Elon Musk makes offer to buy Twitter

[Zulithe]

This is all stuff we all lived through. You don't get to start pretending it never happened.

What's next, pretending the left wasn't calling for the death of the unvaccinated?
They wanted you to get vaccinated TO PREVENT your death. The brain rot is more real than I ever thought possible, smfh.

I personally know people who died of covid. A friend of mine's mom. She didn't get vaccinated. What if she had? We may never know for sure. But she might have lived. But yeah, libs just want you to all die, got it.
The media literally slammed anyone who called it the “Chinese virus”, stating that those who did call it that were xenophobes like Trump. I have a feeling that if it was a virus that originated in Russia, though, none of them would make a fuss over it being called the “Russian virus”.




What the government deems to be misinformation. Even medical experts were punished for providing other less popular opinions during the pandemic.
Calling it the "chinese virus" is not just unnecessary, it's racist and xenophobic and straight up ignorant. There is a difference between acknowledging where it originated from, which can be useful for a lot of reasons, and labeling it that way which clearly has an agenda attached to it. Trump is to blame for this, like so many other things.

[Andrew NDB]

Calling it the "chinese virus" is not just unnecessary, it's racist and xenophobic and straight up ignorant.

No, it's not. But you can pretend it is all you like.

[Coola Yagami]

Oh please, people were wishing they could line the unvaccinated up and shoot them. The libs went full bloodlust on that. Main reason I left the left do to speak.

[Cowabung-Gal]

They wanted you to get vaccinated TO PREVENT your death. The brain rot is more real than I ever thought possible, smfh.

So Jimmy Kimmel saying “Rest in peace, wheezy” wasn’t wishing death on the unvaccinated?

“They wanted you to get vaccinated TO PREVENT your death.” Spare me the “Think of your grandmother” appeal. Remember when it was suddenly okay for possibly unvaccinated BLM people to get together in large crowds to protest against police brutality? Where was the outage on that? And remember the New York nursing home scandal? What about those grandmothers?

Also, Occupy Democrats called for a taxation on the unvaccinated, making it harder for them to live life. For people who were all about “my body, my choice”, that option went right out the window during the pandemic.

If you were vaccinated, you were surely a thoughtful and smart Democrat. If you weren’t, you were totally a selfish and dumb MAGAt.

Masks and vaccine cards were proudly shown off by people who wanted to be seen as caring and progressive. They were the new activism bracelets.

https://nypost.com/2021/10/07/tlaib-says-she-wears-mask-because-of-republican-tracker-report/

Calling it the "chinese virus" is not just unnecessary, it's racist and xenophobic and straight up ignorant. There is a difference between acknowledging where it originated from, which can be useful for a lot of reasons, and labeling it that way which clearly has an agenda attached to it. Trump is to blame for this, like so many other things.

But it’s okay if they say it?
https://www.mrctv.org/blog/watch-35-times-media-said-wuhan-or-chinese-coronavirus-they-blame-gop

Since we live in a South Park reality, I’m pretty sure that if Trump said on live TV, “The sky is blue and anyone who says it isn’t is an idiot”, the media would say that he’s harassing the blind and colorblind people and TDS people would start saying anti-Trump slogans like “The Sky Is Red!”

It’s always “Trump this” and “Trump that”. If Trump says this or does that, we must do or say the complete opposite. Wabbit season, Duck season.

[CyberCubed]

I got the covid shots and the free $100 that went along with it (I can't remember if it was both times, or not, but free money is free money). Now you can just get it for free at a CVS like a flu shot every season in 5 minutes. But man I wish there were still a money incentive.

Also while I agree calling it the chinese flu was a little off, I admit I laughed when people called it the "Kung Flu." That was clever.

[Andrew NDB]

I got the covid shots and the free $100 that went along with it

That was actually a thing? People getting paid $100 to get the COVID shots?

[CyberCubed]

That was actually a thing? People getting paid $100 to get the COVID shots?

In New York it was, at least. But only when we were at the height of the pandemic. I don't know if other states did it. You would just go to your local drug store and you'd get $100 in your bank account about 2 weeks later.

[Cowabung-Gal]

In New York it was, at least.

They also offered free burgers.

E2yXwUm5TNs

This actually reminds me of the promotional video for Jonestown:

t6JIW3Dx7do

Speaking of Jonestown, Willie Brown had a close connection to the cult’s leader Jim Jones and compared him to Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. He helped Jim Jones get appointed to Chairman of the San Francisco Housing Commission. And guess who was Brown’s protege and his lover? Kamala Harris.

[IndigoErth]

I got a $5 off coupon from Walgreens, that count?


Come on, talking about vaccines again, but not the SpaceX rocket falling over upon return? :trazz: Too bad it was still dark, that would have been a very meme-able gif in daylight.

[Cowabung-Gal]

Come on, talking about vaccines again, but not the SpaceX rocket falling over upon return? :trazz: Too bad it was still dark, that would have been a very meme-able gif in daylight.

Better than how Boeing has been doing. :tlol:

[Bahamut810]

Never said I was pro censorship. I'm pro removing false and misleading information.

So you *don't* support the UKs efforts to arrest people for Memes, jokes and hurting peoples feelings? It really has sounded like you support it. That is being pro-censorship.

What the government deems to be misinformation.

This is the key part of the entire thing...the government should not be able to order people to accept what they say as truth and people should be able to criticize and work together to find and believe truth that the Government does not like. This is something that the left and right agree on, even if it is in different directions.

Calling it the "chinese virus" is not just unnecessary, it's racist and xenophobic and straight up ignorant. There is a difference between acknowledging where it originated from, which can be useful for a lot of reasons, and labeling it that way which clearly has an agenda attached to it. Trump is to blame for this, like so many other things.

Who cares if its necessary or not? Its accurate. It was not racist *in any way*, because it was never meant to demean asian people as a race...it was used to point out a country of origin unless you think all asian people are Chinese. You crying racist wolf is making that term worthless.

Yeah people used that to make fun of or point blame at China, and we reasonably knew where it came from, in Wuhan. So...its not ignorant.

Xenophobic? You might be right, but I think being mean to China is cool and reasonable. I think its reasonable to assume you are Xenophobic to the USA so its a useless accusation.

[Andrew NDB]

It's largely because government for a lot of people has become the new religion. Even it comes complete with its own set of religious figures with the president as God... as long as it's a leftist one.

[Mayhem]

So you *don't* support the UKs efforts to arrest people for Memes, jokes and hurting peoples feelings? It really has sounded like you support it. That is being pro-censorship.
Some of it is hate speech. Hate speech is illegal whether it's in person, written down, or posted on social media. So I'm pro having people reap the consequences of being a hateful arsehole. That isn't censorship because it's illegal to begin with. Memes, jokes and poking fun at people, all well and good. It's when it crosses the line towards abuse and inciting violence against people.

Now I don't make the laws, so I don't get to decide where that line sits btw.

[Bahamut810]

Some of it is hate speech. Hate speech is illegal whether it's in person, written down, or posted on social media. So I'm pro having people reap the consequences of being a hateful arsehole. That isn't censorship because it's illegal to begin with. Memes, jokes and poking fun at people, all well and good. It's when it crosses the line towards abuse and inciting violence against people.

Now I don't make the laws, so I don't get to decide where that line sits btw.

So you don't see "the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security" by the government to be censorship? That is literal definition of censorship.

Don't try to hide behind "of OTHER PEOPLE voted to make laws (that I totally have voted to put in office) so its not Censorship when the law says to censor them for things I think should be illegal for them to say". If you are pro-censorship, then be honest about it.

Edit:
Wow...this really got me thinking about what you just said. You are saying that its not wrong (aka censorship) because the government approves of it (it illegal to say). How far does this philosophy of yours go? Do you decide what's right or wrong based on what the government tells you?

[Wednesday's Serial]

It's largely because government for a lot of people has become the new religion. Even it comes complete with its own set of religious figures with the president as God... as long as it's a leftist one.

Trump supporters are wearing "Dictator Day 1" shirts...

[Andrew NDB]

Trump supporters are wearing "Dictator Day 1" shirts...

Good! Because they know what he means by that. Because he's said what he means by that (I know the media likes to take things out of context, like the literal "bloodbath" stuff people made themselves look really stupid by parroting), meaning he'd use executive power to shut the border on day 1. That's it. Which most of the country is wildly in favor of, by all metrics.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Trump supporters are wearing "Dictator Day 1" shirts...

I wanna get one of those shirts.

[IndigoErth]

Or course you want one because -- even if people's pro-Trumb bias is wrong and he's literally telling us what he means by it, but utilizing the fact that people willing look the other way and pretend otherwise (he's been doing that kind of thing forever!) -- it isn't impacting you.

[Wednesday's Serial]

Good! Because they know what he means by that. Because he's said what he means by that (I know the media likes to take things out of context, like the literal "bloodbath" stuff people made themselves look really stupid by parroting), meaning he'd use executive power to shut the border on day 1. That's it. Which most of the country is wildly in favor of, by all metrics.



I wanna get one of those shirts.


The fact you all don't have enough self-awareness to realize this is blind faith that you're blaming the 'other side' of is really sad.

[Andrew NDB]

The fact you all don't have enough self-awareness to realize this is blind faith that you're blaming the 'other side' of is really sad.

Why would it be blind faith? We've already seen what Trump would do if he's president... because he has been. This isn't like a mystery or something we are going into with a wish and a prayer.

