Something in the way he talks

Media Matters is, by many, a much-reviled organization that follows what people say via the media – because it matters. The misinformation and disinformation is listed day by day. Glenn Beck, in particular, despises the organization because he’s often mentioned on its website. Following the recent Tucson murders, much discussion arose about whether the so-call “hate speech” of various right-wing radio and TV figures can lead to real-life violent actions. Beck claims he makes no calls for violence:

Beck’s Advice To Liberty Grads: “Shoot To Kill.” During his May 15 commencement speech at Liberty University, Beck told graduates that they “have a responsibility” to speak out, or “blood … will be on our hands.” His advice for graduates (as well as his daughter) included “shoot to kill.” [Glenn Beck, Commencement Address At Liberty University, 5/15/10 and 5/15/10]

Media Matters provided the following collection of quotes from Beck’s radio and TV shows that suggest he does, indeed, make many references to violence. It’s not only direct talk about violence, but so much fearful talk about how they are going to take away your rights and they are going to take away your country, etc. Of course that has a direct impact on the way that millions of Americans view their government.

It reminds me of the John Birch Society when I was growing up. All this fear and conspiracy talk and the end of America. There’s one major difference between the John Birch Society people and Glenn Beck. The Birch Society people were considered pretty loony even by conservatives. They were pretty much pushed to the side and ignored. Today, there is what’s referred to as “hate radio” and cable television and the John Birch thinking has become mainstream. How bizarre.

Beck: “You’re Going To Have To Shoot Them In The Head.” On the June 9, 2010, edition of his Fox News program, during a long monologue about “Communist revolutionaries” that are trying to take over the Democratic Party, Beck said:

BECK: The media and the politician have all of this wrong. In every single walk of life — you want to know why TV doesn’t reflect you? You want to know why Washington doesn’t reflect you? Because they don’t understand, from the radical revolutionaries to the Islamic extremists — and yes, DOJ, they do exist — to the Tea Party movements.

Just because you in Washington and you who are so out of touch with life in the media, just because you don’t believe in anything doesn’t mean nobody else does. We do. You know why you’re confused by this show? It’s because I believe in something. You don’t.

Tea parties believe in small government. We believe in returning to the principles of our Founding Fathers. We respect them. We revere them. Shoot me in the head before I stop talking about the Founders. Shoot me in the head if you try to change our government.

I will stand against you and so will millions of others. We believe in something. You in the media and most in Washington don’t. The radicals that you and Washington have co-opted and brought in wearing sheep’s clothing — change the pose. You’ll get the ends.

You’ve been using them? They believe in communism. They believe and have called for revolution — revolution. You’re going to have to shoot them in the head. But warning, they may shoot you.

They’re dangerous because they believe. Karl Marx is their George Washington. You will never change their mind. And if they feel you have lied to them — they’re revolutionaries. Nancy Pelosi, those are the people you should be worried about. [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 6/9/10]
Responding to recent controversy over these remarks, Beck said on January 21:
BECK: If you look at the full video, or if you read the transcript … you’ll see that the word “you” refers to the leftist politicians in Washington and the people in the media on the left; and the “them,” “they” refers to radical leftists friends. In this clip, I am warning that they, the revolutionaries, that have been co-opted by the politicians and the media, they actually believe and have called for a violent revolution. They believe it. And I was warning last summer, if you don’t — if they feel betrayed, if they feel like you’ve been lying to them, you’ve been using them, they’ll kill you. They’ll kill you because they believe in something.

STU BURGUIERE (producer): And we know that because they’ve said it in their own words.

BECK: Yes. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 1/21/11]
Beck Pours Gasoline On “Average American,” Asks: “President Obama, Why Don’t You Just Set Us On Fire?” On his television show, Beck claimed to be imitating Obama while pouring liquid from a gasoline can — which he later stated was water — on an actor portraying the “average American.” Beck said during his demonstration: “President Obama, why don’t you just set us on fire? … We didn’t vote to lose the republic.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 4/9/09]

Beck Turns To Violent Rhetoric In Discussing Flu Vaccine: “Meet Mr. Smith And Mr. Wesson.” On his radio show, Beck developed a hypothetical scenario in which the government would consider taking his children because he refused to have them receive a mandatory flu vaccine. Beck explained to the audience that his response to the government showing up at his house to take his kids would be, “Meet Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson,” a reference to the gun manufacturer. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 10/15/10]

Quoting Jefferson, Beck Warns About “Rivers Of Blood.” On his Fox News show, Beck quoted a letter by Thomas Jefferson warning that ” ‘if they lose freedom’ — he’s speaking of us, future generations — ‘if they lose freedom, there will be rivers of blood.’ ” Beck continued in his own words, “Boy, I hope that’s not true, but I can tell you there will be rivers of blood if we don’t have values and principles.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 5/14/10]

Beck: “To The Day I Die, I Am Going To Be A Progressive Hunter.” Telling his listeners that they “are going to learn so much on Friday,” Beck compared himself to “Israeli Nazi hunters” and commented: “I’m telling you, I’m going to find these big progressives and, to the day I die, I’m going to be a progressive hunter.” He added:

BECK: I’m going to find these people that have done this to our — you know, to our country, and expose them. I don’t care where — I don’t care if they’re in nursing homes. I’m going to expose what they have done and make sure that the people understand, because our Constitution, our republic — if it survives — it will only survive because the people are waking up and through the grace of God, because we are that close to losing our republic. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 1/20/10]
Ranting That Gov’t Under Nixon “Wasn’t As Corrupt As It Is Now,” Beck Suggests Obama Administration Might Kill “10 Percent” Of Population. On his June 10, 2010, show, Beck warned that “anarchists, Marxists, communists, revolutionaries, Maoists” have to “eliminate 10 percent of the U.S. population” in order to “gain control.” They couldn’t achieve such a goal when Richard Nixon was president, Beck stated, because “the family was together” and the government under Nixon “wasn’t as corrupt as it is now.” Beck added: “Now they can. Now they can.” Beck later played a clip of an FBI agent who infiltrated the Weather Underground and warned about extremists who want to kill people. Beck responded to the clip by stating: “These are the same people that are everywhere in our government and our education system. Please, please. Learn from history. Please.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 6/10/10]

Beck Portrays Obama, Democrats As Vampires, Suggests “Driv[ing] A Stake Through The Heart Of The Bloodsuckers.” On his March 30, 2009, Fox News show, Beck aired a graphic portraying Obama and Democrats as vampires and said: “The government is full of vampires, and they are trying to suck the lifeblood out of the economy.” Beck then suggested “driv[ing] a stake through the heart of the bloodsuckers.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 3/30/09]

Beck: Progressives Are “Vampires” Who Will Become “More and More Violent.” On his radio show, Beck warned listeners that progressives are “vampires” who now have a “taste of blood” and are “gonna start getting more and more violent.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 1/19/10]

Beck Talks About “Put[ting] Poison” In Pelosi’s Wine. In 2009, Beck’s Fox News show featured a segment in which Beck said the following to a woman wearing a mask of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:

BECK: So, Speaker Pelosi, I just wanted to — you gonna drink your wine? Are you blind? Do those eyes not work? There you — I want you to drink it now. Drink it. Drink it. Drink it.

I really just wanted to thank you for having me over here to wine country. You know, to be invited, I thought I had to be a major Democratic donor or a longtime friend of yours, which I’m not.

By the way, I put poison in your — no, I — I look forward to all the policy discussions that we’re supposed to have — you know, on health care, energy reform, and the economy. [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 8/6/09]
Beck: “Grab A Torch.” Asserting that politicians are addicted to spending, Beck stated: “When do we ever run those who are bankrupting our country and literally stealing our children’s future out of town? Grab a torch.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 1/6/10]

Beck Suggests That Progressives Support “Armed Insurrection.” After President Obama signed health care reform legislation into law, Beck suggested that progressives support “armed insurrection” and asked, “Why would the president take up immigration right away, after he’s just punched you in the face with health care?” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 3/23/10]

