by Dianne Lobes

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: November 22, 2008

Apparently this is a question that Helium, for some reason, can't figure out, as it supports highly questionable political ads that appear all over its web site and within our articles.

They do seem to be fewer in frequency of late, and this is a good trend that is to be commended and intensified.

One ad asks, "Are you ready to rumble with terrorists?" with an obviously Photo-shopped picture of Obama, cigarette hanging from his lips, next to people whom the corporate media has identified as terrorists. Just for the record, none of the "terrorists" rise to the level of George Bush's well-known terrorist activities. This one was on the front page of the Politics section when I first wrote this article but it's one that does seem to be, thankfully, gone.

Another sneers, "Did Obama buy the election?" That's a real slap in the face to all of us millions who sent in our little $25 donations to support and elect a real President for a change, and who are well aware that the corporate media and well-parachuted CEO's paid for Bush's 2000 Supreme Selection.

Apparently Helium and other web sites that run these "ads" are not aware that the Secret Service has determined that Sarah Palin's hate speech during the presidential campaign led directly to assassination attempts against Barack Obama. Palin didn't even attempt to stop the hate talk either; people at her rallies were shouting, "Kill him!" and "Terrorist!" Makes you proud, doesn't it?

Generic hate crimes are on the rise now too against people of color primarily, complete with violence, hate speech and inchoate stupidity.

Responses I have received from Helium about this are, paraphrasing, "We can't do anything about it - it's all Google's fault. And there is consolation in knowing that most people won't associate the ad to you."

If this is true, then Helium should be raising the roof complaining to Google about having this fecal matter on their web site. There is always something that can be done. And I'm not consoled by knowing that I'm not associated with the ad by "most" people. I'm not consoled that this kind of speech has led to attempts against our president-elect's life, as well as other folks, or that it only takes one crackpot to pick up a rifle.

Another response was, again paraphrasing, "Well, you might not make as much money if you don't have the high-earning ads on your pages."

Must I even respond to this? Is there nothing - not values, not integrity, not democracy, not Life itself - that is more important than making the almighty dollar?

Give me a break.

Hate speech should not be tolerated in any form, manner or media. It cannot be tolerated if we are to regain our role as a democracy that harbors the poor and the tired, that provides fair and equal opportunity for all, that protects the pursuit of life, liberty and justice, that is "the shining city on the hill" that reflects good government and media, torture- and hate-free, to the rest of the world.

Do not use the "free speech" argument with me. Hate speech isn't free speech. Just like the old saw and current law that you can't yell "Fire!" in a theater, for obvious reasons, we cannot have our duly (finally!) elected officials threatened by the irrational whims of hatemongerers who are unhappy and can afford to buy media space. They are not entitled to my American space in any way, shape or form. They are not entitled to whip other sociopaths into a frenzy to threaten my President.

I'm hoping that Helium can truly and fully become My Helium again. If not, I will find other airspace that doesn't support this toxicity.

Learn more about this author, Dianne Lobes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.