Who's watching Glenn Beck?

[Soldat_Américain]

Saw this today


Opinion
Who's watching Glenn Beck?



Much like the Depression-era demagogue Father Charles Coughlin, the Fox News personality is promoting a mass movement. Should his bosses be pulling the plug?

For nearly a century, the Anti-Defamation League has stared unflinchingly into the dark corners of America's social psyche -- the places where combustible tendencies such as hatred and paranoia pool and, sometimes, burst into flame.

As a Jewish organization, the ADL's first preoccupation naturally is anti-Semitism, but in the last few decades it has extended its scrutiny to the whole range of bigoted malevolence -- white supremacy, the militia movement, neo-nativism and conspiratorial fantasies in all of their improbable permutations. These days, the organization's research is characterized by the sense of proportion and sobriety that long experience brings.

That makes its recent report on the extremist groups and propagandists that have emerged since President Obama's election -- "Rage Grows In America: Anti-Government Conspiracies" -- particularly notable. For the first time in living memory, the ADL is sounding the alarm about a mainstream media personality: Fox News' Glenn Beck, who also hosts a popular radio show.

The report notes that while "other conservative media hosts, such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, routinely attack Obama and his administration, typically on partisan grounds, they have usually dismissed or refused to give a platform to the conspiracy theorists and anti-government extremists." By contrast, "Beck and his guests have made a habit of demonizing President Obama and promoting conspiracy theories about his administration. ... Beck has even gone so far as to make comparisons between Hitler and Obama."

What gives all of this nonsense an ominous twist is Beck's announcement that he intends to use his TV and radio shows to promote a mass movement that will involve voter registration drives, training in community organizing and a series of regional conventions that will produce a "100-year plan" for America to be read from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a mass rally Aug. 28.

As Beck wrote on his website, "I know that the bipartisan corruption in Washington that has brought us to this brink and it will not be defeated easily. It will require unconventional thinking and a radical plan to restore our nation to the maximum freedoms we were supposed to have been protecting. ... All of the above will culminate in The Plan, a book that will provide specific policies, principles and, most importantly, action steps that each of us can take to play a role in this Refounding."

Hard times predictably throw up their demagogues. Still, even allowing for the frenetic pace of our wired world's 24-hour news cycle, it's remarkable how quickly the arc of Beck's career has come to resemble that of the Great Depression's uber-demagogue, Father Charles Coughlin. In the months after the crash of '29, Coughlin turned what had been a conventionally religious weekly radio broadcast into a platform for championing the downtrodden working man. He was an early supporter of the New Deal, coining the slogan "Roosevelt or Ruin," but quickly turned on the president for a variety of complex ideological and personal reasons. Coughlin flirted with Huey Long, launched an unsuccessful political party, published a popular newspaper, Social Justice, and even inspired and supported a kind of militia, the Christian Front, some of whose members were arrested by the FBI and charged with plotting a fascist coup.

As the 1930s dragged on, Coughlin, a longtime admirer of Francisco Franco, became virulently anti-Semitic, isolationist and pro-German. He also was extraordinarily popular. At their height, his weekly broadcasts attracted more than 40 million listeners. Still, after he lashed out at German Jews in the wake of Kristallnacht, many major urban radio stations dropped his program. Influential American prelates, the Vatican and prominent Catholic New Dealers had worked for some time to persuade Coughlin's superior, the archbishop of Detroit, to silence him. Shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, a new bishop was installed, and Coughlin was ordered to cease broadcasting. He accepted the clerical discipline and retired into a long life of bitter silence.

It's hard to imagine any contemporary cable system dropping Fox News simply because Beck is an offensively dangerous demagogue -- not with his ratings at least. His new foray into politics, though, presents Rupert Murdoch's network with a profound challenge. Is it willing to become the platform for an extremist political campaign, or will it draw a line as even the authoritarian Catholic Church of the 1940s did? CNN recently parted ways with its resident ranter, Lou Dobbs -- who now confirms he's weighing a presidential bid.

Does Fox see a similar problem with Beck -- and, if not, why?

Interesting comparison, but I doubt Beck has anywhere near the following Couglin had.

[kamaz]

the guy is a bona fide bowl of fruit loops. Completely deranged.


http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/2009/06/custom_1245249209375_becksmaller_03.jpg

he's milking this anti-govt thing for every penny though and has millions more than me, so I dont know who's smarter.

[muttbutt]

He's entertaining as hell though.....Stephan Colbert had him pegged IMHO, he's built a career on 9/11 and he is not going to let it go.

[Breerman]

He's entertaining as hell though.....Stephen Colbert had him pegged IMHO, he's built a career on 9/11 and he is not going to let it go.
Who is that?

