By Donald A. Collins | 30 October 2021
Church and State

On October 28, Facebook’s beleaguered founder, Mark Zuckerberg gave us an extended report on Meta, the new name for Facebook.
You can read his highlights here.
Analysis: Zuckerberg’s Meta promises a “future” these video games delivered years ago https://t.co/ADjvsE5v0i
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 29, 2021
You recall the reception he got from both parties after a former employee proved him lying about his claims of little harm from the dangerous material his site produces.
Solution? Change your name but don’t admit or apologize for making such venial profits over probity calculations!
Here is another story which is headed: “Facebook’s own civil rights auditors say its policy decisions are a ‘tremendous setback’: They faulted the social network for making choices that undermine civil rights progress”
This is noteworthy: Facebook’s own civil rights auditors said its decision to prioritize free speech above other values, incl civil rights, was a ‘tremendous setback’ that opened the door for abuse by politicians. @lizzadwoskin @cat_zakrzewski
https://t.co/dRo7FswEgG— Ellen Nakashima (@nakashimae) July 8, 2020
The effects of Trump’s call to violence have yet to be fully adjudicated. But as more cases appear, we will see many more like the one reported on October 29th in the Washington Post, when in Maryland a US Distrct judge sentenced 2 men to 9 years in Federal prison for attempting to incite a racial war.
Unlike Zuckerberg, the felons abjectly apologized, one man saying “I got involved with the wrong people”.
You can read that whole sad story here.
Two men accused of plotting a racial “civil war” sentenced to 9-year prison terms https://t.co/STNUURUYi6
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 29, 2021
Is that a metaphor for what happened to the deniers in the GOP?
Certainly no apologies have come since some of its leaders admitted Trump’s wrong doing right after the January 6th insurrection. But we have seen precious little embarrassment since as most engage in trying to downplay this historic US Capitol attack which was clearly orchestrated by Trump and his colleagues, some from a secret gathering at the nearby Willard Hotel ahead of the assault on January 6th. Read that Willard story here.
Ahead of Jan. 6, Willard hotel in downtown D.C. was a Trump team ‘command center’ for effort to deny Biden the presidency https://t.co/DJWto54OnW
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 23, 2021
That many dictators past and present have used the lying, misdirection method as a path to authoritarian power has been well documented.
Trump’s authorization efforts are still in progress and we will shortly get a reading on how strong his power is from next Tuesday’s Gubernatorial election in Virginia where a sneaky Youngkin has apparently hoped Trump’s popularity received without Youngkin’s overt acknowledgment will beat former Governor McAuliffe.
He is “humbly” asking for your help.
And the GOP candidates have plenty to be humble about!
Many think this strategy will work.

"What Can Be Done Now to Save Habitable Life on Planet Earth?": https://t.co/fHuh0CG6JD
"We Humans Overwhelm Our Earth: 11 or 2 Billion by 2100?": https://t.co/TA4j7cp1tE
"From the Dissident Left: A Collection of Essays 2004-2013": https://t.co/lkC2t3E1A9 pic.twitter.com/bQsL2mLBcO— Church and State (@ChurchAndStateN) November 1, 2021
Facebook changing company name to Meta
Robert Costa: Trump Was Calling Into Willard ‘War Room’
Terry McAuliffe, Glenn Youngkin Deadlocked In Virginia Governor’s Race: Poll