US

A Guide to the Ideas and Violent Rhetoric of Frances Fox Piven

Who’s really calling for violence, Glenn Beck or Frances Fox Piven?

There’s been some talk recently criticizing Glenn Beck for speaking out against Frances Fox Piven and her calls for “angry” revolution. For example, the New York Times ran a story over the weekend saying Beck‘s expose of Piven’s strategy to overwhelm the government welfare rolls and have people rise up (and the stories about that on The Blaze) has incited violence. Piven’s favorite soap box The Nation ran a similar story on Thursday. Both stories references a few errant comments left on this website.

But lacking from those stories, and from the stories of the other outlets that have picked them up, is not only Beck’s numerous calls for non-violence, but also any legitimate look at what Piven has said. Stanley Kurtz on National Review Online today noticed as much:

An article by Brian Stelter in Saturday’s New York Times is a thinly disguised gesture of support for The Nation’s campaign. The piece downplays Piven’s radicalism, noting that her widely criticized call for intentionally creating a political and economic crisis in America’s welfare system was made 45 long years ago. Although Piven has freely described her own strategy as an effort to set off “fiscal and political crises in the cities,” Stelter delicately avoids the word “crises,” writing instead of “fiscal and political stress.”

Kurtz points out, however, that violence is an integral part of the Cloward-Piven strategy:

Calls for the escalation and manipulation of violent rioting have long been central to Piven’s strategy. Her 1977 book with Cloward, Poor People’s Movements: Why They Succeed, How They Fail, detailed the rationale behind the infamous crisis strategy of a decade before. The core argument is that the poor and unemployed are so isolated from the levers of power in America that their greatest potential impact is to withhold “quiescence in civil life: they can riot.”

At the heart of the book, Cloward and Piven luxuriously describe instances of “mob looting,” “rent riots,” and similar disruptions, egged on especially by Communist-party organizers in the 1930s. Many of those violent protests resulted in injuries. A few led to deaths. The central argument of Poor People’s Movements is that it was not formal democratic activity but violent disruptions inspired by leftist organizers that forced the first great expansion of the welfare state.

Toward the end of the book, when Cloward and Piven describe their own work with the National Welfare Rights Organization, they treat the violent urban rioting of the Sixties as a positive force behind that era’s expansion of the welfare state.

So what has Piven been talking about? Below is a montage of quotes and clips of her explaining her strategy, which includes violence:

Violence is okay as long as it’s part of a bigger strategy:

In a piece from The Nation in December, Piven says the unemployed must get angry, and explains that an effective jobless movement will look like the violent riots in Greece and England:

“So where are the angry crowds, the demonstrations, sit-ins and unruly mobs?” she writes. “After all, the injustice is apparent. Working people are losing their homes and their pensions while robber-baron CEOs report renewed profits and windfall bonuses. Shouldn’t the unemployed be on the march? Why aren’t they demanding enhanced safety net protections and big initiatives to generate jobs?” [...]

An effective movement of the unemployed will have to look something like the strikes and riots that have spread across Greece in response to the austerity measures forced on the Greek government by the European Union, or like the student protests that recently spread with lightning speed across England in response to the prospect of greatly increased school fees. [Emphasis added]

Here Piven says there needs to be “tumult disorder pressure” in order to force Barack Obama to “make choices”:

Piven saying that with the financial crisis, “all the pieces are in place for a massive defiant movement”:

And finally, Piven explaining how effective strikes “cause a lot of trouble”:

It’s the above videos that the New York Times and others have ignored. The better story, it seems to those outlets, is painting those who point out violent rhetoric as violent rather than looking into their claims.

As a final point, we don’t expect Piven to stop talking about her ideas. Thus, will be a story that we’ll update in the future whenever necessary.

Read more about Piven here and here. Additionally, Kurtz writes extensively about Piven in his book, Radical-in-Chief.

Editor’s note: A reminder that comments are monitored. The Blaze retains the right to delete comments it deems inappropriate, as well as the right to ban those who write them.

Comments (212)

1 2 3 4
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:34pm

    Yep, it is just a lot of noise from both sides. Beck overplays the significance of a few nutjobs and a few lonely voices cry out for the great transformation of America. Is there danger? Yeah…There is always danger…But as you say, the American people are resilient and we eventually get around to setting things back on course…

    Yet…It is fun to bait the loons. Especially those who would choose to come into the enemy camp just to troll around…But I suppose I am no better as I entertain them…Still…We got to get our amusement somewhere….

    Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 6:48pm

      Note: This post is out of context due to The Blaze editing. It was in response to Mr. Butcher whose post is now a few below.

