Party for Socialism and Liberation mentioned on Glenn Beck's show

[Kassad]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBYarIW2Yhk&feature=player_embedded

Start at 8:00 minutes in. Glenn Beck mentions the Party for Socialism and Liberation's recent National Conference on Socialism and plays clips from PSL members speaking at the conference. The fascists have their eyes on us. Now it is the time to act. www.PSLWeb.org

[Robocommie]

Moscow is behind us!

[KC]

I've seen quite a few socialist organizations mentioned on Beck. I think someone posted last week about the ISO being on there. I distinctly remember some RCP members being on O'Reilly back when I watched that religiously. They were portrayed as nutjobs (and played the part rather well).

I always enjoy these. Thanks for posting.

EDIT: LOL nobody covers these because it's pretty irrelevant in terms of national politics. Beck's getting worked up over nothing. I wish we had something to legitimately get him worked up over. That will soon come, though.

[~Spectre]

Did he connect you to George Soros?

[Kassad]

I've seen quite a few socialist organizations mentioned on Beck. I think someone posted last week about the ISO being on there. I distinctly remember some RCP members being on O'Reilly back when I watched that religiously. They were portrayed as nutjobs (and played the part rather well).

I always enjoy these. Thanks for posting.

I remember him mentioning the ISO. He used to have Sunsara Taylor and Debra Sweet from the World Can't Wait and the RCP. I really don't think they did anything to help their cause.


Did he connect you to George Soros?

No?

[~Spectre]

No?

It's a reference to some of his latest shows where he "revealed" that George Soros was the puppetmaster behind all these anti-capitalist groups looking to subvert the United States.

[RedScare]

That was hilarious. :laugh: Also, free publicity.

[Robocommie]

Yeah, George Soros, das Ewige Jude.

[syndicat]

actually the earlier part of the show was more interesting. it shows how a certain section of the far right tries to manipulate working class or mass opinion. beck says that the enemy is "materialism." I know the meaning he has in mind. it's not the leftist or philosophical meaning. when I was growing up, my family were against "materialism." by that they meant an obsession with getting a higher income and owning more things. they believed that it was more important to be an upright person and lead a meaningful life. from a working class point of view, this makes sense since we have less chance to be "successful" in "materialist" terms than members of the dominating classes. but what's completely whacked is his assumption that somehow defending the existing system....note his emphasis on "defenders"...is opposing "materialism". maybe he means that working class people shouldn't care about being screwed "materially" and having nothing.

also note that he can't conceive of an anti-system opposition in the working class that is authentic, indigenous to the working class. the working class can only be manipulated and be "pawns."

this is the reason for the particular bits from the PSL conference. because their Leninist ideology plays into this. there was one PSL speaker who said the working class will fight because they must and it was important for their to be a revolutionary party there to give direction. this can easily sound like a recipe for manipulation and top down direction. and I think the problem here lies in the Leninist conception of the party as manager of social movements.

[Spawn of Stalin]

Congratulations to all PSL comrades!

[Robocommie]

also note that he can't conceive of an anti-system opposition in the working class that is authentic, indigenous to the working class. the working class can only be manipulated and be "pawns."

this is the reason for the particular bits from the PSL conference. because their Leninist ideology plays into this. there was one PSL speaker who said the working class will fight because they must and it was important for their to be a revolutionary party there to give direction. this can easily sound like a recipe for manipulation and top down direction. and I think the problem here lies in the Leninist conception of the party as manager of social movements.

Don't kid yourself, this is Glenn Beck. He doesn't mean a damn thing he's saying. Of course he's trying to make it out like the PSL is trying to draft workers to serve as pawns, he's trying to poison the working class against organizing by telling them the Far Left doesn't really want to help them, only exploit them. I mean, that's been an anti-labor tactic since before the IWW even.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Actually, the ANSWER coalition was claimed to be funded by George Soros.



also, read the comments on the videos on the website "Theblaze (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/crises-of-capitalism-socialist-know-time-for-fighting-revolution-is-now/)"

i started a thread on this a day or so ago.
the video was titled "National Socialists Convention" using a conscious rearrangement of the name of the actual conference.

some delightful comments:

Yeah, attack the American people and I will kill you Godless freaks on a wholesale basis! We need a purge of our country, only in the case of Liberal Marxist’s, it will be more like an enema! Hear that, Barney Frankenfurter?

