Front Page Feature on Huffington Post
–bumped–
King’s niece, anti-abortion activist Alveda King, was one of many minority speakers and awardees, a group that also included St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, a native of the Dominican Republic, who received an award for promoting hope. Like Beck, Alveda King linked the rally to her uncle’s speech. “If Uncle Martin were here today, he would surely commend us for giving honor where honor is due,” she said. [...] – Glenn Beck calls for national revival
That’s really the ultimate lesson here. You cannot say things like “I think the president is a racist,” and then say “I stand by that,” then present yourself as someone who will “restore America.”
This type of hate speech directed at the first African American president in United States history is nothing Martin Luther King, Jr. would “commend.” At least not before he received a retraction from the hater who uttered the words.
ABC’s Christiane Amanpour and Tahman Bradley spoke with Sarah Palin backstage:
Bradley: How do you think Dr. King would feel about this rally?
Palin: I hope that Dr. King would be so proud of us, as his niece Dr. Alveda King is very proud as a participant in this rally. This is sacred ground where we feel his spirit and can appreciate all of his efforts. He who so believed in equality and may we live up to his challenge.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have told Sarah Palin to repent and retract her “Don’t retreat — reload.” Dr. King a man whose message relied on the power of words to lift people up out of despair, never trading in Palin’s type of militaristic machismo to prove strength. That Mrs. Palin ignores this biographical and historical fact of King is part of the weird alternate reality that was presented today.
Likewise, if you can forget Glenn Beck’s hate speech history, this shared reality Palin, Glenn Beck and the rally conjured up today was indeed inspiring. However, knowing the rhetoric he utilizes daily, along with Palin, I simply sensed the intense degree of desperation from the people attending, individuals so hungry to hear someone, anyone, say something that represents their feelings they’ll gladly take Glenn Beck, even if he’s someone who only walks the walk he talked today, this one day out of his life.
Every single person I talked to said the Congress and federal government is guilty of “runaway spending,” the mantra, with others also talking about a “government takeover.” The frustration with Congress not doing the will of the people was another constant theme. The message discipline and focus was impressive and heartfelt, with no race-baiting, hating signs in my vicinity or on the long path I walked, though it was far too crowded to possibly hit all spots. It was, however, very white.
If there’s one unifying disconnect so many feel, shared by people way beyond Washington, D.C. it’s this: Who will speak for me? Today it was Glenn Beck, helped by many others, including Sarah Palin, and even Dr. King’s niece, in front of a crowd of purposeful people hoping it all amounted to a statement that Pres. Obama and Congress will hear.
In front of multiple tens of thousands, estimates ranging from 100,000 and beyond, Glenn Beck began by saying today’s “Restoring America” rally had “nothing to do with politics, everything to do with God.” Giving the gentlest interpretation of what he meant, Beck could have stretched his message to a non-partisan rally, but I can’t even buy that, because politics was very much in play today, the only people God speaking on stage, though He/She did provide good cover.
One Vietnam veteran walking with the help of a rolling wheelchair and wearing a full upper body brace (he’d broken his back), walking with his wife, inspired me to ask what brought him out amidst such crowds and with such a tough time to maneuver. He said that things today are so bad he had to come, “This is not how our country was intended.” His wife chimed in to say they came “from the other Washington.” I asked his political affiliation, with his wife saying “Independent!” When I prodded the veteran on if their coming to the event was about being anti Obama I got something totally unexpected. He said, “No, I voted for Clinton. He was conservative and ended up with a budget surplus.” We talked about the genesis of the Tea Party, and they both agreed that it started under George W. Bush, “but we’re getting a late start,” said the veteran.
From early morning people started streaming into Washington, D.C., stopping traffic, a people parade over the Memorial Bridge, taxis letting people off, police immediately on them to move, with crowds emerging from the metro as well. I didn’t get to hear Sarah Palin, but did hear Glenn Beck, which was the goal. Mr. Beck has to be impressed and moved with what he saw today as he became the megaphone for the multitude.
It’s very sad to see Bob Herbert get so upset about Glenn Beck’s rally. It gives Mr. Beck a space that he hasn’t earned, bringing Dr. King down to Beck’s level for comparison, which is not only inappropriate, but truly silly to even expend the energy. Not giving Beck at least credit for the crowd is at least uncharitable, because credit is due, with it making Dr. King no worse for this truth. Perhaps it’s Mr. Herbert who needs to “chill, baby, chill,” because the only way Beck can share ground with Dr. King is if we allow it, which Herbert does today by going to such lengths to refudiate Beck’s rally. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a giant among American heroes who has no equal, certainly no one today came close, regardless of choosing a day that is enshrined in American history, which Mr. Herbert understandably cherishes, as do we all.
But as time marches on no patriot or person owns a calendar day. Real American heroes live beyond a moment, our memories and the manifestations of their dreams how they live on.
Besides, considering Mr. Beck had Dr. King’s niece, abortion rights opponent Alveda King at the rally, it’s not like Beck is ignoring Dr. King, praying for linkage on this one day when Beck is on his best behavior.
Never fear, because Beck’s hate speech will return on Monday.
This post was originally posted on Saturday, after the event.
I watched the rally…it appeared to be some sort of Religious event. Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin have tapped into the disgruntled voters all over America…and they are using voter anger to their advantage.
I wonder how long Republicans can control these people, before they turn on Beck and Palin.
Not among the crowd, as far as I experienced. That’s not why any of the people I talked to was there.
I wish there was someone on the Left organizing huge rallies arguing for a better deal for average Americans. I’m so frustrated with how the elites continue to short change us, but there really isn’t an outlet, particularly with groups like MoveOn so co-opted by the current administration. It’s sad the only ones channelling the sense of frustrations so many of us feel are the rightwingers with their bogus claims that government spending and high taxes are the problem.
A while back I asked “where’s the Left’s Sarah Palin,” with most people only offering bitchwit snark, including on HuffPost.
It’s also why I pointed out her 10,000 person rally in Searchlight, NV, Reid’s hometown. NOBODY on the Left could get this many people there.
The Left has no star who could do what Beck did today.
MoveOn so co-opted by the current administration…
As you know, they’re not the only ones. There isn’t a Dem org in D.C. who doesn’t owe their livelihood to Obama. It’s one issue very few people mention. Good for you for pointing it out.
Thank you for this honest assessment of the rally. It’s refreshing to see rather than the usual snarky posts about tea baggers. I really do wish we had our version of a Sarah Palin. We need someone making the Left argument with star power and it certainly isn’t going to be Barrack Obama.
I so appreciate this, ml.
If there is one thing that concerns me it’s this, because it comes amidst Obama & Dems moving the party to the right, as Beck, Palin, etc. move even further right.
Bad mood rising.
“I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin’.
I see bad times today.”
I see continued moves to the right, with no Dem Elite even willing to acknowledge that’s what’s happening … “bad mood rising” indeed.
Sad, but true. There is no one on the left that could generate that much excitement, or that kind of crowd.
Why do you think that is? Many of the right’s poster-boys and girls are so over-the-top with their rhetoric, not to mention historically and intellectually dishonest. Is that what we on the left need to do? Find someone who is willing to say anything and do anything to grab headlines?
Are they able to generate these crowds because they take advantage of people’s fears and rage and use it to their own advantage? At the end of the day, do Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin have the best interest of the GOP or conservative right/tea party at heart or are they shameless self-promoters? That’s an honest question, I am not being snarky, I just don’t know.
There seems to be a fundamental difference between the right wing base and the progressive base, for better or worse- first of all we progressives never or rarely have the support of the Democratic establishment, unlike the right. Also, the Democrats spend as much time shooting each other in the foot as they do rallying against Republicans- something the GOP doesn’t do- they tend to stick together. Can you imagine if Robert Gibbs and Obama were as angry at Republican obstruction as they are with the ‘Professional Left’? Ironic, huh? Finally, the Dems have less of a tendency to fight for what they believe in- during the Bush years the Dems went along with about 80% of Dubya’s most heinous, legally suspect policies which is part of the reason why there is so little interest in going back and holding people accountable for what happened during that period of time (think Iraq War, the acceptance of warrantless wiretapping, so-called enhanced interrogation, GITMO etc.) The GOP on the other hand supported Bush in lockstep with few exceptions and they are similarly united in their obstruction and opposition to ANYTHING the Democrats do. It’s like we are using two totally different playbooks.
Why the left does not generate that much excitement, or that kind of crowd? Easy answer…They don’t have a huge number of people that are delusional. The left deals in substance and reality…the right offers symbols (aka flags) nothing to question there authority.
Years from now no one will even remember the reason or message of Glenn Beck rally today. In fact, I have asked people to point out what was really the purpose of this gathering today. Beck only talked about the same stuff he does everyday on TV Show. Nothing he said was unique are different.
The people who went out to hear this lunatic speak is the usual unhappy voters always looking for another Political messiah. In 2008, it was Obama and now in 2010 the new saviors are Palin and Beck…lol
“They don’t have a huge number of people that are delusional. The left deals in substance and reality.”
I seriously do not see how anyone can argue that after the ’08 primary. Further, MLK rallied the Left. RFK rallied the Left. The Left has been rallied by clear thinking people of substance and reality.
Delusional? Marie, take that mirror from in front of your face. Your post is pretty delusional.
I’ve always been of the opinion that the “left” doesn’t need a false prophet(s) that ends up rallying the base during days like this.
I have the illusion that, as an intellectual progressive (and I’m giving myself way to much credit with that title, I just like it:), substance matters more than this vodoo shit that the Beck crowd flocks to. They believe they are the true patriots of this country, they fear what they don’t know, and they are, on average, an aging and middle class crowd that does not like anything that is not simplified and easy to grasp.(ignorance is bliss or some such nonsense).
This is a movement ladies and gentlemen that will fade. There is no substance behind it, there is no intellectual vigor by Beck or Palin, and there certainly isn’t much to do with reality. The fact that “honor” and “taking back the civil rights movement” had so much to do with what this day was said to be about just proves to me that there will always be a certain percentage of Americans that are just too, well, stupid/fearful/fill in th blank.
I honestly don’t want a figure on the left that gathers a large following simply due false prophecy and ridiculous rhetoric. No way, no how!
You are missing the point. My lawd, we are near double digit unemployment, we are stuck in Afghanistan, the recently passed health policy is a boondoggle for the worst actors, there is plenty for the Left to rally over. Right now, the only voice channelling the frustrations of the middle class are the Tea Party. That’s very dangerous for the Left. We don’t need false prophets. Frankly, I thought the ’08 primary was all about that. But we still could use leaders who generate energy.
Seems to me that there was no actual point to the rally other than some people getting together with like minded folks to feel good??. Am I wrong?
Beck is Beck, Palin is Palin, and things will be back to normal come Monday. Honestly, I almost feel cheated out of, well, I don’t even know what. But, I almost feel bad for saying, “I want me some hate speech”…
You are very wrong. The point of the ralley was to inspire hundreds of thousands of people and hundreds of clergy of all faiths to find their niche..their place in this revolution and inspire them to get involved.
James Whitmore was the preacher who basically started the American revolution. The preachers were the source of stirring people. Glenn views himself as a modern day James Whitmore and he is there to inspire people for a second American revolution by getting back to the founding principles the founding fathers found this country. I am a newly Independent from being a Democrat for 30 years and it was the most inspiring thing I have ever been to. 8/28 will be a day remembered in the future and the day it all changed.
iampiedaddy~ If you don’t think the left can become delusional how do you explain Obama? People swallowed his “hope” and “change” hook line and sinker.People were saying that their kids made them do it. They were taking their political cues from their children!! people actually believed that an inexperienced first term senator had some magic formula to solve the problems in Washington with his superior judgement and seven dimentional chess.
People in the media had chills or thrills or some such foolery running up their legs they were all so emotionally involved in his campaign it was just ridiclous.
I won’t say the Congress who secretly and openly backed him and put their thumb on the scale at every opportunity were delusional. I think they were cynical; some thought he was a gravy train a comin’ others thought he would not disturb their cozy little nests.They knew who had the potential to create domestic change and they weren’t going to have it.I would love to be able to know what is in their black hearts now.
So you’re comparing mine and others reaction to Obama to the masses that follow Beck? Really? I don’t know whether to laugh or be insulted. Are you seriously claiming Obama is a flase prophet, like Beck, simply because the media, like usual, didn’t do a proper job? You are comparing apples to rotten meat.
The Beck masses have been sold snake oil from day one, based on false information, fear of black people, ridiculous rhetoric about the government; all because Beck is a good entertainer, period. Obama, while charasmatic on the campaign, actually talked of things that had true substance. I don’t ever recall him breaking out the Ouigi board to see if the God of Crazy could come down and reign fire on his opponents.
Of course I’m disappointed with many results since then. But to claim I and others were “duped’ because of the media and we held Obama up higher than we should have takes a great deal of assumption on your part. Friends of mine who are much more intelligent than me, with years of professional political experience worked for Obama; were they delusional too?
