Meet the founding fathers of jihad

March 19, 2015

WRITER

This research was compiled by researchers of The Glenn Beck Program.

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Before the 1930’s Muslims and Jews had a much different relationship. Jews moving back to their ancestral homeland was actually looked upon favorably to many Arab leaders. That began to change in the early 1930’s. Egypt was in the middle of severe economic hardship. A man named Hassan al-Banna began to teach that reason for their suffering was because of 2 things: western influence and…..the Jews. Al-Banna was more than just an agitator. His skills as a teacher and community organizer rallied hundreds of muslims to his cause. The Muslim Brotherhood was founded on a platform of hate. Rejecting western influence, establishing the caliphate, and death in jihad for Allah was the message.

"Allah is our goal, the prophet our model, the Koran our constitution, the Jihad our path and death for the sake of Allah the loftiest of our wishes."

The Muslim Brotherhood’s radical antisemitism soon got the attention of the National Socialists in Germany. The Nazis began funding them through the German diplomatic office in Cairo. Brynjar Lia said this in his book The Society of the Muslim Brothers in Egypt:

“Documents seized in the flat of Wilhelm Stellbogen, the Director of the German News Agency affiliated to the German Legation in Cairo, show that prior to October 1939 the Muslim Brothers received subsidies from his organisation. Stellbogen was instrumental in transferring these funds to the Brothers, which were considerably larger than the subsidies offered to other anti-British activists. These transfers appear to have been coordinated by Haj Amin el-Husseini and some of his Palestinian contacts in Cairo.”

Zionism in the 1920’s had the effect of focusing al-Banna and the Muslim Brotherhood’s cause. They would find a like minded ally in The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Amin al-Husseini.

Amin al-Husseini was fiercely opposed to Zionism and the establishment of a national home for Jewish people in Palestine. He personally led armed revolts against Jews and organized mass riots. The British sentenced al-Husseini to ten years in prison, but he fled to trans-Jordan to evade capture.

In 1921 the British were looking to appease the Arabs so they pardoned al-Husseini of his charges and offered him the highest islamic position of the time, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. It was at this time that al-Husseini began to use his position as the Grand Mufti to infuse Islam with fierce antisemitism. He made allegations that Jews were conspiring to attack the Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Muslim sites in Jerusalem. This escalated tensions further leading to riots were hundreds were killed and beaten.

In 1933, al-Husseini initiated contact with the German delegation in Jerusalem. The purpose of the meeting was to request the help of the Nazis in eliminating the Jewish threat from Palestine. What was his offer in return? “A pan-Islamic jihad” that would be in alliance with Hitler against Jews around the world.

“The Muslims inside and outside Palestine welcome the new regime of Germany and hope for the extension of the fascist anti-democratic, governmental system to other countries.”

The Grand Mufti Of Jerusalem Amin al-Husseini

The Mufti, inspired by the Hitler Youth, set of what he called the “Nazi Scouts” in an effort to bring Nazi Germany to the Middle East. They even used the swastika as their symbol. The Mufti traveled to Egypt meeting with the Muslim Brotherhood and other locations throughout the Middle East setting up similar groups. The head of the Hitler Youth, Baldur von Schirach, did the same. Funneling German funds into the Middle East, von Schirach established the “Arab Club” in Damascus specifically to train recruits for the Mufti’s insurgency.

During this time al-Husseini continued to use his position as Grand Mufti to infuze Islam with fierce anti-Zionism. If anyone rejected these notions he would publicly ridicule them during public speeches. He founded the World Islamic Congress in addition to numerous other radical groups all across the Middle East. The most famous of these may be Izz al-Din al-Qassam’s group the “Black Hand”. Al-Qassam would later be the namesake for Hamas’ suicide bombers...the Qassam Brigades. The Mufti supplied them all with arms and weapons.

