The White House Hunger Games: ThErE aRe No EpStEiN fILeS

[Swholli]

Yes it does

People are literally losing their livelihood as they get fired for making social media posts about Charlie Kirk, the exact opposite kind of cancel culture that he supposedly stood for, and free speech absolutists are worried about if they're allowed to say slurs

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[Swholli]

Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension Is an Escalation in Every Way

On Monday night, Jimmy Kimmel delivered an opening monologue on his talk show that addressed the online reaction to the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the primary suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk. "We hit some new lows over the weekend, with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it," he said. His comment was aimed not at Kirk but at the maelstrom of news around Kirk's death; it speaks ill not of the dead, but of "the MAGA gang." Less than two days later, Kimmel's program has been pulled off the air "indefinitely," according to his network, ABC.

But, like, for serious not trolling asking a honest-to-dog-question here: is this not the literal definition of censorship and cancel culture?

The Colbert one, sure, you can make (albeit weak) the argument that CBS saw the late night dip writing on the wall, but this is clearly a political action brought upon by a person in power (FCC chair) in the Annoying Orange Administration (FCC being a government org) canceling a show because it dared to say something that administration didn't like.

Even you numbnuts in here screaming about saying not being allowed to say slurs must see this as what it is. This has to cut through the bullstuff for you and finally pull the last cork out of the swamp, right?

[Foxscotch]

bro forget the 1st amendment

[Goth77]

People are literally losing their livelihood as they get fired for making social media posts about Charlie Kirk, the exact opposite kind of cancel culture that he supposedly stood for, and free speech absolutists are worried about if they're allowed to say slurs

thats not cancel culture, an employer can fire you for just about any reason they want, including but not limited to social media posts. do I agree with that? personally, no - but this is the sort of risk you run when you use your real name and information on a website such as facebook or x

Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension Is an Escalation in Every Way

But, like, for serious not trolling asking a honest-to-dog-question here: is this not the literal definition of censorship and cancel culture?

The Colbert one, sure, you can make (albeit weak) the argument that CBS saw the late night dip writing on the wall, but this is clearly a political action brought upon by a person in power (FCC chair) in the Annoying Orange Administration (FCC being a government org) canceling a show because it dared to say something that administration didn't like.

Even you numbnuts in here screaming about saying not being allowed to say slurs must see this as what it is. This has to cut through the bullstuff for you and finally pull the last cork out of the swamp, right?

Now this on the other hand, is a slightly different situation. I never liked Kimmel & hardly ever watched his garbage late show, but I certainly don't think it should be taken off air for speaking his mind. Realistically though, he was employed by a network who follows FCC guidelines - they didn't like what he said so they suspended him. Again, an employer can fire or suspend you for just about whatever reason they want. Maybe he should start his own podcast or independent show where he can say what he wants without a big name network breathing down his neck.

[Kore]

bro forget the 1st amendment

The masculine urge to say the N word.

[Swholli]

thats not cancel culture, an employer can fire you for just about any reason they want, including but not limited to social media posts. do I agree with that? personally, no - but this is the sort of risk you run when you use your real name and information on a website such as facebook or x

So then Gina Carano and that teacher in Virginia, both of whom won their "wrongful termination" suits, are actually not victims of cancel culture after all? Glad we can finally come together as a country on that issue, I know it was dividing us for such a long time.

Now this on the other hand, is a slightly different situation. I never liked Kimmel & hardly ever watched his garbage late show, but I certainly don't think it should be taken off air for speaking his mind. Realistically though, he was employed by a network who follows FCC guidelines - they didn't like what he said so they suspended him. Again, an employer can fire or suspend you for just about whatever reason they want. Maybe he should start his own podcast or independent show where he can say what he wants without a big name network breathing down his neck.

Youre mixing apples and tear gas here. The FCC isnt a boss with an HR department, its a federal agency that my taxes pay for. They dont decide which hosts ABC keeps or suspends. Disney and ABC are the ones who pulled Kimmel, not the FCC. Pretending "well, his employer can do whatever they want" is missing the point: his employer only did it after political pressure from the FCC chair, which makes it a government-driven punishment for speech. Thats not a private HR issue, thats the state leaning on media. Exactly the kind of authoritarianism conservatives pretend to be terrified of when its anyone but their guy in power.

If you defend this, just know, you are defending demonstrable infringement on freedoms of speech and expression way, way, way more important than Mod-man being allowed to say the N-word with his homies.

