Glenn Beck rumors are a honey trap, and many of you are falling for it

[anigbrowl]

Hate Glenn Beck? Sure you do. I can't stand him either. He is a creepy individual, in my view.

so, a lot of people are having fun right now endlessly repeating the phrase suggesting he raped and murdered someone in 1990. I am, frankly, disappointed at you DU - while you may or may not believe it, and think it a witty satire on the outright lies that people on the right regularly and knowingly engage in, I am very very disappointed that you would think rape and murder are a suitable punchline to an internet joke, no matter how unpleasant and deserving the victim.

If you don't care about the truth or falsity of the rumor, and are just joining in because you feel Glenn Beck is a guy with no respect for the truth who deserves to experience the feeling of being lied about, then you will probably just mock and ignore this screed, rationalizing your behavior with 'they started it' or some other equally asinine response. You are fully entitled to this view; if you feel that rape is funny and false accusations of criminality are acceptable political coin, far be it from me to stop you. We have nothing to talk about and you can safely leave your snarky comment now and be done with this thread.

Meanwhile, a few of you are copying a document purporting to be a police report, showing that one Glenn Beck was a suspect in a rape case. Evidence, you might think, of possible wrong doing. This is a serious question, deserving of an answer if the document is authentic. Which, after investigation, I don't think it is.

Why, you ask? Simply, because the address listed as the scene of the crime is the same address as the one in the Duke University Lacrosse team case, where a group of Duke University students were accused of rape, but were eventually declared innocent - a case which resulted in over-eager prosecutor being disbarred and professionally buried under a pile of ethics charges. The story became a cause celebre among right wingers, who claimed it proved that liberals in general and the New York Times in particular were willing to wreck the lives of innocent people in pursuit of some PC agenda. The Duke Lacrosse papers were held up by the political right as a bunch of hapless victims - specifically, hapless white, male and reasonably well-off victims of left-wing prejudice. Of course they were far from being innocent little angels, but that's beside the point.

Now...do you really think that the address on this picture of a police report naming Glenn Beck being the exact same address as the one in a famous case of false criminal allegations, beloved of right-wingers, is a coincidence?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. I think you're taking seriously

what others know is a joke, and they're just passing it around as entertainment.....................

[angstlessk]

2. no, no, no, no, no..I MUST correct you...it is 'infotainment'..not entertainment

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. But there's no "info" there -

it's just a funny scam...............

[virgogal]

5. It took me 2 threads to realiize it was a joke----and I'm usually

the last to catch on. :-)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

13. Oh, honey --

:hug:

[subcomhd]

49. delete

sorry, meant to reply to OP

[WeDidIt]

3. Get farked

http://www.fark.com

[Truth2Tell]

4. "...if you think rape is funny..."

You dive right in with a really absurd strawman. You know better. Nobody here thinks rape is funny.

The point of posting the Duke Lacrosse report is to make a joke. I'm glad you got to the bottom of it tho...

[anigbrowl]

11. As apparently you do

"The point of posting the Duke Lacrosse report is to make a joke."

OK, so you agree about the joke part. And other posters have also cited it as a joke.

It's not a strawman at all. The 'rape and murder' phrase has been repeated in virtually every post in an attempt at googlebombing, so that those words will be associated with the name of Glenn Beck. If the whole thing is a joke, then this is the punchline. And by endless repeating it, you own it. I'm guessing some of you simply didn't think this through, because this 'joke' is going to make Beck's critics look like a bunch of unhinged nutters, causing Beck himself to seem virtuous by comparison.

As I said...it's a trap.

[MercutioATC]

6. I think you missed the point.

It's satire.

Vaguely remember all of Beck's "Is Obama not a natural-born citizen? Where is his birth certificate? Why doesn't he just produce the birth certificate? Why can't we see his birth certificate?" tripe that he hyped for months (still does, occasionally, in fact)?

This is direct satire using unsubstantiated "wrongdoing" repeated over and over and over.

You're correct, though. I have seen no irrefutable evidence that PROVES that Glenn Beck raped and murdered a young girl in 1990...but if Glenn Beck didn't rape and murder a young girl in 1990, why doesn't he just provide proof that he didn't rape and murder a young girl in 1990?

It would shut up all of those people sho are claiming that Glenn Beck raped and murdered a young girl in 1990.

[anigbrowl]

20. No, I haven't.

Of course I know it's sastire. And it's sastire that serves Glenn Beck and his defenders well, because by the end of the week it'll be 'have you heard the disgusting lies the left is spreading about Glenn Beck? They didn't even check their facts'.

http://www.politicallore.com/featured/glenn-beck-a-rapist-attack-continues/1271
The people who had a problem with Glenn Beck’s “racist” comments… Congratulations, you are much worse.

There are some 800 posts about it on Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/duplicates/9gjlg/durham_police_report_of_1990_rape_by_glenn_beck/

you're being played, almost certainly by Beck supporters.