What we’re talking about here with Beck is a complete dishonest broker of hate, extreme ignorance, and fear. I dare you to say the same about Obama. Honestly, I find it hard to believe you and others are comparing the two.
I fought for what I thought was the best candidate, not based on some ditto heads trumped up crazy and racist comments, but because I had choices to make, we all did, and I made them. I was informed as much as I could be between Clinton and Obama, two fine candidates who were not playing off of peoples ignorance. These Beck followers can’t say the same. If I and others were delusional to work so hard for Obama, then call me crazy and I’ll never work on a campaign for anyone ever again.
Bravo, Lake Lady!
I watched some of it on C-Span. It seemed like a hugh crowd showed up !! There are many people on the right and even on the left that are un-happy with things right now. The economy is proberly the most issue people that are on both sides agree is bad and its hurting people. It seems the excitement that people felt during the 2008 election has left and the right is now more excited !! The democrats had majoritys in both houses and the white house and they blew it !! I will never understand why the democrats sold their souls for a few votes “Stupak” when they had the votes anyway to pass a good healthcare bill, it seems their bills are watered down when they had the majority to make certain bills great !! Yes I do blame the republicans for saying no to everything, but I expected it from them, not from democrats to give in to the republicans on so many things for votes they were not going to get. I am so glad I turned independent. But anyway, even for someone like Glenn Beck to pull off something like this, is telling because I don’t see someone on the left that can do this right now. I actually didn’t see any stupid signs and I have to actually thank them for that. They did seem for this one day at least on their best behavior and I am actually thankful to them for that, but of course things will go back to the way it was, but thats to be expected.
I guess sometimes it is better to tone down the outrage level and just allow events to play out. Palin-Beck’s rally stirred a lot of emotions but in the end I think it turned out to be a testament to the long lasting legacy of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Despite all their wingnut tough talking, bravado and machismo there are simply days that are so important in the collective consciousness, that you simply cannot disrespect them, even if you are Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin.
Who knows why they decided to hold his event on that particular day. Maybe to show all these delusional liberals with bleeding hearts and whining African-Americans that their cherished day does not mean that much to them and their crowd. I read that Beck claimed that he “forgot” it was the anniversary of the speech, why should he remember? What is so special about that day after all, it is not because Dr King spoke on that day that no one else can do the same. Glenn Beck and Queen Sarah most definitely can and will, on the very same place chosen by Dr King. Eat your hearts out all you libs and regressives. And with this black guy in the white house it is past time we all moved beyond the Dr King thing.
And so they did, and drew the crowd……and started God and peace talking. Gone was the fear mongering and divisive talk which I was expecting. Dr King’s niece was even invited for good measure. OK.
It seems that particular days in history have weight after all. Even daring Palin-Beck could not talk anger, guns and real vs fake America on the day that Abraham Lincoln freed millions of Americans from slavery and Dr King told the world about his dream that “all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in freedom.” Good to know, even if the hate comes back on Monday.
All you saw Saturday was a staged event put on by a money grubbing false-phrophet entertainer. And to think he honestly didn’t know what day it was is a ridiculous thing to say. This was completely scripted out, from the day and place all the way down to making sure the crazies didn’t bring any signs (though some did).
He probably bagged some new believers, but in the end, like I said earlier; Beck is still Beck and Palin is still Palin.
What I think so many are forgetting about why the Left can’t rally huge crowds is that there’s simply no way for that to happen. The Right has Fox “News” Channel to promote their agenda 24/7 and neither CNN nor MSNBC is the “liberal” haven that the Right claim them to be. Then, of course, there’s the vast right-wing print media (led by the New York Times and the Washington Post) which seem all too willing to give the far-right the easiest possible access while restricting truly liberal viewpoints (even with guest editorials, a liberal will be bumped in a heartbeat, while a conservative will get as much space as needed).
Then, there’s the “unholy” alliance with the Religious Right which offers the right-wing additional time and outlets to promote their agenda. The 700 Club still airs on ABC Family Channel and is available in syndication. Donald Wildmon has a radio program and appears in syndicated segments on weekdays. There are whole national networks and local channels which offer nothing but religious (or the codeword “family values”) programming, including most of the far-right televangelist brigade, and you can just be sure that you’re not going to have any positive mentions of traditional Democrats, much less the truly liberal contingent of politics and the media.
Exactly.
Don’t forget the networks that exist in church congregations. They were working overtime in ’08 trying to gett he message out that Obama was a Muslim or the anti christ.