[Goth77]

If you defend this, just know, you are defending demonstrable infringement on freedoms of speech and expression way, way, way more important than Mod-man being allowed to say the N-word with his homies.

I didn't defend it? as a matter of fact I did the opposite when I said

do I agree with that? personally, no

and

I certainly don't think it should be taken off air for speaking his mind

The FCC isnt a boss with an HR department, its a federal agency that my taxes pay for. They dont decide which hosts ABC keeps or suspends. Disney and ABC are the ones who pulled Kimmel, not the FCC. Pretending "well, his employer can do whatever they want" is missing the point: his employer only did it after political pressure from the FCC chair, which makes it a government-driven punishment for speech. Thats not a private HR issue, thats the state leaning on media. Exactly the kind of authoritarianism conservatives pretend to be terrified of when its anyone but their guy in power.

I understand that, but you're missing the big picture

As F.C.C. chair, Mr. Carr wields power over the broadcast licenses that are granted to local TV stations by the federal government

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/business/media/abc-jimmy-kimmel.html

The FCC's sole existence is to regulate what is considered "suitable" for broadcast television & radio. I'm not a fan of any sort of government regulation but the fact remains that it exists, and the networks who receive federal funding are obligated to follow their 'rules'. whatever they may be....

so if Kimmel really cares about getting his voice out there, he might want to consider starting an independent show or podcast that isn't on a network regulated by the federal government.

[CM1107ProjectInfinium]

i usually look at stuff in passing and go this is stupid and dumb and itll never pass nothing ever happens etc etc but deadass im a lil scared guys i wont lie. can stuff stop happening please !!!

[bloody jumper]

i usually look at stuff in passing and go this is stupid and dumb and itll never pass nothing ever happens etc etc but deadass im a lil scared guys i wont lie. can stuff stop happening please !!!

it used to be that way, now it seems like things are getting worse and they're not gonna get any better. half of the country is cheering these things on, and it's really scary and depressing. just try to focus on the ones you care about in your life, and keep your eyes off the news feeds. it'll preserve what's left of your sanity.

[Swholli]

You say:

I didn't defend it? as a matter of fact I did the opposite when I said

Yet you immediately follow with:

The FCC's sole existence is to regulate what is considered "suitable" for broadcast television & radio. I'm not a fan of any sort of government regulation but the fact remains that it exists, and the networks who receive federal funding are obligated to follow their 'rules'. whatever they may be....

What, uh, what rule was broken that the FCC is enforcing? Kimmel said nothing hateful, inflammatory, he didn't shout 'fire' in a building, he didn't threaten anyone, he didn't even use a "naughty word" to bleep.

Defending this decision is saying something like:

so if Kimmel really cares about getting his voice out there, he might want to consider starting an independent show or podcast that isn't on a network regulated by the federal government.

Every communications network in our country is regulated by the FCC or the FTC. There isn't anywhere Kimmel could go where he wouldn't be immediately a target of getting shut down. Kimmel will survive, he very well may get another show, but the point is fear. Fear that anything you say on air will get you taken off, lose you your job and your livelihood.

The founders put the first amendment into place exactly because of issues like this. The crown controlled printing, if you said something in a pamphlet criticizing the king you had your printing license revoked and were charged with libel.

This is a pretty cut and dry instance, you can say "yeah this is wrong" without the "but [x,y,z]," and be fine with it. Adding anything else on is defending the action. Either it's wrong or it isn't.

I'm not a constitutional scholar, but I'm pretty sure this is about as clear cut an example of free speech violation as you can get.

[Goth77]

What, uh, what rule was broken that the FCC is enforcing? Kimmel said nothing hateful, inflammatory, he didn't shout 'fire' in a building, he didn't threaten anyone, he didn't even use a "naughty word" to bleep.

whatever rule they want because it's the government and they make the rules. I don't like it anymore than you do but that's just how it is

This is a pretty cut and dry instance, you can say "yeah this is wrong" without the "but [x,y,z]," and be fine with it. Adding anything else on is defending the action. Either it's wrong or it isn't.

the world isn't black and white, there is pretty much always going to be some underlying circumstances or context involved. Regardless, I think I made myself pretty clear when I said:

I certainly don't think it should be taken off air for speaking his mind

it really doesn't get any more direct than that, or did you skip over that part? cuz i feel like we're just goin in circles here

[Pixel]

