Glenn Beck's “Restoring Honor” rally on August 28th turned out to be more of a tent revival. It became necessary for each speaker to sign a waiver stating they would refrain from making political remarks to retain the tax-exempt status of the beneficiary of the proceeds of the rally, Special Operations Warrior Foundation. SOWF receives its funds after all expenses of the rally have been paid, so let's hope there's something left for them.
I watched the entire thing and I'm feeling better now, thanks for asking. I've been sipping ginger ale and nibbling soda crackers and after a Compazine suppository, I have the nausea under control. I am resting comfortably. I'm risking a relapse just thinking about what I witnessed Saturday, but I'm no quitter. I will not stop until I've finished this.
Sarah Palin – what can be said about her? She was beautifully coiffed and smartly dressed and gave a lovely speech about military heroes, the kind of men who don't give up even when they are confronted with the most dire of circumstances. Sarah introduced each one after telling their tales of bravery and I certainly don't want anyone to think I don't appreciate what those young men did for their country. Sarah, who bugged out halfway through her term as Governor of Alaska, didn't realize that the values she was urging us to return to were not values she herself bothered to embrace. How could a woman who failed to complete the job she was elected to perform stand up there and admonish the rest of us to be like the soldier who had both hands blown off and was still able to command his troops? The irony.
Beck had a special Badge of Merit cast and awarded three of them during the rally. The Badge of Merit for Faith was awarded to Reverend C. L. Jackson who said in his acceptance speech, “God sent his son to this earth so that we could all gather, and I think that's the dream and the vision of Glenn Beck.” Rev. Jackson is a member of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice and his term expires on 02/01/2011. The Badge of Merit for Hope was awarded to Albert Pujols who only showed at the rally when he was assured by Glenn Beck the rally was not political. The Badge of Merit for Charity was awarded to Jon Huntsman Sr. who is quite philanthropic and also a Mormon (not that there's anything wrong with that). There is a pattern here: all three recipients are Christians in good-standing and two of them are involved heavily in philanthropic activities. As each recipient went up to accept their badge, Fanfare For the Common Man by Aaron Copeland was played. Nice touch.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Dave Nalle
One quibble here. Many mainstream Christians would be quick to point out that Beck is a Mormon and not necessarily a Christian at all.
As for tithing, the key difference between tithing and taxes is that tithing is voluntary. Taxes are taken by force.
Dave
2 - jeannie danna
Taxes are taken by force?
Not from everyone, just the working class, the lower class, anyone who doesn't have, connections...
So now the government is going to borrow and add more to the national debt, in order to retain these *immoral* tax cuts for the wealthiest American citizens and corporations. Meanwhile, the country dives toward bankruptcy.
:Q BS!
3 - Dave Nalle
Jeannie, the working class and the lower class don't pay any taxes.
When you define the entire taxpaying segment of the population as "the wealthiest americans" then you render tax cuts meaningless and are clearly resolved to just plunder the productive sector of society to subsidize the rest.
That's the point at which you have revolutions.
Dave
4 - jeannie danna
Great article, dharma,
I'm so glad you brought the tax free aspect of the *show* to the for-front.
The *demonization* of paying taxes in this country has to stop!
It's so hypocritical, that the same people who lament any paying of taxes want their children educated, their homes or businesses saved from fires, and many other services that living in this democracy brings.plus, their almighty safety!
:D I've wondered about this for years, Why don't the Conservatives/GOP/Libertarians grumble about military spending?
5 - jeannie danna
Dave,
What?
Jeannie, the working class and the lower class don't pay any taxes.
What planet do you live on?
6 - jeannie danna
I just found out that if I want a pre-sliced bagel, then I have to pay a tax...tell me, Dave...Do you eat?
7 - Jean
I wonder if people know what Mormonism is all about! The name of that Church is actually the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... Clearly stated the Church of Jesus Christ. Glenn Beck is happier than he has ever been because he cleaned up his messes and embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ
(the Mormon Faith) as a a result, he has been pretty successful, and now he is under attack because He simply stated that America needs to turn back to God! Gee! Come on People, have you ever pick up a bill or a coin, you will always find two things on it, no matter what the amount may be:
1- In GOD We Trust
2- United States of America
George Washington knew exactly what he wanted to say when he said: It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible... Go and do what Beck is counseling us to do!
8 - Baronius
Dharma - Has Beck ever said that it's wrong to pay taxes? And anyway, who pays 10% in taxes?
9 - Baronius
Dharma, the more I think about your statement, the less sense it makes. What does one use of money have to do with the other? Do you say that we spend 28% of our salary on housing, so we should spend 28% of our salary on food? Or movies cost $12, so cars should cost $12?
10 - jeannie danna
I want to know why ,religious organizations enjoy a *tax-free status* while the rest of us drown in debt!
11 - Georgio
Glenn Beck's opposition to "social justice" and "liberation theology" is all the more difficult to understand because of his cloaking of himself in the mantle of devout believer. "Look to God and make your choice," he said during his rally on Sunday.
If he looked at Jesus more carefully he would see someone who already made a choice: for the poor.
12 - REMF(MCH)
"How could a woman who failed to complete the job she was elected to perform stand up there and admonish the rest of us to be like the soldier who had both hands blown off and was still able to command his troops?"
The same way a guy who dodged the draft during 'Nam (Rush Limbaugh) later became a multi-millionaire pretending to be a patriot.
13 - handyguy
Dave repeats the lie that the working poor do not pay taxes. They pay payroll taxes, sales taxes, gasoline taxes -- all of which can take a painful bite out of a lower income.
Not all taxes are income taxes!
14 - Baronius
Handy's right that lower-income people pay taxes. But net, after government transfers, lower-income people gain revenue from government.
15 - handyguy
And yet even after these "government transfers" they are still poor.
And the rich, even those who pay their share of taxes without hiding their income somewhere, are still rich.
These continual remarks from the right end up sounding like: "Damn it, look what we're giving these godforsaken people -- and they are still complaining?"
Even if that's not your conscious intent, it comes out ugly.
16 - Baronius
I was offering a positive (factual) statement about government cash flows. I don't see how I can be held responsible for how you feel about it.
17 - handyguy
Your tone-deafness on the issue [nothing to do with my "feelings"] has been duly noted.
It was even directed at you personally. If the shoe fits, however...
18 - handyguy
"not even directed," sorry
19 - jeannie danna
Baronius,
after government transfers, lower-income people gain revenue from government.
Yes, so they can go out there and buy that new yacht.
Any help from the government for the poor is a mere pittance compared to Government subsidies and kick-backs for the business sector.
Corporate welfare outspends program costs for the individual.
20 - jeannie danna
I would like to know why, religious organizations enjoy a *tax-free status* while the rest of us drown in debt.
21 - Baronius
"Any help from the government for the poor is a mere pittance compared to Government subsidies and kick-backs for the business sector."
No, Jeannie, that's simply not true.
22 - jeannie danna
Yes it is, Baronius, and I'll bring you a link if you answer #20. :)
23 - jeannie danna
A link for Baronius
:D See?
24 - Baronius
Great, Jeannie, a link with no links. But let's say the largest number on that link is correct, and corporate welfare costs the US government $100B per year. Medicaid alone costs three times that amount.
Why don't religious organizations pay taxes? Separation of church and state.
25 - jeannie danna
Separation of money, but I wouldn't say that we have separation of church and state. we should
also,
What gives these *newscasters* the right to ask President Obama what he faith he practices?