[Mayhem]

Do you decide what's right or wrong based on what the government tells you?
Go shoot someone in cold blood and see how far the argument about freedom of expression gets you. Free speech is free speech, you have the right to say it, you aren’t free from the consequences of saying it however. Whenever I see people bitch about free speech curtailment, it usually means they want the right to remain racist, bigoted, abusive arseholes online. Funny that…

[Bahamut810]

Go shoot someone in cold blood and see how far the argument about freedom of expression gets you. Free speech is free speech, you have the right to say it, you aren’t free from the consequences of saying it however. Whenever I see people bitch about free speech curtailment, it usually means they want the right to remain racist, bigoted, abusive arseholes online. Funny that…

Yeah, some people want to say mean things. If you arent able to be offensive then you dont have free speech. I think I get you better now though. You base your opinion of right and wrong based on who is able to commit the most violence at a given time. Got it. No wonder you are anti-2a. You want the monopoly of violence in the hands of people you agree with when they aren't able to fight back. You are a left wing facist.

So why don't you just admit it? You are trying to say that its not censorship when the government does it (when it agrees with you). Then in the next breath you say you are cool with examples of it. Why don't you just admit that you are pro-censorship? Why are you avoiding admitting it?

[Andrew NDB]

Why don't you just admit that you are pro-censorship? Why are you avoiding admitting it?

It's the same mentality that prevents leftists from saying they are pro-socialism. No matter how much they believe in socialism and love it through and through, they just can't bring themselves to say it. Because deep down, they know.

They know.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Yeah, some people want to say mean things. If you arent able to be offensive then you dont have free speech. I think I get you better now though. You base your opinion of right and wrong based on who is able to commit the most violence at a given time. Got it. No wonder you are anti-2a. You want the monopoly of violence in the hands of people you agree with when they aren't able to fight back. You are a left wing facist.

So why don't you just admit it? You are trying to say that its not censorship when the government does it (when it agrees with you). Then in the next breath you say you are cool with examples of it. Why don't you just admit that you are pro-censorship? Why are you avoiding admitting it?

Funnily enough I am right wing but I agree with Mayhem in his views of censorship. I love Far Left people and they love me in real life because I see much in common in between myself and them.

We both are similarly authoritarian and we both believe that might makes right and that the government should have absolute control. We only disagree on what is right, but our idea that what's right should be enforced is identical to the letter.

Love you Mayhem, I got your back.

[Bahamut810]

We both are similarly authoritarian and we both believe that might makes right and that the government should have absolute control. We only disagree on what is right, but our idea that what's right should be enforced is identical to the letter.

At least you are honest about it.

[Mayhem]

Not authoritarian in the slightest, but we don’t make the rules, government do, regardless of how we voted. You’re basically arguing that you should be able to say anything with no recourse. That’s not how it works regardless how you argue.

And I’m definitely anti censorship for its sake, for literature and art works. Arguing with the person likely happy that creationism is taught in schools and evolution is censored from education lessons. As I said, you are free to say what you want, you’re not free from the consequences if you what you say is against the law.

And I’ve never argued against 2A, just determining there needs to be more checks on who can own and what. Allowing anyone to own anything they want is… hah… dangerous really. More than any potential government threat.

[Bahamut810]

Not authoritarian in the slightest, but we don’t make the rules, government do, regardless of how we voted. You’re basically arguing that you should be able to say anything with no recourse. That’s not how it works regardless how you argue.

Not Authoritarian...just 100% in favor of authoritarian speech laws. So...its not censorship when a government does it because they censored it. I am argueing that the government has very little right to censor speech. There are a few laws that I can get behind, but the government should never have the authority to censor unpopular speech. If you want to fight someone over it, go fight them.

And I’m definitely anti censorship for its sake, for literature and art works. Arguing with the person likely happy that creationism is taught in schools and evolution is censored from education lessons. As I said, you are free to say what you want, you’re not free from the consequences if you what you say is against the law.

You aren't anti-censorship, you are pro-censorship of things you don't like. You said as much when you argue that the government is right to censor istaphobia. Being able to be offensive is the cornerstone of being anti-censorship. The government censoring speech is still censorship. Be honest.

And I’ve never argued against 2A, just determining there needs to be more checks on who can own and what. Allowing anyone to own anything they want is… hah… dangerous really. More than any potential government threat.

More checks which would narrow down ownership to people your government approves of. You are anti-2a, but you are pro-arming people agreeing with the party.

So with all this said, the very core of your argument is that the Government is God. What they say is right, and what they do is right. They can say speech is illegal (censorship) and that is right and good. They can disarm people they disagree with and its right and good. Why are you trying to fight against the *labels* of what you are clearly advocating?

[Mayhem]

And you’re basically arguing for no laws at all and the world to be lawless, where anyone can say or do anything with no consequence at all. Which is worse than the Wild West really.

Essentially you’re fine with a mentally ill person, or a criminal purchasing a semi assault rifle and shooting up your house. Because that’s what the checks and balances about the gun laws as they stand are meant to restrict.

I’m not saying the laws are correct or right. But if you break the laws as they stand, then you are going to find the consequences. And that’s what voting and lobbying is all about, problem is, it’s usually those with the most money and influence that get to nudge government, rather than us common folk.

But you are making an incorrect connection here. Not all Unpopular speech is illegal, but almost all illegal speech is unpopular. You’re conflating the two wrongly here. And I never said I’m pro censoring speech I don’t like. You are putting words into my mouth by this point.

[Bahamut810]

And you’re basically arguing for no laws at all and the world to be lawless, where anyone can say or do anything with no consequence at all. Which is worse than the Wild West really.

There is a difference between "the government shouldn't decide what you say and think" and "Holy crap wild west murder everyone!".

Essentially you’re fine with a mentally ill person, or a criminal purchasing a semi assault rifle and shooting up your house. Because that’s what the checks and balances about the gun laws as they stand are meant to restrict.

Even I can agree that there can be some minor restrictions. However, you cant just give the government carte blanche to disarm you. "Mental illness" can be anything from being a sociopath to believing something a person doesn't like. If you are for disarming people that politically disagree with you or don't like your government then...just call it a mental illness and you can disarm them.

I’m not saying the laws are correct or right. But if you break the laws as they stand, then you are going to find the consequences. And that’s what voting and lobbying is all about, problem is, it’s usually those with the most money and influence that get to nudge government, rather than us common folk.

You are though. You are literally saying that its not censorship (aka a bad thing) because the government is doing it followed by the government is right to censor that speech.

But you are making an incorrect connection here. Not all Unpopular speech is illegal, but almost all illegal speech is unpopular. You’re conflating the two wrongly here. And I never said I’m pro censoring speech I don’t like. You are putting words into my mouth by this point.

You are though. Every argument you have had has two parts...The government is right in their actions (leaning towards law being the ultimate indicator of right) followed by the speech is bad speech you don't like. So...you agree the government is right to ban speech you don't like. You even made the argument that art and literature you like should not be censored.

Why are you trying to hide behind "I don't control the government" instead of just being honest that you are pro-censorship?

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I don't believe in free speech because it's not absolute. There's always *this* restriction or *that* restriction.

Freedom of Speech seems to held by some with fanatical religious devotion. And I will never religiously devote myself to an idea that is so easily trampled on and fragile.

[Mayhem]

So...you agree the government is right to ban speech you don't like.
Governments always get to decide what is free speech or not. Brazil for example has just banned Twitter/X until it pays off its accrued fines from breaching laws. But once again, you are putting 2 and 2 together and getting 186. Who says the government is banning all speech I don’t like? All I’ve said is that illegal hate speech that would get you arrested in person can also get you arrested by posting it online.

[Andrew NDB]

You're missing the part where "hate speech" is bullsh**. To begin with.

[Bahamut810]

Governments always get to decide what is free speech or not. Brazil for example has just banned Twitter/X until it pays off its accrued fines from breaching laws. But once again, you are putting 2 and 2 together and getting 186. Who says the government is banning all speech I don’t like? All I’ve said is that illegal hate speech that would get you arrested in person can also get you arrested by posting it online.

That is incorrect. You have said that your government has not censored speech because they censored it so its not censorship. You have followed it up by saying they deserved it because they offended people which is illegal (read: Censored) speech in a conversation that stemmed with the UK trying to enforce their laws on citizens in other countries.

Brazil can ban and try to fine US companies in US countries all they want as well, good luck to them with that.

[Galactus]

You're missing the part where "hate speech" is bullsh**. To begin with.

So you're ok with people using the N word?

That if someone posts something on social media which encourages violence to a particular group that's ok too.

[Zulithe]

So you're ok with people using the N word?

That if someone posts something on social media which encourages violence to a particular group that's ok too.
there's literally black people hate accounts on twitter now. that would never have been a thing pre-elon.

free speech and all that.

[Andrew NDB]

So you're ok with people using the N word?

Of course not. Though that's not quite "hate speech," that's using a word that... well, you don't get to use in normal vernacular. And it's the kind of thing where it's like, "You want to say that? Really? Well, good luck. See what happens to you." And it takes care of itself. Generally with the person saying it bloody and bruised in a ditch somewhere, which is fair.

That if someone posts something on social media which encourages violence to a particular group that's ok too.

"Calls to violence" is a different category than "hate speech." And absolutely that is actionable and should be by any rational stance.

[Mayhem]

Brazil can ban and try to fine US companies in US countries all they want as well, good luck to them with that.
They are not, they are blocking the use of X in Brazil due to breaching local laws (rightly or wrongly, that I’m not passing judgement on). This applies to any global company who have offices in, or operate in, any country. Why do you think Apple, Google, Microsoft et al have all been repeatedly fined and curtailed in Europe for example for breaching various European laws that the companies don’t think apply to them based they are originally US led? We are talking billions here. They’ve eventually complied, so for example we are not tracked or monitored as much on our browsing, especially the GDPR stuff in Germany, who are really strict about privacy.

