Big Fat Story
Liberals might have laughed over new evidence of Glenn Beck’s spelling troubles—over the weekend, he tweeted “Van Jones is the tip of the Iceburg”—if the Fox News anchor hadn’t been able to put his money where his mouth is. Jones was doomed after Beck and his cohorts discovered that he had signed a 9/11 “truther” petition in 2004. Jones ended up resigning over the weekend and, though he was only a low-level administration official, his resignation received A1 coverage in The New York Times.
Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Right accuses him of “organ harvesting.”
Cass Sunstein, the nominee to head the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, has a résumé that’s ripe for the picking: The former professor’s academic record is filled with the type of arguments that can be selectively quoted by Beck and his cohorts to whip up their viewers. Dave Weigel of The Washington Independent flags one example: In his 2008 book, Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness, Sunstein and co-author Richard Thaler showed that behavioral economics can be used to steer people to make better decisions without coercion. One theoretical example is how to increase participation in organ-donation programs: Currently, programs require potential givers to opt in; if these programs were “opt out”—that is, everyone is automatically enrolled and would have the option to choose not to participate—participation would grow exponentially. A CNSNews article accuses Sunstein of supporting “organ harvesting.” Beck has already criticized Sunstein on his program. Last month, The Daily Beast's Amanda Ripley looked about how rumors ruled Sunstein's nomination process.
Photo: UPI Photo / Landov
Nothing suits Glenn Beck better than being able to play the victim: He may, therefore, target Mark Lloyd, the chief diversity officer of the Federal Communications Commission. Conservatives have used Lloyd’s call for “greater local diversity of programming, news, and commentary” to argue that he supports the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine—a law that required broadcasters to present contrasting views and whose repeal in 1987 paved the way for conservative talk radio. Beck has worried on his program that Lloyd’s policies might “shut down voices like mine on the radio and voices like Bill O’Reilly on TV.” He added: “America, quite honestly, I fear. I just fear. God forbid, something happens. The framework is here to seize control of communication and everything else. These are radicals.”
Photo: Matthew Cavanaugh / AP Photo
Glenn Beck's Next Targets
After Fox’s pit bull helped take down White House adviser Van Jones, who will he attack next? The Daily Beast breaks down the most endangered list.
Carol Browner, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Clinton and now President Obama’s assistant for energy and climate change, may be in charge of green issues, but Glenn Beck and other conservatives are only seeing red. Browner was attacked earlier this year for having served on an environmental committee of Socialist International, the umbrella group for 170 “social democratic, socialist, and labor parties” in 55 countries. As a member, Browner urged “common action, since human survival increasingly depends upon the joint efforts of people around the world…Political democracy, for socialists, is the necessary framework and precondition for other rights and liberties.” Beck had criticized Browner before he singled her out on Twitter, suggesting on his program that she “will take your thermostat away.”
Photo: Roger L. Wollenberg, Pool / Getty Images
Wrote 1977 textbook with chapter on curbing overpopulation.
In 1977, John Holdren, President Obama’s adviser for science and technology, co-wrote a textbook that included a chapter surveying policy options to curb overpopulation. Beck says that Holdren “has proposed forcing abortions and putting sterilants in the drinking water to control population.” Do his allegations hold up? According to PolitiFact.com, they don’t: “a thorough reading shows that these were ideas presented as approaches that had been discussed. They were not posed as suggestions or proposals. In fact, the authors make clear that they did not support coercive means of population control. Certainly, nowhere in the book do the authors advocate for forced abortions.”
Photo: Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images
crymeariver
He can certainly try but Van Jones is personally
wealthy and pretty well known internationally prior
to this gig. He didn't NEED the job, THEY needed him.
Everyone on this list is a regular person committed
to their jobs. No chance of walking away without a fight.
Not in this economy.
elvin1
Why is this called a "smear campaign" when Beck merely quoted Jones' own comments.
It's a "smear" only when you lie and distort. Jones' said that he was a radical, a revolutionary, and actually signed his name to the document that accused our government of being complicent in the 9/11 attacks. He claims that he did not read the document before signing it. Do you want someone that irresponsible in charge of ANYTHING?
yms-PA
I completely agree with you. Why are we cutting someone down you brought Jone's own comments into public view! If anything, I think Glenn Beck should be admired for his bravery as he must have known the left would come at him with daggers. He does not care, the truth must be told.
