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Glenn Beck.
Why the boycott against Glenn Beck will almost certainly backfire
By Matthew Shaer | 08.25.09
Update: Palin urges fans to support Beck.
Glenn Beck, the conservative commentator and star of one of the most successful shows on Fox News, is under attack. And as Rush Limbaugh has repeatedly proved, under attack is the best place for a conservative commentator to be. It allows the blusterer to play victim – and it gives a savvy spin doctor a chance to rile up his base.
First, let’s get you up to speed. Last month, Glenn Beck told the hosts of Fox & Friends that President Barack Obama has a “deep-seated hatred for white people.” That statement apparently wasn’t explicit enough, so Beck made sure everyone understood his point: “This guy is, I believe, a racist,” he said.
Plenty of folks on the left have accused Beck of treason for his comments. But let’s give him the benefit of the doubt, and assume his internal filtering mechanism was temporarily disabled. What is the appropriate response to that kind of rhetoric? For his part, Bill Shine, Fox’s senior vice president of programming, told TVNewser that Beck had expressed a “personal opinion which represented his own views, not those of the Fox News Channel.”
But that wasn’t enough for some of Beck’s advertisers, who began this week to pull spots from “The Glenn Beck Program.” Among the companies that removed advertising were Progressive, Geico, Radio Shack and Roche. Meanwhile, a political group called ColorOfChange.org is circulating a petition, asking consumers to boycott Beck’s show.
“Beck is on a campaign to convince the American public that President Obama’s agenda is about serving the needs of Black communities at White people’s expense. It’s repulsive, divisive and shouldn’t be on the air. Join us in calling on Beck’s advertisers to stop sponsoring his show,” the petition reads.
Counterstrike
But it only took a few days for Beck’s own PR machine to kick into gear. Goaded on by Beck, supporters have created websites such as DefendGlenn.com and SupportGlennBeck.com and taken to message board and blogs to argue their case.
“This website was created to counter a current campaign against Glenn Beck’s sponsors,” reads a declaration on SupportGlennBeck.com. “It is time to show these companies that the hard-working Americans who support Glenn are willing to boycott their products and stand on principle.”
As for Beck, he emerged from a week-long vacation – which some speculated had been foisted upon him by a wary Fox News leadership – spoiling for a fight. Among his first features was a piece on Van Jones, an adviser to the White House on environmental issues, and a co-founder of ColorOfChange.org.
Jones, Beck said, is a “committed revolutionary.” A certain strain of talking-head TV culture thrives on the perception of victim-hood – that it’s the big Them vs. the little Us. By circulating the petition, ColorOfChange.org has given Beck a fresh chance to inhabit that role – and for Beck to ignore the nature of the ColorOfChange.org’s original complaint.
Update: Radioshack wrote in with the following statement:
Unfortunately, our policy and response to the matter have been misrepresented by the activist group involved. RadioShack does not advertise on Glenn Beck’s program and we have not advertised on his program, so there were no ads to cancel. The protesters have included RadioShack because one of our manufacturers advertises its “magicJack” product on Glenn Beck’s show, and the ads say “available at RadioShack.”
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2. davidf | 08.25.09
Progressive, Geico, Radio Shack and Roche - well i don’t use them anymore and I have subscribed to GlennBeck on the web - forget the advertisers and those who do not do their research on news
3. Hawkeye | 08.25.09
I don’t believe Obama is racist, but I also don’t believe he has America’s interests in mind. His agenda seems **** bent on destroying the US as we all know it. This could be because he actually thinks it is for the better, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was doing it on purpose for the benefit of another people.
4. whitneymuse | 08.25.09
Personally,
I find Beck is most interesting when he tears up and goes into his “act” of crying on public air….I switch to Tom and Jerry when I can.
This guy is quite the buffoon; he’s in it for the money.
6. thomcarl | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is such an uneducated hate monger that only the dumbest would agree with him, and that includes most republicans.
7. Angela Lamar | 08.25.09
I am so proud that the 1960’s kids who were not afraid to explore the strengths and deficits of ideology, to question social norms, to make mistakes and to learn, are appointees in government under Obama. That is the ” freedom ” Americans have always valued for the young adult. Where were you in the 1960’s Glen, you little Nazi? A histrionic, psuedo-intellectual, ego-maniacal drunkard on Long Island, whose education consisted of high school, thinks he’s qualified to think for the rest of us. Glen is un-American and too ignorant to realize that fact.
Who installed him, the freako-child-molestors in the SBC and MANBA?
8. cdesign | 08.25.09
Beck is absolutely right. Blacks in this country have been riding the racial victim status train far too long. Reverse racism needs to stop. Our (embarrassing) commander in chief in a classic example of the affirmative action created racist — one who constantly calls attention to his skin color when it is to his advantage.
So how do we get to a true color-blind society? Start by:
1) scapping affirmative action
2) stop funding racist orgainization like Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition (which only exists to serve people of a particular shade of skin color) and Howard Univerisity (where you have to have black skin to get in)
3) Pass a law that forbids Federal, State, and Local government agencies from asking people their race on any form (except the decennial census).
For God’s sakes, how are we ever going to have a true color blind society if our own Government constantly asks us our skin color and then doles out money based on that color?? It make no sense.
9. Bill Hemphill | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck, the Art Bell of the Fox News reality planet, is to be complimented for his efforts in filling the edu-tainment void left in the wake of the demise of the great grocery store tabloid, the Weekly World News. A daunting task, yes, but one that Mr. Beck is intellectually qualified to attempt. Godspeed, Mr. Glenn!
10. Stephen L | 08.25.09
The advertisers sponsor Beck at their own peril. A lot of Americans will boycott any companies that advertise on Beck’s program.
11. fred | 08.25.09
this man not only deserves to be boycotted but fired as well, this issue of race is a red line for all, these right wingers will stop at nothing in order to please their lobbyists and corporate masters even if it means the demise of our nations through civil war.
12. Shant Kirmizian | 08.25.09
I agree with Beck. Our president, is not only a waste of air, but a racist as well.
13. gl22 | 08.25.09
“It is time to show these companies that the hard-working Americans who support Glenn are willing to boycott their products and stand on principle.”
These vile people can’t even go one sentence without implying racism.
14. Eric | 08.25.09
Backfire??
I don’t think so.
Only way a boycott could “backfire” is if entities purchased more of the boycotted product after the boycott was commenced than before.
Do you see a stream of companies comming to Beck’s rescue by specifically targetting and buying up all that air time that other firms are boycotting? Won’t happen. Not even a single company will seek to counter the Beck boycott. The add space will filter down to firms who did not specifically request that time slot, thus degrading the value.
15. WhoIsGlennBeck | 08.25.09
In the past I have watched parts of his show and all he does is whine and scream and offer irrational arguments. He seems full of hatred and anger and I, for one, don’t have time to waste on such small-mindedness. How can I boycott when I’m just not interested? If everyone simply focused their attention on positive, well-intentioned programming, there would be no need for a boycott. Or perhaps, that would be a permanent boycott. I guess I was just two years ahead of the game.
17. John Tatumu | 08.25.09
He’s got the right to say what he wants under the Constitution and should not be intimidated with threats. If his employer, Fox, puts a squeeze on him, I’d have him file and EEO discrimination complaint with the EEOC on the basis of race (white) and sex (male) and personal preference (homosexual).
18. TL Myers | 08.25.09
This just proves that Glenn Beck was correct when he said “our right to free speech is being taken away”.
I hope for the best for Glenn and back him 100%
I believe also that our right to free speech is being taken away, and I feel there is a 85% chance this comment will simply be deleted.
20. Richard Locke | 08.25.09
It is about time that someone like rush not be afraid to say what is obvious. In the US we should all not be afraid to say what we believe is the truth. I am tired of being harnesed by what is politicly correct, it is only words,
21. theantibush | 08.25.09
“It is time to show these companies that the hard-working Americans who support Glenn are willing to boycott their products and stand on principle.”
Exactly what principle would that be?
22. Daniel Simpson | 08.25.09
Go Glenn. With guys like you and others I have become more active in watching and learning the issues and facts. I just recently the fisrt TEA Party meeting Where I live and I plan becoming more active in protecting our AMERICAN Rights.
Thamk you
23. Doug Bayless | 08.25.09
I thought this was outrageous until I actually watched the clip of Beck on Fox and Friends. Then I decided the boycotts were a reasonable use of free choice. Beck’s line of reasoning was cringeworthy — even if you are generally a supporter.
Glenn Beck is great when he’s got facts and figures like when his staff dug up all sorts of outrageous numbers buried in the TARP boondoggles. But perhaps he’s a victim of his own success and has really lost touch on this one. He went on and on *and on* trying make it clear that his central point was genuinely that Barack Obama “hates white people or white culture”. That’s some seriously irresponsible and counter-productive slander.
Honestly, if Beck still espouses the principles he claims — if he truly puports to hold the philosophical disagreements he sometimes discusses: between Barack Obama and his own worldview — then he needs to realize how stupid it is to derail that conversation with racist drivel. Perhaps Beck simply over-reacted to Obama’s knee-jerk reaction to the Georgetown situation. But also, perhaps, Beck is deeply, deeply flawed and blindly racist. I hope this is clarified soon.
Anybody that purports to disagree with the President on policy or philosophy needs to quickly put an end to defending useless racist banter that can only do more harm then good. But I fear that Beck himself is so far out in celebrity la-la land that he can’t even bring himself to see clearly the foolishness in stubbornly defending claims that Obama genuinely hates all white people and white culture (including the Mother that raised him, his friends, supporters, etc.??).
24. liam o’dugan | 08.25.09
There was no temporary mind lapse. This is pure theater. Say anything to get ratings. Do us all a favor and ignore this jamoke.
25. patty | 08.25.09
Backfire? I think not.
Those advertisers that pulled out, speak to more of the middle than those screamers on the edges.
26. Dave | 08.25.09
I call B.S. There will not be a backlash, except from the far-right. Beck was way out of line, and even if he weren’t the companies that pulled out are trying to sell products to all Americans. If they get tangled up in the G.B.’s mess, they potentially alienate half of their clientele.
27. Steve | 08.25.09
Thank you Glen for telling the world the truth and letting them know that a storm is brewing. It is not only brewing in the South but through this great nation of ours. I truly believe that our present President’s intentions is to destroy our country and have the minority to rule over the majority. Trust me there are a large number of people in this country that will do what ever it takes to protect our country, even if we have to go door to door with petitions to get a recall on the Presidental Election. There an Idea.
Once again thank you for the truth.
28. the meek shall… | 08.25.09
Mr. Beck is prostituting his journalism profession for his own ratings.
He is a blatant and provacative hate and fear mongerer.
This tactic is shameful from whatever selfish quarter it comes from, the right or left.
Let us hope that yellow journalisms days are numbered as are those of
Mr. Beck. And let us hope it is a quick death of all biased journalism.
At one time the Christian Science Monitor was also non-biased.
29. mark lindsey | 08.25.09
There it is. That is really what this is about. Calling Obama a racist who has a deep seated hatred for white people only affirms one thing.
Glenn Beck and his followers are so paranoid that a Black Man would be in office the only thing they can surmise is that he will get back at Whitey!!!
Let Glenn dig his own grave.
30. mike thompson | 08.25.09
Fine story with good links. I am no longer buying those has-been Glenn Beck advertisers. It’s that simple…
31. MARC CHRISTOPHE | 08.25.09
Your rhetoric betrays a certain contempt for conservative commentators that is very disappointing. While you and I may not believe Obama is a racist, the accusation is no less insulting than equally insipid personal attacks made by the likes of Olbermann and Maddow on Bush and Cheney. In each case the rhetoric was extreme in an attempt to generate controversy.
What scares me is the possible effect of boycotts and counter-boycotts on free-wheeling political debate. It so happens I am a regular listener of six programs, including Olbermann, OReilly, Maddow, Matthews, Limbaugh and Beck. I do not blindly accept any of their views, but the balance of liberal and conservative viewpoints helps sort out the events of the day.
What scares me is the prospect of political commentary being forced off of the air so that all we get is network news as filtered by the Obama administration and its FOPs at NBC,CBS and ABC.
Like it or not, it was Beck, FOX news and co. that exposed the fact that the White House has been illegally compiling e-mail lists and an “enemies list” , thereby forcing the White House to “discontinue” the program after previously denying that the program existed. If we had to rely on the likes of NBC the crime would never have been uncovered. This same scenario has played out in several other recent administration (bald-faced) lies, including the tax-cheat status of several Obama appointees (had these guys been Republicans you know the media outrage would have been apoplectic).
Like I said, I do not agree with the conservative commentators all of the time. I am a trial lawyer , and Limbaugh hates me . Hannity is a lightweight whose thought processes are capped by trite slogans. (I once called his show to clarify a point of constitutional law and his call screener declined my call as “too complicated”.) I consider O’Reilly rude and arrogant. But I also consider Matthews rude and uninformed, Olbermann a a hate-filled zealot, and maddow as a smirking lightweight.
All of these guys, however, serve to provide balance when taken together, and i hate to think that they would be forced off the air due to threats against sponsors.
33. Marc Christophe | 08.25.09
In case my first comment was too long under your guidelines, as a Constitutional lawyer with over 30 SCOTUS cases to my credit, I am concerned by grops using boycott tactics to chill free speech. I do not put a liberal or conservative litmus test on that concern.
34. Michael | 08.25.09
He can only play victim to the brain dead people who allready listen to him, this is all that’s left of the Republican base anyway.
35. James Bridges | 08.25.09
The only people who read right wing blogs are right win-nuts.
As the GOP is in the hole and sinking deeper, who cares what they think.
36. John Denton | 08.25.09
How far CSM has fallen. It used to be an erudite, reasonable news and opinion source. Now you have eager right wing boys trumpeting Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck. Any columnist or commenter who defends Glenn Beck is not a thoughtful person who like me wants to steer a rational course in politics, but must still be a boy, who thrills at the audacity of open racism and armed challenge to the US government. Bye, boys.
37. Peter | 08.25.09
Before stoping watching network TV news, I’ve tried to watch Foxnews, O’reilly, Hannity and Beck. I was not impressed.
Those mediocre creatures are only interested in making money by pandering to an audience of frustrated, angry and poorly educated bored individuals.
At best, I would classified it as bad entertainment. This is a shame that people go so low as to waste their time and energy watching these shows.
As a rule when people start talking about those shows in the middle of a political conversation , I try to change the subject or remove myself from the conversation. Time is too precious!
38. Audrey Tetrick | 08.25.09
The truth hurts the Democates!! That is why the are going against Mr.Beck.
39. olivio | 08.25.09
i hope this article was a freebie and you did not get paid for it because you failed to make your point. you didn’t even try beyond stating that there is counter organizing going on. no analysis of why one view might prevail over the other. maybe the advertisers are uncomfortable with having their companies and products associated with this tone. have they no choice in the matter? should a catholic charity advertise on a show that pushes pro-choice views simply because the show reaches a large audience? if you were paid, you need to give the money back or you have just committed a madoff.
40. jim | 08.25.09
Here what progressive says
Updated on Aug. 24, 2009
Recent media reports have created the incorrect impression that Progressive pulled advertising in response to specific comments made on The Glenn Beck Show, but that is not the case. The fact is that we did not intentionally place any of our advertising on the show, so when we learned that our ad had aired, we corrected the error.
Our goal is to reach a broad range of drivers to make them aware of our products and services. We value feedback on our advertising strategy, but because auto insurance is a very competitive business, we don’t discuss everything that goes into our ad placement decisions. We’d like to thank those individuals who have taken the time to express their opinions
41. Gregggg | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is correct and all the rhetoric and disinformation on the left to discredit him is appalling.
I am boycotting all products by those who refuse to advertise on his show.
VAN JONES is a communist radical hate filled racist.
How many CZAR’s does obama need? No government oversight on czars, right? Who is paying for these radicals? The people.
Enough of this already! Obama and the liberal left is out of control against the majority of americans and they are using tactics from RADICAL RULES for revolutionaries by sal olinski (spelling).
This WILL backfire on demoncrats.
42. Peter | 08.25.09
Before stoping watching network TV news, I’ve tried to watch Foxnews, O’reilly, Hannity and Beck. I was not impressed.
Those mediocre creatures are only interested in making money by pandering to an audience of frustrated, angry and poorly educated bored individuals.
At best, I would classified it as bad entertainment. This is a shame that people go so low as to waste their time and energy watching these shows.
As a rule when people start talking about those shows in the middle of a political conversation , I try to change the subject or remove myself from the conversation. Time is too precious!
43. Some One | 08.25.09
While I don’t agree with Glenn Beck at all (in almost anything), I also don’t think he should be boycotted. What did people expect him to say? This is Glenn Beck.
44. John | 08.25.09
You go Glen “We” the Real true red white and blue Americans will always stand by you and support you. your doing the good work for all of us.
Our forefathers would be proud.
Amen and God bless you
45. lokiforever | 08.25.09
This not a right to free speech issue. Those who cite this as an argument are being small minded and emotional.
This is a matter of paid speech. Advertisers are free to choose whom they sponsor, always, without deference to the first amendment.
Lastly, the right to free speech does not guarantee an audience. You may have free speech, but no one has to listen.
46. Big Rik | 08.25.09
It’s interesting that people who defend President Obama do so with such vitriol and hatred. I thought that President Obama wanted to be everyone,s president not just the president of people who voted for him. I just don’t understand this seething hatred of people who disagree with you politically. If you believe you have the best position, convince me, don’t call me a facist and a nazi if I disagree. All I am seeeing from Obama supporters is hatred.
47. Sashland | 08.25.09
Reverend Wright was his own and greatly admired for 20 years. Reverend Wright espoused many racist ideas. Obama did not rebuke him or walk away to a more wholesome place. If Obama is not a racist himself why would he tolerate such racist hate for so many years, and then choose to expose his children to such ratings?
Maybe his critics are mad at Beck because what he said is demonstrably true?
Maybe his critics should attempt to refute his charge instead of resorting to censorship.
They sure could dish it out to George, but Barak is somehow off-limits?
Advertisers better beware because most Americans DON’T agree with Changing Colors.
49. Dan | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is doing a great service in exposing the agenda of the left. Funny how when you disagree with the left they call for censorship. I guess free speach only works in one direction… left.
They can try to characterize the viewers of Glenn Beck with any number of vile adjectives, but I for one am a well educated middle-of-the-road political junkie who prefers to hear ALL sides.
As for the sponsors… it works both ways, I won’t be spending any of my money with any company who feels they need to stifle free speach.
I think Obama and the clowns in congress are well on their way to destroying this country. We need to support voices in opposition to the current madness.
50. Had Enough | 08.25.09
To heck with being politically correct, Glenn spoke his mind and once more this is being labeled and flogged by the left.
I don’t think Obama is a racist…but he’s pretty darn close to it.
51. Brian | 08.25.09
Glen Beck has always been a nut job who will say anything for a buck. At least when he was on headline news he was partially kept in check. Now that he’s on the KKK-run, right-wing Faux News he’s saying all sorts of *******, racist comments that show how far to the right Faux News is.
52. Lokiforever | 08.25.09
Bravo Daniel Simpson
You speak for all your like minded fellows - with poor spelling, punctuation, and incoherent thoughts.
While you “become more active in watching and learning the issues and facts,” try to cast a wide net so as to at least understand opposing points of view, even if you don’t agree with them.
53. Lee Hauser | 08.25.09
Glenn, you’re my hero. You never pretend to be anything but an American and constantly quote the constitution. I applaud your actions and for informing your audience.
54. Lokiforever | 08.25.09
Bravo Daniel Simpson
You speak for all your like minded fellows - with poor spelling, punctuation, and incoherent thoughts.
While you “become more active in watching and learning the issues and facts,” try to cast a wide net so as to at least understand opposing points of view, even if you don’t agree with them.
