Sound Off!: October 2009

Monday, October 26, 2009

Commentary: Why Aren't Schools Teaching Our Children Their Rights and Freedoms?

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You are so right.

Question.....how would President Obama know anything about the public school system in any Country?

Skip D.

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

How wonderful it was to read your article in today's Daily Progress. I hope your words are taken into consideration by those who can do something about this dreadful problem. Recently I was amazed that someone was trying to get pictures of the current president into all classrooms. In my day, it was the first president's picture, and yes, we knew why it was there.

I think it is a great idea to have passing the U.S. Citizenship test as a prerequisite for high school graduation, not to mention voting registration. There is far too much criticism of the immigrants who know why they wanted to come here and work to achieve their goals. My people came on The Mayflower, and I hope I have lived up to their expectations.

Sincerely supportive,

Elizabeth G.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Commentary: Can You Really Get the 'News' from Watching TV?

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I'm so GLAD you took up the issue of the major news broadcasts, include the new "shows" as well. Perfect, Awesome! Now that you've told us that we can't take all this except with grains of salt, where can one get news these days. I mean, I'm getting the idea you can't trust anything, so what smattering of sources could provide daily or weekly news by which we could be informed?

Oh, and here's another biggee with me. I get these email action alerts asking me to immediately respond to my congressperson on a vital issue and NOW. But I never do that without reading the text for myself, a hard thing to do, and sometimes they are more alarmed than the text warrants. I understand that people CAN and WILL manipulate a bill to their ends, but sometimes they act as if it forces it, when it does not. And so it causes me problems.

So, after telling us where we might look for better news, how about tackling being drones for political and religious organizations, well meaning as they are. I can't tell you how many times I check on Snopes for a myth from religious and family places and come up with a hoax on some things.

Boy I sure appreciate you taking these things on!

Bill N.

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

I thoroughly enjoy your insightful articles and thought to respond to Monday's article, "Is TV news enough?"

In regard to the current oligarchy known as mainstream media, I thougtht how nice it would be to have a free, competitive press. For one, how much would public opinion have swayed had there been honest, probing investigations into the practices of the Bush administration? And these truths were presented where they truly belong: the top story and headlines. I can only imagine what it would be like if mainstream media allowed prime time voices like yourself. Free press has dissolved in America. Without it a most vital check and balance has been eliminated. Maybe that is why our founding fathers made it the First Article in the Bill of Rights. And why corporate media has eliminated it.

I notice you are a movie buff. Please re-visit Network. It provides a prophetic depiction of the current state of mainstream media. It appears to be the blue print in fact.

My question to you is: How do we de-monopolize the current mainstream media configuration?

Perhaps you will address this matter in a future article.

Best to You,
Roland K.

Aloha to all,

As usual, cutting edge thinking from John. Could you please share these source materials? I have been engaged in much study with the folks at Foundation and they are on track--course it is the "swimming upstream track," same one John is on!

http://www.criticalthinking.org/ This is the website!

http://www.criticalthinking.org/store-page.cfm?P=products&itemID=167&cateID=132&subcatID=0&catalogID=224 This is the "mini guide" "How to detect media bias and propaganda"

http://www.criticalthinking.org/store-page.cfm?P=products&itemID=159&cateID=132&subcatID=0&catalogID=224 Another guide on "Fallacies..."

http://www.criticalthinking.org/store-page.cfm?P=products&itemID=268&cateID=132&subcatID=0&catalogID=224 And another on Educational Fads

I teach various Science courses Hilo High School on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Keep up the great work!

Malama Pono,
Mike

The answer is a big no. So may I take this opportuniry to say thank you and god bless all of you !

Gordon

Friday, October 16, 2009

Commentary: Is Glenn Beck the Future of Television 'News'?

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I enjoyed your article on Glenn Beck in the Crossville Chronicle. It was careful, objective, balanced and thoughtful. You said we will most likely see an upswing in the amount of emotion and entertainment infused in news production at the expense of careful, objective, balanced and thoughtful analysis among journalistic sources. That is one strong reason why Glenn Beck is so popular… there is so little careful, objective, balanced and thoughtful analysis… that you might as well be entertained.

Journalist and news agency need to wake up. --Martha W.

