CNN's Beck on the blind: "Just to piss them off, I'm going to put in Braille on the coffee pot ... 'Pot is hot.' Ow!"
SUMMARY: On his CNN Headline News program, in discussing the "politically correct world we live in," which, he said, will not allow "stereotypes or sensitive questions" to be broached, Glenn Beck claimed that Braille on walls (used to identify rooms for blind people) "drives me out of my mind."
On the August 24 edition of his CNN Headline News program, nationally syndicated radio host Glenn Beck claimed that Braille on walls (used to identify rooms for blind people) "drives me out of my mind." When he made his comment, Beck was discussing the "politically correct world we live in," which, he claimed, will not allow "stereotypes or sensitive questions" to be broached. He explained that "a blind person would have to be feeling all of the walls to find [the] 'kitchen.' " Beck then waved his hands about, presumably to mimic the actions of a frustrated blind person. He then said, "Just to piss them [blind people] off, I'm going to put in Braille on the coffee pot ... 'Pot is hot.' "
As Media Matters for America has documented, Beck has previously claimed that one reason different races are "afraid to hang out with each other" is that "we're afraid ... somebody's gonna sic the NAACP on us, or somebody's gonna sic an attorney on us." He has also mocked the names of Egyptians students and used mock commercials to make fun of Mexican immigrants.
From the August 24 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck:
BECK: All right. If you look up the word "stereotype" in the dictionary, you will see it defined as conventional or over-simplified conception, opinion or image. But if you run that definition through my bull crap-to-English dictionary that I was just talking about there in that radio clip, you'll find that stereotype -- I mean, it's stuff that a lot of people believe in because sometimes they're really true.
Either way, the politically correct world we live in, a world where, you know, I can't even show a picture of a missing student because he's Egyptian, "Oh, don't. What? You hate all Arabs?" No! It doesn't allow you to publicly talk about stereotypes or sensitive questions about age or race or religion. You can't even say anything about it or just ask an honest question.
It's not very often that questions like, "How come Asians are so good at math?" or "Have you ever noticed, Jews, they're all good at making money?" You can't say those things out in the open. But for our next guest, answering those kinds of questions and then dealing with the -- just the on-fire, inflammatory responses that they cause are this guy's life. Phillip Milano is -- oh, jeez, with a name like Milano, you must be in organized crime?
PHILLIP MILANO (Florida Times-Union columnist): Yes. Oh, absolutely.
BECK: You are -- you're the writer of "Dare to Ask." What is the point of this column?
MILANO: Well, "Dare to Ask," Glenn, like my book, I Can't Believe You Asked That!, is -- it's a chance for people to ask those kinds of taboo cultural questions that we all wish we could ask but we're so afraid of offending in this P.C. world that, you know, we -- we dance around it, as you were saying earlier.
BECK: OK. I have one. I have one. I'm going to get to some of the questions that have already been asked, but I've got one that drives me out of my mind. I work at Radio City in midtown Manhattan, and up by the doors, you know, like where the -- you know -- the office kitchen is, in Braille, on the wall, it says "kitchen." You'd have to -- a blind person would have to be feeling all of the walls to find "kitchen." Just to piss them off, I'm going to put in Braille on the coffee pot -- I'm going to put, "Pot is hot." Ow!
Yeah, heaven forbid we do something that makes it easy for them to try to live a normal life. Don't them blind people know they should just sit on the sidewalk holding a tin of pencils?
SCUMBAG!
The executives and management of CNN knew what they were getting with Beck. MMFA should start posting the names of CNN management and executives responsible for Beck. They are hiding behind the "CNN" corporate facade (corporate shell).
This is a perfect example of why we have gone politically correct nuts in this country. This item shouldn't even be here, it is the textbook definition of PC gone amok.
It's a joke, albeit tasteless, but no different than nearly every skit on SNL, or any teen movie playing in any theater today. Much ado about nothing.
In today's world where every word someone utters is taped and monitored and replayed every which way only exaserbates this PC world we live in.
I'm going to tell this joke to my nephew who was born blind. I'm sure he'll love it.
It's not a fecking joke, Tommy. If Beck thinks there's something impractical about the location of that Braille, then he should've said something to that effect. Instead, he mocked the blind and hid under the anti-PC flag.
I teach sports to the blind and many of them have better jokes than the one Beck said. If you people are serious about "helping" the blind get along in life why don't you try giving them a job!!! So many hyposcrits out there that say "poor blind guy" but refuse to do anything practical that would help them out. I watch how the public treats the blind, and you all (liberals and conservatives and independents) treat them like they couldn't find their way out of a wet paper bag if half of it was already ripped off.
Does your nephew want to play "goalball" or "beepball"? If so, go to [link to borp.org] and click on the "goalball" link. We practice every Wednesday and have a tournament coming up in November. They are the only sports that "normal" people let the blind play, because the public is so afraid of .... well, I don't know what the public is afraid of, but they sure hate letting blind people play or do anything with them. When's the last time you said "hi" to a blind person as you walked by, instead of staring at them as they walked by? How many of you would rather pet their dog over talking to the person?
But, the public sure is good at complaining when a joke is made about them. Tommy is right, SLN has jokes every show. Some about this group, some about that group and some about another group. What does it matter now that a joke has been made about blind people. Are they exempt from comedy?
PC gone wild!
Unless of course your blind and you don't want to live you life dependent on everyone around you.
Your "PC amok" arguments are old hat my friend and no one that has half a clue is going to allow you lump items like listing brail on a room sign in a building as too PC.
The point wasn't about blindness, it was about the pc world and the silliness of it. By highlighting this item at all is just further proof of what Beck is saying.
I said it was a tasteless joke, but a joke nonetheless. Nobody is advocating removing braille from anything. That is the whole point of political correctness. Nobody can utter anything without someone being offended or making way too much of a comment - stupid or not.
Well, it certainly is your right to be offended if you choose to. But there are no laws against offending someone.
Tommy,
I think you are right in this case. Beck was making a comment that was trying to be just as ironic as placing a sign above a door in braille.
It is clear that Beck wasn't advocating anything or even making fun of the blind. His intended target was apparently "Political Correctness" itself.
Another irony is that the arguments here (from my fellow liberals) are apparently (albeit unintentionally) underscoring that point as well.
