After Going Viral on TikTok, the Guardian Removes Bin Laden’s “Letter to America,” Israel and “Audience Capture,” & Following Our Interview, Hotels Refuse to Serve Roger Waters | SYSTEM UPDATE #183
Nov 17, 2023
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Musician and activist, Roger Waters, discusses the Guardian's removal of Bin Laden's “Letter to America” and the consequences of criticizing Israel. The podcast also explores the motivations behind the 9/11 attacks, the concept of blowback, and the audience reaction to coverage of the Israel-Gaza war.
The suppression of historical documents limits public understanding of US foreign policies and their impact on anti-American sentiment.
Audience capture compromises the integrity of journalism, hindering open and honest discussions of important issues.
The pressure campaign against Roger Waters highlights the dangers of targeting individuals with controversial views and suppressing dissenting opinions.
Understanding the motives behind terrorist attacks requires examining all available evidence and avoiding simplistic explanations.
Deep dives
The Narrative of 'They Hate Us for Our Freedom'
After the 9-11 attack, the narrative emerged that Muslims hated the United States for its freedom. However, this simplistic and propagandistic explanation failed to acknowledge the deeper reasons behind anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world. Osama bin Laden, in his 2002 letter to Americans, pointed out specific US policies that fueled resentment, including the sanctions on Iraq, US military presence in Saudi Arabia, and support for Israel's actions against Palestinians. The media and government suppressed this letter, preventing Americans from understanding the root causes of the attack.
The Dangers of Audience Capture in Media
Audience capture, the pressure to cater to the beliefs and preferences of one's audience, is a concerning phenomenon seen in both independent and corporate media. Many journalists, fearful of losing viewers or subscribers, shy away from reporting or taking positions that could disagree with their audience's preconceived notions. This phenomenon can be corrupting and compromises the integrity of journalism, hindering the open and honest discussion of important issues.
Censorship and Pressure Campaigns
The pressure campaign against musician Roger Waters for his statements on the Israeli-Gaza conflict highlights the dangers of targeting individuals with controversial views. While some may celebrate the denial of services to Waters, it raises broader implications for anyone holding dissenting opinions. The incident serves as a reminder of the targeting of anti-establishment voices, regardless of the potential irony involved.
The Suppression of Historical Documents
The recent removal of Osama bin Laden's 2002 letter to Americans from The Guardian's website illustrates a troubling trend in suppressing historical documents. The letter, which provided insight into the grievances of people in the Muslim world, was gaining traction on platforms like TikTok. The removal of such documents limits public understanding and hampers discussions surrounding US foreign policies and their impact on anti-American sentiment.
Criticism of US foreign policy and motives for terrorist attacks
During the podcast episode, the speaker discusses the motivations behind terrorist attacks and criticizes US foreign policy. The speaker emphasizes that many terrorists, including the individuals responsible for the Pulse nightclub attack and the attempted Times Square bombing, were driven by grievances against US military actions in the Middle East. They argue that these individuals sought to retaliate against perceived acts of aggression and wanted the world to understand their cause.
Controversy surrounding the Pulse nightclub attack
The podcast episode delves into the controversy surrounding the true motives behind the Pulse nightclub attack. Contrary to initial reports framing it as a hate crime against the LGBT community, evidence emerged during the trial of the attacker's wife that pointed to an alternative motive. It was revealed that the attacker's primary motivation was vengeance for US military actions in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. The speaker highlights the importance of examining all available evidence to accurately understand the motives behind such attacks.
Censorship and suppression of dissenting viewpoints
The podcast episode raises concerns about censorship and the suppression of dissenting viewpoints. The speaker points out instances where historical documents, such as an open letter written by Osama bin Laden, were removed or censored to prevent the public from gaining a deeper understanding of conflicts and their causes. The episode also discusses how pressure campaigns and censorship attempts are being used to silence political speech on platforms like TikTok, highlighting the dangers of suppressing authentic historical documents and alternative perspectives.
