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News & ArtsWednesday, April 1, 2009
Politics Actually, This Is Kind of Scary
Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 5:18 PM
This morning, I wrote about Stephen Colbert's attack on Glenn Beck. Now I'm learning more about Beck, and Slog tipper Dan just wrote in to us:
The conservatives are planning something on April 15th. Egged on by the hysterical Glen Beck of Fox News, a right wing nut family member of mine seems to have lost it, and he clued me in on the significance of the date. I did some searching and found a call to action from Newt Gingrich, for TEA (Taxed Enough Already) protests in front of the nation's city halls.But there is more to this story, according to this raw wingnut data:
"I am part of we surround them. I will be somewhere, doing something on April 15th"
My boss tells me I foresee problems very well. My cynicism and paranoia leads me to wonder if some these anti-tax protestors are going to exercise their constitutional rights to carry their guns as they exercise their constitutional right to peaceably assemble in front of all the city halls in the country. In other words, a brutal power play, specifically meant to prove the superiority guns and god, while terrifying urban liberals with equal enthusiasm.
Beck and Fox are saying his show is not meant to stir up rebellion, despite some comments that were difficult to construe as non-sectarian like "Remember: We surround them."
Now, I'm not as worried as Dan; I'm not thinking it's revolution or anything so blatant as that. It seems to be a bunch of old white people who can't tolerate Obama being president:
But I think we should be keeping an eye on Beck and his group, just in case. It seems like the sort of thing that will inspire a bunch of fringe lunatics into doing something stupid. This man is really something awful. Thanks to Dan for the tip.
2
Greetings Mr. Beck:
It is an honor to receive your attentions. I will do everything in my power to aid you and receive the $25 million in tax cuts. Please find my bank account number below, as well as my SSN and mother's maiden name.
It is an honor to receive your attentions. I will do everything in my power to aid you and receive the $25 million in tax cuts. Please find my bank account number below, as well as my SSN and mother's maiden name.
7
Glen Beck is like Sarah Palin in that he is a spotlight hungry drama queen who doesn't seem to realize that he has the ear of disenfranchised, racist, gun toting idiots who will interpret his vague revolution talk in widely different and dangerous ways.
For example - about ten years ago, a populist politician was running for president in Sierra Leone. His campaign slogan was "The Future is in Our Children's Hands." Innocent sounding enough, but a group of ignorant militia misunderstood this and rode into small villages, rounded up all the kids, chopped their hands off, and sent them by the sackful to this candidate. That was in Africa, but it could just as easily happen in America.
For example - about ten years ago, a populist politician was running for president in Sierra Leone. His campaign slogan was "The Future is in Our Children's Hands." Innocent sounding enough, but a group of ignorant militia misunderstood this and rode into small villages, rounded up all the kids, chopped their hands off, and sent them by the sackful to this candidate. That was in Africa, but it could just as easily happen in America.
8
no one cares about this chubby fuck crybaby. A couple of geezers show up at city hall whining about taxes? Color me unconcerned.
9
@7 Greetings Mr. Danhowes:
It is an honor to receive you attentions. I will do everything in my power to aid you and accept the chopped off hands of ethnic children. Please find my bank acount number below, as well as my SSN and mother's maiden name.
It is an honor to receive you attentions. I will do everything in my power to aid you and accept the chopped off hands of ethnic children. Please find my bank acount number below, as well as my SSN and mother's maiden name.
13
Pure populism is tyranny of the majority. "Surround them" sounds like it COULD be a step in that direction. American populist movements "work" when they operate within the constitutional structures and protections of the rule of law...AND when they are fully vetted by the Fourth Estate. Aspects of the civil rights movement may have violated laws--but always understanding the consequences that would come from such a violation, not seeking to prevent enforcement of the law.
Without all of these limiters on populism...you end up with (and I realize the incendiary character of these examples--but they are what they are) the Klan, Hitler, McCarthy, John Brown, the lynching of Leo Frank, and Orval Faubus.
This doesn't mean Mr. Beck's group is one that will give rise to another similar sordid chapter in US history...it simply means they bear watching...not clandestine watching... open watching and critique.
Without all of these limiters on populism...you end up with (and I realize the incendiary character of these examples--but they are what they are) the Klan, Hitler, McCarthy, John Brown, the lynching of Leo Frank, and Orval Faubus.
This doesn't mean Mr. Beck's group is one that will give rise to another similar sordid chapter in US history...it simply means they bear watching...not clandestine watching... open watching and critique.
