If I believed that vaccines went through little to no scientific scrutiny, as you are posing here, I wouldn't get them either. What makes you think that vaccines don't under go rigorous testing, based on universally agreed upon scientific methods? I mean, I get skepticism of Big Pharma. Do you think they lie about clinical results, fake their research? Why would they take such a risk? Much easier to tweek the formula of a successful drug for a patent extension with none of the risk of committing fraud. And the level of conspiracy needed to pull off such a plot? Too many people, it would never work. Are you being serious, or just trolling? Im not trying to be rude or insulting, but have you really thought about how ridiculous the premise that giant drug companies have never done safety studies, and yet haven't been sued out of existence; instead, doctors who save the lives of babies emphatically market their products without any compensation, and loving, caring , intelligent parents choose to have their precious babies injected with an untested product? None of that seems remotely possible to me.
I might have been some what unclear. I feel that if you wish to be a part of society, then you have to get vaccinated. If you feel getting vaccinated is too great a risk, or for whatever reason, refuse to be vaccinated, then you can go live on a compound some where, or with whatever fringe society will have you. You are free to choose which life you want to lead. You are not free to impose an unnecessary risk on the rest of us.
And there's plenty of reason to be skeptical of drug companies, especially with the revelations from Purdue pharma. But we should be worried about vaccines and preventative treatments being suppressed; drug companies make way less if we don't get sick.
Oh, and those manufacturer "warning" slips that come with vaccines are mostly just litigation ass coverage. My prenatal vitamins came with pages of warnings. So does my heartburn medicine. Anyone notice how drug commercials legal jargon advises people to inform their doctor of every conceivable medical condition that said doctor should either already be aware of, or asking about before writing a prescription? I mean, anyone who has ever gone to a doctor knows you have to fill out pages and pages of medical history before you even see an exam room. Ass coverage. Even headache medicine warns that it may cause a headache!
As a libertarian, I support your freedom to choose whether to be vaccinated, or abstain from entering any place of public accommodation. To be a member of society, like any group, you trade off certain things for that membership. Society demands that in most situations you wear clothing and do not have an offensive odor. These things are not really negotiable, but are open to some interpretation. Don't like wearing pants? Like the smell of your unwashed feet? Refuse to get a couple of proven effective shots to prevent the potential spread of deadly illness to the most vulnerable members of society? That's fine, I don't want to force anything on you. But you cant force the rest of us to look at your hairy ass, smell your rank feet, or accept a completely unnecessary risk to the well-being of our kids.
Oh I see now. A reasonable officer would be unfazed by someone briefly flashing their middle finger in a discreet manner. Just a little freedom of expression is all, and everyone knows cops have such thick skin. But when someone brazenly flashes their middle finger, waving it or otherwise emphasizing their provocative behavior, as this defendant did, no reasonable officer would think that such disrespect was aimed at him; obviously the defendant was provoking a fight with an unidentified driver, who, incidentally decided not to take the bait. Nonetheless, the defendant's actions were akin to yelling "fire" in a crowded theater, meant to disrupt and provoke the otherwise peaceful public. The officer was protecting the public from a violent incident of road rage the defendant was trying to bring on himself. There's no way anyone dislikes cops that much.
/s
What about mailing lists? And "rewards" cards (cards that offer me discounts on products based on my shopping history)? I think this is more throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Targeted advertising can be used for good every bit as much and more than evil. We just need more control and transparency in what information is collected, how it's collected, and who can access that info.
We know that Russian efforts to disrupt our election were varied and widespread, but we have no concrete proof how much they actually influenced anyone. We really can't prove with certainty what outside factors influenced people and to what degree. But nobody was brainwashed into becoming racist in one election cycle; that was always there.
Certainly we can and should encourage digital literacy, educate people on how to vet sources- especially those older folks that are more susceptible to fake news. We need to put our focus on getting people the tools to craft their online experience how they see fit, and less on demanding big tech shape everyone's experience the same way, which will never be universally agreed on.
