🤯 Did Grandma Just Get Arrested?

GREETINGS!

I think i know why we get tricked by the news so easily…

Have you heard of the Dunning-Kruger effect? It’s when people think they're better at something than they really are because they don't know enough to realize what they don't know. It's like when someone with little experience thinks they're an expert, even though they're missing the big picture. They overestimate their skills because they can't accurately judge themselves compared to others.

I think people latch on to minimal information they see or hear and then gain a death grip on that small bit of information, which cause them to participate in online outrage culture.

But not you! No, you would never do that. 🙄🙄

🔔In today’s email:

📱 Elon Musk: Attack of the Ad Wars
👮 Did Grandma Just Get Arrested?
🧑‍⚖️ Google Confirmed As Internet Dictator

🚨 KEY STORY:

🗳️ Where Does Vice President Kamala Harris Stand On Key Issues?

-Mike

QUICK BITE

Elon Musk Strikes Back Against Advertisers

The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) announced it is halting activities for its Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) initiative following an antitrust lawsuit filed by Elon Musk's company, X (formerly Twitter). 

• The lawsuit, filed in Texas, alleges that GARM and its members, including major brands like Unilever and Mars, colluded to withhold advertising revenue from X, significantly impacting its earnings after Musk's acquisition of the platform.

• The WFA, a not-for-profit organization, cited limited resources as a reason for discontinuing GARM's activities but stated its intention to contest the lawsuit in court, maintaining confidence in their compliance with competition laws.

Zoom In

X CEO Linda Yaccarino praised the decision, suggesting it could lead to broader industry reforms. 

• The lawsuit follows a broader investigation by the House Judiciary Committee into whether GARM members illegally colluded to demonetize conservative voices. 

• This move is part of a larger trend, with other companies like Rumble also filing similar antitrust suits against advertising groups. 

• Musk has publicly encouraged more companies to take legal action if they believe they have been unfairly boycotted by advertisers.

QUICK BITE

UK Citizen Arrested For Allegedly Inaccurate Social Media Post

UK authorities have arrested a 55-year-old woman for allegedly posting inaccurate information online intended to incite racial hatred. 

• The arrest, which was reported by Sky News, highlights the UK's strict regulations on hate speech and online communication, raising concerns about freedom of speech and the legal consequences of social media activity. 

• The police emphasized the seriousness of spreading false information and warned the public about the risks of sharing unverified content.

Dive In

The arrest has sparked significant public reaction, with many expressing concerns over what they see as a potential overreach by the authorities. 

• The incident has fueled a broader debate about the balance between combating hate speech and protecting free expression. 

• Authorities have issued a reminder that individuals are responsible for the accuracy of the information they share on social media, suggesting that further arrests could occur if similar offenses are detected.

QUICK BITE

Judge Finds Google’s Search And Ads Monopolies Illegal

A federal judge has ruled that Google illegally used its dominant position to monopolize the U.S. search and advertising markets. 

• U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta found that Google’s practice of securing exclusive distribution agreements, paying companies like Apple and Samsung billions of dollars to make Google the default search engine, violated antitrust laws under the Sherman Act. 

• The ruling highlights Google's monopolistic behavior, which the court found stifled competition and harmed other companies’ abilities to compete in the general search services and advertising markets.

A Closer Look

This decision stems from a 2020 lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and 11 state attorneys general during Donald Trump's presidency. 

• The lawsuit accused Google of using anti-competitive tactics to maintain its near-total control over search queries in the U.S. Despite Google’s defense that its dominance was due to superior technology, the judge disagreed, noting the company's efforts to conceal its actions. 

• While the ruling established Google’s liability, the judge did not immediately impose penalties, suggesting that a future remedies trial could force significant changes to how Google operates, potentially even leading to the company selling off parts of its business.

KEY STORY

Who Is Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris?

While Vice President Kamala Harris has served American voters within her role in the Biden administration for the last three years, Harris’ record has come under a new spotlight after being catapulted as the party’s new presidential nominee.

Following President Joe Biden’s end to his reelection bid on July 21, Harris was endorsed by Biden, fellow lawmakers, Democratic donors, and other political figures as the best option for the party this November. However, since Harris has yet to release a campaign platform, the vice president has been scrutinized for her flip-flopping on hot topic issues.

🌐🌎 Immigration

Pre-2020 Stance:
During Harris’ time as a senator for California from 2017 to 2021, she co-sponsored and supported multiple bills that aimed to block the construction of Trump’s border wall, prohibit the expansion of ICE detention facilities, and weaken border security.

