Quote of the day
posted at 10:47 pm on October 1, 2009 by Allahpundit
“The case of Glenn Beck, Time magazine’s ‘Mad Man,’ is more interesting. His on-air weepiness is unmanly, his flirtation with conspiracy theories a debilitating dead-end, and his judgments sometimes loopy (McCain worse than Obama?) or just plain counterproductive (such as his convoluted charge that Obama is a racist). Yet Beck’s distinctiveness and his potential contribution to conservatism can be summed up with one name: R.J. Pestritto.
Pestritto is a young political scientist at Hillsdale College in Michigan whom Beck has had on his TV show several times, once for the entire hour discussing Woodrow Wilson and progressivism. He is among a handful of young conservative scholars, several of whom Beck has also featured, engaged in serious academic work critiquing the intellectual pedigree of modern liberalism. Their writing is often dense and difficult, but Beck not only reads it, he assigns it to his staff. ‘Beck asks me questions about Hegel, based on what he’s read in my books,’ Pestritto told me. Pestritto is the kind of guest Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity would never think of booking.
Okay, so Beck may lack Buckley’s urbanity, and his show will never be confused with ‘Firing Line.’ But he’s on to something with his interest in serious analysis of liberalism’s patrimony. The left is enraged with Beck’s scandal-mongering over Van Jones and ACORN, but they have no idea that he poses a much bigger threat than that. If more conservative talkers took up the theme of challenging liberalism’s bedrock assumptions the way Beck does from time to time, liberals would have to defend their problematic premises more often.”
Blowback
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I believe Beck is an act, otherwise he would have gone off the deep end long ago.
I take him at his word when he claims to be a rodeo clown.
jhffmn on October 1, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Gotta say that it has been Glenn Beck who has inspired me to find greater value in reading and thoroughly understanding the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, federalism, conservatism and yes, liberalism. I’m glad for the education.
pjean on October 1, 2009 at 11:45 PM
I am all for being in control of your emotions but there are perfectly valid reasons for a grown man to let the reserve fall and his emotions show.
Love of country is in the top three. Joined by Glorious and Heoric Death as well as the death of a loved one.
Holger on October 1, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Rush and Beck seem to like each other well enough. We need a lot of people delivering conservative messages with different styles so that more people can be exposed to the truth.
ReneePA on October 1, 2009 at 11:46 PM
So I guess human society managed to exist for thousands of years without a single Leftist, yet was not connected to reality? Leftism is a latecomer to history and when it disappears, it will be no more missed than a ripple on a pond is missed after a pebble is thrown into the water. Sayonara.
venividivici on October 1, 2009 at 11:40 PM
need to reread you history. Leftism has been around since the dawn of time just under different names. It is the belief that “our betters” no more and are better able to lead our lives then we are. the kings and queens, dukes and princes were the leftists dictators of the bygone age.
unseen on October 1, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Now do you understand why Beck is so popular Allah? He may cry and he make act clownish, but he has helped expand my library quite significantly & spark an interest in US history that I never had before. The one thing that bothers me about him is he’s no longer wearing his sneakers. Why in the world would he give those up?
mizflame98 on October 1, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Yeah, genius. Like New York’s tax policies, which even the libs there are now saying is a disaster.
ddrintn on October 1, 2009 at 11:47 PM
I think they part ways pretty decisively though when it comes to Beck’s third-party, pox on both their houses, they’re-both-the-same crap. That is insanity.
ddrintn on October 1, 2009 at 11:49 PM
When this country is rid of the overt menace, people fail to recognize the covert.
Black Yoshi on October 1, 2009 at 11:43 PM
true but only if they are not informed of the dangers of the covert.
unseen on October 1, 2009 at 11:50 PM
two examples of beck:
1. He and Charles Payne followed the fate of a Treasury bill w/CUSIP as it went from the treasury to a primary dealer to the Fed over the course of several weeks. aka monetization. Damn few radio/tv guys would touch this
2. Tonight i saw just the end….he was waving a short application to light up the Empirse State building. Turns out the ChiComs aren’t all that special, anyone can do it. Now that’s a research staff that more people should have
So, yes, he is an entertainer…but he’s also deadly serious
r keller on October 1, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Yes, Allah, yes. You’ve hit this one spot on.