The culmination of this all was the Arab uprising in 1936. Arab militants attacked a Jewish truck convoy killing 2 Jews. A Jewish paramilitary group retaliated killing 2 Arabs. This set off the revolt. The Mufti formed a group called the Arab High Command that called for Arabs to strike back at Jews and Jewish businesses. Thousands of Jews were displaced and their farms and businesses were burned.

The British Government quickly moved in to put down the revolt. The Mufti was blamed for inciting the entire thing. He fled to Lebanon where he used Nazi funds to instigate another Arab revolt from 1937 to 1939. From Lebanon he went to Iraq where he continued to use his German connections to further antisemitism. He was one of the main supporters of the Al--Muthanna Club a pan-Arab fascist society. They, along with German ambassador Fritz Grobba developed programs to radicalize the Islamic youth modeled after the Hitler Youth.

After a failed coup attempt in Iraq al-Husseini was forced to flee yet again. This time European fascists intervened more directly. Italian MIlitary Intelligence (Servizio Informazioni Militari) smuggled the Mufti out of Iraq and into Italy.

The Mufti arrived in Rome on October 10th 1941.Just 2 weeks later he would be in meetings with Mussolini. The topic was for Axis support of an Arab nation that included Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Transjordan. The homeland for the Jews was to be destroyed. The Jews living there...exterminated.

Al-Husseini’s proposals were accepted by the Italian foreign ministry. The Mufti was sent to Berlin to discuss his terms with Adolf Hitler himself.

Hitler made it very clear to the Mufti that, although he wouldn’t make a public statement, he supported Arab liberation. His eventual goal was to hunt down the Jews that resided in Palestine under British protection. After that, Palestine was for the Arabs.

Al-Husseini stayed on in Germany throughout the war. There he would learn radical antisemitism from those that perfected it...Hitler and the Nazis.

The Mufti wrote this in his memoirs regarding his relationship with the Nazis:

"Our fundamental condition for cooperating with Germany was a free hand to eradicate every last Jew from Palestine and the Arab world. I asked Hitler for an explicit undertaking to allow us to solve the Jewish problem in a manner befitting our national and racial aspirations and according to the scientific methods innovated by Germany in the handling of its Jews." The answer I got from the Fuehrer was: 'The Jews are yours."

The Mufti collaborated with men like Adolf Eichman (orchestrator of the holocaust) and Heinrich Himmler (head of the SS). He was taken on tours of German concentration camps. Knowing full well of Hitler’s “Final Solution” al-Husseini deliberately persuaded European leaders not to send their Jews to the national home set up in Palestine. Where did he want them sent? To Poland...Auschwitz.

To the Hungarian foreign minister:

"I ask your Excellency to permit me to draw your attention to the necessity of preventing the Jews from leaving your country for Palestine, and if there are reasons which make their removal necessary, it would be indispensable and infinitely preferable to send them to other countries where they would find themselves under active control, for example, in Poland, thus avoiding danger and preventing damage."

In 1943 Heinrich Himmler took the Mufti completely under his wing. He asked al-Husseini to help in the creation of a Bosnian SS unit. After Bosnian Muslim clerics preached out against joining with the Nazis, he personally travelled to Sarajevo to throw the weight of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem in favor of Hitler.

"The active cooperation of the world's 400 million Muslims with their loyal friends, the German, can be of decisive influence upon the outcome of the war. You, my Bosnian Muslims, are the first Islamic division and serve as an example of the active collaboration....My enemy's enemy is my friend."

For his help in exterminating the Jews while with the SS Heinrich Himmler wrote the Mufti this letter of appreciation (telegram):

"To the Grand Mufti: The National Socialist movement of Greater Germany has, since its inception, inscribed upon its flag the fight against the world Jewry. It has therefore followed with particular sympathy the struggle of freedom-loving Arabs, especially in Palestine, against Jewish interlopers. In the recognition of this enemy and of the common struggle against it lies the firm foundation of the natural alliance that exists between the National Socialist Greater Germany and the freedom-loving Muslims of the whole world. In this spirit I am sending you on the anniversary of the infamous Balfour declaration my hearty greetings and wishes for the successful pursuit of your struggle until the final victory. Signed: Reichsfuehrer S.S. Heinrich Himmler"

Today you might notice that radical Islamic ideology sounds the same all over the world. Whether it come from Syria or Iran...Sunni or Shia. That’s because they all had the same teacher.

