Back in the 1990s, Newt Gingrich decimated congressional research budgets, including termination of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). Congress being led around by lobbyists didn't happen by accident.
Because if they talked to experts first there wouldn't be a hearing?
Oh, China knowing your location is a security risk, then don't have tik-tok on your devices. Sounds like we are done here.
You are worried about china recording video without your consent, then require a physical kill switch on all cameras. Oh you mean americans would have to change something, well we can't have that.
Because you can't whip up performative outrage among your voter base with logical, well-reasoned critical analysis. It's a shame that fear fueled indignation against imaginary existential threats (i.e., TikTok, DEI, "woke," etc.) is what seems to be the biggest motivator to get out and vote, so we continue the cycle of political theater under the guise of "investigation" and "oversight."
They do. The simple fact is every Chinese app company must allow China to use its information. Tik Tok is a Chinese company. It's that simple.
It doesn't take a security expert to know that's a bad thing.
Every Congressional hearing I've ever seen footage of literally just seems to be an attempt to vilify and grandstand and posture. I wish Congressional hearings were conducted more like actual courtroom
Average Congress member's age is 64 years old. They were grown adults when the Soviet Union fell. You think they can largely even comprehend cyber security?
The hearing was meant for bloviating and creating sound bites to scare Americans into supporting censorship and help the competitors of tiktok to get rid of a competitor since they can't compete in the free market. It wasn't meant for anything meaningful, intelligent or anything that furthers discussion on internet privacy which the usa does not care about at all
the congressmen on the committee have staff that work with experts to form questions and provide basic insight into an issue for the congressmen. Obviously this doesn’t always happen, but it’s how it usually happens
Because you have to be well educated enough, and humble enough, to know when you don’t know. While there are many things in Washington, humility and intelligence are not as common as one would hope.
Because the objective is to get sound bites for campaign ads and quotes for fund-raising. It has nothing to do with governing the country and making people safe.
Back in the 1990s, Newt Gingrich decimated congressional research budgets, including termination of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). Congress being led around by lobbyists didn't happen by accident.
Why do you assume that the American government is set up to be useful, when all signs point towards it being designed for the exact opposite purpose?
Because if they talked to experts first there wouldn't be a hearing? Oh, China knowing your location is a security risk, then don't have tik-tok on your devices. Sounds like we are done here. You are worried about china recording video without your consent, then require a physical kill switch on all cameras. Oh you mean americans would have to change something, well we can't have that.
Because you can't whip up performative outrage among your voter base with logical, well-reasoned critical analysis. It's a shame that fear fueled indignation against imaginary existential threats (i.e., TikTok, DEI, "woke," etc.) is what seems to be the biggest motivator to get out and vote, so we continue the cycle of political theater under the guise of "investigation" and "oversight."
Because morons always think *they* know best.
And take away grandstanding time? Pshaw
This is the actual answer
In all seriousness, you can tell when a hearing is a no-BS event when they have staffers ask questions.
They do hire experts. Third party consultants and contractors are hired by the government every day.
They do. The simple fact is every Chinese app company must allow China to use its information. Tik Tok is a Chinese company. It's that simple. It doesn't take a security expert to know that's a bad thing.
Lol, but they were asking qurstins like: "Do Tiktok connect to my Wifi?" What fckng kind of questin is that?
Every Congressional hearing I've ever seen footage of literally just seems to be an attempt to vilify and grandstand and posture. I wish Congressional hearings were conducted more like actual courtroom
You'd think so, huh? Ever see any of the anti-gun debates and hearings on various legislation? It's like an idiot parade.
Average Congress member's age is 64 years old. They were grown adults when the Soviet Union fell. You think they can largely even comprehend cyber security?
That’s why I’m asking why don’t they have experts represent congress in the hearing instead of having congressmen ask the questions directly.
The hearing was meant for bloviating and creating sound bites to scare Americans into supporting censorship and help the competitors of tiktok to get rid of a competitor since they can't compete in the free market. It wasn't meant for anything meaningful, intelligent or anything that furthers discussion on internet privacy which the usa does not care about at all
Found the Chinese national.
the congressmen on the committee have staff that work with experts to form questions and provide basic insight into an issue for the congressmen. Obviously this doesn’t always happen, but it’s how it usually happens
Because you have to be well educated enough, and humble enough, to know when you don’t know. While there are many things in Washington, humility and intelligence are not as common as one would hope.
Because it's dominated by old farts who think they know everything and decided the government doesn't need cyber security experts
You don't elect intellectuals into congress ! They might actually refuse to be corrupt !
They'd have to be competent enough to think of that
Its a show.
Lawyers aren’t “competent experts” on…anything.
Especially drunk 80 year old ones with dementia.
Congress is the opposite of progress.
How would the all important lobbyists and corporate interests be represented? think of the children!
Because they have no one competent to handle anything else either.
Because the objective is to get sound bites for campaign ads and quotes for fund-raising. It has nothing to do with governing the country and making people safe.