Closing Thought–06Jul18
A couple of days ago we celebrated our independence day and did you know that is has been tagged as hate speech?
Say HUH?
The Declaration of Independence contains hate speech, according to Facebook’s algorithms. Though the social media site eventually allowed the famed historical document to be shared in full, Texas’ Liberty County Vindicator ran into trouble while posting fragments of the text on its Facebook page ahead of Independence Day. Facebook’s algorithms specifically flagged three words in a line accusing the British monarchy of endeavoring “to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages,” claiming the line violated the site’s standards on hate speech, per the BBC. “Unfortunately, [Thomas] Jefferson, like most British colonists of his day, did not hold an entirely friendly view of Native Americans,” the Vindicator‘s managing editor, Casey Stinnett, commented after the text was removed.
Stinnett wasn’t all that upset, though. “The newspaper has little grounds for complaint other than the silliness of it,” he wrote. Still, Facebook later restored the content and apologized. “We made a mistake and removed something you posted on Facebook that didn’t go against our community standards,” the company told the paper. It’s an admission surely welcomed by Christian Britschgi at Reason, who accused Facebook of “whitewashing America’s founding.” While “clearly racist,” the flagged line of text “serves as another example of the American Revolution’s mixed legacy; one that won crucial liberties for a certain segment of the population, while continuing to deny those same liberties to Native Americans and African slaves,” he writes.
Did you know today in history….1947, the AK-47 went into production…..and has been in constant production since that date…..71 years.
Just a little something to think about on this Friday to start your weekend…..
I often wonder if I am using the WordPress “like” button correctly. Perhaps it’s not like the facebook “like” at all. Now there is a new feature to “save” posts (which I have also been using).
Maybe, it’s that so many posting (not just yours) are, in fact, not “like” at all.
Then again, I could be using the “like” wrong. hmmmm
I “save” posts as drafts t be used when I need them….the like button I think you are using it properly….chuq
Oops, when I said “save”, I actually meant to say (the new) “bookmark” feature. But as for the “like” feature, I sometimes scroll through a bloggers feed to see what kinds of articles get the most likes… I’m disappointed with the numbers.
“Liking” your reply or a post to me gives validation to tell you I read what you wrote🤔😁
The AK in its many variants are a proven design…..it’s no wonder that it’s still in production.
True…. easy to maintain and a virtual impossibility to jam….makes for an excellent weapon….chuq
Yet people will continue to support FB and make the rich bast*rd even richer.
Has me confused at why the popularity remains….chuq
I know what you mean!!
The AK 47 just works, and has proven reliability. Perhaps the most successful rifle ever made.
As for the line causing offence, it must be taken in context of the times. Otherwise, we would never read any Roman history either.
Best wishes, Pete.
It illustrates just how bad social media can be when one depends on it for everything…..let the smartphone do the thinking sort of thing….chuq
off topic – I know you have your own sources, but thought this might come in handy….
https://www.defense.gov/casualty.pdf
It does not want to open for me….I tried typing in the addy and still got nothing….sorry…chuq
Probably because it was a PDF. Sorry to waste your time.
NO problem….if it is about American causalities I would like to read it….chuq
As long as you’re interested – Let’s try it again. If this doesn’t work, I think I know how to arrange it and bring it to you.
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/2866562209_a3e700a344_b-e1530989397351.jpg
The photo made in through…..chuq