Are Virginia Republicans terrorists and/or traitors?

[barts]

According to an article in PoliticusUSA, Virginia Republicans Call for Armed Revolution if Obama Wins in November,

...the Virginia Republican Committee ... newsletter, [says] President Obama, is a “political socialist ideologue unlike anything world history has ever witnessed or recognized,” and that the only option is “armed revolution should we fail with the power of the vote in November:” If one is confused as to what Republicans consider is a “political socialist ideologue,” the newsletter claims President Obama “shuns biblical praise, handicaps economic ability, disrespects the honor of earned military might,” and that under Obama, “the government is out of control, and this opportunity, must not be forsaken for we shall not have any coarse (sic) but armed revolution.”

Republicans calling for armed insurrection against the government is nothing new, and few are apt to forget congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) saying “I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back,” and went on to specifically cite Jefferson’s quote from 1787. Bachmann continued that, “we the people are going to have to fight back hard if we’re not going to lose our country,” and encouraged Americans “to do everything we can to thwart the Democrats at every turn,” and apparently that included armed rebellion.

Republicans are calling for armed insurrection and attacks on the federal government. This is treason and terrorism. Why are these people not being arrested, charged, and tried by the authorities?

If a Muslim group promoted armed insurrection would the FBI not investigate?

It seems to me that the Republican Party is, based on these statements, a terrorist organization and ought to be treated accordingly in order to protect the security of the American people.

Knowing how these extremists feel and seem to be planning, should we wait to act until they kill thousands of people?

[LetThereBe]

According to an article in PoliticusUSA, Virginia Republicans Call for Armed Revolution if Obama Wins in November,



Republicans are calling for armed insurrection and attacks on the federal government. This is treason and terrorism. Why are these people not being arrested, charged, and tried by the authorities?

If a Muslim group promoted armed insurrection would the FBI not investigate?

It seems to me that the Republican Party is, based on these statements, a terrorist organization and ought to be treated accordingly in order to protect the security of the American people.

Knowing how these extremists feel and seem to be planning, should we wait to act until they kill thousands of people?

The only thing more absurd than their hyperbole is yours.

[barts]

The only thing more absurd than their hyperbole is yours.

These are members of an organization threatening armed insurrection if they don't get what they want politically. Why are the concerns I'm raising "absurd"?

When an Iranian utters similar remarks the US military goes on high alert. If a Muslim cleric utters this sort of remark in the security apparatus of the nation is mobilized. Why should it be any different if a Republican calls for the people to take up arms against a duly elected government or a duly elected President. By definition this is treason, and ought to be treated as such.

But, I gather, some groups, the Republicans for example, can be traitors and other groups cannot.

[Angry Citizen]

The only thing more absurd than their hyperbole is yours.

I wish I could like this post. I'm not one for liking, but, I agree with this wholeheartedly.

Barts, most of your recent posts have crossed the line from fair attacks on legitimate issues into sheer absurdity. I suggest you amend that.

[Yarn]

These people don't represent the entire party, but yes, those who do speak this way are traitors.

Terrorists? Well, that all depends on how they plan to fight.

Part of this as well is a question of whether or not they actually become traitors before they actually turn their words into action.

[Dieval]

There are active members of this board that regularly call for "revolution" and openly support the downfall of the US...I guess they don't warrant a peep because they're not "Republicans".

[Yarn]

It is against forum rules to criticise board members directly, so it is no mystery why no one calls them traitors, but i'd say you are right that these forums are not devoid of some of those whom could, by their words, be judged equally traitorous as these Republicans can be by their words.

Of course, in order to be a traitor, you have to be an American in the first place. Not all of us are.

Attempting to overthrow the government through non-democratic violent means is, I think, traitorous. Perhaps even advocating that is traitorous, in which case, interestingly enough, Bachman is a traitor.

Now legally, you actually have to do something to become a traitor; it isn't enough just to advocate it. I sort of feel like that is the right way to handle this from a legal perspective. I am not in favor of arresting Bachman.

[LetThereBe]

These are members of an organization threatening armed insurrection if they don't get what they want politically. Why are the concerns I'm raising "absurd"?

When an Iranian utters similar remarks the US military goes on high alert. If a Muslim cleric utters this sort of remark in the security apparatus of the nation is mobilized. Why should it be any different if a Republican calls for the people to take up arms against a duly elected government or a duly elected President. By definition this is treason, and ought to be treated as such.

But, I gather, some groups, the Republicans for example, can be traitors and other groups cannot.

Let's pretend for sake of argument that these few individuals are actually serious in these suggestions, and that nothing is being exaggerated or taken out of context.
Even making this absurd allowance, how does that make the Republican party a terrorist organization? It is like saying that a radical Muslim cleric advocating violence proves that Islam is a "terrorist organization".

[Yarn]

Absolutely correct.

[barts]

I wish I could like this post. I'm not one for liking, but, I agree with this wholeheartedly.

Barts, most of your recent posts have crossed the line from fair attacks on legitimate issues into sheer absurdity. I suggest you amend that.

Goodness, and fail to encourage heated debate?

[barts]

Let's pretend for sake of argument that these few individuals are actually serious in these suggestions, and that nothing is being exaggerated or taken out of context.
Even making this absurd allowance, how does that make the Republican party a terrorist organization? It is like saying that a radical Muslim cleric advocating violence proves that Islam is a "terrorist organization".

Certainly, I wouldn't argue that a Muslim cleric advocating violence proves that Islam is a "terrorist organization", but that's, in essence, what extremist Republicans do, and I think that in the interests of national security their threats should be treated seriously. These are irrational, extremist people (and likely armed) and, for that reason, should be considered dangerous.

[barts]

There are active members of this board that regularly call for "revolution" and openly support the downfall of the US...I guess they don't warrant a peep because they're not "Republicans".

Are there active members of this board calling for armed revolution if Obama is re-elected President?