Glenn Beck and Paul Revere: The Two Horsemen of the Apocalypse Retire

Paul Harvey

I know many of you were SO excited last Friday when you saw that Glenn Beck had signed up to be a contributing editor here. Well, a lot has changed in the last week. As you doubtless know, Beck's show on Fox is coming to an end a bit later this year. But much more importantly than that, he is resigning from being a contributor to RiAH. So sad, but we'll wish him all the best. He sent along this explanation for both actions to the Wall Street Journal (sorry, not sure if this is a free link or behind a paywall, but here's the money quote):

Beck said he took a job at Fox News two years ago because he felt “if I could prove my case that something wicked this way was coming, something in America was wrong, America would listen, and they have.”

Beck said that Paul Revere “got off the horse point at some point and fought in the revolution and then he went back to silversmithing.” “I believe we’re heading into deep and treacherous waters,” Beck said about America”s future. He said he is developing other content for Fox for TV and other media. “I will continue to tell the story and I’m going to be showing you other ways for us to connect. But I have other things to do.

"Fox is one of the only places you'll find the truth. Spread the word," he said in concluding his remarks announcing the end of his show and the end of his RiAH contributions. Unlike Paul Revere and his Raiders, Beck is not actually returning either to silversmithing or to producing classic early 70s AM hits such as "Cherokee Nation," but reportedly back to other television shows, probably through his own network.

For a full-length analysis of this new development in religion, consumerism, and the media, I have only one question: Where have you gone, Kathryn Lofton, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you (and more seriously just for a second, the link takes you to a wonderful observer-participant reflection posted at Immanent Frame on K. Lofton's Oprah: Gospel of an Icon, by Daphne Brooks of Princeton University).

But back to our story, here is the video announcing Beck's change of plans:



For those who want a reprise of pretty much all of the major themes that Beck has followed in his pursuit of truth, you can find them here, channeled through Jon Stewart (ht John Fea):

Comments

Kelly J. Baker said…
John Stewart nails the impersonation, and I love the emphasis on end times!
Paul Harvey said…
For an end times/apocalypse historian like yourself, Kelly, Beck's departure is a huge loss, far more significant than Revere's.
Kelly J. Baker said…
Well, I doubt that Beck will really disappear into obscurity. Maybe he'll get his own network as a subsidiary of Fox that mimics Oprah's network. Can you imagine 24 hours of Beck programming? What would the ads be I wonder.

It would be a boon to my claims about end times and consumption, but perhaps, it would not be great for larger American culture.

Who's Revere anyway? :)
Paul Harvey said…
Kelly: Revere of course refers to Paul Revere and the Raiders (you historically illiterate youngsters wouldn't remember them, but I do). Their classic was "Indian Reservation," but a quick internet search has determined that they're still around and playing in Branson, Missouri -- maybe Chip can go to a concert and give us a report since he's nearby.
Montana said…
When I was a kid I lived in Utah, and the Boy Scouts was taken over by Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS Church). This, so called religion, practices underage polygamy, they send the boys off on missions to divide the underage sisters among the dirty old men of the clan. Now when these underage girls get pregnant, these same dirty old men, send them to the state to get their welfare checks . You should see some of the palace homes that are paid with welfare checks (not on just one of course). By the way this is the newest religion that was made right here in United States of America, I guess their also in AZ, CA, NM, TX, NV, CO, OK.

Glenn Beck’s comments on Japan as being a sign from GOD is trash talk, kicking them when they are down, would he say the same if a terrible thing happened to himself or his family? When someone hides behind religion to do or say something we know is wrong we should stand up and point it out (right the Wrong).

Someone should question Glenn Beck if this was a sign from GOD or just stuff that happens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iisl-xH3Xs
Sherry said…
The polygamist branch of Mormonism is awful in my opinion. Because they don’t take on women who are adult and have choices, they prey on children who then grow up knowing no other way. It’s child abuse, plain and simple to me.

I agree with your comments regarding Beck.

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