President Obama Does Reddit AMA; Gives Weak Politician's Answer About Internet Freedom

Free Speech

from the that's-not-how-you-do-it dept

Wed, Aug 29th 2012 2:13pm — Mike Masnick

The ritualistic "Reddit AMA" has become an important right of passage for lots of interesting people (both famous and not-so-famous). But, there's a pretty clear set of guidelines for how to do one right -- and the first step is to sound like you're a human. That's often difficult for the rich and famous -- and it's doubly true of politicians. Rep. Jared Polis, for example, did a great Reddit AMA. Today, of course, the big news is that President Obama is doing a Reddit AMA -- obviously, the first time that a sitting President (or any US President, I would imagine) has done one. The site has had trouble staying up, but one of the first questions that President Obama chose to answer was about internet freedom, asking "Is Internet Freedom an issue you'd push to add to the Democratic Party's 2012 platform?" The President's answer was quite... political.

Internet freedom is something I know you all care passionately about; I do too. We will fight hard to make sure that the internet remains the open forum for everybody - from those who are expressing an idea to those to want to start a business. And although there will be occasional disagreements on the details of various legislative proposals, I won't stray from that principle - and it will be reflected in the platform.

And while there was originally a there/their typo in the comment (which has since been fixed), the problem with this statement is that it doesn't seem "human." It's a politician's answer, rather than any real commitment. This isn't a surprise, it's just a disappointment. This was a chance to show a real commitment to internet freedom, but instead the answer comes across as wishy-washy. Seems like a missed opportunity.

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Filed Under: internet freedom, president obama, reddit ama
Companies: reddit

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Geeker (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:16pm

Of course, where he answers We will fight hard to make sure that the internet remains the open forum for everybody, in his language open forum will mean absolutely everything we type, say, watch, listen or look at online will be monitored and logged, whenever and however they feel like it, sans warrant.
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Jeff (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:18pm

Politicians
...will say anything to get elected. They pander to whomever will give them the most votes - and in this highly polarized environment, they don't cant risk offending anybody (their big donors); therefore to be as inoffensive as possible, they give inoffensive statements and avoid taking a stand on anything. They have no spine, no mind, and no soul (they sold it to get elected). Maybe I'm a little pissed, but I hold *all* politicians in extreme contempt.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:18pm

He has to be very careful with what he or who is posting for him is saying. Just think of how fast you picked up that quote and ran with it for this story (although I completely agree with your article / premise). I have a fear the entire AMA will be much of the same - the Bull's and Jordan comment.
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Jeff (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:20pm

Re: Politicians
ARRGGGHHH!!! I want an edit button!!!

** they can't risk... **
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ASTROBOI, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:22pm

Sorta like....
"Your call is VERY important to us. Please stay on the line"
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:22pm

(no, I'm not serious)
B...b...but he has a Reddit account and didn't threaten to ban porn!
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:23pm

Also, I doubt the AMA will last very long. Reddit's servers are being raped right now. He won't be able to answer questions as the world tunes in.
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Beech, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:27pm

So far, all I've seen is the same political speak. There's only one or two statements I've seen that seem like an actual answer.

At least he acknowledged that all the money going into politics is non-ideal. Too bad it seems like he doesn't want to go anywhere near far enough (probably because he wants all those contribution checks, as do all his buds in congress)
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:27pm

Masnick wanted Obama to say "I promise I'll let you continue to rip off movies, music, games and ebooks."

Oh well. You can't win em all, Mike.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:30pm

Whelp he answered like 9-11 questions and he's out.
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droozilla (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:34pm

To use his own quote. "He's a jackass."

I'm sure the site being down for most is completely legitimate... I'm sure every question came from a real person, too, and the answers were not scripted in any way, shape, or form. AMAs are totally legitimate!
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:36pm

So now we have two main "choices" for president:

1. Elect Obamma and continue the bullshit and wishiwashiness of his administration we know now as not caring one micron about Internet freedom and net nuetrality.

