Transcending the Becklash

[Geee]

Front Page Magazine:

It’s remarkable that one man with a microphone talking about God and American values could inspire such paranoia. Yet, many on the Left didn’t bother to listen to what Glenn Beck had to say on Saturday during his “Restoring Honor” rally in Washington, D.C., instead allowing their fear and loathing of the popular political commentator decide what his real message just had to be. Glenn Beck tried to stretch out a hand across the political divide and liberals smacked it aside.

There’s no doubt that Glenn Beck can say outrageous things at times or that he is often overtly theatrical when he delivers his message. Glenn Beck would be the first to admit it. He recently backtracked on his assertion that President Obama is a racist, for example. “I have a big fat mouth sometimes and I say things, and that’s not the way people should behave,” Beck was quoted as saying in a Fox News story. He added that he regrets saying a year ago that Obama has a “deep-seated hatred for white people” because it’s not accurate. Beck’s over-the-top style annoys liberals, most of whom can’t seem to come to grips with satire in any form, but his large and loyal audience enjoys the show. On Saturday, Beck abandoned any hint of theatrics, satire and hyperbole, using the rally to deliver a personal, heartfelt message.