Neal Rauhauser’s Sick Obsession and the #Anonymous #OpIsrael Hamas Scam

Posted on | November 17, 2012 | 67 Comments

Just got off the phone with a reporter who was wondering why this blog was named in the second paragraph of a press release from Anonymous about their support for the terrorist group Hamas:

It has come to our attention that conservative and pro-Israeli groups throughout the blogosphere have taken advantage of Operation Israel, attempting to solidify public opinion against Anonymous.
TheOtherMcCain.com posted an editorial this morning which stated the following: “If you ever doubted that Anonymous was a terrorist organization, they have now removed all reason for doubt.”

The post mentioned: “Thugs of a Feather: #Anonymous Supports Hamas Terrorists Against Israel.” Several news sites as well as bloggers have called attention to the pro-Hama declarations made by various accounts claiming to speak on behalf of Anonymous. So why, among all the sites reporting and commenting on this phenomenon, am I singled out in this press release that goes yammering on about the “oppression imposed by the Israeli government,” etc.?

The answer in two words: Neal Rauhauser, who has spent the past 24 hours figuratively high-fiving himself on his Blog Nobody Should Link, celebrating the fact that our site was targeted for an online attack yesterday that blocked or slowed traffic. This was not a DDOS attack, which requires the use of multiple accounts, but rather another method that can be done from a single computer.

In other words, it would appear, Rauhauser personally attempted to shut down our site, then tried to pretend that it was a collective attack by Anonymous, and has since carried on at his blog in an effort to convince others to join in on the attack. It’s a dishonest scam.

As for the press release from Anonymous, if Neal did not write it himself, it is almost certain that the person who did write it named my site so prominently at the prompting of Rauhauser, who has often boasted of his connections to Anonymous.

As anyone who has studied Rauhauser’s harassment methods knows, he has a childish love of the “you can’t catch me” game: He engages in surreptitious attacks on the targets of his cyberstalking and, if they publicly accuse him of it, Rauhauser then denies his involvement and mocks his target as being “paranoid” for suspecting him. Rauhauser did this in the 2010 “TwitterGate” scandal; after Neal’s involvement was exposed, he did the “you can’t catch me” trick, and succeeded in convincing some people that the orchestrated online harassment of Tea Party activists was just a “prank” that got out of hand.

Now, some people have suggested that I should just ignore Neal Rauhauser, as if ignoring him would cause him to stop his obsessive cyberstalking. It won’t, and this is not about me. When I ignore Rauhauser, his other targets — he has a long list of people with whom he is fanatically obsessed — continue to suffer harm and, in fact, even greater harm occasionally befalls those who assist Rauhauser in his harassment.

Former Anonymous spokesman Barrett Brown was arrested by the FBI after he got involved in one of Rauhauser’s operations. In recent weeks, Rauhauser has tried to gin up another one of his crazy conspiracy theories to explain Brown’s meltdown, but those of us who watched it happen know the part Neal played in that sad episode.

Neal Rauhauser is a dangerous person, perhaps more dangerous to his “friends” than to his enemies, and his latest apparent stunt — inciting Anonymous supporters against me — is a classic example. Anyone who permits themselves to be baited into criminal activity will be subject to the same kind of prosecution that sent the “LulzSec” hackers to prison. And look what Anonymous is doing now:

Anonymous attacks over 650 Israeli sites, wipes
databases, leaks email addresses and passwords

Are these people insane? The United States government considers Hamas a terrorist organization. Not only is any U.S. resident participating in these criminal intrusions individually liable for those federal crimes, but Anonymous as an organization now must be considered a national security threat, giving aid to terrorists against a U.S. ally.

Indeed, what Anonymous calls the #OpIsrael project may be the work of foreign agents who have infiltrated the Anonymous collective. In an online space where people are intensively secretive about their identities, no one can be sure of another person’s actual motives. Therefore, in regard to #OpIsrael, the question is, “Cui bono?”