Thank you for expressing my feelings exactly, much better than I did.
after no blind person might take a TAXI or have a friend drive them there, nah in your and beck's tiny minded world blind people shoul just sit down and shut-up.
For all of you fools, we are not talking 'pc' (whatever that code word is supposed to mean) we are talking letting people get around and find a bathroom. But again, you are to stupid and selfish to even bother to think.
We are really talking about how blind people should just sit down and shut up, stop going to ATM's and start using taxicabs as bathrooms.
(rolling eyes)
maybe someday you will grow-up
"I bet you hate braille on drive-up ATM's too after no blind person might take a TAXI or have a friend drive them there, nah in your and beck's tiny minded world blind people shoul just sit down and shut-up." --zerosumgame
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Your strawman misses the point. You have demonstrated that braille on ATM machines have a purpose. Bravo. No one is saying otherwise. What you need to demonstrate is the usefulness of putting braille on a sign over a door.
That lack of usefulness is what I believe Beck was making fun of when he made the analogous comment about putting braille on a coffee pot.
I don't find the analogy entirely compelling or funny for that matter because it may be a standard manufacturing practice to put braille on all signs in the building and it just so happens that some ended up over doorways.
Not the brightest observation by Beck, but it is indeed ironic on some level.
In both analogies the braille appears intended to be helpful, but end up being useless.
"What you need to demonstrate is the usefulness of putting braille on a sign over a door."
Nobody, not even Beck, suggested that the sign was over the door or out of reach. We've all seen the signs he is talking about. They are to the side of the doorway where a blind person can easily touch them.
I misread the article. It appears that Beck's analogy is even dumber than I thought.
Thank you for pointing that out.
yet you allow you false critisim of me stand. How very republican of you...
My accusation was baseless. Please accept my apology.
I thought my above post would have implied as much, but I agree that I should have included some wording to that effect explicitly to you as well.
I am sorry and your analogy was entirely apropos.
I hope that is unRepublican as well, considering I am an Independent.
And how does a blind person find the sign? Are they all on the right? on the left? Are they all exactly 4ft from the ground or do they differ from hotel to hotel? Are you gonna put braille on the toilet so they don't confuse it with the sink? How bout some braille to tell them that the sink and toilet use sensors to automatically turn on/flush? You people seem to think blind people are dumb as if they NEED braille to figure out they entered a bathroom or bedroom! Your ignorance about the abilities of the blind is just as offensive as the joke you are complaining about! So, stop it!
Beck complained about Braille signs “up by the door,” not “up above” or “up over” the door. There’s nothing at all ironic about the placement of such a sign BY a door to make it possible for a blind person to identify what’s beyond the doorway without having to enter and investigate. Beck was just being his usual repugnant and abusive self. If his target was Political Correctness, he was waaaaay off the mark.
I am losing my eyesight to glaucoma. I have lost 25% already. I am NOT STUPID. I know where to search on the wall for braille. It is VERY HELPFUL to know I am entering the KITCHEN instead of the WOMEN'S RESTROOM!!!!!! I have a very good sense of humor and will cheerfully toss a SCALDINGN HOT batch of fresh brewed coffee on the crotch area of someone who laufhs at me when I burn myself. I am blind, NOT STUPID and my aim is accurate.
I get what you guys are saying here BUT I just think Beck USED a BAD example to make his point. I don't think making life easier for the handicapped falls UNDER Political Correctness.
Now perhaps insisting one uses the term *Hearing Impaired* INSTEAD of *Deaf* might be a better example of P.C.
Most of the Deaf people that i work with would much prefer to be called Deaf, with a big "D"
Jeter,
You make a good point. Braille is designed to help the blind. It really isn't PC.
I originally misread (and misheard) Beck's comments. There is a usefulness to putting a sign in braille next to a door, but putting braille on a coffee pot has no real use other than to poke fun at the blind. I believe Beck was just being ironic and not really making fun of the blind, but his analogy appears to be bad in this case as well as a bad example as you pointed out.
It is my opinion and other's are entitled to the way they see it, absolutely. I guess none of us really knows what is in Beck's heart or the intent of dissecting his borderline sense of humor.
But I do think his target was not blind people, what is the point of being so blatantly offensive to people who are blind, but rather his view of political correctness and it's craziness. He didn't, on purpose I believe, poke fun at blacks or hispanics so as to not to confuse his intended target, which was the pc world we live in.
Good question...to ask Beck.
You are right that his "joke" is not intended as a poke at blind people outright, but at pc. The problem as I see it is that his joke shows not just a lack of PC but a total disregard and unwillingness to think for one second about the daily lives of blind people. He sees those signs and thinks "how stupid to put those signs there, blind people must have to run their hands along the wall all day long to finally find this sign and read the braille." What he doesn't think about is how blind people can, in fact, sense or feel that there is a doorway there, but they cannot know what the room is. They, thankfully, can be assured that there is usually a sign just to the side at chest level saying what the room is in Braille. He has never thought of how helpful and useful they are, just how stupid his feeble mind thinks they are.
This is similar to the George Allen comment. Nobody needs to try and "read his mind" to see the lack of thoughtfulness, empathy, or standard decency that the comment shows about him. The reason why MMFA posts it is because, as the host of a "news" show on a "news" network, he is expected to show thoughtfulness instead of trying to be a shock jock.
As he was being blatantly offensive to blind people. His target was those of us so venal as to point out the insensativity to being blatantly offensive to blind people. Your intellectual contortions to make appologies for offensive jerks like Beck are as offensive as Becks comments.
Read all the comments made here, there is nothing apologetic about what I have said. I have tried to show what his intended target was, and you, because of your intense hatred of this man, refuse to see it.
Look at it again, his comment was an extreme out of context pc slam to make a point about the pc idiocy running rampant. If you can't see beyond his statement onto his intent, don't go railing against me. Rail against your inability to look at an item objectively, for it obviously flies in the face of your blind partisanship.
I am not even a democrat at all. Second I dont hate Beck the man barely exists in my universe he is far to unimportant in my world for me to have any opinions about HIM as a human being only the AWFUL things he says. Its ludicrous to say we need to OVERLOOK WHAT he said in order to see his point. WHAT he said is how he made his point. WHAT he said is the whole banana and claiming we need to overlook WHAT he said is a classic appology no matter WHAT YOU say. He HAD NO POINT. IF he really wanted to make a point about Political Correctness gone mad there are legitimate avenues to do so. One was mentioned on this thread, whether we call disabled people handicapped or disabled is a good example. Ridiculing blind people, which is EXACLY what he did with his coffepot comment and his absolutly missing point about braile at doorways, is insensative AND boorish. This post was as lacking in logic as what you have been shovelling since you came back.
