Blogger "disappears" Dennis Mangan

When a political dissenter vanishes in a banana republic dictatorship, the slang term for it is that he was "disappeared."

We haven't yet reached the point in the United States where individuals who speak in ways that threaten the status quo are themselves disappeared. But their outlet and archived work can be wiped out just like … Dennis Mangan's, courtesy of Blogger.

While it's still barely possible that Mangan's being yanked off the blogosphere was a technical problem that will be resolved, after three days it seems unlikely. Dennis, who had no prior knowledge that his blog would be shut down, at latest report says he has received no explanation or contact from Blogger.

Dennis deals with controversial subjects: human biodiversity, "Climategate," intelligence differences, alternative medicine, alternative personal finance, and more. That's part of what makes his work interesting and stimulating. I disagree with his atheism, I don't like the sexual manipulation "Game" that he defends, and there are other areas where our outlooks differ. But his postings are not rants; they offer rational arguments. He doesn't deal in personal attacks (although he enthusiastically defends himself against what he considers to be such). Dennis doesn't use vulgar language. Above all, whether you think as he does or not, he's a bright and articulate blogger.

In other words, while much that he says goes against the politically correct received wisdom, he is not remotely "offensive" in any sane meaning of the term.

Blogger lists various reasons why it can scupper a blog on its site, including this:

Blogger strongly believes in freedom of speech. We believe that having a variety of perspectives is an important part of what makes blogs such an exciting and diverse medium. With that said, there are certain types of content that are not allowed on Blogger. While Blogger values and safeguards political and social commentary, material that promotes hatred toward groups based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation/gender identity is not allowed on Blogger.

That sounds acceptable, except that in today's soft-totalitarian environment, "hatred" means any expression that the Left deems unacceptable. So subjects like human biodiversity, even when discussed in scientific terms, are branded "hate" by the P.C. Inquisition. We've reached a point in cultural Marxization where the government doesn't have to shut down free speech; any private organization with the power will do the job itself. Even individuals will censor their own expression, lest they be found guilty of "hate speech" in the minds of some designated victim group.

It could be argued that Blogger is a business with the right to set its own terms. But under anti-discrimination laws, no business can legally refuse service to anyone because it doesn't like or respect them. Telephone, wireless, and cable services, most power companies, pharmacies, and any number of other organizations are under private ownership; should they have the right to refuse transactions and destroy intellectual property without explanation?

Blogger is a carrier. It is protected by legal language six ways from Sunday against liability. It is no more responsible for what someone writes and transmits through it than the phone company is responsible for what you say in a phone conversation. (I believe even threatening and harassing calls are dealt with by law enforcement, not the company.) If you object to the content of a billboard, you take it up with the advertiser, not the company that owns the billboard. Et cetera.

Liberty doesn't die in a sudden, dramatic coup. It's a series of tiny incremental steps, many of which affect a few people at a time, so the majority doesn't know or care. But they eventually coalesce in the Megastate that determines what you may write, read, or speak.

Incidentally, if one day you should be suddenly informed that Reflecting Light "has been removed," it won't be because I've removed it, unless I tell you so in advance.