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Is Glen Beck crazy?
Well, I was on the interwebs, and I found this recording of Glen Beck flipping out on someone who disagreed with him about healthcare and it made me think... well see for yourself:
I think Glenn Beck is Rush Limbaugh's inbred cousin disguised as a faux newsman. He is stark raving mad and the way he treats his guests is deplorable. He must have a messiah complex the way he went on about that little girl...as though he could help in any way! Doesn't it occur to him that if people are getting killed by just bringing the incident up there's something wrong with the picture and that it's more than a little kid being kidnapped? He's so dumb it sits on him like a halo.
He lost my respect when he was talking about different things Obama was doing to try and help minority groups, and GB said, "what more do these people want? Wasn't the Civil War enough"? WHA???? DID he just say that?? REALLY? And then a few days later when he said Obama hates white people. Geez, yeah, he's nuts...and an a$$hole
Oh no! How dare he get emotional over something near and dear to his heart! What a crazy person. I know I've NEVER gotten emotional over something that meant a lot to me that I couldn't do anymore.
But seriously, he's not just getting a little emotional over something. The man is SO self-absorbed. He believes it is his duty/mission/etc. to "save the world" by leading his followers to believe what he tells them to. That's pretty insane by most standards (unless you're Jesus).
From what I saw of the video, he had a friend whose daughter was lost only a few blocks from America, so he made a promise to his friend to stay with that story. He gets really emotional because he can't. It's impossible to track her down because any information, from Mexicans or whatever, is incapable of reaching him. So he has to break his promise to his friend and give up the search for this girl. That's heartbreaking. And it's actually selfless
Well, for the record, one of my best friend's dad actually travels to Mexico for stem cell therapy... since we don't have it here and all.
Don't get me wrong, the US is probably number 1 at treating people once they are about to die anyway, but beyond that, you won't find many world leaders coming here for health care, that is a lie on Glenn Beck's part, they would go to France likely, or maybe the UK (socialized healthcare both for the record, and btw to further make him look like the fool he is, our official ranking is 34 in healthcare in the world, well behind Saudi Arabia, YeeHaa!)
Anyway, I don't believe that story for a minute, Beck is full of crap and he's gonna have to prove anything he says to me before I accept it, since like everything else he says is wrong or a straight lie.
He's not crazy for flipping out. Everyone does that sometimes.
He is crazy for thinking that his points of view are right, and neither reason nor fact can effect them. The last thing this man needs is a tv show to compliment and intensify his Messiah Complex.
The difference between Glen Beck and my Anderson Cooper is not only monumental, it's epic!
Seriously? "Get off my phone, you little pinhead" isn't a derogatory term? Unnecessary much? That's the very soundbyte that's in the description....We're all sitting here watching Glenn Beck hang his head out the bus window on the way to crazy town, and you don't see him being extremely derogatory and unnecessary?
Not to mention, is "teabagger" really derogatory?...Don't they call themselves teabaggers?
Cavuto did that because he was mocking CNN and MSNBC for making that name up for them in the first place (the real credit goes to David Schuster on MSNBC for starting the whole thing).
Plus, AC was referring to the sexual act SPECIFICALLY since he said "it's hard to talk when you're teabagging".
If you claim that someone likes testicles in their mouths, i would think that's way more derogatory than pinhead, which is actually a very nice name for "fuckin' retard".
Let's not conflate one with the other. Your claim is:
"I've never heard Beck use a derogatory term like teabag"
Now, is "you little pinhead" a derogatory, unneccessary term or not?
And what's your excuse for this "teabagger" reference (at the 1:59 mark)? (Seriously, there's more of these references to themselves than you have time to rebut....I could truly go on all day.....)
Yea, sure, he's a little crazy...but at least he's entertaining..
I rather see someone, uhm, "passionate" about what they believe...really, really, really passionate...than someone who simply soaks up an idea and accepts it (I'm speaking of him as a political advocate/voter/person rather than a political reporter, of course)
I say if he wants to be crazy, let the man be crazy...!
Yes, but by being crazy what he is doing is fanning the flames of public outrage that tend to be based on unfounded fears (a.k.a. death panels). I would understand if he was just a normal person, but he is a public figure who is heard by millions and therefore has a responsibility to not merely be crazy, but instead base his views on rationale arguments.