Beck says "Just to piss them off, I'm going to put in Braille on the coffee pot -- I'm going to put, "Pot is hot." Ow!"
Who is Beck pissing off? sounds to me like he is making fun of the blind "reading braille" to which I find no humour.
This would not even be funny as a SNL skit, let alone on a supposedly "NEWS" channel
Now we'll have to see if Tommy will:
(a) agree with you, and thus admit that his "Beck isn't attacking the blind, he's attacking political correctness" canard is totally bogus, or
(b) disagree with you, continue his canard, and claim that you either didn't read all his comments, or that you refuse to see things straight because of your "intense hatred" and "blind partisanship," or
(c) run away with his tail between his legs.
They're his only choices.
My guess is (c), with perhaps a bit of (b) first (see his comments with Solon, above).
Tommy's reasonable at times, but when he's in troll mode, he's as predictable as tomorrow's sunrise.
I don't buy the "Political Correctness" argument or how some individuals and Glen Beck in particular have attempted to frame this particular discussion.
Try using civility in a discussion or argument. I find it distasteful and intellectually lazy when people choose to lump people into broad categories to support a viewpoint without pointing out the basis or circumstancing regarding that generalization. Its parallel to a sound bite instead of the full story and it can lead to a narrow minded view of individuals and their circumstances.
How funny is it if I say "White straight men sure are good at molesting children"
Glen states that "You can't even say anything about it or just ask an honest question." You can have conversations about these topics, however it does require that your sensitive to your audience. Most people are pissed off about the PC issue because it has successfully attached a stigma to shooting off your mouth like a boorish imbecile. They rail against this by lumping everything into being too PC. Can I ask what exactly is wrong with asking people to be thoughtful, complete and sensitive when making arguments or statements? If you ask me the world would be a lot better off if we tried to have a little more empathy and tact when we had "difficult" discussions.
As far as the issue of the blind - I reject his "humor" outright, its not funny and adds to my example about about lumping things together and the counter PC movement.
Beck (like many confused individuals) confuses being nice with being 'pc'... something they feel they are forced into doing. Not to mention, he is such a dummy...he mixes the ideas he wants to debate. Jeter said it well... being conscientious of disabled folks and helping them live a better life is not being 'pc' ... it's being humane.
Now, being forced to say 'handicapped' versus 'disabled' versus (god forbid) 'cripple' (yuck)... is what this backlash against 'pc' is all about. It can get out of hand... yes. But, the basic message is (as you stated) being kind and conscientious to those around us. That should be the goal -- especially for all these self-purported god-fearing types (i.e. christian conservatives).
Jeter said it well... being conscientious of disabled folks and helping them live a better life is not being 'pc' ... it's being humane.
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You said it exactly. Disabilities and the people who are afflicted with them are not victims of PC, it is absolutely not PC to treat them as humane and productive citizens, it is just decent to do so. I don't know anyone that would argue that. Beck's point was that the whole PC thing may spill over into this as well........and it has no place.
I'm not really sure what Beck's message is. He probably means well... but, he has trouble expressing himself without coming off like a dullard. But, that's probably his market.
I don't care what Beck's intentions were, he was being insensitive and stupid. Would you invoke wheelchair ramps as an example of PC gone wild?
You just can't stand Beck and any excuse to rail against him is open season to you, well that's fine. But this is hardly it. He used the "blind" example as a metaphor for how out of hand and silly the whole PC thing is. He used a wildly out of context example to make a point against the PC police. I do not believe his intention was to mock blind people, for that would be outright cruel and ridiculous.
Sure, he could have used a better example, but that was exactly his point. In the PC nuttiness, his point is, why should he have to.
Tommy, your apologist attitude aside, you're a hypocrite.
You just said that a person could never know what is in Glenn Beck's heart, but you claim to know what is in IFlurry's heart.
Keep defending these scumbags. You make yourself look like a nasty troll.
It would be stupid to put Braille on a pot of hot coffee telling the blind person it's hot we can all agree on that right? He is using an extreme example of how far we have come in political correctness. That’s it. He is not mocking blind people; he is mocking the precautions we are starting to take to cover every base when it is not necessary. For example opening a skating rink for people in wheelchairs. It's not necessary and stupid but lets do it because the people that can walk have one. I can say that because my aunt is in wheelchair right? Do I have to be blood related to her to be able to make that comment? I will admit I don't know all the rules.
You have to be a lot more offensive than that to get paid anything. Sorry.
"He is not mocking blind people; he is mocking the precautions we are starting to take to cover every base when it is not necessary"
Okay, so we shouldn't have braille signage stating which room a blind person is entering?
Yes it would be stupid to put braile on a coffeepot which is most likely why NO ONE HAS. Beck didnt make a joke about putting braile on a coffeepot he also said the braile would include the word OW, as if blind people were so stupid they would read the braile on a hot coffeepot. THIS is ridicule pure and simple
I do not believe his intention was to mock blind people, for that would be outright cruel and ridiculous.
Regardless of his intentions, what he said was cruel and ridiculous, and he should be held accountable for it.
Yes, Beck's analogy was stupid and insensitive. However wrong and misguided, I don't believe he was targeting the blind for ridicule here (as the MMFA headline suggests). He was ineptly and clumsily targeting what he seems to think is an irony about PC.
Jeter pointed out that use of braille isn't really a PC thing either as it is an aide for the blind. Just as your example of a wheelchair ramp.
and the issue is that Beck (and you and tommy-boy et al) seem to feel it's A-OK to taget some group until they respond then mutter under your breath 'sorry' but then go on to make claims that the WAY it was said the problem.
"Just to piss them off, I'm going to put in Braille on the coffee pot ... 'Pot is hot.' Ow!" <<<<<<<<<<<<,
Of course it is. Beck is an insensative jerk, why you would claim those pointing out the obvious are doing something wrong is the question.
