Twitter recently announced that they would be clamping down on accounts from noted white supremacists. While most of us applaud this decision, James Woods is, shall we say, less than thrilled.
James Woods Says Farewell To Twitter
James Woods posted a picture of an article discussing Twitter’s move against the “alt-right,” and he gave his farewell to Twitter as a comment:
https://twitter.com/RealJamesWoods/status/799451116719075328
Twitter, of course, responded in the way only Twitter can.
Some users responded with cries of “Don’t go!” along with many, MANY suggestions that he move to Gab — the new platform that has basically become the alt-right’s own Twitter-like echo chamber.
However, there was also plenty of snark. Because … Twitter.
https://twitter.com/StweetyJesus/status/799659929812561921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/Cee4our/status/799665887053811712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/brianfoley81/status/799657298226515972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It’s especially interesting that this valediction came from the likes of James Woods, who once sued a Twitter user for $10 million after the person said Woods is a cocaine addict. This, despite the fact that Woods himself is somewhat well-known for his own mudslinging.
James Woods once suggested to his 200K followers that I enjoy eating penises. https://t.co/0J1Fw3rDKC Where do I file my lawsuit?
— Radley Balko (@radleybalko) July 31, 2015
The whole concept of “freedom of speech” is one that is often confused to mean “I can say whatever I want, whenever I want, and wherever I want.” Which, of course, is not true.
The First Amendment, from which the concept of free speech is derived, states that Congress cannot pass a law that restricts freedom of speech. Twitter, however, is not the government. Twitter is a private company and can ban any user they please. Their crackdown on hate speech is to be applauded. No one is losing their rights.
As far as James Woods is concerned, I have to agree with @scifidawn:
https://twitter.com/scifidawn/status/799662360617062400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Featured Image via screenshot from YouTube video
