and the world of hate keeps on turning.

If the suit is filed in the U.S., good luck. Last I heard, even terrorists had the benefit of the Bill of Rights.

I wonder why they failed to threaten Twitter over the fact that the JDL (Jewish Defense League) has a twitter page? They are considered a terrorist organization, too, after their series of bombings, attempted bombings, and attempt on Rep. Darrell Issa's life.

It must have been an oversight. I will make sure to contact Twitter to include the JDL.

This could conceivably be seen as providing aid to the enemy. Hezbollah is without a doubt a terrorist organization and US companies are legally forbidden from doing business with them or other organizations that have been designated as terrorists by the government. While I support free speech, in this case I think that Twitter is in the wrong and needs to shut down these accounts.

JS in SD,

I agree that Hezbollah is a terror organization and is indeed listed as such by the United States. However, the bigger issue may be WHO and under what circumstances an organization, group, or even a country is defined as a terror organization, and subject to censorship or expulsion from any social media site! Is the decision up to Israel or the U.S. or United Kingdom, or perhaps China, Germany just who will decide? Maybe the United Nations? I see serious ramifications for Twitter's business model, indeed its business period, if it relents to the threat of legal action by Israel or whoever! In short, who or which authority will make the determination?

Prior to 911, Hezbollah killed more Americans that any terrorist group in the Middle East, maybe the world. They are the surrogate murders for Iran, along with Hamas.

On one side of the coin, freedom of speech is a right but a communication business is not required to provide the means. There's nothing in the Bill of Rights that says newspapers have to print what a person says therefore Twitter does not have to give them an account to spread their word.

On the flip side of the coin a business does not have the right to discriminate against a person or group based on race, color, or national origin.

It would be an interesting court case. Of course these laws or rights are U. S. laws designed to protect U.S. citizens and are not necessary binding to non U.S. citizens.

Its not brain surgery, if any terrorist group uses twitter for the purpose of killing Innocent people then twitter is a accessory to that crime, if they knowingly allow it. they have been informed about what is going on now the ball is in their court, what would you do? myself I would cut them off. there is nothing there to defend its a question of right or wrong...It is not a question of the Catholic church, the Jewish community, or the Supreme court. its a question of what is morally correct. freedom of speech does have limits if you incite your out of bounds and accountable. Twitter is walking a dangerious line.

Proud American - not very bright.

D Buck - where do you find that they are using twitter to kill innocent people?

This guy is playing with fire. In a couple of months we will be reading his obituary. When you take on the kinds of people he is trying to deal with you risk your life. Who is to say one of these groups won't target him in an attempt to silence this situation? Not only that I have to applaud twitter for having the balls to refuse access to their users data. I wish more companies would do the same.

Deathby - Ron Paul is looking better every day.

I understand and agree with opposition to terror groups wherever they may be found, however, this gets into really murky waters when it comes to US Law and our Constitution. One thing though...should US Constitutional rights of free speech apply to some Taliban operative sitting on the border of Pakistan, who is NOT a US citizen?

The world court, at least as far as things are now, is different than the courts of individual countries. Can a foreign legal firm threaten and pursue civil and criminal penalties against a US-based social networking site? In the news life-span, this has about a 2 day cycle, if that. Perhaps we'll get highlights as time goes on.

Deathbyenzyte, it figures you'd use Hitler's birthday as the date of the so-called "American Spring", that tells me volumes about you......

There is a HUGE difference between using Twitter to state a "political difference" vs. using it to advocate the murder of innocent people. By your analogy we should allow Osama bin Laden if he were still alive to use Twitter as well to organize another 9/11.

Full disclosure: Yes, I am Jewish, but I would be saying the same thing if one of those right-wing ultra-Orthodox settler groups in Israel used Twitter to advocate burning down mosques and general murder of Arabs. In fact, if that is going on Twitter they should be banned as well.

You got one right Harry, it goes both ways. thats whats so good about it.

I have often wondered what is the "score" for number of people killed by any country or group over the last 100 years. What would the top 10 look like?

We can exclude the World Wars since several countries were involved and the battlefront was so vast, so lets say since the end of World War II.

Is Hezbollah on that list? Just wondering...

Interesting case! I'd love to know where the line of "doing business" begins and ends on free online accounts within a company that doesn't actually make money; especially when Twitter is protected under DCMA. Under the same train of thought, couldn't they try and hold any American media outlet culpable who syndicates and / or covers Hezbollah's messages?

I'm actually with Twitter on this one. Without a legal court order, keep them online. Not because I give a rat's ass what Hezbollah has to say, but because of the slippery political censorship slope taking them offline would begin.

So how is twitter different to say a ISP that hosts a KKK or aryan nations site?

Jack, Devils - both good points.

@Devil's Son

Good question!! Now we'll have to ban TNT and Gush Emunium, and JDL and the IRA and the RIRA and FARC

Soon there will be no one left to tweet!! (On second thought......this might not be such a bad thing....lol)

I realize that tracking a twitter user might be pretty hard but look at the followers count on that picture. Wouldn't you like to have at least a slight chance to track all the followers? I know, I know, they can change accounts, phones, names and just about everything but still there are hints of which posts are made by the same person, and followers are so that updated will go to that user. Sort of pins down the stupid ones. The smart ones just log on to the # they want but our domestic spy tolls we aren't using can detect every link that happens. I'd rather they had accounts where we can see them.

