Glenn Beck: I was wrong.

[alexlitel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTzCdY6SqDQ

[Coca Cola Zero]

Funny related:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9JE5SBm9UU&feature=related

[bloo]

That's some great kind of crazy.

Wilson started us on the road to fascism! It's his fault. Wait 'til he figured out that the fasces is in Congress, the Lincoln Memorial, the Oval Office and two of them are on the symbol of the National Guard.

It will all be more evidence of a centuries-long plan to drive us to fascism!

But first, buy my christmas book.

[Mordrak]

I can't wait to see what Colbert does with it. He hilariously lampooned the 9/12 project last night (http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/223279/march-31-2009/the-10-31-project).

[DragonPup]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTzCdY6SqDQ

Speaking of Glenn Beck... (http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/223279/march-31-2009/the-10-31-project)

[BlueJackalope]

Funny related:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9JE5SBm9UU&feature=related

I think Shep is recoiling in horror...and trying to save his career and not get attached to Beck's insanity.

I think I like him, but his creepy dolls eyes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-28kgBUGOJk) scare me.


Speaking of Glenn Beck...


Holy shit. I think I just hurt something.

[Oghier]

I think Shep is recoiling in horror...and trying to save his career and not get attached to Beck's insanity.

I think I like him, but his creepy dolls eyes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-28kgBUGOJk) scare me.

"[Glenn Beck] will be here from his Fear Chamber presently." Shep is one of the few anchors on Fox who seems to recognize how insane that network is.

[Eric T Cheng]

Good. Fuckin'. Lord.

Is there a contest at Fox News to see who can out crazy each other?

[Coca Cola Zero]

I don't watch Fox News much (ever, really, except YouTube links) but whenever I see that Shep guy all I can think about is his famous J-Lo blowjob gaffe.

[Eric T Cheng]

Shep seems like the only sane guy in the asylum.

[Cubit]

Speaking of Glenn Beck... (http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/223279/march-31-2009/the-10-31-project)

i loved that :)

[Aeon221]

Speaking of Glenn Beck... (http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/223279/march-31-2009/the-10-31-project)

http://www.geocities.com/reaper_dont_fear/colbert.jpg

[WarrenM]

Oh, god, Chuck ... why? WHY?!

[The Bitter Cynic]

How is this guy still employed?

He's off his friggin' rocker, mad as a hatter.

Hell, Rush seems tame next Mr. Beck.

[Tyjenks]

When he was just on the radio, he was pretty tame and common sensical and quite funny. TV has made him a loon.

[Cubit]

When he was just on the radio, he was pretty tame and common sensical and quite funny. TV has made him a loon.

Agreed. I used to listen to him sometimes on radio and he wasn't this bad at all.

[Tim James]

I haven't heard his stuff in years but he has always been defined by being a panicky security dad. I think the paranoia is finally just getting to him.

[Wallapuctus]

I suspect he's just playing a role, he's not actually this crazy. It's all about the ratings and getting paid.

[svenr]

If I could, I think I would regularly tune in just for the chance to see his inevitable and inevitably spectacular breakdown.

[Jazar]

What a nutjob.

[Lum]

Shep seems like the only sane guy in the asylum.

This. Remember how he just completely lost his shit on air at Hannity blaming the victims during Katrina?

[BlueJackalope]

I suspect he's just playing a role, he's not actually this crazy. It's all about the ratings and getting paid.

It does have a "Face in the Crowd" meets televangelist vibe.

He is beating O'Reilly, but I wonder how much of that is true believers vs car crash watchers.

[Brian Rucker]

This. Remember how he just completely lost his shit on air at Hannity blaming the victims during Katrina?

I was actually watching Fox during Katrina and I remember Shep stuck out there with all those families just left to their own devices on some exit ramp above the flood waters. He was really upset at what was happening. Not Glenn Beck freakazoid upset or Geraldo's self-aggrandizing dramatics upset, but just a normal person reacting to the bullshit upset.

Yeah, Shep's alright. Why's he at Fox?

[Tim James]

The annoying thing about Beck is that for all his paranoia, he is still pretty much a neocon. So no one really likes him.

[Mordrak]

When he was just on the radio, he was pretty tame and common sensical and quite funny. TV has made him a loon.

He's also a mormon. You see the same kind of tear ups sometimes during talks about his faith and life story. I don't think it's TV that made him a loon, it's likely he was born that way. It's just some things bring it out more than others.

[Tim James]

He does a great Valentine's show. Fake and hilarious DJ contests for loser guys that waited until the last minute. It's okay though because it's ironic.

[Gabe Lewis]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTzCdY6SqDQ

Did anyone watch this video long enough to see the giant, slowly blinking Ben Bernake head? Now that is horrifying.

What the fuck is wrong with this guy? He's straight out of V for Vendetta (the movie. Not smart enough to be out of the graphic novel.)

[Shadarr]

I loved the fake tear-up Shep did for his outro to commercial. That was Daily Show-worthy.

[alexlitel]

I loved the fake tear-up Shep did for his outro to commercial. That was Daily Show-worthy.Actually, it was on The Daily Show.

[bloo]

I love how the "12 Values" is basically the Boy Scout Law.

[Mordrak]

I love how the "12 Values" is basically the Boy Scout Law.

That's actually not surprising, given that the boy scouts are basically an arm of the Mormon religion now. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GFqqYAoBc0&feature=PlayList&p=1009584A20C433F9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=51)

[Lizard_King]

That's actually not surprising, given that the boy scouts are basically an arm of the Mormon religion now. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GFqqYAoBc0&feature=PlayList&p=1009584A20C433F9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=51)

I'll be damned. I liked them better when they were just a paramilitary organization devoted to creating a better generation of conscripts.

[Anaxagoras]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTzCdY6SqDQ

"We're heading towards a non-violent form of fascism."

Violence is an inherent part of fascism. When you take the "violence" out of fascism, you end up with.... a capitalist state which is probably democratic as well.

What the hell is this guy going on about?

[bloo]

He's also a mormon. You see the same kind of tear ups sometimes during talks about his faith and life story. I don't think it's TV that made him a loon, it's likely he was born that way. It's just some things bring it out more than others.

He's a converted Mormon. His wife said pick a religion apparently.
http://christianlds.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/glenn-beck-a-mormon-convert/
Warning if you watch it: he cries. Again. He's like more than Admiral Adama but without the...everything?

Can you choose to become Mormon? I've been told that some Jewish people don't believe you can actually 'choose' to be 'one of the chosen'.

When did the Mormons take over the Boy Scouts? Man am I glad I got out when I did, but first aid and wilderness skills are nice.

[Lakedaimon]

He's a converted Mormon. His wife said pick a religion apparently.
http://christianlds.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/glenn-beck-a-mormon-convert/
Warning if you watch it: he cries. Again. He's like more than Admiral Adama but without the...everything?

Can you choose to become Mormon? I've been told that some Jewish people don't believe you can actually 'choose' to be 'one of the chosen'.

When did the Mormons take over the Boy Scouts? Man am I glad I got out when I did, but first aid and wilderness skills are nice.


Im fairly sure you can easily convert to Mormonism - all those old tv commercials for the "Church of Latter Day Saints" = Mormon

Orthodox Jews will not consider someone to be Jewish unless their mother was Jewish.

[Mordrak]

He's a converted Mormon. His wife said pick a religion apparently.
http://christianlds.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/glenn-beck-a-mormon-convert/
Warning if you watch it: he cries. Again. He's like more than Admiral Adama but without the...everything?

Can you choose to become Mormon? I've been told that some Jewish people don't believe you can actually 'choose' to be 'one of the chosen'.

When did the Mormons take over the Boy Scouts? Man am I glad I got out when I did, but first aid and wilderness skills are nice.


Well, yeah, in Mormon hierarchy, there's a difference between being born a Mormon and a converted Mormon. Though, it's not quite the same as when people argue you can't convert to Judiasm. The latter is an issue of genealogy. The former is you've clocked in more spiritual hours and deeds than your counterpart who converted later in life. Thus, you get a better seat at the spiritual table in the after life.

[cesare]

Orthodox Jews will not consider someone to be Jewish unless their mother was Jewish.

Not true. You can convert to Orthodox Judaism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Judaism#Beliefs). They just don't go looking for converts and it's presumably more difficult than simply saying "I love Jesus" or "Allah is the one true god". You will, however, have to mutilate your penis.

(see what I did there?)

[Jeremy Johnsen]

Well, yeah, in Mormon hierarchy, there's a difference between being born a Mormon and a converted Mormon. Though, it's not quite the same as when people argue you can't convert to Judiasm. The latter is an issue of genealogy. The former is you've clocked in more spiritual hours and deeds than your counterpart who converted later in life. Thus, you get a better seat at the spiritual table in the after life.
Bullshit.

[Mordrak]

Bullshit.

Most of my info is from former Mormons. What's bullshit? I'm happy to be corrected.

[Tim James]

I finally watched the video. Isn't he technically correct here? At least in terms of the dichotomy he presents. I can't find an article, but didn't the US Socialist Party recently denounce Obama as barely even a liberal in their eyes? It's true that the an overt push to violence is nonexistent but there are other elements to the (admittedly vague) concept.

Even as a huge skeptic I don't think we are going to become "fascist" anytime soon, but if I had to choose between one or the other to describe Obama and Congress at this moment in time, I'd take fascism over socialism simply due to the failure to renounce a lot of the Bush administration actions so far (since he was much closer to fascist) and a healthy dose of corporatism with a pinch of state worship. Where we are headed is an entirely different story, and I don't think that's fascism either.

[cesare]

I finally watched the video. Isn't he technically correct here? At least in terms of the dichotomy he presents. I can't find an article, but didn't the US Socialist Party recently denounce Obama as barely even a liberal in their eyes? It's true that the an overt push to violence is nonexistent but there are other elements to the (admittedly vague) concept.

Even as a huge skeptic I don't think we are going to become "fascist" anytime soon, but if I had to choose between one or the other to describe Obama and Congress at this moment in time, I'd take fascism over socialism simply due to the failure to renounce a lot of the Bush administration actions so far (since he was much closer to fascist) and a healthy dose of corporatism with a pinch of state worship. Where we are headed is an entirely different story, and I don't think that's fascism either.

http://www.meikathon.net/roflmao/facepalm4.jpg

[charmtrap]

Well, yeah, in Mormon hierarchy, there's a difference between being born a Mormon and a converted Mormon. Though, it's not quite the same as when people argue you can't convert to Judiasm. The latter is an issue of genealogy. The former is you've clocked in more spiritual hours and deeds than your counterpart who converted later in life. Thus, you get a better seat at the spiritual table in the after life.

I'm pretty sure that's not true, since baptism is the great leveller. It's been awhile since my escape from Mormonism, but I don't remember any spiritual distinction made between converts and born-Mormons.

OTOH, it's definitely true that it's hard to find a place in the temporal Mormon hierarchy as a convert. Pretty much all of the high councils are staffed by members of old Utah Mormon families.

[NoWayJose]

That's actually not surprising, given that the boy scouts are basically an arm of the Mormon religion now. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GFqqYAoBc0&feature=PlayList&p=1009584A20C433F9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=51)
The Mormons went back in time and changed the Boy Scout Law to more reflect Mormon beliefs. Who here got their merit badge in magic underwear?

[Mordrak]

The Mormons went back in time and changed the Boy Scout Law to more reflect Mormon beliefs. Who here got their merit badge in magic underwear?

No. But it's not surprising that Glenn Beck might be familiar with Boy Scouts because of the church's heavy investment (and increasing control) of the institution and his own enthusiastic conversion/embracing of the Mormon lifestyle. The Mormon church and other religious institutions--though according to that episode of BS the Mormon church is currently one of the largest supporters--does have undue influence on the organization since officially, atheists are not allowed join an troops, nor are homosexuals allowed to lead them or join them.

Now, the show bullshit has on occasion been full of its own bullshit. Whether or not Mormons and other religious institutions have undue influence (especially since Boy Scouts receives federal money), his involvement in the church and its community is a likely place for him to pick up that particular list.

[Anaxagoras]

It's true that the an overt push to violence is nonexistent but there are other elements to the (admittedly vague) concept.


It can be reasonably argued that violence, rigid conformity, and regimentation of society are the defining characteristics of fascism. Without violence, the other parts of fascism simply aren't there; even if people choose to conform & regiment their society, violence is required in order to take on the extreme rigidity & regimentation that fascism demands.

So no, he's not technically right. He's not even vaguely right. He's just a loon.

[cesare]

It can be reasonably argued that violence, rigid conformity, and regimentation of society are the defining characteristics of fascism. Without violence, the other parts of fascism simply aren't there; even if people choose to conform & regiment their society, violence is required in order to take on the extreme rigidity & regimentation that fascism demands.

You're legitimizing the argument. The proper response is to either shake your head in pity, or chuck a copy of Mein Kampf (http://www.amazon.com/Mein-Kampf-Adolf-Hitler/dp/0395925037) or the Goebbels Diaries (http://www.amazon.com/Goebbels-Diaries-Louis-P-Lochner/dp/B000O8MXVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238739075&sr=1-1) at them. Have them read those, and then honestly ask them if anything happening in the current era even REMOTELY matches what happened in Italy or Germany under Fascism or National Socialism.

Maybe you have more patience than I do, but trying to talk to people who think that history started in 1941 and can be entirely explained in terms of a left-right axis (ho ho ho) is an exercise in futility. People who think that fascism and socialism are two binary points on a scale of "things I don't like" honestly need to expand their knowledge base before they become part of any serious discussion. Reason #1 Glenn Beck is rightly considered to be a lunatic outside the bounds of serious discussion.

[cesare]

So no, he's not technically right. He's not even vaguely right. He's just a loon.

Yeah. This.

[Brad Grenz]

I'm pretty sure that's not true, since baptism is the great leveller. It's been awhile since my escape from Mormonism, but I don't remember any spiritual distinction made between converts and born-Mormons.

OTOH, it's definitely true that it's hard to find a place in the temporal Mormon hierarchy as a convert. Pretty much all of the high councils are staffed by members of old Utah Mormon families.

My father converted as an adult and has held plenty of high positions both in the ward and stake levels. You probably shouldn't expect to be bishop within your first year, but no one even thinks about who was born into the church and who converted. In fact I'd say converts are often looked at as the most enthusiastic members of a congregation having actually made a choice to join the church.

[Jeff Fries]

"Fascism with a happy face." Hey he's a Sontag fan.

[wildpokerman]

OTOH, it's definitely true that it's hard to find a place in the temporal Mormon hierarchy as a convert. Pretty much all of the high councils are staffed by members of old Utah Mormon families.

The majority are but if you look at people like temple presidents and mission presidents who are pretty high in the church hierarchy you'll see quite a few that are converts. I think the leadership pretty much reflects the membership:

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1694123,00.html

[bloo]

Im fairly sure you can easily convert to Mormonism - all those old tv commercials for the "Church of Latter Day Saints" = Mormon

Ah. I was misremembering some the Jehovah's Witness thing where only 144,000 souls can get into Heaven. Thank you Reno 911.

[LesJarvis]

Well, yeah, in Mormon hierarchy, there's a difference between being born a Mormon and a converted Mormon. Though, it's not quite the same as when people argue you can't convert to Judiasm. The latter is an issue of genealogy. The former is you've clocked in more spiritual hours and deeds than your counterpart who converted later in life. Thus, you get a better seat at the spiritual table in the after life.

A number of others have already pointed this out, but just to add to the chorus, this is nonsense.

[Mordrak]

A number of others have already pointed this out, but just to add to the chorus, this is nonsense.

I was basically led to believe that when you converted (or were born into the religion) as well as spiritual deeds had an effect on your placement in the after life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degrees_of_glory). If I'm wrong about that, I certainly apologize.

[Bill]

So no, he's not technically right. He's not even vaguely right. He's just a loon.

He also Godwinned himself without even opening his mouth.

[Lizard_King]

I was basically led to believe that when you converted (or were born into the religion) as well as spiritual deeds had an effect on your placement in the after life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degrees_of_glory). If I'm wrong about that, I certainly apologize.

I thought the idea was that everyone, everywhere was born a Mormon (hence the genealogy focus) and that the distinction was whether you had been baptized to be saved. Therefore, you can be baptized after death, as the church purports to do for everyone regardless of your personal feelings on the subject, and be saved. Now, I'm sure like most faiths there are ranks and high score charts with respect to relative godliness, but ever since they more or less resolved their complicated relationship with different skin tones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacks_and_the_Latter_Day_Saint_movement), it's hard to regard them as anything but inclusive.

[krise madsen]

Say what you will about Yanks, but they're really nice people. We Europeans often treat our insane badly, either locking them up or leaving them to live on the street. In America, they get a job on national television.

Respectfully

krise madsen

[Mordrak]

I thought the idea was that everyone, everywhere was born a Mormon (hence the genealogy focus) and that the distinction was whether you had been baptized to be saved. Therefore, you can be baptized after death, as the church purports to do for everyone regardless of your personal feelings on the subject, and be saved. Now, I'm sure like most faiths there are ranks and high score charts with respect to relative godliness, but ever since they more or less resolved their complicated relationship with different skin tones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacks_and_the_Latter_Day_Saint_movement), it's hard to regard them as anything but inclusive.

Well, I should have been more precise in my reference of hierarchy in the afterlife. If once baptized, everyone's has an equal start, I guess you could call that egalitarian. But that still gets into issues of how do you make up for lost time if you are judged by spiritual deeds? Being born a Mormon gives you that head start on your spiritual journey. Although Mormons posthumously apply many of these rituals. Perhaps they get around that, if it's only about hitting particular spiritual check boxes which are governed by a singular body (much like the Catholic faith).

But that's very different than many protestant Christian brands (and Mormons are mostly Christian through self-identification) that spiritual purity begins and ends with the acceptance of Christ. While God requires a good faith effort to be Christ like, there's no spiritual ladder to climb. All sin is the same and all people are sinners. It is by grace alone you are saved. We are all equal in imperfection. Ritual is largely symbolic rather having legitimate ramifications on your salvation. The only spiritually defining act is one of acceptance.

Then you have the Catholic Church, which I'm not sure how it segments the afterlife other than they include purgatory and they have an official process of saint hood and they can beseech god on your behalf I guess or some such thing.

Then, there's the Jewish and Christian perspective on Judaism. That I can only speak to certain Christian perspectives, but the idea is the Jews are God's chosen people. It's hard to choose to be a Jew, when God's doing the choosing (hence the issue of genetics).

And then's there's the fact that much of the above might only have a tenuous relation with how hierarchy plays out within the churches' politics "here on earth."

[LesJarvis]

I thought the idea was that everyone, everywhere was born a Mormon (hence the genealogy focus) and that the distinction was whether you had been baptized to be saved. Therefore, you can be baptized after death, as the church purports to do for everyone regardless of your personal feelings on the subject, and be saved.

Not exactly, though I can see how you got that impression. Rather, the post-mortem baptisms provide the opportunity for the deceased to embrace the gospel according to the LDS church, and consequently be accepted into the higher realms of heaven and so on. This is indeed the core function of the church's genealogical efforts, but there's no presumption of Mormonism in the unconverted. Well, I should have been more precise in my reference of hierarchy in the afterlife. If once baptized, everyone's has an equal start, I guess you could call that egalitarian. But that still gets into issues of how do you make up for lost time if you are judged by spiritual deeds? Being born a Mormon gives you that head start on your spiritual journey. Although Mormons posthumously apply many of these rituals. Perhaps they get around that, if it's only about hitting particular spiritual check boxes which are governed by a singular body (much like the Catholic faith). Where you end up in the post-life hierarchy is a function of your complying with various church ordinances, and you're correct that those rituals can be completed by proxy for a deceased person. It has nothing to do with cumulative goodness over a period of time, so there is no "head start" or "lost time." A person who joined the church late in life (or even not at all in the case of proxy rituals), has the same opportunities as a person who was born into Mormonism.

[Mordrak]

Not exactly, though I can see how you got that impression. Rather, the post-mortem baptisms provide the opportunity for the deceased to embrace the gospel according to the LDS church, and consequently be accepted into the higher realms of heaven and so on. This is indeed the core function of the church's genealogical efforts, but there's no presumption of Mormonism in the unconverted. Where you end up in the post-life hierarchy is a function of your complying with various church ordinances, and you're correct that those rituals can be completed by proxy for a deceased person. It has nothing to do with cumulative goodness over a period of time, and there is no "head start" or "lost time." A person who joined the church late in life (or even not at all in the case of proxy rituals), has the same opportunities as a person who was born into Mormonism.

Edit: Meh, this conversation has gotten far afield. Nevermind, no reason to press the issue.

[Anaxagoras]

You're legitimizing the argument. The proper response is to either shake your head in pity, or chuck a copy of Mein Kampf (http://www.amazon.com/Mein-Kampf-Adolf-Hitler/dp/0395925037) or the Goebbels Diaries (http://www.amazon.com/Goebbels-Diaries-Louis-P-Lochner/dp/B000O8MXVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238739075&sr=1-1) at them. Have them read those, and then honestly ask them if anything happening in the current era even REMOTELY matches what happened in Italy or Germany under Fascism or National Socialism.

True. But it was Tim James posting, not Glenn Beck. Tim hasn't struck me as a crazy person, so I thought I'd explain why Beck was so very very wrong.

[LesJarvis]

Just as an FYI, I'm an atheist, but I was raised in the Mormon church, and so I know a fair amount about their theology. I don't want to come off as an apologist -- I believe there are plenty of legitimate problems with the LDS church, I just don't believe "it's unfair to people who converted" is one of them. I can assure you that pretty much no Mormon, convert or otherwise, would assent to such a statement. Hell, one of the central pillars of Mormonism is mission work, and all of the church's original members were, by definition, converts.

What's the theological justification of the ordinances? Or, how are the ordinances interrelated to the position and why does it matter to God? Is the church a machine indiscriminately identifying when people have met their religious achievements or is there a discretionary element based on decisions of church leadership about participation?

I'm gonna decline to get into these questions, since I can't really treat them fairly, and lack the necessary theological knowledge.

[Mordrak]

Just as an FYI, I'm an atheist, but I was raised in the Mormon church, and so I know a fair amount about their theology. I don't want to come off as an apologist -- I believe there are plenty of legitimate problems with the LDS church, I just don't believe "it's unfair to people who converted" is one of them. I can assure you that pretty much no Mormon, convert or otherwise, would assent to such a statement. Hell, one of the central pillars of Mormonism is mission work, and all of the church's original members were, by definition, converts.


I'm gonna decline to get into these questions, since I can't really treat them fairly, and lack the necessary theological knowledge.

That's cool. I realized I had kind of moved the goal posts and while I believe I could nitpick my way to an eventual "converts are treated differently," it isn't in the spirit of the original issue or the discussion. Thanks for helping set me straight though. :)

[Brad Grenz]

It's best you leave off because it's an argument you'd lose. One of it's main advantages compared to other Christian sects is that far from needing to be born into the church to get in to heaven, you don't even need to die a Mormon to get in to heaven. Mormonism neatly avoids the "African orphans burn in hell unless a missionary finds them before they die" problem in other brands of Christianity. It's true there's actually a spectrum of heavenly levels in Mormon theology, the highest having very specific requirements, but nothing hinges on the question of born in vs. converted. Converts have, by definition, been baptized and have the same opportunity to hold the priesthood, perform ordinances at the temple and be married in the temple (or be sealed to their family if it's after the fact).

[Mordrak]

Technically, everyone born in the US has the same opportunity to be President of the United States. Look, see what you've done.. =P Like I said, let's leave it be. Thanks for the corrections. :)

[Brad Grenz]

Oh, well if this is really just about you being pedantic and not actually about Mormonism then you are right, no reason to proceed.

[Lizard_King]

Not exactly, though I can see how you got that impression. Rather, the post-mortem baptisms provide the opportunity for the deceased to embrace the gospel according to the LDS church, and consequently be accepted into the higher realms of heaven and so on. This is indeed the core function of the church's genealogical efforts, but there's no presumption of Mormonism in the unconverted.
OK, fair enough. Thanks for the clarification.

[alexlitel]

http://current.com/items/89942213/the_glenn_beck_apocalypse.htm

[Jeremy Johnsen]

Technically, everyone born in the US has the same opportunity to be President of the United States. Look, see what you've done.. =P Like I said, let's leave it be. Thanks for the corrections. :)
Yeah, sorry my reply to your original post may have lacked details, but you're totally wrong on this issue. Someone baptized when they are 8 years old has absolutely no step up on someone baptized when they are twenty, fifty or ninety other than they might be more familiar with church teaching and have more experience teaching, which might then lead to higher church callings. But it's just as likely that a new convert would quickly move to these position because of a higher level of excitement and willingness to serve because of the newness of the whole thing. I've had bishops and stake presidents serving in the church that have been in for a short amount of time.

Converting later in life has no bearing on where you end up on the afterlife, what people think of you in the church, or what positions you serve. Hell, most people wouldn't have a clue whether you were a life long member of the church or a recent convert, there's no way to tell. You picking up a few stray comments from Mormon friends does not make you an expert. There's plenty to complain about when it comes to the Mormon church, this isn't one of them.

So like I said, bullshit.

[VegasRobb]

Can the Boy Scouts still meet in public schools? I thought one of the main reasons for the upswing in LDS participation was the fact that the BSA was having difficulty using public school facilities for meetings and to recruit new members.

[Eric T Cheng]

Civil Unrest is coming America! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q67m571myXE)

Surprisingly he didn't cry.

[Huzurdaddi]

Civil Unrest is coming America! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q67m571myXE)

Surprisingly he didn't cry.

Exactly like Beck, I'm not trying to incite anyone to violence, but I would pay a thousand bucks, easy, to watch that jackass get stabbed in the face.

[Cubit]

lol, glenn has to be on something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGeZQrpZbjI&feature=channel_page

[Staff Sergeant]

I couldn't listen to them jacking each other off about how smart they are after they disconnect her for more than 30 seconds. He reminds me of some sort of insane supervillain from a bad movie.

YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE RAAAAAUGGGGHHHH

[Blackadar]

I'd like to use my fascist-government trained skills to waterboard Glenn Beck.

[Shadarr]

That was indeed a spectacular clip. It just got better and better as it went along, until the end when he plugged his book. Five stars would listen again.

[mystery]

For those of you looking for the awesomest ringer ever, look no further (http://somerandomdude.com/audio/GETOFFMYPHONE_short.mp3).

[WarrenM]

Christ, he is so fucking insane.

[Cubit]

soooo weird

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ewBIWqJY8w&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F 07%2F20%2Fglenn-beck-goes-on-epic-b_n_241648.html&feature=player_embedded

[Morberis]

This isn't about common sense

Well he was right, I don't know why he just randomly inserted a comment about his own rant in there though.

[TomChick]

soooo weird

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ewBIWqJY8w&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F 07%2F20%2Fglenn-beck-goes-on-epic-b_n_241648.html&feature=player_embedded

I think he thinks he's John Stewart. Either that or he's retarded.

-Tom

[Malcolm Tucker]

It is obvious that he never went to college, but it's got nothing to do with geography, politics or class.

[bloo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3yn3SelVCs

I put this on my ipod.

[alexlitel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3yn3SelVCs

I put this on my ipod.Woah, a Naked City cover band.

[Staff Sergeant]

I think he thinks he's John Stewart. Either that or he's retarded.

-Tom

I get the feeling he's just some dumb schmuck with a radio/TV friendly voice (let's face it, he has a really good voice) that they grabbed off the street and told to read some batshit insane lines of a prompter, and since he was so good at wearing the crazy he just ran with it.

[tiohn]

Woah, a Naked City cover band.

Heresy.

[bloo]

Woah, a Naked City cover band.

I didn't catch that but used to play that first Naked City album a lot back in college. Thanks for reminding me of it.

[BlueJackalope]

soooo weird

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ewBIWqJY8w&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F 07%2F20%2Fglenn-beck-goes-on-epic-b_n_241648.html&feature=player_embedded

This video has been removed due to terms of use violation

I had to make my self better with some Lil Bill. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9agKJUqq44)

[mystery]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVUQM5XmCIg

Glenn: "I Went To The Movie This Weekend With A Gun. And Surprise, Surprise, I Didn't Kill Anybody!"

Yes, Glenn, I'm actually surprised you didn't kill anyone.

[Tim James]

I didn't watch the clip, but Glenn joining the gun nuts has always made me chuckle. I believe a few years ago he used to be the average American who is ignorant of the issue and didn't want to overtly take anyone's right away, but worried (cried) about them when they were in the news and didn't want to own one himself. Now suddenly he is the keynote speaker at NRA conventions.

It's one of those issues that an average person can get addicted to after discovering what's really going on, but it's extra cute because he's so simple minded.

[Mordrak]

I think it's more his TV show and trying to stay true to the base. Right now, Fox news is selling to itself as much as to the public this idea that conservatives are in the minority. It's a pretty common phenomenon that minority communities will often more strongly adhere to cultural practices that make them "different" in an effort to strengthen and maintain their identity in face of what they see as encroachment or forces of assimilation.

[Tim James]

I think it's more his TV show and trying to stay true to the base. Right now, Fox news is selling to itself as much as to the public this idea that conservatives are in the minority. It's a pretty common phenomenon that minority communities will often more strongly adhere to cultural practices that make them "different" in an effort to strengthen and maintain their identity in face of what they see as encroachment or forces of assimilation.To their credit, it's healthy to exercise individual rights and not take them for granted. Not that Fox News is necessarily healthy, or that they are in danger anytime soon, and they should've done the same in the last 8 years as well, but long-term it's a positive thing.

[Mordrak]

To their credit, it's healthy to exercise individual rights and not take them for granted. Not that Fox News is necessarily healthy, or that they are in danger anytime soon, and they should've done the same in the last 8 years as well, but long-term it's a positive thing.

I don't think guns are disappearing in America anytime soon. I certainly don't think banning concealed weapons from certain establishments is a bad thing. I don't think the owners of theaters want their patrons brining in guns (at least I couldn't imagine most of them wanting that). The real effectiveness of Glenn Beck or just about anyone else going Rambo in response to an emergency in a theater I think is very limited. It creates confusion about the circumstances when police eventually do arrive.

[Tim James]

I don't think guns are disappearing in America anytime soon.I know, already qualified.I certainly don't think banning concealed weapons from certain establishments is a bad thing. I don't think the owners of theaters want their patrons brining in guns (at least I couldn't imagine most of them wanting that).Well, no offense, but I'm not surprised. And most states spell out ways for property owners to prevent concealed carry, but no one really bothers because permit holders are typically the last people on earth that a rational person worries about.

[Miramon]

Thread title brings to mind Sisters of Mercy lyrics:

I was wrong.
I was wrong to ever doubt.
I can get along without.
I can love my fellow man
But I'm damned if I love yours.

[Brian Rucker]

I think no one really bothers because of the whole "concealed" part of concealed carry. You think they're going to pat down customers or put up metal detectors? If someone comes in with a hunting rifle or a shoulder holster in plain view I'd bet it'd be a different story.

[Jazar]

I can't get the damn Social Distortion song out of my head everytime this thread pops up.

[Tim James]

I can't get the damn Social Distortion song out of my head everytime this thread pops up.Thread subtitle when Glenn reveals his latent homosexuality: Dear Lover.

[Chuck]

I'm betting this guy kills himself one day. Just wait.

[ReptileHouse]

Thread title brings to mind Sisters of Mercy lyrics:

I was wrong.
I was wrong to ever doubt.
I can get along without.
I can love my fellow man
But I'm damned if I love yours.

I tried to tell her about Marx and Engels, God and Angels. I don't know what for.

[Wallapuctus]

ReptileHouse... Sisters fan as well I assume?

Oh, and to avoid hijacking the thread, Glenn Beck is a fraud. It's all an act.

[Miramon]

I tried to tell her about Marx and Engels, God and Angels. I don't know what for.

"With a gun for a lover and a shot for the pain at hand." -- See? Glenn Beck relevance!

[WarrenM]

Glenn Beck is a fraud. It's all an act.
Pretty much everyone on Fox is playing a role. O'Reilly, Hannity, etc. They're pandering assholes playing a character.

[Lum]

No, I'm pretty sure Sean Hannity really is a smug, pandering, anti-intellectual asshole, just as he appears to be on his show.

[Cubit]

Yeah, I think you guys give these people too much credit if you say its just an act. Some of their personality may be exaggerated a bit, but they believe what they say.

[ReptileHouse]

ReptileHouse... Sisters fan as well I assume?

Fair assumption. :) I'm enjoying the fact that a few folks here get my handle's origins w/o googling.

[Wallapuctus]

I didn't get it until the lyrics started popping up, then it clicked :)

[Eric T Cheng]

Glenn Beck: Barack Obama has A deep-seated hatred of white people! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S57pgXonypA)

[Anaxagoras]

Glenn Beck: Barack Obama has A deep-seated hatred of white people! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S57pgXonypA)

I'm surprised that Dark-Haired-Guy-Who-Is-Not-Steve-Doocy stood up for Barack Obama. Isn't he the guy that waxed lyrical about Sweden's genetic purity not too long ago?

[Eric T Cheng]

I'm surprised that Dark-Haired-Guy-Who-Is-Not-Steve-Doocy stood up for Barack Obama. Isn't he the guy that waxed lyrical about Sweden's genetic purity not too long ago?

Dunno. White guys all look the same to me...

[Andrew Mayer]

Glenn Beck: Barack Obama has A deep-seated hatred of white people! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S57pgXonypA)

This is a real problem now. It'll be interesting to see how Fox deals with it.

[Eric P]

This is a real problem now. It'll be interesting to see how Fox deals with it.

make two trips to the bank a day?

[Andrew Mayer]

make two trips to the bank a day?

We'll see. At some point if they don't act responsibly the government will intervene. We're getting close to that point and/or may have just hopped over it.

[NoWayJose]

We'll see. At some point if they don't act responsibly the government will intervene. We're getting close to that point and/or may have just hopped over it.
Oh, that would have people howling, especially after Kanye's "George Bush hates black people" comment was met with no government reaction. I will personally guarantee that Obama himself will quash ANY regulatory committee which looks to interfere with Fox's First Amendment rights. You have my guarantee on that (take it to the bank).

[Wisbechlad]

Yeah but no but yeah. Kanye West was nothing but an opinionated asshole of an entertainer trying to retain street cred with his fan base and generate publicity so he could sell more stuff. Whereas Glenn Beck is, oh, wait, carry on as you were.

[Anaxagoras]

We'll see. At some point if they don't act responsibly the government will intervene. We're getting close to that point and/or may have just hopped over it.

You're delusional.

[Kraaze]

We'll see. At some point if they don't act responsibly the government will intervene. We're getting close to that point and/or may have just hopped over it.

Why would the goverment intervene?

[Brian Rucker]

It won't. Beck's going to crash all on his own.

[WarrenM]

Yeah, the government getting "involved" because a talking head on TV said something controversial would set a really bad precedent.

[Blackadar]

Yeah, the government getting "involved" because a talking head on TV said something controversial would set a really bad precedent.

/agreed

I still want to waterboard Glenn beck though.

[Eric T Cheng]

The only way the government would be involved if Glenn Beck incites violence (which he has implied many times in the past).

[Tyjenks]

I saw that on the Today show and almost did a spit take. As someone who listened to his radio show 5 years ago and, at the time, appeared to be genuine in many of his moderate views, he continues to display his willingness to set aside any beliefs is values to sustain his career.

EDIT: My militant Democratic sister did the same after aiding in campaigns for 10 years once she started making money and married a conservative. People are weak.

[Cubit]

I'm curious what effect this continuing advertiser exodus could have on Glenn's show:

GMAC Financial Services joins a growing list of advertisers who have recently abandoned Beck's television show, including ConAgra, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, RadioShack, Men’s Wearhouse, State Farm Sargento, LexisNexis-owned Lawyers.com, Procter & Gamble, and Progressive Insurance.

http://mediamatters.org/blog/200908170011

[Wallapuctus]

As long as he has viewers he'll have paying sponsors. Cash4Gold, various multi-level marketers, survival suppliers, Christian propaganda, all these things appeal to the idiots who eat up Glenn Beck's act.

[Cubit]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-rucker/wal-mart-cvs-best-buy-dit_b_261424.html

We've confirmed that eight more major advertisers have pulled their support from Glenn Beck's show -- Wal-Mart, Best Buy, CVS, Travelocity, Allergan (maker of Restasis), Ally Bank, Broadview Security, and Re-Bath.

[Bill]

I'm just waiting for the Sheinhardt Wig Company to pull their advertising.

[Jakub]

What did he do to lose all these advertisers? That he hasn't said long before? The racist thing? Seems almost normal by his/Rush's standards.

[Papageno]

BTW, did anyone see Jon Stewart's great Daily Show piece the other night showing just how much of a sock puppet Mr. Beck is? When he was working for CNN (in Jan. 2008) Beck was all about how inadequate our current health care system is, now he loudly proclaims that we have the best system in the world. What a tool.

[Cubit]

What did he do to lose all these advertisers? That he hasn't said long before? The racist thing? Seems almost normal by his/Rush's standards.

I believe it was calling Obama a racist that set it off.

[Omniscia]

And his recent fixation with using Nazi propaganda imagery to illustrate the Obama health care proposal probably hasn't helped much.

From the official transcript (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,539162,00.html):

This is a poster from Germany... This is something that translates here at the bottom to the complainer... There's the complainer. These are four men. Notice how ugly they are. How some of them look rich or fat or whatever, maybe Jewish, maybe this one, I don't know... This is a poster of what you see every day now in the news media making the complainers, the tea partygoers, look somehow rotten.

From the same show: (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,539000,00.html)

I want to show you a poster that I saw this morning getting ready for the show. I want you to know that I have a daughter that was born with cerebral palsy, and they said that when she was born, that she would never walk or talk or feed herself. She went to college — they were wrong.

This poster bothers me so much because the hand of the person shown in this poster reminds me of my daughter's hand. This is from Nazi Germany. It says in German, basically, it's going to cost 60,000 marks to keep this man alive. As you see, he's sitting here with a gnarled hand. He's a sweet guy and everything, the poster says, but his quality of life is a shame — your time is up.

...what happened in Germany was that they couldn't afford health care for all. You see, they had devalued their mark so much because the government just started to print money. Does that sound familiar? It has only been done a few times in the world's history and it has never ended up any other different way than it did in the Weimar Republic.

[Calistas]

WTF. I am not sure that makes any kind of historical sense...

[cesare]

WTF. I am not sure that makes any kind of historical sense...

Why make sense? Why bother having any understanding of what you're talking about? Let's just all yell out random emotional nonsense that connects with people's feelings about things they've never paid any close attention to.

[Anders Hallin]

WTF. I am not sure that makes any kind of historical sense...
The best part of the poster thing is that there is one group that pushes the "you will have to pay to give unworthy people healthcare!!!" button, and it's not the reform advocates.

[Calistas]

Well spotted Anders. They'd be happy to let them die because they are, somehow, depraved and evil. They just don't want to pull the trigger. Interesting.

[zengonzo]

So he's arguing in favor of universal health coverage ..

I suspect he has no idea what the fuck he's saying .. He just keeps talking and letting ideas come out, stringing them together from back to front, until he can finally connect it to whatever point he was starting off with.

[Ben Sones]

He doesn't know what he's arguing in favor of, because he is A) a tool, B) a shill, C) an idiot, D) all of the above.

[salwon]

Well no - as long as the person with the gnarled hand comes from a family with money (and is white), they can survive. It's just those good for nothing freeloaders who are so lazy they can't even find a job that deserve to die.

[Huzurdaddi]

He doesn't know what he's arguing in favor of

Sure he does: violence.

[BlueJackalope]

Sure he does: violence.

and Fear, don't forget Fear.

[Jakub]

I wonder if they're going to force him off-air. Just the idea of getting a right-wing looney off Fox gets me giddy.

[Eric P]

I wonder if they're going to force him off-air. Just the idea of getting a right-wing looney off Fox gets me giddy.

that will make him a martyr, wouldn't it?

[Huzurdaddi]

that will make him a martyr, wouldn't it?

No, killing him would make him a martyr. It is the only downside.

[Eric P]

well then he could go "i spoke truth to power and look where it got me but for the grace of god i shall keep fighting on etc"

[Jakub]

Yeah, but with 1/50th of the audience and a tenth of the pay.

[Ben Sones]

I wonder if they're going to force him off-air. Just the idea of getting a right-wing looney off Fox gets me giddy.

Sort of like taking a pigeon out of New York City, unfortunately.

[Anaxagoras]

Sort of like taking a pigeon out of New York City, unfortunately.

Lol. The thought of some loner on a mission to rid NYC of pigeons strikes me as really funny.

I imagine him wearing one of those fur caps seen in Fargo, all year round. And wielding an air rifle.

[Dufresne]

Lol. The thought of some loner on a mission to rid NYC of pigeons strikes me as really funny.

I imagine him wearing one of those fur caps seen in Fargo, all year round. And wielding an air rifle.

Eet is not easy task. But eet is task I must do.

http://www.film30.de/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/1184950850.jpg

[Huzurdaddi]

well then he could go "i spoke truth to power and look where it got me but for the grace of god i shall keep fighting on etc"

Not if he was dead.

[Omniscia]

So, Glenn's taken an unplanned vacation this week... I wonder if/when he'll be back?

In the meantime, his guest host, Andrew Napolitano, is doing a fine job filling in. Did you know that if Obama has his druthers, Government-run health care will make the entire US look like the Rosebud reservation (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,540965,00.html)?

(The Rosebud reservation, in South Dakota, is one of the most impoverished, misery-stricken hellholes in North America.)

Of course, some would suggest this is a better example of centuries of governmental neglect of the native tribes in general, rather than health care in particular, but that's crazy-talk!

