Honor, Civil Rights and Religion

It was supposed to be an event to reclaim civil rights. Then it was billed as one to restore honor. And from what I'm reading it played more like a religious revival under the guise of saluting our troops.

Questions for folks who get Beck and his big event today-

From exactly whom is his movement reclaiming civil rights (and for whom). And who exactly became or made the country dishonorable and who exactly would be restoring honor- when and how?

I'm not in attack mode- just looking to be informed so pls take your sharp teeth out and dumb this down for me- cuz I'm not in synch with what tens of thousands and many more who didn't attend evidently understand.

Thank you.

I'm a little tired of being accused of something, anything, just because I'm white. I feel no guilt due to my skin color. I'm proud of my race, my people have accomplished much throughout history. Hate us, denigrate us, and try to repress us if you dare, but be forewarned, we will not go down without a fight.

post dummy to the rescue

Here's a dum-dum answer. I was confused too, until one of Martin Luther King's relatives got on the news and said she went because they were honoring these "qualities". I just kind of skimmed the viewing of it. It seemed like a good idea, but it didn't really grab my attention. It seemed a bit generic with no direction. Just like you Geo, I felt like something was missing. Since I didn't watch the whole thing I'm not qualified to give balanced input, but what little I saw seemed canned and didn't grab my attention so I surfed away. I hope I was so wrong and it was something monumental given the subject matter. I was looking for a little less talk and alot more action.
Still clueless
Duhhh ...

It was supposed to be an event to reclaim civil rights. Then it was billed as one to restore honor. And from what I'm reading it played more like a religious revival under the guise of saluting our troops.

Questions for folks who get Beck and his big event today-

From exactly whom is his movement reclaiming civil rights (and for whom). And who exactly became or made the country dishonorable and who exactly would be restoring honor- when and how?

I'm not in attack mode- just looking to be informed so pls take your sharp teeth out and dumb this down for me- cuz I'm not in synch with what tens of thousands and many more who didn't attend evidently understand.

Thank you.

Geo, I don't get it either; and, I am confused about the values part. For example, how can Glen Beck go on the air day after day and spew hateful language and name calling towards those with whom he disagrees; make unfounded accusations about all sorts of things, and then stand before all those people on the Mall and say we have to "turn back to God" and "reclaim American values".

What about:
loving kindness,
love thy neighbor,
help the sick and afflicted,
do unto others,
turn the other cheek.
All of which I was taught in Sunday School; and:
be polite,
say please and thank you
respect each other
share with one another,
which I was taught by my parents and grade school teachers.
what is he talking about?

Here's what Jon Stewart sez:

I Have a Scheme - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - 08/26/2010 - Video Clip | Comedy Central

White folks are on the outs now here in the U.S., yea, it's true, and most of those at the rally are whiney, old, or bigoted white folks (a few are rich and smart though). It is basically my generational demographic--I am whiney and old too(..and crabby), but for different reasons, plus I do not care for Nascar, fake religious indignation or fake national pride, or fake Fox news personalities for that matter.

White folks are on the outs, it is true. Some feel the loss of power, and feel totally threatened. Other white folks, like me, feel more empowered and finally free.

I am anxious for white people to be a minority in this country once more--then we will ALL be free.

Geo, if you don't get it now, you never will. It looks like 100,000 people who went get it. Just forget about it and move on.

Geo, I do not want to interrupt my Sunday morning news program viewing to answer your questions. May I suggest you watch Sunday Morning with Chris Wallace and maybe some of your questions will be answered. Back to Meet the Press.

I'm a little tired of being accused of something, anything, just because I'm white. I feel no guilt due to my skin color. I'm proud of my race, my people have accomplished much throughout history. Hate us, denigrate us, and try to repress us if you dare, but be forewarned, we will not go down without a fight.

I'm tired of other white people whinin' and cryin' telling me how outraged I should be over being picked on and singled out when all I just want to do is continue to live my life as a happy well-adjusted person who somewhere along the way has learned to adapt and ignore the shrill cry of the demagogues.

Zip3 and Andy,

Perhaps my qualities of seeking to understand and trying to be civil toward those with whom I disagree have you confused with some other idiot who'd read your responses and believe you actually posted something of value here.

I'm not that idiot. So step up to the plate and reciprocate the respect I'm putting forth with reasonable answers to my reasonable questions or go sell rude, unwilling and unable someplace else.

I'm a really smart guy and I didn't start this thread to waste my time. If there is something to get I will get it if you explain it.

beck is trying to justify his existence, stir up minorities, pander to his audience. if the tea party movement had college age participants in large numbers, i would say the movement had legs. young folks however, run from this mock-outraged clown locked in a 1950s time warp. indubitably, the whole thing is about loss of cultural dominance. beck is a carnival barker with a adhd legacy.

Shopper, I am perplexed by your response. It reads to me like it was written by someone in the midst of a civil, racial or religious war in Kosovo or somewhere in South Africa in the nineties.

And not only that- it sounds nothing like any of the other cryptic rhetoric I am hearing anywhere else related to Beck's event.

White folks are on the outs now here in the U.S., yea, it's true, and most of those at the rally are whiney, old, or bigoted white folks (a few are rich and smart though). It is basically my generational demographic--I am whiney and old too(..and crabby), but for different reasons, plus I do not care for Nascar, fake religious indignation or fake national pride, or fake Fox news personalities for that matter.

White folks are on the outs, it is true. Some feel the loss of power, and feel totally threatened. Other white folks, like me, feel more empowered and finally free.

I am anxious for white people to be a minority in this country once more--then we will ALL be free.

The color of your skin should make no difference so why even mention it? The whole Nascar statement shows your true intent. Have fun criticizing others for what you instigate. What a hypocrit.

Beck was asked a few questions that touched the surface of where mine seek to go. When asked what he meant about reclaiming civil rights he summed up that aspect of his event as "People of faith who believe we should all have an equal shot at justice".

Zip3 and Andy,

Perhaps my qualities of seeking to understand and trying to be civil toward those with whom I disagree have you confused with some other idiot who'd read your responses and believe you actually posted something of value here.

I'm not that idiot. So step up to the plate and reciprocate the respect I'm putting forth with reasonable answers to my reasonable questions or go sell rude, unwilling and unable someplace else.

I'm a really smart guy and I didn't start this thread to waste my time. If there is something to get I will get it if you explain it.

No offense but most left leaning folk think this too. It's called arrogance and it turns folks off. Don't get bent out of shape over a peaceful rally.

No offense but most left leaning folk think this too. It's called arrogance and it turns folks off. Don't get bent out of shape over a peaceful rally.

I wasn't speaking for others- I have no doubt I am a pretty smart guy and make no aplogies for saying it. But don't intentionally take that admission out of context. In fairness, I said that in response to being told that if I don't get it now I never will. This implies that the issue with my confusion is due to my inability to get it rather than with the clarity/cohesion of the movement and the event's themes.

Bent out of shape over a rally- not at all. Bent out of shape when folks respond disingenuously to reasonable questions phrased politely- yep.

So- back to my original post. Can anyone who suppprts Beck's movement provide answers to my questions? Beck sure didn't in what was billed as the first and only interview he'll do on this subject.

I think Beck's little dog and pony show exploits some people's fear of the ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity that always existed in this country, but seemed mainly confined to the left and right coasts. Partly because of technology, ideas and cultures that were once confined to particular regions are now spreading like wildfire throughout the nation. This alarms some of the more conservative traditionalists. Obama is seen as an icon for this more enlightened cosmopolitan sensibility, and the Tea Party is a fearful reaction against it.

So- back to my original post. Can anyone who suppprts Beck's movement provide answers to my questions? Beck sure didn't in what was billed as the first and only interview he'll do on this subject.

Geo, I think this one is sort of either you get it or you don't. I have no strong feelings either way, I am much more interested in the September 12 march on Washington. From what I have seen Beck wanted to do a positive event honoring various people. Since Albert Pujols was one of the honored I really don't see where the "white people" thing comes in. You have stirred my interest so I investigate further.

The color of your skin should make no difference so why even mention it? The whole Nascar statement shows your true intent. Have fun criticizing others for what you instigate. What a hypocrit.

does it concern you nascar drivers are always turning left?