57. Pat Cashion | 08.25.09
The President has too many questionable associates to be believed or trusted. He is a radical and not worthy of ANY position in this country, period. He and his associates HAVE to go. We can srart by voting out every democrat who supported the healthcare bill without reading it or studying what it has done in other countries. STOP the insane spending NOW !!!
58. BAYOUCITYBOWHUNTER | 08.25.09
I cannot believe that any red blooded american that works every day for his/her income could buy into Obama’s plan. I am a small business owner that believes that the left is wanting anyone that makes more than them to pay the ultimate price for the ones that cannot find their work boots!!!!!!!!!!
GET A JOB AND YOU CAN GET HEALTHCARE!!!!!!!!!!
59. SODDI | 08.25.09
The logical step is to boycott ALL advertisers on ALL Fox channels, cable and otherwise AND other Murdoch-owned companies. Boycotts DO work - just ask Miller Beer and Marlboro cigarettes.
The aim is simple - to shut down Fox news or at least get Roger Ailes’ head nailed to a plank. If a concerted effort was made to target advertisers on not just Fox News, but also local Fox affiliates, the Fox Broadcasting Company, and the FX cable channel; also 20th Century Fox movies and DVDs, the New York Post, and the Wall Street Journal.
If a concerted effort was made by as few as 1 million people, it would hit Rupert Murdoch right where it hurts - in his overstuffed wallet.
Big Fox Broadcasting shows are The Simpsons and House. The new season of Sons of Anarchy starts on FX in a couple weeks. James Cameron’s Avatar is 20th Century Fox’s big Fall movie. If Murdoch saw a fall-off in ticket sales for that puppy, he’d kill Fox News in a heartbeat.
60. lokiforever | 08.25.09
Dan
Free Speech and censorship are not the same as paid sponsorship, or withdrawal of sponsorship dollars.
The advertisers are not stifling free speech. They are choosing not to pay to support his views. Your argument is equivalent to saying that Obama is depriving me of my pursiut of life, liberty and happiness because he doesn’t give me money to buy a car and go on vacation.
61. alexander | 08.25.09
Mr. Beck is only saying what many don’t have the guts to say in public.
I just canceled my insurance with his former sponsor and quit shopping the others who quit sponsoring Beck.
Its time to kick all elected officials out of office who has served more than two terms and the phonies in office now only pass laws that benefit themselves.
God Bless Beck
62. Jeff | 08.25.09
Wake up people. Just ask the questions Glenn is asking you to ask your representatives. See if you can get a staight answer.
63. Yewdon Nomie | 08.25.09
Obama is such an white-America-hating socialist that only the dumbest would agree with him, and that includes most Democrats.
65. Norman Nelson | 08.25.09
Beck is seriously loosing his authority and authenticity by
making rash statements based on his narrow line of thinking.
He’ll be ignored until somebody actually takes him to task
and reveals his and Limbaugh’s booney foonery. Those are not words.
66. bill | 08.25.09
now i would think. that both people should meet on glenn show to talk about this and listen to both sides. it would be one **** of a show. dont you think.
67. DL13 | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck does have the uncanny ability of getting under the skin of those that hate traditional American values, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Go Glenn!
68. Mojo Potato | 08.25.09
Its all about the money boys, contraversy = $, if McCain had one, he would have been called a rascist too, its just media 101… glen beck is a man out for himself, like most of the rest of them.
70. Joe | 08.25.09
Go Glenn!!!!!!! I am a democrat and I have come to realized I made a huge mistake voting for Obama, he does not like white people. I will not do business with any company that says an American can not say what is on his or her mind. I just cancelled by AT&T Cell Phone Account even though I will be required to pay a $175.00 cancellation fee. I felt I needed to speak up.
71. Peach | 08.25.09
It is really sad that once American journalism prided itself on unbiased reporting and now jerks like this are all people talk about. It really saddens me that people listen to stuff like this and take any of it as fact or truth. Our society is too easily controlled by fools on tv.
I prefer facts so that I can make my own conclusions and opinions. I don’t need nor do I watch and of this hate mongering biased dribble that shows on the “News” channels. Journalism has lost its way.
72. Syphon Filter | 08.25.09
Here’s what I don’t understand about the American people. President Obama is trying to help the American people towards better health care. I see several comments suggesting that Obama is trying to help his own kind. Yes, it’s true he is trying to help his own kind, and that is Americans. Did you know that white people are the majority in America when it comes to being poor. That’s right there are more white people on welfare than any other race. And white Americans are the majority when it comes to lacking health insurance than any other race. Here we have a bunch of lobbyist throwing rhetoric and ideology and spinning the whole health care reform so that it may benefit their own agenda. Let’s stopping putting the blame and stop the hatred towards one another, lets work to find a solution because once you get denied a claim from your health provider who are you going to turn to. Once your premium goes up or your deductible goes up, then how are you going to feel. Remember, private health insurance is for profit. And is not looking out for the best interest of the consumer, that being you.
Yes, the taxes are getting higher and higher, but guess what, even without the health care reform going through your taxes are going to be raised, why? Because you have too many lobbyist and too many special interest groups as well as congress fattening up the deficit with their own pet projects. Wake-up America. Everyone wants to let health insurance be run by the private sector, well how did we get into this economic mess? By the private sector? No government regulation in banking, mortgages and in the Stock market. And when things got bad in the economy they blamed the Government for allowing it to happen. How cute.
Everyone is talking about Social Security, but no one wants to fix that problem. Let’s fix the problem. And by the way, I rather have our country spend money on the needs of us americans than to spend it on wars that can’t be won or on so called countries that are suppose to be our friends but let terrorists go because of compassion. So far, to my surprise, Obama has done pretty well on foreign policy. But only time will tell. Don’t go by what someone else tells you, educate yourself and find out the root cause of the problem, then speak up and contact your local politician. People who listen to the conservative or liberal talk shows listen because they are followers not leaders and when things get bad, there is noone else but to blame but themselves.
73. David | 08.25.09
What disturbs me most is the level of ignorance portrayed by all of the individuals that would actually think that our President is a racist. I believe that the shoe is truly on the other foot. There are way too many conservative fundamentalists that can’t accept the fact that a different point of view or approach maybe correct. There is room for both the left and the right in America, but there must be both.
It’s really everyone else that can’t stop talking about color. Who really cares?? Ignore it long enough and maybe one day the human race will forget that there are different “colors”.
74. Glennisanidiot | 08.25.09
no, no, no, no people. Boycott on Glenn Beck is not going to backfire, it is the universe backfiring on Glenn Beck for his colossal closeted bigotry and idiocy
75. David | 08.25.09
Additionally…..free speech does not include slander and defamation of character.
76. Mike | 08.25.09
I think it’s important to register an opinion here, even if it differs from the majority, or especially if it does.
There are a number of commentators, mostly on Fox, who I just can’t stand to watch (even if I’m in an airport and can’t tune them out). Beck is just one of them.
This gang will say anything to get their “base” riled up. Responsibility is a small, distant concept.
77. Cy | 08.25.09
What about all the companies that choose never to support him in the first place? Is the right going to boycott those companies as well?
78. Bruce Ericson | 08.25.09
This whole ordeal, like the last “racist” newsflash, is yet another distraction from important matters: the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the big money giveaways to Wall Street, etc. The president, Ben Bernanke, and FOX news WANT you to be distracted by this, and you are. Well done!
79. r haverty | 08.25.09
since when do we boycott somebody for expressing their opinion. didn” obama’s rev wright express his opinion for 20 years in the church that obama attend. i didn’t see msnbc yelling about…free speech not boycotts.
80. Ryan | 08.25.09
Why boycott a moron? He only makes the rest of us with at least half a brain look brilliant in comparison.
81. Republicans | 08.25.09
Its such a shame that these WAAYYYYY right republicans dont see just how ignorant they are. First Obama was a terrorist and now he is screwing everyone over. You to-the-death-republicans….. yeah you know who Im talking about. You need to get outside your little uneducated box and do something productive with your lives.
and please stop trying to get every republican that is in the spotlight to be president……… really
82. True Blue Stay thirsty | 08.25.09
Glenn is simply a conservative shock jock with little regard for truth or meaning in his rants. respectful republicans really need to build a better platform. Pull the ads and ignore him and let’s get on with some real politics.
83. Moe Black | 08.25.09
Simply reverse Obama’s comments about Whites as comments about Blacks and most Whites would be outraged. Yes, even some Blacks are upset with his handeling of race issues such as the knee jerk comments about the Police or support for programs for a failed war on poverty that has kept Blacks in poverty. Don’t forget his former Church which was dropped only after it started gaining traction by Clinton’s campaign.
It’s all very easy to ignore if your seeing the world as you want it to be instead of objectively unless of course your properly indoctrinated to believe that racism is only possible from Whites.
Racism is undoubtedly a problem but anyone who actually wishes for it to be marginalized must learn to deal with it no matter the source. Those who write inflamatory rhetoric only make the problem worse by not dealing with the actual issues and avoiding the facts. This Liberal “makes me feel good without doing anything” tactic has only made racism covert and more resiliant.
Both Liberals and Conservatives have an excellent opportunity here and now to recognize racism as it is rather than trivializing it as an insult to anyone they disagree with at every oppotunity.
84. AmericanVeteran | 08.25.09
What are these people doing to our grand old party??? Our party is about defending liberty! Our party is about smaller government, lower taxes, reward for hard work, and the American principles of liberty and justice for all. That means everyone, black, white, yellow or purple! These freakos aren’t Republicans, they are like the Nazis or something. They made the governemnt bigger, slipped us tax bracket adjustments and called them tax breaks, but in the end we had to pay more. They don’t reward hard work at all, but give preference to friends! And as far as liberty goes, they take that away claiming it is for our security. These people are not Republicans, folks. We can’t let them continue to represent our party as if we are a bunch of ******* who hate the blacks. We need real Republicans in the media. Please, somebody, get these fakers off the air. They are all cult of personality Rush Wannabees. Where, where is our representation? Next you’ll tell me I have to support an idiot for VP. Oh yeah, I already did that. Please, please, please give us a real Republican spokesman who can address the issues without starting fights.
85. Dexter Greer | 08.25.09
Glen:
Go for it with gusto All these clowns sitting on there hands is a crime.
I have a special design for racist and my president fills the bill completely
I have a suggestion for FOX get with the problem and defend Glen or else.You can not change the spots on a coward and its about time you support Glen in a BIG WAY.
Dex Greer
86. nashvilleskyline | 08.25.09
glenn beck is lying to you people. Or he’s an idiot. Fear is a powerful tool. Let me remind you, “weapons of mass destruction.” Now it’s “Obama is a racist” and “death panels”. You are all rubes.
87. Ron Jones | 08.25.09
Glen beck appeals to the low rung of the Republican Base. You won’t find fiscal conservatives or upper class conservatives concerned about taxes watching him. I know, because I am friends with this class and work with them. Its a simple Right wing formula, they have nothing to offer lower class whites, so they roll out the Glen Becks of the world to think for them and use race, guns and other divisive tactics to satisfy the lower rung of the Republican Ladder by scaring the wits out of them with the most insane scenarios as if the whole country is going to turn black and the National Anthem will be replaced by a Rap Version with all the cusses included.
Seriously, what does the Republican Party offer a middle class or lower class white family these days or ever for that matter? When they need votes, they will roll out the Willie Hortons, Affirmative action, etc. Thats all they can offer. The Republican Party won’t lower taxes of the lower class white population, they wont increase the minimum for them, they wont provide them health insurance, etc. All they can offer is Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh.
88. john frederick | 08.25.09
If Obama is a racist (his mom was white, I’m pretty sure he liked her…) then exactly how would that be different than the status quo? EVERY president has been racist. Lincoln was racist; he showed it during the Lincoln-Douglas debates. With the possible exceptions of Carter, Kennedy, and Clinton, every president shown racist tendencies. Do we think George Bush Jr. was color blind? I think his response in New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina shows otherwise. Please stop panicking and think.
90. Ric | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is another draft dodging no nothing moron with a pretty face and fast and loud voice. The same people that listen to and believe his non sense are the same people that listen to and believe Limbaugh and Hannity. They represent the most illiterate and ignorant racist Americans on the planet.
91. Spencer S. | 08.25.09
OK - here is the most basic explanation I can come up with of “free speech” for you conservative morons who think having your comment deleted from a website is in abrogation of your 1st Amendment rights: the 1st Amendment prohibits the GOVERNMENT from infringing on your right of free speech. The government is not preventing Glenn Beck from saying stupid, racist things on cable TV, and a boycott by other citizens in an attempt to influence advertisers or Beck’s employer is not an infringement on Beck’s free speech rights. Similarly, it is not a violation of anyone’s free speech rights when Bill O’Reilly cuts off his guest’s microphone when he is losing the argument.
Finally, private entities and people, like website owners, are free to do whatever they want in terms of allowing you to post your screeds or not. So you are not losing your “free speech” rights if your post is deleted - the Constitution does not guarantee your right to post comments on a privately owned website.
It is time for people to only complain about the Constitution being followed when they actually know something about it.
92. Tom M | 08.25.09
I’ll do my part to support Glenn. Radio shack is more convenient. However, tonight I’ll drive right past RS on my way to another electronics store.
Go Glenn
93. jkstewart2 | 08.25.09
There are several different facts that support Beck’s position.
1. Obama’s 20 years in a African Liberation Church
2. Obama’s two books… read them, it’s eye opening
3. Obama’s career as a community organizer
4. Obama’s appointments to the justice department (Holder, West) and the FCC.
5. Obama’s statements on the campaign trail… aka about his grandmother being afraid of black men.
I don’t know if Beck is correct, but his position does have support. Obama certainly does play into the racial politics… aka his SCOTUS appoint was certainly not the best possible nominee unless one considers race.
94. Serena | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is fun to watch because he is insane.
An admitted alcoholic and drug addict who converted to Mormonism at age 35? Sounds really stable to me.
95. Liliana | 08.25.09
The more our Obama does to get our country straightened out, the louder the rich cry foul. He must be doing a good job of cleaning house because the the rich are really screaming. Too bad, I hope Obama gets all of the rich right where it hurts, in the pocketbook! Beck is just the mouth piece for those that want to make trouble!
96. Josh | 08.25.09
I wonder if Glenn would make this same comment if Obama was white. I think probably not, so who is the one that takes race into consideration when forming an opinion. I like some of Glenn’s views but this was over the top.
97. lisa | 08.25.09
Everyone is so dumb! Can’t people realize that both sides of EVERY issue have a valid point. You are all like kids on the playground.
98. joseph | 08.25.09
As the name as the personality. Glen beeck is a ” BLANC BECK”. I think it is insulting to our nature as human beings to be fooled by a person such as beck, palin, or LImbaugh. These people are making money not because they are smart, but because they are using evil tactics to destroy with their divisive and hatred slogans. As a civilization, we are much smarter and better than that. We can disagree or agree, but we can still sit on the table and discuss our differences in a civilized manner, not like dogs trying to bring as many dogs as they can with their barkings, and call themselves patriotics by crying. Please don’t allow your kids to watch them, educate them in civilized manner.
99. Bob | 08.25.09
I’m not sure that Obama is racist, but I believe he wants to send the suburban/working wealth to the urban people on welfare. You read between the lines!
100. luvwknd | 08.25.09
Stinking Repuks, Beck and Limbaugh are two peas in a dying pod!
RIP GOP!
BTW - Fox News Stinks
101. jbeard | 08.25.09
“his agenda seems **** bent on destroying the US as we all know it”
I’ve heard/seen this comment, or a version of it, a hundred times. Frankly, I just don’t get it or see it. Can someone please explain this to me? What is it that is being destroyed? I’m not trying to be smart, just looking for detail.
102. Bob | 08.25.09
Glen,
Thanks for bringing to light what wrong with the dem’s and what needs to be right with our country!
103. vabonp | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is as far on the right as Keith Olberman is on the left. I think that most everyone that watches or hears either of these guys know of their extreme views.
104. Jake | 08.25.09
Glenn is absolutely correct. Have any of you morons that think Obama is not a racist read any of the books he wrote. If that won’t change your mind you are idiots.
105. Nat Irvin | 08.25.09
Mr. Beck has a right to say anything he wants to say AND advertisers have a right to decide to skip advertising on his show. Period.
106. John | 08.25.09
For all of you who are angry over Obama “treading on the constitution”, why don’t you join the ACLU, a group whose sole purpose is its sacred protection?
107. Wukoki | 08.25.09
Where were all you true Americans, who are so eager to defend Beck’s ‘free speech’, when the Bush administration and conservative commentators were calling any who disagreed with the Iraq war communists, unAmerican and far worse. You guys should have been defending our rights, too!
108. wanda | 08.25.09
Glenn must be boycotted - until he agrees to start providing daily updates on the health and well-being of BatBoy.
109. usabeingtrashednfast | 08.25.09
Glenn, I firmly believe you and in you. Keep Americans, even the freeloaders with there hands out, aware of whats going on in our country. At the rate the administration is going, we will have nothing to defend or be proud of soon. I am truly worried about the direction this nation is headed. Please People WAKE UP!! There are no free lunches and there never should be. Learn and earn, earn and learn, those who want something bad enough will find the way and the country will prosper….. It’s the only way….
111. jbeard | 08.25.09
79. r haverty | 08.25.09
since when do we boycott somebody for expressing their opinion. didn” obama’s rev wright express his opinion for 20 years in the church that obama attend. i didn’t see msnbc yelling about…free speech not boycotts.
This happens all of the time. You likely boycotted Obama with your vote due to your perception of some sinister association with the admittedly loony Rev Wright. The companies are voting with their dollars figuring that it’s better for their business in general not to be associated with certain comments. Nothing wrong with that.
113. Tyler Frost | 08.25.09
Beck was right. Obama does has a deep seated resentment for whites and has made that all too obvious with his rev. Wright and prof. Gates friendships and his typical “blacks are victims” propaganda. The truth hurts, especially when black America has had us hog tied and hoodwinked on the race issue now for so many years. His viewership will increase now and so will his revenues. Color of Change is just a hate group sure as the *** and the black panthers. The companies that pulled their ads were just PC dupes that got fools made of them.
114. benjamin knee | 08.25.09
it is instructive that the left said all manner of negative things for the entire 8 years of gw’s presidency except for about 2 weeks around 9/11, and that was ok.
now, however, they will not allow any criticism of bo at all.
would like to express this thought; we are not a socialism, last time i looked.
115. Craig in NJ | 08.25.09
I have a business card from Glenn Beck.
His official title is “Rabblerouser.”
116. RjW | 08.25.09
Beck is exactly what our coutry needs to try to keep the socialist from bankrupting our great country. The one Obama seems to want to keep apologising for.
9 Trillion in Debt? What the ****!
Stealing every penny he can get. Amazing!
GO GLENN! Boycott Geico, Radio Shack and all the rest who make a statement by pulling their ads.
117. oldbob | 08.25.09
Beck and Palin.
Republicans are going to disappear as being as irrelevant as the Whig Party.
118. Joe | 08.25.09
This is a free country with freedom of speech and if someone wants to accuse another of racism that is perfectly acceptable. If a company wants to pull their add dollars from a show hosted by a nut(imo) they dont like then that is perfectly acceptable as well.
People like Beck and Limbaugh are only interested in making money. They dont actually believe half the crazy things thy say but are playing to their audience.
120. Jesse Sanchez | 08.25.09
Since when is “Opinion” presented as “Fact”???
That’s the Glenn Beck show for you in a nutshell. Just cause your emotions are in par with his doesn’t mean that what he’s saying is correct or even factual for that matter.
He seems like a genuinely nice guy off the camera, but the disservice that he is doing to his viewers almost makes me forget that.
