| Reporters, Lynn Sweet and Glenn Beck, as well as the corporations who support their work have helped refocus the nation's attention. What the country imagined would be a time to talk of health care reform has become an era of ethnic erosion. Pundits pose the possibility as a reality; it is "us against them," white against Black, or perhaps, the American people in opposition to President Barack Obama. Since, a press conference held many weeks ago, claims of racism have filled the airwaves. The victim, or according to Fox News host Glenn Beck, the purveyor is the Commander-In-Chief, Mister Obama.
Mister Beck was given the stage, amidst all the hoopla over health care reform; when Chicago Sun Times Columnist Lynn Sweet opened the door. Ms Sweet offered a not so sugary treat. In late July she created a distraction from the crucial debate over medical insurance. It would seem that Ms Sweet had no time or interest in how a broken health care system might be fixed. Nor did the profundity of the debate appeal to Fox News Announcer Beck. However, as a source of entertainment Mister Beck thinks the topic truly fine.
The flamboyant Fox News broadcaster does not relate to the fear of a sudden recission. At least for now, Mister Beck feels certain that his health care costs are covered. The possibility of a legal retroactive cancelation of his or his entire family's policy is not an "option" Glenn Beck considers. The opinionated Anchor boasts only of the advantages of the current private health care system, as he links health care reform to Nazis. Mister Beck suggests any alteration in our insurance system would kill elderly and newborns. Surely, he surmises our very survival depends on maintaining the status quo.
Pride and prejudice; these are the qualities that work well for Glenn Beck. He has realized people respond when he speaks of the President's supposed bigotry. Popularity and the prosperity fame reaps are a far more pleasant endeavor for each of these Reporters. Tis true for the two; the treatment of Black persons at the hands of law enforcement is a more titillating theme than the cost of medical services. Perchance, that is why these members of the Press thought Professor Gates, the Cambridge, Massachusetts police officer, and a beer summit, were food for their fodder.
Lynn Sweet. who in the past promised analysis is not her preference. "Product." Is Ms Sweet's penchant. Glenn Beck concurs; "topical talk" is his trademark. The drier subject of an American health care crisis is not as dicey as overt discrimination might be.
The subject of segregationists offers a superior slant to those who wish to garner attention. Indeed, separatism has allowed for much sensationalism. Couple these with Socialism and succession, and what a wonderful stew Sweet and Beck have brewed. These themes have helped to ignite fires and fury in many a town hall meeting.
Currently, Americans can speak of nothing else. Some say, the first African American President wants to take over the country. Others offer beware of a Black nation..
Some terrified citizens coalesce around the Glenn Beck battle cries, the volume increases. Fans of, the boisterous Broadcaster say Beck represents us. Thus, the man behind the "people's" movement is in demand.. Special appearances are arranged. The American people want to know what the man who offers the "Fusion of Entertainment and Enlightenment" thinks. Beck opines, any and all of the President's proclamations prove Barack Obama to be . . . "a racist." [sic].
However, once this accusation was publically posed Announcer Beck did not receive the reception he had hoped for. Sure, Glenn Beck has his followers. He also has his detractors. Some of these were once partners. Embarrassed by the snide, rude, and crude criticism, "the President is a racist," many advertisers withdrew their financial backing for the Glenn Beck Program. While the corporations may not have had a problem with the popular performer or his sharply pronounced bigotry, these businesses understood the power Glenn Beck's words would have.
Perhaps, entrepreneurs' worried of their earnings. Possibly, public relation became the priority. Outright racially charged outbursts do not make for the popularity of a product. Capitalist comprehend the truest concern the public might be offended by what seems more pronounced than a simple offhand remark made in private. In America, it is important to maintain an image. Colorblind is the politically correct manner of the day.
Complaints did indeed pour in. It is not polite to call the President of the United States a bigot. Heaven forbid, or more accurately, the Almighty dollar dictates decorum. Hence, companies, which did not wish to be associated with such vile criticism, took contracted commercials off the Glenn Beck Program schedule. A petition drive demonstrated approval for the move. "More than 180,000 of "the people", us, have stood up and 62 companies have pulled their support."
Now, another appeal has appeared. Add your voice The contention is . . .
Our campaign has been a huge success so far. As Beck's show decreases in value, FOX will do everything possible to reverse the trend.
It's time to thank those advertisers who dropped Beck and keep them from returning, while calling on more advertisers to pull back as well.
It takes just a moment to sign, seal, and deliver a thought. Perhaps the American people can still reclaim the conversation, and health care can again take center stage. Rather than allow Glenn Beck an opportunity to rant, rage, and call the President of the United States a racist, the people can call for calm. Citizens need only pen a paragraph as I, Betsy L. Angert did in the following.
Dearest News Corporation President, Chief Executive Officer, and Fox Board of Directors. . .
Please do not let Glenn Beck continue to yell, "Fire in the theatre," or to state the President started the blaze. A fearful audience is quick to anger. A person who feels threatened by the inferno will do more than blame the individual they are led to believe started the combustion. People will pummel the being even if that that man, woman, or President is innocent.
Please News Corporation executives, ask yourself; would you wish to be responsible for providing a raucous instigator a platform.
If you would, reflect upon the public fury Glenn Beck incites, and do not allow him to be the source of a stampede.
Perchance, if, we the people insist on more than a Sweet; yet sour aside, if we eschew persons or products whose sponsors pay for slice and dice discussion, than the cultural divide will not dominant our policies, practices, and programs. Should we speak up and speak out civilly, the chaos in the amphitheatre called America will be calmed. Shun racist rhetoric, then, perhaps, we, as a nation would become as our forefathers envisioned, one, indivisible . . . . . and fully insured regardless of race, color, or creed.
References for the racial, media prompted rants . . .
- Obama tells Lynn Sweet police acted "stupidly" in arresting Gates, By Lynn Sweet. Chicago Sun Times. July 22, 2009
- Glenn Beck Bio. Premiere Speakers Bureau.
- Beck imitates Obama pouring gasoline on "average American"; says: "President Obama, why don't you just set us on fire? ... We didn't vote to lose the Republic." Media Matters. April 09, 2009 7:24 pm ET
- The story behind my Obama press conference question, By Lynn Sweet. Chicago Sun Times. July 23, 2009
- Obama's 'SS': Glenn Beck sees scary black people, By David Neiwert. Crooks and Liars. Friday Aug 28, 2009 8:00am
- Blue Shield health insurance rescission case to go to trial, By Lisa Girion. The Los Angeles Times. May 18, 2009
- Glenn Beck To Host 5PM Show On Fox News, By Danny Shea. Huffington Post. October 16, 2008
- Sweet On Obama! By John Koblin. New York Observer. May 20, 2008
- The Glenn Beck Program. Fox News.
- Beck links health care reform to Nazis, suggests reform would kill elderly and newborns. Media Matters. August 6, 2009
- Glenn Beck fans say he represents their American values, By Eric Deggans. Tampa Bay, Saint Petersburg Times. September 11, 2009
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