Glenn Beck's comment about the wildfires

motivez · 10-24-2007, 06:59 PM

Conservative talker Glenn Beck is under fire today for comments he made about some of the victims of the southern California wildfires during yesterday's edition of The Glenn Beck Program.

Media Matters for America, a liberal watchdog group, recorded Beck making the comment on his radio show during a lengthy monologue about the importance of coming together as one nation, with the understanding that: We all love America. We all love America. We just disagree on how we should function, what we should do, big government, small government. It doesn't mean you hate America. I think there is a handful of people who hate America. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today. There are a few people that hate America. But I don't think the Democrats are those. I think there are those posing as Democrats that are like that.

In addition to the radio program, Beck hosts a prime-time TV show on CNN's Headline News. We have requested comment from Beck and will update this posting if he gets back to us before the end of the day.

Update at 10:17 a.m. ET: A spokesman for Beck expressed surprise that bloggers are seizing on this quotation as an example of incivility. "To most rational people, unfortunately still means unfortunately," Chris Balfe, the show's producer, tells On Deadline through a spokesman.

Radio host sparks furor with comments about Calif. fire victims - On Deadline - USATODAY.com

There's a link to the audio on that page, and here's the Media Matters article for anyone who's interested:

Media Matters - Beck: "[A] handful of people who hate America ... are losing their homes in a forest fire today"

So basically he's trying to hide behind his producer and the word "unfortunately" -- although he says "unfortunately for them," like it's somehow good for the rest of us because the Californian's losing their homes are all America-hating commies or some bullshit, and obviously the rest of the country is better off with them homeless and injured.

Anyway, why is it these people get off on trying to divide the nation on every freaking issue? Making these fires into a partisan political issue is fucking pathetic, I can understand the environmentalist aspect to a discussion about them, but this is just ridiculous.

Personally, this guy and other vile pundits like him are why television news no longer has any credibility on a whole... though I think the fact that he's employed by CNN of all networks, hosting a primetime show speaks volumes..

SoFlaJDM · 10-24-2007, 07:05 PM

it's out of context

/thread

JaJae · 10-24-2007, 08:19 PM

It doesn't even make sense. What do the fires have to do with Democrats and hating America?

Stylerod · 10-24-2007, 09:13 PM

Sounds like he is saying we need to all come together during this crises even if the people that are losing their homes are the people that like to villainize conservatives (his audience).

JaJae · 10-24-2007, 09:16 PM

He didn't say villianize conservatives, he said hate America. I don't know what their supposed patriotism has to do with forest fires.

Stylerod · 10-24-2007, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

He didn't say villianize conservatives, he said hate America. I don't know what their supposed patriotism has to do with forest fires.

I'm not sure. But I guess it's about as much a stretch as Democrats jumping on this natural disaster and blaming global warming like they did with Katrina.

“One reason why we have the fires in California is global warming,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters Tuesday, stressing the need to pass the Democrats’ comprehensive energy package.

JaJae · 10-24-2007, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

I'm not sure. But I guess it's about as much a stretch as Democrats jumping on this natural disaster and blaming global warming like they did with Katrina.

I think there's a big difference between blaming an unfounded scientific argument and attacking the patriotism of the people who lost their homes.

hsmith · 10-24-2007, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

I'm not sure. But I guess it's about as much a stretch as Democrats jumping on this natural disaster and blaming global warming like they did with Katrina.

Yeah, it could have nothing to do with the old growth not being burnt off which naturally occurs and is prevented by modern day policy.

Lets blame carbon dioxide

Stylerod · 10-24-2007, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by hsmith

Yeah, it could have nothing to do with the old growth not being burnt off which naturally occurs and is prevented by modern day policy.

Lets blame carbon dioxide

CBS News has learned a task force of agencies, including the FBI, ATF, the Orange County Fire Authority and the California Department of Forestry will announce shortly that the massive Santiago Canyon Fire - which has caused an estimated $10 million in damage - is being officially declared an arson, and a $50,000 reward is being offered to find the arsonist.

No. Global Warming is creating Arsonists.

DosEquis · 10-24-2007, 09:31 PM

Or is it like the religious right wingers blaiming hurricanes and tornados on a lesbian hosting an emmy?

I can play that too. thx.

10-24-2007, 09:32 PM

my guess is none of you guys listen to the glenn beck radio show...

He's always going off on wierd SARCASTIC rants/stories.

JaJae · 10-24-2007, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

my guess is none of you guys listen to the glenn beck radio show...

He's always going off on wierd SARCASTIC rants/stories.

I've never heard it.

Stylerod · 10-24-2007, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

Or is it like the religious right wingers blaiming hurricanes and tornados on a lesbian hosting an emmy?

I can play that too. thx.

How many of those people are out there? Do they make academy award winning movies too?

DosEquis · 10-24-2007, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

How many of those people are out there? Do they make academy award winning movies too?

No, they just start "universities" and preach a bunch of hate for anyone who doesn't believe in their version of jesus...then when they die they are regarded as a hero.

motivez · 10-24-2007, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

my guess is none of you guys listen to the glenn beck radio show...

He's always going off on wierd SARCASTIC rants/stories.

That doesn't make what he said okay.

I can understand the environmental issues being brought into the debate, but this is something entirely different.

10-24-2007, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

That doesn't make what he said okay.

I can understand the environmental issues being brought into the debate, but this is something entirely different.

Perhaps, perhaps not, I dont hear his show on a daily basis. What I can tell you is he's always joking around and being sarcastic, probably what happened here if I ahd to guess especially since Media Matters reported it.

10-24-2007, 10:35 PM

Speaking of glenn beck and wildfires check out the poll on his website about wildfires

Glenn Beck Program

JaJae · 10-24-2007, 10:45 PM

It makes more sense that this was a parody skit and once again calls into question the MediaMatters source. But even still, it's not a very PC thing to do so soon into the tragedy. However, I think it's important to take it into context and to be intellectually honest about the situation. The quote is wrong on its own right. But exaggerating the claim is equally as wrong.

10-24-2007, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

It makes more sense that this was a parody skit and once again calls into question the MediaMatters source. But even still, it's not a very PC thing to do so soon into the tragedy. However, I think it's important to take it into context and to be intellectually honest about the situation. The quote is wrong on its own right. But exaggerating the claim is equally as wrong.

He's never PC, never has been never will be...

Glenn Beck Insider

Scroll all the way down to the bottom and click the "Almost all things considered..." link, he makes fun of his own book and NPR. You'll get a little bit of a feel for his show...or click the john kerry "vision for america" thats pretty good too

motivez · 10-24-2007, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Perhaps, perhaps not

x11ty billion.

The claim hasn't been exaggerated, he said what he said, and his producers didn't say it was a 'skit' or 'parody'.. if that was what it was, they would have come out and said that immediately to take pressure off of him.

Figures the same people who went after Kerry's botched joke have no problems with this guy spewing hateful bullshit at people suffering a tragedy.. it's so sad and pathetic when partisanship trumps common sense.

There's a difference between PC/non-PC comments and what this tool said.