Category: Media and Culture,

ThinkProgress: Steve Bannon knows how often you go to church

On By peanutgallerynhIn Media and Culture,, Money, Class, and Poverty,, Privacy,, Religion,Leave a comment

Steve Bannon and the conservative group CatholicVote used cell-phone location data for people who had been inside Roman Catholic churches in Dubuque, Iowa, in 2018 to target them with get-out-the-vote ads, ThinkProgress has learned.

…“If your phone’s ever been in a Catholic church, it’s amazing, they got this data,” Bannon told director Alison Klayman as they sat in his Washington, D.C., home on the eve of the 2018 midterm elections.

“Literally, they can tell who’s been in a Catholic church and how frequently,” Bannon added. “And they got it triaged.”

…CatholicVote planned to use the data to send targeted get-out-the-vote ads on election day telling Catholics that it was their duty “to support President Trump,” according to Bannon.

…CatholicVote would not say more about how the group collected and used data in 2018.

The technology Bannon was alluding to is called “geofencing” or “ring-fencing.” It’s become popular over the last several years with advertisers, campaigns, and advocacy groups that want to find people who may be receptive to their message.

When Klayman asked Bannon, on-camera, where he got his data from, he answered, simply, “the phone companies.”

“And the data guys sell it,” Bannon added.

…Geofencing creates a virtual fence around a geographic location, allowing data brokers and digital marketing firms to either serve ads to people while they are inside the fence or capture their phones’ unique IDs for later use. The ads themselves appear in apps or on websites as the person uses their phone, whether they’re served up while the user is in the geofenced area or at a later date.

…Here’s how geofencing information is collected: Our phones constantly give up our locations. Experts who spoke with ThinkProgress said there are several ways that brokers can collect that data. One method estimates the location of a phone based on the cell towers it pings as it looks for a signal. In other methods, some of a smart phone’s apps collect location data from its GPS chip or the wifi networks it connects to. Many of the biggest app makers then monetize that data, selling it to brokers and digital ad firms.

…In 2017, Copley Advertising settled with the Massachusetts attorney general’s office after it used geofencing to help anti-abortion groups target ads to women who visited Planned Parenthood clinics.

…The New York Times reviewed some of the location data that app makers sold to a broker, the paper was able to identify individual users and track them to a Planned Parenthood clinic, a middle school, an emergency room, and to their homes and offices.

The technology news site Motherboard went a step further, paying a bounty hunter to locate a specific phone in Queens, New York, after T-Mobile sold the user’s location data, gleaned from cell towers, to a broker who then re-sold it to third-party dealers.

Exclusive: Steve Bannon knows how often you go to church

sigh…

U of Hawaii pursues controversial Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea

On By peanutgallerynhIn Environment,, Hawaii,, Media and Culture,, Religion,Leave a comment

Hawaiians’ protests have attracted the support of many across academe, who see the TMT — in the words of geneticist Keolu Fox of UC San Diego and physicist Chandra Prescod-Weinstein of the University of New Hampshire — as colonial science.

“Far from some replay of an ancient clash between tradition and modernity, this is a battle between the old ways of doing science, which rely on forceful extraction (whether of natural resources or data), and a new scientific method, which privileges the dignity and humanity of indigenous peoples, including Hawaiians and the black diaspora,” they wrote in The Nation. “It is a clash between colonial science — the one which, under the guise of progress, has all too often helped justify conquest and human rights violations — and a science that respects indigenous autonomy.”

Hulali Kau, a writer and advocate working in Native Hawaiian and environmental law, said, “To anyone that continues to try to frame TMT as a science versus culture argument, I would say that this struggle over the future of Mauna Kea is actually about how we manage resources and align our laws and values of Hawaii to connect a past where the state has subjected its indigenous people to continued mismanagement of it lands with its uncertain future.”

Among many concerns, including the university’s past management of the observation space, Kau said she worries that the TMT will include two 5,000 gallon tanks installed two stories below ground level for chemical and human waste. 

Mauna Kea, a conservation district, is home to the largest aquifer in Hawaii, she said. “There are still questions as to the environmental consequences.”

Kau noted that the university was previously embroiled in an indigenous space dispute, when it attempted to patent three strains of taro, or “kalo,” a popular food source. It finally dropped the patents several years later, in 2006. 

U of Hawaii pursues controversial Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea and is leading indigenous institution

hmmmm

Montana removes 27 children from youth treatment ranch, alleging ‘egregious’ abuse

On By peanutgallerynhIn Modern Parenting,, Religion,Leave a comment

The Ranch for Kids, a nonprofit organization founded in 2004, describes itself as a respite care program for at-risk adopted children and their families, particularly children suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder, which is a condition found in children who have been mistreated by previous primary caregivers.

….The Health Department said tips and reports of “egregious abuse” had been rising “in both frequency and severity in recent months,” including allegations that:

  • Children were hit, kicked, body slammed and spit on by staff members.
  • Staff members inflicted “persistent psychological abuse” on children, including prolonged isolation.
  • Children were forced to go on 15- to 20-mile “disciplinary walks” on remote Forest Service roads in harsh conditions.
  • Food was withheld from children.
  • A nail gun was shot at a child.

