Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants to end the US Army's controversial Twitch channel

[midian182]

A hot potato: The US Army’s Twitch exploits have received plenty of criticism over the last few weeks, and things could get even worse. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is looking to put an end to the channel by filing an amendment to the House Appropriations bill that would prevent the military from using funds to “maintain a presence on Twitch.com or any video game, esports, or live-streaming platform.”

Last week saw Twitch step in to stop a fake competition run by the US Army that promised the chance to win a $200+ Xbox Elite Series 2 controller. The channel’s streams were regularly populated with automated chat prompts containing links for those wishing to take part, but clicking on them directed people to an army recruitment form with no mention of a competition, odds, number of winners, or draw dates. The controversy came soon after the channel was accused of violating viewers’ First Amendment rights by banning users who asked about the Army’s favorite war crimes.

just having a good time with the US Army esports twitch stream @JordanUhl pic.twitter.com/qnjyxg1KP0

— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) July 8, 2020

Now, Vice reports that Ocasio-Cortez could bring an end to official military Twitch channels, esports teams, and their presence on other streaming platforms. The publication does note that AOC’s amendment might not make it through the process. First, the House Appropriations Committee on Rules must meet to decide which pending amendments go forward. The bill then has to go through multiple committees before being voted on by the entire House, then the Senate.

While the Army, Navy, and Air Force all have their own esports teams and Twitch channels, the Marines haven’t been as eager to join in. “This is due in part to the belief that the brand and issues associated with combat are too serious to be “gamified” in a responsible manner.”

new: sources tell me due to recent media coverage of fake giveaways and potentially unconstitutional bans, the US Army esports team has paused social activity, streaming on Twitch, and official activations with Twitch including participating in upcoming Twitch Rivals events

— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) July 22, 2020

It appears that the Army is already reeling from the recent controversies. Esports consultant and journalist Rod “Slasher” Breslau tweeted that “due to recent media coverage of fake giveaways and potentially unconstitutional bans, the US Army esports team has paused social activity, streaming on Twitch, and official activations with Twitch including participating in upcoming Twitch Rivals events.” He adds that the Army might not resume its esports/streaming activities until spring 2021.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/86104-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-wants-end-us-army-controversial.html

 

[m4a4]

Ah yes, instead of preventing them from doing fake givaways and the such, just nuke the online gaming/streaming capabilities on a whim.

How reasonable.

Edit: Clarifying.

 

[mattferg]

Ah yes, instead of preventing them from doing fake givaways and the such, just nuke the gaming capabilities on a whim.

How reasonable.

She’s not stopping their gaming capabilities Smh, just stopping them from having a Twitch channel to stream it. Unsure how I feel about that bit though.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

Regardless her detractors, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is here to stay - and most likely will outlast Trump's administration.

AOC has become a household name: a darling of the left, despised by the right, but nevertheless represents her constituents - and that's all that matters.

The same goes for Omar, Tlaib and Waters.

We are basically going to make her the next Nydia M. Velasquez.

 

[m4a4]

She’s not stopping their gaming capabilities Smh, just stopping them from having a Twitch channel to stream it. Unsure how I feel about that bit though.

H.R. 7617—Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act,

COMMITTEE ACTION: REPORTED BY A RECORD VOTE OF 8-4 on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. FLOOR ACTION ON H. RES. 1067: Agreed to by record vote of 229-182, after agreeing to the previous question by record vote of 230-181, on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. MANAGERS: McGovern/Cole 1. Structured rule. 2. Provides...

rules.house.gov

None of the funds appropriated or other-wise made available by this Act may be used by any of the Armed Forces to maintain a presence on Twitch.com or any video game, e-sports, or live-streaming platform.

Clarified a bit. But it doesn't come across as "just stopping them from having a Twitch channel to stream it" either lol

 

[QuantumPhysics]

"The controversy came soon after the channel was accused of violating viewers’ First Amendment rights by banning users who asked about the Army’s favorite war crimes."

Sometimes I wonder whether our government leaders understand the constitution.

I remember when Obama had his Blackberry restricted because "anything he did on it could be subpoenaed". No one in the government, acting in any official capacity, should be issuing any edicts whatsoever through social media. It's not private and because of their official capacity, they DO NOT have the same rights they'd have if they used it as a regular citizen.

Government officials have no right to "censor" us.

Otherwise it violates our 1st Amendment right: "Congress Shall make no law...".

So stay off of social media government...

 

[Angga B]

Why is this news. Why of all dire problems she see this as urgent matter to solve? Why the need to ban, who is she or congress to ban anything, isn't there any better way to solve this, like... For example... By COMMUNICATING?

