Apple might be talking a big game about how it's
revising the App Store approval process with an oversight board and
trotting out Phil Schiller to do damage control at
opportune moments, but the process itself is still generating inconsistent and maddening results -- like today's rejection of an app advocating for healthcare reform called iSinglePayer, which was rejected for being "politically charged." Yeah, that's insane, especially since the app just consists of healthcare spending information and a GPS-driven lookup tool for local Congress members and how much money they've received in health-sector donations. Say what you want about the political motivations of the app, but that's a fairly benign set of functions, and it's one that's been echoed by political apps on both sides of the aisle since the launch of the App Store. So why this rejection, and why now, when apps with names like "
Conservative Talking Points" have been approved? And honestly, how is it even possible anyone at Apple is dumb enough to reject this without anticipating the firestorm of controversy it would cause? Who knows anymore -- we have a feeling ol' Phil's about to earn his paycheck explaining this one.
[Via
Daring Fireball]
posted Sep 29th 2009 6:28PM
LOL! What's even crazier is that the liberal side is the one being screwed here. Now I know that Apple doesn't have an official political ideology, but considering their location and what I've seen out of them with keynotes and such I would bet that most people there lean to the left.
Whatever is going on though, this rejection is just insane. I'm so glad I'm not using an iPhone and don't have to my app selection go through their control process. For an App store that's fine, but we should be able to get the programs elsewhere if we want them.
This debate is highly interesting. However, there seems to be too much opinions, some informed and other less informed (on both sides) and not enough statistical "facts".
As such, and to have a better overall idea of each systems position of strength and weakness, let the comparative analysis of health care begin (click bellow - see graph for those who are non-readers)
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/HCP/Details/Health.aspx#Indicators
Of course, do note that I am Canadian, but as many of my countrymen I've always had high regards toward our neighbor down South. However, I do sincerely hope that the United State will somehow find a way to remove their own bureaucratic middle men (insurance companies).
KaL
It is politically charged. It's showing only one graph.
If an app was rejected for showing multiple sides of the debate and delivered raw data for each, it'd be up in arms.
All I have to say is "WOW, I cannot believe someone at Engadget wrote such a politically biased and politically charged up article!"
How is this NOT politically motivated and "charged up"? Did you bother to read the title of the app? SinglePayer? Really Engadget? REALLY? Not politically charged hmmm?
I am sorry, I fundamentally disagree. Apple FINALLY rejected an app that SHOULD have been rejected. SCORE FOR APPLE, BOO YAH! *
And that "Call Congress" button? What the hell for? So you can tell them how much you love Obama and the idea of socialized healthcare? Give me a break Engadget.
I love Engadget, don't get me wrong, but when you write articles that are so clearly biased, it makes me want to delete your RSS feed :)
And can you imagine the "firestorm of controversy" that would have ensued had they actually approved it?
No apps that in any way push a political agenda should be allowed in the app store. You want iSinglePayer? Get a jailbreak, join the Hitler (I mean Obama) Youth, ACORN, AmeriCorps, etc. and have yourself a mighty fine time singing praises for the tenants of socialism.
LOL. I'm sure you'd be up in arms if "Conservative Talking Points" was disallowed from the app store, and then you'd go nuts about the author's "politically motivated" article stating facts.
You must be one of those people who are easily offended over crap. So how was your socialist education? And when does socialist medicare kick in for you? Getting a socialist tax rebate this year?
Just checking.
I'm an "extremely biased" conservative and I thought their post was just fine. Didn't have anything politically charged in it.
Jason,
FYI Medicare is broken - theres no money left. Everyone's taxes are going up to fund the bailouts and ultimately to fund socialized medicine (if it passes). My socialist education is recognizable as such no thanks to my super lefty high school and college professors.
Let's differentiate between the content of the education and the context and presentation of the education. Content - good, not the best, but good. Presentation and context - hmmm all the instructors are unionized and in the back pocket of a socialist regime and the content is framed from the perspective of radical leftwing activists who think that terrorists should be set free.
