Funniest/Most Insightful Comments Of The Week At Techdirt

from the politics-as-unusual dept

Sun, Feb 12th 2017 12:00pm — Leigh Beadon

This week, after Elizabeth Warren was blocked from reading a letter by Coretta Scott King in the Senate, we noted the extreme Streisand Effect that resulted. Chris ODonnell won most insightful comment of the week by summing it up nicely:

"She Persisted"
And thus turtle faced KY Senator Mitch McConnell did hand Elizabeth Warren the greatest campaign slogan for her 2020 run for President.

In second place on the insightful side, we've got an anonymous commenter who offered a very interesting angle on the DHS' plans to demand social media passwords at the border:

Isn't the sharing of passwords a violation of every website's Terms of Service? And isn't that (at least in the eyes of the DOJ) a violation of CFAA, and a felony? So every non-citizen who visits the USA will be required to commit a felony before they will be admitted?
The CFAA doesn't seem to grant an exemption for this kind of activity, so any government agent who logs in to another person's account violates that website's TOS, and they also commit a felony? Wonderful.

For editor's choice on the insightful side, we start out with a comment from rytyshy highlighting one of the many noteworthy lines in the appeals court's decision not to overturn the injunction against Trump's immigration order:

The judges also point out that the President's comments (and tweets) are relevant to the intent of this ban. This is important in that it underlines that his words now matter in a legal sense. Something he seems to still not understand.

Next, we've got a comment from That responding to the notion that Trump is just a natural next step after Obama and Bush:

No.
As I've said before, I absolutely agree that each President builds on the powers and policies taken on by his predecessor.
But there is nothing normal or natural about what is happening now. Yes, you can absolutely criticize the bad precedents set by Obama and Bush (and Clinton and Reagan and Nixon and Johnson and on down the line). But stop talking about what's been happening these past few weeks as if it were just politics as usual.

Over on the funny side, first place goes to Roger Strong for offering a bizarre but amusing comparison in response to the silencing of Elizabeth Warren:

1994 - The first piece of spam appears in USENET newsgroups. After much uproar, it is quickly removed and an apology is issued. "Well, that should be the last of THAT", say users.
2017 - The GOP use their new Senate majority to silence Elizabeth Warren on civil rights. "Well, that should be the last of THAT", say Republicans.

In second place, we've got a response from PaulT to one of the many ranting comments about the crazy things that straw-men liberals think (it really doesn't matter which one or on which post):

Yeah, it's amazing what those people who only exist in your head believe.

For editor's choice on the funny side, we start out with a response to the ongoing legal fight in Iowa over police abusing warrant exceptions. TechDescartes expertly co-opted a piece of Star Wars culture and gave it a brand new meaning:

Instead of telling friends to "drive safe" when they leave, maybe we should be saying, "May the Fourth be with you."

Finally, we've got a fantastic observation from Oblate regarding Trump's vague executive order on crime:

Trump's task force is charged with "Crime Reduction And Public safety".
Pretty much what we've come to expect. At least they're correctly labeling what they're giving us now.

That's all for this week, folks!

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36 Comments

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David, 12 Feb 2017 @ 1:06pm

You know what?
In my weekly race for making it into the "Insightful" and "Funny" categories I could not help noticing that the total amount of postings marked "Insightful" has gone through the roof since Trump's inauguration.

Apparently he is doing worlds for people appreciating others' insights and expressing their solidarity with their respective views.

A housemate of mine is doing "viking runs" and similar races, crawling through mud, ice-cold water, under electric wires and so on.

She says it's an absolutely exhilarating experience, particularly how the racers support one another morally and physically and try making sure that everyone makes it.

I don't really fancy crawling through mud and rejoice in having made it.

But then I did not vote Trump either.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2017 @ 1:16pm

more of the same
"But there is nothing normal or natural about what is happening now. Yes, you can absolutely criticize the bad precedents set by Obama and Bush (and Clinton and Reagan and Nixon and Johnson and on down the line). But stop talking about what's been happening these past few weeks as if it were just politics as usual."

This entire diatribe is every bit "my candidate was a saint but your is not" bullshit that George Washington was talking about going on.

Nothing new is under the sun and the idea that here is some new dawn or darkness is bullshit. The only people that did not see this coming where asleep at the wheel and somehow think that it is some "new" thing. None you read history apparently!

I told every one of you fuckers that if you like what Obama was doing, then you are going to LOVE what the next guy does when they get in... and fuck if I was not correct. Keep it up, your ignorance is certain to beat reality into submission!