[onenote]

22. yes its satire. but its also satire that may well blow up in our faces

Do you really think anyone who now takes Beck seriously will think differently of him because of a juvenile "satire"? My prediction: if it reaches the point where Beck can't ignore it, or maybe even before then, he will use it to make the point that those who have been criticizing him, those who have supported the effort to get advertisers to pull their support for his show, are the bad guys, defaming him, making up a scurrilous charge. Without doubt, the argument will be made to the advertisers that have pulled their ads that by continuing to stay away from Beck, they are siding with the crazies that make shit up. And it will give the advertisers the cover to start advertising on Beck again.

Hope I'm wrong. But I wouldn't be surprised at all.

[anigbrowl]

25. precisely!!

Every one of these threads I see starting here today brings up this mental image:

[Whisp]

37. some thought should be put in the new case about internet defamation...

I don't know the details but am sure you would know which I am referring to - someone called someone a skank, google gave out the name, lawsuits followed.

whoever made up this 'joke' should be just a little worried that lawyers might be laughing the loudest about it.

[Berry Cool]

7. The whole "young girl" thing is stupid.

"Young girl" is redundant. Are there any "old girls"?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

16. HERE!

Over here!!!!

<raising hand>

That would be ME!!

[madmax]

31. I KNEW that was you!!

:rofl:

[create.peace]

40. me, too!!!nt

[byebyegop]

8. I don't think there is conclusive proof that he raped and murdered someone in 1990. n/t

[DefenseLawyer]

9. It's a trap! Karl Rove!

Oh Noz!

[anigbrowl]

23. Did I mention Rove? No.

Is this going to make DU look good in a week's time? 'Sure, we were endlessly repeating a rumor accusing him of rape and murder, but we didn't really believe it..it was just a joke...'

Beck's 9/12 special is coming up on TV in under 2 weeks. And this rumor is giving him free publicity, while making sites like DU seem like mindless rumor-mongers. the Duke Lacrosse thing is a dog whistle on the right, so this will give them a convenient excuse to label the Democrats as 'the party of hate'. Again.

[DefenseLawyer]

24. How can you type and wring your hands at the same time?

A true talent. Lighten up, Francis.

[anigbrowl]

26. I hope you advocate better on behalf of your clients, I really do

[DefenseLawyer]

28. Your concern for my clients and the Democratic Party are duly noted. n/t

[Tangerine LaBamba]

33. Nice - make it personal -

that's really productive.

Shame on you.

Are you so silly that you can't recognize a joke?

You owe DefenseLawyer an apology.................

[Mojorabbit]

43. I don't like it either

The whole meme creeps me out and I don't believe in sinking to the lowest common denominator.

[Lex]

32. This thread is full of WIN.

:rofl:

[BlueIdaho]

10. Bad satire... and irrelevant.

Lets face it, there are oh so many reasons to abhor this guy, there's no reason to make shit up.

[burning rain]

12. Please don't refer to anything Beck-related as a honey trap.

The implication turns my stomach.

[brettdale]

15. but we are commentators not journalists

The only combat against bullies is so bully them yourself, that is all they understand, I say people should go full force with this, make his life hell, But hey be non violent, remember we cant be hold responsible for what people believe he did or didnt do.

Beck may end up stopping poor people get health care for lying to his base, people will die because of him, so until he comes out and proves he has never murdered someone or rape someone, I say he is fair game.

[d_b]

17. the chilling video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0DydBxorhc

[Laelth]

18. I haven't seen any evidence that Glen Beck raped and murdered someone in 1990. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Viking12]

27. I haven't seen any evidence that he didn't.

[BlooInBloo]

19. I assumed it was just a "prove a negative" joke.

[Truth2Tell]

21. Are you suggesting that you

can prove Glenn Beck DID NOT rape and murder a young girl in 1990?

anigbrowl, I'm disappointed you would jump to a conclusion on this issue without any hard evidence either way. Until Beck can pony up the police report I'll refrain from exonorating him. I don't se why you would step up to defend a potential rapist and murderer? :shrug:

[NYC_SKP]

29. How about, "Sean Hannity has no Penis"? Is that one OK to repeat?

I actually prefer it to the Glenn Beck Girl deal.

Because it is true, this one's been verified.

Sean Hannity has no Penis.

[anigbrowl]

30. Go for it. Simple mockery is a whole different kettle of fish

Indeed, I find mockery of Glenn Beck plenty funny too - I posted the 'oligarhy' thing here first the other day. If there's anyone who deserves to be heartily mocked, it's him.

But the rumor bomb floating around is not mockery, it's slander, and a really dumb mistake...which is one reason (I assume) several existing threads on it have been locked already. It amazes me how some DUers are willing to jump on a bandwagon that's practically guaranteed to reflect badly on DU and play right into the hands of media manipulators like Beck.

Incidentally, Sean Hannity really doesn't have a penis.

[brettdale]

35. I will state my bully theory again

You only beat bullies by being a bully to them. That is all they understand.

Beck is more than a clown, he is spewing hate, he is dangerous he is responsible for the negative
reaction to Obama's healthcare plan, because of him, people will die who wont get affordable care.

Worst case scenario is one of his supporters will get violent and do something to someone in the administration.

Also the fact is he hasnt never come up and denied the rumors.

