According to Beck this imaginary caliphate is conspiring with left wingers, and his proof is the book “The Coming Insurrection.”
Inside of Glenn Beck‘s head a new idea has taken root: Fanatical Muslims are collaborating with American Liberals of all sorts.
“Believe what you want but the left is working hand-in-hand with the Muslim Brotherhood and Muslim extremists… Hand-in-hand… We will show you the evidence tonight and tomorrow on the Fox News Channel tonight at 5pm.”
Subtext: “Just tune in folks, to keep my ratings up. And, of course, buy my next book. It doesn’t have a title yet, but it’s sure to be a hot seller, and it will add to my already considerable fortune.”
Beck certainly knows how to stir up a crowd with his radio and television programs, or as I like to call them psychological warfare campaigns. He’s mastered the fine art of propaganda: the more outrageous the lie, the more inclined the people are to believe it.
However, this latest claim is so baseless it hardly warrants a response.
The only way Beck would support rebellions in Tunisia and Egypt is if the Christian minorities in those countries were leading the charge. Beck’s idea of direct action is a Tea Party whose only cohesiveness lies in opposition to taxes and spending, as if cuts in either will suddenly right America’s ship. Of course, one must wonder why this group was quite silent during the Bush years. And since the Tunisian and Egyptian activists are mainly Muslim, pro-democratic students, who happen to be upsetting the engines of commerce, the Glenn Beck stamp of approval is withheld.
Yet, none of this is particularly surprising. Indeed, it’s natural that Beck would find something sinister in people trying to dismantle a corrupt government, since he quite loves the idea of the state, as long as its policies square with his vision of the world. He would much prefer the U.S. government maintain the policy of giving $1.5 billion in taxpayer money to Mubarack’s regime to suppress the Egyptian people. As long as it happens half way around the world, it’s of no concern to Beck; that is, until he can spin it into a Muslim-left wing conspiracy that I might be able to appreciate as entertaining conspiracy theory if it weren’t so unconvincing.
The more surprising move of today’s Fox News psych warfare hour with Glenn Beck was that Beck held aloft a copy of “The Coming Insurrection,” a pamphlet written by French direct action proponents called the Invisible Committee. Beck has referenced the book at least once before around the time of its U.S. publication. And apparently he is well-acquainted with the ideas contained within, because he twists the book’s meaning to establish an umbilical cord of conspiracy between the Invisible Committee and Muslim extremists. He’s presently so obsessed with this book that one might mistake it for a secret devotion to its philosophical position.
The Beck segment in question has the Minister of Propaganda holding a copy of “The Coming Insurrection” and stating:
“I think it’s all part of ‘The Coming Insurrection.’ It’s easier to put pressure on us and the West if we can raise the price of oil, and have the fuel and food shortages that they now have in the Middle East…”
Perhaps Beck has selective memory when it comes to the book, but as much as he likes to assume the mantle of a plain speaker, he’s no idiot. He’s a savage manipulator of images and words. The unholy child of Marshall McLuhan and the best example of what William S. Burroughs had imagined with his fear peddlers in the Reality Studios of “The Nova Express.”
Anyone who has read “The Coming Insurrection” would be able to tell you that the message of the book is not one of solidarity with Muslim extremists. Far from it. The book’s authors oppose any control mechanisms, from corrupt representative democracies to religious states. They don’t make a distinction between any state.
Beck is attempting to take a book meant for those exhausted with corporate-dominated democracies and a hyper-consumerist society and twist it into a pro-Muslim caliphate document. And knowing the herd mentality of the Tea Party, they’ll probably start burning it at their rallies with great relish.
See for yourself the ridiculous connection Beck is trying to establish on his February 1st edition of Fox News’ “Glenn Beck”:
February 02, 2011 at 4:02 pm, Kp said:
Glen Donkey is a real idiot. I am very astonished someone like him gets to be on TV. Fox News simply likes to hire crazy people and assholes only.
February 02, 2011 at 4:45 pm, MV said:
You are wrong, as are most liberals. Glenn actually RESEARCHES topics and presents FACTS, unlike the liberals. MSNBC is the master of lies, with people like Rachel Maddow and Chris Matthews and formerly Keith Over-the-top pretending to know anything when all they do is spew back what they hear from their liberal counterparts. No fact-checking, no understanding of the MAJORITY of the American people who are not in agreement with their socialist views. If truth-telling makes one “crazy,” you probably even think Jesus Christ was “crazy.” He is the ultimate source of Truth.
