Election Year or Fear!

[Geoff Parkstone]

What is truth? Does it even exist in the world of politics? It's all nuanced opinion with one man's meat being another's poison.

[ramAnag]

The Americans can take whatever measures they chose when considering who they let in the country in my view.

In many ways I think this is a positive step forward if it regulates the ****show that is social media and makes people take responsibility for the defamatory *******s they write. If moves like this cause social media sites to shut down or moderate the content that people are permitted to write from behind the curtains of anonymity then great - a step in the right direction. Of course the danger is in politically biased interpretation of what can and cant be said, and there is a question of a "right of free speech" - but what I see out there at the moment is about 50% hate speak. Social media is a wild west with no frontiers - certain parts of it are as if the KKK have been revived - most people wouldnt stand for that in real life but behind the screen the keyboard warriors have adopted the same standards

Agree with the second half of your post, but I think you’re naive if you think Trump is seeking to positively regulate social media. His motives, and those of his acolytes, have - imo - nothing to do with improvements that you and I may wish to see, and everything to do with their own manipulation of the online media.

I doubt we will be seeing our son and two grand children in the U.S. this year given recent developments. Never thought it’d come to this.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Agree with the second half of your post, but I think you’re naive if you think Trump is seeking to positively regulate social media. His motives, and those of his acolytes, have - imo - nothing to do with improvements that you and I may wish to see, and everything to do with their own manipulation of the online media.

I doubt we will be seeing our son and two grand children in the U.S. this year given recent developments. Never thought it’d come to this.

Instead simply fly into Mexico City, transfer to Nogales in Sonora State, sneak over the border via the dry river that runs under it (you might need a "guide"). Arrive in Nogales, Arizona, decline the free accomodation and iPhone but a snack always helps - make your way to El Paso. Get a Greyhound bus from El Paso (W San Antonio St) to New York - it will drop you off at 3rd and 38th in Brooklyn and then get your lad to pick you up. Simples: whats the problem?

When you want to come home, hand yourself in and you can be deported free of charge back home. Rinse and repeat in 2027

[ramAnag]

Instead simply fly into Mexico City, transfer to Nogales in Sonora State, sneak over the border via the dry river that runs under it (you might need a "guide"). Arrive in Nogales, Arizona, decline the free accomodation and iPhone but a snack always helps - make your way to El Paso. Get a Greyhound bus from El Paso (W San Antonio St) to New York - it will drop you off at 3rd and 38th in Brooklyn and then get your lad to pick you up. Simples: whats the problem?

When you want to come home, hand yourself in and you can be deported free of charge back home. Rinse and repeat in 2027

…ho,ho,ho…tried that last year, but found the Greyhound from E12th St, Tucson to be much easier.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Not so sure youd get to use your OAP bus pass on either journey though and sleeping on abench during the transfer in Atlanta is no fun - I know, Ive done it

[swaledale]

The Americans can take whatever measures they chose when considering who they let in the country in my view.

In many ways I think this is a positive step forward if it regulates the ****show that is social media and makes people take responsibility for the defamatory *******s they write. If moves like this cause social media sites to shut down or moderate the content that people are permitted to write from behind the curtains of anonymity then great - a step in the right direction. Of course the danger is in politically biased interpretation of what can and cant be said, and there is a question of a "right of free speech" - but what I see out there at the moment is about 50% hate speak. Social media is a wild west with no frontiers - certain parts of it are as if the KKK have been revived - most people wouldnt stand for that in real life but behind the screen the keyboard warriors have adopted the same standards

Indeed they can and they are already feeling the impact through a sharp reduction in tourist numbers.

As for your second point, but that's clearly not what the Trump administrations agenda is. Given the emphasis by Trump and his cohorts against the EU regulating social media and the tech companies and the claim made that this in some way "cancels" free speech.

Indeed as is well known, Trump and Musk have removed the restrictions and bans from people who spout hateful and falsehoods on X, Fakebook and Meta have disbanded the teams that used to moderate topics and remove posts that had discriminatory, false, misleading or downright dangerous content. So the Trump administration and its allies have encouraged the wild west mentality with no boundaries that you describe.

Its absolutely clear that Trump and his government, as with all politicians of an autocratic nature, dislike criticism and for all their statements about free speech, it clearly only applies if that speech is not directed at them. Funny how dictators and would be dictators are so thin skinned.

The proof of this extends to Trump's attacks on any media deemed unsympathetic to his views, where he wields threats about restricting their access, initiates law suits and applies pressure to the owners.

Nice try, but your proposition fails even the most cursory examination of the facts.

[swaledale]

Agree with the second half of your post, but I think you’re naive if you think Trump is seeking to positively regulate social media. His motives, and those of his acolytes, have - imo - nothing to do with improvements that you and I may wish to see, and everything to do with their own manipulation of the online media.

I doubt we will be seeing our son and two grand children in the U.S. this year given recent developments. Never thought it’d come to this.

Even the most cursory examination of what Trump and his followers have through removing regulation and oversight, done regarding social media, demonstrates quite clearly that their actions so far have in fact encouraged the **** show which is much of social media.

And you and I get labelled naïve idealists?

As for your likely visit RA, the proposals to me seem unworkable but time will tell whether the potential negative impact on the US will stop this proposal.

[SithHappens]

Bonnie Blue announces her support for Reform.

I suppose it's an easier way to screw the nation than her normal activities.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Im not so sure, she has seemed to take to screwing like a duck to water

[SithHappens]

I did think about suggesting she had something in common with Farage. Him being a Massive you know and her having a Massive you know, but I thought that somewhat disrespectful to Bonnie.