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Mad as Fish

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Tiger said:
This is bad news

https://gript.ie/digital-services-bill-passed-in-dail/


DIGITAL SERVICES BILL PASSED IN DÁIL​

As we repeatedly point out, the Government and the main opposition parties agree on almost all matters which seriously impact on the lives of citizens.
(There are of course the optics and the personality conflicts that arise when they are squabbling about things that they support when they do them and oppose when the other crowd do them
The Digital Services Bill which may well have serious implications for the manner in which opinions are policed on social media platforms is one such example. As I wrote previously, the Bill is simply the transposition of yet another EU Directive into Irish law. Regulation EU 2022/2065 seeks to tackle what is described as “misinformation.”
Although there were speakers who were critical of the Bill at Second Stage in December, very few amendments were tabled either at Committee stage and last night the Bill was passed after a “debate” that lasted around 20 minutes.
All of the opposition amendments were either withdrawn or defeated without a vote being called. Not one TD was present to oppose the Bill and it now goes to the Seanad.
The only opposition TD to table amendments last night was Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly. Far from seeking to protect the expression of opinions, her main amendments were designed to ensure that, once in place, that the “trusted flaggers” would be ideologically reliable.
Under the legislation, organisations that wish to identify illegal online content can apply to qualify officially as “trusted flaggers”, who take on the role of identifying and notifying platforms of content on their site which could potentially be illegal.
Minister for State Dara Calleary merely pointed out that the legislation could not specify the categories sought by O’Reilly because the EU Regulation did not allow for any national parliament of a member state to change the decree. That, in itself, is an indication of where the sovereignty of the Irish state is at these days.
O’Reilly’s wished to ensure that persons or organisations entrusted with “vetted research” and as “trusted flaggers” would be “a recognised trade union” and a “Non-Governmental Organisation” – once an entity fitting such a description was found to have made an application “pursuant to a public service mission recognised by a Member State.”
We can see or vividly imagine the idea that lies behind this. It is quite obvious that many on the Left – which let us be honest is the descriptive that covers both of the categories referred to – would not only wish to be in a position to monitor and potentially restrict free expression on social media, but have done so and still do so in some circumstances.
The ongoing criticism of the owner of a certain social media platform is obviously linked to their having been in the past able to impose quite stringent controls on opinions that dissent from the left-liberal line. That line was conterminous with the interests and restrictions of many states during the Covid Panic, for example – and still aligns with the EU consensus on immigration.
What O’Reilly and those who came up with this notion want to do is to embed such controls not only in the culture and structures of the corporations which still deploy restrictions against certain categories of free speech, but within the legislation and structures and culture of the state.
Now, O’Reilly, her staff, and the NGO and union lobbyists who thought that this might be a good idea clearly do not do irony. For in her next amendment she referred to people she would prefer are specifically excluded from becoming involved in “vetted research” or accepted within the context of the Bill as a “trusted flagger.”
Her amendment proposed that “The Commission shall ensure that the status of trusted flagger is not awarded to an entity which is partisan and seeks the status as a trusted flagger as a means of controlling or influencing content.”
Click to expand...
Privatizing policing.
 
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bormotello

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The Chancellery of Padishah-Emperor Shaddam IV has informed the inhabitants of the known universe that the Sardaukar battalion and attached forces of House Harkonnen have carried out the "Spice Guardian" operation, striking blows to the Sietch Tuono. The Freemen residing there, at the instigation of the enemies of Padishah-Emperor, have been conducting treacherous attacks on harvesters near the Red Gap, jeopardizing the spice supplies for the Great Houses of the Landsraad.
Padishah-Emperor declared that without hesitation, punitive attacks against the Freemen will continue if they dare to further obstruct spice deliveries. Despite the assurances of Shaddam IV, the Navigator's Guild has already raised prices for the use of heighliners. In Sietch Tuono, it has been declared that the enemies of the Freemen will be devoured by sandworms, and their harvesters will be engulfed by the sands.
FwV_i8OWwAEfS-U.jpg
 
tldr

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Tiger said:
This is bad news

