It's Time To Fire Glenn Beck

Tuesday Glenn Beck crossed the Rubicon of human decency. He equated Reverend Jeremiah Wright with Van Jones and wondered if the FBI knowingly turned a blind eye to a black militant communist.

For a couple days now Beck has railed against the Obama administration for appointing Van Jones Special Advisor for Green Jobs at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Van Jones is one of the brightest lights in activist circles. He is a Yale graduate whose pro-business, pro-green professionalism is planting the seeds for a new generation of entrepreneurs whose focus is to make the planet a better place through better stewardship of communities and the environment. Van Jones is American through and through, and about as communist as, well, Glenn Beck.

So why is Beck attacking Van Jones?

He is a racist, hatemongering goon for all that is vile on the right, and Fox News must take him off the air. There is no longer any justification for honoring his contract. He poses a danger to society. He is a mouthpiece for the worst tendencies in right wing politics.

Glenn Beck has now formed an argument based solely on the fear of a black planet. He has become a spokesperson for white nationalism. He has turned clownish political theater into perilous ideological cant that encourages the worst tendencies of knee-jerk reactionary politics and makes Rush Limbaugh look like Ralph Nader.

To date, Beck has lost 46 advertisers from his program. That's great. Let's take it a step further: Anyone caught buying any product advertised on Fox News, any service touted there, or patronizing anything at all in any way associated with Fox News, or in anyway benefiting that company or any of its holdings, is as un-American as the hate spewed by this contemptuous man.

It is time to remove this blight from the media landscape.

Originally published on Air America.com.

Follow Beau Friedlander on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BeauFriedlander

Comments

[canuwipeurownbutt]

Nice Beau,

Don't like what you're hearing so you pull the race and censorship play. Funny how the far left wants to govern with emotions instead of common sense. Also interesting how quickly a so called liberal wants to take away free speech. What so many reasonable thinkers get concerned with is a government with so much power that they take all of our freedom away. What is government anyway. A bunch of ego maniacs that play with dolls and can't balance a checkbook telling us how to live our lives. They get into office by buying your vote. You let them bankrupt our country, trash our dollar and hand over the once strongest country in the world to the people that own our debt like China.
I say nothing but Milatary and infrastructure from government from now on. Don't need your help.

[KingRocky]

It's time to not only fire Glenn Beck, but to fire ALL of the loudmouths at Fox, CNN and MSNBC. They serve no purpose but to incite and alarm. They spread hate, racism, bigotry and fear. By displaying a news ticker at the bottom of the screen, the networks validate these programs as actual news and validate the opinions of the commentators. Their hateful and vitriolic speech goes right up to the limit of free speech as defined by the Constitution, and they take no responsibility for the potential consequences of their words.

I call on the three major networks (CNN, MSNBC, FOX) to CANCEL every single show that features an opinionated loudmouth as it's main host. All of them. It's the only way to be completely fair. Any columnist that wants their show back must be held accountable to high standards of decency and fairness.

[guinganbresil]

"...held accountable to high standards of decency and fairness"?

By the free market? FOX viewship is going up.

By the government? What about the first amendment?

It is rough when freedom of speech no longer works in your favor...

[OLJW00]

and who is going to define what is decent and fair?

[Siebenstein]

Please someone offer this guy a drink, a large one!

[sisco2008]

It seems anyone that questions this Administration is being labeled as racist or a hate monger, which is obviously hypocritical, given the amount of rhetoric directed toward Bush when he was in office. I always thought debate was how real solutions were accomplished in a Republic, silencing critics is what is favored by Dictators.

[PWM]

When was Bush put under the constant attack of Fox for his misdeeds?

Silencing critics is what the Patriot Act is really about - that Republican gift to America.

[Sarah Jewel]

He wasn't, but he was from EVERY OTHER source out there. Where were YOU?

[spikebu]

Do you really live in a bubble? How do you see when Fox takes on someone you favor and are blind to what ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, AIR AMERICA (only lib radio I can think of), and darn near EVERY major paper in the US goes after a conservative? That's some happy pill.

[buddhish]

it's fine to question the administration from a level-headed, honest, informed stance. but blindly flinging false accusations at government officials with no real evidence to back up your hateful claims is not ok. blind hatred is just not ok. with bush we had a looooong list of verifiable facts giving us cause to point fingers at him. with obama and his administration, the list is short. people like beck and people like you would find reasons to hate obama and his administration no matter what any of them said or did. it's not about them, it's about you.

