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I'm not taking a political side here (or with prior posts)- just pointing out facts that will likely delight some and disappoint others. Our system as it is one that whatever the outcome of elections, we all then deal with it. And in these rare situations where one party gets ALL of the keys to the kingdom, there is no "balance" in our so-called "check & balance" system.

Yes, the dems were handed the keys to Congress and the Presidency for 2021-2023... but Judicial was loaded with fresh Trump appointees. There are spans of time where Congress and the Presidency are all controlled by one party. Here's a handy chart to illustrate.

In more distant history, that was "normal" but since about Nixon time, it's been more unusual. Carter & Bush Jr both got back to back 2-year spans of keys to the kingdom (though not necessarily a party bias in the judicial branch too). But otherwise, it's typically been one 2-year term thing, generally following Repub control except for BOTH FIRST terms of Trump.

I hope having complete control of all the branches works well for us all. If results are:
  • "glorious", GOP can & should take full credit.
  • sour, GOP should take full blame.
I actually suspect GOV prefers some split power so they can avoid doing much of anything and blame each other for the stalemates. Now anything & everything the GOP wants to do can get done. I hope the outcomes are what we all hope will follow. If not, there's little anyone can do until at least 2 years from now. But we also shouldn't be fooled by TV "news" or spin that somehow the party no longer in power in any branch is the cause of any negatives (though I am practically certain that will be the attempted play in the next couple of years for anything "sour" if there is any such thing).

Yeah exactly. When there is anything resembling a balance, nothing (except national security bills with a whole lot of fun stuff crammed in them) ever gets done.

Which is kind of what I was alluding to with all of Biden’s recent actions. Wish both sides would just stop trying to hurt each other more than they’re trying to help us.
 
That's "our" fault too... by choosing representation we elect who then opt to just go with either party flow instead of doing what is best for the voters who put them in. And when we observe that kind of thing in our elected representation, we can take note and be sure to vote them out if they seem 'compromised' instead of re-electing them anyway because of which letter- R or D or sometimes I- they have behind their name on a ballot.

A modestly bigger chunk of us just throughly put all power in one party's hands. Now we get to see what that does for all of us. The other party can't really stop anything the GOP wants to do in the next 2 years. So whatever greatness the GOP can deliver as expected by GOP fans can now be delivered without obstacle. And if that turns sour, that's GOP sour... not still (what will be Citizen) Biden's fault or "the dems" fault, etc. All glory or all fault will now belong to the GOP.

And it's vice versa when it goes hard the other way. When the Dems have all of Congress & the Presidency, whatever greatness DEMS expect in that scenario can likely be delivered or go sour. And then all glory or all fault would belong to DEMS.

In either scenario, if sour, the party in complete control should OWN it as the cause... because when the other party has basically little-to-no say, the old redirection blame game is purely that: redirection/misdirection. Bring on the Repub glory... or sour... as they have nearly all say for the next 2+ years. Dems are very limited in having much influence.

I hope all who believe in that side of things being wholesale salvation and greatness are right... because all of us are going to be dealing with it for at least 2 years no matter how it goes. That's either fantastic for America or terrible. And we get to find out starting as soon as this week.

As to media biases, change the channel. For every channel that seems anti-Trump or anti-GOP, there is another channel that is the opposite. As objectively as I can be, my overall media observations in some generalized way over the last few years is that anything good that happens seems to be claimed by one party (pick either) and/or associated with one party and anything bad is blamed on or associated with the other party. A couple of major media players seem to come up with something every hour to blame on one party, while anything good is assigned to the other party. When we see any such bias in media, we're not watching objective journalism but biased editorial or even blatant propaganda. Change the channel. Or just turn off the TV.

Sometimes the story requires a major stretch or suspension of any common sense and/or very selective takes. For example, when one known political figure is convicted in a court of law, the legal system is broken/compromised etc. However, when a known political figure from the other party is convicted in a court of law, justice is served and that's our legal system at work. One conviction is correct & good but the other is phony and witch-hunt.

