Is Glenn Beck accusing Fox Broadcasting Co. and Rupert Murdoch of engaging in Maoist activities?
During his October 19 Fox News show, Glenn Beck ranted that, because of the overlap in the message of volunteerism from President Obama's "Corporation for National and Community Service and a call for more service and volunteerism" on network television from the Entertainment Industry Foundation, "[i]t's almost like we're living in Mao's China right now" and noted that NBC executive Mitch Metcalf is an "EIF board member," exclaiming, "[M]y God, it can't be." But Fox Broadcasting Co. -- which airs Fox News programming and, like Fox News, is owned by News Corp. -- is also participating in EIF's volunteer initiative, and has a vice president who sit on EIF's board of directors with Metcalf; further, News Corp. chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch sits on EIF's "honorary board of governors."
Beck's volunteerism conspiracy theory: "It's almost like we're living in Mao's China right now"
Beck suggests conspiracy between White House, entertainment industry to promote volunteerism. Noting that the EIF is promoting volunteerism though its iParticipate campaign, through which "more than 60 network television shows" will incorporate "service and volunteerism" into their plots, Beck asked: "[I]s it just a coincidence that all of this falls into line with President Obama's Corporation for National and Community Service and a call for more service and volunteerism, or not a coincidence at all?" He continued:
Well, Andrew Breitbart's BigHollywood.com has published now a memo from EIF -- remember? It reads in part, quote, "President Obama has called for a new era of responsibility." Wait a minute. Hang on. I think I read about this or heard in that conference call with the NEA -- something like this.
Anyway, "A new era for responsibility, recognition on the part of every American that we have our duties to ourselves, our nation, and to our world to serve others. It is the price and promise of citizenship. In response, our television community with the Entertainment Industry Foundation will launch a multi-year campaign to inspire action and promote a new way of thinking about service."
Well, this is fantastic. It's almost like we're living in Mao's China right now. But Mitch Metcalf, an EIF board member and NBC executive -- my God, it can't be. Come on, Anita, call me. Lookit, Chairman Mao is right there ready to take your phone call. Go ahead. Call me on that one.
[...]
First, Green Week and now, Service Week. Soon we can have 52 weeks of the White House just writing scripts and tell us what we should all do.
But Fox Broadcasting Co. is part of EIF's volunteer initiative
As video Beck himself aired indicated, Fox is participating in EIF's program. Beck aired a clip of first lady Michelle Obama praising EIF's program and saying in part: "This foundation has enlisted the four major networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, to take part in a week-long television event in support of national service. It's going to be a great thing." Indeed, Fox, with ABC, CBS, and NBC, is part of EIF's iParticipate initiative, "which promotes a new way of thinking about service and seeks to persuade millions more Americans to volunteer regularly. As a centerpiece, the major broadcast networks and others will spotlight service through scripted programming, segments and PSAs with inspirational messages and storylines about volunteerism. More than 60 shows have signed up to participate." [EIF press release, 10/1/09]
Fox actors part of EIF public service announcement. Actress Emily Deschanel from the Fox program Bones and Michael Strahan of Fox's Brothers and Fox NFL Sunday are both participating in a "new public service announcement that encourages viewers to tune in to an unprecedented week of television, October 19 -25, as part of EIF's iParticipate national initiative to promote service and volunteering." [EIF press release, 10/1/09]
Fox exec on EIF board of directors with NBC's Metcalf. In addition to Metcalf, who Beck noted is an EIF board member, Preston Beckman, executive vice president for strategic program planning and research for the Fox Broadcasting Co., is a member at large of EIF's operating board of directors. Additionally, Vanessa Morrison, president of 20th Century Fox Animation, which is owned by News Corp., is an at-large member of EIF's operating board of directors. [EIF Leadership Web page]
Rupert Murdoch sits on EIF's "honorary board of governors." A "backgrounder" for EIF lists News. Corp chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch as sitting on the group's "honorary board of governors."
Fox executive: "It's just heartwarming to see how everyone embraced this" and left out politics. An October 12 USA Today article about the EIF service announcement quoted Beckman stating: "It's just heartwarming to see how everyone embraced this. ... It's great when you can find something that unites all of us, regardless of our political views." USA Today also reported that Fox is "incorporating I Participate into scripted series and PSAs for other shows, including Bones, So You Think You Can Dance and COPS."
