Glenn Beck: A lot of people who hate America are losing their homes in the wildfire
posted at 12:28 pm on October 23, 2007 by Allahpundit
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I think, as much as the unseemly schadenfreude of the sentiment, it’s the non sequitur aspect of this that’s getting attention. How’d he go from “can’t we all get along?” to “the homes of America’s enemies are alight!” in two sentences?
We all love America. We just disagree on how we should function, what we should do, big government, small government. It doesn’t mean you hate America. I think there is a handful of people who hate America. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today. There are a few people that hate America. But I don’t think the Democrats are those. I think there are those posing as Democrats that are like that.
The clip comes from Media Matters which is enough to render it suspect, but it’s hard to see what context could be missing to explain this one a la the Jesse Macbeth reference in Rush’s “phony soldiers” comment. Beck’s producer reminded USA Today that he did say the fire was unfortunate, but that’s not quite true: he said it was unfortunate for them. I’m not even sure who he’s talking about here since he goes out of his way to distinguish the haters from Democrats generally. Does he mean Hollywood leftists who live in Malibu? I can only assume. In any case, while it may not have scaled the same olympian summit of obnoxiousness as Michael Moore’s “why’d they have to attack a blue state?” lament on 9/12/01, it’s certainly ensconced in a base camp somewhere on the same mountain.
Here’s a Google map of the fire. The sheer scale of it is astounding.
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I’m not sure what’s entirely wrong with his statement. He’s talking about California.
Yeah. That state.
MadisonConservative on October 23, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Sean Penn is one.
roninacreage on October 23, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Stupid thing to say. Besides, if we have to get political about it, much of the San Diego area is one of the more conservative areas in CA. It’s not all Berkeley, folks.
brak on October 23, 2007 at 12:34 PM
He’s Glenn Beck. I enjoy the show, but he can be a bit…scattered with his comments.
Slublog on October 23, 2007 at 12:35 PM
I can’t believe you are giving this a post. A stupid comment by Beck, sure. But to promote anything that comes out of media matters, oy.
They send out 50 of these action alerts per day and wait for one to stick. Why help them? Especially with Beck who says crap more insensitive than this…usually for a laugh.
How about a link to how friendly and orderly the stranded home owners are being at Sand Diego stadium.
sunny on October 23, 2007 at 12:35 PM
That’s because Geraldo, Anderson Cooper, and Shep Smith aren’t on the scene.
reaganaut on October 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Glenn, you sick, twisted freak! I love ya!
The libs are always tellin’ us that Mother Earth is punishing us for polluting, right? Maybe this is Mother America punishing the hate-America lefties who get rich in America’s capitalist economy and build giant mansions … in dry, fire prone, earthquake prone, mud slide prone hills and vallies.
Tony737 on October 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Sounds to me like,
“Even for people who hate America, it’s unfortunate that they are losing their homes in the fire”.
RushBaby on October 23, 2007 at 12:40 PM
It’s in poor taste, esp. since there are lots of non-America haters caught up in the fire, facing loss of property and perhaps life, as well.
RW Wacko on October 23, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Or more accurately, IF they are losing their homes in the fire.
RushBaby on October 23, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Beck says: “I think there is a handful of people who hate America. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today.”
I might not be the brightest bulb-but I don’t see what’s so horrible about this statement.
Ex-tex on October 23, 2007 at 12:41 PM
I heard this live yesterday, and I still have no idea what Glenn was talking about with the whole moving to the middle with principles. But the whole fire thing was just a stupid joke that didn’t come across right. Of course, mediamatters is going to blow it out of proportion.
Complete7 on October 23, 2007 at 12:41 PM
MORE evidence of the “Cold Civil War.”
Woahhs on October 23, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Devine Retribution from my Lord and my God!!!
Or a flicked cigarette…but RETRIBUTION NONE THE LESS!!
I can’t wait to see the pictures of them sitting FEMA table in a gymnasium talking to a disaster relief counselor!!!
And nor for the $64 Question: Which Presidential Candidate will tour the area first?
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on October 23, 2007 at 12:42 PM
All kidding aside, we should all pray for these people losing their homes. We (humans all over the planet) get hit by tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, tidal waves, etc etc etc etc etc. Whether we like or dislike the victims, they all need our prayers.
