Federal Judge Gives States In Censorship Lawsuit Against US Govt Chance To Make Case

 by Matthew Vadum via The Epoch Times,

A federal judge kept alive a lawsuit accusing the federal government of encouraging social media platforms to censor users’ views.

The judge ruled that the two states that filed the lawsuit can continue their discovery, a pretrial phase that allows litigants to gather evidence for trial and can consist of examinations under oath and requests for documents.

U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty in Monroe, Louisiana, issued the new order on Nov. 8 after the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26 threw out the request by Missouri and Louisiana to prevent the Biden administration from communicating with social media companies about public health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The states sued the federal government for censorship because it allegedly pressured social media companies to suppress certain content.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a public statement encouraging the social media platforms to prevent information about COVID-19 that had been deemed misinformation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “from taking hold.” The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also communicated with the platforms about election-related misinformation in advance of the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 congressional elections.

Supreme Court justices ruled 6–3 in June that the states and five social media users challenging the federal government lacked legal standing to seek an injunction because they couldn’t show that they were directly harmed by the government’s efforts to communicate with the platforms.

Standing refers to the right of someone to sue in court. The parties must show a strong enough connection to the law or action complained of to justify their participation in the lawsuit.

The states argue that the Biden administration strong-armed social media companies into censoring disfavored views on important public issues, such as potential side effects related to COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic lockdowns. They say that applying this kind of pressure violates Americans’ First Amendment rights.

Conservatives and others have complained that social media platforms suppress information about their views on transgender issues, COVID-19, and the 2020 election.

Some on the left say removing posts on social media is necessary to prevent the spread of misinformation, and some have complained that social media platforms don’t do enough to combat falsehoods.

Doughty, whose 2023 ruling blocking the federal government from communicating with the social media companies was overturned by the Supreme Court in June, said in his new order that he considered it appropriate to ask the litigants whether there should be further discovery. The discovery would be related to the issue of standing to help the court evaluate if it has authority to continue with this case, or if the lawsuit should be dismissed.

The states argued for discovery, while the federal government argued for dismissal, he said.

“We currently find ourselves in jurisdictional purgatory—caught between differing standards,” Doughty said in his new order.

A “greater showing of standing” is required for an injunction than is required for the “minimal showing” needed to keep litigation alive.

The Supreme Court was “plainly applying this heightened standard when it reversed,” so this means the high court’s ruling “is not necessarily fatal to [the states’] suit generally.”

The states have demonstrated the need for more discovery on the standing issue, the judge said.

At the same time, Doughty denied for the time being the states’ request to amend their complaint in an effort to strengthen their legal standing in the case.

The fact that President Joe Biden, whose administration is being sued, will be replaced by President-elect Donald Trump in a little more than two months doesn’t justify throwing out the lawsuit, he said.

Even though “regime change is imminent,” it would be “quintessentially speculative” to dismiss the case based on that fact alone, the judge said.

The Epoch Times reached out to the attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana and the U.S. Department of Justice for comment but did not receive a reply by publication time.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/federal-judge-gives-states-censorship-lawsuit-against-us-govt-chance-make-case

Bartiromo to Rick Scott on Senate Leadership: How Are You Different Than Thune? Cornyn?

 FNC's Maria Bartiromo asked Florida Sen. Rick Scott why he thinks he would be better than Sens. Johns Thune or Cornyn as Senate Republican Leader:

BARTIROMO: How are you different than John Thune? How are you different than John Cornyn?

SCOTT: Well, both my colleagues have been there for a long time, and so they have got a lot -- like, they have got a lot of experience in the Senate.

In my case, I bring a business background. I know that -- I know that, to get things done, you have to say -- you got to look yourself in the mirror and say, what do we have to do differently? We can't keep doing what we're doing. We have to be the change.

That's what Donald Trump got elected to do, to be the change. That's what business guys do. I had to do it when I became governor of Florida. And we were losing people. We were losing jobs. So, when I became governor, we lost 800,000 jobs. In my years, we added 1.7 million jobs. We balanced a budget every year.

Florida had not its budget but once in 40 years. So all these things are doable. But it's going to take somebody that is a deal-doer, knows how to sit down with people and find common ground. I have got a great working relationship with Mike Johnson.

BARTIROMO: Do you John Thune and John Cornyn will bring to the floor the pieces of legislation that -- the ideas that President Trump wants to get executed?

I mean, I know that there were issues around Mitch McConnell. He would not even bring certain issues to the floor because he was against them. I want to know how likely it is that Trump's agenda can get through, either with you, John Thune, or John Cornyn. Tell me that.
SCOTT: So, number one, you're going to have to -- you're going to have to make sure you get his nominees done. That means you're going to have to have a plan to get those done.

Number two, to get the legislation done, and it's not just bringing it to the floor. You have got to figure out how you bring people together to get it done. That means you're going to have to sit down with people, and understand their agenda.

So that's what I have done my whole life. I have probably, I don't know, done 500 economic deals in my life. That's what I have done. I have brought people together. I found common ground. And that's what -- whoever the leader's going to be, to get Trump's agendas done, his agenda done, you're going to have to bring everybody together to get that done and have a plan.

So, have a plan to get the nominees done. Have a plan to get the budget done. We don't need any more of these omnibus bills that have massive spending and no accountability. We need to make sure we hold the federal government accountable. So we're going to have to have somebody that cares about looking at, how is the FBI operating?

How is Homeland Security operating? So are they doing the right things? So you have got to have somebody that's willing to go do all those things. And I'm clearly willing to do that.

 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2024/11/10/bartiromo_to_rick_scott_on_senate_leadership_how_are_you_different_than_john_thune_or_john_cornyn.html

Rogan Reveals Kamala Campaign Wanted Editorial Control Over His Podcast

 by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,

Podcast king Joe Rogan has revealed that Kamala Harris’ people demanded editorial control over an appearance on his show, and a final say on what was released to the public.

As we have already highlighted, Kamala had demanded to only appear for an hour with Rogan, and wanted to do it outside of his studio, meaning he would have had to travel to a location of her choosing.

Needless to say, Rogan refused to meet the demands, reasoning that it simply wouldn’t be an episode of his podcast if that was to happen.

Rogan unveiled more of what went on with discussions between his team and Kamala’s campaign, noting “There were a few restrictions of things they wanted to talk about…They wanted to know if I’d edit it. I’m like, there’s no editing.”

They were treating it as if it was the corporate soundbite mouthpiece media.

Do they even know what Rogan’s podcast is?

It’s not surprising given that her campaign was just one big insubstantial fake, edited presentation.

Remember the edited 60 Minutes debacle?

This is how it should be now.

As Axios co founder Jim VandeHei noted yesterday, “I think all of us have to come to grips legacy media is just not as important as it thinks it is…Joe Rogan is more important than any of us.”

“The gravity of right-wing discourse is now taking place on 𝕏.. not Fox. 𝕏 is what matters. Elon Musk is arguably the most powerful civilian in the history of the country,” he added.

*  *  *

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/rogan-reveals-kamala-campaign-wanted-editorial-control-over-his-podcast

Cal. drivers face gas price hike as state regulators ok tighter climate standards

 California drivers may soon see a hike in gas prices after state regulators approved tougher standards for reining in climate emissions. 

The California Air Resources Board (CARB), which comprises board members appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democrat-controlled legislature, voted Friday to update the Golden State’s Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS). 

The board says the updates are aimed at increasing cleaner fuel and transportation options for California drivers, and accelerating zero-emission infrastructure – all of which are part of the state’s broader aims to be carbon-neutral by 2045. 

CARB Chair Liane Randolph said the new policy "strikes a balance between reducing the environmental and health impacts of transportation fuel used in California and ensuring that low-carbon options are available as the state continues to work toward a zero-emissions future." 

FOX Business previously reported on Republican state lawmakers who had urged the board to delay the vote after an independent finding showed it could increase the cost at the pump per gallon by 47 cents. 

California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office has forecasted that drivers could be paying up to 20 cents per gallon should the board approve the new plans. Republican Assemblyman Tom Lackey has warned that gas prices would increase by as much as 65 cents per gallon. 

Ahead of Friday’s vote, Republican Assemblyman Tom Lackey urged the board not to pass the new policy. 

"Our finances are stretched very thin. Many of us are already charging basic necessities on our credit cards. Please don’t drive us into bankruptcy," Lackey said in public comments. "I ask you to not approve this rulemaking and find other alternatives that won’t cost us so much." 

