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Another Perspective
Invitation to a Tea Party
A transformational experience.
As a journalist, I receive a lot of invitations to luncheons and dinners where I am expected to work and not eat. A recent get-together of the local Tea Party was no exception.
I went to the meeting well prepared. (Specifically, I ate a baloney sandwich in the car.) I’d read that left wingers considered the Tea Party to be a bunch of racist religious kooks, and the right wing – well, the Tea Party was the right wing, except for its libertarian wing and the wing that hates Wall Street. If you’re keeping count, that’s three wings, which is too many to fly and not enough for the guy who ordered the buffalo chicken dip.
I’ve always been suspicious of populist movements. Or, for that matter, anything popular. Pop music? Can’t stand it. Pop culture. Gag me. (I just thought of one exception. Pop Tarts. Love them!) Similarly, I’ve always been suspicious of radio talk show hosts. So I guess I’m doubly suspicious of a populist movement inspired by a radio talk show host.
These folks did know their Constitution — I will give them that. I was barely able to sit down before the quizzing began. Did I know what the 17th Amendment was?
Of course. Repeal of the Corn Laws. (A little trick I learned from talk radio. Always act like you have the answers, even if you don’t know what you’re talking about.)
Turns out it was something about allowing state legislatures — and not the citizens — to vote for U.S. senators, like they did before things officially went to hell, which, for the record, occurred in the spring of 1913.
Finally, it was my turn to play interviewer. What inspired them to join the Tea Party? That was easy: Glenn Beck. There was a glow in their eyes and quiver in their voices when they said His name. Glenn Beck. It was kind of creepy.
For the rest of the hour I learned how their lives had been transformed thanks to Beck, and how conservatism didn’t begin until Fox News debuted in 1996.
But what about National Review? That’s been around since 1955.
But that’s not TV, they said.
Fine, but William F. Buckley’s Firing Line began broadcasting in 1966. That was TV.
Public TV, they said. Only liberals watch public TV.
IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE someone handed me a copy of “The Contract From America.” It was like the “Contract with America” except instead of being a list of promises put together by politicians, it was a list of promises put together for politicians. Either way, the novel idea was that politicians keep their promises.
Next, someone showed me the 9-12 Project’s newsletter. I kept waiting for someone to hand me something I really wanted, like a chicken wing, but all I got was a lousy copy of Glenn Beck’s “Nine Principles and Twelve Values.”
Most of these were the same ideas conservatives have been kicking around for 30 years, and some, like “I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,” we stopped kicking back in 1776. Other parts might have been excerpts from a Boy Scout manual, circa 1950:
About the Author
Christopher Orlet writes from St. Louis.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (103) | Leave a comment
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Tim*| 7.8.10 @ 6:31AM
We ,Tea Party Rebels neither want nor need designated leaders.
Neither do we allow media hacks to " Define " us
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
We Remember In November.
Alan Brooks| 7.8.10 @ 8:36AM
Rush Limbaugh is the real deal; Glenn Beck is a flash in the pan, he's only worth reading for the many cartoons in his book.
BTW, he just released a serious thriller; but it is the same old thing, agents of foreign conspiracies ...
about as new as that pop song from 45 years ago:
"Secret agent man,
Secret agent man..."
Alan Brooks| 7.8.10 @ 8:55AM
... correction:
books, plural;
Beck I like for the cartoons in his books.
But that's it. The texts are the usual "commie pinko vegetarian tree hugging faggots are [fill in the blank]."
Wayne| 7.8.10 @ 8:44PM
Allan, your obtuse comments and incredibly naive opinions continue to make me wonder why you bother spending time on this site. It appears that the philosophies that you trumpet and the policies that you so naively support are about to get a real shellacking in November and so don't you think your time would be better spent trying to motivate similarly mindless people to get out and vote.
Mayte| 7.9.10 @ 8:49AM
You obviously never listen to Beck, nor read his books. If you bothered to buy the books, actually read them, instead of lying about their contents. He is a LIBERTARIAN first and foremost and he could care less how anyone lives his life, even what they believe. What he is against is anyone using their power to force him to act and do what is not in his best interest (or anyone else's). To sum it up: to each it's own, and there is no place for government to be used by idealogues to tax and spend on projects contrary to the individual liberties. If you have commie ideas, then used your family and your lifestyle to live that way, but leave the rest of us alone. That's the essence.
Charles Pugh| 7.9.10 @ 1:47PM
Glenn Beck a Libertarian? Please.
He is an Authoritarian in the same mold as Obama, Bush, Roosevelt or Reagan.
Left wing or right wing, Authoritarians are always the same: I know what's best for You and All Americans, and I will see that you do it at the barrel of a gun.
"(L)eave the rest of us alone" is not the Authoritarian way - left wing or right.
Deborah D | 7.10.10 @ 7:44AM
Glenn Beck is a Libertarian. He's also a patriot and quickly becoming a historian in his own right. He is not an authoritarian. Where do you get this bilge?
John Taylor | 7.11.10 @ 3:06PM
Authoritarian? Oh, you must mean the authority of the Constitution, the bill of rights, and the Bible. Doing the right thing requires, some framework of laws and rules. Mainly to protect the law abiding from the criminal element. Where is the problem with that?
Kitty| 7.8.10 @ 6:45AM
"I don't want to be at the top of Glenn Beck's hit list."
I doubt this piece will put you on Obama's hit list, either.
JimP| 7.8.10 @ 6:55AM
Hmmmm. I'm a TPer and Glenn Beck is not the be all, end all Rasputen portrayed in this piece in my neck of the woods. Sure, he has motivated many people to become more aware and read more. Maybe it's just people in Illinois who didn't know diddly until Beck came on FOX and now they see him as the Messiah.
loulou| 7.8.10 @ 10:01AM
Beck has been on radio for years in my area. He was hit or miss and all over the place. He had good instincts but seemed to be a lightweight. BUT, he seems to have found his calling and has tightened up his mission.
Beck has been an effective force for conservatives simply because he has awakened and educated many previously apathetic people. I'm glad he's on our side.
Carol| 7.8.10 @ 7:27AM
I don't have time to read the article but remember what Glenn Beck is doing on August 28th IS NOT A TEA PARTY.
It's a day to honor those that deserve to be honored. Leave the signs at home.
Watch out for the New Black Panthers. The white people hater Shabazz has promised to show up and he'll be ready to rumble (HIS WORDS).
God bless Glenn Beck. He is a modern day patriot. The Founders would be proud.
NavyBrat | 7.8.10 @ 8:07AM
I'm sure Mr. Shabazz & his little Ship of Fools might have some trouble agitating at this even in August. With the likes of Marcus Luttrell (one of my modern American heros), Lt. Col. Allen West, & other assorted patriots confronts Mr. Shabazz & his band of idiots, I can bet my next 3 paychecks on who'll back down first. And it won't be Messers Luttrell or West.
Alan Brooks| 7.8.10 @ 8:41AM
If you are really saying you want to mess with blacks but they can't mess with you, then you deserve the Shabazzes, Sharptons, Wrights, etc.
People want to move high up the food chain not just for material reasons, but to stick it to those below them. Look, you can all write whatever you want...
but there are no gullible people left to swallow it!
NavyBrat | 7.8.10 @ 9:16AM
Sure, Mr. Brooks. So its ok for these clowns to brandish clubs at a polling place, but it would be impolitic for the veterans who'll attend the 8-28 rally to want to be left alone. Yeah, that makes TONS of sense.
David Williams| 7.8.10 @ 9:35AM
"but there are no gullible people left to swallow it! "
So why do you continue to pump bilgewater here?
Dan Hirsch| 7.8.10 @ 9:56AM
ALAN!!!
Which one are you?
Unrepentant communist or useful idiot.
Please tell us. Please.
Useful
Ken (Old Texican)| 7.8.10 @ 12:40PM
Dan,
Thanks! I found you.
I have been plagerizing you for several weeks now.
Now I get to thank you and acknowledge your "handle" on these idiots.
I have evolved however (smile).
As you may have noted, I have begun quoting the commedian, Ron White
"You just can't fix stupid" (and being a useful idiot is merely stupid ain't it?)
Awwwright,
Mr. Orlet.....screw you!
Mr. Beck has done some excellent research, and has delightfully connected some important dots on a black-board on his show. He is not our tea-party inspiration, but merely another contributing voice.
Your humor sucks in this snarky article. PS I don't care if our fringe people are a little so so...as long as they vote and contribute to kicking the communists out.
Deborah D | 7.10.10 @ 7:48AM
Not mentioned in any response to NavyBrat's original post is that the men he mentioned just happen to be black heros and patriots. Just thought I'd mention that as a little pushback against whatever it is Mr. Brooks is implying here.
wodiej| 7.10.10 @ 6:53AM
well said.
stephanie| 7.8.10 @ 7:37AM
I don't care for your attitude toward the movement Christopher, who are trying to change this socialist president from turning our great country into another Venezuela. Your patronizing air toward us is sickening. Why does our believe in God make you so uncomfortable?
Carol, I hope the Black Panthers do attend the Honoring of the Fallen in DC next month and that they do act in their racist manner and show the rest of the world just who is peaceful and who is "ready to rumble".
Pat| 7.8.10 @ 4:44PM
Stephanie, good for you, take this supercilious twit of an author out to the woodshed and whack him a few more times. And when it comes to populist movements, the media invariably falls in line behind the movement, depending on the goals of the “populists” that is. In 1967, Detroit Michigan hosted a “populist” movement of their own, they staged a riot which went on for 6 days, over 40 people were killed. But the media dutifully reported the riot as a “rebellion”, a “revolution”, a “call for help”, anything but the absurd farce it actually was.
Imagine gleeful members of a mob who threw rocks, bottles and fired the occasional rifle shot at firefighters attempting to quell the flames the rioters had set only to watch in puzzled stupidity as their own homes burned to the ground when the fire engines turned back to avoid injury to the firemen. Or the happy go lucky looters who, in their rush to grab more stolen goods, stumbled over televisions and stereos lying abandoned in the streets by other looters only to be injured and then rescued by the National Guard so their “accidental” injuries could be treated. Or the average Detroit residents who looted the neighborhood grocery store, only to find the stores couldn’t be restocked with food due to the snipers and ended up living on dry cereal along with their kids while the Army attempted to pacify the city so food deliveries could be restored.
Subsequent to the riot, a first hand observer wouldn’t have recognized Detroit and its moronic citizens from the media reports. The drunken, greedy, idiotic rioters disappeared into the mist to be replaced by impassioned, and innocent, patriots demanding redress of their just grievances. The Orlets of the world are “suspicious” of populist movements when they don’t agree with the goals of the movement. But let them find a cause which arouses their sympathies and the lies and distortions flow like water over Niagra Falls.
