The claim that the [[death penalty]] does not deter [[crime]]. Overwhelming evidence shows that the death penalty does deter crime.
*The claim that [[atheists]] are just as moral as [[Christians]] who regularly go to a church, or, in some cases, claim atheists are "morally superior".
*The claim that all [[religions]] teach the same thing.
*The claim that [[intelligent design]] is not a science and has no evidence.
*The claim that no climatologist or [[physicist]] rejects "global warming". Ironically, the founder of The Weather Channel rejects "global warming", as do thousands of other scientists.
*The claim that Hitler was a [[Catholic]].
*The claim that opposition to [[Obama]] is "racism".
*The claim that the general welfare clause in the Constitution gives government the right to force American citizens to buy government-run healthcare.
*The claim that Jesus was the first [[socialist]] simply because he shared with others.
*The claim that [[affirmative action]] works.
*The claim that the [[Old Testament]] is immoral.
*The claim that [[Jews]] of today aren't the Jews of the Bible.
*The claim that [[Christmas]] is about the story of a "refugee family."<ref>Adams, Becket (December 26, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-nativity-story-isnt-about-refugees-where-are-you-guys-getting-this-from The nativity story isn’t about refugees. Where are you guys getting this from?] ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved December 26, 2018.</ref>
*The claim that [[feminism]] has no bias.
*The claim that [[homosexuals]] do not try to convert [[heterosexuals]].
*The claim that [[same-sex "marriage"]] will not result in [[polygamy]] also being written into law.
*The claim that the [[Bible]] is fictional, allegorical, or partially allegorical.
*The claim that [[Liberal Christianity]] is compatible with the teachings of [[Jesus Christ]].
*The claim that proper tire inflation can replace the need for additional oil drilling.
*That people should eat less red meat in order to combat "[[climate change]]".<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418801,00.html</ref>
*The claim Jesus was a "liberal" or political leftist.<ref>[http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/bernstein/works/1895/cromwell/09-communism.htm The 'Diggers' movement is held up as an example of good Christianity]</ref>
*The claim that the [[Nation of Islam]] is unrelated to Islam the ideology.
*The claim that portable school vouchers would destroy [[public schools]], yet liberals send their own children to private schools.
*The claim that, if a person is [[pro-life]], that person does not care about people after birth.<ref>[https://twitter.com/movingleft Obnoxious supporter of Obama Twitter Account @MovingLeft (Warning:Vulgar)]</ref>
*The claim that more African Americans died in wars of [[America]] than in [[abortion]]. 1,786 blacks are killed '''daily''' by abortion, one of two [[pregnant]] women will be suckered into pro-choice genocide. [http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/1685410938.html]
*The claim that renaming [[War on Terror]] to Overseas Contingency Operation will reduce the threats facing America.
*The claim that cutting back on America's missile defenses will some how make the country more secure.
*The claim that the nation will go bankrupt if we don't spend more tax dollars.
*The claim that the United States must switch to unproven technologies for the environment's sake, such as wind or solar power. Yet, proven clean energy generated by nuclear power is not an option.
*The claim that a person cannot be pro-life if that person is [[pro-gun]] or pro-[[capital punishment]].
*The claim that opposition to homosexuality and homosexual "marriage", equals "hatred" of homosexuals or "bigotry".
*The claim that [[Donald Trump]]'s supporters are all "racists", "fascists", or, in Hillary Clinton's words, "deplorables".
*The claim that [[Donald Trump]]'s views resemble [[Hitler]]'s.
*The claim that [[Hitler]] was a "conservative".
*The claim that violent [[video game]]s like ''Doom'' or ''Quake'' aren't contributing to real life [[violence]].
*The claim that guns are responsible for deaths. By that same logic, pencils are responsible for misspelled words.
*The claim that 47 million Americans don't have health insurance, while the actual number is between 10 and 15 million. <ref>[[Essay:47 million Americans without health insurance lie‎]]</ref>
*The claim that homosexuality cannot be overcome by therapy and prayer.
*The claim that pornography doesnt cause cancer.
*The claim that homosexuality is inherent to a person's biology and not a choice of lifestyle.
*The claim that higher income earners in America are not paying a "fair share".
*The claim that the liberal [[mainstream media]] is "unbiased", "reliable", "fair", and "unchallengeable".
*The claim that [[conservative media]] is "biased" and "unreliable".
*The claim that [[fake news]] is a conservative problem, when in fact it is a liberal problem.
*The claim that they are better than those who disagree them themselves. They open fire on anyone who doesn't agree with them, particularly conservatives and fundamentalist and biblical Christians, calling them false (and thus meaningless) slur words such as "fascist," "racist," "bigoted," "sexist," "misogynistic," "neo-Nazi," etc. They do this without realizing that the people they name-call are oftentimes more friendly and caring than themselves.
*The claim that [[Islam]] "has always been part of the American fabric" even as far back as the American Revolution.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (May 29, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/29/cnns-crusade-declare-islam-part-americas-founding/ CNN’s W. Kamau Bell: Islam Part of America’s Founding]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 29, 2017.</ref>
*The claim that it's impossible to be racist against White people because racism requires prejudice + power which is not only not the definition of racism, but it is also not even true that non-whites don't have institutional power to harm whites. False accusations of racism have been used to attack white people many times. <ref>https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/360083-systemic-racism-is-so-rare-in-america-the-media-just-cant-stop-lying</ref>

== Liberal myths about Donald Trump ==

*The claim by prominent Democrats, media elites, RINOS, and liberals in general that [[Donald Trump]] could not possibly be elected to be president of the United States.<ref>[Best Compilation- People Who Laughed at TRUMP...and said he would never be President]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4iZSW_76TE Democrats and Media Agreed: There Was No Way Donald Trump Could Be Elected]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQgq_R13V3s "You aren't laughing anymore, are you?" - Donald Trump - Deplorables Remix]</ref>
*The claim by liberals that Donald Trump is a "[[Fascism|fascist]]". In reality, Trump's agenda includes cutting back several areas of government. Trump says he plans on going directly to the American public via Twitter after he is elected president. There are no indications that Trump will have a state controlled media. Trump has some hostility to the media, which was colluding with the Democrat Party, especially Hillary Clinton, during the 2016 election.
*The claim that Donald Trump is a "[[Misogyny|misogynist]]". The ''Washington Post'' reported, "Today, according to Trump’s attorney, [[Michael Cohen]], there are more women than men holding executive positions in the Trump Organization, heading such departments as human resources, golf and hotel management, and global licensing, even though women make up just 43 percent of the overall workforce."<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/donald-trump-a-champion-of-women-his-female-employees-think-so/2015/11/23/7eafac80-88da-11e5-9a07-453018f9a0ec_story.html Donald Trump, a champion of women? His female employees think so.]</ref> Among two of the first picks to fill positions in the Trump administration were Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina as his choice to become ambassador to the United Nations and Betsy DeVos to serve as education secretary. [[Trump Tower]] was also constructed by a woman named Barbara Res who was also the first woman to construct a skyscraper.
*The claim that Donald Trump was unqualified to be president. He has executive experience and is a politically astute real estate developer in New York City and other geographic areas. [[Dwight Eisenhower]], [[William Taft]], [[Zachary Taylor]] and [[George Washington]] were never elected to a government office before becoming President of the United States. Barack Obama called Hillary Clinton the "most qualified" person ever to run for president while leaving out her major foreign policy failures and other shortcomings as Secretary of State.
*The myth that American liberals are terrified of Donald Trump. [[Michael Moore]] compared Trump's election to [[Kristallnacht]], but no Trump supporters engaged in widespread acts of oppression or violence on the day of his election. No prominent liberals have fled the United States after Trump's elections, nor has there been a large flight of liberals from the United States after Trump's election. No prominent liberals who claimed they would move out of the country if Trump was elected have indicated that they were leaving the country.
*The liberal myth that Donald Trump is a virulent "racist". One of the first acts of President-elect Trump was to pick the Indian-American [[Nikki Haley]] to become ambassador to the United Nations. In addition, Trump made several minority-appointments, including [[Ben Carson]] as [[Secretary of Housing and Urban Development|HUD Secretary]].
*Liberal denialism associated with the fact that Donald Trump was elected to be president of the United States. Twitter hashtags and protest cries of "Not my president" despite widespread liberal complaints that Donald Trump would not accept the results of the election. Liberal schemes of getting electors of the electoral college to switch their votes).
*Liberals claim that Trump "[[Russian collusion hoax|colluded with Russia]]".

