Beck labeled Cindy Sheehan a "tragedy pimp" for her hunger strike to protest Iraq war
On the July 5 edition of his nationally syndicated radio show, Glenn Beck labeled anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan a "tragedy pimp" for going on a hunger strike to protest the war in Iraq. Beck added of Sheehan: "She's practically Gandhi in a pantsuit." Beck also suggested that Sheehan could use her "D-list fame" to appear on the program The Surreal Life, which features celebrities living together in a house, to which "Stu," the show's executive producer and head writer, added, "I could see Cindy Sheehan hooking up with Flavor Flav," a rapper who has appeared on that program.
Beck previously called Sheehan a "tragedy pimp" on the January 10 edition of his radio program, as Media Matters for America noted.
Beck also hosts CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck, a weeknight program that debuted in May.
From the July 5 broadcast of Premiere Radio Networks' The Glenn Beck Program:
BECK: Cindy Sheehan is in the news. She has tried everything she can to think -- that she can think of to stop the war. After gaining notoriety for setting up a campsite, anti-war celebrities and the press were quick to come to the aid of her plight: "She's a mother, you know." She was probably thinking, "Great! We were just hoping this would get a little press, and look at this! We should have the home -- troops home in a week! They'll be back by -- what day is it now? It's Tuesday, they'll be back by Saturday!" Unfortunately for Cindy Sheehan, she's failed miserably every step of the way. The campaign has been hapless. She's really not a likable figure to many -- others love her to pieces. The only thing that Sheehan really has accomplished is D-list fame. I mean, she might be able to be on one of those, you know -- what do they call them? Circus of the Stars kind of things. You remember those -- you remember those shows in the '70s where they'd get all the really D-list celebrities together and they'd do, you know -- it was like bad celebrity Olympics. I personally think she could be on that. Stu, what do you think? Do you think she'd -- Surreal Life. I think she could -- Cindy Sheehan could be on Surreal Life.
STU: I could see Cindy Sheehan hooking up with Flavor Flav --
BECK: In a heartbeat.
STU: In a heartbeat.
BECK: I could see it.
STU: Chemistry.
BECK: All right, so she's got this crappy book deal, she got that. And that's, you know, everybody's -- she gets to meet [actors] Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen, which has got to be a dream come true. And here's the interesting thing: After all of that happens, the war is still going on, and I think that that is -- that's a testament to Cindy Sheehan -- it is -- and all that she can accomplish. You know, now that I've exposed the overall limpness of the Cindy Sheehan movement, which is not exactly the Viagra that people were hoping for -- that were carrying peace signs and flowers -- but I feel it's necessary, and this is really not as much -- well, it is necessary strictly for your amusement. This is for entertainment purposes only. I feel it is important to tell you about the latest horrible PR stunt from Cindy Sheehan. Again, just for entertainment purposes. Cindy Sheehan, the "tragedy pimp," as we like to call her, is going on a hunger strike. Surprisingly, they're not doing this because they, you know, want to follow a book deal, they actually think that the press is not covering the true cost of war, and that's why she's going on a hunger strike. She's practically Gandhi in a pantsuit.
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LOL his envy is so obvious :)
"Leftist" humor makes fun of the rich and those in power. "Rightist" humor makes fun of those who are powerless or are idealists.
You know it's bad when comparing you to Gandhi is meant to be an insult.
lefties usually don't slander or denigrate and call it humor. For righties, that's the only play in the book.
that is why I like to read this blog because lefties never denigrate people as part of their humor.
Hence the "usually" qualifier. Leather, I'm glad your here. You're like the guy who tosses balls into the baseball players at the home run hitting contest.
What's that sound?
Oh, yeah. It's you, claiming VICTIMHOOD for the Rightwing, who won't go fight a war, but WILL make sure their taxes are cut, all advantages go their way, the working folk and the poor and the elderly are scapegoated as "what's wrong with America", and whose policies without fail have the goal of further enriching the already very wealthy.
Yes, you guys make EXCELLENT victims. A woman who lost her son to a useless war based on fraud? She's a "tragedy pimp". You, who wish only for the death to continue, and for Bush to continue his reign of errors? WAAAA! You scream. I'm a VICTIM. Called names by SOME posters. It's so unfair.
Right. That you cannot see the difference only shows that your lack of empathy is equaled by your lack of conscience, lack of curiosity, and aggressive NEED to become a lackey to totalitarian power.
Too harsh? Nope. It's what you advocate, it's what you demonstrate, and God forbid America ever joins you and succumbs to your desire to be stripped of freedom.
A wealthy pundit kicks a grieving mother in the teeth, and you fret that her teeth may have left a mark on the good man's loafer. We hear you.
