Social Media Demonization Is Another Moral Panic
Nick Pemberton | counterpunch.org | 2020-10-12
In his debate against Kamala Harris, Mike Pence zeroed in on the words "American people". He wanted to shift responsibility away from a failing administration and onto the people themselves. Harris was at her strongest when she slammed this approach as making the American people sacrificial. There is no term more fascist than "essential worker"–death…
counterpunch.org/2020/10/12/social-media-demonization-is-another-moral-panic/

It's Time Nationalize Social Media And Big Tech
Jack Delaney | counterpunch.org | 2020-10-11
On September 1, 2020, I received a direct message (DM) on Twitter from a reporter working with a mainstream outlet requesting comment. After a brief chat on the phone, I was informed that I was unwittingly caught up in a Russian-backed media operation, for a "publication" that had recently offered a writing opportunity. The "outlet"
counterpunch.org/2020/10/11/its-time-nationalize-social-media-and-big-tech/

It's Time To Nationalize Social Media And Big Tech
Jack Delaney | counterpunch.org | 2020-10-11
On September 1, 2020, I received a direct message (DM) on Twitter from a reporter working with a mainstream outlet requesting comment. After a brief chat on the phone, I was informed that I was unwittingly caught up in a Russian-backed media operation, for a "publication" that had recently offered a writing opportunity. The "outlet"
counterpunch.org/2020/10/11/its-time-nationalize-social-media-and-big-tech/

It's Time To Nationalize Social Media And Big Tech
Jack Delaney | counterpunch.org | 2020-10-11
The tech oligopolies and monopolies — and particularly social media corporations — are not accountable to the public and lack meaningful regulation. The industry creates corrosive environments for democratic societies. The result allows for users and workers to be manipulated and exploited so that the industry can secure market share and profits.
counterpunch.org/2020/10/11/its-time-nationalize-social-media-and-big-tech/

Twitter Flags Trump Tweet on Being 'Immune' as 'Potentially Harmful' COVID-19 Information
sputniknews.com | 2020-10-11
Earlier on Saturday, US President Donald Trump's personal physician announced in a statement that Trump no longer posed a risk of transmitting the coronavirus to others – after over a week of the president's COVID recovery process.
sputniknews.com/us/202010111080741772-twitter-flags-trump-tweet-on-being-immune-as-potentially-harmful-covid-19-information/

Privacy or child protection? 7 governments, including US & UK, argue Facebook's new encryption plan would benefit PEDOPHILES
rt.com | 2020-10-11
The UK, and others, have criticized Facebook over its plan to introduce end-to-end message encryption, arguing it would allow pedophiles freely share child abuse materials as millions are attributed to the tech giant's platforms. | The US social media giant has found itself at the center of yet another controversy as its initiative supposedly aimed at protecting the privacy of billions of people using Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp stumbled on the vehement opposition of the UK and the US, as well as other countries. The governments argue the move would make the social networks a safe haven for pedophiles and…
rt.com/news/503196-facebook-encryption-plan-child-pedophiles/

Climate Emergency Activist Greta Thunberg Endorses Biden in Rare Political Tweet
Common Dreams staff | commondreams.org | 2020-10-10
commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/greta_thunberg_3_0.jpg …

How Did People Have Conversations Back Before Tech Oligarchs Were There To Police Them?
Caitlin Johnstone | thealtworld.com | 2020-10-10
Twitter has announced the rollout of even more censorship policies in the lead-up to the November US presidential election. | "Starting next week, when people attempt to Retweet a Tweet with a misleading information label, they will see a prompt directing them to credible information about the topic before they can amplify it," Twitter informs us, with "credible information" of course meaning information fr…
thealtworld.com/caitlin_johnston/how-did-people-have-conversations-back-before-tech-oligarchs-were-there-to-police-them

