Comments on: Trump: “The Google is rigged!” https://habitablezone.com/2018/08/28/trump-the-google-is-rigged/ Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:56:17 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2018/08/28/trump-the-google-is-rigged/#comment-41928 ER Wed, 29 Aug 2018 02:17:38 +0000 https://habitablezone.com/?p=72780#comment-41928 He'll tweet out an idea, to see how it is received, to see how his critics will respond and his allies support it. He usually backs down--but never completely. Two steps forward, one step back, until the next time. Testing the waters, trial balloons, cautiously probing. The ultimate goal is not necessarily the control or even regulation of web media, but a gentle intimidation, perhaps leading to self-censorship. Even if it isn't fully silenced, it will moderate its positions and pull its punches. The internet is, of course, a business. Even the most upright editors will think twice about risking lawsuits, possible regulation and loss of readership, eyeballs, and eventually, advertisers. Of course, his allies on the web will feel no such restraint. They will just be encouraged to redouble their efforts. Trump may be a buffoon and a blowhard, but he understands media and he understands his audience. He's not as stupid as he looks. And those who think they can control him are not as smart as they think they are. And of course, if he senses blood in the water, he will move swiftly and ruthlessly. If he senses resistance, he will circle back, stay just at the limit of vision, and wait for another moment of weakness or distraction in his prey. And he has one great advantage his enemies lack: no matter how badly he stumbles, or overreaches, or goes too far, he knows his followers will forgive him. They are already too committed to back down now. The best tactic for Google and Twitter and other internet agents to follow now is to call him out, counterattack, hit him hard and show no fear. He will back down because he is a coward. Contrary to popular belief, not all bullies are cowards, but this one is. But even if beaten, as he was with the kidnapping and detention of immigrant children, he is always plotting his revenge, and he will be back. He's terrified of Mueller, because Mueller understands him and knows how to keep him off balance. And Mueller is using the mid-term clock against him. Trump doesn't know when he will strike, or when he should pre-emptively strike back. Trump is going to have to move soon against Mueller, you can see him trying to build up the courage, testing the waters, trial balloons. But if Mueller doesn't have the proverbial smoking gun, and plenty of evidence to back him up, God help us all. He’ll tweet out an idea, to see how it is received, to see how his critics will respond and his allies support it. He usually backs down–but never completely. Two steps forward, one step back, until the next time. Testing the waters, trial balloons, cautiously probing.

The ultimate goal is not necessarily the control or even regulation of web media, but a gentle intimidation, perhaps leading to self-censorship. Even if it isn’t fully silenced, it will moderate its positions and pull its punches. The internet is, of course, a business. Even the most upright editors will think twice about risking lawsuits, possible regulation and loss of readership, eyeballs, and eventually, advertisers. Of course, his allies on the web will feel no such restraint. They will just be encouraged to redouble their efforts.

Trump may be a buffoon and a blowhard, but he understands media and he understands his audience. He’s not as stupid as he looks. And those who think they can control him are not as smart as they think they are.

And of course, if he senses blood in the water, he will move swiftly and ruthlessly. If he senses resistance, he will circle back, stay just at the limit of vision, and wait for another moment of weakness or distraction in his prey. And he has one great advantage his enemies lack: no matter how badly he stumbles, or overreaches, or goes too far, he knows his followers will forgive him. They are already too committed to back down now.

The best tactic for Google and Twitter and other internet agents to follow now is to call him out, counterattack, hit him hard and show no fear. He will back down because he is a coward. Contrary to popular belief, not all bullies are cowards, but this one is.

But even if beaten, as he was with the kidnapping and detention of immigrant children, he is always plotting his revenge, and he will be back.

He’s terrified of Mueller, because Mueller understands him and knows how to keep him off balance. And Mueller is using the mid-term clock against him. Trump doesn’t know when he will strike, or when he should pre-emptively strike back. Trump is going to have to move soon against Mueller, you can see him trying to build up the courage, testing the waters, trial balloons.

But if Mueller doesn’t have the proverbial smoking gun, and plenty of evidence to back him up, God help us all.

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