This is really a tough one. On the one hand, providing tools to any organization that has shown it's disdain for the law and civilized behavior in general seems foolish. On the other hand, the authorities are benefiting from advances in technology as well.

If the original intent of the second amendment to the U.S. constitution popularised as "the right to bear arms" was in fact to insure that the people would have some measure of security against authoritarian rule, then the concept was that some technological parity needed to be maintained.

If we want to keep the same security against authoritarian rule as was envisioned in the bill of rights in the U.S. constitution, then perhaps we need to consider this more carefully.

I don't approve of censorship, but if I did I still wouldn't ban Hezbollah. Every story ever told was told one sided. If I want to know what's going on in the Arab world I go to Al Jazerra and sure don't give a care about Twitter. Israel was given Arab land by Great Britain and I don't harbor ill feelings for the Arabs or the Israelis--but wasn't that what started this entire problem? This feeling of personal guilt that I feel the Israelis have put Americans is getting out of hand. I recognize the Holocaust as factual history, but the US isn't Nazi Germany, (yet). But, I'm sick of the anti-semitism rhetoric. If you mention anything about the fact that "our ally", Israel having spies in the US Federal Prisons or the USS Pueblo, or the fact that the US has been a constant advocate and referee for the conflicts between Israel and Palestine--people throw out that anti-semitism card. 10M to 20M Chinese died in that war. 5.8M Poles died in WWII, 23M Russians died in that war. 450K British, 418K Americans---and many other countries. The US pulled the old genocide thing on an entire nations of indigenous peoples of the Americas. Black folks came here in chains for the convenience of early American agri-business.

You folks just need to ease up and stop complaining. This world has been nothing but suffering and death since the beginning of time, so you sure haven't cornered the market. Israel recently ran that ad telling American Jews that they must be Israeli first and American last. Israeli Jews suck as neighbors and if they keep threatening others in the region, there will be carnage. If Israel fires on Palestinians, the Palestinians should be allowed to effectively defend themselves. Former President Carter spent the time in the area and saw first hand how the Israelis abused the Palestinians--put in writing and caught hell. The reason Carter wasn't an effective President was the fact that he was too honest. I believe him and I believe watching on "60 Minutes" how Israelis would just force their way into the homes of Palestinians and making them provide housing.

The more I think of----phuque, Israel. Tweet That, Twits

-Proud American Soldier-

And as far as Israelies are concerned, I would gladly stand up next to any one of them and defend our freedoms as they are the only true democracy in the middle east.

-----------------------------

Right. You seem to forget that they got their nation by being a terrorist organztion, bombing Bristish soldiers. They are also the biggest aggressors in the ME. To get one of their enemy they'll destroy an apartment building killing a hundred. It's time the United States stop being Isreal's lapdog.

Isn't this a free service? That means no business is being done with Hezb. unless they were paying ad partners. It's like saying you can't put your flyers up on community bulletin boards.

.....not to mention, couldn't Twitter technically also be a tool for Hezbollah's enemies? I mean, hell, over 50% of divorces these days are somehow tied to what someone said on social media. Wouldn't a publicly accessible list of followers for a terrorist organization, and all of their communications not be a GOOD thing for Hezbollah's enemies?

I completely understand their motive for suing over this, but I'm still with Twitter. Stay neutral.

how do i vote on this site? sorry for the ignorance

I have been saying this for a long time. They have Facebook pages, twitter accounts, websites. How can these guys get away with providing services to designated terrorist organizations? If I gave $10 to one of these groups, I could go to jail, yet they provide services with no punishment? The first amendment is not absolute. You can't yell fire in a crowded theater and you can't do business with a designated terrorist organization.

And you vote by clicking on the up arrow by the comment.

Just like the US makes it illegal to do business with many people in Iran and with their government. If they give them accounts knowing who they are, or do not suspend the accounts after finding out, they should be prosecuted.

Should banks just ignore this and say they are staying neutral? That they can legally do business with banned people in Iran? Should banks be able to do business with terrorist organizations? Should a bank gladly and knowingly open an account for AL Qaeda that they know is for them and is used to transfer money for terrorist attacks? Should banks knowingly launder drug money because they are just staying neutral with the drug lords?

First I wonder how they would have any clue that those organizations are being provided services by Twitter... second I don't think the law requires companies to send written confirmation based on nothing more than the demands of individuals or groups... if it does, then I want to get written confirmation from the CEO of WalMart each day that he drove to work without breaking the speed limit. Of course he doesn't owe me a damn letter just like Twitter doesn't owe this group a damn letter. Of course they could be nice and send one anyway... but stop acting like douchebags and trying to bully them and make baseless demands. When people start acting like that with me it makes me want to resist whatever it is that they want me to do, even if it's a good thing... I just hate people that act like total douchewads.

You can't yell fire in a crowded theater

Well actually, yes you can. You just can't do so falsely.

Wait, freedom of speech is absolute. You should be able to falsely yell fire in a crowded theater.

