Should ISIS internet sites be banned

[mgmine]

My thought is yes or maybe no. Is seems that there is a virus out there that has been used to track perverts that go to child porn sites . Why not make ISIS sites illegal to visit just as child porn sites. Then infect the sites with the virus and let the visitors face the consequences. Make the prison term long enough and that should at least stop one method of recruitment. Or we could contract with Mexico or Iran to house the prisoners and that would help with world trade. Of course the American Civil Liberties Union lawyers will have something to say but I for one really don't care how much they whine about it.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Are the people that visit these sites breaking any existing laws?

 

[j.w]

Yep people are curious, they might not be involved w/this stuff and just want to check them out. As long as the site is legal to visit then the right to visit is still there. Child porn is illegal and anyone who visits can be prosecuted. When you start messing w/people's rights to choose it doesn't just effect what you think is wrong. It could effect what you believe in also so we better be careful what we start.

 

[budgenator]

I'd rather see the sites unmolested so we can track the activity. You can't really ban a website, you just drive it a little farther out of reach; look how long it took them to get silk road.

 

[MitchM]

ISIS are no more than common thugs on a grand scale.
They have no more vision than the Hells Angels.
Their only plans for an economy is to steal other people's stuff.
I think their caliphate will be short lived, eventually reduced to the fringes of society and it will be easier to keep track of them if they are not driven underground.
Let them have their websites, track frequent visitors.

 

[mgmine]

Are the people that visit these sites breaking any existing laws?

No, but then again should there be a law against recruiting thugs for murder? Why is there a law against child pornography? Laws are passed to protect society. I know the arguments about censorship and I agree with them. Could you imagine during WW!! if the Nazi's took out ads in the NY Times looking for help? How long would that have been allowed before a law was passed.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

No, but then again should there be a law against recruiting thugs for murder?

Actually there is.

The point is that there are no laws in this country and most others that control website content. Even if there were, it would be near impossible to enforce. Close one down and they will just move to a new URL. This has already been attempted with the pirate video sites and, guess what, there are now more of them than ever.
I agree with MitchM.....track the visitors as these are the potential sources of problems. This is a real aid to governments in identifying those that need watching.

 

[mgmine]

Actually there is.

The point is that there are no laws in this country and most others that control website content. Even if there were, it would be near impossible to enforce. Close one down and they will just move to a new URL. This has already been attempted with the pirate video sites and, guess what, there are now more of them than ever.
I agree with MitchM.....track the visitors as these are the potential sources of problems. This is a real aid to governments in identifying those that need watching.

Again yes and no. If they are illegal like child porn sites then visiting the sites ,no matter the URL would be a federal offense. Teach that in school and hopefully the kids will get the message. If they are afraid of visiting the sites then they won't be radicalized. This will weed out the curiosity seekers that may be turned but are not willing to face jail time. Then track those who visits the sites and spend the resources on investigating them.

 

[Mucky_Waters]

Here is a Science Friday podcast dealing with tracking and breaking up ISIS websites. With a more mathematical twist.
https://www.mixcloud.com/sciencefri...s-pokemon-go-and-augmented-reality-science-i/

 

[mgmine]

Here is a Science Friday podcast dealing with tracking and breaking up ISIS websites. With a more mathematical twist.
https://www.mixcloud.com/sciencefri...s-pokemon-go-and-augmented-reality-science-i/

It amazing what numbers can tell you. I wonder how they determine that woman are involved. Going by a name or picture doesn't seem good enough.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Again yes and no. If they are illegal like child porn sites then visiting the sites ,no matter the URL would be a federal offense. Teach that in school and hopefully the kids will get the message. If they are afraid of visiting the sites then they won't be radicalized. This will weed out the curiosity seekers that may be turned but are not willing to face jail time. Then track those who visits the sites and spend the resources on investigating them.

The U.S. would declare them illegal based on what existing statutes? You are dealing with religious zealots here. A site can not be banned based on any religious principle that it may promote. That is unconstitutional. Inciting to riot? Sedition? I think not. I have seen posts on Facebook that have worried me as much as anything ISIS might say.

 

[Usman]

american govt create a monster to scare people everynow and then and on those bases they wage war and take votes , flourish arms industry , isis is one of then beside alqaida , even muslims disown them and have no clue who they are , all the muslims claim these org are made for puspose from CIA and Israel , 911 was inside job too one day ppl may see truth i hope

 

[Becky]

It looks like the US election discussions have opened the flood gates for more political / religious discussions... It has always been an unwritten rule on the forum that these discussions are not permitted, because generally speaking they divide people and can cause arguments. I have allowed the recent political discussions to stand, because a large number of people on the site are in the US and it is natural that you would want to discuss something as important as the elections, but I feel that we need to draw a line under it now.

I am happy for the existing discussions to remain open for the time being, but please - no more political or religious topics.