Glenn Beck not harmless, but a toxic power says Salon.com

by smkovalinsky | October 12, 2009 at 07:14 am

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According to today's Salon.com, Glenn Beck is as dangerous as he is prankish, and Democrats ignore him at their own peril.

Democrats watch his antics with "bemusement", the piece says, but the fact that the GOP clearly lacks any current centralized leadership is giving a man like Beck formidable and perhaps pernicious power to transfer pundit pranks into actual political power.

Beck's voice, they insist, is being channeled through various GOP representatives and flowing freely through the body politic. To take Beck as nothing more than a showman is to underestimate his real power to effect things and to do actual harm. Democrats ignore him to their own peril:

"With his show on Fox News, Beck has successfully positioned himself as the weirdo right's ambassador-at-large to the rest of the world. . .

. . . Beck is more than a harmless -- if deranged -- entertainer. His ability to push the GOP from rhetoric to action means he can inject toxic ideas and fears directly into the body politic."

~Salon.com

Oct. 12, 2009 | Something strange has happened to rank-and-file Republicans since President Obama took office. These past few months, standard-issue gray lawmakers have sounded likefire-and-brimstone demagogues. Conspiracy theories and over-the-top legislation to fix imaginary wrongs are flying wildly around formerly mainstream GOP circles.
It turns out that like so much of what ails the world today, this can be traced back to Glenn Beck. Some fifth-term Iowa senator might be railing against death panels, but it's really Beck's voice you're hearing. With his show on Fox News, Beck has successfully positioned himself as the weirdo right's ambassador-at-large to the rest of the world. When the patron saint of the Tea Parties lets his freak flag fly, seemingly normal right-wing functionaries have been known to line up and salute. Republicans parrot Beck's crackpot notions and pet issues routinely -- sometimes running with his manias the morning after he first airs them.

Take Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. In the middle of the Senate Finance Committee's debate over healthcare reform legislation last month, he broke out with an analogy about frogs failing to jump out of boiling water, one that seemed to have little to do with what he was discussing. "Sounds to me like it's the old story about the frog in the pot of water on the stove that pretty soon the heat's turned up so slowly that the frog doesn't know it's cooked," Cornyn said. Where might he have gotten the idea? Perhaps from Beck -- who the night before had pretended to boil a frog on TV. "You know the old saying, if you put a frog into boiling water, he's going to jump right out, because he's scalding hot, but if you place the frog in lukewarm water and gradually raise the temperature, it won't realize what's happening and die?" he asked viewers (who, apparently, included the junior senator from Texas). "We have been tossed quickly into boiling water!"

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nanute

at 08:24 on October 12th, 2009

This guy is a wack job. Period. Between him and Rushbo, the lunatic fringe is growing stronger day by day, and not only do Democrats ignore him at their own peril, but in fact "mainstream" republicans can't disown him.

Rory Cripps

at 15:54 on October 12th, 2009

Nanute: Why don't you and other progressives figure out a way to get liked-minded talk show hosts on the airwaves in order to counter the whack jobs and lunatic fringe. There's certainly enough of those types within the ranks of the Democratic Party and I have no doubt that they're just as entertaining. (and wrong about certain issues) as guys like Beck are.

a211423

at 08:43 on October 12th, 2009

It behooves the Republicans not to use Beck as a spokesperson. He has air time every night and has an audience. What could be better to get their messages heard? And he can voice the notions and machinations of Conservatives in an unrelentless fashion without restraint or requirement of equal time for opposing views.

Rory Cripps

at 16:19 on October 12th, 2009

a211423: The Republican Party is in no way going to use Glen Beck as a spokesperson! Beck's world view and beliefs are anathemas to the Republican Party! And just as many Republicans as Democrats would like to shut him up. Whatever anyone's thoughts are on Beck, the facts are that he has millions of listeners and viewers that agree with much of what he has to say. Beck didn't convince these listeners and viewers to change their views in accordance with his own views. Indeed, Beck resonates with them because they've personally held these views long before Beck came along. In other words, Beck echoes the views that millions of Americans already held.

joe marino (not verified)

at 16:28 on October 12th, 2009

Can't deny the fact that he is uncovering some very enlightening facts and truth's about the whole socialist movement to destroy our country.

rng

at 16:38 on October 12th, 2009

truth's about the whole socialist movement to destroy our country.

There in a nutshell you have it. Obama is a socialist, a Muslim, a non-native and on and on and out to destroy the country to boot. Have we really been reduced to this level of idiocy? Do you think this type of person can ever look at an issue in a bipartisan manner. That is the problem in the country and Beck, Olberman et all are just feeding a demand for stupider and stupider. It can take you close to despair if you let it

albertacowpoke

at 10:22 on October 12th, 2009

Glenn Beck actually doesn't align himself with the Republican Party, unlike Hannity and Limbaugh.

