You can flag them more than once for different reasons. I flagged this one 4 times.

We don't know if flagging for multiple causes matters for their chances of getting deleted by YouTube (they keep close tabs on their internal procedures). But it's clear many of these videos are, well, just wrong in so many ways. Flag as you see fit.

I'd also like to thank NevadaDailySteve, who reads Rachel's blog, sent a note about the Smackdown to the milbloggers over at Argghhh! (the home of 2 of Jonah Goldberg's military go-to guys!). They linked to the Smackdown too, thanks to Rachel and Rachel's readers!

I haven't checked today yet, but as of last night, we've had 7 more videos removed by YouTube that we'd flagged since Rachel's Smackdown post the other day. And that's not counting all the ones from Khateebjihad we never got around to putting up on the Daily Dozen before the account was closed. Thanks again!

I think we need some different flags:

"Promotes Terrorism" would be good for a start.

I've been flagging those little bastards as much as I can, wondering how much good it would do. Good to see it's having some effect. It makes me viscerally angry to watch those atrocities, burning twistgut anger I didn't know I had in me. It makes me wish I had the power to do a whole lot more than flag them. Like laser death ray targeting from space.

wondering how much good it would do - PaulT

We're working on that question in two ways. First, if you scroll down below our Daily Dozen sidebar over at the Smackdown, we do keep track of our Successful Smackdowns, and note whenever an entire account is taken down. We've gone from about 5% success rate early on, to 15% more recently, and as more people flag more videos more often, we hope to increase that.

Second, in the long run, we want YouTube to enforce it's own policies. There's no reason to leave 7 of every 8 videos up when they are essentialy the same things. It appears enforcement of policy is quite lax regarding their 'flag review staff'.

And really big picture? I argued in one of our editorials that when YouTube absolves itself of any responsibility for content while fobbing the work off onto the users to flag videos for them, they create what in economics is called an 'externality'. Like a factory that dumps pollution into a river, someone else bears the burden of the company's profit-making activity.

Externalities are not illegal in themselves, but many laws are written against such things, and at the very least, it's grounds for bad public relations. Ultimately, YouTube's business model probably isn't sustainable. You cannot forever get away with presenting yourself as a high-minded company espousing politically correct policies against hate speech (Google, the 'do no evil' guys, owns YouTube, after all) while you blithely host videos that glorify and recruit terrorists.

And if you want to do more, there are tons of 'support the troops' operations that support the troops seen risking their lives (or worse) in these videos. We'll probably be putting up a post about some of them over at the Smackdown shortly. And of course, there is Operation Grim. :)

This is a damn good idea. I'm going to post a similar thing on my blog to promote this idea as soon as I can get around to it. If we can get enough people doing then just perhaps YouTube/Google will really sit up and take notice. Yeah, I know, forlorn hope but gotta try.

I think we need some different flags:
"Promotes Terrorism" would be good for a start.

Ha! From your mouth to YouTube's ear, fargus!

And MorrisAO, my grandma used to carry a little wooden nickle that said 'Tuit' on it. It was for times whenever she got 'a round tuit'. Well, we'd appreciate any support anyone can give. You may have noticed the 'We Support YouTube Smackdown' banner Rachel Put up. We've also got it available over at the Smackdown site.

You know, for one of those days when you get your hands on a round tuit. And thanks. ;)

Rickbert, my sister used to have one of those 'round tuits' when she was still alive.. :P
It was in a poster form and had the the words "I'll get around tuit" over and over in a spiral into the centre with the font getting smaller till it vanished in the centre.
I'll visit your site and grab that banner methinks.

Wow.

Seriously Rachel, you made a difference. Not too many other blogs out there can say that.

Very cool.

Very, very cool.

It's not boots on the ground, but it's creating a fight on another front for these dickheads.

Mikey

Flagged the bastard.

Thanks for the heads-up, Rachel.

Thank you, all of you! I just flagged one about 20 times myself, but I wish instead I was punching that Jihad motherfucker in the face 20 times instead.