      Report Post »  
    • firstlast
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 7:27pm

      Im just concerned that you would categorize anyone who doesnt think the same way you do as a “loon”. Just because someone with different ideals wants to debate, you consider them entering “enemy camp”? Do you prefer that we have only one party in this country? That seems much more dangerous to me! A one-party system…hmmmmmm….like China? Its called checks and balances, and there was a time when differences of opinions were okay. We could even be friends

      Report Post »  
  • barbaraw62
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:20pm

    Reported your post…….. NON VIOLENCE PLEASE

    Report Post » barbaraw62  
  • jason6117
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:18pm

    WOW! Eye opening information. I have a question; If the blaze is monitoring all these comments, dont you think BIG BROTHER is too????

    Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:48pm

      Something more people should think about! If you cannot live up to what you are saying…If you would not want your husband/wife, son, daughter, grandma, pastor, priest, whatever…to know it was you that typed it then you should probably not be posting it on the internet.

      No tin foil hat stuff…But yeah, I can guarantee more people view the comments made on this particular site than most any other. That would include not only the leftist media but also law enforcement and probably even the white house.

      Report Post »  
  • MMR
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:18pm

    I think the Circus is missing a few of their clowns. Gas prices, and food prices keep going up, oh really, you know how much more scarce those things will be over Communist Rule.

    Report Post » MMR  
  • henrythemexican
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:16pm

    Beck will have blood on his hands.

    henrythemexican  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:22pm

      No, there is no blood on the hands of Beck; he is doing what is right before the Almighty in declaring the truth of our enemies to the Republic. Those of us who do not stand up against the darkness and call the warning we are charged with – the blood will be found on their hands, and justice demanded of them for it.

      Those of us who cry out aloud, are clear of the blood.

      We do our duty, and I can stand before the Almighty and say with a clear consience I have done mine.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:09pm

      snow,

      This is where you and Beck lose me. Putting political differences in the context of the biblical and the apocolyptic, claiming to be “on gods side”. You’re fighting “darkness” with even more darkness. Its very dangerous. This is how the mullahs in Iran operates.

      I know you mean well (the mullahs mean well too) but adopting the infalable rightousness of a celestial diety and declaring all who oppose YOU and your ideas as agents of some metaphysical “darkness” is ludicris. Free republics do not act this way! This is the very definition of theocratic tyranny.

      I‘m not telling you you can’t think or talk this way (there are many who agree with you) but I think it causes incalcuable damage to our cause. Its been done so many times throughout history and the results are always horrible.

      Cheers

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • encinom
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:11pm

      @Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      So which great sky God is Beck doing right by, the Christian one, the Mormon one from outer-space, what about Zeus or Oden?

      We all do have a duty, to expose the liars and cheats and to educate the ignorant. Beck is a liar and a cheat, he wraps himself up in the flag, with his left arm he grabs lady liberty by a the waist and with his right hand on the bible or book of mormon, he lies to audience to sell them trinkets, gold and food insurance.

      Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:57pm

      ROFL encinom, Am I guessing correctly that you do not like Glenn Beck?

      er…I do not consider Beck a liar or a cheat. So I suppose this is a matter of opinion. So if you can “expose” him then you go for it! I eagerly await your evidence. Until then…I need to buy some more gold…

      lol

      Report Post »  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 4:13pm

      @encinom

      All ad hominem, no facts. You make a compelling argument (sarc).

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • BoilitDown
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 7:55pm

      @HenrytheMexican
      Let me understand you. By using Piven’s own words to expose what she has taught thousands of her disciples in order to ultimately demonstrate that her violence and anarchy is not the answer and will be the downfall of our country will somehow conversely cause the blood shed Beck warns against. Is that about right in describing your opinion? Wow! that’s remarkable. How to you there from here?
      So are we to take up Piven’s banner and create the chaos and violence that Piven advocates and then blame it on Beck? Please enlighten me, since you have a perspective which I am clearly too weak minded to understand.

      Report Post »  
  • Jim S
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:16pm

    I think this dead horse has been beaten enough. GB has shown her views and so what? It’s legal to want a socialist country. They run candidates for elective office on many levels. They also rarely get more that 1% of the vote. GB always says lets have a public vetting etc., well she has and he has. I never heard of her and don’t care to hear any more unless there is some direct connection, not just a possible agreement on some or many points. She will be long buried before we have any change in govt. Our country may decide to be more socialistic,hope not, but she will not be a reason for it.

    Report Post »  
    • barbaraw62
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:21pm

      She is calling for violence in the streets and is a traitor…….. just diminish that? YOU are CRAZY!

      Report Post » barbaraw62  
    • Pragmatica
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:34pm

      She is calling for organization of the poor NOT violent overthrow of the government! She is not going to “collapse America” as Glenn puts forth. She has her views and has had them for 50 years!!! Piven is a known commodity and is simply not the “threat” that Beck portrays her as.

      Read her books… “Controlling the Poor” and “Poor People’s Movements”… and then you won’t be as afraid of her either! She does have some “out there” views and theories about the world but she is entitled to those views! This is America and she can advocate for the poor if she wants to.

