PPC Don’t Censor Me!
Earlier today I posted an article about a topic I can’t mention for fear of being censored (again) by the FCC. Oops! I mean PPC. The removal of my post was both unwarranted, and arbitrary. To ensure future PPC bloggers won’t have their opinions similarly silenced I’ve decided to rewrite the Peoples Press Collective Manifesto to better reflect their mission:
We are the Peoples Press Collective, moderates for freedom united by a passion for biased and open (as long as you agree with everything we believe in) journalism.
We offer unafraid, unblinking reporting (that line sounds bad enough so no change is required), the unvarnished (unvarnished defined as either 1. plain; clear; straightforward. Or 2. unfinished, floors or furniture not coated with varnish, we mean the 2nd definition here), no matter what it looks like. Okay that last bit was a lie. We’re here because of what the truth does look like, we’re here to expose the truth, to submit facts about truth…truth, truth, truth, truth, truth. Yes truth is what we do. Well, our version of truth.
We say we serve no political party because that’s what all the cool blogs are doing, but being superstitious we have a tendency to blink our right eye several times, raise our right hand, and turn in a circular motion to the right. We would like to believe that everyone of us has the ability to make up their own mind, but we feel we’re better at doing it for you.
The press has failed us. We’re going to show the American voters and the world what the mainstream media won’t! That censoring dissent, suppressing debate, and not having to defend your position because you can simply delete the persons posts are no longer the prerogative of the mainstream media, but can be done just as effectively by bloggers like us.
We are old media in new clothing. We’re not sure who we’re fighting because we attack those who agree with us, and those who don’t. Much like the mainstream media we strive to trim the story and “clean up” the details so as not to offend anyone (especially our administrators). And there’s no need for editorial approval here; we’ll simply just delete you.
The People’s Press Collective have demonstrated themselves to be a bunch of dissimulators. A recent post from fellow freedom fighter Aaron “The Pen” Gomez of Colorado Freedom Net was removed from the PPC website. Why Mr. Sandoval what did he say that was so radical? Well dear reader you can judge for yourself.
http://www.coloradofreedom.net/wordpress/ppc/msm-declares-intellectual-bankruptcy
Good enough for your Facebook page but not the PPC site.
The self-proclaimed radicals at PPC deny the very thing they claim to uphold. Apparently, they prefer the elusive writing style of Don E.L. Johnson to the witticism and alacrity of “The Pen”. I know “The Pen” personally. His opinions are based on certitude and presented succinctly and with erudition. This leads one to wonder if this could be part of a larger attack orchestrated upon Colorado Freedom Net itself. As Colorado Freedom Net’s popularity continues to grow, the hits can only begin to fall from PPC’s data trackers. Why the sudden removal of one of the key writers for CFN could be fear of competition?
The once mighty PPC recently sent inquiries to Colorado bloggers offering the opportunity to blog at the PPC website. Apparently, only bloggers who fall in lock step with PPC, or is that goose step are welcomed. Many were invited and promised a response but PPC failed to deliver on this promise. One has to ask why the snub? Lack of common courtesy we expect from the left. Some of the best bloggers of Colorado have been given the proverbial “kick to the curb” by the PPC from posting at their site. This can only lead one to believe that this is some form of amateurish jealousy on the part of PPC.
Apparently, the only cheerleaders PPC likes are those who cheer PPC. They practice trimming and cleaning up on their own accord. I guess it is only unacceptable when the left does it not the PPC. They want to talk the talk but can’t seem to walk the walk. If you are Anti-war or Anti-republican party then your views are not only trimmed but also removed from the PPC site. It is your website PPC and you have the right to allow or disallow any posts you want.
Nevertheless, in your own Manifesto you claim to be a new media, a media without blinders, without received opinions. However, what you are is what you claim not to be. The same tired old tripe we have come to expect from the MSM. If you really want to be innovative PPC, then you have to welcome all opinions not just the ones you agree with. This is called being objective (undistorted by emotion or personal bias). It is alright to be Neo-Conservative if that is who you are but be open and honest as you claim do not hide behind your “Manifesto.” Yes, Dissimulation abounds at the PPC.
The Orange Lion
I think this issue needs a little explanation. While PPC’s manifesto seems general in terms of their policy of what content they print, they do have a policy that all posts are related to Colorado politics and state issues (or national issues that relate to Coloradans). It is PPC’s choice and their site. We can debate whether that policy is appropriate but nevertheless if PPC chooses to focus only on state issues and they are consistent with the policy, that’s acceptable. PPC also only allows ‘approved’ bloggers to post. This is another area where I may disagree as to their methodology, but then again, I don’t pay the PPC bills. Colorado’s liberty-minded readers will have to make their own evaluations of that.
