Supposedly nonpartisan Beck: "If Democrats are elected, we are in for two years of investigation, God forbid, impeachments, while the world is set on fire"
On the October 17 edition of his CNN Headline News program, host Glenn Beck used his opening monologue to claim: "If Democrats are elected, we are in for two years of investigation, God forbid, impeachments, while the world is set on fire." Beck added that "[w]hat you won't see when the Democrats take over: leadership and good ideas," and added that "if we allow the politics of destruction to continue ... then we will fall, and it will be our own fault." During a portion of his monologue, an on-screen graphic read: "Let The Bad Times Roll!"
Beck's assertions came less than a week after he pleaded with his audience: "This November, please, don't vote for a Republican. Don't vote for a Democrat. Don't vote for an independent. Vote for an American." Since September 25, Beck has asked his television audience to "vote for an American" three times and has repeated the catchphrase on his radio program. As Media Matter for America noted, Beck previously purported to explain why his "show doesn't talk more about politics" moments before announcing that he "like[s] George W. Bush" and that "stupid people" vote for Sen. John Kerry (D-MA).
Beck's warning of the threat posed by a Democratic victory in the midterm elections echoed recent comments by right-wing radio host Michael Savage, who claimed that a Democratic victory "could lead to the breakup of the United States of America, the way the Soviet Union broke up."
From the October 11 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck:
BECK: We have got to cut through all of the noise and the rhetoric that does nothing but confuse and divide us, and find people who are there to lead us. This November, please, don't vote for a Republican. Don't vote for a Democrat. Don't vote for an independent. Vote for an American.
From the October 17 edition of Glenn Beck:
BECK: If Democrats are elected, we are in for two years of investigation, God forbid, impeachments, while the world is set on fire.
[...]
BECK: If they win, the politics of destruction will not stop after the election. It's the only thing that united them and they will use it to distract you again.
So here's what I know tonight. I know that if the Democrats gain power, you will see independent counsels. You might see impeachment. You'll see investigations, surely. But it's the only thing that the party can unite on, and that's why they will use it.
If you think I'm wrong, let me -- let me tell you what happened June 16, 2005. [Rep.] John Conyers [D-MI] held a make-believe impeachment hearing in the Capitol basement. I ain't kidding you.
What you won't see when the Democrats take over: leadership and good ideas. I mean, don't get me wrong. Democrats actually do have some good ideas and I'm sure I could find one someplace if I looked hard enough. Nobody in the party, however, can agree on them. And so those ideas won't see the light of day.
I also know that as -- at a time as critical as this, the last thing we need to do is feed on ourselves. After 9-11, I said -- I got so many phone calls on the radio show. And people were freaked out. And I remember telling people, don't fear. The only way we can be destroyed is if we're destroyed from within.
Well, if we allow the politics of destruction to continue, which it has been going on for years, then we will fall, and it will be our own fault.
We need to unite on, geez, at least who the enemy is. It's not George Bush, Halliburton and Dick Cheney. It's also not Alec Baldwin or Howard Dean. Our enemies are extremist Muslims who want to kill all of us.
Palin, the press, and her "no más" moment
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Howard Kurtz's wasted opportunity
Are soulless radio and TV talking heads who cast no shadows or reflections.
Your check's in the mail.
Regards, Karl
Booga Booga. Fear Fear!
"Our enemies are "X" who want to kill all of us." Fill in the blank where "X" is and you can write how hundreds of wars were started.
I bet Beck was vehement against the Clinton impeachment back in the late 90's... right.
I think Beck is correct on this one. I believe that's one of the big reasons why the republicans keep the house and senate in November. People are sick of the divisiveness and really just want to come together and move on. It's a clear choice between republicans and democrats...security vs. appeasement, tax cuts vs. tax increases and border security vs. open borders. Despite the polls, I predict that the voters will make the RIGHT choice in November. The prospect of two years of trying to frog march and tar and feather Bush by the democrats is just one more good reason not to put the democrats in charge.
People will vote for Republicans because they're sick of divisiveness? Good one!