Post-2020 Stance:
A recent campaign ad promoted online suggests the vice president will seek to increase the number of agents, send transnational gang members to prison, and pour funding into new technology to block fentanyl as well as stop human trafficking. Harris’ campaign chief also signaled that the vice president would be in favor of reinforcing a Biden-era executive order to crack down on illegal border crossings.

🧑‍⚕️🩹 Healthcare

Pre-2020 Stances:
During her 2020 run for president, Harris supported single-payer health care, advocating for it to replace private insurance and was widely supported by Medicare For All supporters.

Post-2020 Stances:
Harris’ campaign officials recently stated the vice president would no longer support a single-payer health insurance program but did not allude to what the platform will support.

🩺👩 Abortion:

Harris kicked off a pro-abortion tour at the beginning of this year and made history as the first sitting vice president to visit a Planned Parenthood in Minnesota. Harris has not only advocated for Roe v. Wade but also promised to sign a law to restore “reproductive freedoms” if Congress passes such legislation.

🌈🩹 Transgender Policies:

Pre-2020 Stance:
During her time as a California senator, Harris co-sponsored the Equality Act, which would, in part, force public schools to include biological males who identify as girls on female sports teams.

🌎💡 Clean Energy Commitment:

Pre-2020 Stance:
In 2019, Harris co-sponsored the Green New Deal after it was introduced, supported a ban on fracking, and pushed for policies that would help implement a “climate pollution fee.”

Post-2020 Stance:
A moderate Democratic think tank called Third Way recently told the press that Harris has since changed her principles and no longer believes the Green New Deal is the way to address the “existential threat” of climate change. Harris’ campaign also announced she would back off from banning fracking.

🚔✊ Police Reform Initiatives:

Pre-2020 Stance:
Two months before joining Biden’s ticket, Harris applauded defunding the police and advocated for budgets to be reviewed.

Post-2020 Stance:
Harris’ national campaign co-chair recently told CNN that Harris’ actions during her time under the Biden Administration have shown she wants to both fund the police and other resources.

🔫🚫 Gun Control Measures:

Pre-2020 Stance:
Prior to Harris’ 2020 bid, she co-sponsored an “assault weapons” ban, seeking to prohibit semi-automatic firearms, including AR-15s, and all firearm magazines with the capacity to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Post-2020 Stance:
Under the Biden administration, Harris has supported policies for gun reforms, like passing red flag laws, universal background checks, and an assault weapons ban.

🚨🚫 Republican Criticism:

Harris’ flip-flopping on various policies during her time as senator and her work within the Biden administration has caused Republicans to criticize the vice president’s record, as her campaign has yet to release a firm platform.

MIDDLE EAST

Iran Gains More Tech

Iran recently received advanced radar systems from Russia, which was only revealed during an unveiling ceremony in Iran.

• This development comes amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East, raising questions about whether Iran will proceed with a retaliatory attack.

• However, the situation is complicated by Russia’s current challenges, including dealing with Ukrainian forces on its own territory.

• Russia, a key ally of Iran, might be hesitant for Iran to engage in a full-scale war that could strain their shared resources, especially with the ongoing trade of munitions and drones between the two countries.

Intelligence agencies worldwide are closely monitoring Iran's actions, particularly its paramilitary and militia groups in the region.

• While many speculate that Iran might still carry out an attack, the situation remains uncertain, and only time will tell what Iran's next move will be.

HEADLINES
Here’s Some Small Talk Ammunition

🍚 Jack Karlson, the man who went viral for his arrest while enjoying a Succulent Chinese Meal, has died at age 82. The video of his arrest at a restaurant in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley in 1991 was posted online in 2009.

🏈 Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker says he stands behind what he said during his controversial Benedictine College commencement speech in May. Butker explained, “In terms of what I said, I’ve prayed about it, and thought about it and I was really intentional behind what I said.”

🕵️ MrBeast Internal Email leaked saying he has initiated a comprehensive assessment of the internal culture within his YouTube organization and launched an investigation into “allegations of inappropriate behavior by people in the company."

🌍 Africa's CDC set to declare MONKEYPOX a public health emergency by next week saying "the viral infection's rate of spread is alarming"

FROM THE EDITOR

If you made it to the deep end here, I appreciate it. If you feel like the newsletter is too long, please let me know!

-Mike