[Wimbly]

I just love all these articles about how Crazy Beck is, but nobody minds all the other left wing activists in the media. You got several networks pushing global warming hysteria and even helping to sell "green" products. You have Matthews out there everyday demonizing white America as racists if they don't agree with Obama and illegal immigration activists pretending to be journalists...

Its just not consistent, leading me to beleive all this hub-bub over Beck is politically motivated.

[Laconian]

I treat Beck and all the talk-show hosts (right or left) the same. They are entertainers, like stand-up comics with a perpetual microphone. I ignore most of them. AS far as Fox News goes, they will censor Beck when he ceases to give a return on their investment.

[LineDoggie]

Saw this today



Interesting comparison, but I doubt Beck has anywhere near the following Couglin had.
Interesting Article which leaves out much in context. He first became a thorn in FDR's side when he criticized FDR. FDR sent Joe Kennedy and Frank Murphy (future Atty Gen. of the USA) to get him to be quiet about the New Deal and FDR.

Coughlin supported Franco as the Spanish Republicans were then Murdering Priests and Nuns, burning churches by the Bushel. If someone is Killing your compatriots would you not support someone who stops it, and has respect for your Calling and it's institutions?

He was though a raving anti-semite

Roosevelt had him taken off the air eventually and then they revoked his priveledges to use the Mail in getting his message out through his Social Justice Newspaper effectively using the Government to silence him.


On to this Beck cat. Beck must really be getting at the Admin for the attacks that now come. I dont recall anyone saying take him off the air when Olberdouchebag was villifiying Bush. Me I watched about 10 minutes of Beck and changed the channel.

The Left- Free Speech when we approve it.

[Noons86]

I treat Beck and all the talk-show hosts (right or left) the same. They are entertainers, like stand-up comics with a perpetual microphone. I ignore most of them. AS far as Fox News goes, they will censor Beck when he ceases to give a return on their investment.

x2

I've noticed TV pudit shows are just like a he said/she said high-school drama. A lot of times they're not even talking about things that policymakers or politicians said, they're just talking about each other, as if they're the most important people in the world.

But it still gets the ratings.

[gaijinsamurai]

I watched his show once, and he came across as arrogant and annoying. Haven't watched it since.


(I watched Bill maher once too, and he came across the same way)

[Clockwinder]

I treat Beck and all the talk-show hosts (right or left) the same. They are entertainers, like stand-up comics with a perpetual microphone. I ignore most of them. AS far as Fox News goes, they will censor Beck when he ceases to give a return on their investment.

Well said! It's always about the $$.

[Polygon]

I treat Beck and all the talk-show hosts (right or left) the same. They are entertainers, like stand-up comics with a perpetual microphone. I ignore most of them. AS far as Fox News goes, they will censor Beck when he ceases to give a return on their investment.

Agreed, they're a joke.

[Arnie100]

I would rather watch Glenn Beck then any of the other nutjobs over on MSNBC!

[Degenek]

ADLThe Anti-Defamation League was created in 1913 by the racist secret society known as B'nai B'rith (which means "blood of the Chosen"). This organization, which exists today excludes people based on their ethnic background and religion. It is exclusively restricted to powerful Jews who believe in racial superiority.
The ADL has spearheaded efforts at censorship against all people who wish to express themselves culturally and racially. The Director of the ADL Richard Gutstadt wrote to all periodicals he could find to censor the book, "The Conquest of A Continent." Mr Gutstadt brazenly writes, "We are interested in stifling the sale of this book." The ADL was also instrumental in terrorizing St. Martin's Press into canceling their contract last year with David Irving.
The ADL trys to cover its anti-free speech activities by giving out a Free Speech "Torch of Liberty" award occasionally. The most prominent recipient is flesh peddler and woman denigrator Hugh Hefner (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Hefner). Obscene ****ographer Larry Flynt (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Flynt) is another supporter who has contributed 100,000s of dollars to the ADL.

[Arnie100]

It's like the ADL goes after anybody it disagrees with...I find it amusing that they're trying to go after Glenn Beck!

[BloodyTalon]

The Anti-Defamation League was created in 1913 by the racist secret society known as B'nai B'rith (which means "blood of the Chosen"). This organization, which exists today excludes people based on their ethnic background and religion. It is exclusively restricted to powerful Jews who believe in racial superiority.
The ADL has spearheaded efforts at censorship against all people who wish to express themselves culturally and racially. The Director of the ADL Richard Gutstadt wrote to all periodicals he could find to censor the book, "The Conquest of A Continent." Mr Gutstadt brazenly writes, "We are interested in stifling the sale of this book." The ADL was also instrumental in terrorizing St. Martin's Press into canceling their contract last year with David Irving.
The ADL trys to cover its anti-free speech activities by giving out a Free Speech "Torch of Liberty" award occasionally. The most prominent recipient is flesh peddler and woman denigrator Hugh Hefner (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Hefner). Obscene ****ographer Larry Flynt (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Flynt) is another supporter who has contributed 100,000s of dollars to the ADL.
Cool story, bro.