I have your website book marked and venture there often to get your perspective on the news and current events happening around us these days. I have become a fan, so to speak, although I do not agree with everything you write. I am also a fan of Glenn Beck and also don't agree with everything he speaks on his shows. I wanted to comment on your commentary about Glenn Beck. You have managed to grasp most of what makes this man a magnet. His passion, although at times may not agree with mine, is refreshing in these times of political correctness. His genuine concern about this country and the digression from the constitution is as real as yours, I think. He has displayed a willingness to admit error, or so it appears. You mentioned his comments about the Fema camps, but forgot to mention that he hired a team to investigate the theory and debunked it. If you do not watch his show regularly, you can miss his corrections. His critics don't give him any credit for corrections. Concerning his opinion of President Obama's cultural likes and dislikes, it does not take an Einstein to figure out that his opinion may be on target. Beck has plenty of clips, video and comments in writing of the man to make a pretty good case. I for one didn't need Beck to point some of these things out.

Your concern about the "careful, objective, balanced and thoughtful analysis among journalistic sources" is a valid concern, but there is a dirth of such sources on the television for sure, and a limited amount on the net not to mention the newspapers. How far back would one have to go to be able to see those "careful, objective, balanced and thoughtful analysis among journalistic sources" you are speaking of?

In the mean time, I will be reading your comments and watching Beck and visiting my sources on the net to try and keep abreast of what is really happening in this old world.

Regards,
Zono R .

I am a long time resident of the Republic of Santa Monica so was very interested to see what your take on Glenn Beck would be. I was pleasantly surprised at your seemingly unbiased report until the last two paragraphs when you inferred that Beck was merely provocative and emotional and not careful, objective, etc., etc.

I recently read this quote of Keith Olbermann calling Conservative syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin "the worst person in the world...her mindless, morally bankrupt, knee-jerk, fascistic hatred, without which Michell Malking would just a mashed-up bag of meat with lipstick on it."

To be balanced, you should include this man also in your story. Remember when he was just a sports guy?

Thanks for your ear.

Yolanda

Answer: NO because he is one of a kind, likely a genius wrapping himself into a buffoon character,using sarcasm and ridicule toward the top people and programs in the political scene. His political goals, patriotic and constitutional, are the same as Mr. Whitehead.
He exposes the behind the scenes machinations while touching us emotionally with his sincerity and honesty.
Today, he stands out as the best protector of America. Remove Glenn and the only thing left are careful analysis of why America failed. --Charles F.

Mr. Rutherford,

While I am not a regular Glenn Beck viewer, I have heard him on several broadcasts specifically state that his is an opinion-editorial programme and not a news programme. I did not see the broadcast you mention in which Mr. Beck allegedly accused FEMA of operating concentration camps within the US. However, I did see the broadcast where he challenged anyone to provide proof that such camps existed, promised that his staff would investigate any such proof, and broadcast the results.

I would offer that Mr. Beck, while often overly emotional and overly theatrical, presents a message that resonates with many of us because we have lost faith in our elected officials, both Democrat and Republican, and our government. We are tired of deficit spending, government waste, and especially our abandoning of the Constitution. One hopes that the people and our elected officials will hear Glenn Beck's call to return to responsible government before we have spent ourselves into bankruptcy funding our ever-growing federal government.

In closing, I find it ironic that you should attack Glenn Beck as I consider you and Mr. Beck together with Congressman Ron Paul to be three voices for sanity that seem to have far more in common than that which divides you.

Shalom!

Craig O .

Dear Mr. Whitehead-

I feel obligated to send you a quick note in regards to your editorial about Glenn Beck in one of the newspapers I read (The Belgrade News, Belgrade, MT- October 20, 2009).

You stated that Glenn Beck “accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of operating concentration camps in the U.S.”. You are completely inaccurate about this point. Glenn Beck received several calls about this on his radio show asking about this and he went as far as to debunk the notion, rather than supporting it. Just because Paul Krugman wrote it in one of his articles does not make it true; your lack of work to follow up on this is intolerable. This type of inaccuracy helps marginalize Glenn Beck, which in turn helps to marginalize a dissenting voice in today’s America that we desperately need. I would hope that you take the time to research this for yourself and correct it in the print media where you are published.

If you have not spent the time to watch or listen to Glenn Beck, I would recommend it. From what I have seen and looked into myself, he researches his stories above the call- especially for today’s media which seem to have checked out of the truth game.

I enjoy reading your work; I appreciate your time.

Kind Regards,

Steve C .

You may not like his mannerism, but his content is not wrong. He was right about ACORN (if not show me where he was wrong...I studied this back in the 70's). He exposed the CZARS...show me where he was wrong. I watch both Fox and MSNBC and ED screams worse than BECK, Show me a new station that doesn't inject it's stations philosophy...
Pat

hello - i just listened to today's video by Mr. Rutherford - he seems
to believe that the FEMA camps do not exist. i implore him to
google CampFEMA.com to see trailers of the dvd, or to order the
complete show. there are many people -- Gary Franchi, Alex Jones,
David Icke, etc. whose research shows that these camps exist, are
staffed - and just waiting to be filled. i request that Mr. Rutherford
again research these detention centers, rather than say on his video
that they do not exist. Thank you. --Valerie G.

He is asking questions. He does have an audience. He has motivated people to act.
He is the only one on major news asking the tough questions and taking on the Governement of Grand Theft. Makes me wonder about you. Time will tell. -- kate h .

Dear John,

I read your article today in the Belgrade, Montana News. I enjoy that paper much more than the Bozeman Daily Chronicle because it is not as full of the stomach turning liberal stupidity the Chronicle puts out every day. Yes, Beck is very popular, and I think he is because he seems to be the only one with the guts and drive to try to bring to the attention of the obvious complacent people of this country what is going on behind the scenes in Washington. I think that it is FAIR to say that our government has finally reached the line as being one of the most corrupt in the world. We are about as far away from the Constitution as we can get. You claim to be the founder of an agency that protects and safeguards the Constitution. Why are you not calling Obama and his cronies out? How could a President of the United States surround himself with such anti American people? You might get a lot more support for your organization if you joined Beck in his struggle, rather than hindering him. Oh, I see that you have a non-profit organization. Did you get stimulus funds, or are you supported by the US Government? Maybe you should look into this abuse of power as it is used to cram another vote-buying bill down every one's throat, further sending the country into a worse deficit tailspin than we already so humbly enjoy.

Tony R .

I believe that Mr. Whitehead has missed a very crucial point in his commentary on Glenn Beck. Mr. Beck is not a journalist, he is a commentator. Anyone tuning in to his show is informed of this at the start of the program. The news carried on Fox news channel is titled as a news show. Mr. Beck's show does not contain any reference to the content being news.

Thanks!

Susan C .

Glen Beck provides insightful, relevant and provacative takes on our current
culture of corruption in gov.----Hmmmm, sounds familiar.

DRS

Glenn Beck is not TV "news"

he is TV "opinion".... he is not now, never has been and won't be the
future of news because he's "opnion"!!!

I'm not a GB fan, but even Beck tries to make the point to viewers and
listeners that he isn't news

That's like saying On target with John Whitehead is news....

Willis M.

Dear Mr. Rutherford,

Your commentary on Glenn Beck is a well-crafted hatchet job using many of the techniques of which you accuse Mr. Beck. It is also a well-disguised slap in the face to most Americans that you think are incapable of discerning emotion from fact. In this regard you would make a good Democratic adviser or even a "reporter" for MSNBC. Maybe you and Keith Olberman can do a show together.

You would think that you and Mr. Beck would be partners in arms since you are both so concerned with the loss of our civil liberties and rights.

Most Americans can sift through Mr. Beck's style and examine the facts that he presents, as they can sift through the political mumbo jumbo that is given to us by both the Republicans and the Democrats. People are angry because they are sick of the lies and are tired of the complete failure of a Congress that has spent its time getting us into immoral, useless, never-ending wars, passing bills for the sake of themselves and their political friends, taking away our civil liberties, especially those of Catholics, taking over the auto industry and our health care system, and continuously telling us that the nation is going to get out of debt by getting deeper into debt. Someone, even a journalist, ought to get emotional over the tyranny of our present government.

You cannot group the listeners of Mr. Beck together with those of the kooks of the far left or the far right or the plain ignorant or apathetic. He is asking important questions and presenting relevant information that others are failing to publicize. For a presidential communications director to label FOX News as "the enemy" only brings back memories of Richard Nixon's "enemies list". That is not a good development.

Perhaps you may want to try to contradict the facts that Mr. Beck presents in addition to the rather small and insignificant ones that you present in your commentary. In fact, Mr. Beck would probably like to you to be on his program. Give him a call.

Mr. Beck, along with Mr. Neil Cavuto, may be the ones that prevent Mr. Obama from winning a second term as president, which in my opinion, would only be good for the citizens of this great nation.

Peace be with you and all good things !!!

Rev. Matthew C .

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

I read your opinion piece on Glenn Beck and I agree with you on much of it. I sometimes watch Glenn Beck and O'Reilly as well, both of whom incorporate entertainment and opinion in their programs. The one thing that I admire about them is their candor in relating that they are editorializing in an entertaining way. Beck is definitely an expert on emotive delivery! What I find so disingenuous in the media these days is how many journalists editorialize in the guise of unbiased reporting. I believe there are many newsworthy topics never covered by the media and those that are covered are often done in such an oblique or sensationalized manner as to make them appear unimportant when they are very important pieces that deserve in-depth coverage. I ultimately don't agree with Beck or O'Reilly on many topics, but they do give me pause to think about issues and do the research on my own to figure out exactly what is taking place in this era of hyper-information. Unfortunately, due to the corporate news looking only at the bottom-line, the integrity of the media and its ethical obligations to its viewers has become nearly non-existent.

I would like to bring your attention to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change that will take place in Copenhagen Dec. 7 to 18, 2009. After reading the document from the Bangkok Convention, http:// unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/awglca7/eng/inf02.pdf, I am especially alarmed that our President could very well be signing away our sovereignty as a nation and that ratification of this treaty by our Congress would essentially give governance of the U.S. to the U.N. Congress of the Parties and be a global redistribution of our nation's wealth. Please see page 18 of the document in particular.

I always enjoy reading your commentary and appreciate how you defend our Constitution and the rights of individuals. I also wish to extend my sympathy on the loss of your life partner.

Respectfully,
Lynn K.

News or entertainment? That is what you asked (which would we prefer). News. But I can't get straight news from anywhere objectively anymore. National public radio asks ridiculing questions of people who disagree with President Obama's non-status quo, TV news anchors ignore the 9-12 march and when I attended a TEA party event locally the news media in Eugene Oregon (get this:) felt they had to explain why they were even covering it, as almost an apology to head of the maelstrom of calls they would get for covering a large event at our local post office, probably 500 people there. No one challenges our President objectively, the President's administration rushes to put out official dogma against specific companies on health care.

Then I listen to these people on the radio when driving home (filler). And I question: is anything they say true? Part of me says, "If they rant, don't listen". But on the other hand, where do I hear criticism? So, I go back and forth. I have a disdain for those who 24/7/52/365 only have ill to speak of everything the new administration does, and I hear that in Sean Hannity and Glen Beck. But who is offering ANY critique of the current administration to listen to.

I'm getting numb from the worship of our president by the conventional media and the total denigration of the administration by the unconventional. I can't get Bill O'Reilly by radio, so I don't even get him anymore.

Who do you think personally is an objective 2nd opinion, or at least not just a crank but at least well meaning and seemingly informed without an axe to grind.

Please!!! Follow up this with a wider discussion on where to get news and what you think about this.

You've now reported on Glenn Beck below. I would gather you don't like his style, but you only describe it like an encyclopedia. I gather you want us to make up our minds for ourselves.

Fine, then help us make up our minds about all the alternatives and non-alternatives. What is out there.

I am utterly disappointed that our media and now whitehouse is taking aim at people who disagree with their chosen messiah's message. And I don't say that to be disparaging in this sense: have all of a sudden I become just anti everything or is it grounded in reality. I think reality. If reality, how did everyone become so blind. Reminds me of a spot in The Left Behind series where the Carpathia (?) person kills someone and mind controls everyone into not seeing or remembering it except how they wanted. In that sense, he was their savior, the person to save the world from the past.

I don't like the Left Behind series, by the way, but I watched two of them.

Anyway, you simply MUST comment more on media and what we common folk can now do about all this. Puh-lease!!!

Bill N ., reader at large.

Just yesterday, Glenn reiterated that he is *not* a journalist, and that what he was saying was opinion. While I agree with him most of the time, I hope news shows won't ever be like that. News ought to be news, just told without any opinion, and opinion should be expressed seperately.

Alice L.

John..If the television news was to be handled in the syyle that Mr. Beck uses it would be a great improvement over what we do today.The same old crap and repeated dull stuff hour after hour.At least Glenn Beck is honest in what he says and believes. Harvey Nichols Jay,Oklahoma

I am very disappointed in you Mr. Whitehead as your "commentary " is just another example of pure jealousy. His methods are different but his message is what separates Beck from the others. Free yourself from your envy and listen to what he is saying. Your work is brilliant. So is Mr. Beck's. Remember the message from your book ...."it’s up to each and every one of us to stand up and speak truth to power. Change starts with each and every one of us. But you can’t change the system unless you change the way people think".

Respectfully submitted.

Mr Whitehead, I'm so glad to finally have the opportunity to ask one of you Constitutional Lawyers where you've been for the past nine months, while our country has been being destroyed from within? There is a Trojan Horse, is in the White House. And your only worried about Glenn Beck, warning us that our country is being taken over by radicals? I would think you would be trying to do the same thing, after all your a Constitutional Lawyer, and isn't that what your supposed to do? The President of the United States before he enters into the Execution of his Office, is to take the following Oath or Affirmation: Article. II. Section I. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Truthfully Mr Whitehead do you believe that he is living up to his oath? Don't you think there is cause for alarm? Get your eyes off of The Glenn Beck, and his book sales, and get your eyes, and your Law Books on Obama. If you haven't noticed, he's walking all over our Constitutional Rights!
With a spirit of humility and boldness in Christ Jesus name, I ask you to get involved before it's to late. Sincerely, Mary N .

Your info regarding the FEMA camps is inaccurate—Beck proved it to be false.

The reason Beck claims to not be a journalist is that he is not. He gathers information to further his conservative viewpoint and to poke fun at liberals in all forms.

He has done on TV what Limbaugh could not do.

The thing that draws people to Beck is the he appears to be a sincere patriot who loves the constitution, as sritten and not as a living document, and wants to motivate Americans to take their country back and demand accountability from bureaucrats and politician.

THAT SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY LAUDABLE GOAL TO ME, AS A VIETNAM VET WHO HAS BEEN GENERALLY DISGUSTED WITH ALL POLITICIANS OF BOTH PARTIES FOR MOST OF MY LIFE.

In all the elections that I have voted in since 1961 I can remember only voting FOR a candidate twice: RONALD REAGAN! The rest of the time—I voted for the lesser of the evils on a ballot.

A PRETTY SAD COMMENTARY!

I love our country and its form of government but we, the American people, have not demanded accountability from elected officials in 150+ years but prayerfully hope that it is not too late.

May God bless you and yours,

Jack

I like most of John's columns but the latest one I read about Glen Beck had a statement that was, I believe completely WRONG!. He claimed Beck made the accusation on his show that the government had concentration camps in Montana or somewhere like that. All I remember on that subject from a Beck show was that Beck was using that as a example of some wackos on the right and researched it to show that it was NOT TRUE!

Am I wrong here? I do not watch every Beck show but that sounds very out of character of Beck. My experience is that he fact checks his info VERY carefully. That would have been a shoot from the hip comment. If I am right, it would indicate that John Whitehead is very loose with his facts. Which is it?

Wade B.

Comparing Father Coughlin with Glen Beck is like comparing St. Michael with the fallen angel Lucifer. Get a clue.

Well John,
I guess that when we "speak truth to power" it only becomes legitimate when the words are yours.

Glenn Beck makes it VERY clear that his is "opinion", not news, he opines on the news. Any other take would be misplaced. The last time I shopped for "news" on CNN was to watch Frank Schaeffer's vituperative rant. If I want to see a really powerful, but insipid, vituperative rant I dial up Keith Oberman on MSNBC, but not that often. Why no comment on their style of "reporting". I guess you only watch Glenn at 5 p.m.

As for ABC, NBC or CBS, they stopped reporting the news when Walter Cronkite retired.

As you have succinctly observed at other times, when one pisses off the other side, you must be saying something right. When Dick Nixon assaulted the NY Times banning them from the White House, that's when I began to listen. When the Obama White House, singles out the Fox News Network for special comment, I know something is hitting the mark.

No, I'll take Fox anytime. Besides that's where the babes are, and
that's why they have the highest ratings of any news channel, right?
Right.
Gotta go; it's 5 p.m.

Bob, in Charlottesville

I'm disappointed, John.

Beck was the one who brought down ACORN, working with Breitbart and two young journalists who put their life on the line to get the truth when the entire U.S. Congress couldn't do it. The young lady was even propositioned by an ACORN manager in San Diego, frightened in her own words for her safety.

At least Americans through Beck's efforts have finally gotten a good look at whom ACORN really was, although the Democrats still need the org to run around the United States and harass voters in 2010. And to that end they will probably refund it when no one is looking. And of course ACORN's success is the demise of your values, or am I missing something?

Beck was also the only one who took down Van Jones, and now is after Obama's communications director for celebrating in her own words in from of high school students the dictator who killed at least 77 million Chinese in 1949 under the banner of Communism. I do not remember Rutherford even challenging Obama raising the Chinese flag to celebrate those deaths after 60 years over at OUR White House. Maybe I missed it. Nor asking, and Beck has not, who approved the red and yellow lights for the same reason on the Empire State Building.

And Beck has shown ALL the radicals that surround Obama so Americans get a real clear picture of a dangerous and strange organizational chart, while I can't remember you having done anything to reveal these characters that are trying to reshape our nation into a secular progressive kingdom, one you fight every day.

Obama has promised a fundamental change to America, which will affect every single Christian. You don't believe that? He said he would, and I believe him.

What if all these kinds of people surrounded you, John, since you haven't gone after them. Should people then still donate to Rutherford if it used Van Jones as an advisor?

And what if America didn't have Beck and only the Rutherford Institute? Van Jones would still be a Czar and ACORN would still be running around ready to train Obama's Civilian Work Force coming to a town near you next year. And it is coming, John.

I think before you knock Beck, who I believe is one who could have now put his life on the line, if you personally haven't been involved in taking down the evils of ACORN and Van Jones loving revolutions in his own words, you really shouldn't be knocking Beck but instead working with him. It sounds too much like sour grapes, John, and I have you in three places on my homepage and none for Beck.

This is too much how conservatives always lose and liberals win, shooting themselves in the foot.

Conservatives whine at each other in their group while liberals get the job done. To that end it is why Christian groups like yours are always in court so much these days, defending kids for simply talking about their God in front of others in a school environment. You go after the results of what Beck is trying to take down.

Why not take a vacation to the mountains of WNC and enjoy the changing leaves, John. You need a rest.

Gary K.

Dear Mr. Whitehead:

Thanks for your thoughtful comment on Glenn Beck. I watch his show regularly, more for its commentary on the state of discourse than for any other reason. I find that most things said about Beck are innacurate, which brings me to the subject of this email. I watched the episodes about the FEMA concentration camps - all of them. In the teasers, he spoke about the accusations saying he was unable to find the source of the rumors or comment on their veracity for a few days. At the climax, he played the videos and debunked them all, showing, for instance, that the main one had been around for decades and was of an Amtrak repair facility. His camera crew found the location, went inside, and filmed the trains under repair. The left went crazy, claiming, ironically, in effect, he had no right to legitimize the rumors by debunking them. What remains is the smear, and the widespread belief that he supported the rumor. Check it out. Unbelievable, but very entertaining.

Ronnie R.

“If Beck is any indication of the future of television news, given his show's popularity and high ratings, we will most likely see an upswing in the amount of emotion and entertainment infused in news production at the expense of careful, objective, balanced and thoughtful analysis among journalistic sources. “

And where might I presently find that…ABC? CNN? NYT?

If you’re going to comment on Beck with your powerful and respected voice, why couldn’t you have commented more on his content, than his style? His presentation is a little annoying occasionally, and his content may ever so occasionally suffer some accuracy issues, but over-all, I believe his content so better presents careful, objective, balanced and thoughtful analysis than his obscenely and politically skewed competitors, that I think to be fair you should have acknowledged it as such. And if you don’t agree on that point, then you should have said so and why, rather than spending so much ink on his style.

Respectfully,

Paul H .

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

I am writing to you in response to your latest commentary, Is Glenn Beck the future of television 'news'? October 16, 2009
First let me say that I detect a hint of jealousy in your description of Mr. Beck's achievements. If this is the case sir, why? You, being a Constitutional lawyer, should know better than anyone that the truth shall make men free. You seem offended by Mr. Beck's approach in getting the truth out to millions of Americans. I can't help but wonder why? Could it be that he is able to use humor in order to lighten the blunt of what is happening to America. If it is the humor that bothers you so deeply, then why don't you attack the Patriot Post? They issue a 'Patriot Humor' email each week, complete with comic type art, that focuses on the urgent issues that we Americans face. If you haven't already, please look into that for your further scoffing pleasure.
Let me bring to your attention an error in your commentary..."Beck's unrehearsed modus operandi" that often lands him in hot water. You are mistaken Mr. Whitehead. Glenn Beck never claimed, at any time, that the FEMA concentration camps existed. In fact, he was in utter denial of any such camps. What he said was, he "would look into it". After further investigation into the camps, it was announced, on the air by Mr. Beck, that the camps did not exist. Why would you take his remark out of contrast in such a way, to the point that it closely resembles slander?
You call yourself a Constitutional lawyer yet, it is quite obvious you would celebrate the silencing of Mr. Beck. To infringe on Mr. Beck's right to free speech would adversely effect your popularity as a civil defence attorney. To me, your blatant attack sounds dangerously close to being a double standard and not from the heart of a true patriot. Not one who is concerned about the ongoing and God given freedoms of We The People.
There was another comment in your commentary that brought a serious question to my mind. " Beck's own program segments, titled " Constitution Under Attack" and "Economic Apocalypse," among others, certainly resonate with Americans who are nervous about the current state of affairs in our country." Aren't you, Mr. Whitehead, just the least bit concerned about the state of affairs in this country? Doesn't it trouble you to know what kind of evil man is leading this nation. What about all of his questionable appointees and acquaintances, do they worry you? How do you feel about his Marxist like agendas or his Adolph Hitler style persona, do they ever cause you to tremble? Do you question why he would go out of his way to promote a Muslim prayer day while in the same turn, disregard the Christian day of prayer? Could there possibly be some underlying secret there, that should not be exposed to the American people? Lastly, what about his certificate of live birth? Why haven't you and your colleagues, the other Constitutional lawyers, pursued this issue?
I say, God bless Glenn Beck and those like him...Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, the late William Cooper and Aaron Russo. These are the men who stand for what this country was founded on. Men who are not afraid to speak the truth at any cost. They don't feel the need to comply with the status quo in order to gain favor. They do what they are driven to do by the Grace of God Almighty. My only regret is, there are not more like them.
It's time we all go off on rants and tirades about the condition of America, rather than sit and criticize a man who is actually doing something to wake people up from their slumber. Does it really matter to you Mr. Whitehead, what method he uses so long as the message gets out and flowing? Will it adversely effect your next book signing or your next home school defence case?
I find it shameful and dishonorable of you Mr. Whitehead. You have chosen to attack this man on the grounds of public appeal. If this is the way you present yourself in a court of law, it's no small wonder attorneys have a sour reputation.
With a heavy heart and a new opinion.
Sandra N.

Yes, Beck's style is a template of the future, or a significant part of such. Modern people, American's most notably, want it simple. Paint them a picture, make it easy for them to feel good, emotionalize the process. Yes, Mr. Beck is the new Cronkite just as Obama is the new Eisenhower. --Jim S.

DOES THIS MEAN THAT NOW WE HAVE A COMMENTARY FROM THE RUTHERFORD INSTITUTE ON THE NEWS? THERE SEEMS TO BE NO POINT OR DIRECTION TO THIS PIECE...JUST A COMMENTARY ENDING WITH ANOTHER QUESTION. IF IT MAKES A REAL CONCLUSION, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE IT. THAKS ANYWAY. JH

John, I admire you and much of that which you say is correct re Beck. I've been involved in issues since 1961 & have watched Beck every night for the last 3 mos. He is far ahead of anyone on TV that I know of bringing news of natl. importance to viewers while also entertaining them.

