Originally posted by FritosBBQTwist
reply to post by frailty
Not to turn this into a Glenn Beck debate like all the other threads here, but how would you go about telling the nation about the issues if his
method is "wrong"? Serious question.
My view is this. I am not stupid and I realize he is in the entertainment industry (funny huh - I thought he was on a news program...), but should we
disregard the potential truth solely because of that?
I know its hard to think that someone in such an industry could be wanting to do the right thing, and I get the impression that his comments are
dismissed only because he is in the "main stream media" as a head figure nowadays.
Well, I really do not think his methods are wrong, per se. I think the main problem is that his talk of cultural uniformity and religious intolerance
probably has two outcomes among the masses. One of the outcomes is that people not studied and looking to his program for answers might be completely
turn off by his handling of these "hot button" issues, because on the whole I think people in America are socially liberal and accepting of other
cultures and religions. Thereby, having a mass of "normal people" tuning out the message of liberty, because they think that his stance on issues
such as culture and religion are part of the message.
I think the other outcome is that it will draw in more of the fervently conservative crowds, who are more focused on confirming the culture to their
standards and being right religiously. I do not think the latter outcome is a bad thing, because this latter group is possible more open to the
Libertarian ideal. But, I am just afraid that this group is so focused on "lathering up," so to speak, on these emotional charged issues that they
will miss the message of liberty completely.
I have no doubt that Glenn Beck may really want to do the right thing, even though he is in such a "compromised" industry. I actually think many
people in the media in front of the cameras and behind may be in the industry of infotainment for the right reasons and to try to make a difference.
But, the fact is that you have to toe the company line on certain subjects and as a part of the industry ratings are on whole more important than
ideals.
I think the best way to go telling the nation about the issues is to do it in a more rational and informative manner and less of an emotional and
sensational manner, even though the issues themselves maybe somewhat of both. I personally think that TPTB make these shows emotional and sensational
is not only for ratings, but also because once you start people to get people emotional, they're mind turns off and they become emotional beings not
capable of clearly thinking in a rational way. I actually think Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh are the master of this. After all, they want to make the
viewers angry.
I really think with all the issues facing America, the last thing you want to do is make people more emotional about these tough times. I would
present the facts of the issues matter-of-factly and describe why things are going wrong from my Libertarian viewpoint and from the stance that we are
drifting away from the ideas and values that made this country great. I would not try to impose my religious and cultural beliefs into the discussion,
accept maybe to point out that this nation was founded so that people could have the freedom to choose for themselves. I think that the concepts of
freedom, liberty and a government of and for the people are very rational ideas. I do not think you have to tap into people's more primal emotions to
have them understand why these ideals are so rightous.
At least, Glenn Beck is opening some eyes and starting some discussions. I actually agree with him on many topics. I just am a little worried that as
more people start to want to restore this country to something more in line with the original intent of the Founders, they might just be turned off to
the message of liberty by the perceived intolerance and divisiveness of some of the more vocal figures, such as Glenn Beck. I am also somewhat worried
that these divisive viewpoints are more of what Glenn Beck is about, and he is smart and forward-thinking enough to understand that liberty movement
is an ever growing now and in the future, so he hijacked it for his own personal gain.
On a side note, I completely agree the second American Revolution will begin when break free of the two controlling political parties.