Declared Hostile: This Is America

In 2006, during a deployment in Iraq, a SEAL task unit was tasked with securing Ramadi from insurgents committing atrocities. Despite hundreds of operations, including direct action raids and sniper overwatches, the fighting was brutal, resulting in wounded and killed soldiers and civilians. Intelligence identified a high-value insurgent leader responsible for extreme brutality, presenting a small window of opportunity for his elimination. However, strict rules of engagement required individuals to display hostile acts or intent before engagement, a rule that would have prevented action against this leader as he was only scheduled to pass through a location.

A request was made to declare this leader "hostile," a legal term requiring high-level command approval after weighing intelligence, legal, and political considerations. This declaration would have allowed for immediate engagement upon positive identification. The request was denied, resulting in the cancellation of the mission and significant frustration, underscoring the conflict between the necessity of eliminating threats and the adherence to principles that value human life and maintain the moral high ground, even at great risk.

The speaker then shifts to the current state of affairs, observing a breakdown of societal norms and an increase in violence and division, exemplified by the "declaration" and execution of an individual for their beliefs. This leads to a discussion on how the human mind, particularly when isolated, fearful, or confused, becomes susceptible to manipulation through constant exposure, repetition, and group pressure, a process amplified by smartphones and algorithms designed to evoke emotional responses. This manipulation leads to isolation, polarization, dehumanization, and radicalization, ultimately fostering an environment where individuals feel empowered to declare others hostile and resort to violence, a regression of culture that must be resisted by upholding personal responsibility, fostering genuine human connection, and adhering to foundational principles of freedom and justice.

• The speaker commanded a SEAL task unit in Iraq in 2006, tasked with securing Ramadi from insurgents.
• Strict rules of engagement required positive identification of hostile acts or intent before engaging targets.
• An opportunity to eliminate a brutal insurgent leader was jeopardized by these rules, leading to a denied request to declare him hostile.
• The current societal climate is described as having shattered standards, with rampant murder, destruction, and individuals being "declared hostile" and executed for their beliefs.
• Smartphones and algorithms are identified as powerful conduits for manipulation, leading to isolation, polarization, dehumanization, and radicalization, which must be actively resisted.

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Ramadi Deployment and Rules of Engagement [00:00]

• The speaker was in charge of a SEAL task unit in Iraq in 2006, working to secure the city of Ramadi from insurgents.
• The insurgents were described as committing torture, rape, and murder against the local population.
• The SEAL task unit conducted hundreds of operations, including reconnaissance, patrols, direct action raids, and sniper overwatches, to support conventional forces clearing the city house-to-house and street-to-street.
• The fighting was brutal, with many soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines wounded or killed.
• The civilian populace suffered "heinous crimes against humanity."

And it was a complete war zone at the time.

This section details the challenging environment and the speaker's role in a combat zone, highlighting the brutality faced and the missions undertaken to support coalition forces.

The High-Value Target and Engagement Dilemma [01:47]

• Intelligence identified a specific al-Qaeda insurgent leader, described as one of the worst, with a reputation for absolute brutality.
• The intelligence provided a narrow window of opportunity to kill him, but it was a high-risk operation due to his constant travel and significant security detail of "would-be martyrs."
• The strict rules of engagement required an individual to display either a hostile act or hostile intent before engagement.
• This meant a SEAL had to determine with reasonable certainty that the target was committing a hostile act or showing hostile intent before shooting.
• The speaker made an "extremely uncommon request" to declare this particular insurgent leader "hostile."

But the window was small and it was extremely high risk.

This part of the transcript focuses on a specific intelligence-driven operation where the strict rules of engagement created a significant obstacle to neutralizing a dangerous enemy leader.

The Request to Declare "Hostile" [04:33]

• The request was for the individual to be declared hostile, a legal term requiring approval by high-level US command authorities.
• Senior flag officers with responsibility for weighing intelligence, legal obligations, and political considerations make this decision.
• The speaker believed this was the "perfect time" for such a declaration, given al-Qaeda's upper hand in the region and their daily attacks on coalition forces and civilians.
• The request was made to allow the SEALs to "shoot on sight" upon positive identification.
• The platoon prepared for the operation, rehearsing actions, dialing in weapons, and preparing vehicles, but then waited for approval.

And declared hostile, this is a a legal term.

This section elaborates on the process and justification behind requesting the "declared hostile" status for a high-value target, emphasizing the unique circumstances that prompted the unusual request.

