Congressional candidate Stephen Broden (TX-R) says revolution "on the table" if GOP loses

[BrainGlutton]

Story here: (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/102210dnmetbroden.1b2338185.html)

WASHINGTON – Republican congressional candidate Stephen Broden stunned his party Thursday, saying he would not rule out violent overthrow of the government if elections did not produce a change in leadership.

In a rambling exchange during a TV interview, Broden, a South Dallas pastor, said a violent uprising "is not the first option," but it is "on the table." That drew a quick denunciation from the head of the Dallas County GOP, who called the remarks "inappropriate."

Broden, a first-time candidate, is challenging veteran incumbent Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson in Dallas' heavily Democratic 30th Congressional District. Johnson's campaign declined to comment on Broden.

In the interview, Brad Watson, political reporter for WFAA-TV (Channel 8), asked Broden about a tea party event last year in Fort Worth in which he described the nation's government as tyrannical.

"We have a constitutional remedy," Broden said then. "And the Framers say if that don't work, revolution."

In reaction, the Dallas Morning News has withdrawn its endorsement of Broden.

[joebuck20]

Ah, so the GOP is welcoming traitors into its ranks now.

[Chronos]

Ah, so the GOP is welcoming traitors into its ranks now."Now"? You mean you missed all the other ones?

[John D'Adamo]

I think one of the prevailing tenents of elements of the Tea Party movement is that if they can't enact change through legislative channels and electing their people in, they'd stage violent revolts of the government. For better or for worse, Broden is channeling these feelings. It is just another indication that a Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment war is starting in many areas, Texas included.

[joebuck20]

If these guys want Civil War so bad, stop talking and just do it. Get off your asses, stop acting like poseurs and let the fighting commence. Just let us know how that shootey, insurrectioney stuff works out for ya.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

As always, I would welcome the opportunity to watch these yahoos try to take on the US military. Bring it on, traitors. I've got five minutes to kill. That's about how long your revolution would last.

[John D'Adamo]

And if there ever were to be a battle, despite all the talk of a revolution they espouse, I think you'd see Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Rush Limbaugh, and Sarah Palin absent from the battlefield. But yeah, I think it's safe to say these last two years have been a very interesting turn of events in the Republican Party.

[Rhythmdvl]

I think one of the prevailing tenents of elements of the Tea Party movement is that if they can't enact change through legislative channels and electing their people in, they'd stage violent revolts of the government. For better or for worse, Broden is channeling these feelings. It is just another indication that a Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment war is starting in many areas, Texas included.

It's something of an extension of the shout-down strategy of the health care debate.

[BrainGlutton]

As always, I would welcome the opportunity to watch these yahoos try to take on the US military. Bring it on, traitors. I've got five minutes to kill. That's about how long your revolution would last.

Based on discussions I've read on other boards, they seem to think the soldiers would be on their side.

[Spiff]

If these guys want Civil War so bad, stop talking and just do it. Get off your asses, stop acting like poseurs and let the fighting commence. Just let us know how that shootey, insurrectioney stuff works out for ya.You have a wonderful way with words.

And the snark, too.

Bravo.

[Face Intentionally Left Blank]

Ah, so the GOP is welcoming traitors into its ranks now.

To be fair, the head of the Dallas County Republican Election Committee, and Ken Emanuelson, a leading tea party organizer in Dallas do not agree with his statement. The first called the comment 'disappointing', and that he will be discussing the matter with the campaign staff. The other said that he did not disagree with the "philosophical point" that people had the right to resist a tyrannical government, but that the situation is not anywhere near that point.

That's about as sensible as I could have hoped for, particularly in this climate. Sadly, things have gotten to the point where I was a little surprised at the push-back from his end of the political spectrum.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Based on discussions I've read on other boards, they seem to think the soldiers would be on their side.
I know, but this is as absurd a fantasy as can be imagined.

[Euphonious Polemic]

You have a wonderful way with words.

And the snark, too.

Bravo.