Beck’s unorthodox approach, while histrionic and occasionally nearing the absurd, may well inspire critical examination of the core tenets of liberalism. The consequence of Beck’s tyro bridge to erudition may help to bring about sweeping electoral change in 2010.
As for Beck’s misconceived description of Obama as a racist, I actually agree with Beck. Being biracial doesn’t preclude an individual from harboring racist beliefs about one side of his/her own familial heritage. In some cases, biracial individuals are culturally encouraged to identify with one race over the other. It also seems clear from Obama’s writings (or from whoever the author actually was) that Obama made the choice not only to identify himself as black, but also to actively promote racial dissonance. It’s not exactly a stretch, considering his mentor, Jeremiah Wright.
anXdem on October 1, 2009 at 11:51 PM
OT….Olympic Update……
It’s now between Chicago and Rio.
Oh yeah and I’m Beck Broad
Knucklehead on October 1, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I think they part ways pretty decisively though when it comes to Beck’s third-party, pox on both their houses, they’re-both-the-same crap. That is insanity.
ddrintn on October 1, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Insanity or not. beck is correct. I understand Rush and Mark L’s point about 3rd partys but Beck is correct that the GOP has been co-opped by the left also. And when we have no party for freedom and liberty the dangers of statism is not talked about. We believers in freedom and liberty need a voice and if the GOP will not be that voice we will select a new voice. those that fail to understand that will be out of power for a very long time
unseen on October 1, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Say what you want to about Beck, but he seems to always be the one that shines the spotlight on the cockroaches before anybody else. God bless him. We NEED him and others like him. His energy and rabid pursuit of truth may save our republic.
Star20 on October 1, 2009 at 11:55 PM
It’s still insanity. You don’t do it with a third party, but as Reagan said, with a revitalized second party. You take over the party, not trash it.
ddrintn on October 1, 2009 at 11:55 PM
ddrintn on October 1, 2009 at 11:49 PM
That explains everything. I have always liked so called crazy people. They are might entertaining and many times they are actually onto something. People try and diminish me by calling me a crazy bitch all of the time. It’s quite funny when that’s all they’ve got. I have also been told what an unreasonable woman I am. I take it as a great compliment.
ReneePA on October 1, 2009 at 11:55 PM
ddrintn on October 1, 2009 at 11:49 PM
That explains everything. I have always liked so called crazy people. They are might entertaining and many times they are actually onto something. People try and diminish me by calling me crazy all of the time. It’s quite funny when that’s all they’ve got. I have also been told what an unreasonable woman I am. I take it as a great compliment.
ReneePA on October 1, 2009 at 11:57 PM
I have never seen Beck on the TV..
I have recently been listening to his radio show…which is pretty good…
I don’t see what all the shouting is about.
Well, I can see the unhinged, ignorant shouting on the LibSpaz side, with all the ACORN and Van Jones stuff..
BigWyo on October 1, 2009 at 11:58 PM
But that’s up to the party. Who’s stopping them? You need someone on the outside to really advocate any ideas.
exception on October 1, 2009 at 11:58 PM
I’d go you one further and suggest that real intellectuals don’t even realize they are in that category. I’ve had the opportunity to work for and around truly brilliant individuals. Not one of them was an elitist and not one ever acted as if their brilliance made them better than the rest of us.
highhopes on October 1, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Sometimes you just have to start fresh. I do not know if that is the case now but it is possible.
ReneePA on October 2, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Beck’s promotion of talented, conservative young thinkers is good for conservatism and good for the Republican Party. And, it appears that beck is not doing this for himself or ratings, but for the good for our country. Thanks.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Highhopes, those people have the virtue of humility. It’s important to be humble if you want to keep learning.
ReneePA on October 2, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Whooo Hooo! Beck Broads in the house!
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Meathead likes the Beck Broads!