==Patriotism==
The liberal belief that an individual can claim to support the U.S. military, just not the mission and still be considered a 'Patriot'. In fact, the exact opposite is the truth. A liberal's patriotism, party-specific position, cannot support the troops if they are an impediment to their political left-wing strategy. The main reason for this has to due with passionate, partisan hatred for George W. Bush or any other conservative as commander in chief, the [[President of the United States of America]]. Liberals claim to support the military, claim not to support the mission, and refuse to support the Commander. The extremist left discounts the counter effect of troop morale. Understanding the true liberal mindset when it comes to supporting our U.S. troops, observe the often tried protest march. Though frustration boils over, actions lead from protest to outright sabotage or anarchism.<ref>[http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/01/anti-war-protest-at-gop-convention-turns-violent/ Anti-War Protest at GOP Convention Turns Violent] Fox News, September 1, 2008</ref> Liberal credibility fails and lack of concern for the support of America shows. The left-wing cares so much for America's military they condone and actually prop up politicians that abuse troops with reckless accusations,<ref>[https://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0907/Federal_judge_order_Murtha_to_testify_in_Haditha_defamation_case.html Federal judge orders Murtha to testify in Haditha defamation case] Politico, September 28, 2007</ref> negative media coverage and ego trips.<ref>[https://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-kerrystuckiniraq.htm Political Humor] About.com</ref> Liberal protesters look the other way as war memorials are vandalized. Liberals protest America's severely injured soldiers at the Walter Reed Medical Center.<ref>[http://www.crosswalk.com/1347570/ Anti-War Protests Target Wounded at Army Hospital] Crosswalk.com</ref> Liberal protesters harass, damage or block military recruitment centers from operating business-as-usual.<ref>[http://mfvov.com/blog/?p=505 Recruiting Center Attacks Coast to Coast] Military Families Voice of Victory, March 19, 2008</ref> This leftwing position, the myth is successful in feeding media driven discontent and mediocrity shame. If the news is bad, a liberal is spoon fed. If the news is good, the spoon-fed liberal is oblivious. e.g. "a complete suspension of disbelief".

Patriotism, to your brother, who volunteers and risks the ultimate sacrifice out of love, will never be diminished. True patriots will always be in our gratitude and held in the highest light.

==America Perceived==
The myth liberals give says we need to restore America's image in the world. Again, this mostly has to do with liberals' negative view of [[President Bush]]. Liberals want the two linked even though the myth is false. They blame Bush and Iraq for the bad USA image but the truth is that the credibility of the American left is a worse image than America's image abroad. The main need for liberals to propagate this myth is the fact that [[socialist]] governments of Europe oppose the policy of [[Iraq]]. This further fuels liberals' political agenda to remove [[Republicans]] from power. Liberals love Europeans and cite their false socialist utopia at every chance. European opposition automatically reinforces their belief that America's image is damaged. As of 2008, most of the [[European]] leaders that opposed Iraq are no longer in positions of power. The result, European [[conservatives]] were elected who publicly aligned themselves with America.

Those [[liberals]] that use the myth and regularly bash the USA are often called the "Blame America First" crowd. Though they never seem to mention that America gives more in donations, in total dollars, than any other country on Earth.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-25-charitable_N.htm Americans give record $295B to charity] USA Today, 6/25/2007</ref> A sure way to change America's image in the world is to show the world we respect life. The repeal of Roe Vs. Wade would be a start.

Reasons why [[America]] was hated prior to 2003 include wealth, women's rights, support for our democratic ally [[Israel]], democratic government, capitalist economy and exporting immorality.

==Bad Successful Companies==
In the attempt to point fingers and lay blame, the liberals produce the myth that profits made by successful companies are bad for America. Only a select group of companies are targeted for public shame. This is a false myth because successful corporations actually create jobs and [[tax]] revenue. Retirement funds and municipal bonds rely heavily on the profits from these companies. Also, the reason these companies flourish is because the capitalist system rewards their hard work. The liberals will try to create sympathy, that they care for the average American, they are the ones going after wrongdoers to make it right.

[[Liberals]] have demonized such companies as RJ Reynolds, Walmart, Halliburton and [[Blackwater]]. Their latest target is Exxon Mobil for their enormous profits and futures market oil speculators. Most of their accusations are absurd. Liberals in [[Congress]] don't blink an eye when it comes time to spend all that tax revenue generated. Liberals in Congress have been called on their [[hypocrisy]] for owning stocks in those companies. Which in turn, they divest their portfolios like nothing was ever wrong. For years, for decades, these companies have lobbied members of Congress, they have worked together for their common goals. In return, hefty [[campaign]] donations are their reward. Then for opportune reasons, liberals will publicly ridicule and verbally attack these bad, greedy capitalists. Corporate heads are brought before congress for a sideshow grilling to explain their actions.<ref>[https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/01/MNU7VU217.DTL Congress asks Big Oil to justify big profits] The SF Chronicle, April 2, 2008</ref> The Windfall Tax is just another example of the sham created by this liberal myth. Those companies make enough money, they should now be forced to give some back. They are threatened with nationalization <ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=65111 Congresswoman threatens to nationalize oil industry] Worldnetdaily.com, May 23, 2008</ref>
and further government regulation, a socialist scheme. As the price of gas fell, Congress just pretended like nothing ever happened, Big Oil off the hook.

