On the November 14 edition of his CNN Headline News program, Glenn Beck interviewed Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), who became the first Muslim ever elected to Congress on November 7, and asked Ellison if he could “have five minutes here where we’re just politically incorrect and I play the cards up on the table.” After Ellison agreed, Beck said: “I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, ‘Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.’ ” Beck added: “I’m not accusing you of being an enemy, but that’s the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.”
Without a doubt, ‘tis better to be thought a fool than to be Glenn Beck and remove all doubt. As thoroughly ignorant and prejudiced as Beck is, one could be forgiven for thinking that he’s a mainstay on Fox News Channel. In fact, his regular gig is on CNN’s Headline News, where he is allowed to spew his nonsense unchecked and unfiltered. Check your facts at the door. Yeah, I know; as I’ve often said, free speech can be and often is objectionable speech. But does it have to be alarmingly ignorant and absurdly prejudiced speech? In Glenn Beck’s case, the answer is an unqualified “yes”.
I can understand that fear based on a lack of knowledge or understanding is the root of most prejudice. But when the lack of knowledge and understanding is both aggressive and unrepentant, well, you have Glenn Beck, a man who demonstrates his DUMB@$$ AWARD-worthiness every time the cameras begin rolling. Jeebus, what a @#$%$)^& maroon of the worst sort- a DUMB@$$ with his own soapbox
As Media Matters for America has noted, Beck previously warned that if “Muslims and Arabs” don’t “act now” by “step[ping] to the plate” to condemn terrorism, they “will be looking through a razor wire fence at the West” and declared that “Muslims who have sat on your frickin’ hands the whole time” rather than “lining up to shoot the bad Muslims in the head” will face dire consequences.
Yeah, now THERE’S a way to foster a climate for dialogue and understanding, eh?
BECK: History was made last Tuesday when Democrat Keith Ellison got elected to Congress, representing the great state of Minnesota. Well, not really unusual that Minnesota would elect a Democrat. What is noteworthy is that Keith is the first Muslim in history to be elected to the House of Representatives. He joins us now.
Congratulations, sir.
ELLISON: How you doing, Glenn? Glad to be here.
BECK: Thank you. I will tell you, may I — may we have five minutes here where we’re just politically incorrect and I play the cards face up on the table?
ELLISON: Go there.
BECK: OK. No offense, and I know Muslims. I like Muslims. I’ve been to mosques. I really don’t believe that Islam is a religion of evil. I — you know, I think it’s being hijacked, quite frankly.
With that being said, you are a Democrat. You are saying, “Let’s cut and run.” And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, “Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.”
And I know you’re not. I’m not accusing you of being an enemy, but that’s the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.
ELLISON: Well, let me tell you, the people of the Fifth Congressional District know that I have a deep love and affection for my country. There’s no one who is more patriotic than I am. And so, you know, I don’t need to — need to prove my patriotic stripes.
BECK: I understand that. And I’m not asking you to. I’m wondering if you see that. You come from a district that is heavily immigrant with Somalians. And I think it’s wonderful, honestly, I think it is really a good sign that you are a — you could be an icon to show Europe, this is the way you integrate into a country. I think the Somalians coming out and voting is a very good thing. With that —
ELLISON: I’d agree with you.
Yes, it really is true…better to be thought a DUMB@$$….