Check your sites, and load your guns! ! ! ! We can’t draw first blood, no not ever….. But we must be armed, ready, and willing to defend this GREAT NATION of ours ! ! ! THE COMMY PINKO FACISTS ARE COMING !!!! !!! !! !

HEY YOU SOCIALISTS… YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVELUTION? BRING IT ON!!!!! I LOOK FORWARD TO BEATING YOUR FACES IN AND BLOWING ALL YOUR MAGGOT BRAINS OUT with my GUN!!!!!


These people are sick in the head. If they want socialism, may I suggest they move to another country. Our ancesters came to America to escape this crap and now they want to push it on us again. The unions and the NAACP had a place in history, but today the unions are nothing but job killers and the NAACP just keeps the black man down.I work in a non union shop and I am paid fairly. I also work with a black man that hates his race because of the likes of sharpton and jackson. He is a sucessful man and doesnt need no middle man. People came to this country to pursue their dreams.this one is gold

You forget that their Leader controls the US military
What a sad bunch of commies. I bet they carry a my little pony lunch box and have pocket protectors.
It is amazing how gullible Obama (and all the rest of the socialists) are. When there was a crisis, i.e., earthquake, tsunami, invasion, genocide, how many planes/ships of supplies and the people to handle them and provide aid came from the Soviet Union? Very little, if anything. How much of the same came from the U.S.? Billions of dollars of material and the people, many volunteers, arrived to help.
If the socialist revolution happens, the next crisis will be handled with “sorry, your on your own” and don’t think the United Nations is capable of providing what the U.S. has sent in the past. Yeah, there will be world wide change, AND THE WORLD AIN’T GOING TO LIKE IT!!!!!!!!
im done quoting, and this is only from half way down the first page, of at least 9 pages.

[The Vegan Marxist]

Congrats people. We've got mainstream media directly attacking socialist groups, the FBI directly attacking socialist groups, they clearly fear what we represent and realize that their way of living is crumbling right there in front of their eyes. I say, up the ante!

[syndicat]

Don't kid yourself, this is Glenn Beck. He doesn't mean a damn thing he's saying.

on the contrary, i think he knows exactly what he's doing. he's a propagandist and extreme right ideologue. he cooks up a pastiche of this and that factoid and then tops it off with vague rhetoric like "freedom" (to say what's he for). his purpose is manipulation and i think he's well aware of this.

and, no, i don't think the attention from Beck and from the Obama FBI is due to what "we" are doing. rather, it has to do with that "perfect storm" Glenn Beck talks about. with the severe disaffection of the working class, who have been totally disrespected and betrayed in a grotesque fashion by Obama and the Dems, there is the potential -- not yet a reality -- of mass activity outside the mainstream path, where everthing is suppposed to be channeled into the 2 and 4 year...increasingly meaningless...extravagances of vote catching.

[Robocommie]

on the contrary, i think he knows exactly what he's doing. he's a propagandist and extreme right ideologue. he cooks up a pastiche of this and that factoid and then tops it off with vague rhetoric like "freedom" (to say what's he for). his purpose is manipulation and i think he's well aware of this.

He's damn good at it, too.

[KurtFF8]

Why can Glenn Beck not say the name of any organization I've worked with correctly. The Party of Socialism and Liberation. He also said Jobs for Justice and the Student Action Labor Project.

