Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Wwcd
Wwcd's Journal
Wwcd's Journal
April 17, 2018
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/technology/cambridge-analytica-initial-coin-offering.html
Inside Cambridge Analytica’s Virtual Currency Plans
The embattled voter-profiling firm Cambridge Analytica quietly sought to develop its own virtual currency in recent months through a so-called initial coin offering, a novel fund-raising method that has come under growing scrutiny by financial regulators around the world.
The planned coin offering and a broader push into the world of virtual currencies were an indication of Cambridge Analytica’s willingness to expand into risky, new technological realms.
But much like its acquisition of Facebook data to build psychological profiles of voters, the new business line also took the firm into murky ethical and legal situations.
Documents and emails obtained by The New York Times show that Cambridge Analytica’s efforts to help promote another group’s digital token, the Dragon Coin, associated the firm with a famous gangster in Macau who has gone by the nickname Broken Tooth.
Cambridge Analytica’s own digital token was supposed to help people store and sell their online personal data, Brittany Kaiser, a former employee of the voter-profiling firm, said in an interview.
The goal was to protect that data from more or less what the company did when it obtained the personal information of up to 87 million Facebook users.
MORE...
And today we hear NY AG Schneiderman launches inquiry into #cryptocurrency exchanges
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210505411
Inside Cambridge Analyticas Virtual Currency Plans
https://twitter.com/WendySiegelman/status/986339032354435073?s=20https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/technology/cambridge-analytica-initial-coin-offering.html
Inside Cambridge Analytica’s Virtual Currency Plans
The embattled voter-profiling firm Cambridge Analytica quietly sought to develop its own virtual currency in recent months through a so-called initial coin offering, a novel fund-raising method that has come under growing scrutiny by financial regulators around the world.
The planned coin offering and a broader push into the world of virtual currencies were an indication of Cambridge Analytica’s willingness to expand into risky, new technological realms.
But much like its acquisition of Facebook data to build psychological profiles of voters, the new business line also took the firm into murky ethical and legal situations.
Documents and emails obtained by The New York Times show that Cambridge Analytica’s efforts to help promote another group’s digital token, the Dragon Coin, associated the firm with a famous gangster in Macau who has gone by the nickname Broken Tooth.
Cambridge Analytica’s own digital token was supposed to help people store and sell their online personal data, Brittany Kaiser, a former employee of the voter-profiling firm, said in an interview.
The goal was to protect that data from more or less what the company did when it obtained the personal information of up to 87 million Facebook users.
MORE...
And today we hear NY AG Schneiderman launches inquiry into #cryptocurrency exchanges
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210505411
April 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/ReutersUS/status/986284285958197249?s=20
Info here:
https://www.longisland.com/news/04-17-18/ag-schneiderman-launches-inquiry-into-cryptocurrency-exchanges.html
New York, NY - April 17, 2018 - Today, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman launched the Virtual Markets Integrity Initiative, a fact-finding inquiry into the policies and practices of platforms used by consumers to trade virtual or “crypto” currencies like bitcoin and ether.
As part of a broader effort to protect cryptocurrency investors and consumers, the Attorney General’s office sent letters to thirteen major virtual currency trading platforms requesting key information on their operations, internal controls, and safeguards to protect customer assets.
As the letters explain, the Initiative seeks to increase transparency and accountability as it relates to the platforms retail investors rely on to trade virtual currency, and better inform enforcement agencies, investors, and consumers.
“With cryptocurrency on the rise, consumers in New York and across the country have a right to transparency and accountability when they invest their money.
Yet too often, consumers don’t have the basic facts they need to assess the fairness, integrity, and security of these trading platforms,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Our Virtual Markets Integrity Initiative sets out to change that, promoting the accountability and transparency in the virtual currency marketplace that investors and consumers deserve.”
Virtual or “crypto” currency trading platforms match buyers and sellers of virtual currencies. Sometimes referred to as “exchanges,” these platforms are a key point of entry into the virtual currency market for professional and retail investors alike.
They serve as repositories for sensitive personal information and custodians of vast sums of virtual and government-issued (or “fiat”) currency.
Ensuring that enforcement agencies, investors, and consumers have the information they need to understand the practices and the risks on these platforms is critical, given reports of the theft of vast sums of virtual currency from customer accounts, sudden and poorly explained trading outages, possible market manipulation, and difficulties when withdrawing funds from accounts.
