Politics and Pucks

Fox News has a serious problem on its hands, and it's a serious one. It's Glenn Beck. Granted, I'm not a fan of Fox News, but I think Beck's influence is starting to become something that is uncontrollable. The other day, Byron Williams, a Glenn Beck follower, was going to start a revolution, by killing employees of the Tides Foundation. Williams cited Beck as his inspiration to follow through with these actions. In an interview with a freelance reporter, Williams said that Beck was a great inspiration, and almost like a school teacher. Williams also said that Glenn Beck would not take responsibility.

So what has Glenn Beck done in response? Glenn Beck promises to continue talking about the Tides Foundation. Beck has been harping on this non-profit organization that advocates environmental policies, for quite awhile. This is no longer fun and games, when people are going out intending to actually kill members for political reasons. That is actually terrorism. Here's what Beck said on Tuesday (Oct. 12):

There have been plenty of times where Beck's followers have been violent, and this is just another one of those times. The fact that there has been no chatter on the right about this as a possible act of terrorism is very telling. They won't call their own terrorists, yet they were quick to call the Fort Hood incident an act of terror. Why? Was it because the gunman was of Palestinian decent? How about the Man flew his plane into an IRS office in Texas? He's defined as an American hero by Fox News pundits and the Tea Party movement. What about the Hutaree militia? No, they're just exercising their Constitutional rights.

These "games" are getting too real for comfort. This homegrown violence needs to be addressed, and it can start with Glenn Beck toning it down. He is creating hostile political discourse which is something the Founding Fathers would have opposed. While Beck does have First Amendment rights, he should be aware of the fringe elements he has awakened in this country. Beck reaffirms the fears of the "Hatriots" (people who mix love of country with fear of government, and hate of the President) on his show every night, and maybe he's doing it unknowingly (Avlon 2010). Whatever the case may be, it's not healthy to have people take up arms for political reasons. I wouldn't be nearly as annoyed if these people who watch Beck's program were just motivated voters. Clearly, these people committing atrocities are praised while quoting their favorite wingnuts on Fox News.

Home grown terror is a real issue, and unhealthy for a society that believes in the ideals of democracy. Our political discourse should not include violence. This hostility is being fueled and reinforced by people like Glenn Beck. It's one thing to disagree with the President, it's another to take up arms. If you don't agree with the government, you shouldn't kill people for it. There are more appropriate ways to dissent than violence. If Fox News cares about the future of this country, they need to figure out a way to get Glenn Beck to tone down his message. If they don't, other people like Byron Williams, may be inspired to take to other drastic measures.

-Avlon, John P. 2010. Wingnuts