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Aidan Kearney
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I Am Turtleboy: A teacher turned blogger battles big tech censorship, threats, and political correctness to protect free speech and democracy Kindle Edition

by Aidan Kearney (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 251 ratings
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Free speech is a myth. Technically we’re allowed to say what we want and won’t get arrested for it, but we constantly have to self-censor our speech, including our political opinions, for many reasons. You’re allowed to express some opinions, so long as they’re the right opinions. But if you lose your ability to pay your bills as a result of your honest and open speech, then you’re not really free. A handful of social justice warriors in Silicon Valley are able to decide what we can and cannot talk about, and when we can’t openly express controversial opinions in the public square, then we have lost our democracy.

I was a high school history teacher for 11 years and during that time I learned the hard way that my opinions were the wrong opinions. After getting an unpaid suspension for starting a blog called AidanFromWorcester.com, which expressed opinions on issues that the school did not approve of, I decided to create an anonymous blog that would act as the voice of the people – Turtleboy Sports.

Turtleboy started as a hobby but has grown to a website with millions of monthly followers and is now my business. I hire bloggers who pen under nom de plumes because anonymity gives people the freedom to express opinions that many others agree with, but are afraid to say out loud out for fear of consequences. Turtleboy is popular and has grown so quickly because we say what many other people are thinking.

I left teaching in November of 2014 after a blogger from Buffalo wrote a libelous blog about me, alleging that I sexually assaulted a woman in front of 60,000 people at a Patriots-Bills game. The blogger was successfully sued for libel, but so many of my students read it that it became impossible to teach anymore. After the school received hundreds of calls and death threats they offered me a full year’s salary to walk away quietly. I took the money and used is to turn Turtleboy from a hobby into a business.

Turtleboy has broken major stories that the mainstream media couldn’t because we have better sources. We’ve exposed corruption involving the Massacchusetts State Police and politicians that led to the resignation of the 4 highest-ranking members of the MSP. The blog has helped expose contractors and con-artists, drug dealing state troopers, brought criminals to justice, shut down a death factory of a puppy mill, reformed school districts, and exposed insurance fraud, non-profit fraud, sexual abuse, food stamp fraud, fake hate crimes, and many other stories that the mainstream media would never touch.

When I left teaching I felt liberated and free for the first time, but because our bloggers are unapologetic, brutally honest, we get a lot of pushback. We entertain by not only reporting news, but by using language that some might find unsavory. As a result outside forces have used various methods to try to silence the blog. Turtleboy has been the subject of countless boycotts. I’ve been unsuccessfully sued for libel many times; including by a former advertiser who was upset the blog didn’t endorse him for Mayor. I’ve gotten too many death threats to count, had “fuck you” keyed into the hood of my car, and been angrily confronted in restaurants. I’ve had a Facebook page with 112,000 followers removed for wishing people a Merry Christmas, and had 32 business pages taken down since. The blog has been blacklisted by Google AdSense, and my house and phone are permanently banned from creating Twitter accounts.

All of these things have combined to cost my business hundreds of thousands of dollars in just a couple years. But they will never stop Turtleboy because I refuse to censor and give up the rights that our Founding Fathers sacrificed their lives for because people who disagree with us use fear, intimidation, and economic warfare to silence us. When we self-censor we don’t contribute to public discourse in the public square, and in doing so we lose our democracy.

This is the story of Turtleboy.
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  1. Print length
    342 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    November 6, 2018
  4. File size
    15530 KB
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  6. Word Wise
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07K8CNVYT
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 6, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 15530 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 342 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 251 ratings

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Aidan Kearney

Aidan Kearney

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
251 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and eye-opening. They praise the writing quality as well-written, articulate, and humorous. The story is described as incredible and blowing the doors off of mainstream narratives. Readers appreciate the author's pacing and determination to persevere. Overall, customers consider the book a worthwhile read.

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ReadabilityInformational valueWriting qualityHumorStory qualityPacingValue for moneyBlog content
65 customers mention "Readability"65 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and engaging. They appreciate the quality content and praise the author's work.

"...This book is fantastic I loved it & read it in 3 days. Buy it!" Read more

"...only have I been, like •chronically• entertained by the assortment of quality content published within almost every blog posted since I was first..." Read more

"Love him or hate him, this is a phenomenal book. I'm a turtle rider through and through and could not put it down...." Read more

"...This book was AMAZING. I read a lot of books and tend to be a bit snobby when it comes to grammar and sentence flow...." Read more

32 customers mention "Informational value"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and eye-opening. They appreciate learning about the history of Turtleboy and how it got started. The honest journalism is appreciated, and readers enjoy learning about the blog's origin story.

"...Still he gave me hope and made me laugh along the way. Inciteful and fun. I'm going to start to find his blogs now too. Love him" Read more

"...give the "how and why" Turtleboy Sports exists, it also covers so many critical elements of how "free speech" functions (and dysfunctions) in our..." Read more

"...It certainly is an interesting read. Remember, you do not learn anything from someone you agree with...." Read more

"...If you follow the blog it’s incredible to learn its origin story, and if you aren’t familiar with it it’s an amazing story of the little blog that..." Read more

15 customers mention "Writing quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and entertaining. They appreciate the author's articulate writing style and his storytelling style. The book is described as a must-read for anyone concerned with free speech preservation.

"...Like it?? Sure. But I loved it. He writes as a story teller. He's not just staing facts or recanting a timeline. He's fun. He's simply just fun...." Read more

"...the mission of preserving and upholding democracy with the salvation of free speech, promotion of fearless opinion- sharing {regardless of whether..." Read more

"...Extremely well written, awesome backstory of how the blog was started and written in the traditional Turtleboy fashion, no-holds-bar!..." Read more

"...Great piece of writing. Well written. Entertaining...." Read more

14 customers mention "Humor"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it entertaining and honest. The book is well-written and they never get bored while reading it.

"...Still he gave me hope and made me laugh along the way. Inciteful and fun. I'm going to start to find his blogs now too. Love him" Read more

"...Also, the book itself is a fun read, I had difficulty putting it down once I started reading it.)" Read more

"...But I was so surprised to see that I did not cringe once reading this! The flow was amazing and not repeative like some people’s first books are...." Read more

"...Great piece of writing. Well written. Entertaining...." Read more

8 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging and insightful. It provides an in-depth look at the blog's history and controversies. The book helps connect the dots and shed light on eye-opening stories about lawsuits and attempted censorship.

"...Extremely well written, awesome backstory of how the blog was started and written in the traditional Turtleboy fashion, no-holds-bar!..." Read more

"...origin story, and if you aren’t familiar with it it’s an amazing story of the little blog that could in its fight for the truth and it’s fight..." Read more

"Incredible story for why the 21st Century devolvement of the educational system has occurred...." Read more

"...scenes information that helps connect some dots and lots of eye opening stories of lawsuits and attempted censoring of the blog. Love it!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's pacing. They find the author's honesty and courage inspiring. The turtle rider is described as a true American hero who fights for good people in the world. The book is a must-read for Turtleboy fans.

"...willed tenacity, unshakeable constitution, & selfless determination to persevere, even in spite of both overwhelmingly-high amounts of odds stacked..." Read more

"...Turtleboy is a hero, not a flashy famous one but a true American hero, he exposes the hypocrisy and tells a story that needs to be told...." Read more

"...Journalism needs a reset, and Turtleboy is an exemplary practitioner of honesty and courage." Read more

"I highly recommend if you love riding the turtle ." Read more

7 customers mention "Value for money"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good value for money. They say it's worth reading.

"...This E Book is well worth the money just to get the full story on how TBS ( and others) have been banned from social media and other platforms for..." Read more

"...of what side of the political isle you are on this book is totally worth reading if you care at all about actual freedom...." Read more

"Exceptional ~ Money Well Spent!..." Read more

"Worth the admission!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Blog content"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the blog content. They find it humorous and on-point, describing it as one of the best news sites in New England.

"...This is the best news site in New England. Keep doing you and you will shine Turtleboy and Aiden" Read more

"...teacher fighting for free speech with one of the funniest, on-point blogs in New England." Read more

"Love the blog, loved the book. Read both of them. Funny informative and edgy, you will never be bored. Try it." Read more

