False dichotomy. They could’ve been banned on legitimate pretenses AND other reasons threatening power.
If they were legitimately only banned for “tracking the location in the US and gathering large amounts of data”, then just about every single social media service would be under investigation for the same reason. But do we currently see that happening?
Maybe my sample isn’t representative enough, but I literally don’t know anyone besides maybe my extremely conservative grandfather who agrees with that.
What do you mean it didn’t matter much? The goal was to get this to make news so that people would talk about it. And I’d say they were pretty successful with that.
It has raised considerable awareness among the working class about the shared struggles we face. I have personally seen considerable rhetoric shift towards discussions on class consciousness, which in my eyes is incredibly worth it.
It’s used literally to celebrate the new presidency. Fucking disgusting and there’s no WAY this money gets used properly.
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Inauguration fund money, which is typically raised by a presidential inaugural committee (PIC) in the United States, is generally used to finance activities and events related to the celebration of a new president’s inauguration. However, the allowable uses for this money depend on legal, ethical, and organizational guidelines. Here’s how it is typically spent:
Permitted Uses
1 Official Inaugural Events:
• Planning and hosting inaugural balls, parades, and concerts.
• Covering the costs of ceremonies like the swearing-in and related staging, security, and logistics.
2 Event Operations:
• Venue rentals, permits, and equipment.
• Hiring vendors for catering, audiovisual production, decorations, and transportation.
3 Public Outreach:
• Advertising and public communications for inaugural events.
• Developing and distributing tickets or invitations to events.
4 Staff and Administration:
• Salaries for committee staff and consultants involved in planning the events.
• Office space, supplies, and administrative costs for managing the fund.
5 Charitable Donations (Optional):
• Some inaugural committees choose to donate surplus funds to charities or civic organizations, though this is not mandatory.
Restrictions and Rules
1 Non-Campaign Use:
• Funds cannot be used to finance political campaigns or unrelated political activities.
2 Personal Enrichment:
• Funds cannot be used for personal expenses of the president, their family, or committee members.
3 Transparency:
• Committees are typically required to disclose donors and expenditures in accordance with federal or state law.
4 Prohibition on Federal Funds:
• Public funds cannot be mixed with the inauguration fund.
In some cases, misuse of inauguration funds has led to legal scrutiny or allegations of impropriety, so proper accounting and adherence to legal guidelines are critical.
False dichotomy. They could’ve been banned on legitimate pretenses AND other reasons threatening power.
If they were legitimately only banned for “tracking the location in the US and gathering large amounts of data”, then just about every single social media service would be under investigation for the same reason. But do we currently see that happening?