The Barbarians Are Here: Two Terrorists Caught on US Soil

June 09, 2017

Contributor

Thursday the New York Times reported that a Bronx man from Lebanon documented security protocols at Kennedy International Airport in New York in preparation for potential attacks. The man, Ali Kourani, a 32-year-old naturalized citizen from Lebanon, told the F.B.I. in a series of interviews that he believed he had been recruited to join Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization as part of an effort to develop “sleepers” who lived ostensibly normal lives but could be “activated and tasked” with conducting operations, the criminal complaint said.

Erick Stakelbeck, host of The Watchmen With Erick Stakelbeck on TBN, joined The Glenn Beck Program on Friday for an update on this and another terrorist caught on U.S. soil.

Listen to this segment from The Glenn Beck Program:

MIKE: I'm happy one of my former Blaze colleagues is joining me on the phone right now, especially since we haven't covered the topics he covers enough because we've all been focused with Comey 2017. You know Eric maybe from the early days of TheBlaze and TheBlaze TV back when it was GB TV, he can was around. But now he's around at TBN and the director of Christians united Israel's Watchman project. Eric, welcome back to the program. We miss you here.

ERIC: Always great to catch you with you guys again.

MIKE: Well, you know, it's your old home. So it's one of those places if you have to go there, we have to let you in. Those are the rules.

ERIC: And I don't have to pay. It's free.

MIKE: That's good. That's true. You should follow Eric on Twitter because he's posting things that the mainstream news seems to forget about and avoid. And, you know, for people that don't know about the watch man prom that's on Friday nights, new episodes on Friday nights at 10:30, what's the elevator pitch to explain it to us?

ERIC: Yeah, you know, The Watchman is based -- four times a year, Mike, we're in Israel, we're on the ground. The elevator pitch is really the on the ground perspective from the Middle East, from the heart of it all that you're not getting here in the mainstream media. We're showing you the truth of what's going on in the Middle East. We're based in Jerusalem for a good chunk of the year and also in DC, and we're bringing not only the hot stories about the security threats, Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, Iran, that affect not only Israel but America. Affect everyone in our country. Not only that, encouraging, uplifting stories that are happening right now in the Holy Land that people aren't hearing about. So we're having a lot of fun.

MIKE: Well, the like the fact that there's uplifting information mixed in with the scary stuff because we need a little bit of that. But speaking of scary stuff, Eric. I'm following you today, and I'm happy that you're available because I said I have to talk to Eric about this. You tweeted less than an hour ago arrest of two Hezbollah operatives of U.S. soil. On U.S. soil. What's going on?

ERIC: My big deal here is everyone wants to focus on James Comey, obviously, but this is a huge deal to my mind because I believe that Hezbollah is really the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world. And they're not just a terror group. This is a terrorist military. Well trained, well funded by Iran. And, look, two Hezbollah operatives as you said right here on U.S. soil. One based in Dearborn, Michigan which has the largest Arab population in the United States. Dearborn just outside of Detroit. And another man arrested in the Bronx, New York. And, Mike, what they wanted to do were allegedly scouting out terror targets right here on U.S. soil. The one Hezbollah operative was scouting out JFK international airport in New York. Another had paid a trip to Panama, was looking at the Panama canal and looking at U.S. and Israeli targets there.

So, look, this, to me, this is a step up in what Hezbollah is doing. We know they're embroiled in the Syrian civil war. Hezbollah has a major presence there. We know they're perched on the Syrian border with some 150,000, imagine that, rockets and missiles aimed at every inch of Israel. But, yes, this shows that Hezbollah has a presence right here on American soil. And people need to know that Hezbollah has more American blood on its hands than any other terrorist organization, other than al-Qaeda. Besides al-Qaeda, it's Hezbollah that's killed more Americans than any other terror group. Look no further than the 1983 marine barracks bombings. 243 U.S. Marines killed.

MIKE: Absolutely. Eric Stakelbeck is joining us. Jeez. I got a chill when you said the Bronx man associated with Hezbollah picked up scouting JFK. And I looked at it, and I thought, you know, somebody's going to say you're just a bunch of antiMuslim conspiracy nuts. Well, the story's in The New York Times, people. The New York freaking times. It's not conspiracy. This is the real deal. We have been fortunate. Fortunate not to have the kind of attacks that the European Community has had over the last couple of weeks. Although, you know, you can look at Orlando, you can look at San Bernardino, you can look at Ohio. You can look at all of the small attacks and say we're lucky it hasn't spread any further. But if someone's looking at the Panama canal and someone's looking at JFK, guess what they're doing, people? They're looking at transportation. They're looking at shutting down significant commercial transportation, which is what the Panama canal would do if it were attacked and JFK. Can you imagine a bigger trophy than to attack an airport with the initials JFK? I'm a little nervous, Eric. I'm a little nervous today.