In 1940’s era Middle East one of the most popular things to do was to listen to radio broadcasts while at cafe’s, restaurants and public squares. Tuning in every day were thousands and thousands of Muslims all listening to a radio show broadcast from a radio tower in Zeesen, Germany. The station’s star became the most famous man in the Arab world at the time...The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Amin al-Husseini. In between Arabic music and recitations from the Koran, the Mufti mixed in anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda. Besides Hitler, no one else at the time promoted antisemitism and anti western ideology like the Mufti did. It was via the Zeesen radio transmitter that the Mufti helped to transform Islamism into the radical forms we see today. Al-Husseini skillfully blended the words of the Koran with the ideology of the National Socialists in Germany. Fierce anti-semitism, strong opposition and rejection of the western world, and a longing to create a radical authoritarian government that for them was a Sharia dominated Caliphate.

With Zeesen radio providing the inspiration and the Muslim Brotherhood’s community organizing radical Islam spread like wildfire. Muslim Brotherhood numbers went from around 1,000 just before the Arab uprising in Palestine in 1936 to hundreds of thousands by the end of WW2. When WW2 ended the Mufti attempted to flee to Switzerland but was caught and arrested by the French. They transported him to Paris and placed him under house arrest. The French, in order to improve their status in the Middle East, eventually decided to grant the Mufti amnesty and send him to Egypt. A known war criminal that led SS units, campaigned to send Jews to Auschwitz, and the head of their propaganda to the Middle East. Despite all that and multiple requests to extradite him to try him for war crimes he was still sent to Egypt.

European Nazi fascism had effectively been defeated in Europe but had now been exported to the Middle East. It should now seem obvious that it’s no coincidence how the rise of National Socialism in Europe occurred parallel with the rise of radical Islam in the early 1930’s. The Mufti’s escape to Egypt uniting him with the base of the Muslim Brotherhood sealed the deal.

The Mufti and the Muslim Brotherhood would continue to export Islamic extremism all over the Middle East.

The messages of al-Banna and Husseini influenced all the major names and groups associated with radical Islam and jihadists to this day.

Before the clerical regime of Iran took power in the Iranian Revolution in 1979 their leader, the Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was an avid listener of Zeesen Radio and a follower of Hassan al-Banna’s teachings. Khomeini was heavily influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood and translated all the works of Sayyid Qutb (Muslim Brotherhood leadership) into Persian. The modern day nation of Iran was founded on the antisemitic and jihadist principles of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Mufti Amin al-Husseini.

The Mufti’s cousin, Yasser Arafat, would become the head of the PLO.

The Muslim Brotherhood off shoot Hamas would be co founded by fellow MB member Abdullah Azzam.

Azzam moved to Jordan after the 6 Day War in 1967 where he led paramilitary attacks against Israel.

Azzam was also a professor on Sharia at the University of Jordan but was later deposed due to his radical teachings.

He took a position teaching Sharia at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

It was there that he met a young Osama bin Laden.

Bin Laden had the funds to go along with Azzam’s radical Muslim Brotherhood ideology. Together they traveled to Afghanistan to help fight the Soviet Union. After the Soviet Union was defeated and retreated Azzam and Bin Laden stayed in Afghanistan. Their goal was to train fighters that would eventually go back to Palestine and fight the Israelis.

They called their group Al-qaeda.

Modern day jihadism was born, but had its ethos changed much from the 30’s and 40’s?

No.

