Originally Posted By mawnck ... more or less. >>"Last night, the president said what he should have said on Saturday," Beck said. "A leader says that on Day 1. But it is truly better late than never. This is probably the best speech he has ever given, and with all sincerity, thank you Mr. President, for becoming the president of the United States of America last night."<< <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/glenn-beck-obama-memorial-speech_n_808646.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...646.html</a>
Originally Posted By gadzuux See? Beck can manage to be obnoxious EVEN WHILE he's trying to be nice. It must be genetic.
Originally Posted By ecdc Yes, while Beckites will see this as a gracious gesture on Beck's part, it's actually a back-handed compliment. Turns out EVERYTHING Obama has done prior to last night was not done as the President of the United States. So apparently being elected by a sizable popular and electoral majority isn't what makes you the President, it's when you do something Glenn Beck likes. What a tool.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I'm willing to throw Glenn Beck a bone on this one. Of course tomorrow he'll be back lamenting about how the left is destroying America, but until then I'm willing to let him slide on this.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'd be willing to bet that there are liberals who felt like Obama lived up to the moniker of President of the United States last night. I live with one of them. But, I could really care less what Glenn Beck has to say about anyone. And, I guess that is my point. These talking heads all continue to be relevant because we all allow them to be. The best punishment for my 8 year old is to just ignore him. I mean, he'd rather I screamed at him than I ignore him.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "The best punishment for my 8 year old is to just ignore him. I mean, he'd rather I screamed at him than I ignore him." What good does that do if everyone else is showering him with candy and toys whenever he throws a tantrum? I'm exaggerating, but you get the point.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance You could try something other than ignoring or screaming at your 8 year old, Wahooskipper.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well gee, thanks for the parenting advice Constance. As if you know anything about me or the way I raise my children. Yes, I say no to them once in a while and punish them as needed. And, for that I don't have spoiled brats. Hans, yes...that is a valid point. I don't let others shower him but I see your point about Beck and others getting off on the attention they get from their loyal followers. I just think those followers get more jazzed, excitable, or whatever when an outside influencer comes in and attacks their hero.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>I just think those followers get more jazzed, excitable, or whatever when an outside influencer comes in and attacks their hero.<< I think you're right about that. A key component in the appeal of Beck, Hannity and the rest is that there is a "them" -- a mob of socialist liberals wanting to destroy "our" country. When one of these clowns says something outrageous, nasty, provoking, snotty, it will generate a reaction. Which "supports" the whole us vs. them storyline they've invented. But I don't know how, as a country, people can put them on "ignore" -- which is the only thing that would put a stop to it. I keep hoping that eventually, even their most faithful viewers will grow weary of it. Tastes change, so perhaps, some day...
Originally Posted By wahooskipper My tastes changed. I never watched Fox anyway but I finally did give up on the Republican party. Actually, I prefer to think they abandoned me...but whatever.
Originally Posted By gadzuux As a generalism, I can agree with the 'ignore' concept - but for me personally, I'm too much of a news junkie. I actively want to know what's in the national dialog. And unfortunately, the conservative side of the discussion is dominated by the Becks, Hannitys, Rushs, Palins and the like. The extremeist comments are about all we get from that side. Rare is the reasoned and rational dialog from the right. We see that every day when one new outrageous comment after another comes tumbling out. For example - <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2011/01/12/tucson-tea-party-blames-gifford/" target="_blank">http://thinkprogress.org/2011/...gifford/</a># Tucson Tea Party Founder Blames Giffords For Getting Shot: ‘The Real Case Is That She Had No Security’ >> “It’s political gamesmanship. The real case is that she [Giffords] had no security whatsoever at this event. So if she lived under a constant fear of being targeted, if she lived under this constant fear of this rhetoric and hatred that was seething, why would she attend an event in full view of the public with no security whatsoever?” he said. “For all the stuff they accuse her [Palin] of, that gun poster has not done a tenth of the damage to the political discourse as what we’re hearing right now.” << It gets worse ... >> Humphries also told the Guardian that Saturday’s shootings in Tuscon are “evolving into a conspiracy to destroy his organisation and silence criticism of the government.” << So not only is it her fault she got shot, but tea party conservatives are being victimized as a result. You just don't see this kind of patently offensive lunacy from the progressive side. But because it happens nearly every day, we become numbed to it - it' expected. There's never any condemnation from other conservatives, never any disavowing of these statements, just a shrug. So I - for one - don't want to ignore it - I want to know what they're saying and to call them on their BS. Fat lot of good it does, but at least I feel better.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt >> Humphries also told the Guardian that Saturday’s shootings in Tuscon are “evolving into a conspiracy to destroy his organisation and silence criticism of the government.” << And that's a bad thing?