2. Elect Romney and we have the same exact thing with the added "bonus" of "pornography" filters forced to be put on all new computers.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:42pm

Re:
HOLY SHIT!!! IT'S A FUCKING MIND-READER!!!

You should do an AMA.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:43pm

Re:
Yeah, that was a terrible AMA.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:43pm

His AMA went on for an hour and he answered 10 questions - all with very carefully worded politician-speak.

List of answers
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:44pm

If you didn't like that, you will like the Republicans platform statement even less.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 2:55pm

Re:
9-11 questions

...you did that on purpose.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:01pm

Re: Sorta like....
"Your call is VERY important to us. Please stay on the line"

And "we value your input".

I think they all read the same bs-artistry book.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:02pm

FTFY
Masnick wanted Obama to say anything.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:03pm

Re:
What diff does it make? I haven't been able to get on the site since it started anyway.
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:03pm

Re:
I take it you creep around watching Internet porn then...neither side cares one iota about net nuetrality and the internet's theme of free and open communication and sharing of ideas.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:12pm

Its a shame neither side cares it would win them the election probably.
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Jay (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:14pm

Re:
Vote Gary Johnson who will not even try to get money out of politics.

Or Jill Stein who is quite progressive but has no shot in hell.

Or vote Rocky Anderson who's great but STILL can't take away 270 to win without a mad blitz of cash.

*sigh*
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:14pm

Re: FTFY
Obama still said nothing.
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:16pm

Re: Re:
I probably should have put quotations around the word "main" :-)
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:18pm

Re: Re:
Gary Johnson will get money out of politics in the best way possible: reducing the size and scope of government to the point where monied interests don't want to buy it.
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letherial (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:19pm

one party wants to open it up so the *aa can look and make sure those terrorist pirates are not downloading the latest stupid Hollywood movie or forced down your throat song; the other wants to open it up for corporate control minus the porn, errr and anything else unchristian.

Neither choice is very good, but i suppose the lesser of two evils is obama, i can always VPN my way around recording industry, wont be able to do much once my ISP decides i dont pay enough to have access to 90% of the internet.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:26pm

Re: Sorta like....
I'm thinking Mike should take up ticket scalping. The only thing I got was a dead reddit guy...
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SujaOfJauhnral (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:27pm

Re: Politicians
Maybe I'm a little pissed, but I hold *all* politicians in extreme contempt.

You're not the only one.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:27pm

funny, pirate mike claims to support internet freedom, but allows people to "report" and hide comments from others who don't like what the person said

grow a pair mike, live up to what you claim, remove the report function,let all comments be seen

I got it, I can "unhide" the comment, but if you actually valued the internet freedom drum you bang, you wouldnt let others hide comments they didnt agree with, you would let all view points be shown

but of course you won't remove it, you don't like to take your own medicine, you just like to shove it down other peoples throats
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:29pm

Re:
You comprehend that others are the ones reporting your comments, right?
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:30pm

Chose to answer is the critical statement here.
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SujaOfJauhnral (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:31pm

Re:
Oh, it's Mike's no. 1 fan again. Took you long enough.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:31pm

Re: Re:
Almost as bad as Woody Harrelson's.

Well I answered 10 questions, now everyone wants to know why I won't decriminalize/legalize weed, want clarifications on why the NSA is being allowed to spy on people/ why I don't do an executive order and legalize gay marriage, I'm Out. Thanks for you time - NOT BAD!
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SujaOfJauhnral (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:33pm

Re:
C�llate sockpuppet
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TheBuzzSaw (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:35pm

Just one problem...
I like how politicians pretend to care about Internet freedoms. Government and big businesses are the reasons Internet freedoms were in danger in the first place. You want to help Internet freedom? Cease your own involvement. Back off. Let it govern itself.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:37pm

Re: Re:
We are all here, on the internet.

The internet is for porn.

