A Deranged Huckster Has Some Products For You

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_11/021115.php

A DERANGED HUCKSTER HAS SOME PRODUCTS FOR YOU.... Glenn Beck doesn't want a microphone; he wants a cult that will keep buying his wares.

Glenn Beck, the popular and outspoken Fox News host, says he wants to go beyond broadcasting his opinions and start rallying his political base -- formerly known as his audience -- to take action.

To do so, Mr. Beck is styling himself as a political organizer. In an interview, he said he would promote voter registration drives and sponsor a series of seven conventions across the country featuring what he described as libertarian speakers.

On Saturday he held a festive campaign-style rally in The Villages in Florida, north of Orlando, in which he promoted his recently released book, "Arguing With Idiots," and announced another book to come next August filled with right-leaning policy proposals gathered from the conventions.

For those keeping score at home, Beck released a book in June, and then another in September, with plans for yet another in August. That's three books in 14 months. That doesn't include the Christmas book released last year, which will get an update with a photo companion book this year. It also doesn't include the "An Inconvenient Book" that was published in May, or "America's March to Socialism," an audio book released around the same time.

For a guy who seems to read a third-grade level -- remember, he thinks the word "OLIGARH" is missing a "y" -- Beck seems awfully prolific in creating new products for his minions to purchase.

Indeed, Steve M. gets this just right: "So now we see what Glenn Beck really is: He's basically a televangelist. A huckster. A late-night pitchman selling seminars and book/DVD/audio combo packages that will allegedly help you get rich through flipping real estate. A human-potential-movement cult leader who promises life breakthroughs in exchange for participation in costly 'religious' or 'therapy' programs."

Beck's conventions will apparently be seminars, in which suckers God-loving patriots will learn all about the voices in Beck's head Beck's vision for a better future.

And when I say "future," I mean future -- Beck claims to be working on a "100 year plan."

I've heard of long cons, but this is ridiculous.

Update: Beck's pre-election gathering will be a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, scheduled for August 28, 2010 -- the anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. It's literally nauseating.

-Steve Benen

[Ikonoklast]

1. It's always about the money. Always.

If Beck, Limbaugh and the other fascist radio spewers were suddenly offered more money than they are currently making to become ardent Trotskyites, they would change their tune in a Paul of Tarsus moment of blinding insight.

I don't actually believe any of those people have a political ideology that would survive a downturn in their earning capabilities and bank statements with a declining monthly balance.

Money is their Lord and Master, and the accumulation of it is their Faith.

Everything else is a means to an end to serve Mammon.

[Andy823]

2. I agree.

And like all hucksters, as long as there are those who buy into his BS, he will continue to make millions and spew his twisted view of things. The only thing good out of this is he may create a bigger division in the right wingers. Palin will have here followers who will "encourage" her to run for president, Beck will have his followers who will do the same, and that means the GOP will be divided into at least three different groups. It will be fun if this does happen, the GOP imploding! :evilgrin: