this post was submitted on 12 May 2025
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Hasan Piker detained at the border and questioned for hours over politics (www.usermag.co)
submitted 3 days ago by Domino@lemmings.world to c/world@quokk.au
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Hasan Piker, the biggest progressive political streamer in America, was detained by Customs and Border Protection for hours of questioning upon returning to the U.S. from a trip to France this weekend. Piker posted about the incident on X and later talked about it on stream.

He was detained in Chiago and questioned for two hours about protected journalistic activities like who he’s interviewed and his political beliefs. He was asked whether or not he’d interviewed Hamas, Houthis, or Hezbollah members. He was questioned about his opinions on Trump and Israel and asked about his history of bans on Twitch. His phone and laptop were not confiscated.

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[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I don't view it any differently to someone saying they have "no issue with America". America has done unimaginable crimes against humanity, far worse than Hezbollah, but I suspect you give them more leeway; That's the real hypernormalisation.

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org -1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Hezbollah have only one reason for existing: terrorism.

USA is guilty of its own terrorism but that is not the reason for its existence.

That documentary doesn't give anyone a free pass. If you have not heard of Adam Curtis, you are in for a treat.

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Hezbollah's 1985 manifesto outlined its key objectives, which include expelling Western influence from the region, destroying Israel, pledging allegiance to Iran's supreme leader, and establishing an Islamic government influenced by Iran's political ideology. However, the manifesto also emphasized Lebanese self-determination.

[…]

In 2009, Hezbollah updated their manifesto to oppose political sectarianism, appeal to non-Islamic movements, and promote a national unity government. The updated manifesto has the same basic approach to foreign policy, emphasizing the hegemonic strategies of the US and Israel's role in the region as a forward base for colonizing the region.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah

That’s a cartoon level of motivation, to say that they only exist to terrorise is clearly not the case.

Or is Wikipedia promoting terrorism?

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Each of those goals are pursued by means of terrorism.

There were people pursuing those goals before Hezbollah existed. AFAIK they merely added the tool of terrorism.

Am not an expert in this field. If someone is and can take us deeper I would appreciate it.

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Not all armed resistance is terrorism. The world is not so black and white.

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Except when it literally is suicide attacks on civilians as innovated by Hezbollah That is pretty black and white.

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

You said that terrorism is their only reasons for existing, it’s clearly not as I’ve already demonstrated.

If they invented suicide bombing or drone bombing, I don’t give a shit. It doesn’t change the fact that they are very clearly more than simply “terrorism” as you believe.

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Terrorism is always for a purpose. You listed several purposes, all of which are pursued via terrorism.

They only exist because of their willingness to use terrorism.

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

An attack on an IDF military base is not terrorism for instance.

You are being completely dishonest here as far as I’m concerned.

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

One example. I already revealed another example: The first suicide attacks were on US military occupying Lebanon .

That is two examples vs countless suicide attacks on civilians and daily rocket attacks which were not military targeted, starting the day after Oct 7 (ie before Israel even retaliated).

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I can give you thousands of examples of US indiscriminate bombings on civilians in the Middle East, will you start to say America is a terrorist state?

Shock and Awe is a terror strategy designed to frighten the public with extreme displays of violence.

Collateral Damage is a term invented to normalise American killings of innocent civilians.

And finally Israel didn’t retaliate, Israel started it a century ago.

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org 1 points 1 day ago

Firstly, you really ought to see that documentary. I repeat: America is not given a free pass.

And finally Israel didn’t retaliate, Israel started it a century ago.

That is arguable however...

The practical starting point is that neither Jews nor Arabs are leaving the Levant. The Gazans' inability to accept this is why the conflict continues.

The West Bank, however, I admit has seen Israeli expansionism regardless of Arab terrorism. Obama disappointed me greatly there.