One month after his 2014 reelection, Rep. Mike Chippendale
(R-Foster) published on his personal Facebook page a picture of an atheist
holiday display in the Smith Hill state house, citing it as “tasteless”.
![]("http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPB4QAHrH3c/VIoFIvfNceI/AAAAAAAAA20/5a5iY15DXR0/s1600/Atheist%2BChristmas.jpg") |
| Atheist Christmas Display in Smith Hill State House |
On a December 4th post, Chippendale’s comments included
the following:
So I was in the
Statehouse this week to assist with the Freshman orientation for the incoming
legislators. While there I took some time to walk around on the 2nd floor where
groups are invited to erect Christmas Displays. There were beautifully
decorated trees with traditional decorations and explanations of national
traditions from countries such as Venezuela, Norway, Holland, etc.
Statehouse this week to assist with the Freshman orientation for the incoming
legislators. While there I took some time to walk around on the 2nd floor where
groups are invited to erect Christmas Displays. There were beautifully
decorated trees with traditional decorations and explanations of national
traditions from countries such as Venezuela, Norway, Holland, etc.
And of course there
was this one… the atheists just can't keep their non-beliefs to themselves.
To enhance their message of hatred, they even insulted my religion by printing
a stained glass window border around their hate-filled message. The only reason
they could possibly go to these lengths is to spread hatred and to insult
people who celebrate Christmas.
was this one… the atheists just can't keep their non-beliefs to themselves.
To enhance their message of hatred, they even insulted my religion by printing
a stained glass window border around their hate-filled message. The only reason
they could possibly go to these lengths is to spread hatred and to insult
people who celebrate Christmas.
Responses from one constituent criticized this post. A
little later,, Chippendale noticed that a large number of “Friend” requests
were coming to his page, and they all shared only one friend in common: a
liberal progressive with whom the state representative had differed frequently,
but in a respectful manner.
little later,, Chippendale noticed that a large number of “Friend” requests
were coming to his page, and they all shared only one friend in common: a
liberal progressive with whom the state representative had differed frequently,
but in a respectful manner.
Come December 8th, Rep. Chippendale could no longer
access his Facebook Page. “I got a message that says: ‘This account has been
permanently disabled.’” Blocked from his own Facebook page, the Foster assemblyman
already had an idea who was behind this break away from his page: the same progressive
liberal, though he acknowledges there is no certain who was behind the
shut-down of his Facebook page.
access his Facebook Page. “I got a message that says: ‘This account has been
permanently disabled.’” Blocked from his own Facebook page, the Foster assemblyman
already had an idea who was behind this break away from his page: the same progressive
liberal, though he acknowledges there is no certain who was behind the
shut-down of his Facebook page.
Despite clear rules
about Facebook etiquette in the past, Chippendale acknowledged that he often
discussed heated concerns with constituents who did not agree with him. Never willing
to silence dissent on his webpage, Chippendale permitted liberal progressives
and all other voters to post their thoughts, provided that they refrained from
foul language and false attacks. Although he had disagreements with some constituents,
Chippendale maintained a cordial, open dialogue on issues through his Facebook
page.
about Facebook etiquette in the past, Chippendale acknowledged that he often
discussed heated concerns with constituents who did not agree with him. Never willing
to silence dissent on his webpage, Chippendale permitted liberal progressives
and all other voters to post their thoughts, provided that they refrained from
foul language and false attacks. Although he had disagreements with some constituents,
Chippendale maintained a cordial, open dialogue on issues through his Facebook
page.
Until now.
Speaking with other individuals savvy about Facebook usage
and tactics (including his own children), he learned that if enough people flag
a Facebook page as containing inappropriate content, then Facebook shuts down the
page permanently. The damage? Five years’ worth of pictures, conversations with
constituents, and other district-related news and posts have disappeared
because of this development, although state Rep. Chippendale did recover seven
photos. “It gave me one last chance
to make a public “Like” or “Public Group” page. That’s what they allowed me to
set up. About 10% of it is functions.”
and tactics (including his own children), he learned that if enough people flag
a Facebook page as containing inappropriate content, then Facebook shuts down the
page permanently. The damage? Five years’ worth of pictures, conversations with
constituents, and other district-related news and posts have disappeared
because of this development, although state Rep. Chippendale did recover seven
photos. “It gave me one last chance
to make a public “Like” or “Public Group” page. That’s what they allowed me to
set up. About 10% of it is functions.”
![]("http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AGZQcotD4AQ/VIoFcYWpthI/AAAAAAAAA28/sntuerpQOD4/s1600/Mike%2BChippendale.jpg") |
| Rep. Mike Chippendale |
At this time, Rep. Chippendale is not sure who is behind this
sabotage, and he has set up different Facebook sites, including a public forum
over which he has far less control then the initial site, the Foster
assemblyman has decided not to let this setback rattle him. Recognizing that
Facebook is a free as well as public utility, Chippendale stated deeper
concerns:
sabotage, and he has set up different Facebook sites, including a public forum
over which he has far less control then the initial site, the Foster
assemblyman has decided not to let this setback rattle him. Recognizing that
Facebook is a free as well as public utility, Chippendale stated deeper
concerns:
“The really frustrating thing, though, is that I had no
opportunity to find out why I was shut down, and what people were complaining
about. Now, we’ll never know, and I can’t prove anything, since I have lost the
Facebook page.”
opportunity to find out why I was shut down, and what people were complaining
about. Now, we’ll never know, and I can’t prove anything, since I have lost the
Facebook page.”