He is actually hurting our ability as a nation to have a real debate on the issue by arguing with emotion rather than logic. Have you seen the videos of people who stand up in town hall meetings and shout stuff? Why do you think people are acting this way? Because they are being scared by people like Beck who act crazy and talk about how America is going to collapse if this healthcare bill passes. That's not how a democracy should work, and Beck should be ashamed of himself for contributing the way he does.
If he disagrees, great, but talk about why and not just using meaningless accusations like "this isn't the America I grew up in."
So you're trying to imply that all public figures should be held accountable for their "craziness"??
Are you trying to tell me this is strictly a conservative "issue"?
You're worried about misunderstandings, but don't these occur on both sides??
What about even the comedy side of this...I'm most certain that the same people believing in what Glen Beck says all the time might just be buying in to the comedy acts of Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart...Absurd? No, not if we are speaking of weak minded people...Let's prosecute everyone who tries to present the truth in their own opinion, or even with satire, don't stop there...Let's just write off everyone who attempts to contribute to the world of politics, but some people disagree with...He doesn't claim that what he says is fact, but just a very strong opinion
I am most certain this is not the America Beck grew up in, we aren't the same country we were 20 so-years ago...
So you're trying to imply that all public figures should be held accountable for their "craziness"??
If they're on networks that claim to be giving news? Yes. The point of news is to educate the public...this does the opposite.
Are you trying to tell me this is strictly a conservative "issue"?
No.
You're worried about misunderstandings, but don't these occur on both sides??
Yes.
What about even the comedy side of this...I'm most certain that the same people believing in what Glen Beck says all the time might just be buying in to the comedy acts of Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart...Absurd? No, not if we are speaking of weak minded people...Let's prosecute everyone who tries to present the truth in their own opinion, or even with satire, don't stop there...Let's just write off everyone who attempts to contribute to the world of politics, but some people disagree with...He doesn't claim that what he says is fact, but just a very strong opinion
You clearly misunderstood my argument. I said that it was fine if Beck didn't agree with healthcare, but he should oppose it using rationale arguments, not by acting crazy, or expressing meaningless sentiments in an appeal to irrational parts of people like their emotions or patriotism.
I also find your comparison of Glenn Beck (the host of a television show on a news network that claims to be fair and balanced) to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert (two anchors of shows they themselves have described as fake news shows, on a network called "Comedy Central") ridiculous.
You then go on to present a strawman of my argument. First: I'm not saying we should prosecute Beck for what he is doing, merely that he should be condemned for it. He obviously has a right to do it, but that doesn't make the act itself right. Secondly you resort to a slippery slope argument, an argument that tends to be the last refuge of those who have nothing else to say.
I am most certain this is not the America Beck grew up in, we aren't the same country we were 20 so-years ago...
Well, considering Beck was born in the 60's, the America that he grew up in was... segregated. This however is not what I was talking about.
Obviously America is different today then it was 20 or so odd years ago. No one is disputing this point. My issue is that this argument is hollow. It implies that we've moved in a bad direction as a society, and plays on people's nostalgia of a past that was somehow better (be it less complicated, better run, more moral etc..). As a society, however we have made improvements that people often take for granted. In addition, it plays on people's patriotic feelings: by opposing his view you are somehow opposing America. It both sanctifies his own position, while demonizing his opponents. With this type of redirect coming from conservative voices like Beck, does it surprise anyone that people appear to be outraged about healthcare reform, despite the fact that they aren't clear on the facts?
Yes, the point of the news IS to educate the public, but how many networks report inaccurate/bias news? Let's shut down Fox then...
Glenn Beck gives his opinion of the news...he honestly believes in what he says. It isn't a daily report of worldly events, but it is an opinionated news cast. He has every right to say whatever he "thinks" on HIS show. It's a correspondent format.
Yes, my example was extremely absurd, as I mentioned in the argument...I stand by it..
If extremely weak-minded people are willing to believe all of Beck's "rants" are fact, then who is to say that those same people would not believe in a comedy television program? The comparison is ridiculous, but that doesn't make it wrong...
Personally, I've seen the show quite a few times...Sometimes Beck has used logic to support his opinions, but sometimes, yes, he becomes too irrational, and just attempts to appeal to his conservative audience...I dare to say that Obama has done the same...Why stop there, everyone in the political field has made comments suggesting that reason is lacking in their opinions...This is not exclusive to Glenn Beck...
