
Don’t remember exactly when I closed my facebook account, it’s been at least one month. Seems like each week since there has been at least one bombshell discovery of another insidious action by facebook to either misuse its user’s identities and private information or another revelation that facebook actively work to not only protect users flooding pages with fake news, but to also trying to cover up their actions.
In every case it’s either a claim they didn’t know and will try to do better or it’s just impossible to police their own platform but they will try try to do better. The reality is the company whose motto is “Move fast and break things” knows they don’t have to do better because monopolies can do whatever they want. I don’t believe facebook set out to break democracy in America but now that they have become a trillion dollar enterprise they not only don’t care, they know democracy is an obstacle that must remain broken.
Don’t remember exactly when I closed my facebook account, it’s been at least one month. Seems like each week since there has been at least one bombshell discovery of another insidious action by facebook to either misuse its user’s identities and private information or another revelation that facebook actively work to not only protect users flooding pages with fake news, but to also trying to cover up their actions.
In every case it’s either a claim they didn’t know and will try to do better or it’s just impossible to police their own platform but they will try try to do better. The reality is the company whose motto is “Move fast and break things” knows they don’t have to do better because monopolies can do whatever they want. I don’t believe facebook set out to break democracy in America but now that they have become a trillion dollar enterprise they not only don’t care, they know democracy is an obstacle that must remain broken.
While I miss interacting with my facebook “friends” and my group pages for BlueRootsRadio, In The Memetimes and all the other group pages to which I belonged, I do appreciate how much of my time I’ve regained. My “screen time” has been roughly cut in half giving me more time to do big projects around the house, read and exercise.
The reason why I emphasized the word friends above is that I’ve learned facebook friends are pretty much just friends on facebook. Prior to leaving I announced my pending departure and invited everyone to visit here on the blog or by email but it has pretty much been crickets. I understand the attraction/addiction to facebook but it wasn’t enough to keep me as a user. A lot of people say they stay to fight back against facebook but it doesn’t work that way. No matter what you do on the platform, if you are using it you are just a tool to give facebook more profits to do more damage.
There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon coming out of Europe where facebook is fighting like hell to avoid being thrust into the possibility of class action suits. The demise of facebook may come from its success of having billions of users. If facebook is held accountable to its users by having to face class action suits that can result in damages able to inflict real financial damage to its bottomline, we might someday see real and lasting change or even its collapse. Facebook could be replaced by an honest social media platform that protects its user’s privacy and relies on an affordable subscription plan and not advertisers with billions of dollars to spend which has put facebook in the mess it now is in.
Feel free to discuss this topic or whatever is on you mind in this post, I just needed to get this off my back so I can move on.
From Axios
Democrats’ post-Mueller plan
Even before Robert Mueller has delivered his final communiqué, Democrats have activated a new phase in the Trump-Russia wars that ultimately could prove more damaging to the president than the special counsel’s investigation.
Why it matters: For Trump, this has been a behind-the-scenes probe, with sensational yet intermittent revelations. Now, it’s about to become a persistent and very public process — at best, a nuisance; at worst, a threat to his office.
What’s new: Whether or not Mueller is sitting on a grand finale, Democrats are picking up the baton with a vast probe that already involves a half-dozen committees, and will include public hearings starring reluctant witnesses.
What House Democrats are thinking after the public Cohen hearing, via an email to Axios from MSNBC analyst Matt Miller: “Incredible to start an investigation and have six months’ worth of leads on the first day.”
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@Cat Chew: I signed up for the daily word thanks to you, lord knows that when it comes to vocabulary I’m gormless.
I did watch the hearing but don’t remember any of the currently trending words it sparked in addition to churlish (perdition and trenchant).
I feel your reservation to wade into the political circus, it can be hazardous to your mental health. One more reason why I dropped Facebook.
On a housekeeping note, I had to change the security plugin for the blog. WordPress demanded I update to PHP 7.0 or higher and that forced me to replace several old and trusted plugins that are no longer compatible. That’s why you might see extra stuff related to spam. This new plug it covers everything from logins to anonymous spam postings.
Trump Ordered Officials to Give Jared Kushner a Security Clearance
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@chris: I would’ve like something along the line of “corruption” but the word today is “billion.” Makes me think of graft, anyway. More fun from yesterday, “churlish” was trending. Also enjoyed Ann Telnaes sketches in the WaPo. Almost made me regret not watching the hearing, but I have a low tolerance for reality these days. Did watch some heartening clips, though.
Why did a GOP congressman invite this HUD official to stand behind him at the Michael Cohen hearing?
If trump wasn’t a racist he wouldn’t have taken out the full page ad on the Central Park 5, pointed to a black man at one of his rallies and said “..there’s my black!”, praised the white supremacists at Charlottesville, have no black executives in his organization and only hire blacks, who despite all this, will remain loyal and give him cover. When you take his whole history into account the question of his bigotry and racism is a no brainer.
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Podcast: The Argument
Will Michael Cohen’s Testimony Doom Trump?
And is Bernie Sanders the Democratic frontrunner?
Listen: Apple Stitcher Spotify Google Play
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Opinion
Can a Horrible Boss Be a Great Leader?
Amy Klobuchar needs to make amends for her behavior.
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Note; We don’t need another temper tantrum tosser in the WH. Her “on air” demeanor had me believing that’s the way she is all the time. I want Al Franken back.
@Cat Chew: It would be soooo sweet if today’s word was “graft”. 😉
House passes first major gun control legislation in nearly quarter of a century
Members of Congress approved measure requiring federal background checks for all firearms sales by vote of 240-190
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@Cat Chew: 👍🏼
Good choice.
From the “So what’s new?” department
Michael Cohen to call Donald Trump a ‘racist’, ‘cheat’ and ‘conman’ in first public hearing
President’s former lawyer expected to say Trump knew of Roger Stone’s contact with WikiLeaks during 2016 campaign
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Topple Trump
Women dressed as characters from “The Handmaid’s Tale” protesting in Washington last year.
CreditCreditAndrew Harrer/Bloomberg
Opinion
The Republicans of Gilead
A louche administration takes aim at reproductive rights.
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WHAT TO DO ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA?
by Rodney Crowell
Note: Rodney Crowell is in my top 5 all time favorite singer songwriters. I respect not only his talent but his insights on politics, culture, and all forms of art. It was easy for me to drop Facebook because I don’t have to rely on it to make a living. This is not the case for Rodney and if you read his letter, I’m sure you will agree.
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