Is Glenn Beck a Dumb Ass?
November 16, 2006 8:56 AM   Subscribe

 
Via Turbanhead.
posted by chunking express at 8:59 AM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


Is Glenn Beck a Dumb Ass?

Yes.

The real question is who out there watches Glenn Beck, why, and when does the revolution against them start? I'm free Saturday.
posted by Pastabagel at 9:00 AM on November 16, 2006


I live in Keith "the Scary, Scary Muslim" Ellison's district. I didn't love him as a candidate; I voted against him in the DFL primary. But when he won the primary (and in MN-5, the DFL primary is the election), I figured that one very large upside with him was that his presence would work really well to draw out the total fucking nutjobs. Looks like I was right.

and, as far as that goes, Ellison's statements and general demeanor after the election have made him grow on me quite a bit... I think he has a chance to be a very good legislator.
posted by COBRA! at 9:05 AM on November 16, 2006


With that being said, you are a Democrat. You are saying, "Let's cut and run."

With that absolute truth out of the way, are you a terrorist?
posted by interrobang at 9:05 AM on November 16, 2006


Beck: What I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.'

Ellison: You know, maybe you make a good point. I mean, after all, I am doing this interview with one of them.
posted by saulgoodman at 9:06 AM on November 16, 2006


The real question is why CNN gives this piece of shit a platform to spew this garbage, followed by the equally ignorant and disgusting Nancy Grace.
posted by 2sheets at 9:06 AM on November 16, 2006 [2 favorites]


BECK: OK. No offense, and I know Muslims. I like Muslims. I've been to mosques.

Are all bigots this fucking predictable?
posted by dreamsign at 9:07 AM on November 16, 2006


CNN's Glenn Beck to the United State's first-ever Woman president: "[W]hat I feel like saying is, 'Ma'am, prove to me that you are not currently on the rag'"
posted by milnak at 9:08 AM on November 16, 2006 [8 favorites]


'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.'

"Well, I AM a Democrat and I haven't been working with Bush at all."
posted by edgeways at 9:10 AM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


funny, but it was funnier when he asked Condoleezza Rice if she wanted a big fat slice of watermelon.

having said that, it's awesome that CNN spends good money to hires this thug and they still get shit all over them by America's "Conservatives". liberal media indeed.
posted by matteo at 9:12 AM on November 16, 2006


That darn liberal media! When oh when will CNN come to it's senses and stop putting lefties like Beck on the air?
posted by nyxxxx at 9:14 AM on November 16, 2006


As Media Matters for America has noted, Beck previously warned that if "Muslims and Arabs" don't "act now" by "step[ping] to the plate" to condemn terrorism, they "will be looking through a razor wire fence at the West" and declared that "Muslims who have sat on your frickin' hands the whole time" rather than "lining up to shoot the bad Muslims in the head" will face dire consequences.

Of course, if Beck advocated that Americans whack out the lead terrorists in their own country, he'd recieve a visit from the Secret Service (Have you noticed no one ever calls them "The SS"?) because he would have just endorsed assasinating the president.

How about this: How about if we stop suppressing democracy in Arab countries... and Arabs stop supporting fascists? That sounds like a fair deal to me. No shooting necessary on either side.
posted by Clay201 at 9:15 AM on November 16, 2006


funny, but it was funnier when he asked Condoleezza Rice if she wanted a big fat slice of watermelon.

If Condi dosen't want it, then can I have it? Watermelon is tasty.

(as for this Beck yutz: he's a fucking time filler on a cable channel. his opinions should upset me why exactly?)
posted by jonmc at 9:18 AM on November 16, 2006


The real question is why CNN gives this piece of shit a platform to spew this garbage, followed by the equally ignorant and disgusting Nancy Grace.
posted by 2sheets at 12:06 PM EST on November 16

Lowest common denominator programming. It begins with this guy, jumps to Geraldo and Maury Povich, before achieving platinum status with Bill O'Reilly. Beck is a poser. I notice he also has a radio show, which makes him a Rush wannabe.
posted by Pastabagel at 9:20 AM on November 16, 2006


CNN is more and more FOXish every day.
posted by amberglow at 9:21 AM on November 16, 2006


Staggering.

Does he ask Americans of German descent to prove themselves not as Nazis?
posted by MuffinMan at 9:22 AM on November 16, 2006


(as for this Beck yutz: he's a fucking time filler on a cable channel. his opinions should upset me why exactly?)
posted by jonmc at 12:18 PM EST on November 16


Because they chose someone like him as a time filler. His ratings are crap, but they could get crap ratings with a intelligent insightful program from, frankly, plenty of people here.

You have to wonder if these networks even want to inform the public anymore.
posted by Pastabagel at 9:24 AM on November 16, 2006


And he thinks welcoming your first and only muslim member of congress in 2007 is a way to tell Europeans how handle integration.

Way to represent your people, congress.
posted by beno at 9:25 AM on November 16, 2006


he's a fucking time filler on a cable channel. his opinions should upset me why exactly?

Imagine Noam Chomsky with any slot on a cable channel. I wonder if you can?

I agree with Chomsky on roughly nothing, but that Beck is the radio host they found to fill this gap sure says a little bit about the culture, does it not?
posted by ibmcginty at 9:27 AM on November 16, 2006 [2 favorites]


I'm sorry but this is completely taken out of context. Here's the statement in full:

BECK: OK. No offense, and I know Muslims. I like Muslims. I've been to mosques. I really don't believe that Islam is a religion of evil. I -- you know, I think it's being hijacked, quite frankly.

With that being said, you are a Democrat. You are saying, "Let's cut and run." And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, "Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies."

And I know you're not. I'm not accusing you of being an enemy, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.

ELLISON: Well, let me tell you, the people of the Fifth Congressional District know that I have a deep love and affection for my country. There's no one who is more patriotic than I am. And so, you know, I don't need to -- need to prove my patriotic stripes.
posted by nitsuj at 9:31 AM on November 16, 2006


Imagine Noam Chomsky with any slot on a cable channel. I wonder if you can?

He might be good late nights. You know, for the insomniacs.
posted by jonmc at 9:31 AM on November 16, 2006


Say what you will about Buckley, but we could only hope for a show like "Firing Line" today.

I would watch Chomsky, and I don't agree with him on most things either. I would get cable to watch Chomsky's show.
posted by Pastabagel at 9:31 AM on November 16, 2006


If I could puzzle out what the hell Chomsky's on about, I might possibly agree with him, but I merely find him boring.
posted by jonmc at 9:35 AM on November 16, 2006


Beck's a loudmouthed, obnoxious jerk with serious rage issues (and God knows what else) on a cable channel that's stocked to the rafters with them. (Someone name-checked the even more odious and woefully misnomered Nancy Grace earlier, and she's just one example.) I watched him once for 5 minutes and his execrability was astounding, but not worth investing any more time in, so I switched over to Animal Planet and watched dogs running through agility courses instead.

Not news. Doubtful that it's even worth a FPP.

I do find myself wondering why people like Keith Ellison agree to appear on programs like Glenn Beck's. Do they have no staff with working cerebrums?