121. Eddie H | 08.25.09
I used to watch glen beck a long time ago. I used to believe he was a level headed guy reporting from a well founded standpoint. I am a little disappointed to see that he has changed his approach. I don’t think he’s being provoked by the content managers at Fox News to do so, so I am a little confused as to where this change in approach has come from. This recent episode demonstrates this point. If he were not on Fox News I don’t think we would have seen this kind of position from Glen. I liked him as the reporter he was before and I hope he returns to what made him valuable.
122. B | 08.25.09
Glen, My family history goes back to the 1700’s. Having served and died for this great USA.I do not want to lose the freedom these great American have died for because “ONE” president wants to change our constitution to fit his ideas of what the USA should be. I like these freedoms. We need change, back to the basics of the constitution and our forefathers. Its a real shame that the folks writing these new bills have spent time in prison or jail. I wonder how many of these folks have served in the USA military? Have they lost a loved one fighting for the freedoms we have? Keep Up The Good Work. We need more folks like yourself and you have my support as well as all my family. I would like to thank you for the job you are doing. God Bless You “YES” I said, “GOD BLESS YOU”
123. jim | 08.25.09
This guy is the Morton Downey Jr. for our time and no more than that. No more than an actor.
124. Bob | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is one of the few people who stands up on America’s principles, cuts through the ****,and tells things as they are. You don’t need a PhD to understand this.
125. Dan | 08.25.09
Well, I think Glenn Beck is a Racist. Then again, Fox as an organization is racist and offensive itself.
Whether you like it or not, this is a country mostly ran by WASPs. Not because they are smarter or better, but because they got the right end of the stick at some point and never let it go, nor made much effort to share it.
And to those who criticize affirmative action, and Black people for “playing victim”, those should remember that people that are still alive today experienced segregation first hand. This is not a problem that can be fixed with quick-fixes. It’s not the type of trauma that can be fixed by saying: “Oh, OK you’re equal now, so there”. That would be akin to telling someone who’s just had a major stroke or a heart attack: “Oh, you’re OK now so just chop-chop, just be up and go run the 100m with Usain Bolt now!”.
The problem is that when our president is a White Anglo Saxon Protestant, regardless of how much he cares for others unlike him, ultimately, the motivation for him to do anything to help anyone other than his own kind is Zilch, or thereabouts. Now we have a president who is African-American. He, for once, has a chance to deal with problems that others never even brushed, since the empowered White majority couldn’t care less about them. Well, I say it’s only fair that he spend a little bit of his time (he really hasn’t been much of an All-Black president, honestly) on African-American related issues. Whoever thinks it’s wrong and that things are all OK when one is Black in this country should spend a weekend in Compton.
126. alvin | 08.25.09
You guys are expert in putting down people, it shows your weakness and a no brainer, what u are are all gossiper. That what all you got, talk talk talk talk not enought on brain.
No common sense, and what all you have is all hatred in your heart, analyze where the economy is going, its going to rebound, it is hard to accept, even how hard you prayed for Pres. Obama downfall, still the economy and the people is recovering, good thing your just a few apples. Wake up and do at least some good deeds for the people, and change your ideologies. Or may go back to school and take good manner and right conducts. Cant blame some europeans and asian saying that americans are no brainer, they are good only in fighting and war.
127. Mr. Ed | 08.25.09
The backfire has already started with me. I won’t shop at the stores listed in the story. Which has already cost Bestbuy hundreds of dollars in speakers I bought this last weekend.
128. George Moss | 08.25.09
Glen is one of the dumbest commentators on TV. He makes some outlandish comments on TV that makes you wonder if he thinks all Americans are fools. Only Fox has room for such dimwits!
129. paco | 08.25.09
Just ask yourself. Who is benefiting the most from Obama’s policies? Who benefited and took advantage of affirmative action to go to the best collages in America? It wasn’t Obama’s outstanding grades, for in both Columbia and Harvard he was in the low 20% ranking. Does anyone really believe that Obama has no preference for the African-American. Preference is discriminatory in itself. I for one will advocate everyone to boycott those companies who turn tail and withdraw their advertisement on fear of offending black radicals.
130. CROCKETT | 08.25.09
I agree with you cdesign. My first comment did not get published yet. Maybe this will. We each belong to a race. There is no Black race, White race, Brown race, or Red race. There is however,a Negro race (that is not a slang and should have never been taken away from this race)…black is a color, a Caucasion race…white is a color, Hispanic race…brown is a color, Native American…red is a color. All colors have different shades but none are absolute. Racism starts in the heart and is taught. It is encouraged by our government. It has profited government run programs and those programs have flourished. I has profited politicians and they have flourished. Racisim is a comody in this country. It has provided jobs for many who might otherwise have stayed unemployed. Racism always plays favorites and created division. AMERICANS of ALL RACES on the otherhand need to unite and face the fact they have been played and are being played by skillful politicians. The companies that are pulling their advertisement are being played by political agendas by those skilful politicians in and out of Washington.
131. Befuddled | 08.25.09
How many of you Glenn Beck haters actually watch his show regularly?
How many of you Barrack Obama lovers know what Tax Freedom Day is?
Folks, let’s get down to brass tacks. Call this what you want but this isn’t about racism its about redistribution of wealth.
To say this is about the rich white people having to pay for the poor black folk is absurd. I live in an area where a lot women (all different races) make more than their husbands. Men who out-earn their neigbors went to school, studied hard and now have great paying jobs. This is what America is supposed to be, sow your seeds and reap the reward.
Obama wants to take your hard earned money and give it to the poor by force, called taxation. I personally give any extra money to my church and other charities, not because someone makes me, but because I want to. Our President and our local elected officials have forgotten this.
Our government should be protecting us not controlling us.
132. CNN(Communist News Network) | 08.25.09
Thankfully, there are people like Glenn Beck who will say what needs to be said and is not worried about being “politically correct”.
Thanks to Glenn and FOX News for everything that they do.
133. rp5461 | 08.25.09
Don’t just disagree with Glen and leave it at that.
Find out if these things he’s talking about are true, and if they are what
do we do about it.
134. Paul | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is an entertainer first, and a racist second. His show has nothing to do with reporting truth. It’s a show designed to lure ignorant conservatives into watching.
His ‘crying’ tantrums, however, seem real and indicate he may have real mental problems.
135. crustycrowe | 08.25.09
Are some of you denying the plausibility that our president is a racist? “typical white person” remember that one? There are many more quotes I am sure, that at least paint the man as racist. Proof is hard to come by with these accusations. Affirmative action is racism, and I would like to see a cogent denial of that assertion. As are “hate crimes” in my opinion. What happened to those black panthers? Nothing. Larry Elder ,a black libertarian has stated that there are far more black racists in America than white racists.Having lived in predominantly black areas, I would tend to agree. Saying that a person disagrees with the president because he is black is making the same assertions, and that is how you shut them up.Nobody wants to risk being called a racist and any white person not in the tank for Obama was/is labeled a racist.You no, I bet he HATED his grandmother because she was white.He resented her for her privileged life. Now prove that statement is either true or false.It is the accusation of racism that hurts more people today.
136. ToddCW | 08.25.09
How is it that Obama got elected when so many people hate him and make outrageous comments about him. I guess the majority of Americans do not make hate filled comments on web sites. Alas the minority does, what happened to the old money Ivy league intellectual wing of the Republicans, are they embarrassed by the torch and pitchfork crowd? I am a flag before political party kind of guy and this is my President for now, and I will be as supportive as much as my conscience allow me.
137. Jim | 08.25.09
Beck is an operative there just to distract from real issues. In this case he is race baiting.
138. lucy2008 | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is a money making brand. Yes, a brand that is marketed to a special segment of consumers. He’s a successful cartoon character that he made up and Fox backs to make money. There is nothing “good” about him or the show. It isn’t about good and it certainly has nothing to do with freedom of speech unless you are talking about pornog raphy. The brand and cartoon character is amoral and is about ratings and the faction of disenfranchised it appeals to. Its made money for Fox. It’s made Glenn Beck wealthy. It’s made Glenn Beck self-absorbed and adored by the attractive lord-of-the fliers.
139. Jon Adams | 08.25.09
Who’s Glenn Beck? Should I start paying attention to him? Can’t I just listen to Rush and get the same thing? Seems duplicative.
140. JAB | 08.25.09
I saw one advertiser who, as a result of Beck, established a policy of not sponsoring any political talk show on the right or the left. I think that’s a good policy. Middle of the road advertisers can gradually, quietly, and without any fanfare, begin to advertise on more wholesome kinds of programs. The world could survive full well if we had neither Glenn Beck nor Keith Olberman prattling away.
141. Norma | 08.25.09
Go Go Glenn, He is the one brave person who not afraid to say what he thinks. Bravo.
142. Canada Joe | 08.25.09
First off, Rush, Glen and any others of this entertainment genre are making a living the way many showbiz people do. This particular brand of entertainment uses the goad to draw interest and controversy in order to get ratings, which makes for larger sponsorship deals (from those who are staying on his program).
Whether Glen actually believes his accusations about the president or not is irrelevant. This is about making money and a showbiz name. Too many people miss the point that this is only entertainment and not news of any sort even though it may appear otherwise. It doesn’t matter whether Glen is on the air or not he is an entertainer and he will only be replaced with another same type should he leave for any reason.
Secondly,only Americans would fight over having a national health care system/funding structure (call it what you will). People are calling it socialist. Your public school system is socialist. You have a National Education Secretary that lays out the curriculum for all states(not in Canada by the by). Many of your Federal Departments set the same policies across your country in just such a socialist way. Socialism does not lead to Communism (which many Americans misconstrue with Totalitarianism…which is what the former Soviet Union was, as was Nazi Germany, Cuba still is, etc.) Western Europe and Canada have had socialized medicine for a long time, and as Joe Canada, I use the system with no problem for my family and myself on a regular basis, with no waiting to see my family doctor or most specialists as a rule of thumb, and emergencies and pressing medical situations like everywhere socialized medicine operates, see to patients immediately with no waiting. No one in countries where socialized medicine is practiced would opt out for an American style health care system, even people with money.
Good Luck and relax just a bit.
143. joe mama | 08.25.09
i love it when the libs get their undies all bunched up as they listen to glen beck. true, he does get worked-up, bug-eyed, etc, but he has the FACTS
to back-up his statements. and the truth seems to hurt presbo, and his minions. i dont hear the minions refute beck’s arguments point by point. they only can reply with name-calling.
144. Bob Love | 08.25.09
I support Glen Beck 1000%. Everything he says about Obama’s administration is true. The American people will sooner or later discover this fact. The day will come when this fascist government will finally destroy this great country of ours. Please,please listen to Glen Beck. He pleads with you and so do millions like him.
145. Jay Monkey | 08.25.09
SODDI,
Apparently you want to boycott Fox News and all of Rupert Murdoch’s empire? Andy why? Rupert is so out of line b/c he has a cable news network that slants right? People need to grow a bit thicker skin… MSNBC slants left, Fox slants right, CNN is sorta center, center-left. So should all liberals boycott the Fox enterprise and all conservatives should boycott MSNBC, GE, Microsoft, etc. etc. Geesh. These days we all just have to consider the source when we get our news. That’s just the way it is. There is no such thing as unbiased news anymore. Maybe there never was.
146. Educated | 08.25.09
There are some people here clearly don’t understand what “freedom of speech” means. It doesn’t exactly mean you can talk about anything you want without any consequences. It actually means you can talk about things without the GOVERNMENT going after you. Don’t give me the xyz is connected to Obama so the government is after Glenn Beck. Don’t hide behind that. Glenn Beck said something stupid and now he is and will be paying for it, not because the government but because of the PRIVATE companies are pulling their support. He got what he deserves. I hope he fades into oblivion. Please don’t drag the first amendament into this if you don’t know what it means!!! What a bunch of tools.
147. rickg | 08.25.09
I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!!!!!! WAAAHH,WAAAHHH,WAAAHHH…I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!!!!
That’s what all this about anyway. Bunch of sore losers who were sure - SURE - that there was NO WAY a muslim, socialist, communist, fascist, nazi, racist could ever win against a bona fide war hero. And when it happened…these old fools freaked out and have gone on a six month temper tantrum. WAAAHH,WAAHH,WAAHH. The question is - other than the mainstream media - who the **** cares? We’re just getting on with yanking the car that your boy Bush drove into the ditch. Enjoy the ride folks.
148. djtbear | 08.25.09
Boy I tell ya, these Fox related shows are ridiculous.
I used to listen to Rush, then I found he was swinging farther and farther right.
I started doing a bit of research myself.
He said something on one of his shows that I knew was an absolute falsehood and that is when I stopped listening.
So much hot air and BS coming from his show.
Beck sounds like more of the same.
How do these idiots still have shows?
Are all left views “correct”? **** no. But their spin-doctors don’t seem to be nearly as loud and obnoxious as the righties….
And the worst of it is that right-sided (notice I didn’t say right-minded) individuals won’t even carry on a conversation with anyone that has moderate / slightly left-leaning views. There is no discussion. It is their way or the highway.
If you ask for facts or sources to back up so many of their statements (what the general world would call myths), they generally don’t have them.
Their answer is “That’s just the way it is, so you need to accept it.”
For my money, I’d bet a higher percentage of the “racists” in this country are Republicans.
Who lobotomized these sheeple????
Yeah- sheeple. That’s a single word summary.
149. Ares | 08.25.09
It’s all part of a demagogue’s recipe:
1 cup Ignorance
3 tsp Economic turbulence
2 cups fear-mongering
mix and stir over
simplistic/uneducated thoughts with extreme positions
You get one fine order of Glen Beck
The best kind of mob “parasite” money can buy
150. Les | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck and his fans are ignorant lunatics. I will boycott the **** out of any company that advertises on his show. Fox News shouldn’t call themselves “news” if all they give is conservative opinion. I wish *some* white people would stop feeling so damn paranoid and scared of people who are different looking than they are. Although it is a free speech country, that doesn’t give him the right to gin up hatred with unfounded rhetoric.
151. Jack Robins | 08.25.09
Glen Beck is completely wrong about everything he is a crazy republican who hates america and is only in it for the money he makes random things up trying to put obama down that are usually not true. come on republicans and glen you lost the election get over it and stop making up lies.
153. Quark | 08.25.09
Well, I haven’t seen Beck’s program at all for the past couple of months, but when I heard about this silly boycott I first found a local radio station that carries his program and then made sure to tune in to Fox when I got home. Guess I’ll be setting aside an hour a day or so for the foreseeable future to watch and listen to his programs.
154. Beck Supporter | 08.25.09
Why can’t we just call it like it is. Obama is now in a position to steal the reparations that groups of African Americans have demanded for years. Why is it that the word “racist” only has a “white face”. What about the racist African Americans who kill their own race off on the streets through “black on black” crimes and fathers who don’t stick around to raise their children. That’s racism.
155. DEF | 08.25.09
If race is so important to the people of this country, then where does that leave me. I’m neither white nor black. My race is Human. I’m the other and the same as you all. We must share in what we believe is right and seek the truth, or risk losing everything.
Thank you.
156. Madam Aurantia | 08.25.09
I don’t really watch Glenn Beck, not being a fan of television in general, but I’ve seen a few of his little sideshows. He does have the right to say what he said, no matter how ridiculous it may be. Many of us on the left called Bush racist, and I still believe he was, but the best we got was laughed at. This is totally not an issue of treason, just stupidity and bad judgment.
However, as a Fox News icon he is representing another figure. I can get fired for wearing the wrong hairstyle if my employer thinks it makes the company look bad. A television station can react against its employees if it feels insulted, but if I’m reading this right Fox just took him out of the limelight for a short time. This seems reasonable. I doubt that Beck will be such, if he came out “spoiling for a fight.” It will probably go no further than the Sarah Palin vs. David Letterman fiasco: hilarious for all viewers; showing Beck to be a moron and the viewers to be far too easily entertained. I have never seen logic used in his arguments, just rhetoric and fanfare.
The flipside is that the companies have every right to boycott his show if they wish, and the organizations have every right to call for one. After all, no one is being forced to join a boycott or even to listen to the arguments for and against. If you don’t like Beck, change the channel. Boycott the companies that boycotted him if you feel the need. With this sort of feedback all of the companies involved will follow the loudest checkbooks whoever they may be and we will all soon be too distracted by Michael Jackson’s secret Asian lovechild’s heroic battle with tongue cancer to remember Glenn Beck.
157. Terry Brads | 08.25.09
Well lets all remember the scene of 3 Black Panthers intimidating voters and wielding clubs. After being convicted the Obama Admin. dropped all charges. There would be no end to it if those were three white guys! Glenn has got it right!
158. Frank | 08.25.09
I’m terribly disappointed by this “article”. While it provides a little bit of the background behind what’s going on, it doesn’t in any way address the title of the article (ie: WHY the boycott will supposedly backfire).
160. JMM | 08.25.09
All oppressed people have the potential to harbor a deep seated anger for their oppressors. I think we are missing a bigger issue in that Obama is posturing himself for a second term. When the next election comes he will be the President that gave minorities free insurance and Latinos a Supreme court Judge. If Obama has deep seated anger and malicious intent for whites it will eventually consume him as it did Hitler, Saddam Hussien, Napoleon, etc..
161. SkipS | 08.25.09
The lack of knowledge on the conservative side is laughable. I keep seeing the term “communist” tossed around, even here on this page. For one; this planet has NEVER seen a communist government. EVER. All the ones you call communist are/were actually “Totalitarian Dictatorships”. But hey, you were told by people it was a communist country so, hey, it MUST be right? Spend a little time researching and learning for the sake of not sounding like a retread. A communist government governs itself by a Commune. Holy Shizza! That was too obvious wasn’t it?! How’d you miis it?
163. kevin chelette | 08.25.09
Mr Obama is a racist….folks that don’t think so are blind. But they will soon see. I support Glenn….I will not purchase anything from these companies.
164. Kev | 08.25.09
When Some loser rapper said that George Bush hated Black people nobody boycotted his ****** music..
Freedom of speech.. but lets not forget the weight this freedom brings. Say what you want, but know your responsible for what you say!
165. Joshua C | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity are leaders of the Cobra-conservative sliver stiring their angry den of gun totting retribution seeking angry country folk. Their sole mission isn’t much different from that of the Taliban, only these cold blooded pea brained creatures want a return to the garden of eden days of American thought, whose taste to the many is that of overripened fruits a taste sweet enough for these inhumane creatures.
166. Jo | 08.25.09
For goodness sakes, Obama is as much white as black, he just prefers to be called black for more votes. Glenn Beck is not afraid to speak his mind. Obama called a white man stupid - what’s the difference?
167. JohnE | 08.25.09
Beck is nothing more than a Rush or Howards Sterns
Shock jocks will say or do anything to get viewers.
Doesnt have to be the truth or even close to the truth as long as it gets them viewers. He’s good at his job…Which has nothing to do with the real world. Shock Jocks rule!
168. bluto | 08.25.09
To #14 Eric
In reality only 13 companies have specified they do not want their ads to run on Becks program. However, most of them still advertise on Fox, which pays Glenn’s salary, who is still employed by Fox, and on the air, with 2.8 million viewers Monday at 5pm.
The other so called 20 boycotters, either never advertised on Beck or have dropped all ads on all shows, left and right.
Now, couple all of that with the fact that since the boycott, “28 NEW” advertisers, have signed on with Beck, coupled with those already with him, brings his current abvertisers to date to nearly 50.
This so called boycott is not a boycott at all. In fact, it has backfired on the Olbermanns, Matthews and that guy Maddow, more dramatically.
Nice try, calling out companies who never adverstised on Beck in the first place and then telling the world they dropped Beck, is truely a sign of desperation.
The left cannot even be honest in their so called numbers. A true boycott, would have companies who were previously running ads on Becks show, not only drop him, but also, drop their revenue streams to Fox News, which they have not done.
This boycott has nothing to do with Becks so called “Obama racist” comment, it started when Beck went after Van Jones, many weeks ago, who founded color of change and who is now the Green Czar, a selfed avowed communist, mind you.