"Calls to violence" is a different category than "hate speech." And absolutely that is actionable and should be by any rational stance.
Hate speech today includes aggressively using the N word or spouting calls to violence, whether you agree or not. Anything that specifically targets a certain demographic negatively and abusively.

[Zulithe]

http://i.imgur.com/rDuTQVeh.png (https://imgur.com/rDuTQVe)

[Mayhem]

That bit I wasn't aware of, but then again I've not followed the news much last couple days as I've got a doozy of a head cold and had to look after my daughter. Yep, another monumentally successful business decision.

Also all the banks that loaned Musk money for the buy out are unlikely to see anything back for it...

https://futurism.com/the-byte/banks-elon-musks-twitter-screwed

[member_removed]

Of course not. Though that's not quite "hate speech," that's using a word that... well, you don't get to use in normal vernacular. And it's the kind of thing where it's like, "You want to say that? Really? Well, good luck. See what happens to you." And it takes care of itself. Generally with the person saying it bloody and bruised in a ditch somewhere, which is fair.

Yes, but if I'm living comfortably in my all-white community somewhere twitting racial slurs all day. You wouldn't likely find yourself in bloody and bruised in that ditch.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Yes, but if I'm living comfortably in my all-white community somewhere twitting racial slurs all day. You wouldn't likely find yourself in bloody and bruised in that ditch.

Is it racist for whites to only want to live among other whites?

Okay, it actually is racist admittedly but it's still a good thing.

[Barkworm]

Is it racist for whites to only want to live among other whites?

Okay, it actually is racist admittedly but it's still a good thing.

How is it a good thing? I‘m asking as the Indian guy from an all-white neighbourhood.

[Andrew NDB]

Hate speech today includes aggressively using the N word or spouting calls to violence, whether you agree or not. Anything that specifically targets a certain demographic negatively and abusively.

Well we don't have it here. Keep it there. Though I'm not disagreeing that the N word in general among the not-African Americans is a bridge too far. But again. Over here that usually works itself out. As in good luck trying that in any social setting.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

How is it a good thing? I‘m asking as the Indian guy from an all-white neighbourhood.

Whites get along best with other whites. They belong with their own kind among those whom they most feel at home with.

I too am a South Asian in a White Majority country. But no matter where I am, I will always get along best with other South Asians who look and live like me.

[Barkworm]

Whites get along best with other whites. They belong with their own kind among those whom they most feel at home with.
So a mixed-race family is bound to fail? Because mine has been going pretty strong for the last decade.

Or do you mean that someone cannot be 100 per cent comfortable in that kind of constellation? Which might have some truth to it but then again any kind of social setting will have its share of awkwardness, mixed-race or not.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

So a mixed-race family is bound to fail? Because mine has been going pretty strong for the last decade.

Depends on the race. Like an Indian and a European with shared Aryan ancestry are much more likely to get along than say, a European and a black person.

[Mayhem]

More out about why Brazil has blocked X

The reason X is banned right now here in Brazil, is because Musk fired all the Brazilian staff in hopes that X could operate above our legal system. But in Brazil any foreign business NEED to have a Brazilian legal representative to operate legally. That means that if he had appointed someone by now, the ban wouldn't be necessary, and X will probably be up an running again as soon as he do it.

Please don't paint this whole deal to look like as if it was about "censorship". This is a case of national souvereigny. Foreign corporations that desire to operate in our territory need to respect the same laws as everyone else here, and that includes being responsible for what happens in that particular social network.

Telegram, WhatsApp and others tried the same in the past, but they did not went that far as Musk, because he is trying to use this case as marketing for his own gain.

Please don't do his job for him.

I will add that knowing some of the internal workings for one of the companies I used to be employed by, we had a registered French address and one rep appointed, to be able to operate and do business there. That's it, but legally we were required to have it.

[Cowabung-Gal]

I don’t trust people who are for more government-imposed shackles.

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a-iRqECQbd4

Qkh7PyZgH4Q

https://i0.wp.com/politicallyincorrecthumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/leftists-only-censoring-dangerous-people-stop-everyone-read-history-book-jokers.jpg?w=530&ssl=1

https://i0.wp.com/politicallyincorrecthumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/x-afraid-to-say-something-internet-need-new-government.jpg?resize=541%2C215&ssl=1

[Prowler]

So you're ok with people using the N word?



I find it silly how one particular slur gets censored Voldmort-style in USA/Canada/UK to the point where people can't even spell it out or mention it. And the whole idea one "race" can use a certain word and others can't is quite frankly stupid. Especially a word that's constantly spammed in rap music, a genre that's popular worldwide. Do you think most rap fans in, let's say, Europe(sans the UK) and Asia are gonna self-censor themselves when singing along rap songs? Of course not.

[Zulithe]

TechCrunch: Fidelity has cut its valuation of X (formerly known as Twitter) by 79% since Musk’s purchase ($44bn vs $9.4bn)

Elon Musk's X is now worth less than a quarter of its $44 billion purchase price, according to a new estimate from investor Fidelity.

The asset manager's Blue Chip Growth Fund now values its stake in X, formerly known as Twitter, at approximately $4.19 million, based on newly released disclosures from Fidelity's Blue Chip Growth Fund. The firm's unit has reduced the value of its holding in X by a total of 78.7% as of August end.

For context, Fidelity had initially invested $19.66 million in X through the Blue Chip Fund, as per regulatory filings. This isn't the first time Fidelity has cut the value of its holding in X. As of July's end, Fidelity had valued its shares in X at about $5.5 million.

This 78.7% markdown implies that Fidelity is currently valuing X at about $9.4 billion overall. (TechCrunch's assessment assumes that Fidelity's investment in X was made at a $44 billion valuation. The acquisition was financed through a combination of equity and debt.)

Fidelity declined to comment. X didn't respond to a request for comment.

https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/29/fidelity-has-cut-xs-value-by-79-since-musk-purchase/

Gee what a shame...

[neatoman]

TechCrunch: Fidelity has cut its valuation of X (formerly known as Twitter) by 79% since Musk’s purchase ($44bn vs $9.4bn)



https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/29/fidelity-has-cut-xs-value-by-79-since-musk-purchase/

Gee what a shame...

So... Can Twitter/X/whatever finally just die now?

[CyberCubed]

They already made a bunch of clone sites like bluesky, threads, mastodon, and whatever else came out.

[Andrew NDB]

Tesla earnings boost Tesla stock 22%. Biggest gain in 11 years.

https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/tesla-stock-price-earnings-today

[Cowabung-Gal]

So who here even has a Twitter, excuse me, X account anymore?

I had one once a few years back, then I deleted it shortly afterward.

[Mayhem]

I do, on a throwaway email address, just so I can read stuff I get linked to that otherwise I couldn't see. But no, I don't actually engage on there.

[oldmanwinters]

So who here even has a Twitter, excuse me, X account anymore?

I had one once a few years back, then I deleted it shortly afterward.

I'm probably on it more than ever.

[Coola Yagami]

I'm probably on it more than ever.

Not sure if that's good for your mental health.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Too much of any social media is not good for mental health in any form, but X's lack of censorship in my opinion, is a good thing, because it makes it a platform where you can (mostly) find news and information that is hidden elsewhere.

[Andrew NDB]

So who here even has a Twitter, excuse me, X account anymore?

I had one once a few years back, then I deleted it shortly afterward.

I've had one forever but I never really use it. When Musk bought it I meant to get more active in it on principle... but I just don't like it. I'm glad that it's out there and there's free speech on it, but it's just not for me, I think.

[Coola Yagami]

I've had one forever but I never really use it. When Musk bought it I meant to get more active in it on principle... but I just don't like it. I'm glad that it's out there and there's free speech on it, but it's just not for me, I think.

To be honest I haven't noticed much a of a difference since Musk bought it, at least in terms of all the virtue-signaling and cancel culture stuff.

I guess it's mostly because all the people that said they would leave if Musk bought Twitter didn't actually leave. Even now with the big flock towards Bluesky, they still keep posting on Twitter how much better it is, or they post their anti-Musk stuff on Bluesky. The majority says they're still using both.

None of these clowns are actually leaving Twitter. They're obsessed.

[Andrew NDB]

To be honest I haven't noticed much a of a difference since Musk bought it, at least in terms of all the virtue-signaling and cancel culture stuff.

I guess it's mostly because all the people that said they would leave if Musk bought Twitter didn't actually leave. Even now with the big flock towards Bluesky, they still keep posting on Twitter how much better it is, or they post their anti-Musk stuff on Bluesky. The majority says they're still using both.

None of these clowns are actually leaving Twitter. They're obsessed.

I think unless you were already in the Trump Deranged camps, actively spouting nonsense everyday, then laughing as people replying to you were getting banned pre-Musk, and now are seeing the people responding not getting banned, you probably won't see much/any difference from before.

[Coola Yagami]

I think unless you were already in the Trump Deranged camps, actively spouting nonsense everyday, then laughing as people replying to you were getting banned pre-Musk, and now are seeing the people responding not getting banned, you probably won't see much/any difference from before.

Ah I mostly check for videogame news and such, like that new Double Dragon being worked on. Or my indie comics guys. Y'know, whatever the Rippaverse is up to.

I see the *coughs* woke posts and choose to just roll my eyes and not engage. I don't need a bunch of crazy people coming after cause I agreed with someone that Lizzo is fat, or liked a drawing of Storm that someone drew and colored just a wee bit lighter than she 'should' be and whatnot. And I also avoid the 'Trump is our lord and savior' stuff too.

[Mayhem]

but X's lack of censorship
:lol:

Sorry.

:lol::lol::lol:

[FredWolfLeonardo]

:lol:

Sorry.