14
Please. Seriously. The right and the left love to fancy they've got some sort of reluctant stake in an armed american insurgence.
lol
Neither stand a chance against the disinterested legions of non state actors fermented in America's criminal underworld over the last 70 years.
In a breakdown, those power vaccuums created where the police apparatus faulters will not be filled by left or right wing idealogues. They will be filled by self interested warlord factions, some with loyalties to something bigger than anyone is even imagining outloud.
Taxes, shmaxes. Republicans need to keep their peeshooters at home if they know what's good for the whole of America. The next asshole group to go too far puts everyone at risk.
Have your little tea party. Just keep it cool, idiots.
lol
Neither stand a chance against the disinterested legions of non state actors fermented in America's criminal underworld over the last 70 years.
In a breakdown, those power vaccuums created where the police apparatus faulters will not be filled by left or right wing idealogues. They will be filled by self interested warlord factions, some with loyalties to something bigger than anyone is even imagining outloud.
Taxes, shmaxes. Republicans need to keep their peeshooters at home if they know what's good for the whole of America. The next asshole group to go too far puts everyone at risk.
Have your little tea party. Just keep it cool, idiots.
15
The best and most effective response that was ever given to a Ku Klux Klan rally in Michigan, was when the townspeople were organized to collectively drop trou and moon the Klan while they rallied on the steps of City Hall. The Klan never came back after that.
Considering the apparent IQ of Glenn Beck's minions, I'd say a group mooning is the reponse that they would best understand.
Flash mob anyone?
Considering the apparent IQ of Glenn Beck's minions, I'd say a group mooning is the reponse that they would best understand.
Flash mob anyone?
16
Beck, Norris and Palin could play the Three Stooges in the ne movie.
There is really nothing to fear from Beck's Buffoons. Even if they show up at some rallies I would bet that progressives could eaisly out number them.
There is really nothing to fear from Beck's Buffoons. Even if they show up at some rallies I would bet that progressives could eaisly out number them.
17
I'm not really worried about Beck whipping people up or anything, just mostly annoyed that someone so aggressively stupid could still somehow succeed upwards in spite of his complete career failure to date. I tuned into his radio show a couple of times out of bemusement and could swear that it sounded like it wasn't even being run live here in the Seattle area. His CNN show got zero ratings; his books ended up in remainder bins and he seemed destined to end up remembered as a Z-grade self parody, and yet -- suddenly he's got a ridiculous, multimillion dollar contract, he's on the front page of the NY Times and he's all over the media despite saying more idiotic shit than ever.
I don't think any of this means anything politically, but it's like seeing that moron at work who always screws up go from being suspended without pay to being given a seat on the Board of Directors, for no apparent reason.
I don't think any of this means anything politically, but it's like seeing that moron at work who always screws up go from being suspended without pay to being given a seat on the Board of Directors, for no apparent reason.
18
The problem with the likes of Glen Beck and Sarah Palin is they are too dumb, arrogant, and ignorant of history to know what they are playing with.
19
@ #18 Part of what they are "playing with" is not taking into account that every action has an opposite and equal reaction. Beck could provoke a backlash by left and progressive forces similar to and possibly larger than the demonstrations after Prop 8.
21
Not for nothing, the Evergreen Freedom Foundation has a big no-tax rally planned in Olympia and Spokane on April 15th:
http://pushbacknotax.com/
It feels different than what Glen Beck's mind has come up with, but all the same.....
http://pushbacknotax.com/
It feels different than what Glen Beck's mind has come up with, but all the same.....
22
Oh all the wingnuts are going to throw their little tea parties tax protests, which might be the closest most of em ever get to teabagging unlike 80% of the male commenters here. So, if it comes down to confrontation, wingnut gunslingers against seattle hipsters, I gotta say this liberal will wear a Ron Paul shirt long enough until the bloodbath is over, then slink back home and toss it in the hamper until the next ideological showdown. But yeah, I know wingnuts and I know libtards and the wingnuts got more guns and know how to use them.
Anyway, this is all just practice until the total collapse of the economy and civilization as we know it and the tribalization of cultural factions. We'll all have to choose up eventually.
Anyway, this is all just practice until the total collapse of the economy and civilization as we know it and the tribalization of cultural factions. We'll all have to choose up eventually.
23
OMG - Dissent on the right. We better squash that before it gets out of control!
It got out of control a long time ago, motherfucker. These people murdered children in Oklahoma City, these people are the exact same as Tim McVeigh.
