CRS Report. Social Media: Misinformation and Content Moderation Issues for Congress, January 27, 2021: “Social media platforms disseminate information quickly to billions of global users. The Pew Research Center estimates that in 2019, 72% of U.S. adults used at least one social media site and that the majority of users visited the site at least… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Congress
Cable-bill transparency laws haven’t killed sneaky fees
Tech Hive: “Back in 2019, a notoriously gridlocked Congress managed to agree on at least one thing: Hidden cable TV fees had gotten out of control. They passed a law, called the Television Viewer Protection Act, that requires pay TV services to disclose all of their extra fees before you finish signing up. The law… Continue Reading
Lawmakers are scrambling to figure out how to rein in social media platforms
Fast Company – “In the days after the insurrection at the Capitol building, security was tighter than usual. On the phone with Senator Mark Warner, I could hear his driver trying to explain to a guard that he had the senator with him. Yeah, tell him he’s good, the guard told the driver as he… Continue Reading
Democracy cannot be defended by force; it is enforced through accountability
The Center for Systemic Peace: “The USA has dropped below the “democracy threshold” (+6) on the POLITY scale in 2020 and and is now considered an anocracy (+5). It has also lost its designation as the world’s oldest, continuous democracy; that designation now belongs to Switzerland (171 years), followed by New Zealand (142) and the… Continue Reading
The Impeachment and Trial of a Former President
CRS Legal Sidebar – The Impeachment and Trial of a Former President, January 15, 2021: “For the second time in just over a year, the House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump. The House previously voted to impeach President Trump on December 18, 2019, and the Senate voted to acquit the… Continue Reading
Trust in federal government increases following President Biden’s inauguration
Axios-Ipsos poll: Nearly half of Americans intend to get the vaccine as soon as it’s available to them: “In the latest installment of the Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index 61% percent of Americans report they are likely to get the first generation COVID-19 vaccine, up 1 point from last week. This week, more Americans say they plan… Continue Reading
Report – Capitol Storming: Neo-Nazi, QAnon and Antisemitic Online Chatter
“The American Jewish Congress released a special report entitled “Capitol Storming: Neo-Nazi, QAnon and Antisemitic Online Chatter.” This report is part of an American Jewish Congress initiative to combat domestic terrorism, especially that which stems from white supremacist activity and Antisemitic extremism. This report provides in-depth analysis of the online chatter that took place in… Continue Reading
Capitol Unrest, Legislative Response, and the Bill of Attainder Clause
CRS Legal Sidebar – Capitol Unrest, Legislative Response, and the Bill of Attainder Clause, January 22, 2021: “On January 6, 2021, a crowd gathered on the U.S. Capitol grounds, breached police barriers, entered and occupied portions of the Capitol building, and clashed with law enforcement.The incident resulted in at least five deaths, dozens of injuries,… Continue Reading
National Archives Launches Trump Presidential Library Website
On January 20, 2021 – “The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) …launched the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library website, which provides information on archived White House websites and social media accounts, as well as information on access to the records of the Trump Administration. Under the Presidential Records Act, the National Archives receives all… Continue Reading
Capitol Attack Was Months in the Making on Facebook
Tech Transparency Project: “Facebook suspended President Trump following the mob attack on Congress. But the platform allowed organizing for the pro-Trump rally, as well as the spread of conspiracy theories and militant extremism that drove the rioters. Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg made headlines for saying the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol was… Continue Reading
Who Joe Biden picked to fill his Cabinet
Washington Post – “President-elect Joe Biden has made his selections for his incoming Cabinet and top White House positions. Cabinet positions — with the exception of the vice president and White House chief of staff — will require Senate approval, which may face significant delays. Biden promised to be “a president for all Americans” and… Continue Reading
Here Is President Joe Biden’s Inaugural Address
BuzzFeedNews – text and Video: “”We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”… See also The New Yorker – “Joe Biden’s Love Letter to the Truth – On Wednesday, Joe Biden’s presence where pro-Trump rioters had recently smashed and looted was a victory for democracy… Continue Reading
