How energizing to read that there is big money to back you up--this is republic-saving stuff! But don't underestimate the value of bringing along your supporters. Giving us a chance to chip in, however small the $, gives us "skin in the game" and reinforces our commitment. It is as much a symbolic issue as a financial one. We want to be a part of this. And we want to show the world that you stand for all of us. Money speaks--let us add our voices!
I agree completely with Nonconforming, and subscribed to your Substack to be able to participate. To allow those of us with mortgages to pay to contribute a bit and help defray expenses would be an honor and a pleasure.
Amen! I WANT to participate even if it's in a limited way. If legal representation is pro bono, then I'll at least participate in spreading the word, with my comments and with my prayers! Regardless of how this proceeds, I won't mind contributing some funds too.
An audience of 200 million is not to be taken lightly. I know your audience is global, but if they were all in the USA, that would be roughly a third of our population. Some may be robots or nay-saying dissenters, but that still leaves a LOT of folks that like to hear what you have to say!
Nonconforming, I agree with your comments. We need to seed those resources from every source. I think much smaller donors can be more sustainable than 2 or 3 larger ones.
I am in the legal profession (but based in Europe) and advise you look into defamation as a further grounds. They have explicitly accused you of publishing "misleading" information - and they have broadcast this to the many followers you had. That means you are accused of being either (a) dishonest or (b) incompetent/negligent. Either way, they are broadcasting, to all your followers, that you are not to be trusted or believed. I would have thought that is seriously defamatory, especially when broadcast in such a way to such a large audience.
It would then be up to them to prove that what you said was in fact "misleading", as they allege. That is the way libel laws work in England, anyway. (There are possible technical opt-outs they may try such as "qualified privilege" - not sure about the equivalent in US law - but I would have thought it would be difficult for them to hide behind such.)
Thinking about it ... they may try a desperate defence such as "well, his followers will continue to believe him anyway so our libel had no impact on his reputation ..." but good luck to them getting that one past any decent court!
Follow-up (not replying to myself!): the width and breadth of the manifest defamation here - the international cross-border nature of the broadcast - is that Alex can choose between jurisdictions to bring a libel claim. He is not restricted to the US.
If you want to consider the English courts, let me know!
Twitter's claim is especially bizarre because it's easily falsifiable. The CDC admitted that the jabs don't stop infection or transmission of the Delta variant on CNN in early August. And they aren't advocating boosters in the fall because the 1st and 2nd injections worked too well. They've admitted that vaxx immunity wanes in months. They've admitted breakthroughs are not rare.
The potential attraction of a libel claim is that it shifts the burden: The onus will be on Twitter to prove his statements are "misleading". The hunter becomes the hunted.
If you do choose to pursue legal action, in addition to relying mostly on wealthy donors, I encourage you to offer your supporters the option to contribute, with no donation too small. It will help people feel more empowered, and also demonstrate in real numbers how many people are behind this issue. Not that MSM will report it, but no one could deny “Alex Berenson pursues legal case funded by 200k supporters…” makes a powerful headline!
Of course you may be able to rely on a few large donors. However, even small donations from many thousands of people, would send a message that Americans value First Amendment rights.
How dare they (political leaders, government institutions, heath officials, media conglomerates, tech monopolies, big business) try to mandate to me what is best for me and only allow me access to that information which aligns with their objectives and try to prevent my access to that information which doesn’t, even when the former often is based on half-truths and outright lies and the later is based on honest analysis and observations of what is known and what is not known from available data and studies. What they are doing is unethical, immoral and unjust. I don't even know if preserving public health is their primary objective because not once have I heard a health official advocate for good nutrition, exercise, or adequate sleep to combat the virus.
I am an adult American. I can inform myself in order to make my own decisions relevant to my individual situation and I also own the outcomes. I have not given up my own agency and they cannot take it from me, no matter how hard they try.
I am angry with myself for taking our First Amendment rights for granted all these years. And I am angry with those that are powerful for trying to take away our First Amendment rights now, not recognizing or not caring what an incredible threat their actions are to our democracy.
I'm with you Mr. B. I'm not a wealthy donor but some things are just too important to duck. I'll drink cheap scotch for a month if it means protecting speech in our country.
A lot of people are pushing for various alternative platforms, I have as well. I now think that would be a mistake.
Just work to move your followers to substack. That is where you are. Ask followers to sign up for alerts from here. They work as well as getting some alert from Twitter and aren't hard to set up. There may be 200 million on Twitter, but they will move over. Eventually Twitter will lose its audience, a nice side effect. For the time being, ask your followers who are also on Twitter to simply post your URL on substack. They need not say anything more, just that you are available here and for free. When I found you, I enjoyed the free information and, after seeing how good it is, ended up paying to support your being able to continue.