So what does your anti-semitic rant have to do with Glenn Beck again?

[OrangeWolf]

blablabla.

How about you take a nice cup of shut the **** up? Being a cybernazi must make you feel really tough.

[LineDoggie]

The Anti-Defamation League was created in 1913 by the racist secret society known as B'nai B'rith (which means "blood of the Chosen"). This organization, which exists today excludes people based on their ethnic background and religion. It is exclusively restricted to powerful Jews who believe in racial superiority.
The ADL has spearheaded efforts at censorship against all people who wish to express themselves culturally and racially. The Director of the ADL Richard Gutstadt wrote to all periodicals he could find to censor the book, "The Conquest of A Continent." Mr Gutstadt brazenly writes, "We are interested in stifling the sale of this book." The ADL was also instrumental in terrorizing St. Martin's Press into canceling their contract last year with David Irving.
The ADL trys to cover its anti-free speech activities by giving out a Free Speech "Torch of Liberty" award occasionally. The most prominent recipient is flesh peddler and woman denigrator Hugh Hefner (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Hefner). Obscene ****ographer Larry Flynt (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Flynt) is another supporter who has contributed 100,000s of dollars to the ADL. Stay away from sites like Jew Watch, they're for lunatics

[Virus]

I knew it....damn juice.

[can]

Getting Real News is becoming a problem. Not that Beck, Matthews or any of these guys were ever that, but finding an outlet that's not biased and can cut through the spin is tough.

[seanvi]

He's alittle dramatic but he covers alot of issues that mainstream media won't touch, if you don't like it turn the station. Groups like the ADL , ACLU, SPLC only support free speech when it supports their idealogy. That is to say they don't give a **** about free speech or the Constitution. Keep that in mind the next time you see one of these groups quoted in mainstream media.

[witchdoctor]

entertaining?. . . . yes of course, thus the popularity.
does he raise interesting questions? yes he does . . .
I watch as often as I can, and I think his message is
mostly positive.

[shocker1]

entertaining?. . . . yes of course, thus the popularity.
does he raise interesting questions? yes he does . . .
I watch as often as I can, and I think his message is
mostly positive.
Finally someone who posts something rational about Beck. I don't like his whiny personality but the issues he addresses are right on.

[SeanAshi]

The Anti-Defamation League was created in 1913 by the racist secret society known as B'nai B'rith (which means "blood of the Chosen"). This organization, which exists today excludes people based on their ethnic background and religion. It is exclusively restricted to powerful Jews who believe in racial superiority.
The ADL has spearheaded efforts at censorship against all people who wish to express themselves culturally and racially. The Director of the ADL Richard Gutstadt wrote to all periodicals he could find to censor the book, "The Conquest of A Continent." Mr Gutstadt brazenly writes, "We are interested in stifling the sale of this book." The ADL was also instrumental in terrorizing St. Martin's Press into canceling their contract last year with David Irving.
The ADL trys to cover its anti-free speech activities by giving out a Free Speech "Torch of Liberty" award occasionally. The most prominent recipient is flesh peddler and woman denigrator Hugh Hefner (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Hefner). Obscene ****ographer Larry Flynt (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Flynt) is another supporter who has contributed 100,000s of dollars to the ADL.
Get lost douchebag
Shalom!

[Soldat_Américain]

Since I posted this I thought I'd throw my opinion out there. I don't like Beck at all. I thought I'd just say my political views and I am a Conservative democrat. I've watched Beck several times, he's not courteous to his guests and insults them, makes faces at them. I think he could actually do some good if he used his platform effectively but since he's on the far right he preaches his ideas which I definitely don't agree with. I also think he's a racist. Also, very and I mean very loud.

I understand the comparison, however Coughlin had real power. And Linedoggie, he did more than just not agree with the New Deal. His rhetoric became very anti-semitic when he supported and Identified with the American Bund and the Nazi party. But they got him shutdown very effectively through the use of church mechanisms. However before then, unlike Beck he gave Americans hope.

[shocker1]

I watch him too and he is as mean as that nerd in school everyone puts in a locker. Your opinion is what it is but I find it very disingenuous and quite insulting. Racist? Whatever man, if you think of him and his political views this way then you should throw those barbs at me as well because I agree with him 80% of the time.

[Rossdobby]

Who is that?

He is a very funny man. Who points out a lot of bad things about your country in the hopes that you will see it and change your ways...haha jk he is hard to describe

watch his show on line at the www.colbertnation.com it is very good and the Daily show with john stewart is good too.