An objective viewer is apparently expected to believe that both the system is broken and that it is functioning correctly based on individual outcomes. ORRRRRRRR, we can see right through that nonsense, be disgusted with those whose opinions seem to flip on such matters as it best serves their own party... and then REMEMBER such flip flops and vote them out in the next election. Party (either party) should not be above the law or the Constitution. When either acts as such, the people should punish them for doing so (by voting them out at first opportunity). However, part of that requires REMEMBERING such stuff at election time and the other part is turning off or changing channel from biased editorial media and seeking out objective journalism for sources of news. Watch too much bias about anything and people can start believing ANYTHING.
 
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Are you asking because you don’t know, or just want to “catch me”?
Was there any question? You surely didn’t answer mine.

It’s quite funny Timmy obeys every rule coming from China while he is asking Trump for help with the EU DMA law.

That law isn’t to “catch” just Apple but to have the same playing field for all technology companies. US, Chinese, European for everyone the same. And only comes into action when such a company abuses its market power like for example Apple.

The US is banning many Chinese mobile phone vendors, for what? Same for Chinese cars.

Before pointing out that Europe is only after US companies (which it isn’t), look what’s happening in your own country.

It’s a bit hypocrite to measure with double standards.
 
Which can easily be moved to another platform that isn't hoovering up data and handing it over to Pooh Bear.

Yes, please move it to Zuckerberg or Musk, who is doing the exact same hovering and then passing it onto our government for money.

China banned TikTok in China. That says it all.

All it says to me is that is we are no better than them when it comes to government censorship.
 
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It's already back

Trump urged TikTok’s partners to allow the app to be restored, saying “the order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”

Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump said.

He is such a troll 😅
he is pathetic.
 
reflecting the US's efforts to spread democratic principles internationally
What if your company sold lead paint? Is it your right to market that to consumers and is it the consumer's right to apply that paint indoors?

TikTok and its ilk appear to be similarly neurotoxic and anti-social.

I'm pretty libertarian - but well, people are dumb and an outright ban of this crap is probably a better thing for society.

As for the security aspects - I think they are valid concerns - whereas in the West the spying is outsourced mainly to companies - who can act as the middle-agents :D
 
No matter what country you live in - you are the product. You are the stock that is farmed for others economic benefit.

In China this benefit is managed by the political elite. In the US, this is managed by a kleptocratic alliance between the political and business elite.
Hehe - exactly - in the democratic West the "social credit" CCP system has been handed over to the corporations promoting identity politics, grifting and cancel culture. Re-reading Neuromancer and the social aspect of corporatism was not forseen by Gibson (or Orwell).
 
TikTok needs to open source their app. The source code is just a standard text file that can be posted anyplace and if posted in one place would quickly be copied to thousands of places around the world. It could never be banned.

Then anyone with the required skill could install the app and not need the app store. With no app store, there is no gatekeeper.

Doing so would not harm the owners of TikTok because they don't make money. by selling the app, so there would be no lost income.

Open source is the only way to ensure that you actually own software, Free stuff from an app store can be taken away

The other good thing about open source is that we can read it and understand what data is being sent where, or if none is.


The problem is that there is a small "speed bump" where users have to learn how to convert the code into an app that can run on a phone of computer. It is not hard and there are already millions of people who can do this and they can show the others.
 
This is just ridiculous to see in America.
This is exactly how dictatorship established in russia — first they ban or restrict something that seems so insignificant. A bunch of people complain online but no one takes a real action.
This is how those who handle the power realize they can do basically anything. And they might do that. Or might not. But do you really wanna check out where they would draw the line that won’t affect you personally? I am as a citizen of the country that allowed all of that **** to happen and then just invaded the other country. This crap escalates because these old men are this hungry.
Yeah, some of you might say it’s just an app, no big deal, there are more serious issues within the country than a ban of TikTok and you might be right. But this is how they take away your power to address the issues.
Please, take care and keep your eyes wide open!
Exactly. This was/is an exercise. The real goal is an assault on privacy, a stepping stone, for example, to trying to ban vpn’s. I use ProtonVPN, and hopefully the tyrants won’t be so quick to designate Switzerland a foreign adversary.