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 12:04 AM
We need both the grassroots and the intellects. A brain without a body is dead. So is a body without a brain.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 12:04 AM
It’s an ongoing process, and it IS going on. You’re not going to get anywhere with a third party, other than ensuring lib rule for decades. NOWHERE.
ddrintn on October 2, 2009 at 12:05 AM
I like the article. I agree with much of it. Any one who listens to enough talk radio learns that many of the talkers barely have “Headline” knowledge of the subject matter.
It gets tiring listening to all the whining.
Deep knowledge can only be found in doing the hard work of study and research, so kudos to Steven F. Hayward for saying it.
As for Beck, I believe he’s the best talker in the country right now. He is entertaining, has a knowledge base that continues to expand, and treats his listeners as if they’re intelligent, too. He does this by his 20 minute monologues, his blackboard, and his continual insistence that we look into things for ourselves and send him information.
He is also very brave, in my opinion. I don’t think its an act when he says he is being targeted. He is going straight after the government–ALL OF IT. Why shouldn’t he be concerned about himself and his family (as well as his staff)? But he believes to the depths of his soul (as he states it) that something is tragically wrong with our country and is determined to expose it.
More power to him. I’m praying for him and so should many of you.
Skidd on October 2, 2009 at 12:05 AM
It took me a few months and the temporary loss of the remote to figure out what you’ve expressed so well in your usual elequent style.
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Broads?
Babes.
publiuspen on October 2, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Beck Groupies!!!
mizflame98 on October 2, 2009 at 12:08 AM
OT – Anybody watching Conan O’Brien…
Rahm’s brother is Michael Moore’s and Conan’s agent!!!!
that explains sooo much.
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 12:08 AM
That would be us.
Knucklehead on October 2, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Show us your…….M&M’s!
Yep, Beck Broad too.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 12:09 AM
You can charter our junior affiliate: Beck Babes.
Unfortunately, I’m too broad, er, um… I mean old to qualify.
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 12:10 AM
+ 1000
Amen to that, Lox.
anXdem on October 2, 2009 at 12:12 AM
I’m listening to Hannity (gag) with Ann Coulter.
What is this story they’re talking about with some dude who’s in the education dept with Arne or something like that and sex stuff? I wasn’t paying attention, but it sounds juicy.
Knucklehead on October 2, 2009 at 12:13 AM
You sure come across as a Beck Lassie…
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 12:13 AM
How true! Andrew Breitbart and his organization have also been rocks during recent battles.
I’m waiting for Allah to turn on him. That’s the only outward sign of committed, consistent conservatism that Breitbart lacks
snaggletoothie on October 2, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Sounds like an Edward’s scheme…
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 12:14 AM
It’s still insanity. You don’t do it with a third party, but as Reagan said, with a revitalized second party. You take over the party, not trash it.
ddrintn on October 1, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Reagan’s revolution was destroyed not by the dems but by his VP and his son. reagan was able to take over the party for 8 years. To do that he needed to embrace the blueblood statists of Bush and his todies. after Reagan left the scene there was one attempt to take back the party with the contract for America and that lasted at most 6 years. Now its 9 years later and we again have to take back the party. If we have to do the same thing over and over every 8 years it seems there might be a flaw in Reagan’s logic. Reagan stated that when he thought we just had to take it over once. Not every 8 freaking years. If the party elites hates its base so much maybe its time for that base to find a new party? I would rather those elites just join the democrates like Spector did and save us the trouble.
unseen on October 2, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Amen.
publiuspen on October 2, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Sometimes this is very difficult for intellectuals to do, especially when they live in isolation from “average people.” And some things are very difficult to in simple language. So, this is another reason why it’s important to keep the lines of communication open and in frequent use between intellectuals and the grassroots of the conservative movement. Thanks again, Mr. Beck.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 12:17 AM
FIFY
Wolftech on October 2, 2009 at 12:17 AM
A person can be a very critical thinker and still be able to break things down into simple language that most can understand. Being an effective communicator and educator is of utmost importance.