[LineDoggie]

The Anti-Defamation League was created in 1913 by the racist secret society known as B'nai B'rith (which means "blood of the Chosen"). This organization, which exists today excludes people based on their ethnic background and religion. It is exclusively restricted to powerful Jews who believe in racial superiority.
The ADL has spearheaded efforts at censorship against all people who wish to express themselves culturally and racially. The Director of the ADL Richard Gutstadt wrote to all periodicals he could find to censor the book, "The Conquest of A Continent." Mr Gutstadt brazenly writes, "We are interested in stifling the sale of this book." The ADL was also instrumental in terrorizing St. Martin's Press into canceling their contract last year with David Irving.
The ADL trys to cover its anti-free speech activities by giving out a Free Speech "Torch of Liberty" award occasionally. The most prominent recipient is flesh peddler and woman denigrator Hugh Hefner (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Hefner). Obscene ****ographer Larry Flynt (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Flynt) is another supporter who has contributed 100,000s of dollars to the ADL.
Good job lifting that from a Pro-Mujahideen site "theunjustmedia"

I must apologize, I thought you were an inbred sister fcuking cross burner

But actually, your a Terrorist supporter.

[Soldat_Américain]

He is a very funny man. Who points out a lot of bad things about your country in the hopes that you will see it and change your ways...haha jk he is hard to describe

watch his show on line at the www.colbertnation.com it is very good and the Daily show with john stewart is good too.

Breerman is one of those Europeans that thinks he has an opinion on everything.

Shocker, that's cool man, I won't hate you because your black. I just thought I'd voice my opinion.

Gaijin, I was able to see Bill Maher during the live filming...let's just say I thought I was going to get more and at least be able to say hello or something like that. He seems to be a schmuck during live television but isn't loud during his panel discussions unless something hits a cord. However I prefer watching him on TV instead.

[shocker1]

Shocker, that's cool man, I won't hate you because your black. I just thought I'd voice my opinion.


Jesus, just stop now please before you go too far.

[kamaz]

The Anti-Defamation League was created in 1913 by the racist secret society known as B'nai B'rith (which means "blood of the Chosen"). This organization, which exists today excludes people based on their ethnic background and religion. It is exclusively restricted to powerful Jews who believe in racial superiority.
The ADL has spearheaded efforts at censorship against all people who wish to express themselves culturally and racially. The Director of the ADL Richard Gutstadt wrote to all periodicals he could find to censor the book, "The Conquest of A Continent." Mr Gutstadt brazenly writes, "We are interested in stifling the sale of this book." The ADL was also instrumental in terrorizing St. Martin's Press into canceling their contract last year with David Irving.
The ADL trys to cover its anti-free speech activities by giving out a Free Speech "Torch of Liberty" award occasionally. The most prominent recipient is flesh peddler and woman denigrator Hugh Hefner (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Hefner). Obscene ****ographer Larry Flynt (http://web.archive.org/web/20030210031559/http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-organizations-ADL-hate-group.htm#Flynt) is another supporter who has contributed 100,000s of dollars to the ADL.


holy crap Adolf, I didnt know that an organization that seeks to criticize and point out nazis and racists like yourself is based on racial superiority. And Bnai Brith is a racist organization? lololol.. You're more of a joke than Beck is.

ps Bnai Brith does not mean 'blood of the chose' you ignorant moron, in hebrew it roughly means Sons of agreement or covenant, as in covenant with god. Echh.. I'll stop feeding the troll.

[Ought Six]

There is one thing that is definitely true about Beck; he really activates people. The proof is right here on this thread.

I agree with those who say he has an interesting message and an intolerable personality. But we should be glad he is on the air and popular, because damn few people in the media are playing the role of government watchdog these days, which is supposed to be the media's primary job. Beck pounded on ACORN and Van Jones when just about nobody else would, and forced those stories into the mainstream. This kind of thing is where his real value lies. We need more people doing this, with the astounding levels of corruption in our government these days, and the even more astounding levels of denial and indifference to it among the people and the MSM.

[California Joe]

I don't like Beck so I don't watch him. Easy peasy.

As far as the Nazi, that posted above, hating on the Juice and Playboy magazine goes...Get f*cked. Find another forum to haunt.

[kamaz]

I don't like Beck so I don't watch him. Easy peasy.

As far as the Nazi, that posted above, hating on the Juice and Playboy magazine goes...Get f*cked. Find another forum to haunt.

I dont even care if the dude is anti semitic or hates jews or whatever, some people dont like other people, big deal. But he went way over the line with ripping on Hef and Larry Flynt, beacons of free speech, which is what this country is founded on. I wouldnt like anyone that hates on beautiful things like freedom of speech and beautiful naked women.

[bono]

Olbermann-Beck

same BS. diff piehole

Both attract low IQ sheeple.