February 03, 2011 at 12:22 am, Mlmccord1 said:
Glen Beck has admitted that he does NOT research, and he does not “bother with facts.”
February 04, 2011 at 9:31 pm, Mhooks1 said:
must be some good dope you are own
February 03, 2011 at 1:01 am, Section224 said:
hahahaha.
February 03, 2011 at 1:01 am, Section224 said:
hahahaha.
February 04, 2011 at 7:35 pm, Becksinis said:
Do you really think that Jesus Christ would approve of Glenn Beck? Do you think Jesus Christ would spew conspiracy, pervert history, and swindle followers? This sort of religious adherence to Glenn Beck is the very thing that makes him dangerous. He turns off your intellect and appeals to your emotions, the exact same tactics the Nazis used. Yes, the Beck-pot is yelling black at the liberal kettle.
Adolph Hitler is a more appropriate comparison.
February 04, 2011 at 9:30 pm, Mhooks1 said:
Who are you to be playing jesus Christ now with your judgement? People can make up their own mind about Beck/ they don,t need you to make up their mind for them on anything
February 05, 2011 at 3:41 am, Becksinis said:
He doesn’t appeal to people’s minds; he manipulates their emotions.
February 04, 2011 at 9:28 pm, Mhooks1 said:
Bless your Heart what you don,t know WILL hurt you…..to bad you are too
chicken to look in to it yourself
February 02, 2011 at 11:25 pm, Zim1951 said:
Read the Muslim Brotherhood’s plans on their website and then tell me GB is nuts
February 03, 2011 at 12:19 am, D. J. Pangburn said:
Read “The Coming Insurrection” so that you know there is no link between that book and the Muslim Brotherhood or Islamic fundamentalism, in general.
February 17, 2011 at 12:27 pm, Puppypics said:
Glenn Beck is totally nuts. end of story
February 18, 2011 at 11:05 pm, Anonymous said:
Glen Beck is nuts.
February 19, 2011 at 8:28 am, rEVOLVEr said:
Glenn Beck is nuts! http://www.infowars.com/dear-glenn-beck-egypt-destabilization-op-hatched-by-globalists-not-communists/
February 02, 2011 at 11:34 pm, Cleon Skousen III said:
Beck is running out of shtick and getting desperate to retain a shrinking audience. He only appeals to lower-educated crackers who know less about real history than he does. Every day he tells what’s left of his followers a new piece of fake history and/or a bizarre conspiracy theory that has been “hidden” from them by mainstream scholars and media. He’s running out of bullsh*t to feed the teabagger idiots.
The only question now is how long before FAUX decided to throw him under the bus to avoid further discrediting the network.
February 03, 2011 at 1:05 am, NEOFREEDOM said:
“The truth shall set us free . Thank you Glenn Beck.”
February 03, 2011 at 3:40 am, JJ said:
“So baseless it hardly requires a response”. So you write a response and call
G B and idiot.
February 03, 2011 at 6:09 am, Obamathefool said:
The author is a douche bag. Lay off Beck you moron!
February 03, 2011 at 9:21 am, ft55 said:
“We are at a near record level of political unrest in the United States with wars raging in the middle east, a possible default on the largest debt in the history of the world, riots of a quarter million people in Egypt, but I have an idea- let’s write a hit piece on Glen Beck!”
“That’s a great idea! or perhaps we could just shoot fish in a barrel..”
February 03, 2011 at 9:26 am, tom79 said:
the fact that beck is constantly bashed by liberals only further validates the power of his voice. when will liberals finally learn the more they mention beck and fox news, the more merit and credibility they give them?
Newsflash Liberals- the vast majority of this country disagrees with your political philosophies so drastically that in only 2 years after a wave election you managed to create the largest single election shift in power in American history. Bashing Beck only solidifies him as someone your opposition should listen to.
But what do we know- you’re not stupid rednecks, you’re liberals. You live in big cities, listen to indie rock and shop at h&m. You’re inherently smart.
February 03, 2011 at 10:59 pm, areyoukiddingme said:
Wow. You assume that ONLY liberals have a problem with this asshole? What planet are you living on?