Yes, anybody has the right to say something completely idiotic, just like everyone else has the right to point out that that person is an idiot. The reason this item is worth highlighting is because this idiot is being given a forum on CNN to say idiotic things and then complain when other people point out that he's an idiot. Beck's entire premise--that the world is too PC and he can't say anything without people calling him a racist and a bigot--stems from the fact that Beck is an ignorant racist and a bigot. The only people you hear whining about political correctness are the people who somehow can't manage to get through the day without saying something offensive or racist.
...you expressed my thought/opinion beautifully. I couldn't have hoped to say it any better. Thank you!
by PC you do mean Paranoid Conservatives. Of course you do.
See those WITH power ought to be able to denigrate and ridicule those WITHOUT power in the most insensative manner WITHOUT anyone pointing out that it is dispicable. See its not enough that they have the RIGHT to be insensative clods and show their utter lack of decency. No ought to be able to call them on it. If they do then THEY are doing something wrong. Its OK for them to ridicule the blind but its somehow tawdry to CALL ridicule of the blind insensative and cruel. There is no end on the buttkissing to power from the wingnuts. One of my bedrock political principles is you never stand with the powerful against the weak one of the rightwing bedrock principles is they NEVER stand with the weak against the powerful. Any indecency, any abuse of power ANYTHING is to be immediatly appologised for.
I'm going to upchuck if I hear another oppressor complain about his lack of freedom to spew racial slurs.
"This item shouldn't even be here ..."
I agree with Tommy. If this episode is worthy of a post at Media Matters, is "conservative misinformation" really much of a problem in the media? It would appear it isn't.
That's my 2 cents. Thank you.
this post might not fit your definition of conservative misinformation doesn't mean that there isn't any misinformation to be found in the media. Once again, your logic is flawed.
I'm not saying "there's no conservative misinformation to be found in the media."
I'm saying if this silly episode qualifies as a post here, it gives the strong impression that "conservative misinformation" isn't be much of a problem in the media.
Also highlights outrageous statements by conservatives. There used to be two columns here the left for misinformation and the right for outrageous comments. It can be argued that coarsening the debate is a form of misinformation. That when what is accepted as reasonable discourse is cheapened it furthers the same agenda. However you look at it this has ALWAYS been part of MMFAs tactics to fight conservative misinformation. No one cares if you agree or not this isnt your website. This IS how it is being done. Your constant sniping about outrageous comments NOT being misinformation are useless IT ISNT YOUR CALL
Hahaha. Cons are so used to tyranny they think they can even tell MMFA what is and what is not conservative disinformation. These wingnuts are outta control man.
PC gone wild because one doesn't find blindness very funny.
Why does this clown still have a show? Who watches this crap? Unintelligent, un-funny, unoriginal. Is there any value in Beck?
is a right wing concept. Most political correctness comes from the right, not the left. Don't ever say America sucks at something. Don't ever say that any other country has greater freedom of speech or religion. And don't ever, ever, ever say that although there are many peaceful ways to serve your country, soldiers are soldiers because they are killers.
are sometimes motivated by real injustice.
But for some reason, it is OK to say "The far left in this country hate America," or "Liberals are Godless."
PC doesn't seem to apply to the right.
That wouldn't be politically incorrect speech, but rather that would be spoken by a terrorist sympathizer.
Heh.
You missed it actually. Your assertion "And don't ever say that terrorists.....are sometimes motivated by real injustice". - is irrelevant to political correctness. It is simply a backhanded attempt to somehow justify terrorism.
Is that what you were doing?
Your mind is soooo simple. Everything is so black and white. It is NOT appologising for a terrorist to say he had a valid complaint anymore than it is an appology for murder to point out that a husband who killed his wife because she cheated on him was motivated by extreme emotional distress. See actions and motives are seperate things. Pointing out that different actions MIGHT end up with different results is NOT appologising for the actions. If a child runs out into traffic and gets hit by a car it is not saying the child deserved to be killed to point out that this tragic accident could have been averted. No, terrorism is wrong there is NEVER an excuse to kill innocent people. Pointing out that their evil ACTION was motivated by a valid complaint is NOT an appology. When will you learn there is a place for nuance in the world, that you will never understand the political world as long as you see the dynamics motivating it as either lily white or evil incarnate. Most of the world is this huge grey area and you continue to pretend everything that exists belongs in the pure altruistic white box or the incarnate evil black box. Perhaps your inability to understand this utterly simple and obvious concept has you so insecure you feel you must attack those of us that DO understand it.
You can offer up these inadequate analogies that have been tossed out ad nauseum before, so I am not wasting my time addressing them again.
And stop cloaking your terrorism excusing by saying "No, terrorism is wrong there is NEVER an excuse to kill innocent people" and then giving a hundred disclaimers as to why they might feel justified. It doesn't fly with me, I have seen it all before.
If you want to be a terrorist apologist, (funny how you always accuse me of being the same for the right wing) just admit it, instead of further embarassing yourself with these ridiculous analogies.
That you are afflicted with an incapacity for higher brain function. The reason I keep making the SAME analogies is because you NEVER see the point and keep making the SAME stupid arguments.
A reasonably bright ten year old can understand that someone MIGHT have had an injustice done him and then done something WRONG to address it. The adulterous wife is actually a good example. YES, she did betray the man, killing her was STILL murder. This is EXACTLY why we tell three year olds that two wrongs dont make a right. I am sorry you are so intellectually challenged that you never made the connection to the larger truth behind this age old adage.
OR perhaps you just cannot pass up ANY excuse to push the rightwing propaganda parrot point that lefties are terrorist sympathizers. Maybe there is something to the two frequency pattern of your brain, its always either black or white, good or evil and record or regurgitate
This is entirely off the topic, but you brought it up.
Yes, in my opinion, terrorism is black and white. It is evil, pure and simple. You don't negotiate with it, you don't excuse it, you don't placate it, you don't justify it, you don't nuance it, you don't offer reasons why it exists, you don't make it appear cushy and warm and fuzzy in order to try and understand it.
Now I understand that in our world, the West - we have a very difficult time comprehending that anyone or any group could be so evil and hateful as to blow up themselves and their babies for any reason. The fact is it happens, and the longer you and other's try and figure out why, they are sitting by, patiently, waiting to attack us again.
It needs to be defeated by smart and forcefull intelligence, military means, crippling methods to destroy it's roots and punish those that offer safe environments for protecting or harboring them.
Iraq is a mess, granted. Bush took a bat to a hornet's nest there and in hindsight, we should not have invaded. I have said that many times. But we are there and that's that. Let history and subsequent leaders sort out his scorecard on that.