I am simply trying to say that though Beck has opinions that to many seem illogical, he still has every right to express his thoughts, and any viewers have the right to agree/disagree...he should not be condemned for voicing his seemingly outlandish ideas..
Yes, the point of the news IS to educate the public, but how many networks report inaccurate/bias news? Let's shut down Fox then...
It's not about bias, but accuracy. If you want to only report those stories which support your view, then you certainly have the right to, but often reporters on fox will flat out lie. This is not okay.
Your other argument seems to be that just because everyone does it it's okay. I have a couple issues with that:
1st: Two wrongs don't make a right. Surely even you understand that.
2nd: I'm not saying that the other networks are perfect, but don't change the subject, we're not talking about them. We're talking about Fox (or more specifically Glenn Beck).
3rd: PBS and BBC seem to be doing a good job of providing objective coverage. So that would be the bar I judge other news networks by.
4th: Fox is 1) watched by more people than the other networks and therefore more people are exposed to the shit it calls news and 2) other than MSNBC there isn't another network that comes close to the bias fox has, and no network deceives the public as much.
Glenn Beck gives his opinion of the news...he honestly believes in what he says. It isn't a daily report of worldly events, but it is an opinionated news cast. He has every right to say whatever he "thinks" on HIS show. It's a correspondent format.
I'm sure he does believe what he says, and as I said before he does have a right to voice those opinions. If I had a show I would have the right to voice opinions about how the Nazis were great and hispanics are killing this nation if I wanted (obviously I would never do this), but that doesn't make it right in the moral sense.
Yes, my example was extremely absurd, as I mentioned in the argument...I stand by it..
If extremely weak-minded people are willing to believe all of Beck's "rants" are fact, then who is to say that those same people would not believe in a comedy television program? The comparison is ridiculous, but that doesn't make it wrong...
Well, there's a couple things that would keep people from believing Jon Stewart: he is on a network that has the word "comedy" in it. Beck is on a network that has the word "news" in it. In addition, as I said, Jon Stewart calls his show "Fake News."
But maybe this in itself isn't enough for people.
Jon Stewart rarely uses the "Us vs. Them" mentality or scare tactics with his viewers. This is Beck's bread and butter.
In addition, I think the fact that you have to compare Beck to Stewart supports my own arguments more than yours.
Personally, I've seen the show quite a few times...Sometimes Beck has used logic to support his opinions, but sometimes, yes, he becomes too irrational, and just attempts to appeal to his conservative audience...I dare to say that Obama has done the same...Why stop there, everyone in the political field has made comments suggesting that reason is lacking in their opinions...This is not exclusive to Glenn Beck...
Okay, so first you want to compare Beck to Comedy commentator and now a politician? I feel like you're arguing for me.
That aside: What I actually like most about Obama is that he talks to Americans as though they're adults (Obama's speech on race and religion). Certainly he says things that can be considered an appeal to patriotism, but he never has said that if you don't support me your not patriotic. This is what commentators on Fox do. Glenn Beck actually called Obama racist against white people. Now aside from the comedic fact that Obama is actually himself half white, these comments are hugely inflammatory and don't add anything of value to the political discussion.
Finally the job of a politician is vastly different from that of those people on news networks. Like I said before, if you're in news you are supposed to educate the public. If you are a politician you are supposed to try and help the public by passing legislation. The reason that we have a party system is so that the two sides can debate and the public decides which side is right. In this instance the media acts as a referee, by relaying information to the public, and calling out politicians when they are being dishonest. What happens when the referees have already chosen a side, however, is that the whole process can't work the way it should.
And for the millionth time: I know it's not just Glenn Beck, and I know it's not just Fox news, but right now that is who we are talking about so that is who I am going to criticize. If you picked a different network, I would probably have less to talk about, but would still certainly have criticisms.
I am simply trying to say that though Beck has opinions that to many seem illogical, he still has every right to express his thoughts, and any viewers have the right to agree/disagree...
This is correct, and I have no problem with that.
he should not be condemned for voicing his seemingly outlandish ideas..
Yes he should!!! Just like Neo-Nazis in this country should be condemned for being against Jews, or the KKK should be condemned for expressing their racist views or the Westboro Baptist Church should be condemned for voicing homophobic opinions and protesting outside of the funerals of soldiers. Maybe Beck's comments aren't as bad as these examples, but they certainly are hurting our ability as a nation to have a rational debate.
Okay, before you start calling me all sorts of names, let me elaborate..
Anyone with the brain of a primate could tell you that Fox twists the truth quite often. However, I have never once heard a bold-faced lie...Possibly, this is because I don't ever use Fox as my source for NEWS, but I do believe that Fox simply tells the truth how they rather it be. They are always careful to contain some glimpse of the actual truth within their bias...
I'm not saying that in the least. My point is this: America has bias news. It is inevitable.
However, it is up to Americans to decipher what is truth and what is complete nonsense. Not everything that comes from Glenn Beck's mouth is complete nonsense.
I believe that your comparison of Beck to the KKK and Neo-Nazis is much more far-fetched than my comparison to a comedy news show, but maybe there's a metaphor I am not catching because obviously you are not seeing mine...
I am not saying that Beck is comedy news, not at all. I am trying to show you that if people are "stupid" enough to believe everything they hear on ANY given news program, then they would probably believe in spoof news shows as well..
It seems to me that you are saying that Beck is just wrong. No middle line, no "opinion" to it, Beck is wrong in what he says. He is polluting the minds of all those who watch him. If that's what your position is, then this is an entire different debate...
because Beck DOES have a Republican following...so that would make all Republicans wrong...which, regardless, is a matter of opinion..Hmm...What's your position here??
Well here is one example and here is another and another and in these two photos shown on fox, New York Times journalists were actually photoshopped to look uglier then they really were. Or how about here where fox labeled Mark Foley as a democrat 3 times, after he was disgraced for having sexual relations with a male paige. How about when they did this again with recently disgraced Republican governor Mark Stanford (who happens to be the head of the Republican governors association. And finally here is one where Beck himself freaks out over Obama not putting his hand on the Bible, and lies about that other presidents have done the same.
Need more examples? I'd be happy to provide.
Anyone with the brain of a primate could tell you that Fox twists the truth quite often.
Well, there are plenty of conservatives, even on this site, that seem to think differently. I am happy to hear that you are not one of them.
However, I have never once heard a bold-faced lie...Possibly, this is because I don't ever use Fox as my source for NEWS, but I do believe that Fox simply tells the truth how they rather it be. They are always careful to contain some glimpse of the actual truth within their bias...
Well, I know I just gave you a lot of examples, but if you are willing to entertain me, how about just one more. How about here where they completely lie about the conditions of the Netherlands in order to make the argument that marijuana legalization would be bad. Have I proved my point yet or do you want me to go on?
I'm not saying that in the least. My point is this: America has bias news. It is inevitable.
Well, like I said, PBS has very unbiased news, and the nightly news on most stations is not nearly as biased as Fox would have you believe.
However, it is up to Americans to decipher what is truth and what is complete nonsense. Not everything that comes from Glenn Beck's mouth is complete nonsense.
Yeah, but a good portion of it is, and people shouldn't have to try and weed out facts from a news network.
I believe that your comparison of Beck to the KKK and Neo-Nazis is much more far-fetched than my comparison to a comedy news show, but maybe there's a metaphor I am not catching because obviously you are not seeing mine...
My only point is that just because we have the right to do something, doesn't mean it's right to do it. Obviously Beck's aren't similar to those of Nazis or the KKK, I wasn't trying to say this.
I am not saying that Beck is comedy news, not at all. I am trying to show you that if people are "stupid" enough to believe everything they hear on ANY given news program, then they would probably believe in spoof news shows as well..
I never said you were saying Beck was Comedy news, but the fact that the only person you could think to compare him to was someone on a comedy show is definitely saying something about the way Beck reports.
It seems to me that you are saying that Beck is just wrong. No middle line, no "opinion" to it, Beck is wrong in what he says. He is polluting the minds of all those who watch him. If that's what your position is, then this is an entire different debate...
I'm not saying he is wrong on his positions, just wrong on his arguments, because he doesn't argue rationally, but instead plays on peoples emotions, like fear and patriotism. This would be wrong no matter what positions he held, even if he supported everything I did, it would still be wrong. Once you come to the conclusion that your opponents are somehow "unAmerican" then any chance for reasonable debate flys out the window.
because Beck DOES have a Republican following...so that would make all Republicans wrong...which, regardless, is a matter of opinion..Hmm...What's your position here??
Once again you misunderstand my argument. He isn't wrong because of his positions, he's wrong because of his arguments.