[Nano]

Watched his show once a long time ago. I simply did not like the guy, but some of the things he said were true mixed in with his formula for inflating it. The man is in entertainment news. I have seen a few clips from the show though mostly for the guests rather than for "his insights".

I actually have seen a couple a segments most recently mostly because he was not the one on the show, but rather Ron Paul. His show funny enough is far more palatable to my taste when he is not actually on it as the commentator. Fox will pull the plug once the profit and cost for him being on air swing to the negative. I much see his show for what it simply is "making a living and pay the mortgage" type deal much like how I see Mrs.Palin's own politics.

[kamaz]

heres our boy Beck, raising important questions and points, by telling troops not to re-enlist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fle2oe_w1zs

[Ought Six]

I agree. With all the PC crap going on in our military; specops guys being sued by a terrorist they captured, and getting court martialed for 'punching him'; the Haditha incident and Murtha; Obama dithering while our troops are left twisting in the wind; if I had a son, I would certainly not recommend they enlist or re-up. I felt the same way during the Carter years.

[HK in AK]

I think the comment was made before, but I look at Beck with a bit of reservation. His intentions might be to bring issues out in the open, but I do not like the delivery. It could be so much better if he just calmed down and dropped the circus sideshow hype.

I think what everyone should remember is the issues he has raised are very much a concern for any citizen - from the politics in Washington DC to spending and debt levels. The sand in the hourglass is running out, and at least he is calling for a new direction for this country. No matter if you are democrat, republican, or independent, if you give a crap about this country then you will identify with the issues that any of the "talking heads" have raised.

We are at a tipping point and it will take people with real solutions - that is why I do identify with Beck’s call for refounders to bring back constitutional ideals that seem to have been lost. The alternative is not very appetizing.

[Ought Six]

HKiAK:
"I think the comment was made before, but I look at Beck with a bit of reservation. His intentions might be to bring issues out in the open, but I do not like the delivery. It could be so much better if he just calmed down and dropped the circus sideshow hype."If there was someone else doing this effectively, then I could agree. There is not, at least, not right now. His stupid, obnoxious approach works, which is proven by both his effect on the public dialog and his ratings. The same could be said in the past of that blowhard Limbaugh, though not so much any more.
----------
"I think what everyone should remember is the issues he has raised are very much a concern for any citizen - from the politics in Washington DC to spending and debt levels. The sand in the hourglass is running out, and at least he is calling for a new direction for this country. No matter if you are democrat, republican, or independent, if you give a crap about this country then you will identify with the issues that any of the "talking heads" have raised.

"We are at a tipping point and it will take people with real solutions - that is why I do identify with Beck’s call for refounders to bring back constitutional ideals that seem to have been lost. The alternative is not very appetizing."I agree in principle, but I fear that America is *done* in reality. The level of corruption in our government is beyond belief. We have had a banker's coup, and the people just do not seem to care. A recent poll revealed that over 70% of Americans are A-okay with taxing the snot out of the rich to pay for health care. We are a neosocialist nation now, and any illusions of the people rising up and demanding that the government be placed back within the bounds of the Tenth Amendment are, IMO, extremely naive at best. The debt is being monetized, the government is still encouraging irresponsible lending in mortgages, the next wave of ARM resets peaking in 2011 is far larger than the last one, commercial real estate is crashing, the over $100 trillion$ bond market is on the brink, and our banking system is only being kept from collapse by smoke and mirrors. Something very, very dark and horrible is coming down the road for this nation, and I do not expect more liberty to be coming out of that. Exactly the opposite, I expect fearful Americans to turn themselves and their rights over to the government and scream for help. I think that we know what the result of that will be.

[budgie]

I just love all these articles about how Crazy Beck is, but nobody minds all the other left wing activists in the media. You got several networks pushing global warming hysteria and even helping to sell "green" products. You have Matthews out there everyday demonizing white America as racists if they don't agree with Obama and illegal immigration activists pretending to be journalists...

Its just not consistent, leading me to beleive all this hub-bub over Beck is politically motivated.

Well duh... that's what Beck does: comment on politics. There's clearly a left/right fued going on in the America media and the pundits are lining up and taking sdes. Beck makes himself a spokeperson for one side and gets attacked by the other. Just like Rachel Maddow. Or Lou Dobbs, who seems to have raised the ire of both sides. So yeah, it's politically motivated. So is he.

The odd thing is that on TV, the internet and in print, neither side of the media war is willing to give an inch.

