7. Does Section 230 protect the algorithm?
- The Supreme Court is hearing a case against Google (YouTube) regarding the death of student Nohemi Gonzalez at the hands of ISIS terrorists. In the case of Gonzalez v. Google, the victim’s family claims that YouTube’s algorithm recommended videos that helped ISIS recruit, thereby violating the law against aiding and abetting terrorists. Google argues that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act means it is not liable for what third parties post.
- The ultimate question is, are algorithms neutral, and therefore leave a company with no liability, or do they support harmful agendas, and so require oversight? The danger of the second conclusion is that whoever ends up heading the “oversight” of tech companies could ban algorithms from recommending things such as “transphobia” or unpopular vaccine information. In the world of Big Tech, conservatives want an open battlefield, liberals want censorship, this case could turn that on its head.
6. Pro-life protesters indicted
- The Justice Department has indicted eight pro-lifers under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE) for an incident that took place outside an abortion clinic in Michigan in 2020. They were charged with “engaging in a civil rights conspiracy” after allegedly blocking the door of the clinic, clearly overcharging them for political reasons.
- The DOJ said, “all eight defendants violated the FACE Act by using physical obstruction to intimidate and interfere with the Sterling Heights clinic’s employees and patients.” Penalties include up to 11 years in prison and up to $350,000 in fines. Meanwhile, it’s fine to attack crisis pregnancy centers, the DOJ seems disinterested in those acts, with very few cases being followed up on.
5. Sheriffs gripe about loss of gun permit revenue
- The Alabama Sheriffs Association met in Huntsville for their Winter Technology Conference this week and they complained about the loss of revenue from permit sales, again.
- Executive Director Jimmy Lambert said, “We went from somewhere in the neighborhood between $14 to $15 million to somewhere statewide now $5 to $6 million” and “It’s a devastating hit.” Meanwhile, Alabama has a budget surplus of $1.5 billion and is about to receive another huge chunk from the federal government, Gov. Kay Ivey and the Legislature have noted that they are working on this.
4. Biden STILL won’t sign off on Space Command coming to Huntsville
- The decision to put Space Command in Huntsville is apparently still not finalized. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall must make the decision, but U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) says he thinks it’ll never happen without a sign-off from President Joe Biden. Colorado is still fighting the decision, claiming numerous things, including that the original decision was political even though that has been dismissed saying the decision was based on “public data; community and installation questionnaires; housing market surveys; and virtual and on-site visits.”
- Tuberville said “I don’t know whether it’s the confrontation in Ukraine that’s set it back,” (Space Command) should be a priority because our biggest and No. 1 adversary is China. And they’re consistently putting satellites in space … there should be more of a sense of urgency.”
3. Schools see a record number of disciplinary issues, or do they?
- The Alabama Department of Education reported that schools saw a record number of disciplinary incidents from 2021-2022 including 2 to 3 times as many incidents involving firearm possession, weapons use, and sexual battery. However, the data is inaccurate and difficult to understand.
- One of Auburn’s schools reported a homicide, which was actually harassment. Enterprise’s schools reported 76 incidents involving a rifle, none of which happened. One issue is that a single incident can be reported multiple times, including parent-teacher follow-up meetings. It’s unknown if officials even see the data being reported for their school but teachers cannot. What is happening here?
2. Alabama basketball player not charged following shooting death
- Alabama basketball player Brandon Miller has not been charged in the shooting death of Jamea Jonae Harris. According to the order of events, Miller’s former teammate Darius Miles texted Miller asking him to bring his gun saying, “I need my joint a n****r rl jus got fakin” at 1:40 a.m. Miles left the gun in Miller’s car. Miller drove to the scene, where Miles informed Michael Davis there was a round in the chamber and Davis proceeded to shoot Harris in the face. Miles and Davis have been charged with capital murder.
- Legal experts say Miller will not be charged because of his lack of knowledge and intent. Former attorney Jay Town said, “It doesn’t appear evidence exists that Miller knew that transferring the firearm was for an unlawful purpose … Therefore, no (conspiracy or aiding and abetting) would apply.” Chant of “Lock him up!” found Miller at his first game since this information became available, and he hit the game-winning shot.
1. Buttigieg takes personal time as Trump visits Ohio
- Yesterday, a reporter approached Buttigieg on the street to ask him when he’ll visit East Palestine and Buttigieg told her to reference his previous statements because he was “taking some personal time and walking down the street.” I guess the era of harassing members of the administration wherever they are is over.
- Meanwhile, Trump visited East Palestine on Wednesday and told a crowd chanting “no more Joe!” that they were “not forgotten and that he stands with them.” He donated bottled water, cleaning supplies, MAGA hats, and even bought a crowd meals from McDonald’s. He is not the president, but he beat the actual president and his administration to the scene.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.