Robert Reich made an interesting point on his substack today: the American billionaires who might buy TikTok are no better than the Chinese. What we need to do is regulate it as a public utility, along with Facebook, Twitter, etc. rather than forcing a sale.
Stoller’s article had some good points, but this is wildly out of touch with reality, to the point of absurdism: “But the partisan nature of executive leadership simply cannot be a key factor in how we think about this problem, certainly not above concern over foreign ownership of platforms. All people have biases, but more importantly, all executives with access to the amount of capital necessary to buy and run a platform are going to prioritize their own profits above any political bias.”
The political party ”label” doesn't matter so much as the values that drive EVERY decision these people make: profits over the common good, every single time. I also take issue with trivialising biases in this way - it is a *massive* problem to allow the people with the most power (read: the most money) to make far-reaching decisions based on their unchecked biases.
Stoller also entirely ignores the point of view of actual TikTok users, the vast majority of whom are viewers, not creators (true of all social media platforms). For example, users report that TikTok is the only social media platform where they do not experience significant algorithmic censorship for talking about Palestine. If not regulated like a public utility, any platform will do this (the flavour just depends on the whims of its leaders).
Focussing on TikTok and “foreign influence” does nothing about the huge threat presented by the heads of US firms - which is very convenient for the essentially overlapping Venn diagram of “very wealthy” and “very conservative”.
What we need is a globalism that removes China as a threat. Taiwan is a part of "The Central Kingdom". It is simply a democratic republic not ruled by the Chinese Communist Party. Say that out LOUD. Both parts. Also not ruled by politicians in Washington, D. C. And we all do commerce with one another; we are working on agreeing on the rules of that commerce. "Every War Is An UnCivil War" amazon kindle or paperback. Peace is the way. Reigning in the military industrial complex is a problem/opportunity for them and us.
Writing post cards for Carroll County Maryland School Board is very tempting. Nancy Van Camp tells me Carroll County is NW of DC more West Virginia/Western Pennsylvania rather than Baltimore or Eastern Shore/Chesapeake. Not until October. Send to Dems and Independents. Made me wonder WHY NOT mention Blue?? Educate me about the political psychology. e.g. I worry that most of the voters who would benefit so from the President's SOTU will never see it. I would make excerpt ads to appear on Fox News. Love, Doc But that school board sounds so worth while.
Oh! When I receive an email note that someone commented on my comment, I don't know how to reply on handle the note; even how to say thank you. Maybe educate me about that too???
It not only raises money for Dem races… it’s a “strategic media buy” for your torso.
I wear a DEMS (or Biden/Harris) tshirt on EVERY grocery run.
Is it the most effective way to donate? I can’t say… but for $25 you get a new wardrobe… and 226 grocery shopping days until 11/5.
Chip in, and become a walking, talking, grocery shopping billboard for DEMs.
Incidentally, I’ve done this 25+ times in Florida & to my surprise every interaction has been pleasant and kind, restoring my faith in humanity.
And, Jessica, if you’re inclined to share this strategy, my dream is to turn every grocery store across the country into a place where fellow Dems nod to each other and show the inevitable 2025 election deniers we definitely exist.
Listen to “Decoding Fox News” on Substack to hear a week of Fox News in 45 minutes. To people on a Fox-only news diet, seeing a Biden/Dems t-shirt will be their only exposure to anything positive about Biden. And the goal isn’t to convert MAGA, just to help other Dems to feel NOT ALONE.
Marilyn and her team enjoy the backing of heavyweights like the House Minority Leader, the County Commissioner, Planned Parenthood, Everytown For Gun Safety, and former Senator Doug Jones, just to name a few.
And now, she also has us in her corner. With a highly-targeted list of Democratic voters prepared by her team and an extended list of other Democratic voters if we finish the target addresses, we're ready to play a meaningful role in their comprehensive Get Out The Vote campaign.
I just got the email this afternoon - which seems late to me! PTV aways has a 3-day turn-around and no hard mail by date… based on my experience I would suggest mailing by Wed or Thurs at the latest…
Yes, please highlight in Monday's newsletter. 🙏 If peope take just a few addresses, a lot of progress can be made quickly with your wide reach! 😊
What's the deal with TikTok?. I have a 30 year career working with US companies in China, including on industrial espionage cases. Sadly, I must assure everyone here that the Chinese Security Bureau and other departments charged with protecting China's national identity and security from pernicious foreign influences will ABSOLUTELY collect data from Tik Tok if it owned by a Chinese national enterprise. The data can be valuable to the Security bureau for many reasons, like keeping tabs on Chinese nationals in the US or US citizens who have traveled to China in the past 10 years and emerging anti-China activities in the US. Chairman Xi's view is that ALL information/data resident on Chinese owned or Chinese housed servers, Tik Tok included, belongs to China. Period! If you have followed the financial news of late, you may have read that Western foreign investments in China are in free fall. China's over reaching security laws are the reason. The Tik Tok issue is just one of many in this area, US politics aside.
Robert Reich made an interesting point on his substack today: the American billionaires who might buy TikTok are no better than the Chinese. What we need to do is regulate it as a public utility, along with Facebook, Twitter, etc. rather than forcing a sale.
I STRONGLY agree with you, John.
Stoller’s article had some good points, but this is wildly out of touch with reality, to the point of absurdism: “But the partisan nature of executive leadership simply cannot be a key factor in how we think about this problem, certainly not above concern over foreign ownership of platforms. All people have biases, but more importantly, all executives with access to the amount of capital necessary to buy and run a platform are going to prioritize their own profits above any political bias.”