ERIC: I'm ruining your weekend. No, in all seriousness, though, Mike. People need to remember here that Hezbollah is -- what makes them so dangerous is that they are funded, supported, armed, and trained by Iran.

MIKE: Thank you.

ERIC: They have a state, a powerful country behind them. That's a big deal. Hezbollah was created by Iran. To this day funded, armed as I said. And, look, this shows you the true face of the Iranian regime. Right now under the Obama administration, you probably would have not heard much about these arrests, and they would have pooh-poohed it and tried to ignore it. But we hope -- we're hoping that it's a new day now with a new administration that's taking a tougher line against Iran, and I think the big picture here, Mike, is that, yes, ISIS serious threat. Absolutely. They're here. The barbarians are here. Make no mistake about it in western Europe and the U.S. to a lesser degree, but they're here.

MIKE: Well, I have to say a quick moment of thank god that the men and women of our intelligence divisions, all the different intelligence groups and our first responders are tracking these people. And unlike we saw in London where they knew about them but did nothing, we're at least watching and apprehending and hopefully continue to prevent. Eric, before I let you out of here, you and I talked about this earlier in another place. What's your take on whether or not we will get the embassy, the American embassy and Israel moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?

ERIC: Mike, great question. I think it eventually will be moved. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I and many others were disappointed when the embassy was not moved last month. I think right now that President Trump is giving a shot at number one, seeing if peace is possible between Israel and the Palestinians. Number two, I think that king Abdullah from Jordan, the visit he paid to the White House, that already had a big effect. What President Trump wants to do right now is kind of put together an Arab NATO, I guess you could call it with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the gulf states, Egypt aligned alongside Israel against Iran and ISIS. Will that work? Hopefully that works. In terms of peace between Israel and Palestinians, I think the president's going to be in for a rude awakening because the Palestinians have showed no desire for peace or Israel's right to exist. So signed a six-month waiver not to move the embassy yet. But that was a campaign promise he made time and time again, so I'm sure that the pro Israel community here in the states and the Israeli government will really be holding him to that, and I think he will eventually move it.

MIKE: Well, the Christians, the evangelicals, as well as I would hope American Jews would support this and see what happens. Tonight 10:30 on TBN. Eric has The Watchman, and you have to watch The Watchman. Thank you, my friend. Hope to see you in person soon.

ERIC: I would love to, Mike. Take care.

MIKE: He's one of the good ones. Follow him on Twitter.

Critical theory destroys truth and justice

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

Critical theory once stood out as the absurd progressive notion that it is. Now, its maxims are becoming an integral part of ordinary political discourse. The more you repeat a lie, the more you will believe it, and this is the very dangerous place in which we find ourselves today.

Take this critical theory maxim as an example: If we desire justice, we must sometimes champion what may appear superficially as injustice. It's a necessary evil, if you will, the necessity of “controlled injustice.”

By using truth through fabrication and controlled injustice for justice, we’ll save the republic. We’ll be acting in a noble way.

This definition of justice is defined by the “oppressed,” not the “oppressor.” It is the greatest happiness for the greatest number. To achieve this justice, however, we need to endorse acts on occasion that, while seemingly unjust, serve a higher purpose. It will ensure the stability and the unity of our republic, and this may manifest in ways that seem contradictory to our values. But these are the necessary shadows to cast light on “true justice.”

And isn’t that what we are all after, anyway?

Here’s another critical theory maxim: Sometimes we find the truth through fabrication. Our pursuit of truth sometimes requires a strategic use of falsehoods. The truth is a construct that has been shaped and tailored to promote the well-being of the collective.

We sometimes need to accept and propagate lies designed by "the system” — not the old system, but the system that we’re now using to replace the old to get more justice through injustice and more truth through fabrication.

We’re engaging in a higher form of honesty. When we fabricate, it’s for the right reason. We are reaching up to the heavens fighting for a higher sort of honesty. To fortify the truth, we occasionally must weave a tapestry of lies. Each thread, essential for the greater picture, will ultimately define our understanding and ensure our unity under this infallible wisdom.

The election is coming up. Does this maxim sound familiar? Many think it is imperative that we secure our republic through election control to maintain our republic. Sometimes, we might need to take actions that by traditional standards might be questionable.

The act of securing elections requires cheating. It's not mere deception. It is a noble act of safeguarding our way of life. We're on the verge of losing this democracy, and without deception, we will lose it.