==The Economy From The Previous 8 Years==
In an attempt to spread Bush hatred without mentioning his name, it is common for liberals to lie and say ''"we're in this economic mess because of the policies over the previous eight years."'' This is a myth, perpetuated by the corrupt in order to link bad economics with [[Conservatism]] and Bush policy. These liberals are the very same individuals that would not recognize George W. Bush's economic successes when the economy was creating jobs. Bush, [[McCain]], [[Alan Greenspan]] are all on record as trying to fix the corrupt lending policies and government mismanagement for the past eight years.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMnSp4qEXNM&NR=1 Financial Meltdown Video] YouTube</ref> All the while Democrats were lining their pockets with [[Fannie Mae]] and [[Freddie Mac]] donations. Democrats are overwhelmingly responsible if they should point fingers. Democrats [[Barney Frank]], [[Chris Dodd]], [[John Kerry]], [[Charles Schumer]] and even [[Barack Obama]] are as much, if not directly, indirectly responsible for the failed economics of this country over the past eight-years. The same people who got us into this mess are now responsible for getting us out of financial meltdown. Blame can go all around on this one, both Republicans and Democrats. This was the result of many bad decisions over a long period of time. Then out of nowhere, financial calamity that nobody saw coming, except congressmen and women who were privy to bank collapses. They made good money while the rest of America suffered.<ref>[http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2009/06/members_of_us_house_financial.html Members of U.S. House Financial Services Committee snapped up or dumped bank stocks as bottom fell out of market Cleveland.com June 25, 2009]</ref>
{{cquote|The truth of the matter; Bush-era 4.5% unemployment, Obama-era will it go higher than 10%?}}

==Torture==
In an attempt by liberals to claim the [[U.S.]] committed war crimes after [[9/11]], Congress held an investigation into [[Enhanced interrogation]] by the CIA. The report would absolve the role of Congress, who were advised along the way, and label waterboarding as torture in violation of the Geneva convention. Liberals, backed by comments of Senator [[John McCain]], would argue that we put Japanese to death for waterboarding. It's a ridiculous notion that waterboarding was reason enough to justify execution. [[Japanese]] soldiers would beat U.S. servicemen to death, forced labor to death, starved to death. Many lost limbs to sword wielding commanders.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zNN6M97vYMEC&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=japanese+put+to+death+for+torture&source=bl&ots=bixUXAub86&sig=IRA-eCfErn8PtEB01sgMqiZBC-I&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-57b9kd_MAhVG4CYKHb3FAhA4ChDoAQhaMAk#v=onepage&q=japanese%20put%20to%20death%20for%20torture&f=false Imperial Japan's World War Two: 1931-1945, By Werner Gruhl]</ref> Many U.S. serviceman and civilian contractors were executed without trial. Also, they were waterboarded. If GITMO detainees had it as bad as liberals claim, they wouldn't seek to stay.<ref>[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17sr7z_latest-gitmo-snag-prisoners-don-t-want-to-leave_news Latest Gitmo Snag: Prisoners Don't Want to Leave, DailyMotion, November 29, 2013]</ref> To equate enhanced interrogation with torture is a liberal myth.

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

{{Liberalism}}
[[Category:Liberal Deceit]]
[[Category:Liberal Bias]]
[[Category:Liberal Denial]]
[[Category:Liberal Falsehoods]]

Facebook

2019-05-23T23:22:24Z

Antiliberalman:

[[Image:Newfacebooklogo3.jpg|thumb|Facebook logo|right]]
'''Facebook''' (stylized '''facebook''') is a [[social networking]] website founded on a hidden [[liberal]] agenda that profits by exploiting personal information in users' profiles, by advertising, and by giving a platform for liberals to open fire on [[conservative]] leaders and ideals. Users can spend, or indeed waste, their time on it by uploading pictures (typically of themselves or their pets), by gossiping about others, by talking to friends, by interfering with marriages and personal relationships, and by acting like a [[busybody]]. Facebook use is correlated with underachievement in school and disruption of social relationships, such as marriage or friendships.<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/facebook-dumber-study-shows-users-social-networking-site-grades-article-1.363026 ''Does Facebook make you more dumb?'']</ref> For many young people, Facebook use replaces healthier activities and social gatherings.

[[Facebook]] has been the medium of choice for multiple [[young mass murderers]] and sluts and homosexual rapists.

"Social networking" is an inaccurate term for the site because Facebook is typically a poor substitute for real social networking. One survey shows that Facebook feeds narcissistic tendencies.<ref>[https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/cyber.2009.0257 ''Survey Says Facebook Feeds Narcissism'']</ref>

Other studies done have shown that using Facebook is associated with poorer performance in school, plus a substantial percentage of marital problems and an increase in psychological disorders in youth.<ref>[http://thetechjournal.com/internet/facebook-is-the-new-cause-of-divorce.xhtml#ixzz1OmdIs3rN Facebook is the new cause of divorce, The Tech Journal, December 23, 2009]</ref><ref>[http://technorati.com/social-media/article/facebook-linked-to-psychological-disorders-in/ Facebook Linked To Psychological Disorders In Teens]</ref> [[Liberal]]s nevertheless flock to it presumably because it is so unproductive or even counterproductive. Activities on Facebook have caused people to be fired from their jobs or, indeed, rejected from being hired by new employers.

Anybody with an account can create an unlimited amount of unproductive pages, which can then be "liked" by other users who can also post similar items to the page.

Facebook is based in Palo Alto, [[California]]. The name of the site is based on the paper facebooks that many colleges give to incoming students, faculty, and staff depicting members of the campus community.<ref>[http://www.associatepublisher.com/e/f/fa/facebook.htm Facebook]</ref>

As of the closing of its second business quarter of 2017, Facebook has more than 2 billion registered business and personal accounts, 83 million of which are known fakes.

==Origins==
Facebook was founded in February 2004 by [[Harvard]] sophomores [[Mark Zuckerberg]], Chris Hughes, Dustin Moskovitz, and Eduardo Saverin, with help from Andrew McCollum. By December 2004, after expanding the site to other universities, the number of registered users exceeded one million. In August 2005 Facebook obtained the domain name Facebook.com and dropped the "the" from the site's name.

==2010==
A feature film was made about the origins of Facebook, called ''The Social Network'', and the mainstream media heavily advertised it. The film did not meet expectations at the [[Academy Awards]] and was number one in America for only a few weeks. Mark Zuckerberg was not involved in the creation of film and said that it was more Hollywood storytelling than reality.

It has been known among Silicon Valley technology companies that Facebook has been luring away [[Google]] employees to the extent that Google is now offering bonuses for staying with the company. On October 15, 2010, Facebook announced the release of a new email client. Internally referred to as Titan, the media has dubbed it a "Gmail Killer". Zuckerberg insists it is not a head-to-head competitor of Google's Gmail service; rather, it will be more of an instant messaging service.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/11/15/gmail-beware-facebook-unveils-e-mail-service/ E-MAIL WAR: Facebook Launches 'Gmail Killer' -- AOL Jumps In, Too, FOX News, November 15, 2010]</ref>

==Liberal policies==
The world's largest online social network considers itself [[LGBTQQIAAAPPK]] friendly and added civil unions and domestic partnerships to the list of relationships that its users can pick from to best describe their romantic status. The [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]] had lobbied for the policy adoption. The option is only available to Facebook users in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France and Australia.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/02/18/facebook-adds-support-sex-civil-unions Facebook Adds Support for Same-Sex Civil Unions, Fox News, February 18, 2011]</ref>

Facebook takes the extremist liberal view that gender is more than just male and female. Users can choose 58 types of custom genders as of last count to identify from.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/02/heres-a-list-of-58-gender-options-for-facebook-users/ Here's a List of 58 Gender Options for Facebook Users, ABCNews, February 13, 2014]</ref>

==Political influence==
Zuckerberg has involved himself in politics in the 2016 presidential race. He has publicly called out positions held by [[Donald Trump]] as wrong. Facebook employees have asked if they should try to stop a Trump presidency.<ref>[http://gizmodo.com/facebook-employees-asked-mark-zuckerberg-if-they-should-1771012990 Facebook Employees Asked Mark Zuckerberg If They Should Try to Stop a Donald Trump Presidency, Gizmodo, April 15, 2016]</ref>

Facebook has declared it will never use its product to influence how people on the platform vote.<ref>[http://gizmodo.com/facebook-says-it-doesnt-try-to-influence-how-people-vot-1771276946?rev=1460755179651 Facebook Says it Doesn't Try to Influence How People Vote, Gizmodo, April 15, 2016]</ref>

In 2012, Facebook developed a tool called 'voter megaphone' raising questions about its use and ability to influence elections. Facebook secretly tampered with 1.9 million user's news feeds.