Often, the platforms lack the basic market protections of traditional investing platforms.
Moreover, the extent of disclosures to customers about trading rules, internal controls, and other basic practices varies from platform-to-platform, making it difficult or impossible for prospective users to evaluate the actual risks of trading on a particular platform.
The Initiative stems from the Attorney General’s duty to protect consumers and ensure the fairness and integrity of the financial markets.
Before trading on a new platform, sophisticated investors routinely demand robust disclosures, allowing them to assess the platform’s operations and the adequacy of its policies and internal controls.
The questionnaire delivered to the virtual currency platforms asks for similar information so that average investors can better understand the risks and protections.
MORE...
JUST IN: New York Attorney General Schneiderman launches inquiry into #cryptocurrency exchanges
https://twitter.com/SpicyFiles/status/986284854022234112?s=20https://twitter.com/ReutersUS/status/986284285958197249?s=20
Info here:
https://www.longisland.com/news/04-17-18/ag-schneiderman-launches-inquiry-into-cryptocurrency-exchanges.html
New York, NY - April 17, 2018 - Today, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman launched the Virtual Markets Integrity Initiative, a fact-finding inquiry into the policies and practices of platforms used by consumers to trade virtual or “crypto” currencies like bitcoin and ether.
As part of a broader effort to protect cryptocurrency investors and consumers, the Attorney General’s office sent letters to thirteen major virtual currency trading platforms requesting key information on their operations, internal controls, and safeguards to protect customer assets.
As the letters explain, the Initiative seeks to increase transparency and accountability as it relates to the platforms retail investors rely on to trade virtual currency, and better inform enforcement agencies, investors, and consumers.
“With cryptocurrency on the rise, consumers in New York and across the country have a right to transparency and accountability when they invest their money.
Yet too often, consumers don’t have the basic facts they need to assess the fairness, integrity, and security of these trading platforms,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Our Virtual Markets Integrity Initiative sets out to change that, promoting the accountability and transparency in the virtual currency marketplace that investors and consumers deserve.”
Virtual or “crypto” currency trading platforms match buyers and sellers of virtual currencies. Sometimes referred to as “exchanges,” these platforms are a key point of entry into the virtual currency market for professional and retail investors alike.
They serve as repositories for sensitive personal information and custodians of vast sums of virtual and government-issued (or “fiat”) currency.
Ensuring that enforcement agencies, investors, and consumers have the information they need to understand the practices and the risks on these platforms is critical, given reports of the theft of vast sums of virtual currency from customer accounts, sudden and poorly explained trading outages, possible market manipulation, and difficulties when withdrawing funds from accounts.
Often, the platforms lack the basic market protections of traditional investing platforms.
Moreover, the extent of disclosures to customers about trading rules, internal controls, and other basic practices varies from platform-to-platform, making it difficult or impossible for prospective users to evaluate the actual risks of trading on a particular platform.
The Initiative stems from the Attorney General’s duty to protect consumers and ensure the fairness and integrity of the financial markets.
Before trading on a new platform, sophisticated investors routinely demand robust disclosures, allowing them to assess the platform’s operations and the adequacy of its policies and internal controls.
The questionnaire delivered to the virtual currency platforms asks for similar information so that average investors can better understand the risks and protections.
MORE...
April 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/Duane1Barker/status/986217691403964416?s=20
From The Observer
The Kremlin-White House Lie Machine Spins Out of Control
Moving on from DNC staffer Seth Rich, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster is the next victim
By John R. Schindler • 08/08/17
SNIP
"That none of this is true hasn’t stopped this narrative from gaining traction among Trump supporters.
The president himself allegedly had a hand in crafting the noxious lies about Seth Rich, which were broadcast by Sean Hannity, a friend of Trump’s, on Fox News back in May—only to be quickly recanted by the network for their transparent falsehood."
SNIP
"This is classic Kremlin disinformation, taking a bit of fact and adding a great deal of fiction to smear Moscow’s opponents, yet it bears noting that all the major claims made by Team Trump in the year since Seth Rich’s murder were there, in the “SVR report,” just days after the killing."
------------
Good Read, how & who is in the pathway for Kremlin disinformation.