You can personally attack and insult me all you want, I could care less. You have an opinion, I have mine. My hope is that we keep electing officials who do not share your view, I would vote against them. You do not take the threat serious enough, in my opinion based on your posts. However, I sincerely hope that you or anyone you care about is ever a victim of any terrorist plot. The same goes for everyone, everywhere.
I am not scared or fearful of terrorism. I am realistic and smart enough to know the lengths and depths those that hate us will go to destroy us. I prefer to be strong and resolute, not weak and dismissive when it comes to the threats they pose.
I meant "never a victim", not "ever".
>> Yes, in my opinion, terrorism is black and white. It is evil, pure and simple. You don't negotiate with it, you don't excuse it, you don't placate it, you don't justify it, you don't nuance it, you don't offer reasons why it exists, you don't make it appear cushy and warm and fuzzy in order to try and understand it.
Some feel the same about bigotry.
So snivelling that I insulted you is pretty much snivelling that you get what you give. Remember the love you take is equal to the love you make. Hostility is in the same boat. I agree terrorism is evil, you have never seen me say anything different NOR appologise for it. THAT is the point. Where we differ is WHAT to do about it. How to fight it. IF you really think we will bomb our way out of it you are deluded. Even the Pentagon in their report on this very subject says the same thing I am saying, that we need to address the injustices and percieved threats the Muslim world sees or we will just make more terrorists. Iraq is a perfect example of what is wrong with your approach. Attacking blindly any percieved threat from Islam will boomerang and create more problems than it creates. Saying it is a waste of time or somehow an appology to look at motivations is just flat dumb. Know your enemy, look at WHY he is doing what he is doing is textbook warfare strategy. It is in the Art of War the most famous treatise on war EVER written.
I have said many times that I think the best strategy for fighting terrorism is to ISOLATE the terrorists from the reasonable Muslims IF you agree reasonable Muslims exist then I cannot see where you can even argue this point. It will be much easier to fight them when the guy at the market in Abu Dhabi turns IN the guy who keeps buying glycerine because he thinks the guy is making explosives. THAT will not happen as long as that market owner, who would never in a million years blow anything up, thinks the terrorist has a point in his hatred for the West. In THAT context he still wont make bombs but he wont turn the guy in even though what he is doing disgusts him and he thinks it disgraces Islam. I cant for the life of me see why this is too hard for you to understand, I cant see why you think this outlook means I am appologising for terrroists nor that I dont take terrorism seriously. Again it must be that black/white thinking. Terrorism itself is one of the few times that it applies, yes terrorism is evil period. I dont know any lefty that dissagrees. How to FIGHT terrorism is NOT a black/white issue and thinking it is will lead to disasterous results.
" Hey you called me a terrorist sympathizer "
You think we can't read! You are!, and it shows in every one of your posts. So, go back to doing things you're good at...complaining about Bush and complaining about Beck. One thing is for sure, you are ONLY good at complaining. I think I heard Beck say another blind joke, you better get mmfa to haul his but off to pc-jail. Oooo, Beck and Bush are going on tour this year...doing all the "war for oil" and "blind are blind" jokes you can bear. Should be a real hoot, want me to get you some tickets?
Your weak and ignorant posts. Its a moral imperative. I understand that like tommy you have no ability for higher brain function so you cannot understand the difference in disagreeing with YOUR take and, well the reality of what to do about terrorism. Since ANY complexity just puts your little brain cell into a coma, its unrealistic of anyone to expect you to understand the point I made.
Even your invective is weak. You dont know me or what I am good at, NOR what I do outside THIS message board. I could go on but since medium sized LIBRARIES could easily be filled exclusively on what you dont know and never will, it would waste bandwidth.
So is, say, the murder of a gay man. But you see people on the right justify virulent hatred for gays all the time. They claim that the word "tolerance" is a code word for the gay agenda, and point out passages in the bible about homosexuality being "abomination." That's the kind of "politically incorrect" speech the right likes to defend, even if they disapprove of an actual murder.
In this example there's a continuum on the right, from freedom of expression and belief to justification of hatred to violence.
Now I'm going to use my freedom of expression to tell you what I think motivates some of the terrorists: The US props up oppressive and corrupt dictatorships in the middle east because to do otherwise might interrupt our oil supply. We are motivated by greed rather than a desire to treat the people of the middle east fairly. Because we don't curb our greed, injustice prevails. Resentment of our meddling motivates terrorists.
In case you're wondering, I don't hate America. I despise terrorism, violence, war, and especially the killing of civilians. I don't think that the 9/11 victims "deserved to die."
But I don't understand why the right whines about the PC police, but will jump at any chance to slap the "terrorist sympathizer" label on anyone who offends their delicate sensibilities.
Isn't what Sagra said political? Don't you appear to find the idea so repugnant that you apparently can't even consider it?
Instead you are responded quite dogmatically and abruptly. I think any opinion that is dismissed as rapidly as you did would be the definition of politically incorrect.
Would be spoken by a MORON
Most political correctness comes from the right, not the left. - from FPrefect
You are absolutely correct. Conservative PC has gotten thoroughly out of hand. If you criticize the conduct of the war, the reasons for it or criticize Bush you're accused of not supporting the troops. If you even suggest that there might be legitimate reasons for dislike of the US in the Middle East some moron will accuse you of being a terrorist sympathizer.
Here's another perfect example of Conservative PC:
Teacher Placed On Leave For Hanging Foreign Flags
"it's stuff that a lot of people believe in because sometimes they're really true." --Glenn Beck
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Argumentum ad numerum: The belief that the truth of a conclusion is proven by the number of people who appear to believe it is true.
"Glenn Speck" for nothing.
The guy is meaningless, and the fact he and Nancy Grace are on prime-timers on CNN (HN) only goes to show how badly the network is kow-towing to the likes of Fox, and their "brand" of journalism.
or Speck as in a Richard Speck wannabe?
The transcript reads about as dull and stupid as it gets.
Really now, do adults actually take anyone seriously when they make up fictitious and ridiculous examples to try and make their argument:
"If I put up a picture of a missing Egyptian student, people will say I hate Arabs!"
Really? That makes sense, does it?
"I can't say Asians are good at math... Jews make money... a guy with an Italian name must be mafioso..."