So is it Twitters job to police the world and who uses their product? If so then we need to sue the Russians, USA, China, and other nations for providing weapons to terrorist groups. You know they didn't invent those weapons, they bought them from other nations. Why is Twitter being singled out just because they provide a service to anyone who signs up for it as long as they obey the rules set down by Twitter?

For that matter, why not sue Al Gore since he said he invented the internet that he is allowing terrorist groups to use?

buttcrack

do you actually have anything intelligent to say? it sure doesn't sound like it

brenda, only two possibilities for buttcrack, either a troll, or racist type, judging by the name, I think its probably a troll

Sandtrich,

I think what started this entire problem goes way back in history to father Abraham and his sons, Ishmael and Issac. There will never be peace. Genesis makes for some interesting reading.

what we have here is so much religious love... any supreme being...would be ashamed of...plain bob 2012...

Levi777

...One thing though...should US Constitutional rights of free speech apply to some Taliban operative sitting on the border of Pakistan, who is NOT a US citizen?

Strange as it may seem, yes. The bill of rights applies to everyone with regards to the US no matter where they are or what their citizenship is unless the language specifies that it applies only to US citizens. So, if it says that the US government will not impede a person's freedom of speech, then the courts should not be able to force Twitter to start arbitrarily shutting down accounts. ( Remember too that everyone can see these Twitter feeds.)

Twitter can if it chooses shut those accounts down for whatever reason. But to have the court rule in favor of the Israelis in this instance would compromise freedom of speech and open the door to all kinds of censorship. Lets not go the authoritarian route.

Deathbyenzyte..... don't want to burst your little bubble but most of the laws enacted in the USA were fashioned by the christian faith.

Proud American Soldier,

First I doubt you are a soldier. 2nd, Israel is an Apartheid state. The American soldier actually has nothing to be proud of as far as their actions in war supporting invasions of other countries, or else you can also claim the same pride for Nazi soldiers. Also Israel is not the only Democracy in the M.E.

The Palestinians also have free elections as do the Lebanese and now Egypt.

Let me ask you "soldier", how do you feel about your fellow service men murdered on the USS Liberty by Israel armed forces?

The world would be a far better place today if England had not stolen land from Arabs to give to European Jews.

I have three beautiful Grandsons, the oldest 2 years old, and it will be a very cold day in hell when I would allow them to fight in any war for Israel.

Joel

One need not look very far to see the negative effects of technology in the world of communication, twitter is just one example. The web is FULL of things that do little but fuel the fire of diviant behavior hatred and death. When considering the good aspects of the world wide web it is good to note "that road runs both ways" and that the evil observed there is nothing but a reflection of those using it. Like television brought the terror of war from the battlezone to the living room in the 60's so now the net reveals the true nature of men and the extent of the methods used to accomplish their evil deeds.

@ Harry I didn't know that was Hitler's birthday,and I don't care,as he is not important to me. @ proud american.I do not want ANY religion making Supreme Court decisions for my country.If that makes me a bigot,so be it.If YOU want to go stand and fight for Israel,then jump on a plane AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE and go have at it,but don't force others to go with you.If you really think Israel is a democracy,you're a little naive.They act like a spoiled little child that's been handed everything,and they never threaten to do anything without the implication that America will get involved if they get into a fight they can't handle.I do not want to forsake the futures of my children and grandchildren to pay a billion dollars a day to fight the entire Middle East over a spot of dirt in the desert.It is NOT holy ground,that's fairytale bs.We owe them nothing,unless,of course,you believe the Jew controlled media.When you come onto these sites and these conversations,you see how most people truly feel,just look at these posts,a couple of defenders,but almost everyone else against them on this.America is waking up,and some people are finally asking "WHY do we owe Israel our unconditional support?" RON PAUL 2012 He kisses no one's a--

Buck D-2239568,

RE: your post #1.12

Your post was and interesting read. However, I can cite many, many examples where media forms and comunications equipment have fostered crime. Example, Craigsllist has been used to lure people who have been robbed and murdered. The telephone has a history of enabling crime, thus phone 'taps'! The media are not morally responsible, the people using the media are responsible. I believe a suit against Twitter would be a difficult case to prove in a U.S. Court of Law. Second, as to freedom of speech, you are correct, it does not include the right to incite violence. The question of who will determine IF this speech is inflamatory, to the point of violence, is relevent. Should Israel be allowed to intimidate Twitter? Remember, Israel has given no proof, according to the article. They have simply made a statement to sue Twitter if the company allows Hamas access to their "product" (social media)! Perhaps this is an overstep of an analogy, but if a person speeds in a car and causes a fatal wreck does the criminal court look to the car manufacturer for justice? Do the courts tell the manufacturer, no more cars, or who they can now sell cars to? Of course the answer is no. I very much agree that this is a question of right and wrong. The problem, as I see it, is exactly who is right and who is wrong and the degree to which each party is morally responsible. If it is determined to be Twitter, then all crimes committed with the enabling of ANY form of social media and/or communications devices are open for scrutiny. I do not believe you nor I want the government, especially a foreign government (Israel or other) to make those decisions. Have a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Terrorist Act

The calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear [syn: terrorism)

Israel isn't any more of an apartheid state than the US is one. Just because a bunch of arab terrorists from surrounding countries run into israeli lands claiming it is theirs and declare they belong there.

