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Glenn Beck's Second Cry for Help, Projecting his Frustrations onto Alabama Gunman

Submitted by meg on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 10:56am.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Meg White

Anyone who's seen even a minute or two of Glenn Beck's show knows he's not the most stable individual. But yesterday, Beck was crying out for someone to step in by projecting his feelings of frustration onto a man who went on a killing rampage earlier this week.

OK, I admit earlier in the week when I warned everybody about Glenn Beck's plans to usurp the faded popularity of martial arts actor/activist Chuck Norris to push a special program recruiting people for his new anti-government militia, I was more upset with Beck appropriating simple ol' Chucky to raise ratings for his new venture into the world of Fox News.

But after seeing Bill O'Reilly look rather sane next to Beck yesterday, I'm actually worried about Beck's mental health. I really think he is crying out for help. Watch a clip of it for yourself, thanks to Think Progress:

When discussing with O'Reilly the recent Alabama massacre that saw a man lash out and shoot 10 people before committing suicide, Beck brought up supposed political motives for the killings where those actually involved in the case say there were none. 

Police say killer Michael McLendon felt "unfulfilled" and "dissatisfied" with his life and the people in it. Nowhere do authorities point to political beliefs or frustration with the government. But that didn't stop Beck from projecting his own mental instability on the man who killed five relatives and five others.

Thiis is what Beck told O'Reilly about the man:

Here's a guy who felt that he had been wronged... He was disgruntled, and then he went out and shot a bunch of people... Clearly he's a psycho. But as I'm listening to him, I'm thinking about the American people that feel disenfranchised right now. That feel like nobody's hearing their voice. The government isn't hearing their voice. Even if you call, they don't listen to you, on both sides. If you're a conservative, you're called a racist, you want to starve children. Yada, yada, yada. And every time they do speak out, they're shut down by political correctness. How do you not have those people turn into that guy?

To his credit, O'Reilly tried to talk Beck down off the ledge:

Well, look, nobody, even if they're frustrated, is going to hurt another human being unless they're mentally ill. I think.

But Beck immediately challenged him, almost disbelieving that his partner in tirade would dismiss his grand theory of modern insanity being derived from the political environment:

I think, pushed to the wall -- you don't think people get pushed to the wall?

If you watch the rest, you'll see O'Reilly do a pretty masterful job of trying to get Beck to just calm the hell down. Which is, in itself, another sign that Beck needs an intervention. When Bill O'Reilly looks like a reasonable man when compared to you, it's time to get help. 

And I really think that's what Beck is trying to do, whether he realizes it or not. This isn't the first time Beck expressed murderous rage on public airwaves. Beck has already hinted at his delusional plans to assemble an army in Texas and fight to overthrow the government. He plans to talk directly to his supporters in a special show today at 5 p.m. Eastern. Will someone with the proper credentials -- psychotherapist, hostage negotiator, crisis counselor... whatever we can get -- please go to Fox studios tonight in case Beck needs our help. Because it's only a matter of time before Beck goes off the deep end, and I hate to imagine how many innocent people he can take down there with him.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

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I understand that the last

Submitted by Joe the Philosopher on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 1:30am.
I understand that the last time Glenn Beck projected his frustrations, a mental hospital got trashed in Boulder.
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Fly on the wall

Submitted by Joe the Philosopher on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 1:51am.
"'When you're frustrated and angry and you also haven't prepared yourself, you think of crazy things,' Beck said." Yes, that's correct, Glenn. That's why we want you to sit down, stare straight ahead, and count the fingers on your hands. Try not to fall asleep. We'll do that later. Awkward pause... Glenn, we want you to give us permission for a brain transplant. It will be the first ever tried and there's certainly no guarantee of success. "Yeah, but who's brain am I gonna get? I'm not stupid." We're giving you Brit Hume's brain, Glenn. He doesn't use it that much so it's got low mileage. "But Brit Hume is dead." No, he just looks that way. "Can I have a smoke before you shoot me?" We're not shooting you, Glenn. We're just trying to help you. That's what these hospitals are for. "Did I tell you I had a chance to kill a fly and I didn't?" Yes, Glenn, we know. Now take your shots and go to bed.
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Did you missplace your medication ?

Submitted by rtlane28 on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 11:00am.
What in the hell was all of that supposed to mean ? Why don't you stop with your make believe conversations with yourself and Philosophize some stuff for us Joe ?
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But what are Brit's feelings, you ask?

Submitted by Joe the Philosopher on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 3:39am.
Mr. Hume's legal agent said he was okay with it. "I'll do anything to feel alive again," the sleepy commentator said.
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Where is the love ?

Submitted by rtlane28 on Sun, 03/15/2009 - 1:30pm.
Funny, I'm not feeling the "automatic compassion" "understanding" and "tolerance" that you people claim to possess. I mean what happened to your "instinct to give love" I've been called a "dumbazz", an "idiot", "Republican scum" and an "asshole" and I have even been challenged to a civl war. All because I "go against" you. Here look at what your hypocritical "practicing psychotherapist" said in an earlier post. "One of the things I LOVE about progressive/liberal people is their automatic compassion. An instinct to give love, understanding, and tolerance to those who go against them. A belief in the "other". A "belief" that "they" really can understand what we are talking about if we only make ourselves comprehensibele to them. I love this about us. HOWEVER, as a 35 year practicing psychotherapist, I MUST tell you, my sisters and brothers, Glen Beck is nothing more than an opportunitst. He is not crazy. He is attempting to make more money for himself. He is willing to see people murdered in that attempt, but, so what? Devastating people through robbery, murder. and any other thing is nothing more than his Republican brethren have been doing since WHEN? ALL of these people are NOT crazy, they are simply CRIMINALS. There IS a difference, my friends. True criminals are NOT crazy. They are simp[ly criminals. Give up trying to find a compassionate way to understand them. They are criminals in white suits and that's it.." Where is the love brothers and sisters ?
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Where it belongs

Submitted by Yman on Sun, 03/15/2009 - 4:37pm.
The "love" is where it belongs ... with those that need and/or deserve it ... children, the poor, the oppressed, the weak, etc.

In your first post you decided to attack many of the principles "libruls"/progressives hold dear and suggested a "divorce" from those you label "liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters." You proceeded to name a laundry list of progressive people, principles and stereotypes, all the while attacking them and using pejorative terms. You suggested keeping those things you value, many of which - ironically - (pharmaceutical companies, Wall St., etc.) are located in the very heart of the "liberal" areas you mock.

Being compassionate or tolerant does not meaning rolling over or being nice to every ignorant, undeserving moron who tries, however weakly, to insult you. If any conservative decides they want to insult progressives with insults and (metaphorically) a "smack in the face", they should try to refrain from whining about having the favor returned.

"Turn the other cheek"?

I don't think so.
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It's called sarcasm, moron.

Submitted by rtlane28 on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 11:07am.
It didn't require an answer. Hey, what exactly are you doing for the "children, the poor, the oppressed, the weak, etc." I don't want to hear what you pretend you are doing. I'd like to hear what you are really doing. And no, my first post suggested that liberals were a bunch of crackheads and alcoholics. Try to keep up will you ?
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Oh, I know it didn't ...

Submitted by Yman on Thu, 03/19/2009 - 7:42am.
... require an answer - at least from your perspective ... but in a way, it did. For the sake of accuracy, however, I'd call it an attempt at sarcasm.

As for what I "really do" for the "children, poor, oppressed, the weak, etc.", what's the point? It's not like you'd believe it. Let's just say it's much more than your average "Christian conservative". Then again, we liberals have a little more time on our hands, not having to attend those clan meetings, anti-gay rallies, remedial reading classes, etc.

I like the "try to keep up" part, though ...

That had me laughing for a good 5 minutes.
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Dear American liberals

Submitted by rtlane28 on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 8:04pm.
Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al: We have stuck together since the late 1950's, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has run its course. Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way. Here is a model separation agreement: Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes. We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU. Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell (You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them). We'll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street. You can have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies and illegal aliens. We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks. We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood. You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us. You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault we'll help provide them security. We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism and Shirley McClain. You can also have the U.N., but we will no longer be paying the bill. We'll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find. You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors. We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right. We'll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the National Anthem. I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute Imagine, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing, Kum Ba Ya or We Are the World. We'll practice trickle down economics and you can give trickle up poverty your best shot. Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag. P. S. Also, please take Barbara Streisand & Jane Fonda with you.
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See ya

Submitted by drphonic on Sun, 03/15/2009 - 1:24am.
We're not going anywhere dumbazz. You idiots lost the election by a GREAT amount. Why don't you piss off to whatever fascist country you want America to be, rtlane, since you hate it so much. I'm waiting. America has NEVER needed a civil war so much as it does now. Republican scum does NOT deserve to live here & it's time they pay for what they have done to the country. There is absolutely NO excuse for decent Americans to still be tolerating these traitors.
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Sounds good!

Submitted by Yman on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 10:51pm.
You guys can have the bible-belt South with its low taxes but poorly educated workforce and lousy schools. I doubt you'll be able to keep the pharmaceutical companies, though - most of them are in "liberal" areas. Guess they have a tough time finding an educated workforce where "y'all" live. I guess the same goes for Wall Street, too.

The big catch though, is no more "alimony." You know, where the "liberal" states subsidize you by sending a large portion of their federal taxes to those states who don't pay their own way. Hey, .... you guys are big on "personal responsibility," right?

