After breaking ranks with Democrats and endorsing John McCain for the presidency at the Republic National Convention, it seemed Senator Joseph Lieberman would be out of the news for a while. But now that he has hit the terrorists hard by making sure YouTube won’t host any terrorist training videos, Lieberman is back in the spotlight.
YouTube updated its “Community Guidelines” yesterday with a notation telling terrorist cells that if any training videos are uploaded to the service, they’re at risk of violating the company’s Terms of Service and could face permanent expulsion from the site. That should put the fear of God into them.
In response, Lieberman circulated a press release saying that his four months of pressuring YouTube has finally paid off and because of his hard work, YouTube and US citizens are safer today.
“YouTube was being used by Islamist terrorist organizations to recruit and train followers via the Internet and to incite terrorist attacks around the world, including right here in the United States, and Google should be commended for recognizing that,” Lieberman said in a statement. “I expect these stronger community guidelines to decrease the number of videos on YouTube produced by al-Qaeda and affiliated Islamist terrorist organizations.”
Aside from his self-admiration, Lieberman is still a bit perturbed by Google’s decision to stop at Community Guideline violations. Lieberman is now calling on Google to remove all videos from known terrorist organizations instead of only those which violate the new guidelines. So far, Google has yet to respond to those demands.
Give an inch and they ask for a yard.
What’s so bad about removing all the Terrorists’ videos? I see no problem with that at all!
Moves like this, most always, lead to content policing. First ‘terrorists’, then political opponents etc..
I agree with Dealyzer–what’s wrong with removing that content?
And Andrei–YouTube already takes off inappropriate content. Why don’t you pause “V for Vendetta”.
This will only remove content that helps jihadists blow up babies. Besides, why not? They’ve already blocked content that upsets jihadists: http://michelle...d-on-youtube-3/
Andrei, youtube has already been accused of removing content with certain political statements. So it seems to me they have made some moves in the past on their own. At one time several pro-life videos were removed and none of them contained offensive imagery or anything like that. Youtube allowed them back after community outcry from what I’ve read. I’ve also read that videos showing Obama mess up speeches have been removed for no apparent reason. Google it… you will find people discussing issues like this.
These terrorists are the same ones who hit us on 9/11. YouTube needs to report these videos to Homeland Security and provide them with information for their investigation. I say “three cheers for Joe Lieberman”.
hmm, i sense a niche gap in the market for all those videos being taken off youtube…
The turncoat jew Lieberman is an agent of Israel.
“Turncoat”? I guess you’re a muslim terrorist, huh?
hey someguy – just go back into your ‘doublewide’ and turn on the tv – let the grownups discuss constitutional issues —– oh look a new spongebob is on right now hurry up grab another beer and let the adults alone.
Movies, books, music, art, they make good bonfires, at least the Nazi’s thought so.
To tell the truth, it will make easier for terrorists to host videos now. They can upload it to bunch of Chinese video sites….lol.
And then tracking them on Chinese sites will even be more harder for FBI. Who said Terrorists don’t know how to speak Chinese ?
Anyway they can learn basic Chinese language for $500 only…lol
Terrorists will have to use 1000 other video sharing services, I am sure that is not that big of a deal for them.
azzhole. go back to isreal. boy i bet them terrorist can’t find videos now. great publicity stunt.
Oh how quickly everyone forgets September 11 was only 7 years ago…If you have a personal racial bias against Lieberman for Jewish, that’s dispicable but there are many of you trolls on the net so it’s not so uncommon. The second you say that terrorists should be allowed any type of freedom in this world and put my fellow Americans in great danger, then I speak for everyone and say you can totally go fuck yourself.
right on. It’s a shame that the “digerati” and “enlightened” members of Techcrunch don’t park their smug and use some common sense. both Google and specifically YouTube go out of their way to skew their services to enable those who seek to destroy Western Civilization and undermine the U.S to achieve their goals.
Youtube’s policies to date have been despicable. What is worse is that the founders of Google made billions because of this great country, the founders of YouTube made hundreds of millions and yet they can’t surpress their ill-informed and rather immature personal politics from tainting their business.
i can’t believe i even considered voting for droopy on al gore’s ticket. thank god they lost.