Tony737 on October 23, 2007 at 12:42 PM
In contrast to, say, the NOLA Superdome?
The Monster on October 23, 2007 at 12:43 PM
I would think he’s referring to the celebrity lefties in Malibu, but I’ll reserve judgement until the whole story comes out.
infidel4life on October 23, 2007 at 12:44 PM
How is Tijuana and the Mexican mountains avoiding this? Does nothing grow there or something? Not that I want mexico to burn, just curious.
And how come the Democrats haven’t blamed Bush for the fires yet?
BelchSpeak on October 23, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Ex-tex on October 23, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Well, you’re part of our problem, then. If we begin to act and to be perceived to be exactly as immature, irrational, and insane as the hard-left, then we lose the high ground… and let’s face it, sometimes that’s pretty much all we have these days.
So stop and ask yourself if it is worth it to say something as stupid, hyper-partisan, out of touch, and unhinged as what you just said, when weighed against the fact that you are making us all look like idiots, before you do it again.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 12:46 PM
So, now HotAir is part of the Media matters echo chamber.
JayHaw Phrenzie on October 23, 2007 at 12:47 PM
No, they just keep the marijuana fields irrigated.
reaganaut on October 23, 2007 at 12:47 PM
And that’s not even all of them! Observe:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/socal_wildfires_oct07.html
infidel4life on October 23, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Compare the coverage here to Katrina. The news stations are giving out useful information and advise. They aren’t trying to turn this into a big career opprtunity. People are evacuating in an orderly fashion without any screaming or complaining. No chaos. I’m a few miles from the fires in SD and I don’t see any signs of panic or social breakdown. I’m sure Beck was talking about Malibu. I would like to see some of those people running out of their homes with their most valued possesions - an armful of oscars and emmys.
BDavis on October 23, 2007 at 12:48 PM
RushBaby on October 23, 2007 at 12:40 PM
No… it sounds like mean-spirited sarcasm. There is nothing in what he said that adds the nuance that you decided to create out of thin air, there.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 12:48 PM
No, actually, Hot Air is a lot different from Media Matters because we occasionally address the excesses of our own side. Has Media Matters gotten around to smacking Neal Gabler for his death wish on Bill Kristol yet? No. Nor will they, because he’s a liberal. Is that what you want to be, defending your own side’s ugliness just because it comes from your own side?
Also, were we part of the Media Matters echo chamber when Bryan and I were writing upwards of ten separate posts in defense of Rush after they smeared him?
Allahpundit on October 23, 2007 at 12:50 PM
You’re right. This has happened almost every year that I can remember. If you build on an area prone to all these natural disasters… then don’t be surprised if you get natural disasters destroying your house. Personally, I don’t know if I feel sorry for the fact they’re losing their homes or at their stupidity for building their homes there in the first place. Heck, I remember growing up watching National Geographic shows on how that area has yearly fires that cause the trees to pollinate and regrow the forest, etc. as part of nature’s cycle.
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 12:51 PM
YES. Because you hate America.
And puppies.
Slublog on October 23, 2007 at 12:52 PM
No matter how you look at it, this is not good. I’m still waiting for a faux picture of Bush & Cheney with a pack of matches starting this.
CloneTrooper on October 23, 2007 at 12:54 PM
So now we are actually going to argue that it is absurd that the San Diego metropolitan area exists at all, and that people who like there are “stupid”?
Terrific.
(SD has existed for over 300 years, and hasn’t been gobbled up by the rampant out-of-control man-eating fires you speak of.)
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 12:56 PM
I reread it several times, and stand by what I said. Maybe the audio clip will shed a different light on this. The spoken word is remarkably different than the written word. And by pointing out the nuances between them, I am not trying to be manipulative - it’s just true.
I will, however, admit to giving Glenn the benefit of the doubt, based on the context that is his body of work.
RushBaby on October 23, 2007 at 12:58 PM
You’re wrong.
Look, when you have a talk show 5 days a week, for 3 hours a day, someone is going to be able to pull out a soundbite every now and then that makes you look bad. Media Matters is dedicated to that cause.