Bluefishjoe
Let's see - he falsely claimed that Jones was a criminal, he falsely claimed that Jones IS an avowed communist, he falsely claimed that Jones hates white people, he falsely claimed that Jones has a high ranking pivotal position in the White House (green jobs adviser? c'mon!) NEVER acknowledged his very real Green Econ credentials and otherwise villiefied the guy for weeks! ... yes the fellow said some radical things in his youth and signing that petition should have kept him out but, I think theres a valid case to be made for "smearing".
hibiscuscottage
Please do not compare the brain function of Glenn Beck to a pit bull. My pit is far more intelligent and rational than Glenn Beck.
Beck's brain can only be the result of rampant alcoholism and syphyllis.
shortcourse
All Beck does is play audio sound tracks of what these "czars" actually say....nothing more...nothing less.....just the truth. Which is obviously more than what a lot of you "AHOLES" are capable of. If you were more concerned with finding out what some of these people actually thought and say instead of smearing Beck...then maybe you would be doing America some justice. At least someone is alerting the public to what is creaping into government....and don't think for a moment that Beck is doing this for republicans...he calls them AHOLES also. He realizes that the republican party was hijacked by thieving corporates and now the Democrat party has been hijacked by radical progressives and "admitted" commies. So instead of spouting off about crap you know nothing about...listen to Beck for yourself instead of third hand crap.
DemsDeBreaks
Yeah, I've seen and heard enough of Beck to know I'm not going to get the "truth" from his infotainment program. He's not on the air to inform his viewers. He's on the air for ratings and book deals. $$$BECK$$$ That should be the logo for his show. He doesn't care about you or me, or anything that anyone is doing if it doesn't provide him with the opportunity for sensationalism and to increase his $$$BECK$$$-brand name recognition. In another age, the Glenn Becks of the world were called snake-oil salesmen. Swallow his medicine at your own risk.
cowboylove
Glenn Beck admitted on the View he regular lies or exaggerates on his show to build ratings. HE SAID THAT. He also said he feels no obligation to stick to the truth because he is not a journalist, he is an entertainer.
So he calls himself a liar and you say he is not. What does that say about you? Oh yea, you are a Republican. Have you stop beating your wife, please just answer yes or no. Anyone's words can be taken out of context.
retired-army-1SG
I have listened to him, and that is why I made the comment below - where you questioned my patriotism and my service to my country. The fact that Beck calls everyone an ahole only reinforces what we all are trying to say to you - short round (if you know what that means)... he is incapable of honest discourse.
shortcourse
@dems
my bullshit meter just hit 100....you've listened to him all of 10 seconds.
retired-army-1SG
Actually I listen to him every Friday evening as I drive from home (4 hours)... again you think you know it all, and you're perspective is the only perspective... need to get that BS meter fixed buddy!
shortcourse
Sergeant....that was aimed at Dems...not you...sounds like you have a better handle on things.
DemsDeBreaks
10 seconds? Shortcourse, you assume to know my viewing habits? That would make you the first three letters of the word: assume.
Utaneus
I find it amusing that fans of Glenn Beck, like shortcourse here, have trouble spelling and putting together coherent thoughts. AHOLES? Creaping? Third hand crap?
newswoman
You can't criticize people for being radical when they were young, and not criticize Glenn Beck for being an alcoholic when he was young. People grow and change their thinking and behavior all the time. Although some AHOLES like yourself probably don't.
hibiscuscottage
Edit -
syphilis. Sorry. Should know better.
my3sons
As a conservative I must say that this guy is a complete prick oozing of false sincerity. A simple ratings whore.
slrennie
Let's put a spotlight on Glenn Beck, why don't we? Let's have some investigative journalist do a piece on Beck? What are his qualifications? What is in his past?
ThinkAgain
Qualifications for what, pontificating? If you don't like him, turn him off! He's not being paid by the taxpayers like Van Jones and he's not receiving millions in taxpayer funds like Acorn.
newswoman
Blackwater and Halliburton received millions of taxpayer funds. Why do you only notice the failings of Acorn? Beck and Co. have made Acorns failings so terrible that you got sidetracked from seeing the real thieves of the taxpayers.
tumbleweed
I hate that smug self righteous smile on that toads face. I just want to slap the p... out of him. But, don't insult any poor helpless animals by comparing Glenn Beck to them. A slug under an cancerous rock comes a whole lot closer.
sophia5
Interesting "The Beast" calls the article "Smear Campaign."
