Oppose jihad? Then starve.
This is not hysterical. It’s coming. In some ways, it is already here. It has started with me, but it won’t end with me. Read on. And donate to Jihad Watch, a 501c3 organization, here, and get the book The History of Jihad here, while you still can. It is not at all outside the realm of possibility that you may not be able to do either in the very near future.
“Bokhari: The Terrifying Rise of Financial Blacklisting,” by Allum Bokhari, Breitbart, January 2, 2019:
It is the most totalitarian form of blacklisting: not just to be prevented from speaking on a university campus, or to be kicked off social media, but to be shut out of the entire financial system. That is the terrifying new threat to freedom that western societies must now contend with.
Financial blacklisting doesn’t just rob you of a chance to spread your message: it robs you of your ability to do business, your livelihood, your very means of functioning in a capitalist society. Thanks to the encroachment of progressive ideology into the financial industry — including major credit card companies like Visa, Discover, and Mastercard — it has now become a reality.
I first wrote about the rise of financial blacklisting in July, in a column for Breitbart News in which I highlighted the growing tendency of online financial platforms — as well as Visa and MasterCard — to deny service to customers for political reasons. I was surprised to receive a strongly worded comment from the liberal Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), who bluntly warned that banks and credit card companies had become “de facto internet censors.” That even liberal groups had raised the alarm signaled the seriousness of the problem.
Since then, financial blacklisting has only gotten worse. In August, Mastercard and Discover deplatformed conservative and Islam critic Robert Spencer. In the same month, Visa and Mastercard ceased service to David Horowitz. While credit card processing service to Horowitz was eventually restored, Spencer remains financially blacklisted.
Crowdfunding platforms like Patreon, which allow online content creators to collect donations from their supporters, are frequently cast as the primary villains in financial blacklisting. Patreon’s recent ban of YouTuber Carl Benjamin, better known by his moniker Sargon of Akkad, triggered a crisis for the platform. Both donors and creators — including prominent atheist Sam Harris — quit the platform in protest, while Jordan Peterson and Dave Rubin pledged to create an alternative platform that is pro-free speech.
But Patreon and other crowdfunding platforms are not the real villains. They are dependent on the whims of the credit card companies, something that was already apparent in August when Mastercard forced them to withdraw service from Robert Spencer. We now know that the credit card companies were also a factor in Patreon’s decision to boot Benjamin.
YouTuber and Patreon creator Matt Christiansen recently released a transcript of his conversation with Jacqueline Hart of Patreon about Benjamin’s ban. Hart frankly admits that the sensibilities of credit card companies play a key role in Patreon’s decisions.
Here’s an excerpt of that transcript (emphasis ours):
JACQUELINE: The problem is is Patreon takes payments. And while we are obviously supportive of the first amendment, there are other things that we have to consider. Our mission is to fund the creative class. In order to accomplish that mission we have to build a community of creators that are comfortable sharing a platform, and if we allow certain types of speech that some people would call free speech, then only creators that use Patreon that don’t mind their branding associated with that kind of speech would be those who use Patreon and we fail at our mission. But secondly as a membership platform, payment processing is one of the core value propositions that we have. Payment processing depends on our ability to use the global payment network, and they have rules for what they will process.
MATT: Are you telling me that this was Patreon’s decision then, or someone pressured you into this?
JACQUELINE: No – this was entirely Patreon’s decision.
MATT: Well then I don’t understand passing the buck off to somebody else.
JACQUELINE: No, I’m not passing the buck off. The thing is we have guidelines, but I’m trying to explain, #1 it is our mission to fund the creative class and obviously some people may not want to be associated.
MATT: Well if it’s your mission, then payment processors are irrelevant. It’s your mission. That’s what you’re pursuing.
JACQUELINE: We’re not visa and mastercard ourselves – we can’t just make the rules. That’s what I’m saying – there is an extra layer there.
This “extra layer” places platforms like Patreon in an impossible position: abandon free speech or lose your ability to process payments. That’s also why so many free-speech alternatives to Patreon have failed: FreeStartr, Hatreon, MakerSupport, and SubscribeStar all tried to offer a more open platform, and were promptly dumped by the credit card companies. All are unable to do business.