Kremlin, Hannity, Trump, Stone, Wikileaks, deza websites, etc
"The rancid lies Hannity told about Seth Rich were written directly by Russian intel (SVR)"
https://twitter.com/20committee/status/986215707686985728?s=20https://twitter.com/Duane1Barker/status/986217691403964416?s=20
From The Observer
The Kremlin-White House Lie Machine Spins Out of Control
Moving on from DNC staffer Seth Rich, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster is the next victim
By John R. Schindler • 08/08/17
SNIP
"That none of this is true hasn’t stopped this narrative from gaining traction among Trump supporters.
The president himself allegedly had a hand in crafting the noxious lies about Seth Rich, which were broadcast by Sean Hannity, a friend of Trump’s, on Fox News back in May—only to be quickly recanted by the network for their transparent falsehood."
SNIP
"This is classic Kremlin disinformation, taking a bit of fact and adding a great deal of fiction to smear Moscow’s opponents, yet it bears noting that all the major claims made by Team Trump in the year since Seth Rich’s murder were there, in the “SVR report,” just days after the killing."
------------
Good Read, how & who is in the pathway for Kremlin disinformation.
Kremlin, Hannity, Trump, Stone, Wikileaks, deza websites, etc
April 16, 2018
From Lawferlaw
https://mobile.twitter.com/lauferlaw?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
😁 List of MSM's reporting on Hannity (but not Fox)
https://twitter.com/jules_su/status/985961356661846017?s=20
From Lawferlaw
https://mobile.twitter.com/lauferlaw?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
April 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/PuestoLoco/status/985539517485584385?s=20
The lunatic is on the grass.
The lunatic is on the grass.
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs.
Got to keep the loonies on the path.
The lunatic is in the hall.
The lunatics are in my hall.
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paper boy brings more.
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
The lunatic is in my head.
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'til I'm sane.
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me.
https://twitter.com/PuestoLoco/status/985540067560128513?s=20
https://twitter.com/JeffOtherJeff/status/985550339452653570?s=20
"Cohen Me Cohen You" " "While My Bizarre President Tweets" & Pink Floyd 1974
ROFL..
https://twitter.com/PuestoLoco/status/985539517485584385?s=20
The lunatic is on the grass.
The lunatic is on the grass.
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs.
Got to keep the loonies on the path.
The lunatic is in the hall.
The lunatics are in my hall.
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paper boy brings more.
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
The lunatic is in my head.
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'til I'm sane.
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me.
https://twitter.com/PuestoLoco/status/985540067560128513?s=20
https://twitter.com/JeffOtherJeff/status/985550339452653570?s=20
April 14, 2018
Kakistocracy, a 374-year-old word that means ‘government by the worst,’ just broke the dictionary
Today was a productive vocabulary day in the United States of America.
The learning began in the morning, when former CIA director John O. Brennan tweeted at President Trump: “Your kakistocracy is collapsing after its lamentable journey.”
The insult was part of a raging feud between Trump and various members of the intelligence community, some of whom suspect the president’s inner circle of committing federal crimes, and many of whom Trump says are out to destroy him.
Brennan’s tweet proved quite popular with Trump’s critics, even if not everyone totally understood it.
What, wondered the actor/director Zach Braff and the fake congressman Steven Smith, and many others, was a “kakistocracy”?
More at Link..
https://twitter.com/PuestoLoco/status/985169891274711041?s=20
WAPO - KAKISTOCRACY, a 374-year-old word that means government by the worst,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2018/04/13/kakistocracy-a-374-year-old-word-that-means-government-by-the-worst-just-broke-the-dictionary/?utm_term=.d6c91b2812e6Kakistocracy, a 374-year-old word that means ‘government by the worst,’ just broke the dictionary
Today was a productive vocabulary day in the United States of America.
The learning began in the morning, when former CIA director John O. Brennan tweeted at President Trump: “Your kakistocracy is collapsing after its lamentable journey.”
The insult was part of a raging feud between Trump and various members of the intelligence community, some of whom suspect the president’s inner circle of committing federal crimes, and many of whom Trump says are out to destroy him.
Brennan’s tweet proved quite popular with Trump’s critics, even if not everyone totally understood it.
What, wondered the actor/director Zach Braff and the fake congressman Steven Smith, and many others, was a “kakistocracy”?