Colombia: Social Organizations Denounce New Massacre in Cauca
telesurenglish.net | 2020-10-10
Colombia's authorities and social organizations Friday informed that a group of armed men killed four people in a rural area of Jamundi municipality in Valle del Cauca Department. | RELATED: | Hunger Protests Grow in Colombia Amid Coronavirus Lockdown | The victims are young Eider Gutierrez and brothers Eliceo and Edgar Campo. The fourth person remains unidentified. | "Bandits attacked the youths with firearms in La Meseta, Comuneros community," Jamundi's mayor Andres Ramirez tweet…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombia-Social-Organizations-Denounce-New-Massacre-in-Cauca-20201010-0001.html

Trump intensifies conflict with big tech over Section 230 protections following censorship moves by Facebook and Twitter
wsws.org | 2020-10-10
After Facebook and Twitter both censored Trump for falsely comparing the coronavirus to the flu, the president called for a repeal of the law protecting social media companies from liability for content posted on their platforms.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/10/10/tech-o10.html

This Tyrant Feeds Peacocks
Radha Surya | zcomm.org | 2020-10-10
India is burning. In the months from March to May the news and social media were flooded with heart rending stories and images of the trauma of out-of state workers who lost their livelihood overnight when the coronavirus lock down was imposed without adequate notice. With all modes of transportation brought to a halt they Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/this-tyrant-feeds-peacocks/

The MEC Saga Shows That Canada Needs More Co-operation
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2020-10-10
The campaign to "Save MEC" — Mountain Equipment Co-op — has rallied more than 140,000 Canadians together to save a business that is being sold to an American private equity firm. But this grassroots and groundswell campaign wasn't about saving a retailer; it was about saving a co-op. In fighting for a member-owned, democratic business, the campaign tapped into a passion in Canadians for co-operation. | That passion, which drove thousands of people to engage on social media, sign petitions, demand support from banks and donate more than $100,000 to a legal fund to challenge the sale of the co-op, prove…
popularresistance.org/the-mec-saga-shows-that-canada-needs-more-co-operation/

[Correspondence] Undermining breastfeeding will not alleviate the COVID-19 pandemic — Authors' reply
Ràºdiger Groàü, Carina Conzelmann, Janis A Màºller, Frank Reister, Frank Kirchhoff, Jan Màºnch | thelancet.com | 2020-10-10
In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, questions regarding possible methods of virus transmission, including the safety of breastfeeding by mothers who are infected, are of great importance. We reported1 the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA (not viral particles, as incorrectly stated by Natalie Shenker and colleagues) in consecutive milk samples from an infected mother and interpreted our findings with the greatest caution. In particular, we did not claim that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via contaminated breastmilk or that breastfeeding should be discontinued by mothers with…
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32066-3/fulltext?rss=yes

Zarif names his talks with Chinese FM 'fruitful'
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2020-10-10
TEHRAN, Oct. 10 (MNA) — In a tweet on Saturday, Iranian FM Zarif named his held talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Iran-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as 'fruitful'.
en.mehrnews.com/news/164543/Zarif-names-his-talks-with-Chinese-FM-fruitful

Pence's Fly Becomes Star of Video Parody Inspired by Horror Movie 'The Ring'
sputniknews.com | 2020-10-10
The scene featured in the viral video was taken from the 2002 American remake of 1998 Japanese horror film "The Ring".
sputniknews.com/viral/202010101080733739-pences-fly-becomes-star-of-video-parody-inspired-by-horror-movie-the-ring/

Police investigate Brexit campaigner Darren Grimes over controversial David Starkey interview
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-10-10
A police investigation has been launched into Brexit campaigner Darren Grimes over a controversial interview he published in which historian David Starkey said slavery was not genocide because there are "so many damn blacks" still around.In a statement, Metropolitan Police confirmed that "on 4 July, the Metropolitan Police Service was passed an allegation from Durham Police of a public order offence relating to a social media video posted online on 30 June."The matter is currently being investigated."No arrests have been made, the force added.Dr David Starkey faced significant backlash over his comments in the in…
thecanary.co/breaking-news/2020/10/10/police-investigate-brexit-campaigner-darren-grimes-over-controversial-david-starkey-interview/