ReneePA on October 1, 2009 at 11:43 PM
yes like death panels
unseen on October 2, 2009 at 12:19 AM
His show today was mostly free of dramatic invention. He had two well spoken, obviously highly intelligent and successful black guys on who freely discussed what they saw as right and wrong in the black community. The discussion was framed by the Chicago gang killing but was not limited to that. He says he will continue this sort of discussion in the future and invited them both back again. I think it was a great show– I felt really drawn into some of the issues in the black community for the first time–not as a critic but as a person learning something new and enlightening and useful. As AP says above, Beck brings new perspective to things even if he’s over the top sometimes.
jeanie on October 2, 2009 at 12:21 AM
I’m not really an intellectual. Sometimes I’m Dumbo. And anytime you want to fly with me, just let me know.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Found it. And why haven’t I heard about this?
FRC’s Perkins says, “You do not need special training to know child molestation is wrong”
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Family Research Council has been researching and publicizing the radical record of Kevin Jennings since his appointment as President Obama’s “safe schools czar” this spring. FRC launched http://www.stopjennings.org and a media campaign that has generated tens of thousands of emails and phone calls demanding his resignation.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080930/FRCLOGO)
Yesterday, Jennings issued a statement regarding an incident when he was a teacher in which he learned of a 15-year-old student’s high-risk sexual contact with an anonymous adult and failed to report it. Jennings acknowledged, “I should have handled this situation differently” and claimed he had “little training and guidance about this kind of thing.” In response, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:
“It took 21 years for Mr. Jennings to realize that encouraging children to have sex with older men in a public restroom is wrong. Even as recently as five years ago, he continued tell the story without ever admitting he was wrong to merely tell the boy, ‘I hope you knew to use a condom.’
Say what?
Sorry about the OT
Knucklehead on October 2, 2009 at 12:23 AM
With talk like that, I might turn into a Meat Lassie (if that doesn’t sound like an alpo product).
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 12:23 AM
By the way, Hillsdale College publishes a free magazine called Imprimis. It’s loaded with articles from conservative thinkers (the “intellectual” ones that Steven Hayward was talking about) which is fun to read and gives much to think on.
Here is their website:
Skidd on October 2, 2009 at 12:23 AM
:)
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 12:24 AM
I don’t like Beck’s style, but he also makes no claim to be emotionally well-balanced. He only claims to tell the truth as he perceives it. He’s weepy and he’s not very good at real-time self-editing. He’s a former black-out drunk, and it shows sometimes, but his goofiness is growing on me.
RBMN on October 2, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Sorry. I didn’t link properly. Here is the website:
Hillsdale College
Skidd on October 2, 2009 at 12:26 AM
AP — Thanks for the lovely pic of Glenn (and Sarah). Doing penance for the photos of Letterman and Carter?
publiuspen on October 2, 2009 at 12:29 AM
I don’t consider it OT. It relates to Glen Beck’s shows on Obama’s relationships with the Tides Foundation et al.
That maroon should have first made sure the boy was SAFE. If a kid is engaging in bus station restroom sex, then he may be prostituting himself for cash, food or drugs or all of the above. Why didn’t the “educator” ask the kid is he was safe, fed, housed, using, or abused. This wasn’t a case of messing around on an overnight marching band trip. The kid was in real danger.
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 12:30 AM
And I posted where he mis quoted Roosevelt, Roosevelt never said the things he said, and the context of the speech was taken totally out of context.
So maybe he has good research, but he can’t read what they research.
right2bright on October 2, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Thanks. That was kind of you. I don’t believe we’ve ever met before. Don’t be fooled by my comments here. I’m really a very dangerous elephant.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 12:33 AM
I’m still trying to figure out the “Their atheists, I guess.” comment where he described the senseless killing in Chicago by a gang of thugs the other day.
So… atheist = killer.
I’m sure Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Center (a guy that I thought Glenn respected) really appreciated that one!
I am NOT even remotely a politically correct sensitive person, but that smacks of hate speech to me.
