Lieberman wants Taliban blocked on Twitter

Joe Lieberman wants Islamist extremist accounts banned on Twitter.

Aides for Joe Lieberman, chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said the move was part of a wider attempt to eliminate violent Islamist extremist propaganda from the internet ... Twitter is reported to be rejecting the move after pointing out that unlike al-Qaeda, the Taliban movement is not registered by the State Department as a foreign terrorist organisation.

Lieberman seems not be targeting terrorists who plan attacks using the service, but rather Taliban propagandists famous for political hysterics, gloating, and bickering with NATO counterparts. It makes no sense at all except as censorious weight-pulling for its own sake.

The ranty impulse is to suggest that he's got that Clash of Civilizations thing going on, or that he doesn't trust you with the liberty to hear what Helmand Harry has to say. If anything, however Lieberman seems smaller than that. It's as if he's simply embarrassed to see the enemy free to speak, and banning them from Twitter is his best idea to silence them.

Previously: Egypt turns off internet, Lieberman wants same option for US

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Gene Poole

MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!
ebichu

I wonder if Al and Joe are still pals.
BadIdeaSociety

This is just stupid. You ban the Taliban, a new network of Twitter names will begin to develop carrying their message.
- http://noctilucent-studios.blogspot.com/ Noctilucent Studios
  
  You’re operating under the assumption that Holy Joe cares what you or I think.
  - davidasposted
    
    … or that he understands a thing about the Internet. Or that he has even used the Internet more than a few times, for that matter.
- EH
  
  maybe, but you still get to say that you “banned the taliban.”
  
  don’t forget, he’s a mean old man who is leaving his position and will die of old age soon enough, possibly unloved and alone, hadassah being at a pharmaceutical conference at the time, fomenting corruption.
Just_Ok

He’s the Taliban ban man…
Hmm, sudden urge for chocolate.
- scifijazznik
  
  I was singing it to the tune of “Rubber Band Man” by the Spinners….
  - Just_Ok
    
    That’s stretching it, but I did get chocolate on my toes.
http://mordicai.livejournal.com Mordicai

Yup, that ought to work! I see no problems here. Carry on!*

* (happy Opposite Day, to all who observe it!)
Wreckrob8

Not the Taliban banned man?
Rob Gehrke

Holy Joe is a passionate and dedicated opponent of free speech and civil liberties, therefore this is not surprising. This ban would probably fall under the rubrik of “material support for terrorism” – as in “winning hearts and minds”, propaganda and deception are always integral parts of any war effort.

Fools like him should really be wondering why it is that some people would be receptive to their message, this is a more important question.
kpelt

“famous for political hysterics, gloating, and bickering” indeed, and well put. Pot, meet kettle.
loroferoz

Like that’ll stop the Taliban doing their thing… sure it is…

And it’s a hell of an example to freedom lovers everywhere. Silence unpopular opinion and offensive expression. Wait, wasn’t that the Taliban’s line? Maybe they can make a quick buck, claiming copyright (or is it patent?) infringement. Or are ideas for censorship and repression universal?
jimkirk

Joe Lieberman has Aides?
- Guest
  
  He needs them to try to stop him from tripping over his enormous mendacious asshole.
Xander

So, it’s okay for the American propaganda message to be spread but not someone else’s?
- scifijazznik
  
  Everybody knows America does not engage in propaganda because the American public is too smart to fall for it.
  - Xander
    
    You’re right. I stand corrected. I do remember hearing that on both Fox News and CNN.
adamrice

For some reason I imagine Joe Lieberman as Droopy Dog doing Jack Nicholson’s famous “You can’t handle the truth!” line.
- surreality
  
  I believe every time Lieberman is discussed on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, there’s an image of Droopy Dog used, which always struck me as very appropriate
Tommy Timefishblue

Whatever it takes to protect all that Freedom the Taliban hates!
scifijazznik

Now this is an idea with some genuine JOEMENTUM behind it.
JohnBerry

Yes, of course! If they can’t use Twitter they will admit defeat and go away. Brilliant, Joe, just brilliant!
Rob Gehrke

Hey Joe, If you’re in the middle of a speech-stifling frenzy, here’s another Twitter account for you : @HSMPress (Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen) – Somalia
Although they speak excellent English, and word has it that it’s operated out of Toronto, eh?. Pull some strings and get it done…
Guest

Lieberman is a jerk.
http://www.propaganda.com David Lawrence

Christ, what an asshole.
Finnagain

He is an attention-whoring little toad, and should be ignored.
http://imcravingpresidency.tumblr.com/ SedanChair

It makes no sense at all except as censorious weight-pulling for its own sake.

are…are you familiar with the career of Joe Lieberman
Dave Nash

I can understand this because I would like to see Twitter block Lieberman.
Mitch_M

Couldn’t we just use our own freedom of speech to make strong arguments against what the Taliban is saying? Or at least follow them and then spam the hell out of them with annoying messages?
Antinous / Moderator

Jihad is like The Gay. Mere communication can turn you.
Kaibaman

“Twitter is reported to be rejecting the move after pointing out that unlike al-Qaeda, the Taliban movement is not registered by the State Department as a foreign terrorist organisation.” Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm didn’t this spark an interest part in the article to any of you??? Twitter had pointed out The TALIBAN is not a registered foreign Terrorist Organization! This is Bombshell News! Why do I ask? because why the hell are we fighting a group our government claims is a Terrorist Organization buuuuuuuut their not registered as such? Something is seriously Wrong Here!
Stephen Dennis

How about blocking the republicans.

Wait, Lieberman was a democrat?
OK, how about lets just block all politicians.
- http://marjaerwin.livejournal.com/ Marja Erwin
  
  Well, he lost his last primary and his current party is ‘Connecticut for Lieberman,’ as if the people are only there to serve the politicians.
  - Antinous / Moderator
    
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotten_and_pocket_boroughs
BBNinja

Lierberman is a moron. Intelligence agencies around the world including the US monitor such social media sites used by terrorists. They’re basically a free lunch for the intelligence community.
odds

Just remember, Joe Lieberman, fresh off the presidential race as Al Gore’s VP mate, was the *key* Democrat point man who was insistent that we create the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA. It’s hard to fathom now, but Bush was originally against both. But Bush pivoted after it was clear that the Democrats would prevail in getting DHS and TSA. Plus, Bush wanted Democrats to vote for the Patriot Act and the Iraq War.

Point is, this is nothing new for Lieberman whatsoever. It perfectly fits the pattern.