Lame stunt. By person who know nothing, let alone gaming or twitching. Stop doing this techspot, keep focus on tech. Just tech.

 

[VitalyT]

Regardless her detractors, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is here to stay - and most likely will outlast Trump's administration.

My old cat will outlast Trump's administration, the f###k-up champions league.

 

[trparky]

AOC has become a household name: a darling of the left, despised by the right, but nevertheless represents her constituents - and that's all that matters.

More like despised by anyone who's got even half a functioning brain. She, like everyone on the far left, wants to tear down the whole system never mind how many people she hurts in the process all because she sees the United States as "evil" or something. She wants to do these broad sweeping changes which is akin to using a tactical nuke to take out an ant infestation.

Meanwhile you have people like me who very much do understand that there are societal issues, but you can't just go in like a bull and do stuff without any thought as to how it'll affect people's lives. You need to think things through at every step. Yes, this will make for a society that moves slow but that's how it's got to be if you want to keep a stable society.

 

[Hexic]

As soon as I read, "Now, Vice reports..."

Can't take anything about this seriously anymore. Especially when Vice and AOC are in the same sentence, it's laughable.

 

[Ludak021]

She can't stop anything. She needs to put something into law? Well, she will need a majority vote, she can't put something into law by herself. She knows this, so she keeps trolling.

 

[ColdDeck]

Why is this news. Why of all dire problems she see this as urgent matter to solve? Why the need to ban, who is she or congress to ban anything, isn't there any better way to solve this, like... For example... By COMMUNICATING?

Lame stunt. By person who know nothing, let alone gaming or twitching. Stop doing this techspot, keep focus on tech. Just tech.

She actually is a gamer, but go on.

 

[wiyosaya]

"The controversy came soon after the channel was accused of violating viewers’ First Amendment rights by banning users who asked about the Army’s favorite war crimes."

Sometimes I wonder whether our government leaders understand the constitution.

I remember when Obama had his Blackberry restricted because "anything he did on it could be subpoenaed". No one in the government, acting in any official capacity, should be issuing any edicts whatsoever through social media. It's not private and because of their official capacity, they DO NOT have the same rights they'd have if they used it as a regular citizen.

Government officials have no right to "censor" us.

Otherwise it violates our 1st Amendment right: "Congress Shall make no law...".

So stay off of social media government...

This!

 

[QuantumPhysics]

More like despised by anyone who's got even half a functioning brain. She, like everyone on the far left, wants to tear down the whole system never mind how many people she hurts in the process all because she sees the United States as "evil" or something. She wants to do these broad sweeping changes which is akin to using a tactical nuke to take out an ant infestation.

Meanwhile you have people like me who very much do understand that there are societal issues, but you can't just go in like a bull and do stuff without any thought as to how it'll affect people's lives. You need to think things through at every step. Yes, this will make for a society that moves slow but that's how it's got to be if you want to keep a stable society.

The Far Left doesn't really need to tear down the system.

Trump: Mr: "law and order" has an administration seeing the most widespread, open violence in history since the Civil War.

Trump: Mr "this will never be a socialist nation" is passing the largest Welfare Check, multi-Trillion-Dollar handouts EVER.

I knew Bernie Sanders would never be President.

Bernie Sanders has already won.

I prefer to look at the Coronavirus as a national (global?) reset button.

The last time America had a reconstruction period, post Civil-war, non-white minorities (Black post-slaves) were disincluded and discriminated against.

This time, anyone here has an opportunity to improve their wealth under Trump's economic disaster while the wealthy lose more and more money daily.

America will be $30,000,000,000,000 in debt by the time trump's out of office.

Bankrupt economically and morally.

As for AOC... her role is representing her constituents who overwhelmingly support her just like Omar, Tlaib and Waters.

AOC has every right and responsibility to call out this blatant use of social media and violations of the 1st Amendment.

When right wingers learn civics and learn to respect other people's constitutional rights, they'll understand what I'm saying.

Whether they do or not. This is happening...

 

[wiyosaya]

Regardless her detractors, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is here to stay - and most likely will outlast Trump's administration.

AOC has become a household name: a darling of the left, despised by the right, but nevertheless represents her constituents - and that's all that matters.

IMO, she also gets things that many others do not. For example: Economics (especially poverty) are a big factor in crime.

Crime, IMO, is a symptom of the deeper problems with modern society - especially the aspects of modern society that de-value everyone and everything that have no money.

IMO, humanity will never stomp out crime by force. Why? Because it is impossible to beat down those already beaten down.

 

[wiyosaya]

Ah yes, instead of preventing them from doing fake givaways and the such, just nuke the online gaming/streaming capabilities on a whim.

