Letter to the Editor

Reader comment: We reap what we sow

Friday, January 9, 2026

Dear Editor,

Israeli billionaire tech entrepreneur and Cato Networks co-founder Shlomo Kramer argued on last Monday’s episode of CNBC’s Money Movers that, in the age of AI, the U.S. government must limit freedom of speech and take control of social media. Founded in 2015, Cato Networks provides all-in-one cloud-native network security, Software-Defined Wide Area Networks, and Zero Trust Network Access.

“You’re seeing the polarization in countries that allow for the First Amendment and protect it, which is great. And I know it’s difficult to hear, but it’s time to limit the First Amendment in order to protect it … And quickly before it’s too late … I mean that we need to control the platforms, all the social platforms. We need to stack, rank the authenticity of every person that expresses themselves online, and take control over what they are saying, based on that ranking,” said Kramer. He stressed that companies such as his could provide the “solutions” needed. In context, it is of no small consequence that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refers to social media as the new cyber weapon in our modern age – and Bibi has the ear of President Trump.

Mr. Kramer’s cyber solution “to limit the First Amendment in order to protect it” would certainly make George Orwell smile at the familiar absurdity of such “double speak” – and of course Kramer promotes his company to attain this selfless goal. But Americans should shudder at the thought that his plan gains traction in the halls of the U.S. Congress. We therefore must burn up the D.C. phone lines to say not just “no” – but HELL NO!

Setting aside the impracticality of enforcing censorship across all social media platforms, the implementation of this nefarious plan would in effect undermine our Bill of Rights. While unlikely to achieve its designer’s goal of eliminating AI deceptions, it would be wildly successful in creating alienation between America and Israel. An Israeli-sourced social media censorship strategy that targets the First Amendment will inflame the prejudices that foment dubious conspiracy theories; for example, the infamous “Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion.” This discredited Russian plagiarism, of a notorious French satire against Emperor Napoleon III, alleges a Jewish conspiracy to secure global dominance. So, rather than foil AI-induced cyber-warfare, Kramer’s plan to “protect” the First Amendment will work to its destruction while fueling further resentment towards Israel.

Unfortunately, the Internet has made critical thinking rare, lesser still with the advent of AI. Even so, it beggars belief that an Israeli should promote a system of government censorship akin to that used in Communist China. There is no overstating Kramer’s contempt for American freedoms. His ideas deserve condemnation; and for sure, Kramer’s remarks will embolden many to that end – including pundits and the unscrupulous opportunistic charlatans whose social media audiences are substantial: Tucker Carlson, Candice Owens and Nick Fuentes will continue to zealously criticize the relationship between the U.S. and Israel; while Mark Levin, Ben Shapiro and Megyn Kelly will persistently defend it. And whereas there is debate whether Carlson’s criticisms have turned disingenuous, Owens and Fuentes have chosen to shamelessly invent and regurgitate demonstrably false libels. Fortunately, most Americans understand that social media, like all other forms of speech, are public forums where calumny, idiocy and intellect each have free reign – as do the consequences. However, instituting state “control” over their influence via a government or corporate-directed force of “thought police” will neither curb cyber warfare nor improve the critical thinking skills of those who choose to remain comfortably numb.

Americans prefer the perils of a free space to the government-enforced protection of a “safe space,” and more so when that “safe space” is proposed by foreigners – even if allies. Note to Mr. Kramer: Israeli billionaires who promote Orwellian solutions “to limit the First Amendment in order to protect it” should not be surprised by the scorn their provocations incite. Nor should anyone be shocked to discover that motives are suspect when such designs against the rights of American citizens coincide with an Israeli president’s thought process that is running in the same general direction. You reap what you sow.