The Two Glenn Becks

Actually there is only one Glenn Beck. However he is perceived across this vast and inconsistent country of America as if he were two quit different people.

One group of Americans sees the Mr. Beck who draws complicated, obtuse, multi-layered relationships between widely disparate people and/or events that eventually winds up "proving" a dangerous conspiracy against Mr. Beck's favorite traditions and people of the U.S. of A. This group embraces the Mr. Beck who cries because things make him feel so sad and screams because thing make him feel so bad. They see Mr. Beck as a welcome mix of a fire and brimstone Preacher of the Doom to come and a connect the dots Professor of Who's to Blame, with a little manic Scary Clown/Likeable Lunatic thrown in.

The other group of Americans sees the Beck who draws complicated, obtuse, multi-layered relationships between widely disparate people and/or events that ultimately are so bewildering in their asserted connections that they make no possible sense in their farfetched conclusions of conspiracy. This group rejects the Beck who cries and laughs and rants and screams because he doesn't like something or other. They see Beck as an unnerving mixture of a hell and damnation, intolerant, Religious Fanatic and a paranoid, wild eyed, Snake Oil salesman, with a little manic Scary Clown/Not so Likeable Lunatic thrown in.

The first group is appreciative of all the alleged information and a good advice that Mr. Beck provides to this nation. They are thankful because one can't get to hear this stuff anywhere else. None of the other "news" outlets from the Networks to the other Cable News to (especially) N P R & TV carry these various accusations of conspiracy plots and call them "news". Groups like the TEA Party and all those organizations with Family in their name wouldn't know who else but President Obama to blame for all the world's troubles, if Mr. Beck didn't tell them.

The other group is actually split into two sub-groups. The first feels that Beck is the best argument against the freedom of speech in this country. They feel that he gets to shoot his mouth off about anything and everything without the responsibility of having to research or know the first thing about what he is saying. They feel Beck gets to spout inaccurate stuff without having to make any retractions or corrections that regular news organizations have to make, if they say things that aren't true. They feel that Beck (and the whole FOX News operation) is passing off opinion as if it were factual news until it winds up being blatant propaganda.

The second group feels a lot like the first, except they think that the freedom of speech in this country covers even Glenn Beck. So although much of the stuff he puts out into the ethersphere is inaccurate, wrong and possibly dangerous; he still has the right to say it.

I agree with the second camp. I think one of the best parts of the free speech allowed in this country is that eventually any and all of the ideas that are expressed will, over time, either prove their worth or prove their lack thereof. Perhaps in a country with only one opinion allowed; saying the big lie over and over again will make people believe it, no matter how outrageous it really is. But in America where a great many opinions are available to be heard; the absurd, the defamatory, the prejudicial, will eventually be seen for what they are - falsehoods, mistruths, mendacity, in short - lies. Under the daylight of public scrutiny and subject to informed rebuttal, the information, theories, plots, schemes and conspiracies Beck throws out on a daily basis, can be and are examined by clear eyed, intelligent, honest people on both the Left and the Right of American politics; and shown up for the nonsense most of it really is. I say thank God for all the Glenn Becks out there in politico-philosophic-babble land. I think Glenn Beck and the opportunity for rest of us to examine and debate his chalk diagrams and opinions are the absolute best argument anyone can make for our country's invaluable freedom of speech!