:lol::lol::lol:

I don't understand, whats so funny? X still censors to a certain extent but alot of right wing figures have been able to prosper and grow under its lax policies relative to the pre-Musk era.

[Zulithe]

Threads and Bluesky do have considerable growth lately. Threads has a big advantage because it's being promoted by Facebook and directly integrates with Instagram, but I personally like Bluesky better. Every time Elon does more stupid crap it forces more and more people to the alternatives.

Most of the big accounts I follow have moved over, or are at least using some kind of client that posts to two or more services to give people an option of where to follow. There are still some holdouts, it's been a gradual process.

[CyberCubed]

Most people aren't going to use those other sites. I remember people making a big deal out of "Mastodon" or whatever that was when it first came out. Threads and blusky will die out after the initial hype goes down. I mean there was also tumblr or instagram as mentioned, where people basically use them for the same thing. Before that was livejournal in the early 2000's, anyone remember how active that use to be?

I mean it's all the same stuff. The reason twitter stood out the most is celebrities, famous people, and official companies for games/movies/cartoons started using it, so you had a chance to interact with actors or famous people that never really posted anywhere else.

[Zulithe]

I mean it's all the same stuff. The reason twitter stood out the most is celebrities, famous people, and official companies for games/movies/cartoons
yes, and those people all hate Elon and are the ones that are leaving the most. Are you starting to get it yet lol

[CyberCubed]

From what I've seen most of them have not moved over. And a lot of famous people have used instagram instead even before Elon took over twitter or posted there at the same time.

[Zulithe]

Elon Musk, enemy of ‘open borders,’ launched his career working illegally

Investors in Musk’s first company worried about “our founder being deported” and gave him a deadline for obtaining a work visa. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/10/26/elon-musk-immigration-status/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9. eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzI5OTE1MjAwLCJpc3 MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzMxMzAxMTk5LCJp YXQiOjE3Mjk5MTUyMDAsImp0aSI6IjQxZGVhY2ExLTg4NzQtND AyYy05ZGU2LTMzYjZjODBjZDQwMiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8v d3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9idXNpbmVzcy8yMDI0Lz EwLzI2L2Vsb24tbXVzay1pbW1pZ3JhdGlvbi1zdGF0dXMvIn0. A_tsea6jQIWaQ1Q1Rp1WROrhBlr0IksHUlC4vxqZXY0)
PALO ALTO, Calif. — Long before he became one of Donald Trump's biggest donors and campaign surrogates, South African-born Elon Musk worked illegally in the United States as he launched his entrepreneurial career after ditching a graduate studies program in California, according to former business associates, court records and company documents obtained by The Washington Post.

Musk in recent months has amplified the Republican presidential candidate's claims that "open borders" and undocumented immigrants are destroying America, broadcasting those views to more than 200 million followers on the site formerly known as Twitter, which Musk bought in 2022 and later renamed X.

What Musk has not publicly disclosed is that he did not have the legal right to work while building the company that became Zip2, which sold for about $300 million in 1999. It was Musk's steppingstone to Tesla and the other ventures that have made him the world's wealthiest person — and arguably America's most successful immigrant.
Musk and his brother, Kimbal, have often described their immigrant journey in romantic terms, as a time of personal austerity, undeterred ambition and a willingness to flout conventions. Musk arrived in Palo Alto in 1995 for a graduate degree program at Stanford University but never enrolled in courses, working instead on his start-up.

Leaving school left Musk without a legal basis to remain in the United States, according to legal experts.

Foreign students cannot drop out of school to build a company, even if they are not immediately getting paid, said Leon Fresco, a former Justice Department immigration litigator. "If you do anything that helps to facilitate revenue creation, such as design code or try to make sales in furtherance of revenue creation, then you're in trouble," Fresco said.

A lot more in the article.

RULES FOR THEE AND NOT FOR ME

[Coola Yagami]

From what I've seen most of them have not moved over. And a lot of famous people have used instagram instead even before Elon took over twitter or posted there at the same time.

Yeah, that's the problem. They're all talk. They haven't left Twitter any more than they left the country when Trump won.

[Zulithe]

you're kidding right? have you even looked at posts on bluesky or threads. you will see a lot of former twitter big names.

it's not all but it's a lot. and it's growing.

[CyberCubed]

I mean it depends who you want to follow. I don't care about politics, sports, etc, so only a few things of interest would be interesting to me.

[Coola Yagami]

you're kidding right? have you even looked at posts on bluesky or threads. you will see a lot of former twitter big names.

it's not all but it's a lot. and it's growing.

True, but they're still on Twitter too. I mean, they have to actually LEAVE.

[Mayhem]

All these illegals, coming to the US, taking your benefits AND your jobs? Well, which is it? And seemingly you're perfectly okay with Musk doing it...

[Andrew NDB]

Let's see if everyone screaming about DOGE not being qualified to audit this agency or that agency refuses to accept their $5000 refund check:

https://fortune.com/2025/02/19/elon-musk-5000-check-doge/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjYbJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdZ2SmQNkTIf 7haShWOONWb5l_x4Ln305H1i_-Tb0iGDqNkCBbbVaUGtSA_aem_Ukks1tSHU4fDHUPIXsS-Rg

[ToTheNines]

I’ll believe that when I see it. But yes, of course I’ll stop hating him as much if it happens lol.

[IndigoErth]

Yeah, sure, that'll happen. "Per household" isn't really that much of a windfall, esp if it's taxable, unless you live alone and in the lowest cost of living states.

If there's spending and debt issues, you'd think it would be used to ease that, not to try to buy approval.

[Andrew NDB]

esp if it's taxable

I don't know that it's not going to be... but why would it be taxable? Isn't the idea supposed to be monies we paid in taxes for sh**ty stuff that shouldn't have been, now coming back to us at least in part?

[Mayhem]

Latest screw up. Apparently the government efficiency firm with the meme name decided that staff should pay for their own newspapers and magazines. So they cancelled contracts with Reuters and Bloomberg.

Only problem is, the Reuters contract wasn’t for newspapers. It was for Thomson Reuters Westlaw, a gold standard curated database of legal documents.

And the Bloomberg contract wasn’t for the periodical. Any time since like 1991 you’ve seen a picture of a stock market trader sitting at a computer, that computer was a “Bloomberg terminal”, a prebuilt system for real time stock market trading and analysis.

So they just cancelled both of those.

For the Stock Exchange Commission.

It’s not funny any more.

[IMJ]

Latest screw up. Apparently the government efficiency firm with the meme name decided that staff should pay for their own newspapers and magazines. So they cancelled contracts with Reuters and Bloomberg.

Only problem is, the Reuters contract wasn’t for newspapers. It was for Thomson Reuters Westlaw, a gold standard curated database of legal documents.

And the Bloomberg contract wasn’t for the periodical. Any time since like 1991 you’ve seen a picture of a stock market trader sitting at a computer, that computer was a “Bloomberg terminal”, a prebuilt system for real time stock market trading and analysis.

So they just cancelled both of those.

For the Stock Exchange Commission.

It’s not funny any more.

Oh hey! Our resident political clown found a new thread to complain in!
Mistakes happen when you restructure an entire government in one month. They'll go in an address it, it's no big deal. :roll::lol:

It's damn funny....

This f'n guy... "it's not funny any more". :lol:

[Mayhem]

I'd argue that mistakes such as this shouldn't even be happening in the first place. Especially if he's supposed to be that clever. He's basically letting AI and kids barely over puberty run scripts and wildly screwing up interpreting the results. But why should we be surprised? It's not as if Musk hasn't defunded and stripped most of the government departments that were looking into problems and complaints in a lot of his companies now...

Also this would be amusing if it wasn't so tragic

https://trumpgolftrack.com/

Aka Musk telling DonOLD, yes go play golf, let the clever people work it out for you...

[Andrew NDB]

I'd argue

You should probably just stop doing that. It hasn't been going so well for you.

[IndigoErth]

Musk swinging around a chainsaw... yeahhh, that's gonna be a meme in due time when people decide something he chopped to pieces wasn't actually in their own best interest.

I don't know that it's not going to be... but why would it be taxable? Isn't the idea supposed to be monies we paid in taxes for sh**ty stuff that shouldn't have been, now coming back to us at least in part?
I would hope it's not, but time will tell.

[Barkworm]

You should probably just stop doing that. It hasn't been going so well for you.
Stop this condescending crap.

[Autbot_Benz]

Musk swinging around a chainsaw... yeahhh, that's gonna be a meme in due time when people decide something he chopped to pieces wasn't actually in their own best interest.


I would hope it's not, but time will tell.

The Texas Elonsaw Massacre based on true events :lol:. Trump loves Hannibal Lecter Elon loves Leatherface

[Mayhem]

Anyone also notice that since the FSA got bonked on the head by Leon and top people resigned, we’ve now had three serious airplane incidents in less than three weeks? Or just me?

The Texas Elonsaw Massacre based on true events :lol:. Trump loves Hannibal Lecter Elon loves Leatherface
It got a chuckle from me :D

[IndigoErth]

Technically, it's more.

D.C., Philadelphia, Alaska, the Minnesota to Canada plane that flipped (that everyone thankfully survived), and two small planes collided midair in Arizona a couple days ago.

Tf is happening...

[Mayhem]

And in news as unsurprising since the sun setting and rising… GoP is basically scared of Trump and Musk and going with the ride.

Report from Sen Chris Murphy about what happened in the Senate last night.

“Last night in the Senate, something really important happened. Republicans forced us to debate their billionaire bailout budget framework. We started voting at 6 PM because they knew doing it in the dark of night would minimize media coverage. And they do not want the American people to see how blatant their handover of our government to the billionaire class is.