The current leader and “Supreme Guide” of the the Muslim Brotherhood summed it up pretty nicely:

“The Jews have dominated the land, spread corruption on earth, spilled the blood of believers and in their actions profaned holy places. Zionists only understand the language of force and will not relent without duress. This will happen only through holy jihad.”

Nothing has changed.

In 2002 the state controlled Egyptian newspaper Al-Akhbar made this comment:

“The entire matter [the Holocaust], as many French and British scientists and researchers have proven, is nothing more than a huge Israeli plot aimed at extorting the German government in particular and the European countries in general. But I, personally and in light of this imaginary tale, complain to Hitler, even saying to him from the bottom of my heart, "If only you had done it, brother, if only it had really happened, so that the world could sigh in relief [without] their evil and sin.”

And this anti-Semetic and anti-western ideology is spreading. Alfred Rosenberg, the head of the Nazi Party's foreign policy department, made this strikingly accurate prediction in 1938:

"The longer the fire continues to burn in Palestine, the stronger becomes the resistance to the Jewish regime of violence in all the Arab states and beyond that in the other Muslim countries too."

Modern day jihadists are using the same playbook, the same ideology, and the same propaganda used and taught by Nazi Germany. Not only is it “becoming stronger” as Rosenberg predicted but it’s also evolving. Al-Qaeda brought jihad global on an entirely new scale. The goal initially was this:

“We shall continue the jihad no matter how long the way, until the last breath and the last beat of the pulse - or until we see the Islamic state established.”

The evolution of radical Islam took another jump when a branch of al qaeda decided that the last portion of their mission statement should happen sooner rather than later. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Al qaeda’s affiliate in Iraq, publically announced their split from Al qaeda and established the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham. ISIS was born.

On June 28th, 2014 al-Baghdadi made it official. The Islamic State Caliphate was established. The dream that was kick started in the 30’s by men like al-Banna and the Mufti, progressed by Azzam and Bin Laden, was now a reality under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

This evolution places significant interest on the end times.

The re-establishment of the Caliphate legitimized portions of the Koran that up until June 28th, 2014 weren’t relevant. According to Islamic teaching there will be a total of 12 legitimate caliphs. The 12th will be the last and will take Muslims to the final battle in Jerusalem. This will be the end of the world. Al-Baghdadi is now the 8th legitimate caliph. For them, it’s only a matter of time before the “armies of Rome” (the west) descend on the town of Dabiq and are conquered in a massive battle. After that an anti-Messiah will arise from the Khorosan area (Eastern Iran) and beat the caliphate all the way back to Jerusalem, initiating the end of the world.

So what does this mean?

The Islamic State is attempting to purify the world before the final battle. To do that they’re willing to call anyone that doesn’t convert and pledge allegiance to the caliph an apostate. That carries with it a death sentence. This includes other Muslims. This is a significant evolution and divergence from modern day jihadism. Not even Al qaeda was willing to go that far. They believed they were preparing for the days leading up to the re-establishment of the Caliphate. ISIS has declared that the caliphate has returned and it’s time to prepare for the next stage….the end.

How California leadership is to blame for HORRIFIC wildfires

PATRICK T. FALLON / Contributor | Getty Images

California's progressive policies emphasize ideology over lifesaving solutions. The destruction will persist until voters hold their elected officials accountable.

America is no stranger to natural disasters. But it’s not the fires, floods, or earthquakes that are the most devastating — it’s the repeated failures to learn from them, prevent them, and take responsibility for the damage.

My heart goes out to the families who have lost homes, cherished memories, and livelihoods. But if we’re going to help California rebuild and prevent future disasters, we need to confront some uncomfortable truths about leadership, responsibility, and priorities.

California — ironically, in the name of environmentalism — continues to ignore solutions that would protect both the environment and its residents.