It got out of control a long time ago, motherfucker. These people murdered children in Oklahoma City, these people are the exact same as Tim McVeigh.
25
23 - please get some perspective. "These people" didn't murder children any more than all of us lefties kidnapped Patty Hearst.
It's tempting to lump thousands of people together based on the actions of a few who may share some opinions, but try not to do it. It's just not a rational way of thinking.
It's tempting to lump thousands of people together based on the actions of a few who may share some opinions, but try not to do it. It's just not a rational way of thinking.
26
Will this be like the "tea parties" where pitifully small numbers of these wingnuts have shown up?
Seriously, I'm a lot more worried about the tenth anniversary of Columbine on April 20th. Some crazy is gonna do something whacko that day, or I'm a very poor student of human nature.
Seriously, I'm a lot more worried about the tenth anniversary of Columbine on April 20th. Some crazy is gonna do something whacko that day, or I'm a very poor student of human nature.
27
19
It cuts both ways.
For example, the push for Gay Marriage has mobilized the right and made allies of Catholics and Evangelicals and Orthodox Jews and Mormons. In the wake of Prop 8 gays sputtered and squealed but the victorious proponents are quietly gearing up for the inevitable next round.
If a court decision nullifies Prop 8 it's supporters will be even more determined.
And, frankly, win or loose it is a struggle the right relishes because it goes to very core value issues for them.
Thus you see a winning streak of 30 state referendums for opponents of gay marriage and that side gaining strength as it continues, as the Prop 8 vote demonstrated.
Dan is ept at the glib smartassery that motivates those who disagree with him, when it comes to the hard thankless out-of-the-spotlight grunt work that is where the real victories are won in the Culture Wars the gays are leaderless.
It cuts both ways.
For example, the push for Gay Marriage has mobilized the right and made allies of Catholics and Evangelicals and Orthodox Jews and Mormons. In the wake of Prop 8 gays sputtered and squealed but the victorious proponents are quietly gearing up for the inevitable next round.
If a court decision nullifies Prop 8 it's supporters will be even more determined.
And, frankly, win or loose it is a struggle the right relishes because it goes to very core value issues for them.
Thus you see a winning streak of 30 state referendums for opponents of gay marriage and that side gaining strength as it continues, as the Prop 8 vote demonstrated.
Dan is ept at the glib smartassery that motivates those who disagree with him, when it comes to the hard thankless out-of-the-spotlight grunt work that is where the real victories are won in the Culture Wars the gays are leaderless.
28
@14
Maybe in the liberal urban centers, but what you describe is totally wrong for most of the country.
The 'underworld' criminal elements survive because they break the law but their opponents are bound by it. Police are restricted in gathering useable evidence, restricted in use of force, courts unable or unwilling to deal appropriate sentences, capital punishment a joke in most states, and citizens fear being sued for harming a criminal more than the criminals.
However in most places you have a heavily armed (Clinton's ban on assault weapons prompted everyone I know to buy several before the ban went into effect, guns sales are up again, where I live the typical household has a dozen firearms of various types) citizenry seething with resentment at the criminals that run amok and the Liberals whose policies make that possible.
When the niceties of the law are suspended the criminal underclass will have no where to hide and nothing to hide behind.
And frankly a big segment of the population relishes the prospect. They are law abiding citizens and don't want to see law and order break down but if someone else pulls that trigger they are confident of their ability to make it in that new world.
In New Orleans you had a population addicted to the government titty unable to even move itself out of the flood waters- maybe Seattle would be the same way in a breakdown of authority but in many places people will see the breakdown as a liberation from a smothering nanny state.
It always amuses when the occasional slog jackass rants about the poor taking to the streets and putting the heads of the rich on a pike. New Orleans showed you how your poor will react, helpless and/or preying on each other.
The communities that put shotgun armed baricades at bridges also give a small glimpse of how the other half will respond. Keep your newscameras away- we'll be fine, thank you.
The armed America that will take care of itself when the breakdown comes doesn't resent the rich. It resents the Liberals and 'Socialist'.
No, your 'criminal underworld' types won't last long in the new world of citizen justice. Rent the 'Death Wish' films with Charles bronson.
ps- it is not Beck and his ilk that will tip us over; it will be a government too heavy in debt and unable to keep borrowing that is finally unable to keep entitlement checks going out. When the poor find the government titty gone dry they will get ugly. That is what will usher in your breakdown in order and every Trillion Obama borrows puts us that much closer. The chaos in California over the budget is a little sample of how it will play out.
