Mayor Bud Norris of Mt. Vernon says it's "highly probable," that Glenn Beck, (KTTH m-f, 6-9a) the controversial Fox news commentator will come to his Skagit County town to receive the keys to the city and an evening in September will be proclaimed, Glenn Beck Night!
An official announcement with the details will be made Monday, Norris told BlatherWatch Friday.
A onetime resident of the northern burg, Beck will keynote a luncheon fund-raiser Saturday September 26 for the far-right Evergreen Freedom Foundation at Seattle's Safeco Field- and if Norris gets his way, he'll then travel to his old home town to be honored.
The metasticizing scandal after Beck's racial remarks and the possibility that it might wee-wee up Mt. Vernon's squeaky-clean image, ".. .doesn't concern me," he said. "My job is non-partisan and this is not political ... there will who will see it as political. It's just that Glenn, who is a Mt. Vernon native, has achieved something."
Norris says he doesn't believe honoring Beck will hurt Mt, Vernon. But might Hizzoner be in for more than he bargained for?
(photo: Mayor Bud, watch what you pray for...)
Do Mt. Vernon boosters like Mayor Norris, know Glenn Beck's past wee-weeing on Mexicans and Latinos? Unique among communities on the Western, populated side of the Cascades, Mt. Vernon has few blacks, but because of the historically agricultural economy, it's had a sizable population -- over 25% -- of Latinos, mostly Mexicans, for generations.
(Unfortunately, as long as they've been in the conservative Skagit Valley, few of Mexican descent have penetrated the tight, white conservative men's club that is the political/business class).
Beck's long been foursquare against immigration reform; he rarely passes up an chance to denounce "amnesty," mock Mexicans, and warn of the "threat" their presence imposes on your security, your economic future, and your daughter.
He's claimed that illegal Mexicans are trying to "conquer our culture."and recently warned against confirming the first Latina Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, laughing, "Hey, Hispanic chick lady! You're empathetic ... you're in!"
In 2006, he made an elaborate joke (with graphics) on CNN HL about grinding up Mexicans and using them for fuel. A week earlier on the radio, he gave three reasons an illegal alien "comes across the border in the middle of the night": "One, they're terrorists; two, they're escaping the law; or three, they're hungry. They can't make a living in their own dirtbag country."
One could jump to the conclusion that growing up white in Mt. Vernon might not make you very tolerant. But Norris has run into a little opposition: if he thinks handing Beck the key to the city won't be partisan or controversial, he should check the record number of comments on the goskagit blog of the Skagit Valley Herald. They're running against Beck's visit, as did weekend's letters to the editor. (Hat tip to Don of LaConner who sends us hard copies of the Herald which puts too little of its content on-line).
Norris told the Herald he was unaware of Beck's comments about the president. "I am just going into it on the basis of recognizing him, and doing something at the same time will be good for the city of Mount Vernon to bring some attention our way."
Norris says he hopes Beck will mention his hometown's name on his show. (Beck recently told O'Reilly he was from Seattle).
You can bet Beck will use Mt. Vernon to buttress his redneck reputation, and bolster his down-home conservative bona fides. If he gets the key to the city, we guarantee Mt. Vernon will be able to proclaim Glenn Beck as a native son: whether that's something to brag about remains to be seen.
hicks
Posted by: AuthenticAndrew | August 28, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Sure would love to see La Rsza on Kincaid Street street, kicking up a fuss in Bud Norris's face.
Posted by: Mark C. | August 28, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Beck is a local boy who made good. His cable TV ratings leave the entire TV broadcast news industry gasping in stunned amazement. He currently draws bigger numbers than Hannity and O'Reilly. Beck's TV audience size is now 4 times bigger that Olbermann's. ASTOUNDING.
Posted by: mrogi | August 28, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Which means what, most of those watching him don't read the newspaper, or at all or don't have Internet access? It really only states what people are doing at a particular time of day if it's accurate. It doesn't include the other several million watching other non-cable network news, or other cable shows, or working a second job. Beck transfixes people the same way the Manson trial did, the OJ Simpson car chase or a train wreck does. It is the height of hubris delivered for disaffected middle America.
Posted by: Coiler | August 28, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Yep, mrogi. Just goes to show that everybody will stop and watch an accident happening. And I guess you'd be in the front row.
Coiler, don't ask. mrogi is code for money. Apparently he doesn't have very much and really, really wants it.
Dedicated to mrogi:
MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY
I propose that Michael open up a thread listing things that we think mrogi would do for money:
cut off the ears of elephants under the big tent
toss cats into the ring at a pit-bull doggie show
run horses off a cliff for the enjoyment of the ticket-purchasing spectators below
c'mon mrogi, what else would you do to exploit deranged people into ponying their hard-earned money to make your first million? Is there anything you wouldn't do?
Posted by: joanie | August 28, 2009 at 07:27 PM
BTW, I wonder if "Bud" will get reelected if he does this?
Posted by: joanie | August 28, 2009 at 07:28 PM
AA: Who are you referring to as "hicks"? Bud? Glenn? Certainly not the fine people of the Skagit Valley?
Is a hick better or worse than trailer trash? Better or worse than white trash? Better or worse than wet back? It sounds kind of folksy, so maybe it is not an insult, maybe it is a compliment.
BTW, I do not live in Skagit county; I just object to the use of derogatory terms for people we feel superior to.
I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't some protestations of the Mayor's action.
Posted by: AprilMayJune | August 28, 2009 at 08:29 PM
The reason that Beck and O'Reilly have such high ratings is that so many people have contempt for the mainstream media and a thirst for alternative reporting - in hopes of finding the full truth. People are downright pissed off at the lack of objectively shown by these libtards in the media since this president was nominated over a year ago. The Soviet Union had no edge over our media in hiding the truth.
To be curious is an important quality, that many people have. Anyone who believes the liberally based media at their word is stoopid, mentally unbalanced and/or recovering from an Obatomy. If Mt. Vernon had the mindset of Seattle, there would be big protests about this, but thank God it doesn't - there are way fewer abnormal folks up there. There will still be some people who are bothered, but fewer than you resident progressives want to believe.
Posted by: KS | August 28, 2009 at 10:55 PM
If that's true, klueless, why do so many more people listen to mainstream media than Beck and O'Reilly?
Posted by: joanie | August 29, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Listen to mainstream media - on the radio ? I don't think so.
Where do you get your "facts"
Ph(J)oanie ?
Posted by: KS | August 29, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Klueless, you're still klueless. And confused.
Posted by: joanie | August 29, 2009 at 10:52 AM
We go with Mom and Dad up to Mount Vernon every year to attend the Tulip Festival and have a lunch. I guarantee that will end if the mayor goes through with this. Beck is simply a foul-mouthed FM jock gone political for money. I cannot believe a person like him could be exemplified as representing the values of this small town.
Posted by: JP | August 29, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Is that all you have Ph(J)oanie ?
How about doing your homework before spouting off ?
Posted by: KS | August 29, 2009 at 11:57 AM
I was born in Mt. Vernon and I fully agree, JP. That he is even contemplating this makes me think he ought to be fired.
Posted by: joanie | August 29, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Those abysmal "I Love Money" reality shows on VH-1 get more ratings than Beck does.
Moral of the story: credibility/relevence is not measured by ratings
Posted by: Tigsnort | August 29, 2009 at 01:30 PM
WHY DID Bill OREILLY have to buy half of Schucks auto parts?
Posted by: Eeyore 57 | August 31, 2009 at 06:13 AM
I was born in Tr. Vernon and I fully agree, JP. That he is even contemplating this makes me think he ought to be fired.
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