I have been a loyal Beck fan since he was over at CNN… but I’m very, very let down by that stupid remark… because I know he’s smarter than that.
painesright on October 2, 2009 at 12:34 AM
I’d like to see more Steven Crowder and Jason Mattera videos. They always seem to give me a good laugh.
disillusioned on October 2, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Beck’s crime to the Left is that he makes the obscure, slimy details of politics madly entertaining.
How dare he!
Not just shining a light on their manifold corruptions… but making it a funky Disco Ball extravaganza to boot.
No fair!
Go Glenn!
Sink their prinks!
profitsbeard on October 2, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Thanks
Sounds like a true lefty
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 12:38 AM
RAR!!!
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 12:39 AM
The author of this article quotes John Derbyshire or whatever his name is. I remember this is the WHINER who said Rush limbaugh is bad for the republicans Blah blah blah not intellectual enough…Blah blah blah.
Sorry this guy and his hero Derbyshire can take a hike. I am sick of these so called conservative intellectuals who can’t compete with Limbaugh or Beck to gain the public’s attention so they have to say they unworthy of it.
Nothing is more immature than that. Have something to say about the direction of the right…say it by God!! and quit writing article after article about how smart others on the right are not while saying nothing of note yourself.
Conan on October 2, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Beck thoughtfully breaks down some heady concepts and manages to make them extremely clear. That’s one of the reasons I like him.
Why is it that an intellectual (either real or imagined) can appreciate someone who expresses wisdom in concrete language, but folks whose expressions tend toward abstraction are not well received by those who don’t consider themselves intellectual? Is it about the liberal assumption that conservatives are somehow anti-intellectual?
anXdem on October 2, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Good grief! That’s the first I’ve read that. OT or not, that is very important. It needs a thread of it’s own, though. Emailing your post to Ed & AP. Thanks.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding!!!!
And the prize goes to Renee PA!
Saltysam on October 2, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Yes, we have met before. We’ve chatted on HA in the past. You just don’t remember… :(
anXdem on October 2, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Mega Dittos. Great point.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 12:44 AM
I like Crowder, but Zo has a bit more bite to his humor.
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Glenn, Rush, Sarah — and Doctor Zero.
publiuspen on October 2, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I just sent it too. The first I heard of it was on Hannity. But I haven’t watched Beck yet.
Was this his “big scoop” to stay in the ratings with Beck? Me thinks so.
Knucklehead on October 2, 2009 at 12:45 AM
How dare you! An elephant never does something. I forget what it is at the moment, but it’s at the tip of my trunk.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 12:45 AM
OT, but here is a great example why non-scientific polls don’t mean a thing (from your friends over at DU):
http://tinyurl.com/y9up2tw
blamegame on October 2, 2009 at 12:46 AM
LOL.
anXdem on October 2, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Nice. Didn’t mean to leave that one out. Does anybody know how old Zo is?
disillusioned on October 2, 2009 at 12:57 AM
This was a surprisingly good piece. And in the Washington Post no less. I never would have read this if it wasn’t linked and featured here. Thanks Allah. Thanks HotAir. Love this site.
D0WNT0WN on October 2, 2009 at 12:58 AM
It looks like Zo’s a young un. I’m glad you asked, because it made me curious about him, too.
http://www.machosauceproductions.com/alfonzo.html
Laura in Maryland on October 2, 2009 at 1:04 AM
I went to see Beck when his live show was in movie theaters across the country. My wife bought tickets for my birthday.
It was a powerful experience to have conservatism delivered to me rolling on the floor, laughing. I haven’t laughed like that in years.
And I got a little misty eyed when he spoke so convincingly of the America we love so much that we are in danger of losing.
Don’t knock him. He’s doing something important. He is reaching a portion of America that responds emotionally, who otherwise would be unreachable by strictly reciting the conservative intellectual arguments.
Saltysam on October 2, 2009 at 1:06 AM
I don’t have a TV. So all I get of Beck is on line, which is limiting.
I don’t think this bigotry is ideologically based, but has to do with personal pride and arrogance. Just as you can find bigotry from the intellectuals toward people who don’t have those skills, one can also find bias against intellectuals from people who aren’t great thinkers.
