(photo: he almost cried)
We sat eating a soggy turkey sandwich and sweating like pigs at a table near home plate on Safeco Field waiting for Glenn Beck.
It took a while.
We were graciously invited to lunch at the Beck event by the famous former conservative blogger, Piper Scott, who's leveraged his bloggerdom into a paying job with the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, the venerable right-wing cabal for whom the event was a fundraiser. (They invited Beck in February when his presence was expected to draw but 1800 souls. Beck's success in making himself the most controversial man in America, worked well for them, with over 7000 reportedly in attendence. "There is a God," Piper Scott told us with spiritual intensity).
Behind us in the stands were the hoi polloi, the t-shirted tea-baggers, the blue-jeaned conservative nihilists, the razor-cut kids, and the aged "I'd-rather be-pissed" boomers of the populist right to whom the needy, screedy homespun Glenn Beck is hope and change. They and they paid $25-35 each for the wearing silly shirts for for freedom. Dino Rossi was there.
(The Gadsden flag is the Stars & Stripes, "Right-wing Protesters' Model." Hawked at every conservative event these days, ($5) and featured on one of Beck's book covers, the yellow "Don't tread on me" flags with the rattlesnake are far more versatile for tea parties, town halls and demonstrations. One protester told us: "I can shove this flag up your liberal ass, whereas, I couldn't be that disrespectful with Old Glory."
After a some spirited "ask$,"by EFF suits; which included for boo inspiration. a clip of Governor Gregoire on the Jumbotron snarling like Margaret Hamilton. Also the inevitable, requisite, pro forma tributes to veterans and Dave Boze (KTTH m-f, 3-6p) in a white shirt and tie ingratiating himself to the elderly crowd with his respectful introduction, Beck finally bounded out. (Boze's shirt and tie choice has rightie-world buzzing that he, in deference to his Bonneville/LDS bosses, and admiration of Glenn Beck is converting to Mormonism. Stay tuned).
(Boze in his good boy shirt)
Beck came out in shirt sleeves, and delivered a Beckish speech full of platitudes and exhortations of patriotically correct do-gooding and glad-hands for everyone in sight. He got that catch in his voice a couple of times making us think he was going to cry, but he motored on, (see photo above) and we didn't get the pathetic sob we were all praying for.
He's an effective speaker, and knows his audience. Mysterious was his badmouthing of Theodore Roosevelt, a hero to most Republicans. Beck (and his political inspiration, the long dead Mormon crank, W. Cleon Skousen blame him for the income tax, and hold the national parks against him as a sort of socialist scheme. He was a scary "progressive," he said.
It didn't make much sense, but it didn't matter, the crowd cheered with the rise his voice, and the timing of his punch-lines.
We scooted out fast in order to scoot up the freeway to Mount Vernon where the protest action was heavy.
'bout time to change the blog name to "Beckwatch", eh?
Posted by: RobP | September 28, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Nope. Con talkers rarely venture this deep into the liberal forest of the west coast, but this one did because the mayor of whoville invited him, and Beck's network (also known as the Cons Network) funded the visit. Apparently they couldn't find I-5 from Safeco Field, because they didn't make it to Mt. Vernon. Beck showed, but was evidently to scared to wave at his enablers from his vehicle. Maybe this was because of the overwhelming number of people who showed up to let Bud Norris know that supporting hate and fear is not a Skagit County value.
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Glenn Beck has a more profound on liberal progressives than Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, Savage, and Ingraham combined.
Posted by: mrogi | September 28, 2009 at 02:40 PM
From my point of view, mrogi the article Hood posted was very even handed and accurate.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 28, 2009 at 05:07 PM
A more profound "what", exactly? Was your message interrupted by an incoming message from Fixed News on how they want you to think today?
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Looks like mrogi is desperate, he does not want us to discuss Beck’s lies and hate.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 28, 2009 at 05:25 PM
I saw the Time mag article today while I was waiting to get an eye exam, and the receptionist and I started talking about Beck, and the events in Seattle. She said she's not into following politics, but "...that Glenn Beck is nasty", and that she was glad that the people in Mount Vernon protested. "I hope America continues to stand up against people like Beck that are that full of hate", she said.
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 05:39 PM
I wonder what the repercussions will be when folks hear about his lie concerning his mother. I have explained the circumstances to my republican acquaintances and they were taken aback.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 28, 2009 at 05:52 PM
Rachel is talking about the spin that the GOP has put on ACORN, and how a lot of people have been caught up in the cons lies. I'm glad somebody is putting the truth out there, and exposing the falsehoods that the GOP has spewed.
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 06:09 PM
Drew, I am glad you reminded me. I had forgot Bernie was going to be on the air. By the way, did you see this?
Posted by: M.Steele | September 28, 2009 at 06:30 PM
No, but thanks for puting that up here...geeez, she's a nut job. And those eyelashes are scary...gettin' her "Halloween" on kinda early, me thinks.