Beck Suggests Pelosi and Obama Support “Pick[ing] Up A Gun” To Advance “Revolution.” Beck also said that “violence is the wrong way to go,” but asked his viewers: “You’d pick up a gun? Have you ever thought of that?” He then pointed to several pictures, including images of Obama and Pelosi, and stated: “These people have. Because possibly, maybe the question should be asked, maybe they’re tired of evolution, and maybe they are waiting for revolution.” Beck also said: “Haven’t we just been spanked? Hasn’t most of the country — doesn’t most of the country feel like they’ve been spanked over health care? You bet. I do, you do. A lot of people do.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 3/23/10]

Beck Suggests Obama Administration May Kill Him. Beck said: “For those of you in the administration, who are coming after me … remember, you’ve broken three [of the 10 Commandments], let’s not make it four; thou shalt not kill.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 3/23/10]

Beck: “The Revolution Of 1776 Was A Picnic Compared To What The Revolutionaries Of Today Would Like To Do. … Usually, Millions Of People Die.” While discussing “radicals” in the country, Beck told his audience: “Here’s what you’ll learn. The revolution of 1776 was a picnic compared to what the revolutionaries of today would like to do. It’s not a lot of fun. Usually, millions of people die.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 6/9/10]

Beck Suggests Progressive Coalition Will Become Violent And Riot “A Year From Now.” On his Fox News program, while discussing how progressives are supposedly trying to “nudge” the United States towards “global governance,” Beck said that “violence is a part of the overall strategy.” While discussing a coalition of unions and progressive groups that were planning a march in Washington, D.C., Beck said that he believes the march will be “peaceful,” but suggested that “a year from now” there may be violence and riots “when the cuts take place.” Beck also proclaimed that the Democrats have been “infected with the tree of revolution” and “radicals” who are a “danger to our republic.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 9/14/10]

Beck Connects U.S. Progressives To The Holocaust, Says They “Have Not Changed Their Viewpoint.” Beck announced that “if you don’t know your history, you are doomed to repeat it” and went on to link several U.S. progressives to eugenics and the Holocaust. He proceeded to say that progressives “have not changed their viewpoint; they’ve only changed their language.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 8/3/10]

Beck: After Election, “Our Streets Will Not Be Peaceful” Due To Progressives “Agitating.” Discussing the November 2010 elections, Beck told his viewers that “activists” were “about to go back to agitating, because once they lose control of the House, they have to.” After encouraging people to vote, Beck said that after the election, “our streets will not be peaceful. They will start protesting and agitating again.” [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 9/30/10]

Beck Warned That “In The End, In Revolutions, Real Dangerous Killers Show Up When Things Start To Fall Apart.” Discussing how the government is “growing out of control,” Beck attacked former White House green jobs adviser Van Jones and “the government” for using “fear tactics.” Beck told listeners that he “told you this would happen” and added that “I told you just last week that I believe these are the most dangerous two years of our republic. Because in the end, in revolutions, the real dangerous killers show up when things start to fall apart. When the nudge moves to shove, and the shove doesn’t work, the killers show up. It happens every time. That’s why we must be united for peace, we must be united with love, we must be united with God.” [The Glenn Beck Program, 9/27/10]

Beck: “Violence Will Come. And Violence Will Come From The Left. Violence Is Part Of The Plan.” Beck warned listeners that “if you don’t think violence is coming, I’m going to share some audio of Frances Fox Piven that will boggle your mind.” Beck said that “they don’t mind violence. Violence will come. And violence will come from the left. Violence is part of the plan. Not mine, not yours.” [The Glenn Beck Program, 9/13/10]

Beck On Progressives: When The “Soft Revolution” Fails, They “Just Start Shooting People.” Beck claimed that progressives are engaging in a “soft revolution” designed to silence voices like his. He added: “If somebody starts to turn on them, or they can’t get everyone to silence, that’s when the arrests come, or that’s when they start a hard revolution. That’s when they start just shooting people. I hope we don’t get to that point. I pray that we don’t get to that point, but I never thought this country would get to the point where we are today.” [The Glenn Beck Program, 5/27/10]

Beck Warns Of Violence: “Trouble” By The “Most Violent” Progressives “Is Coming.” Beck suggested that Obama would respond to potential GOP victories in November elections by “going right directly” to the “most progressive, most violent, the worst of the worst on the left and stir ‘em up. ‘Get out into the streets. Cause trouble.’ It’s what’s coming. It’s what’s coming.” [The Glenn Beck Program, 9/24/10]