      Report Post » Pragmatica  
    • ForeignWatcher
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:17am

      I am sorry, common sense and the truth wont get you far here on the blaze. Read the comments when ist about obamas birhplace, or better yet when it comes to 9/11 or even more bizarre theories. You wont change anything here, the best one can try is to expose who absolutly unchristian and unconstitutional the most people here really think when they fell afraid of something. See mexicans, muslims and piven^^

      Report Post »  
  • BeerSnob
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:14pm

    There you go, threatening her life again.

    Report Post » BeerSnob  
  • MONEY_FOR_NOTHING
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:12pm

    None of these people have ever identified the real enemy.

    They are at war with the symptoms of global governance, but refuse to see that global governance is the agenda their actions promote.

    Everything they do accelerates the pace of the very state that will destroy us.

    Revelations 13:16-18

    Report Post »  
  • Raptor
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:08pm

    Study history…….its all been done before. Ask any oldtimer still alive that lived in Germany in the 1930′s………exactly the same thing happened. Between 1932 and 1938 Germans were jobless and hungry, when a charismatic man came along, won the support of the workers……gained power by corruption….. indoctrinated and tricked the citizenry, children in schools especially…….implemented new laws, turned citizens against each other and by 1938 had set up an entire new system. Meanwhile, the rest of the world had been duped into believing Germany was on a track toward economic and social recovery (after the WWI loss)…………the 36 Olympics in Berlin was a propaganda dog and pony show to deceive the world……….then when all the plans were in place……..the real goal was unveiled, but it was too late to stop what had been started.
    The writing is on the wall……..do you really still trust our politicians? Most of us do not!

    Report Post »  
    • Sandy
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:14pm

      This is why we must continue to educate ourselves and continue to stand up to our government.
      Until the right Politicians get in Washington to tell the truth, verses worry about re-election!!

      Report Post » Sandy  
    • ForeignWatcher
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:21am

      So Piven is Hitler? Figures…

      Report Post »  
  • Pragmatica
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:08pm

    Let the daily demonizing of elderly Piven commence! It’s not a full day at The Blaze until they get their licks in on Francis!

    Yes she has “radical” ideas but she IS NOT INFLUENTIAL and has no POLICY AUTHORITY. NONE!!! She could not incite violence in the streets even if she wanted to! Let’s be critical of Piven but also put her in “context” in which she has been saying these SAME “crazy” THINGS for 50 years!!! She is a known commodity with washed up ideas and nothing more.

    Good riddance.

    Piven, Van Jones, and Soros… oh my! Piven, Van Jones, and Soros… oh my! Piven, Van Jones, and Soros… oh my!

    Report Post » Pragmatica  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:17pm

      To say she has no influence is an out right lie. Sure she personally as little to none but the play book she and her husband wrote is still being used. It would be like you saying Hitler has no influence today in the New Nazi Party. They’re just following his writings and belief system. It just shows you for the lair you are.

      Report Post »  
    • flashlight
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:22pm

      Most here would have to admit to not knowing these folks names a few years ago.

      Report Post »  
    • Pragmatica
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:26pm

      Can you point to any direct influence she has had over policy? Can you point to her actually organizing poor people and inciting mass riots? I know she has some “out there” ideas but I don’t see her influence in public policy or in the streets? I don’t see any real push for the “Poor People’s Movements” strategy? She is a known commodity that has been researching social policy for 50 years… How is she a “threat” in any tangible way???

      Report Post » Pragmatica  
    • blacksmith
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:34pm

      You are a damn fool! To make the comment that this woman has no influence is ridiculous and an outright lie! She is a teacher and a policy adviser. Have you had your picture made with a president? Do you hold conferences that draw followers and the media? Do you have a seat on panels that discuss the future of the world with other leftists? The answers to the above questions is No. Just these few things prove that this woman does weild power and the fact that you call this skank a lady proves where your mind is at.

      Report Post »  
    • Pragmatica
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:54pm

      Sooooo basically you are making my point that she has marginal influence over policy at best! Sitting on academic panels is probably the least effective way to influence policy making in at the legislative level. And she has even less influence over rioting in the streets and causing mass chaos. She is not the “threat” that Beck makes her out to be. She has some “out there” views and theories but she is NOT a tangible threat to the republic in any way, shape or form.

      Report Post » Pragmatica  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:10pm

      So let’s say she is no threat at all, just a silly old lady no one listens to. Why should Beck not point her crazyness out? She has spoken in the public arena, she has made her opinion public. You can read it in books, learn it at countless universities, in fact there is a whole system behind her views. All Beck is doing is showing us what she believes. It is not like he is invading her privacy. He is doing her a favor, he is making her opinions more popular than they ever could have been otherwise. She owes Beck a thank you card!

      Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:33pm

      “Point out her craziness but be HONEST and OPEN about it! That is Glenn’s problem and why he is not taken seriously as a true observer of politics.”

      Now that is an elitist and arrogant statement. Educate me then and tell me who in your mind are “true observers of politics”. What are the qualifications to be one? What evidence do you have that he is not taken seriously by these elite true observers?