Deborah D | 7.8.10 @ 7:43AM
Rather sickening piece. You went in with a bad attitude and came out with the same one.
Glenn Beck is not the Tea Party. Each Tea Party organization is different. I went to the first one in Atlanta after the stimulus. Most of us were there for our children's sake (and yours, Christopher). We want to make sure there is a country left after the bankrupting of the nation by this administration.
Deborah D | 7.8.10 @ 8:26AM
Oh, and Christopher, here, read this from (OMG!!) National Review Online about Progessives (OMG, Beck talks about those) and their history of leading the nation toward bankruptcy!! Wow. Perfect timing. You can read it here: http://article.nationalreview......nes-miller
Alan Brooks| 7.8.10 @ 8:46AM
"We want to make sure there is a country left after the bankrupting of the nation by this administration."
You are contradicting yourself; if the country goes bankrupt, there is no country left; we end up like the Soviet Union-- dissolved.
Marx said the state would wither away, but the Soviet Union did instead.
Deborah D | 7.8.10 @ 9:11AM
Sorry, Alan -- I dashed this off in a hurry. You're exactly right.
Tom| 7.8.10 @ 11:50AM
Alan,
While I would not wish to live through it there have been sovereign defaults before. Not all have led to the dissolution of the country, in fact most haven't.
drudge ette obama| 7.8.10 @ 7:44AM
Christopher Orlet lacks internal guideposts and passion. He is probably embarrassed to go to an American Legion Hall, say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing patriotic songs. He is a product of his indoctrination and is disengaged from what he encountered at the Tea Party meeting.
Are these conspiracy theory ideas so impossible? Would he have scoffed at what happened in Germany in the 1930s and 40s? Is he a student of history.
This kind of person cowers when the threat actually materializes, hides, and may eventually become a hero when he finds soul that other people of ordinary substance have discovered when times got tough. His type annoys me.
One thing is for sure, the article he wrote wasn't too interesting nor was it informative. Rather, he was like a 20-something emoting yet another personal feeling. I would rather watch Lady gaga fall at the airport.
Red Bubba| 7.8.10 @ 7:53AM
The inspiration came from Rick Santelli's rant on CNBC, not a "populist talk radio host". You may call yourself a journalist, but you are about as well-informed as a baloney sandwich.
JimP| 7.8.10 @ 9:18AM
Santelli's rant gave the movement a boost, but the movement started before Santelli went off on Barry.
Deborah D | 7.8.10 @ 9:20AM
Yep -- first Tea Party was in (of all places) Seattle, WA!!! (Not sure if they called it a Tea Party, however).
jpocali| 7.8.10 @ 11:59AM
Finally! Please shout this from the rooftops so the whole country will stop using the Santelli rant as the birth of the Tea Party!
Dan Hirsch| 7.8.10 @ 9:58AM
Hey, Red!
Take it easy on baloney sandwiches, willya?
Average Infidel| 7.8.10 @ 7:55AM
CHRISTOPHER, I've got to give it to you and this piece, more than likely the first one here on this site that rattled my cage right from the git-go. Are you afraid of the truth? are you afraid your views don't carry the water high enough for the left-turd part of your brain, are you mocking these good patriots and their sense of what is right about the citizens, not subjects or are you really afraid that the citizens are awakening to the horrors which are the regressive obamamoma's boys and girls, this current CONgress and senile bunch sitting at their high perches looking down their noses at the peons know to them as their subjects? which is it CHRISTOPHER. Good thing I think highly about this site and the many contributions of others on a daily basis for the common man's sense of right vrs. wrong's of this Country and the current direction it is going otherwise I might think of you as nothing else but an aggitator for the lefturd dumbed-downed owners of this regime. Take your condensations elsewhere chump, you are either part of the problem or you are part of the solution, pick a side pal and stick to it.
David Williams| 7.8.10 @ 8:07AM
I've often enjoyed Mr. Orlet's writing and have noted with some amusement that he often refers to his "girlfriend." There is no mention of her above which makes me think she might be behind Mr. Orlet's thinking today. Perhaps he is just showing us his feminine side.
Bill from WV| 7.8.10 @ 8:09AM
Mr. Orlet seems to be a hitman for somebody. His attempt to discredit the Tea Party through his use of Glenn Beck as a back round is transperant.
His effort to portray the Tea Party as a bunch of right wing conspiracy theorists ( I won't even include the conspiracy nonsense,") is openly biased. I guess he is referring to the question of Obama's eligibility to be President based on Constituional prerequisites. Or maybe it is the quantity of Marxists in his administration that he has appointed. Or maybe the deep divide he has driven beteen Americans in a mere year and a half!
Rich against poor,white against black,latinos against everyone! Taxpayers versus entitlement takers!
Maybe he needs to spend more of his time, following the back rounds of these people and exposing them for who and what they are!
I'm sure they will give him a chicken wing and maybe a piece of melon too!
Diana| 7.8.10 @ 8:11AM
What a closed-minded piece of worthless "journalistic" drivel. Not only was this piece a non-informative and not even a good opinion piece, it reeks of the "follow the line" talking points you claim to despise - just from the other side. VERY disappointing.