This is pretty childish stuff. There are public access channels on local cable that are more interesting than this stuff.
Truly. Even high school kids fooling around with a camcorder come up with stuff more interesting and/or entertaining than the stuff transcribed here.
Although I have to admit, there's something amusing about someone so dumb as to put a "Caution Hot" warning label, in Braille, on a coffee pot or other object that you'd be sorry you touched, and then mad at the idiocy of the warning...
But it's not funny in the mean context that this hack just couldn't resist putting it in. I bet he originally heard it as a joke about Polish people, or something like that. It wouldn't take much effort to strip out the amusing part of it, out of the mean-spirited part...
But then these hacks wouldn't know funny if they stepped into a steaming pile of it; as the transcript proves.
Walk on eggshells, AFRAID we MIGHT offend someone [not meaning to] BUT Beck's example is doesn't wash. Plus it's NOT even funny, it's just plain CRUEL.
KARMA Mr. Beck KARMA. Be careful.
I'll be the first to admit that PC can be taken to extremes so the anti-PC crowd simply takes this to an extreme in the opposite direction. They consider the more insensitive and down right cruel the remark the more it demonstrates their anti-PC beliefs. In actuality it just makes them appear to be totally heartless. I once saw Bernie Goldberg on the Daily show and he was droning on about how it isn't PC to say certain words so he went out of his way to say the N-word and he said the word with much emphasis. Jon didn't say anything to him about it, but he did give him one of those Stewart ‘boy you're an a-hole looks’. What these people consider being anti-PC is what I was taught to consider ill mannered. We were taught to respect people's feelings and that you never intentionally try to hurt someone. As a small child I was taught that being deliberately cruel and spiteful was acting ugly and that God didn't like ugly. Thus being cruel was sinful. God we got in trouble for saying “I hate you”. We could not say I hate someone in front of my Mom. My Mom also told me that the old adage about words can never hurt wasn’t true. My mother told me that words can cut someone to the "emotional" bone and that I should be mindful of what I say because you can say something so cruel that no apology will be able to mend the damage to a friendship, relationship, or a marriage. My Mom was a smart woman.
Using my not-so-sharp electric engraver, I'd like to carve (the original method for tattoos) on Beck's forehead:
UCKING FIDIOT
Even a blind person would get it.
He's soooo funny. I want to be a Republican too!
would you guys make name calling a punishable offense. What should be done to make people like Beck stop making offensive comments? In other words should there be laws to protect someone’s feelings? Just a question.
You can't "make" people stop saying offensive things. But you can point it out when they do. Of course there shouldn't be a law. That's absurd. What should be done about Beck is simple: CNN should be pressured to stop giving him a forum to display his ignorance and prejudices.
Put we are pointing out how insensitive it is for someone with a national television platform to be ridiculing the handicapped. I'm surprised that you would be on his side on this one, considering how many of the handicapped are war veterans.
"If it was possible......would you guys make name calling a punishable offense[.]sic" --evil conservative
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Absolutely yes! I believe that anything that hurts my feelings (or anyone I support), does me any harm (real or imaginary) or disagrees with my worldview in anyway should be 100% illegal!
Is that the response you were hoping to get from your apparently idiotic question?
you. Phew, that's a weight off my shoulders I thought none of you left wingnuts were going to respond to that the way I wanted.
Always happy to oblige your apparent, misguided, petty bigotry.
what it's like to be bigot, to walk in my shoes! Don't I bleed when you prick me? Don't I cry when you hurt my feelings? It is hard everyday to wake and look down on people just because of their skin color or disability. So please until you have experienced what a true bigot, like myself, goes through daily do not chastize me. Your bigotry of bigot's is just typical of you racist bigot bigots.
Chastise not "chastize".
THAT was funny. Really sometimes you rdo hit the mark. Oh his best day I doubt Beck could never come up (based on the comments I have seen of MMFA) with anything half as biting and satirical
i am going to act like solon in all my replies to solon -
Solon: anyone with have a brain can realize that wasn't that funny. it was too obvious and expected and if that's what you find as funny then you must truely be a moron.
have=half
im solon. look at me, i feel smart by calling other people dumb. look at me.
Which you didnt do here. I do understand why you didnt think his post was funny, humor being subjective to some extent. I thought it was funny. I am not sure there is that much connection between intelligence and humor but hey, do what you think best. When I feel the need I will respond in kind. I may have deserved that. I admit to a large amount of frustration at you rightwingers and your astonishing inability to accept reality. Perhaps it is pushing me farther away from courteous discourse than I would prefer. I try to limit my insults to those who insult me or liberals in general first. Then the gloves come off, however if you want to start a flamewar, bring it on.
" I do understand why you didnt think his post was funny, humor being subjective to some extent. "
You just don't think that others are as smart as you and can't have the same subjectiveness for themselves. You feel the need to spread your hate around as if it's some kind of liberal candy. Yeah, that's what it is...liberal candy with hate sprinkles on it filled with hatred until it ooozes out the sides. You haven't talked about the subject in your last 15 posts and have called a multitued of posters names you probably wouldn't call your grandkids. But, since you have the power to call people names and not get called a troll (like all the conservatives get) you must certainly be an employee of mmfa and you actually do nothing outside of calling conservatives names.
To think hateful morons like you with only the tiniest of brain cells could converse without stooping to name calling is being too hopeful. So, we'll have to pray we don't get someone like you in control of the white house, having a moron in control of the mmfa postings is one thing, but being in control of meaningful things is something totally different.
Its not my fault that I have an IQ that puts your little pea brain in the toilet. YOU started the flamewar, now you are whining like the little girly girl you are in side that I am insulting YOU. Its ok for wingnuts to insult liberals but we are so mean when we point out there is more logic on the back of a Ketchup bottle than is EVER contained in one of your sad and pathetic posts. So to help out those posters overcome with nasuea and brain cell mutinies thus unable to read the entirity of your snivelling post it here is the translation from wingnutese: WWAAAAAHHHHHHH only us rightwingers get to make personal attacks, its not fair when liberals insult US. WAAAHHHHHHH liberals are supposed to be weak and just put up with being called terrorist sympathizers. WAAHHHHHH liberals arent supposed to RETURN our insults, especially when they are BETTER AT IT than we are. Your whining is pathetic. Want to talk issues do so. I much prefer that but if you are going to call me names and insult me I am GOING to return serve. It is SO sad that you are so quick to dish it out and snivel so pathetically when you cant take it. Grow up
on a street corner. I wouldn't pay him to make them on television.... especially on what used to be a cable news channel.