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:38pm

      But now you have reduced it to opinions. Maybe Beck is a “hatemongerer.” That is your opinion. In my opinion he is calling for reasonable evaluation of the mindset of the people running our country. You say he is not taken seriously, yet everyone is always up in arms over what he is supposedly brainwashing the American public into thinking! In the end it amounts to simple opinion. I watch Beck almost every day and I honestly wonder what everyone has against him. He is really very benign, he does not incite people to revolt. He urges patience and self-improvement. Does he sometimes get going on the “conspiracy” side of things? Sure…But the thing is, what he reports is fact and he leaves it up to you to make the connections. Where there is smoke…there is usually fire…Does Sorros pull everyone’s strings? Beck never says so, he merely shows where Sorros funnels his money. Beck has every right to report what Cloward and Piven have spent their lives teaching and preaching. You may find her a harmless lady that no one pays attention to, but many of us see the vast influence her philosophy has had on a whole generation of progressive radicals. Either way…It is simply opinion. If you do not like the opinion reported by Beck, FNC, or The Blaze then what are you doing here? Do you honestly think you will change anyone’s mind? Are there a lot of right wing nutjobs in here? Sure…Just as there are many left wing loons over at huffpo…I do not think like they do over there, I do not really care what kind of slanted news they are reporting, or what any of their readers are posting, and I do not bother with them. They are free to do and think what they like. So what are you doing here?

      I think the big argument is whether someone should be able to speak their mind in a public forum. I do not condemn Piven for what she has said, even though she does call for violence. She is free to write her books and spout her garbage just the same as the black panthers, kkk, neo-nazis or anyone else is. But you do not hear the right…except for a handful of RINO conservatives I suppose…calling to limit anyone’s speech. The thing is…What may be good for the left today might become a problem when the opposing party takes charge. I personally do not want EITHER party controlling speech in this country. Just something to think about.

      Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:45pm

      PRAGMATICA, I have drawn some conclusions from your comments. You state that Piven has little influence therefore Glenn should not worry about her. Then in another comment you state that Glenn is not taken seriously by any of the true observers of politics. If we are to believe these two statements to be factual, then we do not need to worry about either one. I do believe they are both very influential and therefore am motivated to comment here. If I believed they were both as insignificant as you claim they are, then I would not even waste a post. You on the other hand are commenting profusely and with passionate CAPS LOCK. I get the impression you do not even believe your own premise.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
  • blacksmith
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:07pm

    This is a constant from the left/progressives.These great thinkers send useful idiots out to do the dirty work then they gain more power for themselves while the useful idiots just get poorer. All of these great thinkers high ideas lead to only one place and that is slavery to the rulers. we are quickly approaching that state without the riots and violence! How much quicker will we fall when it starts? Is it better to die on your feet than to live on your knees? Every American I fear may soon have to answer this question.

    Report Post »  
  • Buck_Ofama
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:05pm

    If it wasn’t for the Blaze and Glenn most of the stuff in this article would have never appeared in the mainstream media. It used to be that calls for the overthrow of the US Govt were criminal acts. Apparently not anymore except, maybe, during war time.

    These are perilous times.

    Report Post » Buck_Ofama  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:04pm

    It is simply amazing that the NY Times would make claims that are so easily proven false…The left has truly gone off the deep end.

    Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:23pm

      What death threats? I am targeting that BS! I am placing this “hateful rhetoric” crap in my crosshairs and pulling the trigger on the stupidity of people like you. My aim is to wipe this foolish argument from the face of the earth, to exterminate it fully and bury it in a cold grave. I will nuke it, blast it, and burn it. I will scorch the very idea that Beck has spoken a single word of violence, he has merely shined the light on the true haters.

      Your argument has no relevance. You claim Piven is a nobody, just a poor frail old woman calling for rioting in the streets and then you target Beck for “hate speech.” Really? Show me!

      Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:54pm

      @Pragmatica Did you not hear the words from her own moth? They were complete and in proper context. The question asked and her answer given were no just a pieced together video edit. There is nothing peaceful about her strategy. You suggest that we read here books. I do not need to go any further than her public statements.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • encinom
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:55pm

      @Pragmatica

      Beck is creating the next Dr. Tiller. Beck is suppling gasoline and matches to his rabid fans, adn then shuggurds his shoulders when something happnes, like it almost did with the Tides Foundation.

      Beck is a dangerous fool that is using the fears, racism and paranoia of the tea-baggers to cash in.

       
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:02pm

      Wow…I am really left speechless by this illogical argument…

      Piven is calling for violence and rioting and the collapse of the American system…But she is just a harmless little old lady with no influence on anyone…

      Beck shines light on this, and others like her, and points out how some people would like to incite violence, cause riots and collapse the American system….So he is inciting violence…by pointing out her rhetoric…er…yeah…

      I cannot waste any more time on that kind of logic…I will simply paste the same reply I made above to the same argument:

      It is ironic that those in this discussion that are defending Piven’s right to speak her mind, even when she is literally calling for violence, are then trying to condemn Beck for anything he has said when he has NEVER called for violence against anyone. Are you sure you really want to press that argument? It either makes you oblivious to reason or a troll.

