by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism

Glenn Beck is under rhetorical “fire” {how’s that for PC?} from the left. This is of course common fare as he — being a staunch conservative advocate of our founding principals and the Constitution as written — is anathema to the most liberal element of our society. Note I did not say all liberals. There are liberal that while disagreeing with his views do not see him as the “devil in disguise” as some liberals do.

Beck is certainly opinionated. Who isn’t? In fact some of the most opinionated personalities can be found on the left. As stated in recent posts at Rational Nation USA, expressing one’s opinion respectfully should be welcomed and encouraged.

I do not always agree with Beck. In fact I seldom watch his show as I am usually occupied with other more important activities at that hour. However, I have had the opportunity to catch a few of his shows recently I have found him to be measured in his rhetoric and clear on his denunciation of incivility in general and violence in particular.

There are some on the left that see it otherwise. In my opinion such individuals and organizations are really just concerned with shutting down conservative pundits for the sake of shutting down opposing views. This is indeed unfortunate as both liberal and conservative views need to be heard for people to make informed decisions.

I had no intention and certainly no desire of posting on Beck until I saw the following from today’s The Washington Monthly by Steve Benen.

Excerpts:

WHEN BECK’S MINIONS GET THE MESSAGE…. Glenn Beck doesn’t just rail against perceived enemies, whom he considers dangerous villains who must be stopped; he also chooses obscure enemies he considers worthy of his rage.

It’s one of the many oddities of Beck’s bizarre message. The condemnations of President Obama and Nancy Pelosi are predictable, but Beck sees imaginary patterns and conspiracies involving figures most Americans neither know nor care about: Van Jones, Frances Fox Piven, George Soros, Saul Alinsky, the Tides Foundation, etc.

In Beck’s unhealthy imagination, each are nefarious players in a plot to destroy you and everything you hold dear. Sane people don’t see the danger, Beck says, but that only proves the point — the mentally healthy are probably in on it.

The problem, of course, is Beck’s minions take all of this seriously, and consider Beck’s perceived enemies their perceived enemies.

Read the rest of here.

First: Beck has never advocated violence against anyone and rhetorical political comments do not constitute threats. Second: Beck ties quotes and information relative to the subject matter he is speaking on to the people who are responsible for the quotes.

Apparently some do not understand it is not the person per se that he is taking issue with, rather it is their philosophy or ideology. His sole purpose is to expose his viewing and listening audience to views he considers {often rightly} to be wrong-headed.

Glenn is not a news caster, although he and his staff do the research necessary to gather facts for his program. He is a television op-ed personality. He presents the data on the subject matter and then gives his opinion on the subject. While he can be tedious at times he has a useful and important place in our political dialogue. Just as Olbermann, Maddow, and Schultz have.

I can’t help but wonder what the left is really fearful of… On second thought I know.

Cross posted to Rational Nation USA and Political Integrity Now

Via: Memeorandum