After all, some Fox News flack said somewhere the other day that their goal in inviting lefties on their network is essentially to let them get one or two gratuitous sentences out and then (I'm paraphrasing, but not much) club them to death and let Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity devour the pulp.
posted by blucevalo at 9:37 AM on November 16, 2006


Imagine Noam Chomsky with any slot on a cable channel. I wonder if you can?

Easy, if you have Dishnetwork.
posted by SteveInMaine at 9:40 AM on November 16, 2006


I'm sorry but this is completely taken out of context. Here's the statement in full:

Thanks. In context, it sounds disingenuous in addition to ignorant.
posted by goethean at 9:45 AM on November 16, 2006


Normally, I wouldn't care what some right wing guy on cable says, but this is depressing because a lot of Muslims in the Middle East are following Ellison's story. You know, to see if he's treated the same as everyone else and if America is really the pinnacle of tolerance.
posted by Kronoss at 9:46 AM on November 16, 2006


The real question is why CNN gives this piece of shit a platform to spew this garbage, followed by the equally ignorant and disgusting Nancy Grace.

I think this is the real question. What did this person do to deserve to become such an authority figure?
posted by j-urb at 9:47 AM on November 16, 2006


I do find myself wondering why people like Keith Ellison agree to appear on programs like Glenn Beck's. Do they have no staff with working cerebrums?

At a guess, I'd say it's not such bad publicity to appear calm and composed while a frothing lunatic bigot tries to bait you. Makes you seem statesmanlike. Or else well-suited to working in a day care.
posted by gompa at 9:48 AM on November 16, 2006


Wasn't CNN actually respectable at one time? Did they get new management awhile ago?
posted by pepcorn at 9:48 AM on November 16, 2006


I'm sorry but this is completely taken out of context. Here's the statement in full:

So, in reality, instead of just giving him the ol' plurium interrogationum, he's giving him an especially passive-agressive version. This is better how?
posted by rxrfrx at 9:49 AM on November 16, 2006


The more I look at this, the more I am reminded of how JFK was viewed as a Catholic. There were questions at the time over whether JFK would submit to the Papacy which drove prodestants nuts.
posted by j-urb at 9:49 AM on November 16, 2006


Does he ask Americans of German descent to prove themselves not as Nazis?

Only if he doesn't see them at the rallys.

Thank you, thank you. I'm here all week. Enjoy the veal. Tip your waitress.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 9:50 AM on November 16, 2006 [4 favorites]


"this is completely taken out of context."

nitsuj, I'm sure you're a fine fellow and I've always admired your people - And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, "Sir, prove to me that you don't sacrifice christian babies and drink their blood"

And I know you don't. I'm not accusing you of being an baby eater, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of MeFi'rs will feel that way. No offense.
posted by 2sheets at 9:56 AM on November 16, 2006


Glenn Beck has said that without religion he would "go off the deep end" (implying his former addiction with drugs and hinting at porn, before his crutch conversion to Mormonism). But his enemies have hardcore religion and have no such known problems. Therefore he's a dumbass.
posted by Brian B. at 9:58 AM on November 16, 2006


The real question is why CNN gives this piece of shit a platform to spew this garbage

Two reasons:

1. They can say to the wingnuts who are constantly bitching about CNN's liberal bias: Look! Look! We hired a conservative, doesn't that make us fair and balanced too? Are we off the hook now? And of course they'll NEVER be off the hook, no matter what; that's part of the conservative schtick, to intimidate the media into shutting up.

2. Trying to grab a slice of that oh-so-loyal conservative ratings pie. I'll give conservatives this - they definitely support their pundits, both by watching/listening to the programming in question and buying the product pitched therein. Problem is that as things have gone south in Iraq, and elsewhere, the conservative movement has started to shed followers, even as the number of outlets providing conservative programming is surging. That's meant lower ratings at Fox in general, as well as for some of that network's flagship programs, like O'Pinhead. CNN's just late to the party
posted by kgasmart at 9:59 AM on November 16, 2006


2sheets, thank you for the nice comments. And I understand why some people might be igorant enough to believe that my religion leads them to believe I might eat babies, so I will address the issue with you.
posted by nitsuj at 10:00 AM on November 16, 2006


excuse the typos and poor writing, it was written in haste.
posted by nitsuj at 10:03 AM on November 16, 2006


Of course he's working with our enemies. He's in government.
posted by Eideteker at 10:06 AM on November 16, 2006 [2 favorites]


...And I know you're not. I'm not accusing you of being an enemy, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.

Yeah, it's totally that muslim guys fault that 5 years of hate mongering thanks to state propaganda have turned "a lot of Americans" into bigotted idiots.
posted by twistedonion at 10:07 AM on November 16, 2006


Beck: "[W]hat I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies'"

Better Ellison: "Well, Sir, then it's a good thing you're a responsible journalist, or you might actually ASK that question, instead of just feeling like it."

(Long pause...)
posted by rokusan at 10:10 AM on November 16, 2006


If Glenn Beck is not a dog-fucker, let him prove it!
posted by Mister_A at 10:11 AM on November 16, 2006


"...followed by the equally ignorant and disgusting Nancy Grace."

You take that back! Nancy Grace exists on a plane of disgusting ignorance far beyond the ability of mere mortals to comprehend. That being said, why does anyone watch or listen to Glen Beck? The guy has absolutely nothing going for him. He's a generic talking head with absolutley zero personality.
posted by MikeMc at 10:12 AM on November 16, 2006


just read the actual article

And I think it's wonderful, honestly, I think it is really a good sign that you are a -- you could be an icon to show Europe

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha... I can see it now

"Here's our little muslim token representative. Still hate America, huh?"

best use of dumbass tag yet.
posted by twistedonion at 10:13 AM on November 16, 2006


Also - Mr. Ellison already won the election. Why not rip this guy a new asshole? Really! There is a time and a place for a controlled display of anger,and this seems like an appropriate time and place.

Not incoherent name-calling, but righteous, constitutionally-sound anger. I guess Ellison was trying to take the high road or something... I would have crushed this mewling little fraud.
posted by Mister_A at 10:13 AM on November 16, 2006


I didn't realize this at first, but after doing quite a bit of research I discovered that Muslims believe that the universe, and mankind, were created by an omniscient, omnipotent being who guides our actions from day to day, and who dictates our morality.

This rang a bell with me, so I did a bit more research. There are some powerful people who have a great deal of political power in America -- names like James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Tim LaHaye -- who believe virtually exactly the same thing! And they want these strange beliefs taught in our public schools!

So yes, perhaps Ellison is working with America's enemies!
posted by gurple at 10:14 AM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


You guys watch too much news programming. Just a few clicks away The Patridge Family lurks, ready to entertain you.
posted by jonmc at 10:15 AM on November 16, 2006


Some of my best friends are Glenn Beck, but still, I have to ask him - could he please go fucking die somewhere? Yeah ... I mean, I don't mean that to be offensive or anything, I am just shooting from the hip here.
posted by thekilgore at 10:15 AM on November 16, 2006


So Beck, being white, conservative and male, should have to prove to some random talk-show 'host' that he isn't a meth-snorting, massage-lovin', page-lusting freak.

Fair is fair...

All week, this guy has been touting his 'expose' concerning the truth about Arabic television. The guy cherry-picks some egregious clips from Hamas TV and passes them off as mainstream Arabic thought. He goes on and on about how it made him cry to see the hate of 'these people'.