To ensure it doesn't fall into the hands of those we know will destroy it, we may have to make a few fabrications. We're fabricating stories to be able to control or secure the republic through our elections. By using truth through fabrication and controlled injustice for justice, we'll save the republic. Therefore, we'll be acting in a noble way. Stealing an election from those who wish to harm our society is truly an act of valor and an essential measure to protect our values and ensure the continuation of our just society.

If we desire justice, we must sometimes champion what may appear superficially as injustice.

I know it's a paradox of honor through dishonor. But in this context, by embracing the dishonor, we achieve the highest form of honor, ensuring the stability and the continuation of our great republic.

Let this be heard, far and wide, as a great call to patriotic action. As we advance, let each of us, citizens of this great and honorable republic, consider these principles. Not as abstract or paradoxical but as practical guides to daily life. Embrace the necessity of controlled injustice, the utility of lies, the duty to secure our electoral process, and the honor and apparent dishonor. These are not merely strategies for survival. They are prerequisites for our prosperity.

We all have to remember that justice is what our leaders define, that truth is what our party tells us. Our republic stands strong on the values of injustice for justice, honor through dishonor, and the fabrication of truths. To deviate from this path is to jeopardize the very fabric of our society. Strength through unity; unity through strength.

We've heard this nonsense for so long. But now, this nonsense is becoming an instituted reality, and we are entering perilous times. Don't be fooled by the narratives you will hear during the march to November. Never let someone convince you that the ends justify the means, that a little bit of injustice is needed to achieve a broader, collective vision of justice, that truth sometimes requires fabricated lies and narratives. If we do, justice will cease to be justice, truth will cease to be truth, and our republic will be lost.

Top 5 MOST EVIL taxes the government extorts from you

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"In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes." -Ben Franklin

The injustice of taxation has been a core issue for Americans since the very beginning of our country, and it's a problem we have yet to resolve. This belief was recently reignited in many Americans earlier this month on tax day when the numbers were crunched and it was discovered that the government was somehow owed even more hard-earned money. As Glenn recently discussed on his show, it's getting to be impossible for most Americans to afford to live comfortably, inflation is rising, and our politicians keep getting richer.

The taxpayer's burden is heavier than ever.

The government is not above some real low blows either. While taxes are a necessary evil, some taxes stretch the definition of "necessary" and emphasize the "evil." Here are the top five most despicable taxes that are designed to line the IRS coffers at your expense:

Income Tax

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"It would be a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their income." -Ben Franklin

On February 24th, 2024 we hit a very unfortunate milestone, the 101st anniversary of the 16th Amendment, which authorized federal income tax. Where does the government get the right to steal directly out of your paycheck?

Death Taxes

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"Now my advice for those who die, Declare the pennies on your eyes" -George Harrison

Not even in death can you escape the cold pursuit of the tax collector. It's not good enough that you have to pay taxes on everything you buy and every penny you make your entire life. Now the feds want a nice slice, based on the entire value of your estate, that can be as much as 40 percent. Then the state government gets to stick their slimy fingers all over whatever remains before your family is left with the crumbs. It's practically grave-robbery.

Payroll

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"The power to tax is the power to destroy." -John Marshall

What's that? The nice chunk of your paycheck the government nabs before you can even get it to the bank wasn't enough? What if the government taxed your employer just for paying you? In essence, you make less than what your agreed pay rate is and it costs your employer more! Absolutely abominable.

Social Security

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"We don't have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much." -Ronald Reagan

Everyone knows the collapse of Social Security is imminent. It has limped along for years, only sustained by a torrent of tax dollars and the desperate actions of politicians. For decades, people have unwillingly forked over money into the system they will never see again.

FICA

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"What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue." -Thomas Paine

FICA is the payroll equivalent of Social Security. Your employer has to match however much you pay. It means it costs your employer even more to pay you—again, you'll NEVER see that money. At this point, are you even working for yourself, or are you just here to generate money for the government to frivolously throw away?

5 DISTURBING ways World War III will be different from previous wars

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Has World War III begun?

Over the weekend, Iran launched an unprecedented attack against Israel involving over 300 missiles and drones. This marked the first direct attack on Israel originating from Iranian territory. Fortunately, according to an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, 99 percent of missiles and drones were successfully neutralized by Israeli defense systems. Iran claimed that the operation against Israel had concluded and that no further offensive was planned, although the possibility of another attack is still present.

This has left many people, including Glenn, wondering the same thing: did we just witness the start of World War III?