How much divisiveness is railed against by the right when THEY have the power. Meanwhile you would have had to have been on the dark side of the moon to miss how much it was ENCOURAGED when Clinton was President.
In your fantasy world. Does everyone get a puppy that never grows up and never needs a bath? Does a chocolate river run through the town?
It must be a great place to live.
We Americans don't desire the accountability that investigations of W. and company would entail. We want corporations to remain on the public dole. We want wealthy people to enjoy a preferential tax code. We want to continue waging a conventional war on an unconventional enemy. We love torture and atrocities perpetrated in our name. We want to deny the rights of all people to participate in the American experiment. We especially like the idea of an executive branch that grasps for ever expanding control of our government. So, yes. We will cheerfully vote Republican this fall.
I mean, afterall, what does voting Democratic offer? Effective government? Mutual responsibility? Broad prosperity? Expanded civil rights? Clear defense strategy? ....Hmm?
Voting Democrat gives us none of that. It'll be two more, four more, ten more, twenty more years of the same....because both parties made things this way and will not change them. And the voters are too scared to step outside the little Dem and Repub box and change things themselves.
It's a clear choice between republicans and democrats... incompetently run 'war on terror' -vs- going after who really attacked us on 911 and working with our allies, cronyism -vs- competent people in the government, caving into fear -vs- protecting our civil rights, tax cuts for the wealthy vs. deficit reduction, making scapegoats out of illegal's but then hiring them at your business -vs- sane immigration policy, rubberstamping the Bush Administration -vs- proper congressional oversight, protecting pedophiles -vs- exposing them.
I think the majority of the people will make the CORRECT decision.
The voters never do...they keep putting the same slimeballs and liars and incompetent idiots back into office. D or R, both sides stink.
Often enough for it to be likely just working the odds. There are many differences. Peace vs, lets get as many Americans killed as possible. Tax cuts for the rich and outsourcing of good jobs vs doing something about the debt tsunami. Just like there is a huge difference between the dumb rightwing arguments, straw men and false dichotomies apparant in your post (and this one to make the point) and actual rational discussion.
Please take all my tax dollars, stuff 'em in a duffle bag and give them out to Bechtel and CheneyCorp. I don't mind at all, as long as the media doesn't report it!
Seems the extremists are really worried about investigations. The abolition of congressional oversight is only effective when one party rules both branches.
It will most likely be due to the chain reaction started in Iraq by GEORGE W. BUSH. Saddam Hussein was brutal, but he at least kept the lid on the sectarian hatred boiling under the surface. Bush's Oil War has ignited a power struggle in Iraq which threatens to engulf the whole region. (Sometimes, black and white thinking gets you in trouble.) The bastard should be impeached, along with all the other liars in his administration.
Because the real masters in this little game of war crime are called the Israel Lobby and they form 40% of DNC funding and operate a massive and successful PR operation inside DC to keep our government killing Arabs in the name of Jewish and Christian supremacy.
A vote for a Democrat or Republican is a vote for a continuation of the Crusades. It's a vote for the continued control of our government by the Israel Lobby and the continued support and participation in crimes against humanity.
Okay, at what point does Bin Laden and the Iraq war fit into any of this? If our government is in the pocket of Isreal, then why were our troops facing IEDs during the Isreali-Lebannon showdown? Why did Clinton try to find Bin Laden when all Bush did was wait for the WTC to collapse?
Be cynical about party differences all you want, but Bush has had his free pass, and I want to see a change.
It was AIPAC agents in the Dept of Defense who made up the fake intel to attack Iraq...Feith and Perle and their crew. The PNAC is viciously pro-Israel, anti-Arab. Rice had daily...DAILY...phone conversations with Ariel Sharon's personal lawyer through all of this. Oh, and Clinton bombed Iraq for eight straight years and his National Security Advisor was from AIPAC.
Voting for Democrats is voting for more of the same. If one always eats pancakes every morning, then declares "I want a change!" and orders pancakes again....no change there, right?
This guy would be laugh out of the bar in just about any redkneck cowboy bar to any Sheridan Hotel lounge. The fact he has a show to make political commentary is a frightening example of the standards held by an corporate media with little concern for truth, and democracy!