However it is perfectly legitimate to CALL people on their boorish behavior and THAT is what is being attacked by your rightwingers with a majority of these PC comments, you seem to be saying it IS legitimate to act in an insensative manner but NOT legitimate to CALL people on acting in an insensative manner.
What should be done to make people like Beck stop making offensive comments? In other words should there be laws to protect someone’s feelings? Just a question.
- Evil Conservative
--------------------------------------
There should be a law against paying psychotic morons to host a national TV show. It makes people think all you have to be in this society is a white man with a room temperature IQ and a foul mouth to be successful.
God made Rush deaf.
Will He decide to take away Beck's hearing?
I meant will he take away Beck's sight.
joke? I am so confused.
What were the odds it seems your natural state. Let me help you out. Its called IRONY. Look it up. When someone acts like an insensative jerk one of the ways to SHOW that is what he is doing is to turn the same tactic back on HIM. SEE? What the guy said was cruel, to really ask for this would be nasty and mean FOR THE EXACT SAME REASONS that Becks comments were nasty and mean. Get it?
duh......now I get it. How stupid of me.
I am also available for parties
Mr Beck's "joke" is not even that original. As kids, my friends and I would tell Hellen Keller jokes. We thought they were funny but then we were 7 or 8 years old and we didn't know any people who were Deaf/Blind. It so great that CNN is trying to draw in children by having commentators that appeal to a 7 year old maturity level. SK
His PC schtick is so tired and boring I thought I was back in the '90s watching Rush's failed t.v. show, but who in their right mind is driven "nuts" by braille? "How dare these people not see and how dare they be accomodated by placing a small braille placard upon a wall explaining what room they're about to enter!!" ????? Seriously.
Plus, Un-PC humor in 2006 is about as shocking as the sun coming up in the morning, every morning. Wow, Glenn. You're soooo cutting-edge!!! Wild, man! Bold!
yeeesh.
I gotta say, that was pretty funny. :D
...knowing that Beck said it makes it less funny, since he is the usual right-wing bully. Still, I laughed. :(
...more nonsense from another drug addicted alcholic given a national forum.
Jeezus, please, save us from your followers, and those who purport to follow you.
I think he heard you.
Exactly who else are they going to find to spout this nonsense?
It's amazing how hypocritical some of you on the left are.
Personally attack someone you don't like as a drug addicted alcoholic is perfectly fine. But you are the very first to jump and down screaming your liberal brains out if it's used against someone you support or use to further some leftist agenda.
Pathetic.
you talking about? That was a very weak comparison, try again.
Read the posts > "...more nonsense from another drug addicted alcholic given a national forum". and > "...more nonsense from another drug addicted alcholic...Exactly who else are they going to find to spout this nonsense?
You condone calling Beck these names? If so, fine. Just don't get offended when someone else personally attacks a liberal with such a childish and uncalled for slur.
it's FAIR GAME.
But I guess you wouldn't understand that. If you were more astute, you would see that I am making a comparison to Rush Limbaugh - who is another drug addict moron who has a national forum.
"Drug addicted alcoholic" Is this true? Yes he is a recovering addict from his own admission. Does this disqualify his opinion? Not from my assessment.
Are you actually comparing Beck bigotry to someone stating that he is a "drug addicted alcoholic"? Is this bigotry against all alcoholics? Did someone stereotype Beck in some way that I'm unaware of? I didn't realize that this debate was about using harsh words t0 describe someone? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the debate was about generalizing individuals with stereotypes and Beck's attempt to marginalize any criticism of his use of stereotypes with his "rampant PC" argument?
Is this your comparison (if that is what your actually attempting) or just false indignation?
Your really seem to be grasping for anything here Tommy. I can assure you that most individuals that continue to push the PC Police & "mean liberal" arguments are not going to get very far.
Have I EVER claimed to be above fighting fire with fire? Unless you can cough up an example of me doing so then I am NOT a hypocrite, anymore than someone who punches a guy who is beating a nun is somehow the guilty party
Glenn is a drug addicted alcoholic.
He went to AA and to the Mormon church to find Jeezus. He had hardcore drug and alcohol addiction - as witnessed by Wikipedia. Do some research.
By the way, Tommy, why is it that you chide me for answering your nonsensical posts, but it's alright for you to make ignorant comments about mine? Again, you're always the hypocrite.
complaining about all the things he's not allowed to talk about.
But then again, so does Carlos Mencia.
Oh yeah, it's real PC for a segment of society to be able to live thier life with the same dignity Beck and Tommy do.
My guidedog dietirch thought a few points should be made here. 1. The fact that a non talent a hole like Beck was even hired is the classic example of PC. 2. Blind jokes are only funny when told by another visually disabled person. 3. Excuses for this crap is what leads some cabbies to think they can deny my guidedog and I a ride. 4. Beck is too stupid and lazy to learn braile himself The man is a proven hate monger who dosen't deserve a national forum
Did you friend get trained in San Rafael? I live just a couple of miles from that facillity and enjoy seeing the trainers working with the dogs on the street.
got both my guide dogs there. Beautiful place. Love California , dietrich hates the heat in Florida
Are you interested in playing goalball? I teach that sport and another (beepball) and our teams compete at national tournaments throughout the year. We may know some of the same people. Several of my students got their dogs in San Rafael, too and I know how small this particular 'community' is.
There must be a lot of anger in a person who would b!tch and complain about a small effort taken by people (other than Beck himself) to help other people who are less fortunate than he. Very telling of those on the right. Then they wonder why we're ashamed of them.
Why would you want to piss off a blind person? Oh, I get it you are a funny boy. Glenn, c'mon, would you say this stuff if people took your seriously. As posted earlier, it is the PC people like you,the PARANOID CONSERVATIVES, that always make funnies about other peoples problems. If that is what makes you happy, who am I to question you? Just remember, someday it may be you and if an accident should cause you to lose you sight, Happy Laughing.
...and shouldn't even be taken seriously, let alone discussed at length! I personally can't even sit through one of his segments without the distinct impression that he's probably he'll say anything to just get through his show, so he can go home, stretch out on the couch with a Big Mac, a bottle of Jack Daniels and masturbate to uncomsciousness!
