BC LEGAL
Saved by @SteveeRogerr

And now a livetweet thread of a legal conference in the case of C21-31-BJR, Parler LLC v. @awscloud.

 Parler suggests "AWS just has to flip a switch and Parler gets turned back on. Parler has been their customer for 2.5 years."
"They've met and conferred over some user content that violates not only Parler's user requirements, but also Amazon's." Yes, they'll do that, whether you want them to or not.
"I'm not on social media" says Parler's lawyer. "If I use any terms and you don't understand them, I can explain them your honor." Just go full bro and call it "dumbing things down for you" dude.
They're now saying an "algorithm" can solve their moderation problems.

Spoiler: it can not.
"Before this, AWS spent months trying to create a long term relationship with Parler." Oh my sweet summer child. Do you also believe that your call is truly important to them as you please continue to hold?
"Amazon alleges it wasn't a termination, it was a suspension." I mean yeah, technically they didn't go through their actual "account termination" process that includes "deleting all of your data and other resources."
"All of these actions taken by @awscloud demonstrate irreparable harm and injury."
"It's disingenuous for @awscloud to talk about hate. Twitter has the same issues. They left up a hashtag or whatever it is about hanging (the VP)." Yes, but Twitter doesn't run on AWS, and equally notably, has a published and kinda-working moderation policy in place.
"Parler has not been able to locate any web host for their content, and there are reasons for that." YES THERE CERTAINLY ARE
The judge finally interrupted the ramblefest. "What about section 7.2 of Amazon's terms, which seems to provide for immediate termination?"
"It's a short termination. It's a temporary suspension."

It is absolutely not.
Judge: "How do you get to temporary? It says termination."
Judge now offers a few minutes to think about this: "Your TRO was filed before the suspension/termination. We've already moved on to a different phase of things. At what point does the TRO become a request for preliminary injunction?"
A rambling answer results in "Yes, great. My question is should we refer to this as a PI? The requirements are the same."

"Thank you for reminding me of the question, your honor." I'm already wincing at just how thoroughly outclassed this guy is.
Now @awscloud's lawyer is up. "TRO should be denied because nothing in the contract, antitrust law, or tort law requires AWS to host anything that encourages violence."
"Our examples in our brief are just that. Examples. They're the tip of the iceberg."
"Let's see 7.2. 'We can terminate for cause or suspend.' It's a suspension, but it can also be a termination. It's irrelevant, AWS is allowed to be either."
Judge: "This is a suspension? It looks like a termination."
Lawyer: "It's a suspension because AWS is still hosting their data." OH BOOM. Quinnypig gets it right earlier in the thread.
"We have to suspend your account tonight. Come back to us if you have a different moderation plan and we can revisit."
Judge: "Does that mean Amazon is still open to reinstatement with an effective moderation plan, or am I putting you on the spot?"
Obvious punting on that one!
"Your honor, it's almost irrelevant because there's no way for them to fix this within 30, 60, or 90 days. Nobody from Parler attests that this is something that they can do, or even that it's possible." Hard truth there.
Now talking about abuse complaint volumes skyrocketing along with user growth. This is an unbounded growth problem. I have sympathy for social media sites here; user moderation is *hard*. The largest network I helped moderate had ~100K actives.
Now to irreparable harm: "Their brief agrees that much of this harm would be compensable by damages." This is true. In other words, "if you can be made whole with a check you don't get a TRO/injunction."
Judge question: "Does @awscloud provide the same services to Twitter?"
Lawyer: "No. Twitter's live feed doesn't run on AWS. They couldn't have taken the same actions with respect to Twitter."
Lawyer makes one more point: "It's in the public interest to deny the injunction based upon the events of January 6th." I guess we're calling it an injunction now.
Back to Parler's attorney. "On the 8th there were no further warnings, no shot across the bow. It was just 'boom, we're suspending you.'" Correct. There is no requirement otherwise.
Judge: "Would damages be sufficient, coupled with reinstatement? Why wouldn't that be sufficient?"
Lawyer: "The site is supported by advertisers." PLEASE NAME THREE.
Uh... "Okay, would a GIANT PILE OF DAMAGES be sufficient" is the next question if I'm cosplaying as a lawyer.
Judge: "Thanks for coming on short notice. Bye!"
What happens now is that the judge considers the case and issues a ruling either granting or denying the TRO/PI, probably later today.

More from Corey Quinn

Corey Quinn
Corey Quinn
@QuinnyPig
So this #reinvent eve, I want to talk about "The Mug: A thread featuring this glorious bastard."