Good as in the opposite of evil is ridiculed. I knew it was a matter of time before they swiped at Buffet for his donation. Cavuto thought it was awful not to leave the money to his children so that it could be taxed to generate revenue for America. It seems that donating it to help alleviate world suffering is a slight to America.
You said it, fawltylogic.
was being "prostituted" by "far-left elements who want to use her" . . .
Now, Beck is calling her a "tragedy pimp" . . .
Aside from the question of whether or not its possible for one person to simultaneously be both a pimp and a prostitute, I've gotta ask: when the wingnut noisemakers want to smear the mother of a war casualty, why do they feel the need to use two terms associated with the sex trade? Some kind of Freudian thing going on here? I thought the far right was the "family values" crowd . . .
I think they're obsessed with sex in general and in Rush Limbaugh's case it's violent sex. He likes to use rape analogies. Lord knows what he's paying for down in the Dominican Republic and what ever he's paying it ain't enough. Hopefully he provides the comercial sex workers with lots of oxycontin.
Not to mention dumber than a bag of rocks.
A pathetic, no-talent HACK in every sense of the word.
Why do people who have lost someone (like Cindy Sheehan) get a free pass from criticism? I lost my Mother last year. Does that mean no one on this message board will criticize this post?
You are quick to bash Beck for everything Media Matters claims is a horrible comment...Did any of you condemn Keith Olberman's emails telling one of his viewers to 'kill themselves' and calling Rita Cosby 'dumber than a suitcase of rocks'?
Also, since you care so much about the 'facts', President Bush's so called 'mission accomplished' speech was talking about the ousting of Saddam and his regime, and the liberation of Iraq.
Of course you also always remember to include the fact that Bush also said this in the same speech:
'Our mission continues. Al Qaida is wounded, not destroyed. The scattered cells of the terrorist network still operate in many nations and we know from daily intelligence that they continue to plot against free people. The proliferation of deadly weapons remains a serious danger.
The enemies of freedom are not idle, and neither are we. '
If anything, Bush should have known the media would be quick to take a sound bite (een though he never actually said 'mission accomplished') and not take a moment to give congrats to the group of soldiers Bush was thanking for a job well done.
If you count cherry picking quotes and spinning them as 'the facts', then I guess I won't be able to have an honest debate with you.
Do any of you actually listen to Beck's show? Just curious.
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- George W. Bush (August 4, 2004)
It would be funnier if it weren't so very true.
Typical liberal--can't have the debate, have to go to the easy attacks...
Well, at least the "typical liberal" doesn't need to stoop to name calling, which negates true debate, unlike conservative pundits and politicians, who regularly use ad hominem attacks which they feel somehow proves their point. Get real. That is a Bush quote, not some allegation pulled out of thin air, and such a quote is not above ridicule.
Wait, wait wait a minute: Cindy Sheehan is a discrace [sic] to this nation? Look, Cindy Sheehan has more compassion, intellect and empathy in her little finger than you could ever hope to have. Ms. Sheehan's personal life (i.e. her husband leaving her, etc.) is NOT part of the debate. I and other posters here would appreciate it if you would stick to the topic at hand, instead of trying to pull your logical fallacies off as fact. The fact is this: Cindy Sheehan speaks out against a war she feels is unjust. She lost her SON in this unjust war. If you don't agree with it, fine. Not everyone has to agree. Obviously you're not in Iraq, fighting for America, so for God's sake, quit complaining about people like Cindy Sheehan who actually use the freedoms for which our soldiers have fought and died. Even though I disagree with your stance, I'll stand next to you and support your right to either complain about the war or support it. Either way, it's part of our freedoms. Please don't condemn those who exercise them. And FYI, it's DISGRACE, not discrace.
When a person puts themselves in the spotlight like she has, they expect critisizm. You all seem to praise her, how is my opinion different?
I agree with Beck.
Criticism is one thing. Ad hominem attacks such as 'whore', 'pimp', 'prostitute' is quite another. How can you not see the difference? Criticize the action, not the person.
"Ad hominem attacks....ARE quite another"
Pardon my grammar there.
So, Wankler, how have Cindy Sheehan's actions harmed you? Why is she not entitled to an explanation from GWB? Why is it wrong for her to protest a war? And why is it that she's labeled such nasty things for standing up for what she believes in? Like I said, stand up for what you believe in, but refrain from harming others and I'll support your right to do that. However, I won't support your right to smear, slander or denigrate ANYONE who has the balls to stand up for what they believe in. Remember that if you have to resort to name calling and other types of ad hominem attacks, you have no argument. Ad hominem attacks are classic logical/argument fallacies (Take a Logic 101 course, this is one of the first things you'll learn). This type of logical fallacy is usually a last resort in an argument where the user of such a fallacy has no argument to make, or cannot prove a point. Notice how often Conservatives and NeoConservatives resort to such a tactic?