I don’t believe that PPC pulling the post was anything personal at all. PPC has pulled other blogger’s posts over it’s time for similar reasons of content. I don’t believe that PPC has anything personal against ColoradoFreedom.net.
PPC has explained that their own mission and focus is on Colorado Politics and not social/foreign policy issues. ColoradoFreedom.net and the Orange Lion have different policies with content and what author’s can post. ColoradoFreedom.net’s policy is if the author want’s to post an article on any subject whatsoever, they are not only allowed but will be booted and banned if they don’t..;-). We feel that the best writing and work occurs when an author does not feel any restriction or policy that may affect their work.
PPC has several good bloggers writing some good articles. we just have to accept PPC’s specific role as a state issue only site rather than a general ‘liberty writer’ blog and that they wish to have strict control over the type of content. Whether readers want their information edited in that manner is something each reader has to decide. All I know for sure is that Colorado has a great many bloggers from many different sites that do good work for liberty and the more opinion we have the better.
I have to respectfully disagree with the eminent Chuck Moe of CFN. PPC’s manifesto is not general at all. It is very specific. By the terms they use they would have believe that they are open, honest, seek the truth, owned by no ideology, right to make up your own mind. All politics is local. Are we to believe that abortion and war are only felt at a national level? These issues do not relate to Coloradans?
It is correct and I agree that PPC can control the content of their site just like CFN and TOL do. However, CFN and TOL do not hide behind a manifesto of truth and honesty and no ideology. TOL is saying call a spade a spade. Practice what you preach. Man up or shut up.
If PPC wants to focus on state issues, no one has a problem with that. However, they should be screening the content from their contributors before they post it to the web. PPC should also let the blogger know what content meets PPC requirements before they are allowed to post. Short of removing the post from the website after its been up on the web. If this was not personal why the ban? Did they ban the other bloggers from future posts? PPC’s content management program appears to be non-existent.
I know that CFN is trying to gloss over this situation but I wonder if this not one to stand on principle on? Come on Chuck what would Ron Paul do in this type of situation? Would he stand up and speak his mind or take the low road? We have a responsibility to speak out against anyone and any side that is trying to control the truth. No one has a bone to pick with PPC’s specific role but I do believe their “Manifesto” could use some content management.
The Orange Lion
As graduates of a PPC Camp, it should be clear that our mission statement is built around Colorado politics, and local angles for national issues.
PPC is organized around Three Governing Principles:
Free Market Capitalism
Individual Liberty and Responsibility
Lower Taxes/Small Government
As we very clearly stated at our camp–NO SOCIAL ISSUES OR RELIGION–PERIOD. National issues are fine, but we would prefer to see a local angle applied (health care reform by definition was both national and local, as it affected everyone). Approved contributors have great latitude on posting, but must follow house rules when sending posts to PPC.
Michael Sandoval
Managing Editor
People’s Press Collective
What about bloggers that have not attended your Camp?
How are they suppose to know your “House Rules”
And why the ban, that seems rather severe. A friendly reminder or clarification of the rules seems more in order.
Are all the bloggers you have recently banned or removed posts former attendees of your camp?
It is your site run it how you want.
The Orange Lion
Pulling a post because it doesn’t conform to PPC rules doesn’t constitute a ban.
The post was pulled, and instead of awaiting a reply from PPC, a second “censorship” post was put up. That was also pulled, pending contact with Aaron.
I find the impugning of PPC’s actions and mission not only unwarranted but, frankly, disappointing.
Not one single blogger has ever been banned from PPC. NOT ONE. The addressing of the camp was in response to your criticisms. Chuck knows the rules, and you are also aware of them. Both Tom and I spoke to Chuck last night, and agree on a failure in communication. Part of that communication was from Chuck to his subsidiary bloggers, and he acknowledged that.
The sense of entitlement on the part of some liberty bloggers is quite surprising. Instead of working together, and observing others’ wishes, the tendency to devolve into sniping does nothing for furthering our cause, especially when based on assumptions rather than clear facts.
We await Aaron’s response by email.
Michael Sandoval
PPC
It is simple to see that you are very informed about your writing. Looking forward to future posts.Thank you.
You only get flak when you are over the target.
I don’t normally post to blogs but I enjoyed this post so keep up the good work.