You’re part of the problem with the shrinking, center moving Republican party. I’m so sick of Republicans who constantly wring their hands over how we might be perceived by the left. Boo-hooo Ann Coulter said this, boo-hoo Glen Beck said that.
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s the Democrats who march lock-step with their leadership. The Republican party used to be the party of the individual.
I don’t know where you get unhinged out of that, the comment wasn’t that bad, and just how do you know what he meant to say? What exactly is hyper-partisan, partisan isn’t good enough? Why can’t a talk show host be partisan? Why the hysterics?
reaganaut on October 23, 2007 at 12:59 PM
All puppies, or just American puppies?
ReubenJCogburn on October 23, 2007 at 1:01 PM
The honorable Louis Farrakhan has decree that God will strike the white devils with natural calamities because they do not take care of the masses (meaning blacks).
How soon before Bill O or H&C have one of his loony spokespersons on the show saying exactly that about these fires?
csdeven on October 23, 2007 at 1:04 PM
Another Gotcha quote. Wonderful. This is getting so old.
Dork B. on October 23, 2007 at 1:04 PM
LA and San Diego are directly in the path of the strongest Santa Anna winds coming in off the desert….bone dry hot air pushing the flames……just this morning though they started evac’ing San Ysidro, which is just across the fence from Tijuana…
PatrickS on October 23, 2007 at 1:06 PM
I haven’t heard Bush being blamed directly, but CNN was blaming global warming yesterday.
forest on October 23, 2007 at 1:06 PM
Glen Beck is goofy and makes me cringe. Of course, CNN has him as the token hawk.
RobCon on October 23, 2007 at 1:07 PM
i don’t ahve any problems with what Beck said. “People posing as Deomcrats” is spot-on!
Hilts on October 23, 2007 at 1:08 PM
And I am blaming CNN for Global Stupid. So there.
PatrickS on October 23, 2007 at 1:09 PM
Damn I hit post before preview. “I don’t have any problems with what Beck said. “People posing as Democrats” is spot on!
Hilts on October 23, 2007 at 1:10 PM
reaganaut on October 23, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Sometimes things can be taken out of context, and nuance can be downplayed, and there is nothing you can do to stop those sorts of retarded attacks that we usually get from Media Matters. In this case, it could have been avoided by simply not saying that “people who hate America” have their “houses burning right now. That’s just stupid, its indefensible, and the sooner you accept that fact the better off you’ll be.
Pick your fights. This is a REALLY stupid fight to pick, because it’s one you have no prayer of winning. Just say “yeah, that was stupid… Media Matters, for the first time EVER, has a decent point”, and move on.
A talk show host can be partisan. When you start casually joking (and we all know Glenn Beck, so I’m sure we can all imagine nearly EXACTLY how he said it) about political rivals houses being burned down, you’ve been promoted.
We all know he didn’t mean to say anything mean… it was probably just one of his little ironic asides (which I find annoying, distracting, and not funny enough to match the tone with which they are delivered, but I digress) which he probably delivered at an unfortunate point in the larger discussion. But it was still stupid to say.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 1:13 PM
Since I view Media Matters with more than a bit of skepticism, I figured Beck was just the top guy on this week’s leftwing hitlist.
I’ve noticed a distinct pattern of late, and there’s usually at least a week’s worth of feeding frenzy.
Just recently, I can count at least O’Reilly, Coulter, Michelle, and Rush, though that took the better part of a month and, well, they’ve been going after him for over 15 years already, so we’re used to that.
All the above did or said something which was taken out of context to one degree or another.
Of course, expect this continue in perpetuity, or at least through the 2008 election.
JammieWearingFool on October 23, 2007 at 1:13 PM
What’s wrong with schadenfreude? I don’t think we can fight the left by being above them, just as I don’t think we can fight the jihadist with the same morally superior approach. I say, get down into the dirt with them and give as good as you get. Smear for smear, unfounded charge for unfounded charge, propaganda for propaganda, a lie for a lie, and schadenfreude for schadenfreude.
