TV, radio host's visit gets mixed reactions
By Meredith Skrzypczak (Last updated: 09/15/09 11:50pm)Speaking about America’s identity brought TV and radio personality Glenn Beck to tears as he addressed its failures and the surprisingly positive role they play in the country.
“That’s what America is really all about,” he said. “Just somebody’s ideas and then moving forward with it. Let’s reinvent ourselves. … Failure is a huge part of success, you learn something from failure.”
But although Beck’s message was sometimes hopeful, his appearance was not well-received by all.
Hundreds of protesters arrived well before Beck spoke at MSU’s Kellogg Center on Tuesday as part of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce’s Future Forum.
The crowd was there to protest Beck’s past statements about President Barack Obama, among other issues.
Beck has drawn criticism for calling Obama a racist.
“I think it is absurd,” MSU College Democrats Vice President Kaitlin April said. “The slander that he’s put out … spreading lies. I absolutely think he has a right to speak, but I think we have a right to speak as well.”
State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, D-Salem, and state House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, cancelled plans to attend the forum and boycotted the event because of controversies surrounding Beck.
Cameron Cochran, an international relations and political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore and member of the MSU chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, came out to support Beck’s freedom to speak at the event.
“(We’re here) basically to ensure that everyone’s First Amendment rights are being protected,” he said. “That’s what our government was founded on, our Bill of Rights.”
Richard Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said although Beck’s appearance has been hotly contested, he stands behind the decision to invite Beck to speak at the event.
“We are concerned,” he said. “You would think on a college campus people would be more champions of free speech, (but) there are some groups who only believe in free speech … if it’s their speech.”
Listening to the opinions of many will help the state, Studley said.
“If the idea is, ‘We’ll only listen to people that we already know and already agree with,’ then the circle of discussion only gets smaller,” he said.
Beck called for needed change for Michigan and for the country, and warned of a “cancer” developing in Washington that threatens to stall progress.
Kristin Healey, a Potterville resident, said she enjoyed the speech and its message.
“The most important thing is that it’s no longer about parties, it’s about getting the competitiveness out of Washington,” she said.
Beck urged attendees to break the mold, even if it is a provocative move that challenges the system.
“Follow what you love, follow your passion, make a difference,” he said.
“Don’t look to anyone for anything other than a hand up. We need to help each other, but we don’t need to carry each other.”
Originally Published: 09/15/09 11:39pm
Robert Coffey
09/16/09 12:10amStudley’s comments as quoted are ironic, given Beck’s demagoguery. How does (mis)labeling your opponent a racist and misrepresenting his positions widen “the circle of discussion”? Isn’t boycotting or protesting also “speech”?
In any case, I’m delighted to learn of Studley’s (and, we assume, the Chamber’s?) commitment to robust dialogue, and will look forward to news that they’ve invited a progressive speaker for their next event. Fair and balanced, right?
John Simpkins
09/16/09 12:22amI’m writing to contest the State News account of MSU ACLU’s role at the Glenn Beck event. Rather than protect the free speech rights of a well-guarded speaker at a privately-organized event, we were there to ensure that the first amendment rights of the protesters were adequately safeguarded. As you may recall, MSU’s record with handling of protests against controversial speakers (whose free speech rights have not been infringed upon in recent memory) is mixed at best. Please run a correction that clarifies the involvement of the MSU ACLU in this event.
Regards,
John Simpkins
Mac
09/16/09 8:26amHundreds of protesters?
Haha, this makes me laugh. Passed by a few times, definitely not hundred(s).
09/16/09 10:55amI hope GB dies in trapped in a car fire. People seem to shout Free Speech in defense of him, and I can understand that, but at the same time, if you listen to him, this isnt a difference of option, this GB is insane, and has several deep seated emotional/mental problems. Plus he in a position to spread these lies and crazy talk to other people. This wouldn’t be a problem untill crazy people start showing up in town halls, slowing down the progress of the most needed thing in American history since universal suffrage ( womens right to vote for you glen beck viewers ) So yea, Glen Beck, if anyone sponsors you I won’t ever buy there product again.