I’m ashamed to see my country and state flag behind him. It would take a very bad opponent to get me to vote for Lieberman in 2012.
I’m ashamed any American wants to give terrorists any type of freedom at all. What’s wrong with all you crazy Libertarians? Don’t you realize you would be the first ones to go if there was an attack? They don’t care about you! Start siding with the people who do.
yeah you really care about me. hey i need some money. not going to tell you why, you care so much it wouldn’t bother you anyway.
good timing for this kind of press release don’t you think? 9/11?
lol…Liebermann is a genius at communication…wow.
So can we protest this by sending something akin to a DMCA takedown notice for every Youtube-hosted GOP/RNC/Bush/Cheney/McCain video on the site? I mean, they promote continued violence the world over, so wouldn’t any such videos be properly considered terrorism-promoting?
One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter, remember.
Right, because defending our country is the same as terrorists suicide-bombing civilians. “Russtopia” – why don’t you go live in the utopia known as Russia and enjoy its non-imperial neo-communism?
We should send Lieberman to a terrorist training camp so that he and the camp members can get to know each other. Keep your hands off youtube Lieberman!
Amazing just how many people are terrorist sympathizers these days. It’s funny, an automatic reflex to defend terrorists.
too bad it isn’t as popular to defend freedom it this country. that explains both the democrat and republcian party’s popularity. supported by a bunch of weaklings that need protection.
violates free speech ideals.
What if you are doing a research paper on Terrorists?
What if you want to post these vids to let people better understand the enemy we face?
Plus, keeping the videos out of exposure, only makes them more tempting for young possible recruits…
What a joke!
Seriously guys?
Leaving alone the blatantly anti-Semitic dude, it seems some of you are actually upset that YouTube is going to block this stuff. The site has been an incredibly efficient communication channel for terrorists, especially in the past two or three years. I really don’t see the harm done in taking down videos showing close-up shots of soldiers getting sniped in the head, or humvees getting blown up with body parts scattering on the road. Such videos exist. Look ‘em up.
There is no ’slippery slope’ argument. No, YouTube will not start going after ‘political opponents’; come on. It’s pretty simple. The propaganda value of these videos is enormous; people end up getting killed as a direct result. Although YouTube is clearly doing this so they don’t get their asses sued in the event of a large attack, it’s still relieving that they’re doing it.
It seems some of you need to get outside of the tech blogosphere and into the real world.
Not to poke holes in your airtight argument, but people getting killed as a direct result of those videos does not happen.
A direct cause of someone’s death in a shooting, for example, is the bullet.
Terrorist training videos have never killed anyone.
“Terrorist training videos have never killed anyone.”
That actually may be the most twisted and ridiculous statement I’ve ever heard. Hitler’s speeches had no effect on killing 6 million people either right? It was only the guns that did it.
Yeah, and telephone calls between terrorists haven’t killed anyone either. Nor has the money exchanging between them. Man, the liberals are so incredibly dense these days – all for the defense of the poor terrorists!
yeah im anti semetic if a coutry has us too the eyeballs in debt, has the control of government through it lobby (even though the country has sent several spies here) and is responsible for the hate we receive around the world in addition to being a welfare state. yeah im anti-semetic.
Removing videos that incite to violence is hardly violating “free speech ideals”. The constitution does not guarantee any content to anyone at anytime. Those who think that that it does need a refresher course on not only the constitution but also on common sense. Sure, it’s tough to determine what crosses the line, but it’s got to be done. Reminds of of the fairly recent new about a librarian who called the police when a patron was openly viewing child pornography at the library and was fired by her boss for doing so. If we have too many more people who think that bad is good, then this country is going down for sure.
i don’t recall the constitution as saying the federal govt has the right to remove videoes that incite violence. sounds like you need a refresher course. the constitution limits the power of government not the other way around.
Senator Joe Lieberman, I-Conn (I stands for Israel btw), thank you so much for stifling free speech! Free speech truly is evil.
/sarcasm.
This guy makes me sick!
Censorship by YouTube is ok when it takes down conservative criticisms of liberals, but when it comes to taking down terrorist videos, heaven forbid!
pu…bliss..sit..tee….stunt
Alzheimer again? Did he lost his pills 4 moths ago? how he made it to congress in the first time?
Lie…lie…..lie…..lieBerman.