By all means, protect your veracity and reputation with a lawsuit. In addition to a monetary award, Twitter should be required to post an apology that specifically states you are a legitimate journalist, that your information has been backed by studies, AND Twitter must post where you can be found on substack to ALL of your followers. They have that information.
I've been off Twitter since they blocked Trump. Twitter needs to be tied up with lawsuits in perpetuity. I agree that people need to just drop Twitter and leave them to their echo chamber. Twitter fighting lawsuits and losing users is ideal! Just imagine what it would be like when we all can say, "oh yeah, remember when people used to use Twitter? No one pays any attention to tweets anymore."
I'm a business transactions attorney so I don't practice in the area you need expertise, but I know enough to say with some confidence that the facts of your ban from Twitter seem in many ways to be an "ideal" set of facts on which to bring a legal challenge to Twitter. You no doubt have heard the old refrain that "Bad facts make bad law." Your facts are just the opposite.
I honestly don't know what we would do without people like you and Tucker Carlson-to name a few-VERY few, unfortunately. Just know that you have made a difference and it matters to a lot of us. I've been extremely suspicious of this so-called pandemic and particularly the vaccine since day one. The fact that people with differing view points and information are systematically shut down tells me volumes! You are a hero to many of us. If and when you feel the need to solicit donations from your supporters, I will be happy to donate. Thank you, Alex!!
We're all invested in getting the truth out and I think it helps your credibility to receive support from a broader base. You wouldn't want to be accused of being beholden to just a couple of donors with an agenda.
"Substack cannot substitute for Twitter, which has about 200 million daily active users."
We once thought that about MySpace too. They died for different reasons, but Twitter will come out of this era greatly diminished. What thinking person would every trust the likes of Dorsey again?
There were many times where the information you relayed on twitter kept me sane. It is very important you fight this. The truth must be spoken and you are one of the few who can do it.
This. I am 100% in to support. I have a mortgage a stay at home wife who helps in so many ways, and two young kids. For my family’s future, I want to support this fight!
How energizing to read that there is big money to back you up--this is republic-saving stuff! But don't underestimate the value of bringing along your supporters. Giving us a chance to chip in, however small the $, gives us "skin in the game" and reinforces our commitment. It is as much a symbolic issue as a financial one. We want to be a part of this. And we want to show the world that you stand for all of us. Money speaks--let us add our voices!
I agree completely with Nonconforming, and subscribed to your Substack to be able to participate. To allow those of us with mortgages to pay to contribute a bit and help defray expenses would be an honor and a pleasure.
Amen! I WANT to participate even if it's in a limited way. If legal representation is pro bono, then I'll at least participate in spreading the word, with my comments and with my prayers! Regardless of how this proceeds, I won't mind contributing some funds too.
An audience of 200 million is not to be taken lightly. I know your audience is global, but if they were all in the USA, that would be roughly a third of our population. Some may be robots or nay-saying dissenters, but that still leaves a LOT of folks that like to hear what you have to say!
Well said and I agree with you 100%
Crowd-funding would be one way.
I 100% agree. This fight is all of us. I would be happy to throw in some skin.
Nonconforming, I agree with your comments. We need to seed those resources from every source. I think much smaller donors can be more sustainable than 2 or 3 larger ones.
I am in the legal profession (but based in Europe) and advise you look into defamation as a further grounds. They have explicitly accused you of publishing "misleading" information - and they have broadcast this to the many followers you had. That means you are accused of being either (a) dishonest or (b) incompetent/negligent. Either way, they are broadcasting, to all your followers, that you are not to be trusted or believed. I would have thought that is seriously defamatory, especially when broadcast in such a way to such a large audience.
It would then be up to them to prove that what you said was in fact "misleading", as they allege. That is the way libel laws work in England, anyway. (There are possible technical opt-outs they may try such as "qualified privilege" - not sure about the equivalent in US law - but I would have thought it would be difficult for them to hide behind such.)
Thinking about it ... they may try a desperate defence such as "well, his followers will continue to believe him anyway so our libel had no impact on his reputation ..." but good luck to them getting that one past any decent court!
Follow-up (not replying to myself!): the width and breadth of the manifest defamation here - the international cross-border nature of the broadcast - is that Alex can choose between jurisdictions to bring a libel claim. He is not restricted to the US.
If you want to consider the English courts, let me know!
Twitter's claim is especially bizarre because it's easily falsifiable. The CDC admitted that the jabs don't stop infection or transmission of the Delta variant on CNN in early August. And they aren't advocating boosters in the fall because the 1st and 2nd injections worked too well. They've admitted that vaxx immunity wanes in months. They've admitted breakthroughs are not rare.
https://rumble.com/vkvfll-cdc-director-vaccines-no-longer-prevent-you-from-spreading-covid.html
The potential attraction of a libel claim is that it shifts the burden: The onus will be on Twitter to prove his statements are "misleading". The hunter becomes the hunted.