Try tuning into the Trinity Broadcasting Network sometime, Glenn. You'll hear just as much hate and ignorance. But it's ok, right, because they're 'mericans and have freedom of speech...

Glenn Beck is a shrill snake-oil salesman, full of sound and fury but signifying mind-numbing ignorance...
posted by WhipSmart at 10:15 AM on November 16, 2006


This stunt will only improve Glen Beck's terrible ratings.

Maybe CNN is playing a long term game, hoping that he'll go completely nuts on-air and rip his own head off his shoulders in a fit of pique and drive huge amounts of web viewers to YouTube.

Wait, no, that doesn't work at all. I don't know why he's on TV.
posted by rks404 at 10:23 AM on November 16, 2006


I think I'm going to start telling everyone I've converted to Islam so that cretinous redneck nazi shits will be to frightened to talk to me.

Hey Glenn Beck, have yet you stopped raping your daughters and burying their malformed offspring in the woods, in the traditional Mormon fashion?

Coz that's what the TV tells me y'all do.
posted by sonofsamiam at 10:29 AM on November 16, 2006


"Is Glenn Beck a Dumb Ass?"

Is this a trick question?
posted by clevershark at 10:29 AM on November 16, 2006


"...should have to prove to some random talk-show 'host' that he isn't a meth-snorting, massage-lovin', page-lusting freak."


Geez, you say that like those are bad things. I mean really, what do you do for fun? Well...let's hear it.
posted by MikeMc at 10:33 AM on November 16, 2006


Just a few clicks away The Patridge Family lurks, ready to entertain you.

With my luck it would be one of the last-gasp episodes with Ricky Segall and I'd have to ram pencils in my ears to save my brain.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:38 AM on November 16, 2006


I can't resist pointing out the lower class slave morality in Beck's comments. In his mind, one must prove their worth and innocence as though rights were a privilege. He tipped his third-world hand here by projecting second-class onto a citizen as though he doesn't understand our first-world status.
posted by Brian B. at 10:44 AM on November 16, 2006


Brian B. - Just to clarify, a black man who is also muslim must prove his worth; not Glenn Beck or the rest of (white) America who want to "know if he is working with our enemies."

How did the congressman not hit this motherfucker in the face with a pan?
posted by Mister_A at 10:47 AM on November 16, 2006


I'm less concerned with blowhards with Beck than the dittoheads who believe they're consuming journalism when they watch his show. At the height of Rush Limbaugh's influence, those who critiqued his bass-akwards comments would find often find themselves recieving death threats. To these Illiterati, the merits of the argument were not at issue - the fact that someone dared to speak against Big Boss Rush was enough to send them into a frothing rage.

Thankfully, it doesn't look like Beck shall ever ascend to the terrifying heights of influence that Limbaugh enjoyed. He's just another prick with a microphone claiming to "tell it like it is" with no concern for being "politically correct", ignoring all the while that 9/11 and nationalism have been the new politically correct since 2001.
posted by EatTheWeek at 10:49 AM on November 16, 2006


1. Hello context. Although yes, Beck seems like a jerk, and no, he should have grown a brain and not been quite so forthcoming in public.

2. How many of you have said or thought "All Christians are batshit insane Bible Belters who go around praying for fags to die"? If you were told you were mistaken, or spoke to a more moderate Christian, how many of you have said to that person, "Well, you have to speak out against the fundamentalists" or "You have to prove you're different from them"?
posted by booksandlibretti at 10:51 AM on November 16, 2006


"What I feel like saying, Mr. Beck, is 'Sir, prove to me you are not a polygamist'."
posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:54 AM on November 16, 2006


The scary thing is that the current crop of cable-news talking heads appear to be little more than a generation of Ron Burgundys who somehow have gotten it into their heads that they're serious journalists.

They're not. they're there to look good, speak in a relatively pleasant voice, and read things off a teleprompter written by someone you never hear about who has ten times the journalistic skills and one tenth of the pay. That's one of the reasons why very few people outside the US take American journalism seriously, and also why the US news industry does whatever it can to keep foreign newscasts off the country's cable and satellite lineups -- their tactics aren't always successful, but they keep trying.
posted by clevershark at 10:59 AM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


booksandlibretti, huh?

My guess would be, not many. Only a Sith deals in absolutes...
posted by WhipSmart at 10:59 AM on November 16, 2006


I am proud to say that I had the honor to vote for Mr Keith Ellison.
posted by djseafood at 11:00 AM on November 16, 2006


I'm willing to bet most of you don't listen/watch Beck. He's a real guy thinking real thoughts out loud..the same thoughts most of us have had but don't have the balls to admit. I get that you may not agree with his LDS/conservative position..but bagging on Beck is kinda like bagging on South Park.. His show is not meant to be “Rush Limbaugh” gospel..it’s meant to entertain and make you question. That’s it..that’s all. Tune him in you’ll see what I mean.
posted by wyldeboi at 11:01 AM on November 16, 2006


wyldeboi: you're kidding, right? I had never heard of this guy until last week, when I was traveling for work and flipped on the tube in the hotel. Based on about three episodes of his drivel, he seemed neither less biased nor more intelligent than he seems in this interview.
posted by gurple at 11:04 AM on November 16, 2006


wyldeboi: your stunning eloquence has swayed me.

*runs out and joins Republican party*
posted by jonmc at 11:06 AM on November 16, 2006


I'm willing to bet most of you don't listen/watch Beck.
Never heard of him before this thread.

He's a real guy thinking real thoughts out loud..
From the photo I thought as much. Thankfully, we don't use mechanised journalists just yet.

the same thoughts most of us have had but don't have the balls to admit.
Or, have the intelligence to keep to yourself because you understand that your thoughts can be irrational and just plain wrong?
posted by twistedonion at 11:09 AM on November 16, 2006


I thought Beck's integration aside was funny too, though it wasn't really touched on in the article: Elison was born in Detroit.
posted by chunking express at 11:10 AM on November 16, 2006


C'mon wyldeboi, that's the schtick of all the conservative "real guy" pundits, isn't it?

And the people who watch/listen/consume it all claim, always, that gee, they don't really take it all too seriously, it's really all just entertainment, meant to serve as the devil's advocate, etc.

I have on several occasions had the misfortune to be subjected to Beck, and no, he's not quite as 'ideologically pure' as Limbaugh or Hannity. But prior to the election, I'll never forget it, I flipped past Beck as he was saying - enunciating, really, as if talking to a class of second-graders - "The Democrats will raise your taxes."

Some kind of entertainment, that.
posted by kgasmart at 11:12 AM on November 16, 2006


So Glenn Beck is "good" because he makes us publicly comfortable with being intolerant? I'll... Pass.
posted by boo_radley at 11:13 AM on November 16, 2006


I think I'll pass on this real guy thinking real thoughts, thanks. I can find ignorant loudmouths just about anywhere.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 11:14 AM on November 16, 2006


nitsuj: I don't think your contex changes anything at all. "I'm not racist, I mean, some of my best friends are black, but listen to this joke..."
posted by arcticwoman at 11:14 AM on November 16, 2006


My guess would be, not many.