I too, HATE populist movements, and am not a "Tea Partier", though I respect and agree with much of what they are doing. This "article", however, dripped of the same disdain and condescending connotations employed by everyone towing the Liberal line.
You really should be ashamed of yourself, if you take your job seriously.
hardcard| 7.8.10 @ 8:24AM
the author should stick to the huffington boast!!!
Jack Olson| 7.8.10 @ 8:29AM
All I could find out about Christopher Orlet is that he has been a professor of English and journalism in a Midwestern college. Neither college professors or journalists are notable for being good at what they do. They have been failing at education and real journalism for years. Orlet is merely demonstrating that they're still failing.
Loadmaster| 7.8.10 @ 8:32AM
Ya leave Chris along. Poor soul. The man just don't know any better. He can't see the forest for the trees.
He needs to see and listen to Red Skelton's pledge video and get a grip on what was "then" and what is "now". But that's OK, we'll carry him along with us only because "he don't know any better".
NAvyBrat | 7.8.10 @ 8:37AM
Mr. Orlet is wrong on a few counts in his piece.
First:
"Finally, it was my turn to play interviewer. What inspired them to join the Tea Party? That was easy: Glenn Beck. There was a glow in their eyes and quiver in their voices when they said His name. Glenn Beck. It was kind of creepy."
Mr. Orlet seems to have forgotten that the spark for the wildfire that is the Tea Parties was sparked by CNBC's Rick Santelli. Beck is a teacher. He's today's canary in the political coal mine. The things that Beck mentions in his history specials are not anything that my Dad hadn't taught me when I was in middle school/high school. Even if I haven't heard the exact fact that Beck's mentioning, I can see how it fits into the history that I DO know.
The only thing that I wish Beck would do is a special on the men who inspired the founders. For those of you who post here regularly, you know that I'm a HUGE fan of Aristotle, Demosthenes, & Cicero. Click my name above to read one of my blog entries about just how closely the works of Cicero & Demosthenes mirror the time of our Founding & what our Founders did to avoid sharing the fates of Demosthenes & Cicero.
Second:
"...and some, like "I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness," we stopped kicking back in 1776."
Speak for yourself, Mr. Orlet. We are living under an adminisrtation who's head has been on record as saying that he thinks that these are a charter of "negative liberties" & how they don't illustrate what the government should do FOR (read TO) you. No, Mr. Orlet, there are some of us, MANY of us, in fact, who still hold those rights as sacrosanct. And we've been "kicking them around" SINCE 1776!
Third:
"Somehow the Amazing Beck had convinced these folks that Obama is only using the U.S. presidency as a stepping-stone on his path to becoming leader of a one-world socialist dictatorship."
It ain't just the "Amazing Beck" that "convinced" anyone of this. Anyone with eyes can see it. Anyone who knows the history of HOW OhBummer grew up, KNOWS that what Beck's suggesting isn't too far of a stretch. Open your eyes, Mr. Orlet. You may not like what you see, but its ALL there to BE seen.
Tish | 7.8.10 @ 8:42AM
Beck doesn't promote violence or even intimidation, unless you think knowing what the Constitution actually says intimidation, which His Oneness does. You'd be a hell of a lot safer on Beck's hate list than you are as an American citizen ruled by the Obama Administration.
Louis Jenkins| 7.8.10 @ 9:20AM
Mr. Orlet you'd best go back to the liberal blogs and post there. If you hope to find a friend here, well, you're outta luck. I do agree that Beck is a late comer, and anyone who claims that Beck is sooth sayer may be somewhat correct, but he's not original. The Tea Party does not have a leader, rather it is made up of many individuals all with a complaint towards the regime. Beck has just tried to get on board a "cause" to feather his credentials. I, for one, do not go to Beck led gatherings because of that, even though he does have some interesting speakers. Beck has sworn a oath of 'No Violence'. Perhaps that is why I do not attend. Suffice to say, we'll all be on our way to the "education" camps soon enough.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.8.10 @ 9:42AM
While the author engulfs his pop tarts he should consider the alternatives.
The Republicans spent like crazy during the last 16 years eclipsing even previous Democratic spending. Bush left office with a 443 billion dollar deficit and actually shared half of Obama's first year deficit, which means Bush actually left a legacy of over a 742 billion dollar deficit. (Source: Heritage Foundation)
The Republicans have for over 20 years defined federalism as the solution to everything. They weren't a conspiracy because it was all out in the open.
Then we have the Democrats. They have tripled the deficit that a big spender like Bush left. They have passed a health care plan which will destroy the health care system, and the President and NASA have turned our space program into a half-assed outreach program for islamofacists.
In the meantime the economy is tanking thanks to the combined efforts of these two failed political entities and the only effort to fight back is receiving moronic comments like the ones found in this article.
I have a suggestion for the author. Lay off the Pop Tarts which contain way too much sugar, and get back to basic reporting.
I find it hard to believe you couldn't find much good in the movement.
It's obvious the federalists in the Republican party fear the Tea Party because it would mean an end to the prolific spending in D.C.
It is astonishing you could attend an event and not find one glimmer of hope to report.
As far as Glenn Beck he's educating the masses on his show and that's one thing the political elite in both parties can't afford.
The author of this article would have spend his time in a better fashion had he simply gone to a Congressional Hearing and updated the citizenry on the hallow premises of global warming, cap and trade or rationed health care. Now that's radical!