[guinganbresil]

I do not hate President Obama. The Left clearly hate(d/s) GWB.

Beck allowed Van Jones to convict himself - with video and audio.
Hardly 'blindly flinging false accusations...with no real evidence...'

If you want to see real false accusations blindly flung, just wait to see what news will "break" about Glenn Beck in the near future... I am afraid this is the future of public discourse...

[spikebu]

Van Jones convicted himself. IN HIS OWN WORDS. Do some homework. Where is your level-headed, honest, INFORMED stance?

[NobodylikesHim]

It is great to see that our right to free speech is still available, especially to the conservatives who buy into the fact-less rantings and ravings of the conservative punditry.

I enjoy reading their responses, particularly when they are bashing the current Administration. These same people also believe that Bush did a great job during his 8 years. I am sure that they also think that Guantanamo is a success, and rendition should continue.

One point I am SURE, they don't understand, thanks to Dick, George, and the Republicans in Congress the last 8 years, the "Government" can come to their home in the middle of the night and take them away, never to be heard from again, All that needs to happen is to be labeled a "Domestic Terrorist", and the FBI comes in without a warrant, without knocking, without explanation, and off you go! It's called the Patriot Act, fitting isn't it?

So does that make me a conservative because I want to stifle their speech? Because I want to treat them the same way that Progressives were treated the last 8 years when they disagreed with the Bush Administration? As a Veteran, sometimes I would like to take back their rights until they serve their time in the military.

[Elephantinroom]

Under executive orders issued by Obama recently, the CIA still has authority to carry out what are known as renditions, secret abductions and transfers of prisoners to countries that cooperate with the United States.

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/01/nation/na-rendition1

[spikebu]

So when is Obama going to rescind the patriot act? As a conservative, I disliked it from the get-go. I also don't like city police cross training with border patrol. Still haven't seen Obama even address the issue. And don't tell me he has more pressing matters to deal with. RHETORIC!

[MarieNat]

I call it like I see it, buddy. To hear whites tell it, racism is as mythical as the Loch Ness monster. Sure it might exist, but you've never actually seeeeeen it, right?

[KansasGirlygirl]

Boy, Glenn Beck must really be rattling some cages, he's getting a lot of attention these days. Glenn Beck has as much right as anyone, including the author of this article, to his opinion! If you don't like what Beck says, then don't tune into his programs, it's pretty simple stuff and this author has no business deciding who or what is appropriate for viewers!!

[TidalShadow]

As much as I hate Glenn Beck, I have to agree with you. He can say whatever he wants to say in this country and he should be allowed to do so. I just wish that he didn't have the kind of platform that he does. It is freely possible to boycott him into oblivion as well. If you want to get someone off the air, that's the way to go.

[swanie]

You are correct, and I have not watched FAUX News for over three liberating years.
.

[PWM]

He is not entitled to slander.

[Siebenstein]

I would say, hate speech does not qualify for public TV.
But that is , of course, coming from a Progressive !

[roch20]

Disagree. He's a radical, right-wing ra.ci.st who could not only influence people, but also he can do harm to others just base on his ideologies; so let's not make any excuses for his crazy rants, or maybe, you're just like him, you share his views, and so that should explain why or what for, (aside from causing harm), will you want to keep him on air; right?

[PWM]

He has influenced people. The shooting up of a church by a nut looking for liberals, the shooting up of the Holocaust Museum, the shooting of an abortion provider shows that these attackers were all influenced by shows like Beck's.

[Siebenstein]

Exactely!
But difficult to understand for so many.

[PWM]

No one has the right to slander and libel others.

[Sarah Jewel]

Then why are you doing it to Beck?

[Siebenstein]

You are completely mistaken !

Not everybody has the right to say ANYTHING. It has become a shameful excuse for indoctrination from the Right to use this statement and go off on the Fascst Crp, with individuals like Palin, etc.
They indoctrinate the uninformed and that is why it is not okay to blabber whatever you want in public.

[1murillo]

Beck in FNews, Imus in FBusiness. FoxNews just hired Imus, who was fired for his racist remarks, it's definitely not going to fire Beck.

[PWM]

Fox is owned by a man who is hostile to the US and wants nothing more than to bring this country down by causing as many divisions as possible.

Foreignors should not be allowed to own any of our papers, tv stations, or radio stations.

[nonofyabusiness]

Boycott Australia??? HEy it's hit home in Aruba and Faux pseudo news is responsible for at least 2 deaths(so far)

[judgejay]

And George Soros isn't hostile to the US? The liberals just love to take his cash!