Beck is a National Treasure and a Scholar!
Listen and learn my friends, listen and learn.
bluto
169. Brian | 08.25.09
Since the FCC sells off the airwaves to the highest bidder, the dog of “free” speech really doesn’t hunt then, does it?
The only “free” speech left for a commoner is to not participate economically. I’m pleased to boycott advertisers of programs I find offensive.
170. JoeMama | 08.25.09
Just look at the ratings, that says it all. Beck 2.8 MILLION. No other cable news network comes close to Fox. WHY?
This is what advertising agents look at, the bottom line is viewers. Fox is doing very well, and the boycott got you to read the article, and these comments.
Beck speaks his mind, and liberals cannot take it when someone points any fingers in their direction. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Wright, Al Sharpton et al. get away with more racist remarks, and no one says anything. Quit your whining!
171. Bill Baumgardner Sr. | 08.25.09
I just read you rules & after reading all the trash mouth on these comments, your rules are of no worth. It is moot to leave them posted here if you post some of the comments on this story. WOW! What a joke!
172. Hal Hadley | 08.25.09
Prez Obama is not a racist. He is a communist and is doing all he can to destroy this great nation.
173. Mike Wagner | 08.25.09
If any of you think that the advertisers really care,likely not. Most of them only look that ratings. Mr. Beck Program has very high ratings and if you compare them any cable or other news. Mr. Beck wins hand down. It’s a amazing
that the rest of the news media doesn’t really understand the average Joe or Jane. On the subject of Reverse racism has been use by media from the beginning and needs to stop. I my not agree with Mr. Beck or the President,
but one thing I sure of is that President Obama does not have a clue about small business. I and partner have owned our small business for over thirty year. All of my employee and their family had health insurance provide by me and my partner at no cost to them. So maybe not all of us Republican are bad guy.
174. anthony | 08.25.09
whether we agree with beck or not, stopping him speaking his mind is not what made this country great. yes, there are times i find him a bit overbearing, nevertheless he has at the same time raise the level of discussion over what is obvious arrogant attitude of obama. so i say to glenn, keep it up.
175. Tom | 08.25.09
*LAUGH* It’s pretty amusing all the conservatives screaming about how people boycotting Glenn Beck are taking away his “freedom of speech.”
Glenn Beck exercised his freedom of speech to call the President of the United States a racist. Fine. He’s a hate-filled windbag with little to no intellect, but fine — he can say what he wants.
Similarly, the vast majority of Americans who find that kind of speech hateful and repulsive are free to “speak” to advertisers and to boycott those who financially support Glenn.
And those advertisers are free to follow the money, and if more sales would be lost by supporting Glenn than dropping him — as they appear to be deciding — they are free to drop him like the diseased blob of hatred that he is.
And the network is free to pursue its own financial interests and drop someone who is costing them tens of millions of dollars. Heck who knows, if all this pressure causes Fox to drop Beck, maybe he’ll go on to become a prominent voice unaffiliated with any network– nah, who am I kidding. He’ll go on to be a third-rate, likely drunken buffoon, forgotten in some barroom while he brags about how he was once “bigger than Jesus” by crying crocodile tears on air.
So, all of this is just proof that freedom of speech is alive and well. You should rejoice!
176. Americafirst | 08.25.09
Rupert Murdock is not an American Citizens. He is trying to destroy our republic.
177. brett | 08.25.09
Boycott the boycotters. These companies (Radio Shack, Progressive, Gieco, etc.) are taking the losing side and will lose a lot of customers.
178. sos | 08.25.09
Again, those who persist in dividing this nation like Beck, Limbaugh, Malkin and others who won’t leave well enough alone, will find themselves isolated by their own indignation; and needlessly so.
The negative seeds they are sowing will be the harvest they will inevitably have to feed on. You do reap what you so. It is the law of the harvest.
It is written: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Do they really want to be the entities of derision, that they try so desperately to cause the President to be? The world will witness their calamity if they do not “cease and desist.” They are deeply wounding themselves in an attempt to wound the President.
179. Ohio Bob | 08.25.09
I like glenn. Hes just standing up for America Before Now! I work In Ohio And Im fed Up too. I see People fed up at the Mall, The Local Subshop, the Grocery store In Columbus Ohio. The Media is lieing! All walks of life are mad! People let congress fight and do little from the 70s til now! But with all the manufacturing finally gone… People Now Care about what was going on all those years ago now. They are awakening!! Im ready to stop my job and go in the streets if they dont get some manufacturing back in America. We can Pay the taxes on all this Bailouts if we dont have good jobs in aMerica!
Dont they know that up there? A few years and i think we all will be moving in with congress people and living at there house. Do they really want that?
180. Brian | 08.25.09
Glen Beck is a racist and a fascist. It’s time people stood up to him, and if you agree, then you should contact those companies that advertise on his show, and tell them you are sick of his divisive, self-serving, slander. Just reviewing these comments should give you a sample of the kind of racist/crazy hate-filled people that support Beck. If progressive people won’t stand up to his ugliness, then what will is it possibly going to take?
181. JR | 08.25.09
I work on the web for a living. I am 32 yr old for all intents and purpose a black man as defined by USA even though my mother is white. I make over 100k a year and I a grad of Howard University. Mabey No one cares but I just want you guys to know that I truly love white people black people and brown and whatever other colors they may be. Why do u let race be such a devise issue for us. Race is something that has been feed and taught to us since the time we were little. I would love to see more white people and black people just show more love and let the world know we are working on unlearning our devise past. I am more republican than Democratic and my ideas people would say to be more white than black but at the end of the day I reject both white and black because I choose to subscribe to a theory which is based on the content of peoples character. While I don’t agree with Glen ‘comments I respect his right to say them.
182. Lynn Hale | 08.25.09
Obama wants to send our United States of America straight to the fiery pits of ****. What all of you DEMONcrats were thinking when you voted for that monster is beyond me.
183. Dave | 08.25.09
The level of intelligence on this message board, regardless of political belief, is about on par with that of Youtube comments.
184. Pete | 08.25.09
Lets boycott fox by not watching it.every show is based on fear mongering and trying to find blame for manufactured ills .Turn off your TV and read something.
185. Bart | 08.25.09
What happened to all the Patriotic/Nationalistic rightwingers? These are the same folks that claim anti-war demonstrators are unpatriotic? Who is truly unpatriotic?
186. Darrin | 08.25.09
Why can’t these conservatives agree? Is Obama a facist? A communist? A socialist? Do you guys even know the difference?
And why does he hate white people? He hates his mother, grandmother and all of that side of his family?
And why does he want to “destroy” America? What is his goal? What does he want to America to be? A crazy country where everyone has a right to health care (like those other nutcase countries - Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, etc.). Wait - are those countries our mortal enemies? No, they are just “developed” countries. OH MY GOD - Obama wants to turn the US into a “developed” country!
187. jcpr | 08.25.09
why have we lost the right to say what we want in this country? Come on people, left and right, we can and will say anything we want, and Obama is not God… Hello.
189. Your Mama’s Racist | 08.25.09
Legitimate question: “Is there proof that Obama is not racist?” There’s plenty of evidence to support the fact that he is. So where’s the evidence to the contrary? Racists whites have hired blacks, so the argument that Obama has whites in the white house is pretty ridiculous. So is Beck a racists now because he said Obama is a racist? What a joke…
190. monica j | 08.25.09
I clicked on the article, because I thought that perhaps it would say something worthwhile; unfortunately, it was more of the usual FOX swill. I live in Mississippi and I live in a neighborhood where I go to a Fitness Center for the most part all of the monitors are tuned to FOX. I am African American and usually the only person of color there in the am working out. I find it sad that racism remains so virulent and rampant in this society. Many African Americans rejoiced when Obama was elected not just because he is partly African American, but because we wanted to believe that the American Dream was true. Sadly, people like Glenn Beck, O’Reilly, Hannity and whomever, and they supporters prove that the American continues to elude the Black American.
191. willie lump lump | 08.25.09
So you people really believe Obama is a racist ? huh! the world is really stupid. White people raised him, educated him, kinda remind me of Mosses you know killing the 1st son flowing down the nile , being found by the people that was over his people being raised, educated by , then lead his people to the promise land. yea! you people is crazy.
192. Abraham | 08.25.09
Go Glenn! Glenn is a Genious, The guy speaks the truth and he doesnt care what people think about him,I wish we had more Radio or Tv peronalities like him! I will boycott those brands that are boycotting his show! As far as our leader is concerned all I have to say is ” Don’t blame me because I didnt vote for him”!
193. Heather | 08.25.09
I see. So people can call Bush a murderer and war criminal and they are entitled to their opinion. But if you call Obama a racist, your guilty of treason and not entitled to your own opinion.
Is this the new free speech of the liberal lefts America? Where the only free speech is the free speech the liberal left approves of?
I also love the gun totting comment. We have all heard about the man with the gun at the Obama rally. But few liberal left news outlets have mentioned that the man with the gun was black! Obviously a right wing, gun totting, white surpremist!
194. Ron Bowman | 08.25.09
The problem is that some groups feel they are entitled to use the racism card exclusively. When someone not “entitled” uses it then they are a wacko. The only way racisim will end in this country is if EVERYONE stops using it! We are all American people. The same thing was done to Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, etc. It is not unpatriotic or wrong to question the leadership of our country that were legally elected, and they all were! This is the real deal America!
195. K-pho | 08.25.09
Uh, I find it nearly impossible to believe that his supporters will actually boycott Walmart, but IF THEY DO, good on ‘em. I mean, we have to remember his base is essentially paranoid, uneducated, and white (i.e., Walmart customers). Will they start shopping local and go to Whole Foods instead?
196. tiff | 08.25.09
These people appointed by Obama are not 60’s radicals, these are people in the last few years admitted to be Maxist or Communist. All you educated people can research it yourself. Why don’t you listen to Glenn, take the names down and do the research. Don’t blindly believe, you’re educated…research.
197. Decentralize | 08.25.09
The free speech thing goes both ways; Beck is free to voice his mind, though he is not entitled access to a platform from which to broadcast to the public at large. Conversely, the sponsors are free to voice their preferences, and choose which programming they are comfortable sponsoring. Once the ad space in Beck’s time slot falls below a certain value, this bird is cooked, and Fox will be looking for less controversial / more profitable fare.
As for Rush’s commentary, obviously he’s going to spin this story defensively, since he’s at the mercy of very similar forces with his own advertisers (though Rush’s revenue needs are much lower to be profitable given his operation’s significantly lower expenses, so he’s not likely to be pushed off the air by a similar move from his own sponsors). For Fox News, the decision is a completely straightforward matter of profitability, and no demonstration of viewer support will ever hope to compensate for ad space rates falling through the floor. I’m sure Rush will free up a slot on his show for Beck once he gets canned from Fox, though. One more manic depressive drama queen won’t be a problem there.
198. marine43 | 08.25.09
whitneymuse, See it’s people like you that give us our strength. You are stuck in your own imaginary world. To say that Beck is in it for the money, is shortsighted and just plain dumb. He has more love for this country in his pinky, than Obama has, in his whole family.But PLEASE by all means stay where you are , as Becks , and Rushes audience grows by leaps and bounds. We love it when the left speaks. You are what gives us our POWER!
199. GetOverIt | 08.25.09
I can’t believe the mess we’re in. Someone ought to slap the snot out of all of us. Wing-nuts, Nazis, and Communists. I think we need a noble cause to pursue to get us out of this abysmal rut. We’re blowing billions on worthless projects anyway. I say let’s get some people on the red planet!
200. Grandma | 08.25.09
I see the young following Obama like a flock of sheep. Wake up kids the Gov. has never done nothing for anybody but themselves. Can’t you take an alternative view and at least listen to Beck. Personally I hope he’s wrong but what if he’s RIGHT?
201. ThomCarl Hater | 08.25.09
Yeah ThomCarl, calling people names must mean that you’re right. But if you want to get technical; statistically, you can consider Democrats to be stupid before you can consider Republicans. Most likely due to the the low-income areas which generally have poor test scores. Plus, there is a pretty large disparity of Republican vs Democratic business owners, and it’s not exactly in the Democrats favor. Assuming that you are a Democrat, it would appear that you fall within the general consensus, which of course is to no fault of your own. You’re obviously a victim of circumstance and have not been given an opportunity to exercise your mind due to the “stupid” republicans that rely on capitalism and progress rather than sitting at home painting a picture of yourself and calling it art.
202. Conservative Liberal | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck can say anything he wants. Very little of it ever makes sense, and he rants from the TV, pandering to the hatred and bigotry of his fans.
And no, Jo, Obama did not call a white man stupid. He said the police “acted stupidly” in this case. It had nothing personal in it and certainly did not focus on the policeman’s race.
So many clowns on this message board are defending their hero, Glenn Beck, and his vile nonesense. The man is not very bright, and is just an entertainer, if you find that kind of junk entertaining; few thoughtful people do.
203. Honest Abe | 08.25.09
Beck, O’Reilly, Coulter, Limbaugh and other far-right blowhards get paid to FOMENT hatred, to MUCKRAKE, to support those who call Obama a Nazi, and to shout down and drown out anyone that stands up to them. It’s well known that O’Reilly’s wacknut tirades led directly to the deaths of an abortion doctor and a museum guard. With Obama’s election, all the suppressed hatreds of the right were finally considered acceptable public discussion. These are the true racists in our ’society’, and Beck calling Obama a racist is just a sick deflection of the right’s agenda. We are now seeing how a diseased fringe minority can make a lot of noise pushing their insanity, like Palin with the death panel idiocy (which of course she only posed as the originator). The far right are the local equivalent of the Afghan Taliban. Remember the Bush fearmongering about “eliminate the turrists over there so they won’t come over here” - well, he forgot that they’re already here as the right-wing zealots. No other group pushes their brand of anger, bitterness, obstructionism, endless hatred (except towards their own ilk), plus a longstanding agenda to infiltrate and reduce the government to a right wing arm of the born-again church, to suppress intelligent thought. They broadcast lying distortions of anything the current government does, a disrespect of the president, and a sick agenda of implied threats in bringing assault rifles to where the president is. What if black folks had shown up at Bush’s speeches with assault rifles? Let your imagination run wild. The antics of the far-right show that they want to be the real America haters, the real non-patriots of this country. Like termites, they have ruined the Republican party from within, and have energized independents and centrists against them. Their hatreds might even help ensure that the democrats will retain power for many elections to come.
204. marine43 | 08.25.09
dallasmike, OHHOHOHOHOHO WOW GUESS YOU GOT US THERE! Scathing wit! No seriously.
205. isthisAmerica | 08.25.09
I love the way some people are quick to jump on the war wagon when a minority is questioned about any issue of this type. It seems that in your fantasy world only minorities can make these statements. I think America in general is getting sick of it also. Glen Beck made a comment about an individual not about an entire race. I claim that the people that are making all the noise are the true racist. These are the same people that will be blaming others when we have no rights left in our country. I’ve lived and work with all races over the past 20 years. Most have come from poor backgrounds to include myself. We all worked hard and were promoted or recognized accordingly. They didn’t use the race card to get an unfair advantage. Why don’t some of you go take a deep look in mirror and then you will find the problem. You can’t do that because it’s easier to take the coward’s way out and blame someone else, isn’t it? Do you think most of America would give a S$#T if you called Bush or any other white guy a racist name? No they wouldn’t, its AMERICA that is your right. The only reason I can see for your actions are a deep hatred for the white American. Why don’t you just kill us all? Oh that wouldn’t work because then you would have to blame someone else for your mistakes. I really feel sorry for all my friends that worked so hard and have to be embarrassed by things like this.. These same type of people can openly say they hate America, the white man is the devil, and numerous other things and get away with it. You attack an entire race and get away with it. One man says one personal comment about another man and it’s a crime. What has this country come to?
I will do my part and not purchase any products from the companies listed. I will also encourage my friends, family, and community to do the same. I hope more Americans will do the same and support our rights.
206. artemis133 | 08.25.09
Glen is the best; he’s a real person who’s not afraid to show his strong feelings. He’s doing a lot to wake up the sheeple of America. I started out years ago as a fan of Glenn’s radio show and was thrilled when he got his television show. Obama is a racist. You go, Glenn.
207. Kmars | 08.25.09
This is so typical. A white man call a black man racist and all **** breaks loose but should a black man call a white man racist that’s okay.
From 2000 through 2008 Bush was routinely called a racist or even a Nazi. Kanye West said, on national tv, that “Bush don’t like black people” and there was no boycott called for him.
The hypocriscy from the left is staggering.
208. submachine | 08.25.09
I have always had a mistrust of obama who is a racist as well as his wife, someone told me that I did not vote for obama because he is black, my retort was that he is the wrong black, had Condi Rice run, I would have voted for her in a heartbeat.
209. Eric | 08.25.09
Glenn is doing this for love of money, not love of country. Why can’t people wake up and see the same old tired tactic by republicans: Stirring up hatred and paranoia within their ranks. Apparently, it’s all they know anymore.
210. John S | 08.25.09
Why is it that only white people can be labeled ‘racist’ in our society today? Is it not true that 98% of black voters voted for Obama? What would have been said if 98% of the white voters cast their ballot for McCain? We need to ask ourselves just who in the government today represents their constituency rather than their party. Isn’t that what we elect them to do?
211. Aaron Truitt | 08.25.09
Beck definitely jumps the shark on occasion, but if he’s wrong, why not just prove it? I’ve been distancing myself from a life of narrow-minded Liberal thinking because of the increasing intolerance and hatred by my fellow Liberals.
So is that the best response his detractors can summon: “Shut-up or we’ll shut you up.” … and to think, at one time I too would have joined the censorship chorus. I’m grateful for the deep and profound love I’ve experienced that helped me open my mind.
212. Pat Ukalely | 08.25.09
Interesting how a “Christian” audience is so full of un Christian values, such as hate, vengeance and bigots. But not surprising -
Republicans have been making fools of Christian values for a long time. Try reading the Book - then you will know the truth, which most of you clearly do not see.
213. Nekol | 08.25.09
I am curious if any of you Glenn lovers ever watched him on CNN………….Get a life! He is only in it for the money and is taking advantage of your hatred and making millions!To me, in my opinion, I think, Glenn Beck is a Terrorist!
214. Roland Olsen | 08.25.09
Obama referred to his grandmother as “typical white person,” his quick prejudgment of the Cambridge police based on skin color, and his nomination of a supreme court judge who routinely placed herself racially above others reveals a racist bias in the big BO. If a white person had said and done anything near just these three things, they not only would have been labeled as racist, but would have also been forced to resign. As Beck is fond of saying, the liberal double standard sends blood shooting from your ears.
215. Jay Arr | 08.25.09
Why are they so popular? Bill Riley, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh are highly emotional masters of spin and innuendo. They destroy rational argument and trustworthy debate that are hallmarks of our principled founding fathers. Let them spew hatred long enough and both will inherit the mantels of a certain German dictator in the 1930’s and Lucifer. Like them, attention-vetting monsters attract blind simpletons and hoarding masses of hate.
216. Cobalt | 08.25.09
Glen Beck, as with Fox, caters to people who have one opinion and listen to only those like themselves with the same opinion. If you listen to him then you are of the same mind. If you broaden you vision and take in alternatives to Fox news then you are likely to see it for what it is, bias and truly ignorant of the larger argument. Racism agrees with Racism.
217. Josh | 08.25.09
Most of the people responding in forum (I mean the Beck supporters) cause me to fear for the future of this country. Some of the absolute most ignorant comments and opinions I have ever read. Obviously the US Education System if broken, this thread is evidence to that fact. I’ll stop there, my pointing out the many flaws within many of the comments would simply go unheard anyways. You people are quite simply brainwashed. Terribly Unfortunate.