Glenn recently had a World War II Air Force Veteran as a guest on his TV special, who told stories of the horrors he and his brothers-in-arms faced in the skies over war-torn Europe. This was a timely reminder of the terrors of war and a warning that our future, if it leads to another world war, is a dark one.

But, if Glenn's coverage of the Iranian attack revealed one thing, it's that World War III will look nothing like the world wars of the twentieth century. Long gone are the days of John "Lucky" Luckadoo and his "Bloody Hundredth" bravely flying their B-17s into battle. Over the weekend, we saw hundreds of autonomous drones and missiles clashing with extreme speed and precision over several different fronts (including space) simultaneously. This ain't your grandfather's war.

From EMP strikes to cyber attacks, here are FIVE ways the face of war has changed:

EMP attacks

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The entire modern world, on every level, is completely dependent on electricity. From your home refrigerator to international trade, the world would come to a grinding halt without power. And as Glenn has pointed out, it wouldn't even be that hard to pull off. All it would take is 3 strategically placed, high-altitude nuclear detonations and the entire continental U.S. would be without power for months if not years. This would cause mass panic across the country, which would be devastating enough on its own, but the chaos could be a perfect opportunity for a U.S. land invasion.

Nuclear strikes

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Nuclear war is nothing new. Many of us grew up during the Cold War, built fallout shelters, and learned to duck and cover. But times have changed. The Berlin Wall fell and so did the preparedness of the average American to weather a nuclear attack. As technology has advanced, more of our adversaries than ever have U.S. cities within their crosshairs, and as Glenn has pointed out, these adversaries are not exactly shy about that fact. Unfortunately, the possibility of an atomic apocalypse is as real as ever.

Immigration warfare

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The strategy of strangling an opposing nation's economy to gain the upper hand is a wartime tactic as old as time. That's why the Border Crisis is so alarming. What better way to damage an opponent's economy than by overburdening it with millions of undocumented immigrants? As Glenn has covered, these immigrants are not making the trek unaided. There is a wide selection of organizations that facilitate this growing disaster. These organizations are receiving backing from around the globe, such as the WEF, the UN, and U.S. Democrats! Americans are already feeling the effects of the border crisis. Imagine how this tactic could be exploited in war.

Cyber shutdowns

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Cyber attacks will be a major tactic in future wars. We've already experienced relatively minor cyber strikes from Russia, China, and North Korea, and it is a very real possibility that one of our adversaries inflicts a larger attack with devastating consequences on the United States. In fact, the WEF has already predicted a "catastrophic" cyber attack is imminent, and Glenn suggests that it is time to start preparing ourselves. A cyber attack could be every bit as devastating as an EMP, and in a world run by computers, nothing is safe.

Biological assault

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Don't trust the "experts." That was the takeaway many of us had from the pandemic, but something less talked about is the revelation that China has manufactured viruses that are capable of spreading across the globe. We now know that the lab leak hypothesis is true and that the Wuhan lab manufactured the virus that infected the entire world. That was only ONE virus from ONE lab. Imagine what else the enemies of America might be cooking up.

The government is WAGING WAR against these 3 basic needs

NICHOLAS KAMM / Contributor | Getty Images

The government has launched a full-on assault against our basic needs, and people are starting to take notice.

As long-time followers of Glenn are probably aware, our right to food, water, and power is under siege. The government no longer cares about our general welfare. Instead, our money lines the pockets of our politicians, funds overseas wars, or goes towards some woke-ESG-climate-Great Reset bullcrap. And when they do care, it's not in a way that benefits the American people.

From cracking down on meat production to blocking affordable power, this is how the government is attacking your basic needs:

Food

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Glenn had Rep. Thomas Massie on his show where he sounded the alarm about the attack on our food. The government has been waging war against our food since the thirties when Congress passed the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. They started by setting strict limits on how many crops a farmer could grow in a season and punishing anyone who grew more—even if it was intended for personal use, not for sale on the market. This sort of autocratic behavior has continued into the modern day and has only gotten more draconian. Today, not only are you forced to buy meat that a USDA-approved facility has processed, but the elites want meat in general off the menu. Cow farts are too dangerous to the environment, so the WEF wants you to eat climate-friendly alternatives—like bugs.

Water

ALESSANDRO RAMPAZZO / Contributor | Getty Images

As Glenn discussed during a recent Glenn TV special, the government has been encroaching on our water for years. It all started when Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, which gave the government the ability to regulate large bodies of water. As the name suggests, the act was primarily intended to keep large waterways clear of pollution, but over time it has allowed the feds to assume more and more control over the country's water supply. Most recently, the Biden administration attempted to expand the reach of the Clean Water Act to include even more water and was only stopped by the Supreme Court.

Electricity