This exposes the emptiness of establishment conservative arguments about the free market. Those who oppose Silicon Valley censorship aren’t allowed to just build their own alternative platforms. They must build their own global payment processing infrastructure to have any hope of restoring free speech online.
That, or they must find a way to stop Visa, Mastercard and Discover from taking advice from the far-left Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Color of Change. The former was allegedly responsible for the blacklisting of Robert Spencer, while the latter claims to have removed 158 funding sources from “white supremacist sites” — although as the group won’t list what those sites are, we don’t know if they really are “white supremacist.” The far left typically includes regular Trump supporters under the label….
Simon van der Poel says
Should conservatives be allowed to use roads?
mortimer says
They have decided that conservatives have no rights use their lawful freedom of expression. ONLY APPROVED SPEECH WILL BE HEARD because the ELITES ARE INFALLIBLE.
CogitoErgoSum says
So Patreon wants only people who think in a certain way to use their service. That is, they want to draw lines and only the people who stay within those lines are welcome. Great way to encourage those who are uncomfortable with thinking outside the box and to help get rid of those who do think outside the box.
Bill says
Done. Not happy to have had to use Amazon, but better than not getting it at all.
somehistory says
Fulfillment of the Revelation prophecy: only those who accept the “mark of the beast” can “buy and sell.”
If one criticizes, rejects, exposes, opposes….the “wild beast and its image,” that one is not “marked” and therefore, cannot “buy and sell.”
Eventually all persons will “receive the mark on their foreheads and hands,”…give mental and physical support to…the beast…Or, risk being killed…by “the sword”… for not receiving the mark.
Jean Terry says
And it sure is happening fast now.
revereridesagain says
Right. When you have no practical solutions for actual human beings to use, resort to quoting first century mythological prophecies. That should solve everything, because we all know that the gods never let bad things happen to good people.
FYI says
OK,forget about prophecies then as they only make sense to those who understand them:they are not mythological.{Israel’s existence today is due to the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy..religious Jews and christians see that,secular Jews and atheists don’t….}
The funny thing.. is..that the marking on the hand technology exists.
I have worked in electronics:I have seen this technology.
I have SEEN chips implanted.You can see it on You Tube.it is REAL.
It is used to monitor and control people:it would be extremely naive to imagine the Globalist elite,the political powers that be,would NOT use such technology.Especially in the case of an engineered war or major societal breakdown:it isn’t far fetched.The NWO is all about control.
{A single Solar storm powerful enough{a Coronal Mass Ejection say}could wipe out all the electronics and computers that underpin the financial system:the Masters of the World are not as safe as they imagine.That might explain the Bunker building{in places like New Zealand}:they surely know something must be up.A major world war would bring about economic collapse because the world is so highly interconnected.The next war will be truly global and lethal…}
Shhs!The sheeple are not supposed to know such things…
somehistory says
FYI
++
There are news articles on the web about the chip in the hand being used to pay bills, go thru tolls, open doors, etc.
Savvy Kafir says
Nice one, revereridesagain!
It does get tedious, seeing so many Bible quotes & prophecies posted here, when what we need are sound strategies & tactics we can act upon.
Lydia Church says
You don’t get it. Bible prophesies ARE real, and they are being fulfilled fast.
I was just about to talk about the mark thing. All of this is just leading up to it. But there’s more, and it’s all converging into that one ‘singularity’ of the mark.
1. All commerce and information is converging. The fact that everything is electronic, everything is done via technology, online, making bureaucracy even more inevitable. It’s all becoming interconnected.
2. You. Big brother is watching. Surveillance is very real, and it’s all over. Then there is every record about you including credit, medical, banking, etc. Social media. China started using a social credit score for its citizens and we are just around the corner. It’s all tracking us.
3. All the platforms are becoming more and more online. At first it’s optional. Then it’s mandatory. First it’s free, then there is a fee. Now you can’t travel without a credit card. Certain transactions can only be done online. It’s getting more centralized, more controlled, more impersonal. It’s all automated, robotical. It is that easy to lock us out of ‘the system’ where all things operate. It’s all accelerating now. And cash will be obsolete.