Might I add that while AC might not care if he can get cheap stuff from China, many of us who live on a limited budget do. Access to these less expensive products improves the low and middle class standards of living. We can afford smartphones, big screen TVs, laptops and so much more. Things don't buy happiness, but these things can certainly facilitate it.
I can't stand to hear the crying over lost manufacturing jobs, whether it's to other nations or technology. The previous generations that made their living in factories wanted better for their kids, that's why they sent them to college and prioritized education. They didn't want their kids to work in the same dangerous and physically taxing jobs in factories. We have become a nation that produces services rather than objects. We need to change how we train and educate our workforce so that we reduce the chance that people are left behind when some sort of disruption, like creative destruction, occurs. We need to assume that people will need to grow their skill set multiple times over their lifetime.
China isn't hurting the US. Americans don't have any rights to jobs or factories from any private business (and our taxes should not be buying these rights either). So what if China, or any nation subsidizes an industry? Like we don't do that here, which we generally shouldn't. Seriously, if goods and services (and people) are crossing borders, then bullets and bombs won't be.
The science isn't quite as firm as you think with regards to genitalia determining sex and gender. We are finding genetic variations and mutations that could explain a whole host of exceptional conditions. And from an evolutionary stand point, a spectrum of sexualities and gender expressions shows adaptability and variation that creates the greatest chance for human survival.
And as for this idea that one is being "forced" to use a pronoun is plain silly. You have no right to examine one's genitals to see if their preferred pronoun matches their body. So whichever pronouns a person declares appropriate are the ones to use. Some women grow facial hair around the time they go through menopause, do you have the right to demand she tolerate being called he until she proves otherwise, because you think her facial hair and short haircut make her look like a man? Of course not. Use common courtesy and respect a person's wishes.
Re: Re: Re: How does it go again? Oh right. Fuck your feelings
Well, there was Myspace before Facebook.
And why would you want to move all those millions of users over to your new platform? Many, if not most are going to end up demanding the same moderation that you call censorship, because they don't want to be exposed to hateful and hurtful rhetoric.
I am much more in favor in creating user controls over the complicated mess of content moderation. I think people with hateful views should have a forum. I even think there may be reason to tolerate people trading child porn, as it might reduce sexual abuse of children ( it's a complicated idea that I have mixed feelings about and I don't want to hijack this thread). However, no one should be forced to host content that they don't want to. I think there's lots of lessons about the free market and cronyism that creates monopolies for everyone to learn some important lessons.
And just like you say that just because I don't experience this supposed bias doesn't mean it's not happening, you claiming that it is doesn't prove you right. There are plenty of conservative speakers to point to to support my point. You can't name anyone that hasn't clearly violated TOS being deplatformed.
An incel is someone who is involuntarily celibate. Being unable to develop intimate, sexual relationships, and then willfully refusing to modify ones behavior is cutting off your nose to spite your face. It's sad because intimate, sexual relationships is one of the joys and most exciting parts of the human condition and you're missing out. You even try to rationalize it to yourself, that women are shallow and demand more than you can possibly expect to offer. But truth is, you're just a miserable jerk.its not us, it's you.
He won't answer because he knows he traffics in hate.
I'm a libertarian and some of my views fit in the pre-Trump conservative definition. None of them have been censored, including being pro second amendment.
And I see plenty of "conservative" ideals that are never moderated out of view, in particular inflammatory and factually incorrect views against abortion, transgendered people, women in the military, and immigrants.
What's really funny is this claim that Milo has been censored by liberals. I'm pretty sure Breitbart got rid of him for discussing pedophilia in a positive manner. If Breitbart dumped him, how could anyone claim he's been deplatformed for being too conservative? That's plain silly.
I thought my screen name was obviously feminine. But I will clarify that I am a woman, and in a long term heterosexual relationship with a good man who is not rich.
You have only further illustrated that you are a misogynist, that you don't know how to interact with women yet think the reason you don't have an intimate relationship with one is due to their moral and intellectual defects.