Look, it is not politically correct to treat blind people better or worse than anyone else. It is simple decency and respect. All people, regardless of their situations and circumstances, deserve that.
PC run amok is when people are so stifled and afraid to say something that may offend someone else and are called on the carpet for doing so as being a racist or a bigot or a homophobe and so on, that dumb thoughtless comments are weighted with much more scrutiny than deserved.
We are all humans, infallible and insensitive at times, we are not perfect. But the true test to one's integrity is their ability to take responsibility for what they say and do and apologize if they have intentionally offended another person. Treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve, that is the measure of a human being.
When an individual cannot hold a conversation with another person that is black, gay, Hispanic, female, blind, etc. in a respectful and thoughtful manner they should be called on the floor for it. Generalizations about any group without proper explanation is unacceptable and should be chastised.
Are you defending Glen Beck and his numerous generalizations about people from the Middle East & Mexico? You do realize the reason that he is bring this issue up in an attempt to justify the comments that he makes on his show right? Every moronic statement made by Beck is ok because its just a bunch of oversensitive liberals / PC Police out to stifle his "humor"
I am specifically speaking of Beck and this topic, none of his other comments are relevant to my take on this.
you why his past comments are most certainly relevant to this conversation?
YES, that would be helpful. Point out all the name calling Beck does in any given situation while explaining the difference between the name calling that the many liberals do on this site is a different kind of name calling than what Beck does on his show. One name caller is branded a racist/jerk while the other group of name callers are branded intelligent/witty. Umm, explain how denegrative name calling by the "intelligent/witty" types is good and the name calling by the racist/jerk types is not. Oh, and try doing it without sounding tooo hypocritical.
Look, it is not politically correct to treat blind people better or worse than anyone else. It is simple decency and respect. All people, regardless of their situations and circumstances, deserve that.
PC run amok is when people are so stifled and afraid to say something that may offend someone else and are called on the carpet for doing so as being a racist or a bigot ... -tommy
-----------------------------------------------------
What is it about showing respect for black people that some whites find so hard to understand? In my youth whites still called us n-gg-r to our face. Those days are over homey. Do it now and the "PC Police" will be the least of your problems.
Those who pick up something another person dropped who's arms are full?
People who help up a person who slipped on the ice?
Boy Scouts helping little old ladies cross the street?
People who hold doors for others?
MY GOD, WHAT AN ASS!
is the way Beck had orgasms over the idea of at the very least hurtin or maiming someone with his stupid idea of a 'joke'. The idea that the tommy-boys here want to gloss over that and insist that Beck is an innocent waif being brutally beat on by 'PC-thugs' is just another indication of the lack of any moral compass on the neo-con side.
Look, it is not politically correct to treat blind people better or worse than anyone else. It is simple decency and respect. All people, regardless of their situations and circumstances, deserve that. tommy / Friday August 25, 2006 04:06:05 PM EST
Exactly. Very well said. So if you can put a sign on a door that says "kitchen" does it really kill anyone to put it in braille? How does that make one go "nuts?" What other purpose does Beck's comment have than to degrade blind people?
This anti-PC stuff is all crap. Discussion about race, gender, sexuality, etc. takes place all the time. What upsets Beck is that he doesn't get to talk about it like a child. Beck wants to talk about this stuff, he should be prepared to listen. He should make an effort to understand people, rather than just accepting stereotypes at face value. There are no simple answers to any of the questions he put forth, as much as he would like there to be. And making lame jokes adds nothing to the conversation.
Should have to do what the guide dog instructors do when they first get hired. Go for an entire week under blindfold. Beck couldn't even give me a legal description of blindess.
30 Days living as a blind person.
I actually found this clip to be quite funny.
I mean physically. Beat the hell out of him. Put him in the hospital.
Or get him to sleep with Ann Coulter.
Same difference.
to "Hour with a Moron". That would be more descriptive of what one will be seeing should they decide to tune in.
Anybody that would make fun of Blind People and having brail on the walls for them to read is absolutely a PURE PIG!!!! I realize the Reich Wangers have to say these crazy things to keep their piglets of listeners interested, but this one is way out of line. Even for a Puke like Beck. You would think CNN would stop that kind of hate being broadcast on their network.
railing against PC when he and his Republican brethern can and do say anything dang vile, nasty thing they want with impunity. Why would having braille on doors "pee him off"? Really? Man, the Whos in Whoville must just make his blood boil.
These people who rail against PC just want to be able to say ANYTHING they want and get away with it. They want to be able to spew any nastiness and not have people think they have puny hearts. Glen Beck is a chump.
And Tommy, if you can't get the general concept of why this is on MMFA, then get off the board so people don't have to waste time putting the dots so close together. Sheesh.
..both told by blind folks. The first was in the Sixties, bwhen Ray Charles was on the Andy Williams show. Williams said something about how marvelous it was that Ray'd accomplished so much while being blind. Ray: Well, there's only one thing wrong with being blind, Andy. Andy: What's that, Ray? Ray: Well, you can't see....
And the other, when José Feliciano was being interviewed on NPR about his radio show.
Interviwer: Mr. Feliciano, some people have said that losing your sight causes the other senses to become sharper and more acute. Have you found this to be true? Feliciano: hanh? What?
So you are comparing blind people making fun of themselves to some random idiot having fantasies about hurting other people simply for the 'crime' of reading braille and shouting it on TV? Wow, that is really stupid comparison
Okay so it isn't civil enough to send directly to the hump, but I wish some blind members of A.A. would spike Beck's coffee with bleach.
You mention match the aid given by Hezbola. I was in Iran when US Aid was being sent to Iran in th 60's and 70's. Big help we had to go to the bazzar to buy american aid sent marked "A Gift of The American People" We had to buy it. It did not go to the people but made money for the government officials. How much did that win over the people? Ronald Coupe Houston Texas
It seems that the CNN is in race with the FOX network to see who can hire the most morons.
Hello,
I am a blind woman who recently graduated from Fordham University with my masters in social work. I am very offended by Glenn Beck's comments regarding the blind. Regarding braille signage, there is not a standard position that the signage appears in. But we don't go around feeling walls and things like that to find our way. I have a good sense of humor, but I don't find that one bit funny. Acording to Beck, blind people should sit there and be the object of others pity. That is what angers me! Thanks for listening everyone.
Have a wonderful day!
Marissa