Good Morning America welcomed "talk-radio host" Glenn Beck to discuss Islam, didn't mention Beck's history of smears
SUMMARY: Diane Sawyer hosted Glenn Beck on Good Morning America for a discussion of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey and the pope's recent comments on Islam. Sawyer identified Beck only as a "television and talk-radio host ... who has said it's time for the world to stop buckling to the pressure of radical Islam." She did not note that Beck is a self-identified conservative who has a history of making derogatory statements about Islam and Muslims.
On the November 28 edition of ABC's Good Morning America, co-host Diane Sawyer interviewed conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck to discuss whether Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey, in the wake of controversial comments the pope made about Islam on September 12, will "heal" tensions or "make matters worse." Sawyer identified Beck simply as a "television and talk-radio host ... who has said it's time for the world to stop buckling to the pressure of radical Islam," without noting that Beck is a self-identified conservative who has a history of making derogatory statements about Islam and Muslims. During the interview, Beck repeated several comments he has made before, such as: "I believe that it is important for all of us to look evil in the eye and crush it;" "I believe there is a cancer that is radicalized Islam, and it must be cut out or it's going to kill all of us;" and "I believe it's Germany, 1938." As purported balance to Beck, Sawyer interviewed Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the leader of a mosque in New York who, according to Sawyer, is "working to help understanding between different communities."
During his ABC appearance, Beck also criticized Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for having an "apocalyptic view." But Sawyer failed to mention that Beck himself appears to have an "apocalyptic view" of the threat of radical Islam. As Media Matters for America has noted, Beck has previously identified conflicts in the Middle East and India as evidence that "it is the end of days" and later described the conflicts as "World War III and the impending apocalypse." Beck also stated that "whether you like it or not, this is a religious war." As Media Matters also noted, Beck and former CIA officer Robert Baer had a similar discussion on the July 13 edition of Beck's TV show on CNN Headline News, during which Baer said: "We can see this spreading into other countries. We are much closer to Armageddon." As Media Matters further noted, on the July 24 edition of the program, while discussing Iran, Beck said: "I truly believe these mullahs are far worse than Hitler. ... I believe these guys are biblically evil." He concluded: "We have a series starting tomorrow on the coming of the messiah."
From the November 28 edition of ABC's Good Morning America:
SAWYER: Well, as we mentioned, Pope Benedict XVI has touched down in Turkey, the pope's first visit ever to a Muslim country. It has now been two months since he quoted a 14th century scholar who characterized any lure of violence in Islam as evil and inhuman. It set off a firestorm. Will this trip heal, or will it make matters worse? Well, joining me to talk about all this is television and talk-radio host Glenn Beck, who has said that it's time for the rest of the world to stop buckling to the pressure of radical Islam. And also joining us is Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who is an Islamic leader in the U.S. working to promote understanding between Muslim and other communities. Just returned from Turkey on Sunday.
[...]
SAWYER: All right, let me talk to Glenn Beck, because the Imam Rauf has said this is a group of people. This is not him. This is not all of Islam. This is just a group of people.
BECK: Sure. Sure. It's a -- I believe it's a small portion of Islam that is acting in these ways, but I believe that it is important for all of us to look evil in the eye and crush it. We need to call it by its name, and radicalized Islam is evil. They are -- they're hijacking a beautiful religion and they need to be stopped.
SAWYER: And you don't think there's enough of a reaction from other Islam?
BECK: I think the entire world is in denial. I believe there is a cancer that is radicalized Islam, and it must be cut out or it's going to kill all of us, including the good Muslims and that is the vast majority of Islam.
[...]
SAWYER: So, let me ask about this. I mean, it's one thing to say that, you know, that we should have all -- everybody should settle down and have a conversation and isolate the intensely overwrought --
BECK: Sure. No, I didn't say isolate. Destroy.
SAWYER: OK, destroy. But, but, if the argument back is, it's perceived by them, the U.S. is occupying an Islamic country and that there is this history of feeling encroached upon, what do you do about that politically?
BECK: I think we need to look at the people that we're really dealing with here. And if you look to the people in Iran, for instance, President Ahmadinejad, he has an apocalyptic view. To say it is all about politics is, I believe, misguided. There is a lot of politics throughout the world that is involved in this, but there is also the apocalyptic view of bringing back the 12th imam and washing and cleansing the earth in blood. These are very, very dangerous people.