Ergo we all creep around and watch porn.
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SujaOfJauhnral (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:37pm

Re: Re:
Vote the internet for global president, I'm tired of all this country wishy washy bullshit.
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:43pm

Re:
Problem is, "the lesser of two evils" clause got us SOPA and PIPA....oh and a totally fucked over budget.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:43pm

Re:
Typical troll AC, has argument thoroughly rebuked in one thread. Posts it again in every other thread no matter how often others point out the flaws in the logic. You just keep trucking along little trooper, I'm sure no one else notices.
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ld, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:46pm

Re:
Except that there is zero chance of getting "pornography filters" or any other such narrowly focused attempts at violating freedom of speech through Congress, let alone past the Supreme Court. Congress only passes hugely vague and sweeping legislation, they might censor the whole web through some lame and vague national security legislation but they're not going to target single things with clear cut rules that they can't dodge at election time. Why do you think Obama had to guilt, belittle, and corner them publicly into doing even the lame health care legislation they did? They knew it would cost them votes or election cash or both, and it clearly did.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 3:55pm

Re:
You can VPN around it now. It's only a matter of time before Hollywood starts cracking down on VPNs. They can make lists of links illegal, they can make VPNs illegal.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:02pm

Re: Re:
I'm voting for Romney, if only so that future presidents won't think they can sell out the country to special interests, throw anyone they dislike in jail without a warrant or trial (or just have them assassinated by a drone), and then get reelected despite all they've done.

We're all doomed either way, might as well lash out at the guy who screwed us over.
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LDoBe (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:06pm

Re:
Well, we can abort the AMA, as long as the servers are being "legitimately" raped.

Sorry... I'm just not satisfied kicking the shit out of Todd Aiken yet
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mewofforcena, 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:12pm

Redditards still haven't grasped the fact that Reddit AMAs are no better than press releases, interviews, and the sort. Just because it's another medium doesn't make it a beacon of freedom and democracy.
Just one small PR stunt was enough to cause the world to get its collective panties in a twist and flock to a website to watch a politician do an online interview. How many of you were that hyped when Obama was talking on TV or on a newspaper?
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LDoBe (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:15pm

Re: Re: Re:
might as well lash out at the guy who screwed us over.

Then you probably should be lashing out at George W. Bush....
During his presidency we got:
-The "war on terror" (how do you win a shooting war on a concept?)
-National Security Letters
-The Patriot Act
-Set up Guantanamo
-Deregulated the financial industry, leading to the worst recession ever. A recession so bad that Obama can't do anything about it with the limited power of the presidency.
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Gunntherd (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:25pm

"Seems like a missed opportunity."
Haha.....just another one of many, not surprised as I would expect a "political" or "campaign" answer no matter who or what the questions were, par for the course.
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Shmerl, 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:40pm

Re: Sorta like....
Don't forget that it's always followed by "your call may be monitored for quality purposes" ;)
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:47pm

Re:
If only we could shove something down your throat...
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:51pm

Re:
Did someone cut the cheese again?
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 4:59pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Yes but at least with Bush, he could afford to instead of bailing out banks of about $700 Billion .
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gorehound (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:01pm

Not surprised as we are all aware at this point that many Politicians from all Parties are gladly taking the MAFIAA Money.You really think the other side is different well Lamar Smith is a Republican.The MAFIAA is an Equal Opportunity Corrupter.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:10pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Rest assured, if he runs again, I won't vote for him.
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kj1313, 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:13pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I hate to quibble but it was under Clinton that Glass Steagall was repealed. Then again deregulation was started and championed by the Republican Saint Ronald Reagan. Either way both parties are corporate whores and we're all screwed.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:20pm

Re:
I think the hype is, "this guy is competent enough to work a computer and do things on the internet". It's only impressive juxtaposed against the usual "series of tubes" types.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:27pm

Re: Re:
You're referring to this censored comment above:

Masnick wanted Obama to say "I promise I'll let you continue to rip off movies, music, games and ebooks."

Oh well. You can't win em all, Mike.
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E. Zachary Knight (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:30pm

Re: Re: Politicians
Since you are already in the habit of rereading what you type, you can try using the preview button before submitting.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:36pm

Re: Re:
Both campaigns are backed by the very people trying to repress net nuetrality and our Internet freedoms....think about it for a moment.