The 'left wing' pundits main stance:

Govt should cover public healthcare and possibly everything else
The state needs to monitor bug business
Taxes should be used for social spending
Abortions should be safe, legal and rare
Wars should be like abortions: safe-ish, legal and rare
Religion needs to stay out of politics
Foreign customs and religions are okay when they don't infringe upon human rights
The governmet should at least keep an eye on who owns guns and which ones
Global warming is an imminent danger
Torture puts Americans at risk, yields poor intel and sacrifices the moral high ground
President Obama is a US citizen and a patriot


The 'right wing' pundit's main stance:

Healthcare should be private
Big business gets free rein
Taxes, if necessary at all, should be used for F-22s cuz they're way kewl
Abortions should be illegal:
War is a necessary evil. And sometimes way kewl
Jesus should have a say in government
All foreigners are heathen America-haters - specially the French
Everyone should have a rocket launcher at home
Global warming is a false alarm that's just making Al Gore rich
Torture is acceptable if it works. **** Cheney says it works. Besides it's kewl.
Non-President HUSSEIN! is a Kenyan Muslim bent on destroying America

These may be generalizations but pundits pretty much line up on either side and if they take one point, take 'em all. Then sell 'em all. There's literally no nuance: in essence a set of talking points that is non negotiable.

Luckily at least the posters on mp.net have a more nuanced approach and borrow lines from either end of the spectrum.

If anyone quotes me please include the above sentence. I won't have words put in my mouth.

[LineDoggie]

What will you have put in your mouth?;)

[budgie]

You know, Big Daddy....

[Macs.]

Getting Real News is becoming a problem. Not that Beck, Matthews or any of these guys were ever that, but finding an outlet that's not biased and can cut through the spin is tough.

Glenn Beck (Or Olbermann or etc) is NOT news, it's a opinion-piece. No matter if it airs on a news channel or not.

The news channels in the US are entertaining, I give them that. But they are also extreme dumbed-down on alot of parts it seems, and only try to get more views no matter what kind of crazy stunts they pull off. It's more like a Michael Bay movie than broadcasting news.

And ofcourse people like Beck will become more radical, because that's what the people want to hear. There is no responsibility with people like him, I don't really think he cares that he really scares alot of people with his "visions".

These opinion-shows seems to be a very popular thing in the US, because they tell their viewers what they want to hear. There are people who offer the negatives on every side, be it "left" or "right". Just a example, but within the German-Speaking community - Germany, Austria, Switzerland - I know of no popular opinion maker with a show who has anywhere near the impact like someone like Beck and Co in the US have. Such shows are not known here.

It seems like a very boring trench war that is going on in the US - Left vs Right - Democrat vs Republican. And people like Beck profit from such a conflict, but in reality it's a ****ty situation. These two parties are all the political diversity the US has to offer ? And then you choose one side and agree with everything they do, and disagree with everything the other side does ? I doubt there are many people who really 100% stand behind either party and their views, but the open hostility just makes people more afraid and hateful of each others political views. It seems many people are afraid to show any weakness of their political party because they believe the other side will exploit it.

[brainplay]

These opinion-shows seems to be a very popular thing in the US, because they tell their viewers what they want to hear. There are people who offer the negatives on every side, be it "left" or "right". Just a example, but within the German-Speaking community - Germany, Austria, Switzerland - I know of no popular opinion maker with a show who has anywhere near the impact like someone like Beck and Co in the US have. Such shows are not known here.

Shows don't exist there due to your draconian laws on censorship. If anything so much as sounds like it hurts someone's feeling its hit with "libel", harmful to youth, or some other excuse under a "responsibility" clause that will have their license revoked. I'm honestly surprised Der Spiegal hasn't been shut down a dozen times over.

Beck, Dobbs, whatever. Opinion pieces are just opinion. Listening to just one outlet to find an echo chamber of your liking is bad karma. In this day of instant information its recommended to get your info from multiple sources. Since the real "news" outlets are more concerned about putting out bits of information as fast as possible instead of full fact checked and detailed stories its too easy for critical parts to go missing from these "blurbs".

[TheSteve]

Beck is an entertainer. He gets good ratings, so he keeps it going, playing on peoples fears and misconceptions.


I agree. With all the PC crap going on in our military; specops guys being sued by a terrorist they captured, and getting court martialed for 'punching him'; the Haditha incident and Murtha; Obama dithering while our troops are left twisting in the wind; if I had a son, I would certainly not recommend they enlist or re-up. I felt the same way during the Carter years.
Do you really think that in the past 8 months of Democratic executive leadership things have changed so much that someone should not serve their country? So during the early years of the Iraq war when the apparently non-dithering Bush administration was denying the rise of an insurgency it was O.K. to enlist or re-up then?

I mean our country was designed so real change doesn't happen over night, it just doesn't work that way. Don't enlist now? Oh, but not when wars were being started? As a citizen that just enlisted active duty in the Army, I find it astonishing that fellow Americans are suggesting not to serve your country, especially now. It's an attempt to de-legitimize those elected into office; disgusting. Don't agree with their policies? Fine, vote them out. Campaign against them, but guess what, they were elected, they are in power right now.