He's continuing to go off the deep end

[Rusty Shackleford]

hey, he at least got 80% of the name correct :laugh:

[The Vegan Marxist]

hey, he at least got 80% of the name correct :laugh:

While getting 100% of everything it represents wrong. I mean seriously, how can he even come close to thinking that the PSL works with Obama? :rolleyes:

[Tablo]

While getting 100% of everything it represents wrong. I mean seriously, how can he even come close to thinking that the PSL works with Obama? :rolleyes:
I don't think he actually thinks they work with Obama. As was said before, he is a propagandist.

[DaringMehring]

Right-wingers love to trot out commies to try to support their ridiculous red scare tactics. Beck even went so far as to bring CPUSA Chairman Sam Webb on for a 10 minute interview.

Congrats to the PSL comrades for making Beck's list!

[Rusty Shackleford]

now i know how jimmie higgins feels, you know with the ISO placard in Glenn Beck's hand

[maskerade]

This guy reminds me of that dude from V for Vendetta who has the talkshow.

and people in America actually take this guy seriously? Oh my god...

[bricolage]

The fascists have their eyes on us.
Glenn Beck is a fascist now?

[Kassad]

Glenn Beck is a fascist now?

...Um, yes?

[bricolage]

...Um, yes?
Care to explain?

[Thirsty Crow]

Care to explain?
What is there to explain? We all know how reovlutionaries are prone to label any ultra-conservative lover of free market - a Fascist.
It has become a generic curse word.

[RedScare]

This guy reminds me of that dude from V for Vendetta who has the talkshow.

and people in America actually take this guy seriously? Oh my god...
Yea, he's quite funny until you remember millions of people take him very seriously. My country's kinda depressing like that.

[gorillafuck]

I think calling Glenn Beck a fascist could be appropriate. He is a right wing populist who does scaremongering about radical leftists while simultaneously spreading lies about wall street being a leftist conspiracy. Saying that the financial system is run by leftist conspirators who are out to screw over the nation is a trait common in almost all fascists. He recognizes that capitalism is in an unstable period so he diverts his attention to preserving capitalism and fighting against/demonizing any sort of organized labor, and he talks of how true Americans are being screwed over by leftists and immigrants.

I'll agree with Kassad on this one. Glenn Beck is a fascist.

[bricolage]

I think calling Glenn Beck a fascist could be appropriate. He is a right wing populist who does scaremongering about radical leftists while simultaneously spreading lies about wall street being a leftist conspiracy, he recognizes that capitalism is in an unstable period so he diverts his attention to preserving capitalism, and he talks of how true Americans are being screwed over by leftists and immigrants.

I'll agree with Kassad on this one.
Yes but fascism is a specific framework, I don't think what you have said necessarily makes him a fascist. I once read a political theory book that gave it five defining characteristics;
statism, racialism, imperialism, elitism and National Socialism
I'd rename National Socialism corporatism and add militarism.
But on these I'm sure you could make an argument for Beck fitting most of them except, and very importantly, the statism. Fascism has been very clear where it stands on this;

Mussolini; "The Fascist conception of the State is all-embracing; outside of it no human or spiritual values can exist, much less have value. Thus understood, Fascism is totalitarian, and the Fascist State—a synthesis and a unit inclusive of all values—interprets, develops, and potentiates the whole life of a people."

Obviously this is not Beck. He sees himself as against the big state and in favour on 'libertarian' regulation etc. This also discounts the corporatism bit as well.

As well as this the historical role of fascism has been a jackboot to put down working class struggles, and has emerged as a response to said struggles. There is no evidence of this in America.

[gorillafuck]

As well as this the historical role of fascism has been a jackboot to put down working class struggles, and has emerged as a response to said struggles. There is no evidence of this in America.
Fascism as I interpret it is a government that comes to power to suppress the working class movement (and as a secondary goal of that, suppresses movements against oppression in general). This is exactly what Beck wants, he wants the government to suppress the unions and working class movement (as small as it is, in the US) in the name of nationalism and restoring our nation (whatever that means). He scapegoats immigrants and arabs heavily (he was pivotal in the ground zero with a mosque nearby scare). He, like past fascists, claims to be anti-wall street, but instead of blaming capitalism, he blames leftist conspirators and supposed left wing elites.

