I just watched a video of Mary C. Curtis, Jill Lawrence, Sarah Wildman, Bonnie Erbe’ and Melinda Henneberger discuss Glenn Beck’s March on Washington.  I don’t think I have ever seen such a one sided discussion.  The commentator Ms. Henneberger asked every question with a raised eyebrow or a snicker in her voice.  I think this is a perfect example of how the liberal left try to dismiss those they disagree with.  They try to make sure they belittle others as often as possible for their opinions and in the same breath claim they are the only ones that you should listen to.  I have often watched debates between the left and right and this same belittling snicker and raised eyebrow seems to always appear.  I openly listen to both sides and I research what they say and try to decide the truth.  It’s just a shame the left seems determined to use the same old sound bites, I wish they could just state their point of view and let the people decide what they want to believe.

Here is the link, watch for yourself
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/08/27/glenn-beck-sarah-palin-tea-party-rally-king/

Now I’m sure many will watch this and have many comments about some of the points they bring up, but my issue is with the belittling comments and mannerisms.  I believe that if you have a good solid point of view you don’t need to try to make people feel that they are foolish for listening to the other side.

I wish they could just state their point of view and let the people decide what they want to believe.

I could say that about every “talking head” trying to fill airtime and earn high viewership ratings.

I was there and it was incredible. No politics, just honest talk about each of us living an honest, faithful, honorable life. This will make us all better americans. It was truly inspiring. Anyone who says anything negative about that rally is truly dishonest with themselves and all others they speak to.

I was not able to go to either of the rallies today, so i went to the internet to see what was said.  I found these quotes in several places on the internet.  Take a look at what was said.  What was the message of these two rallies? 

‘Restoring Honor’
“Something beyond imagination is happening. Something that is beyond man is happening. America today begins to turn back to God,” Beck proclaimed

‘Reclaim the Dream’
“People are clear in what Dr. King’s dream was about, and we will not react to those who try to distort that dream,” Sharpton said. He was one of several prominent leaders who condemned Beck’s rally, despite cries from organizers that “Restoring Honor” was not intended to dishonor King or his work.

‘Restoring Honor’
“”Look to the heavens. Look to God. And make your choice.” said Beck, “Go to your churches, synagogues, and mosques! Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come, but we have today to make a difference.”

‘Reclaim the Dream’
“We will not stand silent as some seek to bamboozle Dr. King’s dream,” said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League.

‘Restoring Honor’
“This country was created by God, our creator. The problem is, the country is becoming Godless,” said Greg Rinehart.

‘Reclaim the Dream’
Jaime Contreras, president of SEIU-32BJ, said those gathered at the Mall with Beck “represent angry white people and hate-mongering.” He added: “We will not let them stand in the way of the change we voted for!”

‘Restoring Honor’
Anthony Foster, at Glenn Beck’s rally, said, “He’s down to where we must put our faith back in God and we must get back to what we were founded on, the true foundation of the country — that’s where God comes in.”

‘Reclaim the Dream’
Cynthia Butler-McIntyre, national president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, said the racial divisions between the rallies show that America has not yet become the “post-racial society” some claim it to be. “We came today to say that is a lie and the truth is not in it,” she said.

It seems to me that Restoring Honor was about faith and making one think what they can do to make things better.  The Reclaim the Dream seemed to be more about attacking the Restoring Honor rally and the people there.

Here are some links to the sites I visited.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/28/AR2010082802564.html

http://www.examiner.com/christian-tv-in-national/glenn-beck-rally-youtube-com-video-of-glenn-beck-s-restoring-honor-speech

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/28/at-rally-beck-positions-himself-as-new-leader-for-christian-conservatives/

http://www.worldnewsheardnow.com/glenn-beck-‘restoring-honor’-rally-more-to-do-with-religion-that-politics/2084/

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/reclaim-the-dream-march-in-dc-draws-big-crowd-

There were others but I did not record all of them.

Just by coincidence, the WTOP website posted a short story Saturday (Aug. 28th) stating that approximately 1100 employees of the 3 major networks (ABC, CBS & NBC) contributed of $1 million to Democratic candidates and committees in 2008 while under 200 contributed approximately $143,000 to Republican candidates and committees.

“Objective” journalists? As they say in Brooklyn “Fuggedaboutit!”

Full story at:

http://wtopnews.com/?sid=2038888&nid=25

Americans are stupid.

weatherman - 02 September 2010 02:39 PM

Americans are stupid.

So I have to ask, are you an American?  Why do you say Americans are stupid?

By the way, my name is Randy DePew, I don’t hide behind a pseudonym.  I don’t say anything I would not want to say face to face. 

I take great offence to someone saying such a thing.  Some people may be misinformed or their opinion may differ from mine but that’s what makes this country great.  I have stood up for their right to speak their mind in the past and I will do it again whenever needed.