Kristin Healey
09/16/09 11:29amMy name is Kristin Healey and I was mis-quoted in this article. What I actually said was the we need to get the CORRUPTION out of Washington… not “competitiveness” as she stated I said. Also, it is a flat out lie that there were hundreds of protestors. I saw with my own eyes. I believe the official count was 29 anti-Beck and 41 pro-Beck. Yes – folks came out in support of this fine gentleman, Glenn Beck. In the end …. the truth always wins out.
DarthTom
09/16/09 11:33amI was at the event filming for about 2 hours and the number of protesters was about 120 by my rough headcount… I don’t think I’m off by more than 20 either way. I would say it was about 90% anti-Beck, 10% pro.
The best protesters were definitely the ones that showed up dressed as stereotypical rich people, carrying signs that said stuff like “Coal Barons Support Beck!” Very funny.
Second runner-up was a woman carrying a sign that accused all the protesters of having been paid by George Soros to show up.
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Kristin Healey
09/16/09 11:33amand a comment about the person above me who hopes Beck dies in a car fire……
so now you want a person who you believe spreads crazy talk to burn to death? Who’s the crazy one exactly?
DarthTom
09/16/09 11:36amKristen, that is a flat-out lie and I’m sure you know it… there were certainly not more Beck supporters than Beck protesters. I’ll be posting footage of the crowd later so people can see for themselves. I’m hoping against hope that you just swapped the numbers as you were typing quickly — sorry about your misquote, by the way, that’s why all good journalists should have a tape recorder backup in addition to written notes!
MSUSocialist
09/16/09 11:55amPerhaps Kristen mistook the plutocrat fauxtesters for Beck supporters.
patriot
09/16/09 12:14pmGlen Beck is what is wrong with this country..This guy is a crazy prpagandist from FOX NOISE..a ridiculous propaganda machine..for the far right..He and they have no solutions and are only determined to protect the status quo..Big Health Insurance Companies and Drug Companies and the wealthy..They are not interested in fixing anything-they are strictly obstructionists and their only goal is the failure of the current adm. They care nothing for the middle class or anyone but the ultra rich. They use fear as a tactic to stir up people who are uninformed.Educate youselves. “Don’t get fooled again “
American
09/16/09 12:54pmGlenn Beck moved to tears is such a Phony act it makes me want to puke. He and others like him prey upon the ill-informed..He is nothing but a tool for big banks, big corporations, health ins. co’s, drug co’s, and the very rich..He and others from the far rt. propaganda machine at fox news make me sick. They have no answers except stay the course..Keep the status quo wealthy and forget the middle class and the poor. I hope MSU has plans for a rebuttal to this Clown by someone with a commonsense view.
09/16/09 1:49pmI’m the guy who hopes GB dies trapped in a car fire. I often question my sanity, I believe its a healthy thing to do. Setting GB car on fire with him in it would be the acts of a crazy person. To hope that he gets into an accident, gets trapped, and then catches on fire is just being an optimist.
Melissa
09/16/09 4:21pmI’m not part of MSU, but I am a Lansing resident.
I’m sorry I didn’t hear about this ahead of time, as I would have joined in protesting this hypocritical crazy man.
For example: 16 months ago he was on the air saying how “broken” our health care system is. Now, according to this nut, it’s the “best” in the world!
It never ceases to amaze me that people actually belief the lies he spews, and w/o question.
To the protesters: Thanks for showing him that Lansing-E.Lansing isn’t buying his crap.
tapdancer
09/16/09 5:02pmI agree with “Melissa” — kudos to students who protested Beck’s appearance at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Forum last night. Beck’s rhetoric interferes with rational, civil discussion of important national issues. He inspires and provides a platform for those citizens looking for someone to legitimize their bigotry. Beck is a fear monger — inciting people to anger; anger that is mostly misplaced. Beck is a con-artist — laughing all the way to the bank.