SAWYER: You've said you actually think this is bringing us to the brink of World War III. That's exactly where we stand this morning.
BECK: I believe it's Germany, 1938. And the world is in denial because people do not want to think insane thoughts. Well, our adversaries are thinking insane thoughts, and if we don't act now, we are going to repeat the exact mistakes that we made in 1938.
SAWYER: But act all of us collectively to --
BECK: To crush the enemy that is --
SAWYER: But crush how? Crush how?
BECK: I think you need to go in. And if -- for instance, [Moqtada] al-Sadr. Why that man is still walking among us is beyond me. It was through our political correctness of trying to be peacemakers -- and I understand that, and that's great -- but if the man was hiding out in a mosque, you've got to kill him in a mosque. And I know that's politically incorrect, but you've got to target the enemy and call him by name.
I'm sure el-Glenn-bo will be the first one off the military transport after it lands in Tehran...then Damascus...then (Glenn will actually be cheer-leading from the sidelines while your kids do the fighting...naturally)
Has anyone notice that this guy covers really dumb comments by suggesting it's "politically incorrect to say but...?"
I agree with Beck. We have to "target the enemy and call him by name".
Our enemy is ignorance and ignorance is Glenn Beck.
...an even better question is why GMA would have this dolt on to push his radical agenda. Like the other mo-mos, he has no plan... just a lot of dumb-guy talk about 'crushing' this or that.... Sawyer was getting there "Crush how?"
How? With billions of Muslims on the planet, how do we 'crush' the radicals? Hmmm. Well, I suppose we could've remained in Afghanistan and cought OBL. Oh. That would've been a good start huh?
We discuss race relations with Trent Lott, and later, gay marriage with former Senator Rick Santorum.
im not sure this falls under rightwing misinformation i think GMA know he is a clown and are hoping he will say something "controversial" (stupid) for ratings such as the "tell me your not working with our enemies" garbage. just my humble opinion.
The question of why a national network would elevate a shock-jock without any credentials aside from a big mouth to be an expert opinion on such a devisive topic of which he is so obviously completely unqualified to discuss even from a bar stool before closing, nevermind to a national audience?
Who's judgement would be so impaired as to us Glen Beck as expert opinion on Islamic religious issues??? What would motivate them to use Beck??
Is the network trying to marginalize the issue to exclude a real expert, or even a college educated opinion???
What does this say about the process of whom they see as expert opinion??
I mean would anyone with an IQ above 60 ask Mr. Beck for an opinion about geopolitical, religious, or national issues ??? Does this mean only a Republican would reach out for Mr. Beck, because I know there are no Democrats who would ask Mr. Beck for directions even to the head.
The Fairness Doctrine set a bar at least above this low standard the media has fallen to since it's demise!!
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
It's not REQUIRED for a host to note a guest's history, it would be impossible to give a profile of every guest that would make all happy.I just think it's easy enough to figure Beck out by this;
BECK: I believe it's Germany, 1938. And the world is in denial because people do not want to think insane thoughts.
Who's occupying other countries, and who is the official government waging war?. (I know, we were attacked, but not by a military superpower, and not by the people we're engaged with now)
And yeah, Moe, every righty uses "not politically correct" when they think they're being rebellious by being stoopid.
...however, GMA should know (and does) who this guy is...what he stands for. The fact that they give him a platform for his dumb-guy 'common sense' diatribes is painful.
Good luck fighting the good fight in the OC...
watch the place.
Since when is this jerk an expert on ANYTHING? Why are they even interviewing him about these topics? Why not interview Jon Stewart or Bill Maher? They have just as much credibility. I've said it before...I think the string-pullers behind the curtains are grooming this putz to assume the throne of Rush Limbaugh as the Primary Disinformer. He's being heavily promoted for some reason, and it ain't for his wit, wisdom or talent.
the line between NEWS and ENTERTAINMENT has completely gone away. Would we watch a Medical show that purports to give us valid medical information by having the host interview a guest WITH NO MEDICAL BACKGROUND.
Just as the interview with Beck was with someone with no academic/experiential/etc background in the issues. The host might just as well made a random telephone call to anyone and gotten as much valid knowledge as Beck has.
The only reason Beck was invited on the air was because he says things that no sane person would agree with. He is a human train wreak and there is a segment of the viewing audience (those that watch Most Extreme Videos or As Animals Attack) that will tune in for Beck.
