Twitter Co-Founder: Obama’s State Department Can’t Tell Us What To Do
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone has now spoken out about the extraordinary reports saying that the State Department asked Twitter officials to postpone a planned maintenance shut-down because of the role the networking service was playing in getting news out about Iran.
In a fascinating new blog post, Stone links approvingly to a Reuters story reporting that State did make the request — which is basically confirmation. But he also downplayed the idea that State could tell Twitter what to do:
It’s humbling to think that our two-year old company could be playing such a globally meaningful role that state officials find their way toward highlighting our significance. However, it’s important to note that the State Department does not have access to our decision making process. Nevertheless, we can both agree that the open exchange of information is a positive force in the world.
The Twitter co-founder is probably downplaying State’s influence over Twitter because news organizations are interpreting State’s requests as a sign that the Obama administration is trying to influence events in Iran.
Either way, Twitter’s self-congratulatory claim that this new technology is bypassing governments to influence global events — so much so that the U.S. asked for its help — is not an exaggeration. Which is kind of amazing.
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I’m trying to understand the difference between Biz Stone’s statement and “We really don’t give a damn about our customers in Iran.”
Agree, Danp. Twitter’s gotten a little big headed in its two years? On a side note, I wonder if the role of Twitter in what’s going on in iran means we al have to twitter. God I hope not.
That would be all not al, and Iran not iran. (Maybe my brain is ready to twitter.)
Why does everyone knock Twitter..It’s all in who you follow..If you follow idiots you will get idiotic tweets. If you follow intelligent people and organizations you will get intelligent tweets. Give Twitter a break!
dam twitr
.
side issue…the NRO/Commentary crowd are pushing “Obama supports present Iranian regime” meme
Bernie, are they explicitly saying he backs it?
Greg – Kagan (in his WP op-ed this morning), argues that Obama has made a choice (following a “realist” philosophy) to support the present regime and to undercut the protests and ferment.
- Hayes, at The Weekly Standard, has a piece up along with a blog post, “His [Obama's] policy is regime preservation”
- Jennifer Rubin at Commentary, “It is clear what’s up. All he wants to do is talk, so he can’t give offense. Fine — he’ll deal with Ahmadinejad if the regime can crush the protesters. He is an enabler now, a cheerleader against regime change. Shameful.”
Wash Independ has more as well… http://washingtonindependent.com/47146/neocons-house-gopers-demand-obama-take-mousavis-side
And here at home Twitter has been an amazing tool for pulling the white hoods off our racist politicians so we see them for what they really are.
Seems racism code words are not a function of Twitter.
Tweet! Tweet! AAH! (had glimpses of Chris, our little Tweety bird)