So, Jason, you're right, let's just check those facts ;)
While I am fundamentally against socialized medicine, and socialism in general, I have to wonder if the folks above would agree with Apple banning an app called, "Stop SinglePayer," which gave stats against the Obama plan?
I suspect most would be criticizing Apple for being biased towards liberals.
BTW, Medicare, Medicaid, social security...these are 100% socialism based programs that the so-called conservatives try to shore up and save every day. You're either against socalism or you aren't. You can't pick and choose which socialist program is acceptable and which isn't.
That's exactly what I said:
"No apps that in any way push a political agenda should be allowed in the app store." "iStopSinglePayer" should also be rejected.
and
"FYI Medicare is broken - theres no money left."
I am not for these programs - they don't work and I don't pick them to advocate. Maybe in the short run people benefited, but the system started to break down as soon as politicians passed legislation allowing them to withdraw funds from these accounts and replaced them with "IOU's" that were never repaid. So guess what happens when you keep robbing the piggy bank? No more piggy bank. We need a new solution and I have a feeling the private sector has that solution.
The private sector always has a solution, whether it's the best solution for anyone but the shareholders of the corporation proposing the solution is another issue.
and politically charged books should not be allowed in the library. only fart books. hundreds and hundreds of fart books..
Damn straight!
IMO i don't see a problem with having apps that are "politically charged". Each person download's their parties app, if one app is offensive to someone of another view, then just grow up really, its a frickin application on your phone...
so i don't justify the rejection or any of the same nature for that matter.
p.s. some people like to read the comments of articles and get other people's opinions, so could we please keep the comments on your opinion of the app getting rejected (you know, what the article's about) not your political views.
I'm from Canada and I think you guys are basically retarded for applying the boogy-man 'SOCIALIZED' word to potential health care reforms that would take you out of the dark ages and away from the worst health care in the industrial world. Hows that for kicking off a little flamebaiting - eh?
Seriously: you think your tax funded fire department should save your house but when it comes to your life it's RED MENACE medicine! Don't usually go in for political debates on engadget but only in the U.S. is this socialism phobia surrounding health care not considered insane. How is that 1/2 trillion dollar per year military working out for ya all? Won the WAR ON TERROR yet? Your military is the biggest 'socialist' program IN THE WORLD btw.
Embrace the dark side and...you know....not lose a few thousand bucks because you have to spend a night in a hospital. Things aren't perfect with our system but I wouldn't dream of trading it for yours. The biggest problem here is that we had an awesome system for about 70% of the cost per person as your system but to beat down our deficit in the 90s, the government cut it down to about 60%. But its still better - and the only real problem is wait times in late night ER rooms in hospitals in larger cities due to those cutbacks. But its healthcare where you don't worry about going bankrupt if you have a serious problem. Or worry about medical problems for you and spouse / children if you lose your job
Anyway - facts speak: we live almost 2 years longer on average then you. 2 YEARS LONGER!
In the end, I'm sure you'll reject it. The only way most Americans will get on board is with sufficient scare-mongering. The American majority will always throw trillions at the scary foreign threats.
I just feel bad for all the smart people in your country. And the poor who can't afford basic health treatment.
Hows that for an inappropriate political rant? Let the down ranking begin...
Great, people in socialized countries with socialized medicine stand in in line for a kidney transplant or a liver transplant and then die because they waited 3 months too long. But according to your logic, that's OK. To each his own I guess. Why the he'll do people in YOUR country come to MY country for healthcare? Because it's a private system that WORKS- doctors and healthcare professionals are fully compensated AND given the incentives needed to perform HIGH QUALITY work, not some half-baked BS to get you in and get you out because there's a thousand people in line behind you. It's very simple economics, but leftwing libtards don't comprehend very well. When you socialize medicine, demand for healthcare servicesnincreases dramatically because the price is lower (almost nothing in some cases). OK, now where the he'll are you going to get enough doctors to meet that demand? Well, you could offer more incentive (higher pay), but with socialized medicine, their pay remains the same no matter how many patients they see or the quality of that work. So you now have a shortage, which leads to rationing of the service and there ya go. Death. And that's your wonderful socialized healthcare system in a nutshell. Think this shit works in Canada or the UK? Think again.