Facebook tampered with news feeds in 2010 during a 61-million-person experiment to see how Facebook could impact the real-world voting behavior of millions of people.<ref>[http://fowler.ucsd.edu/massive_turnout.pdf A 61-million-person experiment in social influence and political mobilization]</ref>

98% of political donations from Facebook employees went to [[Barack Obama]] in the 2008 presidential election.<ref>[http://beforeitsnews.com/story/684/994/Facebook_self_appointed_arbiter_of_free_speech_tells_Tea_Party_no_more_organizing.html Facebook – self appointed arbiter of “free speech” – tells Tea Party no more organizing, Before It's News, June 2, 2011]</ref>

Facebook banned political pages in an attempt to influence elections.<ref>Duke, Selwyn (May 15, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/32360-big-tech-tyranny-facebook-is-at-it-again-trying-to-sway-an-election Big Tech Tyranny: Facebook Is at It Again, Trying to Sway an Election]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 15, 2019.</ref>

==Christian Presence==
Liberal pages aside, the presence of Christianity on Facebook is overwhelming. A quick and simple search reveals that the main Christianity page has more members than all the atheist pages combined.

==Conservative Groupings==
While liberalism appears to be the dominant political agenda behind Facebook's staff, this has not stopped conservative groups and pages forming. The [[Conservative Party]] as well as the [[Tea Party Movement]] have created pages. A search of the pages reveals that, when comparing the "likes" system on Facebook, both the Tea Party and the Tea Party Patriots dominate more liberal pages such as "Gay Marriage USA" and even the political ideology page "Liberal".

==Censorship and harassment by Facebook==
Ongoing censorship and harassment by Facebook are documented at [http://www.facebookcensorship.com facebookcensorship.com] with screenshots. Also documented is the wholesale destruction of groups that took some people years to build by Facebook's deleting all of the members. Facebook then deleted the discussion areas from "pages" to further their control and censorship. Despite its censorship, some left-wing activists claim that Facebook has not gone far enough in censoring opposing viewpoints.<ref>Wolfgang, Ben (April 22, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/apr/22/facebook-hate-speech-censorship-policies-upset-bot/ Thumbs down: Facebook’s hate speech and censorship policies no easy fix]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 23, 2018.</ref>

Facebook temporarily banned Fox News reporter Todd Starnes for not being a liberal, giving the reason that his "politically incorrect" post violated community guidelines.<ref>[http://www.fireandreamitchell.com/2013/06/29/fascist-facebook-bans-fox-reporter-todd-starnes-for-politically-incorrect-nra-post/ Fascist Facebook bans Fox reporter Todd Starnes, FireAndreamitchell.com, June 29, 2013]</ref> Facebook has censored other conservatives,<ref>Ciaccia, Chris (April 9, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/tech/2018/04/09/facebook-reconsiders-unsafe-for-community-tag-on-pro-trump-diamond-and-silk-videos-after-fox-friends-appearance.html Facebook reconsiders 'unsafe for community' tag on pro-Trump Diamond and Silk videos after Fox & Friends appearance]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.</ref> including the conservative news organization [[Voice of Europe]] simply for reporting on conservative opposition to immigration and Islam in Europe, political points of view Facebook deems "offensive."<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (April 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/04/09/facebook-punishes-conservative-news-site-criticizing-mass-migration/ Facebook Punishes Conservative News Site for Criticizing Mass Migration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.</ref> In April 2018, Facebook blocked conservative activist [[Pamela Geller]] after she posted an Associated Press article on Muslim anti-Semitism in Germany, though the organization later lifted the block.<ref>Bokhari, Allum (April 27, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/04/27/facebook-blocks-pamela-geller-reporting-muslim-anti-semitism-germany/ Facebook Blocks Pamela Geller (Again!) for Reporting on Muslim Anti-Semitism in Germany]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 28, 2018.</ref> In June 2018, it permanently banned Generation Identity, an identitarian movement that seeks to uphold Europe's traditional culture, due to "extremist content."<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 24, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/24/censorship-entire-european-identitarian-movement-permanently-banned-from-facebook/ Censorship: Entire European Identitarian Movement Permanently Banned From Facebook]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 24, 2018.</ref>

In early 2018, following the revelation that the now-defunct data mining firm Cambridge Analytica had inappropriately acquired about 50 million users' personal information around the time of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Facebook changed its algorithm, aiming to resolve countless privacy issues. However, this also resulted in [[conservative media]] sources being disfavored by the site compared to [[mainstream media]] sources.<ref>Bokhari, Allum (April 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/04/09/report-establishment-media-soaring-on-facebook-conservative-media-in-decline-following-algorithm-change/ Report: Establishment Media Soaring on Facebook, Conservative Media in Decline Following Algorithm Change]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.</ref>

Studies have found that Facebook, among other social media platforms, engage in censorship.<ref>Haverluck, Michael F. (March 16, 2018). [https://onenewsnow.com/media/2018/03/16/facebook-algorithm-kills-conservative-news-feeds-boosts-lefts Facebook algorithm kills conservative news feeds, boosts left's]. ''OneNewsNow''. Retrieved August 28, 2018.<br>See also:
*Duke, Selwyn (August 28, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/29900-google-is-not-a-search-engine-twitter-and-facebook-aren-t-social-media Google Is Not a Search Engine; Twitter and Facebook Aren’t Social Media]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 28, 2018.</ref>