Who benefits from the online attacks on Israeli sites? Hamas. And who supports Hamas? Iran. The possibility that #OpIsrael is, in fact, a project of Iranian intelligence operatives cannot be dismissed. Any teenage techie who thinks it’s just a lot of lulz to get involved in this stunt — or any misguided idealist who thinks that hacking Israeli computers is a way to prevent “oppression” — is apt to learn a hard lesson.

It’s all just fun and games until someone ends up in federal prison. And if you don’t believe me, ask Barrett Brown.

UPDATE: A reader in the comments recommends Parmy Olson’s book, We Are Anonymous: Inside the Hacker World of LulzSec, Anonymous, and the Global Cyber Insurgency.

UPDATE II: Welcome, Instapundit readers!

UPDATE III: Geopolitics and ‘Amateur Assclowns’

Category: Israel, Terrorism

Comments

67 Responses to “Neal Rauhauser’s Sick Obsession and the #Anonymous #OpIsrael Hamas Scam”

AnimalFarm.org » RT @rsmccain: Neal Rauhauser’s Sick Obsession and the #Anonymous #OpIsrael Hamas Scam http://t.co/eItykHLO
November 17th, 2012 @ 8:39 pm

[…] Neal Rauhauser’s Sick Obsession and the #Anonymous #OpIsrael Hamas Scam http://theothermccain.com/2012/11/17/neal-rauhausers-sick-obsession-and-the-anonymous-opisrael-hamas… […]
Kristi
November 17th, 2012 @ 8:41 pm

They should just strap on an explosive vest and get it over with already.
soundmigration
November 17th, 2012 @ 8:42 pm

Anonymous have made it clear they dont support Hamas. Heres the latest video. Tweetdeck is a great resource https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q760tsz1Z7M
jsn2
November 17th, 2012 @ 8:47 pm

Unfortunately, when Rauhauser is caught, he will be able to successfully plead insanity and have an easier time in the can.
robertstacymccain
November 17th, 2012 @ 9:21 pm

Right: Israel is fighting for its life, Anonymous is attacking Israel, but these attacks “don’t support Hamas.”
Got a bridge in Brooklyn you want to sell me, perhaps?
JeffS
November 17th, 2012 @ 9:34 pm

Pull the other one, bub,

Hamas reigns missiles upon Israelis, Anonymous does nothing.

Israel defends itself, and almost immediately, Anonymous attacks Israels, and “supports Gaza”, which is ruled by Hamas.

Anonymous is supporting Hamas against Israel. Anything to the contrary from Anonymous is a lie. for months

How does it feel to be Iran’s bitch, hmmmm?
JeffS
November 17th, 2012 @ 9:36 pm

The friends of NR — if he has any left — should think very carefully about the next favor NR asks of them, or suggestion that he makes.

Because NR is all about NR, and no one else.
soundmigration
November 17th, 2012 @ 9:41 pm

Eh do you know what Anonymous is? Being Iran bitch? Level of debate is shockingly high and intellectual on this comment section. “How does it feel to be Iran’s bitch, hmmmm?” Are you like 6 years old, or just a dumb jock who hasnt grown up? Fuck me thats supposed to in some way deal with the substance of the article….
Mike F.
November 17th, 2012 @ 9:45 pm

So, they’re working real hard to get Mossad’s attention, huh?
soundmigration
November 17th, 2012 @ 9:48 pm

Israel is fighting for its life? really? How many dead in the recent attacks by Hamas? 3 people. much less than car accidents. Clearly these deads are awful for the families and victims. But this is not Israel fighting for its life. Israel has over the last 48 hour killed 48 dead in Gaza? Equivalency? Or are Palestinian lives not as important to you as Israeli lives. Anyway to the point I was making before you make such a strong intervention….

