Glenn Beck is neck-and-neck with Lou Dobbs as my favorite television news broadcaster right now. One reason is for his global warming program not to long ago, presenting "the other side". I Applaud that mainly because in my 7th grade science class I am shown "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore. I watched it open-mindedly, and it was what I expected. If you take lesbian playing soulful songs on an acoustic guitar and add a morbid peacenik movie, you get an inconvenient truth. Unfortunately, the kids in my class (or at least the ones that are awake) are absorbing this like sponges because they don't know better. I'm not in any way trying to be demeaning towards them, it's just that I have different interests and am more aware of the other side of the story, which my science teacher barely acknowledged.
The other reason is because of this essay from Glennbeck.com:
May 11th, 2007
I define “integrity” as doing the right thing even when you know that doing so is going to hurt you. When it comes to the Reverend Al Sharpton, I have been trying to be a man of integrity. But on last night’s TV show, I was really put to the test.
Over the last few days, Mr. Sharpton has made some outrageous statements regarding presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Mormons in general (a faith I share). He said that as a Mormon, Romney didn’t really “believe in God.” I know as well as anyone how the media can take one word or thought…twist it or take it out of context…and obscure the original intent. As a result, I am more than willing to take a step back and listen to the other side. I did that with Al…and that is why today I’m more sad than angry. I’m sad because I believe Sharpton’s comments weren’t made out of bigotry, but from a seed of ignorance. His ignorance is an effect of being bullet-proof to any kind of real push back when he says something incorrect or just plain stupid. Al’s been on the permanent defensive for so long that I actually believe he’s incapable of seeing beyond the scope of his own rhetoric. One of the few things that Al and I have always agreed on is that, while we may not believe in what the other says, we believe that the other genuinely believes in what they’re saying. So after speaking with Reverend Sharpton on and off the air, I was left with the real sense that he believes what he said was right, and while he’s willing to apologize to “all Mormons” for offending them, he seemed devoid of any real empathy for those who were hurt. It’s like our parents used to tell us—saying you’re sorry is one thing, but actually being sorry is quite another.I had a very personal conversation with Al in the green room before we went on air, something that I don’t normally do. I told him how his statements personally affected and offended me, and how even though I wanted to lay into him on air…I wouldn’t. I wasn’t going to lash out at Al both because of my faith and that whenever possible I try to avoid the politics of destruction. However, I told him I would ask him very direct questions. Al told me at that time that he had spoken with two of the leaders of my faith…that he had reached out to them and how kind and welcoming they were. He planned to meet with them within the next 30 days. It was all very nice and cordial, yet Al never reached out to personally apologize to me for his comments about Mormons and their belief in God. But in all fairness, I never asked him to. While we were in the hallway walking toward the studio, I asked him if it had been a “tough day.” His response what immediate–”No, actually it has been a very good day.” Again, to me that showed his complete lack of empathy. While some might read this as, “Yeah, Beck’s finally on to him and throwing him under the bus,” nothing could be further from the truth. I am “on to him,” but not in the way you might think. What I am “on to” is the fact that I really don’t think Al understands just how hurtful his statements were. I believe that’s because he’s immune to any significant repercussions to his ignorant, bigoted or hurtful statements. He’s become too much Al Sharpton the activist and too little Al Sharpton the man. He can make speeches, demand firings and rally for terminations, but somehow he’s become untouchable…even as he stands guilty of the same acts that those he targets have committed. But I guess if you live without ever feeling the heat when you touch the stove, you never learn to not touch it.
Again, I’m not angry at Al Sharpton or even disappointed. Instead, I feel genuine sadness for him. Please don’t confuse that with pity, because that’s not what it is. Maybe I feel the way I do because I’m a Mormon and I do believe in God…deeply. Perhaps some might call what I’m feeling compassion…but to me, I can really only describe it as a sadness. It comes from knowing how I used to be when I was drinking, how I had become disconnected from so many of my own feelings that I found myself missing out on so much -by checking out from the bad, I was preventing myself from feeling good as well. Without the brutality of winter, I couldn’t recognize the comfort of spring.
I am sad because Al Sharpton is missing out on so much of the sweetness in life because he won’t allow himself to feel the bitterness of adversity. Let your guard down Al…take your lumps, be humbled by your mistakes and move on. It’s worth it–I promise. -Glenn Beck -Devin
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2 comments:
I definitely enjoy Glenn Beck as well. He really has a way of getting past the politics and digging to the heart of the issue, along with being level headed and truth seeking by nature. Very enjoyable to listen to in the morning.
It surprises me that you like Lou Dobbs, however.
Look at this story from the Family Research council:
CNN host Lou Dobbs is a man of strong opinions - but last week he offered a wrong opinion. Dobbs challenged the First Amendment rights of pastors and asked his viewers in an online poll whether they believe "churches and religious institutions that engage in political activity should have their federal tax exemptions revoked." He attacked church leaders for speaking out on the immigration debate.
There is much disagreement on immigration, but these leaders have every right to express their views. Last year, Lou Dobbs said the "intrusion of religion into our political lives, in my opinion, should be rejected in the same fashion that we constitutionally guarantee government will not interfere with religion."
Throughout American history, church leaders have spoken out on the vital moral issues of the day - whether it be slavery, civil rights, or in defense of the family and the dignity of human life. One of the enduring lessons the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught is the power a religious community can have in society. Reverend King said, "The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority."
Please contact Lou Dobbs today and tell him that our pastors aren't second-class citizens who lose their constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech upon entering the pulpit. Voices of faith have been a powerful force for positive change and play an irreplaceable role in society. Removing those voices will only contribute to society's fall.
Thank you for taking action today, and may God bless you.
Oh ya, and fix the opening picture...its driving me nuts.
I don't mind the poster itself just how big it is. You can make it fit on the screen ya know. :P
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