Montana removes 27 children from youth treatment ranch, alleging ‘egregious’ abuse

Demonic.

Trump vows to end birthright citizenship with executive order

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, Race,Leave a comment

President Donald Trump said in an interview that he plans to sign an executive order ending “birthright citizenship” for the children of non-American citizens who are born on U.S. soil, a move that would likely be challenged immediately in the courts over its constitutionality.

…According to the 14th Amendment, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

…”The 14th Amendment is explicit on this question: Persons born in the U.S. are citizens of the U.S. and of the states in which they reside,” said Sarah E. Turberville, director of The Constitution Project with the Project on Government Oversight.

“You can quibble over whether this is a good policy, but you can’t quibble over what the Constitution very specifically says on the manner,” she said.

…In a 1982 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that even if a person enters the country illegally, that person is within U.S. jurisdiction and “is subject to the full range of obligations imposed by the State’s civil and criminal laws. And until he leaves the jurisdiction – either voluntarily, or involuntarily in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States – he is entitled to the equal protection of the laws that a State may choose to establish.” 

“No plausible distinction with respect to Fourteenth Amendment ‘jurisdiction’ can be drawn between resident aliens whose entry into the United States was lawful, and resident aliens whose entry was unlawful,” a footnote to the decision for Plyler v. Doe reads.

…The 14th Amendment was adopted in 1868, after the Civil War. It was largely intended to grant citizenship to newly freed slaves and undo the 1857 Dred Scott decision in which the Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not citizens, but property.  

The concept of birthright citizenship was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1898 in United States v. Wong Kim Ark when the court affirmed the citizenship of a man born on U.S. soil to parents who were Chinese nationals. 

…Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Trump was trying to “rewrite the Constitution on his own.” 

“An executive order to eliminate birthright citizenship would be a violation of his oath of office. And it reveals who he is – a man who longs to return to the days when African Americans and members of other ethnic minorities are denied the equality promised by Jefferson and Lincoln that is enshrined in our Constitution as America’s moral North Star,” Kaine said in a statement. 

Trump vows to end birthright citizenship with executive order

hmmmmm

There are ‘Nazis’ in Congress, says former Republican leader John Boehner

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, Media and Culture,, Race,Leave a comment

“We’ve got some of the smartest people in America who serve in the Congress, and we’ve got some of the dumbest”, Mr Boehner said. “We have some of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet, and some that are Nazis.”

There are ‘Nazis’ in Congress, says former Republican leader John Boehner | The Independent

hmmm

NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in Eric Garner’s chokehold death should be fired, judge recommends

On By peanutgallerynhIn American Injustice System,, Race,Leave a comment

“This has been a long battle. Five years too long. And finally, someone has said this cop has done something wrong,” Garner’s daughter, Emerald Garner Snipes, said at a news conference following news of the recommendation.

…She called on New York Police Commissioner James O’Neill to “do your job” and fire Pantaleo.

NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in Eric Garner’s chokehold death should be fired, judge recommends

Unless the NYPD would like to publicly acknowledge that in, in their own estimation, police officers are licensed to kill without cause and without consequences they need to fire and charge the coldblooded murderers within their own ranks.

TMT protesters took to social media to make their case ― and build support nationally

On By peanutgallerynhIn Hawaii,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

The conflict over TMT has also made it onto the national political stage, with presidential hopefuls Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeting their support for protesters.

Sanders, though, subsequently deleted his tweet.

Buente said in his estimation, TMT protesters have upped their game since the opposition began.

“The core movement has always been there, but they’ve learned a lot since 2015 on how to effectively use social media,” Buente said.

“By acting in kapu aloha, the message will survive in our current attention economy where people have so many movement options in front of them.”

TMT protesters took to social media to make their case ― and build support nationally

hmmm

Democrats express alarm over debate’s negative tone

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

[Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.)] said there is “concern” within the caucus of the increasingly vicious attacks, particularly against the front-runner, former Vice President Joe Biden.

…[Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)] said, “Just the incessant focus on these relative minor divisions between candidates might make for good TV but I don’t think gives people an accurate portrayal of the stakes of this election.”

…“If we get all focused on the differences between, say Bernie [Sanders] and Cory [Booker] and Mayor Pete [Buttigieg] and [John] Hickenlooper, we’ll lose sight of the fact that it’s Donald Trump who’s now trying to reduce health care, destroy health care, get it rid for everybody,” Schumer said, adding, “That’s a trap we shouldn’t fall into.”

…Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) said he’s concerned the party infighting over health care obscures what he sees as the more important topic of the 2020 election: the difference between Trump and the Democrats.

“I think we’re digging into this whole Medicare debate in such detail that we’re missing the obvious. What this president is trying to do with existing health care should be the issue,” he said.

Democrats express alarm over debate’s negative tone | TheHill

hmmmm

Facebook’s privacy agreement with the FTC does little to constrain it

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, Media and Culture,, Money, Class, and Poverty,, Privacy,Leave a comment

The $5 billion penalty is all-but-inconsequential to a company as profitable as Facebook. The new oversight structure has some major flaws and weaknesses. The settlement does little to limit Zuckerberg’s power and doesn’t hold him personally accountable for the actions of a company that he alone controls. And the agreement does almost nothing to stop the collection and sharing of data — or the use of it for targeted advertising — that was at the heart of the company’s privacy violations.

