Military Censorship!
What has happened to the First Amendment Right of Free Speech?
It appears it’s OK to desecrate and contaminate the land through military bombing, but not OK to criticize the bombing on a government run, taxpayer funded, Facebook page. It appears the military considers any criticism as “political propaganda.”
Below is a brief email Jim Albertini, president of Malu Aina wrote on May 12, 2021 to the military Pohakuloa Training Area Public Affairs Officer, Mike Donnelly, with cc to (PTA) Commander LTC L. Borce, and Deputy Commander G. Fleming
To Mike Donnelly, PTA Public Affairs Officer
Michael O. Donnelly
Pohakuloa Training Area
Public Affairs Officer
P.O. Box 4607
Hilo , HI 96720
808-969-2411 Office
808-824-1474 Cell
I noticed recently when I went to the official Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) GOVERNMENT Facebook page, that I am not allowed to comment on PTA Facebook posts. I know of at least one other friend who also is NOT provided a “Comment” option on the PTA Facebook page. Other people are allowed to comment.
This looks like government censorship to me and a violation of US First Amendment Free-Speech rights.
Please immediately provide a “Comment” option for all people, myself included, on the PTA GOVERNMENT Facebook page.
—
Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760
cc: copies of this email are being sent to government elected officials, news media, and attorneys including the ACLU
It should be noted that Mike Donnelly, the PTA Public Affairs Officer is a Big Island Press Club “Lava Tube Award winner” in contrast to the Press Club’s “Torch of Light” award winner.
See if you are being censored? Go to the following link and see if you can enter a respectful, but critical, comment of PTA bombing. https://www.facebook.com/PohakuloaTrainingArea/
More than 2 years ago, in March 2019, I was also banned from commenting of the PTA facebook page around the time the military was inviting school children from all over the island to PTA for “Experience Pohakuloa Day” as a celebration of Earth Day. Our organization thinks it is unwise to invite school children to a base heavily contaminated with a wide range of military toxins, including Depleted Uranium (DU). Below is an email I wrote to the PTA commander at that time 3/20/19
Aloha Commander Borce, Deputy Commander Flemming and PR man Donnelly,
I noticed that I am being prohibited from commenting on your Pohakuloa Training Area Facebook page posts. How come? Who made that decision? Isn’t this a government page and shouldn’t all citizens have a Free Speech right to posts comments as long as there is nothing profane or yelling fire in a crowded theater?
Please respond promptly. Mahalo.
Below is something I would like to post on the PTA Facebook page.
Decades from now will the same be said about Depleted Uranium (DU) oxide at Pohakuloa, etc. ? Not only poisoning its own soldiers but our Big island community as well?
U.S. finally admits Agent Orange residue poisoned its own soldiers
https://www.newstarget.com/2016-05-09-u-s-finally-admits-agent-orange-residue-poisoned-its-own-soldiers.html?fbclid=IwAR0czZ4e_rni0MGyLGilFDMdxVeAZNoJ97Qj7cABzBpqs94fgqb3OQZZC-M
--
Jim Albertini
Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489
Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@malu-aina.org
visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org
sign up on our website to automatically receive our posts
On May 6, 2019 I was "unbanned" from posting on the PTA Facebook page but somehow banned again,
just recently discovered,now in 2021.
I was never given any explanation for either banning.
I can't recall the last time I tried to post on the PTA Facebook page. It is not often.
PTA did not have an "Earth Day" event for school kids in 2020 due to Covid
as far as I know.
Jim Albertini
--
Jim Albertini Malu 'Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola'a (Kurtistown) Hawai'i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org
