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.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Angela Wilsford, Bill Press. Bill Press said: My take on Beckapalooza, plus some photos http://bit.ly/b9mZXP [...]
Cake or Death!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNjcuZ-LiSY
Did anyone happen to see the ultra-religious guy with a bullhorn preaching loudly about Jesus near the monument? People confronted him and actually told him to shut up, and the Park Police came and talked to him. The irony!
Liberation Theology?
Sez Beck. His Magic Mormon Panties are in too tight a bunch for His brain to be working corectly.
K.
I’d hate for us(Progressive/Democrats) to be seen as anti christian. We are not. I thought it was their affirmation that there is only room in America for white christians.Very narrow minded and as a follower of Christ ( and not christians) I was kinda shamed by them. They dirty my Christ with their narrow judgements.
Mr. Bill Press. I’ve never even heard of you until this moment when I saw your ridiculous statement on Breitbart about how Beck in DC is equal to Al Qaeda at Ground Zero.
You also wrote above: “it gave me a good, up-close look at Tea Partiers: old, white, and angry”
Mr. Press. From your pictures all over the website it looks to me like you are OLD and WHITE. From your tweets and blog posts and comments it seems to me like you are angry. So you are describing yourself. aren’t you?
In a year or two, when it becomes obvious that you were wrong… totally wrong… will you ever apologize for all the things you’ve said? Probably not. Since you have no morals. Tea party people ARE the American people. So… if you are against the tea party people… than you are against the American people. Simple as that. How about some journalistic integrity…or is that only for conservatives? You can’t even report about the rally without putting people down and making fun of it all. Hilarious.
You didn’t want to go over to the Sharpton rally now did you? Why not? Wouldn’t fit in? You wouldn’t understand it? You know the stuff they would say? As I said before, you are old white and angry.
Liberals had better be careful with all the race cards they are using because the sting of that accusation has already lost its sting.
You also wrote: “From their white hair, it’s clear they’re also all on Medicare and Social Security.”
So the federal government has cheated people with social security since the 30s and medicare since the 60s. Is that the people’s fault especially when you have NO CHOICE to pay into Social security? You don’t actually think social security is a good thing do you? Oh wait… you’re an old white angry man… so I guess you do… since MY FREAKING MONEY is getting taken out of my paycheck to pay for your children!? NICE!
Anyway… like I said, I had never heard of you till this video quote on CNN. I guess if you use the talking points it will give you good press! Good for you for not thinking!
Press – You’re an old, white, ignorant MORON ! ( and in case you hadn’t noticed – your career is over, you old fool. )
Bill , Chill out,,, What whiney angst,,, Nice Try, But you of all people know Beck was referring to Rev Wrights BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY.
For months you have been demonizing and calling for a stop to this , and yet it happened , and much to your chagrin , without violence or profanity or the hatespeech spewed by you and Rev Sharpton
“From their white hair, it’s clear they’re also all on Medicare and Social Security.”
Gee Billy, a bit of a prejudiced bigot are we????
Bill shame on you for misleading your audience.
“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.”
That is not what he said or meant. What he said and meant is those people were ordinary people who did extra ordinary thing, and anyone in America could be the next great leader.
Bill shame on you for misleading your audience when you said.
“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”
That is not what he said or meant. What he said and meant is those people were ordinary people who did extra ordinary thing, and anyone in America could be the next great leader.
I hear more hate from the Bill Press show than actual facts about what he hates. What I can’t understand is how conservatives are all rich but yet are so stupid. Obvious not all people from any group are all stupid both parties have smart people, and stupid people. People who just follow because that is what their parents have done, not thinking past the hate they have heard all their life.
You are some angry people. This was NOT a TEA Party rally…how dare you polarize white people there were black people there too. If this was 1 million black people for a rally Restoring Honor to America or Muslim holding this rally your reporting would be positive and upbeat. You are white haters-and middle class american family haters. This rally was to unite people again. God Bless Each and everyone, and may you find some love for the fellow man in your heart. It is a bitter heart!
Beck’s Rally is like an Al Qaeda rally at ground zero? really Bill?
And you would rather die than have our country advance under Glenn Beck?
really Bill? I am not sure you have ever even listened to his show.
He has a better grasp of history than anyone anywhere in the MSMedia.
A political huckster? Billy?? Shame – you are doing exactly what Ann Coulter says liberals do when they having nothing legitimate to say; they start calling names. Shame Billy , you were raised to be better than this.
For the person who said about the choice to advance with Glenn Beck or to perish and chose perishing, I encourage him or her to do so. Another waste of space removed. As to Bill Press, your mission to seek relevance, a goal never attained, continues to be lessened by every word you write or speak.
I am glad to hear you came to see for yourself. But, sad you are not honorable enough to tell the truth about the people and the message.
First you are misleading your readers. I personally would guess the average age would be in the 40’s. Second, you might want to look in the mirror. Third, is the old white people’s voice not as important as everyone else? Fourth, there was no anger at all displayed. This is just hate speech and mean. Please prove your statements.
Glen Did NOT compare himself to these great people what he said and meant is that these are great people who changed the world around them, but they were just regular people who did extra ordinary things. They had a sense of duty to their country and acted on it. Any one of us could also be that type of person.
Really!! Is there any human in the USA that doesn’t think the country split down the middle between your side who wants to move us into a socialist country and Glen’s side who wants a strong capitalist system that has made the USA great?
I BEG YOUR READERS TO LOOK AT OTHER SITES INCLUDING GLEN BECK’S SITE IT THEY WANT THE TRUTH. IT THEY ARE NOT BECKAPHOBIC.
I was there with my sister and a few friends. I still have so much excitement about being there. I also feel strength in standing in the truth that it was a good, honest, honorable day and not racist and dispicable as the media has said. I feel like it doesnt matter what they say, because I was there, I know the truth. There is strength in that. My heart is still full, for God, for this country and all that is good. I dont know how you can write your comments if you were truly there. It speaks of the condition of your heart and the values you hold. They seem foreign to me, as much as mine must seem to you. I find this amazing. I wonder what makes you who you are.What drives you.What do you value?
“…old, white and angry…”
Ummm…Bill, have you checked your age and your melanin count recently? And you’re just as angry and hate-filled as any left-winger out there.
Can’t attck the message, so you’ll just insult the people and the messengers. Standard lefty tactic, and it’s not working.
Bill, you’re always good for a couple of chuckles……….
Bill, Bill, Bill…
You jealous? Thousands… tens of thousands?? show up for Glen Beck’s rally, you among them. Opposition research?
You could have brought a soap box to stand on… the first amendment says so. The question is whether anyone would have stopped to listen.
A peaceful rally and an energized base and the left wing kooks poke
holes in it. Nice. What would the lefties say if one of their rallies
were criticized? Hmmm. Lets stop spending taxpayer money like drunken
sailors and secure our borders and then we’ll be heading in the right
direction.
Bill Press is so unconventionally stupid that he makes false claims and then posts pictures that prove he is lying. Bill– shut up already, you fool. Better to sit quietly and have others think you are an idiot than to open your mouth and prove it.
Wow, what a pitiful analysis. So, due the inherently compulsive nature of government, older Americans have NO CHOICE about whether to be on Medicare and Social Security. But since they benefit in some way, they become hypocrites for protesting the corrupt system. Have you considered retirement, Bill? We really have no need for you…
Bill got it right. The government is mostly trouble and the reduces liberty when it grows. But I would not use the word “hate”. A better word or phrase is “don’t trust”.
Congrats Bill. You are now enjoying your 15 minutes of fame. I have to admit before your ridiculous comments about those who attended the Restoring Honor Rally, I didn’t know you had a Talk show. Does anyone listen to you? Also, it would take you, Olberman, and Maddow a month to draw that many people to one location.
kthxbye.
“I’d rather perish.”
So be it, Mr. Press.
Bill,
You should have chosen your pictures more carefully, the backgrounds behind those old codgers you snapped are full of YOUNG PEOPLE! Your such a LIBETARD!
Bill, have you had a Physical lately ,if not ,you need one now. Nurse , Doctor this patient needs a Brain scan. Down to the nitties you are a jerk. How can you sleep at night?
Bill, first of all…who are you? Does anybody even know you exist? Second, I was there on Saturday as well. I hate if for you, but you’re nothing but a liar – a blatent liar. Either that or you’re about the dumbest person ever. There were young, old; black, white, asian; man, woman; etc., etc., etc. There was NO anger – that’s another lie. It was completely peaceful – even with some liberal nuts walking through the crowd trying to incite…anything? If anger would have surfaced, it most definitely would have surfaced during the ending prayer when Obama and Congress was prayed for….once again, silence, no anger. Glenn has never compared himself to any of the figures you’ve mentioned…ever. He’s said that we need to be like, and to live like, Rosa Parks and MLK Jr. He’s said to read and understand the story of Moses multiple times. He’s said to learn about and gain wisdom from Washington, Lincoln, and Douglas. Finally – you seem to be a white haired old man. I’m not sure, but even with the meager following you have, you’re utilizing the system of Capitalism to support yourself. This is what the Obama administration, and the majority of those in Congress are destroying. But, if you want to shoot yourself in both feet – it’s your right…you have that freedom. Moron.
glenn can get 300,000 people to go to the mall, and you can only get 6 to reply about you going to the mall. that’s funny sounds like you are the angry one because you couldn’t get 500 people to go listen to you unless you paid them. you will parish before you ever have the crowd glenn beck has so keep talking nobody is listening anyway.
Judging by the numerous comments, I can see why you would like to parish. In your line of work it would be preferable then being irrelevant.
I try to listen equally to conservative and progressive talk to radio to get a balanced perspective and seems to me that the basic difference is that conservatives are more facts-based in their arguments will liberals are more emotional. Case in point, “From their white hair, it’s clear they’re also all on Medicare and Social Security.” Maybe I’m just really dense here, but I don’t see why this is a bad thing. I was always taught that elders should be treated with the respect they deserve, I guess you, Mr. Press, were raised differently. Doesn’t it seem odd that those on Medicare and Social Security would be supportive of a conservative rally since, as any Democrat will tell you, the Republicans are trying to end these programs that the elderly depend on? And why would they “hate government” if they need these for support and health care? You, Mr. Press, are as vague and contradictory as your dear President Obama. Aren’t you glad YOU don’t have to worry about being voted out of office in 2012?
Really, it’s an affront to the freedom of all ‘old, white and angry’ citizens to have to be forced onto Social Security and Medicare. I’m sure all deficit hawks will agree with me: this is the moment when Glen Beck should announce a million ‘old, white angry’ citizen march on Washington D.C. to demand the freedom to choose NOT to accept government Social Security and Medicare socialism.
Excuse me? I attended the Restore Honor rally and I am not old nor am I on Medicare. Many of the seats on the bus I traveled on were occupied by people under the age of 30. You must be blind to not have seen all the young people who attended the rally. By the way, I am not a Tea Partier either. I am an American who is very concerned about the direction MY country is going. Obama’s promise to fundamentally transform this country is frightening. I do not want to live in a socialistic state. I want to restore honesty, integrity and respect to my country. I want to live in a nation under God that is not divided by those who hate this counry.
Amazing that someone could right a book about the ‘toxic airwaves’ and then accuse an entire religion of not being christians, because he disagrees with a member of that religion. Pure hypocrisy.
I read your synd. col. in august titled “Conservatives lose top wedge issue.” The column ended with the words:”Their broken down jalopy just ran out of gas.” If you Liberals would only read the “manual ” God gave every one of us- The Bible – you too would realize that God puts the gas in that jalopy. I double dare you to shake the dust off your Bible, and read: I Corinthians, verses 9 & 10. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?-neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts etc. will inherit the kingdom of God.” No, the Bible doesn’t forbid same sex marriage, but God has spoken and we have to stop encouraging it.
Bill Press, as usual, does not comprehend what is happening in the real world. His attack on BECK shows exactly how misguided PRESS is. With all his self-proclaimed training in the priesthood, it is evident that he is not only attacking a good person in Beck, but he continues to attack the Mormon Church. Be honest, PRESS, you hate the Mormons. America reached the crossroads back in the mid-80′s. As Yogi Berra would say, when you come to a fork in the road, take it. And America did take it, but it was the wrong road and look where it has taken us to. Beck is right on. We need to be more loving and forgiving than to attack, attack and then attack more when someone is only trying to wake us up and point us in the direction the founder of Christianity would have us go. PRESS: time you retired.
can’t attack the message? HA HA HA!!! what a fool Scott is…
From your above post: “old, white, and angry.” – kind of sounds like you Bill…
You, my white haired friend, are an angry bigot. I was there. And it was a great event, attended by respectful people of all races. No political bashing, just hundreds of thousands of Americans who love their country and who want to restore a sense of dignity and honor. The left is losing the argument. And the voters.
Sounds like you have some spiritual problems. Have you ever had a personal relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ? It will make a difference in your attitude and speech. Try it!
Agree with Scott. Bill is putting his own spin on the ‘Restoring Honor’ Rally. I was there with friends and family and he is giving his few listeners the wrong impression. Furthermore, mocking the Founders is no way to gain favor or supporters.
Just a quick history lesson since Bill seems to be a little historically inept. The Franklin committee wanted the new national seal to include a reflection of divine providence and discussed a variety of themes including Moses and the Children of Israel in the Wilderness. Of course anyone who has learned any thing about the history of this great country probably knew that…knew the Biblical and religious influences of our Founders.
Which is why WE do NOT HATE this country. Just because we believe in limited government, as the original role of the Fed was meant to be, we LOVE our Country and want Honor restored and God brought back to the table. We have pushed Him out of schools and are trying to take him out of our History and Government. Except Progressives will have to destroy most all of the original documents and historical buildings & monuments in order to successfully do this.
Oh and btw, I’m not old, not white haired, and not ‘white’. Go Figure.
