So what's the message?
Glenn Beck puts together a supposedly bipartisan rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, 47 years after MLK gave his remarkable "I Have A Dream" speech.
Beck says that he wants us to "Restore traditional American values."
Which traditional American values are those? Me, I like my apple pie made with Granny Smith apples and a woven top crust, sometimes served with a little bit of cheddar cheese melted on it. But others may not, so I'm not even so sure what's a TAV.
I always get nervous when people talk about restoring traditional American values. Is that pre-Brown v. Board Of Education American values? Pre Dred Scott American values? Pre- Emancipation Proclamation American values? Pre-19th Amendment American values? Pre-14th Amendment American values? Pre-Keller American values?
We sometimes forget how great this nation is, today.
Maybe Mr. Beck (some guy I never had heard of before this month) is doing a great thing. But his message is ambiguous, and I have to agree with Roberta X's assessment, right now: "It isn't that I really dislike him, I just think the man's got a lot more Huey Long -- or P.T. Barnum -- to him than he has Ayn Rand."
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H/T to Tam.
Labels: civil liberties, in the news, musing, Politics
posted by Matt G @ 6:08 PM
15 Comments:
Why do you hate America? Are you one of those progressives?
Say what you want about Glenn Beck, but he is; 1) More entertaining than Ayn Rand, and delivers a similar "Smaller Gubmint" message, 2) reaching and motivating way more people.
He is much more effective than she ever was ...... though I don't think it will be enough, in the end.
JimBob, I disagree that Beck reaches more people. As I said, Before July 2010, I couldn't have told you who he was. I'm still not sure of his actual agenda.
This was not a problem with Rand.
If by "getting back to G-d" Beck means looking out for your neighbor, acting like a decent, civilized human being, treating others as you would like to be treated, and trying hard to pull as much of your own freight as you can before looking for a hand out, then I'm all for it.
Granted, I don't care for his rhetorical style, but then I don't like anyone who pitches their appeal to my emotions, whether they be Al Sharpton, our local revivalist preacher or Glen Beck.
Now, if he means getting back to Tz'catlipoca or Kali, ah, no thanks, really.
LittleRed1
Beck's agenda is easy. Before he was "Glean Beck" he was a broadcaster trying to make a "Buck". Now he has a bigger megaphone and is going for the "MegaBucks".
I guess I am the odd one but I actually waited for (and attended) the rally before I made up my mind.
The message was to restore our honor,to be honest in our daily lives,do NOT lie or cheat. Return to the concept that our word was our bond.
To return to a faith in God, and to live by His rules. To not let the divisions of denomination corrupt us.
To put our Faith is His protection of our country,("in God we trust").
(And to "Don" you missed the message by your comment.)
Dennis the librarian shusher
"As I said, Before July 2010, I couldn't have told you who he was."
You *do* own a radio, don't you?
He is far more entertaining and informative than either of the GOP Cheerleaders, Limbaugh or Hannity. He wields the Sword of Sarcasm better than Tam.
When I listen to the radio, it is to be entertained or informed (usually, for music or news). I don't consider that stuff to be either.
Dennis, when I asked the question, I was asking sincerely. I appreciate your response.
I note from the news stories that a lot of his supporters were trying to make it a political rally, and that some of his detractors were implying that he and his were actually racist.
The message was not very clear, so that's why I asked.
When M.L.K. spoke there 47 years ago, his message was a little more direct, and his reasons were more clear.
Matt, I listened to part of the rally online on CSPAN. You can see it here (watch out, it's auto-play) should you so desire; I warn you that it bored me quickly: http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2010/08/28/HP/R/37513/Restoring+Honor+Rally+Draws+Protest+on+I+Have+a+Dream+Anniversary.aspx
I described it to a friend as a tent revival sans tent. It was very, very religious. Evangelical Christian, mainly. I quit listening shortly after I could no longer tell the difference between the prayers and the speeches, but at least in the hour or so I listened to, there wasn't really anything political.
In general, Beck's call back to Jesus seems to be a personal call. His website has a page titled--Make the Pledge - 40 Days and 40 Nights. It says, in part, ". So, I will stop all lies for the next 40 days. That includes lying to myself. I will establish a pattern of honesty and make it become habitual. I will question with boldness...everything...even the things Glenn Beck tells you every night...I will do my own research...and then pray for my own confirmation on the things I have learned. I will find out what is true in my life." There is nothing in that, at least, to encourage anyone to work to change the .gov. (It might also be worthwhile to note that Beck is a supporter of gay marriage.)
I do think you are right to be wary. It set off a few alarm bells for me too, to be honest, but I am overly-sensitive to that sort of thing.
It was NOT, it seems, anything like what he was accused of it being beforehand.
A religious tent revival.
So it's not so much offensive, as just boring beyond interest, to me.
Sabra, I'll take your word for it without listening! ;)
Thanks!
I read the comments so I'm pretty sure I missed the point somewhere near the gaaahhh..cheese on apple pie ...
glenn beck ..imo... is a voice.
a loud voice around which people can congregate. Someone has to get the conservatives to get up and rattle some sabers or whatever... and KEEP 'em up and agitated. (Because, y'know if you let them settle down, they go back to work.) The opposition to the liberal, big government agenda is present but spread pretty thin and someone needs to bring it together. I think in order to get everyone (for lack of a better phrase) 'together under one roof' the message needs to be somewhat non-specific or everyone will disperse into their quiet little splinter groups and get swept under the rug.
Mulligan, I agree that's what was happening, but, like the restaurant that serves both sushi and waffles out of 24 page menu, the quality suffers by trying to offer everything.
He claimed that it wasn' political, meaning, Democrats, Progressives, Liberals-- all were welcome. If they weren't, then the Truth wasn't so truthful. But from what I understand, his speech could very well have included them... it was so watered down that it could be offensive to few.
Very surprised that you would make a judgment "without listening". I am not a "Glenn Beck Fanatic". I merely enjoy his ability to research and delineate the progressive crap going on just now.
His "event" for me, as a secular person, was a bit too preachy, yes. Couched in his religious message are basic truths - the basis of this republic. Ignore his plaints of God. Consider the underlying points.
You note that the nation is great today.
You are either not who I thought or quite blind to where we are. I am sorry for either. I would prefer that you learn a bit more(yes, ignoring his religious points) before making a blanket judgment.
After all, he is the only one tracking the very dirty laundry in the White House.
LauraB, who said that I was making a judgement of the man? Did you not read where I was asking for clarification? I did note that he used a phrase that is commonly used as code-talk for something that I don't personally sign on for.
Did you not read where I thanked others for providing some clarification?
No, I didn't listen-- from what I gather, some of those who do listen to Beck didn't finish listening, either. (Note Sabra's comment, above.)
You're damned right, I think that this is a great nation. Problem-ridden? Yes. But I'll tell you right now that I firmly believe that it's the greatest nation that ever existed. I'll fight to make it better, and to correct what I feel are deviations from where I want it to go, but that doesn't mean that I don't think it's a fantastic place to live.
Tell me: what nation is better?
If you think that Beck is the only source of truth, and the only watchdog on the White House problems, then you're quite a desciple.
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