218. Sam Sneed | 08.25.09
Yup Glenn has the right to freedom of speech but we the people also have a right to boycott. 400 years of white Presidents and not even 1 year yet with a black President and it’s Armageddon already!!!!
219. Thomas | 08.25.09
Here again, Glenn Beck’s publicity is making the Democrat’s silently smile and just keep smiling all the way to the voting box. His comments, and those made by others such as Rush Limbaugh, have turned groves of people away from the Republican party. Throw in Ann Coulter, Sean Hanity and others and the pace quickens. There is no debate on this - anyone notice recently who is President and what party they are affiliated with? WAKE UP!!
I, like so many others, are simply disgusted by the method and content of the garbage these media-heads spew while representing the face of the Rebulican cause. What is most sad, their message is crafted for self-serving ratings purposes and lots of American’s are buying in to it just like the housing bubble.
Just listen to something other then their spin and misrepresentation and your neighbor might acuse you of being a hardcore Democrat. Hey neighbor, “What’s in the grape juice your drinking?, I can’t hold mine down anymore.”
220. Itsjustme | 08.25.09
What can be said at this point. We just have to tough it out fighting every bill the dems put up in congress and then work like crazy for a new breed of candidate in three years.
221. gaholli | 08.25.09
Rhetoric makes for wasted breath.
I think the health care debate is moot: the government has no “mandate,” at least as far as the Constitution explicity enumerates, to coerce the American people to accept any sort of government involvement in the health care.
We all need to take a deep breath, and then read the U.S. Constitution. The 10th Amendment certainly states that whatever is not clearly and concisely defined in the document is left up to the States, and the people.
Given this tidbit of information, I do not see how the government can “give” us health care, since health care reform as a concept or any other kind of terminology is never explicitly stated in the governing law of our land. Neither does this government imposition of “rights” appear in any Amendment subsequently applied to the Constitution.
That should settle the matter for anyone with a vested interest in the sustainability of our country. Calling the clear, cludless sky green in defiance of the incontrovertible evidence that it is blue, is analogous to what many people believe and behave in regards to health care.
222. JoeQ | 08.25.09
With all this asinine ratcheting up of rhetoric from the likes of Rupert Murdoch’s greedy Fox News syndicate, it’s only a matter of time until some dumb yahoo who listens to all this garbage takes a potshot at somebody. It could be a wacko from either the right or the left. When that inevitably happens, it will be time in out country for another serious examination of the meaning of “free speech”.
The proverbial topic will once again be: When is it free speech and when is it yelling “fire!” in a crowded theater?
At that point, if somebody has died, it will be time to place the blame squarely at the feet of everyone in the media food-chain: the self-serving pundits, the producers, the advertisers, all the way up to the CEOs and the board of directors. When that happens, I sincerely hope that everyone responsible gets roasted.
223. Larry-T | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is a hate-mongering fascist in the mold of Nazi sympathizer Father Caughlin, who had one of the most popular radio talk shows in the 1930’s. He will certainly foment violence and violent behavior by those who follow him. Heck is a sociopath on the verge of a psychotic episode. I only hope that he does not have access to firearms.
224. Laurie Schrader | 08.25.09
From an earlier post: “This just proves that Glenn Beck was correct when he said “our right to free speech is being taken away”.
Nothing like a discussion about the obnoxious screamings of a half-wit to bring out the ignorant. Perhaps TL Meyers and the rest making this argument should take out their handy pocket Constitutions. Beck’s right to spew what he wants goes on unabated. Did you even read the article? Fox is supporting him, not stifling him.
225. NelIndiana | 08.25.09
It is just not a good idea to talk about it. Obama was raised by white people-so why would he hate them? If Jesus came back tommorrow-I wouldn’t want to be a journalist!
226. Brad | 08.25.09
Did you ever notice that some of the most intolerant people are reformed addicts, like Beck, Bush, and Limbaugh? It’s as if they refocus their energy on trying to dismantle the lives of others instead of their own. Sick (as in need of more therapy) minds just the same.
227. deedubs | 08.25.09
I am absolutely appalled with the state of politics and discussion these days. There is no middle anymore in the major parties - just leftist and rightist extremism. No wonder the politicians have to pander to the independents, and moderates are leaving both parties in droves. This is exactly the type of say-anything-to-get-attention bullcrap that is taking our country down the tubes. If you really want to start a violent revolution, just do it already and stop the name-calling, hate-mongering, libelous talking-head shouting.
228. Mayu | 08.25.09
I spend thousands of dollars at Best Buy because I work with computers.
I cancelled my best buy credit card.
I actually used free credit reports because of problems with my brother’s credit report getting mixed with mine. I cancelled my membership.
I get my glasses through Pearl Vision, I made it clear I will be going to Stein Optical from now on.
I am a germaphobe so I use a lot of Clorox’ products. I emailed them to let them know it’s now lysol all the way
Beck didn’t call Obama something racist, he called Obama A racist… and true or not, there are a lot of things in this current health care bill and in the stimulus bill that could be construed as sticking it to white people for being more successful than the majority of minorities and illegals.
Did they pull their ads from MSNBC when they ran a story about how racism is rampant against Obama, and that he’s fighting against hateful whites, showing a video of a closeup of a gun on this guy’s back at a rally… using that as proof of white racism against Obama…
only, if you saw the WHOLE video rather than the careful editing, it was an AFRICAN AMERICAN man with the gun, not a white man.
Did they pull their ads for that blatant deceitful lie? no.
Did they pull their ads from MSNBC when they praised Pelosi for calling citizens concerned with this government run Health Care bill, Nazi’s, Brownshirts, Immoral, astro-turf?
no.
but Beck says what is very possible… that Obama is a racist… and all of a sudden they’re scurrying to cancel all advertising?
OBAMA IS NOT A GOD! In fact, he’s a man who hates the success of others outside of the minority races, who wants to give free health care to Illegal immigrants while taxing the rest of us to pay for it.
he had no experience to be president. he wants to run our health care, yet the ONLY thing he did as senator besides not vote or vote “no comment” was to name a day after someone, and people complained about Palin being inexperienced? at least she cut spending, lowered taxes, implemented programs that brought in jobs to Alaska.
this is just all disheartening. So these places want to boycott Glenn? Well then Glenn supporters, boycott them!!!!!!!
229. Laurie Schrader | 08.25.09
From an earlier post: “This just proves that Glenn Beck was correct when he said “our right to free speech is being taken away”.
Nothing like a discussion about the obnoxious screamings of a half-wit to bring out the ignorant. Perhaps TL Meyers and the rest making this argument should take out their handy pocket Constitutions. Beck’s right to spew what he wants goes on unabated. Did you even read the article? Fox is supporting him, not stifling him.
230. ex-republican | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is racist. Obama is half-white so you sound stupid saying he is anti-white.
231. deedubs | 08.25.09
I for one can’t wait until there’s enough votes to change the voting system to a true multi-party system that allows for some *reasonable* discussion and debate, not the “I-hate-you-more-than-I-think-you-hate-me” shouting match that everything has devolved into. And yes, I point the finger at both the Dems and Repubs for this - Repubs for yelling the loudest, and the Dems for allowing responses to this kind of **** to derail common sense debate.
232. AlexR | 08.25.09
I simply do not watch FOX because of Glen and another “…. factor” man. They are full of poison and they are putting everything upside down. It is all too disturbing and insulting. They are trying to paint everything non-republican in dirt. I hope that most of Americans can see it.
233. Charles Silesia | 08.25.09
I’ve never watched Glenn Beck, but it seems quite a reasonable assumption based on Barack Obama’s background that he might be racist. His pastor of 20 years, Rev. Wright, whom Barack lionized in his autobiography, preached an explicitly racist ideology of black liberation theology, in which whites are demonized in the same way the bourgeoisie is demonized in Marxism. Barack spent twenty years listening to such hate-filled garbage and subjected his daughters to it as well. Furthermore, he stereotyped his own grandmother as a “typical white person”. His knee jerk reaction to the Henry Gates incident without knowing all the facts is further evidence. Finally, his choosing of Justice Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, who herself repeatedly made racist comments about a wise latina being a better judge than a white male, and who was overturned on the Rizzo case, is more evidence.
234. Trouble | 08.25.09
It’s so amusing (and sad) to see how the Right and the Left react to criticism.
The Right usually calmly picks out a few facts that break the criticism or if it’s actually valid don’t say much at all.
The Left, on the other hand, screams like a petulant child, calls names, casts insults and generally throws a full on temper-tantrum.
According to most on the Right, disagreement is part of America. According to the shrillest of the Left (the most heard), disagreement is only Patriotic if you disagree with the Right. If you disagree with the Left, the first word that gets yelled is “Rascist” or “Hater”.
The posts left under this article prove my point so very well.
235. TonyV | 08.25.09
Beck’s own words: I say on the air all time, ‘if you take what I say as gospel, you’re an
idiot.’ ”
Guess there are many of them.
236. Chase | 08.25.09
Obama a racist? Really? It would appear that you forgot that his mother and his grandparents were white. I guess it doesn’t really matter to me what they say because Obama suffocated that whole neo-con agenda in November. Reality check: The 3 Stooges are doing their utter best to keep ratings up. They will say or do anything to keep the brainwashed herd we call republicans in tow. Obama isn’t worried and neither are we. Rants for the sake of ranting. I especially like the part where these guys try to portray themselves as Christians. Chuckle…chuckle.
237. patilee | 08.25.09
Has the writer of this article or any of their lackeys even watched Beck’s show? I seriously doubt it. Where are you getting your information? Also, is freedom of speech only allowed when the speaker agrees with you? And to those of you who insist on making a feeble attempt at posting your opinions with profanities, the minute you start with the profanity your entire statement is lost and reduced to being insignificant. Your mother should have taught you better.
238. Not convinced | 08.25.09
Why is it that most of what I see from Beck’s opponents are insults and slander? Is it because they are incapable of forming an arguement to support their case? Why do they feel the need to belittle anyone who disagrees? Is this need to feel superior, arrogance or insecurity? No matter how eloquently you insult your opponents, the lack of any arguement to support your position only highlights your lack of intellect or knowledge of the facts.
I hear a lot of Beck’s detractors call him a racist. Since when is accusing someone of being a racist racist. If that were true, every liberal/Democrat alive today is a racist and a hypocrit.
I also see a lot of people accusing Beck or his supporters of being Nazis. Please look up the definition of Nazi and compare it to definition of a Socialist, then try to explain how they differ. (trick question, there are no differences).
I haven’t seen any one try to discredit Beck’s claim that Obama is a racist. Insulting someones intelligence is not discrediting. It is a fallacious argument that anyone with any intellegence can see right through.
Based on what I’ve seen from these comments, I can only conclude that Obama is a racist. I hope I am wrong.
239. republicansaredumb | 08.25.09
Glenn Beck is the perfect example of a sore loser his party lost and suddenly America is down the tubes that’s the dumbest thing i have ever heard get over it republicans you lost. Boycott glens program and all of fox news its just republican BS. All their lies are doing is dividing this country. Glenn is a traitor who is trying to start a second civil war.
240. Voice of Change | 08.25.09
Geico is owned by Warren Buffett. Warren Buffett is a STRONG Obama supporter.
Obama is a racist.
Obama is stealing from affluent white people to benefit poor black people.
Saying this is called “Freedom of Speech” and is protected by the Constitution of the United States of America. Not that Obama cares one wit for that document–and would probably use it as toilet paper or to light his Cuban cigar if he could.
Obama is evil. He is using National Socialist tactics to take over this nation. (National Socialist, in German, is “NAZI”.)
It is time for true patriots to arm themselves while you can. The Second American Revolution is coming. Be prepared.
241. mikemalachy | 08.25.09
No body is taking away’s Glenn Beck’s freedom of speech. He can and did call the president racist. Those who didn’t like it are expressing their freedoms as well.
America is wonderful.
242. Justin | 08.25.09
Well, there was a point I was willing to give Obama and his wife the benefit of the doubt on the racism issue. I still did not vote for him, in any case, but I was willing to consider his qualifications and background prior to the election.
He attended a church where the pastor was racist.
His wife made a comment to the effect that she’s never been proud of the United States.
He nominated Sotomayor, I believe, because of her color, not her qualifications
The evidence is damning. He appears to be racist.
243. Rick | 08.25.09
So nearly 3 million people watch Glenn’s show every night and businesses that are out to supposedly make money won’t advertise with him anymore? OK, there are plenty more businesses with common sense that will. And when it comes to racism, how come its so hard to believe that a black man can’t be as racist as a white man? I honestly don’t care if he is or is not a racist, but I do care the Glenn has the right to free speech just like I do. He can say that the president has on lace underware for all I care. I have the choice to turn the channel if I wished. Don’t stop people from speaking out, do your own research, listen or not and come up with your own conclusions.
244. Tyler | 08.25.09
Who will save the GOP? One thing is for damn sure: not the GOP! They at this point are like wounded, immature, whining little kids who are bitter about the fact that they lost the last fight (because they suck and America knows it), and just want to see some democrats with their face in the dirt to feel better about their own [self-inflicted] injuries. I have no respect for those childish nincompoops.
245. GeeTee Wilson | 08.25.09
Not only should the sponsors bail out on Beck, they should bail out of Fox–although that’s not going to happen since it’s all about the money for them, to ride the crest of the wave this notorious idiot has begun with his insane rants. Beck is an idiot. A racist from the deepest waters. Period. Beck, “Lameball”, O’Reilly, Coulter and the rest just foment hatred and racism, proving them to be the worst of the worst. That’s what the neo-cons just drool over, hearing racist comments coming out of the speakers of their radios and TeeVees like the RCA-Victor dog. Pavlov would be proud.
246. alex1940us | 08.25.09
All the left wing loonies should watch ONLY Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and the likes. They speak with God and tell you the truth….and I have a bridge to sell to you.
247. patilee | 08.25.09
Doesn’t bother people in the tiniest bit that people are trying to organize to get rid of anyone that disagrees with them? To want to boycott an entire company just because they advertise on a show with a different opinion! Good grief. Do you buy GE products? Look at some of the things Jeff Immelt has done. If that doesn’t make you feel guilty about supporting GE you are frightening.
248. ruserious | 08.25.09
i’m a black female mba and i think obama’s a RACIST, too… i just can’t BELIEVE there are people defending his agenda… white, black, purple or green… i never thought i’d live to see the day that so many WHITE americans would be blinded and bamboozled by a RACIST black man! its almost comical… black folks, i could see… but WHITES perpetrating their own demise?? un-be-weave-able.
249. Alan L. | 08.25.09
Never before has an American president been attacked like this. I believe Mr. Beck was dropped on his head several times as a child to become the crazy person he is today. Many of the right wingers also fall into the same category. It is possible their mommies just did not nurse them or let them play with other kids and that is why Beck and his minions are so bitter. I did not hear any complaints from these people when Bush pilfered the presidency twice a man of very little intellectual capacity who lied to get us into a War where thousands of fine young Americans have died, I did not hear complaints about destroying the environment, the Economy or laws that protected workers rights, put innocent people in jail without trial. The list goes on and on. Where were you big mouth people? How many books have come out about the Bush regimes lying, cheating, manipulations and hypocracy.
250. Red | 08.25.09
Advertisers want the biggest crowd and Fox has the biggest. This will only increase their audience. How many of you are now watching Beck to see what an *** he is? This elitist trite only serves his (Fox New) cause. Grats on being an idiot!
251. daiel sullivan | 08.25.09
Glen Bck has openned my eyes to the fat that obama s a racist who hates the white man.
Luckily Fox is the station thats on my TV, last year there was a leak in my trailer and it burned out the remote. Now I get all my facts 24 hours!
Take your filthy Govt hands off my guns and social security!!
252. paletadelima | 08.25.09
Our esteemed president, “racist”? I detect “classist” more than “racist”, but the distinction blurs in practice.
If President 0 acts to convert the United States to communism (we’re already socialist, folks), then he is in no danger of having to adhere to the program himself: he’s already guaranteed everything he needs, everything he wants, and round-the-clock Secret Service protection for as long as he’s inhaling and exhaling (exhaling dreaded, planet-earth-destroying carbon dioxide gas, too, in case you missed that biology class). Just like the Soviet ruling elite high-lifed with caviar on silver spoons while the proletariat lined up at barren marketshops for sad-looking potatoes.
If it is President 0’s dream to convert the United States to a classless society … then from what I see, we’re already well on our way there and don’t need his naively misguided, forked-tongued, overpriced, waste-my-tax-money help: we have more “no-class” boors than ever before, more than we’ll ever need, and the surplus increaseth daily.
253. whamfan | 08.25.09
Everyone has a right to their opinion, but outright lies should not be tolerated by people who purport to bring you the news. Glenn Beck has a right to freedom of speech, but Fox should have a warning label on before his show (like they do on Law & Order) “the comments on this show are fictional and in no way reflect the opinions of this station, etc.
But I see from many of the comments on this page that many of you don’t live in a world of facts and truths.
We need to get back to the days of Cronkite when news was just reported, no opinion, no spin. People could think and make up their own minds without being told how to do so by the media. One more reason why US ranks 18th of 36 countries polled on education.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/19/US-slipping-in-education-rankings/UPI-90221227104776/
254. jay | 08.25.09
I know the Monitor’s mission is to bless all and injure none. I always respected the Monitor for being balanced in it’s reporting and letting the reader decide. The headline alone suggests the author has taken a side. Obama had a white mother, was raised by his white grandmother. The for profit insurance companies denied his mother medical care. Glenn Beck has every right to voice his opinion and as do the advertisers. When it’s slander, inflammatory and generating class and cultural warfare, I think it goes too far.
255. Jim | 08.25.09
AS much as some people might not agree with the president, calling him a racist? Based on what? I can understand the socialist name but RACIST? If Obama were white and was still going with the same policies, would he still be called a racist? Are the white Democrats called racists? No they are not.
Its a word that is used on both sides for politics and used to make themselves look like victims. These people feel threatened and increasingly alienated because their “old America” is changing. Now what does that mean? Old America? Sounds like a bunch of old white folks who are still bitter over the election.
These opinion shows are only interested in making money by pandering to an audience of frustrated, angry and very poorly educated individuals. Its about time these respectable companies pull out.
256. Jim | 08.25.09
AS much as some people might not agree with the president, calling him a racist? Based on what? I can understand the socialist name but RACIST? If Obama were white and was still going with the same policies, would he still be called a racist? Are the white Democrats called racists? No they are not.
Its a word that is used on both sides for politics and used to make themselves look like victims. These people feel threatened and increasingly alienated because their “old America” is changing. Now what does that mean? Old America? Sounds like a bunch of old white folks who are still bitter over the election.
257. JBBW | 08.25.09
Wow - there’s a lot of hate going on here. Take a step back and examine why you feel the way you do. Are you really being threatened? The loudest voice isn’t the one you have to follow.
258. cynthia | 08.25.09
WELL THIS IS TO TOHMCAL, WE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT STUPID, BUT YOU ARE. ALL OBAMA GOD IM GETTING TIRED OF THAT NAME. IS TRYING TO DO IS DESTROY THIS COUNTRY. I WISH HE WOULD JUST GO AWAY, AND TAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WITH HIM.. AND YES HE IS RACIST…..
259. JIm | 08.25.09
Message to Glen Beck: The president does not hate white people as you have said. That is why Wallmart, UPS, an 32 other sponsors have pulled the plug on you. Buh bye.
260. New America | 08.25.09
To call our President ‘racist’ is shameful. Pres. Obama was raised in a true multicultural experience. Perhaps that’s why he believes America should continue its journey of working for everyone. Hence, his decisive victory last November.