However, I’ve talked with some PhD’s who are incredibly stupid about much of life outside their area of expertise; and I’ve had the good fortune to have known a couple of incredible auto mechanics who were skilled, honest, caring and incredibly smart about life.
People don’t come in one flavor, thank goodness. Some are better with words, some numbers, some imagery, some with sounds, some with their physical skills. However, no matter the flavor, their can be pride and arrogance.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 1:06 AM
And that takeover really started back with Goldwater’s loss in 1964. I don’t feel like waiting that long this time.
exception on October 2, 2009 at 1:10 AM
The reason I asked is chiefly because it seems some posts on this and other threads hammer the intellectuals-are-pompous-jerks theme.
When we chatted previously, before your elephant memory loss, we discussed my discipline and moniker. College profs and ex-dems are somehow the anti-Christ.
anXdem on October 2, 2009 at 1:17 AM
Sounds like we’re fighting back and winning.
Kini on October 2, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Here’s the deal with Glenn Beck, who I think is a genius.
First, he’s PASSIONATE. He actually cares about the nation. He BELIEVES in what he is doing. It’s not just a job.
He’s an entertainer. Who were the very best teachers you had in school? The ones that kept you interested, the ones that somehow entertained while they taught.
Beck does some insane stuff, that sometimes one doesn’t get until the next day (like boiling the rubber frog or misspelling oligarchy, on purpose)
But while he’s being a rodeo clown and entertaining you, he is backed up by what has to be the best research team in television news.
You even notice that no one can ever, ever dispute him on the facts? Even the WH can only nit-pic.
And his deal on McCain vs Obama is dead on (and NO, it ain’t a jab at Palin, either)
Other than national defense and foreign policy, McCain would have been just as bad as Obama, and worse than Bush.
The democrats could have attacked relentlessly, while still pretending not to be communists. And Republicans would have felt somewhat obligated to defend him, sort of the same position that many dems, who aren’t true believers, are forced to do with Obama.
And we would have pretty much the same health care and cap and tax fiasco we have now.
Even worse, by being tied to this mutt, Sarah Palin’s career would be over, and we’d lose a true leader.
In four years, McCain would lose, and we’d see a communistic agenda enacted so fast your head would explode.
As it is now, with Obama, and a democrat/communist House and Senate, the party is destroying itself as it dances towards obscurity with it’s Marxist agenda.
This is like a really horrible tasting medicine. It sucks now, and might even make us sicker, at first, kind of like a flu shot. BUT, America is looking into the abyss of communism and seeing, many for the first time, just how insane and evil the democrat/communists are.
Thanks to Obama, Conservatism is on the rise like no time since the Great Ronald Reagan walked the earth. 2010 is shaping up to be a blood bath. It will make 1994 look like a day in the park!
We have people, even old people, who have never thought about politics in their lives, going to tea parties and town halls! We have more interest in politics than we have in decades.
Once you get past being scared crapless over Obama and his thugs, and look past them, this is the greatest time for optimism this nation has seen in generations.
The American people will take the country back, and we will be much better for it. Our long nightmare flirting with liberalism, communism, and so on is about to end as well.
This would not have happened with McCain at the helm.
Obviously, I wish Obama wasn’t there, because no matter what, he will be personally enriched, and forever “legitimate” in the eyes of some. But every revolution needs a catalyst, Obama provides that catalyst. It’s a catalyst we have need for a long, long time.
But back to Beck. I’ll be glad when they give him O’Reilly’s 7:00 PM time slot, with two re-runs, one at a decent hour. He’s already knocking on Bill’s door in what has to be the worst time slot in TV news.
Glenn is smart, articulate, thorough, AND entertaining.
Who else gets out a chalkboard and literally lays it all out for you? That visual has the impact that is needed, and no one else it smart enough to do this.
We’re blessed to have the guy.
gary4205 on October 2, 2009 at 1:26 AM
You got the “convoluted” thing wrong. That is unless you’re touting the PC crap that only white-devils can be racist, which I suspect you are. Any disciple of Rev Wright and black liberation theology is racist.