This moron deserves a show, only it should be a children's show as the stupid comedy relief in a big exagerated animal suit.
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
It was Republicans who went after Clinton with guns blazing with no underlying reason to assume he was dirty. We know that Bush and his cronies are dirty!
It was Republicans who impeached Clinton for having a consensual affair and lying about it. Clinton was wrong for doing that, but what does that make Bush?
What a sick man, and a sick party structure.
It was Clinton who denied medical supplies to Iraq, killing an estimated 1 million civilians, not to mention eight years of continuous bombing of Iraqi territory and the massacre of Serbs and Kosovars for nothing more than a NATO 5oth Anniversary celebratory war.
But Republicans were fine with all that. Only time Dems and Repubs get together is when there are war crimes to be committed.
We all know how well the Reps and Dems are getting along over Iraq and torture, right?
Repubs keep asking for the money to kill and torture and all the Dems keep voting to let them have it. Even Feingold votes to fund the war crimes.
I was getting scared for a minute reading that cindy sheehan post that they had disappeared altogether. so thank you CB, thank you for a good belly chuckle.
although, about the appeasement bit, you're sure you weren't talking about the administration's stand on north korea: sure, go ahead, build all the nukes you want...neville chamberlain would be proud.
The Conyers 'make believe impeachment hearings in the Capitol basement,' were held in the basement because the Republicans wouldn't allow such a proceeding in the light of day.
The Dem leadership had more to do with that. They were the ones who refused to let Conyers take the proceedings anywhere. They know who's paying their campaign bills.
right under his nose. I just want to take the bottom of the palm of my hand, that strong area right before my wrist, and shove it right into that spot.
What a snot/putz.
He's for the criminals.
What kind of world do we live in where republicans can complain about investigations with a straight face after the '90s?
And the "vote for an American" line is Republican strategy: try to get people to think that their particular Republican representative isn't that bad, and isn't related to the problem with the House as a whole.
Sorry, but with our current structure of the majority party chairing committees and setting agendas and having subpoena power, you simply can't vote for the best person for the job, or for the one who best represents their constituents. You have to vote for your party only, period. If the party you don't want has control, the whole country suffers greater harm than the good your particular representative might have done.
....and a jackass. He sums up the inane capacity of the rightwing for poor logic and the ability of to manufacture so-called 'facts'.
CB's comments above are very unnerving -- not because they are true, but because they embody a willingness to accept blatant lies and half-truths -- without nary a question into their validity. Divisiveness? Give me a break!! We have no democracy at the moment. It's all make-believe. In 30 years we'll look back at this time with heavy hearts and wonder why we didn't have the balls to do something about it.
All anyone has to do (from the Right) is offer up valid reasons why none of us know anything about the goings-on in this administratioin, why we've had no oversight or query into obvious shady dealings, why we receive distorted facts...why, if faced with actual SCIENCE... it's called 'dubious' or 'discredited'... If everything's so G-Damned peachy...then why are we -- The People -- not allowed to know where and why OUR money is being spent!!?? Are we children? Or, did that $9,000,000 just miraculously fall from the heavens and right into Dick Cheney's wallet??? My God people ... wake up. We are at a time in our country's history where the notion that the big men and women (our parents = our gov't) will just make everything nice and happy. History has shown us again and again...people cannot be trusted. They must be monitored. That only comes by way of (at least) a two party system of checks and balances.
Vote for a Democrat. I, for one, want to know what the hell has been going on for the past 6 years.
I demand and deserve accountability. Obviously, the do-nothing Republicans in power would continue the same BS we've seen over the last 6 years. Not only do we have Bush's "stay the course" policy in Iraq, but we would have the same "stay the course" policies in the House and Senate. These worthless Republicans haven't done ANYTHING to help the Americna people.
During the Clinton years, they took every chance they had to try to nail Clinton to the wall. Why? Because he was actually a good president, and NOT a Republican. To me, it all comes down to jealousy. The Republicans can't stand to see a successful Democrat - especially as president. This is only one of many proofs of Republican hatred of anything not Republican. And Republicans say that Democrats are divisive. Whatever.
