Beck's Pledge: A Coded Attack On Obama

In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, Glenn Beck has issued what he claims is a pledge denouncing violence. But as the language of that pledge makes clear, it is little more than the same attacks on President Obama that Beck has engaged in for the past two years.

Beck's “Challenge” Denounces What He Has Repeatedly Accused Obama Of Doing

Beck Challenges Americans To Agree To “Denounce Those Who Wish To Tear Down Our System And Rebuild It In Their Own Image, Whatever That Image May Be.” From Glenn Beck's website:

I challenge all Americans, left or right, regardless if you're a politician, pundit, painter, priest, parishioner, poet or porn star to agree with all of the following.

  • I denounce violence, regardless of ideological motivation.
  • I denounce anyone, from the Left, the Right or middle, who believes physical violence is the answer to whatever they feel is wrong with our country.
  • I denounce those who wish to tear down our system and rebuild it in their own image, whatever that image may be.
  • I denounce those from the Left, the Right or middle, who call for riots and violence as an opportunity to bring down and reconstruct our system.
  • I denounce violent threats and calls for the destruction of our system -- regardless of their underlying ideology -- whether they come from the Hutaree Militia or Frances Fox Piven.
  • I hold those responsible for the violence, responsible for the violence. I denounce those who attempt to blame political opponents for the acts of madmen.
  • I denounce those from the Left, the Right or middle that sees violence as a viable alternative to our long established system of change made within the constraints of our constitutional Republic.

I will stand with anyone willing to sign that pledge. Today I make a personal choice. I urge leaders of both sides and all walks of life to join me as all Americans joined hands on 9.12.2001. [GlennBeck.com, 1/10/11, emphasis added]

Beck Has Repeatedly Accused Obama Of Wanting To “Collapse” And “Remake” America

Beck Called On Followers To “Guard And Bark And Growl” To Prevent Obama's “Fundamental Transformation” And “Remaking America.” Beck criticized what he said was Obama's “philosophy of being a community organizer and remaking America.” Beck said:

It falls to the people. It always has fall on the people. But I asked, I said, “Between the radio audience and the TV audience, I got about 10 million guard dogs.” We need people who have understood the Constitution and understand this theory of remaking America, the fundamental transformation, to stand guard and watch them every step of the way -- guard and bark and growl and do whatever you have to do, because these people are hijacking our country. [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 7/28/09, via Nexis]

Beck also said during that edition of his program that “Barack Obama has revealed his game plan to transform America in his deeds.”

Beck: To “Save The Republic,” We Need To “Stop” Obama's “Attempt To Fundamentally Transform America.” Beck said:

I'm telling you, we're not going to let these weasels get away with a damn thing. When you see that watchdog shield on the television show, you're going to know it wasn't me who found that story. It was one of you, the watchdogs.

I will tell you that I am working on a project, and it is to come to you and tell you how to make sure a machine isn't built and exactly what that machine is. But I have to tell you, I'm more optimistic, more hopeful now than I have been in a very, very long time.

Together, we will save the republic. Together, we will wake enough Americans up to stop what I firmly believe is an attempt to fundamentally transform America. Those are not my words. Those were Barack Obama's words. [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 7/31/09, via Nexis]

Beck: “Fundamental Transformation” “Means Collapsing The System As We Know It.” Glenn Beck said:

Tonight, I just want to focus on the economy. I'm going to close the case on what is -- what Barack Obama has said is the fundamental transformation of our country. I believe it's the destruction of our monetary system.

[...]

And, transforming America -- I would say that that means collapsing the system as we know it and rebooting it as a progressive utopia. [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 1/5/10, via Nexis]

Beck: Obama's “Final Goal” Of Fundamental Transformation “Is Anything But American.” Beck said:

BECK: Progressives have put their agenda now in a hyper-drive. And it is crystal clear that their final goal is anything but American.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BECK: Yes, indeed -- fundamentally transforming America. Both Republicans and Democratic voters have heard that now and snapped out of their slumber, because if there's one that I think all Americans, pretty much from all political persuasions, left and right, what we can unite on is “I don't really want to live in France.” I mean, I think even Michael Moore agrees with that one, although, Michael Moore, I think, just doesn't want to us be like France because he thinks Cuba would be better. But we all don't want to be like France. [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 1/18/10, via Nexis]

Beck: Obama Is “Absolutely” Trying To “Collapse The Economy.” During a discussion with Fox co-host Steve Doocy, Glenn Beck said:

BECK: Tonight, I'm showing, this is a well thought-out plan to collapse the economy as we know it. When you say, “is it going to” --

DOOCY: You think this administration is out to collapse the economy?

BECK: Yeah, absolutely. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 1/5/10]

Beck: Health Care Reform Was Designed To “Collapse The System.” Beck said:

One of the steps to drive private insurers out is to make them unprofitable. See, that's how they know. They couldn't pass it through Congress. So they know, they just build a system and then force it to collapse, slowly but surely, through all kinds of regulations. You make insurance unprofitable.

Obamacare mandates insurers cover all pre-existing conditions. They cannot refuse anyone. Well, that's like telling the casinos that they must cover everybody. Everybody must win, even if they don't make a bet. Well, casinos will go out of business. “Yes, but it's fair, they won't even recognize -- they don't need all that money. They won't even notice all that money's gone.”

All right. That leaves the door open for people now to not pay for their health insurance, but as soon as they get sick the call on these insurance companies and then sign up for health insurance, and then the insurance company has to pay when they're sick. Insurers have done the math. They will lose money big time, they will not stay in business. So they are dropping out of the market.

Now who's going to get blamed? Of course, the media will spin it as the big, evil insurers.

And who will be there to save the day? The government. Collapse the system, but make sure -- see if this sounds familiar, I told you this over a year ago -- make sure you have the net, the framework, so it collapses into your arms. [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 9/22/10]

Beck: Obama Extended Unemployment Benefits To “Collapse The System By Overloading The Welfare Rolls.” Beck said:

Now, it doesn't surprise me at all that President Obama has agreed to spend at least $100 billion that we don't have to extend unemployment benefits for 13 more months, because I -- and if you watch this program -- know about Cloward and Piven. You know it and I know it -- collapse the system by overloading the welfare rolls. [Fox News, Glenn Beck, 12/7/10]