[sychurricane]

Jones statements were racist. It is absolutely ridiculous to say that white polluters steer pollution in to black communities, just ridiculous. The blacks that he is speaking of live in large citites, where whites work. I guess then, that those same whites polluted themselves. Just absurd...but this all stems from hatred towards whites and their accomplishments. These same people are jealous that the white race has created the greatest country and govt the world has ever known. It doesn't make me jealous, but proud to be an American and proud to be a part of this great country.

[TellMeSumn]

Yeah, Van Jones, the Yale graduate and accomplished activist who is affiliated with the white house is jealous of 'white' people.

[PWM]

Well said.

[Sarah Jewel]

He's certainly got something against white folks. Not to mention he has called HIMSELF a radical and a communist. Why is he in a position of power in this country without being voted in? That's what I'd like to know.

[rhurc]

Indeed!

[sychurricane]

They are envious that their people have not accomplished this and would like nothing more than to dismantle this great country.

[PAbodysurfer]

Before you start posting meaningless messages, please get the facts.....by the way this is a great country but it is being ruined by people who wrap themselves in the American Flag and then spew hate and racism at anyone who disagrees with their view point..Van Jones is concerned about communities, black and white, the fact that the major polluters are white is not surprising as the vast majority of corporations in the country are headed by white executives. This is not racist, it's a fact.....there are companies that have been contaminating underground wells, air and soil for years with impunity while poor Black, White and Hispanic people in these communities have seen a marked increase in incidences or cancer, respiratory diseases and autoimmune diseases....whether the polluters are White, Black , green or orange is inconsequential...the practice needs to stop....won't don't you get about this??

You people are really frightening...By the way, Black slaves (free labor) layed the foundation for the US emergence as the largest economy in the world.......hatred of white accomplishments? let's be serious.... I think not...if you want to see hatred and anger just tune in Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly...oh, you do watch them already...what a surprise...

[wastingmytimehere]

Low-Income, Minority Communities Disproportionately Exposed To Toxic Air Pollutants, Study Finds

According to the Journal Sentinel, the study is one of the first efforts to "correlate toxic emissions from factories with the ethnic and economic makeup of areas around them" and also "underscores the notion that pollution has a racial and economic dimension" (Bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/28).

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148257.php

[Siebenstein]

and

http://www.ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=16&contentid=100

[Beck rocks]

Maybe Olbermann can double his ratings so he can have half the audience that Beck has. Trust me...Beck is doing just fine. And he is closer to the truth than Olbermann.

[joeplum88]

Get rid of him. He is toxic to America!

[Chesapeake Patriot]

What exactly did Glenn Beck say that is wrong? Van Jones is black. Van Jones is a radical. Van Jones is a felon. Van Jones is a Communist.
Mr. Beck used his first ammendent right to say these things. He did not slander Mr. Van Jones. He did not make up anything bad about him. Mr. Beck just asked the question. Why does the POTUS have a man like this as one of his CZARS? I want to know the answer to that myself.
The other question is, with Mr. Van Jones' background, how in the world did he ever get clearance even to visit the white house, much less be part of Obama's top advisors. No way does the average American citizen believe this radical man has any business in our White House.
Glenn Beck has done his homework and he has done it well.

[PWM]

Van Jones is probusiness. He is not a radical, he is not a felon, he is not a communist.

Try again with the lies.

[Siebenstein]

another kitchen table !

[guinganbresil]

Glenn Beck allowed his audience to hear the words straight from Van Jones.

He asked the question:

Are you comfortable with this man advising our President?

[WATCHDOG1]

I AGREE... It is time to remove this blight from the media landscape.

[neesy08]

Word to whites: there is no such think as Black Communist in the USA

[Siebenstein]

LOL, yeah, that's right.

[Siebenstein]

But it would be nice:-)

[jsgaetano]

Fox will fire Glenn Beck when MSNBC fires Pat Buchanan.

[StevenevetS]

I'm for that! Fire both of them!

[Cambridge9]

Seconded!

[justthomas]

I SAW A RADIO STATION'S VAN IN UTAH STATE PICTURING HIM ON THEIR VAN AND SAYING TUNE FOR "FAMILY VALUE TALKS" .............IF GLEN BECK IS THE MAN OF FAMILY VALUE ,............WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF FAMILY VALUE??????
FAMILY VALUE IS NOT HATE........AND IT IS NOT RACISM.