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Glenn Beck is guilty of distortion at worst. AP Photo Evan Agostini
There is a false rumor growing on the "internets" regarding Glenn Beck which is really something that should not even be discussed with no evidence. The false rumor has also appeared in the comments of some of my pieces by those attacking Beck. I am addressing it here because I fear some people actually believe this rumor and as a Beck opponent on most issues I feel I have some credibility if I stick up for the man on anything. I will continue to attack Beck's stances on people like Van Jones but he deserves better than to be subjected to this rumor.
So what is the rumor? One website uses a myth as a rhetorical device by stating that Glenn Beck may have raped and murdered a girl in 1990. At the very bottom of the page the page the website discredits its own myth. The problem is many are actually advocating the myth as reality. There is absolutely no real evidence supporting this claim and without such evidence the claim should not be made. It is a vile attack on a man who I disagree with vehemently but who does not deserve such accusations. I realize this may lose me some readership but those who are making the allegations deserve even more condemnation than Beck when he calls the President racist. The false claim against Beck is much more damaging and heinous in its intention.
Some are employing the rhetorical tactic that Beck sometimes uses in saying, "if it is untrue why has he not responded." My answer is that he should not have to respond to completely absurd statements. Furthermore if he does not respond that does not "prove" anything. We do not convict people in this country merely based on their silence.
Others claim they are just having fun in using the claim to illustrate Beck's own faulty logic. I understand the reasoning of such people but feel like there are other absurd, yet more appropriate myths that could be used to make such a point. After all one must ask if they would really want another to make a point about their logic by publishing a story about their mythical rape and murder. Even if you discredit the story by putting it out there you feed the rumor mill.
For those who really believe this story has an ounce of truth I would ask why this story has not been covered already. Keith Olbermann of MSNBC is no big fan of Beck, and for that fact neither am I. If this story really were true every liberal media outlet would rush to cover the story. In reality no one with serious credibility is covering the rumor because their is no evidence behind it.
Finally some are also saying there is no evidence establishing Beck's innocence and we should therefore assume he is guilty. This argument completely flies in the face of how we operate our system of justice. If you are going to make such a bold, ruthless claim about someone you had better have solid and substantial evidence before you even speak about the matter. No such evidence exist against Beck.
While I think Beck distorts and twists the truth I have never heard him go as far as to make up a rumor about such a heinous crime of his opponent. In our zeal to prove Glenn Beck wrong let us not resort to the lowest of fabrications. Let us correct Glenn Beck with facts.
Comments
We're not SAYING that Glenn Beck raped and murdered a girl in 1990, we just find it interesting that he's remained completely silent on the issue.
Citizen Baine: Yes but if one keeps bringing up a claim and asking "why has he not responded" in effect you are making the allegation. In the same way that Beck will step back once during his entire program from his bold claims then spend the other 99% of the time talking about the bold claims. The impressions his audience comes away with is that the bold claims are somehow true.
In addition, it is not like these claims are being made directly against Beck in an interview. Instead they are just being randomly published on the internet. Would you like to be held accountable for responding to everything that is said about you on the internet?
You defend Glenn Beck against the valid question if he raped and murdered a girl in 1990. You shouldn't. "Innocent until proven guilty" exists in a legal fashion, not in the court of public opinion. It is fine for Americans to wonder if Beck, who, using lies, whips up a frenzied mob of unintelligent Americans against our government every day, was involved in the rape and murder of a young girl in 1990. Almost no one is claiming that Beck raped and murdered a young girl in 1990 (some wonder if Beck raped the girl after he murdered her), but they do want Beck to address IF he raped and murdered a young girl in 1990. So far, Beck has not denied it. He needs to confirm or deny that he raped and murdered a young girl in 1990, and offer official proof of his innocence, if he is innocent. Did Glenn Beck rape and murder a young girl in 1990? We don't know for sure, but his silence on refuting the matter is deafening. As this game works for Beck, so it works against him. He deserves this.
I could go on the internet and say that "Eric" killed a dog and then raped it's dead carcass. Nobody would assume it's true if you didn't respond. Somethings are just to stupid to deserve a response.
Ryan Witt, Glenn Beck does the same thing on his show. He makes insinuations, he leads viewers to faulty conclusions, he distorts facts to give an impression. FOX viewers are not the smartest people around, and are easily misled and directed where FOX hosts want them to be. Neil Cavuto is renowned for using these tactics, when he puts up a graphic on the screen that as a statement would be a blatant lie, but couches it by adding a question mark. If Cavuto covered this story, his headline would say "Beck Raped, Murdered 9 Year Old in 1990?" That is the FOX M.O. Distort, mislead, skew. The whole "Glenn Beck raped and murdered a young girl in 1990" phenomenon is being played out exactly as Beck does unto others. Link separate facts, repeat them and suggest there is truth, then state that you don't know the answer, but are only asking the question. People like Beck are disgraceful the way they use and abuse viewers unintelligent enough to think for themselves, and Beck deserves this.
Ryan Witt:
We're not making any false allegations, we simply want Glenn Beck to come forward on this issue, and answer a simple question. Did he really rape and murder a girl in 1990?
If not, he needs to provide proof that he didn't rape and murder a girl in 1990.
Bill, people are doing this to Beck because it is what he does on a continual basis. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. I don't expect he'll learn anything from it, because increasing his audience by lying to them and scaring them is making him millions of dollars, while he gets them to oppose policies that would actually help them. He is scum. He is foul. He cares not one whit about his followers. And for the record, I have never killed a dog, intentionally or not, nor have I ever had sex with any animal, other than a female human. See, I just answered the question as to whether or not I killed and raped a dog. Why won't Glenn Beck deny he raped and murdered a young girl in 1990? Why is Glenn Beck so silent on this?
If what Beck does is wrong in his distortion, and I agree that it is, then we do nothing to advance the political debate by using the same tactics. Perhaps I am naive or optimistic but I believe we should use more civil methods of attack. If we do then in the end I think we win the credibility battle.
Ryan Witt how did you trick somebody to let you write for a newspaper?
The liberals that started this rumor need to learn one thing, there is no such thing as bad publicity. Since the boycott Beck has gained about 500,000 viewers.
Why do you think he is pushing harder to upset you guys? Because the more ge does, the more blogs and stories here and on huffington post.
You guys are free advertising for him and you are doing nothing but adding fuel to the fire.
If you haven't yet figured it out, this rumor is meant to be sarcastic and ironic. It originated on a humor website. It's meant to be a parody of the Obama "birthers", who claim that Obama should defend himself from claims they made up and have no logical basis for. It's designed to clearly illuminate the logical flaw in that argument and a lot of other conservative arguments: That just because people call Obama a "socialist", "anti-American", or a "Nazi" doesn't mean he owes anyone proof that he isn't. Why should he or anyone else pay attention to such ridiculous fabrications? That's the analogy. This clearly goes quite a bit further, but it's satire. No one actually thinks Glenn Beck raped and murdered a girl in 1990. This is not a news story.
Zach: I do understand that it may have started that way but it has morphed into something people actually believe. If you read many of the comments submitted in this and other articles you will see proof of this. I felt it needs to be addressed. If no one is really taking the rumor seriously then I am glad but I fear not everyone takes your point of view.
In case you didn't read the disclaimer at the bottom of the page you linked to, it's a hoax. Meant to prove a point about how if you say something almost anyone will believe it. Got you, didn't they?
Ryan, I appreciate your desire to see these types of activities cease, but this is being played out because it is exactly how people like Beck operate. That is the whole point. Beck uses these very same tactics to attract an audience. In a perfect world, this "murder and rape" theme would alert everyone to how Beck, and FOX News in general, advance their dishonesty. It isn't a perfect world, but maybe some people will understand that what is happening to Beck is what Beck does for a living, and maybe they won't be so inclined to believe the unscrupulous scumbag.
Miss Information: Yes they "got me" in that I completely denied the rumor. "Got me" indeed. The fact that the put the disclaimer at the bottom of the webpage, where few waster their time, just contributes to hysteria. Again, many actually believe the rumor. See the commenter below.
I don't think anyone's accusing Beck of anything, the public just has some questions regarding his whereabouts and his actions in 1990. He definitely needs to come forward and face these rumors before they get any worse.
Hi - I'm the site operator. Soon as I post this, will be putting a link here at the bottom, in "media" - you'll be "Examiner.com (3)" :)
You said: "Some are employing the rhetorical tactic that Beck sometimes uses" -- that is EXACTLY and ENTIRELY the point. The accusation was chosen precisely because it was so over the top that nobody should take it seriously. :)
This could all be cleared up quite easily. Although I'd still be worried, afraid. Glenn Beck's silence on this issue speaks volumes.
I am a flaming liberal/news junkie and this is the first I had heard of this - thank you for enlightening us. On a serious note though, Glenn Beck can't spell:
www.youtube.com/watchv=P_lgTIZ22jE&feature=player_embedded
Name Withheld: I see your "rhetorical tactic" but the way you present is misleading many into actually believing the rumor. It is up to you obviously but I think you should be more straightforward about the bogus nature of the claim. Obviously it is your choice.
this is not what it is about its about political agenda
Why wouldn't he just come on out and say he didn't if he didn't? Why does Glenn hate the truth?
Wow. You sure got punked on that one, Mr. Witt. I suggest reading your sources more carefully in the future. Especially disclaimers on websites.
I think this is awful, spreading lies like this to prove a "point."
The truth of the matter is, Glen Beck was raped by a young boy in 1990, after which he wrote a short story about murder.
This piece has been updated to reflect a more accurate portrayal of the website linked to. I understand the point the authors are trying to make but I fear their tactic is leading to a rumor many actually believe.
Research better. This started on fark.com, an independent website with both conservative an liberal members. No one is actually making any allegations, they're directly parodying beck's style of spreading FUD without ever making explicit claims. The fact that many people are starting to believe it is exactly the point: Beck makes ridiculous claims and then hides behind satire, but people actually believe him too.
Deep Throat: So you are saying it is appropriate to make up the most horrid rumor about someone that others come to believe (even if you acknowledge it is made up) in order to prove a point? To me it is just resorting to Beck tactics to prove Beck wrong. It lowers us to his level. Actually it lowers us to a level lower than him. Call me unconvinced. I think there are better ways.
He raped my cat in 1992.
"The problem is many are actually advocating the myth as reality. There is absolutely no real evidence supporting this claim and without such evidence the claim should not be made."
How does it feel to be on the other side now, a**hole?
I think this is awful, spreading lies like this to prove a "point."
The truth of the matter is, Glen Beck was raped by a young boy in 1990, after which he wrote a short story about murder.
I'm pretty sure that Glenn Beck did *not* rape or murder that girl in 1990, but I haven't seen any evidence proving otherwise. Until then, I remain inquisitive.
I'm NOT accusing Glenn Beck of anything. I have no PROOF that he raped and murdered a girl in 1990. But a lot of people are asking questions. It would be so easy for him to clear this up and prove that he did NOT rape and murder a girl in 1990. What's he hiding? Maybe the "truth" would come out that it was really in 1991 not 1990. But by not answering this allegation, Glenn Beck is just creating more questions. Glenn Beck should just come out and offer definitive proof that he did not rape and murder a girl in 1990, then all of this would just go away, and he could focus on more important things. Like spelling.
Where's the body?
It's pretty disingenuous to call out 'liberals' as the ones who are creating this rumor. It's just some internet prankers, and you're just trying to use it to push your own agenda that much further. I'm just glad you did it in the title so I didn't have to keep reading.
Glenn Beck thinks it's okay for him to joke about murder...
foxnewsboycott.com/glenn-beck/glenn-beck-jokes-about-poisoning-nancy-pelosi/
Glenn Beck thinks it's okay for him to talk about wanting to beat people to death...
mediamatters.org/print/blog/200909010014
I want to know why Glenn Beck doesn't refute this claim by merely providing us with evidence that he didn't rape and murder that girl in 1990.
I don't think Glenn Beck murdered and raped a girl in 1990 but I FEAR he did
Oh, now it's OK for Con(artist)servatives to slander the left, make up any drivel they want even going so far as to suggest "death panels" but when a liberal does the same thing and publishes some drivel about the lowest form of human manure (Beck) it's suddenly the most vile thing anyone could do?
Where's the double standard here? Oh I don't know...maybe it's the fact that conservatives have been pulling this crap since i can remember and one lie about Beck and they're the bad guys..
Get real.. It's impossible to cut to low on this moron.. It can't be done. If someone said Beck raped a bus load of nuns and babies I don't think even that would be low enough. The schmo has it coming flat out.
Wooooooosh.
"This piece has been updated to reflect a more accurate portrayal of the website linked to. I understand the point the authors are trying to make but I fear their tactic is leading to a rumor many actually believe."
Wait...you mean like the way people believe in death panels?
The way people believe our children will be indoctrinated by the President?
The way people believe that the President is all about reparations?
The way people believe every other disgusting, vile thing that comes out of this clowns mouth?
Not ALL people...but have you seen the proof of what Fox News viewers "believe"?
Give me a break! This campaign is UTTER GENIUS!!!
But the "death panels" are still real right? And Obama is a secret Muslim communist racist, right? Because now you're starting to worry me. I have no problem with Glenn Beck raping and murdering someone in 1990 as long as he's telling us the truth about what's really going on TODAY.
The feral moonbat-blog juggernaut, that you contribute to, cannot be stopped now Mr.Witt.
So far, nobody on the far-left has disputed any of Glenn Beck's claims with a factual retort or filed a libel/slander lawsuit against him.
The CoC boycott against free speech for GB has only increased Glenn Beck's ratings.
Obama's poll numbers are steadily dropping every week.
Surrender now, pinkos, while you still can!
<serious mode>Do you have any actual links or sources suggesting that people actually believe the rumor?</serious mode>
Do you have any actual evidence that Glenn Beck didn't rape and a murder (not necessarily in that order) a young girl in 1990?
Whoever came up with this rumor is an idiot. And the people that believe the rumor are even bigger idiots. Disagree with Beck if you want but don't make up blatant lies. If Beck is saying something that is not factual, call him out on it. Just as he pushes the facts of his arguments. But this type of crap is what stupid people feed on and is why you cannot have logical arguments with them.
@Mark
We're not actually saying Glenn Beck raped and murdered a little girl in 1990. We just think its interesting that nobody has investigated this.
"Let us correct Glenn Beck with facts." Excuse me? What facts do you have to discredit Mr. Beck's findings on people like Mr. Van Jones or Mr. Sunstein? I would be interested in hearing those "facts". Videos pretty much spell it out as well as public record.
You seem awfully protective of Glenn Beck... very interesting... perhaps you know something about the rumor that Glenn Beck raped and killed a girl in 1990? Why won't you tell us what you know?
"The problem is many are actually advocating the myth as reality. There is absolutely no real evidence supporting this claim and without such evidence the claim should not be made."
That sounds a lot like the Birther morons.
Why is Beck REALLY going after Jones? I wonder if Beck will ever allow his viewers in on the 'secret' that Jones is the one who started the boycott against Beck's advertisers??
how old are all the individuls posting here?
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