"Would we watch a Medical show that purports to give us valid medical information by having the host interview a guest WITH NO MEDICAL BACKGROUND."
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How much airplay did Tom Cruise get for his idiocy about psychotropic medication and the history of psychiatry, two subjects about which he knows nothing at all?
Damn straight. It makes me sick to my stomach that clowns like Glenn Beck get paid pretty well to spread their hate and enable the Bushbots in their perpetual war machine.
as a NOT NEWS program and as an ENTERTAINMENT program. People like accidents and train wreaks, which describes Beck. I suspect they were hoping Beck would say something really off-the-wall so their viewers would react. I guess the sponsors of Good Morning America are willing to advertise on programs that have guests such as Beck.
Oh well..
Author and beer-hall habitue Adolph Hitler to discuss Judaism.
...for the sake of complaining.
How was Sawyer supposed to introduce Beck? "Our next guest is Glenn Beck, who is a self-identified conservative who has a history of making derogatory statements about Islam and Muslims. Thanks for being here today, Glenn."?
Is that about it?
Would you expect her to introduce Clinton as " my next guest is former Pres William Jefferson Clinton, who is a Democrat, and once introduced Monica to fine cigars. Welcome to the show, Bill."
That Beck shouldn't even be interviewed about this topic as if he's some kind of "expert". He's a hack GOP bombthrowing professional liar, nothing more.
Liberal Media? Please.
However a more appropriate "title" for him would be "ahock jock," "radio and TV personality," or even "controversial radio and TV personality."
But "expert?" Try again.
How, in any way, shape or form, is Beck an authority in this discussion? How is he even a part of this discussion?
As a Co-chair of the task force that proposed changes in the U.S. health-care system, she was certainly an "expert". It was all of that medical background she had.
Oh, I see now. Thanks for clearing that up.
That's just sad.
Islamic radicals believe that the West is out to destroy Muslims. Whenever the convince someone that their view is correct, they've recruited another radical. People like Glenn Beck provide proof of the West's bigotry and evil intentions and help Islamic radicals gain power.
It's just the same old tribalism, on and on forever.
In this vein, you might enjoy Orcinius' latest post on these topics: [link to dneiwert.blogspot.com]
His blog is always worth a read.
He claimed that Turkey's entry into the European Union was a "Trojan Horse" because there's an EU "mandate" that once the Muslim population of Europe reaches 20%, Europe has to convert to Islamic law (I swear am not making this up). That's worth a Media Matters story all by itself.
From the CNN transcript:
“BECK: Some people would say that Turkey and their possible entrance into the E.U. is almost a Trojan horse, because there is some sort of mandate -- maybe you can clear this up -- I was just told this today. There`s some sort of mandate, Glenn, where 20 percent -- if the population is 20 percent of Europe in Muslim, there`s a mandate where they have to try to change the law over to Sharia law. Is that true?”
Of course, he's just asking the question - a device Daily Show writers have dubbed the "Cavuto"
Full transcript at: [link to transcripts.cnn.com]
America's favorite blond middle-class celebrity airhead Diane Sawyer will be interviewing the head of Aryan Nations to discuss the Black Problem. Should there be a Final Solution? Stay tuned to Fascism TV, your pure white rich state-run television.
And now for some more commercials from the makers of Mass Mind Control. Did you fit into the Herd today? Feeling anxious about your social position? Good! We'll keep you feeling that way! We'll teach you how to feel safe and secure and all snuggly-wuggly in the Great American Cult of Television. Just another great product from the people that bring you Institutionalized Mass Murder of Foreigners for Corporate Profits.
Gud deadeloth. Fascism will always find an enemy in me.
What are Beck's credentials again?
Oh, yeah. his willingness to hyperventilate on television about scary brown people while bathed in his ever present glowing orange slime of fear-sweat, Cheeto-dust and the urine that pools up in his shoes from the constant and insensate pant-wetting that he and the rest of the wingers seem to be perpetually performing.
have even attempted to discredit what Glenn says. It's just ad hominem attack after ad hominem attack.
You people aren't helping the discussion. Only adding the fuel to the fire.
Disappointing for such a popular website.
Did anybody notice that Glenn said that "radicalized Islam" is evil but he did not say that "Islam" in and of itself is evil?
I agree with him 100%.