Now maybe you haven't figured it out but unused the quotation marks in my punctuation for a reason. I meant " 'Pornography' filters" because I know from personal experience what the default settings were. They filter out medical diagrams where one wouldn't even know how they could think a teenager could masterbate too...unless they were just that desperate.

The point I have is we're doomed no matter whom we vote for.

You're just mad because I called out Obama.
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:38pm

Re: Re: Re:
*I used the quotations.....
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:43pm

Re: Re: Re:
In the words of Dean Jones dressed as a hipppie:

"We all prisoners chicky-babby...we-all locked in."
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:46pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
He's not allowed to, unlike Russua, once your two terms are up, you're two terms are up. Roosevelt was the exception....Vladimir Putin is not comparable.
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:47pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
*Russia
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lucidrenegade (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 5:55pm

Re: Re: Re:
Keep clicking the report button when he reposts his "censored" comment. I want to see if he's like the little engine that could.
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lucidrenegade (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 6:02pm

Re:
Honestly, the only comments I've ever seen that were hidden are from dipshit troll posts attacking Mike and adding nothing to the conversation.
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lucidrenegade (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 6:10pm

Obama
I like Obama, in that buddy I'd have a beer with kinda way. As a President, not so much. As with pretty much all politicians, he's "owned" by too many special interests. He's also fallen for the scare tactics of departments like the NSA and Homeland Security.

I believe Dubya's problem was similar. He put too much stock in what Cheney was telling him, instead of thinking for himself. IMO, Cheney is one of the most evil people to ever walk this earth. He was just better at hiding in the shadows.
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Rekrul, 29 Aug 2012 @ 6:39pm

Re: Re: Re: Politicians
Typos always manage to slip by, no matter how many times you preview your message. There's something about actually submitting them that somehow magically makes the typos stand out.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 7:14pm

Re:
INTERNET HARD!!!
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Jeff (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 7:23pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Politicians
exactly!
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 8:31pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Funny vote ^_^
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Aug 2012 @ 8:51pm

Sorry for being off topic, but one way the mainstream media can favor one candidate over another is by asking favored candidates questions within their area of expertise and asking unfavored candidates questions outside of their area of expertise. For instance, if a favored candidate is a law graduate ask them very difficult law questions and that candidate will look smart because s/he knows a lot about law. Avoid asking questions about the economy.

If an unfavored candidate is an economics graduate ask them about something completely unrelated, like foreign war policy or something. The economics candidate very well might be a better candidate than the law candidate, being more well rounded and knowledgeable about relevant topics, but because they were specifically and intentionally asked about things they know least about the media can easily make them look much more foolish.

As voters, this is something we need to be aware of. No candidate knows nearly everything and it's very easy for the media to use this fact against those they don't like.
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 8:53pm

Re: Obama
Biden is worse and you have to admit that aside from shooting a court justice in the ass with a shotgun, Cenney had a brain.

So my question is to you (and I mean no offense), would you rather spend time with Obama, who in person and in press is a huge asshole (We can't just go in there and say like they want "DRILL BABAY DRILL BABY DRILL BABY DRILL!!!!!") ?

Or would you rather hang out with a calm, collective, nice person who would be completely upset if congress tried to pull a fast one on him and is humble in the eyes of the press?

You can tell how a president is in real life by how he gives or writes a speech. I would rather hang out with Bush Jr. because he doesn't try to be your pal. Obama seems to be the guy who tries so hard to gain your friendship he'd do anything you told him.

That's just me though :-)
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Wally (profile), 29 Aug 2012 @ 8:57pm

Re:
It exposed the Internet community what he really thought about net nuetrality and freedom. Which, to say the least, he doesn't care.
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gnudist, 30 Aug 2012 @ 12:43am

Re: Re: Sorta like....
/r/deadpeople
/r/iseedeadpeople
/r/iseedeadpeoplebecauseikillthem
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2012 @ 1:06am

Re:
It's effectively censoring.