So I want to explain what happened last night and what we did to fight back.

The apex of Republicans’ plan to turn over our government to their wealthy cronies is a giant tax cut for billionaires and corporations. And they plan to pay for it with cuts to programs that working people rely on. Popular and necessary programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP, are all being targeted.

In order to pass the tax cut, Republicans have to go through a series of procedural steps. Last night, they took the first step which requires them to pass an outline of their plan, but with it, any senator can offer as many amendments as we want. So my Democratic colleagues and I did just that.

Now, we knew that Republicans would largely unanimously oppose them, but we had two objectives here. One, Republicans were forced to put their opinion on record — many for the first time — on the most corrupt parts of Trump and Musk’s agenda. Two, as I’ve been saying, I am going to make every process and procedure as slow and painful as possible for as long as my colleagues choose to ignore the constitutional crisis happening before our eyes.

So what did we propose? We proposed no tax cuts for anyone who makes a billion dollars a year. We made them vote on whether or not Elon Musk and DOGE should have limitless access to Americans’ personal data. We made them vote on whether to protect IVF and require insurers to cover it.

Every single amendment Democrats proposed was shot down. On almost every single amendment, Republicans universally opposed it. Every Republican voted against our proposal to prevent more tax cuts for billionaires.

The corruption and theft is happening in the open here. The whole game for Republicans is taking your money and giving it to the wealthiest corporations and billionaires — even if it means kicking your parents out of a nursing home or turning off Medicaid for the poorest children.

They know what they are doing is deeply unpopular. They are offering a tax cut to the most wealthy that is 850 times larger than what they are offering working people. Oh and by the way, any tax cuts for working people are going to be washed out by higher costs for basic necessities, like health care and food. It’s a fundamental injustice.

Thanks to your pressure and support, many of my Democratic colleagues have joined my effort to do everything we can to make sure they cannot destroy democracy and steal your money in the dark of the night. We are being loud about what is happening. I’m going to continue to grind the gears of Congress down as much as possible to make it that much harder and slower to get away with this corruption. That’s why the votes lasted until nearly 5 AM.
This is a five-alarm fire. I don’t think we have two years to plan and fight back. I think we have months. It’s still in our power to stop the destruction of our democracy with mass mobilization and effective opposition from elected officials.

So we can’t miss any opportunity to take advantage of opportunities to put Republicans on the record and shine a light on what is happening.

And you have a role to play in this as well. I need you to amplify what’s happening, support the leaders who are fighting for you to make sure they can continue speaking truth to power against Musk and Trump’s billionaire cronies, and show up at rallies and town halls. Use every tool at your disposal to send a message loud and clear about how you expect my colleagues to lead and fight in this moment.”

Every best wish,

Chris Murphy

[Mayhem]

Don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this… so much for savings… :lol::o

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGdnJDtRvE1/?igsh=aW1wc2xhM2ZxdGM5

[IndigoErth]

And an awful lot of that "saving" money seems to be primarily centered on making people lose jobs? We're saving money by taking away employment from, for the most part, regular people... who will likely qualify for unemployment paid out by their former employer, the federal government, who is paid by us. Great plan.


Also, I saw someone online call Musk "Lex Goofer" and I'm just gonna borrow that.

[Mayhem]

Yeah, the claimed savings are either horribly misinterpreted AI scrapings, or the complete non understanding that contracts are drawn up for X years paying say $Y million per year, and either you can’t just stop them, or we’ve already had a number of years on the contract and the majority of money allocated has been spent. But he’s claiming he’s saving Y times X anyhow by stopping it, when that’s patently not true. The other half works on funding contracts as part of her job as she is an operations manager, so I get to know a lot of legal ins and outs through osmosis from her.

[IMJ]

Yeah, the claimed savings are either horribly misinterpreted AI scrapings, or the complete non understanding that contracts are drawn up for X years paying say $Y million per year, and either you can’t just stop them, or we’ve already had a number of years on the contract and the majority of money allocated has been spent. But he’s claiming he’s saving Y times X anyhow by stopping it, when that’s patently not true. The other half works on funding contracts as part of her job as she is an operations manager, so I get to know a lot of legal ins and outs through osmosis from her.

I had a buddy who did the same thing as you once. We were in Indiana on a trip to the Warren Dunes. At the hotel at night the entire crew was drunk out of our minds and one of my buddies passed out on this $#!((Y bed and had this comedic strand of puke coming out of his mouth. We wondered if he was "okay".

Suddenly, one of the guys came out of the bathroom from puking and as he stood in the doorway to the room he said "I'll take care of it! My mother! Is a Nurse!" And we all ignored it and went back to drinking.

The only difference is that you're stone sober and believe your own bull$#!(. What you need to do is learn about the business use of the intertwined terms "efficiency and effectiveness" and that pretty much encapsulates the cost cutting. People are losing government jobs because government functions are so encapsulated that the greatest expenditures tend to be on manpower rather than machinery or process. :roll:

[Andrew NDB]

90% of the "arguments" I see on social media about this go a little bit like this:

Loony Leftist: "I can't believe they're cutting all these government jobs! Doesn't Musk and Trump realize these people have to feed their families and pay rent?!"

Conservative: "But this is the way it works in the private sector. It's the way it's always worked in the private sector."

Loony Leftist: "But it's NOT the private sector! These are government jobs!!!"

Eh, what? These are just to be inherently superior jobs to "the little people" that are sacred cows forevermore? Waste or not?

[Mayhem]

And you won’t see me arguing that way because what we call public sector jobs here (aka your federal jobs) are not bulletproof life long positions. Never have been. But admittedly harder to reduce and streamline.

What you need to do is learn about the business use of the intertwined terms "efficiency and effectiveness" and that pretty much encapsulates the cost cutting. People are losing government jobs because government functions are so encapsulated that the greatest expenditures tend to be on manpower rather than machinery or process. :roll:
My point was that he’s claiming he’s saving the government billions of dollars from cutting programs, contracts, departments, and “worthless” overseas funding when that’s patently incorrect because the value of the spending in question has either mostly already been spent, can’t be cut, or otherwise misinterpreted (the video I linked showed one contract they claimed was worth billions was actually only worth millions for example)

The jobs aspect of culling tens of thousands of federal positions was by the by. Yes that will save money too, ans I’m not debating that part. Only the bludgeoning with a blunderbuss part of Leon’s strategy that he is want to do, and then realised down the line he actually needs to rehire a load of people he shouldn’t have fired (nuclear weapons, Tesla, Twitter et al).

[Mayhem]

Gonna hand it to whoever created this…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGbZIQgTPeW/?igsh=MTYwZHdsYmdzdmplcQ==

[Andrew NDB]

Gonna hand it to whoever created this…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGbZIQgTPeW/?igsh=MTYwZHdsYmdzdmplcQ==

Gotta hand it to them... for being an idiot. If anything, it should show a bunch of loud lefties in the media and Hollywood as "They Live" versions of themselves morphing into one from another to another with "WE MUST STOP DOGE!" in big bold letters at the bottom. That's far more accurate.

[ToTheNines]

This DOGE **** is nothing more than a dog and pony show for Musk’s ego. Republican budget bill will just continue to increase debt and deficit: https://reason.com/2025/02/25/the-house-gop-budget-blueprint-promises-more-borrowing-more-debt-and-not-enough-spending-cuts/

[IndigoErth]

So a bunch of DOGE staffers have already resigned.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna193622

Twenty-one civil service employees resigned en masse from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, according to a letter posted online and shared with media outlets Tuesday. The letter said they refused to use their technical expertise to "compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services."

"We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the Constitution across presidential administrations," wrote the staffers, who joined when the agency was known as the United States Digital Service (USDS). "However, it has become clear that we can no longer honor those commitments at the United States DOGE Service."

[Mayhem]

Gotta hand it to them... for being an idiot. If anything, it should show a bunch of loud lefties in the media and Hollywood as "They Live" versions of themselves morphing into one from another to another with "WE MUST STOP DOGE!" in big bold letters at the bottom. That's far more accurate.
So you're disputing that Muskrat and DonOLD are not trying to game the system and give themselves more money, despite what I posted on the previous page about the blocking of Democratic party suggestions for alterations to the funding bill? That not blocking tax cuts for billionaires is a good thing? Trickle down is the biggest lie the GoP ever pulled. Anyone under $400k will see their tax rises, let alone from the cost of living.

It's not an audit as they are not qualfied auditers, it's a data raid for Musk's businesses. Just like FB, Google, Apple et al try to convince you they do not. The AI video that got hacked onto government building terminals of Trump kissing Musk's feet is how a lot of people globally feel about the situation.

EDIT: If even half this is true, then 1930s German state authoriry and Stazi like reporting incoming if the EO is allowed to be ratified...!

https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/executive-order-independent-agencies-trump

This Executive Order does the following:
All federal agencies, including independent regulatory commissions, are now subject to direct White House control.
Regulations cannot be issued without presidential approval.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) can now withhold funding from independent agencies if they don’t align with White House priorities.
All federal employees must follow the President’s and Attorney General’s interpretation of the law, eliminating legal independence.
A White House Liaison is to be installed in every independent regulatory agency to enforce direct presidential control.
This is the biggest executive power grab in U.S. history.

This formally ends the concept of an “independent” regulatory agency, dismantling one of the last barriers to absolute executive power.

This order effectively erases the last major restraints on executive power. The federal government no longer operates with checks and balances. Regulations and laws are now dictated solely by the President. If left unchecked, this is the moment the U.S. ceases to function as a democratic republic.