The direct actions by anonymous are clearly aimed at Israels stated intention to bring down communications and stop ordinary Gazan’s being able to be connected to the net. If you haven’t bother to read any of the statement released, you’d seriously be better of joining JeffS reactionary circle jerk rather than pretending your engaged in a discussion.
Stogie Chomper
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:00 pm

Today I began reading We Are Anonymous: Inside the Hacker World of LulzSec, Anonymous, and the Global Cyber Insurgency by Parmy Olson. I am learning about the methods, websites and personalities involved in this crimial movement. After that I will read “Unmasked,” also about the Anonymous movement. I want to know as much as I can learn about them, to see if there is a way to fight them.
Stogie Chomper
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:02 pm

Soundmigration — your other name wouldn’t be Neal Rauhauser by any chance, hmmmm?
JeffS
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:05 pm

None of the above.

I judge Anonymous by their own words and actions. That’s obvious to anyone with their eyes open and possessing an unbiased mind.

Stacy’s logic regarding Iran is sound, especially considering their ruthless activities in supporting the Shi’ite terrorists in southern Iraq.

And if Anonymous is not Iran’s bitch, they are Iran’s ally.

Beyond that, I’m just going to agree to disagree with you. Clearly, you are in the tank for Anonymous, Hamas, and Iran, and further debate with you is like debating with a rock.

Or a leftie. Comes to the same thing.
JeffS
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:06 pm

That’s a good bet, I’d say.
soundmigration
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:09 pm

great read
soundmigration
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:12 pm

Jesus Fucking Christ. You right wing nuts go to conspiracy mode before even using google search. But bet you’ll be googling now. Or you could start here https://soundmigration.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/israel-attacks-gaza-again-the-struggle-for-occupation-of-social-media/
soundmigration
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:14 pm

em im not in a tank at all. Its night time here so im in bed. I study anonymous in it variety of forms and actions, so i know a bit about that area of research. But like you where saying clearly etc etc etc.. FFS
soundmigration
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:16 pm

you read this right

Greetings from Anonymous,

It has come to our attention that conservative and pro-Israeli groups
throughout the blogosphere have taken advantage of Operation Israel,
attempting to solidify public opinion against Anonymous.

TheOtherMcCain.com posted an editorial this morning which stated the
following: “If you ever doubted that Anonymous was a terrorist
organization, they have now removed all reason for doubt.” The article
only contained 55 words of original content by the site itself, the
other 90 percent of the article was selected quotations by mainstream
media sources.

Let us once again be perfectly clear: Anonymous does not in any way
support the use of violence. Anonymous is a world wide collective of
individuals whose means pursue human rights, justice, and universal
equality for the citizens of every nation.

Pro-Israeli groups throughout the world have grown from a foundation of
Israeli/US propaganda and lies. They arbitrarily dismiss the apartheid
system of racial segregation and oppression imposed by the Israeli
government on the Palestinian people. The fact of the matter is, in the
eyes of the media, only the United States and it’s allies are capable of
labeling another state or organization as a terrorists. Throughout our
campaign, we’ve been inundated with one response in particular;
references to Hamas hiding in school buildings or using women and
children as human shields. Selective memory seems to have given
pro-Israeli organizations the ability to forget that in 2005 Israeli
Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz appeared in court to defend the practice of
using Palestinians as human shields in combat after a supreme court
outlawed the practice, noting it violated International Law.

The reasons for Anonymous intervention through #OpIsrael should be
abundantly clear: What is happening in Palestine is oppression. They
have no navy, no army, or air force. There is no war in Gaza. There is
only the continuous application of military force by Israel in an
attempt to push every last person out of the Palestinian state, despite
international laws that make these efforts illegal. This illegal
expansion of territory by Israel in to the Palestinian state has been
ongoing since1948, making refugees of over 700,000 Palestinians. Today,
Palestinians are not permitted to live in Israeli settlements, drive on
Israeli roads or even travel is the “security” areas surrounding them.
These Israeli only housing developments are being built on stolen land,
even while being called illegal settlements by the International Court
of Justice.

