Monday, November 16, 2020

The Treehouse is Deplatformed



Most CTH readers are likely aware of the term “deplatforming.”  Unfortunately, the big tech control mechanism to shut down speech & assembly has now arrived on our doorstep.

One week after the 2020 presidential election, The Conservative Treehouse received the following notification:

…given the incompatibility between your site’s content and our terms, you need to find a new hosting provider and must migrate the site by Wednesday, December 2nd.

What does this mean?  It means CTH is being kicked-off the WordPress website hosting platform because the content of our research and discussion does not align with the ideology of those who define what is acceptable speech and what is not.

What was our violation?  After ten years of brutally honest discussion, opinion, deep research and crowdsourcing work -with undeniable citations on the events we outline- there is no cited violation of any term of service because CTH has never violated one.

The WordPress company is not explaining the reason for deplatforming because there is no justifiable reason for it.  At the same time, they are bold in their position. Perhaps this is the most alarming part; and everyone should pay attention. They don’t care.

Truthful assembly is now the risk.  CTH is now too big; with a site reach of 500,000 to a million unique readers each day; and with well over 200,000 subscribers; our assembly is too large, too influential, and presents a risk… we guard the flickering flame.

Ten years of work assembling a library of factual citations and explanations of those discoveries, positions CTH to be a leading force in the rebel alliance push-back.  [Heck, that’s why this place was started… that was our purpose: “The Truth Has No Agenda.”]  However, that also makes us a target; hence the deplatforming.

Accepting -at its core- this move is all about politics, this is yet another reference point in the tenuous nature of where we stand.   There’s no hate-speech on this website; there’s no graphic, violent, foul or abusive speech here.  The ‘content‘ of the Treehouse is the same discussion that happens around your kitchen table or back porch discussion with friends.  We would never cheapen or insult that conversation with vulgarity because that’s not who we are… because that’s not who our nation is.   So consider this next part very carefully…

The ‘content’ is not compatible with WordPress, the world’s largest website and blog hosting service.  The content within the largest blog on that global platform is what has become troublesome.  “The content”.

The content on these pages is simply an ongoing discussion about freedom with criticism against any political party or entity that diminishes it.  Apparently, immediately after the 2020 election, that discussion became problematic.  After writing about the COVID-19 agenda,…the notification: the website will be removed.

Let that settle in…. friends and adversaries alike.  Think very hard about what exactly is being represented by these actions. That’s the bad news.

So what are we going to do?

First three priorities:  #1 is the security of the site content and research files with over a decade of work;  #2) ensuring the ability of our assembly to remain; #3) continue the mission.

In the past several days I have begun contacting people to inform and gather counsel on what is the best course of action.  On a very positive note, the Rebel Alliance is stronger than ever and no amount of effort by Big Tech is going to be able to weaken the resolve or block the message.

We will take this challenge head-on and we will use this attack against our freedom as fuel to launch CTH 2.0, a new version of The Conservative Treehouse.

I have no idea yet what it will look like… hopefully not too dissimilar to what we are already comfortable with.  However, a lot has changed in the technological world since 2010/2011.   There are many new and innovative ways to develop, build and create proprietary platforms.

I don’t like anything about having to be forced to do this.  Readers here know I prefer comfortable quality that lasts a long time; but there is no alternative.  We are being kicked-off WordPress and will have to assemble on a platform that allows free expression, free thought and free ideas to be shared, valued and appreciated.

Additionally, as I look at preliminary options for Treehouse 2.0, one guiding element is priority: I will continue to work earnestly to be deserving of your support and fellowship.

When this site was launched it was for all of us. A refuge, a place of comfort:

However each of us got here, it’s probably a fact that we have the turmoil of those storms in common, perhaps some unease that we could share and always, we also find fresh ground to cover from day to day. We’re developing valuable relationships as we trust one another in our community in the woods. The chatting in the branches encourages, strengthens and equips for some serious walking.

We think the Treehouse is a good armory for those who doing long distance walking for the sake of our nation. We hope you’ll think so, too. Find yourself a good branch….or just pull up a rock to the campfire.

YOU are what matters!

We have shared laughs. We have lost friends.  We have lost family together.  We have comforted each-other.  We have prayed together… and we have sat still together.  Sometimes we are not able to find the words of comfort, yet we know it is just as valuable to be there, quietly, steadfast and eliminate the loneliness.   We have cried together and rejoiced in each-other’s milestones… This is the source of my resolve.

We have achieved great victories; confronted injustice; done incredible crowdsourcing work that has made lives better, and we have successfully found the truth behind a multitude of frauds and schemes.  Let there be no doubt, that will continue.

I have been somewhat quiet lately as I try to figure out what exactly is the next thing to do.  Much like our nation, there is trepidation all around us.  It is likely that CTH will look different and we may have to engage and learn some new stuff.   But it will be OK.

The rebel alliance is strong… and we are angry.