Virtually the entire right side of the spectrum has rallied to the defense of Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who thinks he can allow his cattle to graze on federal land because he only recognizes the authority of the government of Nevada, not the United States. With one very loud exception--Glenn Beck.
This weekend, when Beck found out that several people--including a good number of his followers--were threatening violence unless the gubmint leaves Bundy and his patriot family alone, he wrote an open letter on his Website saying he could not in any way endorse violence against government officials.
I worry about the rancher and his family. The ranchers around him and all around the country. I was blowing the warning trumpets on this kind of usurpation long ago. But any fan of mine knows that I have also said that I will never call for arms with the state of our faith.
I, too, am a rancher but the ultimate rancher is God and we are His flock. I will follow His voice for it is the only one I recognize.
I am sorry, but as all MY real fans know, I believe Ghandi, MLK, Bonhoeffer and Jesus were right. I will follow their example. I know what that means or meant for them.
But I will stand with The Lord.
My feet shall be shod in the Gospel of Peace.
All will be right and in the end all will be well.
I will be a tool in His hands and come what may. So be it. There will be others behind us who will replace us and anyone who strikes us down will be doing us a favor. We will join Him and a lesson you can learn for MLK or even Star Wars: “If you strike me down I will more powerful than you can imagine.
I will give my children and the next generation of great Americans something to be proud of.
Violence begets violence. This rancher shares my faith and I have empathy for his plight. I know what he must feel like.
He shared the same letter on
his Facebook page with the note, "Know that those of you calling for violence over this Nevada standoff are not supporters or any kind of long-term fan of mine."
Just in case he didn't make himself clear, Beck doubled down on his radio show earlier today. He said that he was unnerved by the violent threats issued by the numerous militiamen who had flocked to Bundy's ranch. He said, "If you think this country can be saved by guns before God, good luck. But I will have nothing to do with you." People for the American Way got a clip.
Watch the whole monologue here.
We all know Beck is a stopped clock. But when you've lost him--and he declares so this publicly and loudly--then you really have gone too far.