Fox reaching "out to its affiliates as well as sister cable nets for support." Variety reported on October 18 that "Fox scheduling topper Preston Beckman said the network reached out to its affiliates as well as sister cable nets for support. 'It's a team effort,' Beckman said. Exec said Fox stars participating in PSAs include Tamara Taylor ('Bones'), Lance Reddick ('Fringe') and Nigel Lythgoe ('So You Think You Can Dance')."
Transcript
From the October 19 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:
BECK: When you're watching TV this week, you might notice a common theme on some of your favorite TV shows -- service and volunteerism. You might think if you're an average viewer, "Gee, that's a coincidence. Look at how much it's popping up."
The Entertainment Industry Foundation, EIF, a major Hollywood charitable organization which has been around for almost 70 years, raises money for health, educational, and social issues, is suddenly interested in being volunteers.
This week, you will see it all over your television set, on more than 60 network television shows -- 60. And not just a public service announcement, but service and volunteerism will be worked into the plots.
Your favorite character might volunteer at the dog shelter or at the park or whatever. The EIF says their multi-year iParticipate campaign will, quote, "promote a new way of thinking about service and seek to persuade millions more Americans to volunteer regularly," end quote, in education, community health, environmental conservation, financial security, and support for military families. Oh, that's great. Thanks for the military tip of the hat.
That sounds great, doesn't it? I just have one pesky question -- are we running out of volunteers in this country? I mean, Americans are some of the most generous and giving people in the world. Are we trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist? Are we creating a problem that doesn't exist, to have an emergency that doesn't yet exist? Or is it just a coincidence that all of this falls into line with President Obama's Corporation for National and Community Service and a call for more service and volunteerism, or not a coincidence at all?
Well, Andrew Breitbart's BigHollywood.com has published now a memo from EIF -- remember? It reads in part, quote, "President Obama has called for a new era of responsibility." Wait a minute. Hang on. I think I read about this or heard in that conference call with the NEA -- something like this.
Anyway, "A new era for responsibility, recognition on the part of every American that we have our duties to ourselves, our nation, and to our world to serve others. It is the price and promise of citizenship. In response, our television community with the Entertainment Industry Foundation will launch a multi-year campaign to inspire action and promote a new way of thinking about service."
Well, this is fantastic. It's almost like we're living in Mao's China right now. But Mitch Metcalf, an EIF board member and NBC executive -- my God, it can't be. Come on, Anita, call me. Lookit, Chairman Mao is right there ready to take your phone call. Go ahead. Call me on that one.
This can't be true, right? An NBC executive? Told the L.A. Times, "We came up with this idea over a year ago," and quote, "We were lucky that the Obama administration happened to think that this was a worthy cause."
I can't even read this with a straight face. And the first lady, in particular, is behind this general effort. We're certainly not servicing the White House. No, no, not at all. And it's not like the first lady has an interest.
MICHELLE OBAMA [video clip]: And today I'm also pleased to announce one outstanding example of that, an initiative created by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, an organization that harnesses the power of Hollywood to raise awareness of and money for pressing social causes. This foundation has enlisted the four major networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, to take part in a week-long television event in support of national service. It's going to be a great thing.
BECK: Oh, it is. You love me. You really love me. This award means so much. Thank you. First, Green Week and now, Service Week. Soon we can have 52 weeks of the White House just writing scripts and tell us what we should all do.
Last month, when the mayor of New York was celebrating a Day of Service -- you know, instead of a day offer remembrance to mark 9/11 -- all of the celebs were out there to push for volunteerism, even Ashton Kutcher.
KUTCHER [video clip]: Volunteering is, when we really break it down, is working for free. It's like I got -- and I'm thinking that's not my -- I gotta go out and tell people, "Yeah, get excited to go to work and not make any money," and get -- especially when it's tough to come by money. And I'm like, "How am I going to really encourage people to do that?"
BECK: I don't know. You should read some Marx. He'll help you on that. Thanks for the info, Ashton. Volunteering is working for free -- remember that. Glad you're part of this movement. But Disney is getting behind this, too -- oh, the owners of ABC Television.