Israeli Pimp, American Traitor.
Ya the guy that’s trying to protect you and all your pussy Libertarian friends who do nothing to protect this country is a real American traitor.
By allowing the terrorists free speech and open recruitment methods, you sir are the unquestionable American traitor.
well, except “Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither” …
Tyler : Lie, lie, lie, lies………….more lies. Go hide, and create fear, Israeli apologists.
to hell with his protection. i have my own. what are you a little child that can’t protect yourself.
Seems reasonable and responsible to me. YouTube is a private company and they have every right to determine what content is appropriate for them to display on their site.
Israelis really think Americans are that Stupid?
Shame on TC/Arrington
I’m an American and have no affiliation to Israel and yes, I do think you’re completely insane for thinking terrorists should be allowed to recruit and boast on the internet. That’s some real respect you’re showing to the 5000 innocent people that died 7 years ago.
And why would you blame TC/Arrington for this? He’s reporting on tech news, it’s his job, you should go find one too, but not in this country, we don’t want you here.
5000 Americans died to make pussies like you feel safe. Do you feel safer, punk?
this is the most stupid political thing I had ever heard.
This guy is working for Israel in trying to make the US bomb Iran so they have one less enemy (they did it already with Iraq… remember Saddam paying 15,000 to the family of suicide bombers?)….
The Video bombers is information. Is bad info for the US bad is information anyway.
The US started this trend of publishing dangerous information in the Internet. They publish how to make a small atomic bomb if I remember well. Now they want to suppress stupid training videos. I can imagine the next video: people dress as puppets doing the same training… nobody will suspect ever they are bad people
The unintended consequence for this is that this will do nothing more than drive those videos further underground, make them harder to find and collect information on.
It’s like the law that bans criminals from posting their criminal activities onto youtube. I say, let them post their videos, we can all see how they operate, our intelligence services can collect data and rather than force them to use more scattered services or create their own clones, it’ll be out in the open.
It just smacks of Lieberman’s history of tortured logic where “if bad people do bad things and put them on the internet… lets regulate the internet”
hey. is this China or is this America?
The liberals are so dense that they see no difference between China and America. To them, a private company choosing not to host terrorist videos is the same as a government filtering the entire internet of the country for words like “democracy” and “freedom” and punishing dissent by force.
What? Whose guidelines? Google’s or You Tube’s? Come on, Don…
@Dealyzer
come on man…the point of the article isn’t about that all…
still laughing ….
wow guys… you really want to watch terrorists on youtube that badly?
and why the hell did everyone throw israel into the mix on this one? I’m pretty sure the mossad can find the terrorists without watching their propaganda videos on youtube.
i could care less about terrorist as they have many other avenues besides youtude.
my problem is some azzhole from the government acting as though he’s protecting you when he isn’t. what is it that you don’t get about a meaningless pr stunt?
I read this article as being more sarcasm, as if the terrorists can’t – as @Andrei said above – figure out how to use another video site. Unless they think everyone who’s recruited by Al Queda was turned on by a YouTube video.
Thank you, I thought I was going to have to explain that myself.
It would be sarcasm, if arrington was not head of mossad’s tech espionage ops in America.
It’s called freedom of speech in America, also known as the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.
I don’t agree with everything you say or believe, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
The true patriot will defend everyone’s rights whether they believe in them or not.
As we can see, Lieberman is not a patriot.
YouTube (Google) is a company that also has the right to regulate content if they’d like.
John D., you hit the nail on the head.
Well this is interesting… first time we’ve heard of it. At least he’s doing something good these days…
Who is Liberman?
Not this time. Not this election. Not this year.
Obama/ Biden ‘08
THIS SMERKING LITTLE KICK SHOULD BE SHIPPED BACK TO ISRAEL – WHAT A FUCKING HYPOCRITE JERK OFF LIEBERMAN IS. BURN SOME BOOKS TOO WHILE YOUR AT IT. GOD SAVE AMERICA FROM ISRAELI AGENTS POSING AS US CITIZENS.
KIKE NOT KICK – KICK THE KIKE BACK TO ISRAEL
I love TechCrunch but boy is the author of this article one arrogant, ignorant snob.
