Monday, August 24, 2009

Glenn Beck, Racism, and other turds that just won't flush.

Surely by now, news has reached the ears of most that well over 30 corporations have pulled their advertising from the Glenn Beck Program over a little comment about the President being a racist that Glenn Beck made this week. I can't imagine that most people are surprised by the comment. Glenn Beck has been trying with an almost respectable determination to mask his hatred of the President since the inauguration (if not before it), by trying to label him as a socialist, as anti-american, as trying to enforce a double standard, etc... Yet, anyone who's familiar with Glenn's politics probably could have guessed that this day would arrive.

Will this be the end of Glenn Beck? Most likely not. He's probably too self-righteous to apologize, and I doubt there's going to be much of a backlash from his audience. Not to mention that most of his sponsors will probably come running back after the mess blows over (which the democrats will probably try to stop at all costs). Do I think that Glenn Beck should be censored or reprimanded? No. I think his commentary is typically supported more by propaganda than fact, and I typically find his approach to commentary somewhere between unnecessarily spiteful and outright pathetic. Outside of baleful precedent, I doubt we'd loose much if he were taken off the air. But, I enjoy my freedom of speech, even if it means to I have to share it with skin-heads and other close-minded morons, and have neither desire nor patience for double standards.

However, this doesn't change the fact that I found his comments to be offensive and simple-minded. The President is a racist, really? Why, because he's willing to bring up issues of racism, despite it being more convenient for people like you to try and ignore them to death, even though you'll never have to deal with them? You think there's a double standard for women, minorities... oh, fuck it! ...for non-white/male/heterosexual persons to get into places of power in this country? You betcha! You know why? Because, apparently, the experiences that they have had in life might influence the way they see the world. Because, apparently, the experiences of us white/male/heterosexual persons do not influence the way we think. After all, its not like any of Glenn Beck's personal experiences have shaped the way he views the world and makes judgement calls. Nope. People like Glenn Beck or Bill O'Reilly are completely objective in their world views. God Bless America. Let's all have a drink, and go watch Madmen.

Obvious satire aside, I wouldn't urge anyone to make a fuss about this. In the grand scheme of things, this will most likely be a blip on the radar. Glenn Beck will return to acting like a whiny, arrogant, puke, and America will be neither the better nor the worse for it. If you agree with me in believing that he has nothing positive to add to society, then I would urge you to simply not watch his show (if his ratings disappear, then so will he). If you agree with Glenn Beck that people like me have nothing positive to add to society, then I'm somewhat curious as to why you bothered to read this. Oh well, at least it distracted you from your agenda for a few minutes. Score.

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