Interesting. I didn’t know that Bill had already written a bigoted anti-mormon screed about Mitt Romney back in 2007. So his bigoted colors have already been shown. I guess I will ignore him, and his sponsors.
Dear Mr. Press: The only reason why your website peeked my interest, is due to reports of your book sales which have peaked at 135 copies, just this past week…ufffff! Thanks for sharing the 8/28 rally pictures on your website. I see that you were only subjected to snaps from all the way back by the Washington Memorial, maybe due to those “87,000″ crowds. Shame you were not able to get a closer spot, as the crowds were gathering to overnight, since earlier on 8/27. I would like to discredit your labeling/S. I did attend, I am not a Tea Party member, I am not old, I am Hispanic, and though I am angry at what this administration is doing, it was not a day of anger, you might be confusing the two with the Al Sharpton rally. Hating government is tyranny and that’s not what we’re for. My hair is not white and I am not on Medicare, Social Security, food-stamps, unemployment, welfare or any other “nanny government programs,” which tend to keep the “heroine needle in the arm!” But of course, I know you know, exactly how the “system” works. Glenn Beck chose the Washington Mall, because as he said: “build it and they will come” and we did! Your reports of Glenn Beck’s comparisons are way off. As I suspect, you have nothing else to report, therefore, you attack, erroneously! You call yourself a journalist, yet if you were under my employment you would be fired. You are reporting lies and focusing on 5% of the negative displays. You either missed the whole message or don’t know how to approach it. My guess is the latter. It’s almost an obsession. My deepest condolences to you, as you perish!!!
Ummm Bill, I think it’s rather telling that you have 6 comments on your commentary on the Beck Rally, while Glenn had upwards of 500,000 peeps at his rally. You ask, “And how would you know, Mrs. Nagel?”, I was there Bill, I am a female, age 46 and center right. I saw many, many children there with their 20 something or 30 something parents. I also saw and befriended many people of different races. Admit it, you far lefters are scared to death and you KNOW that Novemeber is going to be a blood bath for the Dems. Counting the days till we take back the House and Senate AND then the Presidency in 2012!
Jealous much?
Oh, and by the way congrats on selling a whole 135 books last week
I’ve learned a few things about you over the past few weeks:
1. Nobody can accuse you of clear thinking – you are void of this trait.
2. You are either completely ignorant of the Tea Party principles, or you are lying to your readers. Neither of these explanations can be excused.
3. You are either blind to the demographics of those at this event, or you are lying to your readers. I believe the latter.
4. You are only partially correct regarding the Tea Partiers “all hate government.” Government has a very necessary and defined role – we all know that. The Tea Party simply dislikes what this government has chosen to become. President Obama is not the only president to violate the tenets of our Constitution; he is simply the most recent and, by far, the most aggressive in his efforts to dismantle our Constitution.
5. You (and like-minded bigots) seem to know little to nothing about the LDS (a.k.a. Mormon) faith. I personally know dozens of LDS people, and I’ve read their scripture several times. Like it or not, it is clearly a Christian religion. To state otherwise is a sign of ignorance or dishonesty, neither of which is excusable.
6. You may have studied Christian religion extensively, but you obviously have not accepted it. By your fruits, we know you.
Thanks for yet another reminder that liberalism and intellectual honesty cannot coexist.
Bill-
You tell us of all your “accomplishments” to justify your being a Christian. ‘If you are born in a garage, that doesn’t make you a car!’
Being born and baptized a Catholic, studying in seminary, knowing Latin & Greek, and teaching catechism, doesn’t make you a Christian!
Jas 2:19 You believe that there is one God? You do well! Even the demons believe as much — and the thought makes them tremble with fear!
Jer 9:23 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise person glory and boast in his wisdom; let not the powerful person glory and boast in his power; let not the person who is rich glory and boast in his riches; 24 but let the one who glories glory and boast in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Galatians 5:4 (AMP)
If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law (the fulfillment of the Law’s demands through your own righteousness and good works), you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God’s gracious favor and unmerited blessing).
Ephesians 2:8-9 (AMP)
For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]
Romans 11:6 (AMP)
But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace [it would be meaningless].
Sadly, it seems that you are perishing, along with the rest of the dishonest liberal media… That’s ok, unemployment lasts for 99 weeks.
It is quite revealing that your second photo contradicts your own statement that “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.” Clearly you had no appreciation for the God-centered program that honored America, Americans, and veterans. I was there and saw almost 1 in 7 men were veterans wearing a hat and/or t-shirt indicating their service to their country. Obviously, you left your objectivity at the subway before you entered the rally grounds – and I’m disappointed.
I’d counter your post with some actual facts about what Glenn said, but with only six responses to your blog post it doesn’t appear that anyone is listening to you anyway.
Finally something we agree on… you know the whole you would rather perish part.