Flashbacks…”Okay, we got them to wear the dust mask. Let’s see if they’ll take the shot.”
 
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Next time the EU sanctions an US company for breaking the law people here will turn around and start the usual whine "EU is just envious/sucking off money/stiffle competition/censorship central." US Hypocrisy as usual.
Yes, because the US companies the EU is shackling with draconian regulations stripping them of their intellectual property are actually owned by the EU’s geopolitical adversary who is using them as propaganda to whitewash its ethnic cleansing and territorial ambitions.🙄
 
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The threat of "security" risk can be applied to anything... because it usually implies some invisible, evil force that must be addressed. We could put a scare into toothpaste or ketchup or dirt by spinning up some security associations. Pick a subject, any subject... then spin about a breakdown in security associated with it. Enormous fortunes are made on the backs of good scares. People will spend anything to try to be less afraid.

If we believe reeling in this app is for security (and I don't care about this app at all, not even using it myself), consider this scenario: where is every keyboard we use made? It's in those keyboards that we type all of our passwords and other senstive information. If I wanted to exploit the easiest path to every keystroke, I get in the keyboard manufacturing business and engineer in something to discreetly send my captures "home."

Just about everything that offers input works through USB ports. Just about all USB tech is made in China. If I could exploit the port, I could intercept every keystroke.

Just about every piece of storage is made in... YEP. A great way to get any kind of virus or trojan in place is to do it BEFORE hardware is delivered. Do it in a way that popular systems like Windows and Macs wouldn't "see." We order, receive them USB sticks from who knows where and then immediately insert them into a USB port and put files on them. Who made them? How do we know they are safe?

Just about every PC & Mac is made in China. A great way to sneak any nefarious anything into a computer system is make the whole system and sneak something into/onto it. In "whole computers" there would be abundant opportunities in every little processing unit to sneak in a "surprise."

And on and on. In this bit of news, we're focused in on the great threat of "security" rationalizing why this ONE app should be shut down/blocked. And yet, we're:
  • typing our comments on a keyboard made where,
  • connected to hardware made where,
  • possibly via a wire into a USB port made where,
  • with all of our most precious passwords stored in storage made where?
  • Etc.
But yes, let's worry via "security!" tied to this one app.

In the game of spinning security, it doesn't matter if there is actual, proven risk or not- just perception of it. Perhaps every bullet above is somehow covered on every single computer/drive/etc made. But how easy can we imagine great risk in any of that? To me, it seems quite easy.

I don't want to undermine the perpetual human goal of safety and feeling secure. I'm just taking a poke at this idea of how readily spin about security risk can be pointed anywhere and at anything and then become this big thing. Sometimes that's fully warranted. Other times... I wonder.
 
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Was there any question? You surely didn’t answer mine.
Why should I answer a question as obvious as that which is being discussed in threads you participated in?
It’s quite funny Timmy obeys every rule coming from China while he is asking Trump for help with the EU DMA law.
That’s politics.
That law isn’t to “catch” just Apple but to have the same playing field for all technology companies. US, Chinese, European for everyone the same. And only comes into action when such a company abuses its market power like for example Apple.
Incorrect. The law is to nationalize the apple App Store, its hardware and software.
The US is banning many Chinese mobile phone vendors, for what? Same for Chinese cars.
You would have to ask them.
Before pointing out that Europe is only after US companies (which it isn’t), look what’s happening in your own country.
Another post comparing an alleged national security issue with the purchase of a product by and profit consumer discretionary lifestyle company. Yep, exactly the same circumstances.
It’s a bit hypocrite to measure with double standards.
In your opinion, not in mine.
 
