Curious to see what it was all about, I decided to attend Glenn Beck’s big rally Saturday. And I’m glad I did.
First, because it gave me a good, up-close look at Tea Partiers: old, white, and angry. From their t-shirts and their flags, it’s clear they all hate government. From their white hair, it’s clear they’re also all on Medicare and Social Security.
Second, because it gave me a good, up-close look at Glenn Beck. No doubt why he scheduled this rally on the Washington Mall: It’s the only place big enough to contain his ego. Barely.
Beck compared himself to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. – and – are you ready for this? – Moses! At which point, I fully expected him to part the waters of the Reflecting Pool and walk across.
Finally, I’m glad I went because at last I understand Glenn Beck’s message. “America is at a crossroads,” he declared Saturday. And now we must decide. Are we going to advance – or perish?”… “I choose advance,” he crowed.
Well, sorry. But if my choice is to perish or advance under Glenn Beck — I’d rather perish.
Is this supposed to be some kind of analysis? You have clearly missed the entire point. What you failed to notice is that this was not at all a Tea Party event. This was a gathering of good people and your shallow and commentary doesn’t deserve any more of my time.
I see that you were very selective with the pics that you posted.
It is what it is and you are what you are: typical media hack.
Perhaps, Bill, you should take a minute to look at your own pictures. There were people of all ages! I didn’t see anyone “angry”. Maybe you were looking in the mirror instead of looking at the rally. Get your glasses checked and check your pictures again. Oh and let’s see I think I am comment #8!! Whoo hoo!!! You really have a following don’t you.
I suppose that you are as selective about which comments get posted as you are about the photos you post. Lib jerk.
bill you are a cold dead man inside,you really are.
Okay this is absurd. I, like Bill Press was at the 8/28 rally, and while they’re were plenty of old white people around, there were also numerous young adults, kids, and middle-aged fold around as well, myself included and I’m 27.
I’m also quite annoyed about articles such as this one posted at http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=198417.
First, I believe Bill Press to be in error by incorrectly interpreting Matthew 25. These passages (Verses 35 onwards) have to do with individual responsibility in being charitable. You can’t force or mandate people to be generous, it must be freely given. Christ certainly was not a proponent of Big Brother coercing you into donating a portion of your pay to the poor. Let us consider The Widow’s Two Mites from Mark 12:38-44. Christ’s reaction is as follows: “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; “for they all put in out of their abundance, bu she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” This tells me that God prefers Sincere sacrifice made from a completely voluntary act. And as most charity comes from the Bible Belt who are typically conservative, it is not them that needs lecturing about giving to the poor.
For that matter, considering how ineffective and corrupt government is as being a “charitable” vehicle, would it simply not make more sense to either donate to an existing charity that caters to specific causes so one does have some input to where their cash goes to?
Point 2 that needs to be addressed is that Bill Press believes that Christianity’s purpose is to “liberate” poor people and not about which doctrine you believe. I can’t help but think that the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church AND the Gospels THEMSELVES would disagree with this assessment. To criticize Glenn Beck for embracing a heretical form of Christianity and then backing a lukewarm approach to following doctrines that are crucial to have a fundamental understanding of Christian beliefs since the inception of what St. Irenaus coined in 107 AD as the Catholic Church which in effect is responsible for heresies forming in the first place is inconsistent at best, hypocritical at worse.
As for the liberation of the poor, well let’s quote from Matthew 26:6-13 to say what Christ says on the matter, specifically verses 9 and 11: “For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” “For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.” While this is not in contradiction to earlier commands to give alms to those in need, Christ does remind us that there will always be those who live in poverty.
Now, I will go as far to say that more time could be spent on these subjects alone. I could also take a position of humility in that within the limits of my scriptural knowledge I may have overlooked something. I also realize that we can go beyond scripture and delve into the Catechism of the Catholic Church to see what the official teaching on certain subjects are, including abortion, which by the way, as Christians loyal to God and the teachings of the Magisterium, are not to be endorsed or approved of in any capacity. To do so may be considered an act of heresy.
Bill your second picture shows the backgroung of where the 500,000 people were and your pictures were taken of people 5 miles from the rally. I guess you couldn’t take any pictures of the stage because the thousands of people were standing pracically shoulder to shoulder for as they could see.
How come you didn’t any picture of all the African-Americans up on stage including a statute of an African-Americon icon. You were so far away he never heard Ms. King’s speech and the beautiful singing of several African Americans on stage. I would think that would make
socialist very proud, I’m sorry, an Anti-American Markist. You haven’t change a bit since I heard you spew the same Anti-American crap when I lived in LA 20 years ago.
I never, never never hear a progresive say, “I love American” or “God bless America”. You liberals hate Sara Palen but when she gives a speech 15,000 to 30,000 show up. When you give a speech 10-30 people show up. How many people came up to you ask for your autograph. ooops there were no Markist there to recognize you.
You and the vulgar mouth who runs “The ED Show”, “Softball” with Chris Mathew, Maddow, Oberman and Bahar have a combined audience of about 3 million Glen Beck, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity beat your “motley crew” by 10 million. My point is you can critize Beck all you want because while you were 5 miles away in the cheap seats he was addressing about 700,000 in person with another 50,million on the screen. Hello. Liberalism is a mental disorder.
By the way Bill, why don’t you have a national TV show? Answer: Nobody wants to listen liberal or socialist. Remember Air America?
Flopped like a ton of bricks. Your very intelligent and would make a great conservative because you would be thinking positive and not spewing out all the hatred you have for people.
In just a few short years, Beck has gone from a drunken alocholic deadbeat to a national icon. Your the same loser today as you were 20 years ago. No, not a financial loser because you make a very good living from “capitalism” not “socialism” but your an empty suit and a man without a country. If you loved America you would never support Obama. End of story.
Glenn Beck isn’t the Tea Party’s “Leader” anyway you piece of shit Oldfag. You don’t understand the ‘right’ because it no longer exists. It has been replaced with real patriots from the left and the right. You should listen to The Alex Jones Show to easily educate yourself, asshole.
I saw a few hardcover books from Bill Press in the Dollar store. I thought to myself, these must be so bad that I have to find out more about this guy. From looking at the comments above, I don’t think Bill has many followers.
I stumbled on this from a link elsewhere. Reading the comments, it looks like nobody actually likes this guy. I wonder if he reads these. If so, I’d like to tell him: (1) this wasn’t a tea party, (2) in your selected photos of old white guys, you forgot to notice the background filled with people of all ages and colors, (3) what anger? Other than the vitriole in your article, I didn’t see any anger – the people in your photos looked relaxed and pleasant. (4) where’s Glenn Beck and the stage and the multi-racial program? From the viewpoint of your photos and from your commentary, it doesn’t look or sound like you actually saw any of the program. The message was about honor (not politics). It might be a message you should consider listening to.