Glenn Beck hasn’t exactly established himself as an icon of reason and clear thinking, but the Unbalanced One has now outdone himself, disappearing into a fantasy world in which up is down, light is dark, and Martin Luther Kin, Jr. is a conservative. Beck plans to hold a “Restoring Honor” Tea Party rally at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, the anniversary of the great civil rights March On Washington at which King, standing before the Lincoln Memorial, delivered his historic “I Have A Dream Speech.” The former Morning Zoo jock has somehow convinced himself that he is a true heir to King’s legacy — hey, they both mentioned the word “freedom” a lot, so Beck’s being reasonable here, right? — and has even compared himself to King on occasion.
This is another situation where you don’t know whether to laugh or cry: laugh at historically deluded bozos like Beck, or cry about the fact that many angst-ridden Americans fall for his schtick.
Just to clarify historical facts — which, I know, neither Beck nor his sheep have the slightest respect for — King was a left-wing activist who based his politics on his spiritual beliefs and values. He was opposed, often violently and nearly always with malice, by conservatives of every stripe all across the United States. Late in his life (which ended when he was only 39), conservative politicians routinely accused King of being a communist; FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, America’s own cross-dressing commie buster, had King wiretapped; and King’s criticism of the Vietnam War made him persona non grata in the Johnson White House (four years after standing next to LBJ at the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act). More than anything, King was the nation’s leading voice against bigotry of all sorts; today’s conservatives’ hard-nosed, deportation-happy positions against illegal immigrants would have angered and appalled him, as well as their ongoing opposition to affirmative action.
For Beck to now promote his upcoming rally as somehow, some way, in any way, being inspired by King and the 1963 March on Washington is so ludicrous, so nuts, so utterly divorced from historical reality, so Alice Through the Looking Glass, upside-down, Bizarro World, all this writer can do is wonder whether Beck is crazy, cynical, unable to properly process basic facts, hopelessly ignorant (as many of his historical “interpretations” suggest), or whether he just doesn’t give a rat’s ass about the truth in his eternal quest for ratings and book sales. Whatever is wrong with Beck, it just seems to keep getting worse.
An interesting sidelight to the planned rally is how he’s screwing over the country’s wounded military to bankroll it. His website promoting the rally — which he refers to as a “non-political fundraiser” for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) — reveals that “All contributions made to the SOWF will first be applied to the costs of the Restoring Honor Rally … All contributions in excess of these costs will then be retained by the SOWF.” It doesn’t take a genius to see that Beck is piggybacking on a legitimate charity and using it to pay for his own, self-aggrandizing rally. And yeah, I’m sure a Glenn Beck rally will be “non-political.”
For a look at how other conservatives have tried to hijack King’s legacy, read here.
This article appears in Jun 22-28, 2010.
FINALLY! Black Leaders Unite To Counter Glenn Beck’s August Rally
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/6/21/878131/-FINALLY!-Black-Leaders-Unite-To-Counter-Glenn-Becks-August-Rally
Mr. Grooms has obviously failed to educate himself on the true message of Glenn Beck. His message is not about partisan politics or comparing himself to Dr. King (although Dr. King’s niece has appeared on Glenn Beck’s show in support of GB’s thoughts on Dr. King and today’s societal ails). Glenn Beck has went against both republicans and democrat ideologies and wants nothing more than to serve a wake-up call to the american people. American’s have become ignorant and complacent about the true meaning of being american and have no idea what our founding fathers stood for. This is GB’s message. Not of hate or division, although he’s very passionate on his views. He is merely trying to help americans return to the founding principles and realize that our nation is being detroyed from the inside out by past administrations and definately by the current Obama administration. Unfortunately, we have reached a fever pitch in american society and if we don’t recognize the destructive road we’re on and change direction (not the socialist Obama change), we will destroy our great nation. We must all learn and adopt our founding principles and become a nation of virtue and responsibility.
You must also beware of frauds on the left who use the memory of King to advance their cause!
You know, I usually keep out of these online bitchfests, BUT…. look, if you honestly, truly cannot see how absurd it is for someone as far to the right as Beck to try to claim some political kinship with King, who was on the left and leaned farther left every year, right up to the time he died in Memphis (where he had traveled to support a sanitation workers strike, for crying out loud), maybe you can find such a thing as a remedial class in how to put historical events in perspective. Lesson #1 in that class would no doubt be: Quit taking Beck seriously, as the guy is so full of historical mistakes and upside down “interpretations,” you make yourself a laughing stock by being part of his sad following. As for the Founding Fathers, today’s tea partier types seem to think those guys DIDN’T found a strong central government because the Articles of Confederation weren’t working. Ever heard of the Federalist Papers? They’re from your supposedly, according to Beck, anti-govt types like Madison, etc., who were arguing IN FAVOR OF a stronger central government. If you’re gonna let yourselves be led around by a dipshit, at least do your homework first.
When I first heard about Glenn’s rally, I called the veterans group and they told me that they have a hand shake agreement that it wont cost them money. What I wonder is if you can consider it a charitable donation if all the vets are doing is collecting the money for Glenn’s company Mercury Radio Arts?
Once again I am amazed at how the far left have to resort to name calling to stifle different thought than their own! Why can’t you liberals see the reasons that a vast majority of Americans are laughing at you? You apparently have no rational thoughts to impart, or any example of what you are pushing on us has been successful.
Wow, I guess you don’t watch the same show as I watch. You don’t seem to be able to understand the 5 hours a week of justification of the corruption of our government. I suppose you are a believer that King would enjoy the corrupt government we have today.
What an inspiration you are!
John,
This is the first time I’ve seen your web site, I’m impressed! Keep up the good work.
The right wing has kept up this relentless attack from day one of the Obama administration and we need people like you to stand up to them and set the record straight.
Hi Steve,
I don’t get to watch the Glenn Beck TV Show, but I know he has alleged that the President is the head os crime syndicate. Since as you say you watch it all the time, what specific crimes has the President committed and why has he not been charged?
Frank, Do you really think we will find the answer to the problems facing us today by looking back 200 years?
Let’s face it no matter how enlightened the founders where, do you think they envisioned the world we live in today. They allowed slavery, today we have a black President, they did not allow women to vote and today we are about to see the second woman in a row become a supreme court justice, our ambassador to the UN is a woman, the Secretary of State is a woman, times have changed. What would they have done about the worst ecological crisis in history? I’m really interested to learn how you think they would have reacted.
You’re nothing short of a retard if you think conservatives have anything in common with MLK.
Could’ve sworn it was a shithead republican blocking the door at that school in Miss.
As soon as Republicans accept that they’re bigots by definition the sooner we all can evolve and get on with our lives.
Liberalism = Evolution. Conservatism = Stagnation and Failure.
You talk about those falling for Beck’s schtick? What about the delusionals who fell for Obama’s schtick? Yeah, I thought so.
Like most left wingers, Mr. Grooms doesn’t know what he is talking about. This guy probably gets gets his info from Michael Moore movies. The last book he probably read was the DaVinci Code. Mr. Grooms represents the kind of thinking that will take our country to ruin. Thank you, Mr. Grooms! Appreciate all your arrogance!
This the same Glen Beck that mocked the President’s daughter, and claimed that the President hates White people.
Beck’s family suffers from history of mental illness. His mother committed suicide. Beck himself was hospitalized after a nervous breakdown. I think he is paranoid schizophrenic, and that listening to his rantings rantings everyday is unhealthy.
I suggest that his listeners give him up for a few days if they can, and see how they feel.
I thought Glenn Beck wanted separation between his rally and any memory of King. That understanding made more sense to me. Sure. Beck isn’t stupid enough to diss civil rights like his Libertarian buddy Rand Paul but King and Beck have little in common.