Facebook banned several people whose views it opposed, labeling them "dangerous," even though they did not violate the site's terms<ref>Multiple references:
*Murphy, James (May 3, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/computers/item/32187-war-on-free-speech-facebook-bans-people-it-considers-dangerous War on Free Speech: Facebook Bans People It Considers “Dangerous”]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
*Nolan, Lucas (May 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/05/02/facebook-blacklists-prominent-conservatives-including-paul-joseph-watson-laura-loomer/ Facebook Blacklists Prominent Conservatives Including Paul Joseph Watson, Laura Loomer]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
*Nolan, Lucas (May 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/05/03/facebook-falsely-brands-non-violent-users-dangerous-to-justify-un-personing/ Facebook Falsely Brands Non-Violent Users ‘Dangerous’ to Justify Un-Personing]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
*Freiburger, Calvin (May 3, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/facebook-announces-drastic-new-bans-on-right-wing-media-figures-it-deems-dangerous-individuals Facebook announces drastic new bans on right-wing media figures it deems ‘dangerous individuals’]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
*[https://video.foxnews.com/v/6032800824001/?playlist_id=5198073478001#sp=show-clips Tucker: Big tech has launched an attack on your rights]. ''Fox News Video''. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
*[https://video.foxnews.com/v/6032802887001/?playlist_id=5198073478001#sp=show-clips Facebook cracks down on 'controversial' people, but are they infringing upon free speech?] ''Fox News Video''. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
See also:
*Freiburger, Calvin (May 3, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/facebooks-new-link-banning-decree-more-terrifying-than-banning-dangerous-individuals-tech-expert-warns Facebook’s link-banning decree more ‘terrifying’ than ‘dangerous individuals’ ban, tech expert warns]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
*Nolte, John (May 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2019/05/03/not-defending-louis-farrakhan-alex-jones-doing-free-speech-wrong/ Nolte: If You’re Not Defending Louis Farrakhan and Alex Jones, You’re Doing Free Speech Wrong]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
*Ciccotta, Tom (May 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/05/03/never-trumpers-and-leftists-praise-facebooks-blacklisting-of-conservatives/ Never Trumpers and Leftists Praise Facebook’s Blacklisting of Conservatives]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 3, 2019.</ref> – Facebook continued allowing actual left-wing hate speech to go unpunished, however.<ref>Multiple references:
*Nolan, Lucas (May 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/05/03/facebook-bans-dangerous-conservative-figures-but-continues-to-allow-leftist-calls-for-violence/ Facebook Bans ‘Dangerous’ Conservative Figures but Continues to Allow Leftist Calls for Violence]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
*Freiburger, Calvin (May 3, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/facebook-allows-left-wing-page-to-fantasize-about-trump-assassination-funeral Facebook allows left-wing page to fantasize about Pres. Trump assassination, funeral]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 4, 2019.</ref> Facebook favored [[mainstream media]] sources over the [[conservative media]].<ref>Clabough, Raven (May 8, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/computers/item/32235-facebook-s-click-gap-system-favors-establishment-media-over-alternative-media Facebook’s “Click-Gap” System Favors Establishment Media Over Alternative Media]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 8, 2019.</ref> In May 2019, Facebook censored [[Michelle Malkin]] for speaking out against censorship.<ref>Bokhari Allum (May 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/05/10/michelle-malkin-censored-on-facebook-for-opposing-censorship/ Michelle Malkin Censored on Facebook for Opposing Censorship]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 10, 2019.</ref> The company also created a list of conservatives it considered potential "hate agents."<ref>Freiburger, Calvin (May 22, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/revealed-facebook-keeps-list-of-conservatives-deemed-potential-hate-agents Revealed: Facebook keeps list of conservatives deemed potential ‘hate agents’]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 22, 2019.</ref>

==Privacy issues==
Facebook's Privacy Policy is continuously changing. This is not for the benefit of the users but to the monetary value they represent to advertisers. Due to the size of Facebook, all kinds of data on users' habits are monitored. In fact, the U.S. government can peek at user's lives behind the scenes if it so chooses.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/17/13-year-old-boy-questioned-secret-service-facebook-posting/?test=latestnews 13-Year-Old Boy Questioned by Secret Service Over Facebook Posting, Fox News, May 17, 2011]</ref><ref>[http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/article_bbd23382-6ecf-11e0-aeef-001a4bcf6878.html Feds mine Facebook for info, STLToday.com, April 25, 2011]</ref> Facebook claims your personal information is not for sale. They make the case that it is anonymously collected data, thereby protecting your privacy. Third parties develop applications to run on top of Facebook. Users' privacy is effectively in the hands of unknown organizations. The below examples include what information is on display by every user.

* The first 6 months of 2013, Facebook shared personal data with the U.S. Government about 39,000 Facebook users.<ref>[http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2013/08/just-peachy-facebook-shared-personal.html?m=0 JUST PEACHY: Facebook shared personal data of users a mere 26 thousand times in the first six months of 2013], [[Doug Ross]], August 27, 2013</ref>
* The [[NSA]] paid several tech companies, including Facebook, millions of dollars to cover the cost of spying on Americans.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/23/nsa-prism-costs-tech-companies-paid NSA paid millions to cover Prism compliance costs for tech companies, The Guardian, Augist 22, 2013]</ref>
* 6 million Facebook members had their data exposed after management found a glitch that inadvertently shared personal contact details with other members.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57590528-93/facebook-bug-exposed-contact-info-of-6m-users/ Facebook bug exposed contact info of 6M users, CNET.com June 21st, 2013]</ref>
* Many users post their full address, e-mail address, birthday, and telephone number, and these can be available to their entire network (and, in reality, anyone with the ability to use a computer with Internet access). This information in the wrong hands can be used for purposes of phishing, stalking, or even identity theft.
* Some universities have begun to use students' pages to investigate underage drinking and other violations of university policy. This is very possible, since university faculty and staff can sign up for the same network as their students through their campus e-mail account.<ref>[http://en.allexperts.com/e/f/fa/facebook.htm Facebook on allexperts.com]</ref>
*The so-called "news feed" has aroused some discomfort among Facebook users, as it displays all changes and status updates from their friends by default.
*The "wall" feature allows a user to post a message to another user which remains on their profile page. This posting is viewable to everyone who can view the page (which is pretty much the entire world), and shows up on the news feed for all friends of both the sender and the recipient by default.
*As with Google ads, Facebook collects profile information, and places ads on the page that reflect the user's personal information. This resulted in one man logging into his Facebook account, and seeing his wife's photograph appear in an advertisement for a dating website.<ref>[http://www.kvoa.com/news/husband-finds-wife-in-facebook-singles-ad/] Husband finds wife in facebook singles ad</ref>
*The privacy settings on Facebook give users a false sense of security and encourage people to post valuable personal information that could be used for malicious ends. As with other social networks, Facebook refuses to admit that its privacy settings that apparently allow only "friends" to see certain information are completely bogus and can easily be cracked by people with little to no [[hacking]] experience. Instead, Facebook actually ''encourages'' young users to only allow "friends" to see certain information, rather than just warning them that what they post can be seen by the world and to not post what they wouldn't want people to see.<ref>
[https://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2008/01/myspace_torrent This is why only a fool would trust any social networking platform to keep any information private]</ref>
* In early 2018, it was revealed that the now-defunct data mining firm Cambridge Analytica had inappropriately acquired about 50 million users' personal information around the time of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Zuckerberg testified before Congress and announced that he would change Facebook's algorithm, aiming to resolve countless privacy issues.

As a free service, it is reasonable to say that the users of Facebook are the product, rather than the consumers. As Andrew Lewis is credited with saying, "If you are not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product being sold." This concept is not new, but it is still valid even though it was originally introduced in reference to television.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=gI_jNL7PN2QC&lpg=PA104&dq=tv%20you%20are%20the%20product&pg=PA104#v=onepage&q=tv%20you%20are%20the%20product&f=false]</ref> Information is valuable to advertisers, since they can use it in targeted marketing. Facebook, like other social media services, makes use of the personal information provided to users to sell advertisements.