You dont make yourself very clear at all you just argue for the sake of arguing - your logic itself is entirely inconsistent you seem to just justify whatever you feel like under the guise of you being open minded

----

anyway its crazy every time I glance at this forum the same dudes being argued with clearly he has his mind made up

Theres a lot of hate in the world right now and I reflect on this forum a lot, for as horrible this place is it has given me a lot of insight into how things got to where they are now, and to the loneliness epidemic out there. I wish politicians would speak more to the youth and their issues, I am tired of hearing ancient ass oldheads preaching to a choir of other oldheads. School shootings are so normalized and Im tired of talking in circles about guns. I am very pro gun control (as in like, background checks necessary and no guns in public settings) but overall like, our youth feel like its worth it to kill each other. Whether thats for meme points (disturbing enough on its own), out of loneliness, repressed anger, to look cool, or out of a twisted sense of mercy. When I read these stories I see the faces of many of the people I acquainted with on this forum, and though I obviously dont have the answers I cant help but dwell and wonder what the solution is. Picture this forum in 2007 when we were kids, how do you prevent the pipeline into hatred? Idk, I was friends with Iban for a long time, and contributed to his alienation - an alienation that I very much believe influenced his life course into who he ended up.

I guess my ramble is to lead to this question - if alienation IS a major influence to the pipeline to a certain subet of youth, how do we maintain safety on the internet without alienating people we disagree with (no matter how valid)?

How do we maintain a safe and protected space for all without giving up on others? Is it even possible? If not, what do we do with those we have written off?

[mod-man]

I guess my ramble is to lead to this question - if alienation IS a major influence to the pipeline to a certain subet of youth, how do we maintain safety on the internet without alienating people we disagree with (no matter how valid)?

How do we maintain a safe and protected space for all without giving up on others? Is it even possible? If not, what do we do with those we have written off?

all anyone had to do was not be nasty about their ideas. as of now we've gotten to a point where everyones going to be nasty about their ideas and throw around nasty words to each other. but in 2015-16. when people were bringing up gamergate or the immigration crCIA in europe or even something as crazy as pizzagate. if we could have had a normal conversation about it instead of being called national socialists or white supremacist's or tribal's or conspiracy theorist's or whatever ist or ism, this wouldn't be happening right now.

Freedom of speech does not mean a white guy can shout the N word or vague national socialistsms for fun and it'll just be accepted

they still do it to this day. why bring up a white guy specifically? why national socialist stuff? this charged language has been a thing since 2015 and is exactly the kind of thing that has forgeted all of this up. i was willing to have a conversation until i was deemed an enemy simply because im white and i dont care.

[Masterlegodude]

i was willing to have a conversation until i was deemed an enemy simply because im white and i dont care.

You're "deemed an enemy" because you don't care, you just sound like an ass who lacks humility and respect just because your self-contained community has made, and enables, you to think that what you're doing is okay, but it's not, and shouldn't be, out of respect for those people, their culture, and history, that we white people do not have in common

Also, to answer an earlier rebuttal of yours; Me and my family have lived in poor, sometimes (and currently) predominantly black, neighborhoods our whole lives, and since i've been alive and conscious of the world around me, have never said any racial slurs directly to the people around us, for one reason or another, and since everyone grew up, passed on, matured over time, whatever, that reason became more about respect, and just respecting minorities in general, because we're all struggling, and that much we have in common

So at the very least, I have more of a right to speak on this matter than you do because I CARE, unlike how you seem, I CARE what people may think or feel if i say or do this thing that, to me, may not seem at all consequential, but may have a bigger affect on them than i'll ever know unless they speak up about it to me, but it shouldn't even come to that because you should just know these things yourself in the first place

This is what it means to be sympathetic and thinking logically about these things

Unrelated; Life, post-Charlie Kirk has felt like this

[mod-man]

what you're doing is okay, but it's not, and shouldn't be, out of respect for those people, their culture, and history, that we white people do not have in common

i feel like you're imagining the absolute worse case scenario which would be me just going around and saying nasty words to people because i can, which couldn't be farther from the truth. all i was advocating for is that people have the right to say this stuff if they want to. im not an idiot. i know how to treat people with respect and not make their lives a living hell. i wouldn't have the relationships i have or the jobs ive had if i was some spiteful evil person.

i just think basing your interactions with people of color based off these factors is weird. respect their culture and their history (obviously) but these people aren't untouchable. its okay to forget with each other every now and then if you like and respect each other