Am I missing something here? How does one determine if the Facebook account belongs to hezbollah? Does hezbollah actually identify itself as such? If so, what is to stop them from starting another account under a different, less obvious, name? How then would Facebook be expected to root out these jerks without unwittingly infringing on an innocent subscriber?

leavingBB

"If the suit is filed in the U.S., good luck. Last I heard, even terrorists had the benefit of the Bill of Rights."

I guess you didnt hear about the new law they pass that give the US military the right to hold anyone in this country suspected of being a terrorist indefinetly and it waves their Bill of rights. that even includes US citizens.

Should Twitter start monitoring all tweets, and ban citizens who may speak out about the government, because those citizens are labeled as terrorists by the government?

Why would you want to stop them from using twitter? It makes them easier to monitor, and with GPS phones, easier to drone.

We need to take a lesson from the OSS, which was the beginning of the CIA in WWII and shut our loose lips and do what needs to be done. If we have a American company that has information about terror groups, then let them tweet there ass off while we take notes. Hopefully they would be stupid enough to try an slip something through about an attack and we could intercept it. If your not doing anything illegal then why the hell would you be worried about someone else looking at it on a social media forum? This country really needs to get away from the political correctness and back to basics. I still can't believe you can't smoke in a bar and I quit years ago. We have gone clear off the map on some of this BS. Maybe the Y generation will give woman, gays and lesbians there rights and get rid of some of these dumb laws.

let me get this straight, they are providing public info, that can be used against them in many ways, and israel wants to shut them down on twitter and lose access to that info. did they really think this one out?

how does one make a conservative fascist sound like a liberal marxist and make a liberal marxist sound like a conservative fascist?

mention Israel

I have two thoughts I'd like to contribute. First off, Twitter is not going to ban them, and quite frankly, we don't want them to. Sure, I doubt anyone would mind seeing a terrorist organization forced off the internet, but if lawsuits and the government can force them to deny service to one group, what happens next? If they can ban one group, they'll try to ban others, and it will never end until there's nothing useful left.

And perhaps on a more practical note, why would we want to remove them? If they're kicked off Twitter, they'll just go somewhere else... and it could take us days, weeks, even months to track down their new site. But if we leave them alone on Twitter, we can watch, see what they say, and see what people say to them, no problem. And sure, even if more than half of what they say is just propaganda... it's still information on them that we could potentially use. And why would we want to shut down a free, easily monitored, source of intel?

Has anyone seen that "work" that the Israeli Government has done to non Jews? They are one of the most racist countries on the planet. Will all of their elected officials not be allowed to have Twitter accounts?

Proud Soldier, you know that a democracy is only mob rules right? The mob votes and then their will is done, we're a Constitutional Republic where the few are protected from the many, shouldn't we export that to the world rather than touting democracy?

Remember, Israel has given no proof, according to the article. They have simply made a statement to sue Twitter if the company allows Hamas access to their "product" (social media)!

why is it that some people (like scrambolo)are completely unable to distunguish some group that happens to be in Isreal from the entire rest of the country?

Israel has its nuts just as the US has and the Arab countries have. yet for some reason, certain hate-spewing hypocrites want to condemn the entire country because of their religion (then they deny it is because of the religion)

I think that if hezbollah is allowed to keep their account(s), they should be tweeted severely!

@ Hal...#1.44

I don't know, Hal. Every time I turn around, something is making me think that a one world government would solve a lot of problems and clear up a lot of muddy associations. I don't agree that one world government would produce anything but oppression, torture and murder of those deemed unfavorable...namely Christians and Jews, but when it does come, it will be viewed as a really good idea. However, it will be the devil in disguise.

Actually, I would say to let terrorists use Twitter and other social sites and have the US monitor them. Loose lips sink ships, and all that.

Levi777 - I agree about letting the terrorist use such means as those to communicate. Even if they only use it to try to throw people off their trail, the intelligence is still not worthless.

I haven't made any remarks regarding or relating to a one world government. Here is what I do think about the topic:

As far as conflict is concerned, it would solve nothing. People would still be clannish and the Turks would still have a problem with the Kurds and the Jews and the Palestinians would still be at odds.

As far as Christian prophesy is concerned, I'm sorry but I don't subscribe. The whole idea of a single world government is very Hal Lindsey-ish.

As far as "the Devil" is concerned: that is just men trying to shift the blame for evil onto an imaginary being.

Private groups and individuals shouldn't be permitted to file these kinds of suits. If Twitter is violating US law, it is up to the Justice Department to decide whether to take action.

Ed... You might try research. That's what I did. It's much easier via Google although my hard-cover set of Encyclopedia Britannica does come in handy... gives more detail, and objectively.

Israel did not start it. The organized terrorists did. Period. Read your history and then try to say I am lying.

Make up your mind AMERICAN PEOPLE! First you want to stick daggers in the heads of terrorists and now you want to grant them rights such as Freedom of Speech. If Hitler was alive today you people would be outraged if he didn't get a fair trail. Israeli's don't want to read Hezbollah's hate bulls-h-i-t.

ed 2113954 YOU DO NOT HONOR TRUTH

Second sight.....can you pinpoint when it was ....exactly that the first stone was cast? Does it tell you that in Encyclopdie Britannica?