Trying to behave better than them has not worked for the last 40 years. Using their tactics, they have slowly worked themselves into a dominant political position and, at the same time, maintained occupation of the moral high ground. Pretty impressive. And for good reason. History shows that the masses respond well to incessant well-orchestrated propaganda. Say something enough, even it it’s a lie, and people will start to believe it. Ridicule your opponent long and viciously enough, and it will start to take hold. Show your contempt with spitting fury long enough, and people will start to think that maybe you’re mad about something legitimate.
Most people are not interested enough to understand the issues, but they do respond to stimuli. Anthropomorphic global warming is a good example. With this latest consensus, the Left can now change our society. All based on lies and hysterical claims. But that is also why it worked. The masses are suckers for whatever you tell them if you tell them it long enough, passionately enough, and schadenfreude, the sin of the passionate, plays right into that.
jihadwatcher on October 23, 2007 at 1:14 PM
I think Media Matters has jumped the shark anyway, with the Rush thing. A lot of the media ended up looking pretty stupid because of that, and they know it even if they didn’t acknowledge it.
I think the media certainly MUST, at some point, become aware of the MM talking point overkill and how incredible it makes them appear. MM’s influence will dwindle over time… they’ve peaked.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 1:19 PM
jihadwatcher on October 23, 2007 at 1:14 PM
The country needs adults. People like you are exactly the reason that I avoid moonbat sites.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 1:20 PM
It also hasn’t been gobbled up by a giant earthquake yet either… but if it comes, as scientists have been predicting for decades, are we going to be surprised and shocked? Man has always tried to hold back the forces of nature. Sometimes we can do it, sometimes we can’t. Sometimes nature comes back with a vengeance, ultimately, nature was here first and will probably win in the end. That shouldn’t be so surprising though. If you build in tornado alley, chances are really good that your house will eventually get hit by a tornado. Hope that doesn’t come as a shock to you.
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 1:20 PM
I second that. Thought he was okay on radio. When I saw him on TV, I thought, “Yikes!” Kind of like Colmes.
RW Wacko on October 23, 2007 at 1:23 PM
Relax, everyone is entitled to one Halle Berry moment.
Kini on October 23, 2007 at 1:23 PM
Nah, more like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man.
Kini on October 23, 2007 at 1:25 PM
I’m not a conspiracy theorist by any measure.
However, isn’t it ironic that every time our state department does something stupid which negatively impacts Israeli sovereignty we have a major natural disaster here at home?
… not trying to prove anything …just sayin’.
Lawrence on October 23, 2007 at 1:26 PM
Naivete like that is why the Left controls the discussion and the Right is always playing defense.
jihadwatcher on October 23, 2007 at 1:29 PM
I agree. We don’t need people that jump and pounce and cry to mommy the minute someone says something they don’t agree with. We don’t need people calling them names either. We also need people to accept facts (ie. if you’re a bowling pin in a bowling alley, you’ll eventually meet the bowling ball) and not look for mommy to make it all better if they get hurt for taunting the bully.
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Thank you.
Thank you.
Anybody who is void of empathy and compassion for their fellow Americans suffering through natural disasters, regardless of their politics, is scum.
I’m assuming many of the commenters have never visited California and cannot read a map. The size of the area affected spans a distance larger than some states.
I am disgusted at the many of the comments posted here. Glenn Beck is great when he’s on. In this case he was wrong to use an unfolding tragedy as a political barb. It was stupid. Anybody who can’t admit that is either blinded by partisanship or just evil.
The Race Card on October 23, 2007 at 1:32 PM
No, but what you’ve said is completely irrelevant to the topic, unless you are now prepared to a) call everyone who lives in “tornado alley” or everyone from Arkansas to Ohio idiots for living on one of the most violent overdue fault-lines (New Madrid) “idiots” who get what they deserve, or b) explain WHY you are not prepared to do so after defending a similar statement regarding San Diego (presumably for nothing more than an irrational desire to defend Glenn Beck).
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 1:33 PM
i just caught a glimpse of it under the “stark apologises” story:
jummy on October 23, 2007 at 1:33 PM
He’s right, at least for Malibu. Let’s stop eating our own.