Excellent!

No more welfare for the bible-belt. :)

P.S. You can take Rush, Ann Coulter and Michael Savage with you.

BTW - Just to clarify, when you say you'll keep "our flag," you mean the "Stars and Bars," right?
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Just to be clear

Submitted by rtlane28 on Sun, 03/15/2009 - 12:27am.
ALL Obama supporters are yours and the following cities are yours also for obvious reasons. Detroit, MI (1st on the poverty rate list) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1961; Buffalo, NY (2nd) hasn't elected one since 1954; Cincinnati, OH (3rd)... since 1984; Cleveland, OH (4th)... since 1989; Miami, FL (5th) has never had a Republican mayor; St. Louis, MO (6th)... since 1949; El Paso, TX (7th) has never had a Republican mayor; Milwaukee, WI (8th)... since 1908; Philadelphia, PA (9th)... since 1952; Newark, NJ (10th)... since 1907.
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Absolutely!

Submitted by Yman on Sun, 03/15/2009 - 11:17am.
Of course, we'll have all the educated people, too. Let's see how many of the states with the best education systems voted for Obama in the last election. Ooooh .... look at that! 9 out of the top 10! (Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa and Pennsylvania - #7 Montana hasn't quite caught up yet). Wow .... what a (non)surprise! The good new is you guys will be able to keep most of the bottom 10. We probably shouldn't even look at the universities ...

Tell ya what. Let's see which of the states with the highest income levels voted for Obama. Oooooh .... surprise again. Looks like all of them (in order: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, Colorado, Delaware, Minnesota and Virginia). And once we get rid of all those conservative, welfare states that are sapping money from the "librull" states, we'll have plenty of money and resources to help out the cities you mentioned. I think your idea is excellent!

Hey, you guys may not have any money, income or jobs, but you'll still have your guns and your bibles!

Of course, hopefully you'll live near one of the "librull" states, since...


... you'll need to hire someone to read them to you. :)
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Never thought I would be thankful to O'Reilly

Submitted by oasisdl on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 9:41am.
oh my, Beck is scary! Never thought I would be hiding behind Bill O'Reilly and thank him for saving me from a lunatic.
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Whiny con loser

Submitted by Bob16 on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 9:13am.
Just listen to him whine about being a victim. This is grown man ? The dude really needs to grow up.
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Glenn Beck Needs A Drink

Submitted by Hillbilly on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 4:50am.
On the October 22 edition of his nationally syndicated radio program, host Glenn Beck stated, "I think there is a handful of people who hate America. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwb2vhygw4U
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Glenn Beck

Submitted by rtlane28 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 10:31pm.
Gee, Glenn Beck openly admits that he used to be a liberal. Of course, that was back when he was an alcoholic and drug addict. I guess what I'm trying to say to you liberals is.....PUT DOWN THE CRACK PIPE AND THE JACK DANIELS.
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and pick up the rifles,

Submitted by christopherflynn on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 2:17pm.
and pick up the rifles, machine guns, hand grenades and cluster bombs. I'd rather do the crack pipe and JD, asshole....
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Irrational ranting...

Submitted by pupmunchkin on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 1:36am.
What is the point exactly? Jack Daniels, (the drink), or "crack pipes" have nothing to do with progressive reality, but don't let a simple thing like the truth get in the way. Glenn Beck has proven that he is able to agitate the lesser minds inhabiting this country--the small, uncritical thinking minds, who have no apparent interest in the truth or the meaning of genuine compassion. Anyone who is a feeling and thinking human being, does not wish to see an individual implode-- whether it is from some form of mental illness which was not addressed by those closest to this person, (perhaps they were in denial, as people often are when a family member cannot function in the real world). Whatever the reason, this individual did not receive any help. For Beck to attempt to twist this situation into political theater is beyond absurd. He knows exactly what he is doing, although he has no in depth knowledge of the circumstances which led to the shootings. Beck is being extremely irresponsible, but that won't stop him from continuing to make outrageous comments. This very sad story is not about liberal vs. conservative, although Mr. Beck dearly wants certain individuals to believe that "liberalism, etc." is somehow to blame. It is not difficult to understand why so many people are deluded or living in a "gas lighted" world. We have Mr. Beck and others of his ilk to thank for that. -sophie
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Once again

Submitted by VintageV12 on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 12:44am.
The defining characteristics of the Conservative are paranoia and projection, i.e. ascribing to someone else the traits you loathe about yourself. Here it is again.
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Beck

Submitted by VettaKing on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 10:04pm.
Sounds like the words of a potential terrorist to me. These guys are the wasp Al Qaida.
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Beck - typical right wing lunatic