4. It will all converge into that one chip that is implanted. It eventually will be the mark of the beast. You can’t make any transactions without it, buy, sell, etc. I just saw on inforwars that more companies are mandating that their employees get microchiped, and it’s spreading into all sorts of areas of life. It reduces humanity to a herd of cattle, a product, you are now branded as their ‘serf.’ They control you in various ways once you have it. Don’t take it.
5. Ostracizing. Just like the nazi era and the holocaust. I know it is coming. I knew this was on the way, and that it will only get worse. Against us, Christians, anyone who stands up for the truth and what is right, etc.
6. The one world government, religion, and economy under antichrist are on the way. The church has been hijacked by wolves. Some of them tell the congregants that it’s ‘okay to take the mark… and still be saved.’ That is a lie from the devil. Once you take it, you’re toast. (Rev. 14; 9-11). DON’T take it. No matter what and no matter who says it’s okay.
7. I noticed the comment section has changed. There are some strange things underway in various places regarding this sort of technology, so just be careful.
8. Censorship. Yes, that day is fast approaching when we will be totally censored. We need to prepare now and not wait with anything until it is too late. Do it while you still can.
9. What to do without the mark… and yes, we will be here (the church), but we won’t be around for too long since those who refuse the mark get martyred. It’s Jesus OR the mark, it can never be both. An eternal fork in the road. In the mean time, start planning now. The thing is, I hear people saying ‘just don’t use this’ or that… but it will ALL be under their system, there will be no way to boycott it. There will be no way to function, there will not be an alternative. It gets pretty much like tribal living. Try to think of ways to survive in primitive forms. All survival comes down to: water, food, sleep, shelter, medical needs. Suppose you went on vacation to a cabin in the hills. There were sources of water that are constant. You had a garden, a fish pond, and canned foods and bottled water. You had clothing, blankets, comfort items, first aid and whatever emergency items you need. You could live that way for years. It might be a big change for most, so try to wean yourselves off of as much as you possibly can. Because if you survive till the rapture, that’s how you’re going to have to do it. And as I always say, if you’re not saved, now is the time. And take a Bible along too!
10. Think of what you can’t do. You can’t pay any bills. You can’t work. You can’t put gas in your car. You can’t stay in your home for too long without paying property tax even if it’s paid off. No utilities. No internet access. You can’t buy anything. Plan accordingly. Like that homeless guy looking in the window from the outside in, and being totally ignored by everyone who sees us from the inside outward as they continue cackling merrily away, feasting as a pack of Judas’. Those who have not prepared in the prior years will find it VERY difficult to do going forward. I’m referring to carrying our cross daily, discipleship, faith in God, and simple living as well as holy living. I have His covering so I’m not ashamed to die if a terrorist kills me at any moment. Friend, are YOU ready to meet God? That is number one before anything else on this list.
May God be with you!
somehistory says
Lydia,
Many of the times I have quoted from the Bible, some of the atheists complain. They want “solutions and tactics” to use to fight this scourge. Giving them the “Reasons” all of this is happening is offensive to them.
And yet, if “solutions and tactics” were really and truly possible to head off something that is happening in the entire earth, something that was foretold to happen and no human can stop it from happening. wouldn’t they, those who deny the reality of Bible prophecy, have thought up some solutions and tactics to use by now?
Get a gun, learn how to use it. Get ready to fight. That is about all they come up with.
It is said by many, that the President of the U.S….whomever is in the office at any given time…is the “most powerful man on earth.”
Thinking about that phrase: the most powerful man on earth…or “human” on earth…and Yet, he is unable to stop the scourge. He couldn’t keep those moslims from being elected; his ban on people coming in from majority moslim countries was blocked; no one will give him the money to fund a wall; he can’t stop people from calling him names or threatening him…so how could he stop this scourge of islam and its evil? He can’t. So, if the “most powerful human on earth” can’t stop it, how is the common person supposed to?
I get daily requests to give money so it can be stopped…to stop it from being taught in the schools, to stop it from being in the government, to stop it from taking away our freedom to speak, etc.
