So since I watch terrorists, I’ve been watching myself. My latest in FrontPage:
As the director of Jihad Watch, I have an ongoing interest in the activities of violent extremists, and have been tracking those activities daily for eighteen years now. But now, in their benevolence, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and YouTube have made it easier than ever with their Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT): all I have to do is look in the mirror.
The GIFCT means to wipe out the groups it targets. Tyler O’Neil explains at PJ Media that GIFCT “shares terrorism data among Big Tech companies, enabling them to flag and remove terrorist content,” and is stepping up these operations: “On Monday, GIFCT announced that it significantly expanded the types of extremist content in its database, aiming to crack down on material from white supremacists and far-right militias.”
It’s about time, right? Those white supremacists and far-right militias have been rioting with impunity in Portland, and Seattle, and – oh, wait, that was the noble ideological heirs of the heroes of World War II. But we don’t have to guess who they have in mind: the GIFCT offers a helpful list of the dangerous groups from which it is going to save us.
At the highest level, Level 3, are the groups GIFCT classifies as actual bloodthirsty, grade-A certified dangerous terrorists: Boogaloo Boys, Ku Klux Klan, the National Socialist Network, Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, even the Irish Republican Army. But that’s not all that the intrepid warriors of the GIFCT are going after. Once you’ve reached Level 3, the problem has advanced way too far, anyway. The GIFCT aims to nip terrorism in the bud by also targeting Level 2, “Violent Extremism,” which includes groups that are just below terrorist group status, but moving up the charts with a bullet: Blood & Honour, Oath Keepers, Proud Boys, and…Jihad Watch.
Perhaps even more surprising than the inclusion of Jihad Watch on this list is the fact that Antifa is also listed at Level 2. The likelihood of the social media giants moving in on Antifa is about as likely as Nancy Pelosi being Trump’s running mate in 2024, but it does help put things in perspective. Antifa has been openly calling for and applauding violence in cities all over the country, and as far as the counter-terror “experts” at the GIFCT are concerned, they’re on par with an organization that is dedicated to tracking jihad terror activity and elucidating its motivating ideology. Unlike Antifa, neither I nor Jihad Watch has ever called for or approved of any violence or illegal activity of any kind. But another way we differ from Antifa is that establishment media stooges aren’t falling all over themselves likening us to the men (you may remember what those were) who stormed the Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944. The likelihood that Jihad Watch will be targeted for being on the GIFCT’s list, and Antifa given another pass, is about 100%.
On the morning I found out that I was a violent extremist, I discovered that violent extremists sometimes enjoy a bit of yogurt for breakfast, try to fit in a good long walk, and spend a lot of the day typing. It was a bit more sedentary, and definitely filled with less death-defying adventure, than I expected for an official “violent extremist.” With all the time I sit here facing this infernal machine, the GIFCT may think I’m at work on my “manifesto,” for they say they’re going to make sure that “Manifestos from terrorist and violent extremist attackers” are removed from the Internet, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t be intensely scrutinized, for “a wide range of experts on expanding the reach and impact of our hash-sharing database’s taxonomy in order to respond to terrorist content online across the ideological spectrum.”
Hey, great. Let me start you folks off on the right foot. Here’s my Manifesto, GIFCT, straight from one of your designated “violent extremists.” Get your experts on this, and make sure they study it carefully. Ready? Here it is:
You. People. Are. Nuts.
That’s it. You like it? It took me months to get the precise formulation of my “violent extremist” ideas. And just because I have so much respect for your violent extremist-hunting prowess, GIFCT wonks, here’s a bonus. Here’s what I want for America and the world: the freedom of speech. The freedom of conscience. The equality of rights of all people before the law.
Yeah, I know that messes with you Communists’ sugar-plum visions of racial strife, civil war, and the dissolution of America as a unitary nation-state. And that may be the clue to all of this madness. Violent extremists and their enablers want to make sure they have a free hand, and one strategy to get it was delineated in the Marxists’ tested-and-true playbook: accuse your enemy of that which you’re guilty of doing. Could it be that my organization been designated a violent extremist group because some people have a bit of violent extremism planned and want to make sure that anyone who might speak out against them is silenced and cleared away?
Stranger things have happened. Meanwhile, if I disappear from the net, and from the streets, someday soon, you’ll know that the good folks at the GIFCT have done their job. One less violent extremist will be menacing the rest of us. And we will all be able to breathe a sigh of relief over that. Won’t we?
Mark Graham says
Keep going!! History and future generations will despise the spineless scum who surrendered knowing they are runig away from the socialist/liberal untermensch.
Rob Porter says
Well said, Mark. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn hit the nail on the head when in his 1978 Harvard Commencement address infuriating academics by saying the West had become cowardly.
“The Western world has lost its civic courage, both as a whole and separately, in each country, in each government, in each political party, and, of course, in the United Nations. A decline in courage may be the most striking feature that an outside observer notices in the West today. Such a decline in courage is particularly noticeable among the ruling and intellectual elites, causing an impression of a loss of courage by the entire society. There are many courageous individuals, but they have no determining influence on public life.
gravenimage says
Tragically, this is too often the case.
