Tens of thousands of Glenn Beck fans and Tea Party supporters are expected to descend on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Saturday for an event the conservative talk show host has promoted as a celebration of America's "heroes and heritage."

But as is usually the case with the histrionic Fox News Channel host and national radio personality, his actions have not come without controversy.

A countermarch is being planned at a different location in Washington to protest Beck's decision to schedule his event on the same site and on the 47th anniversary of civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr.'s seminal "I Have a Dream" speech.

And the timing of Beck's rally, which includes a planned appearance by 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, is also being criticized by some Tea Party leaders concerned it will depress attendance at their planned Sept. 12 organization-building rallies in Washington; St. Louis; and Sacramento, Calif.

"I hope they have a wonderful time, but I just don't get why he's having this and why now," says Andrew Ian Dodge, Maine coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots, who has dubbed Saturday's event "Beckapalooza."


Is this just to increase Brand Beck?" he asks.

Just to make things even more interesting, Beck, who last year called President Obama, the nation's first African-American president, "a racist," this week asserted that the president doesn't hold "true" Christian values.

Just what Beck may have to say about all of that Saturday at an event he says is "nonpolitical" and not affiliated with the Tea Party movement, is anyone's guess.

But odds are good he will address criticism over the timing of his event.


Reclaiming' The Civil Rights Movement

Beck has repeatedly said that he was dumbstruck when he realized that he had requested his rally permit for the anniversary of King's 1963 speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

It must have been "divine providence" that he unwittingly settled on that day, he told his radio audience. He later said he was out to "reclaim" the civil rights movement.

Baloney, says Alexander Zaitchik, author of the recent book Common Nonsense: Glenn Beck and the Triumph of Ignorance, who acknowledges that he takes a cynical view of the talk show host's motivations.

Zaitchik recalls listening to Beck last November talk about the difficulty in securing a permit for the Aug. 28 date because of its historic significance.

"He only later claimed it was divine providence," Zaitchik says. "He has certainly tried to jump on the 'coincidence' and claim the civil rights legacy for himself."

For those who have watched or, like Zaitchik, researched, Beck's career, the civil rights mantle doesn't settle easily.

"This is the guy who has a whole history, going back in Top 40 radio, of using racist jokes, racist humor, making fun of police brutality, and with a very deep hatred for black social justice activists," Zaitchik says. Beck stood by his claim that Obama is a "racist" and has frequently referred to the president's initiatives — including health care — as "reparations."


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129449408

He is such an idiot. I am sure that is was for publicity because he wouldn't get that much national attention with just him and Palin.

i like how he keeps saying it's not political, but he has palin with him...i wouldn't mind having her with me either, if she could shut up... the whole time.

I was checkin' out BBC and saw the article.

Gotta' love freedom to congregate and freedom of speech we have, for now.

Wonder who will get the most publicity, Beck or Sharpton?

You go, Beck and give Palin a Grizzle-Pop. That'll shut 'er up.

Funny how some are quick to crucify. Let the event take place first then judge it. He is also having Alveda King speak there she is Martin Luther King Jr's neice.

hmmm i wonder... black president, al big mouth sharpton, white racists.... hard to call...

I so want to hit Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton in the face with a pie! Hell I would LOVE to nail them both! Then I would like to return all the BS they have been feeding us over the years via dump truck,



That's the ticket!

I also want to protest protesters!

Who's with me???

The Tea party is taking over America piece by piece.Obama is starting to go down like Jimmy carter.More people would rather watch cartoons or a football game then hear his worthless address to the people.

Soon Al sharpton will be flapping his gums.The black folks can't get ahead.The black folks are always last.The black folks can't get a good education.The black folks can't get a break.And as always the white man will be the prime target for his typical blame everyone for my problems.

Perhaps Al sharpton will call for a end to Affirmative action that only judges people by their skin color and not the content of their character.Exactly the opposite of what Martin luther king was dreaming of.His dream is still dead thanks to people like Al sharpton and others than demand these programs.

Did you feel the same way about the 'million man march' when IT was held there ... ? Prolly not ...

At least the million man march was held on a day that didn't interfere with anything else. I guess they were that respectful.

Beck is an idiot and he is being manipulative for publicity.

What is it interfering with?

Why blacks always vote Democrat is beyond me.

http://gopcapitalist.tripod.com/democratrecord.html


A little known fact of history involves the heavy opposition to the civil rights movement by several prominent Democrats. Similar historical neglect is given to the important role Republicans played in supporting the civil rights movement. A calculation of 26 major civil rights votes from 1933 through the 1960's civil rights era shows that Republicans favored civil rights in approximately 96% of the votes, whereas the Democrats opposed them in 80% of the votes! These facts are often intentionally overlooked by the left wing Democrats for obvious reasons. In some cases, the Democrats have told flat out lies about their shameful record during the civil rights movement.

Democrat opposition to the Civil Rights Act was substantial enough to literally split the party in two. A whopping 40% of the House Democrats VOTED AGAINST the Civil Rights Act, while 80% of Republicans SUPPORTED it. Republican support in the Senate was even higher. Similar trends occurred with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was supported by 82% of House Republicans and 94% of Senate Republicans. The same Democrat standard bearers took their normal racists stances, this time with Senator Fulbright leading the opposition effort.

the dems support social reform... and welfare, unemployment, free housing, free medical...

either way, this is nothing but a publicity stunt. Glenn Beck is no leader, let alone smart. He is just a propaganda master and he would be a big nothing without Fox News giving him a microphone.

double post.

Like Glenn beck needs more publicity then he already has.He has all the publicity you could ever ask for.This is about something much bigger.It is being about a man responsible for taking America back from a bunch of brain dead Socialist who have no idea what they are doing.

And Glenn Beck is the leader. Maybe he should run for president. Sarah Palin as his vp. USA will be saved, because, because it's in danger of becoming USSR the 2. And the socialists have broken the system, and Obama the closet-muslim communist, who appeases the 1.8 billion muslim terrorists and hates America and a racist who doesn't like white people.


I see.

I summed it up I think. Amazing.

No it is more of along the lines of

Voting in one of the biggest and most expensive bills in US history with out a public vote and polls showing majority of Americans don't want it.

Wanting to raise taxes on everyone during a recession.

Nearly every capaign promise broken to the American people.

Giving billions to banks,credit card companies,insurance companies,and not knowing how the money was spent.

Calling soldiers returning home "Right wing terrorist".

Telling the American people we are confused about Islam and Terrorism and have no idea what we are talking about.

Terrorist such as Hezbola support Obama.

Lying about his religion.

Can't prove he was born here.

Has a illegal aunt living here.

Blaming Republicans for his failed bills when even if every Republican votes against his bills it makes no difference since they do not have enough votes.

Supports a mosque two blocks from ground zero.

not my vote... unless she was in a bikini...