I think people should give others enough credit to separate the pepper from the flys--t.

Based on his ratings, many Democrats must be listening to and watching his programs.

Beck says of his political views, "I consider myself a libertarian. I'm a conservative, but every day that goes by I'm fighting for individual rights."[18] Among his core values Beck lists personal responsibility, private charity, right to life, freedom of religion, low debt, limited government, and family as the cornerstone of society.[19]

Beck supports individual gun ownership rights and is against gun control legislation.[20] He has suggested that President Barack Obama's health care reform agenda is a means by which Obama can effect reparations for slavery.[21] Beck believes that there is a lack of evidence that human activity is the main cause of global warming,[22] views the American Clean Energy and Security Act as a form of wealth redistribution, and has promoted a petition rejecting the Kyoto Protocol.[2

Rory Cripps

at 16:06 on October 12th, 2009

ACP: I've often wondered if those that criticize Beck the loudest have actually sat down and listened to him for any length of time in order to formulate an honest opinion about him based, solely, on their own thoughts and opinions. I say this because I've gotten the impression that many who beat up on someone often do so based on things that they've heard others say and not what they've heard with their own ears.

AGK

at 10:38 on October 12th, 2009

Well, the slave reparations is just way off the mark. I find Beck as an entertainer boyish and charming; there is a sweet machismo about him which must attract a lot of people, in the manner of rapper Eminem ( the blonde and blue eyed baby faced boy who is "bad" and self righteous) but his politics are off from libertarian in so far as his paranoia is excessive. I think his personal values sound OK. If he would stick to them, he would have a smaller but more upright audience. Thanks so much for posting those facts, Karl, it does put a different spin on him. I think although Beck stands aloof from Partisan doings, the GOP looks to him as he has some charm, some immeasurable charm, which Limbaugh and Hannity both lack.

politisite

at 11:53 on October 12th, 2009

The left gives these right leaning talk show hosts to much credit. If he is dangerous, it is because he has revealed a few things that others News agencies are afraid or unwilling to. I think The President has more power to affect Americans than this man. Maybe folks should focus on Government.

rng

at 16:34 on October 12th, 2009

Maybe people should focus on good governance rather just government

Maybe people should use rational dialog not reduce debate to screaming rhetoric

Maybe people should make decisions after reviewing the facts rather than relying on a populist summation from either camp

Maybe people should use judgment on an issue rather than partisanship

Maybe people should use logic not emotion

There are so many maybes

We are very badly served by a media pitched at the level of numbskulls on both sides of the spectrum. .

In all honesty if Obama does want to advance the objectives he was elected on, he should kiss bipartisanship goodbye, grow a pair and implement them. Then he could be hung or lauded on the results of his policies alone. He is neutered if he thinks he can get this opposition to come anywhere near the middle and agree on a policy set. He either has to go for it and suffer the results, or he will go down as a ditherer caught in the middle without courage to act. As always, IMHO

Hugh Askew

at 16:57 on October 12th, 2009

Yore 'umble opinion were spot on, rng.

We need a leader much more than a politician or clever slogans.

Roy C

at 12:37 on October 12th, 2009

In Aldous Huxley's The Devils of Loudun, Huxley makes the point that as soon as we dispensed with religions, we humans began running inquisitions and witch hunts on the secular versions of what we had done previously.

The problem is complex, though.

Are anti-democratic progressives OK for democracy or are anti-democratic progressives devils for democracy?

Some people, and I have either been to their speeches or been at the dining room table and had to listen close up and personal, are perfectly content to impose Castro-Commie or Chavez-Soft Commie solutions on our society to solve its problems.

If I don't think that the sacrifice of universality of law and equal rights so that there can be "protected classes" and affirmative action is either necessary or good, then these people really are devils.

They are threats to the structure of the democracy and have to be treated as enemies.

The mushy-gushy Eros people who can't stand any element of hardness out of the fear that that hardness will be used against their own Shadows one day end up being sucked in to this.

They know so little history and are so incapable of understanding it that all the obvious lessons of the French Revolution, of the Russian Revolution, of the millions killed under Red Fascism, make no impression on them.

Complexes override reason if it was ever there in the first place. Usually it wasn't there. Sorry, but Snobby Oz has spoken.

So, instead of labeling Beck, the Huntington Post, Salon, and other beacons of Modern Liberalism should try to refute his points. They can't because they cannot see any objection to a Van Jones being based on any rational fear.

That is what scares me about the insanely conceited Adrianna Puffed-Up-ington, who I once gave a bottle of water to in the Town Car at the airport.

AGK

at 12:46 on October 12th, 2009

Good grief, not you and Ariana? Et tu, Roy? I will ignore the liquid metaphor. :( smk :(

a211423

at 12:52 on October 12th, 2009

So, instead of labeling Beck, the Huntington Post should try to refute his points.