They have a new program starting in January. If you put in a day of service, you get a free day at Disney World or Disneyland. Hang on, I'm using -- Ashton's words are coming to my head, now -- isn't it working for free? Wouldn't that not then be volunteerism, because you're getting paid with a day at Disney?
Celebrities are coming together to make it cool to volunteer. Disney gives you a free day at the park. This is all fine, but doesn't it seem a little bit convenient that all of this comes out now at the same time the Obama administration is calling for it?
Obama controls the message through the media he holds in his pocket, or his little hand, that soon, if you disobey, he'll just go [slaps hand].
Now, the message will be embedded in television shows. Isn't that great? Aren't you proud of what we're doing? Oh, this certainly is change. Remember, during the Bush administration, the media slammed the administration for paying a conservative columnist for supporting the Bush administration's education plan.
Remember? They did their job then. Where are you now? Why do we need government, Republican or Democrat, feeding us propaganda, and propaganda to volunteer? I mean, I'd rather hear a message of service from a church or a synagogue or a mosque, you know, where a free trip is not part of the deal. Wouldn't you?
Oh, gee, there I go again. I'm sorry, Anita. I'm sorry, Mr. President. Am I asking too many questions again?
Information control -- I'm going to break it down for you. And I believe by the end of the week, you'll be shocked.
What is the proper Precription for a man that has lost his Mind?
Mr. Beck gets to make things up and the rest of "Fox" follows like a Pack of Hyenas.
We can only hope that someday the FCC will serve these Smear Mongers with Multiple Subpoenas.
Speak truth to power.
Mr. News
Um... I don't suppose it would be necessary to point out to this raving mad lunatic that he works for the very company he speaks of?
What more will it take to prove once and for all that Glen is crazy? nuts? Schizophrenic? Bi-Polar?
Take your pick, but something is seriously wrong with that man!
Beck is living proof that crazy people can draw a crowd.
And I am not just talking about Glenn Beck. I am talking about the non-opinion programs. They report all the news not just what suits the administration.
Oh, yea...when did they start doing that? FOX News has provided the least amount of coverage of the Iraq war of all news channels...presuming you consider FOX a legitimate news organization. Bill O'Reilly accused other news channels of covering Iraq just to embarrass Bush. When Porter Goss resigned as head of the CIA, MSNBC did almost a full hour discussing what it meant and about the conditiopn of the CIA. FOX did nothing except to mention Goss' resignation in about five seconds during a news break. I often see FOX not cover important news stories. On the other hand FOX was right there every night covering Ana Nicole Smith's death. FOX is a joke...and its ratings mean nothing in terms of quality and professionalism.
Funny how, when you add up the other networks' audience totals, 96% of the voting public is actually drawing their news from other sources.
Funny how Foxbots can't use simple mathematics to understand just how marginalized they have become.
We watch Fox, not because we like them or care about their rating. We watch them, because they are turing people into militant, religious zealots. Also know as Al Quaeda. They are creating a christian Jihad. Ask Glenn beck to talk about how the Republicans in Oklahoma, want to put your medical history on the internet for ALL to view. That's invasion of privacy by the Oklahoma Government, that Beck WON'T mention. That makes him a NON-LIBERTARIAN.
He's just a phoney, trying to create a CLASS of Americans DICTATED by Murdock.
Remember the Movie, 'The World is Not Enough'?
Fox is not a "news" network and that's all the administration pointed out. Real "news" networks don't create news to report [the teabaggers, the illegal ACORN videos, the created furor over Van Jones], they report it.
----------------------------
The Midnight Review
Mum Is The Word
Funny how you don't seem to see that this is what the White House wants. They want Fox News to be identified as their opposition. Fox News has a very small, very vocal, very loyal following on the far right. However, they have been proven completely irrelevant when it comes to elections. Less and less moderate, rational, informed adults consider themselves Republicans the more and more the Republican party allows itself to be controlled by Fox News, Limbaugh, etc. They are actually becoming controlled by their fringe elements. This is nothing but good things for the Democratic Party and the White House.