These reasons to me are the main reasons for what makes him a fascist.

[bricolage]

This is exactly what Beck wants, he wants the government to suppress the unions and working class movement (as small as it is, in the US) in the name of nationalism and restoring our nation (whatever that means).
Thatcher did all that in the UK. Was she a fascist?

He scapegoats immigrants and arabs heavily
Name me a politician that doesn't!

He, like past fascists, claims to be anti-wall street, but instead of blaming capitalism, he blames leftist conspirators and supposed left wing elites.
This is a fair point. What fascism tends to do is blame financial institutions, Jewish bankers was just one conclusion of this, as opposed to systemic capitalism.
... although you could say the left falls into this trap too.

I still don't think he is a fascist.

[Rusty Shackleford]

statism, racialism, imperialism, elitism and National Socialism



and there is no evidence of this?

Statism- he may want a "smaller" government but he wants the "good ol' republic" back. Republican states are still large, and to actually reverse the flow of history requires a gargantuan effort requiring force and a strong state. He literally just called for reversing the flow of developments in his latest episode.

Racialism - This one is tricky. He doesnt advocate "european" or white supremacy, but he uses race as a weapon. He claims the left is noting but racist while capitalists are there to defend those of various races. he claims groups like the NAACP are holding black people back and his followers think the very same thing. Glenn Beck obviously has a problem with a large amount of immigration as well.

Imperialism - The earlier ages of the American Empire are touted by glenn beck. he is probably proud of the spanish american war.
but, he calls that period the republican period. now, obama is forming an "empire." now? good way to skew words mr. beck. He also is a capitalist, and with the maturing of capitalism comes imperialism.

Elitism - Duh. "i made a million bucks because its america!" "i dont want to do this show, but i have to. I have to spread the word." "Dont take my word for it, oh and george soros is funding Tides."
Glenn Beck also thinks hes the Target of an assassination plot propped up by George Soros. He holds himself in uber high esteem. even though he makes self-depricating jokes. its just a smokescreen.

National Socialism/Corporatism - I actually cannot support this off the top of my head. he seems to be thoroughly against keynesian capitalism.

But, Fascism is not just about 5 characteristics. It is also about the role a movement plays in the political world.

The tea party took advantage of the disgruntled working class. The workers were not shifting to the right, they just attributed the democrats to wasteful spending, the working class just needs to see these guys fail. obviously if there was a large enough communist party(that actually did anything) this may not have happened.

anyways, i digress. the Petit-bourgeoisie is hurting right now, and so what do the small time capitalists do? they form tea parties, hold reactionary meetings, and mobilize on socially conservative, or reactionary causes. the big time capitalists are aware of the problems facing capitalism right now and are funding these groups directly, and giving a microphone and a camera to Glenn Beck and other reactionaries.

all of this is connected by one movement, the tea party movement. it is a reaction to the impending failure of capitalism, the election of a black man, and "socialism."

the only reason this got any ground was because of those damn bailouts.

I consider Beck fascistic, and the tea party fascistic. and the followers? fascistic.

[bricolage]

I agree with you the elements of racialism, elitism and imperialism can be applied.
I disagree on the statism. The fascist conception of the state, is all encompassing, complete control over all spheres of economic (corporatism), social and political life. Glenn Beck calls for the end of state intervention in the economy, the end of central state control and a more federalist country. If you showed Mussolini the federalist ideas that Beck puts forward he would be disgusted.

But, Fascism is not just about 5 characteristics. It is also about the role a movement plays in the political world.
I agree, which is why I noted the role of fascism as a response to workers struggles, so the Nazi party grew on the back of the failed German Revolution, the Italian fascists after biennio rosso, Franco after the civil war and so forth. This is definitely not applicable to America and actually if we look at the next great period of working class struggle following the post-WW1 years, what could be called the 'long 1970s' we can see the response was rapid neoliberalism and the 'liberalisation' of the market. The Iranian counter-revolution came closest to the fascist response but I wouldn't call Iran fascist.