So what do you think the proper response to Broden's statement should be?

"We have a constitutional remedy," Broden said then. "And the Framers say if that don't work, revolution."

Do you agree with Broden's statement? Or do you think that joebuck20 should just shut up and say nothing?

[ShibbOleth]

WASHINGTON – Republican congressional candidate Stephen Broden stunned his party Thursday, saying he would not rule out violent overthrow of the government if elections did not produce a change in leadership.

In a rambling exchange during a TV interview, Broden, a South Dallas pastor, said a violent uprising "is not the first option," but it is "on the table." That drew a quick denunciation from the head of the Dallas County GOP, who called the remarks "inappropriate."

I haven't been to church since I was a kid, so I'm a bit rusty, but I'm wondering which part of the New Testament allows for violent revolution?

[Measure for Measure]

So what do you think the proper response to Broden's statement should be? You are playing with fire, sir. The whole point of democracy is not to eliminate conflict or disagreement but to manage it peacefully. This is not Iraq. This is not Afghanistan. This is not the former Yugoslavia. This is America. Such incendiary talk is highly irresponsible. You have shamed your party, your religion and your country. If you refuse to apologize, then your party and laity should do it for you.

Shame: have you any?

[foolsguinea]

I haven't been to church since I was a kid, so I'm a bit rusty, but I'm wondering which part of the New Testament allows for violent revolution?Well, there are some lines in the gospels that can be read that way. Not that Jesus was republican, capitalist, or conservative.

[appleciders]

I haven't been to church since I was a kid, so I'm a bit rusty, but I'm wondering which part of the New Testament allows for violent revolution?

Usually, people point to this (http://bible.cc/luke/22-36.htm) quote. I think this is cherry-picking one violent quote out of context to contradict a peaceful message, but for some people, confirmation of their existing beliefs is what they're looking for, not actual spiritual guidance.


and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.

[BobLibDem]

Who would trade a sword for a cloak? Sounds like a lousy deal to me.

[Robot Arm]

Who would trade a sword for a cloak? Sounds like a lousy deal to me.Not if you stab the guy and take your cloak back.

[BobLibDem]

Not if you stab the guy and take your cloak back.

No I meant the guy with the sword. Why would he trade it for a lousy cloak? I say throw in a horse if you want my sword.

[Martiju]

Not if you stab the guy and take your cloak back.

Not in the back though, unless you want a holy cloak.

sorry..!

[Merijeek]

Who would trade a sword for a cloak? Sounds like a lousy deal to me.

Let's face it, if you've got a cloak that's nice enough you can trade it for a sword, you ain't gonna be one of those guys at the barricades.

-

[Morgenstern]

If the cloak has a big red S on the back, is it worth more?

[Ichbin Dubist]

I think the fantasy of the moment is that the military is full of Oath Keepers who will let Broden and his cohorts waltz their Second Amendment solutions right into the Capitol.

I'm not especially worried, stupid people have been talking like this forever (especially in Texas, which has a small group of noisome lunatics who think that secession is always just a ballot measure away). I do see a small number of the angry and disappointed getting themselves in some serious shit in November, though.

[Jenaroph]

Who would trade a sword for a cloak? Sounds like a lousy deal to me.
To be fair, nothing in the verse says that's one transaction with one person. I'm reading it as a shortened version of "Sell your cloak at Moishe's Used Cloak Outlet, take the money, walk next door to Khopeshes R Us and buy yourself a sword there."

[Robot Arm]

No I meant the guy with the sword. Why would he trade it for a lousy cloak? I say throw in a horse if you want my sword.Ordinarily you wouldn't make that trade, unless you need to unload the cloak's contract to free up some room under the salary cap.

Or maybe it's one of those guys who's trying to trade all the way from a flint to a cottage on Craiygge's Lyste.

[Really Not All That Bright]

People, people. Let's not go crazy. Maybe he was misquoted, and really said revolution had been tabled on account of being a truly awful idea.

You know, like in Robert's Rules.