Al Adab| 7.8.10 @ 5:32PM
BHO,
I like the use of federalist Republicans. The RINOs are in fact the GOP and that describes them fairly well even given 200 years of history.
This is not Rep. v. Dem. It is Liberty v. Statism. Conservatives MUST prevail.
Nate| 7.8.10 @ 9:45AM
I can't understand what conservatives or anyone else see in Glenn Beck. His a whining, puling, hysterical, blubbering moron.
I suspect that many of Beck's fans aren't all that interested in political ideas or political philosophy. If they were, they'd turn to conservatives who are educated and rational. I could name a dozen off the top of my head -- yes, including David Brooks and David Frum, but also including Byron York, Tony Blankley, George Will, and many others who actually make reasonable arguments.
It would be useless to ask when the Tea Party crowd will grow weary of the nasty antic folly of Glenn Beck et al. While some of them are clearly well-meaning, they're your usual mob. They've been whipped up by Fox News and other corporate interests and in the end will be a minor footnote in the history of American reactionary populism.
Dan Hirsch| 7.8.10 @ 10:06AM
Nate,
Your criticism of Glenn Beck would be much more effective if you gave a single solitary hint that you had ever heard him say two complete sentences. You obviously haven't.
Your characterization of "the Tea Party crowd" sounds a lot like a British fellow named George from 234 years ago.
Also populism is a political theory of pandering, the Tea Party people are simply asking for a restoration of constitutional law and government.
Rent a brain!
Al Adab| 7.8.10 @ 1:37PM
Nate,
How would you describe Thomas Paine?
RCV| 7.8.10 @ 2:06PM
Thomas Paine was a fascinating character, a true gadfly. He excoriated religion in "The Age of Reason", angering orthodox Christians. He was a great admirer of the French Revolution, was elected to the French National Assembly, and then ended up in prison there as the revolution descended into infighting. Social conservatives of today would have a hard time warming to the guy, while he remains a hero to many on the left. He certainly played a hugh part in our glorious revolution.
RCV| 7.8.10 @ 2:16PM
Consider these Painisms:
"Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities."
"That God cannot lie, is no advantage to your argument, because it is no proof that priests can not, or that the Bible does not."
"The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem of a lunatic asylum."
"The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion."
Al Adab| 7.8.10 @ 2:47PM
The Paine of Common Sense and The Crisis is not the same Paine of Rights of Man. He became so enamoured of the French Revolution (French did it wrong of course) that he even was estranged from Washington later on.
RCV| 7.8.10 @ 4:26PM
I don't think Paine changed. What changed after the success of the Revolution was that two strains of thought, united in their opposition to the crown and in favor of independence, diverged on issues of government. The Federalists, including Washington and Adams, and the anti-Federalists, had very different views of the ideal society and the dangers/attractions of a strong central government. Paine was a liberterian/anarchist in his basic instincts, and gravitated more toward Jefferson and the French revolutionists, while Washington was more of a strong central-government Federalist. It was not an alliance likely to last the War.
Ironically, when Paine went to France, he was despised by Robespierre and the far-left Montagnards as a "rightist" Girondist and eventually imprisoned. He only returned to America once Jefferson became President.
Al Adabh| 7.8.10 @ 5:34PM
RCV,
It is interesting that the Anti-federalist arguments are today so close to fact. They were precient, it just took longer than they expected for their fears to be realized.
RCV| 7.8.10 @ 7:34PM
They're certainly worth reading. A good introduction is the paperback edition of "The Anti-Federalist", edited by Herbert Storing and published by the University of Chicago Press 1985. Even among themselves, they were not a monolithic group and asserted a wide variety of views and visions.
NavyBrat | 7.8.10 @ 10:17AM
Nate. Have you even SEEN Beck's show? Do you have a basic knowledge on UNREVISED history to even be able to understand what it is that you would see? I doubt it. So you offer this witty & highly intellectual assessment (snark, snark):
"I can't understand what conservatives or anyone else see in Glenn Beck. His a whining, puling, hysterical, blubbering moron."
Which leads me to retort, "When you have no basis for argument, abuse the planitff."...Cicero
Thanks for illustrating the point that even back then, idiots merely spoke to hear themselves speak. Kinda like you.
RCV| 7.8.10 @ 2:08PM
Nate, you are right on point. Beck is an embarrassment to thinking conservatives and in my view is nothing but a huckster who does his show for entertainment value. I don't think he actually believes much of what he says, but is a master at political playacting.
Margie| 7.8.10 @ 3:23PM
He is not an embarrassment to thinking people, but he is to Communists and Socialists and Liberals. And it's because he tells it sooo like it is.
My only little bitsy issue if you will, with Glen, is that I just wish he'd tell everyone that in order to defeat the Communists, we need to vote 'R'.
IF he did this guess what? We'd defeat the suckers!!!!!!!
ChefSchnauzer| 7.8.10 @ 10:03AM
This writer did not do his homework. Beck is not 'kicking around ideas'. Beck is stressing values. I suspect that the scribbler of this article is trying to portray himself as a sort of new Republican Party Reptile observer and wit. His observations are flawed and he is witless.
Petronius| 7.8.10 @ 10:13AM
Hey Chris
What did you have to punt to attend the Teaparty?
Was it yoga or a manicure appointment? Twat.
Al Adab| 7.8.10 @ 1:39PM
Petronius,
Some of your posts carry wisdom. This Charlotte Church moment is beneath you.