[anigbrowl]

38. So basically you're happy to adopt his methods?

I've heard your argument above, with only a few terms changed, used by right wingers to justify imprisoning people who dissented with Bush & Cheney over things like Iraq and the patriot act. You can criticise Beck all you want, and I'll agree with most of it, but the moment you start deliberately repeating false rumors that could have legal consequences, you've stopped being a critic and taken up being a liar.

Besides, it's so fucking stupid from a tactical standpoint. The rumors are so obviously bullshit that it's like giving the right wing a gift and taking extra time to tie it up with a fancy ribbon - such a newbie mistake.

[brettdale]

45. What would your suggestion be?

What would your suggestion be?

[anigbrowl]

52. I like ridicule myself

I am perfectly OK with suggesting Sean Hannity has no penis, for example. Or pointing out Beck's laughable 'oligarhy' stupidity (I think I posted that one here first). or deconstructing their arguments. Or...whatever you want basically, as long as it doesn't mean acting like a right winger. If you really need it explained to you, there's a limit to how much I can help.

[Whisp]

34. thankyou, good to hear what an adult has to say. nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

36. Yeah, tell it to the family of that murdered rape victim.

[blogslut]

39. ...

[anigbrowl]

42. Actually

This weaboo ******ry isn't a chanology project.

[d_b]

41. all he has to do is provide the rape certificate.

[Stinky The Clown]

44. Yeahokay ..... amazing timing, your post and mine.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6448331

[rhett o rick]

46. how soon we forget what they did to Dan Rather. nt

[anigbrowl]

55. Nobody is forgetting anything

Of course, you can justify any old bullshit by saying 'remember _____'. Worked like a charm for selling the invasion of Iraq!

[rhett o rick]

57. My post was supporting you. Good grief. nt

[anigbrowl]

59. Sorry, I couldn't really tell from such a brief headline. It reads both ways.

[Lex]

62. Step up to be slapped down

regardless of your opinion!

[asdjrocky]

47. Lighten up Francis.

[cui bono]

48. Did you break your funny bone?

Seriously, you are taking this waaaaaay too seriously.

[anigbrowl]

54. Rape, lulz

W00t, it's OK to make jokes as long as it Glenn Beck! Raperaperaperaperape LOL!

I'm sorry this is so complicated for you. Let me simplify it to words you can understand:

1. rape not actually funny
2. creates false sympathy for Beck
3. makes DU look bad
4. makes Beck look more sane than critics

[Toasterlad]

66. If You Understood Context, You Would Understand Why It's So Funny

Rape and murder are horrific crimes, which is why Gilbert Gottfried used them to skewer Bob Saget on his Comedy Central roast, repeating over and over again that "Bob Saget raped and killed a girl in 1990", even when he was saying the story was untrue. The funny comes from repeating the outrageous accusation over and over, even while it is being proved false. Rape and murder are not the punchline; they are the framing device.

While it's certainly easier to envision Glenn Beck committing these acts than Bob Saget (Beck certainly seems more unstable), anyone in on the joke knows it's harmless...and, eventually, everyone will be in on the joke.

I think it's brilliant. I'm already planning to start a rumor that Rush Limbaugh sodomized and butchered 65 French poodles in 1987.

[yodermon]

50. Interesting post. Thank you for continuing the discussion on whether Glen Beck is a murderer

and/or rapist, allegedly. There certainly is a lot to discuss on this issue and you have brought many valid points to the table.

[subcomhd]

51. Bob Saget raped and murdered a young girl in 1990

is a line taken directly from the Comedy Central roast of Bob Saget. Gilber Gottfried said over and over "Bob saget raped and murdered a young girl in 1990." I just saw it.

[Toasterlad]

60. Exactly. That's Where This Is Coming From....And It's Hilarious

As hilarious as it was when Gottfried did it to Saget at the roast.

[DefenseLawyer]

64. Bob Saget wants to have sex in Murray's office. n/t

[proteus_lives]

53. I figured as much.

As soon as I read the first thread, I went, "bullshit."

And any man with an Admiral Ackbar icon is worthy of trust! (Geek reporting in.)

[dem629]

56. Go forth and dissect all words typed/spoken/thought by all.

Tell other people what they can and can't say.

Appoint yourself as the arbiter of all speech and thought.

Feel REALLY good about yourself!

But keep in mind, most of us don't recognize you as a legitimate keeper of all that is right. :hi:

[sufrommich]

58. The joke was started on FARK, hardly a bastion of right

wing conspiracy.

[Toasterlad]

61. I've Heard That People With No Sense Of Humor Don't Believe...

...that Glenn Beck raped and murdered a young girl in 1990.

[SIMPLYB1980]

63. Look out it's a tarp!

After all the outright lies told by the right wing I will not begrudge anyone who what's to make up a lie about them. In fact just the other day I heard that Rush Limbaugh is a junkie pedophile. Now I don't know if that's true, but it's what I heard.

[Creena]

65. I don't really care for the attention paid to Beck in general.

I think the Color of Change boycott is a good idea, but I don't quite understand those who update on every crazy remark. I figure if it's insane enough, it will show up on KO or Media Matters. But, that's just my opinion.