Posted on 04/09/2023 3:45:43 AM PDT by RandFan
For a politician, harsh criticism and media scrutiny are simply part of the job description. But not all that criticism is warranted. The most recent example of a baseless media attack on an elected official comes after Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, took a stand against the push to ban TikTok.
Paul recently broke with many members of his party to oppose legislation banning the social media app, citing free speech concerns.
“If you don’t like TikTok or Facebook or YouTube, don’t use them,” Paul said. “But don’t think any interpretation of the Constitution gives you the right to ban them. The First Amendment isn’t really necessary to protect speech that everybody accepts. The First Amendment is precisely there to protect speech that might be unpopular or might be controversial. U.S. courts struck down the Trump administration’s ban and, I believe, will strike down any Congressional ban.”
The senator’s First Amendment concerns about legislation banning TikTok are shared by the likes of the American Civil Liberties Union. However, critics in the media have suggested that he actually opposed it not because of any of these principles but because one of his major donors has a financial stake in TikTok’s parent company.
“Sen. Rand Paul’s heated opposition to a TikTok ban startled Capitol Hill last week, but you could look at it as a straightforward case of following the money, according to insiders — in this case, the money of a major GOP donor who has $33 billion on the line,” Lydia Moynihan, of the New York Post, wrote. “Sources claim credit for Paul’s impassioned speech should go to GOP mega-donor Jeffrey Yass. The billionaire CEO of Susquehanna Financial Group has given Paul more than $10 million since 2020, according to election filings. His fund also owns a 15% stake in TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, that’s worth an estimated $33 billion.”
In response to this allegation, Paul has said, “My decisions are not based on any kind of donations. My decisions are based on the Constitution and First Amendment.”
Rand is nothing but consistent when it comes to the Constitution and it's unlikely some big donor has swayed him.
I think it's merely coincidence this guy donates to Rand.
Maybe he likes what he sees and knows he's principled.
I agree. Rand is principled.
I think he’s doing it for principles but I still think he’s wrong.
Criticism by fools is high praise indeed.
This comment does not make any sense.
If you like the Constitution on principal but you think it is wrong - that just boggles the mind.
The proposed law that Rand opposes vicarates most of the Constitution's provisions.
I think he’s wrong on his interpretation of the constitutional principles in this case.
The law is crap. Like Obamacare, it just gives too much authority to unelected basement dwellers. He’s right to oppose the legislation.
Everything from the left is cheap. Somehow, we keep taking it.
Until we don’t.
Over time, I have grown to truly respect Rand Paul. He is one of the few GOP fighters we have on our side.
It’s more that TikTok is a security threat, and I’m admittedly irritated that he doesn’t see it that way. The Reds have access to all user information, as companies and government are one over there whether officially on paper or not, and they also drop a lot of propaganda in the app. Young kids looking for dance videos will probably believe it, as they don’t have the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate what they see and hear.
There are other social media apps available as competitors, and although parents can try to limit access to TikTok, kids will find a way to get to it on their own.
I know that’s not the primary subject matter of the article, but I felt I had to make the point.
If they ban TikTok the Chinese will just unveil a new video to placate this “selfie nation”
critical thinking skills necessary
Are lacking in many. There are ‘ordinary people’ who spend hours on TikTok and other social media posting anything and everything about themselves, sharing personal details, without any regard to personal privacy data. They will be among the first to complain about scams, intrusions, targeting, etc, but bring it on themselves BY THEIR OWN CHOICE.
Sen. Rand Paul is correct here. If you don’t want your information collected, don’t bother to use the apps.
Like posting a yard sale sign in your front yard and neighborhood, you should expect people who you don’t know and may not like to come by your house, some with evil intentions.
Never show up in a dark parking lot with cash to buy a stolen gun. You will likely be robbed and killed.
I like Rand Paul, but I think he’s wrong here. The issue isn’t whether you think TikTok is bad from a social media standpoint. It’s Chinese spying that’s the issue. We certainly SHOULD stop that, & if TikTok is the medium for spying, it should be banned.
Yes. Rand Paul is the best Senator in Washington and I'm proud that he's from my state.
The other one from my state? Not so much.
“I know some Freepers have used this cheap shot that he’s in the pocket of a donor but it’s not true.
Rand is nothing but consistent when it comes to the Constitution and it’s unlikely some big donor has swayed him.
I think it’s merely coincidence this guy donates to Rand.
Maybe he likes what he sees and knows he’s principled.”
Absolutely... As a Paultard I can back this up 100% as the truth of the matter.
“I think he’s doing it for principles but I still think he’s wrong.”
So once that ban door is opened it would be fine to ban the Free Republic? Or is it only selective based on the same double standard hypocrisy the Democrats practice?
Constitutionally it is all or none, We have to accept some the bad with the good or lose IT ALL.
I second that.
I didn’t realize FR was Chinese spyware.
Are you really foolish enough to think once they have granted themselves this power they will use it for ONLY Chinese Spyware??? Trusting our Government’s word and stated intentions is now an absolutely obsolete concept.
Only a fool cannot not see they will use it for anything and everything they think opposes their Communist agenda. The FR and any others like it will be next.
Rand knows exactly what they will do with this power... So do I.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.