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FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

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31–40 of 177 posts

Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#31
post #3

I don't understand how decisions like these align with the supposed "America First" rhetoric coming from the same side. Specifically - this deal is being led by the son of the president of the USA who was elected on promises of "bringing jobs back to America" and prioritizing domestic investments. Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all.

They align with the actual motives of the people involved, which is lining their pockets. "America first" is for the rubes.

The same is true of "fiscal responsibility." The GOP runs on this, but when they get into power they spend like drunks and run the deficit up. This has been true since Reagan, though Trump represents a huge escalation.

The same has been true with the whole "we're going to get rid of these DEI hires and be purely meritocratic." Okay, then why does the head of the FBI need to blow in a tube to start his car and why are a bunch of unqualified former pundits and podcasters in positions of high authority? Why is the head of the CDC a crackpot who can barely talk?

"A thing is what it does." Ignore rhetoric, look at results. BTW the same rule applies to rhetoric from the other side.

Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#32
post #3

I don't understand how decisions like these align with the supposed "America First" rhetoric coming from the same side. Specifically - this deal is being led by the son of the president of the USA who was elected on promises of "bringing jobs back to America" and prioritizing domestic investments. Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all.

How is this complicated?

US uses dollars to buy oil from UAE.

UAE sends dollars back to Paramount shareholders in the US to "own" a piece Paramount.

Is it "foreign owned"? Do they really own anything? What are they really going to do with it? I don't know. I inhabit a world of nuance, I don't take rhetoric at face value, that's a waste of time.

Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#33
post #3

I don't understand how decisions like these align with the supposed "America First" rhetoric coming from the same side. Specifically - this deal is being led by the son of the president of the USA who was elected on promises of "bringing jobs back to America" and prioritizing domestic investments. Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all.

Simply because the Trump administration is "America First" in name only, and Trump first in actual behavior.

Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least in part, they legitimately see Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, and now Syria, as part of the American empire. I would argue this is a bipartisan elite belief as well, you see Dem current and former elected's lobbying and giving talks where policy is dictated in those countries all the time, investing and being invested in by those countries all the time.

It's funny to me that the average American is Islamophobic, but the US government sharply divides middle eastern countries based on alliances (and how rich they are). Qatari Emir? You're a friend of the US government. Poor Pakistani? Enemy. Lebanese farmer? We'll think about it.

Only as long as they are outside the US. As soon as they are in the US a Qatari is just a muslim and considered dangerous.

Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#36
post #3

I don't understand how decisions like these align with the supposed "America First" rhetoric coming from the same side. Specifically - this deal is being led by the son of the president of the USA who was elected on promises of "bringing jobs back to America" and prioritizing domestic investments. Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all.

I worked for a company that got bought by a foreign company. It got approval the day Trump gave a maga like speech after meeting the new owner. That day the pink slips went out across the American offices.

It's all talk, it's almost guaranteed to be the opposite of what he says. It seems to be more about deflection than anything else.

Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the scariest part.

I don't think most people understand how the times have changed here. CNN's prime time shows get fewer views than a mid-tier YouTuber, literally. They hit Cable news is basically dead, but I think most of us missed the funeral. It used to be a relatively big deal decades ago, but those times are long since passed. [1] - https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/20...

Don't forget Ellison/Skydance also control TikTok, where according to Pew 38% of adult Americans get their news.

The internet has killed institutions of journalism that have a reputation to protect. Billionaires did the rest of the job (RIP Washington Post). Pretty bad outcome. We are left random YouTubers, people with a Substack or podcast, etc. No fact-checking standards / departments. Will Propublica and PBS Newshour/Frontline be around in 10 years. Federal funding cuts already killed Weekend Newshour.

Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all. Yup. It's the same lie that the GOP cares about deficits and debt… except when they're in power and want to do tax cuts for the rich.

As a former staunch Republican, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that both parties have sold us out. I disagree with a lot of the Left's policies and many on the Right as well, but both parties advocate, in theory, for several things that would benefit all Americans -- yet it never happens. Republicans advocate for fiscal responsibility -- never happens. Democrats advocate for things like healthcare and cancel…

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Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all. Yup. It's the same lie that the GOP cares about deficits and debt… except when they're in power and want to do tax cuts for the rich.

As a former staunch Republican, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that both parties have sold us out. I disagree with a lot of the Left's policies and many on the Right as well, but both parties advocate, in theory, for several things that would benefit all Americans -- yet it never happens. Republicans advocate for fiscal responsibility -- never happens. Democrats advocate for things like healthcare and cancel…

It's almost like we're treated as a resource to be exploited instead of the foundation of a democratic republic.

Re: FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

#40
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a former staunch Republican, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that both parties have sold us out. I disagree with a lot of the Left's policies and many on the Right as well, but both parties advocate, in theory, for several things that would benefit all Americans -- yet it never happens. Republicans advocate for fiscal responsibility -- never happens. Democrats advocate for things like healthcare and cancel…

What did Republican appointees on the Supreme Court have to say about student loan forgiveness? Who not only fights tooth and nail against healthcare improvements but actively took money from existing programs to fund a national police and detainment apparatus? Which party produced the most meaningful (albeit not far enough) healthcare reform of the 21st century in the US? Those examples in particular are quite rough…

Where I live (California) there are basically no republicans in power. For a long time now. And we have more money and a better economic base than just about anywhere on the planet Earth.

So to all the partisans out there who are sure things would be better if "their side" had total control, I ask: what the hell is going on with California then?? We should be modeling the best governance in the country and even the world, but yet, our government is basically dysfunctional and our state is great despite it.

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