Instead of dwelling on some wrong, perceived or actual from antiquity (or even 50 years ago...or even 5 years ago) I believe a better path starts right now. It's a problem because of the rigid stances and the balance of p[ower in the region. I believe arrogance and might have just about ruined any chance for peace without a colossial conflict.

Second - since you have written to this post I am guessing you can read and write so the only thing I can take away from your comment is that you don't understand or want to believe what you read but Israeli did not start it is far from documented history.

Latekate.....are you an actual citizen of the US? Have you ever read the Constitution? There are certain inalienable rights.....those were ideas that bound our country together. We've had a long tradition of telling other people we believe in those rights and they did also we would help them attain them. Recently we've departed from our long and steady adherence to those ideas. In reading your post, it became extremely clear just how far we've veered from that course.

latekate - Hitler would have gotten a fair trial without the outrage and Israeli/Zionist and Hezbollah are the same people by different names. As they say keep yur friends close and your enemies closer, maybe that is why the US is sooooo good to Israel.

yes you have rights but even rights have limits go study a little.

They have the right to challenge in a court of law, and that is what they are doing, using legal methods to stop if possible the use of Twitter by terrorist, why do some people have a problem with that its legal and there not blowing up buildings they are trying to stop a potential disaster.

D Buck - you are drinking the cool aid, I bet you still believe there is WMD in Iraq.

johnnyt:

I'm not a US citizen but I respect the Constitution and understand it's value to Americans. Although I agree with Freedom of Speech I don't think we should make concessions for words of hate that could result in the death of others.

God Bless America (hope that is still politically correct to say)

Latekate....I appreciate your honesty and being candid.

A question I have is way are we (America) having such a difficult time convincing other people that America IS a shining beacon for freedom, liberty and justice as we to portray ourselves? Are we doing something that's impeding our message? Why aren't our words strong enough to defeat words of hate and terrorism? Are we in an indefensible situation and no amount of words, no matter how eloquently crafted can not portray a picture of the lofty ideals we've aspired to? And now.....because we can't defend our actions we don't want someone talking about it.

This article wasn't about the US bringing a lawsuit, but rather an organization from Israel, I understand that. However, if this case actually reaches a court in the USA we will part and parcel to it just as if we initiated it.

There's been much talk about how Muslims despise our ways and will try every tactic to use our own system against us. This particular case, being brought by our 'close allies' appears to me to be within those same ideas.

I also have to add that if the Israelis don't want to read Hezbollahs hate bullhips then they should just 'not read it'. It really is that simple. If Hezbollah was holding a gun to their heads and forcing to read it that would be different.

finally someone with a brain that is functional .ed your an inspiration anyone who damns you is a fraud.they dont care about freedom of speach they only care about freedom to censor.

Freedom of speech is not absolute. Get that through your heads. If I send a letter saying there is a bomb in a school, do you think that is OK? After all, it is freedom of speech. What if I threaten a witness to a crime that I will kill them if they testify? OK? Just freedom of speech.

No you say? These are crimes and freedom of speech does not protect people that do these things. Well, doing business or aiding a designated terrorist organization in anyway is a crime, and freedom of speech does not protect you from doing it.

The federal government has said that you cannot limit people/corporation's donations to candidates because it is a freedom of speech issue. So why can't people/corporation's give money to terrorist organizations? Shouldn't it be considered free speech?

Butt crack,

So you would have no problem if I cornered your children in a room and told them I was going to rape and kill them. That is just freedom of speech and I should be able to do that without any problems? I should be able to go around telling everyone you know that you are a child molester. Freedom of speech and all...

latekate -

Make up your mind AMERICAN PEOPLE! First you want to stick daggers in the heads of terrorists and now you want to grant them rights such as Freedom of Speech.

Yes. We're like that. Freedom of Speech is probably the most cherished right in the American heart.

If Hitler was alive today you people would be outraged if he didn't get a fair trail.

Certainly. At the end of the day, most of us believe in the rule of law. Saddam got a fair trial -- why not Hitler?

Israeli's don't want to read Hezbollah's hate bulls-h-i-t.

We don't care what Israeli's do or do not want to read. While our banking industry and Congress may serve Israel, the American people do not. At least not voluntarily. Twitter is an American company doing business in America. Israel has no right to dictate to American companies.

VERY CURIOUS...... How many of the posters live on the East coast? how many on the West coast? In California, most people do not give a damn what happens in the middle east. 9-11 is almost forgotten. Is it because the the city of los Angeliego is about 200 miles long and has only a handful of tall buildings? Was 9-11 just a tall building risk or really a risk to the US? Is it because all the tall buildings in the West, are occupied by the government, health insurance companies, or banks...... (and THEY seem to be our enemies?)

New York Times seems to be good at marshaling fear. Is this fear legitimate for the country as a whole?, or should it only apply to cities with lots of tall buildings? or should it only apply to cities where there seems to be a lot of religious fever?