Some people have points of view that are socially compassionate and forgiving of human frailty, while others tend to design their views to refute this as weakness or ignorance or even laziness. Without taking sides on an issue, this it what guides my decision making. If someone like myself were to give Mr. Beck the time it would take to "refute the points I disagree," I would be weary from the effort required.

It is enough for me that he exists by the sanctity and protection of the Constitution that serves his views and mine. When I cast my votes neither he, nor anyone else is in control. And thats what a free country really means, which at the end of day keeps all of us free.

Roy C

at 13:12 on October 12th, 2009

I am amazed at who has crossed my path personally at the airport.

AGK

at 13:24 on October 12th, 2009

That is the truth, A211, it is the fact that refuting Mr. Beck would bring you into areas which have nothing to do with democratic principles. Well said, ergo, twice recommended! :)

(Roy: You'd best watch yourself, and your metaphors, and your whole "driving persons to airports" may in itself be a metaphor of transfer of ideas along Jungian lines which then "fly up" to the Platonic realms of Idealism. The philosopher Heidegger once bumped into Jung at an airport, both made way for the other, and Heidegger thought it of great import. )

Rory Cripps

at 15:43 on October 12th, 2009

Why are so many upset over Glen Beck? I don't get it! And what I really don't get is why there are virtually no progressive talk radio shows other than NPR--a publicly supported radio station. One would think that if Glen Beck and others had it all wrong and that they were spewing nothing but lies and hate, the progressives would come up with viable and popular talk show hosts to counter those lies.

albertacowpoke

at 15:53 on October 12th, 2009

Rory once again common sense prevails over philosophy.

Hugh Askew

at 17:01 on October 12th, 2009

Except of course, among those who lack common sense.

jefhow22

at 15:51 on October 12th, 2009

I could agree more Rory....it's ok to disagree with Beck but at least put up a good defense...

Rory Cripps

at 18:39 on October 12th, 2009

jefhow22: Apparently the only defense that they can come up with is to call those that don't march in lock-step with their ideology ridiculous names. They need to put their money where their mouth is and walk the walk instead of talking the talk. There is nothing to prevent those that believe Glen Beck, et. al, are spewing lies and hate from propping up progressively-minded talk radio hosts in order to counter the lies and hate. If they believe that they can convince the American public that Democrats are good and Republicans are bad and that Democratic politicians are the only ones that can save America, then they need to express what they believe over the talk radio airwaves. Again: There is nothing stopping the progressives from starting up their own radio stations and putting on hosts that can defend their position and make fools out of the "right wing" radio hosts that continue to make fools out of the progressives and Democratic Party everyday. Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, et al, have been making fools out of progressives and the Democratic Party for decades. Yet the progressives continue to whine and moan about the lies and hate but have, not made an earnest effort to step foot into the talk radio arena in order to counter the lies and hate. My question is, what's stopping them? Are they afraid of losing the ideological battle?

rng

at 15:53 on October 12th, 2009

There was a study on this recently. Most "liberals" don't watch TV or listen to talk radio to garner news or opinions - they predominantly get their news through the Internet and print. The TV/Radio populists are therefore mainly on the right though left-oriented ones exist too like Olberman but as a result with smaller audiences. Apparently, there is a large audience for these pundit type people as a result - no depth just volume.

I think it is just exacerbating the dumbing down of the mainstream media to shock jocks, pundits and the extremities. I don't care for Beck's approach , but then I don't like Olberman's either. I will add though that vitriol does play well on talk radio and with populists and that is the forte of the current right wing with continuous outrage, whether warranted or not, passes for the currency of political dialog in that big tent

djermano

at 18:14 on October 12th, 2009

The Gun and Miltary is America's downfall. Beck is clueless to the difference between fear and peace. Clueless to being an example for change, instead of a megaphone for it. Americans are hijacked by a Representative Government that protects the liars. No Politican is ever held accountable. We have never had a Nonviolent Anti-War or anti-gun President... The day will come....and then America will see from the mountain it's miserable trail of destruction it has caused in the world. God Help President Obama who is but only another American who was brainwashed in the American University System. It is by refuting the Indoctrination of the American Education Politic that we can only then begin to see the light of truth and becoming. It is only then that we understand the Constitution is an outdated manuscript that is and unable to look into the future. No Institution has the rights to that Crystal Ball. It is idiotic to believe grown men act like middle school students..with gum stuck to their heels...in believing the nonsense of the benefits to a Democratic Process that can not assure votes, or assure transparency in questioning the temptations of lies. 911 is a perfect example to how and why democracy does not work, and never will work. Instead we have frantic people vocalizing with the biggest microphone to who and what is when and where....while grasping for money to pay phoney banks, and paying taxes only to support an out of control MIC. In the end it boils down to who has the most gun powder and ammo...to promote the most fear in getting their daily bread.

Rev. Jermano