PRCalDude on October 23, 2007 at 1:35 PM
Lawrence on October 23, 2007 at 1:26 PM
Just saying what? You blame the Jews for the wildfires? Have they been poisoning the wells too? Wow.
brak on October 23, 2007 at 1:35 PM
I guess Olbermann will have him as the worst person in the world soon enough.
Hilts on October 23, 2007 at 1:36 PM
No… we just need them to do what I’ve told them to do… shut up and go away. I don’t think I’ve called them anything (except one guy who I implied was a moonbat).
You’ve gotten quite off topic, but to respond here and to embrace your metaphor… the whole freakin’ world is a “bowling alley”. Let’s quit defending people who choose to single out political rivals for thoughtless, mean-spirited, smarmy comments when they are hit by bowling pins.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 1:37 PM
Hey DaveS- dude,take yer meds!
I said I didn’t think what Beck said was horrible.
I hardly think that makes me “immature, irrational, and insane as the hard-left,” and “stupid, hyper-partisan, out of touch, and unhinged”.
Not to mention that I am” making us all look like idiots”
You’d best lay off the redbull son- yer spewin’ crazy sh**.
Ex-tex on October 23, 2007 at 1:37 PM
He does, he really does, don’t ya Allah? :P
That’s Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Figured I’d point that out while I was down here, of for no reason than to point out that I’m a big enough dork to know to correct it.
-
Anyway, I’ll take this with a grain of salt because its Media Matters, who are proven liars, but this is one where I’ll concede Beck mighta effed up, given what I have thus far, and he needs to put out a copy of that part of the show, and either clarify or apologize as necessary. I’ve listened to Beck a few times, and he can be a bit scattered, as I think Slubbo said.
Bad Candy on October 23, 2007 at 1:38 PM
The country needs adults. People like you are exactly the reason that I avoid moonbat sites
There’s a game theory problem with only fighting “nice”. It’s called losing.
If you “high moral ground” types can’t hold the majority yourselves then you’re just going to have to put up with us cuz we’re not standing by while you let the country get cheated away. Wanna change sides over it? See ya wouldn’t wanna be ya.
If you want us to act nice, then don’t lose.
boris on October 23, 2007 at 1:39 PM
While I realize that a media personality should be held to a higher standard, my first thought was that what he said could be said by some of the commenters here (those who would assume that California is “blue” and “blues” hate America). Then again, at least a majority of the commenters here would be smart enough to know that eastern San Diego County is solidly red. Though judging from the comments on this thread, perhaps not a large majority.
Because if we fail to admit when someone who is supposedly on our side crosses the line, we become just as bad as the opposition. There is a reason Lott is no longer a Leader, while headscarf Pelosi remains Speaker. As Allah says:
calbear on October 23, 2007 at 1:39 PM
I’ll take option a. The reason that I feel they’re idiots is because they’re mostly shocked that it happened to them. When you move to a high risk zone, you have to fully accept the risk and not just blow it off and say “ah, it’ll never happen to me, San Diego has been here 300 years and it’s still there.” Anyone losing their home is tragic, but they chose to build there and they should not go around flailing around shocked that a yearly event finally got to them. Every area has their risks and odds that those risks will be cashed in, NYC has the occasional blizzard and hurricane, deserts have droughts, etc.
If your a trailer in an open plain in tornado alley, whose fault is it that your trailer gets ripped up by a tornado? If you build skyscrapers in an earthquake zone that are likely to topple in an earthquake, whose fault is it that you built the skyscrapers there. If you play the slot machines enough, you’ll eventually win, and not all slot machines have the same odds.
Just for information sake, I’d like to see how many of them actually had home owners insurance.
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 1:44 PM
boris on October 23, 2007 at 1:39 PM
Maybe that’s part of your problem… you have substituted a metaphor (”fighting”) for reality.
So long as you understand that you will NEVER succeed politically acting like 12 year olds, do what you will. I still contend that you are devaluing the conversation, and that you are making all of us look less intelligent and incapable of using facts and logic to advance an intellectual argument.
calbear on October 23, 2007 at 1:39 PM
No, there are some people in this thread of whom I am quite ashamed right now, and I certainly don’t want my intelligence to be measured by the things they say.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 1:48 PM
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 1:44 PM
So, you’re just being completely irrational… just to defend Glenn Beck? Think about that!