Out here in the hilly sprawl of Southern California, the only terrorist I fear is our own government. When the government decides to kill people in our name, it makes me feel less safe. The situation in the "holy land" is no different than 2 street gangs. The only winners are the people who do not join the gang and participate. ......WE need to ignore the the gangsters on both sides

@ bill and jerri WELL SAID! I am 100% more likely to get killed by my own countrymen than a foreign terrorist.I hope when Israel does finally cross the line that our soldiers refuse to fight for them.I don't want to give up another generation's financial future to fight over some dirt spot in the desert.I don't believe in magic,so don't give me the "holy land" bs.Unfortunately our Congress and banking systems are under Isareli lock and key,as Jerri said,so as a people,our only option is to not fight.Half a million conscientious objectors should tie the courts up nicely.As a people,we could also boycott diamonds,there is only 1 diamond seller in the whole world.DeBeers.The only industry in this entire world to be allowed to do this.Wanna guess who runs DeBeers?

Would it matter if I cared or not? Unless Hezbollah is a group of rebellious teenagers, taking away their Twitter account won't change a damn thing.

...until someone with the cash, agenda, and a trial lawyer on retainer has the ability to sue someone or something you believe in off the internet. While I have no sympathy for Hezbollah, this is a delicate precedent that should be carefully scrutinized before its use for good becomes abused to suppress unpopular but otherwise harmelss ideas. Maybe you'll care then--when it's too late?

As a listed terrorist org, they have a right to a 4X4 cell at Club Gitmo, nothing else.

Really? Since when?

Freedom of speech has no political standing. For the US to label something as a terrorist organization, that is merely one political idealization against another. Twitter holds no political standing.. So just because the US doesn't agree with another political idealization doesn't mean twitter needs to be involved over a political dispute. (twittter is trying to represent what true freedom of speech is).

Our government is straight criminal. These "terrorist" organization are quite petty compared to what the US government does. Up until a 20-30 years ago, if you 'qualified' as ignorant (didn't make enough money) and you went to the doctor to say have a baby, you were then forced into an abortion and sterilized. Thousands of people forced sterilized, on US soil... That is straight up Nazi-crap.. And this is the wonderful country of the 'free' US. This list could go on for pages.. Medical experiments, Military operating on US soil, citizen spying (all things that can be found easily and recently with a Google news search)..

We are living a lie, we are the terrorist...

This has nothing to do with politics....

The non-contestable terrorism of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Al Qaeda are not in dispute. In fact, they brag about them (think 9/11). These are not just crimes against humanity; these are crimes against innocent people. You. Me. And the neighbor next door.

The real and only issue is aiding and abetting crime. Do you think that the Ku Klux Klan should be resurrected and allowed to give instructions on how to kill Blacks on Twitter?hmmm? They'd be pulled so fast by us liberals it would make your head spin.

What has happened to logic here? Swallowed by a draft of Islamic Publicity Beer?

all a bunch of politically induce ignorance from leaders all over the world...go kill a human in the name of a supreme being ...while the rich get richer...and the poor do their little killing of each other...sick ignorant people...

Becks and Limbaugh (I don't care for their politics) do not, however, justify killing people en masse deliberately as a result of indoctrination from childhood. This is NOT A FREEDOM OF SPEECH ISSUE.

The U.S. criminal code (the United States Code (U.S.C.), section two of title 18) makes aiding and abetting a federal crime itself a crime:^[2]

(a) Whoever aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures the commission of an offense, is punishable as a principal.

(b) Whoever willfully causes an act to be done which if directly performed by him or another would be an offense, is punishable as a principal.

A person may be convicted of aiding and abetting any act made criminal under the code. The elements of aiding and abetting are, generally:

(1) guilty knowledge on the part of the accused ( the mens rea);

(2) the commission of an offense by someone; and

(3) the defendant assisted or participated in the commission of the offense (the actus reus).

Now, what do Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda et al do? They kill people. Throngs of people. Whom they hate. Out of greed. The people are no threat to them. Read your history... especially of the 20th Century. But go back to the Ottoman Empire if you wish... be sure now... it is what happens to people who are ruled by Theocracies. (The political rule of a country by leaders alleging they are emissaries of Allah.)

Look at what is happening within the Middle Eastern countries today... the Islamic countries. You cannot cite Israel for being the same in any way, shape, or form.

Killing people... that's what terrorists do... being terrorists is a crime. So you think aiding and abetting crime is allowed under "Freedom of Speech"? Are you out of your gourds?

gilberto Dont forget the far left. there are some sickos there.

But letting Illegal immigrants cross our borders and stay here is not illegal. We have a crappy government lets illegals pass and U.S. citizens are killed on a regular basis. So what is the big deal about a terrorist group. Let one group slide while complaining about others. This is justice!!!!!!!!!!! Our government only enforces what laws sound good for them. ALL ARE CRIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second Sight -Thank you for pointing that out that's what Iattempted to say in a earlier post, unfortunately some of these people are brain dead must be the time of day or the cheep drugs.

Implacable Patriot, take some more mind altering drugs also.

Implacable... I would not say you are a Patriot... what you are saying is utter and complete bullpucky. Whew... The Arrogance of Ignorance appears to be contagious tonight.

I hope they do sue. Each one of these ever escalating forays into our basic principles attempted by 'our close allies' shines a brighter light onto their true character. Give 'em enough rope.......

cjgy2k, no calling people "moron"

It appears as if some would like it to be!!