To say the phrase ‘reverse racism’ is premature and quite ignorant, don’t you think? Before we’re so quick to use such a phrase, shouldn’t white people endure the domestic torture that blacks have suffered at the hands of whites, institutionally, and otherwise? I think it’s fine to use ‘reverse racism’ after…white slavery takes place, after defacto and dejure segregation of the white race over centuries, after redlining white communities, and etc…Are you beginning to see how dumb a phrase that is? I won’t mind the use of the phrase…however, please do so after 400 years of domestic terrorism sanctioned and endorsed by your own gov’t., and against your own people. It’s very insulting to hear that phrase flippantly thrown around. Sometimes I wish that the folks who use that phrase could suffer in the same ways as African Americans have historically. Then I would say, “yeah, you’re right, reverse racism does exist.” Quite fortunately, for you, it doesn’t.
261. Hank | 08.25.09
It is just amazing how many people will pay attention to the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck. They represent the typical intellectual level of conservatives.
President Bush was a C student and it showed.
Rush Limbaugh, according to his own mother, flunked everything. Could not even finish college. Dropped out of Southern Missouri State University after 2 semesters and one summer. Basically he is simply a guy with a high school diploma. He also had drug problems and could not even keep his own private life happy. Limbaugh has been divorced, not once, not twice, but thrice. Despite all his wealth, supposed intelligence, women who marry him (and you can be sure they were conservatives just like him) can’t bear the thought of living with him. They must truly see what he really is.
Sean Hannity is another bright one (at least amongst conservatives). He dropped out of, not one, but two universities: New York University and Adelphi University. So, again another man with just a high school diploma. At least he managed to stay married.
What about Mr. Beck. He was admitted to a special program for non-traditional students at Yale University while he was working for a New Haven-area radio station, having received at least one of his recommendations from Senator Joe Lieberman. During this time Beck took a single theology class, dropping out around the time of his divorce. So, again, just another guy with just a high school diploma! He also was divorced, but only once! Beck is a self-described recovering alcoholic and addict. He and his first wife divorced amid his struggle with substance abuse. Another life destroyed by someone to self-absorbed with his own addiction.
But guess what, these are the heroes of conservatives. Those are the people that conservatives turn to in order to get an opinion. Are we to understand that a group of high school graduates are to be the source of our opinions? Perhaps to republicans and conservatives. That is probably why they were so enthusiastic when Sarah Palin was chosen as VP candidate despite beeing such a lightweight who had to attend five different colleges in a six year span of time, before finally receiving a B.S.
This also probably explains why another intellectual lightweight that came to be called “Joe the plumber”. A guy who claimed he was going to have his own plumbing business. Yet he had no license. This is a guy who lived with his parents under welfare. Not that there is anything wrong with taking welfare, but if you do so or have done so, don’t go on Hannity’s show (On October 20, 2008) and say that Obama’s plan to ’spread the wealth’ was socialism, and that he didn’t want to take ’somebody else’s money who worked hard for it’. Who’s money does he think he and his parents used when they were on welfare? But “Joe the plumber” was a hero to republicans? Please!
No wonder they call anyone with an education beyond high school an “elitist”. I guess all these people can’t stand a president with a doctorate from an ivy league school. Obama was awarded a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna *** Laude from Harvard. And, by the way, his wife, Michelle also has a Law degree from Harvard.
Gosh that must hurt those conservatives. A black president, a black first lady, both with doctorates. But those are two people who did exactly what republicans and conservatives claim americans should do. Work hard, not be victims and pick yourself up by your own bootstraps (even if you don’t have any).
Also the president and his wife were never divorced (unlike Limbaugh and Beck). They raise their two daughters in an examplary fashion. I would have thought that conservative values would make you absolutely respect the words “For better or for worse”. Mr. Limbaugh must have said those words three times. To no avail.
So, my point is: Why are people eating up all the words of these undecudated people? I am not saying that those 3 entertainers are stupid. I am sure that they are reasonably intelligent people. But I am sure that you could go to any neighborhood bar and find a handful of people with much better thought out opinions than those 3 guys. After all, none of these guys was smart enough, nor had the stick-to-it ness, or dedication to get a college degree. And now, with all their wealth (go check out their salaries), you don’t hear of one saying “You know, I never finished college, and this has been a dream of mine. Well, now that I am making millions of dollars to speak for a few hours each day, I think I can go ahead an finish my education.”
Not one of them! They are too busy having conservative republicans lap up each and every one of their words.
So, yes, go ahead, and go believe an ex drug addict, alcoholic, college drop out, who says that OUR (emphasis OUR) president is a racist who hates white people. A president who has appointed a number of white men and women to important positions in the government.
If you believe that statement or anything else comming out of the mouth of these 3 entertainers, you must have a middle school education.
262. New Voter | 08.25.09
I wasn’t able to vote in this last election, and I am worried for the future of our country. most of what I can see of the debate sparked by this article is one side of our country attacking the other with simple words like “dumbest” and “uneducated”. The issue with this is that those who truly are educated are not speaking. Refer to number thirty-six,then reread the article. Words like “blusterer” and “goading” do not have a positive connotation. This article is at least neutral in it’s presentation. If we could spend a small amount of time researching and coming to our own conclusions without the spin produced by either side, perhaps we could see why the attacks keep coming from both sides. if you believe a five minute-or even a sixty minute-sound byte can tell you all you need to know, it is already to late for our country to survive. As for an attack as to Beck’s previous character flaws, is it not christian to forgive. To paraphrase Isaiah 1:18 god forgives and forgets. Why can’t we?
263. John Boyd | 08.25.09
If a lie is repeated enough then it takes on an aura of truth. Glen Beck is another in a long line of deceitful public figures who practice making outlandish statements which Fox News repeats continuously. The real tragedy is that there are people who believe these lies. One need only read about the rise of Hitler to see how a country can be misled such methods.
264. Jason | 08.25.09
Glenn Back is one the insane, crazy, taken his drinking to far. That’s right this was an alcoholic that only way he could stop is to become christian supremacist like the guy that runs blackwater.. The lot of you are so pathetic and evil not even funny.. Take care of the Iraq(not very good mind you)costing 12 billion a month and you complain about Democrats on spending wow your so pathetic but when it comes to your own can’t even to that Katrina, health care, employment. Republicans had eight years to secure are borders and failed. Jobs Americans don’t need to get Illegal cheap labor,illegal like smoking pot… YOU brake all sorts of laws, through whoever u want in jail your way or the high way. Just few traits of a christian supremacist = GLenn Beck
265. Not a GB Fan | 08.25.09
Not particularly a fan of Glen Beck or any Television talkshow host, left or right of an issue.
But what I don’t like here are big companies using their money to drive a political agenda that some of their shareholders embrass but does not represent the whole of their shareholders.
Its as though a company that once lobbied the government has become an extension of the government.
And if that is good for them, I say dump their stock and pass on their goods and services.
And to the fellow NASCAR fans and NHRA members out there, look at the colors of your cars, UPS and others are the companies that are attempting to use their power to keep your from hearing a side of a story that they do not want you to hear.
Let’s send them a message and tell them to stop their politics.
267. Mary Ann Stadler | 08.25.09
I agree with Glenn. Some of Obama’s remarks are definitely racist. He needs to remember that he was elected to represent blacks and whites equally.
Obama made a joke of himself by getting involved in the situation of the black professor who was locked out of his house and arrested while entering through a window. I doubt that Obama would have even noticed the incident if the arrested professor had been white.
On another subject, I have trouble respecting a president who travels the world kissing rear ends and blaming the U.S.A. for the ills of the world, and apologizing for the “atrocities” he believes the U.S.A. has perpetrated upon the world. Of course there have been mistakes and problems, but he should quit bad-mouthing and criticizing our country to the whole world. As president, rather than tearing down the U.S.A., he should espouse the hope and freedom our country represents and the good it does for the world. Someone with such a negative attitude toward his own country should not be it’s president.
Go Glenn!
268. JayCee | 08.25.09
Public Enemy once sang that “Our freedom of speech is freedom or death…we got to fight the powers that be.”
The first amendment of the Constitution guarantees that each and every citizen be given the right to freely express themselves and their thoughts in any forum without censorship or limitation, usually without punishment or repercussion.
What our founding fathers (and perhaps Public Enemy–I don’t feel I can speak for either) never saw coming was the ability to incite others with inflammatory speech. They couldn’t possibly imagine people like Glenn Beck, Keith Olbermann and others having a national forum with which to eschew intelligent civil discourse in favor of loud, brash, opinions that stir up a hornet’s nest.
In our nation, we have checks and balances. Not only are there some set in place by law (as the different branches of government, for example) to ensure that no one person or faction runs amok, but there are also the intangible ones that right the nation when it veers off course.
Hello big business!
Advertisers who took umbrage to Beck’s latest comments, which referred to Obama as a racist, have begun to pull their commercials from his show. CVS Caremark, for example, advertises on Fox but has decided to pull any ads from Beck’s show. According to spokesperson Carolyn Castel, “We support vigorous debate, especially around policy issues that affect millions of Americans, but we expect it to be informed, inclusive and respectful.”
Good luck on that because TV “journalism” has, for the most part, become a cesspool with little information provided to the masses and, instead, is filled with nonsensical opinions by largely uninformed “newspeople”.
Relatively unchecked by society, the rantings of TV hosts may now start to come under fire by corporations who don’t want themselves linked with incendiary comments. While the First Amendment guarantees people can say whatever they like and are protected by law (and rightfully so), the real power is in the money. Democracy and freedom are inextricably linked with capitalism. While repercussions aren’t always of a legal nature for spouting your opinions, they do often take the form of a financial retribution.
Beck and other TV hosts have every right to comment and share their thoughts with the public. But they are starting to realize that when they exercise their freedom, everyone else (like advertisers) has the right to do the same.
269. Constitionalist Girl or some may think “Astroturf” | 08.25.09
Did you ever wonder where Beck may have gotten that idea? Try from Obama’s own book, ‘Dreams From My Father.’ There are statements that if anybody white had said them would seem racist and the Wright church only further leads to that conclusion. You can call me all the names you want but that does not matter because those who know me know that any names you call me are the farthest from the truth. And calling people names makes you no better then those in congress calling Americans names. Look to those who uphold the Constitution, and anybody else, vote them out.
271. milificent | 08.26.09
The whole ‘racist’ canard in this boycott controversy is a red herring and both sides are unfortunately taking the bait. This really all started when Glenn Beck did an expose on Van Jones in the past about his his fringe ideology, his questionable past and the real aims of Color of Change. Well, it appears that Van Jones didn’t like that kind of scrutiny, especially now that he is in a position of influence as the so-called ‘Green Jobs Czar’ in the White House.
Enter the powerful New York PR firm of Sunshine, Sachs & Associates (SSA). They represent, among other high-profile clients (such as Ben Affleck, Jon Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jimmy Fallon, the Farrelly brothers, Bette Midler, Michael Moore, Tyler Perry, Barbra Streisand and Michelle Wie) Color of Change and Van Jones’ ‘Green for All’. With the weight of a PR machine like SSA behind them, Color of Change launched a publicity campaign targeting Beck’s advertisers under the auspices of the whole ‘racist’ line.
Bottom line: a current member of the Obama administration is co-founder of a group trying to get a conservative talker off the air, and is being assisted by a powerful New York PR firm. Having said that and reading some of the posts, this is NOT an issue of paid speech and advertisers ‘choosing’ to pull their sponsorship of Beck’s show by a meek citizen’s revolt. These advertisers were threatened to be tarred with the same racist brush by a vindictive man wanting payback by shutting his critic up all under the guise of ‘racism’ and ‘hate speech’.
272. Spartacus | 08.26.09
Glenn Beck,
Is showing that Mr. VanJones is a Marxist-Lenist and the sunshine raining in on his past will force a day of reckoning and kick back to obscurity.
Perhaps it will soon come of time to cry havoc and unleash the dogs of war on the flower children progressive marxist and rid us of there free-spending ways and social policy destruction against American founding principles which they subvert.
274. Yourblackfriend.com | 08.26.09
Love him or hate him-agree or disagree but Glenn Beck is entitled to his opinion. If you don’t approve, change the channel or better yet, kill your television, it’s that simple.
275. mike w | 08.26.09
I only found out about Beck from the Daily Show. He seems to be a total joke, but perhaps I’m
missing something?
276. Daniel | 08.26.09
Gee, its nice to see such a fair and balanced article these days…..its not like he’s already trying to lead his audience right from the suggestive title is he?
How in the world can anyone even claim to know that the boycott will “almost certainly” backfire? I swear, the one thing conservatives all have in common is that they are all miserable, they are the most negative and hateful people ever! Please just move to a state that no one cares about anymore like Idaho or something. You guys lost, your idea’s dont work and you’ve almost ruined the country, please go away.
277. John Payne | 08.26.09
When exactly have the rightwingers been on the side of America?
Where’s Bin Laden and why did the GOP never care that Bush had no interest in pursuing him before, during, or after 9.11?
And how about the Anthrax terrorist, the 2nd mass-murdering terrorist to attack America on Bush’s impotent watch, which (as with Bin Laden) nothing was done and rightwingers couldn’t have cared less?
I kind of think if FDR was like Bush, and his first priority after Pearl Harbor was to make sure that Hirohito’s family was safely escorted away from America, and then to then refuse to do anything in retalliation to Pearl Harbor (as Bush & the GOP did nothing after 9.11 to pursue Bin Laden and the Saudi terrorists who attacked America), that quite a few people would have questioned his loyalty.
Where was the outcry from rightwingers where Americans were killed on US soil during Katrina, even after the massive federal bureacracy of “homeland security” was built up only to be proven to be as impotent as Bush was on 9.11?
Again, after wounding & killing tens of thousands of Americans needlessly in Iraq and making Iran a hundred times stronger throughout the Middle East, what exactly have rightwingers ever done that showed any loyalty to the United States?
It’s a question our “liberal media” never asks.
278. Mark Murphy | 08.26.09
By and large, I’d have to call the comments here a “Parrot Parade”. Calling Obama a racist? Trying to destroy the country? Seriously? Are you people sentient? How about getting your information from some place other than American Pravda? How about taking a class on media literacy.
279. MichaelD | 08.26.09
I honestly think that the reason this protest is going on now is because a lot of people have wanted Beck gone for a long time. I doubt that just one incident is the only reason for this, but probably a longer string of incidents.
What I don’t get is that every single advertiser had the same excuse as to why their advertisements were on the show. I don’t buy that it was an error. Although perhaps it was, since it seems Fox News didn’t step up and call them liars.
280. Jim | 08.26.09
Sadly right now we are living under “the tyranny of stupid men”. To believe that the rantings of the Glen Becks, Bill O’Reillys or Rush Limbaughs of the world have any validity or even the slightest basis in truth is to count oneself among the mindless rage filled minority that has been falsely put forth by the media and self serving polititans as somehow representative of the mainstream. To call such people “mainstream” is to insult the vast majority of citizens in this country who are capable of reasoned, respectful disagreement. Those who follow Beck have no such capability. They throw around words like Socialist, yet they cannot define it let alone describe how it relates to anything anyone in government is doing or proposing to do. They show up at venues with teabags taped to their heads (none of them have a clue about what the Boston Tea Party was actually about) and wave signs with poorly paraphrased quotes from Thomas Jefferson (they have no clue regarding the actual quote or its context) and scream about taking back “their” country and how we must adhere to a Constitution they themselves have never read know little about and, by their behavior and words..betray.
These people are not worthy or our notice no matter what the slimy political hacks or media talking heads say. There opinions are not worthy of consideration because they are based on nothing except a ill defined anger that a black man is sitting in the White House. They are beyond reason and if the rest of us are not careful THEY will destroy this country with their hate and violence. You don’t give a mentally handicapped child a loaded pistol to just play around with unsupervised, by the same token you don’t give people like this the power to control the debate on matters that affect us all. But when those of us who see reason fail to speak out and allow the likes of Glen Beck to put themselves forward as the voice of the people, that is exactly what we do and there will be a price to be paid.
281. Tamara | 08.26.09
The outrage on the left regarding Beck is breathtaking in its hypocrisy. Liberals have consistently called anyone who disagrees with Obama a racist (and a nazi, mobster and/or un-American). But the first time anyone calls someone on their side a racist they absolutely come unglued. I’ve never seen such hypocrisy.
282. old Marine 67 | 08.26.09
Marine 43 — not only do I agree with you but have experienced the change myself . The more I read these comments from the lib bunch the more active I have become to stop this insane socialist push .
The one lady at a Town Hall Meeting said ” you are awakening a sleeping giant ” , there is no doubt in my mind that this is true . I have more time to talk to my friends and neigbors now , at least 75 % now believe that Mr. Obama is turning this nation Socialist . Anyone who disagrees with libs are called a racist because it has worked in the past , be assured my “liberal friends” that the “sleeping giant” is rejecting that label and fighting even harder against what they see as the gov. taking over the “land of the free” . FYI , the old folks ( seniors ),the same ones that liberals so easily rebuke have done more for this country than any of you so called liberals . They are the one who saw injustice and supported MLK , the ones who opposed segregation , the ones who brought the Vietnam war to an end , and so much more . These are the same people and many of millions more that are called racist for opposing what is not right . These same “worthless idiots ” have been battle tested many times and have the heart of a lion . You will see the sleeping giant soon . They are fighting for their lives and that of their grandchild . We will not be silenced by being called a racist any longer ,we will consider it a badge of courage to fight for our countries future .
The sad thing about this whole mess is that there are many good black men and women who will be hurt by these very liberal democrats . I owe my life to a black NCO — long time ago . Call me a racist if you will but I have just begun to fight for my country .
283. Seamus McContagillacutty | 08.26.09
I support the right of free speech and I hope it remains free. His rhetoric is helping the conservatives find their voice for a change. God bless America.
284. DAN | 08.26.09
Does anybody really care what this idiot has to say?
Just another white dude afraid of a person of color. Obama and the DEMS are not destorying “your country.” He is fixing your country from 16 years of Bush/Bush/Raygun. This country used to stand for something other than war. What ever happened to give peace a chance. What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding. Why do conservatives in the middle class allow the rich to steal from the middle class and give it to the rich?
WWJD? Get free health care to ALL.
285. Frederick Ferguson | 08.26.09
Wow there sure are a lot of uniformed, naive and angry readers of the Christian Science Monitor. Who would have thought? Maybe Glenn has a chance afterall. Keep up the good reporting!
286. SELF EMPLOYED | 08.26.09
I would rather watch a commercial free Beck anyway. Those advertisers can go interupt the liberal channels that nobody watches. Liberals don’t watch the news. Thats why they are so easily fooled. Thats why the advertisers will see a decline in business. Thanks for your hard work Glen!
287. cardon | 08.26.09
Go Glenn..Keep the truth coming!…For those who use the argument that
Obama had a white mother and therefore can’t be racist…My understanding
is that she abandoned him for long periods of time…I don’t think I’d
feel highly towards my mother if she did that to me…
289. Sigh | 08.26.09
“I am so proud that the 1960’s kids who were not afraid to explore the strengths and deficits of ideology, to question social norms, to make mistakes and to learn, are appointees in government under Obama. That is the ” freedom ” Americans have always valued for the young adult. Where were you in the 1960’s Glen, you little Nazi? A histrionic, psuedo-intellectual, ego-maniacal drunkard on Long Island, whose education consisted of high school, thinks he’s qualified to think for the rest of us. Glen is un-American and too ignorant to realize that fact.
Who installed him, the freako-child-molestors in the SBC and MANBA?”
It’s amusing, in a sad way, to watch someone attack someone for throwing what they consider unfounded accusations, by throwing their own unfounded accusations.
And for the record, I know plenty of highly intelligent people that only have a high school education. Education doesn’t necessarily make one “intelligent”. You can go to high school, you can go to college, but unless you have the intelligence there to begin with, you’re not going to make yourself more intelligent by attending. Garbage in, garbage out.