I know women who voted for Trump, and think he's doing a good job. None of them is fantasizing about Trump or anyone comparable. I don't know any women who seek relationships solely for financial reasons or because of a man's height. Financial security is only one of many aspects, falling way below compatibility, that women consider when choosing a life partner.
Your misdirected anger is going to cement your life as an incel, and that's sad.
Crypto currency. Unregulated, not centrally controlled, and a growing number of entities accept it as payment. So there is no excuse why anyone feeling that their viewpoint is being unfairly suppressed can't go start their own platform.q
Financial deplatforming is a real thing, and worthy of concern when it's done at the demand of government. But even huge companies like Google and Facebook don't have the power to tell Visa not to do business with a competitor or disfavored group. And even though Amazon might be better able to influence Visa or MasterCard, cutting off their business ties to push those companies to not do business with a competitor would do far more damage to their own customers and affiliated businesses than it's worth.
Too bad Darth Cheeto won't be reviewing the complaints
If Trump was going to be the one reviewing these complaints, knowing his weak stomach for such things, I would love to have a bunch of women frame their "complaints" as a war on "traditional" mothering and submit their breastfeeding pictures. Just to make him squirm.
When that's how you talk about women and the dynamics of relationships, you sound like a misogynist. And an incel. And terribly lonely, suffering from social awkwardness that makes you not only awful to be around, but also unaware as to how awful you come across to females. There is no nuance which is being confused or misinterpreted. You're not a victim of anyone or anything but yourself.
Re: Techdirt echo chamber long downplays conservative complaints
Fairness is not exactly an American principle, let alone most American. Freedom is. Freedom to do, say, be, believe, live and pursue happiness without government interference (so long as you do not aggress upon another's natural rights). Freedom does not guarantee fair opportunities nor outcomes. As a female I have lived with the fundamental unfairness in American life. And while I cannot and will not pretend to understand and represent the realities of minority Americans, I feel the word unfair is an understatement at best.
First, I have no sympathy for people driving under the influence getting in trouble. It's personal, a family friend was hit and killed by a drunk driver on his 3rd offence. My friend was 27, and the driver was 26. The kid wasn't supposed to be driving. And there was a DUI checkpoint not far down the road from where the accident occurred.
The thing is, none of this actually about making the roads safer. It's about creating a dragnet of easy arrests and generating revenue for local police and government. If the goal was to make the roads safer, there would be partnership between police and local business that allowed people to leave their vehicles parked overnight without penalty so long as they were taking a cab/ride share service home. Police would offer voluntary breathalyzer and field tests at bars that would connect impaired drivers with safe and affordable rides home. If this was about safety, then someone who realized that they weren't okay to drive after heading home could pull over and go to sleep without still being at risk of being charged for DUI. Safety isn't the goal, we need to stop giving cover to these unconstitutional actions.
And as someone who has dealt with a phobia, as the best way I can describe it, of IV needles, I haven't exactly been the easiest patient to draw blood from. Panic attacks make it difficult to sit still, but fear doesn't care what the reason side of your brain is saying. And while I have been a difficult patient, not once has a nurse or phlebotomist ever taken sadistic joy in hurting me. Not all phlebotomist are equal, some have a more gentle touch than others. But never, ever has anyone intentionally hurt me, or been unprofessional during a blood draw or inserting an IV. You must be a mean, nasty patient if nurses are getting joy out of hurting you.
So when some school administrator comes across some threatening or concerning social media, which we have already seen that these administrators have zero ability to determine what sorts of activities are actual cause for concern versus something like sharing an image of a Lego gun, what helpful action are they going to take? Call the police or FBI? The Parkland shooter was all over local and federal law enforcement's radar, but no money to steal or need to dress up in riot gear and play pretend hero in getting a teenager to professional mental health services he needed. Are these administrators going to try to suspend or expel a troubled teens, further removing him from people and services he may desperately need, or fomenting more deep seated anger? Quite frankly, I think pissing away money on this software should make them more liable, even personally. Kids, all kids, troubled or not, need authentic interaction with compassionate, caring, empathetic adults outside of their own parents. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean that other adults actually replace parents by any means. Rather, teachers and school staff who give individual attention and meaningful interaction that makes kids feel valued and like they matter to the community. School administrators need to jump into the mix and get to know the students just as much as the teachers and support staff, instead of just managing the so-called problem kids. Stop sitting in an office looking at reports and coming up with potential liabilities to predicate stripping privacy or fun from childhood.