If I had that much money to give all who ask for it, there would still not be enough.
The day when all will be expected to “receive the mark” is coming. Not writing about it here, will not stop it from happening. Being warned about it, so as to expect it, and be ready to refuse it…that is about all anyone can do. Whether people like it…or not.
If those who do not believe in God or the Bible wish to present some “solutions and tactics”…I’m not trying to prevent them and I’m not complaining about them doing so…We all have the same freedom of speech…for the time being. And we all have the freedom to ignore what others write if we don’t agree.
Indiana Tom says
Problem is that sometimes evil prophecies can be self fulfilling when good people do nothing.
Bible prophecies may or may not come to pass in the way we interpret them, but just holding up our hands and saying that this a Calvinist predestination fantasy and nothing can be done about it is condoning evil.
BTW, I am an .Arminian. Not to be confused with Pelagianism which ignorant people cannot differentiate from.
J D S says
@ Lydia and some history…Biblical prophecy is playing out in America and of course in Europe TODAY….Anyone who has actually studied the Holy Scriptures knows the history of the Israelites .
I won’t take up space explaining that ..just read and study it…Anyway when the Israelites honored God by following his commandments they prospered…and this good and bad went back and forth over the time they traveled in their “wilderness” journey to the ” promised k land”.
America is our promised land, thanks to God, and we have been on a downward spiral since WWII and God is still the ruler and dishes out punishments as in the Israelites time and if one can’t see that, then blindness has overcome them.
Plain and simple FACT: When America honors God and is friendly to Israel then God blessed us.
Well does anyone see God blessing America today with the goodness we should deserve by obeying Him.
somehistory says
J D S ,
Yest, it is. All over the earth.
I look at blessings on an individual basis. God had a special relationship with Israel. One of the benefits of that for us, is we can see what to do and what not to do. Another is, we can see that He keeps His Word, honors His promises and withdraws protection and blessings when people have turned away from Him. That is also a keeping His Word part.
Some argue that they don’t like this aspect of worshipping God…that He disciplines, punishes, etc. But, they discipline, punish, etc. their own children when the children disobey and go outside the parental rules and guidelines. “Go to your room,” “No games, t.v., sports, dates, car privileges, etc.” And just as human parents give hugs and gifts, care, etc., our Creator does the same, only on a much larger scale.
There have been parents who actually disown their children when these so oppose the parents that they commit terrible crimes and refuse to consider changes. God withholds blessings from His earthly children when they refuse His guidance.
somehistory says
Indiana,
I look at prophecy as a way to know what will happen…even if I don’t always understand how it will play out. When it has happened, survivors can look back and see how it all fit. But I don’t want to wait and ignore things just because my understanding may not be as complete as it will be when the event(s) has happened.
God doesn’t make all things happen, He doesn’t make anything “Evil” happen, but He has many of them foretold so we can have warning about what to expect and take measures to help ourselves.
Much like hurricane warnings…if people heed them, they can survive, even if they have property losses.
Each person decides whether to listen, read, believe…or not and how much preparation to make…if any.
My, and others who *believe,* sharing of our thoughts on what the Bible says, should be looked at the same way that others share what they think should be, or should not be, done, what can be done, what they are doing or going to do, plan to do, etc. We, none of us, want moslims and their cohorts to take away our freedoms…to speak, to have a faith…or not…to dress as we wish, etc. So we shouldn’t try to do that to each other by efforts to restrict those who don’t see everything as we do. Each one can think as each wishes to think. But we should also be allowed to say what we think…as long as we are not abusive to others, in which case, the site admin can step in. Truly, my personal beliefs don’t injure anyone in any way, and I’m not attempting to force them on others.
Believing as I do, is not “condoning evil.” As far as anyone can tell, I’m doing as much as anyone else (not including Mr. Spencer and others with web sites, speaking engagements, books, etc.) to get the word out about how evil islam is and what is happening, what we can expect to happen, in the near future.
God condemns evil. And I agree that He has the Right and Authority and Power to do something to stop it. When and How He chooses.
Janet Collins says
Lydia Church, your post is the most illuminating one I’ve read in quite sometime. The spirit of the Lord is upon you! May God Bless you.