      Report Post »  
    • Pragmatica
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:06pm

      That is her theory and yes it is “out there”… She is calling for organizing of the poor more than anything. Even if there were sporatic riots from the poor, how will that “collapse America” or “be the end of the republic”?? Glenn uses the most apocolyptic scenario imaginable to whip up fear and resentment. Piven has been saying these things for 50 years and no one really takes her seriously. She is “out there” but is not influential in the least and she is allowed to hold these views! She is an obscure academic that does NOT have a national podium (like Beck)… her influence on all fronts is marginal at best, yet calling for “organization of the poor” is tantamount to “collapsing America”?!

      Report Post » Pragmatica  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:32pm

      And Beck is calling for people to wake up. To study history, find God, or gain a sense of self-responsibility. To read the original documents this country was founded on.

      Such evil…

      Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:13pm

      @PRAGMATICA Glenn consistently reinforces peaceful protest and a strategy of non-violence when dealing with those whose ideas and actions you oppose. If we were to hold Glenn Beck accountable for the actions of idiots, the impact would be to silence any discussion. This is not healthy for either side of the debate. I agree that rhetoric should be toned down but it cannot be forced. The violent rhetoric debate is now being used to undermine individual rights such as the 1st and 2nd Amendment. No matter how much one may hate how these rights are exercised, they are the key to freedom and our way of life and I will fight anyone that would take them away from me.

      I think what is really worrying the left is the counter revolution that is now shifting the balance of power away from the SEIU, ACORN, TIDES, MOVEON, ANSWER, etc.. All the gains the socialist left made during this current administration are quickly dissolving because they did not heed Saul Alinksy’s warning to avoid a counter revolution by moving the revolution forward to quickly.

      My advice to the socialist left is this: Don’t throw a basket of frogs in a pot of boiling water as they will all jump out: Place them in cool water and raise the heat gradually until done. Oops! Too late though, the frogs have escaped and are now the masters.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 5:55pm

      @Pragmatica

      So, because they are poor, violence is acceptable? WOW.

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
  • missionarydad
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:02pm

    Goes to show just how far left and radical the mainstream has become, apparently they are all in favor of the collapse of the U.S. economy and are looking forward to all the violence that Glenn Beck is so vehemently against and what Piven advocates, promotes and encourages. That will be good for their business as if it bleeds it leads. Couldn’t that be considered treason on the part of the lamestream media by covering up for all these traitors like Piven, Soros etc? More examples of calling evil good and good evil.

    Report Post »  
    • firstlast
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 7:20pm

      I find that turning Americans against other Americans is treasonous. Democrats, Republicans; all Americans, despite what you think. I am a Democrat and you’d never know the difference looking at me or talking to me. I’m the lady giving your kids piano lessons and sitting next to you in church. You would never call me a liberal pig to my face because all you would see is another American person just like you! I love my country but my ideals are different. I wonder if people realize the dangers of a one-party system; I feel much safer with the two-party system myself….

      Report Post »  
  • proberly
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:02pm

    I listen to Beck almost every day. I believe what he says. When I hear his statements of people like this, I automatically research it and come to my own conclusions. I did this about her. I read enough about her to agree with Glenn. She is the type that wouldn’t be out in the streets doing all the rioting that she calls for, she is the type that would be looking out the window, laughingly, admiring all of the confusion and damage that she has caused. She is of the worst kind. She is not a leader, just one who insights riots. She likes the attention. I am not impressed with her at all.

    Report Post »  
    • GardenoftheGods
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 5:34pm

      I agree with every word you said…except 1…..it’s “incite” not insight…but you were right on all the others! FF Piven WOULD gleefully sit atop a skyscraper in NYC & delight over the poor, disenfranchised o-bots rioting in the street. She is not some sweet little grandma…she’s a revolutionary America-hater who prod & nudges others to do what she won’t do herself.

      Report Post » GardenoftheGods  
  • staggerlee32
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:57am

    I’m soooo tired of the whole thing….. too many dumbocrats that believe everything they read and see in the lamestream media.

    Report Post » staggerlee32  
    • drawls
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:30pm

      That has been the problem for longer than I can even remember. People being led by the left media, their school professors,unions, etc.Without EVER looking for the truth!!!!!!!! SHEEPLE, without them there would be No progressives.

      Report Post » olddog  
    • firstlast
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 7:13pm

      school professors… can you elaborate?

      Report Post »  
  • encinom
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:56am

    “Who’s really calling for violence, Glenn Beck or Frances Fox Piven?”

