[ok123456]

As demonstrated by this ban, we're objectively worse now.

The true threat to our democracy is a foreign power. It's just not China.

[neither_color]

What's your objective metric? I would say one side has way more websites and apps blocked than the other. So if we go by that measure then I'd say the one with more websites and apps blocked is objectively worse.

[ok123456]

Civil rights aren't a zero-sum game. America must lead by example by not silencing 170 million people because of some "intelligence" that's likely less reputable than Saddam having WMDs or the Marty Rimm report.

[infecto]

Yes banning TikTok is a threat to democracy.

[383toast]

Unironically it is

[sanderjd]

How so? The law was passed by democratically elected representatives in the US government.

[ok123456]

AIPAC (foreign lobby) money.

They also profited heavily from picking favorites. Senator Cotton mysteriously increased his net wealth by 2 million in the past year.

[sanderjd]

This is silly. Yes, there is a lot of money in American politics. No, that does not mean that any particular lobbying entity, even the AIPAC believe it or not!, controls what happens.

This isn't a battle of moneyed interests vs. penniless altruists. There is plenty of money on TikTok's side here.

If you find yourself buying into a simplistic narrative about a single organization buying the exact law they want, you've been had. It's never that simple.

[ok123456]

In this case, it is this simple.

AIPAC wanted this.

They threaten congressmen who buck them with being primaried. They reward compliance with money. This is not behavior we see routinely from other special interests.

[infecto]

Just because you say it does not make it so. Oh the irony.