I have to laugh at all the Beckerheads who swallow his political televangelist act that has all the sincerety of a Jimmy Swaggart sermon on the sanctity of marriage. Social Darwinists like Beck believe in “I’ve got mine, you get yours” self-centeredness. His narcissim is transparent. So there is no room at the podium for the ghost of King.
It’s like his TV show which is largely a sermon with little room for guests except the occasional sycophant. The last time I saw a ‘liberal’ on his show was when the moderate Democrat Kirsten Powers said he was “cookoo for Cocoa Puffs.” Glenn sat there and smiled like the little boy caught by mom pooping in his diapers.
Beck’s crackpot red scare paranoia is left over nonsense from the 60s based upon the serial lies of Cleon Skousen and the Birchers he made a living off of.
As Lewis Black says: Beck has Nazi Tourettes Syndrome. Everyone who’s not as radically to the right as him – most of the nation – he smears as a Fascist or Marxist. Note his buddies the Birchers are giving his guilt by association chalk board sessions a giant thumbs up. Did you know our government was infiltrated by reds because he has a picture of Jimmy Carter sitting next to Michael Moore? Glenn Beck really knows stuff!
Seriously. You’ve got to be an idiot to be a Beckerhead.
Frank Griffin = teabagging racist.
Ignore this helpless bastard.
Have a blessed day all.
And how did the shitty years under that devil Bush work out for us all? Not worth a damn. He ruined everything and like it or not, will ALWAYS be blamed for the G.D. mess he caused. Take that to your teabag party.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD LUCK
John Groom… Well, I’ll be. I think you have a groupie. One, Frank Griffin.
Great article BTW. Spot on.
Glenn Beck has become Howard Beale. It’s not about liberal vs. conservative…that’s just shtick. This guy is crazy. That’s not a personal or vicious attack, it’s just as plain as day. He’s mad. Bonkers. Cuckoo. And if you are so caught up in his bizarro world that you can’t see that, he’s nuts too. I’m super cynical about the modern “civil rights” movement but come on, people: For Glenn Beck to claim to be a descendants of the political and philosophical legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. is so laughable that it’s ludicrous.
This fruitcake is a reason why independent-minded voters like me (who are genuinely in favor of a much smaller overall level of government involvement in the economy) are freaked out at the prospect of Beck followers actually winning office. You sycophants are scarier than he is.
If Beck actually had anything valid to say it wouldn’t need to be accompanied by his weird-ass God complex. He’d just say things that sound reasonable. Note that this is not happening.
@Frank Griffin: We’re not talking about President Obama. This is about Glenn Beck. He’s not conservative…that’s just the hook to get excitable people to buy into his personality disorder. Glenn Beck has lost it entirely. He’s flaky but he gets ratings which is his main function. Read up on your hero, Rupert Murdoch… Glenn’s crack up is being televised and when it’s done, he’ll move on to the next attention-starved freak.
Are you kidding? Glenn Beck is a tool. He is smart enough to know their is a group of Americans, right wing neocon Christians who are worried about change and are fearful of the future. He plays on those fears by using terms like Socialist, Communist, Marxist, Racist Christian who hates white people, Secret Muslim, Nazi, Hitler,elitist,grandma killer, death panels, wealth redistribution, he’s going to get rid of God, pause… tear up…take’s glasses off… asks? “What has happened to the America I, we all knew? A country founded by good “God” fearing Christians?…What happened to a Country that was proud?… What happened to a world that liked kids and puppy dogs? Baseball and apple pie? I just don’t know if we’ll ever come back people? I talk more about this in my new book… If you’re looking for more proof I’ll indoctrinate you later. I’ll use my chalkboard and props to teach or indoctrinate my followers. The people that watch me need me to teach them their opinions.”