    Trick question? Its proven by his own words that Beck is calling for violence (“shoot them is the head”). Beck is doing to Piven what O’Reilly did to Dr. Tiller, or Palin did with her gunsights. He is amazingly smart enough not to call for outright violence, but to use words that would trigger his uneducated fans to0, he almost succeed with the tides foundation.

     
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:17pm

      @Indy1

      Absolutely right, the warning that Beck is giving is to the left, the progressives, and also to anyone who wishes to harm the country and feels, not to mention thinks, they can use anarchists and the terrorists (Fox Piven and Van Jones chief among them) without fear of reprisals.

      These delusional people need to understand that the anarchists and terrorists have their own agenda and are using the progressives as the progressives are using them.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • barbaraw62
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:18pm

      You are crazy man……… crazy…….. Violence outright call for violence is dismissed by you? You are CRAZY!

      Report Post » barbaraw62  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:19pm

      Obviously you have no concept of “context” as this quote as been explained over and over and over in context. You refuse to hear it and you just still regurgitate the progressive “cut” taken OUT OF CONTEXT and twisted to fit the need of day. Your post would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. I feel for you, cause when you wake up, it will be to late.

      Report Post » 8jrts  
    • OHSAYCANYOUSEE
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:31pm

      Yes. He is using mental telepathy and hidden messages.

      You are right on.

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:45pm

      @trolltrainer

      Within context the shoot them in the head comment by Beck only proves how unstable he is. The context does not help Beck, it is clear that he is preaching fear, violence and paranoia.

      Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:54pm

      Ok, so say he is! He has not made a direct threat against anyone. This is a free country, there is no “hate speech” laws. It is ironic that those in this discussion that are defending Piven’s right to speak her mind, even when she is literally calling for violence, are then trying to condemn Beck for anything he has said when he has NEVER called for violence against anyone. Are you sure you really want to press that argument? It either makes you oblivious to reason or a troll.

      Report Post »  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 3:59pm

      @Pragmatica

      Your post is neither moderate or objective. I do believe the premise of Becks research is based upon connections. You pick out jones and Piven. Both obscure in your opinion. There is plenty of video showing those two at large gatherings of progressives. I would say you forgot a few names as well. Stearn, Soros (big one), Lewis, Chomsky, etc…

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 5:51pm

      @encinom

      The quote is “shoot me in the head” you asstard. Kinda takes the wind out of your sails. Next time, try some facts.

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • ForeignWatcher
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:48am

      As always. When Glenns take a 30 second piece of anything and calls it the “truth”, for its video, everything is fine.
      But if you take HIS words, suddenly context is to be taken into account. All of the context. Beginning with our forefathers…

      Report Post »  
  • xoke
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:54am

    I find it amazing how most “journalist” just completely dismiss this stuff. It makes no sense…even if Beck is wrong about some of this, he has exposed enough madness that one would think some “journalist” out there would at least look into the story of this lady. Instead they write non-researched “hit pieces” on Beck.

    [sorry about my violent rhetoric]

    Report Post » xoke  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:12pm

      Yes the main stream media certianly has it’s(innsersecting follicles) on Beck. He could have undeniable proof that Obama eats live babaies and somehow the mainstream will attacks him for exposing it.

      Report Post »  
  • BeerSnob
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:53am

    Apparently, her calls for violence aren‘t as effective as Glenn’s :D

    Report Post » BeerSnob  
    • NotaLemming
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:34pm

      I forget when he did that….. can you show me a link to the clip in oh say the last 6 years, where Glenn called for Violence. Thank you in advance for your hollow reply that will obviously not be posted.

      Report Post » NotaLemming  
    • BeerSnob
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 8:43pm

      ummm…. I was being sarcastic… was hoping you’d figure that out by the :D at the end Stop taking things so seriously.

      Report Post » BeerSnob  
    • NotaLemming
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:58am

      Not sure How I missed the :D Carry on. : *(

      Report Post » NotaLemming  
  • jginmt
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:53am

    Dana Loesch at Big Journalism also wrote a great peace on the same topic. http://bigjournalism.com/dloesch/2011/01/24/suddenly-radical-frances-fox-piven-is-old-widowed-college-professor/

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:53am

    LIES, damn lies! That’s all the COMMUNISTS have to bank on!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:14pm

      Got that right on the non-existent money the communists have in their now broke banks.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • M. Deane
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:17pm

      What Communists? Communism is past history. People like you need to start re-educating yourselves. Start with a GED.

      Report Post »  
    • Proud AF Oathkeeper
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:24pm

      M. Deane
      Correction! Communism is very much alive in this country. BTW, I have two degrees to include a very deep knowledge of World and US History. Please do a little reading and research before you make such an uneducated and juvenile comment.

      Report Post »  
    • M. Deane
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:48pm

      Proud AF Oathkeeper
      Your two degrees apparently have had little impact on your sensibility.

      Report Post »  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:53pm

      @ M. Deane – Wow you are smart! Just by reading someone’s username you have complete knowledge of their education and experience. Quite the superpower, you must be proud.

