January 1, Trump’s Clash with Big Tech Intensifies

This Day in History | 1937

Germany government, under the control of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party–form a new state-owned automobile company.  It was renamed  Volkswagenwerk, or “The People’s Car Company, “. Today they simply call it Volkswagen.

Good morning Middle Americans, 

One day after Jack Dorsey and Twitter clearly crossed a legal line with their censorship of President Trump on Twitter — it looks like the president is going to one up him. The White House has announced plans to sign an executive order regulating social media companies. Is that even legal? We’re about to find out. 

The City of Minneapolis continues to smolder this morning after another night of rioting and looting by angry residents. We understand the anger. The video of George Flyod dying while a police officer kneels on his neck is so hard to watch. If it doesn’t make you angry, are you even human? But just remember there’s alway more to the story. And rioting and looting are never ok. We’ll never see any progress if we continue to blame all cops or see an entire race as the enemy. We can never surrender to the people who constantly pick the wounds and scabs of America’s complicated relationship with race for their own political gain. We’re looking at you antifa. And the people who say pigs should fry like bacon. And the same goes to the White Nationalists and incels out there. 

We’re also closely watching a FISA renewal bill that’s been advancing  in Congress. If you ask some people – it basically green-lights the government getting access to your browser’s search history without a warrant. WTF? You might ask. Thank God president Trump has promised to veto this bill. 

Read all about it. 

-Fraser Dixon

Trump to Sign Executive Order on Social Media on Thursday: White House

(Politico) – President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order aimed at social media companies Thursday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Wednesday evening, a move that comes as the president and his allies have escalated their allegations that companies like Twitter and Facebook stifle GOP voices.

The announcement revived fears within the online industry that the Trump administration will target a 1996 statute that protects the companies from lawsuits — an avenue that a growing number of Republican lawmakers are advocating as they press their bias accusations about Silicon Valley.

Read more here

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Responds to Trump: “We’ll Continue to Point Out Incorrect or Disputed Information About Elections”

(Hollywood Reporter) – Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey reaffirmed the company’s commitment to fact check information related to elections despite a fierce reaction from the Trump administration over a pair of Donald Trump’s tweets that were flagged as misleading on the platform. 

After a storm of criticism from the president’s allies and threats from Trump himself to regulate social media companies via executive order, Dorsey tweeted on Wednesday night that “there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me. Please leave our employees out of this.”

He added that Twitter will “continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make.” 

“This does not make us an “arbiter of truth.” Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves. More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions,” Dorsey wrote.

Find out more here

New Surveillance Video Shows Moments Leading up to George Floyd’s Arrest

(CNN) – Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired for their involvement in the death of a black man who was held down with a knee as he protested that he couldn’t breathe, officials said.

See it here

Pelosi Pulls Vote on FISA Bill after Trump Veto Threat

(The Hill) – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) yanked a vote scheduled for Wednesday night on a bill reauthorizing lapsed surveillance programs after opposition from Republicans and progressives made it unclear if it could pass. 

“Members are advised that votes are no longer expected in the House tonight,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s (D-Md.) office announced shortly after 9:30 p.m.

A Democratic aide confirmed that there would be “no further votes” in the House on Wednesday. 

Find out more here