Way to stay neutral "Beast."
Van Jones took Van Jones down.
Admitted "former" Communist, signed
the "truther" document implying the
Government may have been complicit
in the 9/11 attacks.
The left media doesn't have a problem with that ?
Calling Republicans A-Holes (on video tape)
was the least of Jone's problems, in his defense
some Republicans are A-Holes, as are some Dems.
The left claims Beck incites these "town hallers."
Does that mean MSNBC incites far left SEIU to physically assault a peaceful black man handing out "don't tread on
me signs" at the Hall meetings.
Was that story ever reported on MSNBC ?
Imagine the 24/7 MSNBC race baiting if a conservative
group attacked a peaceful black protester.
Did MSNBC incite some left wing goober to bite off the finger
of a Hall Participant ?
nanbmaroc
I dont love the Beast becase its "neutral". I read Al Jazeera for that. The Beast is Liberal/Progressive and , dare one say it....Intellectual. And witty.
And tell me where it is a crime to be, or consort, with Socialists ? That is soooo last decade. What is this a Commie Witch Hunt ala McCarthy ?
Just because big business is so threatened by Unions and Unionizing, they scream !!Socialism!! or if that doesnt work...Communism!!! ...sooo last decade.So 50s..
China is our best friend..and practically owns the U.S. So.. Get Over It.
How about if we libs yell Anarchist to you cons ? After all , you are trying to take down the Democratically (or is that going to be your next forbidden word ?) elected government here.
Stuff it kiddo.
shortcourse
Hey nemrod...we are a republic...not a democracy to be hijacked....
Utaneus
Shortcourse, we are a democracy and a republic - they're not mutually exclusive. And what's a "nemrod"?
cowboylove
Liberal media is such a misnomer. The "liberal media" is owned by a total of five corporations - that is every broadcast channel and every cable channel. Five global Corporations on a mission - and it is not to help the little guy. You think Time-Warner wants a public option health care plan - or Disney, or Rupert Murdoch. Wake up and smell the coffee!
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
newswoman
Rightwingers attack Dems and others all the time. Have you forggotten how many abortion providers have been killed by hysterical anti-abortionists? Have you forgotten the rightwinger who killed a guard at the holocaust museum? So ONE leftwinger attacks
a rightwinger and you act like it is a common act. Puhleeze.
retired-army-1SG
Beck is the 21st Century version of Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes (Andy Griffith - A Face in the Crowd - 1957). And like Rhodes he will implode as he allows his belief in his ability to control the powers that be to rule his life. We can only hope that it happens soon, and that more people are hurt by his rantings.
retired-army-1SG
sorry I meant "... that more people aren't hurt by his rantings."
shortcourse
That is so Alinsky...(if you even know who that is)...name calling to diminish the truth. Beck just puts out there what these people actually write and say...and then lets the American public decide...and Sarge...if you are one...you should be able to tell when someone is trying to take away the constitution that you swore to defend. Do a little research on your own about Jones and some of the other "unelected" Czars that surround your president. As Obama said "If you want to know my policies take a look at the people around me"....well Sarge start investigating the people around him....don't know about you...but they scare the shit out of me.
retired-army-1SG
First, a "sarge" is a fish that eats shit off the bottom of the river, I was a Sergeant, thank you very much. (for the record 22 years, intelligence analyst).
Yes, I know of Alinsky's rules. While it may surprise you, even though I was enlisted I am college educated (BA in History, MA in Management, and working on a doctorate in management)...
As for Jones, I don't dispute that some of the Obama choices have been less than outstanding, and I have no problem with people calling them out - in fact that is a good thing. There are some more I'd like to see go...
But, You missed my point. I wasn't calling out Beck because he was critical of an Obama apointee. I was calling him out because HE has too much power and he and his ilk don't have to go thru any vetting process. They aren't elected, but have access to one of the most powerful means of communication ever known in history; and, as history has shown, people tend to be less than decerning when they feast on a daily diet of one-sided politics.