I've gotten a few questions to the tune of "what's @awscloud Hambone," "what's this mug you keep talking about" and "what the hell is wrong with you?"

That last one is from my parents, so we'll disregard it.

For #reinvent, AWS is "particular about slides" in the same sense as "an exploding sun is slightly warm." They send out a standardized PowerPoint slide deck template that all speakers are to use. It's usually fairly zany. This year's featured a rando line art drawing of a ham.

It also figured this drawing as well, but you don't make friends with salad.


So I labeled it "AWS Hambone," slapped it on a shirt and wore it for my keynote rebuttal, as one does.

I also inflicted this upon my child, likewise as one does.
AWS REINVENT
Corey Quinn
Corey Quinn
@QuinnyPig
So I bought two accounts on your service--one for personal use, and one for business use. Please react, large companies!

Microsoft: WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING OH MY GOD PLEASE KILL ME AND END MY TORMENT

Slack: You're my favorite two daily active users.

Google: Fuck your business account, why would you pay us? What is wrong with you?

LinkedIn: Has either account tried premium?
BUSINESS
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Corey Quinn
Corey Quinn
@QuinnyPig
If people add a letter to FAANG, the added letter is the company they work for.
TECHCRONYM
Corey Quinn
Corey Quinn
@QuinnyPig
So there's a lot of confusion about what Parler being kicked off of Amazon Web Services (@awscloud) means. Let me do a quick thread to explain it to folks who aren't deep in the technical weeds...

You use an app (in this case, Parler). There's a web site you can use, and apps you can download onto your phone via Apple and Google. Those three versions of the app all talk to servers (big computers) behind the scenes.

In the Olden Days, getting those servers took months. Then you had to sign deals with companies to host those servers--they take massive amounts of power, they run hot so air conditioning is a big deal, and they need a *lot* of bandwidth.

About 15 years ago or so, Amazon (the online bookstore) had a revelation and started AWS. The idea being that instead of needing tens of thousands of dollars to get those servers built up, and spending months on it, that they would rent you these servers by the hour.

"A credit card and a few clicks of a mouse later" you were basically able to spin up huge numbers of these servers.
ALL
Corey Quinn
Corey Quinn
@QuinnyPig
Lest people think I've become too far lost in the Talking Head weeds this past #reinvent week, it's now time for me to livetweet my use of a new AWS service that was announced this week.

You probably get my re:Quinnvent newsletter. Here's the system I built that generates it.


Now that CodeGuru supports Python, let's turn it loose on the "build" subservice. This is a @goserverless stack. The subcomponent features 8 Lambdas function fronted by 11 APIs Gateway.

Yes, let's get started with it!


It starts with the correct option selected. Good for it, bad for CodeCommit's veneer of legitimacy.
AWS REINVENT

More from Legal

Jesse Hynes
Jesse Hynes
@jesse_hynes
A necessary clarification needs to be made with regards to securities laws because I’ve been seeing a theory lately not based on law but based on false presumptions. Before I do so, I want to note that I DO NOT think that XRP is a security (before I get “FUD” responses). 1/

Here it goes: There has been a theory that the SEC should only be pursuing the sales of XRP by Ripple, and once it exchanges hands it is no longer a security. Basically the theory is that the XRP the common investor holds (who bought off an exchange) is not a security because 2/

there is no privity with Ripple. Stated differently, the assumption is the SEC should categorize XRP into two pots: 1) XRP sold by Ripple and 2) all other XRP . The theory continues that a difference should be made and the SEC should clarify that it is only alleging the 3/

transactions made by Ripple to be transactions of securities. This theory is a fallacy. I’ve seen this theory argued by comparing XRP to a stock and noting the differences. It is important to note that this type of comparison cannot apply. 4/

The SEC is not alleging that XRP is a stock, but rather an “investment contract”. An Investment Contract is (1) an investment of money (2) in a common enterprise (3) with the expectation of profit (4) derived solely from the efforts of others. 5/
LEGAL
JJ Green
JJ Green
@NATSEC09
Several questions about protecting the inaugural, put to me by @ShawnAndersonDC and @bhaseltonWTOP on the air @wtop today.

1. How is Secret Service planning to protect the Inauguration from the violence that occurred last week?

Planning is the key word. They’ve been planning this inauguration for more than a year. And it’s important to note that comparing security around the Capitol on an ordinary day and an inauguration are like comparing an Apple to an entire Orange tree.