I notice a lot of "Christians [believe|want|think] XYZ," mostly in the frequent Christians-suck threads. (These statements don't necessarily say "all," but it's pretty obviously assumed. And a lot of the time it's just "they.")
posted by booksandlibretti at 11:15 AM on November 16, 2006


I just want to say that as an LDS person, Glenn Beck does not represent my position. I didn't even know he was Mormon until this thread. I had seen him on CNN a few times and thought, "what an idiot" and turned the channel.
posted by bove at 11:19 AM on November 16, 2006


wyldeboi - that's nonsense. Last year, when this nasty little troll was still contained on AM talk radio, I has the misfortune of working with people who loved to listen to his vitriol. He rarely made it a quarter-hour without saying something so bigoted and pig-ignorant that I wanted to take a hatchet to the radio.

The same thoughts that most of us have had, but lack the balls to admit? I'd say it's the same thoughts we've heard for decades in this nation's refusal to evolve, but have had the good sense to keep out of our own heads.
posted by EatTheWeek at 11:22 AM on November 16, 2006


booksandlibretti, is this the same "they" who Bush claims say that Arabs can't handle democracy?

'Mostly in the Christians-suck threads...' so not all threads, not all people in those threads and their statements don't necessarily say 'all'...

wait, what was your point again..?
posted by WhipSmart at 11:23 AM on November 16, 2006


As someone in Ellison's district who voted for him, I can say that I spent the weeks leading up to the election watching the campaign against him increasingly focus on the fact that he is black and Muslim, highlighting a slight and renounced relationship with the Nation of Islam (except for Ellison's participation in the NOI-organized Million Man March, which Ellison is still proud of and refuses to renounce) and his friendship since college with a president of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. When I would argue that these issues were mostly irrelivent, as Ellison is neither an antisemite and thug (implied by linking him to NOI) or a terrorist or terrorist sympathizer (as implied by linking him to CAIR), I was sneered at for being naive.

I guess when Ellison walks into congress with bombs strapped to his chest, smoking a reefer and firing pistols with each hand, calling for the destruction of the United States and it Jewish banker backers, I'll know I was wrong. Silly me, I wanted to discuss issues.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:28 AM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


Silly me, I wanted to discuss issues.

See? Glenn Beck disabused you of that foolish notion.
posted by kgasmart at 11:31 AM on November 16, 2006



I'm willing to bet most of you don't listen/watch Beck. He's a real guy thinking real thoughts out loud..the same thoughts most of us have had but don't have the balls to admit. I get that you may not agree with his LDS/conservative position..but bagging on Beck is kinda like bagging on South Park.. His show is not meant to be “Rush Limbaugh” gospel..it’s meant to entertain and make you question. That’s it..that’s all. Tune him in you’ll see what I mean.


And why exactly might most of us have these thoughts? Could it be because of a sensationalist media industry that runs defense for the administration while pushing the "Muslim=terrorist" meme so thoroughly that the public can somehow think that a majority of the people in Minnesota would elect a candidate that subverts American interests to the interests of the global Jihad? The question is misleading, idiotic, racist, and he doesn't even have the balls to ask it directly.
posted by SBMike at 11:33 AM on November 16, 2006


"I'm not accusing you of being an enemy, but that's the way I feel"
What a pussy?

Glenn Beck, I'm not accusing you of a wife-beater, but that's the way I feel and I think a lot of libruls MeFiites will feel that way too. Sir, please prove to me that you have stopped beating your wife. That is all the fuck I have for you.
posted by forwebsites at 11:34 AM on November 16, 2006


this pretty much says it all about Beck: ...Beck, who claimed he is "not a Republican" days after saying he "mostly vote[s] Republican," also focused the first part of a weeklong series called "Vote American" on Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), whom Beck compared to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. ...
posted by amberglow at 11:42 AM on November 16, 2006


Beck, who claimed he is "not a Republican"

No Republicans are Republicans these days.
posted by sonofsamiam at 11:44 AM on November 16, 2006


nitsuj: No offense, but I really want to ask you "prove to me you are not a child molester?".

And I know you're not, I'm not accusing you of being a child molester, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of americans will feel that way.

What a tool.
posted by Ynoxas at 11:45 AM on November 16, 2006


My point is that this is a bad thing to believe or to say, and also that not everyone should automatically be feeling superior.

When I said I see that stuff "mostly in the Christians-suck threads" I meant that although these statements are not limited to the Christians-suck threads, but that that is where they usually occur. I never meant "OMG every single member stereotypes Christians in every single thread" -- duh.

As far "they don't necessarily say 'all'" -- if someone says, for example, "Christians hate homosexuality," is the "all" really necessary, or is that assumed because the category is named and not restricted?

Also, Beck compared Santorum to Churchill by saying that Santorum is, like Churchill, "a guy who is willing to stand up for what he believes." This is certainly true, although one might wish Beck had chosen, say, Coughlin rather than Churchill to demonstrate that quality.
posted by booksandlibretti at 11:48 AM on November 16, 2006


nitsuj quotes "And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.'"

"Mr. Beck, what I really feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you're not beating your wives.'"

That doesn't sound very intelligent, does it.
posted by clevershark at 11:50 AM on November 16, 2006


He's a real guy thinking real thoughts out loud..the same thoughts most of us have had but don't have the balls to admit.

Not true. If this is indicative of his thoughts, I know that I don't think this way nor do any of my friends.

Sorry about your own bigotry, though, wyldeboi. You might want to keep it a little more tightly closeted.
posted by leftcoastbob at 11:51 AM on November 16, 2006


...the same thoughts most of us have had but don't have the balls to admit.

Why is it that "most" bigots always assume that everyone else secretly thinks exactly as they do but are just to afraid to say so?

Admittedly, as a Jewish New Yorker who's lived in predominately minority neighborhoods, I may lack perpective but is it really "most" or is that just projection on their parts?

or on preview, what leftcoastbob just said
posted by JaredSeth at 11:55 AM on November 16, 2006


So long as he is not proposing Sharia for his district/state/or the US, his religion should be irrelevant. It would be nice if we viewed our Christian legislators with the same scrutiny.
posted by SBMike at 11:56 AM on November 16, 2006


As silly as he may be, it's a lot more interesting than Katie Couric covering "Yes Suri, that's my baby."
posted by drstein at 12:03 PM on November 16, 2006


"I'm willing to bet most of you don't listen/watch Beck."

You got me.

Transparently shallow pricks have never been very interesting to me.

Oh! And the people who "disagree" with Chomsky are the same people who thought invading Iraq was a swell idea.

To put Chomsky in the same category as needy attention-whore doofuses like Beck or Savage is like - I don't know - comparing an esteemed MIT professor with a former booze-hound drug addict big mouth who said "I'm alone in this--you know it took me about a year to start hating the 9/11 victims' families?"

Fuck Glenn Beck and fuck his fans.
posted by rougy at 12:05 PM on November 16, 2006


t’s meant to entertain and make you question. That’s it..that’s all. Tune him in you’ll see what I mean.
posted by wyldeboi at 2:01 PM EST on November 16


Enough!

Why does every media program have to entertain? Are we all 11 years old? Don't we fell an obligation as adults to become informed? Why can't the programs be interesting based solely on their content? And why does "entertain" always equal dumbed down on these news programs? Political points are scored with ad hominem zingers, etc. This is not political discourse, it is extremely awful political comedy.