When someone enlists, you sign up to serve your country, not whatever particular group is in power at the moment.

[HK in AK]

I just we had real leaders like George Washington, who upon being told that he would be easily elected for a third term voluntarily step aside stating in essence that the country fought so hard to get out from a dictatorship that he did not want to encourage another forming in such a young country.

Throughout the history of this country, there are many shining examples ...I just wonder where they all have gone.

[seanvi]

I think alot of the people who criticize Beck on a regular basis have probably never taken the time to actually listen to him. He pretty openly criticizes members of both parties. He talks about about alot of issues that are bipartisan with respect to the Fed, our monetary policy, the massive U.S. debt we are accumulating etc. The whole two party system is a sham anyways, both parties have been guilty of circumventing the Constitution. These are issues that regardless of your political perspective WILL affect you eventually in the U.S. Pretty much he is a fiscal conservative and probably more of a Libertarian than anything. I think this bothers both alot of Democrats and Republicans because he doesn't fit exactly in a little box idealogically, or the ones they have established anyways.

[kimujnr]

I think there is such a thing as toooo much freedom. We had O'Reilly saying "Tiller the killer" nearly every night and lo and behold the abortion doctor got killed no less than a month later. There is absolutely no responsibilty, when O'Reilly was cornered on the incident and the fact that the killer was very conservative and watched fox news Bill-O gave the whole i'm not a babysitter and anyway I saw this coming retort.

I saw an ep where Beck was begging his viewers not to be violent but the incenserity in his words was too much for me it was more like "just in case one of you guys kills someone and says it was coz of me i'll have a solid alibi mmkay!"

[seanvi]

I think there is such a thing as toooo much freedom. We had O'Reilly saying "Tiller the killer" nearly every night and lo and behold the abortion doctor got killed no less than a month later. There is absolutely no responsibilty, when O'Reilly was cornered on the incident and the fact that the killer was very conservative and watched fox news Bill-O gave the whole i'm not a babysitter and anyway I saw this coming retort.

I saw an ep where Beck was begging his viewers not to be violent but the incenserity in his words was too much for me it was more like "just in case one of you guys kills someone and says it was coz of me i'll have a solid alibi mmkay!"

Too much freedom?Lol When was the last time you heard people complaining about having too much freedom? That's called freedom of speech man and its guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. When the governement censors speech at what point does it end? The whole point of the 1st amendment is to protect politically inflammatory speech. It's not there to protect speech that everyone loves. Who decides what is safe for people to hear? You? Me? Some government panel? That is not what America is about.

[kimujnr]

Too much freedom?Lol When was the last time you heard people complaining about having too much freedom? That's called freedom of speech man and its guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. When the governement censors speech at what point does it end? The whole point of the 1st amendment is to protect politically inflammatory speech. It's not there to protect speech that everyone loves. Who decides what is safe for people to hear? You? Me? Some government panel? That is not what America is about.

True, I guess once the Gov. starts to yank on its censorship reigns the power trip might not end. It may just be my international background coz i've seen what inflammatory language could lead to. Stoking fear is the most powerful political weapon even moreso than inventing hopes and dreams to those lacking them.

[Macs.]

Shows don't exist there due to your draconian laws on censorship. If anything so much as sounds like it hurts someone's feeling its hit with "libel", harmful to youth, or some other excuse under a "responsibility" clause that will have their license revoked. I'm honestly surprised Der Spiegal hasn't been shut down a dozen times over.

It's simply not true.

There are no "responsibility" clauses, what are you talking about ? I am not talking about NEWS, I am talking about OPINION SHOWS often headed by one anchor host. That simply doesn't work here, people don't wanna see it. Or there hasn't been anyone yet who could get enough views.

If you knew the biggest newspaper here (it's even Europes most selling paper) you would know that there is no censorship here, they bash all kinds of people/groups pretty much every day. They are the closest to the sensationalist news ala Fox News and co that we have.


Beck, Dobbs, whatever. Opinion pieces are just opinion. Listening to just one outlet to find an echo chamber of your liking is bad karma. In this day of instant information its recommended to get your info from multiple sources. Since the real "news" outlets are more concerned about putting out bits of information as fast as possible instead of full fact checked and detailed stories its too easy for critical parts to go missing from these "blurbs".

Why listen to a opinion piece anyway ? Do you need someone to spice up the news ?

Obviously there is a problem about the news outlets when their biggest goal is to simply get views. They will rather run a story about Balloon-Buy then about REAL stories that actually change the country (politics) but that are rather boring to broadcast.