Submitted by drphonic on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 8:25pm.
Why is anyone worried about this pig's health? Maybe he'll kill himself. Fingers crossed. This is what right wing pundits do. This is how they act. I do think Beck is mentally damaged, but no more so than your average retardlican POS. And of course, this isn't the first time a republican pundit has advocated terrorism. If it were anyone other than a republican, he/she'd be in jail.
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"One of the things I LOVE

Submitted by rtlane28 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 10:41pm.
"One of the things I LOVE about progressive/liberal people is their automatic compassion. An instinct to give love, understanding, and tolerance to those who go against them. A belief in the "other". A "belief" that "they" really can understand what we are talking about if we only make ourselves comprehensibele to them. I love this about us." Funny stuff
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Just Following Goldwater?

Submitted by PorkLoin on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 7:03pm.
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." Barry Goldwater "In your heart you know he's nuts" LBJ Campaign referring to Goldwater (and his followers)
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Glen Beck's second cry for help

Submitted by banjobailey on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 6:49pm.
One of the things I LOVE about progressive/liberal people is their automatic compassion. An instinct to give love, understanding, and tolerance to those who go against them. A belief in the "other". A "belief" that "they" really can understand what we are talking about if we only make ourselves comprehensibele to them. I love this about us. HOWEVER, as a 35 year practicing psychotherapist, I MUST tell you, my sisters and brothers, Glen Beck is nothing more than an opportunitst. He is not crazy. He is attempting to make more money for himself. He is willing to see people murdered in that attempt, but, so what? Devastating people through robbery, murder. and any other thing is nothing more than his Republican brethren have been doing since WHEN? ALL of these people are NOT crazy, they are simply CRIMINALS. There IS a difference, my friends. True criminals are NOT crazy. They are simp[ly criminals. Give up trying to find a compassionate way to understand them. They are criminals in white suits and that's it..
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"Why is anyone worried about

Submitted by rtlane28 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 10:42pm.
"Why is anyone worried about this pig's health? Maybe he'll kill himself. Fingers crossed." Automatic compassion, Huh ?
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Typical wingnut idiocy

Submitted by VintageV12 on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 12:47am.
Right wing loons make up a convenient definition of progressives, and then whine when reality doesn't match up with it. This is the same idiocy that has McCain complaining that President Obama isn't bringing about "change." Sorry rtlane28. You don't make the rules. We do. That's why America tossed you in the trash.
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Glenn "Never-Broke-A-Sweat" Beck is a lay-about-clown

Submitted by ETS on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 2:31pm.

How facile for a guy who never earned a penny by the sweat of his brow to disingenuously commiserate with Alabama gunman Michael McLendon.

Author Mark Ames posits, on AlterNet.org, that work place pressures may have contributed to McLendon's shooting spree. Writes Ames:

For years, these shootings were considered "random acts" committed by people who "snapped for no reason." Now, hundreds of dead victims and a massive financial collapse later, we know better: They're reactions against corporate oppression. If the super-rich and the corporations constantly squeeze their workers of time, money and health, a few of their victims are naturally going to "snap" and fight back with guns(emphasis added by me). Call it a small price to pay for looting everyone's wealth.

After all Beck has been in radio broadcasting since the age of 13. He's never had to dirty his hands digging ditches, cleaning toilets or flipping burgers for his daily bread. For sheer chutzpa dough-boy Beck takes the cake.

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Yeah, forget about all of

Submitted by rtlane28 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 11:17pm.
Yeah, forget about all of the people the guy killed let's all feel sorry for the killer. Typical liberal response. Society let Michael McLendon down and he was mad at the "super rich corporations" so he took his anger out on his mother, Lisa McLendon, 52; his uncle, James Alford White, 55; his cousin, Tracy Michelle Wise, 34; a second cousin, Dean James Wise, 15; and his grandmother, Virginia E. White, 74. Also killed were James Irvin Starling, 24; Sonja Smith, 43; and Bruce Wilson Malloy, 51. Brilliant theory.......
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Reality, and logic, have a progressive bias.

Submitted by VintageV12 on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 1:02am.
Being concerned about what may have caused someone to snap and kill a bunch of people, is not sympathy for the killer. In fact, it shows more concern for the victims than all your crocodile tears. Which you probably wipe off your face with a flag, then call yourself a patriot.
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Help him.

Submitted by Ryoki on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 2:02pm.
Why does this mad man have a show? You can see he is in need of help.He's going to talk one of his viewers into killing someone.This is beyond entertainment, going into irresponsibility and perhaps treason. Please help this sick mind.
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Who's Crazy Now?

Submitted by neoconned on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 1:59pm.
Remember when Ann C***ter and the neocon fascists were insisting that liberalism was a mental illness? What is their defense now?
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