The violence inflicted upon the civilian residents of Gaza is well
documented, despite the fact that Israel has adamantly opposed
intervention by human rights organizations and the IDF constantly blocks
and harasses international journalists.

Despite these facts, Anonymous has not used any anti-Semitic language
during our campaign. Nor have we vocalized any support for Palestinian
military operations or resistance groups. Our goal was to protect the
rights of Palestinian people who are threatened with silence as Israel
has made attempts to shut down cell phone and internet service
throughout Gaza. We know what happens to victims of oppression when the
lights go dark.

It is also worthy to note, that as of yesterday, members of Anonymous
participating in #OpIsrael were making attempts to augment our Gaza Care
Package for civilians in Tel Aviv by translating the same documents in
to Hebrew in the event that they lose access to internet service as
well. We do not racially or geographically differentiate between victims
of violence or oppression anywhere in the world.

Both Palestinians and Israelis need to find common ground and end the
violence that has already resulted in the deaths of innocent people,
including children. Israel’s advancement on Palestinian Territories and
the racist oppression of Palestinian people needs to end.

We are not terrorists. Governments that fund wars, practice deceit
against their own citizens, condone corruption, and turn a blind eye to
the deaths of innocent people are terrorists. The word terror does not
belong to Israel or the United States. We will judge you by your
actions.

Peace and Freedom to all,

#OpIsrael
#Anonymous

Anonymous Gaza Care Package: http://www.mediafire.com/?hpnne29xvx1ceuv
#OpIsrael Information and Tools: http://www.anonpaste.me/anonpaste2/index.php?052e585589d89b5d#V7ELmwHwFZ6gm+mv3/BH0M2bw035NxDE7qaf55tRIBY=
soundmigration
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:18 pm

What happened last time Israel mounted land offensive #CastLead in numbers mezan.org/upload/8941.pdf
Instapundit » Blog Archive » IT REALLY WAS A MISTAKE TO TRY TO OUT-CRAZY Stacy McCain….
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:25 pm

[…] IT REALLY WAS A MISTAKE TO TRY TO OUT-CRAZY Stacy McCain. […]
Janovus
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:41 pm

You DO realize that the same people whom you support would gladly slaughter you and your family as infidels hmm?
Anonymous, not very anonymous, just pathetic useless idiots…
SDN
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:46 pm

No, I just follow the words of that Christ you malign, “By their fruits shall ye know them.” I know all I need to from your own words.
Janovus
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:46 pm

It seems this Sound Migration lefty lunatic is another filthy irish anti-semite. Sheesh, they are breeding them faster than the Nazis did. Of course since no one really gives a blood pie worth a damn about Ireland, for the most part, who cares? their economy is sinking faster than blarney… You all do seem to like terrorists though…
Janovus
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:47 pm

Pathetic cut and paste job
Janovus
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:48 pm

Get a life dude, or is that dud?
Andy Bajonski
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:51 pm

http://theothermccain.com/2012/11/17/neal-rauhausers-sick-obsession-and-the-anonymous-opisrael-hamas-scam/
clarice Feldman
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:53 pm

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/11/anonymous-claims-they-hacked-into-orca-jammed-it-on-election-day/
Adjoran
November 17th, 2012 @ 10:58 pm

Loser asshole. You are so “computer savvy” you can’t even figure out the formatting of your cut-and-paste.