Kristin Healey
09/16/09 6:16pmhi again. to follow up on an earlier post regarding number of protestors that attended – the number I quoted was the number that was confirmed by a third party BUT it was prior to the event starting. I was there before 5:30 so it is safe to say that the crowd did not hit until after that time. The exact numbers aren’t what matters I love that people are able to demonstrate like that! …. I was just upset that I was mis-quoted. I contacted the State News this morning but have not received a return call yet.
Matt
09/16/09 6:38pmTo Melissa:
“For example: 16 months ago he was on the air saying how “broken” our health care system is. Now, according to this nut, it’s the “best” in the world!”
You are 100% wrong. He has always admitted that the system is broken. Even in this state he has always said it is the best.
Interesting how you are quick to judge someone without knowing exactly what they have said.
To tapdancer:
“Beck is a fear monger”
And the President announcing that without a $700B stimulus package our nation would return to the dark ages is what? Is he just being over cautious? Or is he the Fear-Mongerer In Chief?
I think it’s the latter.
a protestor
09/16/09 9:29pmThe number 250 came from an estimate from the MSU police. So to those scoffing at the “hundreds” of people in protest, check your sources (unless you don’t trust the police.)
And by the mathematical logic of the “1.4 million” at the healthcare rally in DC (courtesy of a university Beck could not remember), there were roughly three thousand protesters in attendance last evening.
KJ Green
09/16/09 9:50pmTo John Simpkins (post #2)
I find it interesting how defensive you are regarding the involvement of the MSU ACLU at this event (“I’m writing to contest the State News account of MSU ACLU’s role at the Glenn Beck event”).
On the other hand, I’m not surprised. You certainly wouldn’t want the MSU ACLU to be portrayed as supporting a non-liberal event or point of view would you? Might result in sanctions from national…
John Simpkins
09/16/09 11:58pmTo KJ:
I was simply attempting to reframe some careless reporting. Rather than take a partisan stance, of which you baselessly accuse me, I am bringing to light the facts about the event’s overall dynamic and the reasons for MSU ACLU’s presence. Perhaps you should know that conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was present at “national’s” last convention; we remain committed simply to the protection of Constitutional freedoms. Please further note that our role as observer followed MSU’s history of protest suppression, not a political slant.
tapdancer
09/17/09 12:01amTo Matt:
G.W.Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney, Paulson, DeMint, Wilson, Palin, Bachmann, Coulter, Hannity, Limbaugh, Malkin……We could go tit for tat on fear mongering for a long time….I’m talking about Beck. He does a dangerous disservice to this country.
Matt
09/17/09 7:03amTo tapdancer:
If the actions of the President contradict your statement, then why use it?
The only person doing a disservice to the country is yourself. People like you ask questions only when someone is in office YOU disagree with. The true patriots question EVERYONE in power regardless of their party affiliation.
Disappointed
09/17/09 7:21amGlenn Beck as keynote speaker?
I thought the Chamber of Commerce was a legitimate organization with a serious purpose.
Guess I was wrong.
tapdancer
09/17/09 9:13amAgain to Matt:
You’re doing exactly what Beck leads people to do. You labeled me (“people like you…) and question my patriotism without knowing anything about me. I respect and support the current President, but have also written many messages expressing my concern for some of his actions, ideas, etc. If necessary, I will not vote for him again. I have watched and listened and read Beck for a long time. He is divisive and polarizing and I choose to point that out when I can. expressing an opinion.
09/17/09 12:58pmGlenn Beck as keynote speaker?
I thought the Chamber of Commerce was a legitimate organization with a serious purpose.
Guess I was wrong.
Same here man, I wrote them a letter saying that they made an enemy today. To the people who are vaguely defending GB’s sanity:“Glenn Beck is awesome”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQc_TH4iVV8
09/17/09 1:00pm