You have to give Gingrich credit - he foresaw todays media landscape, of news distorted by opinion delivered to those who only want ot hear that opinion - decades ago.

Wyldeboi, assuming you aren't actually a boy, take some advice: smarten up. You and others like you are bouncing from one infotainment to another that knows you already agree with nearly everything they are going to say. Try listening to something you don't agree with, and try to figure out why they have a different view.

Glenn Beck, and Rush et al. and the networks that employ them are exploiting you and you don't even know it.
posted by Pastabagel at 12:08 PM on November 16, 2006


bagging on Beck is kinda like bagging on South Park..

You mean bagging on Beck is kinda like bagging on an animated cartoon? I'll accept that, because that's exactly what Beck is -- a cartoon.
posted by blucevalo at 12:12 PM on November 16, 2006


Don't we fell an obligation as adults to become informed?

Why? The information is always the same: World Hostile Place. Life=Bitch Followed By Death. Gimme the damn entertainment.
posted by jonmc at 12:14 PM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


If that cartoon were making the case that Ellison is a terrorist simply because he is Muslim, I would bag on it too.

How do you go about bagging on something anyway? Do you need a special bag?
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:15 PM on November 16, 2006


I can't listen to any more of you people abusing Beck. Odelay was a great album.
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:20 PM on November 16, 2006



Why? The information is always the same: World Hostile Place. Life=Bitch Followed By Death. Gimme the damn entertainment.
posted by jonmc at 3:14 PM EST on November 16


The world is space around you, the places you go, your neighborhood, your town. It's not hostile. Life is the memories you make, the knowledge you gain, and the wisdom that develops from seeing the patterns in the world revealed by that knowledge. That's why every day everyone should learn something knew and have a decent argument with someone you disagree with.

Entertainment, or art, can be wonderful, because it is someone else reflecting the world back to you.

Mass media corporate entertainment as it's developed in the United States is not this. It is designed to make the ignorant (i.e. the bulk of people) feel safe, comfortable, and validated so they will continue to allow themselves to be sold things they don't need that will not make them happier or grow as rational, social creatures.
posted by Pastabagel at 12:27 PM on November 16, 2006


Imagine Noam Chomsky with any slot on a cable channel. I wonder if you can?

Jesus, that was brilliant. Thanks for the link, ibmcginty.
posted by moss at 12:30 PM on November 16, 2006


Actually maybe it'd be good if he WAS working with our "enemies". I mean, maybe he could put in a good word and get them to stop killing people?

Since he clearly has Osama's ear, I'd say this result is right around the corner.
posted by haveanicesummer at 12:48 PM on November 16, 2006


For the record, booksandlibretti, I DO get to feel superior to Glenn Beck because I don't think all Christians are stupid, intolerant, inbred, bigoted, hat-wearing, tobacco-chewing poorly dressed, NASCAR-loving, Formula 1-hating, xenophobic, endomorphic, diabetic, pickwickian, lovecraftian southern redneck fuck-faces.

Cuz they don't ALL wear hats. Bwahaahaahaa!!!

Burn!!!
posted by Mister_A at 12:54 PM on November 16, 2006


That Buckley/Chomsky link was great.

Buckley: what a pompous ass.

The conservative republicons haven't changed one wit in forty-freaking years.

They can't win without cheating and their arguments won't hold true without lies.
posted by rougy at 1:10 PM on November 16, 2006


Golly Moses, I thought there would be a hiatus on eating M&Ms out of teh Neocon ass. What's most telling is "Prove to me you're not working with the enemy" as opposed to "the audience".
Not even half a brain.
posted by nj_subgenius at 1:16 PM on November 16, 2006



I can't listen to any more of you people abusing Beck. Odelay was a great album.
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:20 PM PST on November 16


"OK. No offense, and I know Scientologists. I like Scientologists. I've been to the Celebrity Center. I really don't believe that Scientology is a crazy cult. I -- you know, I think it's being hijacked, quite frankly.

With that being said, you are a musician. You are saying, "Shine your shoes with your microphone blues." And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, "Sir, prove to me that you are not a crazy cultist."

And I know you're not. I'm not accusing you of being an crazy cultist, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way."
posted by kosher_jenny at 1:18 PM on November 16, 2006


I am not accusing you of being a terrorist, I just feel that you are one.

That's more Colbert than Colbert.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:31 PM on November 16, 2006


The world is space around you, the places you go, your neighborhood, your town. It's not hostile.

What's the air like on your planet?

the patterns in the world revealed by that knowledge.

you've been wasting your time. there are no patterns, merely random chaos. Here, have a beer.

Entertainment, or art, can be wonderful, because it is someone else reflecting the world back to you.

Actually, for me, it only serves two purposes: to slap me around when I feel numbed by life, and to numb me when I feel slapped around by life.
posted by jonmc at 1:44 PM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


The world is space around you, the places you go, your neighborhood, your town. It's not hostile.

What's the air like on your planet?


Untainted by the odor of giant walking pussies.
posted by sonofsamiam at 1:51 PM on November 16, 2006


CNN is more and more FOXish every day.

I don't think I'd be splitting hairs by pointing out that this is HEADLINE NEWS, not the main CNN network.
posted by evilcolonel at 1:53 PM on November 16, 2006


the same thoughts most of us have had but don't have the balls to admit.

Would that be the thoughts that go like 'if they don't follow The Constitution there are the enemies of the people?'

Cuz, with that kind of bar, many people in public service are the enemy.
posted by rough ashlar at 1:55 PM on November 16, 2006


Paralipsis!
posted by painquale at 1:56 PM on November 16, 2006


nice Chomsky clip "we pulled out of the Phillipines because it became a bad investment"

Chomsky wipes the floor with Buckley, and what is sad, these days there aren't any right wing hacks with even 10% of the intelligence and perspective he brought to that discussion.
posted by Rumple at 2:03 PM on November 16, 2006


Wow..here's what I love about this thread...you guys have NO IDEA that I'm as gay and as liberal as they come. Feel free to do a google on me sometime. What I will defend till the day I die is the freedom of speech. You may not like it...but it's his right to say it. My point is this...was there an outcry on Meta when stone/parker animiated Mohammad..nope. It's ENTERTAINMENT..some of you on this thread are treating Beck like he's a source of information for millions of americans..and he is..but no more so then the daily show, or Colbert, or or...name your infotainment. Beck is not Rush..you will never hear him say "I AM AND SO SHOULD YOU BE".. you will hear him say "I THINK."
posted by wyldeboi at 2:04 PM on November 16, 2006


Colbert is a joke on purpose. Beck isn't doing schtick. He's not telling jokes. He is just laughable.

Entertainment for pomos, serious discussion for others.

You may not like it...but it's his right to say it.

Who suggested otherwise? He's a moronic bigoted prick and he doesn't speak for me.
posted by sonofsamiam at 2:09 PM on November 16, 2006


"Beck isn't doing schtick. He's not telling jokes"
Wow..you REALLY don't get it. He is telling jokes. I may not agree with the point..but you gotta hand it to him..he can be funny once you "Get it".
posted by wyldeboi at 2:13 PM on November 16, 2006


I guess I don't get it. When he says he feels that way, is that a joke? He really doesn't feel that way at all?
posted by sonofsamiam at 2:25 PM on November 16, 2006


His bigotry and sensationalism is funny to you..? Interesting...