      I have one of the following: (A) GED Diploma (B) Criminal Record (C) Master of Military Science Degree

      I would ask you to guess but in your case it wouldn’t be a “guess” would it? With such brain power I would like to invite to go to Las Vegas with me sometime this spring. We will clean them out!!

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:46pm

      @M Dean

      Apperantly my personal degree of Masters of Divinity, and a life long student of history of the world, and of America fails to count when you can hear on almost all TV shows, and anywhere on the net can be found american based COMMUNIST PARTIES and GROUPS!

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • ForeignWatcher
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:28am

      Yeah. You can find everything on the net. Really everything.
      Communism is long dead, except for a good 1% of the people in this country and the people believing Glenn beck. Who would have thought that fear can be such a bestseller?

      Report Post »  
  • NotaLemming
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:52am

    Glad to see they keep using my video Francis Fox Piven. I did not participate in the military so I feel this is one way I participate in saving my country. But this video is only a small part of my light I try to shed on the violent left. Check out this post. http://notalemming.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/fomenting-intolerance-in-america-propaganda-lies-and-the-tides/

    Report Post » NotaLemming  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:09pm

      Great link! Thanks

      Report Post » 8jrts  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:20pm

      Thanks for the link, I will share this info for others to research and use.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Pragmatica
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:50pm

      The epitome of right-wing bias.

      Report Post » Pragmatica  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:26pm

      There are many ways to be a patriot and serve the country. You certainly DO NOT have to put on a uniform to do so. Being an honest productive citizen who votes is a great way to serve! Yes we have to have a strong military (controlled by civilians), police and firefighters. What do these groups have in common???? They serve the citizens of our country. Anyone who thinks otherwise ain’t too pretty smart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • RLTW
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:45pm

      Yes, yes, yes Pragmatica tell us again how the corporations are all corporationy.

      I think I have you figured out, you’re either sean Penn or tim robbins right.

      Report Post »  
    • Pragmatica
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:26pm

      Nope… just a moderate that finds Beck’s inflammatory rhetoric irresponsible. Beck makes people around me paranoid and unhappy so I started paying attention. Beck is NEVER questioned on his views and assumptions so I’m just trying to provide some balance. Piven is getting threatened because of Beck’s constant demonizing and that needs to be pointed out. He speaks to MILLIONS of people everyday and his exaggerations need to be called out.

      Report Post » Pragmatica  
    • Pragmatica
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:28pm

      BTW, I have never railed on corporations or capitalism. I’m quite the fan of both of those things but I still am not a fan of Beck!

      Report Post » Pragmatica  
    • RLTW
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 3:34pm

      Prag
      Oh, I see you’re the self proclaimed calming effect. I should tell you paranoia in many cases is a disorder, what the people around you may be suffering from is fear of the many glimpses of truth now coming to the surface.
      You see most Americans are simple pilgrims, that’s not to say were simple minded, we’ve lived long enough to see the progressives manipulate the system into something un- wholesome and foreign, we don’t like it.
      Take what Beck says as you wish, but don’t fear fact.

      Report Post »  
  • mikewilson1969
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:51am

    You will know them by their fruits.

    Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:59am

      And what a poisonous fruit Beck is.

       
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:00pm

      And the fruits of Fox Piven are as rotten as they come.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • jbl8199
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:17pm

      I know she’s nothing but a domestic terrorist and should be tried for treason. I‘m real surprised she hasn’t been thrown in jail already.

      Report Post » jbl8199  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:34pm

      encinom = Ideolouge troll

      jbl8199

      Seriously? Are you being sarcastic? You are surprised? I‘m surprised she’s not the Sectretary (oops) Czar (they have more power) of Education…

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • RobertCA
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:27pm

      @ ENCINOM

      Piven needs a toy & by toy I don‘t mean a kid’s toy .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • 101
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:51am

    Hear she just bought a red school bus!

    Report Post »  
    • abc
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:46pm

      Is the problem with Piven her willingness to break a lot of windows (or worse) to achieve her aims? Or is the problem her politics? Conservatives were never bothered that the famous Brooks Brothers riot in Florida prematurely stopped the recount that would have shown that Gore had won the state, and that riot did lead to property destruction and bodily harm. I have a law school classmate that boasted about his involvement in this riot and shared these details. He was later rewarded with the #2 position in OMB under a thankful President Bush. So I would like to hear from conservatives whether they really care about collateral damage of violent action, or whether the reality is that they reject any politics that seeks social justice and economic outcomes that mitigate the worst aspects of laissez-faire capitalism. To me, it is clearly about the ideology rather than any attendant violence. In other words, Beck cares more that Piven is helping register a lot of liberals to vote out his conservative friends in Congress than he does about any broken shop-front windows. But maybe I’m being too hard on the ultra-partisan.