“Liberal” is not a descriptor I would use to describe my political affiliations. And I certainly believe that Glenn Beck is a cancer on America, particularly on American politics.
February 04, 2011 at 7:19 pm, Becksinis said:
Here’s a flash for you. There are plenty of middle-right people in this country who are getting sick of Glenn Beck with his spoken-violent imagery, his dangerous conspiracy theories, and his McCarthy-Board. Any man who encourages people to hate former presidents though the teachings of a pseudo university is a peddler of evil, and not to be trusted in any way, shape, or form. It is inconceivable that a network that gives this voice an outlet is reputable, and it damages the reputation of conservatives throughout the entire country.
February 04, 2011 at 9:27 pm, Mhooks1 said:
where did you get your “plenty ” number from? your head?
you don,t get it………….Bless your heart as we say down south to fools
February 05, 2011 at 4:10 am, Becksinis said:
Plenty isn’t a number:
–noun
1.
a full or abundant supply or amount
Joe Scarborough and David Broder count as plenty. Google “conservatives against Glenn Beck” or “Glenn Beck is a false prophet” and you’ll see plenty more.
My my I thought the south was the Bible Belt:
Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, ‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
February 05, 2011 at 4:07 am, Becksinis said:
Plenty isn’t a number:
–noun
1.
a full or abundant supply or amount
Joe Scarborough and David Broder count as plenty. Google “conservatives against Glenn Beck” or “Glenn Beck is a false prophet” and you’ll see plenty more.
My my I thought the south was the Bible Belt:
Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, ‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
February 04, 2011 at 9:14 pm, D. J. Pangburn said:
tom79,
I don’t care if you bash Liberals. I didn’t vote for either party in the last election because I’m quite convinced there’s not much difference from one president to the next, unless it’s on the margins.
And, frankly, I don’t care what Beck is trying to peddle from day to day. He did err greatly, however, in trying to claim a connection between “The Coming Insurrection” and the North African revolutions. And for that his readers needed some instruction.
I wouldn’t expect you to know that, however, since you most likely haven’t read the book and even if you were to go out and buy it, I firmly believe you wouldn’t be able to follow the ideas being laid out, which are quite beyond political party or religion.
Nobody is afraid of Beck. He’s a blowhard right-wing conspiracy theorist who is only out to make money for himself, and to do so by continuing to gather as many loyal viewers and listeners as possible, such as yourself. Then he’ll sell you a book, which you’ll no doubt buy, further enriching him while you probably struggle to make ends meat.
Beck’s only power is within the small percentage of impressionable Americans which he attempts to whip up into a fury. He has no impact on swing voters; who, as we all know, win elections.
Kindly,
DJ
February 03, 2011 at 2:39 pm, Fredhogan said:
Your article has been up for one day and you only have 12 comments. How can you honestly talk about Glenn’s ratings?
February 03, 2011 at 11:02 pm, wow said:
I am really enjoying the level of butthurt on the part of Beck-lovers. It’s like they automatically have to default to partisan name-calling, without considering the fact that educated conservatives, moderates, and radicals on any end of the spectrum may also believe this jackass to be a dangerous and delusional political pundit. His political/social ideologies are so wrought with stupidity, misinformation, and hatred, that REGARDLESS of political affiliation it should be obvious that this man is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Wake up already.
February 04, 2011 at 4:19 am, Dave said:
another useful idiot of the left.. forget Iran?
February 04, 2011 at 2:03 pm, oneofthecrowd said:
You knew Beck was so over when he had to stroke a bunny for effect to get his point across. Alas, the viewers were transfixed by the bunny and were not listening to him. We won’t be seeing that bunny again anytime soon.
February 04, 2011 at 4:33 pm, Jhawkinsx2 said:
I agree with your core premise – there is no way I can imagine Islamists and the far left (infidels) collaborating and the notion of a caliphate. Beck is off-the-rails with that premise. But that being said, the west does need to be concerned about Muslim extremists and only time will tell if the Muslim Brotherhood falls into that category in Egypt.