How reasonable.

Edit: Clarifying.

No one should have to stop them from doing anything fake. They should have the sense to do that themselves, IMO.

 

[trparky]

The Far Left doesn't really need to tear down the system.

Oh really.

Green New Deal much? It would've decimated whole industries leaving millions out of work with absolutely no way to make a living. Defund the police meanwhile crime rates shot up nearly 200% in New York and even the people who were calling to defund the police in New York want the police back.

I believe that AOC said something stupid like "Oh they just wanted bread".

 

[wiyosaya]

The Far Left doesn't really need to tear down the system.

Trump: Mr: "law and order" has an administration seeing the most widespread, open violence in history since the Civil War.

And his actions are only inflaming those who have already had enough. In effect, as I see it, Trump is tearing the US down by his heavy-handed edicts and divisive rhetoric.

I prefer to look at the Coronavirus as a national (global?) reset button.

I'll go with global!

The last time America had a reconstruction period, post Civil-war, non-white minorities (Black post-slaves) were disincluded and discriminated against.

IMO, this is what people simply do not get. Those supporting slavery were butt hurt and tried anything that they could to ensure that their ideals survived well into the future, and those ideals have survived well into the future. They survive even now. This is why people are protesting, and this is why extremists are out there trying to make it look like it is those who are protesting the survival of these ideals are the ones destroying the nation. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article243553662.html
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/202...trouble-at-protests-and-what-are-their-goals/

As for AOC... her role is representing her constituents who overwhelmingly support her just like Omar, Tlaib and Waters.

Many other elected officials have lost sight of the fact that they were elected to represent their constituents; IMO, AOC, and others have not.

AOC has every right and responsibility to call out this blatant use of social media and violations of the 1st Amendment.

When right wingers learn civics and learn to respect other people's constitutional rights, they'll understand what I'm saying.

Whether they do or not. This is happening...

 

[trparky]

And his actions are only inflaming those who have already had enough. In effect, as I see it, Trump is tearing the US down by his heavy-handed edicts and divisive rhetoric.

And when I see wanton property destruction, what do you think should be done? Cower in the corner and whimper "Don't hurt me." No! You send in the feds and you take back control!!!

 

[wiyosaya]

And when I see wanton property destruction, what do you think should be done? Cower in the corner and whimper "Don't hurt me." No! You send in the feds and you take back control!!!

More rhetoric?

Their presence has only brought out EVEN MORE PROTESTERS. They are teargassing peaceful, unarmed grannies exercising their 1st amendment rights, FFS.

Claims of wanton violence are more BS from a dirt bag trying to win re-election by appealing to those who know nothing more than how to beat everything down. It will not solve the base problems. The base problems are what need to be solved.

But feel free to believe anything that gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling that everything is OK in America today, and will be OK as long a those espousing law and order continue to beat down those they claim are destroying things like unarmed, peacefully protesting grannies.

 

[trparky]

Claims of wanton violence are more BS from a dirt bag trying to win re-election by appealing to those who know nothing more than how to beat everything down. It will not solve the base problems. The base problems are what need to be solved.

Tell that to the people who lost businesses in many cities including my own home town area where small businesses were destroyed including a high end Heinen’s grocery store.

‘I was so scared’: Owner of Colossal Cupcakes says protesters threw bricks, paint cans and then took everything

Vandalism spread throughout downtown Cleveland following Saturday’s police brutality protests.

fox8.com

But you don’t hear about that kind of stuff on the news.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

Tell that to the people who lost businesses in many cities including my own home town area where small businesses were destroyed including a high end Heinen’s grocery store.

Feed the poor or they'll eat the rich.

Did you really think they could manage two generations buried in debt without the opportunities or skills to be productive, contributing members to society?

They wanna call them "Black Lives Matter" and "Antifa".

I call them the angry members of Generation Y, Z and Alpha.

They're gonna destroy this entire place either by violence or via vote.

 

[trparky]

And what about the people who just want to live in peace? Those of us who don’t want to see our whole society burn.

All of this proves that my only option is to go out in the middle of nowhere, build a cabin, fortify the crap out of it, and watch as society burns.

 

[ColdSoup]

I could also build a satellite and launch it to monitor corn field growth in Kansas. I don't get how this is even newsworthy when the House Appropriations Committee hasn't even acknowledged any decisions yet, let alone the outlandish ones.

 

[trparky]

Make no mistake, the Democrats only want power!!! They want to enslave you under their dictatorial rule.

Vote Republican and for Trump in 2020 if you want any semblance of a peaceful society.