Re:U.S. Senate tech hearing becomes political tussle
by tboyd47 on Wednesday October 28, 2020 @01:46PM
(#24921836)
I think GP's cynicism is warranted in this case. I listened to the first hour of this hearing, including Cruz's rant, and it's pretty clear that Congress is not touching Section 230 anytime soon. They're content just dragging these CEOs into Congress for a tongue-lashing every once in a while. There's nothing of substance being discussed.
Re:U.S. Senate tech hearing becomes political tussle
by belly_joe on Wednesday October 28, 2020 @01:53PM
(#24921919)
GOP senators going through these motions is kind of like a weird mirror image of when the Dems bring in the relevant CEO from the latest financial fraud for grilling, but no relevant laws get changed
Re:U.S. Senate tech hearing becomes political tussle
by nerdponx on Wednesday October 28, 2020 @02:52PM
(#24922657)
The difference being that the laws should be changed in that case, whereas here maybe Section 230 is kinda OK.
Re:U.S. Senate tech hearing becomes political tussle
by pyronik19 on Wednesday October 28, 2020 @02:00PM
(#24922010)
Of course, GOP Senate can't do anything to stop them since the Dems not only enjoy the benefits of the censorship but they are encouraging more of it. All the R's can do is grandstand about it.
You are correct that they are filled with showboating. But at the same time they very often trigger changes in both policy and public opinion.
If nothing else, they allow us to see that a particular issue is on the radar in Washington, and not just something a bunch of randos on the internet are barking about.
There are hundreds, even thousands, of hearings like this that are productive. The difference is that they're handled more quietly, and are relegated to CSPAN, not HN.