Topic: Terrorism

Robert Greene describes terrorism as the ultimate form of psychological warfare designed to provoke overreaction. The hosts discuss the current Israel-Palestine conflict, noting a shift in support among younger generations and the pressure to take sides. They argue that both sides are ultimately appealing to Western powers for aid and resolution, suggesting a lack of true autonomy for either entity.

The final strategy, "Sow Uncertainty and Panic Through Acts of Terror," is described as the prevailing state of modern America. The hosts conclude that "rationality is the last line of defense" against these psychological campaigns. They end the show with a call for listeners to stay balanced and avoid being polarized, followed by a musical track reflecting on the themes of the episode.

Historical analysis covers the period following the 1865 prohibition of slavery and the subsequent devolution into racial terrorism. Despite the 14th Amendment, the withdrawal of federal troops from the South ended Reconstruction and led to the reestablishment of racial subordination through lynchings. These acts are defined not merely as violence, but as a control mechanism intended to maintain a racial hierarchy through the threat of public execution.

Adama Ba, who was raided by the NYPD Terrorism Task Force at age 16 in Harlem, argues against labeling the January 6 Capitol rioters as terrorists. She suggests that expanding domestic terrorism laws and labels often backfires on innocent black and brown communities. The discussion touches on the specific legal definitions of terrorism, which require a motive for political gain, and draws parallels to the security climate following the September 11 attacks.

A review of historical anti-terrorism efforts shows that laws passed after events like the Oklahoma City bombing often target minority groups rather than those resembling the original perpetrators. Adama Ba notes that while mass shootings are frequently committed by white males, police presence often increases in black and brown schools as a result. The segment highlights the danger of using the "terrorist" label loosely, as it allows the government to circumvent civil rights and target peaceful protesters.

Michael German, a former FBI agent and fellow for the Brennan Center for Justice, criticizes the FBI for molding disparate acts of violence into a singular "movement" to justify investigations. He argues that the Black Identity Extremist label was created to target activists whose actions are protected by the First Amendment. By connecting individuals to a named group, the FBI can bypass legal restrictions on investigating political activity.

The HBO documentary "The Newburgh Sting" examines the 2009 conviction of four men in Newburgh, New York, for a terror plot that critics claim was entirely manufactured by the FBI. The discussion transitions into modern labels like "Domestic Violent Extremist" (DVE), which the hosts suggest is a coded term for white nationalists. They also discuss the emerging categorization of "medical extremists" or "anti-vaxxers," arguing that the government uses these labels to marginalize those who rely on natural immunity or refuse specific medical mandates.

Joseph Bolanos, a political independent who did not enter the Capitol on January 6, had his and his mother's apartments raided by the FBI's Anti-Terrorism Task Force. Despite Bolanos cooperating and providing his videos to agents, ten tactically dressed soldiers with automatic rifles stormed his home at 6:00 a.m. The raid was reportedly based on a single anonymous tip from someone who claimed to have overheard Bolanos bragging about being in Washington.

A throwback to episode 31 examines an FBI report on "Black Identity Extremists." The hosts argue that the same tactics used to label and infiltrate Black movements are now being applied to the MAGA movement. They discuss "gang-stalking" and the use of provocateurs to justify government crackdowns on any group that challenges the status quo.

Mo'fax shares his "hot take" on Confederate monuments, arguing they should be removed because the Confederacy fought against the United States and lost. However, he criticizes the "mission creep" of protesters targeting the Washington Monument and other founders. He suggests auctioning the statues or melting them down to make guns for the GBG campaign rather than allowing chaotic destruction.

The discussion introduces the term Black Identity Extremist (BIE), which originated in a leaked 2017 FBI document. The bureau classified the movement as a domestic terror threat, claiming the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, triggered retaliatory violence against police officers.

The FBI used the 2016 Dallas shooting and other unrelated attacks to justify the Black Identity Extremist Assessment. This classification allows the bureau to utilize invasive surveillance tactics against individuals perceived to be part of the movement, despite critics arguing the events were unconnected.

The New York Times' use of the word "insurgents" to describe ADOS leaders is analyzed as a tactic to frame the movement as a domestic threat or terrorist group. The formal definition of insurgency involves rebellion and violence against authority, which the hosts argue does not apply to a political movement seeking reparations. They suggest that such language would never be used by the Times to describe groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

The third issue identified is "urban terrorism," referring to the high rates of violent crime within majority-Black cities. Statistics from the Department of Justice show that while Black Americans make up 13% of the population, they account for over half of homicide offenders and victims. The segment compares modern murder rates to historical lynching data, noting that current violence often eclipses decades of lynchings within a six-month period, driven by a small minority of the population.