Unlike most people who will look at many points of view instead of just the ones that they agree with then form an accurate intelligent opinion. I’ve seen him condemn the health care system shortly after he went through ass surgery then once better and the Dems want to do something about the health care problems he does a complete 180. I’ve seen him mock one man for getting choked up over his love of the country then later in the same show he does the exact same thing. Hell he does it on every show. He is so disingenuous that it is laughable. I have to wonder just how in touch with reality are his viewers that buy it? Not one thing he’s warned us about has happened. Health care passed and we still have grandma and no death panels. We still have doctors they all didn’t flee the country. No one has let the Muslims terrorists in the back door to take over. All the blacks have not killed all the cracker babies. There are no FEMA concentration camps and we do not say one nation under Rev. Wright in the pledge of allegiance. His show isn’t even good fiction. It’s just a sad show that capitalizes on the fears of a percentage of either closed minded Americans or really misinformed dumb ones…
As for the writer of this blog, Mr. Groom, I find it sad that you resorted to name calling and cursing in order to try and get your point across. All that really does is make you look like an under educated individual. Also, you just ramble on about your opinion and ignore the facts that many of the things that Glenn Beck has talked about are true.
Unlike yourself Mr. Groom, Beck backs up his show with fact. He gives sources and this of us who pay attention can use this internet thingy to do our own research in order to be sure we are not being mislead. Where are your facts? Where are your sources for any theory you may have? I’m sure they’re right where the President keeps his facts… with Al Gores facts on global warming… in la la land.
I’ll hang on to my GOD, I’ll keep what Liberty I still have, I may even go buy a gun before the left succeeds in making it illegal for law abiding citizens to protect themselves. And you sir, you can take back the change!
Glenn Beck is the only guy that makes sense. Our country is falling apart and people need to wake up before its too late. I supported Obama before he was elected, but not anymore. He is a fraud and a liar and pretty much scares me. What change? Its the same old corrupt government, but 10 times worse. People need to do their own research and take their blinders off.
I find it interesting how the ones that lean left don’t even take the time to watch or listen to Glen Beck but they have a canned opinion of his views. It’s unfortunate that’s the case. I think he’s kinda out there sometimes and at times delusional in weaving a bunch of unlinkable things together. But, he’s right on the money with his view about social justice as apossed to individual responsability.
I just realized that I sat here for an hour reading all of the posts. I also realized that no problems or issues were resolved. If you need to vent that bad, i’d recommend getting some friends. I have been doing some research on some of these opinion sites for a school project and have noticed that very few people say things like “good point” or “I never looked at it like that”. This is why our government is so screwed up. Too much thinking inside the box. Its like watching a couple arguing about nothing. Who can raise their voice the most and who gets the last word seems to be the only thing that matters. Do you even think about each others posts or just already have your response saved so you can copy and paste it in?
Wow, that was such a horrible and horribly short article by someone who hates conservatives and Glen Beck in Particular…All he does is call Glen Beck names and whines about Conservative views. There is no substance to his article or stance at all. Just blind anger and hatred.
Democrats namely late senator birdy i thought they were behind southern racists????? maybe i have been misinformed. That GB misinformer!! what does solid south mean mr glooms (no i did not mistype) wait a minute birdy and friends they wore those white sheets so they could get elected and do good works. wow what an idiot i have been for my adult life needed a whore master to set me straight maybe now i can be proud of my country for the right reasons.
oh a little thought right wing left wing dont confuse people trying to control your life through government. They are both power hungry people who can only be stopped by smaller and weaker government.
What Mr. Grooms and others that have posted here seem to not know is that the civil rights movement was appossed by the southern DEMOCRATES and even slavery was supported by the democrates. It took a republican to change that dark past. Does our poster “Stein” even read history? It was your democratic buddy George Wallace that was on those steps in Birmingham, it was your beloved KKK member senetor Robert Bird who fillibustered the civil rights bill…….
Just a note: Dr. King’s niece, Dr. King, was on Glenn’s program again last week AGREEING with Glenn’s assessment of Dr. King, his conservative political views, his love for his fellow man, etc.
Soooooo, just saying, that Dr. King’s own family, whom lived with him and knew him, agrees with Glenn Beck’s assessment.
I’m sure you can look it up on YouTube, FoxNews or Glenn’s website itself.
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