Well, not to be obnoxious, but there was that incident where some jerk tweeted a flashing/strobing image or gif to someone they knew to be epileptic in order to trigger a seizure. The person did not die, but this is a unique situation where social media could be used like a physical weapon to cause death.
Libertarians are "closet fascists"? While you are probably right that the flavor of conservative Michael fits is libertarian, you have no clue what a fascist is. Please, name one common libertarian policy goal or talking point that has any underlying fascist connection. Even those of us who are borderline anarchist still believe in the non aggression principal, which means basically that so long as your actions do not infringe on the rights of anyone else, it's nobody's business.
The right has a bunch of fascist who want to regulate your bedroom, yet think personal responsibility is the end all be all to one's success and survival. The left has a bunch of fascist who want to regulate your wallet and protect you from everything including yourself. And they both have their cronies that distort the capitalist system so that no amount of bootstrap tugging will improve life, while risks and failure are regulated to the point of discouraging taking chances and innovation that bring success. Libertarians may not know or agree what amount of rules and regulations are necessary for harmonious society, but we know individual freedom allows the most people to determine the best solutions for themselves.
Feel free to attack our policy ideals, not all of them are reasonable or workable. But save your fascism accusations for those who think they know better than the individual what bathroom they should be allowed to use, or those who think plastic straws and bags must be banned with out any consideration of all the unintended consequences.
Who attacks veterans? Seriously, since the end of Vietnam when returning vets were spat on and called baby killers, veterans and soldiers of what conflict have been treated as anything less than American heroes by the general public? And don't you dare say something stupid like flag burners or anthem kneelers are disrespecting or hating veterans and the military. The American public is completely unwilling to have a reasonable conversation about the rate of sexual assault occurring within the ranks and if there's anything intrinsic to military life that drives it. We treat our military like infallible heroes instead of flawed humans equally capable of error and evil as the rest of us. Go on with that bullshit. You think there's a war on police too right?
You are deliberately ignoring the fact that these vocal Trump supporters, self proclaimed conservatives who share only some actual conservative views, are trying to push hateful beliefs and misdirected anger as mainstream, harassing already marginalized groups, in the context that violates those terms of agreement.
On the post: Pinterest's Way Of Dealing With Anti-Vax Nonsense And Scams Is Only Possible Because Of Section 230
Re:
If I believed that vaccines went through little to no scientific scrutiny, as you are posing here, I wouldn't get them either. What makes you think that vaccines don't under go rigorous testing, based on universally agreed upon scientific methods? I mean, I get skepticism of Big Pharma. Do you think they lie about clinical results, fake their research? Why would they take such a risk? Much easier to tweek the formula of a successful drug for a patent extension with none of the risk of committing fraud. And the level of conspiracy needed to pull off such a plot? Too many people, it would never work. Are you being serious, or just trolling? Im not trying to be rude or insulting, but have you really thought about how ridiculous the premise that giant drug companies have never done safety studies, and yet haven't been sued out of existence; instead, doctors who save the lives of babies emphatically market their products without any compensation, and loving, caring , intelligent parents choose to have their precious babies injected with an untested product? None of that seems remotely possible to me.
On the post: Pinterest's Way Of Dealing With Anti-Vax Nonsense And Scams Is Only Possible Because Of Section 230
Re: Re: Freedom to choose
I might have been some what unclear. I feel that if you wish to be a part of society, then you have to get vaccinated. If you feel getting vaccinated is too great a risk, or for whatever reason, refuse to be vaccinated, then you can go live on a compound some where, or with whatever fringe society will have you. You are free to choose which life you want to lead. You are not free to impose an unnecessary risk on the rest of us.