I agree, there should be a flag for "promotes terrorism". Rickbert has some of the email addresses for the YouTube people in charge, and I'm thinking about starting an email campaign on their asses. This is ridiculous that they let those videos stay for so long, even for five minutes, let alone days/weeks/months after being flagged dozens of times. ARGH!

I think I'm going to be sick. And the comments are just as bad.

Here is one that needs to be removed immediately!!! It shows one of our brave soldiers being shot. :( Makes me want to cry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_wNtCMbDUM&mode=related&search=

My best advice CC, is not to read the comments. After seeing the video, the comments begin to make me so physically angry that I need to take a break and go pick flowers or something.

ROFL Alexander...I should go prune my roses or something but I'm afraid I'd go hack crazy after reading those disgusting comments. Although the one from the military guy who said he was going to go over there and kick the guys ass (okay, kill him actually) cracked me up!

CastoCreations, that video was posted by huz999,one of our worst Repeat Offenders (I just checked, it's a new one we hadn't flagged yet). I will be putting that link up in our Daily Dozen for tomorrow. Feel free to email any new links any of you come across to QTRadmin@gmail.com (permanent link to that address on our Daily Dozen).

And I have some really good news I want to share. Today's Featured Smackdown was "American truck explosion by Mojahideen" by khattab23. We put that link up with 2 more of his on our Daily Dozen and added him to our Repeat Offender list just yesterday.

As of today, not only have all 3 of those videos been removed, the account has been closed and all 13 of his videos have been taken down. Thanks to everyone who has been flagging these things; every time YouTube removes one of them, it'll be harder for them to justify leaving the rest up.

Inhale deeply, people, and spare your roses. Many of the jihadist videos are altered to give the appearance that Americans are the casualties. To quote Sargeant Malarky, "If there ain't no body, no one is dead." So chill out. The truth is available. Michael Yon from Buquba: 1 US KIA, 23 WIA. Al Qaeda: 54 dead and 127 arrested. We lost one good man, and that is most certainly a bummer. But look at the catch!!!

We are a nation of winners and we will win this fight. The enemy is impotent. No training, no tactics, no strategy, no leadership, no logistics. Nada. They have but one hope: propaganda. Don't fall for it. In fact, let your anger be your guide. Let it be your motivation. We stand together on the home front knocking down the last hope of jihad. This is too cool. We can take them out while we have morning coffee. We are providing a real service here. Kill the assholes from your computer. Don't get angry, get even.

We took out 23 vids yesterday when we knocked out a repeat offender. QTR is reloading for a 104 count by this time tomorrow night. You have no reason to get upset. You have every reason for a victory dance. Just remember what I said. KILL THEM before breakfast. Then dance the day away in victory.

~Basil

Hmm, deathbyscience, how well can you follow spoken Arabic? I noticed you mentioned studying it over on the Eye of the Tiger thread. There are quite literally tons more jihadi videos that do not include graphic violence or qualify as hate speech like singing and chanting when an IED goes off.

We have not been flagging them for the YouTube Smackdown because none of us know the Arabic to distinguish between the Islamic version of 'Fire and Brimstone' preaching and literal calls for death, slaughter and mayhem. Let's assume there is a difference there.

If you know enough Arabic to pick out the worst stuff, say, to give us some choice quotes where we could post the translation in the comments to explain why we were flagging it as hate speech, we'd like to hear from you. If you have the time, interest, and language skills, please drop me a line at QTRadmin@gmail.com. Thanks.

Rickbert, you read my mind. I had the same thought yesterday with all the translations - surely somebody reading my blog knows Arabic, and maybe they'd be willing to help. I'll mention this in my Feature post later today.

I think the Eye of the Tiger and the Sandwich threads have filled up your mailbox, Rachel. I am trying to send an email for the next daily Featured Smackdown, but it keeps getting returned saying mailbox quota exceeded.

In case I can't get word thru any other way:

Featured Smackdown Aug 4, 2007:
Mujahideen IED a Armored Vehicle. - SwordofBaghdad

This video has been removed due to terms of use violation.

It's working. Like the kid in "Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown," says, "I think....I think...I got it! I Got It!"

Late again. This video has been removed. Good enough.