==Initial monetary value==
It is rumored that Facebook generates around $1 million per week in revenue.<ref>[http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/04/26/facebook-goes-beyond-college-high-school-markets/ "Facebook goes beyond college and high school markets"]</ref>
In September 2006, [[Yahoo]] began talks to acquire Facebook for as high as $1 billion. In October, Google allegedly offered $2.3 billion.<ref>[http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2006/10/10/first-youtube-now-facebook-rumors-circulate "First Youtube, Now Facebook: Rumors Circulate"]</ref> All outside offers have been rejected. 2009 estimates put a net value of $6.5 billion.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10285409-36.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0 Facebook stock trading open; valuation $6.5 billion] CNET News, July 13, 2009</ref> 2010 estimates of the privately held company put the value at $14 billion.<ref>[https://techcrunch.com/2010/01/20/facebook-valued-at-14-billion-on-secondmarket/ Facebook Valued At $14 Billion On SecondMarket, TechCrunch.com, January 20, 2010]</ref>

In 2011, [[Goldman Sachs]] invested $500 million in Facebook. JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley was put in charge of an initial public offering of Facebook stock in 2012. The company went public at $38-per-share IPO price valued Facebook at $104 billion.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/22/us-facebook-forecasts-idUSBRE84L06920120522 Insight: Morgan Stanley cut Facebook estimates just before IPO, Reuters.com, May 22, 2012]</ref> As of August 2012, the company was trading down at $20 per share, a loss of $50 billion in value. As of January 2013, the stock rebounded slightly and is trading at $30 per share, however this still represents a loss of $25 billion in value.
It is now possible to message the founder, Mark Zuckerberg, for approximately $100.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57563563/facebook-testing-$100-charge-to-message-zuckerberg/ Facebook charging $100 to send a message to founder Mark Zuckerberg]</ref>

As tech stocks vastly increased in value in the mid-2010s, however, so did Facebook. It gained hundreds of billions of dollars in [[market capitalization]] as investors shifted from low-interest bonds into the [[NASDAQ]].

== See also ==
* [[Social media]]
* [[Twitter]]
* [[MySpace]]
* [[Google Plus|Google+]]
* [[Gab.ai (website)|Gab.ai]] (conservative alternative to twitter)
* [[Donald Trump and social media]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/israel-project-video-facebook-biased Israel Project Video: Is Facebook Biased?]
*[http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=175839 The increasing amount of personal information that can been gleaned by computer programs that track how people use Facebook]
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/fashion/weddings/chris-hughes-sean-eldridge-weddings.html Chris Hughes married his partner Sean Eldridge.] The homosexual co-founder of Facebook.
*[http://www.facebookcensorship.com/ Political and religious censorship and harassment by Facebook]

[[Category:Online Social Networking]]
[[Category:Websites]]
[[Category:Liberal Companies]]
[[Category:Liberal Organizations]]

Video games

2019-05-23T23:21:06Z

Antiliberalman: edit done

[[File:Stephen-Fry.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|The [[Atheism|atheist]] [[Stephen Fry]] said, "I do enjoy [[Video games|video gaming]]... In the early days of games, I would spend hours. I mean literally. I would find it would be 4AM, and I would say: 'God, I have be at work at 6.'"<ref>[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xeuj29_stephen-fry-talks-gaming_news Stephen Fry talks gaming]</ref> See also: [[Irreligion, video game usage and obesity]] and [[Atheism and obesity]] ]]
''See [[young mass murderers]] for their connection to video games there also are alot of rapists due to video games''.
<br>''See [[Video_game#Overcoming_addiction_to_video_games|overcoming addiction to video games]] below''.

A '''video game''' is any electronic game, typically addictive and violent, which is played on a computer or console. As some wake up to how harmful violent video games are, the video game industry declined in 2012,<ref>http://www.nbc12.com/story/20289219/us-video-game-sales-drop-11-pct-in-november</ref> though it remains much bigger than Hollywood. Video games are likely the single biggest cause of bright young men dropping out of college. While video games were originally designed for children and adolescent males, video games have become too popular with adult males, many of whom will often neglect family and work to spend a copious number of hours playing video games including online games as World of Warcraft in a video game addiction. [[Liberal denial]] discourages people from recognizing the problem.

Video games have been accused of being linked to [[Young Mass Murderers|murders by young people]] and other [[violence]], stress-induced health problems (including unexpected heart attacks),<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russian-teenager-dies-after-playing-online-computer-game-defence-of-the-ancients-for-22-days-in-a-row/story-fnh81p7g-1227512824314 Teenager dies from a video game addiction]</ref> [[atheism]], [[obesity]],<ref>[http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ Childhood Obesity] Department of Health and Human Services, retrieved Sept 18th 2011</ref> and [[sexual immorality]]. Several prominent murderers in recent years were inspired by video games.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-316491/Teenager-gets-life-Manhunt-murder.html</ref> [[Young mass murderer]] [[Adam Lanza]] was "immersed in a perverse video game world" and "killed himself to prevent law enforcement from taking his 'points.'" He plotted his rampage far in advance and "learned the principles of ... the tactical reload" from his [[video games]].
Video games has also been used as "murder simulators" by American army, in order to desensitize young man, into triggering the gun better, and with less doubt, thus killing enemies more efficiently.
<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/lupica-lanza-plotted-massacre-years-article-1.1291408#ixzz2NuWeFMNO]</ref>

After a murderous rampage by another video game user in Norway:<ref>http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/871121-norway-stores-pull-violent-video-games-including-call-of-duty-after-massacre#ixzz1erUdaLo5</ref>
{{cquote|A number of Norway stores have pulled violent video games from sale - including several Call of Duty games and World of Warcraft - in the wake of the massacre carried out by Anders Behring Breivik on July 22.}}
Unbeknownst to many, the video game industry is partly subsidized by taxpayers, even in the [[conservative]] Texas. In 2015, a spat broke out between the video game and film industries about the millions they would receive from government.<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/</ref>

On the other hand, video games have also been suspected of giving otherwise liberal people some virtual conservative viewpoints.<ref>http://kotaku.com/5764327/5764327/are-video-games-turning-liberals-into-virtual-conservatives</ref>

== Video game usage and excess weight ==

''See also:'' [[Video game usage and excess weight]] and [[Obesity]]

Due to the sedentary lifestyle of many who abuse video games or play them for extremely long amounts of time, there is an absence of exercise - meaning [[addiction]] to video games can cause an increase in weight to unhealthy proportions.

