Independence from Glenn Beck Day
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Independence from Glenn Beck Day
As you know, I've rarely said much about Glenn Beck the last couple of years* but I felt I should note the passing of his show on the Fox News Channel, which ended its meteoric rise and fall earlier tonight. After writing a book that dealt extensively with Beck's role in the rise of the Tea Party movement, I should have something momentous to say, but I don't. I already euologized Beck in this piece, after all.
I would remind you that even though Beck's political influence was, in my opinion, significant, that was all just a by-product of what it was really all about...
The Benjamins, as I noted in this excerpt from "The Backlash":
But Beck and Palin are merely at the top of a broad pyramid of entrepreneurs -- an ever-swelling list that ranges from emailed-crazed peddlers of "Impeach Obama" T-shirts and bumper stickers or "tea bag" jewelry, to televangelists and conspiracy DVD merchants, to the sellers of a growing list of survivalists products like "heirloom seeds" in indestructible canisters and backpacks full of freeze-dried foodstuffs.
The Selling of the Tea Party 2010 has happy and willing accomplices in the likes of Beck, radio's nationally syndicated conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, and online media like the far-right WorldNetDaily, where the editorial articles and rants about the looming collapse of American civilization blend seamlessly into advertising pitches for marked-up gold coins or cheesier products. In the case of his controversial advertiser Solutions From Science, there's no evidence that Beck is directly aware of the sponsor's past problems with the feds, his Hugewadsofmoney.com website, or consumer complaints.
But on a gut level, the political messages and the product shilling clearly share a low common denominator: Raw, unvarnished fear.
The story of Beck's advertiser Solutions from Science, and its "survival seeds," and its website Hugewadsofmoney.com, is pretty amazing. Plus for ambitious readers there's a bonus reference to Anthony Weiner.
So read it, and then get out and enjoy the July 4 weekend. I know I will. And I'll see you again on Tuesday.
* Sarcasm.
Blackie, in your desperation to wag a finger at Bunch, are you also supporting Cuomo's environmental restrictions on fracking? The assessment of drilling fees? Any reason why fracking should be done no less than 500 feet from private wells or springs? 2000 feet from reservoirs? Not on any public lands? Away from the New York and Syracuse watersheds? Come now, is your life so empty that you can't do your research before exposing your Bunch obsession?— montani semper liberi- On top of it, you owe Bunch an apology, Blackie. He posted about Cuomo's "sell out" last Thursday.— montani semper liberi
- "A bareheaded motorcyclist participating in a ride to protest mandatory helmet laws was killed when he was thrown over the handlebars in Onondaga, New York." . . . . . .Obviously TPS he would still be alive if those stupid helmet laws hadn't made the protest ride necessary.— montani semper liberi
- FYI, our comrade Soros has compiled the Best of Beck. My marching orders are to share it with y'all...... http://mediamatters.org/research/201106300027— montani semper liberi
- ///so that he could exercise his freedom from tyranny by dying in protest of that horrible, horrible, imposition of laws requiring motorcycle drivers to wear helmets. ///
Should we expect such a moronic post the next time someone dies not wearing a seat belt, too?— General Turgidson 
"What defect makes you want to be the world's Mommy?" . . . . . . Ironically, that raises another question - did this dope without a helmet leave any kids that are now wards of the State?- "But ManCow, Sgt.(I know Nothing, NOTHING!!!) Schultz and Rev. Al are merely at the top of a broad pyramid of entrepreneurs -- an ever-swelling list that ranges from emailed-crazed peddlers of "Impeach Bush" T-shirts and bumper stickers or "Bush Lied People Died, Blood for Oil" jewelry, to teleLIBBIES and 9/11 conspiracy DVD merchants, to the sellers of a growing list of "Global Warming" products like "Put on a Sweater" with indestructible "heaters" and homes full of air that never goes below 74".— sarah89
- ===]]] . .Obviously TPS he would still be alive if those stupid helmet laws hadn't made the protest ride necessary [[[===
That was beatiful, MSL. Post of the year. Hands down.
I have yet to see a better imitation of RG's logic.— Talking point sleuth - ===]]] Should we expect such a [deleted] post the next time someone dies not wearing a seat belt, too? [[[===
If they die not wearing a seat belt while protesting as a political statement about the "unfairness" of laws requiring seatbelts?
Yup.— Talking point sleuth - Apparently, some people are flabbergasted that others would prefer to make a choice for themselves and accept the risk that comes with it. Surprisingly, none of the other protestors died from acute lack of helmet.— RG
- ///If they die not wearing a seat belt while protesting as a political statement about the "unfairness" of laws requiring seatbelts?
Yup. ///
Well, you're nothing if not consistent, I'll give ya that much.— General Turgidson - "Sorry pal, it is market forces that moved him off, not some faux outrage on your part or your masters at media matters." . . . . . Georgel, you've tapped into a theory held by many liberal commentators. Since Beck started his show in Jan 2009, the economy has slowly but steadily improved, meaning there's much less irrational anxiety and fear out there in TV land for Beck to exploit. Beck will still have a soapbox called GBTV, for anyone loyal enough to shell out the $50.00 to subscribe online. But something tells me those "market forces" will still steer you here to read Bunch's faux outrage for free.— montani semper liberi
- "Apparently, some people are flabbergasted that others would prefer to make a choice for themselves and accept the risk that comes with it." . . . . . Unless he was insured, of course. Then we can all be flabbergasted when our rates go up, and blame trial lawyers.
- The helmet isnt magic, it would not have prevented the accident. Accidents drive insurance rates.— RG
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