Actress Kirstie Alley spars with fellow celeb Rosanna Arquette after tweeting 'radical left' will be in charge if Biden wins
rt.com | 2020-10-10
Conservative actress Kirstie Alley became embroiled in a war of words with fellow celebrities online after blasting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as "evil" over her attempt to create a new procedure to remove a sitting US president. | "The 'process' EVIL NANCY PELOSI speaks of is an attempt at a presidential takeover of a President by glorified BAKER ACT," Alley tweeted on Friday, adding "don't believe a word that comes out of this [witch's] mouth… and yes she gives witches a bad name." | The "process" EVIL NANCY PELOSI speaks of is an attempt at a presidential takeover of a President by glorified BAKER ACT ..
rt.com/usa/503115-kirstie-alley-spars-celebrities-biden/

Nearly 500,000 power outages reported across Texas & Louisiana as Hurricane Delta pummels gulf coast with 80mph gusts
rt.com | 2020-10-10
Nearly a half-million residents in Texas and Louisiana have been left without power after Hurricane Delta made landfall along the US gulf coast, battering cities with winds up to 80 miles per hour. | Delta hit land in southwest Louisiana on Friday night, inflicting widespread damage and knocking out electricity for some 379,636 people in the state and another 108,402 in neighboring Texas, according to PowerOutage.us, a project that aggregates data from utility companies around the country. | Footage circulating on social media showed powerful gust…
rt.com/usa/503114-hurricane-delta-half-million-lose-power/

Belarus' Lukashenko meets JAILED opposition activists, talks constitutional reform
rt.com | 2020-10-10
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has paid an unexpected visit to a detention center in Minsk, meeting incarcerated members of the so-called 'Coordination council of the opposition'. | The unusual move was reported by local media on Saturday, with a short video from the meeting emerging on social media later in the day. | Members of the opposition 'council' were detained over calls to overthrow the government amid the unrest that followed the contested August 9 presidential election. The activists are currently being held at the pre-trial detention center of the Belarus State Security Committee (KGB) i…
rt.com/russia/503156-belarus-lukashenko-jailed-opposition/

Masks Are a Political Agenda, Not a Protection Against Covid or Flu
Paul Craig Roberts | thealtworld.com | 2020-10-10
This 39-minute interview with two experts is the best information available on the efficacy and dangers of masks. As I have reported from the beginning, unless the mask is N95 it provides zero protection against inhalation and exhalation of viruses: | thehighwire.com/videos/mask-whistleblowers-tell-all/ | All masks raise C02 levels, reduce oxygen levels, and, if you are infected, increase the viral load that you are breathing. If a N95 mask has an exhalation valve, the C02 and contaminant levels are lower, but if you are infected…
thealtworld.com/paul_craig_roberts/masks-are-a-political-agenda-not-a-protection-against-covid-or-flu

FBI Foils Right-Wing Plot to Kidnap Michigan Gov. Months After Trump Urged "Liberation" of State
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-10-09
Just months after President Trump tweeted for his supporters to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" the FBI has foiled an alleged plot to kidnap and take hostage Democratic Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer. Authorities arrested six men Thursday involved in the kidnapping plot, and seven others who were said to be planning to storm the state Capitol in Lansing with the intent of starting a civil war. "It came as a surprise to many, but not necessarily here in Michigan, because the state has a long history of militia and white nationalist ties," says Russ McNamara, a reporter at WDET, Detroit's NPR affiliate. We also speak w…
www.democracynow.org/2020/10/9/michigan_kidnapping_plot_right_wing_militias

Evidence that the Face Mask does not Impede Viral Transmission
Prof. Bill Willers | globalresearch.ca | 2020-10-09
Dr. Redfield: | I made it a point to watch you after seeing Wisconsin's Chief Medical Officer and Epidemiologist, Dr. Ryan Westergaard, state publicly on June 3, 2020 | "Now the science is in. [Because of] recent studies with large numbers …
globalresearch.ca/open-letter-robert-redfield-director-center-disease-control-prevention/5725629

