Press Allowed At Glenn Beck's Mount Vernon Key Ceremony [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Press will be allowed to cover the Mount Vernon, Washington event where Glenn Beck will receive a key to the city, after all.

The Seattle Times reports Thursday that Mayor Bud Norris misspoke when he said there would be a media blackout:

There will be five press passes, Norris said. He said he hasn't quite figured out how they will be doled out, though.

"Maybe some kind of drawing, maybe we let the media people decide among themselves," he said.

Norris said the story about limiting press access was due to "the way I interpreted what they [Glenn Beck's representatives] had to say. Something was lost in the translation."

The Seattle Times has also corrected its original story, which included awkward language that suggested Fox News was behind the media blackout [see below]. Fox News has nothing to do with the event.

Original Post: Glenn Beck will receive the key to his hometown of Mount Vernon, Wash. in a ceremony this Saturday. But don't expect to hear or see much coverage of the event.

According to The Seattle Times, no national or even regional press will have access to the official city event.

Just one local reporter--selected by Mount Vernon's mayor-- will have access.

According to Mayor Bud Morris, The media blackout comes at the request of Fox News and Glenn Beck representatives. The Seattle Times:

Norris, who planned the instantly controversial evening, said the directive came from Fox News and syndicated-radio personality Beck and his representatives, and that he wasn't told why: "No, I didn't ask for a reason." Norris said he would be choosing the one reporter allowed but hadn't decided who it will be.

KIRO Radio reports that an advocacy group claims 16,000 signed a petition to cancel "Glenn Beck Day."

Soon after the town announced plans to honor Beck with a key to the city, protesters marched, shouting "Change the locks!"

The New York Times interviewed a Mount Vernon barber who said most people believe Beck should stay away:

"It's probably at least 60 to 40 against," said Fred Lee, a barber on First Street who has trimmed prominent heads in Mount Vernon for more than 30 years. "That's just a straw vote of people who come in here. It's leaning that he probably shouldn't come, mostly because of the controversial nature of the person."

Comments

[Rjchinook]

I was at the demonstration outside Skagit Valley College, I must say I was traumatized by the Beck supporters. When I first arrived carrying my sign: "Frogs Fight Back Against Hate (PIC of cartoon Frog w/black belt in fighting stance) & Beck Boiled My Mother on T.V" (PIC of real frog). The other side of my sign: "No Tears For Beck the Clown or FOX News (logo) for Inciting Hate, Murder & Terrorism" (PIC of Glenn crying w/another PIC of him with Joker Face), I was walking through a crowds of anti-Beck but as walked towards the street entrance of Hall I found myself in crowd of Beck supporters. They started yelling at me that "YOU DRANK THE KOOL-AID!" "Beck tells the truth!" What was most amazing they didn't comment on the Joker/Clown side of my sign but yelled at me "THE FROG WASN'T REAL!! It was PLASTIC, LIKE YOU!" One old woman yelled at me, "WE ARE THE TRUE AMERICANS!" I was basically in shock that these people actually believe in Beck lies so I couldn't help yelling back at her "AND I AM A NATIVE AMERICAN AND YOU ARE ALL BOAT PEOPLE!"

[Ismael38]

I bet tourism suffers in the state, when people hear that Beck was born there. Has anybody seen Becks birth cirtificate, he acts and talks like an irishman at times. hmm I think the birthers should check him out.

[aspiecelia]

The signs actually had words that were spelled properly. It was so refreshing,

[ElBorba]

I just heard that a large group of the unionized drivers who do the cruise ship transfers for Princess and HAL have said that they will not make any passenger break stops in Mt Vernon until the Mayor is gone . .

[delvis]

the plaque was brass colored and the key was painted plastic , on the back made in china

[treetracker]

Just got back from the protest. Beck supporters were outnumbered 3 or 4 to 1.

If that's any indication, the mayor will lose his seat next term. I wonder then if he'll still think it was worth it.

[BECKtionary]

Did he cry? I listened to a bit on the news and he sounded like he was winding up to do so.

[treetracker]

Don't know - I didn't pay to go in. From the news clip we got here, he was charming and not controversial. When the mayor gave him the key, Beck in turn gave him his own house key and told the Mayor he'd be needing a place to stay.

After hearing the Couric interview, it's become obvious he has no positions of his own, he just caters to whoever his audience is. He's just an entertainer wanting to make a buck off whoever his audience is. So he'll play to the hate mongers on Fox and their fears for as long as it makes him a dollar - doesn't matter whether or not he himself believes in the controversy he creates.

[BambooHarvester]

glenn Dreck an issue of Character .
" Glenn Beck Mocked Woman's Miscarriage on the Air "
http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/23/glenn-beck-mocked-womans-miscarriage-on-the-air/

[BECKtionary]

Oh great, I get the key to the city, and Mt. Vernon homeowners lose their homes. I hear they evn have a homeless problem, but hey if they are homeless and losing their homes, that's their fault. This is America, and everyone has an even chance, and if they don't...too bad! Isn't America great!

[BECKtionary]

I'm sending out invites to all my BECKerwood homies. I am counting on you to shout the loudest and be as chaotic as possible today in Mt Vernon. Please make sure the world knows how much power I have over your little minds. I'll see you at the BECKstivities! Bring a friend...if you have any.

[PDinCA]

Is Glenn wearing two watches? Is that so he can be right four times a day?

[OneLiberalLady]

LOL

[Ozarks]

Yea and to be sure he doesn't lose the City key he carries it where the sun don't shine.

[Ken Maddox]

One lost in the reality of things Mayor planning to praise and reward a total schizoid looney tunes juvenile, and they had a interpretation of how they would allow the press to cover the event that never should be.
I am shocked. I really am, I am just bewildered how anyone could possibly misunderstand the Beckerhead.
I have never heard him utter a single sentence that indicated he had thought about what he was saying, that he had any information on the subject, or that he understood the premise.
I don't like to attack people for their personal beliefs, but with this looney, you just gotta.

[BambooHarvester]

The hat trick glenn the hat trick ...........

[Rjchinook]

As I said, today I am going to demonstrate against hate @ 5:30 PM in Mt. Vernon!
http://skagitagainsthate.org/index.html

But I need your help! I am in the process of making a sign and I want some truth about Glen Beck on the front and something REALLY funny on the back!
I'm also printing two big PIC's of Glen, one of him crying and one regular PIC (if there is such a thing). Should I put a Hitler mustache on him?

Please help with some caption ideas!

[BECKtionary]

Now why do you want to do that? Waaahhh, waaaahhhhh ,~_~,

I thought everyone loved me. waaaahhh, waaaaahhhh.

[WeThePeopleAreAwake]

News Flash, Rjchinook! Your post about finding negatives things about Glenn Beck and putting them on a sign, demonstrating at his ceremony yelling "hateful" things is "HATEFUL"

How about your above post about putting a "Hitler mustache on him" (Glenn Beck)? (hateful?).

What is advocated (demonstrate against hate) and what is done (demonstrate with hate). Doesn't make sense does it?

[JhNyc]

Go back to sleep...

[Rjchinook]

I live in Bellingham, WA approx. 20 miles from Mt. Vernon
Today I plan to demonstrate against hate @ 5:30 PM in Mt. Vernon!

Spread the news!

http://skagitagainsthate.org/index.html

[BambooHarvester]

How Many Innocent Citizens Must D!e Before fox "news" Lies is shut down ?
~