Frank Anderson says
The most direct and reliable way I have found for payments that bypass the “institutions” that are blocking our “normal” contributions is a US Post Office Money Order, purchased and mailed in the US by Certified Mail Return Receipt. Both the money order and the proof of mailing help get the most diligent and aggressive law enforcement officers I have seen looking at any diversion of the contribution.
James Lincoln says
Thanks for the tip, Frank. All the followers of JW should consider this.
Joe says
There are a lot of options, such as Skrill, Square, and others. Direct deposits are becoming common as well through third party transaction companies. Of these, it is hard to imagine that Skrill could be impacted by the credit card companies, because no one, but your banker, knows you are using it, and it is used by a lot of gamblers in SE Asia. For the most part, these gamblers are actually money launderers.
The crackers (web attackers not whites) use bitcoin but that is extremely cumbersome. It could be used in a pinch.
Frank says
Joe, I agree that other options exist. The first question I suggest is which one delivers reliably the largest portion of the amount handled to the intended recipient. The second question to consider is who benefits in addition to the recipient by our contribution. Would we make a contribution to an Israeli charity by means of a Hamas intermediary? And then the third question is who might help if our money is not delivered as we order.
There are a number of cases that could support claims against companies which refuse to pay our money as we order. In addition to tortious interference with contractual relations, there is also a pure “conversion” theory that by refusing to deliver as directed, the intermediary “converts” property that is not “his” to his own use or control. A very OLD Alabama case involved a postmaster who refused to deliver an envelope of negotiable instruments as addressed, who was sued under state law and lost. My understanding is that tortious interference may or may not support awards for punitive damages and attorney fees in addition to compensatory damages. But conversion, being an intentional tort, supports in most states claims for all damages. There is also possible bank, mail and wire fraud claims possible, even if it is necessary to use state law claims of negligence per se for violation of federal criminal statutes. Somewhere there ought to be a lawyer licensed and practicing who can understand the issues and counsel this case.
Frank Anderson says
Between my keyboard and the new system, I touched the wrong key which entered my post before the information details were complete.
Elina says
You must all gather and sue SPLC for defamation.
mummymovie says
I’ve always said what the C-J movement needs -more than anything- is advocacy consortium of lawyers and legal experts to counter the SPLC tentacles of influence, and the “extra layer” out there.
Hell, the third-world Somalis pouring into my neighborhood have access to such a resource -as well as many others it seems these days-that “empowers (I hate this overused BS progressive word) them and emboldens their efforts to drag their extended families over here to plunder, overwhelm, and milk the social welfare system here.
This is long overdue: Why can’t we have this?
And what specifically about the comment section here has changed?
carpediadem says
WE can have this mummymovie, but it has to be set up.
The Left don’t just ahve these things, they SET them up. heaven forbid, they put the call out for people, or set up an organisation and get members by building it up and marketing themselves, often via stalls on the streets as well as online.
Quoting Biblical prophecies is useless if you don’t act on it.
One has to start somewhere.
mortimer says
We now see that international banksters are conspiring to remove freedom of expression. THEY will decide who can speak, when and what. They have prepared to commit a global coup d’état against freedom loving people everywhere. Who are they mega-rich TOTALITARIAN ??
mortimer says
PLEASE TELL US WHICH CREDIT CARD COMPANIES ARE SUPPORTING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. I WILL IMMEDIATELY MOVE THERE and let the VISA and MC know why.
Bodega says
Yes, I want to know, too. I am ready to trash my MCs and Visa if this is what is coming down. We need to sue and sue for huge amounts. Are there any lawyers who would take our case pro bono?
Bodega says
I need this information also. It is important to not support this type of activity. It is actually a First Amendment problem.
carpediadem says
Why ‘tell you’? Are you not capable of hunting out this information yourself?
Are you relying on other people to to do the work? Why?
You’re already on a computer, use it!
DHazard says
Is this even legal? Do Muslims own anything besides oil fields and, for those at the top, imported luxury goods?
reubenscratton says
You’re familiar with Operation Choke Point? That’s where the rot started: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/obamas-operation-choke-point-finally-unmasked
gravenimage says
Financial institutions moving to shut foes of jihad terror out of the financial system altogether
……………………..