https://gript.ie/digital-services-bill-passed-in-dail/


DIGITAL SERVICES BILL PASSED IN DÁIL​

As we repeatedly point out, the Government and the main opposition parties agree on almost all matters which seriously impact on the lives of citizens.
(There are of course the optics and the personality conflicts that arise when they are squabbling about things that they support when they do them and oppose when the other crowd do them
The Digital Services Bill which may well have serious implications for the manner in which opinions are policed on social media platforms is one such example. As I wrote previously, the Bill is simply the transposition of yet another EU Directive into Irish law. Regulation EU 2022/2065 seeks to tackle what is described as “misinformation.”
Although there were speakers who were critical of the Bill at Second Stage in December, very few amendments were tabled either at Committee stage and last night the Bill was passed after a “debate” that lasted around 20 minutes.
All of the opposition amendments were either withdrawn or defeated without a vote being called. Not one TD was present to oppose the Bill and it now goes to the Seanad.
The only opposition TD to table amendments last night was Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly. Far from seeking to protect the expression of opinions, her main amendments were designed to ensure that, once in place, that the “trusted flaggers” would be ideologically reliable.
Under the legislation, organisations that wish to identify illegal online content can apply to qualify officially as “trusted flaggers”, who take on the role of identifying and notifying platforms of content on their site which could potentially be illegal.
Minister for State Dara Calleary merely pointed out that the legislation could not specify the categories sought by O’Reilly because the EU Regulation did not allow for any national parliament of a member state to change the decree. That, in itself, is an indication of where the sovereignty of the Irish state is at these days.
O’Reilly’s wished to ensure that persons or organisations entrusted with “vetted research” and as “trusted flaggers” would be “a recognised trade union” and a “Non-Governmental Organisation” – once an entity fitting such a description was found to have made an application “pursuant to a public service mission recognised by a Member State.”
We can see or vividly imagine the idea that lies behind this. It is quite obvious that many on the Left – which let us be honest is the descriptive that covers both of the categories referred to – would not only wish to be in a position to monitor and potentially restrict free expression on social media, but have done so and still do so in some circumstances.
The ongoing criticism of the owner of a certain social media platform is obviously linked to their having been in the past able to impose quite stringent controls on opinions that dissent from the left-liberal line. That line was conterminous with the interests and restrictions of many states during the Covid Panic, for example – and still aligns with the EU consensus on immigration.
What O’Reilly and those who came up with this notion want to do is to embed such controls not only in the culture and structures of the corporations which still deploy restrictions against certain categories of free speech, but within the legislation and structures and culture of the state.
Now, O’Reilly, her staff, and the NGO and union lobbyists who thought that this might be a good idea clearly do not do irony. For in her next amendment she referred to people she would prefer are specifically excluded from becoming involved in “vetted research” or accepted within the context of the Bill as a “trusted flagger.”
Her amendment proposed that “The Commission shall ensure that the status of trusted flagger is not awarded to an entity which is partisan and seeks the status as a trusted flagger as a means of controlling or influencing content.”
Click to expand...


That's it then, we're passing into a new phase. Still a couple of days.

Enactment​

The Bill is signed into law by the President

Once a Bill has been passed by the Dáil and Seanad, the President signs it into law. It becomes an Act and is added to the Statute Book.

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/how-laws-are-made/
 
tldr

tldr

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bormotello said:
The Chancellery of Padishah-Emperor Shaddam IV has informed the inhabitants of the known universe that the Sardaukar battalion and attached forces of House Harkonnen have carried out the "Spice Guardian" operation, striking blows to the Sietch Tuono. The Freemen residing there, at the instigation of the enemies of Padishah-Emperor, have been conducting treacherous attacks on harvesters near the Red Gap, jeopardizing the spice supplies for the Great Houses of the Landsraad.
Padishah-Emperor declared that without hesitation, punitive attacks against the Freemen will continue if they dare to further obstruct spice deliveries. Despite the assurances of Shaddam IV, the Navigator's Guild has already raised prices for the use of heighliners. In Sietch Tuono, it has been declared that the enemies of the Freemen will be devoured by sandworms, and their harvesters will be engulfed by the sands.
View attachment 4174
Click to expand...

A Special Military Operation?

Are you the same guy?
 
tldr

tldr

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tldr said:
That's it then, we're passing into a new phase. Still a couple of days.

Enactment​

The Bill is signed into law by the President

Once a Bill has been passed by the Dáil and Seanad, the President signs it into law. It becomes an Act and is added to the Statute Book.

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/how-laws-are-made/
Click to expand...

So, it has to go through the Seanad (opening on the 31st) before it goes to Phoenix Park.

...

