Americans who support Hamas are hideous. I’m allowed to say that because I’m an American. For now, I cannot be arrested for voicing such an opinion. For now.
It greatly annoys me when kids take to the streets to chant about “Palestine” being free from the river to the sea. It annoys me further when I see videos of college “Free Palestine” groups doing intellectual gymnastics through fields of moral ambiguity as they try to justify the kidnapping, rape, and murder of scores of Israelis by Hamas terrorists. And for the record, I get equally annoyed when I hear warmongers talking about how we or Israel should just nuke Gaza and be done with it.
But as annoyed as I may get, I would never try to stifle their speech through policy. I wouldn’t hire any of them for my company. I probably wouldn’t enjoy having a beer with them. I would love to debate them or engage in a counter protest at one of their events. But I would never try to prevent them from speaking anything lawfully whether I agreed with it or not.
The keyword there is “lawfully.” I am close to being a free speech absolutist, but I draw the line at speech that can cause real world harm. For example, a jaded ex-boyfriend can’t proclaim to a crowd or on social media the address of his ex-girlfriend, the times when she’s at home, the fact that she doesn’t own a firearm, and the location of her spare key in the fake rock to the right of her porch. That ex-boyfriend can’t claim “free speech” when she’s raped and murdered.
In regards to radical Islamic terrorism, I do not approve of rallying support for violence. There’s a very big difference between someone screaming “Free Palestine” and someone screaming “Let’s burn down this synagogue and murder Jews!” Again, free speech is limited only by the actual harm that it can cause, not the theoretical harm from “hate speech.”
In Brandenburg v. Ohio, the Supreme Court said speech loses First Amendment protection if it calls for and is likely to lead to “imminent lawless action.” That means saying “I hate Jews” is legal but saying “Let’s go beat up some Jews” is not.
Leftists who support Israel (yes, there are a few) would argue that the “hate speech” being used during pro-Hamas rallies or in meetings of pro-Hamas groups should be outlawed. Nikki Haley falls into this category by threatening to revoke funding from schools that allow it. According to Based Politics:
The Republican recently said, “We do need to make sure on these college campuses that we hold these universities accountable. They get the right to freedom of speech… but that doesn’t mean they get the right to freedom of hate.”
Actually, yes they do, Nikki. Hate speech, extreme speech, even most types of violent speech, are all protected by the First Amendment. But Haley sees these students’ speech as such a menace that she would revoke their constitutional rights.
Some will argue that these pro-Hamas idiots in America are “materially” aiding the terrorist group with their supportive words. This is ludicrous. Ron DeSantis is using this argument. According to Based Politics:
The governor recently forced Florida’s public universities to “deactivate” the student group Students for Justice in Palestine and said in a speech that the group’s claims “are part of what Hamas is doing” and that amounts to “material support to terrorism and that is not going to be tolerated in the state of Florida.”
DeSantis has provided no material evidence that this group has given “material support” —weapons, money, resources—to Hamas. He has just described their speech, and even if they are speaking in disgusting ways about faraway violence, that is still protected by the First Amendment. But DeSantis sees these students’ speech as such a menace that he is suppressing their constitutional rights.
This particular argument by DeSantis is the epitome of the proverbial “slippery slope.” If we claim that people are materially aiding Hamas by chanting their talking points and echoing their antisemitic sentiment, then we’ve fallen into the scariest trap. If we set the precedent that rallying for a “free Palestine” is materially aiding Hamas, then that precedent will be used against freedom-loving Americans in the near future.
It’s a false equivalent to compare Hamas and mass murderers in America, but don’t believe for a second that the left will be dissuaded from making the comparison. And if those who support “free Palestine” are considered to be aiding Hamas, then the left’s logic will dictate that those who support the 2nd Amendment are aiding mass murderers.
There are dozens of examples of how stifling pro-Hamas speech could lead to stifling the lawful speech of Americans. The gun example is simply the most likely argument to fall down that slippery slope first.
I get truly furious when I see these idiotic, uninformed, indoctrinated Americans chanting “from the river to the sea.” I can’t watch the videos anymore because it makes me so upset, and I have a high tolerance for viewing idiotic or heinous videos. But calls to suppress their speech by GOP candidates and many conservatives are misplaced. The moment we start stifling others’ lawful speech is the moment the globalists will turn our own words against us.
Sound off about this article on my Substack.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
You can swap “Hamas” with “Israel” and you will have a true statement.
I don’t understand how otherwise conservative people can support the terrorist nation of Israel.
Israel is our #1 enemy, even before China, because they’re deeply entrenched inside our country, they control the media, Hollywood and the US congress.
Check out the USS Liberty and 9/11 and see if you still support Israel.
B.S.
Did you ever check out the USS Liberty?
Of course not, you’re afraid to.
