Two major events took place within these past few weeks gaining attention from Americans around the country. One of them, the congressional hearing with the current CEO of Tikok, took place on March 23, 2023, and just days later, the fatal Nashville school shooting occurred on March 27, 2023. While both events pushed lawmakers to have discussions regarding the two issues, the spotlight seemed to illuminate equally, if not more on the issues surrounding Tiktok’s data collection and the risks it may pose to teens and children, rather than the persistent issue of gun violence that the Nashville shooting reflected. This is leading many Americans to think about the priorities of Congress, and how they oftentimes don’t reflect the serious issues that the country faces.
Before comparing the two issues side by side, it is important to understand the context of both and how they play a role in American politics. Gun violence was officially announced as the leading cause of death for American children, surpassing car accidents (NYT). A statistic like this should theoretically urge lawmakers to not only pivot their attention to this issue but to establish regulations or reforms to combat this deadly disease. However, time after time congress has continued to let each case of gun violence go, failing to make drastic and necessary changes. This continuous pattern is generally a result of one major factor: bipartisan support. While reforms have been proposed in government, many Republicans have failed to vote in favor of them because either they don’t want to support a democratic policy, oppose the views of their voters, or often times, because they are paid by or are facing pressure from organizations that advocate for gun freedom, and as a result, this continuous cycle occurs.
Data privacy is also another concern that is arising in politics, as various social media platforms are taking advantage of users interests in order to make money and sell them to other companies. However, politicians are skeptical about Tiktok’s platform geared toward younger individuals, and how users’ information may be linked to the Chinese government. In the congressional hearing on March 23, Shou Chew testified before lawmakers questioning him on the basis of this issue, but the discussion revealed the rather strange and irrelevant questions they asked. One representative, Buddy Carter, asked whether the app tracks pupil dilation as a form of facial recognition to drive algorithms (CNN). This question among various other mockable inquiries about the app received backlash from Tiktok users seeing videos of this hearing, which represented mockery and irrelevance instead of insightful and important questions.
When comparing these two issues, I decided to consider the level of urgency to which each of them are considered. I believe the most important legislative decisions should be made depending on how acute their effects will be on the country. Additionally, with their relevance, decisions should also be made depending on their effects on the citizens themselves. In this case, gun violence not only affects citizens to a level of death but also spans all circumstances. Essentially, at the level to which it is happening, gun violence has become a part of the average American citizen’s life and more importantly, a situation that they cannot choose to be in. While on the other hand, data privacy and security concerns seem to affect many Americans, but it is both a circumstance that they can choose to be a part of and most importantly, does not come at the expense of their own lives. So we are really comparing the difference between an issue that concerns privacy, and one that concerns death. In my opinion, this speaks volumes about how America has decided to prioritize its policies, but even more so, on how much attention they truly get in light of one being more urgent than the other. Data privacy with social media is no doubt a major issue in America, no less the world. But when comparing it to a more acute issue such as gun violence, it does not have the same effects, and therefore should not be given a remotely similar problem.
Perhaps the average person living and growing up outside of the U.S. could view this behavior as hysterical; how does a nation continue to ignore its own problems with firearms which result in death, but allow issues such as data privacy to gain an equal platform? I interviewed Dr. Rabuck to gain insight into how he feels about the situation from a political standpoint. In accordance to the TikTok testimony, he said that he is cynical about congressional hearings in general, as they are meant to shape and gauge public opinion. However, the hysteria about data privacy and security is an equally bipartisan issue, for instance, Biden banned TikTok on all government phones in fear of it being linked to the Chinese government (NPR). So the issue is not entirely biased or out of proportion. However, Republicans are giving the situation much more support because as Dr. Rabuck says, “They are on the wrong side of public opinion so they try to deflect the issue towards something else that makes Democrats look bad”. In reality, 59% of Republicans are in favor of banning assault weapons, the root cause of mass shootings (Forbes). However, Republican politicians decide not to give in to these reforms even if they want to, because they cannot side with policies introduced by Democrats. So instead of arguing against gun reforms, deflecting the issue seems like a better choice.
When asked about how why this pattern of political bias continues to happen despite the lives of Americans, Dr. Rabuck explained the increasing political divide is between “brown and grey”: a population that is very diverse vs. older white people. America is a changing nation, and Republicans can either accept that and skew their policies to attract a more diverse nation or stick to their policies that will keep white people in power if their traditional followers keep voting for them. Because they have chosen the latter, many gun reforms seem radical, and therefore will not be addressed.
Ultimately, in order for change to be made in both gun reforms and in overall congressional priorities is for each party to come to a realization that these issues are more important than money or power. And though it is hard to see that realization happen in the future, it certainly can, as it has in history, take for example views about race or sexuality. Once that initial struggle within politicians is resolved, acute issues can be greatly addressed–it’s just a matter of whether it’s too late.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/14/magazine/gun-violence-children-data-statistics.html
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/25/tech/tiktok-user-reaction-hearing/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2022/12/20/1144519602/congress-is-about-to-ban-tiktok-from-u-s-government-phones https://www.forbes.com/sites/madelinehalpert/2022/08/23/support-for-stricter-gun-laws-including-among-republicans-remains-high-poll-suggests/?sh=11b5c22a2a24
It’s hard to come by educated people in this particular topic,
however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
It’s very effortless to find out any matter on net as compared to
textbooks, as I found this post at this website.