[Wimbly]

I think there is such a thing as toooo much freedom. We had O'Reilly saying "Tiller the killer" nearly every night and lo and behold the abortion doctor got killed no less than a month later. "

The media has been calling soldiers "cold blooded killers" and demonizing therm non-stop for years and low and behold people are killing soldiers on the street and on bases. Now MSNBC and CNN are constantly demonizing white people, especially if they are critical of Obama. Saying things like "50% of teabaggers are racists". How about the constant demonetization of anti-abortion people in the media? An anti-abortion protester was shot and killed a few weeks ago while protesting. Are you saying that MSNBC and CNN should be shut down?

[witchdoctor]

one thing seems to have been overlooked . . . . it's our responsibility to seek out all news from all sources and then chew on it for a while, so watch the Fox's and then balance it with the NBC's, and then form your opinions.

as for racism, I think too many people are using that word as the nuclear option to shut down the opposition. I respect the President, and the Office he holds, if I disagree with his policies . . . . . I'm a racist?

OBTW Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here.

[kimujnr]

one thing seems to have been overlooked . . . . it's our responsibility to seek out all news from all sources and then chew on it for a while, so watch the Fox's and then balance it with the NBC's, and then form your opinions.

as for racism, I think too many people are using that word as the nuclear option to shut down the opposition. I respect the President, and the Office he holds, if I disagree with his policies . . . . . I'm a racist?

OBTW Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here.

I absolutely agree. I'm a lib but even I began to tire of MSNBC about as much as FOX news. Its all comfort food, like how MSNBC will only paint a positive picture of Obama and demonize the right while FOX lies about the no. of people at the tea parties in D.C until they were debunked by the fire department. Or when hannity mixed in clips of Becks party movement and the most recent one passing them off as one colossal party until Jon Stewart called him out and surprisingly Hannity admitted what they had done albeit that it was a mistake.

My father a Kenyan man is no fan of Obama but was a staunch defender of Bush jr and a big fan of Reagan so that whole "racist" defense is pretty weak in certain circumstances.

Oh yeah :cantbeli: Happy Thanksgiving Witchdoctor!

[kimujnr]

[QUOTE=Macs.;4583052]It's simply not true.

There are no "responsibility" clauses, what are you talking about ? I am not talking about NEWS, I am talking about OPINION SHOWS often headed by one anchor host. That simply doesn't work here, people don't wanna see it. Or there hasn't been anyone yet who could get enough views.
QUOTE]

I understand that completely and lets not forget that Germany once had a leader that they as much any other country want to forget. And he practically invented the act of pandering and stoking fears in an audience.

[Ought Six]

TS:

You read things into my post that were not there. :roll: In no way did I say it started with Obama. Much the opposite, if you had bothered to read my post before responding, you would have seen that I specifically mentioned Haditha. Obama is just making a bad situation worse by being a lousy CiC.

When soldiers can be and are prosecuted for doing their jobs; when politicians like Murtha set out to crucify them in the press for political gain; when soldiers have great difficulty doing their job because their hands are tied with politically correct rules; when soldiers die because deadly threats in their own ranks are not addressed because of political correctness; under those circumstances, I will not recommend that a young man or woman go out and enlist.

[slaveman]

Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation have an incredible amount of power in worldwide media. They have dogs in both sides of the "fight"...

On Fox News, you can watch Beck and Hannity argue against global warming, or you can watch FX and NatGeo, and hear how climate change will kill you.

These people are smart, and know exactly how to appeal to their target audience. So while Beck is claiming to be defending Conservatives and Libertarians, his owners and handlers are investing huge amounts of money into "green initiatives" and incorporating liberal messages into other programs.

We live in a "Right-Left" paradigm. The big powerhouses make an income from both sides, all while making us fight one another over insignificant, unimportant things. And no matter which side we take, the results are still pretty much the same.

True, positve change will never happen if we're busy fighting with each other (and that's the way they like it to be). Our allegiances should not be with a politcal party. Our allegiance should be with the Bill of Rights and Constitution.

Matthews or Beck... The media always has both sides covered. And while we're busy fighting with each other, the real stuff is going on behind the scenes (just like at News Corp).

Just thought I'd throw that out there...

[RICHICOQUI]

Some people on this forum hate foxnews i guess they forgot how to use a remote control!!

[seraosha]

I just caught Beck on fox, and he actually said things against our last and current admin...painted them both with a wide "didn't/doesn't take responsibility" paintbrush.

Going to read some more, thanks for the tip mp.net

[LineDoggie]

Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation have an incredible amount of power in worldwide media. They have dogs in both sides of the "fight"...


Just thought I'd throw that out there... Cane we throw it back, not a Big fan on insane Alex Jones bat**** theories......

[LineDoggie]

Some people on this forum hate foxnews i guess they forgot how to use a remote control!! There it is, but instead of hitting the Ch<> button they would rather whine for years to get it shut down.