The political party ”label” doesn't matter so much as the values that drive EVERY decision these people make: profits over the common good, every single time. I also take issue with trivialising biases in this way - it is a *massive* problem to allow the people with the most power (read: the most money) to make far-reaching decisions based on their unchecked biases.
Stoller also entirely ignores the point of view of actual TikTok users, the vast majority of whom are viewers, not creators (true of all social media platforms). For example, users report that TikTok is the only social media platform where they do not experience significant algorithmic censorship for talking about Palestine. If not regulated like a public utility, any platform will do this (the flavour just depends on the whims of its leaders).
Focussing on TikTok and “foreign influence” does nothing about the huge threat presented by the heads of US firms - which is very convenient for the essentially overlapping Venn diagram of “very wealthy” and “very conservative”.
Also true.
What we need is a globalism that removes China as a threat. Taiwan is a part of "The Central Kingdom". It is simply a democratic republic not ruled by the Chinese Communist Party. Say that out LOUD. Both parts. Also not ruled by politicians in Washington, D. C. And we all do commerce with one another; we are working on agreeing on the rules of that commerce. "Every War Is An UnCivil War" amazon kindle or paperback. Peace is the way. Reigning in the military industrial complex is a problem/opportunity for them and us.
Yeah good argument.
I agree that Matt's article provides an interesting perspective.
A persuasive argument can be made by the administration, but that requires the administration to make the argument.
100%. This is the thing Biden will need to do better--like a fireside chat.
I joined Reach! Will check it out.
Great! Thank you!
Writing post cards for Carroll County Maryland School Board is very tempting. Nancy Van Camp tells me Carroll County is NW of DC more West Virginia/Western Pennsylvania rather than Baltimore or Eastern Shore/Chesapeake. Not until October. Send to Dems and Independents. Made me wonder WHY NOT mention Blue?? Educate me about the political psychology. e.g. I worry that most of the voters who would benefit so from the President's SOTU will never see it. I would make excerpt ads to appear on Fox News. Love, Doc But that school board sounds so worth while.
Oh! When I receive an email note that someone commented on my comment, I don't know how to reply on handle the note; even how to say thank you. Maybe educate me about that too???
John I would ask the folks running the campiagn--I haven't got more info.
Speaking of fundraising… this link leads to a DEMS MAKE LIFE BETTER t-shirt https://www.customink.com/fundraising/demsmakelifebetter
It not only raises money for Dem races… it’s a “strategic media buy” for your torso.
I wear a DEMS (or Biden/Harris) tshirt on EVERY grocery run.
Is it the most effective way to donate? I can’t say… but for $25 you get a new wardrobe… and 226 grocery shopping days until 11/5.
Chip in, and become a walking, talking, grocery shopping billboard for DEMs.
Incidentally, I’ve done this 25+ times in Florida & to my surprise every interaction has been pleasant and kind, restoring my faith in humanity.
And, Jessica, if you’re inclined to share this strategy, my dream is to turn every grocery store across the country into a place where fellow Dems nod to each other and show the inevitable 2025 election deniers we definitely exist.
Listen to “Decoding Fox News” on Substack to hear a week of Fox News in 45 minutes. To people on a Fox-only news diet, seeing a Biden/Dems t-shirt will be their only exposure to anything positive about Biden. And the goal isn’t to convert MAGA, just to help other Dems to feel NOT ALONE.
Any Postcards To Voters [www.PostcardsToVoters.org] writers in the group?
There is a new campaign for an upcoming special election on March 26th so time is of the essence! Please help if you can!
🚩🚩🚩Democrat Marilyn Lands for AL State House District 10
Watch her moving video on YouTube from her campaign website here: https://www.marilynlands.com/every-family
Marilyn and her team enjoy the backing of heavyweights like the House Minority Leader, the County Commissioner, Planned Parenthood, Everytown For Gun Safety, and former Senator Doug Jones, just to name a few.
And now, she also has us in her corner. With a highly-targeted list of Democratic voters prepared by her team and an extended list of other Democratic voters if we finish the target addresses, we're ready to play a meaningful role in their comprehensive Get Out The Vote campaign.
I wish I'd known about this earlier! I will post in Monday's newsletter if it's not too late?
It looks like all the addresses have been distributed for this campaign! Yay!
I just got the email this afternoon - which seems late to me! PTV aways has a 3-day turn-around and no hard mail by date… based on my experience I would suggest mailing by Wed or Thurs at the latest…
Yes, please highlight in Monday's newsletter. 🙏 If peope take just a few addresses, a lot of progress can be made quickly with your wide reach! 😊
See instructions to get addresses here: https://postcardstovoters.org/addresses/
NOTE: Abby the Address Bot is temporarily unable to TEXT. You can still request addresses via SLACK or EMAIL.
What's the deal with TikTok?. I have a 30 year career working with US companies in China, including on industrial espionage cases. Sadly, I must assure everyone here that the Chinese Security Bureau and other departments charged with protecting China's national identity and security from pernicious foreign influences will ABSOLUTELY collect data from Tik Tok if it owned by a Chinese national enterprise. The data can be valuable to the Security bureau for many reasons, like keeping tabs on Chinese nationals in the US or US citizens who have traveled to China in the past 10 years and emerging anti-China activities in the US. Chairman Xi's view is that ALL information/data resident on Chinese owned or Chinese housed servers, Tik Tok included, belongs to China. Period! If you have followed the financial news of late, you may have read that Western foreign investments in China are in free fall. China's over reaching security laws are the reason. The Tik Tok issue is just one of many in this area, US politics aside.