Hey very nice blog!
Good way of explaining, and pleasant post to take data
regarding my presentation subject, which i am going to deliver in university.
Appreciating the time and energy you put into your website and detailed information you
offer. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information. Fantastic read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Undeniably consider that that you stated. Your favourite justification appeared
to be on the web the simplest factor to be mindful of. I say
to you, I definitely get annoyed even as people think about issues that they just do not
realize about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having
side effect , folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to
get more. Thank you
hi!,I like your writing so so much! share we
keep up a correspondence extra approximately your article on AOL?
I need a specialist on this area to solve my problem.
May be that’s you! Looking forward to peer you.
I am curious to find out what blog system you have been working
with? I’m having some minor security issues with my latest website and I’d like
to find something more safeguarded. Do you have
any suggestions?
Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this web page regularly, this site is actually nice and the viewers are truly sharing pleasant thoughts.
This is a topic that is close to my heart…
Best wishes! Where are your contact details though?
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by
him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble.
You are incredible! Thanks!
Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness for your submit
is just excellent and i can assume you’re knowledgeable in this subject.
Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to stay updated with drawing close post.
Thank you a million and please keep up the
enjoyable work.
Every weekend i used to go to see this web site, as i want enjoyment, for
the reason that this this web site conations really nice funny data too.
This website certainly has all of the information I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
It’s fantastic that you are getting ideas from this paragraph as well as from our discussion made at this place.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Ein bisschen Erfahrung reicht weit, und diese erfahrenen XXX-Stars werden alles
tun. Hier finden Selbige einige der größten Namen der Erotikbranche sowie einige sexy Amateur-POV-Rollenspielvideos.
Wählen Sie einfach das gewünschte Video aus den angezeigten Miniaturansichten aus und Sie landen auf
der individuellen Videowiedergabeseite mit allen Ansichts- und Navigationsoptionen, die Jene benötigen. Sie können Videos in der Bereich Stiefmutter-Sex auf verschiedene nützliche Arten filtern – neue Videos, beliebte Videos usw.
Sie bringen das Erlebnis sogar anpassen, indem Sie welche Anzahl der
Quellen begrenzen. Dies ist der beste Weg, um kostenlose Stiefmutter-Pornos an einem Ort zu genießen. Schau oft vorbei,
umgekehrt es gibt immer neue heiße Mütter zu genießen.
Fußballmütter, sexy Business-MILFs, Trophäenfrauen mit großen Titten und mehr sind alle hier.
Sieh zu, wie diese XXX-Stars einen großen Pornoschwanz von sexy Hengsten und Amateuren gleichermaßen einnehmen. Jeder Clip eröffnet eine neue Welt voller Möglichkeiten und Löcher!
Es gibt auch MILF-, Stiefsohn- und Puma-Pornokategorien mit großen Titten. Wirst du diesen Stiefmüttern helfen, sich wie zu Hause zu fühlen? Mach
deinen Schwanz nass, bevor du deine Hausarbeiten erledigst, und
setze ein Lesezeichen auf die Seite, wenn du zurück bist, um mehr zu erfahren. Ändere es und hol
dir die sexy Inhalte für Erwachsene, die du wirklich willst, so wie du es
willst.
It’s very straightforward to find out any matter on web as compared to books, as I found
this article at this website.
I have read so many posts on the topic of the blogger lovers however this piece of writing is truly a good article,
keep it up.
Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told used to be a enjoyment account it.
Glance complex to far introduced agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep up a correspondence?
Amazing blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many
choices out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any tips?
Thank you!
of course like your web-site however you have to take a look at the
spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless
I’ll definitely come back again.
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an email.
I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop
over time.
Greetings, There’s no doubt that your blog could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues.
Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks
fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Apart from that, excellent site!
naturally like your web-site but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of
your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very
troublesome to tell the truth however I’ll surely come back again.
Great blog here! Additionally your web site rather a lot up fast!
What host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate
hyperlink on your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
You get the horny live chat for websites next door. No fake nails and no silicone tits, just pure natural horniness. Just come to my chat and we will live out our hottest secret fantasies.
Then you can get started on your new favourite free online live adult webcams chat portal! The webcam girls are already waiting for you in the chat!
If you like to watch naked women live, cam to live filmed shows might not be the right thing for you. But if you’re not sure, you might want to try live cam 2 cam chat for free. Otherwise, just enjoy watching.
I love to meet new people and have fun with them. I like to chat, free live sex cams in front of the cam and shoot clips. I am open for new adventures 🙂
If you like to watch naked women live, cam to live video chat with girls might not be the right thing for you. But if you’re not sure, you might want to try live cam 2 cam chat for free. Otherwise, just enjoy watching.
Hey, if you’re looking for a change, you’ve come to the right place! I’m open to flirty conversations, you can enjoy my true concentrated rigour or natural cam girls the daily grind together!
Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a high risk decision great post! .