The warning of offered to you guys that are loving what Trump is doing now... cause you are just going to go "sideways" for the next one... ha ha ha!!!

No matter how much truth and information is available, people still refuse to understand! I am just going to sit back and watch you tools tear each other apart, because neither side gives a fuck!
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Mike Masnick (profile), 12 Feb 2017 @ 1:50pm

Re: more of the same
What?
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Bruce C., 12 Feb 2017 @ 1:53pm

Re: more of the same
I can't say I disagree. But we should all be putting our money where our mouths are and donate to the ACLU no matter which party is in power when executive (or judicial, or legislative) overreach happens.

For the brown-nosing political hacks who support their guy no matter what, we already know where their mouths are. May they enjoy the flavor of their favored bodily excretions.
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David, 12 Feb 2017 @ 2:05pm

Re: Re: more of the same
It is turds all the way down.
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orbitalinsertion (profile), 12 Feb 2017 @ 2:31pm

Re: Re: more of the same
You keep forgetting you are an Obama shill. It's not just Google anymore. (And the two are linked in a conspiracy somehow, so don't try to fool anyone.)
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2017 @ 2:55pm

Re: more of the same
Those grapes sound pretty sour.
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Roger Strong (profile), 12 Feb 2017 @ 3:01pm

Re: Re: more of the same
Donald Trump is Canada's fault.

Canada: I can't believe that Toronto elected that crazy immature right-wing populist mayor Rob Ford! His antics are so insane that even the American press and late-night comedy shows are talking about him.

America: A Canadian mayor?

America: Hold my beer....
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2017 @ 3:49pm

Re: Re: Re: more of the same
if that is what you got out of that... there is no help for you.
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orbitalinsertion (profile), 12 Feb 2017 @ 4:57pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: more of the same
Most of it is a generic comment about generic commenters. Who make the same generic comments over and over. I wouldn't claim you are on the Google bus or Google+Obama conspiracy bus, but same repetitive commentary is the same.

And clearly you think every one of "us" was loving what Obama was doing, contrary to all evidence. You keep saying how how you warned everyone about Obama, as if everyone here was just down with his whole program. This was never the case, so I am pretty sure that you are the one beyond help.

Further, you do not engage in what anyone else actually says, and act as if you are just a fountain of wisdom trying to flog us poor idiots into awareness by repeating the same generalized crap over and over again.

There is nothing to "get" out of you.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2017 @ 4:57pm

Re: more of the same
You forgot "Every nation gets the government it deserves"!
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2017 @ 6:28pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: more of the same
"I told every one of you fuckers that if you like what Obama was doing, then you are going to LOVE what the next guy does when they get in... and fuck if I was not correct."

Did you miss the IF in that sentence? The word does have a function in language. People need to stop taking things to the extreme... that is what is the problem. People find one little thing they don't like and it holy fucking war time baby!
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2017 @ 10:34pm

To paraphrase Jules Winnfield
Ain't no fuckin' ballpark neither. Now look, maybe your previous presidents view differs from mine, but, you know, previous presidents, and this "so-called" one, ain't the same fuckin' ballpark, it ain't the same league, it ain't even the same fuckin' sport.
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 3:39am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: more of the same
It's cute that you believe that you're communicating.
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 5:55am

Sit down and shut up, there is justice in the world after all. What a sad waste of such a beautiful mind, Pocahontas.
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timmaguire42 (profile), 13 Feb 2017 @ 8:54am

"And thus turtle faced KY Senator Mitch McConnell did hand Elizabeth Warren the greatest campaign slogan for her 2020 run for President."

If you had an ounce of sense, you'd know Republicans can barely contain their glee at the thought of Elizabeth Warren winning the Democratic primary. (She won't run, so you're wrong on both counts, but it would be a boon for conservatives if she did.)
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timmaguire42 (profile), 13 Feb 2017 @ 9:08am

Re: You know what?
The real problem is, "insightful" no longer means "containing insight," instead it means "I agree with that" or "it makes me feel smart."
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 11:51am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: more of the same
it sad that people are only allowed to communicate how you THINK they should.

I bet a lot of thing go over your head... don't they?
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 11:53am

Re: To paraphrase Jules Winnfield
Really? How about when the US rounded up the Japanese in camps? Are we still not playing the same sport? Or how about when people were held as slaves being beat, belittled, and murdered... are we still not playing the same sport?

It has never ever been any other sport, it is only fools that think the game has somehow changed.

