Noble's reaction to Glen Beck is anger, revulsion

 RIM SHOTS

I recently spent a few days sequestered in my home due to a slight bout with the flu.
During this time, I decided to actually tune in to the Glen Beck Show on Fox TV to see what this clown is all about. What I found was far more disturbing than amusing.

On the set were large chalkboards filled with exotic calculations, formulae, and supposed links to information. Apparently these were some sort of “proof” that a man named George Soros is the AntiChrist and is working in a secret cabal to unite the world under his rule. I actually attempted to follow the “logic” proposed by Beck as he went to and fro among the equations, charts and links in a feverish half trance-like rant. At one point, I honestly feared the man was losing his mind right there on TV. It was impossible to make any of the leaps of “proof” that Beck was attempting to make. While some of the facts might have some credence, tying them together to illustrate some sort of master plan was a stretch only a confused mind would have attempted.

During all this, Beck made curious little noises and smirks which, so help me, reminded me of a spoiled little brat acting out. Several times he became somewhat confused as to his train of thought and simply said, “Well, you know what I mean.”
I didn’t

In horror, I was reminded of the pathetic but shocking scene in the movie “A Beautiful Mind” where John Nash, Jr. was holed up in a cabin with every wall filled with exotic equations, formulae and abstract links attempting to “solve” some threatening challenge. Sadly, the state of his delusions was finally realized and he was institutionalized. The two scenes were extraordinarily similar, except that no one has yet exposed the pathological wanderings of Beck who possesses a far from beautiful mind.

It was frightening to realize that so many followers of Beck are actually mesmerized by this ranting.

History shows, however, that groups of people are often willing to suspend their own logic in favor of “belonging“ to some sort of “omniscient“ order with “Inside” information. It is a form of group paranoia, evidenced by events like those in Jonestown, Guyana back in the mid ‘70s.

A man like Glen Beck keeps himself isolated, far removed from educated discussion outside his realm. Attempts to engage him in reasonable debate are seen as mortal attacks and immediately branded as such. Alone in his partitioned studio, he is free to make charges and allegations in defense of “proofs” which only a distracted mind could possibly allege. His wandering, condescending style of delivery is enough to put off most reasonable listeners, but it is apparently appropriate to many.

I watched as long as I could. In an effort to possibly find some justification , some allowance, some credence, anything, giving me an insight to the fierce loyalty given to Beck. My personal integrity and self respect would simply have none of it. I finally realized that my primary reaction was anger as much as revulsion, and that, sealed inside his glass cubicle, Glen Beck was beyond my scorn. B’rer Rabbit taught us not to waste our energy on The Tar Baby.
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It has been reported that ratings for Beck and other demagogues on talk radio and television are beginning to decline. The demographics reveal that an increasingly narrow age group (50s, 60s and up) make up these audiences. It is even being suggested that talk radio is declining as an interesting media. Some people, at least, are beginning to demand more than one-sided rants. Balanced, intelligent inquiry may be making a comeback.

As my father used to say after prayer, “So mote it be.”