Questions raised after Facebook yanks popular 'Uncle Sam's Misguided Children'

Earlier this week, Facebook yanked the very active and popular "Uncle Sam's Misguided Children," the fan page for a blog of the same name that boasts over 600,000 likes. After numerous appeals, the page was restored but was unpublished again after about 24 hours without explanation. Facebook spokesman Fred Wolens told Examiner Thursday the page was removed due to content issues including hate speech and nudity, but page administrator Rick Ferran disputed that, calling the allegations "ludicrous."

Moreover, we inspected the page and found nothing matching the allegations that were made, and requested photos or screenshots to corroborate the claim. Wolens said he could not provide a screenshot of the allegedly offensive material since it was removed and deleted per Facebook policy. Ferran, however, told Examiner that except for two photos -- one using the word "cracker," and one showing a swastika -- nothing was removed.

Ironically, he said, one of the administrators goes by the nickname "Cracker," and has done so since he was a child.

Ferran, a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps who emigrated from Cuba at age 13, admitted the site sometimes uses salty language to make a point and spur discussion, but draws the line at anything racist, threatening or pornographic, telling Examiner he removes users who engage in that type of behavior.

He also questioned where Facebook draws the line, arguing that other pages post actual nudity and videos of beheadings -- videos Facebook refused to remove arguing they were posted in order for people to condemn them. The site recently raised eyebrows for allowing pages and groups advocating the murder of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer charged in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Ferran told Examiner he wants to know what happened to the more than $1,500 he spent advertising the page. In just three days, he said, he put out some $400, hoping to stave off further action.

Making the case more interesting, a representative of Facebook's sales team recently praised the page in an email obtained by Examiner.

"[Y]ou guys are doing awesome work over there quite a few of us here are fans," Shane Galaviz wrote on May 7.

On Thurday, Galavitz wrote an email telling the administrators that people were complaining about the page.

"I emailed someone I know in the reviews Department but haven't heard anything back," he said in the email we received. "I really wish there was something more I could do on my end to help you guys out. I'm going to stay vigilant and see what I can hear for you. Hopefully someone updates it tonight."

Ferran suspects the complaints came from "trolls" -- people who disagree with the page's political views, but join in order to file false or misleading reports in order to get the page shut down.

In an email to Examiner, Ferran named two individuals he believes are part of a group that systematically targets conservative pages to get them shut down by Facebook. One individual, he said, has been named by multiple sources, allegedly runs several liberal pages and "commands an army of trolls."

Ferran said Facebook's actions affected fans worldwide, including people of all races and religious creeds. It also impacted the livelihood of veterans who design and print the shirts sold by the site, he added, effectively destroying their business and severely reducing the revenue they receive.

He also takes it personally, having experienced censorship in a communist regime first-hand.

"If you can't speak, you're a slave," he said, quoting his father.

But, in true Marine Corps fashion, Ferran is not taking the situation laying down, telling Examiner he intends to start an alternative social media site where free speech and open debate is welcome. He also hopes to kick off an Internet radio program encouraging an open and frank discussion of current events.