I think people said it best when they said it’s all about the money (and power)…but apply that to ALL politicians. I mean, seriously…do you think the elite really give a **** about any of us? I don’t care whether they have an “R” or a “D” next to their name. And Obama is right there in the lot of them, but so many of you are convinced he cares. Perhaps because he repeats it so much about how he’s doing this ALL FOR YOU (snicker, snort, snicker). He’s just continuing what every other administration has, but it keeps getting WORSE. And people are cheering for it, on one side or the other.
Liberty has been in a death spiral for decades, and now it’s going down in a landslide, while people CHEER.
Unfortunately, most of you don’t understand what you’re losing. As long as the ruling class throws you a bone here or there to keep you to heel, you’ll continue serving your masters.
True liberty brings everyone together, no matter the differences. You don’t need special groups to achieve it, just respect for the individual, which a Republic is all about. There have been some gross injustices in the past and present due to people IGNORING the foundations this country was built upon while trying to keep power over others (including some politically powerful folks alive during the founding, who economically benefited by ignoring the principals). What we need to remind ourselves is that we should only seek power over ourselves (the individual). That’s all that really matters.
290. Bobbie Gosnell | 08.26.09
My familiarity with Beck’s brand of television started and stopped during his HNN days. So you might say I’ve been boycotting him for years. It’s unfortunate a buffoon can get rich by spewing hate.
291. KCW | 08.26.09
President Kim of North Korea creates jobs for millions of his citizens and provides universal health cares covering the entire country and regulate every businesses big and small and implement eugenics so people will fit to survive in a community under total control and etc and etc. This starts with his total success in engineering all media into only one voice in that country. He personates every North Korean’s life. Is North Korea the model of western nations? If your answer is NO, let FOXNEWS do what it is doing and celebrate the freedom that O’Relly and Beck and we all enjoy.
292. Dana | 08.26.09
THIS IS HALARIOUS!
Glenn has successfully accomplished his purpose. It’s all about ratings people.
And now, not only has his viewership gone from predominantly right-wingers, he has picked up the left as well. Great job Glenn, maybe you can talk a little sense into the leftminded, or at least, short circuit their synaps.
293. HH Higgins | 08.26.09
8. cdesign | 08.25.09 wrote: stop funding racist orgainization like Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition (which only exists to serve people of a particular shade of skin color) and Howard Univerisity (where you have to have black skin to get in)
The government does not fund the Rainbow Coalition (check the data before making unqualified statements) and Howard University does not require black skin to get in. I should know I attended HU. You may also check the application (available online –no line on the application that bars those w/o black skin– as well as enrollment statistics).
294. Bella | 08.26.09
This is so ridiculous! I mean this website has nothing better to do than bash these Republicans on the head. Seriously! Why can’t they ever write about something that is worth reading. And Glenn Beck may say whatever he wants to say. You don’t need to pin him down.
295. Blipette | 08.26.09
Hey this is the US, land of the cowboys, cops and iliterate meatheads, they need their representation too. As for the companies that dumped Beck, I am committed to buying twice as much from them.
296. OldWiseOne | 08.26.09
Matthew Shaer, who wrote the article here, had the audacity to title it: ”Why the boycott against Glenn Beck will almost certainly backfire,” and then — now get this – woefully fail to indicate absolutely anywhere in his article why, indeed, any boycott would certainly backfire.
With the exception of presenting us with a previously unknown tidbit – that of the tremendous, stream-roller, and terror- inducing counter boycott — reading Mr. Shaer’s article was as much a waste of time as watching the Glen Beck Show, something I’ve actually done from time to time, but not anymore.
Mr. Shaer should feel free to redo this article (opinion piece, really), and this time take the time to flesh out his arguments. But even that will not make a difference.
Everyone knows that Mr. Beck sought to be racially divisive, and that, Mr. Shaer, is what backfired…
297. Josey | 08.26.09
What a silly opinion piece. These right wing shock jocks are a thing of the past. People are tired of divisiveness. Boycotts work for the same reason that gun-toting town hollers showing up at health care forums work: Because they scare people. In the case of boycotts, advertisers are scared.
298. Tom Anderson | 08.26.09
Some of these comments slamming Beck are hilarious.
Let’s see, as a white guy, if I attended an all-white church, led by a white, racist screaming fool who hated America, claimed I NEVER heard anything bad in these sermons, was married to a racist wife, and jumped to conclusions about that a black cop’s actions were racially motivated and “stupid”, and I had racist friends, it would be front page NY Times about what a racist I was. I’d be run out of office.
You all know it’s true, don’t even try to argue the point. Beck offered his observational opinion, and it seems like he’s struck to close to home and the truth for some of the posters here.
299. Garcho | 08.26.09
America! Think racist socialisto! Woa buddy, I’d say, yep, must be. Destroying I know I grew up, yep, that’s what it is, I’d say. Must be. Racist! Left destroy but guns with death squad just wait, we’ll see. Yep.
300. Moon54 | 08.26.09
I see from these comments that most all of you watch Glenn Beck. That’s a good thing. His ratings are sky high because of you. What most people miss is the fact that Glenn says “don’t take my word for it, do your own research”. He says that over and over again. Those people that say he doesn’t know what he is talking about, apparently have not done their own research. Before you open your mouth look up the facts first. If you don’t believe the facts then thats your problem. I say keep up the good work Glenn.
301. Texas Rose | 08.26.09
Hey, I love the way the media is making this only a story about Beck. Heaven forbid they should look in to and cover the content of what he saying. Obama IS a racist. He said during the campaign “typical white people” — if McCain had said something about “typical black people” , you all would have called him a racist and been screaming like stuck pigs. His political career would have been over. Obama rushed out and took the side of that horrible professor who was at fault in the issue with the police officer because the professor was black. That was Obama racial chip on his shoulder guiding him even when he didn’t have the facts straight. So he IS a racist. And Jones IS a revolutionary. He’s a flat out communist. Last I looked this was not a communist nation. Wasn’t founded to be one. Most people are not communists. So why is there no interest in the media into a person who is so obviously outside the mainstream of American thought. And why is there no interest that he his the one leading the boycott effort against Beck, when he works at the White House. Obviously, Obama is in on that too. If anyone near Bush had led a boycott effort against any of the media who were railing falsely about him, all of you hypocrites would have screamed again and wouldn’t have shut up. In fact, you would have screamed and reported it was coming from the White House even if it wasn’t. You would have just made it up and lied about it. I’ve just had it with the Democrats and media in the nation. Scum all of them.
302. Jay | 08.26.09
I listen to Glenn Beck every day. He is probably the most progressive speaker on talk radio. He knows, without a doubt, what he is talking about. I think Americans challenge him because he speaks the truth which I imagine is something certain people want to deny. This country is going in the wrong direction and he is our voice of true freedom. If Americans do not want this country to be socialist, which is where we are headed, we need to do something about it. Sometimes it pays to listen to someone who may have views different from your own.
303. Marston Stevenson | 08.26.09
We have had FOX stations blocked from our televisions for six years (thank God for parental controls!) so we are blessedly out-of-touch with their programming. From “Family Guy” to “American Idol” (both of which, we hear, are STILL being broadcast,) we do not appreciate the low-class and anti-moral themes that are requisite to Murdoch entertainment. Who is Glen Bech? From reading the comments, he sounds like a silly waste of time–just like everything else broadcast on FOX.
304. AJL | 08.26.09
If Glenn Beck TRULY feels that President Obama is a racist he is (not should, not could but IS) entitled to that opinion and can repeat whenever and where ever he pleases. That being said, I don’t believe that is what he really believes. Like any other entertainer his job is to entertain so any public comment he makes needs to viewed in that light. I believe that he made this comment to draw viewers to his show.
305. Jason | 08.26.09
How dare Glenn Beck criticize a sitting president? Well, let’s see… how many loonies on the left were on TV calling Bush a terrorist and even claiming the US attacked itself on 9/11? Where was the boycott then? It seems certain individuals want to grab more power and importance than they warrant by calling for boycotts of anyone who has the audacity to disagree with them. Look at the crazies calling for a boycott of Whole Foods because the CEO had the audacity to write an editorial containing suggestions for health care reform that weren’t copied from Obama. If people put half all that energy into collecting food for the hungry or building Habitat for Humanity homes or even just picking up litter, what a nicer world it would be. Unfortunately, giving service is never as popular as riling people up, getting angry, and targeting others. So sad.
307. G. B. Fan | 08.26.09
I called Kraft Foods this morning to tell them that I as a result of Kraft’s boycott of Beck, that I was boycotting Kraft. I told them that I have been using their products for 50 years, but that has come to an end. The customer service rep took my comments and then started to recite a prepared statement. When she got to the part about not wanting to advertise on shows with “extreme” views, I stopped her and told her that she was now insulting me by suggesting that Mr. Beck’s views, which I often share, were extreme.
These companies should realize that we, their former customers, represent profit.
Goodbye Kraft, Walmart, et al.
308. Sarah | 08.26.09
to comment 41….”I am boycotting all products by those who refuse to advertise on his show”
You are only going to buy from companies that advertise on his show….well….that’s one way of cutting your budget….but seriously…what if your grocery store doesn’t advertise this month?
It’s a lot easier to figure out who IS advertising than EVERYONE who is not. Just had to laugh at the logic
309. johnny craston | 08.26.09
Look what happened to Don Imus. There is a threshold for what can be said on the air and whether advertisers want to be associated with that “rhetoric.” dozens of major brands don’t want to be associated with Beck and his “filter failure” remarks. I would ask myself if that is something you want to defend as freedom of speech before you actually consider the subtext and intent of such remarks.
Change is inevitable.
310. TskTsk | 08.26.09
Glenn Beck complaining about freedom of speech taken away! He called the President a racist with hate for white people. How much more freedom can you get! But the people who are complaining that his program should not be boycotted, let me try and figure this out. So you think that we should be forced to listen to and support him even though we don’t like what he is saying! You believe the sponsors who obviously disagree with what he is saying and has said, should be forced to keep paying him for doing and saying things they do not agree with? SO freedom to chose who to sponsor and who to listen to, and say whatever you want only applies to the intellectually challenged Republicans and the likes of Glen Beck, but denied to the Democrats and those who do not share his beliefs and opinions? So they do not even have the intelligence and skills, nor the ability to debate the Health care issues, so they disturb the meetings and spread lies about the proposed plan, and we should accept it. Okay.
Thanks.
By the way, I will promise to be tortured for 1 year, by listening Glenn Beck, Bill O, Ann Cult, Sean Han, Rush Limb, Lou Dob, Michael Malk, who else am I leaving out? have my blood pressure up the wall, and take Antidepressants, pain pills, drink a lot of liquor, get more overweight than I am now (that will help drop the Health care costs- Rush said so!), I will even support keeping the troops in the quagmires Iraq and Afghan, (oh God, please forgive for committing those sins in my heart already)if,if. If and only if you will agree and support only 3 things Obama says and wants to do.
1- Health care reform.(I will need it- I don’t have any insurance)
2-Investigate and allow the Laws to be applied to Bush, Cheney and cohorts in regards to the Gitmo and the Iraq debacle.
3-Stimulus bill.
That’s it. Only three things. Well there is one more little thing. Give back Gitmo to the the Cubans and pay them with interests and lift the embargo. After all China and Vietnam, two of the most powerful Communist regimes are two of our biggest trading partners.
311. Joseph B | 08.26.09
Glenn Beck’s largest audience is about 2.6 million. That is a total of 0.7% of the US population. That means that 99.3% of the US population do not watch his show. Even if every one of his viewers boycotted the advertisers that pull their ads, it will not amount to any noticeable difference in their sales.
As for his free speech being impeded….the Constitution protects us only from the government making laws to impede free speech. Private businesses can do whatever they want with their advertising dollars and are not violating the Constitution or Beck’s rights in any way.
312. sick twisted freak #274,578 | 08.26.09
Sorry, I was looking for a link to the huge wooden spaceship that Glenn’s followers are building in Utah right now. Apparently there is a video of it somewhere. Sounds amazing at over 7000 feet long and big enough to hold 20,000 of his followers as they attempt to fly home to Phluggerville in 2015
313. Jason | 08.26.09
What happened to all the people that voted for Obama and know the “majority” doesn’t trust him? We can’t trust ANY of them. You can’t pick a side because they are all paid for. ALL OF THEM. So know what do we do.
315. truthseeker1000 | 08.26.09
Glenn should be allowed to say anything he wants, and shame on us if we believe any of it without checking it out for ourselves. He even tells us to look it up for ourselves, and so I started doing just that. In the first 2 minutes I found him claiming the farm animals are the highest contributing factor to greenhouse gases (which is not true– they make up 9% according to the department of energy). Now ask yourself– can you admit to yourself that Glenn was wrong here, or are you too loyal of a fan to do that? If you are lucid enough to admit he made one mistake, I encourage you to check any fact you see on conservative AND liberal media.
316. david jay | 08.26.09
I find it interesting that a foreign owned media outlet has become the “American” voice. Anyone ever wonder why that foreigner has all the screamers on his station. Why does the foreigner want to raise hate and discontent continually?
317. Todd D | 08.26.09
Didn’t Glenn recently have a total mental break down from drug or alcohol abuse and almost kill himself???
If so why would anyone follow his lead unless they too are are the same.
Which leads me to my point that if you are a fan of his and defend him, you are an idiot.
318. reader | 08.26.09
Reading the comments makes me fear for the future of this country. Both sides liberal and conservative have no sense of history or human nature. Americans use the term Nazi without understanding the dynamics which allowed that party to rule Germany and caused millions and millions of deaths. I suggest you read Nazi’s a Warning from History. Or the SS a Warning from History. You will understand that it is an economic crisis, coupled with the extremes of both the left and right, pulling on the emotions of the people, which created those horrors. And can happen anywhere in a time of crisis and hardship. Americans, both sides, all races, continue your arrogant fighting at your own peril.
319. Archie1954 | 08.26.09
There are enough intelligent patriotic people in the country to maintain the boycott forever if required. Of course there are also the mentally and morally challenged who will support Beck until their cows come home and need to be milked or until the hayseeds get stuck in their teeth.
320. Bob Kraut | 08.26.09
You Beck defenders were on the other side of the issue when Letterman was in the hot seat. Hypocrites.
322. Daniel | 08.26.09
The boycott against Glenn the idiot and traitor “News” has grown to far beyond what the csmonitor is reporting.
Update your story csmonitor. The boycott has grown and grown and is working fantastically.
323. John Wood | 08.26.09
This is Glenn Beck, who before he was embraced by Fox Cable was doing a radio show that pitted “moronic” convenience store workers against each other. Come on people, this is entertainment wrapped in sometimes nasty expressions of free speech. If this is Fox’s idea of programming and you don’t like it, change the channel.
It seems so long ago that people knew where Rupert Murdoch came from. Rupert Murdoch has history of wielding is media empire in Australia, Britian and now the United States to effect his idea of political change. Fox is just a tool to further his political agenda and shows like Glenn Beck are the entertainment equivilant of a bad dog doing the owner’s bidding.
The Right just does it better because they don’t mind being mean spirited and divisive whereas the Left has to be touch-feely. If you want some attention a bite always wakes up the lumbering masses better than a pat on the fanny.
324. Donna | 08.26.09
“Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.”
Even if the article in itself is obscene, defamatory and intended to incite violence? Basically, that’s everyone who sides with Beck.
325. Francois Bergeron | 08.26.09
Since when is slander considered free speech?
If someone publicly called me a racist, I would sue them for slander.
Calling Obama a racist is completely silly, makes no sense at all and proves once and for all that Beck will say anything to reach the rest of the racist Gumps out there who aren’t yet in his audience.
326. Kc | 08.26.09
Some of the comments I read were ridiculous. I’m Black I used to watch Glen Beck’s Show and I stoped(well before Obama being a racist comment). I stoped watching it because he says things for attention. How can Obama be a Racists? He is half White. Lol. People are so ignorant and many just want a reason to hate Obama.
As a Christian, I am just as unhappy with Obama as I am with former president Bush. But, we do need to pray for society. It sad that people call that man a Racists. Most of the members of his cabinent are white. Most of his financial contributers and political colleagues and supporters are white.
LOL. We really should fund education more because alot of the comments I read are completely ignorant. The writers lack knowledge.
Back to Glen, why does he say things for attention. Essential thats all this is. When he has facts(like another writer stated) he’s great. When he speaks off the top of his head, it really makes our society look bad as a whole. Nevertheless, I thank God that this life and world too shall pass. We know in Christ Jesus there isn’t any Jew nor Greek Bond or Free but we are all one in Christ Jesus. God doesn’t look at race he looks at the heart he is worthy to be Praise. John 14:6-Jesus is the WAY.
327. Donna | 08.26.09
“our right to free speech is being taken away”.
Neither you nor Beck are having their free speech taken away. Let me guess. You also believe Obama isn’t a naturalized citicen of the United States, right? Unbelievable.
If anyone took our freedom of speech away it was George W. Bush. THe illegal wiretapping of any citizen of the United States at the will of the government and telling us to not question his decisions because he is our fearless leader was the purest example of taking away the right to speak freely in our country.
328. canative | 08.26.09
Some of these posts against Beck and those who agree with him are truly disturbing. They illustrate very clearly the type of mentality that is trying to destroy free speech and free enterprise.
329. Hank | 08.26.09
“Some of these posts against Beck and those who agree with him are truly disturbing,” how true and its by design - by media like Faux News out to kill civility by hiring a truly mentally disturbed commentator like Beck.
A Crazy on air riles up the crazies for ratings, but its the demise of civility in our democratic republic.
330. Bernard | 08.26.09
Archie1954 is OBVIOUSLY an ELITIST with a nose full of flies.
Come 2012 you will be crying the blues… BLACK and BLUES from being beaten
two elections in a row.
FOOL
331. Kathy McGuire | 08.26.09
Thank you Canada Joe for explaining the benefits of socialized health care. Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, and Sarah Palin have created these lies about Obama being a racist, wanting death panels, etc to stir their base and create fear about health care reform, distracting people from the real issues. Unfortunately many are getting duped into believing such nonsense, afraid and hateful, showing up at town meetings or rallies with guns. I applaud the companies who pulled their advertisements, finally making a stand to not endorse hate and racism. Yes I’ve read Obama’s books and followed his actions for several years–he’s a good man. But mostly, this hateful rhetoric is a distraction and instead we need to listen to the “better angels of our nature”, and show compassion by supporting national health care reform.
332. Donna S. | 08.26.09
What is wrong with all of you? Have we already forgotten the church with the racist pastor that our dear president Obama attended for TWENTY years? He only quit attending when it came into the spotlight. What kind of character does that show? If he truly wasn’t a racist then he would’ve realized what he was exposed to years ago and withdrawn his membership from that church before it ever even became an issue!
334. Concerned Christian American | 08.26.09
Our America is great because of Christian principles and beliefs. This came to us through sacrifice. However, the past is the past and now its the present and it is a clean slate…I don’t own any slaves, I didn’t steal any land from the Indians and I didn’t sell snake oil. Nor did anyone in my family. We all paid into Social Security and many of us didn’t collect. I am old and I know actions speak louder than words…………
So far Obama has managed to terrorize us every day in office…his hurry up play is part of a sinister plot. I caters to the devious nature of many no matter how traumatized they are. Now Beck manages to dispell our fears somewhat by explaining what the Liberals are stripping away and taking from us and why. He also tells us how to stop loosing our rights and mainly that is to not give up. We turn to Beck the former alcoholic because he calmly tells the truth based on evidence. We do not listen to Obama with his obvious lies anymore because he is an embarrassment to us. He is a bully. So far Obama appears to still be the admitted drug user because it is obvious he doesn’t understand a budget that doesn’t include a brown paper bag. Out of all this mess and I’m old so I’ve see a lot…WWII, Korea and Vietnam never frightened us as much as the terror that OBarry is putting us hard working Americans through. Whenever Barry says we…I cringe because he obviously doesn’t know what its like to eat oatmeal for breakfast lunch and dinner…days at a time in order to make sure our bills are paid. Nothing more to say except, “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world,” so Mammas stay home and raise your babies…you’ll never be sorry.