Facebook’s privacy agreement with the FTC does little to constrain it – Business Insider

Jeezus…

Ohio Police Officers In Stormy Daniels Arrest Face Disciplinary Action : NPR

On By peanutgallerynhIn American Injustice System,, Domestic Affairs,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

Columbus Division of Police interim Chief Tom Quinlan did not identify the officers, other than saying that they worked for the “now-disbanded Vice Section.” They are facing departmental charges, he said.

Quinlan omitted any details about the officers’ actions that prompted the charges, saying only, “I made this decision because these officers violated our rules of conduct.”

Ohio Police Officers In Stormy Daniels Arrest Face Disciplinary Action : NPR

Police HR concerns are a joke. They work for the public, the public should have access to disciplinary reports. Anything less than full transparency is collusion and the covering up potential criminal activity.

How you know Tulsi Gabbard really got under Kamala Harris’ skin – CNNPolitics

On By peanutgallerynhIn American Injustice System,, Domestic Affairs,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

 

“I’m deeply concerned about this record. There are too many examples to cite but [Harris] put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana.

“She blocked evidence — she blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so. She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California.” – Tulsi Gabbard

First of all, if you are running for president and you hear the words, “This is going to sound immodest” come out of your mouth, it may be best to recalibrate what you are going to say.

Second, what Harris is actually saying is, basically, this: The dork took a shot at the most popular kid in school. Big whoop.

That is not a good look. For any candidate. Ever.

…Harris started her answer on Gabbard with was the she-is-so-beneath-me-I-can’t-even-bring-myself-to-take-her-seriously riff. Which, for a candidate as naturally gifted and experienced as Harris, is a clear mistake. And a mistake that appeared born of the simple fact that Gabbard pissed her off and, in the immediate aftermath of the debate, she was still fuming.

…Harris’ inability to keep her cool is something to keep an eye on. This isn’t the only time she’s going to be challenged on her record in the coming months.

How you know Tulsi Gabbard really got under Kamala Harris’ skin – CNNPolitics

So Harris doesn’t think the input of anyone who isn’t a top tier candidate can be valid? Oooof. The voters of New Hampshire will not be charmed.  …Especially since she is hyping her top tier status, finishing out of the top 5 in New Hampshire will tank her top tier campaign before it starts. Good luck with that attitude and refusing to discuss your record, Prosecutor!

FBI, TSA use of facial recognition tech needs cleaning up, say lawmakers

On By peanutgallerynhIn American Injustice System,, Media and Culture,, Privacy,, Science and Stuff,Leave a comment

At a Tuesday hearing on facial recognition by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, lawmakers questioned how government agencies like the FBI and the Transportation Security Administration have been using the technology. The FBI faced heavy criticism for failing to meet the Government Accountability Office’s recommendations on accuracy, transparency and privacy issues.

“They still haven’t fixed the five things they were supposed to do when they started,” Rep. Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio and the ranking member of the oversight committee, said at the hearing. “But we’re supposed to believe ‘don’t worry, everything’s just fine.'”

Those five recommendations about the use of facial recognition systems include publishing privacy documents, conducting privacy impact assessments, improving sample sizes in accuracy tests, testing accuracy of partners, and conducting annual reviews of accuracy.

…The TSA uses facial recognition at airports, saying the technology speeds the check-in process, but critics have said the tech is being utilized without proper vetting or regulatory safeguards

…Researchers have pointed out that facial recognition tech can be flawed and can show race and gender bias, and civil rights advocates have argued that facial recognition threatens privacy and free speech.

FBI, TSA use of facial recognition tech needs cleaning up, say lawmakers – CNET

hmmm

A Lawmaker Wants To End ‘Social Media Addiction’ By Killing Features That Enable Mindless Scrolling

On By peanutgallerynhIn Addiction,, Domestic Affairs,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

The bill by freshman Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. – the Social Media Addiction Reduction Technology (SMART) Act – would make it illegal for social media companies such as Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat to use infinite scroll, autoplay video or techniques like Snapchat’s “streaks,” which reward a user with badges for repeated use.

…It proposes regulatory measures that would force users to actively choose to engage for prolonged periods rather than being mindlessly sucked into the void.

The bill would require platforms to implement “natural stopping points,” or places where a video or post stops and the users are prompted to click or select another piece of content, rather than it appearing or playing automatically.

…Too much of the ‘innovation’ in this space is designed not to create better products, but to capture more attention by using psychological tricks that make it difficult to look away. This legislation will put an end to that and encourage true innovation by tech companies.”

…”Studies have shown that tech companies utilize computer design techniques embraced by casinos, like the idea of “stickiness” – which give “just enough positive feedback to want to return to the game but deny users enough pleasure so that they don’t get satiated.”

Baltimore Jewish Life | A Lawmaker Wants To End ‘Social Media Addiction’ By Killing Features That Enable Mindless Scrolling

hmmm