Skip to main content

Today's Poll: What do you think of Glenn Beck?

By Howard B. Owens
Gary Spencer

I used to listen to him on WHAM before he became so darn "popular" (before the TV gig) I enjoyed him then, but now he is just another talking (shit) head.

Michael Savage is the man who realy knows his stuff (8pm on WHAM)

Feb 9, 2011, 11:00am Permalink
Bea McManis

Howard, the scary thing is there are 86+people who take what he says as the absolute truth.
They are the people that Rush always talks about..."you don't have to think, I'll do the thinking for you.".

Feb 9, 2011, 12:32pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

I love watching Glenn Beck and I'll tell you why...

For someone like me, that actually enjoys doing research into issues that are important to me, he always brings something new and different to the table, or more accurately...the chalkboard.

I may not always agree with his interpretations or conclusions, but his show never fails to provide me with a springboard for research in a new or different direction.

He once devoted an entire show to the topic of a United States Government publication, that I had never heard of, called "Global Trends 2010". His conclusions for the future of the US as a superpower were a bit chilling; so I can understand how someone watching that particular show would view him as a fear-mongerer. What I don't understand is how those same people automatically dismiss his conclusions without going the extra mile and actually reading the report and deciding for themselves, if there is any merit to his conclusions. I did, and the report itself was chilling and I thought he was spot on in his conclusions.

While most other pundits look at issues from a very predictable (yawn) Republican/Democratic or Liberal/Conservative perspective, Mr. Beck looks at things the way I like to...from different and even odd angles...so I would agree with Chris' comment that he is different than all of them (for different reasons I'm sure).

I'm not a hapless Glenn Beck devotee, but when I do catch his show, I like that I come away from it with more questions than answers...it makes me think.

Feb 9, 2011, 12:36pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

Just for the record Bea, I'm not one of those 86+ people.:)

I don't take what ANYONE tells me as the absolute truth.

Anyone that watches any news shows expecting to hear the absolute truth or believes everything that is said/written is an idiot.

Feb 9, 2011, 1:01pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Jeremiah, I didn't defend anyone. I think cable TV killed news in America. Ratings wars gave us 'infotainment' and everyone mentioned in your original post is an infotainer. That includes Olbermann, Maddow, O'Reilly, Hannity and just about every 'news anchor you can think of on Fox, MSNBC and, to some degree, CNN.

What makes Glenn Beck different than all of them is simple: He's a batshit crazy, fearmongering liar. All of the others are only one or two of those things. Beck is the trifecta.

Feb 9, 2011, 1:15pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

Having no basis to judge Glenn Beck, I 'Googled' and found this FoxNews clip. At first I thought I had the wrong video. Was I was watching a porn film? The near-whisper, ego-massage, I thought, 'Get a room!' I guess I was embarrassed for them; watching something so creepy, presuming it was intended to evoke sincerity. His sincerity ranks with Glenn (coincidence?) Quagmire.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3967553/sarah-palin-on-glenn-beck/

Feb 9, 2011, 1:32pm Permalink

I don't know how you can call someone "bat**** crazy " and a "liar". If he's crazy, then he believes the tripe he shovels, if he's a liar, then he truly is just fear mongering to achieve a larger audience. I personally am not sure which it is. Mainly because his delivery is so scary realistic. It is surely fitting that he would title a book "Common Sense " to emulate Thomas Paine, rather than to actually rely on common sense for a career. My first issue with him was adopting the title "Libertarian "and thus giving true Libertarians a bad name solely by association.

Feb 9, 2011, 3:22pm Permalink
Tim Howe

Very well said JoAnne :)

What some people on here may call crazy or over the top behavior I actually respect about him for one simple reason. I believe his show-man-ship is presented to wake people up and to be entertaining enough to gage your interest. You certainly don't have to agree with him, I dont all the time. Although I do agree WAY more often then i disagree. I really like how he can peak your interest and really get you thinking about things, again whether or not your thinking matches his. He has a real passion and love for this country, which sadly is absolutely GONE in the up and coming generation, even a little in my generation :(

I have a HECK of alot more respect for Beck who wants to engage in discussions about our beloved country, then a lazy slug who cares nothing about our Gov't both on the fed and state levels who is just a midless zombie who is content with letting the elected officials "do thier job" <---- (sarcastic quotes) without any interest in keeping them in check.

Example: Everytime I see a post from a Chris Charvella, or a "Liberal Bea" I immediately roll my eyes because I know I am going to disagree with 99.9% of what i read. You can take it to the bank each and every time regardless of the topic in question :)

HOWEVER, I have WAY more respect for them because they are people who will stand up and voice thier opinions and actually CARE about the world around them, then I would for a yes man that will just agree with what you have to say because they dont want to appear uninformed or someone who would not have an opinion at all like nothing that is going on around them seems to effect them in any way.

Regardless of your political affiliations, and your personal beliefs, its really time for people to wake up and become involved.

Feb 9, 2011, 5:08pm Permalink

Authentically Local