The threat of "security" risk can be applied to anything... because it usually implies some invisible, evil force that must be addressed. We could put a scare into toothpaste or ketchup or dirt by spinning up some security associations. Pick a subject, any subject... then stir up some kind of spin about a breakdown in security associated with it.

If we believe reeling in this app is for security (and I don't care about this app at all, not even using it myself), consider this scenario: where is every keyboard we use made? It's in those keyboards that we type all of our passwords and other senstive information. If I wanted to exploit the easiest path to every keystroke, I get in the keyboard manufacturing business and engineer in something to discreetly send my captures "home."

Just about everything that offers input works through USB ports. Just about all USB tech is made in China. If I could exploit the port, I could intercept every keystroke.

Just about every piece of storage is made in... YEP. A great way to get any kind of virus or trojan in place is to do it BEFORE hardware is delivered. Do it in a way that popular systems like Windows and Macs wouldn't "see" it. We order, receive them USB sticks from who knows where and then immediately insert them into a USB port and put files on them. Who made them? How do we know they are safe?

Just about every PC & Mac is made in China. A great way to sneak any nefarious anything into a computer system is make the whole system and sneak something into/onto it. In "whole computers" there would be abundant opportunities in every little processing unit to sneak in a "surprise."

And on and on. In this bit of news, we're focused in on the great threat of "security" rationalizing why this ONE app should be shut down/blocked. And yet, we're:
  • typing our comments on a keyboard made where,
  • connected to hardware made where,
  • possibly via a wire into a USB port made where,
  • with all of our most precious passwords stored in storage made where?
  • Etc.
But yes, let's worry via "security!" about this one app.

In the game of spinning security, it doesn't matter if there is actual proven risk or not- just perception of risk. Perhaps every bullet above is somehow covered on every single computer/drive/etc made. But how easy can we imagine great risk in any of that? To me, it seems easier to imagine security risk there than in any one app.

I don't want to undermine the perpetual human goal of safety and feeling secure. I'm just take a poke at this idea of how readily spin about security risk can be pointed anywhere and at anything and then become this big thing. Sometimes that's fully warranted. Other times... I wonder.
That security can be applied to anything is just another 50,000 foot generalization.
 
Play outside like we did as kids?
There’s not an outside to play in. We’ve dystopian it into a paved or paid nightmare. Kids don’t have a lot of parks to play in and most parents have a tight leash on them that they don’t want them outside. Instead wanting them to study so they can somehow survive in this 1984 world we’ve created.
 
Yes, please move it to Zuckerberg or Musk, who is doing the exact same hovering and then passing it onto our government for money.



All it says to me is that is we are no better than them when it comes to government censorship.
No. It says they know how it is used for information collection on citizens and they don’t want the same algorithms used on their people as they use on the citizens of other countries.
 
The most baffling argument I've been seeing is "well, China bans social media, so why shouldn't we?" So you're saying the U.S. government should be more like the CCP? What a good example to follow...

The problem that so many people have with TikTok (hence the law that Congress passed) is not the app, it's the ownership, and what that owner does with the users' data. People opposed to ByteDance want to force it to sell the app to an American entity, they don't care about video sharing.

So anyone who keeps discussing this as if the app itself is the problem really needs to read a news story about the issue. Just one should do it.
 
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So the American government cannot take action to prevent a foreign adversary from conducting a honeypot operation on American citizens and then using that data to conduct psychological warfare?

TikTok is the online version of a white van with free candy painted on the outside. Free candy sounds great and people like free candy but then don't like what actually comes next.

China does not have the military dominance to take on the US 1v1. They can and are very good at the new type of warfare that is emerging. Its psychological and its going to be very bad.

China is actively preparing to take Taiwan in the next 2-4 years. Their preparations for this are very transparent for anyone paying attention.

When this eventually happens, they are going to have to wage an information warfare too.

The fact that they have a direct connection to a big portion of the American youth is very frightening.

so , none American countries should ban Google and Meta because they are honeypot operation on their citizens that conducts psychological warfare ?
 
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