News Corp Should Fire Glenn Beck

It's no surprise that advertisers are running for the hills after Glenn Beck's idiotic remarks about President Obama. Fox should now take the appropriate step and fire him.

It's one thing to attack a president's policies. It's another to brand the president a racist and say that his decisions are motivated by a secret loathing of more than half the country:

This president has exposed himself as a guy over and over and over again who has a deep-seated hatred for white people ... this guy is, I believe, a racist.

This is the sort of rhetoric and attitude you might expect at a bigoted religious revival or KKK meeting. It's not the rhetoric or attitude you expect from the host of a talk show broadcast by one of the world's largest media companies.

To be clear: There's nothing wrong with Glenn Beck thinking that Obama's decisions are motivated by a secret hatred of more than half the country (many of his fans no doubt agree with him). There's nothing wrong with him saying it in his own forum it on his own time as long as it doesn't embarrass his employer (freedom of speech). But there is everything wrong with his being paid millions of dollars a year to say it by a company whose customers and viewers include a broad majority of the country's population.

Fox did respond to Beck's remark. Specifically, it said he was just "expressing a personal opinion... And as with all commentators in the cable news arena, he is given the freedom to express his opinions."

Unfortunately, that's B.S.

Fox clearly would not employ Beck if his "personal opinions" were that all black people should be deported or that child prostitution is just fine. If Beck were to express those opinions, he would almost certainly be relieved of his contract before he stepped off the set. By standing behind Glenn Beck this time, therefore, Fox is standing behind this particular opinion.

Beck's "hatred for white people" remark is every bit as inappropriate and offensive as Imus's "nappy-headed hos." Imus got sacked for that remark -- as he should have. So should Beck.

See Also: Sorry, Glenn Beck's Job At News Corp Is Not Protected By The First Amendment

 

 

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Comments

[IWW]

Glen Beck. Can his followers read? Then try reading facts.

[hat1111]

Glenn Beck is my hero

[ClarkSierra]

Beck has come a long way for a recovering drug and alcohol addict Mormon convert, and he has honed all the deceptive, illusory and misleading skills necessary for survival!

[4littles]

You on the left would love to slience those whose opinions differ from yours. You intimidate and name-call, but your opponent has the FACTS on its side. Does this statement "angry white people clinging to their guns and bibles" ring a bell? I don't remember the left's outrage over Obama making that statement! Be consistent and then perhaps then you'll earn some degree of credibility. Address the facts rather than attempt to silence those who are saying what makes you uncomfortable. The truth will eventually win, so if you're right what Beck says should not threaten you so.

[fightdemsocial]

Obama's silence speaks volumes. Van Jones & Mark Lloyd spoke in their OWN words, it is a matter of public record, if not were are the slander law suites on FOX & Beck?

[EbonBear]

If Obama felt the need to respond to every batsh!t theory you righties are propogating these days, he'd never be away from the briefing room.

[kashifsaeed]

HuffPost's Pick

Yes Glen Beck should be fired and Fox News should be made to pay for this hatred mongering. There should be more check on the media, specially those that try to destabalize the country. No sane channel would have hired Glen Beck in the first place.


My blog:
http://next-world-war.blogspot.com

[gamecock1969]

There is no freedom of speech issue here.

It is truly astonishing that we have people here who do not understand the Bill of Rights.

[juxtaposed]

He has a right to free speech, He just doesn't have right to be paid for it...

[tailgateshirts]

exactly, and sponsors have the right to advertise where they feel bests represents their company

[mapmaker515]

Two words.....­.Fairness Doctrine.

[juxtaposed]

that's un-american ????????????????

[Jakealoper]

At one time the networks had some editorial standards, now they feature the biggest crackpots you can find to whip up the peasants. FOX has no editorial integrity.

[f0rTyLeGz]

I used to watch Glenn Beck (now and then) hoping to see him cry or lose his mind on live TV. But now Ive realalized that EVERY KEYSTROKE IS A POLITICAL STATEMENT. EVERY CHANNEL YOU CHOOSE IS A POLITICAL STATEMENT. So I wont be going there any longer.

[ChinaC]

The door swings both ways. When companies wade into politics stockholders and management should be prepared to lose half of its customer base.

[ComonSenseMan]

KEEP IT UP BECK! TELL THE WORLD WHO AND WHAT FOX NEWS IS!!!!!!!!

[AndyB62]

After hurricane Katrina, a large telethon was held to raise money for victims. I believe it was Kanye West who stated on live TV that, "Bush h.at.es black people." The repubs hit the roof. It was as if Kanye had slapped one of the Bush twins. Now, the repubs have no problem with Beck "stating his opinion." Hypocrisy.

[HGMercury]

I didn't believe in Mr. West then, and I cerainly don't believe Mr. Beck now. There were certainly many "people" during Katrina criticizing and deriding the poor people from New Orleans, despite all the death and suffering. Certainly an atmosphere of ugly racism was created, which was abetted by the lack of action of the administration at the time.

[jambo383]

Seriously? The media didn't even blink an eye when that comment was made! There wasn't a big deal made at all. Keep saying whatever makes you feel better. There is a HUGE difference between Kanye saying, "Bush hates black people" & Beck saying that he believes (believes being the operative word) Obama has deep rooted problems with whites. Not only that, but everybody has racist tendencies & don't even say you don't, or you're an effin' liar. At least be honest. That's the problem with people; they're scared to face the truth. Funny thing is that Dems will give Sen. Robert Byrd a pass on being a former KKK member! God forbid your guy is called out as a racist. Have you even read Obama's book, " The Audacity of Hope"? I doubt it. Quit giving passes!

[Citizen4honor]

All of us should be standing behind Glenn Beck. Why is he being targeted? I dare all of you to watch his show next week and check out what he says.

He's a treat to Obama. Chicago politics. Take out your enemies.

Freedom of speech is in jeopardy here.

[AndyB62]

If I watched Beck I'd have to gouge my own eyes out.

[REMCAR18]

GO FOR IT

[dennisrs]

But maybe that would open up your very closed mind AndyB62.

[HGMercury]

Boycotting is one of the purest expressions of freedom of speech. That's why there are no laws against it.

If one thinks that Glenn Beck is a dangerous and mendacious demagogue and that he is working against the advancement and good of our society, then it's well within one's right not to support people, organizations and commercial enterprises that bankroll him. And is well within one's right to suggest to like minded individuals to follow the same course of action.

At the end of the day, the result of this form of expression (loss in revenue) will be the mechanism that will remove that furuncle from his soapbox.

Cheers!

[IWW]

Thank you.

[EbonBear]

The right to free speech is not the same as the right to a national TV show.

[postman66]

Not only are they not going to fire him, but Fox is in negations to hire Don Imus. That network has no shame.