[[File:Childhood obesity.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|The state of Utah was acclaimed with the lowest percentage of children overweight, and was found to have the second lowest proportion of children spending 2 or more hours on TV/Video game play.
<br />
<br />
The District of Columbia, found to have the highest percentage of overweight children, also had the highest percentage nationwide of children spending an incredible 4 hours plus in front of a screen.<ref>[http://www.nationalobesityforum.org.uk/component/content/article/1-nof-in-the-media/338-tvvideo-games-and-child-obesity.html TV Video Games and obesity]</ref>]]
The National Obesity Forum indicates:
{{cquote|The figures highlighted by the "F as in Fat" annual report [Trust for America's Health 2007 Annual Report] were retrieved from the Data Resource Center on Child and Adolescent Health website. The analysis of these figures reveals a strong positive correlation between hours spent on TV/Video game play and the percentage of children classed as overweight per state. The state of Utah was acclaimed with the lowest percentage of children overweight, and was found to have the second lowest proportion of children spending 2 or more hours on TV/Video game play. The District of Columbia, found to have the highest percentage of overweight children, also had the highest percentage nationwide of children spending an incredible 4 hours plus in front of a screen.<ref>[http://www.nationalobesityforum.org.uk/component/content/article/1-nof-in-the-media/338-tvvideo-games-and-child-obesity.html TV Video Games and obesity]</ref>}}

''Slate'' reported in 2012:
{{cquote|The American Academy of Pediatrics tells parents that children’s total entertainment media time should not exceed two hours daily. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, average kids watch at least twice that much television. They also spend more than an hour per day online and another hour on video games. These activities, collectively called “screen time,” are widely blamed for the tripling of obesity rates in children since the 1980s.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/04/are_video_games_making_kids_fat_screen_time_and_childhood_obesity_.html Are TV and Video Games Making Kids Fat?]</ref>}}

The University of Texas at Austin declares:
{{cquote|A study by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin suggests that watching television is not associated with children’s weight, but playing electronic games may be—especially for girls.

“Children with higher weight status spent moderate amounts of time playing electronic games, while children with lower weight status spent either a little or a lot of time playing electronic games,” said Dr. Elizabeth A. Vandewater, who led the study published in the February issue of the Journal of Adolescence.

Although the greater weight/video game link was found in this study with girls, she noted that future studies may reveal similar findings for boys. Either way, the findings could be significant considering how many American children play electronic games.<ref>[http://news.utexas.edu/2004/03/23/nr_video_games Video games rather than TV may be linked to childhood obesity], University of Texas at Austin news</ref>}}

The ''Pittsburg Gazette'' reports: "A 2010 study from the Eastern Ontario Research Institute found video games to blame, chiefly because children, boys especially, tend to eat more when they're playing them."<ref>[http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2012/11/12/TV-video-games-linked-to-obesity/stories/201211120171 TV, video games linked to obesity], Pittsburg Gazette</ref>

=== Irreligion, video game usage and obesity ===

''See also:'' [[Irreligion, video game usage and obesity]] and [[Atheism and obesity]]

''Relevant Magazine'' reported about the journal article in ''The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion'' entitled ''No Other Gods Before Mario?: Game Preferences Among [[Atheism|Atheistic]] and Religious Individuals'':
{{Cquote|[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10508619.2011.638606 A new study] of 228 college students found that while just about everyone prefers video games to regular board games (duh), those who claim no religion vastly prefer video games compared to the religious peers. It's a small study, but the director, Chris Burris, has an interesting hypothesis about why [[Atheism|atheists]] prefer video games. Burris believes that atheists tend to be less good at "generating emotionally evocative internal simulations of experience." Simply put, he believes that religious people tend to be more imaginative, and are able to craft their own sense of play around simple games, while non-religious people tend to prefer the concrete rules afforded by video games.<ref>[http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/why-do-atheists-video-games-more-religious-people-do Why Do Atheists Like Video Games More Than Religious People Do?], ''Relevant Magazine''</ref>}}

As far as the relationship between irreligion and obesity, please examine the articles below:

*[[Atheism and obesity]]

*[[Millennials, irreligion and obesity]]

*[[Generation X, irreligion and obesity]]

*[[Baby boom generation, irreligion and obesity]]

=== Exergaming ===

As far as "exergaming" (Video games which prompt the users to engage in physical activity), ''Slate'' reports:
{{cquote|After three months, “there was no evidence that children receiving the active video games were more active in general or at any time,” the authors wrote. (The year before, a similar study in New Zealand had shown only minor improvement with active games; kids weighed just a pound less after six months of "exergaming".)<ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/04/are_video_games_making_kids_fat_screen_time_and_childhood_obesity_.html Are TV and Video Games Making Kids Fat?]</ref>}}

== Overcoming addiction to video games ==

As with any [[addiction]], video game usage can be hard to overcome as soon as one is drawn into it. Fortunately, [[faith]]-based efforts to overcome addiction can be effective and rewarding, and churches exist in part to help people overcome harmful vices in the world.

[[Catholicism]] recommends that people give up something they like on Fridays, and throughout all of [[Lent]]. For some, it is easy to end a bad habit altogether once one is successful in giving it up at least one day a week, or throughout the 40 days of Lent.

The [[Bible]] can be extraordinarily helpful and inspiring. Replacing video game usage with readings from [[Psalms]] and [[Proverbs]] can turn a vice into an enormous boost to one's life. One approach is to read the Proverbs chapter having the same number as the day of the month (e.g., on February 17 read Proverbs 17), and read five chapters in Psalms that that also correspond to the day of the month (e.g., read Psalms 81-85) on February 17 (17 times 5 is 85). Passages from the [[New Testament]] where [[Jesus]] mentions [[Hell]] can also be tremendously beneficial in combating vice.

In general, acquiring good habits can help drive out bad ones. Setting goals helps: give yourself a weekly or monthly report card on all aspects of life.

== Nature of video games ==

The games vary greatly in type and complexity, but all games are alike in that they translate player input (from a controller, mouse, keyboard or motion sensor) into onscreen actions. Games are usually stored on some sort of digital media - ROM cartridge, [[CD]], [[DVD]], or even cassette tape for early computer games - though older or more inexpensive games may have dedicated chips which are pre-programmed to play certain games only. In recent years, game developers have moved to digital distribution, allowing anyone with a credit card or [[Paypal]] account to purchase games online. On PCs, this is often done through Valve corporation's Steam service, or Electronic Arts' Origin service, while the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have their own digital distribution services.

Home consoles are classified by ''generation'' to indicate their relative power and date of release. The current major consoles (XBox360, PS3, Wii) are considered ''seventh generation''. Handheld consoles are not generally put into generations due to their more irregular release schedules.

Video games have also been shown to help people to become more attuned to their surroundings and increase coordination, and in the future may be used to treat people with visual problems and to train soldiers.<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0528_030528_videogames.html</ref>

== Various genres ==

Video games in the course of their existence have grown from the simple arcade style games, and have become more detailed and separated from one another. Genres can now include [[first person shooters]], [[racing]], [[Simulation game|simulation]], [[role-playing]], [[sports]], [[action]], [[strategy]], [[masssively multiplayer online]], [[puzzle]] and many others. Even then, games can combine genres, such as ''Mass Effect'' (Role Playing and Third Person Shooting), or not fit nicely into any genre, like ''The Mystery of the Druids''. The most popular genres tend to be shooters, action, and roleplaying games. Many video games are based on movies, such as Star Wars.

== Popularity & Controversy ==

Games have risen in popularity over the years, as is shown in the rise of video games sales from the 1980s until today. This has brought with it a various amount of controversy as the video game industry continues to grow with its original player base.