The lunatic fringe of the republican party has no problem smearing the mother of a slain soldier or the 9/11 widows who advocated for an investigation into 9/11. But could you imagine the outrage if a left-wing pundit smeared the mother of a slain soldier or a 9/11 widow who supports Bush and the extreme right’s agenda.
And another thing is that Bush has been using 9/11 for five years now to implement the extreme right’s agenda. If anyone is a “tragedy pimp,” he must be it.
When did people get the idea that Cindy Sheehan is "rooting for the other side"? Look, I don't know how much more simple I can make this: she's rooting for ALL OF US. If you haven't gotten past the level of apelike "Us vs. Them" logic that prevents you from seeing anything but blind devotion to Our Great Leader as treachery, then what are you doing in America in the first place? Get back to North Korea where you belong.
When she went down to Venezuela and got all smoochie with Hugo Chavez. Is he on our side? That is, America's side?
OK, Wankler...you're really dipping into the logical fallacy well today, aren't you?
You cannot have a debate then change the subject of the debate mid-stream. Sheehan's friendship with Hugo Chavez is not the point of this thread. I'm sure you, as well as everyone else, including myself, is friends or has been friends, with people who others might find to be "unsavory characters". I say, who cares? Personally, I happen to agree with Chavez on MANY MANY issues.
Where was Bush and the rest of the Administration during the aftermath of Katrina while Chavez was sending oil Louisiana, and Mississippi? The oil that Chavez sent to LA and MS was sold at wholesale price. Interesting, eh? Not even our own administration would do that...
See, it doesn't help you to bring up other issues that are not within the scope of the thread. You end up looking like you don't know what you're talking about.
" Personally, I happen to agree with Chavez on MANY MANY issues. "
I've been called many horrible names for agreeing with Beck on "many many" issues. I hear a liberal(?) stating that he supports socialist ideas and no disagreement follows. That makes sense, doesn't it? A man like Beck is dragged through the mud for fulfilling his constitutional right, and a socialist is held in high esteem while denying that someone has that right.
" The oil that Chavez sent to LA and MS was sold at wholesale price. "
Just what was "wholesale" price, then? $60, $65 a barrel?
You mention that Beck fulfills his constitutional right to free speech. True, he does, even if it is in a disgusting, insulting way. Hugo Chavez hasn't called anyone a 'prostitute', 'whore', or 'pimp' to my knowledge. And just because I espouse many Socialist ideas doesn't mean that I am worthy of insults and deriding comments from greedy capitalists pushing an agenda that works only for the wealthiest 10% of the population. People like Beck might not agree with the way I feel, but insulting people to push an agenda is disgusting. And this is where you're comparing apples to oranges. It's not the same thing. Now, back to the point of the thread, please.
I never said that Beck didn't have the right to spew his nonsense. Further, for Socialists, the right to free speech is one of the most important rights. Maybe you should learn a little more about it before you insinuate that Socialists are the same as Totalitarians and former Communist dictators.
Socialism is NOT the same as Communism or Totalitarianism. If you think it is, then you truly need to go back to school.
Another bitter capitalism hater. Big business keeping you down? Socialism doesn't work. I think that's pretty well documented.
Your comment is just silly projection. I am NOT a hater of capitalism. Capitalism in small doses is healthy (Mom and Pop businesses, especially). However, the capitalism as we understand it stands for greed and stepping on others to make it to the top. Capitalism has turned economic life into some sort of competition. I don't live my economic life in competition with others. Evidently you don't know what true Socialism is. Further, you should provide support for your baseless assertion that Socialism doesn't work. Name three countries that failed because of Socialism. The former Soviet Union, China and Cuba don't count. Those are/were totalitarian regimes, mislabeled and mischaracterized as Socialism. You really should understand what you're talking about before you begin projecting your own thoughts as to how I think and believe.
" The oil that Chavez sent to LA and MS was sold at wholesale price. "
Just what was "wholesale" price, then? $60, $65 a barrel?
-LL TIME _______________________________________________
Please allow me some time to find the information I referred to above re: oil sent by Chavez to LA and MS after Katrina. The reference I have is at home, (I'm currently at work) in a newspaper I subscribe to called 'Freedom Socialist', June-July 2006 issue. I'll be happy to pull the sources for you.
The right does seemed obsessed with perverted sex - you need only watch an episode of Neil Cavuto for a refresher {no wonder that's the veep's preferred channel} . . . as for the survey LH referenced, hey with all the oxy and viagra Rush has, who WOULDN'T be happy?
does that make the people who make money by demonizing her, whores?
We've all failed. We're still waging Operation Iraqi Freedom. We're still guzzling oil here and practicing imperialism over there. We're still disproportionately sending the sons and daughters of poor folks into harm's way. Bush didn't have the ovaries to serve as a soldier and he certainly doesn't have the ovaries to admit error and withdraw. We all share the blame for still being in Iraq. Heck, Bush didn't even have the guts to tax Americans for this occupation. We've borrowed to wage this war. Our grandchildren will pay for it, in many ways.
