Topic: Terrorism

A clip from Robert Greene argues that while technology changes, the fundamental nature of warfare remains constant. The hosts discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, describing it as an antiquated conflict where Slavic brothers kill each other in fields. They critique the psychological operations used to make populations fear Vladimir Putin and the potential for further European invasion.

Robert Greene explains that terrorism is the ultimate psychological warfare designed to provoke an overreaction. The hosts apply this to the Israel-Palestine conflict, noting that both sides ultimately appeal to the West for resources like food, weapons, and Iron Dome support. They question the necessity of taking sides in a conflict where both parties rely on the same external powers.

The final strategy, Strategy 33, describes terror as a way to paralyze the will to resist. The hosts conclude that in a "war of nerves" where everything is framed as a threat, an individual's rationality is their last line of defense. They emphasize that the podcast's goal is to provide a "therapeutic" re-centering for listeners.

A report on the 2019 Jersey City kosher market shooting is used to discuss the role of the FBI in domestic incidents. The hosts point to the presence of "hallmarks" like U-Haul vans and pipe bombs, suggesting that many such events involve federal informants or "feeble-minded" individuals being set up. They argue these events are weaponized by the media to maintain a state of mass trauma.

The discussion shifts to the historical use of lynching as a psychological weapon and tool of control following the American Civil War. A clip from the Equal Justice Initiative outlines how the end of Reconstruction led to an era of racial subordination enforced through terrorism and biased laws. The hosts analyze how the imagery of the noose was designed to maintain a system of white supremacy through the threat of violence.

Kamala Harris delivered a speech on the Senate floor advocating for the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act. She cited statistics from the Equal Justice Initiative and described lynching as an "act of terror" and "stain on America's history." The hosts suggest the Smollett incident was intended to provide a modern-day example to bolster support for this legislation.

The Attorney General instructs the DOJ and FBI to address "threats" against school boards, which critics argue is an attempt to intimidate parents protesting COVID-19 restrictions and CRT. The hosts discuss the legal distinction between "domestic violent extremists" and "terrorists," noting that the government is increasingly using national security tools to monitor domestic political dissent.

The discussion introduces the central theme of the episode: the dangers of binary thinking and its role in modern political discourse. Using QAnon as a primary lens, the conversation explores how simplified "us versus them" logic is used to manipulate the public. The hosts suggest that certain extremist movements may serve as government-inspired honeypots designed to trap citizens and justify expanded surveillance.

Adama Ba shares her experience of being 16 years old when the NYPD Terrorism Task Force and FBI raided her Harlem apartment in 2005. She argues against the creation of new domestic terrorism laws, noting that such statutes historically target minority communities rather than the groups they are ostensibly designed to stop. The narrative highlights the long-term psychological and legal consequences of being labeled a potential suicide bomber by the state without evidence.

The hosts analyze recent reporting from the New York Times regarding the presence of federal informants in the crowds during the January 6th Capitol riot. They discuss a follow-up protest on September 18th and express concern that the "terrorist" label is being used loosely to strip citizens of their constitutional rights. The conversation emphasizes how these labels allow the government to circumvent standard legal protections.

A retrospective look at the FBI's 2017 "Black Identity Extremist" (BIE) assessment reveals how the bureau used unrelated attacks on police to justify invasive surveillance of activists. The hosts argue that this classification was a precursor to current efforts to label various groups as domestic threats. They express concern that being labeled a "conspiracy analyst" could lead to inclusion on government watchlists.

The rhetoric of the Capitol aftermath is examined, specifically the push for a Patriot Act 2.0 to target domestic terrorists. The hosts express concern that the terrorist label is being weaponized by both the left and the right, ultimately giving the government more power to suppress all citizens. They note the irony of a Blue Lives Matter crowd clashing with police and the rapid shift toward labeling all Republicans as potential threats.

Sir Daddy O of the Seven Wonders pushes back against Mo's previous comments regarding Confederate memorials. Mo clarifies that his use of the word "terrorist" was based on the political right's own definitions of treason. He emphasizes that he does not believe anyone should deny their lineage, even if their ancestors fought for the Confederacy, and expresses interest in a future meetup in Virginia to discuss Southern history.

A discussion on the removal of Civil War monuments explores the definition of patriotism and the "mission creep" of targeting statues of figures like George Washington. The hosts suggest that instead of destruction, the statues should be auctioned off to private collectors or melted down.

The discussion shifts to a 2017 leaked FBI document that introduced the term "Black Identity Extremist" (BIE) as a domestic terror threat. The FBI report claimed that the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, served as a catalyst for violence against police officers. The hosts analyze how the term was promoted primarily by Fox News and failed to gain traction in mainstream media.

A news report suggests that the Black Lives Matter movement bears responsibility for anti-police sentiment that led to shootings in Dallas and Louisiana. The hosts discuss the potential top-down funding of the movement by George Soros and the FBI's strategy of lumping disparate bad actors under a single "BIE" label. They contrast this with the government's handling of white nationalist groups.

The hosts speculate that liberal media outlets suppressed the Black Identity Extremist narrative because it discredited Black Lives Matter, while Fox News amplified it for the same reason. They discuss how the "terror group" classification allows the FBI to circumvent standard legal protections and employ invasive surveillance tactics against targeted individuals.

Representative Karen Bass, chair of the subcommittee on crime and terrorism, calls for the FBI to retract the Black Identity Extremist document. She argues the designation is a "declaration of open season" on young black activists and compares it to her experiences with police repression in Los Angeles. The hosts examine her claim that the FBI should focus on white identity extremists instead.

The use of the term "insurgents" by the New York Times to describe ADOS founders Antonio Moore and Yvette Carnell is heavily criticized. The hosts argue the term carries connotations of terrorism and violence, noting that such language would never be applied to other advocacy groups like CAIR.

Talib Starks introduces the concept of "urban terrorism," citing DOJ statistics that show Black Americans account for over half of homicide offenders despite being 13% of the population. He makes a controversial comparison, stating that black-on-black murders every six months eclipse the total number of lynchings over 86 years. Mo criticizes this as a false equivalency that ignores white-on-white crime.