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 06:54 PM
joanie posted a consideration of Max Blumenthal’s idea about the end of a movement. I think the Taitz situation is endemic of that consideration. And those lashes, only a con can love them.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 28, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Yes, they're reminiscent of the Tammy Faye Baker School of Face Painting
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 08:18 PM
Drew did beck address the mob in MV? Do you have any after party news? Is the Mayor out and about or sequestered?
Posted by: M.Steele | September 28, 2009 at 08:32 PM
We didn't even see when Beck arrived- you'd think that the Duke of Dork would've wanted to at least give the Princess Wave to his adoring fans as he rode up. Unless they spirited him in through the sewers, he kept his hands and feet inside the vehicle whenever he came in. Obviously, the much larger crowd of People Against Media Crackers was intimidating him to stay out of view.
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Beck shows up in Seattle and big hoopla ensues. KPTK sponsors liberal summit meeting each year. Maddow, Rhodes, Hartmann, and Malloy show up but nobody gives a rat's ass.
Posted by: mrogi | September 28, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Yes. This is because thousands of cons will line up in the hopes that Beck will sign their hods and armbands. They fetch some pretty decent prices at Idaho yard sales
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Wait ogi, you are saying the effectiveness of a talker is based on the ability to draw detractors? By the way, do you know how many folks were drawn to ShoWare Center?
Posted by: M.Steele | September 28, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Drew; I guess chicken shit is admired among the con set.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 28, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Apparently.
You really should have been there. It was quite the experience to see all of those people from all walks of life, standing up against right-wing tyranny. Our air and ground assault was met with their tiny con navy, but they could only muster one craft into battle, which only helped to further isolate their understaffed troops. Sadly, the USS Unresolved Anger ran aground somewhere near I-5, their bad intel not indicating that any naval assault in that area should probably include a trailer. Meanwhile, our Coalition of the Informed continued to gain strength. It's important to note that a victory like this doesn't have a single photo-op banner, but literally hundreds of appropriate signs and slogans, and the dedicated Americans that carried them. And we stayed until AFTER the cons began their retreat, because we plan on taking the fight to them each time.
Yes, it was a great day to be an American. Bad day to be a Beckerhead.
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Yes, we have a long way to go before we catch up with the right wing dirty tricks dept.
Posted by: Coiler | September 28, 2009 at 10:01 PM
How's life on Beckwatch ? Beckerhead - pretty good. Too bad his last name isn't Peck.
Here's another good one - the appointed Czars and Obama's inner circle (esp. SEIU and ACORN) and the Taliban and Al Qaeda deserve each other and throw in the Iran's Republican Guard to liven up the encounter. It's a great night to be an American...
Posted by: KS | September 28, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Actually, that is not so far fetched. The czars and inner circle would apologize for the Americans being such pompous arses, then try to negotiate with the terrorists and the corrupted SEIU/ACORN thugs would be asking the Taliban and Al Qaeda for tips on how to terrorize those who they target to be Republicans. Of course, the terrorists would likely not respond in such a favorable way.
Surreal but true...
Posted by: KS | September 28, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Gregory Peck: fine actor, and a great American.
Glenn Beck: shitty actor, and a bad American.
Know the difference.
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Yes, VG. Slim Pickens, another fine actor. Most don't know he was a pinko commie liberal.
Posted by: Coiler | September 28, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Yes, he had stellar performances in both 1941, and Dr. Strangelove. Played that lunatic, right-wingnut fringe very well. Pickens was a true American patriot.
Posted by: Drew | September 28, 2009 at 10:59 PM
It's nice to have our blog back. I read all the comments. Well, except I skimmed klueless' - I'm sorry, he still doesn't make any sense to me.
Maddow did do a nice piece on Acorn tonight. Funny, you can always tell the ones who parrot the corrupted. Why do some people prefer lies to truth?
Explain that one Steele.
Tell judas he needs to look up the meaning of profound. He lost me on that one, too, Drew.
And oh those eyelashes! Definitely designed to attract a con.
Posted by: joanie | September 28, 2009 at 11:38 PM
joanie;
Not all of these cons believe what they utter and spew this stuff to get under the skin of others. And some are just plain ignorant. But there are a few that are true believers. And if there was one word for this kind of blind following I would call it paranoia. I have talked face to face with people who disagree with me on many issues, not just politics. But there are some that just lose control of their rational minds when facts interfere with their outlook. I have noticed that fear drives their judgment and describing their rational is emotional.
Take KS for instance. He talks of Czars as if they are real and ties them to terrorist as to make the Czars dangerous. The plain fact is there are no Czars in our government. The word is a nick name applied to an official by the press. Now if that was the only problem KS had we could overlook it as ignorance. But I remember KS extolling the virtues of Pravda a little while back. How can KS keep these two conflicting arguments teetering in his head? I think you know the answer.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 29, 2009 at 12:56 PM
KS...me thinks you got to 'ol Steele...Oh My...as Puck in MSND said 'what fools these mortals be' haha
Posted by: Duffman | September 29, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Incredible! 'Little girl falls down a well, her eyes get crossed...gets kicked by a mule, they straighten out'.
Bottom line: without any apparent rhyme or reason!
Posted by: Duffman | September 29, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Duffman on the other hand, fancies himself in charge of something. Of what; I do not know. At times, when challenged he seems to wee his pants. And odd euphuisms seem to erupt from his pie hole.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 29, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Nothing odd 'bout it...just a bit over your head...but, to be expected. How's JE doin for ya these days Steelie...haha
Posted by: Duffman | September 29, 2009 at 02:56 PM
lololol
Posted by: sparky | September 29, 2009 at 03:39 PM
KS made the offer, joanie served him up and I couldn’t resist.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 29, 2009 at 04:13 PM
Sad, you guys get your ass handed to you even when editing and being selective about what you allow. Toooooo funny!
Posted by: Duffman | September 29, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Rest assured Duff, none of this would be fun without the likes of posters like you. Even with your handling of asses.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 29, 2009 at 04:59 PM
M. Steele, the cons crowd had their asses handed to them by the liberals on Saturday. For all of their adoration and support for the racist Beck, they forgot to remind each other to show up in Mount Vernon- no wonder that the Chubby Blubberer didn't show his face as he arrived.
Wonder if the sight of all of us concerned Americans against racism and hate made him cry...
Posted by: Drew | September 29, 2009 at 05:17 PM
'the cons crowd'
Thanks 'Drew' for a minute there I thought you might be including me.
Posted by: Duffman | September 29, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Drew;
But he is the gift that keeps on giving. I love him for that. I cannot get over the lie he told about his mother’s death.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 29, 2009 at 05:53 PM
It looks like he's trying to capitalize on his battle with personal demons. He'll sell that story to a larger group of his cult by sensationalizing it to the max. Apparently, having a divorced mom with a drinking problem wasn't enough adversity to have to rise above.
The most believable story I ever heard about him was where he was raised by a pack of rabid hyenas in a Johannesburg landfill- I'm sticking with that one.
Posted by: Drew | September 29, 2009 at 06:27 PM
Wouldn't crow too loudly there...Edward's advocates....hehe.
Posted by: Duffman | September 29, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Two questions linger:
1. Will he come out and admit that he is the father?
2. Did he really tell his 'girl-friend' that he would marry her when his wife died
The world wants to know...the demprogs want to ignore. hehe
Posted by: Duffman | September 29, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Duffman’s sad attempt to change the subject… looks like desperation is the name of the game.
I wonder if the pill popper is looking over his shoulder and worried about the beckerhead. Anyone know if the pill popper has been going full guns with has race baiting? That is his strong suite and the becker is threatening to eclipse his fat flatulence, so you would expect some racial vitriol form the fat end.
Posted by: M.Steele | September 29, 2009 at 07:15 PM
You're shittin' me...the good Mormon Beck has an illegitimate kid? Now that is news!!!
Posted by: Drew | September 29, 2009 at 07:18 PM
I remember when republicans like Smedley Butler were loyal.
Posted by: Coiler | September 29, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Steele is a legend in his own mind except he doesn't know a czar when there is one - even if its a figurative name -BTW, Bush had them too. Ph(J)oanie makes no sense to me so hers and mine stuff collide in midair after bouncing off. Her ideology tells her to write that, but no one protested the premise earlier made. Soulless in Seattle...
It's hard to imagine the Lib Progs here believe half of the dopey and ignorant bullshit you spew forth. It's amusing for a while, then it gets boring and repetitive.
So you have a problem with
Pravda ? Why ? the ideology you are putting forth is more similar to it than different - I don't read it, don't need to - too many publications have evolved into imitations of it, with the Government media complex. Time to wake up and see the surreal life...
Posted by: KS | September 29, 2009 at 07:20 PM
True story, Duff - yes the Lib Progs will ignore and blather forth - that's their MO.
Posted by: KS | September 29, 2009 at 07:22 PM
At least they're staying within their category: the racist cons are feuding with the racist cons for ratings on con raydeeoh
Posted by: Drew | September 29, 2009 at 07:28 PM
Duffman’s sad attempt to change the subject
Duffman IS a sad attempt . . .
So, what's the deal with the vote today? I've lost track of what we want. Can anyone catch me up, please? I heard that Rockefeller made a valiant attempt to get us a real public option.
BTW, has Christine outsourced actuaries yet? I'm tired of spending my tax money on unnecessary gumment workers who provide unnecessary gumment healthcare to lazy spouses.
Posted by: joanie | September 29, 2009 at 07:28 PM
The Senate Finance Committee voted down both bills, which included public options. They're saying it's not dead, and that the discussions on public options will continue.
Posted by: Drew | September 29, 2009 at 07:31 PM