JOEYN says
It is clear that GIFCT is all about protecting and enabling those who use terror and violence to attain their evil agenda while threatening and silencing those who are working for true justice and peace. Truly a classic example of ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’. A typical Lefist / Islamist organization!
mortimer says
The purpose of GIFCT is to demonize critics of AUTHORITARIAN GLOBALISM.
The goal of GIFCT is to eliminate freedom of expression and concentrate all power of communication in the conspiratorial cabal of Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, youtube, etc.
Big Tech is taking over and Congress is doing nothing about it. The Dems are handing Big Tech the rope to hang everyone with their ‘white supremacist’ conspiracy narrative. There are virtually no all-white organization in the US today.
Joeyn says
Well put, Mortimer
Human says
Of course , Robert, keep going ~ Any& All Right Thinking People on the Planet is behind YoU ~No matter what the Stooges think or do~
Vicky says
The more people they put on their list and the more people they must hire and the more money they get. In other words, they’re creating demand in order to expand their company and they don’t care who they hurt in the process.
mortimer says
The more people they hire, the more ‘RESULTS’ those employees must produce. They will end up censoring everyone who is not a radical Globalist.
Once all dissent is eliminated, the dissenters will be rounded up and in labor camps.
Eli 7777 says
We’re praying for your safety, and for all of us, who are fighting the radicals and their agenda. It’s hard to grasp their thinking. Some are angry with themselves and the world, while others have been programmed, or brainwashed. Many are being paid, and cooperate as long as the money chain holds out. But we’ll continue to pray, that Jehovah God is our strength, helper, and defender, while holding on to Psalms 91.
Infidel says
I’d add the GIFCT itself to the list of violent extremists who need to be eliminated. Toss in the SPLA and BLM, as well as the Democrat Party of the US
mortimer says
GIFCT is a branch of FASCISM … ideological regimentation imposed on all Americans.
mortimer says
This is the AMERICAN GLEICHSCHALTUNG !
GLEICHSCHALTUNG is exactly what Facebook, Amazon, Goolgle, Twitter, YouTube and their allies are doing.
GLEICHSCHALTUNG is part of FASCISM. This is a takeover of speech and prohibition of dissent.
Gleichschaltung is the forcible, ideological synchronization of all political, social and governmental organizations towards a single political line. It was quickly imposed during the 20 months following 30 January 1933, when Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.
The term Gleichschaltung was created by and for Hitler’s National Socialists and historically has its chief significance in relation to Germany in the 1930s.
The Nazis imposed SYSTEMIC “Gleichschaltung” in the field of culture and the media in order to consolidate public opinion in support of their sole political control over all public and private associations in Germany. No one could get work, gain licenses or be promoted if they did not submit to “Gleichschaltung”.
All pluralism in the public and private life of Germany was eliminated by Gleichschaltung in favor of Hitler’s universal dictatorship. A similar process is being implemented by the Big Tech companies (Amazon, Google, Twitter, etc.) in the United States since about 2016.
gravenimage says
The Social Media Giants Find A Violent Extremist: Me
……………
Utterly grotesque. Of course, Robert Spencer has *never* preached any kind of violence, and in fact regularly denounces violence.
And how is opposing violent Jihad “extremist”?
Note that besides European countries that most of the members of the Global Counterterrorism Forum are actually Islamic nations–including Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco–and such other unfree nations as China and Russia.
Dr. Daniel Pipes has condemned this insanity here:
“Middle East Forum Founder describes designation of Jihad Watch as ‘violent extremist’ as ‘repugnant & absurd’”
https://jihadwatch.org/2021/07/middle-east-forum-founder-describes-designation-of-jihad-watch-as-violent-extremist-as-repugnant-absurd
Infidel says
From the above article
I dunno about Blood & Honour, but Oath Keepers are just an evangelical group of people committed to being there for their families – spouses and kids. I get how Proud Boys & Jihad Watch are targeted, since they are pro Trump, but how did Oath Keepers manage to make this list?
gravenimage says
My guess is that it is because the Oath Keepers are religious (Christian) and express their support and respect for the Constitution.
Raja says
Infidel and Granvenimage,
All these unwarranted happening in the name of Global counterterrorism Forum is only making my resolve to “fight” it tooth and nail ! They are a deceptive and dishonest lot.
When I worked for a NGO there was a poster put up in the notice board, which said: Our silence is their strength !!! That should pretty much sum up our resolve !
The enemy is watching us and is getting restless.
gravenimage says
Good for you, Raja!
mortimer says
Genocide begins with VERBAL MISCHARACTERIZATIONS and DEMONIZATIONS of the group to be targeted. Then it proceeds to the formation of groups to seek out and isolate the hunted group. Then the government begins rounding up the targeted group, either for deportation or for concentration camps.
Once concentrated, the targeted group may be eliminated with little publicity.
The Dems have mobilized black rage throughout the USA and they will unleash it on anyone they deem a ‘white supremacist’. ‘White terrorist’ will obviously be coded language for anyone who dissents from the radical Globalist agenda.
Dissenting writers, speakers and intellectuals who denounce globalism will be among the first arrested.
gravenimage says
Grimly likely…
Raja says
Mortimer,
You are right. You are probably referring to the war manual of the Left or the strategies of the Left.
The Democ-rats are capable of doing anything to capture power and sustain it by hook or crook.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Dear GIFCT people (outreach@gifct.org),
I congratulate you on your cleverness in getting your targets to publicize you. It was only through
https://jihadwatch.org/2021/08/the-social-media-giants-find-a-violent-extremist-me
that I learned of your existence. GIFCT reportedly aims to crack down on material from “white supremacists and far-right militias.” At last I have an opportunity to ask about matters I have long wondered about. (1) What is “white supremacy/supremacism”? Is it a particular belief about the world (that in some well defined way whites are better than non-whites), or is it a particular preference (that in some well defined way whites ought to be dominant over non-whites)? (2) What distinguishes right and left, and what distinguishes “far right” from just “right”?
Infidel says
Good work. Let us know their response, if any
Ade Fegan says
“They” want us to spread the word, because they don’t have the spine to do it them selves
and don’t want to be seen speaking the truth (where it conflicts with political correctness)
“They” have to be seen to doing something about the problem
to make their phoney concerns look real
“They” will continue to ensure our message gets out, but only through the back door …
Which “they” could stop in a heartbeat if they had any real intention of doing
“THEY” don’t have any such intention.
gravenimage says
Ade–with all respect–the idea that GIFCT really wants the truth about Islam to get out and only appears to oppose it does not make sense.
Many of the members of this outfit are themselves Muslim countries.
Then, the idea that GIFCT and groups like it could just completely shut down freedom of speech in the United States if they so desired is mistaken–as bad as things have gotten we do still have some protections from the First Amendment–Muslims groups are not in a possition–not yet, anyway–to simply shut down all forms of free speach that they object to.
Crusades Were Right says
Apparently – in a free society – reading, writing, speaking are dangerous activities that require strict regulation.
“Social” media: “Yes, sir!”
Fitna says
This was inevitable. In the lunatic, deranged world of the Left, if you oppose terrorism, you are a terrorist. If you oppose rape, you’re a rapist, if you oppose theft, you’re a thief, etc.
Muslims have actually used this asinine logic to some effect to shut down opponents of Islam….so maybe it’s not to bizarre after all. Perhaps these people are getting their marching orders from the OIC and the Muslim brotherhood.
The world is a safer place now because they realized those who study and report on evil in the world are also evil. Problem solved….we can all sleep better now.
As if things couldn’t get any crazier….it’s like a Monty Python skit, only it’s not so funny because this imbeciles are serious. I wonder what they’re going to do when they silence the Spencers of the world, yet Islamic terrorism only kept increasing?
And frankly since they themselves are reporting on terrorist groups (or innocents they label as terrorists), by their own logic they are also terrorists.
ListenClearly says
This is what happens when people take the SPLC’s arbitrary designations as trustworthy, even though it has openly admitted it discriminates based on race to define its own extremist organizations. Where is the Nation of Islam or the NFAC on this list, among others?! And how is Spencer’s site under the category of “violent extremism”, but somehow the literal National Socialist Movement is merely a “fringe group” under the category of “non-violent extremism”?! This is either the most blatant attempt at character assassination, or some kind of bad joke. Good luck, Spencer!
Alfredo says
What a joke! Robert Spencer terrorist?! That’s how Big Tech companies like Fakebook, Twitter, or rather twatter lol, and all the other control freaks deceive people. To accuse Robert Spencer of being a “terrorist” is a shameless lie. That’s how they gaslight gullible idiots, with brazen lies. While the bloodthirsty Jihadis are actually murdering people and now calling for a global Intifadah against Jews, these slanderous scoundrels are attempting to divert the attention away from the real terrorists. Shame on them, LIARS!
wendy o lofgren says
Bravo! Well put. Carry on and never surrender.
gravenimage says
Another grotesque thing about this list is catagorizing the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) as “violent extremism” and the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) as “terrorism”–right up there Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Please note that I am no fan of their tactics–especially of the ELF. They have both engaged in vandalism and property destruction, and the ELF also in arson–but neither group has ever killed anyone, nor have they ever tried to.
Pretendintg they are in the same group as ISIS is simply ludicrous.
Infidel says
I’d call them violent extremists, but not terrorists. That allows for the fact that they’ve not killed anyone, but ‘merely’ destroyed property. Whereas ISIS, al Qaeda and myriad other jihadist groups have done both, and qualify unambiguously as terrorists
gravenimage says
I am no fan of vandalism, Infidel, but spraying red paint on furs is *not* terrorism–or even “violent extremism”. Including this sort of thing makes the term absurd.