One last thing... did you serve?
retired-army-1SG
One other thing... defending the Constitution doesn't mean that if I don't believe as you do, I am not defending it. Comments like this make me wonder if guys like you ever read the Federalist Papers or the Anti-Federalist papers... there has NEVER been a time in our history when there was only one way to read and understand that document...
shortcourse
@sarge
21 yrs...4 enlisted 17 up to 04....Beck's power....as anyones power...comes from reiterating fact...or hopefully truth....yes I'm an avid reader...especially history...and different constitutional views....Jones said he was an avowed communist and some of his statements were radical socialist views and some very discriminatory (whites poisoning minorities)...these are the kind of "facts" that need to be known about people serving in public places...especially the whitehouse...which has not (as yet) distanced itself from Jones' views.
retired-army-1SG
Cool! Thanks for your service sir! Making LTC is a huge accomplishment and I salute you for it.
At the same time, the fact that someone espouses socialistic views (as did many of the founders - P. Henry comes to mind with his call for empowering laborers, women, and ending slavery) is often someone who loves their country as much as you do. Where the rub comes in, is that you mistake socialist for communist. The two can, and usually are, mutually exclusive.
newswoman
I think Beck is a 'flash in the pan' and he will be forgotten next year. His comments are so inflammatory and incorrect that he will be 'hoist on his own petard'. (Look it up.)
zrodfx
Syphilis
Prick
Whore
Toad
Slug
All of these in the first seven comments.....and they say liberals aren't adults.....Ha!!
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--almchrl1newswoman
As for Czars not being elected, neither are the cabinet members and they run the country with the president. Secretary of State, Treasury, War, Post Office, Attorney General, Interior, Health, and so on.
Signer
Here is something to think about.
Even IF Van Jones did something really wrong, the problem here is that Glenn Beck is so overboard on everything, what ever it is that was done, will take back seat to the total irrational behavior of Glenn Beck. Psych. wise, this guys two energy effecient light bulbs short of a chandelier. Some one needs to put a dimmer switch on this guy.
cowboylove
I still do not see how questioning the official 9-11 story is unpatriotic. Most people question it. There are more holes in than a pack of Swiss cheese.
AmericanPravda
Who will be Glenn Beck's next target? Hopefully, it'll be Glenn Beck!
He has to self-destruct sometime soon, doesn't he?
nanbmaroc
Glenn McBeck,spawn of Joe McCarthy, is nothing but a big pasty pie face mommas boy...a grown up lying tattle tale who perfected running crying fake tears to his Mommy , while Daddy probably smacked him and told him to be a man. I can see it.
Now he has found his perfect audience in ignorant scared - mindless paranoid mobs.
Waaaaaahhhhhh...snivel snivel...grin.
incognito2
What I want to see is the real deal on Greg Beck's past. I know he has a limited education, but is anyone checking out his medical past?? He has severe mood swings and attacks people in uncontrolled anger. If you took him out of the Fox News studio, placed him in plain clothes on the street, he would be looking at commitment to a facility.
I saw him on the View and he was mild as a lamb, then right after the show he blasted all the women. This man has NO strength beyond his own venue and certainly not when he is up against a mind.
Where are the true leaders of the Conservative movement and why are they not addressing this wildcard??? Do they secretly approve of his tactics??? Are they glad that he is fanning the flames?? I cannot believe that men like George Will see this man as viable. Why do they not attack his credibility?
Are the American people so limited that they do not see this man for what he is, a hate monger???? His methods resemble the McCarthy era... must we repeat this horrible time in our history???
I hope the recent exodus of sponsors puts the show in perspective. I know he has the right to his opinions but the way in which he presents them are simply ludicrous.
Please, someone go after this guy.
jerpsguy
Was this copied and pasted from MSNBC or DailyKos? "Smear campaigns"? "Next target"? "First scalp"? C'mon, Beast, be an all-sides site. No point in frequenting this place if it's just another HuffPo wannabe. MSM's doing its best to destroy Beck for doing actual vetting. Almost everything I've seen on Beck is ad hominem.
GamecockAvenger
retired_army has it right...Beck is a "Lonesome Rhodes" moment waiting to happen...far more likely that he slips up on an "open mic" than that Rush or O'Reilly does it. Those guys are too slick for that. Beck takes himself just seriously enough to bungle, big time...and that truly frightening gleam in his eyes! Evinces the zeal of a true believer...
Thank you.
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