Best wishes
Oldefarte| 7.8.10 @ 10:27AM
I'm not a tea partier, but have tremendous respect for these folks' activities. I too was ignorant of the Bill Buckley/PBS information,etc; but became inspired/informed by Rush Limbaugh [and now O'Reilly, Beck, Hannity,Coulter,etc]. Even though Americans should have, but sadly did not, become informed enough to defeat Obama in November of 2008, they now are on to his ultra-radical liberal agenda [and thus the tea party movement]. I'm not one to go to tea party type events, but I'm grateful that people now do and are politically tuned in and involved. God bless them. The one and only thing that needs to be done is for Americans to vote these radicals and their associates out of office, and I'm hoping and praying that this process will begin in November. Most if not all of Americans' enlightenment/information comes from the brilliance of TAS's writers [and other conservative publications/blogs,etc], Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh,etc. In my younger years, all that Americans had to provide information was the likes of the NYT, CBS, NBC,ABC, Huntley, Brinkley, Murrow, Kronkite, Smith,etc; all of whom were simply liberals that brainwashed Americans with their liberal BS. We now have the beautiful alternatives of the conservative media/blogs, thank God!!!!!!
Mike Rogers| 7.8.10 @ 10:33AM
Assuming this is the American Spectator I know and love, I have to believe that Christopher Orlet is indulging in self-parody, or is parodying the reaction of a "Typical Liberal Reporter" to a TEA party.
If not,
A) RET, what are you thinking?
B) This guy wouldn't recognize grass roots if a chunk of turf hit him in the face!
Mike| 7.8.10 @ 10:35AM
The problem with Beck is that he still supports the idiotic neo con policies that gave Obama in the first place. He can discuss limited government and then turn on a dime and obsess over the evil Iranian regime, blah blah.. Tea Parties still have some of this nonsense in them also and until the Tea Party and/or the Republicans turn away from the destructive futile wars we fight, there won't be much success.
Guy| 7.8.10 @ 10:45AM
I wonder why this "writer" even bothered to attend the event he has so smarmily described here, which I doubt he did. He seems like the wonderfully gifted superior intellectual type who knows it all already.
If he did attend, I can just see him looking down his nose in his best condescending sneer at the poor losers who would pay any mind to the likes of Glenn Beck.
Ah, but thank you for showing us yet again that smug progressive attitude that makes me want to puke all over people like you.
If you were a real writer who truly wanted to investigate what is happening in this country you would have learned that the people you despise are not following people like Beck at all. In fact it is the opposite that is true.
People like Beck are channeling what the average American, who cares about his country, is feeling while we watch our country being systematically dismantled by limp-wristed intellectuals who have never dwelt a single day in the real world.
The sorry truth is that the day you decide you know it all is the last real day of your life. From then on you will never learn another thing.
But hey, the truth doesn't really matter to you, does it? Not when you are "Progressive". Enjoy your fantasy. While it lasts.
Margie| 7.8.10 @ 11:40AM
Conspiracy theories? What a joke. I guess Mr. Orlet hasn't read Obama's autobiography.
People who sit ensconced in their own comfy little nooks while sticking their conspiratorial finger out at us are usually the ones who WANT the Socialist country. Or at least just don't seem to mind it. I was going to say or are blind to it but there are no excuses anymore. If one is blind, they want to be blind. Some actually enjoy that boot on their necks.
AMENBRO| 7.8.10 @ 11:49AM
You self important thinker you are making a contribution to anything but your own EGO, YOU.
I've been reading the Spectator ever since it was a dadburn Rolling Stone original style NEWSPAPER pamphlet FIRE BREATHING kick the establishment in the seat of the pants I CANNOT WAIT till the next issue graces the Newstand REAL CONSERVATIVE PUBLICATION. Think what ya want. I've been a stark raving fire breathing wake the HAIL up America dismissed as fanatical since 1979.
Pukes like the writer of this piece are milquetoast newcomers to what the , insert invective of your choice, believe polite conservatism outta be.
I don't care if BOZO the clown wakes AMERICA UP..
Emmett please put your dentures back in when scribbling the ENEMY of THE WEEK & THE CURRENT CRISIS. Just ain't got the bite it used to have when JIMMAH CARTER was assaulting our country.
scot| 7.8.10 @ 11:55AM
I think Beck 9-12 movement kicked off before the TEA parties. I just think the 9-12ers merged seamlessly into the TEA party movement. So i consider them one in the same and give Beck a lot of props as one of many founders. I know they are different, but not really.
Vern Crisler| 7.8.10 @ 12:01PM
It was sad that AmSpec would allow this article to be published under its banner. Orlet is following in a long line of former conservatives who gain "strange new respect" by bashing their formerly fellow conservatives. Too bad....
ralph| 7.8.10 @ 12:07PM
Interesting. I had to read the article again after the comments. Orlet is not that bad, he gives the Tea Partiers (the ones he talked to) credit for being informed, and having reasonable concerns about the direction this administration is headed. I agree with him on those points and like one of the posters wrote, there are many "tea parties."
I was fortunate to attend the first rally in DC and sorry, there were not a million people there. Also, I met many different kinds of folks, sorry again, some were racist and some were spouting conspiracy theories, at least as I believe. And some were scary with their violent attitudes. At the other rally I went to, I wasn't as aware of those types of people, but noticed something else: a blind reliance on the Fox News commentators. I ran into several people who repeated a joke,which they believed to be true, made by Limbaugh about Obama's ban on fishing. When I tried to enlighten them, they treated me like a traitor.
