Last week in Salt Lake City, conservative Fox News commentator and faithful Mormon Glenn Beck told a crowd of 6600 fans that he could go blind in less than a year. Telling the audience that he had been diagnosed with “macular dystrophy,” a progressive eye disorder that can lead to blindness, Beck laughed and cried with the audience, taking the opportunity to jab at health care reform.
“I went to the best doctor I could find,” he said, “while I could still go to the best doctor I can find.”
But Beck’s mood turned more serious when he began to warn of the serious dangers in today’s world:
“Brothers and Sisters, I testify to you here and now, there will be eternal ramifications for each and every human being alive today in this country. It will have been better if we had not been born,” he told the Utah crowd.
Known for his outrageous conspiracy theories and disdain for progressivism, Beck regularly sheds tears on his television program and in public appearances. His antics include elaborate chalkboard diagrams, patriotic or scary music, and heaps of sarcasm. Beck is also a member of the Mormon church, based in Salt Lake City.
In conservative and liberal circles across the nation, many have argued whether or not Glenn Beck is really going blind, or if this is indeed an attempt to improve his ratings. NBC News contributor Drew Magrary jabbed that Beck has “made a living off of being the boy who cried wolf, ” and that “even a personal confession as painful as this one is still bound to cause many of Beck’s detractors to accuse him of being melodramatic or untruthful.”
Calling Beck “The Blind Prophet,” conservative commentator Michael Savage ridiculed Beck on a recent radio broadcast, calling Beck manipulative in order to improve his ratings. “I fear there is going to be a catastrophic event in order to attract attention.”
“Brothers and Sisters?” Savage mocked. Savage went on to make the claim that Beck would probably cause his own tragedy. Calling Beck a “hemorrhoid desperate for attention,” and “crazy and manipulative,” Savage said he “feared for the man’s life.”
“Something horrible is going to happen,” he continued. “Nobody can put on such a fraudulent act for any period of time without sabotaging themselves.”
Beck’s fans do not necessarily agree. One blog commenter wrote:
“Mr. Beck, I just have to let you know that after hearing you talk of your eyes I stopped right then and prayed for you. You are the prayers of many Godly people who truly believe in God’s Miracles. I just know that He will NOT allow you to go blind. You are being attacked by God’s enemy the Devil because you are unashamingly sharing the TRUTH with the American public. You are the Jerimiah of these days. You are speaking prophecy and so many of the “world” don’t want to hear this truth. Those of us who love and serve God are rooting you on and praying for you. Keep on keeping on and don’t get “weary in well doing”. God will give you wisdom, strength and the courage to continue. Don’t give up!!!!”
Another zealous fan, a unnamed Mormon who also attended Beck’s “American Revival Tour” in Salt Lake City posted a Youtube video asking Beck’s followers to “fast and pray” for the radio personality.
“We can all reach out for a day of fasting and prayer for Glenn Beck,” said the video’s creator. “God can perform miracles and restore Glenn’s eyesight, or make it so that he can continue to read and continue on his sacred calling to restore America to its greatness,” he said. “Glenn is a national treasure. I honestly feel that Glenn has been divinely inspired to restore our nation back to its greatness.”
© 2010 Micmn.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
I’m guessing that he’s outlasted the usefulness of the “redemption narrative,” and is now adopting the “martyr” narrative as his new schtick. Cynical as hell, I know… But I’m pretty sure the analysis is correct.
Glenn Beck is a showman. He is also a Mormon and loved by many of the Mormon conservatives and Republicans. He is very evangelical in his style and he comes across a bit like an “Elmer Gantry.” Whether he is going blind or not, it was interesting that he mentioned it, and one can only surmise that it was for the purpose of garnering sympathy, which could boost his ratings. Neither he or Michael Savage are my cup of tea and I am rather conservative in my political leanings. It is however sad if he is truly going blind as I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.
H.L. Mencken might have had him in mind when he defined Demagogue: One who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots
“Brothers and Sisters, I testify to you here and now, there will be eternal ramifications for each and every human being alive today in this country. It will have been better if we had not been born,” he told the Utah crowd.
Speak for yourself, Brother Glen. Personally, I always thought retroactive abortion is kind of a clever idea…
I believe that Beck is a convert to Mormonism. That doesn’t really mean anything. He’s a latter-day convert to far-right conservatism as well.
Looks to me like Michael Savage is engaged in a turf war. Both he and Beck are professional entertainers. I have no doubt that Savage is losing ratings to Beck. Loony as he is, Beck is not nearly as vicious as Michael Savage and I am sure that appeals to a lot of his audience.
“Brothers and Sisters, I testify to you here and now, there will be eternal ramifications for each and every human being alive today in this country. It will have been better if we had not been born,” he told the Utah crowd.
I think this is the smartest thing I’ve heard Glenn Beck say. Ever. It WOULD have been better if he had not been born.
So we have a deaf Rush Limbaugh and a blind Glenn Beck…that’s Hear no Evil, See No Evil but I keep waiting for my favorite, Speak no Evil! I guess we’re outta luck there!
Even if Glenn Beck had 20-20 vision, he would still be blind.
Nobody bothered to look, but Beck’s ratings didn’t need boosting. He is doing fine. Also, he doesn’t present any conspiracy theories. A conspriacy theory is “A theory seeking to explain a disputed case or matter as a plot by a secret group or alliance rather than an individual or isolated act.” (American Heritage Dictionary). He says that there is a public movement, with publicly stated goals which has a great deal of influence in academe and government.
Your writing has no factual basis, adverts to nothing but your own feelings, which consist of attitude – disdain and hatred. So if you don’t believe he may be going blind, why don’t you make this public bet – that if he does go blind from macular distrophy, you will put out your own eyes? You wouldn’t because, objectively, you know he probably does have the condition.