I know my opinions aren't well received here, but this seems a little strange. whitehouse.gov blog post "There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov." What exactly do you all think the government thinks they are going to do with these "flagged" sources? For the record I'm not calling "FASCIST!" or anything along those lines. This just seems a little fishy itself.

Well, if you're being paranoid, the government's been wiretapping our phones and internet for quite a few years. I don't think they need OUR help for anything sinister; they're quite well equipped if that is the goal.

Anyway, I think they're just trying to figure out what misinformation is out there, so drive talking points.

Quote: Original post by Promit
Well, if you're being paranoid, the government's been wiretapping our phones and internet for quite a few years. I don't think they need OUR help for anything sinister; they're quite well equipped if that is the goal.

Anyway, I think they're just trying to figure out what misinformation is out there, so drive talking points.

The point I'm making is this: The government is not responsible for controlling internet information, and attempting to use people to do it for them is a little fishy

Quote: Original post by Chris Reynolds

Quote: Original post by Promit
Well, if you're being paranoid, the government's been wiretapping our phones and internet for quite a few years. I don't think they need OUR help for anything sinister; they're quite well equipped if that is the goal.

Anyway, I think they're just trying to figure out what misinformation is out there, so drive talking points.

The point I'm making is this: The government is not responsible for controlling internet information, and attempting to use people to do it for them is a little fishy

The government isn't going to seize control of the information nor are they "using" anyone. Stop watching Glenn Beck.

Quote: Original post by Chris Reynolds
The point I'm making is this: The government is not responsible for controlling internet information, and attempting to use people to do it for them is a little fishy

1) The government is made up of "people".
2) If someone wants to submit things of their own free will they could do it regardless of a blog post and I'm sure they do.
3) Who exactly is "controlling" anything?

Quote: Original post by LockePick

Quote: Original post by Chris Reynolds
The point I'm making is this: The government is not responsible for controlling internet information, and attempting to use people to do it for them is a little fishy

1) The government is made up of "people".
2) If someone wants to submit things of their own free will they could do it regardless of a blog post and I'm sure they do.
3) Who exactly is "controlling" anything?

But why dedicate an office and a blog post and an e-mail dedicated to "handling misinformation"?

You have to admit, there's something weird about the government asking people to basically "tattle tail" on websites that post anti-obama material.

Quote: Original post by Chris Reynolds

Quote: Original post by LockePick

Quote: Original post by Chris Reynolds
The point I'm making is this: The government is not responsible for controlling internet information, and attempting to use people to do it for them is a little fishy

1) The government is made up of "people".
2) If someone wants to submit things of their own free will they could do it regardless of a blog post and I'm sure they do.
3) Who exactly is "controlling" anything?

But why dedicate an office and a blog post and an e-mail dedicated to "handling misinformation"?

You have to admit, there's something weird about the government asking people to basically "tattle tail" on websites that post anti-obama material.

Nowhere did they ask to tattle tail on websites that post anti-Obama material. They asked to report misinformation about healthcare reform so that they can correct this information in news conferences and speeches.

My god you're paranoid.

Quote: Original post by Chris Reynolds
What exactly do you all think the government thinks they are going to do with these "flagged" sources?

They send over a team of top men in trenchcoats and sunglasses, who collect the flagged source, secure it in a crate, then send it for catalog and storage at a secret NSA warehouse.

Or maybe a staffer will read the flagged source so they know what misconceptions are out there on health care reform that they need to address via press releases, public information brochures, etc.

Two theories: take yer pick. [smile]

Quote: Original post by SticksandStones
My god you're paranoid.

I'm just asking questions. I don't sit around and assume the government is right in everything they do; nothing wrong with that.

There is a LOT of "change" that is going to happen very quickly in this country. These issues are amongst some of the most important in American society right now. Nothing wrong with discussing them.

The handful of arguments against public healthcare are quite well known. Most of them are in the bill itself!

For instance, they point to end-of-life care as a rumor. It's not a rumor, it's in the bill. I read it.

I don't think it is the business of the executive to propagandize (in the proper sense) the public. Let's not make the assumption that the executive is always honest concerning what they consider to be 'misinformation'.