Glenn Beck Watch: The Results of 'Beck Friday' Are In

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Meg White

After warning you about the impeding revolution last week, I thought it would only be fair to publish an update on the country's current state of affairs: Texas is not yet its own country, and Barack Obama is still the president of the United States.  

In what turned out to be more publicity stunt than the promised popular uprising, conservative talk show host Glenn Beck announced his new self-help cult, "We Surround Them" on Fox News on Friday. Here's the first segment of that show to give you an idea of the tone:

You can watch all five parts here.

Despite the fact that I was on the Glenn Beck murder-suicide watch all last week, I managed to take a little mental health break Friday evening. Instead of watching the "Beck Friday" (as Fox was billing it) extravaganza, I went out to a movie, then to a friend's house to watch Bill Maher's show. So I had a little catching up to do today when I came into work.

In general, Beck is not for breakfast. But I watched the launch of Beck's "9/12 Project" online this morning anyway. And I've got to admit, it was less scary (and more pathetic) than I thought it would be.

As expected, Beck offered his nine principles and 12 values again. He also suggested that somehow term limits would solve the problems of lawmakers going on to become lobbyists and lawyers after serving the country, precluding any meaningful lobby/tort reform (wouldn't term limits make these problems more prevalent?).

One of his featured guests was the wounded soldier who went on a run with former President George W. Bush with the help of his replacement leg. The soldier, who now coordinates veterans outreach, said he didn't want the government's "handouts." I wonder is he considers VA hospitals "government help."

Beck had several members of the military on his show, and it seems to be the only part of government he'd like to keep around:

"The problem that we have right now, I mean -- besides the military, what do you really believe in? What do you really believe in? When it comes to the government, what do you believe in? I don't believe in anything," Beck said.

Aside from the above nonsensical "solutions" to our current crises, Beck spent most of his time pretending to cry or talking about the stuff that makes him cry. He said he weeps every time he sees a soldier. He compared himself to the mascara-smeared emotional wreck known as Tammy Faye Baker. He accused his producers of "intentionally trying to make me cry." He even claimed to have cried when he watched the John Adams special.

"When you're frustrated and angry and you also haven't prepared yourself, you think of crazy things," Beck said.

That's what I'm afraid of, Glenn.  Turns out I'm not the only one. Ron Moore at the DC Examiner blog has also been reporting on Beck and others talking about gathering right-wing cells and militias Friday. By the way, Moore warns that Pat Boone (yes, that Pat Boone) is getting in on the seditious action.

One guy who has noticed Beck coming apart at the seams is Stephen Colbert, saying this directly to Beck from his show, the "Colbert Report," "I know some people say you're an unstable individual and to give you a public forum is grossly irresponsible, but remember: They crucified Jesus. Crank up the crazy and rip off the knob."

On Bill O'Reilly's show before his special, Beck reacted to Colbert's message thusly: "What you don't know is you're right. I'm absolutely nuts."

While Colbert may be right about the irresponsibility of giving Beck a public forum, it may be the Internet that is a sane citizen's greatest fear when it comes to the Fox host. Beck said this by way of introduction to the Web 2.0 iteration of his new cult:

"It's called The912Project.com. This is a place where you're going to find continual updates on stories and people who prove that you can solve any problem if you just use values and principles."

Yeah sure, if you consider firearms to be "values" and "principles." "GundamGPO3," a user on Beck's new Web site, left this comment yesterday (emphasis mine):

In regard to everyone's questions, fears, and concerns on this page, I do believe there is but one solution. Firm on wavering [sic] resistance to the system. The right to keep and bear arms has been infringed beyond recovery. Let US recover it! We need to show these government worms that THEY ANSWER TO US! Americans should be allowed to own any equipment equivalent to the military. How are we supposed to defend ourselves against automatic weapons and hi-cap magazines when they are OUTLAWED from us? Convert your weapons! build auto sears! We will have to become criminals in order to fight for our nation. I have built auto sears for myself and my friends, and they will be installed, should this turn to rebellion. The government has designed these laws for banning certain firearms so that they would be met with little to no challenge. Bolt-actions and semi-automatics VS High-capacity automatic TRAINED fire... It will be a slaughter.

If the criminals and government can have automatic weapons, then SO CAN I AND EVERY OTHER AMERICAN LOOKING TO FIGHT FOR THEIR PROTECTION AND PROSPERITY!

So if "GundamGPO3" goes on a rampage in the name of overthrowing the government, can we get Glenn Beck off the airwaves, crocodile tears and all?

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS 

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