Enough of Beck
As I have mentioned before, I was appalled by the ridiculous statement by Jerry Falwell explaining 9/11 to Pat Robertson. He stated that obviously God had removed his divine protection from our country, because of our increasing tolerance of homosexuals and the gay lifestyle. I was so disgusted that I swore I would never listen to another thing he ever said. From then on, every time I saw his pudgy face on TV, I immediately either turned it off or changed the channel, and kept my vow for the rest of his miserable life.
As long-time readers know, I was once was an avid Glenn Beck fan and supporter. I was an ‘Insider’ member of his radio program long before he ever got the gig on Fox News. I loved his TV program, which I must admit had a major impact on my thinking regarding Islam and Middle East politics. I bought and read all of his books. I was an early adopter of his ‘Blaze’ news site. I even subscribed to his new internet TV program, for the first couple of years after he left Fox.
I was as tolerant as I could be, of the increasing religious nature of his endeavors, until such insufferably became the primary focus of his existence. Now I only bother to visit the Blaze when following a link to a news item there, which has nothing to do with Beck himself. Several months ago, I even unsubscribed to his free newsletter, which I had received daily for many years.
Today, however, Beck just joined Falwell in the annals of intolerable religious BS, and I shall endeavor to never hear his voice, or read one of his thoughts ever again. Read the Daily Caller article: “Glenn Beck: God Brought About Scalia’s Death So America Would Vote For Ted Cruz“:
On Tuesday, conservative radio host and vocal Cruz backer Glenn Beck asserted on his talk show that God brought about the death of Scalia so America would “wake up†and vote for Cruz.
Speaking in the voice of the heavenly father, Beck told his audience, “You’re welcome. I just woke the American people up. I took them out of the game show moment and woke enough of them up to say, look at how close your liberty is to being lost.â€
Reverting back to his own voice, the radio host added, “You now have lost your liberty. You replace one guy and you now have 5-4 decisions in the other direction. Just with this one guy, you’ve lost your liberty so you’d better elect somebody that is going to be somebody on [the Supreme Court]… The Constitution is hanging by a thread. That thread has just been cut and the only way that we survive now is if we have a true constitutionalist.â€
This isn’t the first time Beck and other prominent Cruz supporters have claimed there’s some divine power behind Cruz’s candidacy…
What follows is revolting example after example, and link after link, pointing out the religious fervor behind Ted Cruz’ campaign. I don’t see how any rational thinker could either vote for him, or ever again pay the slightest attention to the opinions of religious nuts like Glenn Beck. E.g.:
In 2013, Rafael Cruz, who’s an ordained pastor, said in a sermon at a church in Irvin, Texas, that his son is “anointed†from high above to serve as a “king†to bring about the “great transfer of wealth†from the wicked to the righteous.
The sermon given by the elder Cruz is in line with the fundamentalist sect of evangelical Christianity known as dominionism. Dominionists preach that America should be governed by their interpretation of biblical law and be ruled exclusively by devout fundamentalists.
I don’t know about anyone else; but I have no need of a “…“king†to bring about the “great transfer of wealth†from the wicked to the righteous.” This pious/altruistic nonsense is just outrageous… 🙁 â—„Daveâ–º
You are quite correct — a load of BS. BTW, Saint J9 and I took advantage of Texas early voting to cast our 2 cents worth (there are a few local elections of interest as well as several proposed amendments to the TX Constitution that are important to us).
I am sorry to say that J9 voted Messiah Cruz. I once almost liked him but this childish spat between him and Trump along with the bible pounding has totally turned me off both of them. So, I voted for what I perceived as the “grown up” — John Kasich.
Come the general election, I will no doubt support Gary Johnson. Knowing full well that neither voted made one bit of difference.
Troy
At least you have a realistic understanding of that. It does please me to know J9 has a mind of her own, which you aparantly have little control over, even if it is of an inferior sort, oddly capable of voting for a messianic Canadian. 😀
Your vote does perplex me, however. If I intended to vote for a Libertarian in the General; yet had the opportunity and chose to vote in the Republican Primary (which I can’t here in CA without registering as a Republican), I would be inclined to vote strategically. While I can see how Kasich might be considered the lesser evil among the GOPe offerings, he is a consummate insider, whose nomination at this point would likely thrill most of the establishment. I would instead vote for Trump, whatever I thought of his demeanor, simply because he is the one most likely to take a wrecking ball to the GOPe edifice, thereby probably increasing the opportunities for down ballot T-Party type candidates. Win or lose, the more votes Trump gets, the louder the message to the GOPe, whether they are actually capable of receiving it or not. Voting for one of their own, like Kasich, could only help to encourage the bastards. â—„Daveâ–º
I would instead vote for Trump, whatever I thought of his demeanor, simply because he is the one most likely to take a wrecking ball to the GOPe edifice, thereby probably increasing the opportunities for down ballot T-Party type candidates.