I think Beck's little dog and pony show exploits some people's fear of the ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity that always existed in this country, but seemed mainly confined to the left and right coasts. Partly because of technology, ideas and cultures that were once confined to particular regions are now spreading like wildfire throughout the nation. This alarms some of the more conservative traditionalists. Obama is seen as an icon for this more enlightened cosmopolitan sensibility, and the Tea Party is a fearful reaction against it.

This may be the single most elitist, prejudiced post I have ever read on this forum. The tea party is a reaction to trillions of dollars of deficit spending that is mortgaging our children's future, government intrusion into our personal business (Obamacare) and out of control spending promoted by both political parties. But why let the truth get in the way of a good liberal chant.

This may be the single most elitist, prejudiced post I have ever read on this forum. The tea party is a reaction to trillions of dollars of deficit spending that is mortgaging our children's future, government intrusion into our personal business (Obamacare) and out of control spending promoted by both political parties. But why let the truth get in the way of a good liberal chant.

Coming from you, your critique is the highest compliment that could be bestowed upon another human being! Sorry, we're on to you. The tea's out of the bag!

Geo, I think this one is sort of either you get it or you don't. I have no strong feelings either way, I am much more interested in the September 12 march on Washington. From what I have seen Beck wanted to do a positive event honoring various people. Since Albert Pujols was one of the honored I really don't see where the "white people" thing comes in. You have stirred my interest so I investigate further.

Idlewind, I appreciate that lately you've been especially real, reasonable and have gone out of your way to articulate your views to those who might not agree but seek to better understand. I haven't conveyed this until now because I post with my iPhone a lot and there is no feature that I am aware that allows you to quote someone nor is there the ability to thank a post.

For what it's worth, I'm not assuming (or at least not leading with) the "white people" thing or any other preconceived notion about Beck's rally. I am asking genuinely about the advertised themes of reclaiming civil rights and restoring honor.

If I say I'm repainting my room and you've never seen it would it be unreasonable to ask what color it is now or what the new color will be? Reclaiming and restoring carry connotations and I struggle to believe they were unintended when used here.

I'm familiar with the concept of "you either get it or you don't". It applies to Lady Gaga's music, Salvador Dali's art, Monster trucks, sushi, colonics and Howard Stern. But I do not believe it applies here.

Reclaiming and restoring has strong cultural connotations, and the fact that Beck's rally had such a strong religion and tradition theme is enough to cause one to question his motives. This is quite obviously a poorly disguised highly political event designed to rally the "troops" around cultural issues in order ultimately to gain support for their candidates of choice. Pure demagoguery at its most transparent.

LS, I'd like to believe what you said isn't true. But I too am perplexed and was wondering exactly what the rally is meant to accomplish. Was there a platform or were specific solutions posed? The feel-good stuff doesn't tend to impress me. I voted for Obama based on many of his specific answers to specific questions, not hopey changey rhetoric, though there was plenty of that. Like you I feel at least somewhat let down. I guess I am wondering what new ideas are floating around, and whether they were presented at yesterday's rally.

I watched more of Beck's rally than I intended to yesterday (I missed Palin speaking, but heard a lot of the rest). I couldn't stop watching, because I was incredulous at the pitch he was making.

He seems to have finally settled on his message now, and it is that we need a Christian theocracy. The movement which was supposed to support the Constitution, instead wants to flatly state that this is (and always has been) a Christian nation and that we must stop denying our roots and history.

Incidentally, I also spent some time on the local Walton County Tea Party site, and on a few of the national Tea Party sites, and they are also on message.

I don't want to live in a theocracy, of any sort. I find the entire concept repugnant. I challenge anyone to name a theocracy which has not turned into a constant war machine, a suppressive dictatorship or both.

You can see this creeping into the message everywhere - the entire "Is Obama a Christian?" question, and the weird whisperings that fundamentalists are making about Nicki Haley in South Carolina (sure, she's a Christian now, but when did she convert? And why?)

He's on track now - you can read all of his quotes about how God has plans for him, and that God is guiding him.

This is scarier, to me, than any other aspect of his "movement". (Well, when you couple this idea that God is moving through him with his incessant hucksterism and the cash machine he has invented, it's really disgusting).