I listen in disbelieve. I really can’t figure out why he is still on CNN.
He is just plane cruel and senseless with a bad personality. He is not even joking about this, he really means it.
And why aren't people like Bill O'reilly pointing out these people's viciousness? where is the word "Despicable" when you need it!
[link to homepage.mac.com]
Even if he disagreed with his Mom, calling her a pimp and a whore would probably not earn his affection.
how is Cindy earning ours?
a media whore like Beck calling Cindy Sheehan a tragedy pimp.
What a f*cking weasel!
If Cindy Sheehan is a pimp, I bet she could b*tch slap Glenn Beck pretty easily.
The fact that a guy with his own talk show would actually take the time to ridicule Sheehan means that A. she is something of a threat to somebody; and B. that somebody doesn't have her under satisfactory control yet.
So unless Cindy is fifth column like Jane Fonda was (and strongly doubt that at this point), I'd say this is a good sign.
Mocking the mother of a dead soldier to score ratings points
Glen Beck's mother must be so proud of her son.
Using the death of your own son to promote your own agenda and gain fame--deplorable.
It seems that the right always thinks that she is somehow exploiting her son's death. Would you say the same things to the women who founded MADD? I don't think so. The only reason you guys villify sheehan is that she disagrees with you and has a platform.
Why is it that when conservatives hear something they don't like they attack the messenger? Cindy Sheehan was probably content to just be who she was until her son died and she felt compelled the ask Bush what was the noble cause her son died for. Face it, you just don't like hearing what she has to say. But to imply she is using her sons death to score some political points is just cynical. You don't know her motives any more than I do. Gimme a break.
...is watching the right wing in this nation try to take advantage of the deaths of 3,000 people FIVE YEARS AGO in order to attack a nation that did NOTHING to us and to promote an ugly agenda of war, poverty and class warfare. Nice.
Or is is dodo. I stop listen to that windbag about a month ago. I'm a better person for too.
I have often wondered, but haven't yet done the research - at what point does SMEARING become SLANDER? I am serious about this question, especially after all of the smearing of Murtha. Any ideas, ladies and gentlemen?
In my opinion, Glenn Beck is doing the same thing Sheehan is doing...expressing his opinion about the war effort. Perhaps they both are "pimps/whores".
Dang, you just can't put together a logical thought, can you? Criticizing a person's actions is perfectly within peoples' rights. Defaming them to promote your agenda, is just plain mean-spirited - and wrong. It's sad that people like you consider Beck's programming to be punditry, journalism or anything other than the viscious drivel that it is. Why not start talking about issues instead of bad-mouthing your opposition? Is it possible for conservatives and neocons to even engage in civil discourse without resorting to name- calling? The status quo leads me to believe that you cannot.
She earns MY affection by having the courage to continue speak out against a war she and thousands of others believe is wrong, even as you and other right wingers keep up a steady drumbeat of defamation.
She earns MY affection by reminding us, through her actions, that the Constitutionally-guaranteed rights of free speech and dissent are still valid even in "wartime," despite the President's seeming willingness to erode or even suspend those rights in the name of "national security."
She earns MY affection by, despite personal tragedies - the death of her son, the dissolution of her marriage - NOT playing the role "helpless victim" - despite the efforts of Coulter, Beck, O'Reilly, et. al., to villify her as such - and instead using her grief as a catalyst for energizing the anti-war movement, which had largely dormant before she began to speak out.
That's how she earns MY respect and affection. She probably isn't worried much about earning yours.
If she was to fall off the earth, I could care less. PERIOD! Who is she to think she should get some special attention? She is a nobody, and has made little difference in the anti-war movementin regard to changing the war. No matter what anyone says, I feel she used her sons death to get tons of sympathy. Poor, poor lady...... Now, she is where she belongs, BERKELY. Land of idiots.
...at people with whom you disagree. Make an educated argument and move on. Quit insulting people you don't even know. You're just as bad as Beck and his ilk - childish, 3rd grade nonsense, name calling and insults. Why are you even on this website? Whose mind do you think you're going to change, especially with such nasty comments. If you truly believe in conservative politics, act like it, make an educated argument and try to convince people of your point of view without being insulting. But, that's all that the conservative movement can do anymore. I don't know whether to blame you personally for your disgusting personal attacks, projection and logical fallacies, or blame your political party for teaching you that this is the way politics should be discussed.
------------------------------------------------------------- "Berkely [sic] land of idiots"
As someone who lives on the peninsula (SF), I come into regular contact with people who have or have had some connection to Berkeley. Believe me, they're far from idiots.