Suicidal insanity.
eduardo odraude says
just donated via Paypal
JIMA says
Dont forget that Paypal also dropped Mr.Spencer last year. I have neither forgotten nor forgiven them and will never use Paypal. That being said, I’m not condemning you. What choice do we have left? Perhaps we will need to start mailing in cheques to a deposit box?
JIMA says
Maybe they learned a lesson though? I remember they restarted services after the outcry after a couple days. What does everyone else think? Forgive and forget? Is there any ethical way to continue supporting our proponent of truth?
eduardo odraude says
Have to minimize or stop using credit cards, unless there is one that does not impose some form of censorship. The remedy for bad speech is not censorship, but more speech. But the “progressives” are too troglodytic to grasp something even that basic.
carpediadem says
The “progressive” are fighting a war while ‘conservatives” waffle about definitions without fighting for them.
eduardo odraude says
And use of debit cards should also be minimized. Try to rely on cash. Time to punish Visa and Mastercard.
mortimer says
WHY was it SO DIFFICULT for Jacqueline Hart of Patreon to TELL THE TRUTH about what is happening? She claimed sole-responsibility of BLACKLISTING for Patreon, then changed that, then changed again and FINALLY SHE ADMITTED THAT VISA AND MASTERCARD HAD THE FINAL SAY.
In other words, PATREON WAS ARM-TWISTED BY VISA AND MASTERCARD.
eduardo odraude says
She had difficulty telling the truth because her job is on the line in what she says. A lot of money at stake for Visa and Mastercard. I suspect they don’t care much either way about what they censor. It’s all about their bottom line only. If enough people complain, that affects Mastercard’s bottom line, and they start censoring those who were complained about. But if enough of the latter start complaining, then Mastercard will reverse itself again. Mastercard and Visa apparently have no ethics, just profit orientation. Open discussion and the truth that can emerge from it take second place.
eduardo odraude says
Mastercard and Visa should have the good sense to develop the policy that they do not censor people, period.
Dapto says
Mastercard is the new MasterClass
762x51FMJ says
The doctrine of death of the son of slaughter must not be taken in vain, or someone will show up, saw your head off and release video quicker than
A Swedish backpacker in Morocco..
lisalles says
This is very scary. The financial institutions along with social media need to be sued….WHY ISNT ANYBODY SUING THESE INSTITUTIONS?
CPR says
Tumblr outraged feminists and their media allies last month when it started banning porn and even tasteful nude photography. I haven’t checked on their financial backers, but I do know Twitter is heavily owned by Muslim bigwigs. So it would seem to compute that as Muslims slowly ramp up their financial stakes, and resultant policy clout, on social media sites, we will see the fist of the Sharia patriarchy rise and crush all forms of sexual expression, especially female sexual expression. Liberal women are too brainwashed to see this unfolding right before their winged eyeliner. Demanding a neverending influx of migrants will be their undoing, which is going to be beautiful to watch, but I am deeply saddened to think about all the glorious nude Greek / Roman sculptures that will soon be banned from every museum and public space in Europe a.k.a. Eurabia. It will happen there before it happens here, as European countries lack anything equivalent to the First Amendment. I do foresee money orders surging in popularity, but they’re not very helpful for buying groceries or gas. Of course, the establishment of Islamic banking (which forbids charging interest on loans but makes up for that in many shady ways) in the West is the enemy’s endgame.
Savvy Kafir says
Muslims should not be allowed to own stock in any social media platforms or credit card companies, etc. in the West. That’s like allowing Nazis to own American and British newspapers and banks during WWII.
When will the majority of people and political “leaders” realize that Islam is at war with us? What will it take to wake them up?
James says
Banning porn sounds entirely right. Sometimes, people with bad ideas have the right idea and do the right thing.
Savvy Kafir says
Since JW switched to this new system for posting comments, I’ve been unable to post the link to my website. When I try to enter the URL, I get a message saying “Please enter a URL”, and can’t post the comment until I remove the URL. Anyone else having that problem?