335. Dennis Igou | 08.26.09
What tomfoolery, If any one is racist it is Glen Beck. Hate will not dominate, give peace and love a chance! You brain dead Repungits need some serious love comming your way. Shine forth brave souls!
336. Tex | 08.26.09
There’s no doubt that Obama is a knee-jerk racist. He admitted he knew few of the facts, yet sided with the Harvard elitist racist Skippy Gates’ lies, against an honorable white police officer. And, he’s appointed numerous far Left racists, into very high & powerful places as well.
As a rule, boycotts are almost always a sharp double edged sword. Prior to the United Way “gay’s in the Boy Scouts” debacle, I gave an automatic deduction of 1% out of my paychecks, directly to the United Way. I haven’t given them a penny ever since. Prior to the Girl Scout endorsement of “gay Scouts & Leaders”, I spent about $1,000 & sometimes much more each year, on Girl Scout Cookies that I passed out as gifts. But I haven’t bought a single box ever since. And, prior to the last election, my company used lots of GE electronics products. But now that they & their News outlets (NBC & MSNBC) have gone completely into the tank in support of the Left’s otrageous unfounded environmental agendas, which if enforced will greatly benefit GE’s wind, hydro-power, & general electronics divisions, I’ve began to look for & find alternatives to all our needed electronics products, before restocking our warehouse shelves.
In the end, people much more often than not, do take notice that I’ve changed my buying & spending habits. If they ask why, I tell them, & more often than not, they agree with my position & tell me that they’ll begin to do the same things.
Now with this little development, I’ll simply boycott any advertiser that agrees to boycott either of Beck’s programs. And, I’ll just calmly encourage everyone I know & do business with, to boycott each of them as well.
With that, I’ve done my part. And with that approach, over time, these types of problems tend to solve themselves.
337. thinkingabovemypaygrade | 08.27.09
Glenn Beck is called a racist because he called Pres.Obama a racist.
And where are the persons to rationally respond to him?
No…some have to threaten corporations with the “racist” label (which would be millions of dollars worth of damage in BAD advertising).
And the CLUB behind all this Advertisers FEar is—the inactive co founder of the major activist group is now active—as an employeeat the White House.
So much for FREE SPEECH! And—these people may soon ALSO have control over YOUR health care! Glenn Beck (and any known friends of his) had better not get SICK!!!
Force FOX to cower…Shut down dissent…And oh—let’s reread ANIMAL FARM!
338. LeaveNoLiberalUnturned | 08.27.09
Thank the good Lord for people like Beck, who do not allow fear of the treasonous Leftists to stop them from speaking out against the assault on all things American. And shame, shame on the cowardly corporate lapdogs who do succumb to such fear. If allowed to do as they want, the Obamists will confiscate these corporate assets, just as they have done already with banks, car companies, etc. To quote a character in a cautionary tale I recently read: “Any organization that has in its name the words ‘Democratic’, ‘Progressive’, ‘People’s’ or ‘Worker’s’ translates directly to ‘property stealing communists’.” Remember, folks, the racists in the National Socialist Party in Germany in the 1930’s called themselves “Progressives”, too, just as the current ruling administration in the United States of America call themselves.
339. Sharon | 08.27.09
My children are bi-racial…try being bi-racial or black in a predominantly white area. I am white and I love people regardless of where they come from or what they look like. However, my children are not judged like that. They are considered black first and American somewhere down the line. They have even been called the “n” word at school. My boys are great kids and try to be kind to everyone..but not everyone is kind to them. Beck is just using this tactic to scare even more white people into thinking that they may become the slaves one day. I think more white people should become black for just one day and then you will see just how far our country has come in race relations. Beck has a right to his opinion…but he is getting paid to ignite…the white…wake up America!!!!
340. Chris Alan | 08.27.09
Obama is a racist. How can a man sit in a church for years listening to the rheotoric that was taught and then distance himself and say he does not believe in the racist message preached? If i would not have believed and agreed, i would not have stayed. I wish Beck would do an expose on “the bilderbergers” and expose what Obama and the shadow goverments real agenda is!
341. Jay | 08.27.09
Truth be told, and Beck provides the truth. Any whom disagree have been drinking the ‘ol koolaid, provided by none other than the liberals, starring, of course, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, and the arrogant one himself.
342. Allene E. Swienckowski | 08.27.09
I cherry picked the responses that I read because there are just too many and most say pretty much the same thing: I support Glenn Beck. I did find one comment that stood out to me as a curiosity - one that exemplifies the misinformation that is floated as truth to a populace that needs something to make them feel alive - “Obama is a much white as he is black but he prefers to be thought of as black to get all of those votes…” The population of black Americans has never been large enough to appreciably effect the outcome of a national election. Two: I am certain that like most bi-racial children, Barack Obama doesn’t choose to be recognized as either black or white. History would reveal that any person who had a drop of black blood would forever be identified as black, or Negro or colored or….ad infinitum and that designation came from white America just a few short centuries ago.
Is it really too much to ask that people read, reserach and talk to all kinds of people with different beliefs to be able to understand the world they inhabit? Apparently it is.
343. you are thinking of olbermann | 08.27.09
From post number 15: “In the past I have watched parts of his show and all he does is whine and scream and offer irrational arguments. He seems full of hatred and anger”.
I have seen Glenn Beck’s show only a few times and never once did I see any of what you describe above. You obviously have Glenn Beck confused with Keith Olbermann. Olbermann is truly full of hatred and anger and all he does is whine and scream and offer irrational arguments.
344. LeaveNoLiberalUnturned | 08.27.09
Donna, #327 - If you think the Obamists aren’t continuing the wiretaps, you are sadly mistaken. Bush made some miserable choices, make no mistake about it. He did so, however, out of a real intention to protect us from the barbarian Islamicists who want to drag the world back into their 6th century mindset. The American Fascists now in power want only to control the lives of all Americans, execepting themselves, whom they obviously believe to be superior to the rest of us. Keep believing in your fantasies and the lies of these insidious villians. You will find yourself and your descendants in bondage.
345. starwars | 08.27.09
This whole thing is stupid, folks. Beck doesn’t warrant anyone’s attention. Obama is half white and raised in a white household. Why would he hate whites? Use your brains. Is Beck saying Obama hates himself? This is crazy. He loved his white family as well as his black family. If anything Obama understands both sides of racism and is a better person for it. If anyone is a racist it is Beck with his ranting against blacks. Does anyone understand what these high school only educated commentators are doing? It is their job to incite people. They don’t know how to analyze fact and figures, they only know how to skew them to use for their own personal agenda. Why watch a network owned by an Australian trying to influence American politics? Murdoch openly admits this. I don’t subscribe to watching a network that is owned by someone unAmerican and trying to poison American thought and culture.
346. Dominick J. | 08.27.09
Hawkeye | 08.25.09—Writes:
I don’t believe Obama is racist, but I also don’t believe he has America’s interests in mind. His agenda seems **** bent on destroying the US as we all know it. This could be because he actually thinks it is for the better, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was doing it on purpose for the benefit of another people.
****************************************************************************
Obama doesn’t have the American peoples interest in mind? Bent on destroying the US and we all know it? What kind of buffon are you? I don’t know it and neither does anyone else accept those who would spread this kind of **** to garner “fear” only in the ignoarnt and Beck and Limbaugh seem to be doing a good job at that! And what other people would he benifit you fool? He’s American, his wife and kids are American. Just because he’s a Democrat and a Centrist, I might add, doesn’t make him having an agenda other than working for the American people even working for such fools like you! What a crock of bull you Rethugs come up with. Beck is a **** head instigator Rethug, pure and simple as is most of the Faux (Fox) entertainment “cast.” And “free Speech” comes with a responsibility and that responsibility is Not to lie and mislead and incite hate and riots!!
347. Russell | 08.27.09
While everyone has the right to disagree with what Mr Beck said, this is a prime example of the left’s selective application of our First Amendment Rights.
We conservatives have tolerated decade after decade of verbal abuse by the left, but the moment any of it is returned in kind, you immediately call for our “execution”.
You might as well get used to being on the defensive, because as long as a socialist is in the White House, you will be hearing from us.
348. RS | 08.27.09
Will someone post the URL (probably on utube) of Glenn Beck stating that B.O. has a “deep-seated hatred for white people.” I would like to listen to the entire dialog.
349. Lyn | 08.27.09
I’m only a typical white grandmother, but I don’t care whether Obama is a racist or not. I care that he has the soul of a dictator and is lining up a phalanx of radical far-far-far left “czars” who have as their goal the “overthrow” of our country, our way of life.
It has become trendy to hurl ugly names at those with whom we disagree. I recall the names and horrible photoshopped pictures the far left came up with for Bush 43–and all Republicans.
Racist? Yeah. Opportunist? Certainly. Cynical, cold-hearted, relentless, ruthless, dedicated enemy of personal freedom and values of decency? Oh, buddy, there’s the rub!
350. Bill Lewis | 08.27.09
I have read a few comments on here which indicate a concern over the boycotts because they feel they are infringing on Glenn Beck’s right to free speech.
My response to that is that it is that same right that the companies are exercising by withdrawing their adds and that those on the left of the issue are exercising by saying they think he’s wrong in saying it.
I disagree with Glenn Beck on just about all issue, though I do agree that he has the right to say it. I also have the right to disagree with him as loudly as he shouts his opinions, that’s the beauty of free speech.
351. Jim | 08.27.09
Sure he’s a racist but why did he hire all those white folks? Surely there must millions of gangstas of any other colour he have hired. Doesn’t he believe in his own racism?
352. Howard_T | 08.27.09
The absence of those idiotic Progressive commercials (the ones with the ditzy fugitive from a manicure parlor) almost induces me to watch Glen Beck. I usually do not watch Fox Cable News in the evening because so much of their programming is sensationalism, but their daytime news programs do tend to present both sides of the story. Those who believe that Obama is a racist will continue to do so, regardless of any credible evidence to the contrary. The same holds true for those who believe Obama is not a racist. I have an opinion, but I hope that whether or not the President is a racist will not influence his governing for the interests of ALL the people. So far, I feel he has not, but it has nothing to do with race. For many years I listened to and read the mainstream media outlets, and believed they were offering me legitimate news with no bias. Over the last 10 years I have listened to the continuing castigation of Bush and the Republican party. The mainstream media has done little to present a balanced point of view, increasingly leaning toward the more liberal end of the political spectrum. I refuse to be an apologist for Bush, as I feel that his economic policies, basically a continuation of the Clinton policies, have caused us great harm. However, I feel that the constant drumbeat of blaming the Republicans for all of the ills of society is disingenuous. The administration that promised to be “inclusive” and listen to all input on issues has paid only lip service to that ideal. How much attention has the administration paid to Republican ideas in the health care debate, for example? For the administration and its mainstream media followers to dismiss the Republicans of being the “party of no” is a massive piece of untruth. Perhaps Beck and the rest of his Fox News evening commentators do us a service by letting people understand that there just might be another side to the debate.
353. Sue Parbry | 08.27.09
Howard University does not have a “racial requirement” for admission. After all, among it’s first graduates were General Oliver Howard’s daughters, who were caucasian. There are no racial requirements at ANY of the traditionally black colleges and universities in the United States. Shed yourself of racism by getting the facts before you open your mouth. Then again, that would make you unlike Mr. Beck and his circus of the stupid.
354. michael | 08.27.09
i’m so tired of the R word! nearly anytime i say something about obama, if its interpreted as being negative, i’m called a racist! i wasn’t, but i’m beginning to become one!!! i sick and tired of it!!! just because i’ve a difference of opinion with you doesn’t make me bad! and i’ve started saying just that!!!
GO GLENN… GIVE’M HECK!!!
355. sara | 08.27.09
Most people are racists to a certain degree… and don’t admit it/acknowledge it.
Is Obama? I doubt it. Remember, he’s biracial…and was raised mainly by his white mother and white grandparents. If anything, he probably understands racism better than monoracial folks.
His election had nothing to do with affirmative action… he won the primaries, nomination, and election based on his own merit. The problem is that he’s so hell-bent on compromise with the Republicans, that he’s disappointing the people who voted for him in the first place.
As for Glenn Beck… he makes these inflammatory statements (just like Rush & Bill) simply because they garner press. Rational statements don’t get much press. Playing to the idiots and conspiracy theorists makes for better ratings.
356. LeaveNoLiberalUnturned | 08.27.09
sara #355: “hell-bent on compromise with the Republicans”? On the bizarro planet, maybe? I have witnessed absolutely no spirit of compromise from this government. The wicked witch of the west, Pelosi, claims that anyone who disagrees with the administration is UnAmerican or a “Nazi”. Throughout his campaign, Obama made it perfectly clear that he would accept no criticism from anyone in the press. He set up an internet “snitch line” for people to report their neighbors if they said anything that did not agree with his health care (oh, excuse me, health insurance) reforms. That is a move worthy of Joseph Stalin, and fortunately, it backfired on him when masses of people reported themselves as being critical of his ideals. Have another cup of the Kool-Aid. Those of us who disagree with Obama do so not due of the color of his skin, but because of the color of his politics. And if ratings measure anything, I’d say that they are, indeed, indicating the level of dissatisfaction with the policies of the administration. I somehow seriously doubt that such dissatisfaction is due to what you mistakenly perceive as “centrism”.
358. el donaldo | 08.27.09
How dumb and out of touch do you have to be to think that Obama is racist?
359. swaps | 08.27.09
Beck never shows both sides of an argument. FOX never does, for that matter, so my unbiased news comes from The Daily Show. Go figure.
361. norelief | 08.28.09
Let’s outlaw the word, “RACIST”. But here’s the deal: NOBODY gets to hurl it as an insult, white or black…left or right.
Then, let’s outlaw the label, “NAZI” used to describe someone who disagrees with you. The left can’t use it…and neither can the right.
Finally, let’s attempt…I mean, really try to restrain the hate and the objectification of those with whom we disagree. Outlaw such terms as “Repugs” and “Demoncrat” and also “cretin” “moron” and etcetera.
Only then will we be able to have an actual conversation. I am repulsed by the hatred and the total lack of any sort of intelligent conversation among Americans today.
By the way…each and every human being on the planet is a racist to some extent. It is normal and human to prefer those who are similar to yourself. So let’s all admit that we have trouble getting along and try to rise above that.
362. Nick in Virginia | 08.28.09
Beck’s statement about 0bama being racist is NOT unfounded. Twenty years in the congregation of Rev. Wright provides a lot of evidence (not necessarily proof) of that statement. 0bama’s stance on “Gates-gate” seems to be another indication of someone whose feelings are somewhat tilted against white people in favor of black people. Sounds like the definition of “racism” to me.
And the advertisers did not just pull their slots out of the goodness of their hearts. Color of Change and other groups like it were putting pressure on them, which the author fails to mention.
So boycott Beck’s show if you will, I have already been boycotting some of the firms that have pulled their advertisements.
363. SC | 08.28.09
As much as I couldn’t stand George W, people said a lot worse about him, and it was fine.
“Beck is on a campaign to convince the American public that President Obama’s agenda is about serving the needs of Black communities at White people’s expense”
Although if this is directly what he said it would be a little out there, the problem I have is these people who say these things, think any criticism of Barack means you hate black people.
If Barack were to spend tons more to help out the poor, it would hurt white people, and help black people, but indirectly.
364. LeaveNoLiberalUnturned | 08.28.09
norelief #361 - Are you unaware that “outlawing” words is what we call “censorship”? I suppose that your next suggestion would be to have big bonfires fueled by books or other publications that you also find “repulsive” or that you consider “unintelligent”. Would you care to step a bit closer to the edge of that slippery slope? If you wish to learn more about the result of such attitudes, ask anyone who survived Chairman Mao’s “Great Leap Forward” or his even more agressive “Cultural Revolution”. Don’t they teach history in our schools anymore? Oh, that’s right, the NEA controls the cirriculum, so what we are presented with is labeled history, but is in actuality revisionism. See, the censorship that you desire is already being practiced here.
365. Hezekiah J | 08.28.09
The small mindedness of racism never ceases to boggle; if you are (enter color) you are prejudiced. All (blank) people are racist. If you are discriminated against, you can’t be a discriminator. You can only be a racist if you are/aren’t (blank). All equally false.
Calling someone else a racist (Beck or Obama) does not make you a racist, nor does being of any particular race, just as neither qualifier relieves you from it. WTFU!
If someone says “I don’t like polka dot people very much.” they are making a prejudicial statement based on color, regardless of whether they are polka dotted, or partly polka dot or even non-polka dotted, even if they know polka dot people the do like or even love.
366. JaneMason | 08.29.09
Listen. Think. Challenge. Do not be led down this road of socialist propaganda that Obama and crew are forcing on America. Our country, our Constitution, our people, and our way of life are precious and worth fighting for. Glenn Beck is speaking to get us thinking about what could really happen if we all follow as blind sheep down this liberal road before us. I just pray that 16 months from now our Congress will be balanced and halt the spending and deliberate social manipulation. God bless America and God bless Glenn Beck and all who speak the truth.
367. Missy | 08.30.09
Some have stated (no) one will fill the space of the ads removed from Becks Program. That won’t hurt Beck with FOX, he is their #1 rated Talk Show Host. Beck is the one of the few that tells it like it is, not like you want to to hear it. He is an honest and caring man that loves his country. One of few willing to tell the facts.
As a metter of fact, I have him on my TV now, I have never seen or heard him mislead the people. KEEP UP HE GOOD WORKS GLENN BECK, God Bless you and the work you are doing for OUR nation and God.
368. luckfibs | 08.31.09
of course the boycott will backfire. how did the rest of those lib-led boycotts work out for you lib freaks? i seeem to recall many such attempts. a liberal boycott is the best thing ever for a conservative commentator. how did the boycoting of Rush Limbaugh work out libs?
369. luckfibs | 08.31.09
ho-hum. the usual intellectually-bankrupt lefties crying racism where there is none.
371. chgoparis | 09.11.09
Are all of you blind to the hate-mongering that Glenn Beck is disseminating? His perspectives are completely uniformed and themselves the product of undeniable racism. Have any of you even thought about the diversity of Obama’s family (extended and nuclear)? How could he possibly be racist? MAYBE think about looking into FOX and Rupurt Murdoch’s own history - their support of dictatorships, communist regimes and human right’s violators - what do you think their real intention with America is? Wake up.
372. Merryheart | 09.18.09
Take Progressive and Radio Shack off your lists of companies to boycott. They never advertised on Beck’s show, so there weren’t any ads to cancel. It’s unfair to boycott them. Color of Change was exaggerating the number of companies that responded to their histrionics.
373. Eric | 09.25.09
I think it is funny that Beck and other conservative pundits stated that any disparaging remark against the President of the Unites States while Bush was in office is an act of treason and yet they constantly attack Obama. Glenn, do you know how to spell ‘hypocrisy’? The purpose of Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc, is to make money. As long as people watch their shows advertisers will pay to put them on the air. An overwhelming amount of research shows that most people watch “news” programs that affirm their current beliefs and people watch Beck or Olbermann or whomever because they agree them and want to fuel whichever bias they already support. There is little or no thinking involved. The sad reality is that not enough people make the effort to seek media sources that accurately report the news resulting in fewer of those organizations remaining in existence. Extremists on both the Left and the Right are doing the most damage to this country. Beck has stated we should split the country, give the Conservatives and Liberals their own place, I agree, they should all move to South America and leave the rest of us alone.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Melissa | 08.25.09
Powerful people like to lay low and get their work down without exposure. Glenn Beck has exposed Van Jones and his story and past are truly disturbing.
This is a free country with freedom of speech and if someone wants to accuse another of racism that is perfectly acceptable.