The Case Against Social Media: Mass Misinformation in the Covid-19 Era
Anthony DiMaggio | counterpunch.org | 2020-10-09
Americans are now witnessing a new era of conspiracy mongering and fake news via the rise of the fringe "QAnon" movement, among a plethora of paranoid claims that Covid-19 is an elite-fueled hoax and that it was secretly created by powerful people working in the shadows.
counterpunch.org/2020/10/09/the-case-against-social-media-mass-misinformation-in-the-covid-19-era/

FBI Foils Right-Wing Plot to Kidnap Michigan Gov. Months After Trump Urged "Liberation" of State
Staff | 18.224.45.15 | 2020-10-09
Just months after President Trump tweeted for his supporters to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" the FBI has foiled an alleged plot to kidnap and take hostage Democratic Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer. Authorities arrested six men Thursday involved in the kidnapping plot, and seven others who were said to be planning to storm the state Capitol in Lansing with the intent of starting a civil war. "It came as a surprise to many, but not necessarily here in Michigan, because the state has a long history of militia and white nationalist ties," says Russ McNamara, a reporter at WDET, Detroit's NPR affiliate. We also speak w…
18.224.45.15/2020/10/9/michigan_kidnapping_plot_right_wing_militias

Debatable: Can Kamala Harris Tell Us Anything About the Politics of Ava DuVernay?
Lawrence Ware — Chanda Prescod-Weinstein | counterpunch.org | 2020-10-09
I can't believe that it was just last year that Ava DuVernay's "When They See Us" was the thing that Black folks were watching and discussing on social media. We laughed, we cried, we felt righteous indignation at the way those young men were treated, and immeasurable gratitude for the filmmaker who put their stories…
counterpunch.org/2020/10/09/debatable-can-kamala-harris-tell-us-anything-about-the-politics-of-ava-duvernay/

Why America's Economic War On China Is Failing
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2020-10-09
U.S. President Donald Trump–supported by most of the U.S. establishment–deepened the U.S. government's assault on the Chinese economy. The "trade war" seemed to play well with Trump's political base, who somehow hoped that an economic attack on China would miraculously create economic prosperity for them. In 2018, Trump slapped tariffs on more than $200 billion worth of various Chinese goods. Then, Trump's administration went after Chinese high-tech firms such as Huawei, ZTE, ByteDance (the owners of TikTok), and WeChat.
popularresistance.org/why-americas-economic-war-on-china-is-failing/

The Case Against Social Media: Mass Misinformation in the Covid-19 Era
_____ | strategic-culture.org | 2020-10-09
Anthony DIMAGGIO | Despite the rising salience of "fake news" in the U.S., propaganda, misinformation, and conspiracy theories are hardly new phenomena. In the 1950s, The historian Richard Hofstadter famously wrote in The Paranoid Style of American Politics about conspiratorial thinking in American history, including McCarthyism, ravings about water fluoridation, and wild tales about the Illuminati and Free Masons secretly dominating American politics and society. | Americans are now witnessing a new era of c…
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/10/09/the-case-against-social-media-mass-misinformation-in-the-covid-19-era/

Twitter suspends Saudi accounts that stoked rumours of coup in Qatar
Areeb Ullah | middleeasteye.net | 2020-10-09
Twitter suspends Saudi accounts that stoked rumours of coup in Qatar | Accounts purported to belong to members of Qatar's royal family and fabricated statements from Amnesty and Human Rights Watch | Areeb Ullah | Fri, 10/09/2020 – 14: 51 | It remains unclear why Twitter took so long to identify the network and delete the accounts linked to Saudi Arabia (AFP) | Twitter says it has deleted more than 30 accounts that sto…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/twitter-suspends-saudi-accounts-stoked-rumours-coup-qatar

Pence Faked Care for George Floyd, But We Know the Truth of His Administration
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-10-09
Immediately following this week's vice presidential debate, an explosion of unapologetically racist and misogynist references to Kamala Harris have spread across social media. Trump himself labeled her a "monster" on Fox News. | This kind of vitriol is dangerous, especially with Trump occupying an unfiltered bully pulpit from which he covertly commands right-wing vigilante and militia. We can only imagine the signal that such language sends to those hyped up and armed "patriots," whom he has…
truthout.org/articles/pence-faked-care-for-george-floyd-but-we-know-the-truth-of-his-administration/