If there are any decent courts left in the country.
If you do choose to pursue legal action, in addition to relying mostly on wealthy donors, I encourage you to offer your supporters the option to contribute, with no donation too small. It will help people feel more empowered, and also demonstrate in real numbers how many people are behind this issue. Not that MSM will report it, but no one could deny “Alex Berenson pursues legal case funded by 200k supporters…” makes a powerful headline!
Good comments
Excellent point
Thank you Alex for your bravery. Your voice is important and Americans need you!
Of course you may be able to rely on a few large donors. However, even small donations from many thousands of people, would send a message that Americans value First Amendment rights.
How dare they (political leaders, government institutions, heath officials, media conglomerates, tech monopolies, big business) try to mandate to me what is best for me and only allow me access to that information which aligns with their objectives and try to prevent my access to that information which doesn’t, even when the former often is based on half-truths and outright lies and the later is based on honest analysis and observations of what is known and what is not known from available data and studies. What they are doing is unethical, immoral and unjust. I don't even know if preserving public health is their primary objective because not once have I heard a health official advocate for good nutrition, exercise, or adequate sleep to combat the virus.
I am an adult American. I can inform myself in order to make my own decisions relevant to my individual situation and I also own the outcomes. I have not given up my own agency and they cannot take it from me, no matter how hard they try.
I am angry with myself for taking our First Amendment rights for granted all these years. And I am angry with those that are powerful for trying to take away our First Amendment rights now, not recognizing or not caring what an incredible threat their actions are to our democracy.
I would like to donate.
Standing O for all of this! You absolutely nailed it. How dare they, indeed!
Inspiring and beautiful post- thankyou🥰
Do you have a Telegram or Gab account for us to follow? It's time for all to get off legacy social media.
Let’s fight these bastards together! You have an army behind you brother.
I'm with you Mr. B. I'm not a wealthy donor but some things are just too important to duck. I'll drink cheap scotch for a month if it means protecting speech in our country.
A lot of people are pushing for various alternative platforms, I have as well. I now think that would be a mistake.
Just work to move your followers to substack. That is where you are. Ask followers to sign up for alerts from here. They work as well as getting some alert from Twitter and aren't hard to set up. There may be 200 million on Twitter, but they will move over. Eventually Twitter will lose its audience, a nice side effect. For the time being, ask your followers who are also on Twitter to simply post your URL on substack. They need not say anything more, just that you are available here and for free. When I found you, I enjoyed the free information and, after seeing how good it is, ended up paying to support your being able to continue.
By all means, protect your veracity and reputation with a lawsuit. In addition to a monetary award, Twitter should be required to post an apology that specifically states you are a legitimate journalist, that your information has been backed by studies, AND Twitter must post where you can be found on substack to ALL of your followers. They have that information.
I've been off Twitter since they blocked Trump. Twitter needs to be tied up with lawsuits in perpetuity. I agree that people need to just drop Twitter and leave them to their echo chamber. Twitter fighting lawsuits and losing users is ideal! Just imagine what it would be like when we all can say, "oh yeah, remember when people used to use Twitter? No one pays any attention to tweets anymore."
I only have 5 more mortgage payments until my house is paid off. I can't think of a more critical goal than using the extra money to help your fight!.
We're behind you Alex 100%! Happy to help you fight the nonsense anytime.
I'm a business transactions attorney so I don't practice in the area you need expertise, but I know enough to say with some confidence that the facts of your ban from Twitter seem in many ways to be an "ideal" set of facts on which to bring a legal challenge to Twitter. You no doubt have heard the old refrain that "Bad facts make bad law." Your facts are just the opposite.
I honestly don't know what we would do without people like you and Tucker Carlson-to name a few-VERY few, unfortunately. Just know that you have made a difference and it matters to a lot of us. I've been extremely suspicious of this so-called pandemic and particularly the vaccine since day one. The fact that people with differing view points and information are systematically shut down tells me volumes! You are a hero to many of us. If and when you feel the need to solicit donations from your supporters, I will be happy to donate. Thank you, Alex!!
Don't write us shallow pocketed people off.
We're all invested in getting the truth out and I think it helps your credibility to receive support from a broader base. You wouldn't want to be accused of being beholden to just a couple of donors with an agenda.
"Substack cannot substitute for Twitter, which has about 200 million daily active users."
We once thought that about MySpace too. They died for different reasons, but Twitter will come out of this era greatly diminished. What thinking person would every trust the likes of Dorsey again?
Have faith in the truth. Twitter won't survive.
There were many times where the information you relayed on twitter kept me sane. It is very important you fight this. The truth must be spoken and you are one of the few who can do it.
This. I am 100% in to support. I have a mortgage a stay at home wife who helps in so many ways, and two young kids. For my family’s future, I want to support this fight!