And there's plenty of reason to be skeptical of drug companies, especially with the revelations from Purdue pharma. But we should be worried about vaccines and preventative treatments being suppressed; drug companies make way less if we don't get sick.
Oh, and those manufacturer "warning" slips that come with vaccines are mostly just litigation ass coverage. My prenatal vitamins came with pages of warnings. So does my heartburn medicine. Anyone notice how drug commercials legal jargon advises people to inform their doctor of every conceivable medical condition that said doctor should either already be aware of, or asking about before writing a prescription? I mean, anyone who has ever gone to a doctor knows you have to fill out pages and pages of medical history before you even see an exam room. Ass coverage. Even headache medicine warns that it may cause a headache!
On the post: Pinterest's Way Of Dealing With Anti-Vax Nonsense And Scams Is Only Possible Because Of Section 230
Freedom to choose
As a libertarian, I support your freedom to choose whether to be vaccinated, or abstain from entering any place of public accommodation. To be a member of society, like any group, you trade off certain things for that membership. Society demands that in most situations you wear clothing and do not have an offensive odor. These things are not really negotiable, but are open to some interpretation. Don't like wearing pants? Like the smell of your unwashed feet? Refuse to get a couple of proven effective shots to prevent the potential spread of deadly illness to the most vulnerable members of society? That's fine, I don't want to force anything on you. But you cant force the rest of us to look at your hairy ass, smell your rank feet, or accept a completely unnecessary risk to the well-being of our kids.
On the post: North Carolina Appeals Court's Second Take On Retaliatory Arrests Just As Bad As Its First One
Oh I see now. A reasonable officer would be unfazed by someone briefly flashing their middle finger in a discreet manner. Just a little freedom of expression is all, and everyone knows cops have such thick skin. But when someone brazenly flashes their middle finger, waving it or otherwise emphasizing their provocative behavior, as this defendant did, no reasonable officer would think that such disrespect was aimed at him; obviously the defendant was provoking a fight with an unidentified driver, who, incidentally decided not to take the bait. Nonetheless, the defendant's actions were akin to yelling "fire" in a crowded theater, meant to disrupt and provoke the otherwise peaceful public. The officer was protecting the public from a violent incident of road rage the defendant was trying to bring on himself. There's no way anyone dislikes cops that much.
/s
On the post: Be Careful What You Wish For In Asking Silicon Valley To Police Speech Online
Re: Re: A 'cure' worse than the disease
What about mailing lists? And "rewards" cards (cards that offer me discounts on products based on my shopping history)? I think this is more throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Targeted advertising can be used for good every bit as much and more than evil. We just need more control and transparency in what information is collected, how it's collected, and who can access that info.
We know that Russian efforts to disrupt our election were varied and widespread, but we have no concrete proof how much they actually influenced anyone. We really can't prove with certainty what outside factors influenced people and to what degree. But nobody was brainwashed into becoming racist in one election cycle; that was always there.
Certainly we can and should encourage digital literacy, educate people on how to vet sources- especially those older folks that are more susceptible to fake news. We need to put our focus on getting people the tools to craft their online experience how they see fit, and less on demanding big tech shape everyone's experience the same way, which will never be universally agreed on.
On the post: Dennis Prager Peddles Complete Nonsense About 'Google Censorship' In The WSJ
Re: Mike, you lost me
Too simple-minded is more like it...
On the post: Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo Say Trump Tariffs Will Make Game Consoles Hugely More Expensive
Re: Re: Re:
Thank you for some good sense!
Might I add that while AC might not care if he can get cheap stuff from China, many of us who live on a limited budget do. Access to these less expensive products improves the low and middle class standards of living. We can afford smartphones, big screen TVs, laptops and so much more. Things don't buy happiness, but these things can certainly facilitate it.
