President Trump: Making America Great Again...

[Shaka]

I just ran across this tweet from Portnoy. It's a pretty good take on what is and isn't cancel culture.

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[Northwestcoug]

Remember that discussion waaaay back a few months ago wondering if Trump was following project 2025 or not? Good times:

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[Donuthole]

I just ran across this tweet from Portnoy. It's a pretty good take on what is and isn't cancel culture.

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That is a stupid, self-serving take by Portnoy. It's a convenient definition for him right now. While cancel culture can involve going back into someone's past, but that's not a pre-requisite. What about the girl who tweeted a joke about Aids in Africa, got on a plane, and by the time it landed, she was fired due to a public outcry? That was a response to something current--not digging up old stuff about her. Same with the dentist hunting lions (or was it elephants) who the animal lovers tried to cancel. Same with the lady who took a disrespectful pic in front of the Unknown Soldier tomb, or the author who was caught making up Bob Dylan quotes. These people were all victims of cancel culture, and none of them had their past lives dragged out into the public to make it happen.

[Shaka]

That is a stupid, self-serving take by Portnoy. It's a convenient definition for him right now. While cancel culture can involve going back into someone's past, but that's not a pre-requisite. What about the girl who tweeted a joke about Aids in Africa, got on a plane, and by the time it landed, she was fired due to a public outcry? That was a response to something current--not digging up old stuff about her. Same with the dentist hunting lions (or was it elephants) who the animal lovers tried to cancel. Same with the lady who took a disrespectful pic in front of the Unknown Soldier tomb, or the author who was caught making up Bob Dylan quotes. These people were all victims of cancel culture, and none of them had their past lives dragged out into the public to make it happen.

I agree cancel culture can include the present. However, I agree with him on causing headaches for your employer.

[Donuthole]

I agree cancel culture can include the present. However, I agree with him on causing headaches for your employer.

So you agree, not a good take on what is and isn't cancel culture.

[Shaka]

So you agree, not a good take on what is and isn't cancel culture.

It's a take that doesn't cover all the bases.

[falafel]

I just ran across this tweet from Portnoy. It's a pretty good take on what is and isn't cancel culture.

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I think Portnoy misses the mark here. First of all, I think his definition of "cancel culture" is incorrect. He basically says its only cancel culture if people comb through your past tweets, posts, etc. in order to make you suffer consequences now. He says that any backlash or cancelation for contemporaneous statements is only "consequences for your actions". But this analysis skips over the fact that you first have to decide to cancel a person contemporaneously before you go search for past statements to spotlight. According to Portnoy's rationale, you first have to decide to cancel someone and then comb through their past for evidence to support your conclusion.

That may make sense in a world where the government isn't putting its thumb on the scale. Here, Trump has called for Kimmel to be fired for years. Can you imagine? The president of the United States weighing in on personnel matters at a late night variety show?? Glad he has his eye on the important issues facing our country. Just look at the facts:

- two very high profile comedians (Colbert and Kimmel) fired after so-called controversial comments. Both comedians are huge critics of Trump, and Trump has openly feuded for years with both.

- both worked for networks that had been sued by Trump because the networks said things the President didn't like (he called it defamation, some call it reporting).

- just this week, Trump told an ABC reporter that the DOJ might go after him for hate speech "because you treat me very unfairly"; Trump also told an Australian reporter that the reporter was "hurting Australia" and that Trump was going to tell on him to the Aus. PM.

- both networks had a massive merger pending approval by the federal government, way more important than late night variety shows that were losing money, and were therefore motivated to appease the Trump administration.

- the FCC chair said on Benny Johnson's podcast that maybe ABC and other networks should have their licenses pulled (a.k.a., their entire business shut down) based on saying things the administration found objectionable.

When you add all of that up, this really doesn't feel like a "Consequence" as much as it feels like an "Opportunity".

[Moliere]

Is Kimmels firing (at the behest of the FCC) really that different from what the IRS did under Obama when it deliberately targeted conservative groups? I'm not saying they are exactly the same, nor am I saying two wrongs make a right, but it is interesting to see people get all worked up over this when they didn't bat an eye back in 2013 (or whenever the IRS scandal came to light).

[Pelado]

Is Kimmels firing (at the behest of the FCC) really that different from what the IRS did under Obama when it deliberately targeted conservative groups? I'm not saying they are exactly the same, nor am I saying two wrongs make a right, but it is interesting to see people get all worked up over this when they didn't bat an eye back in 2013 (or whenever the IRS scandal came to light).

I would say that the FCC actively threatening broadcasters with sanctions and/or forfeiture of licenses because of political speech they don't like is worse.

[Maximus]

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hmm what

[frank ryan]

Is Kimmels firing (at the behest of the FCC) really that different from what the IRS did under Obama when it deliberately targeted conservative groups? I'm not saying they are exactly the same, nor am I saying two wrongs make a right, but it is interesting to see people get all worked up over this when they didn't bat an eye back in 2013 (or whenever the IRS scandal came to light).

Yes. They aren't the same situation. What companies shut down or were micromanaged into firing certain employees?

Im sure we can't count on Trump using the IRS to target liberals

[Shaka]

Yes. They aren't the same situation. What companies shut down or were micromanaged into firing certain employees?

Im sure we can't count on Trump using the IRS to target liberals

You're right, they aren't. Using the IRS as a weapon is much worse.

[falafel]

Is Kimmels firing (at the behest of the FCC) really that different from what the IRS did under Obama when it deliberately targeted conservative groups? I'm not saying they are exactly the same, nor am I saying two wrongs make a right, but it is interesting to see people get all worked up over this when they didn't bat an eye back in 2013 (or whenever the IRS scandal came to light).

Bwhahaha, way to cover every single possible exit!

[falafel]

You're right, they aren't. Using the IRS as a weapon is much worse.

Why? Do you think using the IRS as a weapon is bad? You only said "worse".

[Jeff Lebowski]

I call BS on this IRS stuff.