Bill entitled an Act to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) and for that purpose to amend the Broadcasting Act 2009 and the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated: 24 Jan 2024

Digital Services Bill 2023 - Oireachtas.ie


(106)The rules on codes of conduct under this Regulation could serve as a basis for already established self-regulatory efforts at Union level, including the Product Safety Pledge, the Memorandum of understanding on the sale of counterfeit goods on the internet, the Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online, as well as the Code of Practice on Disinformation. In particular for the latter, following the Commission’s guidance, the Code of Practice on Disinformation has been strengthened as announced in the European Democracy Action Plan.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) (Text with EEA relevance) - EUR Lex


‘Hate speech’

Certain forms of conduct as outlined below, are punishable as criminal offences:
  • public incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined on the basis of race, colour, descent, religion or belief, or national or ethnic origin;
  • the above-mentioned offence when carried out by the public dissemination or distribution of tracts, pictures or other material;
  • publicly condoning, denying or grossly trivialising crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes as defined in the Statute of the International Criminal Court (Articles 6, 7 and 8) and crimes defined in Article 6 of the Charter of the International Military Tribunal, when the conduct is carried out in a manner likely to incite violence or hatred against such a group or a member of such a group.
Instigating, aiding or abetting in the commission of the above offences is also punishable.

With regard to these offences listed, EU countries must ensure that they are punishable by:
  • effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties;
  • a term of imprisonment of a maximum of at least one year.
With regard to legal persons, the penalties must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive and must consist of criminal or non-criminal fines. In addition, legal persons may be punished by:
  • exclusion from entitlement to public benefits or aid;
  • temporary or permanent disqualification from the practice or commercial activities;
  • being placed under judicial supervision;
  • a judicial winding-up order.
The initiation of investigations or prosecutions of racist and xenophobic offences must not depend on a victim’s report or accusation.

Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law - EUR Lex


The EU Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online - European Commission
 
Last edited:
tldr

tldr

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bormotello said:
Looks like you are not a big fan of Herbert's Dune and never heard about spice melange giving fremen their power
View attachment 4178
Click to expand...

Read it when I was a teenager and thought it was excellent. Not really into the sequels. The spice was oil - it occupied that position in the economy. It was published in the mid sixties when the influence of the oil producing Middle East was rising. The film Lawrence of Arabia was released just a few years before this.

Melange was used extensively throughout the known universe, so wasn't confined to the Fremen. The hardness of life on Arrakis was what made the Fremen so relentless, and disciplined, in addition to the whole crusade mission thing.

In any case, you were referring to the Sardakaur and Harkonnen so how does this follow? There were strikes on Russia oil refineries recently, wasn't there? The Arab states in the region have been free of colonial rule for decades. The situation now is the 'normal' for the region, except with the addition of modern technology.

'Grandiose delusions, paranoia, nightmares, hallucinations, and hyperactivity. Chronic khat abuse can result in violence and suicidal depression.'

https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/khat

Doesn't bode well for the international shipping lane through the Bab el Mandeb. Wasn't there a Russian tanker hit in the middle of all this? There's a British oil tanker currently on fire there.

It's just another mess, kinda like that war in Europe. They're proliferating.
 
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clarke-connolly

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I am just curious to know why Rte put ' Freak Accident ' in inverted coma's in this headline / article = = It's almost as if they don't believe the report that they got ? !

Just a bit odd ~ Why the single inverted comas ? !

www.rte.ie

Erasmus recovering in hospital from 'freak accident'

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is recovering in hospital after undergoing a medical procedure for chemical burns.
www.rte.ie www.rte.ie
 
Wolf

Wolf

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tldr

tldr

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clarke-connolly said:
I am just curious to know why Rte put ' Freak Accident ' in inverted coma's in this headline / article = = It's almost as if they don't believe the report that they got ? !

Just a bit odd ~ Why the single inverted comas ? !

www.rte.ie

Erasmus recovering in hospital from 'freak accident'

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is recovering in hospital after undergoing a medical procedure for chemical burns.
www.rte.ie www.rte.ie
Click to expand...

I use single inverted commas for quotations and terms used as specific definitions - so here 'freak accident' would be a sort of slang term that was used to describe the accident by the authorities there.

I hope he recovers fully and quickly, he's an outstanding rugby guy. It just goes to show that however confident and competent you are, there are times when you have to take care - safe access, thought out steps and adequate protection. Chemical burns are nasty and they'll damage you no matter how leathery your skin.

I use double inverted comas to say 'look at what these guys are selling this as'.
 
Anderson

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Just back from Belfast.

Whilst there I ended up in a unionist estate, what startled me more than the usual mural's was there sudden love for Israel! The flags of Israel proudly flying beside the union jack.

What is it with this country?

Why do we have two sides that have to be the opposite of each other all the time?
 
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clarke-connolly

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Anderson said:
Just back from Belfast.

Whilst there I ended up in a unionist estate, what startled me more than the usual mural's was there sudden love for Israel! The flags of Israel proudly flying beside the union jack.

What is it with this country?

Why do we have two sides that have to be the opposite of each other all the time?
Click to expand...
I suppose the Unionists / Loyalists would like to do their own Genocide ! ! !
 
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