By all accounts the turnout for the “Restoring Honor” event in DC was impressive. Many more watched it on TV and online, which is equally impressive. The event which I dubbed “Beckapalooza” will probably not have the effect that many who attended may wish for. From my own State of Maine, there were a minimum of two and perhaps more large buses to the event.
It is probably safe to say that those who schlepped all the way to DC to watch their hero Beck rant and rave on stage were already prone to vote Republican. These are the quintessential religious right who have felt left out due to the emphasis on the fiscal issue obsessed tea party movement. These are also the same people who have spent the last two years trying to drag religion, and by that I mean Christianity, into the tea party movement.
Beckapalooza was their event to show the tea party movement and the rest of the country they are still a force to be reckoned with. Their continuous attempts to silence criticism of Beck, speaks to their mob like mentality which I have earlier likened to that of the most ardent Obama supporters in this piece.
“Why are people on the right making the same mistake as many who fell for Obama’s rhetoric and style? Can’t people see the hypocrisy in their actions?”
There are no doubt people who left the event today feeling full of hope that this new movement will usher Republicans into the majority in the House and the Senate. They may believe that the display that saturated the U.S. media and media in other parts of the world will help the cause of conservatism in the US.
The reverse is more likely. Beckapalooza was the embodiment of emotion over reason and religious right fanaticism. It is representative of what has turned millions of Americans away from the Republican Party and into political independents. To Americans who believe that religion and politics should not mix, the event was one big travesty.
When Beck said we need “a boot-camp for God,” many people including the author, were stunned. Remember the outcry in 2008 when fatigue dressed young men were singing Obama’s praises? Neither image is positive, at least not in politics!
We heard that Beck believes he is a cipher for God, a modern messiah doing God’s biding in modern day America. Beck repeated similar phrases many times during his speech, even evoking the televangelist vibe by claiming he got the 600k extra he needed for the event after praying for it. (*I shall add a link to the transcript as soon as its available. The video: CSPAN.org)
As a result of this event, Republicans will not win the Senate and it may also hurt their chances to win the House. The event may also hurt any self described tea party candidates in remaining primaries. The tea party movement was not involved in organizing this event. But watch the left and the media try to paint the tea party with a Beck brush.
If Beckapalooza was meant to pay tribute to the military, surely the focus should have been on the military. A couple of speakers and a moving story. We heard far more about God and Beck than about the sacrifices of our military now and through our country’s history.
How, with Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and 2008 Vice Presidential candidate, as guest speaker can Beckapalooza be anything but a political event?
Glen Beck has solidified his religious base but this display over-wrought religious self-righteousness will embolden the left and their base like nothing that Obama, Pelosi and Co could ever achieve. Was this Beck’s intent?
Comments
I think you are overestimating the effects of the event. A train load of lithium batteries could not energize the left at this point.
You're an idiot. Stay in Maine.
You are not a good writer. Look for a new profession.
Andrew, your hatred of religious ideology is apparent.
Who are you? I'll tell you....
You blindly follow political ideologies, work tear down others and promote division amongst your fellow Americans. Your blog is your own simple minded opinion based on what your mind twists in to your own private delusional reality.
I know you want your article to be perceived as the truth, it's not.
You don't like the message? Fine.
Try researching and understanding why people think this country is going down hill. It is!
It obvious that you are grossly unqualified to characterize this movement or Glen Beck.
Religion is not a demon. Folks with faith are the bedrock of this nation. Values and character are in short supply. Politics has become a circus side show and your article is adding more filth to the flavor.
At the end of the day when you measure your life. What will you be left with...?
It sounds like you'll stand on your own. Alone. Empty.
Very sad my friend. Very sad.
I oppose your message but I really do hope you find some faith in your life.
Hmmm..I saw very clever stickers with the Homocon web address on them. It seems they weren't turned away by all the religiosity on display.
Thank you very much for your comments. i appreciate you taking the time to prove my point.
Dear people who are commenting on this article your concern shouldn't be the energizing of the left but instead with the scaring the crap out of the middle.
How can we claim to believe in separation of church and state when every religeous right wing nut in the country keeps jamming their ideoligy down our throats?
Like it or not, this country was founded on religious principles and that is what made this country great. If you don't like it move to Russia (I've heard they don't like religion over there)
Separation of church and state is to keep the state from dictating what the church should be. The church needs to be there so we as a people retain the correct principles to govern ourselves.
Andrew, you are a very bitter angry little man.
Your article brings to mind the name, Joseph Goebbels. I find it difficult to believe you're as much of an idiot as this article would lead one to believe. I'm more apt to believe you're complicit with the ideology that is currently hell bent on usurping the form of government that was established by our Founding Fathers.
Oh look all Beck's fagboys took a break from sucking his cock long enough to insult the writer for daring to criticize him.
Good article...
People who are criticizing the writer for being "anti-religious" don't see that people like Beck are nothing but self-proclaimed "speakers for God". Anyone could do that, but only really stupid people would believe it...
Nice to see Becky's Bitches proving their lack of faith. Not in Becky but in Jesus. Can somebody direct me to the Scripture where Jesus just called everybody idiots and spat out a bunch of circular reasoning? Is that in the Bible or the book of mormon (you know, the book written by that cult Becky's in).
"As a result of this event, Republicans will not win the Senate and it may also hurt their chances to win the House. "
Would you put money on this claim? The sole reason Republicans not winning the Senate is this event.
Yep Tania, I will buy you several drinks @ CPAC if the Republicans win the Senate despite Beckapalooza.
Well, we did win Congress and had very little chance of winning the Senate in 2010. Gaining 6 seats is a win for me...and a loss for you.
Mojito is my drink of choice.
Do you 'care about the facts' or do you 'just want something to bash' Beck with? This sounds more like truth to me. I was an independent who changed over to the Republican Party due to the values and character of Beck and the 9-12 movement. You're wrong. This event was NOT about religion but it is and will be in the future about faith.
There is a lot of truth to what is written here, from everyone.
This was not about restoring honor, it was about restoring religion. One of the things Mr. Dodge failed to mention is that Tea Party Patriots was so eager to set at the feet of Beck that they "worked for him"! The people who actually helped start this, worked for Beck. Oh and then if that was not dumb enough, they came up with the brilliant plan to ride his coat tails on Sunday morning and have a protest of their own. Opps, only about 150 signed up. So all you TPP people they just pissed away a whole bunch of your money.
I just came across all this. I was at the even on 8/28. It was wonderful Why does the left ALWAYS speak with such vitriolic language. I guess it is all they know. Too Bad! Also, the people at this rally are not from the fanatical religious or political right. They ARE the American People.
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