[zengonzo]

Well, it shouldn't have to be our problem in the first place. Those natives should just go back where they came from ..

[Matthew Gallant]

The vacation isn't helping; Verizon just dropped him.

[WarrenM]

As much as I think this is awesome, it's also adding crazy street cred to his ramblings.

[Matthew Gallant]

What possible use does Glenn Beck have for credibility?

[WarrenM]

Among crazy people, I mean. Not real credibility.

[Matthew Gallant]

You're right, crazy people were in danger of not believing Glenn Beck.

[Tyjenks]

Its like he has some demon that was lying dormant as he built a following on the radio that found him entertaining. He gained enough prominence to get on TV and then the demon woke up.

[bloo]

We're deep in the onion layers/russian nesting dolls now.

Beck and fans: The crypto-socio-facist globalization guys have plotted to bring Beck down, proving he was on to something and stopping the nascent 'real American' uprising, aka "9/12 (tm)". "Not even Fox can be trusted! They're in on IT!"

Alex Jones has said that Glenn Beck was a CIA deep cover operative who infiltrated the anti-Obama movement to wreck havoc or some such. So, I'm sure he'll play this as a last-ditch attempt to preserve Beck's cover, at least until Burnham Wood can get to Dunsinane, or wormwood or the 7th seal can be rent or whatever. Personally, I think he's just jealous Beck is stealing his ratings.

I loves my crackpot clowns!

[WarrenM]

You're right, crazy people were in danger of not believing Glenn Beck.
So he just stop spouting his message because crazy people already get it? Doubt that.

[bdfinally]

I'm just waiting for the Sheinhardt Wig Company to pull their advertising.

Vitajex will just replace them.

[Anti-Bunny]

http://www.reason.com/UserFiles/Image/mmoynihan/Glenn_Beck_East_German.jpg

We're done here.



DONE HERE

[WarrenM]

Is that an actual book? It's sad that I'm not able to tell.

[antifood]

Is that an actual book? It's sad that I'm not able to tell.

Yes it is. I had to look it up: http://www.amazon.com/Arguing-Idiots-Small-Minds-Government/dp/1416595015/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251144174&sr=8-1

I didn't think it was possible to Godwin yourself.

[Eric P]

Yes it is. I had to look it up: http://www.amazon.com/Arguing-Idiots-Small-Minds-Government/dp/1416595015/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251144174&sr=8-1

I didn't think it was possible to Godwin yourself.

It happens to all of us: You're minding your own business, when some idiot informs you that guns are evil, the Prius will save the planet, or the rich have to finally start paying their fair share of taxes.
Just go away! you think to yourself -- but they only become more obnoxious. Your heart rate quickens. You start to sweat. You can't get away. Your only hope is...


so does this admit that they currently don't pay a fair share?

[bloo]

Yeeouch!

Someone is a master of getting attention, but not the good kind of attention.

[NoWayJose]

Yeeouch!

Someone is a master of getting attention, but not the good kind of attention.
I guess that depends on your perspective. His is the kind of attention that gets you a lot of money for very little effort or talent. To him, that's probably the great kind of attention.

[Anti-Bunny]

I didn't think it was possible to Godwin yourself.

See also, the 'Obama is a Nazi' thread.

edit: oh fuck, I guess we're not done here. god damnit

[antifood]

I am familiar with that thread. So is Glenn Beck a La Roche follower?

[Lum]

I didn't think it was possible to Godwin yourself.

Pretty sure that's supposed to be a Soviet uniform, based on the faux Cyrillic in the book art.

So, Beck's not a Nazi, he's a Communist. Oh - wait- they're the same thing. My bad.

I am familiar with that thread. So is Glenn Beck a La Roche follower?

Given Beck's fondness for wackily out-of-touch-with-reality conspiracy theories, it wouldn't come as a shock. At a bare minimum, Beck and LaRouche are both pushing the "Obama = Nazi" meme hard. And by using Glenn Beck logic, that means Beck actually is LaRouche.

[Tyjenks]

Can I do a find and replace edit on the forum where I change "I listened to him when he only had the radio show.." to "Didn't he start on the radio or something..."?

[antifood]

Pretty sure that's supposed to be a Soviet uniform, based on the faux Cyrillic in the book art.

So, Beck's not a Nazi, he's a Communist. Oh - wait- they're the same thing. My bad.

I concur about the Cyrillic font, however the uniform does not look Russian. Plus he seems to be on a Nazi kick as of late. He probably is mixing up the two.

[Lum]

I concur about the Cyrillic font, however the uniform does not look Russian. Plus he seems to be on a Nazi kick as of late. He probably is mixing up the two.

German uniforms were gray. Actually it looks patterned off an old picture of Putin in his KGB uniform (note the similar sneer).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Vladimir_Putin_in_KGB_uniform.jpg

We're both overthinking it though. Most likely it was from the local theatre, and he ran in breathlessly shouting "QUICK! MAKE ME LOOK FEARSOME AND TOTALITARIAN!"

[antifood]

I agree, we are over analyzing it. (That jacket looks gray to me)

If he was doing Putin, he should have done Tourist Putin:

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00759/SNN2002PUT-682_759669a.jpg

Or perhaps Romance Novel Putin:
http://www.todayfm.com/Libraries/Gallery%20Two/putin09.sflb

[Lum]

If he was doing Putin, he should have done Tourist Putin:


Even 20 years ago, he was eyeing little boys with bad intent.

[Bahimiron]

I like that Romance Novel Putin is riding a horse with long, flowing Fabio hair.

[bloo]

German uniforms were gray. Actually it looks patterned off an old picture of Putin in his KGB uniform (note the similar sneer).

Beck's looks more Stasi to me (due to the lapel emblems):
http://thejournal.parker-joseph.co.uk/ASTA2.jpg

The droopy eye reminds me of something, but I can't recall or find it. Maybe something Von Stroheim did in a movie or something?

[W Wiley]

He looks like a doorman. Which is what he'd be if America wasn't buying crazy with both hands.

[krise madsen]

Beck's looks more Stasi to me (due to the lapel emblems):
http://thejournal.parker-joseph.co.uk/ASTA2.jpg

The droopy eye reminds me of something, but I can't recall or find it. Maybe something Von Stroheim did in a movie or something?

It does look like an East German Army uniform of an Unterofficier (junior NCO) of the signal troops. There could be a purpose to this choice, but since it's Glenn Beck we're talking about...

[strummer]

Beck's looks more Stasi to me (due to the lapel emblems):
http://thejournal.parker-joseph.co.uk/ASTA2.jpg

The droopy eye reminds me of something, but I can't recall or find it. Maybe something Von Stroheim did in a movie or something?

The German tank commander from Kelly's Heroes perhaps?

http://www.filmdope.com/Gallery/ActorsA/30832-10189.gif

EDIT: Gehen Sie von meinem Telefon weg!

[Lum]

It's like the event horizon of crazy: Sarah Palin exhorts her 'friends' to watch and support Glenn Beck (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=123152423434&ref=nf).

FOX News' Glenn Beck is doing an extraordinary job this week walking America behind the scenes of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and outlining who is actually running the White House. Monday night he asked us to invite one friend to watch; tonight I invite all my friends to watch.

The "outlining who is actually running the White House" was Beck, in fine McCarthyite form, using whiteboards with scary diagrams to insinuate that Van Jones, who advises the White House on climate change was a radical Marxist (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/08/glenn-beck-ignores-ad-boycott.html). Without, you know, mentioning Jones' day job, as the head of the organization calling for a boycott of Glenn Beck's advertisers (http://www.colorofchange.org/beck/).

You stay classy, Fox.

[ceolstan]

The wingnuts writing on Baron Hill's Facebook page have trumpted Glenn Beck as the next best thing to Jesus. And yes, the same people think Sarah Palin's "death squads" are true because, well, the liberal media won't really tell you what's going on.

[bloo]

The German tank commander from Kelly's Heroes perhaps?

That's gotta be it. Nice work.

[quatoria]

The wingnuts writing on Baron Hill's Facebook page have trumpted Glenn Beck as the next best thing to Jesus. And yes, the same people think Sarah Palin's "death squads" are true because, well, the liberal media won't really tell you what's going on.

But, hey, remember, guys, the liberals are just as bad, identically bad in every conceivable metric, and some halfwit mouth-breathing jackass will be in the thread momentarily to tell us why. Everybody's equal, so nobody should ever be called out.

[lesslucid]

The "outlining who is actually running the White House" was Beck, in fine McCarthyite form, using whiteboards with scary diagrams to insinuate that Van Jones, who advises the White House on climate change was a radical Marxist (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/08/glenn-beck-ignores-ad-boycott.html). Without, you know, mentioning Jones' day job, as the head of the organization calling for a boycott of Glenn Beck's advertisers (http://www.colorofchange.org/beck/).

You stay classy, Fox.

Declaring an interest is just so old-fashioned, dontcha know.

[zengonzo]

Glenn Beck: I was a dirtbag!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l40a6xPEzsM

[Mordrak]

"A thousand times more powerful!"

He's a cartoon. Who's going to take his wealth away?

[madkevin]

"If you strike me down, I will come back a thousand times more powerful!" I think he's mistaken himself for either Gandalf The Grey or Obi-Wan Kenobi.

[antifood]

Sounds like a dude that just got chewed out by Roger Ailes.

[Cubit]

god, his show is really going off the deep end. prepare to have your head explode...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgSBumvA11M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0OUXkZO8vE

[madkevin]

I can't watch these clips. I mean I can, but I want to keep my lunch down. Give me the gist.

[WarrenM]

Glenn Beck: I was a dirtbag!
I wonder if he was on welfare or food stamps during his supposed dirt bag days. You know, when he was not getting a bail out.

[CLWheeljack]

Glenn Beck & Guests: Obama Creating A Nazi/Saddam Hussein Army

So that's why he wants to fund cloning! He's going to clone Hitler and Saddam Hussein and make an army with them!

Hmmm... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_from_Brazil_(film))

Seriously though, I love his doomsday scenario: "They're going to reduce voter intimidation and ensure the census runs properly! The bastards!"

[WarrenM]

I can't watch these clips. I mean I can, but I want to keep my lunch down. Give me the gist.
In the second clip, Beck explains how he doesn't know how to spell oligarchy.

[Mordrak]

So that's why he wants to fund cloning! He's going to clone Hitler and Saddam Hussein and make an army with them!

Hmmm... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_from_Brazil_(film))

Seriously though, I love his doomsday scenario: "They're going to reduce voter intimidation and ensure the census runs properly! The bastards!"

I didn't know I was part of some elaborate plot developed in 1906.

Edit: That guy is arguing that we should be using the military to handle voter intimidation issues rather than, you know, what, the police? *sigh* And he's actually arguing for "taking out" the few individuals instigating this left wing agenda... that's advocating assassination.

[CLWheeljack]

In the second clip, Beck explains how he doesn't know how to spell oligarchy.

Ho-lee shit. That is amazing.

[Marged]

In the second clip, Beck explains how he doesn't know how to spell oligarchy.

I love that moment where he's like "one letter is missing." I was briefly disappointed because I was like, oh, he's going to add a c and it'll be oligarch and my amusement would come to an abrupt end. But no.

God, and the one about Americorps? That is the funniest thing I have ever heard.

[Mordrak]

For those that don't want to click the link..

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a120/hawksdr/fox.png

All that's missing is a tinfoil hat and the letter 'c' of course. =P

This is what passes for analysis on Fox. Where's Shep when you need him?

[antifood]

I was in the mood for some crazy, so I am watching Glenn Beck. Right now, live. Is his main schtick always to act persecuted and defensive?

This show is pretty fucking boring.

[krise madsen]

"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

Matthew 15:14

[Papageno]

"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

Matthew 15:14

And, alas, take the whole country with them.

[cesare]

(O_O)

[bloo]

In the second clip, Beck explains how he doesn't know how to spell oligarchy.

Hahaha! What a brilliant fail!

I am tired of being a ($20+ million/year) sheep!
(financial statement added)

[delirium]

It legitimately scares me that there are so many people out there that eat this shit up and hang on everything Glenn Beck says. Sure, there was fear mongering on the left when Bush was in office, but the conservative crazies have really taken the politics of fear to a new level in Obama's term. And these people have massive audiences who are very passionate and very badly informed. I feel like it's only a matter of time before this pot boils over and these people snap for real. We're only a half a year into Obama's presidency.

[Enidigm]

"Oligarhy"?

[arctangent]

"Oligarhy"?

Sounds like some kind of paste made from anchovies, dates and ants you'd find smeared on your flat-bread in a bad restaurant in Libya.

[Calistas]

"Social justice"?! My god! I don't want any of that social justice stuff around me! That sounds like communist nazism to me!

[Brad Grenz]

The "Social Justice" types at my college were fascists. Like, no joke.

[Calistas]

What on earth were they?

[Chris Nahr]

Genuine traditional fascists, I suppose. Read up on the history of fascism in Europe...

[BlueJackalope]

"Oligarhy"?


Come on guys, give him a brak.

[Brad Grenz]

What on earth were they?

Well, they were a clandestine organization that met in secret, calling themselves the CSSJ or Concerned Students for Social Justice. They liked to invent controversies, organize walk outs, whip people into frenzies and shout down dissenting voices, they papered campus with anonymous fliers accusing everyone and who did not support their agenda of racism, they tried to blackmail the university into creating a dean of Student Justice and building a center for Student Justice, and in general waged a war of intimidation for a couple years. Mind, very little of their goals seemed to be about actually promoting Social Justice, their aim seemed to rest mostly upon increasing their own influence in University affairs.

[Calistas]

Genuine traditional fascists, I suppose. Read up on the history of fascism in Europe...

Facists who led granny across the road and helped people oppressed by evil landlords? Were they the Salvation army + Hitler salutes? Weird!

Brad: Got it - yeah, creepy. But other than that there are a hell of a lot of really rather wonderful social justice organisations. Saying it with a snear, by default, is weird. Hell, I would claim it's un-christian, but the 'reality' (I say it with the old ''s as I'm an athiest) of a Christ who worked for the poor and oppressed seems to be of no great concern to Fox-style Christians.

[Calistas]

Beck: "Gunna transform into something" ...that's just crying for a Transformers mashup!

[bloo]

Beck is a master of getting attention. I'd caught a bit on youtube and on the radio of him going to release "A Plan!" on Friday. Took the bait of my favorite clown of the moment and checked out the show. Well, actually, I wanted to see if there was a mea culpa on Oligarh. There was, essentially, but in a condescenting and insulting manner to "those liberal bloggers", because no conservatives would think he'd dropped the ball.

The missing C was for Czars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkThvjA4r_U

Don't eat arrugula.

Don't be afraid.

Apparently (I fully admit I may have missed any subtle points and my brain hurt too much to take it without distraction), his Plan is....wait for it...write your congressmen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzVu9t3NhIU&feature=related
Specifically, demand answers to Beck's list of questions including such useless ones as "Why are some activists 'astroturf' and others are 'grassroots'? Why don't congressmen read the bills they vote on? Why is the sky blue, daddy?'"

Also, annoy census takers.

Ask your liberal friends concerned with global warming and inefficient SUVs if they eat meat. If they do, "tell them to sit down and shut their pie hole."
About 3:40 in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF2BOMhJkyw&feature=related

[Lum]

Glenn Beck is like that annoying poster who keeps smugly telling you how superior the PS3 is and how you don't know jack about gaming because you don't own Demon Soul, while misspelling random words.

[Shadarr]

Ask your liberal friends concerned with global warming and inefficient SUVs if they eat meat. If they do, "tell them to sit down and shut their pie hole."

Oh good, he's managed to subsume another whole genre of annoying fucko into his personal brand.

[Bahimiron]

Glenn Beck is like that annoying poster who keeps smugly telling you how superior the PS3 is and how you don't know jack about gaming because you don't own Demon Soul, while misspelling random words.

Demon's Souls. :(

[Lum]

Demon's Souls. :(

REPORTED

Oh good, he's managed to subsume another whole genre of annoying fucko into his personal brand.

I never fail to boggle at people who actually are smug about dismissing concern over 10mpg SUVs. Leaving aside the environmental impact entirely (which is a part, if a small part, of the overall damage to the environment by our economy):

From a rational standpoint, oil is not a renewable resource, and until we replace it with renewable energy sources, wasting it on urban assault vehicles to transport little Timmy to soccer practice in safety and comfort is... well, criminally profilgate.

And from a conservative standpoint, the less oil we use, the less we import from/directly fund countries hostile to our interests.

Really, the only standpoint that would disagree is Chaotic Stupid. "HURF DURF WE ARE MURRICANS WE CAN DRIVE BIG TRUCKS SUCK IT LIBERALS!" Then again, Chaotic Stupid has kind of been the backbone of the GOP of late.

Yeah, I'm buying a hybrid, Glennbo. Yuk it up. When gas hits $8 a gallon? I'll still be driving it.

[bago]

REPORTED



I never fail to boggle at people who actually are smug about dismissing concern over 10mpg SUVs. Leaving aside the environmental impact entirely (which is a part, if a small part, of the overall damage to the environment by our economy):

From a rational standpoint, oil is not a renewable resource, and until we replace it with renewable energy sources, wasting it on urban assault vehicles to transport little Timmy to soccer practice in safety and comfort is... well, criminally profilgate.

And from a conservative standpoint, the less oil we use, the less we import from/directly fund countries hostile to our interests.

Really, the only standpoint that would disagree is Chaotic Stupid. "HURF DURF WE ARE MURRICANS WE CAN DRIVE BIG TRUCKS SUCK IT LIBERALS!" Then again, Chaotic Stupid has kind of been the backbone of the GOP of late.

Yeah, I'm buying a hybrid, Glennbo. Yuk it up. When gas hits $8 a gallon? I'll still be driving it.

As you know, these days true conservatives are all about flipping properties, pump and dump, and drill baby drill. Conservativism means use it or lose it.

[Lum]

Which would be the literal antithesis of the word "conservative"!

[bloo]

Which would be the literal antithesis of the word "conservative"!

And is the premise of this new book: Death of Conservatism by Sam Tanenhaus (http://www.amazon.com/Death-Conservatism-Sam-Tanenhaus/dp/1400068843/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251829326&sr=8-1)

I caught part of an interview with him on NPR saying that many self-labelled conservatives today wouldn't recognize or agree with there ideological predecessors. Not sure how far the book carries that point.

[Lum]

I've actually already picked this up (having a Kindle app on my phone means I pick up quite a few impulse book buys).

About the only thing I'd take issue with is that he dates neo-conservative decay from the Clinton years and Gingrich's insurgencies, while putting Reagan firmly in the paleo-conservative camp; I'd argue the transition started during the Reagan years with Reagan's budgetary profligacy (arising from a "starve the beast" tax cutting without consequent budget cutting supply-side mentality).

[Lunch of Kong]

Wow. I just heard Glenn Beck may have raped and murdered a young girl in 1990. Why are we still waiting for an official response to these allegations? Why won't Glenn Beck produce the evidence that clears his name?

[zengonzo]

Looks like it is doing the trick ..

'Glenn Beck asks recently elected muslim to prove he's not working with our enemies in the same way reddit is asking him to prove he has not raped and murdered an innocent girl.'

http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/9gi1z/glenn_beck_asks_recently_elected_muslim_to_prove/

http://glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com/

[Matthew Gallant]

Wow. I just heard Glenn Beck may have raped and murdered a young girl in 1990.
And how many more who we don't know about?

[NoWayJose]

Looks like it is doing the trick ..
Yeah, we've convinced reddit to ask questions! Next stop, New York Times!

For such self-professed smarty-pants, I've never understood why bloggers and their followers always manage to come up with the dumbest schemes.

[zengonzo]

Yeah, we've convinced reddit to ask questions! Next stop, New York Times!

To be clear, I'm not impressed, or anything.

It won't be effective in swaying anyone who already doesn't think Beck is a jackass, and will only reinforce the determination of those too dense to understand the correlation in the first place.

[NoWayJose]

But why not start more reasonable rumors? He's an admitted recovering drug addict, so how about rumors of multiple break-ins that have mysteriously been purged from the official records? Not as sexy, but could be an amusing distraction if it catches on (which the murder thing clearly won't).

[BlueJackalope]

But why not start more reasonable rumors? He's an admitted recovering drug addict, so how about rumors of multiple break-ins that have mysteriously been purged from the official records? Not as sexy, but could be an amusing distraction if it catches on (which the murder thing clearly won't).

Maybe because they are trying to illustrate a point?

The people to put your scheme into effect are not bloggers posting preposterous accusations to make a satirical point. The people to carry out your plot are members of the Illuminati.

[Cubit]

Glenn finds "Communist" art at NBC headquarters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szlLM5lCNJg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F 09%2F02%2Fglenn-beck-finds-communis_n_275915.html&feature=player_embedded

[zengonzo]

What a jackass.

[Mordrak]

Glenn finds "Communist" art at NBC headquarters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szlLM5lCNJg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F 09%2F02%2Fglenn-beck-finds-communis_n_275915.html&feature=player_embedded


He's in Alex Jones territory now. I can't find it at the moment, but there's a video of Jones picking apart the pagan symbolism in Canadian government buildings. Heh.

[Lum]

Did you know that just seventy years ago, a Democratic administration sent ARMS to SOVIET RUSSIA?

[Eric T Cheng]

He's in Alex Jones territory now. I can't find it at the moment, but there's a video of Jones picking apart the pagan symbolism in Canadian government buildings. Heh.

Yeah, the idiot thought that the Parliament Buildings are a satanic temple because of all the gargoyles. Apparently the moron never heard of Neo-Gothic architecture (the same type of architecture style as the British House of Commons).

[salwon]

Did you know that just seventy years ago, a Democratic administration sent ARMS to SOVIET RUSSIA?

Did you know that in Russian Lend-Lease translates to One-World-Communist-Government?

[datter]

Glenn finds "Communist" art at NBC headquarters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szlLM5lCNJg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F 09%2F02%2Fglenn-beck-finds-communis_n_275915.html&feature=player_embedded

Jesus Christ, that's not Alex Jones territory that's some entirely new tangent of ultimate retardation. I will now have to shun Beck all the harder.

[Bahimiron]

wasting it on urban assault vehicles to transport little Timmy to soccer practice in safety and comfort is... well, criminally profilgate.

I'd argue the transition started during the Reagan years with Reagan's budgetary profligacy

I think someone is going for a mention in xtien's word of the day!

[CLWheeljack]

Glenn finds "Communist" art at NBC headquarters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szlLM5lCNJg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F 09%2F02%2Fglenn-beck-finds-communis_n_275915.html&feature=player_embedded

What the fucking hell is he talking about? I don't even know what he's getting at.

[bloo]

A few months ago, he used the facses on the mercury dime as evidence of an century+ plus plot to make the USA a fascist state.

He needs something new since the FEMA deathcamp idea was debunked so thoroughly.

[Lum]

Ten Minutes of Crazy

http://www.dailykostv.com/w/002087/

This is all in ONE WEEK, mind you.

[Eduardo X]

Jeseesus.
Somebody needs a lesson in art patronage.

[zengonzo]

Ten Minutes of Crazy


Kills me that this guy warns so much about being ruled by fear, and expresses it in FEAR.

[zengonzo]

OK .. and I just got to the part where he brings up the government asking you to spy on your neighbors for them, and had just earlier asked people to scour the web for indictments for him.

[bago]

I think it's informative when Lum posts a KOS link approvingly. It kind of lets you know that the political divisions in this country range from the sane to the right wing.

[Johan O]

At 8:00 in the video Lum linked Glenn reveals that the left is building a personal power armor, or perhaps even a dreadnaught or titan. So Obama must be the God Emperor of mankind.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CoN-0dL6_hY/SQ-MX5oHDhI/AAAAAAAALAA/WURta6KsJ5g/s400/GodEmperorOfMankind.jpg

[Mordrak]

Even Karl Rove seems uncomfortable with Glenn's crazy as he's describing the virus exoskeleton thing.

[krise madsen]

At 8:00 in the video Lum linked Glenn reveals that the left is building a personal power armor, or perhaps even a dreadnaught or titan. So Obama must be the God Emperor of mankind.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CoN-0dL6_hY/SQ-MX5oHDhI/AAAAAAAALAA/WURta6KsJ5g/s400/GodEmperorOfMankind.jpg

Srsly. If Obama builds himself a power armor, I'll vote for him. As emperor of the universe.

[BlueJackalope]

I think it's informative when Lum posts a KOS link approvingly. It kind of lets you know that the political divisions in this country range from the sane to the right wing.


Maybe he is just a fan of poetry.

First, the sun. The sun represents the bright tomorrow. Right here, underneath the boy, here is the sun. Show me the boy. This is the youth. The next one is the youth here, leading the way. Notice he is ahead of the horses. He's leading the way into the bright future of tomorrow.

[Eric T Cheng]

Was there a bet between Alex Jones and Glenn Beck to see who is more insane?

[DragonPup]

So if Obama is the Emperor, who is Horus?

[Lum]

Srsly. If Obama builds himself a power armor, I'll vote or him. As emperor of the universe.

THE EMPEROR PROTECTS!

[Lum]

So if Obama is the Emperor, who is Horus?

Hillary Clinton.