It's selectively applied, so yes

put a head stone on it...son a b;tch died real good...

I wonder if they are just going after Terrorist, or those who have critical things to say about Israel, such as, Israel is an Apartheid State. Statements like that...

magnum, why is it that hate-filled , bile-spewing, jew-haters such as yourself are completely unable to distinguish the actions of a small group from the actions of an entire country?

How about if someone posts a twit to blow your house up because you are stupid? Should that be allowed?

nanette, if you assist a known terrorist group, you can be prosecuted by the US govt.

I understand that assisting a known terrorist is wrong. I also understand that the internet can not be controlled. You shut one down they open up another account. You track back to a service they establish another one. You track back to an IP address, another one is there. You successfully shut down one user and five more pop up.

Personally, I think listening in would be more advantageous. Who is going to define the criteria that will be used to sort out all the users? Are you ready to be investigated? Remember we now have laws that say they can arrest and hold you indefinitely incommunicado.

This article is ridiculous when it comes to policing the Internet. How about the unknowingly part? Wow, if you respond to anyone that is suspected and you don't even know that, your behind could end up in jail.

Anyone believes this is about assisting terrorists is full of s%&t between their ears. It is about Shu Rat HaDin and pro-zionists elements exploiting a loophole in their quest to squash anti-Israeli sentiment. It is by far more valuable to the US survival for all to see what goes on in the world good or bad.

If Twitter were proving Hezbollah with secret means of recruiting terrorists then they would have a point but that is not the case. The fear Zionist and Shu Rat HaDin has is Twitter gives Hezbollah a platform to the world to voice their side about the atrocities carried out by Zionists. Shu Rat's actions is nothing less than speech suppression.

yea right:

blah blah blah zionist blah blah zionist blah blah blah

that's all you spew

nanette:

Personally, I think listening in would be more advantageous

actually, I agree. we (the US) use it in counter psyops in Afghanistan, and moniter it for intelligence

How about if someone posts a twit to blow your house up because you are stupid? Should that be allowed?

Why not? It's not like it's a new trend. People threaten each other every day via the world wide web.

Just like there are people like you that have to name call.

Are you new to the Internet?

I find so many things wrong with this core agenda. Sounds like muscle flexing to me. Unknowingly assist? This is America, you are in America, we have freedom of speech in America

conversely, how many corporations, lawyers, left-wing, right-wing and centerist groups, idiots that don't want to pay their bill etc. etc. ALL try to "flex their muscle" using legal threats and intimidation?

"thuggery by attorney" is a tradition in this country practiced clear across the entire spectrum right, left, radical to moderate

Go take a bath? That's the extent of your intellect?

Go ahead and try to stop someone from posting what they want to the Internet.

You seem to forget that they got their nation by being a terrorist organztion (sic), bombing Bristish soldiers.

Do the words "American Revolution" ring any bells for you?

(Hint: It's not a reality TV show.)

Tony: And the questionable organizations are ? Determined by ?

There is a significant difference between being anti-semitic and anti-Israel. One is an ethnic group. The other is a state/government. The former should enjoy equal rights wherever they may reside, including equal protection under the law - whether in Israel, Russia or a Middle East Arab country. All people should be free of prejudice and mistreatment.

The state of Israel is a different matter altogether. It is understandable that those persons who do not interpret "rights" based on evangelical dispensationalist twistings of Old Testament prophecies are consequently troubled by the terrorist beginnings of Isreal, its continual denial of human rights to Arab Christians and Muslims, the failure of Israel to recognize the legitimate grievances of Palestinians who were forcefully evicted from their lands and properties, and the ongoing confiscation of lands and rights of Palestinian citizens in Israel - not to mention Israel's treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza.

There is a reason why members of the UN have routinely upbraided Israel for its lack of humanity, with the exception of its "blind" protector the USA. If Israel is to be justified, pray tell why all other western and non-aligned nations have consistently refused to condone Israel's egregious abuse of human rights? Only the US and Israel have a proper perspective? PLEASE!

The Nation of Israel has become anathema to the majority who have investigated the holocaust and in principle reject the legitimacy of those nation state who persistently and consistently use their power to oppress a minority of their citizens.

Israel thinks that because it has power it is legitimate.

I suspect those Jews and Christians who wrest prophecy to fit their eschatological biases, and who are willfully blind to the abuses of human rights by Israel, are alike are in for a rude awakening (and destiny) at the judgement.

are consequently troubled by the terrorist beginnings of Isreal,

"terrorist beginnings" can apply to a whole lot of countries, including the US.

Jerry, then sign me up as being anti-Israel. How they have treated the Palestinians since Britain gave the land to them when Palestine was carved up after World War 2 is nothing short of reprehensible. They need to man up and start treating the Palestinians like people not animals. I cant believe our country provides billions of OUR tax dollars in support to them. Cut em off from our tax money!