I am sure however you have no issue with the fact that the one thing that was censored on YouTube was Conservative videos by very credible journalists. Isn’t it great when kids can make almost $1 billion by living in this great country but are “so superior” they can use their wealth and influence to promote the interests of those who seek to murder Western Civilization?
The author of this blog should be ashamed of himself for this post.
The paradox of a free society is that freedom brings with it the ability to destroy the society where freedom is espoused. Many philosophers and social thinkers such as Karl Marx have predicted that the west will die from within. It is commonly believed that Wagner’s masterpiece Die Gotterdammering (Twilight of the Gods) refers to the death of western civilization, as the gods destroy themselves through infighting and jealousy. Or more simply put “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…”
If people are upset over this issue with Lieberman they should be upset with some of the actions Youtube has taken on their own. Like I mentioned earlier Youtube has removed pro-life videos in the past… and not the ones with graphic images mind you. True, Youtube can decide what content to remove, but they also have a responsibility to remain neutral on political and social issues… don’t you think? If they are going to choose sides on politics and social issues they should at least be clear about it.
Lieberman is not only a traitor to the Democratic Party, he is a traitor to America. Don’t believe a word of what he says. He is a monster and, IMO, a nut! Anyone that would back Bush and McBush (McCain), needs to have their heads examined.
Now he thinks Sarah Palin is the hottest ticket. God help us if she gets in. Have you seen the list of books she tried to get banned while she was a mayor in Alaska? Real nasty books too – like “My Friend Flicka”, “Huckleberry Finn”, all of the Harry Potter books, all of the Stephen King novels, “Of Mice and Men”, “Tarzan of the Apes”, and many, many more. Fortunately she did NOT succeed.
If something happens to McCain, she will become President. She could use Executive Authority and have these books banned. If someone in her spy network caught you reading or possessing one of these books, you could go to prison. Just think about that.
This woman is dangerous, has no experience, is Pro-Life (believes no abortion should take place EVEN if the woman is raped, a victim of incest, or if the mother’s life is at stake!!!) And McCain… he’s no “war hero” – he is a coward. Real heroes don’t brag (constantly) about their POW status! He is a fraud and dumb as dirt – he graduated (just barely) from the U. S. Naval Academy #894 in a class of 899.
Vote for smart people: Obama and Biden. The only real choice for people with working brains!
Lieberman is a total idiot that is full of himself. This is yet another stupid political move that is designed to show-off himself, get cheap publicity, rather than solving any problem.
He was the reason why Bush won the Florida recount. And now he is helping Mccain for “Change”. Give me a big frigging break.
If he truly loves this country, then he should just retire and stop doing harm to this country.
By the way YouTube has been called AllahTube for a reason, its ProTerrorist policies while banning anything anti-terror by calling it ant-Muslim.
I never remeber a video being removed for being anti-Christian. The problem as it obvious from the posts is there way too many “terror sympathizer” in the tech crowd. Last time I checked even the peace loving Buddhist in Thailand, the Africans in Darfur, and Hindus in Bangladesh have terrorism problems.
Calling it free speech issue simply displays individuals pro-terror or Islamist mindset.
Wow. Nice job, TechCrunch, turning Lieberman’s fight against terrorism on the web into a joke.
You guys think these videos are harmless? These videos not only instruct, but inspire. YouTube is the most popular video site on the web, so if the videos don’t appear there, it’s one less place that terrorists-to-be can find them.
It’s amazing how some of you are so obsessed with your liberal doctrine that you can’t see that the people they’re learning to kill in those videos are you, the big Satan. And no, they won’t stop to ask you if you sought to protect their “right” to learn to kill on YouTube before attacking. As long as you are not a Moslem, you are an infidel.
And for those of you who need information for “research projects” on terrorism, as one of you suggested, I highly recommend the film Fitna. It’ll give you a good idea of what happens when terrorist training succeeds.
and… who cares what he says??
http://the-anti...y.blogspot.com/
If so then remove all videos that incite use of arms
If so then remove all videos that incite use of weapons.
I never came across a terrorist training video on youtube or any other site. It worries me that someone like Mr. Lieberman will decide who is terrorist and who is not and what constitute a training video and what does not. To him, maybe, being anti Israel is terrorist! I don’t know. As Americans we need to stop pushing the rest of the world into a corner, you know what happens when you do that.