More at Link..
https://twitter.com/PuestoLoco/status/985169891274711041?s=20
April 14, 2018
04/13/2018 06:07 pm ET
88 Lawmakers Urge Trump To Get Their Sign Off To Bomb Syria
“Engaging our military in Syria ... without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers,” say House Republicans and Democrats.
SNIP
“We stand ready to consider the facts before us and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict,” the letter states.
Republicans on the letter include Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Ted Yoho (Fla.), Raúl Labrador (Idaho), David Schweikert (Ariz.), Mia Love (Utah), Kurt Schrader (Wash.), Mark Sanford (S.C.), Morgan Griffith (Va.), Andy Biggs (Ky.), Jason Lewis (Minn.), Mo Brooks (Ala.) and Rod Blum (Iowa).
(Copy of the full letter at link)
SNIP
As the House lawmakers point out, Trump may not have the constitutional authority to unilaterally bomb Syria without their sign off.
Lawmakers are constitutionally required to authorize any sustained military action.
For years, President Barack Obama went around Congress to take military action against the self-described Islamic State by saying he could use a sweeping 2001 authorization for use of military force, or AUMF, to do it.
That AUMF, which has no expiration date, allowed then-President George W. Bush to attack anyone connected to Al Qaeda, anywhere, at any time. Obama argued that ISIS was an offshoot of Al Qaeda, so he argued he could invoke the same AUMF.
Trump can’t make that argument for launching missile strikes on Syrian government targets, even if House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says it’s fine if he does.
The administration hasn’t even tried to make that case.
This is NOT like AUMF. 88 Lawmakers Urge Trump To Get Their Sign Off To Bomb Syria
https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5ad117abe4b077c89ce8930104/13/2018 06:07 pm ET
88 Lawmakers Urge Trump To Get Their Sign Off To Bomb Syria
“Engaging our military in Syria ... without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers,” say House Republicans and Democrats.
SNIP
“We stand ready to consider the facts before us and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict,” the letter states.
Republicans on the letter include Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Ted Yoho (Fla.), Raúl Labrador (Idaho), David Schweikert (Ariz.), Mia Love (Utah), Kurt Schrader (Wash.), Mark Sanford (S.C.), Morgan Griffith (Va.), Andy Biggs (Ky.), Jason Lewis (Minn.), Mo Brooks (Ala.) and Rod Blum (Iowa).
(Copy of the full letter at link)
SNIP
As the House lawmakers point out, Trump may not have the constitutional authority to unilaterally bomb Syria without their sign off.
Lawmakers are constitutionally required to authorize any sustained military action.
For years, President Barack Obama went around Congress to take military action against the self-described Islamic State by saying he could use a sweeping 2001 authorization for use of military force, or AUMF, to do it.
That AUMF, which has no expiration date, allowed then-President George W. Bush to attack anyone connected to Al Qaeda, anywhere, at any time. Obama argued that ISIS was an offshoot of Al Qaeda, so he argued he could invoke the same AUMF.
Trump can’t make that argument for launching missile strikes on Syrian government targets, even if House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says it’s fine if he does.
The administration hasn’t even tried to make that case.
April 13, 2018
Some are up & in place & some are about to be.
74 MaddogPac Billboards / PIC & their Location
https://maddogpac.com/collections/all-billboards?page=1Some are up & in place & some are about to be.
April 12, 2018
Thread by @ninaandtito:
"sooooo much stuff happened in 2014. shall we make a list?
1) Newt, in Kazakhstan (MOB): "Putin is a great Russian nationalist and is actuall […]"
2) Backpage dot com sold to a DUTCH company (hi AIVD!)
3) Zuckerbitch said, "US gubmint bad for interwebz sekuriteeeeeee"
(did putin tell him to say that?)
#4 - 29.......
More at Link
Threadreaderapp: ""sooooo much stuff happened in 2014. shall we make a list?"
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/984266843236937728.htmlThread by @ninaandtito:
"sooooo much stuff happened in 2014. shall we make a list?
1) Newt, in Kazakhstan (MOB): "Putin is a great Russian nationalist and is actuall […]"
2) Backpage dot com sold to a DUTCH company (hi AIVD!)
3) Zuckerbitch said, "US gubmint bad for interwebz sekuriteeeeeee"
(did putin tell him to say that?)
#4 - 29.......
More at Link
Profile Information
Gender: Do not displayHome country: USA
Member since: Tue Oct 17, 2017, 11:56 AM
Number of posts: 6,288