Beck: “Violence Is Coming” And “The Left Will Blame Me.” Beck said that people need to “wake up” and see “what is coming,” which Beck described as “violence.” He added that “the left will blame me.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 8/2/10]

Beck: “God Will Wash This Nation With Blood If He Has To, But He Doesn’t Have To.” Referencing Lincoln’s second inaugural address, Beck said that “God will wash this nation with blood if he has to, but he doesn’t have to.” Beck added that “we are passing all of the exits. Gang, there is one exit left. There is one exit left, and it is God. Everything that is coming our way is too big to handle on our own. If we do not put God at the center of our own personal lives and the center of our country, we will not survive. The country will be washed with blood and then someone will have to start over, and God only knows how long that takes.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 8/25/10]

Beck Warns Of “Revolutionaries” Who Will “Set Our Streets On Fire.” Urging people to vote in the November elections, Beck said that “in the short term” this election is “going to make things worse” because “revolutionaries” are going to “rise up” and “set our streets on fire.” He added that “our future is at stake right now.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 9/16/10]

Beck: “The Army … Of The Extreme Left Is Gathering” And They Are Saying “Cops Are Bad, Kill The Cops.” On his radio show, Beck discussed riots in Oakland, stating: “The army, if you will, of the extreme left is gathering, and they are coming to the conclusion of cops are bad, kill the cops, they’re the oppressors. It’s all the 1960s, you know, pig stuff. It’s the same stuff.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 7/12/10]

Beck: “This Game Is For Keeps”; “[Y]ou Can Shoot Me In The Head … But There Will Be 10 Others That Line Up.” Asking his audience to “pray for protection,” Beck claimed that “the most powerful people on the planet on the left” were “not going to go away easy” because “[t]his game is for keeps. This is who controls the United States of America and its destiny.” He asked his listeners to “please keep me in your prayers, keep my staff in your prayers, for safety, for wisdom,” adding, “Just pray for protection, please.”

Later in the same program, Beck said:

BECK: You can try to put the lid on this group of people, but you will never silence us. You will never — you can shoot me in the head, you can shoot the next guy in the head, but there will be 10 others that line up. And it may not happen today, it may not happen next week, but freedom will be restored in this land. Period. And no matter what you want to call it, it is a totalitarian state that you’re headed towards. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 9/8/09 and 9/8/09]
Beck: “[Y]ou Will Have To Shoot Me In The Forehead Before You Take Away My Gun” And “Before I Acquiesce And Be Silent.” Beck has warned “ACORN, GE, Obama, SEIU” that “you are awakening a sleeping giant, and I have nothing to do with it,” and that “America is waking up. You know the American Revolution took place with 12 percent of the population? Twelve. Are you telling me there is not 30 percent of this population that you will have to shoot me in the forehead before I let somebody into my house to tell me how to raise my children; you will have to shoot me in the forehead before you take away my gun; you will have to shoot me in the forehead before I acquiesce and be silent.” Beck further stated:

BECK: They cannot move on these things, because they are building a machine that will crush the entrepreneurial spirit and the freedom that our Founding Fathers designed. This machine, whatever it is they are building, will crush it. Do not let them build another piece.

So while I turn away, I want to make sure that I have at least 10 million eyes watching — watching every single move they are making.

[...]

We know why they’re doing what they’re doing. You need to do what you need to do, and as long as that is peaceful, we will save our country. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 7/30/09]
Beck Suggests Obama Is “Trying To Destroy The Country” And Is Pushing America Toward Civil War. While discussing the ongoing controversy over Arizona’s immigration law, Beck told his listeners that “we are being pushed” toward civil war and that Obama is “trying to destroy the country.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 5/19/10]

Beck: “There Is A Coup Going On. There Is A Stealing Of America.” Beck has claimed that “there is a revolution, and they think they can get away with it quietly,” adding: “At this point, gang, I’m not sure, they may be able to because they are so far ahead of us. They know what they’re dealing against; most of America does not yet. Most of America doesn’t have a clue as to what’s going on. There is a coup going on. There is a stealing of America, and the way it is done, it has been done through the — the guise of an election, but they lied to us the entire time.” He also said, “And they’re gonna say, ‘we did it democratically,’ and they are going to grab power every way they can. And God help us in an emergency.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 8/31/09]