      Report Post »  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:50pm

      I have a blue bus
      well actually it is a Ford Excursion
      but close enough

      The blue bus
      is calling us……

      Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:03pm

      I have a short bus. I will be picking up ABC and a couple others in a bit…

      Report Post »  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:32pm

      abc

      A.nother B.rainwashed C.onspiracy theorist. Gore won FL? LOL. Morons In West Palm Beach, too ignorant to read a ballot is what lost that one for you guys.

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • guitom
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:57am

      Yo ABC, your post contains well thought out intelligent comments and so doesn’t belong on this site frequented by those who believe what comes out of the mouth of the man wearing the magic underwear.

      Report Post »  
  • 8jrts
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:50am

    Just another case of media sticking it‘s head in the sand while speaking out it’s you know what.

    Report Post » 8jrts  
    • indy1
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:02pm

      The lib media declared unconditional war on free speech at Tucson. Now they don’t even pretend to be objective.

      Report Post »  
    • Xcori8r
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:20pm

      All we need is a falling house from Kanasa or a bucket of Oz water to take care of her.

      ??? OMG! Dorothy must have been a violent, vitriolic Conservative!

      Report Post » Xcori8r  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:25pm

      I read the NYT article (amazingly, I kept my lunch down doing it); it mentioned an anonymous Blaze posters comment. I don’t see any way to post here anonymously. Strange.

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:27pm

      Also, I don’t remember reading a NYT article about the numerous death threats to Palin and Beck at the Huffpo AND the Nation (one of the contributors to the NYT article) 2 weeks ago. Perhaps that’s why the NYT is no longer a credible news source?

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:45pm

      Fox Piven is so old

      That trojans modeled their horse after her likeness.

      Report Post »  
    • Deda1
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:59pm

      The MSM is no longer comprised of journalist and should no longer be consider a legitmate source of news or positive commentary

      Report Post »  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:09pm

      In the first video, Piven was saying that the “strategy” – of which breaking a window would be a “big part” – is presenting a kind of show for the media to manipulate perceptions.

      She’s saying that she believes violence is ok, if it makes you look good to the viewers at home. And conversely, that is why she generally opposes it – because it can make you look bad to the viewers at home.

      I understand she was asked a specific question, but I would like to know whether or not she’s willing to have debates with Capitalists out in the open, and with those who have escaped tyrannical Marxist governments.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:14pm

      Thank you Blaze for deleting the threats against this person as well as supporters of First Amendment. Too bad this person, who would be unknown to anyone outside academia, has been elevated to the status of an enemy of the state, and all the risks that entails for her.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:21pm

      Once again, the left, libs and progressives call for violence yet the lame stream media closes its eyes again.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 1:23pm

      If this were the other way around and someone on the right was calling for what this “woman” is saying they would be calling for their head .. they would want them arrested .. where is the outrage! Oh yea .. you can say ANYTHING as long is you are on the left … you can say NOTHING if you are on the right … CIVILITY … ain’t it great!

      Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 2:18pm

      @JZS- She did that to her self every time she makes PUBLIC statements. When you make public statements, you have then engaged a much larger audience. I do agree that threats must stop and have no place in this debate.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • brazzleton
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 10:13pm

      I have watched this end of america 15 and it seems to make 100 percent sense. Can anybody offer any glimpse of hope that we can avoid this. The only solution I can see would be either a massive world war in which our country would get involved in which could unite our country. The only other solution would be the collapse of China before our nation does. I can‘t come up with anything else and I don’t know many people that have enough money to invest in gold or silver. This is so disturbing that besides adding to my food supply which would make me a huge target. Is there any way that this can be avoided? I don’t see why the progressives want to collapse their own country when most other countries are trying to do it for us. We all lose!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • bullcrapbuster
      Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:41pm

      Problem for the progs is that Glenn is always a few steps ahead of them. Glenn shows the evidence of the prog violent retoric by quoting them showing video clips. The progs on the other hand whine and rant and name call like school kids. We are on to the prog tactics. They want violence and it is driving them crazy that we are not buying into their strategy.

      Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
    • ForeignWatcher
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 9:54am

      You can clearly see her danger when you look at all the revolutions she has caused since 1966…

      Glenn is as always just picking an easy target.

      But he, like the most here, gets confused. For this woman is only that, ONE woman. She isnt the left. She isnt the goverment. She is just one intellectual. So, if she really is THE danger and THE enemy, everything is fine, for she is just a old woman.

      Man, he got you all trembling before a 80 year old senior, spwing your hate. Can that be anything else but a distraction? But fear on, rightwingers, and fear her and her grey followers, for someday she will rule this communistic despotism, together with soros, van jones and john steward. Dear the day, for we got your names and we will come to your houses to pint our fingers at you and laugh… For believing this ;)

      Report Post »  
    • ForeignWatcher
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 9:55am

      Ang yes, Glenn must be one step ahead of everyone. Or, quite exactly, 55 years behind…

      Report Post »  
    • guitom
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:59am

      “Liberal Media”… on a Glen Beck site. Good one!

      Report Post »  
1 2 3 4

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love