FYI I've just completed a book entitled, "Activism for Dummies." Keep up the good work and let me express my sympathies for the loss of your wife.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Robert D.

A little disappointed in your commentary about Beck. Especially the last sentence or so:

"expense of careful, objective, balanced and thoughtful analysis among journalistic sources."

Where pray tell, is one to find any of those sources at this time, when most are extolling the virtues of the administration.

You neglected to mention that Beck has taken on ACORN, even prior to the couple who brought that organization to the attention of the nation. Also Jones, the admitted communist, who was let go by the administration, after Beck exposed him.

You almost sound like much of the media and the White House who works over Beck , by complaining without facts. He has shown exerpts of actual speeches given by many of the White House staff. Are these fakes? No one has said they are fakes, just stating that Beck tells fabrications, much of what you just did.

Really disappointed in Rutherford on this account.

Bill & Janet K .

I think people want to be entertained. Very few want just the facts and think about the information and consider the possible decisions and the consaquences of said decisions. I allways consider what could go wrong and then what's the next move - Keep up the good works, I read you regularly, God bless. G-

Exactly what I have been feeling about this show, and unable to express as eloquently as Mr. Whitehead (aside from lacking the venue!). I feel Glen Beck is an honest and very well-intentioned individual. I enjoy the show to a point, and appreciate some of the information, but am finding it unsettling for all of its doomsday and cult-like aspects. I want Fox news to retain a reputation of thoughtful analysis...at all perceived cost (e.g. to 'balancing' out media influence or otherwise).

Shelby F.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Commentary: The War on Kids

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I am writing to thank you for the article you wrote. The local newspaper ran it last week. My family and I have been living in this nightmare that seems we cannot wake up out of since what happened to our son last December. It has been absolutely insane what the local authorities and the school he had been attending since kindergarten did to him. He is 15 years old and I could not be prouder of the child that God has blessed this family with. He has three older sisters, making him our youngest and only son.

M. entered High School ranked in the top 5% of his class with 4 High Honor classes, 37 years (cumulative) Sports (Football, Baseball & Basketball) under his belt and countless other attributes that would be impossible to list here. He and I were lied to by the vice-principle of the school, and a confession was coerced out of my son in order to be a snitch on an other student that the school had been having trouble with since the start of the new year. Next thing we knew, he was finger printed, mug shots were being taken and he was charged with possession of approx. 1/10th of a gram of marijuana.

They sacrificed my child like a sacrificial lamb as a deterrent to the rest of the student body in the hopes of combating the war on drugs! You could not have said it any clearer, ACADEMIC SUICIDE! No less the possibility or chances of a sports scholarship now, since that was also part of the cruelty of this system to not allow him to engage in sporting activities once we were able to relocate him in another district that would accept him. For God sake!, had he been a troubled child, wouldn’t SPORTS be at the top of the list to try and help a troubled child?

This has made no sense what so ever and more parents should be aware at the extremes that the authorities will go to prove there point or brain wash people in believing that this is to help the child and not hurt him. As I have said, and will say over and over again, he is a CHILD…?

Children make mistakes and we all should be given a second chance. Had he got to experiment with the 2 puffs of marijuana they claim was his, it would never had done as much damage as the punishment he will now have to endure for the rest of his life. So in ending, again I would like to say Thank-You! For writing that story and getting the word out. I am waiting to receive the DVD you recommended – THE WAR ON KID’S.

I wish you and yours good health!

Sincerely,
Morgen H.

Monday, October 05, 2009

Commentary: The Nurre Case: The Demise of Western Art and Culture?

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As Anton Lavey has amply demonstrated, the worship of Satan represents a recognized religion. I suppose my children can use the Nurre decision to prevent school districts from allowing works of art which depict Satan, student T-shirts which picture or reference Satan, and rock bands at school dances playing songs like “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Highway to Hell.” Dante’s Inferno is obviously out. My children might be offended. --Donald M.

We should probably prevent kids from playing football too. We wouldn't want some young quarterback to throw a a "Hail Mary" pass.

Phil S.