By Milt Harris ——Bio and Archives--November 17, 2023
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Nikki Haley has no chance of becoming president of the United States. Something we should all be happy about after her most recent proclamation. On Tuesday, Haley espoused that “when” she is elected, she will eliminate anonymity of everyone on the internet and her reason for this is …. wait for it, … “national security.”
In an appearance on Fox News, Haley said this:
You have to hand it to her. Some people just dox another person, or a particular group. Not Haley, no sir, she wants to dox everyone. It’s certainly ambitious of her, but it’s also unrealistic. As you would expect, it didn’t take long for social media to burst into flames over Haley’s idea. Two of her loudest critics are also her Republican primary opponents Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis was quick to point out that the authors of the “Federalist Papers” also wrote them under a pseudonym.
He added that in his administration the proposal would be “dead on arrival” calling it “dangerous.”
The Federalist Papers were a popular topic, as Ramaswamy also brought them up calling her proposal, “disgusting.” He wrote:
The “they” that Ramaswamy references are of course Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. Writing under the collective pseudonym “Publius,” They penned a collection of 85 articles and essays that became known as the Federalist Papers, which were written to promote the ratification of the constitution of the United States.
Journalist Glenn Greenwald also jumped on board and he too cited the Federalist Papers.
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Dan Caldwell, the vice president of the Center for Renewing America, also referenced the Federalist Papers. Stating, "the ability to engage in anonymous speech has been a central pillar of the American conception of free speech since our founding."
DeSantis Rapid Response Director Christina Pushaw, wrote:
Noah Jennings, the Iowa political director of the pro-DeSantis superPAC Never Back Down, cranked up the sarcasm by suggesting Haley might "expand the Patriot Act to police thought crime."
Haley did respond. In a statement to Fox News Digital, she said:
Haley appears to have chosen the correct journey, but the wrong vehicle. The bots used by foreign nations are an abomination that need to be eliminated, but the elimination of anonymous speech should not be. Surely, the social media outlets can eliminate these digital saboteurs, while preserving free and open anonymous speech.
In an age of high-tech wizardry and AI, surely these bots can be weeded out. If, and it is a big “if,” the social platforms choose to do so.
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Milt spent thirty years as a sales and operations manager for an international manufacturing company. He is also a four-time published author on a variety of subjects. Now, he spends most of his time researching and writing about conservative politics and liberal folly.