While Californians continue to face heart-wrenching losses, those who have the power to enact change are mired in bureaucracy, regulation, and ideologies that do nothing to protect lives or preserve the land. The result? A state that keeps burning, year after year.

Where did all the water go?

We all know that water is essential to life. When NASA searches for signs of life on other planets, it looks for water. Yet, California has spent decades neglecting its water infrastructure. The state hasn’t built a new major reservoir since 1979 — over 40 years ago. Back then, California’s population was roughly half what it is today. Despite massive population growth, the state’s water storage capacity has remained frozen in time, woefully inadequate for current needs.

Moreover, billions of gallons of rainwater flow straight into the ocean every year because no infrastructure exists to capture and store it. Imagine how different things could be if California had built reservoirs, aqueducts, and desalination plants to secure water for its dry seasons.

Water is life, but the state’s failure to prioritize this essential resource has put lives and ecosystems at risk.

Misplaced priorities and critical leadership failure

This neglect of critical infrastructure is part of a larger failure of vision, and in California, the consequences of that failure are on full display.

Consider the progressive leadership in Los Angeles, where the mayor cut the fire department’s budget to fund programs for the homeless, funneling money to NGOs with little oversight. While helping the homeless is a worthy cause, it cannot come at the expense of protecting lives and property from catastrophic fires. Leadership must put safety and well-being over political agendas, and that’s not happening in Los Angeles.

The same misplaced priorities extend to environmental policies. Progressive leaders have blocked sensible forest management practices, prioritizing dead trees over living creatures. They reject controlled burns, forest thinning, and other commonsense measures, bowing to the demands of activists rather than considering real solutions that would protect those they govern.

California’s wildfire crisis is, in many ways, a man-made disaster. Yes, factors like Southern California’s dry climate, strong Santa Ana winds, and little rain play a role, but the biggest contributing factor is poor land management.

The forests are choked with dry brush, dead trees, and vegetation that turn every spark into a potential inferno. The crisis could have been mitigated — if only the state had made forest management and fire prevention a higher priority.

Finland and Sweden, for example, understand the importance of maintaining healthy forests. These countries have perfected the art of clearing underbrush and thinning trees sustainably, turning potential fire fuel into biomass energy. This approach not only reduces the risk of wildfires, but it also creates jobs, boosts the economy, and improves the ecosystem. And yet, California — ironically, in the name of environmentalism — continues to ignore these solutions that would protect both the environment and its residents.

We need to stop pretending that something as devastating as the Palisades and Eaton fires are just “part of life” and hold leaders accountable.

Insurance rules put California residents at risk

California faces another major and often overlooked liability when it comes to natural disasters: insurance.

California’s ongoing disasters make the state an uninsurable risk. Insurance companies are pulling out because the odds of widespread devastation are just too high. This creates a vicious cycle: With private insurers gone, the government steps in to subsidize high-risk areas. This enables people to rebuild in fire-prone zones, perpetuating the destruction. The solution isn’t more government intervention; it’s better decision-making.

This doesn’t mean abandoning people to their fate, but we must address the root of the problem: California’s inadequate disaster preparedness and poor land management. If the state continues to resist commonsense solutions like forest thinning, controlled burns, and better zoning laws, no amount of insurance or government assistance will ever be enough to mitigate the losses. The cycle will repeat until the costs — financial and human — become unbearable. It’s time to stop pretending the risk isn’t real and start making decisions that reflect the reality of California’s landscape.

What’s the solution? California’s government needs to put its people over harmful political agendas that put its residents at risk. Start by managing your forests. Implement controlled burns, remove dead trees, and clear underbrush.

But how you vote matters. California’s progressive policies have focused on political correctness and ideology instead of practical, lifesaving solutions. Until voters hold leaders accountable, the cycle of destruction will persist.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on TheBlaze.com.

Crazy enough to be true? The connection between the Cybertruck bomber and cryptic drones

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Not knowing — and not being told — fuels distrust and speculation.