More...
Maybe in the liberal urban centers, but what you describe is totally wrong for most of the country.
The 'underworld' criminal elements survive because they break the law but their opponents are bound by it. Police are restricted in gathering useable evidence, restricted in use of force, courts unable or unwilling to deal appropriate sentences, capital punishment a joke in most states, and citizens fear being sued for harming a criminal more than the criminals.
However in most places you have a heavily armed (Clinton's ban on assault weapons prompted everyone I know to buy several before the ban went into effect, guns sales are up again, where I live the typical household has a dozen firearms of various types) citizenry seething with resentment at the criminals that run amok and the Liberals whose policies make that possible.
When the niceties of the law are suspended the criminal underclass will have no where to hide and nothing to hide behind.
And frankly a big segment of the population relishes the prospect. They are law abiding citizens and don't want to see law and order break down but if someone else pulls that trigger they are confident of their ability to make it in that new world.
In New Orleans you had a population addicted to the government titty unable to even move itself out of the flood waters- maybe Seattle would be the same way in a breakdown of authority but in many places people will see the breakdown as a liberation from a smothering nanny state.
It always amuses when the occasional slog jackass rants about the poor taking to the streets and putting the heads of the rich on a pike. New Orleans showed you how your poor will react, helpless and/or preying on each other.
The communities that put shotgun armed baricades at bridges also give a small glimpse of how the other half will respond. Keep your newscameras away- we'll be fine, thank you.
The armed America that will take care of itself when the breakdown comes doesn't resent the rich. It resents the Liberals and 'Socialist'.
No, your 'criminal underworld' types won't last long in the new world of citizen justice. Rent the 'Death Wish' films with Charles bronson.
ps- it is not Beck and his ilk that will tip us over; it will be a government too heavy in debt and unable to keep borrowing that is finally unable to keep entitlement checks going out. When the poor find the government titty gone dry they will get ugly. That is what will usher in your breakdown in order and every Trillion Obama borrows puts us that much closer. The chaos in California over the budget is a little sample of how it will play out.
30
Bah! Nothing to worry about. Yes, they'll probably get together. Yes, they'll certainly have people in their group that are armed, though they'll be the minority. They'll get a small handful of people and it will be largely ignored by the media except for Fox "News".
Beck, in his infinite "wisdom" has chosen a workday. HA! These people won't take off work. You'll get a couple cities in the south that get a few hundred people to come but mostly you're looking at a couple dozen people at best. Let it happen under the radar and it will come and go without major incident.
Beck, in his infinite "wisdom" has chosen a workday. HA! These people won't take off work. You'll get a couple cities in the south that get a few hundred people to come but mostly you're looking at a couple dozen people at best. Let it happen under the radar and it will come and go without major incident.
31
Beck, in his infinite "wisdom" has chosen a workday. HA! These people won't take off work.
The people in the TV-watching party don't have a workplace to go to. They're either retired, laid off, or Stay At Home Moms.
The people in the TV-watching party don't have a workplace to go to. They're either retired, laid off, or Stay At Home Moms.
32
Noone will be armed. The right is stupid, yes, but not that stupid. The yuppies don't went to spend any more time in jail than you or I. Glen Beck is just a puppet of the system. He's there to make all of the people who have a problem with what's going on in this country look bad, so that we can be generalized and shunned. I voted for Obama, had high hopes for the man, then became completely disolussioned when it became apparent that he was just going to continue every thing Bush did to attack our constitutional rights. Yes, he did some great things for science, yes he's protecting R vs. W, but have any of you really been paying attention to what's been happening since he got elected? It's terrifying. I didn't know that I had to choose between my allegiance to the democratic party and my civil rights as an American citizen. Naomi Wolf, who has been a liberal her whole life, wrote a book called "The end of America". In it she details the ten steps every dictatorship in history has taken to crack down on the rights of it's citizens. Nine of these steps have already happened in America, and Obama isn't changing any of them. If you look at history, you will realize that every world superpower that has collapsed has done so for economic reasons. Their forces were spread thin, and they were spending too much on wars they couldn't win while the economy at home went to shit. Sound familiar? Two things are bound to happen here. Orwellian police state, or complete economic collapse. Maybe even both. It's time we stood up for what this country was founded on, or we're going to lose our freedom. I was a big left supporter, but have come to the realization that the left-right paradigm is complete bull. The reel changes, the movie continues, and noone has any idea.
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