I can't stand to hear the crying over lost manufacturing jobs, whether it's to other nations or technology. The previous generations that made their living in factories wanted better for their kids, that's why they sent them to college and prioritized education. They didn't want their kids to work in the same dangerous and physically taxing jobs in factories. We have become a nation that produces services rather than objects. We need to change how we train and educate our workforce so that we reduce the chance that people are left behind when some sort of disruption, like creative destruction, occurs. We need to assume that people will need to grow their skill set multiple times over their lifetime.
China isn't hurting the US. Americans don't have any rights to jobs or factories from any private business (and our taxes should not be buying these rights either). So what if China, or any nation subsidizes an industry? Like we don't do that here, which we generally shouldn't. Seriously, if goods and services (and people) are crossing borders, then bullets and bombs won't be.
On the post: Self-Described Feminist Loses Lawsuit Against Twitter For Banning Her Account
Re: Re:
The science isn't quite as firm as you think with regards to genitalia determining sex and gender. We are finding genetic variations and mutations that could explain a whole host of exceptional conditions. And from an evolutionary stand point, a spectrum of sexualities and gender expressions shows adaptability and variation that creates the greatest chance for human survival.
And as for this idea that one is being "forced" to use a pronoun is plain silly. You have no right to examine one's genitals to see if their preferred pronoun matches their body. So whichever pronouns a person declares appropriate are the ones to use. Some women grow facial hair around the time they go through menopause, do you have the right to demand she tolerate being called he until she proves otherwise, because you think her facial hair and short haircut make her look like a man? Of course not. Use common courtesy and respect a person's wishes.
On the post: White House Sets Up Echo Chamber For Complaints About Social Media Bias Against Conservatives
Re: Re: Re: How does it go again? Oh right. Fuck your feelings
Well, there was Myspace before Facebook.
And why would you want to move all those millions of users over to your new platform? Many, if not most are going to end up demanding the same moderation that you call censorship, because they don't want to be exposed to hateful and hurtful rhetoric.
I am much more in favor in creating user controls over the complicated mess of content moderation. I think people with hateful views should have a forum. I even think there may be reason to tolerate people trading child porn, as it might reduce sexual abuse of children ( it's a complicated idea that I have mixed feelings about and I don't want to hijack this thread). However, no one should be forced to host content that they don't want to. I think there's lots of lessons about the free market and cronyism that creates monopolies for everyone to learn some important lessons.
And just like you say that just because I don't experience this supposed bias doesn't mean it's not happening, you claiming that it is doesn't prove you right. There are plenty of conservative speakers to point to to support my point. You can't name anyone that hasn't clearly violated TOS being deplatformed.
An incel is someone who is involuntarily celibate. Being unable to develop intimate, sexual relationships, and then willfully refusing to modify ones behavior is cutting off your nose to spite your face. It's sad because intimate, sexual relationships is one of the joys and most exciting parts of the human condition and you're missing out. You even try to rationalize it to yourself, that women are shallow and demand more than you can possibly expect to offer. But truth is, you're just a miserable jerk.its not us, it's you.
On the post: White House Sets Up Echo Chamber For Complaints About Social Media Bias Against Conservatives
Re: Re: Re: Re:
He won't answer because he knows he traffics in hate.
I'm a libertarian and some of my views fit in the pre-Trump conservative definition. None of them have been censored, including being pro second amendment.
And I see plenty of "conservative" ideals that are never moderated out of view, in particular inflammatory and factually incorrect views against abortion, transgendered people, women in the military, and immigrants.
What's really funny is this claim that Milo has been censored by liberals. I'm pretty sure Breitbart got rid of him for discussing pedophilia in a positive manner. If Breitbart dumped him, how could anyone claim he's been deplatformed for being too conservative? That's plain silly.
On the post: White House Sets Up Echo Chamber For Complaints About Social Media Bias Against Conservatives
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Willful Blindness
I thought my screen name was obviously feminine. But I will clarify that I am a woman, and in a long term heterosexual relationship with a good man who is not rich.
