Last updated on August 10th, 2014 at 05:07 pm
On his FNC program tonight, Glenn Beck went on a conspiracy filled rant that managed to turn an attempt to promote volunteering into an attempt to undermine capitalism. Beck said, “First green week and now service week, soon we can have 52 weeks of the White House writing scripts telling us what to do.”
Here is the video courtesy of Media Matters:
Beck said, “Here’s another example for you. When you are 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, education, and social issues is suddenly interested in being volunteers.”
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Beck continued, “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.”
He claimed that there is no shortage of volunteers, “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 trying to create 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?”
Beck later said, “This is fantastic. It is almost like we’re living Mao’s China right now.” Beck also managed to tie NBC to Obama’s Maoist conspiracy. Beck concluded with, “First green week and now service week, soon we can have 52 weeks of the White House writing scripts telling us what to do.”
First off, green week started during George W. Bush’s second term. It predates Obama. Secondly, Beck has absolutely no evidence to back up his theory that the White House is behind the campaign to increase volunteerism. The Obama administration is not writing scripts for television shows, or telling anyone what to do.
Lastly, I fail to see the evil in volunteerism. This nation is chronically short of volunteers. This is not a made up problem. Contrary to what Beck would have his viewers believe, helping out your neighbors is not a bad thing. A volunteer isn’t helping Barack Obama, but instead they are helping those who are most in need. Only in the warped fantasies of Glenn Beck could this be viewed as Marxism.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