The only reason Israel has any power is because of power-broker relatives who privately keep supporting Isreal and by the same brokers who support the US government which of course is paid to support Israel.If none of this existed and we got rid of our support of Israel and stopped supporting its policies,Arab terrorism pretty much would evaporate.Iran,syria,Iraq,etc don't hate the US as an entity at all,as a matter of fact Muslims all over the world laud the US for it's upholding of human rights and support us on many different levels.WHat they absolutely despise about us is our support for Israel,which frankly I cannot see why we do,other than the fact that the Vanderbilts and such are PACing the government to do so and have been for all these years.

Alan, Alan, Alan...whether or not Jerry has his facts correct, the last thing I want to hear from your history lesson is more of that "God promised us the Holy Land" crapola (The Its mine! Its mine! syndrome...now there is the disease you have but dont know it apparently). So spare us all the laughs and giggles and guffaws and not go that route.

Alan - I didn't acquire my knowledge of Middle East history from my local newspaper when I was a cattle rancher in Montana. I didn't get it from the Jewish controlled media here in USA; and I didn't get it from the propoganda of the countless pro-Israel lobbyists with all of their spin; I didn't get it from Congress who are on Israel's payroll. I didn't get it from blogs on the internet.

No, I got this history and civics lesson firsthand by living in the Middle East for more than 8 years. I got it from Christian Arabs, mostly pastors, who have suffered at the hands of Israelis now for generations. I also got it firsthand from many Muslims as well. And I even got this from those few Israelis who are rightfully horrified by the policies and abuses of their government. And I got it from history books who give this subject thorough and objective treatment.

With respect to history lessons, I've lived in 7 countries, worked in and traveled to more than 125 countries, and read period literature on virtually all of these countries. So, unless you are a history professor with a PhD in Middle Eastern studies, granted by a University with a more neutral and objective lens than those here in the US, and unless your dissertation was based on personal immersion for several years in the field of study in the Middle East, I'm guessing you will be wasting my time and yours.

Idiot, Hezbollah CONDEMNED 9/11 publicly as did Iran. Hezbollah is even considered an enemy by Al-Quaeda.

I shall reiterate - it is not anti-semetic. It is anti-freeloader.

If you choose to pick a fight, be sure you can finish it on your own. Do NOT look to the rest of the world to fight it for you. If the US has to fight Israel's battles for them, it only confirms their status as number one loser.

Has Israel ever made a threat without the implication that they have US backing? As far as I know, nothing that they have ever followed through.

Michael,

As if you didn't know, Hez is a vassal of Iran, a Shiite dominated country. Al Queda is a Sunni predominated organization, what's left of it. Hez is only its enemy on practical and religious grounds, not moral grounds. But you know that...don't you?

Has Israel ever made a threat without the implication that they have US backing? As far as I know, nothing that they have ever followed through.

which only proves that you don't know much

Hezbollah as well as pretty much ALL Muslim groups unilaterally CONDEMMED Al-Queida for what they did,tis why you never saw Osama go anywhere other than Afghanistan and Pakistan,he would have been killed by other groups militants if he were not picked off by us first.Osama did'nt have namy friends,his own family disowned him,BTW Iran is not at war with the US,the one and only reason Iran wants to take the US on is because of our support for Isreal.If we did not support Israel,Iran would not be a threat,as a matter of fact they may be asking the US for business..

Newsman... very good post

Now, it really does not matter who is rebelling against whom among the internecine groups of the Middle East... and they, themselves are not being sued. It is the sue-able which is the object of the lawsuit... with a rather compelling persuasion for dropping contact with them all. Frankly, I think it is a delicious way to handle the whole problem.

As for the goofus anti-Semites with their armor of anonymity who get ego-trips from sounding off here, they are an infinitesimal minority among people who have done their homework. Bigotry is acquired primarily by embracing stupidity.

The Arrogance of Ignorance, the Bumbling of Bigotry, the Clutching of Cupidity results in the ABC's defining the Ignominy of the Inept.

And lest you think this has anything whatsoever to do with "freedom" of speech... ha!

Your freedom stops at the end of my nose.

Hezbollah condemned 9/11? Hamas? No they were cheering in the streets! They may not agree with Al-Queda on some things, but they do on 2, destruction of Israel and destruction of the US.

For all the bombings and killings militia groups and klan members have committed against other Americans (ti include other whites) why aren't they listed as "terrorist" groups? Their ideology is the overthrow/destruction of the US government but they're not on any "list." They have killed law enforcement officials, FBI agents, etc. . . . still, no list. They steal govenment military hardware . . . still, no list. What does it take to get put on this "list?" And who decides? Obviously, there needs to be an overhaul and re-evaluation for adding to the terrorist list, banning from twitter, and the "threatened" lawsuit.

CarolC123 maybe it would be time to go get some real history lessons.

a) Both Hamas and Hezbullah publicly denounced the 9/11 attacks, this is publicly documented all over the net. Feel free to go read http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/14/AR2006071401401_pf.html for more info. Al Quaeda even tried to get Hizbullah's leader killed.

b) Neither Hezbullah nor Hamas have ever stated any goal outside of claiming Palestine/Israel back in their 20+ years of existence. Hence there absolutely never was any goal of destroying the US or Europe or any other country besides Israel.

How did Jews get in this as$hole? You disgusting piece of human waste.

Before you go ragging on Jews, learn to spell "average."

Yea I guess we should just do away with free speech all together hu there Mr. Conservative birddogg66

Use spell check.