A very vocal, and very dangerous, element of the right seems to think that out-and-out thuggery makes you a patriot. It still makes me retch to think that so many right-wingers still consider the Bundy brothers and their fellow thugs to be patriots for causing a standoff at an Oregon wildlife refuge. Well, it looks like that mentality is coming very close to becoming mainstream. One of the loudest voices on the right side of the radio dial has called for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to be greeted by an armed unwelcoming committee.
Michael Savage, like a large number of prominent conservatives, thinks Michael Flynn was dumped as national security adviser because Democrats had it in for him–and specifically, Schumer. Uh huh. So Schumer somehow arranged for Flynn to chat with Russia’s ambassador to the United States, then told him to lie about it to the White House and the FBI. Got it.
But such things as facts have almost never mattered to Savage. On Wednesday’s edition of “The Savage Nation,” he called for any veterans within the sound of his voice to let Schumer know how they feel–to his face. People for the American Way’s Right Wing Watch got a clip.
Savage wondered how the veterans in his audience felt about “little rats like Schumer” deliberately trying to cut Flynn’s legs out from under him. He wondered how many of them were “as boiling mad as I am” at how “great men like General Flynn” get sacrificed to “the Old World Order.”
But Savage was ready with a solution. He suggested that any veterans who were outraged at Flynn greet Schumer when he comes to his home in Brooklyn while the Senate is in recess–and bring their guns.
“You know, there’s probably four million armed men in this country. Four million armed men–ex-military, police, militias–why are they not saying anything? Where are they? Why am I sitting here like a schmuck alone taking on so much on my shoulders? Where are they? Where are these four million men? I want to know why they’re not outside Schumer’s house in Brooklyn. That big tough guy Schumer, ripping apart a great man like Flynn. I want to know why they’re not picketing Schumer, making his life a living hell as they’re making Trump’s wife’s life a living hell, the vermin on the left.”
Savage then called for a new, “Miiltary Lives Matter” movement to make life miserable for “Communist bastards” like Schumer. He was outraged that “hard men” who fought for this country could have their careers ended by “yellow-bellied, two-faced backstabbing cowards like Schumer.” As far as Savage was concerned, Schumer and his “fellow travelers” who supposedly pushed Flynn out are ingrates, because if not for the Flynns of the world, “you’d be speaking German or you’d be a lampshade.”
Savage blasted Flynn’s treatment as “so un-American.” Well, Michael, what you are proposing is un-American. A gaggle of armed, amped-up men demonstrating on the streets of Schumer’s Park Slope neighborhood? Yeah, that’s a really good idea. What if one of those trigger-happy “hard men” opens fire? What if an innocent person gets killed? It’s very telling that Savage thinks those that have been peacefully picketing Trump Tower are “vermin,” but thinks an armed demonstration in front of the home of a United States Senator is a patriotic act.
Savage was well aware he was skating on a very fine line. Indeed, when he called Flynn’s opponents “Communist bastards,” he wondered if he broke any rules. Well, he may not have broken any laws or FCC rules, but he trampled on every standard of decency that is known. This cannot stand. Calling for violence is not acceptable, ever. And yes, by definition, armed men parading in front of a house is as far from peaceful as you can get.
Here’s a list of the stations that carry Savage. If you live in or near any of these stations, drop them a line and tell them to give Savage the boot. Hopefully more than a few stations that carry Savage will have the decency to drop him. And while you’re at it, let Savage know what you think of this incendiary talk–politely, of course. Give him an earful on Facebook and on Twitter. I couldn’t help but notice that Savage’s Facebook page specifically warns visitors that any calls for violence will be deleted posthaste. And now he calls for armed men to parade in front of Schumer’s apartment? The mind reels.
(featured image courtesy Savage’s Facebook)