Of course he has the right to say whatever he feels, but if you say something stupid and moronic, you're gonna get called on it. If I were to say that all gay people were pedophiles, would you just laugh it off or would you come after me because you don't 'get it'..?
posted by WhipSmart at 2:26 PM on November 16, 2006


I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, "Sir, prove to me that your mother is not a whore.

And I know she isn't. I'm not accusing her of being a whore, but that's THE WAY I FEEL, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 2:27 PM on November 16, 2006


"If I were to say that all gay people were pedophiles, would you just laugh it off or would you come after me because you don't 'get it'..?"

It all depends on the context..do I think you REALLY think that or are you saying it to make a point...that some a lot of americans (Thank you George W.) do see a person of the Muslim faith and see a terrorist. So WHY not point out that NOT ALL MUSLIM'S ARE Terrorists?
posted by wyldeboi at 2:33 PM on November 16, 2006


And now I'm going to go re-read my grammer book. Cause that last comment just sucked.
posted by wyldeboi at 2:34 PM on November 16, 2006


"... Beck like he's a source of information for millions of americans..and he is..but no more so then the daily show, or Colbert..."

I'm appalled at these comparisons. Colbert is satire.

According to you, Beck is the "everyman" who's merely saying what most of us think.

You're the one who doesn't "get it."

Just because a stupid person has the "balls" to say whatever he thinks, it doesn't make him any less stupid.
posted by rougy at 2:41 PM on November 16, 2006


Colbert is satire.

So is beck..that's what YOUR not getting.
posted by wyldeboi at 2:49 PM on November 16, 2006


I've never been so proud to not "get" something.

The fact Glenn Beck has had any measure of success speaks very poorly to the state of our once-great nation. The man's a bigot and a bastard - no amount of dissembling changes this. That includes trying to pass it off as humor.
posted by EatTheWeek at 2:50 PM on November 16, 2006


The conservative hate fest aside....

Who is this jagoff? And why is he on television?
posted by Smedleyman at 2:54 PM on November 16, 2006


Please, please, gentle bloggers, put away your CAPS.
posted by gurple at 2:55 PM on November 16, 2006


Right, wildeboy, ignorant commentators are actually performance artists. Ha ha, O'Reilly, Coulter, Limbaugh, they're all only kidding.

Now, you just get yourself on TV to let their listeners know, and we'll have all this sillyness of the past 6 years set right.
posted by ibmcginty at 2:56 PM on November 16, 2006


Beck is NOT satire. That's what You're not getting.

Beck is "just a regular guy who has the 'balls' to say what he thinks."

Colbert is not causing more people to behave like his caricature on the show.

Beck, however, IS encouraging American's stupidest to feel more comfortable and more vocal in their stupidity and bigotry.
posted by rougy at 3:00 PM on November 16, 2006


I disagree that attacking Beck back would be a good idea, because then conservatives will be saying, "Look, Ellison really is a traitor who hates Beck because of his American and Christian values."

I thought Ellison's responses were excellent. First by saying that the voters trusted that he would act for the good of the country, and he doesn't need to prove his patriotism to the like of Beck.

And I don't see many comments on Beck's further race baiting: "You come from a district that is heavily immigrant with Somalians." (Real meaning, immigrants are not true Americans.) Then weasles his way by hedging, "I think the Somalians coming out and voting is a very good thing."

So Ellison owns Beck by agreeing with this latter statement.

Overall I thought Ellison gave one of the best responses possible, rhetorically laying down the gauntlet basically saying, "the voters in my district vouch for me, are you going to pick a fight with them?"
posted by KirkJobSluder at 3:01 PM on November 16, 2006


Yep, that's another good point. It's Somali, not Somalian.
posted by gurple at 3:11 PM on November 16, 2006


booksandlibretti: How many of you have said or thought "All Christians are batshit insane[...]"?

No, not merely all Christians, but all religious believers. Religious faith is a form of mental illness that is de facto evil. There, I said it. Are you happy now?
posted by oncogenesis at 3:14 PM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


Colbert is satire.

So is beck..that's what YOUR not getting.


In the 90's I listened to a lot of G. Gordon Liddy's radio show. In retrospect, it had its redeeming moments; I liked how he would treat his guests with some respect and his knowledge of guns was impressive. But I spent most of the time laughing at his political view of things. I actually thought that the whole show was a put on, a radio Weekend at Bernie's where the dead body was the Republican mindset animated by a couple of numbnuts trying to have a good time. In a word: satire.

But no, I wised up and realized that Liddy and many of his listeners were taking that stuff seriously. The serious fans emboldened Liddy to think that he was a voice for the greater good and he pushed his small-minded angry worldview further and further as nutjobs patted him on the back for it. And I just felt dirty for having listened because the joke was on me.
posted by peeedro at 3:20 PM on November 16, 2006


Wow..you REALLY don't get it. He is telling jokes. I may not agree with the point..but you gotta hand it to him..he can be funny once you "Get it".
posted by wyldeboi at 2:13 PM PST


I call bullshit on you. 1st you say "he says what others are thinking" then you claim he's just "joking"?

Which is it?
posted by rough ashlar at 3:21 PM on November 16, 2006


"you've been wasting your time. there are no patterns, merely random chaos. Here, have a beer"

Let's hear it for solipsism, folks! Livin' the dream.
posted by tehloki at 3:31 PM on November 16, 2006


Beck Equates Health Care Program with Nazi Atrocites

Please watch this clip and tell me Beck is being satirical.

The punchline is when he bashes the Aglican church for putting a money value to health care, then he ends the clip saying that Hillary Clinton's healthcare plan "...will criple us financially."
posted by rougy at 3:31 PM on November 16, 2006


BECK: I think it is really a good sign that you are a -- you could be an icon to show Europe, this is the way you integrate into a country.

US Muslim congressmen: 1

UK Muslim MPs: 4
French Muslim MPs: 3
German Muslim MPs: 2
Dutch Muslim MPs: 7
Swedish Muslim MPs: 5

Yeah, thanks for that lesson, Mr Beck. What would we bigoted Europeans do without the US of A?
posted by athenian at 3:39 PM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


"So is beck..that's what YOUR not getting."
Ok, this kind of bullshit pisses me off. You are just making shit up now.
You're a liar and you've been called on it, and now you insist on digging yourself in deeper.
posted by 2sheets at 3:42 PM on November 16, 2006


" I call bullshit on you. 1st you say "he says what others are thinking" then you claim he's just "joking"?

Which is it?"

so WAIT...WAIT..none of you ever..ever..have an “inappropriate” satirical thought? Please..please..I really would like to see you walk on water. Does beck want you to take him seriously NO. Does he want to entertain you and make you think, “Gee maybe I’m a bit too politically correct to be walking around in a free society like America?"..BINGO!

Now..that said..I'm listening to beck right now and his Rush limbaugh ass kissing is making me puke.
posted by wyldeboi at 3:51 PM on November 16, 2006


"Does beck want you to take him seriously NO."

