Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Rally from an Online Viewer's Persceptive

The remarks ranged from "I like chili dogs" to "Glen Beck for President DRAFT GLEN BECK NOW !!!" as Glenn Beck of FOX News streamed his "Restoring Honor to America" political rally on Facebook. The forum was open to the public and over 120,000 people tuned in online.

His voice quivering with emotion, Beck declared "Build it and they will come.... Something beyond imagination is happening, something that is beyond man is happening" as he welcomed the crowd that gathered at Lincoln Memorial to support "Special Operations Warrior Foundation" a non-profit whose sponsorship Beck used to hold his rally in the federal park. (He estimates over 300,000 people attended.)

The rally quickly became a sermon as God's name was called upon again and again to unite the crowd that gathered around the reflecting pool, some carrying flags, many carrying children to what they hoped would be an historic event. No one carried signs; they were forbidden by organizers.

The crowd of mainly white middle class attendants, many of whom had been standing for hours waiting for the rally to begin, participated with enthusiastic applause as a boy scout recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and as a multiracial group performed the National Anthem.

Sarah Palin, former vice presidential candidate to John McCain, who was the first speaker, spurred enthusiasm to frenzy when she started her speech with - "We feel the spirit of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr."

The rally, organized on the anniversary of, and in the very place where Dr. Martin Luther King gave his history changing speech thirty-seven years ago, was not marred by protests. Those who have heard and revered the words of Dr. King, held a quiet march to commemorate his speech elsewhere.

Dr. King's memory and his opening line "I have a dream..." was invoked again and again but none more poignantly than by his niece Dr. Alveda King as she spoke of unity and called for Americans to work together for better schools, better health care, and an end to racism. She shared her allotted time with singers and speakers and received a standing ovation from those in attendance. Those watching online were not so kind. As she was leaving the stand, relinquishing the stage back to Mr. Beck (who reveled in the applause by saying ""Every great idea has started with one person, one crazy idea"), Facebook members were posting such lines as, "Too back (sic) you can't unlike this BS." and "Love Beck But Glad I Missed the Black Revival."

There were several speakers who were not among Beck's usual white middle class viewers, among them Pastor C.L. Jackson of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Texas (introduced by a Native American Chief) and Emma Houston representing Philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman who had to decline Beck's offer to attend his granddaughter's wedding. Both speakers were African-American.

Beck did have a message of unity; in fact it was a call to action for his followers. "I testify to the world "One man can change the world." Long pause. "That one person is you. Pick up your stick and stand." (Possibly in reference to Theodore Roosevelt's famous line, "Speak softly and carry a big stick.") His call to action included a plea for money for his sponsor, and a claim that they had in fact raised 5 million dollars for the fund to help families of fallen soldiers.

Beck's organizers were careful to include people of all races speaking on Unity and the importance of religion.

The 3 ½ hour event closed with performances by several country music singers and ended peacefully and without incident.