It's not enough to just say the Tea Party has the support of the disgruntled working class you have to frame this within the position and strength of the working class itself.

I think it's ridiculous to say all the followers of the Tea Party are fascist, its the same as when people say that about the EDL in England. Obviously some followers of both are fascist but many are not and neither commits to what you would call a fascist ideology.

[Rusty Shackleford]

i actually had in mind to say "some of the followers are likely fascists" but i didnt because i was lazy. :D

Anyways, yes you are correct about the fascist state, but this man is a statist i another way. I think this could be an amalgam of various "fascisms"

Italian Fascism, and Ur-Fascism (http://www.themodernword.com/eco/eco_blackshirt.html)

some points do and dont fit for each but they are both similar to what is going on today.

[KurtFF8]

Whether Beck is properly a Fascist or not (I personally don't think he quite fits the description, perhaps proto-fascist), I think we can all agree that he's a reactionary. I mean he spent a segment of the same program trying the argument of "well the American poor aren't really thaat bad off, so what are they complaining about?" kind of line

[A Revolutionary Tool]

Yes but fascism is a specific framework, I don't think what you have said necessarily makes him a fascist. I once read a political theory book that gave it five defining characteristics;
statism, racialism, imperialism, elitism and National Socialism
I'd rename National Socialism corporatism and add militarism.
But on these I'm sure you could make an argument for Beck fitting most of them except, and very importantly, the statism. Fascism has been very clear where it stands on this;

Mussolini; "The Fascist conception of the State is all-embracing; outside of it no human or spiritual values can exist, much less have value. Thus understood, Fascism is totalitarian, and the Fascist State—a synthesis and a unit inclusive of all values—interprets, develops, and potentiates the whole life of a people."

Obviously this is not Beck. He sees himself as against the big state and in favour on 'libertarian' regulation etc. This also discounts the corporatism bit as well.

As well as this the historical role of fascism has been a jackboot to put down working class struggles, and has emerged as a response to said struggles. There is no evidence of this in America.
Beck is libertarian in rhetoric only. His actions would say otherwise, like for example, him being in favor of internet providers to slow down and speed up websites they didn't want. He rails against the corporations but he really defends them and rants against those people that say something bad about corporations.

[RedHal]

old kids in the hall segment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83tnWFojtcY

[L.A.P.]

All the progressive left fascists are coming out of their holes in the ground. They can't stand people who want to be free. OK, that's fair. Free people cannot stand despots, so it's even.


Nothing more fascist than a leftist.


You're just a hater who keeps on hating and you don't know why. You just like to hate.

Just bringing your attention to some of YouTube's best.

[black magick hustla]

reaction is not the same as fascism fascism has been dead since the 50s

[synthesis]

I would argue that it could legitimately be called "fascism with an American face." What they say in their rhetoric and what they will actually do once in power are two entirely different things.

[Delenda Carthago]

This guy reminds me of that dude from V for Vendetta who has the talkshow.

and people in America actually take this guy seriously? Oh my god...
That guy once had a communist on his show and he was accusing him for Hitler!:lol: Only in America!

[theAnarch]

He has some facistic ideas...Ill consider him a fascist when he starts using his base of support to squash his opposition.

But dont you know we are all the foot soldiers of the New World Order Kabbalists our selves.

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[pierrotlefou]

it's so hard to watch even a clip of that guy. Everything he says he reaches so far out for and draws so many insane conclusions based on what he(or whoever writes his propaganda) wants the world to be. gahhhh

[KurtFF8]

Yeah, I can't watch clips of Beck anymore. It's just too absurd

[Red Commissar]

and people in America actually take this guy seriously? Oh my god...

The problem is really he's just parroting what a significant part of the populace believes to begin with. He knows how to pitch to them and they like him for that.