There are legitimate arguments against healthcare, but that's not what Beck is doing. He's yelling things like socialism, or fascism in an attempt to scare people into agreeing with him.
Okay, to be completely honest, I hadn't been exposed to the sour-side of Fox as those examples demonstrate...A question that arises after watching O'Reilly in that last clip is this: Fox has lied when reporting the news. However, is it possible that other stations have done the same? I'm not referring to bias, but to nothing but pure false-truths by a seemingly reliable station.
After just scratching the surface, it isn't hard to find thousands of examples for any given network..I was trying to provide a link to a PBS mistake concerning Romney and Giuliani trying to "out anti-immigrant each other" back in 2007-I would add it, but it seems to not be working for my computer...
Let me leave you with this and reply to the rest of your argument later, I'm running out of time, but wanted you to see that even accurate news is bias...
Whilst I totally understand the point you're making (and totally agree with it - no one does actual news like the BBC), I feel I just had to post this.
That just shows how incredibly partisan and biased you are. Try learning to be objective some day. Glenn Beck is an asshole. From the start of the call he was incredibly rude to the woman. Other than Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh I have never seen any reporter, and I use the term very loosely, act that way toward a guest. You just don't do that. It is completely uncalled for. That is not an acceptable way to treat guests. If it was the most liberal host in the world, I would still find it disgusting, and so would you.
Actually, I fuckin' love this. I hate it when morons (like that lady) say stupid shit like that and NO ONE catches them on it.
I don't know, maybe it's the misanthropy kicking in, but I seem to like Beck more and more (despite the fact that I disagree with him in the big picture points) because of shit like this. Total morons who raid and just cause butt hurt finally getting a bootfull of ass kicking. Only on Beck.
Say all you want, but I probably would have hunted down the bitch and ear raped her with facts for the whole day.
I actually kind of agree with you. I think Beck's a douchebag, but the woman clearly didn't have her facts straight. However, spinning off the handle like that doesn't reflect well on him either. He's supposed to be a professional adult. Not someone who goes into a berserker rage whenever someone disagrees with him.
I don't recall hearing him reciting any facts. He mentioned a few general statements, but nothing that could actually be counted as a fact, in terms of being something one could research that could be defintively true or false. For example, had he named names of foreign leaders, rather than just titles, he may have had a point, but as it is, not so much.
Im with you there...I think it's hilarious how he's two seconds removed from going completely coo-coo bananas, and follows it up with "Buy my book that teaches you how to argue with logic and reason..."
I know what you mean. I recently read his book "Common Sense". It was a complete ego-trip (comparing himself to Thomas Paine) with very little facts backing it up. It boils down to one big diatribe about how "progressives" are evil cockroach people trying to destroy America, and how only you can win back your freedom by overthrowing the current democratically elected government.
He was actually upset with the fact that he gets the same kind of people ALL THE TIME. He constantly explains shit like that on his program. The problem is that people who never watch or listen to him call in randomly (organized raids from MediaMatters, MoveOn and DailyKos) with these arguments that he has refuted again and again in the past.
He just got fed up with it. I completely understand. The problem is that I get the same argument from the same people a lot of the time (different issues of course, I focus more on social and historical issues, not economics or health care).
It is his JOB to explain and defend his opinions on air. He gets paid to do it! And apparently he doesn't get tired of the lovefest from those who call to tell him how amazing and smart he is, without providing ANYTHING of substance.
I've listened to a good deal of Glenn Beck (I find him entertaining), but I don't see him refuting the same arguments again and again. Mostly it's just a bunch of people calling in to talk about how terrible liberals are and Glenn agreeing.
I too, repeat arguments and debates with people. If it bothers you, get out of the argument/debate business.
That's funny. Either become a broken record or stop debating.
How about, you debate until you decide something is pointless and take an alternate route. This is exactly why Beck decided to yell at that lady. He started off by saying some simple, common knowledge things, but she acted as if he never said them in the first place. If they couldn't get past the basics, how do you expect to get to actual advanced shit? It's impossible.
It's like explaining Calculus to someone who hasn't gotten the concept of 2+2=4 down just yet. Except, she was bitching at him to start it off.
Actually, he started out by being an ass and dismissing her without listening to her points. Common conservative talk show tactics. She wasn't bitching at him to begin with, she was trying to incite discussion about healthcare and why he had such warped views about it.
Raising your voice...the next best thing to being right.