I can't believe you're sticking to that story when it is patently false.
posted by rougy at 3:57 PM on November 16, 2006


'Please watch this clip and tell me Beck is being satirical."

please tell me where Media Matterers has ever done anything but make the right madder and soak up a lot of donations needed else where. As I've stated..you may not agree with everything what beck says...but like any infotainment this day and age...if your agreeing with the person your watching listing to all the time..your a sheep.
posted by wyldeboi at 4:00 PM on November 16, 2006


"I can't believe you're sticking to that story when it is patently false."

Really? You know him? Tell him I said hi.
posted by wyldeboi at 4:01 PM on November 16, 2006


Media Matters has been exposing the right-winged slant in our mainstream media for about three or four years now.

It's money well spent.

On the one hand you say he just has the "balls" to say what everybody else is thinking, then you say that he's just being funny, like Colbert. Just a little harmless bigotry, no biggie.

Watch that clip. Beck is dead serious and he's trying to influence his audience to agree with him.
posted by rougy at 4:06 PM on November 16, 2006


What is appaling about Beck is this self-fufilling prophecy populist stance.
Yes, many Americans do equate Muslims with terrorists. But that is because there has been a constant stream of media portraying Arabs as bad guys. From sophisticated to, well, less so.
Hell, anyone remember “The Iron Sheik” from pro-wrasslin’? And that thread has grown much stronger in the recent past - albeit not without reason given 9/11 -but certainly more unthinking. As when for example sikhs wearing turbans are assaulted by people mistaking them for arabs wearing dashikis. This idiocy by Beck only reinforces that unthinking hatred, the methodology, and attempts to validate the irrational pattern of thought without addressing the at all the gross emotional truths underlying it.

It infurates me that you have interesting discourse from intelligentsia (I’m not exactly on board with everything he says, but there’s no question Chomsky has a very fine mind) and this is what is on television.
Why not ask Mr. Ellison if he thinks his job might be harder given the portrayal of muslims in the media or the negative stereotypes currently reiterated in society? Or if he feels he has to work harder to distance himself from the misapprehension and generalization of muslims as terrorists? Or if he feels that voters are more enlightened and know better than to assume that being muslim and being an American in support of the constitution is not mutually exclusive?

Why not address the issue, without making Ellison a target?
Why not recognize the irrationality and fear, without validating them?

It’s an affront to my ego that Beck appears more successful than I am (don’t know how much he’s making) much less that he can clothe and feed himself in this society.
How is it I know these things and I’m just some metafilter schmuck and a guy like this has his own t.v. show?
That is not even to address the clearer thinking more eloquent than myself individuals who post and comment here.

Appaling. Truly. Beck should be the village idiot somewhere sitting in a mud hole covered with horse shit.
The common man is nowhere near as foolish as some people think to be gulled by this dreck. It’s only that there has been this constant barrage of propaganda that your average guy in the street even entertains such notions. Even then they’re dismissed as soon as the t.v. is off and it’s only those very few truly lost souls on the fringe who think that busting up a local shop owned by some brown skinned vaguely foreign accented individual will ‘teach those arabs not to blow up’ - whatever.
posted by Smedleyman at 4:09 PM on November 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


wyldeboi, what's your investment in Beck, specifically? If you were simply interested in defending the jocular/truth-telling/frat-boy id, you've been strangely absent from all the post-13.01.2006 threads touching upon this compelling issue. What's got your knickers in a twist now?
posted by vetiver at 4:11 PM on November 16, 2006


Does beck want you to take him seriously NO.
posted by wyldeboi at 3:51 PM PST


So you know him? That's special and shiney. What is his position on homosexuals? It seems he doesn't like being called happy.

" Producer: ...you always get so flamboyant-- Beck: I can't believe it! You just called me gay!

The producer denied making any such claim, but Beck wasn't letting him off the hook. We all know, he said, that flamboyant was code for gay. The producer disagreed. Beck came back with an ultimatum: Apologize, or resign."
posted by rough ashlar at 4:16 PM on November 16, 2006


Stop making Beck out to be some ground-breaking Lenny Bruce or envelope-pushing Howard Stern. Basically what you are saying is that, "yeah, he's an idiot, and because he's a no-talent hack he has to say the most outrageous things to get attention. But he doesn't really mean it."

That doesn't make him a satirist. That makes him an moron. Glenn Beck isn't trying to get us out of our comfort zones and make us 'think', he's just a troubled little man who wants to hide behind listeners like you that are happy to make excuses for him. Do not believe for one second that he goes home and wonders if he went to far. He is a believer in the garbage he spews and for that he gets rewarded by listeners such as yourself.

Good luck with that.
posted by WhipSmart at 4:19 PM on November 16, 2006


US Muslim congressmen: 1

UK Muslim MPs: 4
French Muslim MPs: 3
German Muslim MPs: 2
Dutch Muslim MPs: 7
Swedish Muslim MPs: 5


Are we all collecting the set? The Americans' order just hasn't arrived from the Franklin Mint yet.


Let's hear it for solipsism, folks! Livin' the dream.

Nihilism, actually. You wanna beer, too?
posted by jonmc at 4:47 PM on November 16, 2006


No one is claiming Beck shouldn't be allowed to say what he says--he's covered by the First Amendment. The issue is whether CNN Headline News feels obligated to give him a platform to spew his idiocy. There's no First Amendment guarantee to a platform.
Today I was listening to my teenager's radio station, with a couple of THE most ignorant, useless DJ's I've ever heard. But they knew all the latest about TomKat, Jen getting invited to Mama Pitt's Thanksgiving dinner, etc. And I thought, how great it would be if someone would slip in some real information,like, why kids' student loan rates went up and what the Democrats plan to do about it, or what is happening to American kids' test scores compared to kids in other countries, or what a draft could look like. Something, ANYTHING of substance. What would it take?
posted by etaoin at 5:20 PM on November 16, 2006


Something, ANYTHING of substance. What would it take? posted by etaoin at 5:20 PM

A willingness to spend money to get a LPFM transmitter ($3000 or so) licence and become a radio station.

Or you could make a podcast.

Or perhaps writing some software that will take someone's MP3 list and after every 2-3 songs play a snippit of a 'DJ', then back to the MP3 list.
posted by rough ashlar at 5:25 PM on November 16, 2006


beno: Way to represent your people, congress.
athenian: Yeah, thanks for that lesson, Mr Beck.

The people of the United States, as they are mostly white and male, are well represented by their congress. How else do you propose to address this problem?

oncogenesis: Religious faith is a form of mental illness that is de facto evil.

Evil is what exactly? If I had a psychologist that called my mental illness evil I would find a new psychologist. If I had an oncologist that called my cancer evil I would find a new doctor. If I had a girlfriend that called my copious back hair evil... well you get the point: I find your anti-religious snark, in addition to being degrading to people who suffer from mental illnesses, just as vapid and baseless as you seem to find religion.

If I may be so bold to restate books&libretti's point, regardless of Beck's poor rhetorical construction, it is intellectually inconsistent to attack Beck's generalization of Islam by stereotyping Beck's religion. Mefi is predictably quick to shoot from the hip on religious matters; but strangely it tolerates and encourages illogical, inconsistent, and uninformed attacks on illogical, inconsistent, and uninformed religious notions.

jonmc: Nihilism, actually. You wanna beer, too?

