The Violent Consequences of Glenn Beck's Dangerous Rhetoric

TV personality Glenn Beck's explosive rhetoric has not only lent
legitimacy to outlandish conspiracy theories, but has inspired real violence by
those who subscribe to those theories, says a new report by People For the
American Way and Media Matters for America. The report details
Beck's most dangerous rhetoric, recounts the violent actions of some of
those he has inspired, and makes a new call to hold Beck and his enablers
accountable for their words.

The new report, Glenn
Beck: Irresponsible and Indifferent to the Violent Consequences of His Rhetoric,
details some of Beck's most dangerous strategies, including:

• Repeatedly
  stating that the Obama administration poses a threat of "great and powerful evil"-communism,
  fascism, or both
• Asserting
  that Obama and his allies are seeking the
  destruction of the Constitution and the United States
  itself
• Promoting
  classic anti-Semitic conspiracy theory
• Warning
  that the left is planning violence
  against those they disagree with
• Predicting his own martyrdom
• Threatening violence by his own hands

The report also catalogs some of the violence and threats of violence committed
by those who have admitted to being inspired by Beck:

• Byron
  Williams' plot against the Tides
  Foundation and the ACLU
• Richard
  Poplawski's shooting of three Pittsburgh police
  officers
• Death
  threats against Sen. Patty Murray
• Threats
  against members of the Illinois League
  of Women Voters

"Glenn Beck has the right to speak, but there is also a responsibility
that comes with his powerful media megaphone," said Michael B. Keegan,
President of People For the American Way. "Beck has shown no sign of
recognizing that responsibility. Faced with the clear facts of the violence he
has inspired, Beck has simply ramped up his violent rhetoric and lashed out at
those who criticize him for it. It's time for Fox News, its advertisers,
and all those who enable Beck to hold him accountable for his irresponsible
speech and its deadly consequences."

"Despite hundreds of sponsors
refusing to advertise on Glenn Beck's program, Fox continues to
provide him a platform for unhinged rhetoric and blatant lies that have real,
and potentially deadly, consequences," said David Brock, Founder and
CEO of Media Matters. "That's
why targeting Glenn Beck's advertisers is no longer enough -- we need to hold
the entire network accountable."

Brock
added: "Advertisers need to be aware that they are funding a network
that promotes a climate of fear and suspicion that could lead to another Oklahoma City."

The full report is available
online at: https://www.pfaw.org/rww-in-focus/glenn-beck-irresponsible-and-indifferent-to-the-violent-consequences-of-his-dangerous-r