Sadly Trump won’t be taking a wrecking ball to anything. Even if he does it will be to the republicans leaving those beloved progressives getting by just fine. Trump is a big old pile of disappointment to just about anybody I can think of all wrapped up in a bank note bow.
BTW, since Justice Scalia was a far better man than Cruz will ever be, God clearly made a poor decision.
Like you, I some time ago made the transition from finding Beck interesting to finding him just another nut case.
Troy
Beck went off the rails when he left Fox. I used to like his bringing out the stories nobody else would and just tickling the edges of conspiracy. His new found piety is annoying and over the top most times. He was searching for a dependable niche and has probably found it at the expense of a wider audience.
As far as Cruz goes I wish he would tone it down some to appeal to a wider audience. Thing is the videos they always circulate most is the ones where he’s talking to an Evangelical group. It’s like when Rubio goes on Univision he speaks Spanish. He talks in the language the audience understands and will relate to. He’s quite capable of sticking to the facts when piety isn’t the 500 pound gorilla in the room. Look more for the many hours of video of him on the senate floor. It’s much more indicative of his ideological base and approach to the issues. He only called someone a liar once.
If Beck was still on the rails at Fox News, it is because they were pinning him there: “Glenn Beck: I Left Fox News Because They Wanted Me to Stop Talking About God”
I remember when he actually turned preacher man, quite a few years ago, and I believe that rather than seeking a niche, he is quite sincere in his public piety. He had somehow encountered the history of George Whitefield in “The Great Awakening,” and was beyond inspired by the once famed 18th century evangelist. He said on his radio program that he was feeling a “calling” from God to emulate him to start a new “Awakening.” Beck’s own ‘preaching’ became much more pronounced, especially on his radio program and at his public gatherings, from then on. As noted above, Fox endeavored to keep it toned down on their air.
As for Cruz… Trump at least, is noticeably clumsy at pandering to the Piously Correct crowd. Those of us not impressed by piety, do understand the need for politicians in America to tote around a bible and pretend to be devout at times, to secure the evangelical vote. We can usually be amused rather than offended by it. The problem with Cruz’ act, is that he is too convincing. He really comes across like he believes the BS. When he says things like ‘any man who does not get on his knees and pray to Jesus every morning, is unqualified to be CinC,’ it is somewhat shocking and offensive, to those of us who don’t observe such rituals. â—„Daveâ–º
He is convincing that’s for sure. I would submit that someone with a moral standard toward honesty no matter what it is that pins someone to that standard is superior to someone with no standard at all or nothing to bind them to a high standard. I’m not arguing your offense at the statement you quoted. I haven’t heard him say it but it’s not right. Good thing there’s a bunch more Evangelicals than there are heathens. 😉
Thanks Chris, my thoughts too! I voted for Cruz simply because he wasn’t Trump and also for his constitutionalist bent. We need someone to remind the American people that we are NOT a Democracy – heck,even our Prez says that we are and too many people are believing it. I had not heard the utterings of his father; that’s as bad as the picture Ben Carson has of him and Christ. Sigh, what I really wanted to see was Carly fight it out with Hillary – that would have been precious!
No need to thank me Jeannine. That’s what I like about posting here. We can all have a difference of opinion without being brutalized. Of course it’s much nicer to agree 🙂 In another post is the discussion of Ted Cruz’s NBC status. If he in fact becomes disqualified the one big shame is the candidates who have left. As you would lament Carley I would be missing Rick Perry. Were he in he would be my second pick. I think both to be superior to any that would be left. I look forward to watching Cruz spar with Hillary. I think the show would be just as good as with Carley. Any of the rest would be a replay of Romney v. Obama. With the same outcome.
Agreed, J9! I would have paid good money for a ticket to those debates! I might even have violated my vow not to vote this year, if Carly had had a chance, just to help make them happen! 😉 â—„Daveâ–º
For your amusement if your looking for something to watch. It’s live now.
http://www.aol.com/article/2016/02/17/watch-live-cruz-rubio-and-more-speak-at-conservative-conventio/21313120/
Another good critique by Robert Ringer of Beck’s sadly flailing career: “Glenn Beck’s Mental Disorder” â—„Daveâ–º
I think he fell off the wagon a while back. Possibly after leaving Fox and not having his new ventures pan out as well as expected. His demeanor until recently was that of a twelve step newbie.
That is an interesting speculation, which had not occurred to me before Robert mentioned the possibility. It could also explain the occasional ‘medical emergency’ downtime… â—„Daveâ–º