Yes! Beer me, Jon! You skinny little nihilist, you. Beer me hard.
posted by peeedro at 5:28 PM on November 16, 2006


so WAIT...WAIT..none of you ever..ever..have an “inappropriate” satirical thought?

It's one thing to be seated on a plane (stressful enough) next to an Arab guy and THINKING "I sure as shit hope this dude isn't a terrorist" —which, though silly and statistically absurd, it's natural given reality.

It's quite another thing to sit across from a guy in completely controlled circumstances who poses zero threat to you, a guy ELECTED to your government, and say something so deliberately calculated to inflame and insult him on live broadcast media. This didn't just "pop" into Glenn Beck's head.

Unless Beck has Tourettes or something.
posted by tkchrist at 5:35 PM on November 16, 2006


I voted for keith ellison and had dinner with a former co-worker of his a few nights before doing so... who spoke highly of his energy, intellect, and desire to help other rather than helping himself. I am proud of my vote and what his election says about my congressional district - even though Ellison is not without his warts - we elected a good man without regard to his color or religion.

F*ck Glenn Beck.
posted by specialk420 at 5:36 PM on November 16, 2006


who poses zero threat to you, a guy ELECTED to your government,

amybody holding political office is a potential threat. that's why we have to fuck with them. It takes 'em down a peg, keeps 'em honest.
posted by jonmc at 5:43 PM on November 16, 2006


Jonmc, why do you hate America?

:)
posted by rougy at 5:46 PM on November 16, 2006


If Glenn Beck is not a dog-fucker, let him prove it!

Arf!
posted by trondant at 6:12 PM on November 16, 2006


Jonmc, why do you love America(tm)?

>:(
posted by tehloki at 6:35 PM on November 16, 2006


Daily Show just covered it
posted by amberglow at 8:08 PM on November 16, 2006


It's probably not worth throwing more straw on the brushfire now, and who's going to read this far down anyway? But I have listened to Glenn Beck.

One of my co-workers was way into his radio show -- like, a paying subscriber to his internet feed -- and would tune him in in rooms where he worked whenever he got the chance. [He and our resident trance-music fan eventually caused a ban on anything playing in shared spaces in our office.]

So don't worry, guys, it's not just you. I can speak from personal experience when I tell you that Glenn Beck thinks that name dropping Popeye's as his favorite chicken restaurant makes him qualified to tell us what's wrong with the blacks. Glenn Beck believes having a mentally-ill parent gives him carte blanche to run down the homeless and disturbed. Glenn Beck's daring discourse has earned him a spot in the galaxy of television, and that spot is, for two hours a night [counting his rebroadcast], taking precedence over Headline News. Not CNN, but Headline News -- the bastard child of CNN, divvied up into half-hour freestanding segments, like your local newscast, but it never makes way for a sitcom rerun or a judge show.

Yes, Glenn Beck's importance in our universe ranks just above the Hollywood Minute.

The guy I started this post talking about now refers to himself as a libertarian.
posted by britain at 8:44 PM on November 16, 2006


I don't think this is really so bad. If Glenn Beck really hated Muslims, he wouldn't have put the guy on his show and basically given him a free forum to explain why this kind of thinking was wrong-headed.

You might do that, though, if you wanted to gently educate bigoted people that a Muslim could be a freedom-loving American patriot in a way that didn't threaten their bigoted egos.
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:45 PM on November 16, 2006


The bully who hates you always claims he's kidding when he's called on his abominable behavior. So what, he called you a queer and punched you in the face -- can't you take a fucking joke?
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:57 PM on November 16, 2006


I don't get to watch and judge the new Al Jazeera English channel for myself, but this bigoted moron is on CNN everyday. Pathetic.
posted by homunculus at 11:00 PM on November 16, 2006


Ok..final thoughts...

I jumped in on this thread because…

A: I work in talk radio.. a fact I more then cringe at when I hear the hate Rush and Hannity..and all the rest spew. But that said I know people who have worked with Beck..I know his story...I can assure you he's not a racist. Infotainment yes..racist no. (Although we could point to the LDS priesthood/doctrine factor..which I would agree with..but I can tell you beck would stand up to any LDS member or leader who he felt was truely discriminating against someone.) Infact, I take call after call from right-wingers PISSED off at something beck said everyday. It’s because THEY TOO do not “get it.” Any more then they get South Park or the Daily show.

B: Beck IS satire..he uses his incorrect..and sometimes tasteless humor to make his point..but damn it most of us..outside of this thread apparently..have at one time or another used satire to make our point. The difference is that most of us have don’t have the talent to sit behind a microphone and entertain a national audience for three hours a day. (if you think you can..contact premier..they want to talk to you.) Beck will be the first to tell you..”man if you agree with everything I say..you are a blind sheep.” He himself will tell you..”I’m just a rodeo clown” and he is…

C. Every time I see a Media Matters post on Meta I cringe..this is a group that DOES nothing more then douche bag Bozell’s Media research Center..they take up donations..ie waste money..to scrutinize media that YOU yourself as a viewer/listner should be scrutinizing anyway. If you aren’t you don’t need a fucking council to tell you what’s wrong..you need to throw away you damn T.V. My second thought on these “call your provider and protest” groups is that the only people they serve is the people that ALREADY agree with them. Bozell on the right…Brock on the left…and neither one of them are getting anything done that will truly make this country a better place..both of them need to STFU and buy their own tv networks.

D: I was fucking appalled that some of the same people slamming beck on this thread would defend South Park to their hearts content. If you want to slam him for “dumbing” down America great..but your going to have to slam all the other crap on TV too. If you however have never listened to Beck..and you jumped in this thread to slam him because of one comment you saw taken out of context..(watch the whole show..then get back to me..)..man that just ain’t right OR true and you are a dumb ass for not knowing what you are talking about.

That is all. Flame on…
posted by wyldeboi at 6:51 AM on November 17, 2006


Is wyldeboi a dumb ass?
posted by chunking express at 7:19 AM on November 17, 2006


The difference is that most of us have don’t have the talent to sit behind a microphone and entertain a national audience for three hours a day.
Nor does this Beck person, apparently. Imitating bad behavior (that's what you're saying he does, right?) so well that it doesn't look like an imitation is not funny. Bill Murray doing a perfect imitation of a lameoid lounge singer on SNL was not more enjoyable than watching a lameoid lounge singer. Hearing a perfect imitation of a racist pig is not funny, partly because some of the people not getting the joke will agree with the racist views. Sort of like, ". . . the same thoughts most of us have had but don't have the balls to admit." Or as rough ashlar said:
1st you say "he says what others are thinking" then you claim he's just "joking"?

Which is it?

posted by Kirth Gerson at 8:02 AM on November 17, 2006


*posts animated GIF of Glenn Beck being whipped by Nancy Grace in a dominatrix outfit*
posted by Robert Angelo at 8:50 AM on November 17, 2006


“If you want to slam him for “dumbing” down America great..but your going to have to slam all the other crap on TV too.”

Woo Hoo!
*slams all the other crap on TV*

I’m sorry, was CNN et. al. addressing the issues well?
posted by Smedleyman at 9:34 AM on November 17, 2006




This Week's Big Ol' Cup Of STFU
posted by homunculus at 10:07 AM on November 19, 2006




« Older Muslim UCLA student tasered for not having ID   |   Forever-Flying-Bird Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments