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Old news.
Glenn Beck Mainstreams Fringe Conspiracy Theories
August 28, 2009 12:00 am ET by Oliver Willis
Media MattersWe're used to Glenn Beck being "out there", but today's show was special. Beck's hour (the second day in a row in which he didn't say a thing about the passing of Sen. Kennedy) was all about the supposed secret army being built by President Obama. This secret army idea, not supported by any facts, though possibly written in invisible ink that Beck can interpret, is a pet cause of fringe radio host Alex Jones.
Jones is something of a leader in the underground 9/11 "truth" movement. They believe that the 9/11 attacks were an inside job and that all the governments of the world are controlled by a cabal of the uber-rich who want to kill 2/3 of the world's population. Really.
Jones has repeatedly alluded to the existence of a secret army being built by Obama, a similar charge to the one leveled by Beck on today's show. The difference of course is that Jones mostly transmits over the internet and shortwave radio. Beck has a show on a cable "news" network. Beck's previous flirtation with the idea that FEMA was building detention camps is also an article of faith with Jones and his followers.
The focus of the Jones/Beck secret army conspiracy theory is the AmeriCorps program, which was created during President Clinton's presidency. AmeriCorps describes itself like this:
Each year, AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you'll be getting things done through AmeriCorps!
In 2004, President George W. Bush met with AmeriCorps volunteers for Earth Day. The AmeriCorps pledge is as follows:
Well, that should convince everyone. Those are clearly the words of a secret army being run by the President.I will get things done for America -
to make our people safer,
smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together
to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy,
I will take action.
Faced with conflict,
I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity,
I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment
with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member,
and I will get things done.
Recently Alex Jones has taken to posting bizarre YouTube videos where he attacks President Obama's policies while dressed up as the Joker. Considering the regular antics on Beck, it's probably only a matter of time before cable news imitates the lunatic fringe. Again.
Old news.
Man, you really are butthurt about the Van Jones thing.
There is obvious irony in Glenn Beck calling someone else a crackpot, and I carry no brief for Van Jones or Obama.
Pots jeering at kettles.
AT Glenn Beck bringing down Van Jones.....
...it was big oil.
Oh? Do tell. How did they do it?
Phil Kerpen from "Americans for Prosperity" started it all. He's boasting about it on Faux's website right now...
FAUX NewsHow Van Jones Happened and What We Need to Do Next
Now that Jones has resigned, we need to follow through with two critical policy victories. First, stop cap-and-trade, which could send these groups trillions, and second repeal the unspent portion of the stimulus bill, which stands to give them billions.
The Van Jones affair could be an important turning point in the Obama administration if we use it as a window to understand the structure of the left and to stop the huge power-grab now taking place in the name of green jobs. It's also one of the most significant things I've ever had the honor of being involved in. Here's how, from my perspective, it happened and what it means.
I was an unlikely Van Jones expert. It started July 9, when "FOX & Friends" asked me if I'd come on the show the morning of July 10 to explain what "green jobs" are. It meant an early morning the next day, but I was glad to do it, because exposing the green jobs scam is critical to fight cap-and-trade, my top legislative priority for the year. The producer asked me if I knew anything about green jobs "czar" Van Jones. I didn't but said I would find out.
I e-mailed a friend who follows the green groups and he said he thought Jones was socialist. -- I doubt he had any idea how deep it went. A couple Web searches later, I couldn't believe what I found in an article from the alternative San Francisco newspaper the East Bay Express. The man was a self-professed communist, with ties to ACORN and a radical Maoist group called STORM. His real name was Anthony, with "Van" made up in college because he thought everyone cool has a one-syllable name.
There was so much material there, but what really stood out is what I used the next day on F&F: the "green jobs" concept was merely a new face on the old ideology of central economic planning and control, an alternative and a threat to free market capitalism.
As soon as I got back to the office, I e-mailed the East Bay Express article to one of Glenn Beck's producer, saying: "Please share with Glenn this article about green jobs czar Van Jones, a self-described communist who was radicalized in jail. Confirms "watermelon" hypothesis."
So, then go find out where the money comes from for "Americans for Progress"...
LinkThe Big Money behind Americans for Prosperity
Kevin Grandia
26 February 09
An organization called "Americans for Prosperity" has been working overtime to fight government action on climate change and greenhouse gas reduction strategies. You might remember their State-by-State grassroots "Hot Air Tour".
The Hot Air tour's tagline was "Exposing the Ballooning Costs of Global Warming Hysteria." More recently the AFP ran a $140,000 TV ad campaign in Viriginia promising to "expose the hypocrisy and outrageous economic costs of so-called global warming regulations, taxes, and green energy plans."
So who's behind the AFP? And why are they so bent on seeing further delay in government action on an issue that the top scientists at the nation's best ins utes are saying needs to be dealt with now?
Our research team at DeSmog has put together a briefing note on the AFP, their history and most importantly who funds them
AFP, and its former incarnation the Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation, are the third largest recipient of funding from the Koch Family of Foundations, which is run by the ultra-conservative oil baron Charles G. Koch. The Koch Family of Foundations has been a major funding source for many of the think tanks that are in the business of delaying action on climate change issues.
Private money can promote whatever it wants. What's the big deal here?
Dan has lost it. He's sounds just like Glen Beck now. Conspiracies everywhere!
It's an unfortunate cir stance until we figure out how to reduce the influence peddling by lobbyist in Washington, besides, Van Jones left himself open for criticism.....make of it what you will, I'm just tying everything together for our readers..
Glen Beck has found a home. Fox News owns the right wing crackpot base so he has the kool aid drinkers at his disposal.
Were the allegations about Van Jones true?
Leaves himself open to misunderstanding, if you ask me.
He also mixes in a little Michael Savage.
Beck just put a pelt on his wall and liberal is scared. Who's next. These dumb rednecks you all despise may just be that. However, they serve a purpose. Chess boards need pawns.
He's also crushing CNN and MSNBC in the ratings. I'm sure he, and Fox News, are greatly hurt that you are not a fan.
BTW, lol at Dan going wingnut over this. This guy had no business being anywhere near the WH, it just goes to show you the types of folks the Messiah and his wife run with (as if there was ever a doubt).
Fox News has a market correct? The right wing of this country has it's own news station. So there is one right wing news station and 20 + others..not hard to figure out but I think you'll play stupid and deny there's a market for right wing news..
.............................all the way to the bank.
easy money.
Olbermann is having trouble making it.
You never go broke catering to the lowest common denominator.
Making money?
No, He's having quite an easy time making money.
That's why he is so generous in donating air time to his Fox News opponents...every show...every night...regardless of more pressing current events...
for the love of Pete!
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