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 1:50 PM
Congrats. You win two awards today - and that’s an accomplishment for anybody.
You win the “Boy, I’m painfully stupid award,” and you ALSO take home the trophy in the “Let’s make conservatives look bad!” category.
Well done. Tell him what he’s won …!
You’ve won my contempt.
And you’ve won my future laughter when karma shows up and its your family or your friends dealing with disaster or heartache or death.
Just how stupid and heartless are you? Do you lack so much humanity that you can’t even imagine how you’d feel if someone said the same thing about you?
Enlighten us, Oh Doucheous Maximus: where do YOU live where all the smart people go? Where is this magical place with no history of perfectly predictable natural disasters?
I hope its not the northwest (volcanoes) or the midwest (earthquakes that make California’s look mild) or the Mississippi Valley (catastrophic floods) or the Southeast (everything from floods to fires to droughts to cholera epidemics) or the Northeast (blizzards and blackouts and terrorist attacks …)
So where DO you live, O Brilliant One? Do tell.
How ironic. There’s a fascinating article in the headlines about the effect of Internet anonymity. Brainchild here just provided a classic illustration of the principle.
And THAT is how a man - a decent man - responds.
Well done, Tony. No award for you, but your reward is coming eventually.
Professor Blather on October 23, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Yeah, the “high ground” has gotten us such mileage, already…
Woahhs on October 23, 2007 at 1:52 PM
I hear what your saying (typing). Again, Beck made a stupid, no doubt. But by all means lets spread this blip and beat the crap out of it so we don’t look as bad as the Dems. I just don’t agree with picking a stupid attempt at a joke out of the air and using it to discredit or destroy someone (media matters goal not HotAir or the commenters here). Why help.
sunny on October 23, 2007 at 1:53 PM
What he said.
Professor Blather on October 23, 2007 at 1:54 PM
My sister is probably out there fighting that fire, and probably agrees with Beck.
TallDave on October 23, 2007 at 1:54 PM
Shoulda rechecked my Google Source
And found this.
I listen to Beck all the time cause it’s one of the few conservative programs on TV and radio that’s available to me. Beck can be somewhat obtuse at times, but opinions are just that, opinions. Everyone’s got one.
Kini on October 23, 2007 at 1:55 PM
I’m not trying to defend Glenn Beck. I just pointed out that when you build in a prone zone, you play the odds and the odds vary by zone. How is pointing out that a yearly event that has caused damage practically every year, yet people stay and continue to build irrational? Is it opposites day at the kindergarten and irrational is supposed to mean logical? If I buy a lotto ticket and lose, should I bitch, whine, and complain because I lost my $1 and didn’t win anything in return, knowing full well the odds? Lets wrap this up, I don’t know how many more analogies I can come up with.
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Yes, Mr. Beck, American Socialists DO hate America. Our country was made great by the industrious people who built her, and by the incentive that said people had to be industrious. Socialism, Mr. Beck, destroys incentive and is, therefore, the death of an industrious society. Socialism creates cesspools out of nations. Accordingly, Mr. Beck, American Socialists DO hate America; because what they seek will destroy what made America great - a system which will destroy hard working and industrious Americans - and turn them into cattle, waiting to be cared for by the State.
OhEssYouCowboys on October 23, 2007 at 1:56 PM
They don’t need help. It’s going to spread. MSM doesn’t read HotAir. They couldn’t care less.
They WILL read HotAir and other blogs, though, to look for people like boris and Woahhs and others making the sorts of comments that they are making. These “let’s act like middle school kids, that’ll show ‘em” types are the ones that are helping.
If you really want to make Media Matters irrelevant, stop acting like the stereotypes they are trying to project onto you.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 1:58 PM
I don’t know about him, but the contempt of someone who wants to send a sympathy card for the guy he shot in battle is something I could live with.
Woahhs on October 23, 2007 at 1:58 PM
I think it’s preposterous that you’d be accused of being part of the Media Matters echo chamber, but I’d prefer if you guys found excesses of our own side other than the one Media Matters has highlighted for the day. I don’t like them calling the shots.