On Inauguration Day there are many thousands of people involved in protection that we don't see. There are technological capabilities, military and cyber assets, There are #WMD assets. The air, water and land are covered like a blanket.

2. What kind of threats are you hearing about...not just for the 20th...but other days too?

Many looking to engage violence in the run up to or during the inaugural are really upset because some of their social media sites are being taken offline, but plenty of others are still active and they are STILL talking about violence on those sites.
LEGAL
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Angela Ramirez
Angela Ramirez
@coangelaramirez
LATEST:

#BLM & Movement for Black Lives are promoting a 128 page bill that brings their radical protest demands into political reality.

The bill eliminates DoD ops, stops counter-terrorism programs, offers social services to illegal immigrants, &

Due to the exorbitant length of the bill (it's 128 pages) I have to explain the specifics of the BREATEHE act in sections. This article only includes the first section of the bill, which is pages 1-10.

You can find the full bill here: https://t.co/3WgchuFqXf


In the first 10 pages, the BREATHE Act moves to:

1. Repeal federal funding for local law enforcement.

The first two pages alone "abolishes" the D.E.A. and removes local law enforcement's ability to access federal funding for bulletproof vests.


2. Eliminate Department of Homeland Security (@DHSgov) programs, including ICE and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) programs.


The specific programs that they move to abolish include:

ICE

Border Enforcement Security program

Countering Violent Extremism program

Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Program

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Denaturalization Program
LEGAL
James Wilson
James Wilson
@jamewils
Tarlochan Singh, an elderly farmer, summed up the mood, saying: 

“It is not merely about a few legal infirmities in the laws. It is the philosophy of governance that will trigger a national crisis, a situation that will widen the conflict between the rich and the poor...

If this direction is not changed, we may be heading for civil war in this country. We have to understand the nature of the threat first; it is not about legalese, it is about life.”

“Everybody is going to be affected — the small businessmen, the agriculture workers, the consumers. We don’t need governments, courts and committees to tell us what our pain is.

Why is the government doing such a favour that will endanger our lives?

None will move from here until the laws are repealed.

The government can fire on us, unleash tanks or do bombarding from fighter planes. We die or defeat this government.”

Asked what would happen if the leaders strike a deal with the government and decide to give up, he said:

“It is not possible now. You must have a very low-grade moral fabric to strike a deal with the government on this issue. Our leaders aren’t like that.”
LEGAL
Tacoma Action Collective
Tacoma Action Collecti...
@tacoma_action
Last night TPD arrested and charged two known organizers, @DailyTacoma and our own @ohdamn_jam.

So many people acted quickly, and we were able to make sure they both made bail.


You can read @ohdamn_jam's account of what happened here


If you remember, back in August we were made aware that Pierce County diverted COVID funds to monitor us. We know for sure they monitored and reported on this account and anyone associated with it, such as @DailyTacoma

Side note: They were not read their rights until munch later.
LEGAL

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@Aamani_03
॥ॐ॥
अस्य श्री गायत्री ध्यान श्लोक:
(gAyatri dhyAna shlOka)
• This shloka to meditate personified form of वेदमाता गायत्री was given by Bhagwaan Brahma to Sage yAgnavalkya (याज्ञवल्क्य).

• 14th shloka of गायत्री कवचम् which is taken from वशिष्ठ संहिता, goes as follows..


• मुक्ता-विद्रुम-हेम-नील धवलच्छायैर्मुखस्त्रीक्षणै:।
muktA vidruma hEma nIla dhavalachhAyaiH mukhaistrlkShaNaiH.

• युक्तामिन्दुकला-निबद्धमुकुटां तत्वार्थवर्णात्मिकाम्॥
yuktAmindukalA nibaddha makutAm tatvArtha varNAtmikam.

• गायत्रीं वरदाभयाङ्कुश कशां शुभ्रं कपालं गदाम्।
gAyatrIm vardAbhayANkusha kashAm shubhram kapAlam gadAm.

• शंखं चक्रमथारविन्दयुगलं हस्तैर्वहन्ती भजै॥
shankham chakramathArvinda yugalam hastairvahantIm bhajE.

This shloka describes the form of वेदमाता गायत्री.

• It says, "She has five faces which shine with the colours of a Pearl 'मुक्ता', Coral 'विद्रुम', Gold 'हेम्', Sapphire 'नील्', & a Diamond 'धवलम्'.

• These five faces are symbolic of the five primordial elements called पञ्चमहाभूत:' which makes up the entire existence.

• These are the elements of SPACE, FIRE, WIND, EARTH & WATER.