Mad hacker skillz, dude. Maybe your Mom will make you a sandwich between tricks.
The Sanity Inspector
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:01 pm

They may still be at it. The IDF Blog is down at the moment.
Adjoran
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:02 pm

Hey, loser, it’s not for lack of Hamas trying that so few have been killed in Israel. THOUSANDS of rockets launched. Just because they are stupid and incompetent doesn’t mean they lack murderous intent, moron.
robertstacymccain
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:04 pm

Exactly! I mean, of all the people you don’t want to fuck with, I’m pretty sure Mossad would be near the top of the list.
bjm2009
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:07 pm

Yeah, Gerald Bull comes to mind.
JeffS
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:08 pm

That’s the way I see it. Anonymous is to Mossad as a field mouse is to that eagle swooping in for a quick snack.
MoReport
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:08 pm

_IF_ the Obama DOJ chooses to apply the Patriot Act
to these online Patriot Games, Anonymous will not be.
robertstacymccain
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:08 pm

His ex-friends would warn any of Neal’s current associates against cooperating with him. There are committed progressives who know very well that he is an unreliable ally. The reason they don’t speak publicly against Rauhauser is because they are afraid of him.
George Talbot
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:09 pm

I suggest you purchase and read the book “Israel: An Introduction” by Barry Rubin. It will explain exactly what of the above you have written is wrong, is right, and is misinterpreted.
JeffS
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:11 pm

So, NR bites the hands of his allies, hmmmmm? That’ll end up well for him.

Not.
Douglas6
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:20 pm

I don’t think Mossad would care very much about due process or the Bill of Rights once they identify the folks behind these attacks. Those folks might want to be very careful crossing the street or going down a flight of stairs. In fact, they might be better off never leaving their basements.
Rob Crawford
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:29 pm

There’s always a way to fight them. They’re cowards.

If they weren’t cowards, they wouldn’t be anonymous. They’d stand and be counted for their “ideals”.
Rob Crawford
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:30 pm

Do we know what “Anonymous” is?

Yes, it’s a pack of cowardly tweens who got bored of being teabagged in online death matches and switched over to playing at being script-kiddies.
Rob Crawford
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:31 pm

“Stupid and incompetent” — that’s why “Anonymous” feels such kinship for Ham-ass. They know what it’s like to go through life stupid and incompetent, shunned by women…
Rob Crawford
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:32 pm

Anonymous claims a lot of things.

Some of them claim to have lost their virginity, for example. No one believes that claim.
todd
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:32 pm

Have to agree that if hackers are acting irresponsibly disclosing information and disabling sites that is just wrong.
Rob Crawford
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:32 pm

More successful than anyone in Anonymous has ever been.
MrPaulRevere
November 17th, 2012 @ 11:51 pm

You are either a) scum b) trash or c) filth. Its a buffet take your pick.
JeffS
November 18th, 2012 @ 12:23 am

And turning their computers off.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
November 18th, 2012 @ 12:24 am

Mazel Tov!
Geopolitics and ‘Amateur Assclowns’ : The Other McCain
November 18th, 2012 @ 1:07 am

[…] Office.Oops. Here’s video from the guided missile camera:PREVIOUSLY:Nov. 17: Neal Rauhauser’s Sick Obsession and the #Anonymous #OpIsrael Hamas ScamNov. 16: Israel Continues Kicking Ass in Gaza (With Another Awesome War Porn Video)Nov. 15: Thugs […]
yestradamous
November 18th, 2012 @ 1:11 am

I can’t take anybody seriously who wears those stupid masks.
Serr8d
November 18th, 2012 @ 1:25 am

The Israelis took that small plot of ground in the middle of an overworked land, surrounded by people living a backwards culture that’s barely post-medieval, and created a veritable oasis. Unfortunately, the Islamic faith isn’t progressive, and needs a reformation to be able to correctly function in this modern world. Lacking the impetus to reform, they are and will always be unable to coexist with any other religion, be it Jewish, Catholic, Christian, Hindu or What Have You.

We support Israel, because we have much more in common with them than with their backwards enemies.

Israel should make a proclamation to the Muslim world: if Iran or any other nation attacks her with nuclear weapons, then Mecca and Medina will be turned into pools of glass, and become uninhabitable for at least a century. Call that doctrine “Mutual Assured Destruction”.

Why not? It worked so well for the USA and the USSR for all these decades.

As for Anonymous, I shall enjoy watching Mossad cut their livers out and fry them on their own still-smoking hard drives.