I’m not far from the Malibu fires. In fact, I’m pretty close.
Anybody that thinks it is just celebrities that are affected is wrong. There are all kinds of people hurt by this, including small business owners that will have to be closed for the week. A church burned down. Pepperdine University has been closed. Friends of my kids have had to evacuate their homes.
Tauri, if you have examples of people in Malibu that are shocked this has happened, I’d like to see it. You can be saddened and yet not shocked. Everybody in this part of California knows there are fire hazards, but nobody wants it to happen to them.
Man, this thread is disappointing.
MayBee on October 23, 2007 at 2:02 PM
Somehow IMO the occasional snarky dig just does not compare to round the clock hatefulness and trying to lose the war.
Frankly that is a trust buster. This is a fight and nobody wants a ninny guarding their back.
boris on October 23, 2007 at 2:02 PM
Woahhs on October 23, 2007 at 1:58 PM
We aren’t in a “battle” and “shooting” people. Get over it, and quit acting like an un-American buffoon.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 2:04 PM
What he said.
Anyone stupid enough to fight by the rules laid down by their opposition is the truly contemptable.
Woahhs on October 23, 2007 at 2:07 PM
The problem with outfits like mediamatters is they’ll twist and turn people’s comments either way. Heck, they’ll even try to manufacture them or incite them. Someone will say “The sky is azure.” and they’ll go off saying that the person denies the sky is blue, denies proven fact, etc. I have to admit, that’s done by both sides to varying degrees, although some outfits are better at doing that than others…
For the record, I do feel bad for the people losing their homes, as I said before. But I’m not going to burst into tears because someone decided to run a red light and got hit. Tragic loss, but I’m not blaming the traffic light for turning red when the person wanted it to be green.
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 2:08 PM
Your inability to see the Cold Civil War does not mean you aren’t in it.
Woahhs on October 23, 2007 at 2:09 PM
I’m waiting for Tuari to respond to Professor Blather. I am picturing an episode of South Park where Carrot Top pisses his pants on stage.
BDavis on October 23, 2007 at 2:10 PM
It’s coming. They are just waiting for this to hit its peak, and then they can start blaming Bush for his lack of fire prevention, slow response time, his failure to be in California when needed, and…hey, where is Rove??
Rick on October 23, 2007 at 2:13 PM
Jay, when I am not being a total partisan dickhead, I find myself more often in agreement with AP. He has it exactly right here, imo, despite the fact that my first reaction was the same as yours. This only means that my first reaction is partisan, and often quite nasty.
So f**k Media Matters, they are the scum of the political media earth. But this comment could not possibly have come out of his mouth the way he wanted it to, and I will look forward to his sheepish apology, which is now officially overdue.
Jaibones on October 23, 2007 at 2:13 PM
Frankly I don’t know or care what Beck really meant.
It’s the ninnyspeak here and fainting vapors over it that deserve criticism.
When our side has been losing, losing, losing, turning on those of us willing to play by the same rules that won for Newt and now win for dimorats needs to be addressed.
Again: If you want us to play nice, then don’t lose.
When you DO LOSE, find somebody else to pick on cuz you’re not helping, you’re part of the problem.
boris on October 23, 2007 at 2:14 PM
I’m writing from San Diego. My neighborhood is fine, and the winds have been kind to us.
Thousands of evacuees are flooding into Qualcom Stadium and Del Mar.
San Diego is filled with heartless conservatives. We’re arguably the most conservative large city in the U.S. So, how do you think this will play out?
Brian the sailor on October 23, 2007 at 2:15 PM
Watching Fox a little while ago. They had a reporter from San Diego reporting live from what was left of his home. It was still on fire. Geez, that is one tough dude to continue reporting.
Is this big enough yet for FEMA?
Wuptdo on October 23, 2007 at 2:20 PM
Too many of the fools above me here agree with Beck on the grounds that California really is that liberal. Stupid.
First, California isn’t losing it’s house in a fire, families are. And a family may be either Republican or Democrat, but neither of them deserves to have the personal catastrophe celebrated.
Second, the hardest hit area by the fires is San Diego, a Republican county. And not shown on the posted Google Map link are the fires in San Bernardino County, a red county, Orange County, a red county, Ventura County, a red county, and Los Angeles, a blue county.