I am not defending Beck’s wild theories, but I do take issue with this statement: “He would much prefer the U.S. government maintain the policy of giving $1.5 billion in taxpayer money to Mubarack’s regime to suppress the Egyptian people.” This is untrue. In fact, Beck has been highly critical of the hypocrisy of U.S. foreign policy of backing brutal regimes while speaking of democracy and freedoms. Criticism based in fact, not hyperbole, is far more persuasive.
February 04, 2011 at 5:54 pm, Dan Skinner said:
everytime Glenn Beck opens his mouth I expect a bird to pop out and tell me the time.
February 04, 2011 at 8:05 pm, Bubba324591 said:
glen beck and jim jones are nutbags
February 04, 2011 at 9:32 pm, Mhooks1 said:
At least Glen has nuts…… you are sterilized by your stupidity
February 04, 2011 at 8:05 pm, Bubba324591 said:
glen beck and jim jones are nutbags
February 04, 2011 at 9:24 pm, Mhooks1 said:
You better listen to him fool……people didn,t believe Hitler was a real threat either
February 05, 2011 at 7:29 pm, Agent of Truth said:
Glenn Beck is and always was a complete idiot. This closet homosexual never went to college and never knew anything about World History, American History, World Religions or the US Constitution. People need to wake up to the fact that this fool is just another uneducated charlatan who does not possess a single ounce of journalistic integrity. He is certainly not a conservative. In short, he is just another opinion pusher which is why he blends in so well with the bigots on Fox News Network. This idiot climbed in bed with Satan a very long time ago as lies, half truths, fear and hate are his only products that he has for sale and he is making big money off of impressionable fools who love being told what to think. Glenn Beck is simply a product of mormon cult theology that he mixes with cherry picked parts of Catholicism, New Age Religions and his personal core as a washed up, dry alcoholic. This makes Glenn Beck one very screwed up moron who sold his soul to the lowest common denominator of personal stupidity. Beck consistently demonstrates all the unstable behaviors of a dry alcoholic which include grandiosity, judgmentalism, intolerance, impulsivity, ADD, indecisiveness and blindness to truth. In short, Beck, Limbaugh, O Reilly, Hannity, Palin, O Donnell, Coulter and others like them who think they are conservative are all guilty of perverting truth, history, facts, religion and the US Constitution when they open their big mouths.
February 08, 2011 at 2:10 pm, john charles webb jr. said:
Caliphate Supplement
now available on eBay
$19.95 for a three month supply :
February 08, 2011 at 3:41 pm, Knight Templar 314 said:
Caliphate supplement
now on eBay
$19.95 for a full month’s supply .
February 08, 2011 at 3:43 pm, Knight Templar 314 said:
Caliphate supplement
now on eBay
$19.95 for a full month’s supply .
always be full of sh*t
with Fox News
February 09, 2011 at 12:53 am, Qzbird2 said:
What a shame I just found out if you agree with Glen beck you don’t get posted. But the ones who don’t agree are all over the place. Is this America, doesn’t look like it, the news already wants control by making you believe Glenn is crazy. But he seems very rational to me. Maybe what he is saying has alot of truth that is why the opposition is coming down on him so hard so the people are not warned.
February 09, 2011 at 5:42 pm, Joachim said:
Why do people listen to this idiot? He uses his extreme views to gain viewers and his views are extreme and outrageous, offending anybody not born in the US, color other than white, other race, other religion and whatever is out there. It is a shame that tv is publishing these extreme views which have nothing in common with a nation that is founded on immigrants of different races.
Even the bible he so readily has in hand has very much a different context than what he picks out of it. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbor, not to be extreme, help the poor, heal the sick everything this guy does not stand for. How can Christians watch this guy and say the agree with him when everything he stands for is division and hate. Good luck Reps: You will see the last normal souls depart and leftover will be a ridiculous party of right wing nuts that have no ability to seek consensus when the nation is most in need of it.
February 18, 2011 at 11:10 pm, Anonymous said:
Wouldn’t it be something if Glenn Beck was right and suddenly the Democrats and Muslims were locked in a battle against regular Americans like him! I really think that the Republicans need to do a little distancing just like they did when Beck would have been called a Bircher which is what he really is.
February 21, 2011 at 9:22 pm, ajw said:
This may be the dumbest thing I’ve read in a long time.
December 03, 2011 at 5:48 am, American Waxwing said:
Dec 3, 2011 Update: Haha . . . Glenn Beck is right so far!