Mission Cancellation and Reflection [07:04]

• Word was received from higher headquarters just before the operation's launch time, and the answer was "no."
• The request to declare the al-Qaeda leader hostile was denied, meaning engagement would only be permitted if he committed a hostile act or displayed hostile intent.
• This "threw a wrench" into the plan, and due to the tight timeline and restraints of the rules of engagement, the mission was canceled.
• The speaker expressed frustration but acknowledged that emotions should not drive decisions.
• The experience reinforced an idea about American identity: valuing human life and maintaining the moral high ground, even at great risk.

So, I sent that request up the chain of command that they deem this individual hostile so that we could shoot on site.

This segment describes the outcome of the request, the subsequent mission cancellation, and the profound reflection on American values and principles that arose from the experience.

The Erosion of Standards at Home [10:46]

• The speaker observes that the high standards and ideals previously discussed are now "shattered here at home."
• Murder and destruction are described as rampant and commonplace.
• An example is given of an individual, Charlie Kirk, being "declared hostile" and executed for his beliefs and words.
• The speaker finds it "sickening" to see people cheer and celebrate such an execution on American soil.
• This leads to the question, "what have we become?" and the exploration of how people become so depraved.

Now, right now, we have seen those standards and that ideal shattered here at home.

This part of the transcript marks a significant shift from the combat zone experience to a critique of the current state of domestic society, pointing to a disturbing trend of hostility and division.

The Mechanism of Manipulation and Brainwashing [12:37]

• The human mind is described as pliable and impressionable, influenced by what it sees and hears, similar to how pop culture trends evolve.
• Humans have an instinct to be part of a group for security.
• Brainwashing occurs in moments of isolation, fear, and confusion, which are fertile grounds for manipulation.
• Manipulation involves exposure, repetition, reinforcement, group pressure, and social influence, leading to changes in thinking and beliefs.
• In the past, brainwashing required physical control and isolation, which was challenging to achieve.

It's part of our psychology.

This section delves into the psychological underpinnings of how individuals can be influenced and potentially brainwashed, identifying key conditions and mechanisms involved.

The Smartphone as a Conduit for Brainwashing [15:20]

• The current era is very different, with everyone carrying around a "conduit of brainwashing" in their hands: their phone.
• Phones expose individuals to destructive, manipulative, and divisive content for extended periods daily (4 to 12 hours).
• Algorithms are engineered to keep users watching, listening, and scrolling, evoking emotional responses through curated 30-second clips.
• These clips are designed to make people emotional, frustrated, angry, spiteful, and hateful.
• The constant engagement with clicks, likes, and shares, especially for insecure, alone, or impressionable individuals, leads to predictable results.

But it's very different now.

This part of the transcript focuses on the pervasive influence of smartphones and their algorithms in facilitating manipulation and shaping individual beliefs and emotions in the modern world.

The Consequences: Radicalization and Cultural Decline [17:19]

• The predictable results of constant digital manipulation are isolation, polarization, dehumanization, and radicalization.
• Radicalization involves rejecting societal norms, adopting extreme views, and abandoning reason.
• This process can lead to individuals believing they have the right to declare others hostile and execute them.
• This is viewed as a "devolution," a "regression," and a "decline of our culture" that cannot be accepted.
• This behavior is termed "tribal murder," stemming from an "infection of the mind."

And it keeps going until it reaches a point where one disturbed and twisted soul believes that he has the right and the authority to declare another man as hostile and execute that man.

This section outlines the severe consequences of digital manipulation and radicalization, framing it as a dangerous decline in societal values and a threat to civilization.

The Call to Personal Responsibility and American Values [18:47]

• There is a need for rules, not imposed by government or technocrats, but applied to oneself as humans, families, and communities.
• Individuals are urged not to allow themselves to be manipulated by "electronic emotions" or possessed by "digital demons."
• The speaker emphasizes that darkness and evil have never had an easier time infiltrating minds, hearts, and souls.
• A call to action is made to "cast it out" and not accept this "master."
• Suggestions include listening to friends, not feeds; talking to people, not pixels; connecting with family, not firmware; and steering away from darkness.

There have to be rules.

This part of the transcript shifts to a call for personal accountability and proactive measures individuals can take to resist negative influences and uphold positive values.

Upholding Freedom and Unity [20:50]

• Individuals must do their utmost to walk in the light and adhere to the principles that founded the nation.
• The country is defined by its people ("us"), their actions, behavior, and what they allow or forbid, not by legislation or the political class.
• Forefathers and many in the speaker's generation fought for freedom, and they are prepared to do so again.
• They will not tolerate those who aim to destroy them, their way of life, families, or freedoms.
• Freedom is described as a God-given right to protect and cherish.

We are Americans and we must act like Americans.

This section concludes with a powerful affirmation of American identity, freedom, and the collective responsibility to act in accordance with foundational principles and to reject internal hostility.