Gang-of-One on October 2, 2009 at 1:29 AM
Ah, yes. The Puritans versus the Pilgrims.
The Pilgrims made peace with the heathens, survived, and gave thanksgiving.
The Puritans burned witches.
And so it happened for centuries before, and so it continues. It happens in so many groups that there are outsiders and non-conformists who are to be mistrusted, harassed, excluded, or burned at the stake. Getting beyond that approach seems so difficult for many people. But the ability to do that is what allowed the Founders to found our extraordinary form of government. And getting over that groupism is the best way for conservatives to win national elections.
How to help people get over that? I don’t know, except that talking with one another helps, simple acts of kindness help, and humor helps. But most of all, love helps. If we cannot love one another, there’s really not much to talk about.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 1:31 AM
Leave Beck alone. He is no Olby. He brings facts that the left just can’t handle. I used to never listen to the guy, but have come to the conclusion that he is the voice the left never expected. That is, they knew Rush, Hannity, and the like, but they never expected that this guy would get this much exposure exposing what the libs are up to. And they absolutely hate it. That’s why I like Glen.
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on October 2, 2009 at 1:32 AM
AMEN!!
Skidd on October 2, 2009 at 1:32 AM
And if you want to discuss these issues at greater length, you know, like college professors giving lectures, we should meet off Hot Air so we don’t bore readers to death.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 1:38 AM
What makes Glenn Beck so compelling is his ability to uncomplicate some very complicated issues and topics. I love his simple chalk board lectures on his show. It seems like there is just SO MUCH content that he delivers, I find myself watching that segment 2 or 3 times before I delete it at the end of the night.
I had a really good high school history teacher that made all of the WW2 battles understandable. (He was a huge ww2 battle buff). He would tell the story in such a mesmerizing delivery that the bell would ring before any of us noticed the time. He really connected with his students. I was never a history buff before I took his class, but I actually LEARNED something in this teacher’s classroom.
Beck has the same gift of delivery. Glenn Beck is reaching out to the heart and soul of this country via his TV show. Anyone who has cable needs to put this on their MUST VIEW every day.
I don’t get the 3rd party vibe from him like others here do. His “refounders” project is geared toward finding 55 people in Congress from both parties who are willing to get the corruption out of both parties and put America first again. Last I saw, he had 5 signed up. These congress people are doing so strictly anonymously with no public acknowledgement. This is a very intriguing way to begin a movement. Usually politicians love to grand stand. But by Beck keeping who is participating strictly secret, only people really interested in solving the problem will step up.
I am old enough to remember when our politicians put country first. We always left our differences at the shoreline of our country. Now we can always count on the libs to sell out our country at every opportunity. Sad, really.
I don’t even think Glenn Beck knows where this whole thing is taking him in his show. We shall see. But I DO think it will have a monumental impact on the election next year.
karenhasfreedom on October 2, 2009 at 1:40 AM
Excellent.
cjs1943 on October 2, 2009 at 1:43 AM
Well said. I completely agree and was trying to explain this to our 17 year old today. You’ve done a much better job than I. Thanks. Just hoping that there will be many silver linings for America – we’re gonna need them.
redwhiteblue on October 2, 2009 at 1:43 AM
Another good post. Yes, Glenn and his research people are doing a fantastic job of educating people. Not just pointing at the faults and lies of liberalism, but showing with facts why it is so wrong.
cjs1943 on October 2, 2009 at 1:48 AM
He’s what this blog is, only on TV
Kini on October 2, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Just to be clear, when you say:
I presume you are referring to Steven F. Hayward, the F.K. Weyerhaeuser fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the author of “The Age of Reagan: The Conservative Counterrevolution, 1980-1989,” whote wrote the opinion piece in the Washington Post that is the Quote of the Day, as opposed to Allahpundit who posted this quote. Yes?
