The news that radical left-wing interest group, MoveOn.org, has started to focus their ammunition on popular social networking site Facebook, has to leave one wondering if presidential wannabe Hillary Clinton, is actually behind this move. It's been widely speculated that MoveOn.org, is a front organization for the Democratic Party, and is this a potential "trial balloon" that the Clinton campaign is sending out?
The issue surrounds Facebook's new product, Beacon. MoveOn is claiming that the platform allows advertisers to sell goods to subscribers by placing customized ads in users' conversations. MoveOn calls this a "gross invasion of privacy." MoveOn would know something about invasion of privacy. Their whole agenda is for the government to intrude more and more into our personal lives. See their push for nationalized, socialized medicine.
By adding an opt-in option, I think that Facebook would be fine regarding invasion of privacy. Is MoveOn against an invasion of privacy, or an invasion of capitalism?
I'd love to hear Sen. Clinton's take on all of this. Could she really be against the biggest thing to hit the internet?
Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. Disclosure: Writer holds no position in any stock mentioned as of 11/21/07.
Why do we have a weak dollar?
Holiday hiring slow for retailers
Closing Bell: What sell-off? (AIG, ABK, EPR, MBI, JAVA, ORCL, ERTS)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-25-2007 @ 4:30PM
Bill Moehle said...
WOW!! Where do I begin with this off the wall hatchet job?? First, MoveON as a "radical left wing interest group?" It is an interest group...and a progressive one at that, dealing with issues like clean money, clean elections, health care for children and a prompt end to the loss of American lives in Iraq. Wait...come to think about it...that sounds pretty good to me! If SCHIP, clean elections and an end to the war in Iraq are elements of a radical agenda...or a Democratic agenda...count me in!
But...front organization for the Democratic Party? Now there's a laugher!! Yes, many MoveOn members are Democrats, but to think that they are directed by the national Democratic Party a political party that itself encompasses many different points of view, is simply an assertion with no basis in fact whatsoever.
As far as Beacon and invasion of property goes, yes, clearly Facebook overstepped the line, by barely making its new program visible, and making it difficult, at least initially to opt out. Only pressure from "Radical left wing interest groups" like MoveOne...oh, and regular people who were upset that their purchasing habits were being tracked without their knowledge, caused Facebook to begin to address the negative impact of their new Beacon program.
So, Mr. Katsman, you may hold no position in any stocks mentioned, but there is no question as to your position on politics..and its near the lunatic fringe!
11-25-2007 @ 10:42PM
Tom M said...
An emphatic "YES". I'd like to mention that I am a moveon.org member as well as FaceBook subscriber. I believe moveon's position is well taken, but I wouldn't rate it high on the "things to do" agenda. There are much more important issues to focus on.
11-25-2007 @ 5:12PM
Brockage said...
Not a Democrat mouthpiece?!?!? By their fruits we do know them -- moveon.org -- MOVE ON PLEEEEEEEEZ.
11-25-2007 @ 5:48PM
IGB said...
I'll second Bill's comments in their entirety.
Much better said than the post they refer to.
11-25-2007 @ 11:13PM
Carla said...
Um. I live in a western democratic nation (Australia) that has nationalised, socialised medicine. I don't consider it an invasion of privacy. It feels like a freedom and a blessing in fact.