FBI Charges Men Involved in Whitmer Kidnapping Plot With Domestic Terrorism
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-10-09
Just months after President Trump tweeted for his supporters to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" the FBI has foiled an alleged plot to kidnap and take hostage Democratic Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer. Authorities arrested six men Thursday involved in the kidnapping plot, and seven others who were said to be planning to storm the state Capitol in Lansing with the intent of starting a civil war. "It came as a surprise to many, but not necessarily here in Michigan, because the state has a long history o…
truthout.org/video/fbi-charges-men-involved-in-whitmer-kidnapping-plot-with-domestic-terrorism/

Check with MSM first: Twitter rolls out new rules for candidates to claim victory in US election
rt.com | 2020-10-09
Twitter has rolled out a set of changes to its rules ahead of the upcoming US presidential election. From now on, users — including candidates — cannot claim victory until it's called by at least two "authoritative" news outlets. | The updated rules were unveiled by the social media platform on Friday. While an earlier version of the rules said election candidates could not claim victory on the platform until the results were "certified," now they are allowed to do so when the results are merely "authoritatively called." The general twitterati are barred from prematurely hailing the victory of a ca…
rt.com/usa/503085-twitter-election-day-victory-rules/

'Imagine': Ex-CIA director Brennan dreams of Navalny becoming president of Russia AND befriending Democrat challenger Joe Biden
rt.com | 2020-10-09
Apparently ditching all tradecraft, former CIA chief and godfather of Russiagate John Brennan has "imagined" Joe Biden in the White House and Alexey Navalny in the Kremlin as part of a (partisan) birthday tribute to John Lennon. | "Imagine prospects for world peace, prosperity, and security if Joe Biden were president of the United States and Alexei Navalny the president of Russia," Brennan tweeted on Friday, above the lyrics to the legendary song 'Imagine,' on the occasion of Lennon's 80th birthday. | "We'll soo…
rt.com/russia/503105-former-cia-chief-navalny-imagine/

'Imagine': Ex-CIA director Brennan dreams of Navalny becoming president of Russia AND befriending Joe Biden
rt.com | 2020-10-09
Apparently ditching all tradecraft, former CIA chief and godfather of Russiagate John Brennan "imagined" Joe Biden in the White House and Alexey Navalny in the Kremlin as part of a (partisan) birthday tribute to John Lennon. | "Imagine prospects for world peace, prosperity, and security if Joe Biden were president of the United States and Alexei Navalny the president of Russia," Brennan tweeted on Friday, above the lyrics to the cult song 'Imagine,' on the occasion of Lennon's 80th birthday. | "We'll soon be half…
rt.com/russia/503105-former-cia-chief-navalny-imagine/

4 killed, dozens injured in gas tank explosion in Beirut neighborhood (VIDEOS)
rt.com | 2020-10-09
The Lebanese capital Beirut has been rocked by a powerful blast after a diesel tank blew up in a densely-populated residential area. At least four people died and scores were injured in the explosion and subsequent fire. | Photos and videos published on social media show streets littered with debris and rubble, as well as damaged buildings, as firefighters try to extinguish blazes raging at what appears to be the scene of the blast. | ŸÅŸàÿ¨ ÿßÿ∑ŸÅÿßÿ° ÿ®Ÿäÿ±Ÿàÿ™ Ÿ&agrav…
rt.com/news/503104-beirut-gas-tank-explosion-lebanon/

Yemen's Houthi-run Al Masirah TV accounts suspended by Twitter
MEE and agencies | middleeasteye.net | 2020-10-08
Yemen's Houthi-run Al Masirah TV accounts suspended by Twitter | Suspension comes as clashes intensify in Hodeidah between Houthi fighters and Saudi-backed forces | MEE and agencies | Thu, 10/08/2020 – 13: 40 | Supporters of Yemen's Houthi fighters chant slogans as they gather in the capital Sanaa on 24 September 2020, during a ceremony by the Houthis to collect cash, food and other donations for their force…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-houthi-twitter-suspends-masirah-tv-account

