I'm something of a lurker here. I like to read the diaries, rarely post a comment, and generally keep to myself. I've written a diary or two, when the mood strikes me. Now is just such a time. This may be a rant, or not even worth pointing out, but it's been bugging me the last couple weeks. Read on, if inclined...
Glenn Beck. I know, right? Compiling an exhaustive list of all the ways that the man is detracting from our national conversation, both substantively and procedurally, would be damn near impossible. At this point, I think the jury is still out on whether or not Beck really believes his vision of impending doom. As someone who likes to think of himself as firmly anchored in the real world, there are two possibilities regarding Beck:
- He believes his own rants, to their fullest, and is therefore insane, or
- He doesn't believe in it at all, and is therefore cynically using political demagoguery as a means to make some cash.
In either case, it doesn't exactly lead an objective observer to put much stock in what he says.
Never the less, I occasionally succumb to my more masochistic tendencies, and between 5pm and 6pm E.T., I'll throw on the Faux news to see what good old Glenn is breathing out of his mouth about today. Is it communists? Fascists? Commie-Fascists? Fascist Commies?
Typically, I can only stomach a few minutes of this. If I make it longer than one segment bookended by commercial breaks, I'm generally pretty shocked.
So last week, I'm unwinding after a long day, in need of a laugh at the expense of some clown, and I naturally turn on GB. I'll just watch for a few minutes I say. Now, I don't recall exactly what he was on about that particular day (NLRB? SEIU? Etc.), but as usual, he was quick to go to his favorite argument tactic: guilt by association.
For Beck, this means that if anyone you associate with has ever advocated a position, by continuing the association you necessarily hold the same view. To that end, Beck goes about his usual routine. This is all old hat, I soon lose interest, and the show gives way to some commercials.
I'd kind of stopped paying attention, when a voice from the T.V started telling me about the value of investing in gold, in these troubled times. He mentioned his name, and it made my ears perk up a bit. Hi, he said, I'm Gordon Liddy.
G. Gordon Liddy?
Are you fucking serious? Watergate conspirator, G. Gordon Liddy? Nixon toady, G. Gordon Liddy? Convicted Felon, G. Gordon Liddy?
Nixon's is a nuanced legacy, to be fair. He did a number of laudable things. He will, however, always be remembered chiefly for Watergate; for being the President who most disgraced the office. Liddy was central to that.
The irony is that by his very own logic, Beck must agree with the idea that it is perfectly acceptable to win an election by subterfuge, and outright criminal behavior.
I know Jon Stewart recently lampooned Beck along these lines- turning his own logic against him. It was hilarious. But there in lies the problem. Somebody with some weightier bona fides needs to do that, without resorting to the ultimate comedic buffoonery. Because, God damnit, I'm just plain tired of people taking this guy seriously.
This turned out longer than anticipated. If you read this far, feel free to comment below.