A chilling story has emerged: A whistleblower, claiming to possess knowledge of advanced military technologies and covert operations, took his own life in a shocking explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. He left behind a manifesto filled with claims so extraordinary they sound like science fiction. Yet if even a fraction of them prove true, the implications are staggering and demand immediate attention.

This whistleblower alleges that the United States and China developed “gravitic propulsion systems,” technologies that manipulate gravity itself to enable silent, undetectable flight at unimaginable speeds. According to his claims, these systems are not theoretical — they are operational, deployed both in the United States and China. If true, this would render conventional defense systems obsolete, fundamentally altering the global balance of power.

America’s founders warned us about unchecked government power. Today, their warnings feel more relevant than ever.

Imagine aircraft that defy radar, heat signatures, and missile defense systems. They carry massive payloads, conduct surveillance, and operate without a sound. If such technologies exist, they pose a national security threat unlike any we’ve faced.

But why haven’t we been told? If these claims are false, they must be debunked transparently. If true, the public has a right to know how such technologies are being used and safeguarded.

The whistleblower’s manifesto goes farther, claiming that with this technology, the United States and China developed and deployed the infamous drones that were seen across the United States starting late last year. He alleged that China launched them from submarines along the U.S. East Coast, calling them “the most dangerous threat to national security” because of their stealth, ability to evade detection, and unlimited payload capacity. He ties this advanced technology to other surveillance systems, creating a network so advanced it makes our current intelligence capabilities look primitive.

These claims may sound far-fetched, but they highlight a deeper issue: the cost of government secrecy. Not knowing — and not being told — fuels distrust and speculation. Without transparency, these incidents dangerously erode public confidence in our leaders and institutions.

The cost of secrecy

Beyond technology, the manifesto also alleges moral failures, including war crimes and deliberate cover-ups during U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan. In one particularly harrowing claim, the whistleblower describes attacks in Afghanistan’s Nimroz Province in 2019. He alleges that 125 buildings were targeted, with 65 struck, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths in a single day. Even after civilians were spotted, he claims, the strikes continued knowingly and deliberately.

The United Nations investigated similar incidents and confirmed civilian casualties during these operations. However, the whistleblower’s accusations go farther, implicating high-ranking officials, the Department of Defense, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Central Intelligence Agency, and even top military generals in a broader pattern of deceit, eroding the moral integrity of our military and government.

Whether these specific claims hold up, they underscore a larger issue: Secrecy breeds corruption. When people in power hide their actions and evade accountability, they break trust — and everyone pays the price, not just those at the top but also the citizens and soldiers they serve.

Transparency is an imperative

America’s founders warned us about unchecked government power. Today, their warnings feel more relevant than ever. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the Capitol riot on January 6 to the potential misuse of advanced technologies, the American people have been kept in the dark for too long.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and sunlight is coming. Transparency must become our rallying cry. As we look to the future, we must demand accountability — not just from those we oppose politically but from all leaders entrusted with power. This isn’t about partisanship; it’s about preserving our nation from self-destruction.

As we enter a new chapter in our nation’s history, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whether it’s uncovering the truth about advanced technology, holding perpetrators of corruption accountable, or seeking justice for war crimes, we must act. This isn’t just a call to action — it’s a moral imperative.

Our strength lies in our unity and our resolve. The powerful fear an informed and vocal citizenry. Let’s prove them right. By demanding transparency and accountability, we can restore trust and ensure that the government serves the people — not the other way around.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on TheBlaze.com.

Has Zuckerberg REALLY changed?

Mark Zuckerberg's recent announcement to lift content moderation policies across all of Meta's platforms and end the company's reliance on third-party fact-checkers, at first glance, is an incredible left turn given the platform's long-term participation in online censorship. However, does their shift signal a genuine change of heart, or are there more selfish motivations at play?

