A Rare Occasion

There are not many adults left in this world. This last Thursday, at the UN conference, we had the rare occasion to hear from one. Benjamin Netanyahu. Like a parent arriving to a chaotic scene of children running rampant sans any form of self discipline, Netanyahu brought a few moments of sanity, reason, and goodness to a gathering of tyrants and dictators, many of whom would be in prison for violent felonies in this country.

In the last few months, it has been appalling to hear the rhetoric of those who have chastised others who disagree with the President's policies. It is one thing to argue the issues, it is another to label free speech as dangerous and imply that it needs to be censored.

Recently, my mother said that I should listen to Glenn Beck, that his program is outstanding. I have. I love it. Would you like to know what I like the most about it? I agree with just about everything he says, but that is not it. It is how he counsels his listeners to engage the world around us. Over and over, he stresses that even though we may resent the actions and policies of others, we must always remain respectful, that our behavior should be impeccable.

And this is what I really love about Beck's program. Over and over, unlike other "conservative" talk-show hosts (with whom I often agree), he flat-out says that we need to get on our knees and pray. And it is not a prayer to have God implement the political policies that we want, it is a prayer that acknowledges our own fallible humanity and recognizes the awesomeness of the Creator, a prayer that seeks God's guidance. At times, I feel like I'm listening to a sermon.

Imagine my shock when I hear politicians and the main-stream press saying that Beck encourages hate and violence, that his speech is dangerous. Are we not listening to the same program?

Getting back to my point, this is what I'm trying to contrast:


Watch a tea-party protest.




Watch another protest.


Note: those were pro-health care reform people attacking a protester.


Watch another protest.



Note: In this case a moveon.org "anti-demonstrator" charged across the street after a protester and, in the scuffle, he bit off his finger...


Watch a G20-summit protest.

Note: protesters destroyed private property and it has been reported that they chanted "eat the rich!!".


Where do you see the violence?

We decry the tea-party protesters labeling their events as violent and dangerous. We are silent about the G20 Summit protesters (and in some case people support it, see the video) who are breaking things and chanting "eat the rich". CNN said that a man referring to Abraham Lincoln in a calm and collected manner is not suitable for children to view (see the video); however, a man who claims that the Holocaust never happened, a man who openly says that he wants to wipe the Jews off the map, has the privilege to address the UN assembly. Where is the balance? Thank you for the clarity and perspective, Benjamin Netanyahu: