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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