You have only further illustrated that you are a misogynist, that you don't know how to interact with women yet think the reason you don't have an intimate relationship with one is due to their moral and intellectual defects.
I know women who voted for Trump, and think he's doing a good job. None of them is fantasizing about Trump or anyone comparable. I don't know any women who seek relationships solely for financial reasons or because of a man's height. Financial security is only one of many aspects, falling way below compatibility, that women consider when choosing a life partner.
Your misdirected anger is going to cement your life as an incel, and that's sad.
On the post: White House Sets Up Echo Chamber For Complaints About Social Media Bias Against Conservatives
Re: Re:
Crypto currency. Unregulated, not centrally controlled, and a growing number of entities accept it as payment. So there is no excuse why anyone feeling that their viewpoint is being unfairly suppressed can't go start their own platform.q
Financial deplatforming is a real thing, and worthy of concern when it's done at the demand of government. But even huge companies like Google and Facebook don't have the power to tell Visa not to do business with a competitor or disfavored group. And even though Amazon might be better able to influence Visa or MasterCard, cutting off their business ties to push those companies to not do business with a competitor would do far more damage to their own customers and affiliated businesses than it's worth.
On the post: White House Sets Up Echo Chamber For Complaints About Social Media Bias Against Conservatives
Too bad Darth Cheeto won't be reviewing the complaints
If Trump was going to be the one reviewing these complaints, knowing his weak stomach for such things, I would love to have a bunch of women frame their "complaints" as a war on "traditional" mothering and submit their breastfeeding pictures. Just to make him squirm.
On the post: White House Sets Up Echo Chamber For Complaints About Social Media Bias Against Conservatives
Re: Re: Re: Willful Blindness
When that's how you talk about women and the dynamics of relationships, you sound like a misogynist. And an incel. And terribly lonely, suffering from social awkwardness that makes you not only awful to be around, but also unaware as to how awful you come across to females. There is no nuance which is being confused or misinterpreted. You're not a victim of anyone or anything but yourself.
On the post: White House Sets Up Echo Chamber For Complaints About Social Media Bias Against Conservatives
Re: Techdirt echo chamber long downplays conservative complaints
Fairness is not exactly an American principle, let alone most American. Freedom is. Freedom to do, say, be, believe, live and pursue happiness without government interference (so long as you do not aggress upon another's natural rights). Freedom does not guarantee fair opportunities nor outcomes. As a female I have lived with the fundamental unfairness in American life. And while I cannot and will not pretend to understand and represent the realities of minority Americans, I feel the word unfair is an understatement at best.
On the post: Electronic Warrants And Roadside Blood Draws Are The New Normal For DUI Checkpoints
Re:
First, I have no sympathy for people driving under the influence getting in trouble. It's personal, a family friend was hit and killed by a drunk driver on his 3rd offence. My friend was 27, and the driver was 26. The kid wasn't supposed to be driving. And there was a DUI checkpoint not far down the road from where the accident occurred.
The thing is, none of this actually about making the roads safer. It's about creating a dragnet of easy arrests and generating revenue for local police and government. If the goal was to make the roads safer, there would be partnership between police and local business that allowed people to leave their vehicles parked overnight without penalty so long as they were taking a cab/ride share service home. Police would offer voluntary breathalyzer and field tests at bars that would connect impaired drivers with safe and affordable rides home. If this was about safety, then someone who realized that they weren't okay to drive after heading home could pull over and go to sleep without still being at risk of being charged for DUI. Safety isn't the goal, we need to stop giving cover to these unconstitutional actions.
And as someone who has dealt with a phobia, as the best way I can describe it, of IV needles, I haven't exactly been the easiest patient to draw blood from. Panic attacks make it difficult to sit still, but fear doesn't care what the reason side of your brain is saying. And while I have been a difficult patient, not once has a nurse or phlebotomist ever taken sadistic joy in hurting me. Not all phlebotomist are equal, some have a more gentle touch than others. But never, ever has anyone intentionally hurt me, or been unprofessional during a blood draw or inserting an IV. You must be a mean, nasty patient if nurses are getting joy out of hurting you.