Video games are addictive activities targeted at teenagers, sometimes with tragic results.<ref>Some claim that 2/3rds of videogamers are over 18 years old, but far more people are over that age and a much higher percentage of minors are videogamers.[http://www.pan-o-matic.com/blog/?p=45 Only a third of videogamers are under 18]</ref> Certain genres of games are becoming increasingly violent and offensive, attracting the attention of legislators in many states to protect the exploitation of children by them. Games such as ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' are very violent, sexually explicit, and feature [[criminal]] behavior. These games are rated "M 17+" for "Mature," but courts have stricken down laws preventing retailers from selling them to children, under an interpretation that the First Amendment protects offensive video games even for children.<ref>http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/148962.html</ref> After a ''Conservapedian'' filed an [[amicus brief]] with the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] to consider this issue, it surprised [[liberal]]s by granting ''[[certiorari]]''.

However, in 2011, the Supreme Court denied a ban on the sale of violent video games in California, claiming they were protected as they "qualify for First Amendment Protection" and pointing out that there has historically been no shortage of violent imagery in children's fairytales, classical literature, and comics. Writing for the majority, Justice Scalia pointed out that "disgust is not a valid basis for restricting expression", and continued that any effects of violent video games on children "are both small and indistinguishable from effects produced by other media".<ref>[https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/08-1448.pdf BROWN, GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA, ET AL. v. ENTERTAINMENT MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION ET AL.]</ref>

It has also been suggested that it is the role of parents to regulate what their children play, and that laws restricting video game vendors are an effort to replace parents' decisions with the government's decisions.<ref>https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700150989/Violent-games-2-Its-parents-responsibility-to-monitor-what-kids-play.html</ref><ref>https://segmentnext.com/2018/03/09/dear-parents-take-responsibility-kids-stop-blaming-video-games/</ref>

===Violence===

Most of the controversy comes from the rising trend toward violence in video games, as pioneered by ''[[Doom (video game series)|Doom]]'', ''[[Quake]]'', and the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series.

Some people point out that violent video games cause violent behavior in some children. The effects of violent video games on the developing psyche of children and adolescents vary greatly and of course have much to do with the mental stability of the subject in question.
Serious crimes have often been associated with video games. For example, a 14-year-old brutally murdered a video arcade employee one morning and his cousin stands trial for murdering the store manager when he entered the store shortly thereafter.<ref>http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1212467732102240.xml&coll=1</ref>
In the [[United States|USA]], all retail games carry ratings from the [[ESRB]], a video game ratings organization.

Some claim that kids who don't play video games at all seem to show more violent tendencies. Of course, as expected, those who played violent video games for large amounts of time also showed violent tendencies, however the study claims that this is a "risk marker", not an actual cause.<ref>http://wii.qj.net/New-research-reveals-kids-who-don-t-play-videogames-at-all-are-more-at-risk-of-violent-tendencies/pg/49/aid/118505 New research reveals kids who don't play video games at all are more at risk of violent tendencies</ref>

Multiple studies have shown a correlation between violent video games and increased levels of aggression, caused by playing some of the aforementioned video games.<ref>https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/014616702237649</ref><ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140197103000976</ref>

===Sexuality===

Although nudity is not prominent in [[western]] video games, there are various products containing sexually-suggestive material. One reason for the relative lack of explicitly sexual material in western games may be the refusal of retailers including [[Wal-Mart]]<ref>http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=440903</ref> (the leading distributor of video games in the United States) and [[Toys R Us]]<ref>[http://www.toysrusinc.com/safety/practices/ See Toys "R" Us's video games policy]</ref> (the world's largest toy themed retailer) to sell games carrying an "Adults-Only" rating. One notable target of controversy is the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series after a third-party mod was released that allowed the player to engage in a mini-game containing explicit sexual material. Mods are, as "third-party" would imply, fan-made and are not the responsibility of the game's developer. Other sources of this criticism relate to the game ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' as it was one of the first games where a female character (the protagonist) is depicted and advertised as a sex symbol.<ref>Ashley, Robert. "The Secret History of Videogame Sex." Official Playstation Magazine Feb. 2006: 96-99.</ref>

== Video Games & Society ==

As video games become more popular, their impact on society becomes ever more present. A prime example of this is the massive ad campaigns for the [[Halo (game)|Halo]] series, as well as [[Grand Theft Auto]]. Advertising, merchandising, and even social pressures have changed in the ever-growing influence of video gaming.

Due to their popularity, various corporations have begun placing advertisements for their products within the context of the game. [[Second Life]], an Internet-based virtual world, has attempted to blur the lines between real-world and virtual world, and companies such as Adidas, Reebok, and Dell have set up virtual stores selling real-world products within the game. [[Reuters]] also operates a news bureau reporting news in the game.

== Education in Video Games ==

It is unlikely that there is any educational value in video game usage, compared with better activities that could be pursued.

But Firaxis Games, a noteworthy video game development company, has been creating a video game series called ''Civilization'' for nearly a decade.<ref>http://www.firaxis.com/company/</ref> Civilization is a simulation game that allows the player to lead a nation from ancient times to modern day. It features a dynamic military system, politics, trading, and historical content. It has been recognized for its unintentional educational properties.<ref>http://www.firaxis.com/community/teacher.php</ref>

Microsoft Flight Simulator is another example of a video game that may have some slight educational value.<ref>https://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FSInsider/product/Pages/InfoEducators.aspx</ref>

== Faith in Video Games ==

[[Faith]] in Video Gaming has, as a rule, either led to the creation of new and dynamic antagonists, or video games that are mediocre, such as ''Spiritual Warfare'' and ''Bible Adventure'' for the Nintendo, or ''The Bible Game'' for various systems. ''Bible Adventure'' in particular is infamous for its poor design and playability.

The Bible, or other such religious texts, tell a story spanning many different viewpoints. Turning these ideas into a video game, however, most often leads to games that tend to bore most video game audiences.

Religion has, however, taken a prominent place amongst the various heroes and villains in video games. The ''Breath of Fire'' series and the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' games, in particular, use a god as a main antagonist in many of its incarnations. Other games to use religion in some way include the ''Final Fantasy'' series, ''[[Left Behind: Eternal Forces]]'', ''Black and White'', ''Heaven and Hell'', ''Xenogears'', ''Okami'', and the ''Tales'' series, particularly ''Tales of Symphonia''. Unfortunately, many (not all) of the aforementioned games (And nearly any Role Playing game from East Asia) present religion (or it's respective church and followers) as evil, fake, or having ulterior and nefarious motives.

Games may include a fictional religion as part of the setting if the use of a real religion may invite undesirable controversy.

Video game reviewers have sometimes unjustly attacked and reviewed games where real-world religion plays a notable role. One of the most prominent examples of this is the game ''[[Left Behind: Eternal Forces]]''.<ref>http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/left_behind</ref>

==See also==
*[[Young mass murderers]]
*[[Video game controversy]]
*[[Jack Thompson]]
*[[Video game industry]]
*[[Addiction]]

==External links==
*[http://www.whattheyplay.com/ What They Play - the parent's guide to video games]
*[http://www.leftbehindgames.com/index.php Left Behind Games - a Christian, family friendly video game company]
*[https://www.theepochtimes.com/chapter-fourteen-popular-culture-a-decadent-indulgence_2685394.html Chapter Fourteen: Popular Culture–A Decadent Indulgence], ''The Epoch Times'' (from ''How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World'').

==References==

<References/>

[[Category:Entertainment]]
[[Category:Video Games]]
[[Category:Computers]]