Bush deserves whatever he gets after this election. I believe the Democrats will gain control over the House and the Senate. After that, I would expect them, as it's their duty, to begin investigations, hearings and impeachments where necessary. Our government requires it. The American people deserve it. If in the end it comes out that Bush is convicted of articles of impeachment and is removed from office, so be it. However, this administration must be held accountable for their disgusting misuse of government authority and power, for their violations of the Constitution, and for their war crimes against a nation which never even attacked us.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to see Bush behind bars. Although it's not likely to happen that way, a guy can dream.
CSL
"Supposedly nonpartisan Beck"
Since when is Beck non-Partisan? He describes his show as being about values, Christian values, and even more specifically, HIS Christian values, which are LDS. In this regard he is no different than Hannity, Limbaugh or Al Franken, none of whom claim to be journalists and all of whom are self-admitted political commentators.
That MMFA doesn't like much of what Glenn Beck says is no surprise, but calling him out because he says his show is about values which is the same as politics in this country is just plain stupid.
Beck bills his show as being "not about right and left, but about right and wrong." Is that not claiming to be non-partisan?
Try to imply people on the right have "values" and anyone else doesn't. It's yet divisive technique from the Republican play book. Too bad Foley and his protectors blew that meme out of the H2O.
...be a liberal! EEEeeeeeewwww!!! ;-)
He describes his show as being about values, Christian values, and even more specifically, HIS Christian values, which are LDS.
Oh, I forgot Republicans have a patent on Christianity. I'm sure MMFA will clear that up soon.
very carefully...THE WORLD IS ALREADY ON FIRE. Now talk again. Thank You.
...who's dressing this guy? He looks like a ventriloquist's dummy.
Sorry, the world really will not be on fire until France is set on fire (again) late next week.
Why does Beck think he has to be like O'Reilly and portray himself as this populist independent guy wo's lloking out for you. That scam has already been taken by O'Reilly so why doesn't Beck work a new Grift? Seriously I would have more respect for guys like Beck and O'Reilly if they stopped the charade, got a backbone and stood up for what they actually believed in" They are Republicans. So what? Don't be ashamed Beck? And while you're at it, stop using that Grease Man voice because that's a rip off too.
Well, Glenn, we had six years of that same thing when the Repubs were elected in '94 and came through it all right . . . so I'm sure that it wont hurt us again . . . not sure if I can say the same for Bush, though . . .
Those that disagree with GWB will be held "to account." So I just can't imagine anyone holding him to account because by definition that would mean disagreeing with him...which means he will hold them to account by declaring them enemy combatants then shipping them off to Gitmo. That would mean missing re-runs of Fear Factor...I can't have that.
Glenn - about this world on fire thing...since you are not interested in serving in the military, ever think about becoming a fireman?
...and America will stop conducting the American Century.
Rome fell.
About damn time we did.
It seems pretty obvious that when the mainstream media allows (or directs) its commentators to begin a propaganda campaign against the Democrats by using the proven Rovian technique of fear mongering, that the American Corporatocracy has joined forces with the Bush administration to use any means available to avoid a shift in congressional power, a shift that might result in the elimination of all the recent laws restricting constitutionally protected civil rights, corporate oversight, expansion of executive power, and environmental protection. What will be next to stop the Democrats? Martial law?
So here's what I know tonight.
An appropriate follow-up here would be several minutes of silence. After all, these are not things that he knows, they're things that he's guessing.
I know that if the Democrats gain power, you will see independent counsels.
Very possibly. It's still just a guess.
You might see impeachment.
Oh, so you admit you don't actually know this? In any event, if we do have impeachment hearings, it will actually be over political matters this time.
You'll see investigations, surely.
And about time, too.
But it's the only thing that the party can unite on,
What a buffoonish lie this is. The Democratic Party unites on a while host of issues, which is exactly why the Republicans do their best to disenfranchise them.
and that's why they will use it.
Rather, they (might) use it because they actually want to get to the bottom of Bush's stack of lies, and hold people to account for their crimes.
My, if Beck can be this moronic when his side--despite his phony claims of non-partisanship--is in power, how ridiculous will he be when things have changed.