On the post: Schools Are Safer Than Ever, But That's Not Stopping Schools From Buying Social Media Monitoring Software
Who they gonna call?
So when some school administrator comes across some threatening or concerning social media, which we have already seen that these administrators have zero ability to determine what sorts of activities are actual cause for concern versus something like sharing an image of a Lego gun, what helpful action are they going to take? Call the police or FBI? The Parkland shooter was all over local and federal law enforcement's radar, but no money to steal or need to dress up in riot gear and play pretend hero in getting a teenager to professional mental health services he needed. Are these administrators going to try to suspend or expel a troubled teens, further removing him from people and services he may desperately need, or fomenting more deep seated anger? Quite frankly, I think pissing away money on this software should make them more liable, even personally. Kids, all kids, troubled or not, need authentic interaction with compassionate, caring, empathetic adults outside of their own parents. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean that other adults actually replace parents by any means. Rather, teachers and school staff who give individual attention and meaningful interaction that makes kids feel valued and like they matter to the community. School administrators need to jump into the mix and get to know the students just as much as the teachers and support staff, instead of just managing the so-called problem kids. Stop sitting in an office looking at reports and coming up with potential liabilities to predicate stripping privacy or fun from childhood.
On the post: Like Clockwork After A Big Tragedy, People Rush In To Blame... Social Media
Re: Re: Hmmm but, but, we can't blame people
Well, not to be obnoxious, but there was that incident where some jerk tweeted a flashing/strobing image or gif to someone they knew to be epileptic in order to trigger a seizure. The person did not die, but this is a unique situation where social media could be used like a physical weapon to cause death.
On the post: Twitter Permanently Suspends (Then Unsuspends) Lawyer For Telling NRA Supporters To 'Fuck Off' And 'Own The Death'
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Libertarians are "closet fascists"? While you are probably right that the flavor of conservative Michael fits is libertarian, you have no clue what a fascist is. Please, name one common libertarian policy goal or talking point that has any underlying fascist connection. Even those of us who are borderline anarchist still believe in the non aggression principal, which means basically that so long as your actions do not infringe on the rights of anyone else, it's nobody's business.
The right has a bunch of fascist who want to regulate your bedroom, yet think personal responsibility is the end all be all to one's success and survival. The left has a bunch of fascist who want to regulate your wallet and protect you from everything including yourself. And they both have their cronies that distort the capitalist system so that no amount of bootstrap tugging will improve life, while risks and failure are regulated to the point of discouraging taking chances and innovation that bring success. Libertarians may not know or agree what amount of rules and regulations are necessary for harmonious society, but we know individual freedom allows the most people to determine the best solutions for themselves.
Feel free to attack our policy ideals, not all of them are reasonable or workable. But save your fascism accusations for those who think they know better than the individual what bathroom they should be allowed to use, or those who think plastic straws and bags must be banned with out any consideration of all the unintended consequences.
On the post: Twitter Permanently Suspends (Then Unsuspends) Lawyer For Telling NRA Supporters To 'Fuck Off' And 'Own The Death'
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Who attacks veterans? Seriously, since the end of Vietnam when returning vets were spat on and called baby killers, veterans and soldiers of what conflict have been treated as anything less than American heroes by the general public? And don't you dare say something stupid like flag burners or anthem kneelers are disrespecting or hating veterans and the military. The American public is completely unwilling to have a reasonable conversation about the rate of sexual assault occurring within the ranks and if there's anything intrinsic to military life that drives it. We treat our military like infallible heroes instead of flawed humans equally capable of error and evil as the rest of us. Go on with that bullshit. You think there's a war on police too right?
You are deliberately ignoring the fact that these vocal Trump supporters, self proclaimed conservatives who share only some actual conservative views, are trying to push hateful beliefs and misdirected anger as mainstream, harassing already marginalized groups, in the context that violates those terms of agreement.
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