Journalism, whether in print or on television, is supposed to stand for truth. Integrity is the cornerstone of any news agency and any organization only has its own credibility, its own reputation to rely upon. Complete balance may be difficult, but it is the responsibility of those working withing the news media to strive towards it at all times. FOX News, or the Bush Channel as some call it, is not a legitimate source of news. RELATIVITY OnLine’s David Anthony Hohol looks at Glenn Back, the FOX News poster boy for idiotic journalism, and how he represents the growing trend of yellow journalism in America -tabloid sensationalism with a pre-determined agenda and built in audience disguised as news. The goal - dilute the truth, get big ratings and make lots of money. Who needs the truth?
Glenn Beck, an infamous American radio and TV personality, is a hate merchant, a pea-brained moron with little to offer the world in the way of fairness or diplomacy. He’s also a ratings grabber, as people tune in to hear what he has to say, if only to laugh at or despise him.
The truth is Beck is a freak show, a car accident at the side of the road – people cant stop themselves from staring. Although he certainly takes himself very seriously, few others do. His rants read like Saturday Night Live comedy bits or an old fashioned British farce. In short, he’s a joke.
The fact of the matter is not many reasonable people would concur with statements like, “This president (Obama) has exposed himself as a guy over and over and over again who has a deep-seated hatred for white people … this guy is, I believe, a racist.” Or better yet, “If you’re a guy, you can get past it (being ugly). I don’t think you can as an ugly woman. You’ve also got a double cross, because if you’re an ugly woman, you’re probably a progressive as well.”
We hear what he says and his blind and unthinking leaps into the total absurd and we’re blown away by how anyone, even the dumbest amongst us, can believe he’s speaking anything even remotely close to the truth. But yet still… he marches on.
When Keith Ellison became the first Muslim ever elected to to the American Congress, he agreed to appear on Beck’s program. I believe Ellison did so to once again show people Beck is a complete moron and he did not disappoint. Within seconds of the interview’s onset Mr. Beck hit Ellison with, ”Sir, prove to me you are not working with our enemies,” successfully insulting Muslims everywhere in the process; not to mention gleefully making Americans look like complete assholes.
His latest tangent inspired me to write a brief blog about him, if for no other reason to point out to those outside the United States that if they ever come across a clip or quote from Glenn Beck, to take it with a grain of salt. He does not represent America or its people. He only represents idiocy and the media’s ravenous appetite for ratings at any cost.
As a side note journalist, newsman and comedian Jon Stewart, quite possibly the most adept, intelligent and honest person working today’s American media, came back with a pearl of his own. He suggested if Ellison had to prove he wasn’t working with the enemy, then with ” a conservative white guy (Stewart referring to himself), the burden is on me to prove to you I’ve neither blown up a federal building with a fertilizer bomb, nor sucked off a gay hooker in the men’s room of a Denny’s.”
Recently Obama began social awareness campaign, calling for people to be more active in their communities, to get involved with after school programs and volunteer positions, in order foster a sense of empathy and connection to the neighbourhoods in which people live. Television shows have picked up on the idea and written story lines about volunteering and giving back to the community, showing that something as simple as volunteering at an animal shelter can make a real difference. Glenn Beck claims Obama is attempting to brainwash the American people, controlling them, pushing them into a Communist-like mindset. “Its almost like we’re living in (Chairman) Mao’s China right now,” he exclaims.
At one point in the program, he plays a clip of Michelle Obama thanking the TV and Film industry for joining the adminstarion in promoting the idea community service. The entire time the screen remains picture-in-picture in order to show Beck’s face, his ego too huge to allow the clip to appear on its own. Beck does so only to make sure everyone sees him mock the first lady as she speaks. He later slams Disney for granting one free entry into Disneyland with every day of volunteer service and then suggests Obama will smash anyone who does not obey.
Bottom line, FOX news is not news at all. Its tabloid agenda driven journalism… but it gets ratings, has a loyal audience, and represents human nature.; at least what’s wrong with it. Freedom of speech is important and so FOX News has every right to rant twenty-four seven. I like Saturday Night Live, Jim Carrey, and Farrelly brother movies too. Dumb and Dumber is my all time favorite… or is that FOX News and Glenn Beck.
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I have been a life long republican and will state publicy that I voted for John Mcain in the last election. I still beleive in the fundemental values of the party, but it seems the party, and many of its members, have become lost since Obama took office. I am embarrassed by the actions of Beck and Limbaugh, and others. We are coming off as sore losers. I dont have many elections left in me, but perhaps next time I will vote for the man and not the party.
A real jerk-off if there ever was one and the price America pays for freedom of speech. I never thought of it in terms of how this guy actually represents us, represents me… it makes me sick. EVen if just one person from outside North America becomes informed of the fact most think he’s a moron, its a good thing. Thank you!!!
Left wing democrats cry far too much over FOX News. For years they had a free ticket to demonize the right and controlled the media. FOX News is not as bad as you make it out to be and Obama is showing his elitist colors by refusing to do business with those who think differently than he does.
Yes, Beck does things in the extreme, but he is an entertainer, a political cartoon of the right. Thats his job, duh! There are left wing entertainers too. Jon Stewart for example. I’m sure Beck laughs at how he gets people worked up all the time and no, I dont think he takes himself so seriously. And you cant write off an entire network because of one guy.
John – the man (or woman) and not the party is always the best way to go. The two party system doesn’t work anymore anyway. People these days cannot be boiled down to simply one or the other, including the candidtaes themselves.
miss universe – yes, if I were American I would be embarassed that FOX News is broadcasted internationally.
Serverten – Listen… Jon Stewart is a comedian, Beck claims to be a newsman, there’s a big difference in case you havent noticed… duh. By the way, the last time I saw Beck he was cying on TV, not laughing,
And no one is writing off FOX simply because of Beck, but because of its network wide agenda, both implicitly and explcitly to promote the conservative agenda.
Just like a lot of people would, the Obama adminstration has decided to not deal with those who hear nothing but what they want to hear.
Beck is a total ASSHOLE! And Serverten, maybe you should wake up and smell the shit you’re shoveling! Anyone who defends the garbage on that network has serious issues. And yah, I sometimes do watch Beck (and Limbaugh) just to watch the freak show and laugh. I often shake my head and wonder just how impossibly small this man’s view of the world must be!
I heard of his name before, maybe on CNN, but never knew who he was. OK – when he says that only ugly women are progressive minded, does he mean feminists? SO if you’re ugly you’re a feminist?? And then he calls it a double cross, meaning being a feminist is as bad as being ugly???? Does that mean if you’re attractive or cute you’re not a feminist?? If he really said that I cant believe the guy still has a job.
God Bless America! They’re finincial prowess and military strength is only matched by their ignorance. Of course I know numb-nuts Beck doesn’t speak for all Americans, but I mean come on. What an embarassment. And Serverten – what are you on? It’s amazing that there are people out there that actually defend this moron.
Marlena, I think he was joking with the ugly women thing! Feminists can never take a joke! And Canuckle Head, I can see you’re a very classy guy. Name-calling because you dont agree with someone? Grow up. Hohol, I can see I’m out numbered here with your Vegan, left-wing, tree-hugging readers and staff. The world doesn’t hold hands and sing Kumbaya. We think differently, in case you didn’t know!
We have our scandalous side to British Politics, but there is something rather boorish about the American approach to democracy. Like a Bull in China shop, as they say. This Beck fellow seems a tad unsteady.
Yo Serverten, when did I ever say I was a classy guy? And I called Beck as asshole, not you, you dipshit. LOL!
Joking about being an ugly woman and how if your both ugly and a feminist lif has double-crossed you?? You probibaly knew some good Black, Arab, Crippled People jokes to!!!
Saw all the comments and had to check things out. Well, this Beck guy is clearly a shit-disturber. He’s not really worth criticizing, as that’s his target it seems. The simple fact that this article has drawn the largest number of comments shows the guy is a magnet for attention. This is why FOX News puts him on the air.
Serverten – I’m a meat-eating, moderate conservative, redneck who grew up on a farm and who thinks Green Peace are bunch of whiners… so you are way off! Just like your take on Back….
The media is no longer balanced anywhere. Whether people want to admit it ir not, there is always an underlying agenda, whether intentionl or not, that’s revealed through an organization’s perspective of a given event. It’s for that reason even history cannot be fully trutsed to be accurate. The human animal is and always will be a victim of its own individual reality.