The President Now Controls All Regulatory Agencies
The SEC, FTC, FCC, and FEC are no longer independent.
The Stock Market is now subject to White House control, enabling insider trading, favoritism, and targeting of political opponents. Antitrust laws can be selectively enforced, allowing administration-friendly monopolies to expand unchecked. Political opponents in the tech sector, media, or finance can be targeted with regulatory action while allies are protected. Elections are now influenced by direct White House oversight of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The FDA, EPA, and consumer protection agencies are fully politicized.
Drug approvals, food safety regulations, and environmental policies can be rewritten for political or corporate interests. Climate change regulations can be erased overnight. Scientific research is now subject to White House approval before public release.
Implication: There is no longer any neutral enforcement of economic, environmental, or election laws. Everything is now dictated by political loyalty.

The White House Can Block Agency Budgets or Direct Funds Elsewhere
The OMB can now adjust funding allocations for independent agencies.
This gives the President the power to defund agencies without needing Congress. Regulatory agencies that challenge presidential policies will be quietly strangled of resources. Agencies loyal to the President will receive full funding—even illegally. Implication: Congress no longer controls federal spending on regulatory enforcement. The executive branch can choke out opposition agencies and reward allies.

The President & Attorney General Have Final Say on All Legal Interpretations All federal employees must follow White House interpretations of the law.
The Attorney General’s opinions override agency lawyers, inspectors general, and independent counsel. Agencies cannot adopt their own interpretations of legal statutes—everything must align with the President’s views. The President can rewrite federal legal interpretations overnight. Implication: Legal consistency is gone. Agencies cannot push back against corrupt, illegal, or unconstitutional directives because the President’s interpretation is the only interpretation allowed.

Installing White House Liaisons in All Regulatory Agencies, a “White House Liaison” will be placed in every independent agency.
This ensures constant presidential oversight of daily operations. These liaisons will report agency actions back to the White House and enforce political compliance. Agency directors will no longer have the ability to act without White House approval.
Implication: There is now a direct enforcement arm inside every regulatory body. Even agencies that resist presidential control will be internally monitored and controlled.

Every regulatory body—from financial markets to environmental protections—is now politicized. Congress no longer controls federal funding—agencies must obey the White House or risk defunding. The President’s legal interpretations override all agency autonomy, eliminating independent enforcement of federal laws. The federal bureaucracy, once designed to be resistant to corruption, is now completely subject to presidential loyalty.

Republicans in Congress who aren't fully onboard with this dictatorial power grab by Trump/Musk are getting death threats. Some had already received such death threats at earlier stages of Trump's power grab. Are any of them going to have the courage stand up for the US itself, even knowing that Congress itself becomes entirely superfluous with the order?
(By the way, with Musk's dismantling of departments and agencies in the executive department and wholesale firing of federal employees, it is clear Musk is the puppeteer and Trump is his puppet.)
The intended endpoint is for Trump to become the king/emperor/Doge of the United States of America.

[IMJ]

So you're disputing that Muskrat and DonOLD are not trying to game the system and give themselves more money

This. Right here. Unreal. The entire premise of conversation about these things is built on your delusion-born-of-hate for a guy.

An entire Presidency, being dragged through the mud, shot at, fighting for re-election, and then partnering up with a guy who is already basically the richest guy in the world. And your explanation for that is that these two guys are 'gaming the system to make money". Both already existing billionaires and one as the acting President, and the other guy already the richest guy on in the world running organizations meant for the future. And that's what you've got.

So you're disputing that Muskrat and DonOLD are not trying to game the system and give themselves more money

I can imagine you licking your lips and cracking your fingers as you sit down at your compute to log into the Ninja Turtles forums to post about your boogeymen for the day.

It's utterly ridiculous, as are you.

Trump and Musk "Gaming the system" to "make money". American President and a guy who has been a futurist for 30 years. And this was their "evil and master plan all along". To become President and to run a governmental department - all to game the system to make money. That was their plan and of course you, Mayhem, a clown on a Ninja Turtles forum, with the username "Mayhem", and you and you alone have figured out "this truth".

You're a f'n clown dude. I can't f'n believe it. The mental gymnastics you do all the time.

[Mayhem]

Funny, but the greediest people also tend to be the richest. Musk is getting paid $8M per day for this circus. I mean, I’d do it just for that! :lol: And probably be better at it…

[Mayhem]

The hypocrisy and utter laushability of Trump's mind... all played out over SM...


https://i.imgur.com/GhnF0VA.jpeg

[Autbot_Benz]

The hypocrisy and utter laushability of Trump's mind... all played out over SM...


https://i.imgur.com/GhnF0VA.jpeg

yup that brain cancer kid was a prop to get trump over with people

[IndigoErth]

The hypocrisy and utter laushability of Trump's mind... all played out over SM...


https://i.imgur.com/GhnF0VA.jpeg

Isn't that the truth. Only matters if he can use your situation for his own motives.


I mean, good for that kid, I'm sure this (basically just symbolic) gesture means a lot at his young age, for a kid for who it's unknown how many years he'll even get in life if the cancer is determined to keep plaguing him. But I don't care who is in office, using people's personal tragedies or hardships to prop yourself up as president is rather icky to me. (But at 13 I'd have been so mad to have been picked up and showed off to some crowed like a frickin' toddler. lol)



Edit: Speaking of such topics... Have an appointment next week for the first time doing one of those things you're supposed to do over 40, but will include a diagnostic of a lump as well, that I'm hoping is just a cyst, but already afraid of worst-case scenarios and the possibility of Medicaid being gutted in terrible timing if it turned out like that. And just gonna say all that up front right here so that next week I can come back and have to feel silly for having overblown fears.

[Mayhem]

The better half saw that and was immediately spouting the most likely ways it was treated and how he recovered. Given her boss is American, and they do plenty of coordinated work with US research stations, it’s no stretch that they may have had a hand in the methods of how he was treated.

Good luck for your appointment and diagnosis, I had some polyps removed about ten years ago that could have developed into something more serious, so it’s never too early to have these things checked.

[sdp]

Calm down IMJ, stop with the insults to members. The stock market is recovering after Trump pedalled back the tariffs again.

[CyberCubed]

Calm down IMJ, stop with the insults to members. The stock market is recovering after Trump pedalled back the tariffs again.

I only check my account once a week so hopefully it bounces back by next week. :lol:

I was riding the bull market for awhile, as we need $1.5 million to retire comfortably once we hit 65. Probably more by then due to inflation, so we have to keep saving to get there.

[IndigoErth]

The better half saw that and was immediately spouting the most likely ways it was treated and how he recovered. Given her boss is American, and they do plenty of coordinated work with US research stations, it’s no stretch that they may have had a hand in the methods of how he was treated.
Lucky kid, hope it helps him get his life back and for keeps.



Good luck for your appointment and diagnosis, I had some polyps removed about ten years ago that could have developed into something more serious, so it’s never too early to have these things checked.
Thanks, overdue for that check as well, on top of this other one. Fun times. We all just need to go back to being 20 years younger. lol

[Andrew NDB]

Good luck to you as well, IndigoErth. I'm sure that must be a scary experience to go through for you and your family.

[IndigoErth]

Thanks. Hoping it's a cyst and best case they might take a needle to me, but not thrilled about that prospect either. (Of course I can't help but look up stuff and scare myself with the "what if's".)

[IMJ]

Calm down IMJ, stop with the insults to members. The stock market is recovering after Trump pedalled back the tariffs again.

I think you flare up once in a while in conjunction with your latest herpes outbreak or whatever it is that you have that also messes with your head :lol: Welcome back though! We were just discussing the "new you", but then... you know... the real you logged back on.

[CyberCubed]

I've had a cyst for over 15 years (like since I was 24/25), and it's never gone away. The doctor saw it back then and thought it was nothing. But it's weird it's like 15 years later and it's still there.

[neatoman]

I've had a cyst for over 15 years (like since I was 24/25), and it's never gone away. The doctor saw it back then and thought it was nothing. But it's weird it's like 15 years later and it's still there.

puPGSOl2EO0

[Mayhem]

French Eutelsat is preparing to replace Starlink in Ukraine and send 40k comms terminals to boot. Vive le France. Everyone brace for the return of Freedom Fries :lol:

Calm down IMJ, stop with the insults to members. The stock market is recovering after Trump pedalled back the tariffs again.
1. Impose tariffs, stock market tanks.
2. Billionaires buy shares.
3. Roll back tariffs, stock market recovers
4. Profit!

I’d say insider trading but Leon got rid of the SEC… funny that.

[Mad Dog McMutt]

Thanks. Hoping it's a cyst and best case they might take a needle to me, but not thrilled about that prospect either. (Of course I can't help but look up stuff and scare myself with the "what if's".)
Good luck Indigo! I hope the best for you. Hopefully you don't lose your medicaid.

[Cowabung-Gal]

(Of course I can't help but look up stuff and scare myself with the "what if's".)

Girl, same! :lol:

[IndigoErth]

Thanks, yeah, that's my worry, the universe deciding to do a "f*** you" move with perfect timing of Medicaid getting axed. Hopefully it's nothing, but for all the people who end up with something or already have existing stuff that they don't want to go bankrupt over just trying to get through it, because our healthcare system is for profit... my heart goes out to them.




About that 'starship' exploding... Well, at least it was pretty. Thank goodness it was unmanned.

qA2FbV31JAQ

[Andrew NDB]

I wasn't aware about Medicaid getting axed outright though I do know it's a pretty well known scam and has been for a while now. It barely covers anything and most doctors won't take it because of that reason.

[Mayhem]

About that 'starship' exploding... Well, at least it was pretty. Thank goodness it was unmanned.

That’s four of the last eight. And you guys are funding these fireworks?