Masnick has been making the "view this comment" text lighter and lighter over the past few months to where it's basically invisible.

He's a blatant hypocrite that has lost whatever small influence he once had. His only purpose now is to preach to the freetard choir.

It must suck for him to know his moment has passed.
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btrussell (profile), 30 Aug 2012 @ 2:55am

Re: Re:
"Masnick has been making the "view this comment" text lighter and lighter over the past few months to where it's basically invisible."

Don't you know what watching porn and being a solo participant does to your eyesight?
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2012 @ 3:56am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Or unlike New York City where Bloomberg gave himself an exception, and then made sure it was impossible for anyone else to do the same thing.
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quawonk, 30 Aug 2012 @ 4:10am

Re: Re:
"Except that there is zero chance of getting "pornography filters" or any other such narrowly focused attempts at violating freedom of speech through Congress, let alone past the Supreme Court."

1. You have too much faith in the system.

2. They would probably just get computer companies, Microsoft, Apple, Gateway, Dell, etc. (not sure if it's hardware or software based) to install the filters. That way the government isn't doing the censoring, it's someone else and so the government isn't doing anything wrong...

It's the way they weaseled around the First Amendment by appointing the FCC to censor TV and radio. They don't like the constitution one bit and so they come up with creative ways to get around it.

If they respected it, they wouldn't appoint or allow anyone to censor and would tell these busybodies to change the channel or turn off the TV, or the porno site, etc.

Let's not kid ourselves. The moral majority (mostly old people) would be in favor of banning porn. They've always been in favor of censorship.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2012 @ 5:34am

Re:
That is the 9-11 of comments.
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Rekrul, 30 Aug 2012 @ 5:37am

But, there's a pretty clear set of guidelines for how to do one right -- and the first step is to sound like you're a human.

What makes you think politicians are human?
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abc gum, 30 Aug 2012 @ 5:41am

Re: Re:
" that was a terrible AMA"

Apparently - it is better than the Romney AMA.
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abc gum, 30 Aug 2012 @ 5:49am

Re: Re: Re:
"won't think they can sell out the country to special interests, throw anyone they dislike in jail without a warrant or trial (or just have them assassinated by a drone), and then get reelected despite all they've done."

I'm absolutely positive your chosen representative will adopt the above as a mandate simply because of your vote. This will obviously result in the elimination of these transgressions in the future regardless of candidate.
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abc gum, 30 Aug 2012 @ 5:52am

Re:
Redditards ... really?
What is your opinion of Foxnewsitards?
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Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 30 Aug 2012 @ 7:23am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
And, contrary to campaign promises, Obama took Bush's torch and ran with it while pumping gasoline.
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weneedhelp (profile), 30 Aug 2012 @ 8:03am

Weak
President Obama Does Reddit AMA; Gives Weak Politician's Answer About Internet Freedom

Coming from a weak politician. nothing to see here folks business as usual, please move along.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2012 @ 9:09am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
I don't get why this isn't brought up more. Of all the terrible things Bush put in place, Obama has stopped none of it.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2012 @ 9:52am

Re:
Maybe you should elect an INDIE president, goretard.
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crashsuit (profile), 30 Aug 2012 @ 10:02am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Politicians
They should relabel the "submit" button to the more accurate "reveal typos".
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JTP, 30 Aug 2012 @ 2:57pm

Re: Re:
"Masnick has been making the "view this comment" text lighter and lighter over the past few months to where it's basically invisible."

Looks the same to me as when I started reading in Nov/Dec, and inspecting the element gives the color label "pink" (the color of text in the body, by comparison, is "#333").
And "censoring"? It's practically a highlighter for retarded posts. Hell, everyone here can see it gives you the attention you so desperately crave. I don't know what kind of prescription they gave you, but I suggest changing eye doctors ASAP.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2012 @ 4:49pm

Re:
Which is, of course, something Obama would never says, because he is more concerned with ensuring the big content gatekeepers can continue to milk/rip off their customers and clients.
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