Nothing new is under the Sun. One day you might learn what this means.
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 11:54am

Re: Re: more of the same
that one is my line... but you are free to keep voting in assholes like Trump and screaming that the shit they do is somehow NOT your fault.

Good show ole chap!
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Thad, 13 Feb 2017 @ 2:16pm

Re: more of the same

This entire diatribe is every bit "my candidate was a saint but your is not" bullshit that George Washington was talking about going on.

Interesting.

So not only do you assume I voted for Clinton, you also believe that I voted for both Obama and Bush?
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Thad, 13 Feb 2017 @ 2:17pm

Re:

If you had an ounce of sense, you'd know Republicans can barely contain their glee at the thought of Elizabeth Warren winning the Democratic primary. (She won't run, so you're wrong on both counts, but it would be a boon for conservatives if she did.)

That's what the Democrats thought about Trump.
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Thad, 13 Feb 2017 @ 4:01pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: more of the same

Did you miss the IF in that sentence? The word does have a function in language.

So does the phrase "every one of you fuckers".

People need to stop taking things to the extreme... that is what is the problem.

I can't imagine why anyone would take the phrase "every one of you fuckers" to some sort of extreme.
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Thad, 13 Feb 2017 @ 4:03pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: more of the same

I bet a lot of thing go over your head... don't they?

Probably, but I can find the "s" key on my keyboard more than 50% of the time.
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Whoever, 13 Feb 2017 @ 4:23pm

Do the laws apply?

Isn't the sharing of passwords a violation of every website's Terms of Service? And isn't that (at least in the eyes of the DOJ) a violation of CFAA, and a felony? So every non-citizen who visits the USA will be required to commit a felony before they will be admitted?

But this happens before the person is admitted, so, if the person is not in the USA, US laws don't apply, do they? So no CFAA violation?
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 4:44pm

Re: Re: You know what?
agree... I have seen some of the dumbest things marked as insightful. I have even had some of my own comments marked as insightful when I thought it was just common sense, but I digress...
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 4:45pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: more of the same
I am glad that makes you fee like a big man... or woman... or whatever you wish to be referred to by.
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 4:51pm

Re: Re: more of the same
If you voted for either party you voted for them all. If your actions lead to the breakdown of our liberty where government takes to trampling us without care then you don't need to bother with the distinction` of who you voted for.

WE ALL VOTED FOR THEM!!!

There are innocent people in jail, but we care more about birth control and non-citizens. Wait for it... Trump is the sound of our hypocrisy biting us in the ass, and boy are there a lot of people screaming.
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 6:14pm

Re: Re: Re: more of the same
> that one is my line... but you are free to keep voting in assholes like Trump and screaming that the shit they do is somehow NOT your fault.

What? I thought *you* voted him in!
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 6:51pm

Re: Re: You know what?
Oh my god, ever since I read this comment I can't stop seeing what this thread is about all across the site. This actually is insightful.
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Feb 2017 @ 8:11pm

Re: Re: Re: more of the same
You are right. Just as I voted for and deserve Trump by voting for either party or neither party, so do you. It's as much your fault as it is mine.
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Wendy Cockcroft, 14 Feb 2017 @ 5:13am

Re: Re: You know what?
Guilty as charged, Tim. A "Thumbs up" button would allow us to express appreciation for comments we agree with while not mislabeling them.

Site admins — could you add such a feature?
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Wendy Cockcroft, 14 Feb 2017 @ 5:18am

Re:
You're assuming she's unelectable, Tim. The truth is, the Dem establishment is neoliberal/neocon so those people wouldn't vote for her. The progressives totally would, though. She just needs to appeal to the more classically liberal-minded to get more people on board, in which case she most likely has a shot.

She's generally good on civil rights, which is worth appreciating about her. This doesn't mean I agree with all of her stances, of course. The truth is, it's hard to find a politician who pushes all the right buttons. The trick is to find one who pushes enough of them. That's why voting tends to be tactical.
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Thad, 14 Feb 2017 @ 12:04pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: more of the same
No thanks, I don't have to fee right now.
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Thad, 14 Feb 2017 @ 12:05pm

Re: Re: Re: more of the same

If you voted for either party you voted for them all.

And what if I didn't, Chuckles?
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Thad, 14 Feb 2017 @ 12:07pm

Re: Re:

The truth is, the Dem establishment is neoliberal/neocon so those people wouldn't vote for her.

Well, not in the primary. They'll get behind whoever the nominee is in the general.
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