SEDITION

Having to wash a queen size bed comforter, which required a larger than normally used washing machine, I found myself in a Laundromat. While going through the process of addressing my purpose, I soon enough realized I was a captive audience in front of a very wide television flat screen, which was tuned to Fox News.

I don’t watch commercial television any more. I had long ago found it increasingly vapid and condescending, as opposed to the exploration and cultivation of intelligence. I had unfortunately experienced Fox News enough times to realize its hopeless extremely one- sided point of view. Like other right wing programs and personalities, they only yell at us, aggressively tearing down without ever giving an alternative solution.

The commentator, whom I had never seen before, named Glenn Beck, presented himself as a friend of the greater populace, told us how other organizations were talking down to us, and were considering us and his own program, dumb. He then got up from behind his desk and walked over to a large flat screen monitor behind him. He began addressing us about the present attempt at health care reform and the Value Added Tax. It was from an interview with Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, with Charlie Rose. Glenn Beck then leaned his head against the screen and made snoring sounds while making believe he was asleep from boredom.

The image on the flat screen changed and President Obama walked from the White House into the Rose Garden. Out of nowhere, Glenn Beck turns around and slaps the image of the President’s face. It stopped me in my tracks. The image then changed again and Obama was walking on a tarmac along with some military officer. Again, Glenn Beck attacks the President’s image, but this time, with a karate chop to the chest.

I was dumfounded and stood there agape. “Did I just witness this,” surged through me. How dare he so overtly show such hostile disregard for the office of the President. It had nothing to do with political ideology or who was in office. It was a demonstration condoning the physical attack upon the President of the United States; a blatant act of sedition.

Clearly the content of this speech was allowed to be aired by FOX NEWS, which is owned by Rupert Murdock. It was incendiary, with no other purpose than demonstrating overt disobedience in an organized attempt to destroy the creditability of an established authority such as the government.

Glenn Beck’s actions were a subversion of our constitutional right of free speech. His actions were nothing short of screaming “fire” in a crowded theater. No question, it was an incitement of discontent, which is perfectly allowed within our Constitution and democratic society. But the manner in which he demonstrated his right to descent, represented a dangerous caviler attitude to lawful authority, and is absolutely unwarranted. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the law.

Even with Jefferson’s, “…But when a long train of abuses and usurpations…,” within the Declaration of Independence, the proceeding entry is very clear about restraints. “Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes…”

If Glenn Beck had shown any sense of decorum and had had a civil all points of view debate, which a person in such a high position of power is responsible, even with his obviously subjective opinions, even with the intended result of stirring up a rebellion against the government in power, it would have been acceptable as a inalienable right to do such a thing.

We presently are in very difficult times. So many, many people are hurting. The hubris of the past thirty years of deregulation has led to our country’s virtual economic collapse. These are certainly the times for change through intelligent dialogue from all sides, not violent incitement upon those who are experiencing ruin, or the potential of it.

The government issues FCC licenses to broadcasting services so that they can enlighten the populous with various, unending opinions, not be a platform for perpetual ranting hostility. Not once, did Glenn Beck ever give a solution to what he thought was the problem this present administration and the body of congress, both Republican and Democrat, are trying to deal with. Hatred begets hatred. Glenn Beck certainly proved he is of the stuff he speaks!

This broadcaster, as well as news corporation, must be held accountable.

10/10/09