I am sure the White House's biggest fear, post-election, would be that a younger, more vibrant generation of Republican, conservative thinkers would step forward and take the helm of the party. That they would bring in new ideas and propose news ways to solve problems. Instead, the Republican party has allowed itself to become relegated to teabaggers, birthers, deathers, and secessionists who cheer against America being awarded the Olympics, who cheer against an American being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, vociferously defend Medicare all the while decrying "Medicare for all" as "socialism" and "communism" and "Nazi-ism", scream that presidential advisors who the media has referred to as "czars" for two generations are now actually dictatorial czars possessing unchecked, executive power and shout out nonsense during Presidential addresses to Congress.
What is truly remarkable is not that partisans like yourself, that get all your news from Fox News, do not realize this, but that the actual leaders of a national political party do not realize this. They have allowed the question to become which side do the people support; the White House or Fox News? Well, that answer is obvious and has been for at least 2 election cycles.
I have to tell myself that I can't let what Glenn Beck says get to me. Watching Glenn Beck reminds me of watching Jerry Springer. There's a lot of noise, sometimes a lot of excitement but very little that's worthwhile is accomplished.
It has been long established that Glenn Beck does not live in the real world. I keep telling myself that I should not be watching him because very little of what he says has any basis in reality.
And I have another big beef with Glenn today. What's wrong with volunteering?
In this economy, one way to get job skills is to volunteer. A lot of people are out of work, and they could volunteer and get experience along with helping the economy--not as consumers but as producers. But think of the experience--someone a long time ago said something like every time I accept a new responsibility, I promote myself. And an old proverb from Africa, an Ibo proverb, says that when the left hand washes the right, the left hand also becomes clean. Since like Chris Matthews, I was a US peace Corps volunteer, Glenn's statements along this line is a personal affront.
If Glenn was smart, and that obviously is not true, he could join AA and actually volunteer to help out.
----------------------------
The Midnight Review
Mum Is The Word
Glenn, you're an idiot. It's called volunteering for a reason, as in, you don't have to do it, and hence wiping out your whole Mao thing you've got a penchant for lately.
Volunteering of course takes many forms, but most of the people that I know who volunteer their time to one cause, or another (including myself) believe that we have it pretty good, and sometimes others do not, and hence, we want to give back for our own good fortune, use a little bit of our time to make other people's lives better, or to make the communities that we live in better as well.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iGGjGSdqf8&feature=related
www.youtube.com/watch?v=imVKJj8Iw2Q&feature=related
MSNBC is to the left wing what Fox News is to the right wing. Chris Matthews is the left wing Glen Beck. I doubt any of you have ripped Matthews and called him a nut case.
Either way, Beck's point ISN'T that people don't need to volunteer. His point is that it's odd that media outlets are pushing an agenda that was proposed by the white house. Beck's point has been that this white house is attempting to control opposition with things such as the fairness doctrine, net neutrality, illegitamizing fox news, and taxing talk radio.
Some of the comments made by Anita Dunn are fairly shocking. Is it possible that it's taken out of context or misconstrued? Sure. But we should always be aware of the things ANY whitehouse is doing, and the media's job is to point out the facts and let us come up with the conclusions. And I don't believe ANY media outlet does this very well, and that includes fox. It seems everyone has an agenda that's trying to be pushed.
Anyway in this case Beck has noticed something in the media, devoted about two seconds of thought to the topic and went on the air with it. He says "isn't it odd" and then jumps to drawing parallels to propaganda machines.
I'm guessing that with Obama pushing for increased volunteering, the free market that Beck so often defends has sensed an opportunity. An increased enthusiasm for volunteering will mean an increased interest in volunteer related products (storylines in this case).
It's like saying Chevron is in Al Gore's pocket because while he is pushing for a decrease in energy consumption and an increase in alternative energies, Chevron is campaigning for the very same thing! Of course, in this case everyone realizes that the public has caught a sort of "green fever" and so companies will play to that.
"I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. I will go to the people and the programs that are the brighter points of light, and I will ask every member of my government to become involved. The old ideas are new again because they are not old, they are timeless: duty, sacrifice, commitment, and a patriotism that finds its expression in taking part and pitching in."
—George H. W. Bush, 1988