Jeremy says
Need to use FOIA to find the names of those banned groups. Get your elected officials involved!
somehistory says
I worked for several years for a giant in the financial system. A company that processes payments by credit and debit cards and issues the cards banks and other institutions order for their customers/clients.
It is one of the largest companies in the world and it has offices and branches all over the world. When it comes to money, it’s much like a Monopoly Game. The bankers have all of the money and no one really owns the property they “buy” and spend lots of dollars on. One must keep feeding the tax man to keep the little deed. And there is always the “threat” of something bad…like “go directly to jail.” In the case of these card companies, it’s an order to “go without.”
it’s easy for them to deny services. They are so big, they don’t need a few customers that might say something “offensive” to moslims, or progressives, or leftists, or….
Battle says
Who is the owner and who is the imam at the mosque the owner attends?
Chuck says
Seems to me that the credit card cos. should be held liable legally for tortious interference with one’s business. The only appropriate time they should blacklist a person or entity is when there is a connection with illegal activity. E.g., The pseudo-human rights organization Al-Haq was appropriately blacklisted because it is affiliated with and controlled by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization PFLP (could this be why the pseudo-liberal groups actually were concerned?).
Indiana Tom says
Oh, the financial institutions have been going after gun groups, and gun businesses as well. It is not just the anti Muslim groups.
Arthur says
I think people largely underestimate how much we are already in the noose.
I went to Wells Fargo yesterday to deposit $500 into an account of a relative. They needed the money because a corporation automatically deducted a fee ($250) without any prior warning or notice. This fee was 2.5X previous fees and it was charged 3 months before last year’s fee was paid. Here you see that corporations have more access to your wealth than you do.
When I brought $500 cash to the bank with a deposit slip with the checking account written on it, the bank REFUSED to accept a CASH deposit. They gave me some BS line about human trafficking and fraud. (Wells Fargo knows fraud–they have committed some of the most penalized financial fraud of any financial institution, mind you). I had to go to a grocery store, pay $0.99 for a money order, and then deposit that money order into the account. Furthermore, the funds will not be available for a day, because the money order has to clear. So much for being able to help someone in dire need.
Try to rent a hotel room without a credit card–impossible!
Try to buy a plane ticket without a credit card–impossible!
Try to buy a repair part for some obscure thing–you need online shopping–you need a credit card!
McDonalds considers $100 a “large bill” and will refuse to accept it as payment (I have had this happen).
Some stores are refusing cash altogether. There is a literal war on cash. The banks don’t like cash because they want the ability to charge negative interest rates if the central banks bring interest down to 0% or below. (Can you believe it? We pay people to borrow our money. It’s actually happened!)
A cashless society means that none of us can actually have access to our wealth. We can only request someone else to pay on our behalf. I have had banks refuse to cash checks on their own accounts because the check was for too much and I didn’t have an account, and so on.
In the coming global financial collapse many people are going to starve to death. It happened in Weimar Germany, it happened in Zimbabwe, it happens everytime. The banking system is setting up to make sure they choose who those people are going to be.
Worst of all, property taxes become the claim against all private property. And the government will dictate that you can only pay using a certain method, something which you will not be able to access. Then they seize your property and you can’t even grow a garden.
Bitcoin may be helpful in the short term, but gold and silver may be the only currency for the non-supreme people soon.
We are in big big trouble.
somehistory says
My daughter went to my bank to make a deposit for me and was told that was the last time she would be allowed to do that. If I wanted to make a cash deposit, I would have to go in. I complained to the bank and they will now make an exception for me.
Perhaps if your relative complains to the bank, an exception can be made.
But I agree, that no one wants to take cash any more and it used to be that they would insist on cash if someone tried to use other means.
somehistory says
Perhaps those who are having trouble with their card should look into AmEx. It just might work.
James says
Fundamentalist Evangelicals will have a field day with this:
“15The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed. 16And the second beast required all people small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18Here is a call for wisdom: Let him who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666…”
https://biblehub.com/revelation/13-16.htm
OTOH, it is arguable that we live in a fairly Beastly age.