• All these five faces shine with three eyes 'त्रिक्षणै:'.
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George Mack
George Mack
@george__mack
THREAD: 15 of the most useful razors and rules I've found.

Rules of thumb that simplify decisions.

Bezos' Razors:

• If unsure what action to take, let your 80-year-old self make it.

• If unsure who to work with, pick the person that has the best chances of breaking you out of a 3rd world prison.

Skinner's Law:

• If procrastinating on an item, you only have 2 options:

1. Make the pain of not doing it greater than the pain of doing it.

2. Make the pleasure of doing it greater than the pleasure of not doing it.

Luck Razor:

• If stuck with 2 equal options, pick the one that feels like it will produce the most luck later down the line.

I used this razor to go for drinks with a stranger rather than watch Netflix.

In hindsight, it was the highest ROI decision I've ever made.

Bragging Razor:

• If someone brags about their success or happiness, assume it’s half what they claim.

• If someone downplays their success or happiness, assume it’s double what they claim.

The map is not the terrain.
ALL , BUSINESS , PRINCIPLES
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\u092a\u094d\u0930\u0924\u093f\u091c\u094d\u091e
प्रतिज्ञ...
@RamaInExile
#twitterArts
Arts are best form to Express thoughts & devotion. In All civilization Arts played very important role to express sprituality. Tibbeten Tangkhas are prime example .

List of My Paintings & Sketches


प्रलय पयोधि-जले धृतवान् असि वेदम्
विहित वहित्र-चरित्रम् अखेदम्
केशव धृत-मीन-शरीर, जय जगदीश हरे!!


छलयसि विक्रमणे बलिम् अद्भुत-वामन
पद-नख-नीर-जनित-जन-पावन
केशव धृत-वामन रूप जय जगदीश हरे


नंदसि यज्ञ- विधेर् अहः श्रुति जातम्
सदय-हृदय-दर्शित-पशु-घातम्
केशव धृत-बुद्ध-शरीर जय जगदीश हरे


क्षत्रिय-रुधिर-मये जगद् -अपगत-पापम्
स्नपयसि पयसि शमित-भव-तापम्
केशव धृत-भृगुपति रूप जय जगदीश हरे
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WORLD OF SANATAN DHARMA
WORLD OF SANATAN DHARM...
@world_sanatan
EVOLUTION OF CROWNS

The ancient Indian kings called a head crown as a Mukut and it would mostly constitute of a golden ornamental headgear like an oval cap with gems.

Sometimes it would also include a halo circle to show the divinity of the king

1/7


As it was considered that kings were appointment by the gods themselves. Example the kings of mewar considered themselves to be the ‘Diwan of eklingji')

But in most cases very few Mukut with halo effect have been found.

2/7

Samudragupta in the gupta era coin. You can see the helmet like headwear on him.

Till gupta era the solid golden head wear was used in most days of the monarch.

But since the onset of 8th century it reduced in usage and was now used only as a ceremonial headwear.

3/7


Whereas earlier the Maharaja had to wear the mukut whenever his court was in session.

Still mukut was being used prominently for ceremonial activities till recent times.

Maharaj Dahir of Sindh👇

4/7


But as times past the style of headwear also changed.

The kings mostly wore turbans ordained with pearls and gems while rarely anyone wore a true Mukut after 16th century.

Portrait of Sri Krishna Dev Raya👇

5/7
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Jonathan Ware
Jonathan Ware
@ReassessHistory
So when it first appeared in Normandy, the Sherman Firefly and it's meaty 17 pounder represented an ideal combo of reliable chassis, great gun and devastating firepower right?

Ummm...

Truth is a bit more complex. /1
#WW2 #SWW #History


Deliveries of Firefly to units only commenced in April 1944,
just a few weeks before Overlord & left minimal time for familiarisation.

Armoured Regiments mostly utilised Fireflies on a basis of 1 per troop of 4 tanks. /2


Finally each armoured regiment troop had access to integral, meaty, anti-tank firepower capable of dealing serious damage to any German AFV likely to be encountered. /3


The dual purpose 75mm gun was quite capable of laying down a reasonable HE shell or AP round for dealing with Panzer III or IV.

Firefly's 17 Pounder had.... problems with HE, but excelled at tank killing. So Tigers and Panthers would need to be wary. /4


Firefly's design history dated back to March 1943 when the General Staff published "Policy on Tanks" which effectively stated the majority of tanks should have a good HE weapon and...

[See image below] /5
HISTORY