Glen Beck certainly has his heart in the right place and he knows what he's talking about, although he's made a few mistakes, but I have issue with his personality and so can't stand to watch or hear him. Maybe that's Orlet's problem,too.
The Tea Partiers I know personally are educated, well read conservatives. Some more fiscal than social still hanging on to old 60's beliefs like pro-choice. I'm sure Orlet met a variety of personalities as I did and wrote about the ones no other conservatives or Tea Partiers will acknowledge.
mejamom| 7.8.10 @ 2:22PM
I don't care for Glen Beck or Rush Limbaugh. I don't know why. There's just something about the way they pontificate or their delivery that rubs me the wrong way. But I like Bill O'Reilly and Ben Stein to name a few. I also attended the first Tea Party rally and had a similar experience. It's pained me ever since. And it bothers me that whenever I, like Mr. Orlet, points out the "dark side" of the TP, I get a tongue lashing. There are a few personal friends who'll admit that racism, violence, and ignorance are alive and well within the ranks, but it's rare to see a conservative publically point it out. Mr. Orlet didn't see those very ugly attitudes (which is a good thing), or chose not to write about them. I have great respect for the Tea Party, but I'd feel better if they'd admit there are undesireables giving it a bad reputation and denounce (like Beck has) violence and racism instead of pretending it's all a liberal plot.
Margie| 7.8.10 @ 3:32PM
Hi mejamom,
Well I think if you don't like Rush and Glen yet that's ok. You're conversion to conservatism isn't yet complete. But I have faith! You'll come around, like most of us did. It's a personality thing, I'm sure. You see because Rush and Glen simply tell it like it is. And I believe you will have to agree, eventually, if you're an honest soul.
As to racists in the Tea party, and there being a "dark side"~ I think that's ridiculous. Having said that though.. there are racists everywhere, but they certainly wouldn't be able to hang around Tea Partiers for too long. They wouldn't be able to bear the Light!
Al Adab| 7.8.10 @ 4:02PM
Hi Margie,
All it will take is for the public/voters to read the books Beck recommends. No matter what the media or the schools teach, our history is found in those books. They reveal the American philosophy and experience; one unique in all the world.
All my best
Petronius| 7.8.10 @ 5:46PM
Al
Got a title for you:
The Great Roob Revolution by Roger Price, Random House 1970. That book; TAS, The Spectator of London, and H.L. Mencken have been my inspiration. And I await the Autobiography of Mark Twain.
Cheers
NavyBrat | 7.8.10 @ 6:11PM
Petronius. Nice to see another Mencken fan. Lord, they don't make 'em like him anymore, do they? Except for maybe the always brilliant PJ O'Rourke.
Al Adab| 7.8.10 @ 6:46PM
Petronius,
I'll check it. I have the Mencken "The American Language". See my above re: Charlotte Church.
ChefSchnauzer| 7.9.10 @ 7:18AM
The American Character should run with all haste into the arms of H.L. Mencken and allow itself to become enveloped in and reborn through that singular triumph of the American Mind. Throw in a wee bit of G.K. Chesterton and all is well.
Margie| 7.8.10 @ 11:49PM
Hi Al Adab,
Something my husband said the other day. He said that racists look at the world thru race-colored glasses. Instead of everything being right or wrong, it's either black or white. No other shades need apply.
As to the books Beck recommends, I don't know what they are but I'm sure you're right. I already have over 200 books sitting on my shelves that need reading. Lots came from the Conservative Book Club, and are on history past and present. I really need to start reading again like I used to.
Oldefarte| 7.8.10 @ 4:02PM
Margie, Anyone wishing to investigate racists might well contemplate the US Justice Department's political troubles from sweeping under the rug its slam-dunk default voter intimidation case judgment against the New Black Panther Party; and the longtime D of J's career attorney who recently resigned over same. Possibly a comparison of the 1950's Democratic Party's creation of white's fears of blacks with such voting tools as the poll tax or voter testing/exams to the current administration's filing of a legal challenge to Arizona's new immigration law, as to racism personified!!!!!!!!!!!
Al Adab| 7.8.10 @ 5:36PM
Could we not agree that the operative definition of "racist" is: "One who views all issues and actions through the prism of race"?
Whether on the right or the left?
Margie| 7.8.10 @ 10:24PM
Oldefarte~ I couldn't agree more!!
Thank you for pointing it out to those who need to see it~ it is always a good thing to do.
See, mejamom, you will hear the truth spoken here. Oldefarte KNOWS his stuff!!
AMENBRO| 7.9.10 @ 2:23AM
Meja momma, your problem is you don't know what to believe cause like most ,Milquetoast individuals incapable of taking a stand for what they believe in you dislike those that you disdain for having the courage of conviction you do not have. It's much easier. Folks like you and I really only know your symptoms are the reason we're in the pot-au-feu this country is in.
Does your boss tell you when you stink at what you do? Are you a racist or hateful for disagreeing with em??
At least you can see the trees for the forest LUv. You could be an SEIU sellout like purple haid Toddard or one of THOSE OTHERS to coin your unbeknown associations.
Cuffs| 7.8.10 @ 1:14PM
Who cares what Orlet thinks?