But even in LA County, with the exception of Malibu, the fires are ravaging the Stevenson Ranch area, which is generally Republican as well.
Take a look at the 2004 and 2000 election results. You can see for yourself that the state of California, while a blue state, is divided in a way that is similar to the way the entire nation is divided. The cities and urban centers are liberal, the rural and suburban areas tend to be conservative.
So reveling in the misfortune of “liberal California” enjoys the distinction of being both stupid and heartless.
Nessuno on October 23, 2007 at 2:21 PM
Good luck, or continued good luck. I think they said there would be relief in the wind on Weds. Though I’m sure you know better than I.
And from what I’ve seen, everyone is taking care of their nieghbors.
sunny on October 23, 2007 at 2:22 PM
Exactly.
I can’t agree more with Steyn’s argument that we’re in a cold civil war right now. More accurately, we’re in a “4th generation war”, it just hasn’t yet progressed to the stage of outright violence. But these types of wars tend take place over decades-long timescales and culminate in actual shooting. Given time and the right tactics, the libs, the Mexicans, and the Islamists will achieve their ends unless our side comprehends the type of war we’re in and begins to formulate responses of a 4GW nature.
PRCalDude on October 23, 2007 at 2:29 PM
That looks like a straw dummy wrt this thread. As I said I don’t know or care what Beck really meant but the following does not appear to be celebration.
Snarky maybe. The term “handfull” doesn’t imply that many or most of the fire victims are “people who hate America”. If you want to act like sanctimonious ninnies you should at least confine your outrage to actual words rather than hysterical inference and bogus interpretaion.
boris on October 23, 2007 at 2:30 PM
Heh.
infidel4life on October 23, 2007 at 2:32 PM
Glenn Beck Hate Mail
RushBaby on October 23, 2007 at 2:44 PM
This is one of those instances where quoting someone without knowing the person, makes them sound bad.
Clearly, it wasn’t a good line at all, but anybody who actually listens to Beck regularly (Media Matters does not listen to conservative talkers) obviously knows that he doesn’t wish for anyone’s house to be burned down.
Neither should people who comment here. That’s DailyKos/HuffPo level craptalk and it’s despicable. That kind of garbage is exactly what this site, and conservatives in general, Don’t Need!
Look, these Libs are free to say and believe whatever the crap they choose - no matter how stupid. I would fight for their right to do so because, believe it or not - these people are Americans (no matter how baseless and ridiculous their beliefs may be). I would expect the firefighters to work just as hard to save Sean Penn’s house, as my own.
As the Left, the MSM, and the likes of Media Matters work to divide, we must work to unite. We must spend our energy attacking the foundation of their views - not the view-holders, in an attempt to help them understand conservative ideas. There’s already plenty of misinformation/excrement about conservatives being spread around. Getting people to change their opinion is already hard enough. What helped me change my opinion was becoming informed, not enraged.
Anyway, sorry ’bout the massive rant. I just feel like this kind of crap just turns off more Liberals to conservative thinking, which is exactly what America doesn’t need.
-wtc?
whatthecrap on October 23, 2007 at 2:58 PM
I’ll totally agree with that rant! Great points. We forgot the “United” in the United States of America a while ago. Lets see if we can remember the definition again. United we stand, divided we fall.
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 3:02 PM
Tuari on October 23, 2007 at 2:08 PM
You’re right, of course. My point is that it makes us look stupid when we have a thread full of idiots responding to them by insisting that the sky ISN’T blue, and that they are tired of playing nice with the people they just shot, er… or something stupid like that.
Woahhs on October 23, 2007 at 2:09 PM
But let’s not let Media Matters, et al, dare claim that conservatives have their talking points spoon-fed to them by talk radio and new media! That column is just making the rounds today, and your already parroting it like established dogma? I’m starting to suspect your are joking, doing a little parody.
DaveS on October 23, 2007 at 3:02 PM
Exactly,
E Pluribus Unam - “out of many (is) one”
That’s what makes America the great “city on a hill.”
whatthecrap on October 23, 2007 at 3:04 PM
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