On the Glenn Beck Program, Glenn and Stu looked at both perspectives. On the one hand, Zuckerberg's announcement, adding UFC President and avid Trump supporter Dana White to Meta's board of directors indicates major progress in America's pushback against online censorship. However, Glenn also posited that Zuckerberg's intentions are chiefly to win the good graces of the incoming Trump administration in order to maintain Meta's controversial work in virtual and augmented reality technologies (VR/AR).

There is evidence for both perspectives, and we lay it all out for you below:

Did Zuck have a genuine change of heart?

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Zuckerberg’s bombshell announcement, at face value, suggests that Meta recognizes the greater demand for free speech on online platforms and growing discontent against content moderation that has censored non-mainstream political opinions, including Glenn and Blaze Media. Zuckerberg described this shift as an authentic attempt to return to the company’s roots of promoting free expression, acknowledging past mistakes in suppressing voices and content deemed politically controversial. Moreover, Meta's new adoption of community-driven content flags similar to X positions itself as a platform that values user input rather than the biased perspective of any single third-party "fact-checker."

Additionally, Zuckerberg’s evolving views on Donald Trump strengthen the argument that his "change of heart" is genuine. Before the 2024 election, Zuckerberg expressed admiration for Trump, even calling him a "badass" after the first assassination attempt, noting how the event changed his perspective on the then-presidential candidate. Moreover, his embrace of new board members, such as UFC President Dana White, a staunch Trump supporter, further suggests that Meta may be diversifying its leadership and welcoming a more inclusive approach to varied political opinions. In this context, Meta’s move away from fact-checking can be interpreted as a commitment to fostering an environment where free speech and diverse political perspectives are genuinely valued.

Or is it about self-preservation?

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While it is tempting to view Meta’s policy change as a sincere commitment to free speech, there is also a compelling argument that the company’s motivations are rooted in self-preservation. Glenn suggested Meta’s financial interests, particularly in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies, indicate its pivot may be less about principle and more about ensuring continued government contracts and capital flow. Zuckerberg’s significant investments in VR/AR technology, which has already cost the company billions, may be driving his need to align Meta’s policies with the political climate to safeguard future funding from both the government and private sectors.

Moreover, the company’s financial projections for the coming years show a sharp increase in advertising revenue, driven primarily by Facebook’s dominance in social media. This revenue helps sustain Meta’s ambitions in the VR/AR space, where it faces significant losses. The government’s involvement in funding military and tech projects tied to VR/AR underscores the importance of maintaining favorable political relationships. For these reasons, many view Zuckerberg's policy change as an attempt to position Meta for maximum political and financial benefit.

POLL: Is GLOBAL WARMING responsible for the fires in L.A.?

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As wildfires sweep across California and threaten to swallow up entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles, one question is on everyone's mind: What went wrong?

So far over 45 square miles of the city have been scorched, while the intense smoke is choking out the rest of L.A. Thousands of structures, including many family homes, have been destroyed, and many more are at risk as firefighters battle the flames. Many on the left, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have been quick to point to climate change as the cause of the devastating fires, citing the chronic lack of rain in L.A.

Others, including Glenn, have pointed out another potential cause: the severe mismanagement of the forests and water supply of Los Angeles and California in general. Unlike many other states and most other forested countries, California does not clear out the dead trees and dry vegetation that builds up on the forest floor and acts as kindling, fueling the fire as it whips through the trees.

On top of this, California has neglected its water supply for decades despite its crucial role in combating fires. The state of California has not built a new major water reservoir to store and capture water since the 1970s, leading to repeat water shortages in Southern California. To top it off, Gavin Newsom personally derailed a 2020 Trump order to divert water from areas of the state with excess water to parched Southern California. Why? To save an already functionally extinct fish. Now firefighters in L.A. are running out of water as the city is engulfed in flames. At least the fish are okay...

But what do you think? Are the wildfires a product of years of mismanagement? Or a symptom of a changing climate? Let us know in the poll below:

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