A spokesperson for CARB told FOX Business that the new policy updates do not add any type of surcharge to fuel. The spokesperson said any impact on consumers will ultimately be determined by how fuel providers choose to pass down costs to consumers. 

"We are not aware of an economic model that allows us to predict with any certainty what fuel prices will be. But there is nothing about this program that sets off any set price increases," CARB said. "In fact, our data shows that over the next 20 years, the approved amendments will save Californians more than 40% of fuel costs, while cleaning the air and mitigating the costly and devastating impacts of climate change."

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/california-drivers-brace-possible-gas-price-hike-after-state-regulators-approve-tighter-climate-standards

Smith & Nephew investors may push for breakup - Mail on Sunday

 Shareholders of Smith & Nephew (SNN) may push for a breakup if CEO Deepak Nath fails to improve performance

https://seekingalpha.com/news/4270778-smith-nephew-investors-may-push-for-breakup-mail-on-sunday

Vietnam says Temu, Shein must register with govt or be blocked in country

 The Vietnamese government said it will block the internet domains and apps of Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu in the country if they have not registered their operations with the trade ministry before the end of November.

The move comes amid concerns about the impact of Chinese online platforms on local markets due to their heavy discounting and the quality of goods available.

Vietnamese deputy trade minister Nguyen Hoang Long told a government meeting at the weekend that the ministry had worked with both Shein and Temu on the licensing matter.

"After the ministry's notification, if these platforms do not comply, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will coordinate with relevant agencies to implement technical measures such as blocking applications and domains," Long said in a government statement released after the meeting.

Fast-fashion retailer Shein has been selling into Vietnam for some time, while Temu, owned by Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings, started allowing users in Vietnam to shop last month.

https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2024-11-10/vietnam-says-temu-shein-must-register-with-govt-or-be-blocked-in-country

Iraq to lower age of consent for girls to just 9 years, let men marry young kids

 Iraq is poised to pass a new law that would lower the legal age of consent from 18 to nine, allowing men to marry young girls, according to a new report.

The Shia conservative groups that dominate Iraq’s parliament have proposed an amendment to the country’s “personal status law” that could see a Taliban-style rollback of all women’s rights.

The chance would allow young girls to be married off and put nearly all family decisions in the hands of religious authorities, said Raya Faiq, who is coordinating a challenge against the bill with female Iraqi representatives.

“This is a catastrophe for women,” Faiq told The Guardian. “This law legalizes child rape.”

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Iraqi women continue to protest at Tahrir Square, in Baghdad, against a law that would lower the age of consent for girls to 9 years old.AP

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Opponents of the law say it is the conservative government’s latest attempt to limit women’s rights in Iraq.AP

Critics say it would remove all agency from women.

The US invaded Iraq in 2003 and overthrew the brutal, secular regime of Saddam Hussein. The war cost at least $3 trillion — including on efforts to rebuild government institutions and education systems.

However, years of sectarian infighting have led to a government controlled by the Shia Muslim religious majority.

The Shia coalition has tried to amend the personal status law twice in the past, but backlash from Iraqi women defeated both attempts.

The religious groups, however, now hold a large majority in Parliament, creating an uphill battle for Faiq and a block of 25 female representatives who are seeking to stop a second vote that would ratify the bill.

Alia Nassif, an Iraqi rep, told the Guardian that many of her male colleagues fail to see the problem in allowing grown men to marry girls.

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The Iraqi bill would also remove women’s rights to divorce, child custody and inheritance.AP

“Unfortunately, male MPs who support this law speak in a masculine way, asking, ‘What’s wrong with marrying a minor?’ Their thinking is narrow minded,” she said.

Should the law pass, it would also remove women’s rights to divorce, child custody and inheritance.

The Shia coalition has repeatedly claimed that the point of the law is intended to protect girls from what they consider “immoral relationships.”

Opponents of the law and human rights groups, however, slammed the bill as an attempt to crackdown on women’s rights in the country following protests led by young women against the strict government in recent years.

Human rights groups say the new law effectively puts young girls at risk of sexual and physical violence, and it would also make it easier for them to be pulled out of school and miss their education.

Although Iraq outlawed child marriages in the 1950s, a United Nations 2023 survey found that about 28% of girls in the country had married before their 18th birthday.

https://nypost.com/2024/11/10/world-news/iraq-to-lower-age-of-consent-for-girls-to-just-nine-years-old-report/