[IndigoErth]

Better not be! Better just be the "richest guy," busy blowing up his toys, who I guess can afford to throw away money as easily as he throws away other people's jobs.

I wasn't aware about Medicaid getting axed outright though I do know it's a pretty well known scam and has been for a while now. It barely covers anything and most doctors won't take it because of that reason.
I've heard that it's barely worth anything in some places, but that also varies dramatically by state though. Around here it's not too hard to find doctors who take it, esp through the major healthcare network of hospitals, etc.

I doubt it would be totally axed outright, but cut down to the point of being of little help would be terrible.

[IMJ]

:roll:

The purpose of medicaid is to make basic healthcare available to people who otherwise wouldn't have it. It's not a full-on socialist program where you have ongoing cancer or disease and just "rely" on Medicaid to get you through it.

You guys really just have no fundamental idea what "being in charge of your own life is all about" in a free country. It's about doing it yourself and using small bolstering programs from the government as as stop-gap, not as a f'n "lifestyle".

God, I saw this same thing giving out foodstamps to scumbags who would complain that it wasn't enough and it's like "it's not there to arbitrarily take care of you, it's there to plug your impact hole in the ship while you right the direction away from the rest of the iceburg".

Seriously, half of you don't even know how to operate in the country you reside in, 1/4 has no f''n clue how it works while they reside outside the U.S. and the other 1/4 maybe knows how it works but preys on intellectual weakness to make their points. What's even more amazing is the absolute blockage of comprehension about this, yet ironically when someone is on unemployment the connection is easily made that the unemployment won't pay your mortgage and that it's only there to bridge the time it takes you to get another job. Funny how that works.

[Mayhem]

Better not be! Better just be the "richest guy," busy blowing up his toys, who I guess can afford to throw away money as easily as he throws away other people's jobs.
Yes, you have in a way…

Elon Musk's empire has benefited from $38 billion in contracts and government aid. According to an investigation by 'The Washington Post,' his Tesla and SpaceX companies have been benefiting from large orders and tax credits from local states and the federal government for the past 20 years.

[Mayhem]

Tesla stock down nearly half since the record high. Worry or par for the course?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-stock-falls-45-from-record-high-a-gut-check-moment-that-has-wall-street-bulls-doubling-down-170138187.html

Elon... the most concise description... is a guy who steals businesses from other people. He makes an investment, becomes a partner, and then pushes out the original owners. He's never invented a thing. But he HAS shored up his ownership position of everything he's ever stolen, to the point that they can't fire him.

So here we are:
Tesla needs to survive
Elon could be a threat to Tesla's survival
Elon can't be fired

What is going to happen??

[IndigoErth]

and tax credits from local states

At the very least... I live in the state he is currently angry and resentful at because our courts that specialize in corporate matters told him NO. He's decided to pick up his mailbox (because his company has does nothing here but go to court) and stomped off to measles filled Texas where he can try to get his way in courts that are subpar in comparison. Ah well.

He and his oligarch tech bro buddies can threaten to leave, but they seem to forget they aren't the only ones that were incorporated here and the state was doing just fine before they came and the many companies that benefit from the business-friendly corporate laws probably won't walk out.


Jokingly, I feel like he and Trump have a relationship built on mutual grievances to things tied to the state. Our courts, Biden living here, the state was the first to sign the Constitution they'd love to obliterate. *shrug* :lol:

[Mayhem]

Reading a piece that lays down most of Musk’s kids are IVF babies, and most of them had their sex specifically chosen in advance (which is only legal in some states). Of the fourteen kids he’s had to date, one is trans and two are cis-gender. Evidently it’s perfectly fine for the parents to choose their offspring’s sex but not for the child to determine its own sex afterwards…

[ToTheNines]

Of the fourteen kids he’s had to date, one is trans and two are cis-gender.

Is this a riddle?

[Mayhem]

As I was going to St Ives etc etc... quite possibly!

[Mayhem]

Given Tesla’s value plummeting right now, it’s important to remember that Twitter was purchased using Tesla as collateral.

If the value of the collateral drops far below the value of the loan, the bank will call for the balance to be paid. Which Elon cannot do. So the bank can take the thing he bought with the loan: Twitter.

So let's sum this up, despite the rantings of the orange one.

1. It's legal to short Tesla.
2. It's legal to vote with our money, ie. not buying Teslas.
3. Driving Tesla stock prices down may end Elon's ownership of Twitter.

and finally…

4. The Gamestop stock escapade showed enough people can make things like that happen.

[Andrew NDB]

Given Tesla’s value plummeting right now, it’s important to remember that Twitter was purchased using Tesla as collateral.

If the value of the collateral drops far below the value of the loan, the bank will call for the balance to be paid. Which Elon cannot do.

Of course he can. He can sell/unload some stocks at any point he wants to. It's just... why would he ever want to do that if he doesn't have to?

And all the Tesla protests by people who could never afford to drive one anyway is pretty funny.

[sdp]

Andrew You haven't told us which are your mistery stocks that haven't gone down, since it's all just media lies lol

[Mayhem]

Of course he can. He can sell/unload some stocks at any point he wants to. It's just... why would he ever want to do that if he doesn't have to?
And if you sell enough that you’re no longer the majority shareholder? You no longer have absolute control.

[Mayhem]

According to the Financial Times, Tesla has lost $1.4 billion.

In cash.

Somewhere.

Maybe they should get DOGE on the case to find whose been dipping their fingers in?

Looking like stormy times for the guy who bought the president.

[ToTheNines]

1.4 bil isn’t enough. Keep it going lol

[Barkworm]

1.4 bil isn’t enough. Keep it going lol
Right, that amount is a joke to Musk. Keep bleeding.

[Mayhem]

It's... I don't know, schadenfreude isn't really the right word either, but given DOGE is supposedly finding all this government waste, supposed backhanders from USAID and Ukraine donations into US senators' bank accounts, and mystery contacts for who knows what making taxpayer money vanish, and so forth... the fact Tesla has misplaced over a billion itself is... demonstrably that it isn't just government allegedly skimming off the top.

I'd be almost... almost tempted to put a bet on Musk embezzling bits of Tesla to prop up his acquisition of Twitter and funding SpaceX...

[Andrew NDB]

I'd be almost... almost tempted to put a bet on Musk embezzling bits of Tesla to prop up his acquisition of Twitter and funding SpaceX...

I'm more apt to place a larger bet that you'll be the first to jump on the next like conspiracy theory about Trump, Musk or Ukraine.

[Vegita-San]

people from england rooting against musk.

Your country needs it's own 1776 before it's too late.

[ToTheNines]

WQV0CbW5REw?si=Q5nDORPKhteix1f8

[Andrew NDB]

Owd5Uzibo_Q

[IndigoErth]

Biden: Speech by far about jobs and American workers.
Trump: "We have to celebrate Musk."

(Oh look, and Tesla was up back then.)

[Mayhem]

If Musk honestly thought his actions “in” government weren’t going to affect peoples’ views of Tesla et al, that was quite naive.

And now the cybertrucks are literally falling apart… no wonder others at the tip of the company are asking him to step down.

His ego is just as fragile as Donnie Rapefingers. A poll got ran on Twitter about whether people would buy a Tesla. First week voting it was 94% against. He only publicised the poll later on when it said 70% in favour after the poll was spiked by hundreds of thousands of votes from just two IP addresses (yes there is a news story out there about this).

people from england rooting against musk.

Your country needs its own 1776 before it's too late.
Shows your lack of history knowledge, it happened in 1649.

[ZariusTwo]

people from england rooting against musk.

Your country needs it's own 1776 before it's too late.

Starmer, the 'man of a thousand cuts' to the elderly and the mentally/physically disadvantaged, is a hell of a dillemma for the next election. We either get rid of him and Labour, or keep them in to keep Reform and the Tories out.

[IndigoErth]

After Musk, who probably has little business being involved in things over there, had that meeting in the Pentagon and it was quickly and rightly questioned, this Hegseth guy was in the Oval Office with Trump on tv to defend it fast enough to give himself whiplash. Sure, that bitchy sounding, quick kneejerk defensiveness didn't sound guilty at all. :tlol:

[Mayhem]

https://i.imgur.com/x8DDYDb.jpeg

[Mayhem]

Interesting retroactive perspective from one Jeremy Clarkson…

The Tesla boss is so touchy he filed a lawsuit when I gave him a bad review. So how will he cope now that the eco hippies who used to idolise him have turned on his cars?

I’d love to remind all you Tesla drivers that I warned you 17 years ago that no good would come of your buying choice. But you didn’t listen. You chose to believe Mr Musk.

And now, because of the mob, you must park your car in a locked garage, use public transport and get used to the fact that, as you queue in this increasingly hysterical and unpleasant world, some people are going to drive past you in their proper cars.

[Andrew NDB]

Clarkson is a pretty great guy. Hilarious at times. And he's not wrong. Look, Elon clearly chose to involve himself into politics at a possible/probable detriment to at least one or two of his companies. As he's said... he's OK taking the hit because it's that important to him.

[Cowabung-Gal]

Stephen Colbert went from this

https://www.therichest.com/rich-powerful/heres-why-stephen-colbert-might-just-be-the-biggest-celebrity-tesla-fan/

To this

https://news.grabien.com/story/colbert-on-tesla-cars-getting-wheels-stolen-i-do-not-condone-this-but

[Barkworm]

Stephen Colbert went from this

https://www.therichest.com/rich-powerful/heres-why-stephen-colbert-might-just-be-the-biggest-celebrity-tesla-fan/

To this

https://news.grabien.com/story/colbert-on-tesla-cars-getting-wheels-stolen-i-do-not-condone-this-but

Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that Elon turned out to be completely batsh*t loco and it wasn't as apparent in 2022?

