Back in November of 2009, Glenn Beck announced what he called his “100 Year Plan,” a series of sermons in which he would indoctrinate his disciples with his unique misunderstanding of “ethics, history, finance, community organizing and everything American’s need to know about how the government works.”
He said that his TV show would change as of the first of this year, but there’s been no evidence of that. In fact, he’s still replaying the same tired old out-of-context video clips of President Obama, Van Jones, etc., that he plastered his air with last year. But Yesterday he finally revealed that tickets for the first of his sermons will go on sale next week. The themes seem to have evolved from what Americans need to know about government to “Faith, Hope, and Charity.” In other words, he is fully embracing the mantle of the television evangelist that he clearly aspires to be. He is even calling the event “The American Revival,” and he promises that it will “blow your mind.”
Beck’s transformation from Morning Zoo DJ to Messianic Prophet is nearly complete. He isn’t even bothering to mask his ambitions anymore. Are you ready for Brother Beck’s Traveling Salvation Show?
“I want facts out there that you’ve never heard before, you’ve never learned. That you’ll sit in the audience and you’ll go ‘Oh my gosh. How did I not know that?’“
This should be easy for Beck. Since he makes up his own “facts” anyway, his parishioners won’t have heard any of them before.
“I’ve only done work on the first third so far and it will take your breath away…and make a case that is just dirt strong.”
One thing he is not lacking is ego. He is obviously convinced of his own inherent awesomeness and his ability to wow his audience, as if that takes much effort (keep a shiny object handy). And he has supreme confidence that he can make his case. But I’m not sure how strong dirt is.
“It comes with a workbook…It’s basically a survival guide, an American survival guide…You’re gonna be an American evangelist.”
Uh oh. This may be where he loses them. It may not be a good idea to start handing out homework assignments. Also, he’s mixing his metaphors. If you have an American survival guide it doesn’t make you an American evangelist. I makes you an American survivalist.
The survivalist model makes much more sense based on Beck’s history of predicting doom for the country. He is fixated on Armageddon. He routinely beseeches his flock to adopt his 3G’s: God, gold, and guns. And his rhetoric is dripping with nightmare scenarios of ruin and woe:
“If you’re here every night I don’t need to convince you that there are people intentionally destroying our country. Both on the right and the left. The rain is coming. I think you feel it in your gut. It is time to build an Ark. It is time to prepare yourself for some tough times.”
“You’re gonna see a black and white world, man, that is nothing but destruction and ugly. I don’t know why no one else will tell you the truth about these things. I don’t know and I don’t care.”
“I know what our country is headed towards. I know the struggles that are ahead in my life and I know the struggles that are ahead in your life. It’s not going to be pretty.”
The end times are upon us. Prepare yourself for a mighty fall. Then cower in your shelter and await the Rapture. But don’t forget to come out for the big Revival Show. Tickets go on sale next week. Be There!
Beck is proceeding down a well-worn path in a predictable manner. Once a demagogue starts talking Armageddon on a regular basis, their audience will lose interest unless, eventually, the “prophet” begins talking about a date certain for the event. This is why apocalyptic radio/tv evangelists tend to work on a cycle throughout their careers, rising to popularity as they predict a specific date for The Final Conflagration, then disappearing and reappearing in a different guise years later when the promised event does not occur, discrediting them. Beck is winging it, and he’s headed for a huge fall, no matter how much money is thrown behind him by Murdoch and the remaining group of right-wing advertisers.
I hope you’re right.
Beck is pretty careful about giving specific dates. He did say that the economy was going to collapse sometime after Christmas. The problem is that it is always “sometime” after Christmas, isn’t it?
Olbermann calls him Lonesome Rhodes. I call him Yertle the Turtle. Both met the same fate. I agree with you. by believing his own hype, he’s about to topple over and even his dumbest fans will finally become disillusioned.
or maybe I mean “un-disillusioned.” come to their senses, ie.
“…his dumbest fans…” Redundant, no?
Remember that us “fans” happen to be the heart and soul of America. Industrious and freedom loving, we embody best traits of Ameica. We are net gains for the system, not leeches looking for easiest handout. That’s why we get upset when the governement takes everything it wants under the guise of both parties and spends it to buy a new generation of votes. Beck is no tool of the GOP, but he does speaks for an enormous number of American that feel we have been disinfranchised by both parties…BTW you should take of the air america link… That faied attempt to influence us dumb american was the biggest waste of Soros dollars imaginable. Well he knows that now.
If you think that Beck fans are the heart and soul of America who embody its best traits, you are demonstrating the intolerance and fake superiority of the right. Do you really believe that you’re better than the people with whom you disagree?
How arrogant!
Beck already has learned how to cry on cue, he should give old worn out Jimmy Swaggart a run for the “M-O-N-E-Y.” Want a good laugh at the faker neocon RINO Beck? He appears to be practicing for his Revival sideshow I laughed till I cried folks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuV1XG517cc&feature=fvw
Glenn Beck’s integrity speaks for itself. I am one “sista” who is thankful for the gift of Beck. His goal is to restore the sound principles and morals that have made this country great. The USA is not perfect but it is good. Beck is a good guy.
Indeed, Beck’s integrity speaks for itself. He has none. He is a lying, greedy, egocentric, Apocalyptic cult leader. He regularly demonstrates his disdain for principles and morals.
I feel sorry for people who can’t see through his deceit.
What is wrong with you people. This is America what is left of it. Do you really believe in this administration BO if you dont like America for what it is and what it was founded on well you havent seen anything yet. All freedom will be taken away if BO has his way. This is a Fasicim office. They are not of God and the destruction they are bringing on America will bring us down to a 3rd world country if you think BO is about saving America you are wrong they hate white people and he is muslim what do muslims do they hate America also, and the white people. LORD have mercy on us. There is evil in this land thanks to the leftist. We have a Hitler regime in office.
For God’s sake, Nancy … take your medication!
Obama is neither a fascist nor a Muslim, but you are having a severe schizophrenic episode. You need to stop watching Glenn Beck and get some help dealing with reality. Do you really think that half the country hates America and wants their own freedom taken away?
Seriously … I’m worried about you.
Controversial media personalities with large audiences are always easy pickings for parody, buffoonery, insults, etc. Beck’s politics are really pretty standard and whether the author and some posters like it or not,they ARE shared by a large portion of this country (me included). I agree the prophetic nature of his latest phase throws up yellow flags for me; but it’s important not to confuse religious prophecy with social prophecy. Despite Glen mentioning his religious faith often; his prophecy is definetly of the latter form. One may agree or disagree with his predictions of “trouble brewing” in America; but the cynical, insulting way he is treated by some reminds me of Shakespeare’s line ‘me thinks ye protest too much”..