Go back to your safe space.
Shut the hell up you rotten TERRORIST! Hammas is going to be bombed out of existence just like Iran and the rest of those sand bastards.
I agree. The political decisiveness we see in our country today is causing many adults to forget themselves.
In my view, neither side is putting forth an objective reasoning on the Israel/Palestine conflict, because both sides conflate Hamas with the Palestinians in their arguments, which leaves the Palestinians devoid of any real representation in the discussion.
Let’s be clear about something: Israel is NOT our “ally.” Name one thing Israel has done in support of the American people. The fact is the Israelis are some of the most racist people on the planet, who run the West Bank like a concentration camp, on our dime. Then again, when we find ourselves with some 40 members of Congress, many of them in key influential committee positions, who hold dual citizenship with Israel, is it any surprise that we hand Israel $billions$ annually without any discussion about the matter?
Let’s be clear about something else: Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, they prey on them. Hamas represents the Israeli opposition wing of the Muslim Brotherhood. They operate freely in our country under the protection of our own intelligence community, and with the support of their own members of Congress, afforded with loopholes that allow them to provide material support to their terrorist network tax free, all while plotting the destruction of our country.
So there is no “good side” here, and certainly nobody should be encouraging anyone else to choose one. But then again, that’s only true if we are being objective about things.
The reality is that both sides hate us. The reality is that we have our own, very serious problems which need immediate attention. The reality is that Nikki Haley’s political career is over, and Ron DeSantis’s career is about to be. They are both talking head shills for the dying NeoCon faction. The reality is that state universities SHOULD BE defunded because they don’t produce anything of value for America, but have become cancers on the institution of higher education instead.
As for “free speech?” Freedom isn’t the ability to do or say whatever one desires without fear of repercussions – that’s anarchy. Freedom would be best defined as, “personal responsibility.” YOU are personally responsible for your choices, actions, expressions, and perceptions. Your emotions do not absolve you of that responsibility; it is yours both before and after the fact. The government has no authority to interfere with that responsibility; in fact it is prohibited from doing so.
Regardless of how anyone “feels” about Israel, Palestine, or free speech, that supreme law is one of the cornerstones of our Republic and should be recognized as such by everyone. The fact that we feel compelled to discuss the issue at all means that law is already ignored, and that’s what we should be discussing.
Yes, just a short time ago too many Jewish–Americans were urging the shipment of the non–SPIKEVAXED to reeducation camps or concentration camps, stating we should forfeit all our rights as American citizens, the same ones who admonish us that antifa, the communist organization dating back to pre–war Germany and Russia, doesn’t exist and nothing was burned down nor looted during all those “peaceful protests”!!!
The thoroughly repulsive, anti–American, anti–Western Civilization Semites (or more appropriate, EvilSemites) in congress — the types like Schiff, Nadler, Raskin, Schumer, Feinstein (deceased, but did anyone put a stake through her heart, can we be sure she remains deceased???), Goldman and others have screamed and screeched against ALL public safety and ALL national security, suddenly scream “antisemitism” at every point!!!
I am not surprised by the abhorrent and atrocious behavior seen among the college snowflake Baby Bolsheviks —— Thomas Sowell long ago predicted this in the 1990s, and I recall from 1990 onwards meeting too many young sons and daughters of the high–middle–class, not a neuron in their teensy brains, advocating that due to their sociopolitical upbringing they had “special knowledge and awareness” the rest of us yahoos and thinking working class would never possess, so they were always correct in their perverted, twisted reasoning!
Rabbi Reuven, a former Wall Street trader and Israeli–American, has given talks and speeches to the Wall Street synogogue crowd, warning them to clean up their act and repeating to them the historical promises of a political candidate in pre–WWII Germany named Adolf, who promised to clean up the pornographers (who were mostly Jewish–Germans) and clean up the usury lenders (who were mostly Jewish–Germans) and clean up the communists (who were mostly Jewish–Germans) —— so now some chosenite billionaires and a few Hollywood types have supposedly finally seen the light —— too little, too late, for this situation THEY helped to bring into existence!!!
(Remember this Real History Lesson: when the corrupted LIBOR committee was relocated from the Rothschild Bank outside of London [the actual bank name, BTW] to ICE, or the InterContinental Exchange [owner of the NYSE and MERSCorp, etc.] this act was the same as when the FBI and CIA promise congressional committees that they have shut down certain programs, when all they have done was to rename those programs!)
Since there are only two sites I am allowed to post at on the ENTIRE global Web (this and the feckless NY Post —— and an online acquaintance told me he was banned from here for citicizing some legislation signed by Trump) I would state that full censorship has long been on us — and recall those hundreds of thousands deplatformed by youtube with their YT accounts closed days after the 2020 election and again fro Jan. 6 to Jan. 12, 2021?!