[ToTheNines]

Elon is out. They’re acting like it was always supposed to be temporary, but this was never once mentioned at any point.

Let's see if everyone screaming about DOGE not being qualified to audit this agency or that agency refuses to accept their $5000 refund check:

https://fortune.com/2025/02/19/elon-musk-5000-check-doge/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjYbJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdZ2SmQNkTIf 7haShWOONWb5l_x4Ln305H1i_-Tb0iGDqNkCBbbVaUGtSA_aem_Ukks1tSHU4fDHUPIXsS-Rg

Mine musta got lost in the mail!

[Coola Yagami]

Elon is out. They’re acting like it was always supposed to be temporary, but this was never once mentioned at any point.



Mine musta got lost in the mail!

Out, as in he no longer owns Twitter?

[ToTheNines]

Out of the US government. Sorry, I was just treating this as a catch all Elon thread. I guess Big Balls in I charge of DOGE now.

[neatoman]

Are people still trying to make Bluesky a thing? As far as I could tell, the only reason anyone would have for using Bluesky instead of twitter is because they don't like Musk, but I also know people on the internet tend to be a bit fickle and move on quickly, so I wouldn't be surprised if the people who'll encourage Bluesky eventually just give up and go back to twitter because it's easier.

Look at the data alone, Bluesky has 35 million registered users but only about 10 million are active and both of those numbers are nothing compared to twitter's 300 million that twitter had before Musk took over.

[IMJ]

Bluesky is the online manifestation against Twitter that was the same as a blue-haired weirdo declaring on video that she is removing herself from the contact of men as if it were punishment upon all of us.

[Coola Yagami]

Are people still trying to make Bluesky a thing? As far as I could tell, the only reason anyone would have for using Bluesky instead of twitter is because they don't like Musk, but I also know people on the internet tend to be a bit fickle and move on quickly, so I wouldn't be surprised if the people who'll encourage Bluesky eventually just give up and go back to twitter because it's easier.

Look at the data alone, Bluesky has 35 million registered users but only about 10 million are active and both of those numbers are nothing compared to twitter's 300 million that twitter had before Musk took over.

People talk just to virtue signal. Not many people actually left Bluesky for Twitter. They either did so but came back or just use both services. I've seen people post how they like Bluesky and hate Musk but they miss the engagement they have on Twitter, where posting something gets them crazy views in minutes.

It's all virtue signalling. They care more about their clicks and retweets for dopamine hits. They're all talk and never really left Twitter or did so for like a day or so.

[Andrew NDB]

Yeah, ironically Bluesky was mostly a prop for people to post on Facebook and/or Twitter about how they're leaving Facebook and/or Twitter to go there. But then they don't really leave.

[CyberCubed]

Does anyone remember, "Threads?" That was the first big alternative to twitter. James Gunn still uses it.

[Andrew NDB]

Does anyone remember, "Threads?" That was the first big alternative to twitter. James Gunn still uses it.

I still get little suggested posts on Instagram to install Threads to view an article even though every time I click "Stop showing me this kind of post."

I'm certainly not against viable alternatives to things like Facebook and especially YouTube (Rumble is promising but still seems pretty nascent) but not ones borne out of hatred for the same kind of stuff they're pretending to be against, just flipped. It's even worse when they pretend that's NOT the reason they make these things when it so clearly is.

[Mayhem]

I know quite a few folks (comic artists etc, not regular public) who have mostly swapped to Bsky, and being on there is refreshing only in the sense that I'm not constantly bombarded with post after post from the usual right wing nut shills (Catturd, Gunter, MTG aka dumbest bitch in politics etc). The political posts are actually civil and balanced, and no, not all left wing either.

[sdp]

Twitter has been trash for years, even before Elon, but it did get worse after Elon. But it's still the best place to be when compared to the alternatives.

Plenty of people have left twitter that came back but not everyone came back, there's still a few that stuck to only Instagram and the odd balls that are still trying to make Bluesky a thing. I tried Bluesky for a while but it was too much of a "this is cool because it's not twitter and we're morally superior", it's still better than Truth social which is just trash but still Bluesky is never going to be a thing as long as its just a twitter clone. Threads was never really a thing and neither was mastodon so, twitter it is.

[CyberCubed]

Most big videogame companies and Japanese studios still use Twitter too moreso than anything else.

[sdp]

at a share holders meeting for the end of the fiscal year, someone asked if they were going to go to stop using twitter in their presence and they basically said no because that's where the audience is.
People get so caught up in their culture wars that they forget companies don't care. They do what they think the audience wants since it'll bring them money, there's no big conspiracy or agenda.

[Andrew NDB]

People get so caught up in their culture wars that they forget companies don't care.

You're the only one talking about companies here.

[ToTheNines]

I love twitter. I try to stay off it because it’s such a time suck, but damn it’s hilarious. Anyone that left it is a pussy. Like the rest of the internet, you have full freedom to follow and block whoever you want and your algorithm will factor in your “likes” and reflect that.

Oh, and I’m not ****ing calling it X. Ever!

[IMJ]

My Twitter account is 100% used only for crypto retweets for rewards. That's literally all I use it for.

[Andrew NDB]

I used to have Twitter tied to my Nike+ account, so it would automatically post every time I'd go for a few miles on a run. That was it, though.

[Autbot_Benz]

I only use twitter to check for Toy Deals from the Toy Account I follow on Twitter who posts pre-orders up as soon as they go live

[sdp]

I use twitter to post my Adult TMNT fan art.

[Coola Yagami]

Does anyone remember, "Threads?" That was the first big alternative to twitter. James Gunn still uses it.

I never got Threads. It's just... Instagram 2.... which you kinda get by clicking on regular Instagram. I don't see the point.

[ToTheNines]

It seems very clickbaity.

[Andrew NDB]

Yeah, Threads. A social networking site within a social networking site. Why would I possibly want that?

[Coola Yagami]

Yeah, Threads. A social networking site within a social networking site. Why would I possibly want that?

Exactly. It's like going to Twitter and when you click on a link it takes you to Twitter 2. Why even bother? Threads doesn't look different enough from Instagram to justify it.

[Andrew NDB]

Exactly. It's like going to Twitter and when you click on a link it takes you to Twitter 2. Why even bother? Threads doesn't look different enough from Instagram to justify it.

I think the idea was to give people upset with Elon and Twitter could get their Twitter-like fix in Threads? Or try and woo the crazies who threatened to go to Bluesky, giving them an alternative that's still within the "Facebook family."

[CyberCubed]

They're all basically the same. Twitter was a big deal for the same reason youtube was, all the major movie/videogame/music/actors etc. posted on it and news about games/movies/tv shows.

Tumblr is basically the replacement for deviantart. It's basically more or less a fanart site and for fandoms.

bluesky/threads, etc are both twitter replacements that have less activity.

instagram has a lot of celebrities on it.

[Barkworm]

The only social media thing I ever had was Facebook but when the pandemic started, I got rid of that, too. Or do WhatsApp and the likes count as well? I deleted WhatsApp when my oldest kid started school because I hated the idea of being in lame groups with other parents who would go apesh*t about the most trivial stuff.

Now I only have Signal which is a wasteland for the most part (which I love).

And this place, of course.:lol: But everyone needs a guilty pleasure.

[IMJ]

MySpace was where I really cut my teeth figuring out what HTML was all about.... so I guess in that regard "Social Media" has been good for me for something.

[Mayhem]

Now I only have Signal which is a wasteland for the most part (which I love).
Have you been randomly invited to a US security discussion? :lol:

(honestly you’re the first person I’ve heard saying you use it)

[Andrew NDB]

Have you been randomly invited to a US security discussion? :lol:

Ha ha ha ha... like the news story from 2 months ago! ha ha ha ha...

[Barkworm]

Ha ha ha ha... like the news story from 2 months ago! ha ha ha ha...
Yeah, that doesn't really make the fact that these people are operating at an amateur level less relevant.

[Mayhem]

The fact is, these people would love everyone to forgot (or whitewash) all the kindergarten level **** ups they’ve made in literally only five months. But we won’t. And we will keep reminding them about it.

[member_removed]

Ha ha ha ha... like the news story from 2 months ago! ha ha ha ha...

Does that mean can stop hearing about Hillary's emails and Hunter's laptop too?

[Andrew NDB]

Pictures today of Trump and Musk shaking hands and making nice at the Kirk memorial.

[ToTheNines]

Let's see if everyone screaming about DOGE not being qualified to audit this agency or that agency refuses to accept their $5000 refund check:

https://fortune.com/2025/02/19/elon-musk-5000-check-doge/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjYbJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdZ2SmQNkTIf 7haShWOONWb5l_x4Ln305H1i_-Tb0iGDqNkCBbbVaUGtSA_aem_Ukks1tSHU4fDHUPIXsS-Rg

Andrew, what are you spending your $5k on?

[CyberCubed]

Tbh I think a lot of people forgot Elon even owns twitter. The only difference is the site is named X now. All the people threatening to leave and go to bluesky or threads or any of those other obscure places came crawling back due to the lack of activity.

Reddit and Twitter are really the only two places to be now, besides youtube itself. Especially for fandom stuff like videogames, shows, movies, cartoons, etc.

[Andrew NDB]

Andrew, what are you spending your $5k on?

Hey, there was five minutes when it seemed like that was going to be a thing. We don't even hear about DOGE now at all, which is weird. Presumably they're still out there cutting but... the left doesn't care anymore, because there's no figurehead for it any longer like an Elon?

Tbh I think a lot of people forgot Elon even owns twitter.

Or their anger was only ever just performative.