Beck: “There Are Those People That Really Want This To Collapse, And They Are Planning On Violence.” Referencing a speech he had given the previous weekend in Alaska, Beck discussed how he told the audience that “you are Fort Knox.” He explained that if the economy collapses, Alaskans must “grab your guns” because “the Russians, the Chinese — everyone is coming to Alaska, because that’s where the money is. Now, that’s not begging for World War III; that’s called giving you the facts. But see, there are those people that really want this to collapse, and they are planning on violence. They’re planning on it — we’ve already shown you. We’ve already seen it with SEIU. We’ve shown it to you over in Europe.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 9/13/10]

Beck Says His Audience Contains “The Leaders Of Tomorrow” Who Will Save You From “Camps, Maybe Literally.” Referencing an event he appeared at the previous weekend with Sarah Palin, Beck said that they have “30 million people in our footprint.” Beck explained that “this 10 percent is going to be the shelter for the other 90 percent.” He added: “This is the group, this 10 percent will be the ones that when all hell goes to handbasket, and everybody on the left and the right are yelling and arguing and trying to pull you into camps, maybe literally, pull you into camps. You’re gonna say ‘Don’t go, don’t go, everything’s fine. Don’t worry, we can take care of each other. We’ve got each other, we’re Americans, we’re better than this.’ ” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 9/13/10]

Beck: “They’re Trying To Beat It Out Of You Slowly. Boil You, Basically, Like A Frog.” After agreeing with a caller who suggested we should “collapse the Federal Reserve” and “build it back up,” Beck said that the government already “started planning for the next phase, and the next phase is a global governance sort of situation.” Discussing how people should prepare for a global collapse, Beck added that “people are not going to go peacefully into the night if it is a quick collapse.” Beck said that “the fear here is that they already have the structure to box you in. They don’t come with the jackbooted thugs on the first day. They come and take away your sugary sweets. They come and take away your right to go to the beach and dig in the sand. They come and they watch your credit cards. … They’re trying to beat it out of you slowly. Boil you, basically, like a frog. I think we win. I think we win if things remain stable, but a power grab is a possibility in this crazy upside-down America that we live in.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 9/21/10]

Beck: “I Don’t Know How Much Time Each Of Us Has. I Don’t Know How Much Time The Country Has.” Beck “beg[ged]” his listeners to “please give me the benefit of the doubt,” and said:

BECK: I’m begging you to get back down on your knees. I’m begging you to be the person that you were and you promised yourself you would be on September 11th and 12th. I’m begging you to get down on your knees. What is coming is not good. I don’t know how things end. I should rephrase that. I do know how things end. But I know how things end after a long struggle. I don’t know how that struggle is gonna work out. I don’t know how much time each of us has. I don’t know how much time the country has. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 8/25/10]
Beck: Obama Administration Is “Poking” At “People Who Have A Record Of Violence” And “Stirring Up Trouble.” Discussing how Obama had criticized people on the left on the same day that cuts were announced to food stamp programs, Beck speculated that the administration was “poking” the left the same way that he “poked” the tea parties. He added that this “makes Barack Obama look like he’s more centrist. But also, you’re poking people who have a record of violence and taking to the streets and stirring up trouble. Hmm. I wonder if there’s anything there.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Glenn Beck Program, 8/11/10]

Beck’s Advice To Liberty Grads: “Shoot To Kill.” During his May 15 commencement speech at Liberty University, Beck told graduates that they “have a responsibility” to speak out, or “blood … will be on our hands.” His advice for graduates (as well as his daughter) included “shoot to kill.” [Glenn Beck, Commencement Address At Liberty University, 5/15/10 and 5/15/10]

Beck: “I Fear A Reichstag Moment, A — God Forbid — Another 9-11, Something That Will Turn This Machine On.” During an interview with Newsmax.com in which he discussed opposition to Obama’s Federal Communications Commission policies, Beck said: “I fear an event. I fear a Reichstag moment, a — God forbid — another 9-11, something that will turn this machine on, and power will be seized and voices will be silenced. God help us all.” [Newsmax.com, 10/7/09]