"Bought this when it first came out, love the book, love the blog." Read more

Smart teacher
5 out of 5 stars
Smart teacher
Aidan provides some very basic experience, not surprising from a history teacher, that shows us the perpetual nature of greed in society. This greed is not simply financial, but about power...the power of liberalism, as Mark Zuckerberg yields, with the active contradiction he sports that Facebook is for the people... It may have been at one time, but apparently it's for c-e-r-t-a-i-n people, who, if they do not think a certain way, are annoyed, harassed, and disposed, with the classic liberal excuses like: it must be a mistake....or, our system did it....or, we're sorry you have been __________ . There are no coincidences, and Aidan knows this, because the history of all zealots is first genius, then greed, then, especially these days, self-victimization followed by an apology. After all, the cry of the liberal is "it's easier to apologize than to seek permission", then the radical liberals, especially, forget to apologize....they go someplace else to take away from somebody else the same rights they insist are theirs. Turtles have a hard outer shell and a soft warm heart, and don't need more than their own space to survive, as compared to other animals who need others' space, and will lie, cheat, and steal, to gain it...leave it in ruins, then go to the next...because nothing is good enough. Long live the Turtle!!! The Turtle IS good enough... Is the US? Is Facebook? Read and ask yourself.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Karen Barrows
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Read in a long time
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I actually went into reading this book not expecting to love it. Like it?? Sure. But I loved it. He writes as a story teller. He's not just staing facts or recanting a timeline. He's fun. He's simply just fun. I've also had to think alot about who is really running our towns and government today. Mostly our schools. Someone like this author could have been a trendsetter and getting our kids to be excited about learning and actually become productive citizens. Unfortunately, he wasn't celebrated, he was stifled. Still he gave me hope and made me laugh along the way. Inciteful and fun. I'm going to start to find his blogs now too. Love him
    6 people found this helpful
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  • CAC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I live in MA & followed TB before Karen read but not consistently, since Karen read I follow more have gone to stand outs. This book is fantastic I loved it & read it in 3 days. Buy it!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • J C Sullivan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read ( so far)
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Love them or hate them, ( and I am 50/50 in that department overall ) Adian Kearney and the anonymous bloggers on the TurtleboySports website have made significant contributions as Journalists and have been subjected to economic sanctions by Facebook, Google, and others for their work. I will say that the comment sections of their blogs can be problematic and can reflect poorly on the work of the bloggers. I am surprised the " SJW's" have not stormed Amazon's headquarters demanding that this E Book be removed. It certainly is an interesting read. Remember, you do not learn anything from someone you agree with. This E Book is well worth the money just to get the full story on how TBS ( and others) have been banned from social media and other platforms for no other reason than mob rule.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Deb Z.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional ~ Money Well Spent!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    As a bona-fide Masshole, a devout reader/follower of the blog and a proud turtle rider, I'm giving Mr. Kearney's book the ★5★ star rating it deserves. Not only have I been, like •chronically• entertained by the assortment of quality content published within almost every blog posted since I was first exposed to the likes of TB (℅ a Facebook "friend" of mine - one out of the handful of online-only people to whom I've ever extended a friend request - who *just* so happened to have a penchant for either habitually sharing links to - or posting his personal commentary on - all their most outrageous stories on such a frequent basis that my News Feed would become virtually *inundated* by his activity on a regular basis!) back in the summer of 2016, I wholeheartedly admire Aidan's iron-
    willed tenacity, unshakeable constitution, & selfless determination to persevere, even in spite of both overwhelmingly-high amounts of odds stacked against him AND a surplus of perpetually-recurring, überexpensive and time-consuming setbacks in abundance. I fully support the mission of preserving and upholding democracy with the salvation of free speech, promotion of fearless opinion- sharing {regardless of whether or not other perspectives expressed perfectly align with one's own; never a factor of consequence}, and resolution to speak up on the behalf of all people unable or unwilling to voice their *own* mutual thoughts or feelings for any reason - anytime, anywhere, anyone. We all deserve transparency from media sources, just like individuals who publicly exhibit the kind of animalistic, abysmal behavior that'll doubtlessly mark you as a prime target for the widespread ridicule and shame which accompanies becoming Turtleboy-famous deserve to be sterilized and incarcerated at minimum.

    WE ARE ALL TURTLEBOY. And we will NEVER be silenced.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Liz E.
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most important books I've read in a long time.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Not only does this book give the "how and why" Turtleboy Sports exists, it also covers so many critical elements of how "free speech" functions (and dysfunctions) in our country today. I have worked in public relations for over 20 years, so my view of the media has always been different than the typical "news consumer." This book has added a great deal to my already vast knowledge of how social media impacts news, and more importantly, it helps to explain why Turtleboy is extremely important and necessary. I've been a fan of Turtleboy Sports for a few years now, but because of this book I have a greater appreciation and respect for both the blog and Aidan Kearney. (Also, the book itself is a fun read, I had difficulty putting it down once I started reading it.)
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Mic Dyer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Turtleboy is the REAL news here in MA as well as most of New England!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Love him or hate him, this is a phenomenal book. I'm a turtle rider through and through and could not put it down. Extremely well written, awesome backstory of how the blog was started and written in the traditional Turtleboy fashion, no-holds-bar! The people in MA who don't enjoy this blog are probably trash that has been blogged about or their family and friends have been.

    The people who shout from the roof tops that Aiden isn't a real journalist are the so-called-journalists that are jealous of the stories he broke on the MA State Police, the RMV after that kid killed a group of bikers in NH, and so many others that ended up in "the Turtleboy graveyard". If you live in New England you should be reading his blogs on the daily as well as this book!
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Captain
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Amazon says it will take about 5 hours to read—took me about 2 1/2 hours to read.
    I read a website everyday called “PinkTruth” a blog about the damage Mary Kay does to women. When the blog first started it was called, “MaryKaySucks” the blog owner knew in order to be taken more seriously she would have to change her marketing strategies — she changed the name to “Pink Truth” which the blog is still alive and going. I mention this because although I like the name “Turtleboysports” I am glad to learn Aiden wants to start toning down the language in the blog in order to become more marketable. Yes, TBS does expose a ton of corruption —something the Main Stream media won’t- but I never cared for some of the language on the blog. But it’s America- Freedom Of Speech and that is what this book focuses on; Aidan’s fight for Freedom Speech.
    Believe it or not his critics who are so invested in shutting him down only made the blog stronger and got more support from the public.
    32 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • starbug79
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A must-read for those that are fans of TBS and even beneficial to those that may not agree with it. You get to see that there is substance behind the colourful language used in the blogs and naysayers may even find themselves converted.

    It's great to get an insight into how TBS came about, how it has developed over the years and get a sense of where it is going. The future looks green.
    Report

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