If you did this just to start something, well good job, let’s play.  Just don’t show up for this battle of the wits unarmed.  I am a proud American, a two time honorably discharged veteran (MD Army NG and the USMC), please don’t think you can insult my fellow Americans and not have me challenge you. 

Your turn, answer my questions and identify yourself if you want to have an honest debate.

Just a different prospective: we see what we want to see to prove a point. (In the last 4 years I have experienced a lot of grief from my fellow “Republicans”) So, I have to turn this question around to you- why does the extreme right have to belittle those they disagree with?

Doesnt all this depend upon your life experiences, your values,and the home life you have had-so how can we (any of us) decide the other is wrong.

I also need to know who do we have to reclaim America from? From the way I see it America is still America.

I need to know who do we have to restore honor to and from whom? I still see Honor - just sometimes we have to search for those with courage, honesty and integrity who are free thinkers.

How about a short read for balance: http://blog.sojo.net/2010/09/02/an-open-letter-to-glenn-beck/

Thanks Barbara, that was a great read. 

I agree with you 100% that there are many things that make up a person’s point of view.  I look at the far right speech more as insulting then belittling.  Equally wrong but different.  If someone wants to insult me, I look at it as an unsophisticated response from someone that lacks the capability to express their point of view without inserting sarcasm.  Belittling speech on the other hand is intended to make the person feel their point of view is somehow irrational or foolish.  I don’t mind being insulted but I do mind someone inferring my point of view is somehow idiotic. 

As for the rallies my point was that one seemed to be positive and the other seemed to be negative.  One seemed to be asking people to look at themselves and see where they could do better, the other seemed to be attacking the others existence and all the people that went to it. 

One of my favorite lines from any movie is from “The American President”.  Michael Douglas delivered the following line during a press conference.    America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, ‘cause it’s gonna put up a fight. It’s gonna say “You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.  WOW does that say a lot.  To me the question was more ‘Why call a rally Reclaiming the Dream, if the rally was no more than a chance to attack another group of citizens for what they believe?’.  Has Mr. Beck said things that are insulting? Yep he sure has, but I did not hear any that day.

Now I have to ask a question, is it possible for a person to change?  As Mr. Wallis said, “But maybe it was the start of Glenn Beck becoming a different kind of public voice than you have been before.”  Maybe, let’s see what happens.

I see your point a bit better-
There are some people though that it will take more to prove that there is change than others. Mr Beck is one and there are myriad reasons for my skepticism. I am in a bad mood (cranky) right now so its not a good time to get into that discussion.
Ive learned its better for me to stay quiet for now.

It certainly was a LONGGGGGG learning curve there.

Here are my thoughts on from whom we need to reclaim America and our honor:

CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, et all…the internet, the PACs, the Republican Party, The Democratic Party, the unions and the special interest groups.

America is a weaker, smaller country that it used to be and should be because we citizens have allowed ourselves to be divided and conquered.

We are not Americans any more…we are Polish Americans…African Americans…Hispanic Americans..etc

We are not American anymore…we are right wing or left wing.

We are not Americans anymore..we are Senior Citizens…or Big Labor…or Business Owners…soccer moms…or Nascar dads

We have allowed ourselves to be defined and labeled by the Glenn Becks, Rush Limbaughs, Bll Mahers and Ariana Huffington’s of this America…people who bring out the worst in all of us. They divide us for their own personal gain, just like the PACs, special interests and the unions. And we sit there, like sheep, hanging on every word, but never checking to see if any of it is true. As a nation, we now allow others to do our thinking for us.

Sometime over the past 40 years there has been a change in the direction of this country from a concern about “us” to an over riding concern about “me”. We’ve given up our dreams of the future for the shiny, pre-packaged illusion of right now.

We are a rudderless ship devoid of visionaires and forward thinkers. We need an FDR or Reagan, we need a leader. President Obama seems so concerned about his next vacation or international issues that he can’t even understand his first priority is to America. The Congress and Senate seem incapable of tying their own shoes. We all know the problems at the state and local level when it comes to leadership.

They divide us for their own personal gain, just like the PACs, special interests and the unions.

Through in Wall Street and I agree with every single word.

Shadowdiver, I agree with all but your last paragraph.

Additionally, news has become entertainment.  Journalists have become the talent.  Journalistic integrity is gone.  The newspeople are now in the news. 

The Internet, satellite communications, social networking and television have allowed us to become lazy, thoughtless sponges.  Sound bytes and tweets now provide enough depth on a topic for most people. 

How many of you who post here go to sites like fact checker.org or even snoops before you repeat some snippet you’ve heard?

Actually, the majority of the folks who post here are not representative of a random sample…most are much more educated on the topics, but you get my point.

Ooops, messed up Through should be throw.

Thanl you Lee- as I was reading Shadowdiver- I was thinking ‘he has it right” then the last paragraph spoiled it all. It is again blaming an individual.

We as a Nation of individual free thinkers need to recognize the truth and refuse to allow it- we dont need someone to tell us not to listen to these things- we should by our own rational selves, know these people are dividers and just tune it out.