We TeaPats think for ourselves, not like those
who stood and clapped, screamed, cried and fainted when Obama, with absolutley no background in anything, made lovely speeches.
Look who is independent thinking now.
Jack| 7.8.10 @ 1:52PM
Can you say eliteist? He is looking down his nose at the common people organising into loosely affiliated Tea Partiers. It is disheartening to read such drivel. Go buy yourself some food with your own money and shut up. Beck is exactly what a former commenter said:.. an educator. He has taught me more in the last six months than I was taught through school and college. I am guilty of trying to raise my family and survive. Now that I have time to look around it I am appalled at what I see in our government. These are the same people that we fought wars against running our country.
Paulie4| 7.8.10 @ 4:24PM
Boy cynical stuff! I’ve been to lots of Tea Parties and not once did I hear mention of Glen Beck. I did meet a lot of very well educated American citizens though who care deeply for our country.
ShortNSweet| 7.8.10 @ 5:18PM
Christopher...How 'bout you spare yourself next time. Stay in the car with your bologna sandwich or stay home and take a nap. Those TPer's are way to informed for you anyway; May be why you became so exhausted. You're going to need to be rested come Novemeber!!!!
philfl63| 7.9.10 @ 1:41AM
Man, there is nothing like envy to motivate a person. Mr. Orlet or is it Ms? I like Glenn Beck, and I am bright enough to know that he is a career radio talk-show/shock-jock/TV show host, and entertainer. There is nothing wrong with that. I believe what he believes except I believed it all before he did, because he spent some of his life in an alcohol and cocaine-induced haze, and I did not. You are entitled to your opinion, and I am entitled to mine. You can write your snarky column, and with the wonders of this here computer machine, I can write my snarky comments criticizing your green with envy column. At least this Beck guy is educating and motivating people to the good of our country and her history. So you are not in the big leagues with Glenn Beck. You seemed proud to announce that you are a journalist who gets all kinds of invites to appear and speak. Tell your audience the truth, which is honey to the ear, and you too can make it to the big leagues.
Mayte| 7.9.10 @ 10:16AM
You hit the nail on the head Philfl63. You totally got it. Awesome response!
Turnditch| 7.9.10 @ 7:54AM
Chistopher Orlet:
It’s time to reintroduce you to journalism.
Tomorrow, you will start from square one so be sure to bring your crayons to class along with a big fat pencil and more importantly, a big fat eraser…
Mayte| 7.9.10 @ 9:42AM
That something like a "tea-party" would develop was obvious even 4 years ago. It's funny because for like the past decade when my family and I have gotten together and eventually turned to politics and gradually evolved the conversation to talk about government spending, the last words were always the same. Somebody would ended by saying: "We just need another 'tea party' but this time we throw the politicians overboard". Also in these conversations there would be debate about term limits. To put it in context to explain what kind of family I have and why we discuss politics so much when others talk about frivolity: we are Cubans who came to this country with LEGAL visas that we waited to get for many years. We have lived under Communism and know how it evolves. Anyway, the 'tea party' movement, of which many of us in my extended family consider ourselves part of, was inevitable considering what has been happening. Sept 2008 was the slap in the face that finally set us off. The "crisis", the "burst of the bubble" and the assumption that capitalism is bad when it was socialist ideas that got us here... Glenn Beck is reacting like many of us are. He has educated himself further, like many of us have been doing for many years. I came from Cuba with my family at age 7 and went to public school, but relied on my father for my lessons in World History. He was disgusted at what I was being taught in school. He did not know enough about American history to correct all the errors, but he definitely knew a lot of the inaccuracies in world history. So I assumed that the US history I was being taught must have been flawed also. I took AP and IB history in high school and got full college credits. So I did not take history in college but have always read history books on my own. I went on to become a physician. When I see Glenn Beck now, I see someone in media who finally gets it, who has reviewed what many of us have been reviewing for a long long time, and I see someone very much like my dad. Sometimes I feel like its 1989 again and I am in my living room with dad and he is reviewing history with me and what things in the text books from school that I've been reading are inaccurate. So Glenn Beck is not our leader, he is our FOLLOWER and we are glad he is finally on our side. Notice that his guests are all historians that have been writing books in relative obscurity for many years (obscurity to the media but not to us who have been reading these books for years!). Anyway, thanks for the good laugh in this article. At least you don't portray yourself as better and you do admit how ignorant you actually are. As far as conspiracy theories, I dislike those as mere gossip, but when you see so much done contrary to the benefit of our nation some will inevitably wonder why, what's the motivation, etc....
RacerJim| 7.9.10 @ 12:59PM
Christopher Orlet is proof positive that journalism, professional journalism that is, died during the 2008 election.
Doctor Right| 7.9.10 @ 11:32PM
AAAAGGGGHHH!!!! SHIT!!!! I Just Farted BLood!!!!!
katy| 7.10.10 @ 8:37PM
Too bad this author does not know or care about the US Constitution. He was looking for a chicken wing...this is the same kind of apathetic fluff piece the Mainstream Media is using to sell us down the river.
Kathleen| 7.10.10 @ 11:25PM
I am proud to be a member of the Southern Illinois Tea Party that was started by a brave, and highly informed young man with the same last name as this author. His love for the Constitution of this great country prompted him to step out of the shadows and into the light.
Dan| 7.11.10 @ 7:54AM
TEA............. Taxed enough already. Seems like a simple guiding statement.