Video: US Marine Who Posted Clip Threatening Asians Wanted by Pentagon
sputniknews.com | 2020-10-08
A US Marine who recently posted a video on social media in which he threatened to shoot Asians is now wanted by US Marine Corps leaders "so that his command can take appropriate action."
sputniknews.com/us/202010081080712679-video-us-marine-who-posted-clip-threatening-asians-wanted-by-pentagon/

Did Trump's "LIBERATE MICHIGAN" Tweet Inspire Militia Plot Against Gov. Whitmer?
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-10-08
Federal investigators uncovered and thwarted a plot planned by six individuals, some of whom were part of a militia in Michigan planning to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. | Four of the six men were planning to meet on Wednesday to pay for explosives as part of their plot to abduct Whitmer. The FBI arrested all six individuals on Wednesday night. | The men ha…
truthout.org/articles/did-trumps-liberate-michigan-tweet-inspire-militia-plot-against-gov-whitmer/

'Misogynistic loser': Fox News contributor eviscerated on Twitter for calling Kamala Harris an 'insufferable lying bi**h'
rt.com | 2020-10-08
Republican consultant and Fox News contributor Harlan Hill bashed a social media hornets' nest with a bat with a tweet branding Democratic VP candidate Kamala Harris an "insufferable lying b*tch" during her debate with Mike Pence. | "Kamala Harris comes off as such an insufferable lying bitch. Sorry, it's just true," Hill tweeted during the Wednesday night debate between Harris and Vice President Mike Pence. "I didn't think it was possible for someone to be less likable than Hillary Clinton," he added in a separate tweet. | Kamala Harris comes off as such an insufferable lying bitch. Sorry, it's just true.[mda…
rt.com/usa/502953-harlan-hill-kamala-harris-debate/

'Misogynistic loser': GOP consulstant eviscerated on Twitter for calling Kamala Harris an 'insufferable lying bi**h'
rt.com | 2020-10-08
Republican consultant and regular Fox News guest Harlan Hill bashed a social media hornets' nest with a bat with a tweet branding VP candidate Kamala Harris an "insufferable lying b*tch" during her debate with Mike Pence. | "Kamala Harris comes off as such an insufferable lying bitch. Sorry, it's just true," Hill tweeted during the Wednesday night debate between Harris and Vice President Mike Pence. "I didn't think it was possible for someone to be less likable than Hillary Clinton," he added in a separate tweet. | Kamala Harris comes off as such an insufferable lying bitch. Sorry, it's just true.– HARLA…
rt.com/usa/502953-harlan-hill-kamala-harris-debate/

Penelope Cruz bombarded with Nagorno-Karabakh comments on Instagram as users mistake Colombian flag on film poster for Armenia's
rt.com | 2020-10-08
Hollywood star Penelope Cruz has been unwittingly dragged into an online battle over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, after social media users falsely assumed she had posted an image of the Armenian flag. | The Spanish-born actress shared a photo of…
rt.com/usa/502920-penelope-cruz-nagorno-karabakh/

European Parliament President Sassoli self-isolating after member of his staff tests positive for Covid-19
rt.com | 2020-10-08
The president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, announced on Thursday he would self-isolate after contact with a Covid-19 infected person. | "I was recently in contact with a member of my staff who today tested positive for Covid-19," Sassoli tweeted. "In accordance with the rules, I'll be self-isolating for the required period to carry out the necessary checks." | The EU Parliament head said he feels fine and has "no symptoms." | Sassoli has already put himself into quarantine once — back in March…
rt.com/news/502969-european-parliament-sassoli-isolating/

Facebook Profited From Climate Misinformation Even After Vowing to Fight It, Report Shows
Brett Wilkins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-10-08
Inaccurate and misleading ads—which were bought by right-wing lobby and nonprofit groups—were viewed by eight million U.S. users during the first half of 2020. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/denial.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/10/08/facebook-profited-climate-misinformation-even-after-vowing-fight-it-report-shows?cd-origin=rss