Yoko, I'm going to say this as kindly as I can muster. *ahem*
Shove it up your ass.
@yoko1324
Like the girl who died in UCLA Medical Center because she needed a liver transplant and couldn't get one?
Wait no, that was Cigna Health who denied the claim because it was considered experimental.
Or the boy who died from a bacterial infection in his brain because he couldn't see a dentist?
Wait no, that one was because his family could not afford the health insurance our great and wonderful private sector insurers provide. Of course, when he went to the hosptial with the life-threatening infection, it ended up costing the hospital $250,000, which his family will never pay and instead will get passed on to us via increased medical costs and premiums.
Complain about the public option all you want, but don't pretend that private health insurance is all ponies and rainbows. Also, I don't see any suggested solutions of your own, or are you happy with the status quo?
Sorry the truth hurts, doesn't it? Didn't mean to throw a wrench into your idealistic socialist bullshit. Oh wait, yes I did.
yoko, all I have to say, besides repeating rowd's comment, is, unless you currently or have ever lived in Canada, the UK, France, or any other country with socialized medicine, or at least KNOW people who live in these countries, go choke on a fork, because you're a dumbass. You're just repeating the scare-mongering tactics that are used by republican news networks like Fox News who are probably getting paid off by the health insurance conglomerates. Go fuck yourself.
@ yoko
First of all - the life expectancy in other western countries is HIGHER than that of the U.S. - something that you should find unacceptable but also something that discounts your theory that "people in socialized countries with socialized medicine stand in in line for a kidney transplant or a liver transplant and then die because they waited 3 months too long."
In fact - tens of millions of Americans dont even stand in line because they have NO COVERAGE AT ALL!
I wont pretend that statistics can't be used to argue any ideology, but majority of statics and studiies show that across the board you get better healthcare in other western countries unless you are in the wealthiest top few % of the population. If you have a lot of money then the U.S. has probably the best health care that money can buy. But the problem is that only a few % can access that. For the middle income (those insured, usually through work), the U.S. is on-par or slightly below the health care provided in other industrial nations. For the poor its no contest - the worst health care rankings in the industrial world. Actually there are a number of developing countires where you are better off for health care if you are poor.
>>Why the hell do people in YOUR country come to MY country for healthcare? Because it's a private system that WORKS
Actuially penty of Americans come to Canada for healthcare, and some even arrange to marry Canadian citizens just to get free access to that care. Even more come here for cheaper pharmaceuticals.
As I stated, if you have a lot of money than the U.S. has great healther care (though whether or not somebody is better off going to the U.S. for a treatment or procure depends also on what kind of treatment / procdure is in question). But for 90% of the population (Canada or the U.S.) Canadian style healthcare works better. How do I know? We live longer (as I said) and - personal experience here - NOBODY I know ever stresses about paying for Healthcare or worries about losing coverage for their family if they lose their job (talk about a double kick to the crotch..!). When my wife gave birth to our child, our total bill was $200 - and that is because we opted for a private room versus shared (for stay after the birth). I understand that the bill for having a child in the U.S. at a decent hospital can be thousands (friend in michigan told be $11K). Blows my mind.
But the worst is the idea that somebody can be bankrupted by having a severe or terminal illness. Thats probably the biggest cultural difference between Canada and the US. That is considered obscene here. Our country is far from perfect and we have a lot of dumb shit going on up here too. But our 'commie' health care system is better for the avaerage Joe than the U.S. system.
So I am very confused why those numbers mean anything?? You guys do realize that we have a greater population... and you do realize that people from all over the world come to the USA for medical treatment as well
Yes I now realize that the app clearly says $ PER PERSON
Heh - didn't both Obama and McCain have their own iPhone apps during their campaign?
Find an app to help me support my political position (whatever that may be)? Nope, no app for that. Except Safari. Uh oops. Or a twitter client. Ack.
It could be that this sort of hits at the heart of what makes me wonder about Apple in general. The world available through them is a kinder, gentler, non objectionable, non politically charged, non explicit, non confusing, non duplicative experience...in essence one that seems to shy away from thinking too much.
Is that what everyone wants?