Also, I have observed statements and acts of racism in all races. But I’m not sure that Obama himself is racist, just that he was willing to tolerate the racist remarks of the Reverend Wright. Unfortunately, many people who aren’t bigots seem hesitant to confront bigotry in their families, friends or groups with whom they associate. It’s far easier to just go along with it.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 1:54 AM
Not usually around a TV when The GB Show is on, so I listen in the car on the XM. Even without seeing his expressions and the props, he comes across as a sincere man who loves America. His emotional level is crazy high…but that’s what pulls people in. The facts and truth are what keep people listening. Sunshine really is the best disinfectant and I appreciate all of the conservative talkers who try their best to keep it shining.
redwhiteblue on October 2, 2009 at 2:00 AM
Somebody has a short memory.
Rush led the charge that sank HillaryCare. He kept people hopeful and sane long before Fox News came along.
He was also on TV mocking the ‘powers that be’ long before there was focused media outlet for conservatism, other than talk radio. And for his efforts he was shunted to ‘shifting’ a.m. time slots and days of week for air-time. The end result: his show was dropped. And all the Liberals did smile, but their glee was very short-lived. Rush’s chief weapon is mockery, and he wields it the way D’Artagnan handled a rapier.
He transformed talk radio [a local/regional genre] into a nation-wide power house, even though all the ‘experts’ said it would never fly. and yes, Rush has changed. Deafness will do that to you, but he soldiers on regardless.
Yes, Beck does have the advantage. There are many things that only the medium of TV can do and Beck does a superb job of ‘connecting the dots’. He probably has double the staff Rush has as well.
One could say that it’s a case of comparing apples and oranges, but that falls well short of the mark.
I have a better analogy: Jim Bridger and Buffalo Bill. The latter may be the master showman, but the former had ‘been there’ and gone on long before anybody else even dreamed of following him.
Rush blazed the trail Beck is racing down.
And you’d do well to remember that.
CPT. Charles on October 2, 2009 at 2:01 AM
I first thought glennbeck was over acting.
but as i listened further he is also mixing both showmanship with serious facts.
Add to this the fact that he actually cares about our countries future and this is why his show is taking off.
So a lot of other conservatives dont want to offend
or for that matter say anything that might offend the racists on the left.
Yes it is racist how the left demonizes the
american people
the us military
conservatives
hell anyone who disagrees with them is a racist
I DONT CARE now what they call me..
i really dont…
So i am actualy more forcefull in my talk now then glenn beck is..
I disagree with your assumptions here that glenn beck is either hurting the conservatives or is bad for america
I will go further and say that if i could
I would personally arrest ALL memebers of congress
from both sides of the isle
then charge them with treason
http://www.veteranoutrage.com
veteranoutrage on October 2, 2009 at 2:02 AM
You have stated my objection also. Conservatives have never really taken over the party. We have had times in which it looked like it would happen but the ability of power to corrupt has co-opted it each time.
chemman on October 2, 2009 at 2:10 AM
RWB, wow, I could not imagine trying to track Glenn’s opening monologue on the XM channel, rather than see the visuals. When he was skewering Valerie Jarrett’s obvious conflict of interest on the whole olympics thing, not to mention how she has woven all of these radicals into an inside circle with the obama’s, I had to rewind the DVR several times to keep it all straight. Beck was posting visuals on his chalk board with the principal player’s pictures on a magnet, so they stuck to his chalk board during his presentation. Obviously his chalkboard is painted with magnetic paint (saw that on an HGTV show once, slick as can be, you can paint an area in a child’s play room with magnetic chalkboard paint on a wall).
I would be lost without the visuals. I keep hammering my 25 year old nephew (I saved him from is liberal parents and public school when he was in high school by giving him boortz’s book about liberals). He also is using the excuse of the time beck is first on. I keep telling him that he has to dvr the re-air of Beck’s show (2 am EST, 11 pm pacific). We can’t let the inconvenient time Fox has the show on the air deter us from getting people in front of the information.
karenhasfreedom on October 2, 2009 at 2:12 AM
Hey, miz Roupie …. are you on drugs. Gosh.. Get a life and stop your unhealthy penchant for groupie things. It’s time for your medication.
I couldn’t agree more. THANK YOU, GLEN BECK!!!!!!!
TheAlamos on October 2, 2009 at 2:15 AM
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