Re: %18 of Americans think Obama is a Muslim, and other disturbing fac
^ I listen to everyone from Limbaugh and Beck to Schultz and Rhodes and the most important thing that I have learned from their programs is that such radio entertainers shouldn't be allowed to have 3 hours worth of airtime to fill each day.
The ranting gets old (unless you enjoy such ranting) and often there is just a single message for the day that gets rehashed and restated over and over and over again six ways 'til Tuesday, drilling the lesson for the day into their sheep (or simply doing the proper tickling and massaging so that their words resonate like a tuning fork with their listener's existing fears, anger, and anxiety).
Given this much airtime, any one of these people drift off into areas where they obviously do not know all the facts, but this lack of information does not stop them from continuing to keep shoveling half-truths into the anxious ears of their listeners.
A few days ago, Ed Schultz was going on about how Beck's Christian followers would be shocked to learn that, as a Mormon, Beck does not believe in Jesus. I do not understand how someone could go on like this on the radio without having done a little homework to realize that Mormons DO believe in Jesus. Granted, Mormons view the nature of Jesus Christ differently from traditional Christian teachings, but he IS in their faith as a path to Salvation. Some Christians may not agree with the views of Mormonism (and -yes- some MAY really be put off by it), but Ed was surprised and fuddled when a caller informed him, "Yes, we Mormons do believe in Jesus Christ!...."
Ed either did not KNOW (or did not bother to TELL) the whole truth. His talk has become the "sale" of a point of view, NOT a
genuine search for understanding of the facts.
A few weeks ago Glenn Beck and his radio team were worked into a big lather about how Obama had committed the ultimate slap to the face of our most important ally when he took the bust of Winston Churchill (a gift given to the White House, "to the American People," by Tony Blair and the British government in the days following 9-11, as a sign of solidarity with the U.S.), packed it up, and sent it back to England. Beck & Co. were outraged and angry and could not stop ranting about it. What symbol of Obama's socialist leanings would come to replace this bust?
To me, this tale did seem like a bad decision on Obama's part. So my first instinct was to check things out for myself and not rely on a single source.
I went on the internet and checked several sources including the London Daily Telegraph and found that:
1) the bust was NOT a GIFT to America, but a museum piece that was on loan to the White House during George Bush's term in office. It was scheduled to be returned after his term was up, and it indeed was returned.
2) Obama chose not to ask for an extension to keep it in the oval office. As a perk for being one of the most powerful officials on the planet, a U.S. President apparently gets to decide how to decorate his office.
3) He replaced the Churchill bust with a bust of (*gasp*) Abraham Lincoln.
Is this story as damning as it first was presented? I would say not. A tale was being sold, though.
Does Glenn Beck and team not have access to the internet like I do? Or are they choosing to not let all the facts get in the way of a good rant? Some of the posters I saw on websites continued to be outraged about the "return of this gift to the American People", even when the "rest of the story" was given to them. They preferred to wallow in the lie.
I listen to all these guys (as much as I can take) so I hear what they are saying in context, so I do not have to completely believe selected and edited clips presented later that day by O'Reilly and Olbermann, by Stewart and Colbert.
My experience has taught me that I can not trust these personalities to give me the whole truth. BUT... I know people who select and then get ALL their news and perspectives from such stilted entertainers. It makes things easier for them. Black and White, 100% Good vs. 100& Evil is so much simpler a concept, and a mustache-twirling enemy is so much more satisfying a target than an adversary that simply has a different point of view.
It is too bad that something as real and as important as discussion of issues in our political system is treated in the way a bunch of 12 year olds on the playground argue about whose baseball team is best....
