Deseret News | 'The leader we need is you,' Beck tells 17,000 at BYU

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'The leader we need is you,' Beck tells 17,000 at BYU

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neocon movement is dying | 6:08 p.m. June 30, 2008

When are our far-right brothers and sisters going to see that this great country has made a dramatic shift left?
Both Bush and McCain are now thinking GREEN, both houses last election got rid of the neocons, more young people are registering democratic that ever before in our history.
The modern American conservative movement is not dead, not quite. But it is clearly dying.
America will always bounce back. Even from the nasty administration that the neoncons voted it.

Anonymous | 6:12 p.m. June 30, 2008

And what about the books al franken and other liberals?

Or the talk shows of olbermann an o'donnel, and other liberals?

YOu can not criticize one side while ignoring the other, your side.

That is the very definition of hypocrite!

and life goes on | 6:19 p.m. June 30, 2008

Glen Beck is just another Limbaugh clone/clown who knows how to push emotional buttons.
But the smarter Americans are wise to this and have already made their statement when voting neocons from both houses.
All that is left now of the neocon movement is what you just saw at BYU.
Sad, sad, sad.

Comments continue below

Jess | 6:23 p.m. June 30, 2008

Just a question as I do not know. Was this an LDS church service or meeting? I take the word 'service' to mean this, and since the LDS attended this on a sunday I would only suppose. Not being what ya'll would call anti just being curious.

Why | 6:32 p.m. June 30, 2008

Why is it that unsuccessful people who never accomplished anything significant in their lives are always the first to tell the rest of us,(including Glenn Beck) they are wrong and that it is just better be let Uncle Sam take care of you. They tell us life is some kind of 'lottery' and that there are winners and losers as luck would have it. I learned many years ago, if you want good advise, never talk to a failure. Always go to successful people for advise. Successful people like Glenn Beck! I loved the article! Thank you for publishing it.

facts straight | 6:38 p.m. June 30, 2008

Glenn Beck did not get paid for speaking on Sunday. Also, this was not a BYU sponsored event. It was sponsored by the Freedom Festival Committee and it just happened to be at a BYU facility.

Just one man's opinion | 6:45 p.m. June 30, 2008

Why is it, no matter what the article is in this paper, you people always start bashing the author, the speaker, each other, the LDS church (which always baffles me because a lot of times the article has NOTHING to do with the LDS church)or George Bush? Is the mentality level of that part of the country lower? Can't you people just read an article and take out just the "message" without being so negative? Who cares what you think the authors motives are? When I read the comments from say, the person who signs himself Ernest T. Bass, It makes me wonder if he IS the character from the Andy Griffith Show with the same name....he sounds just about as smart. This was a good article with a positive message about making things better, doing what you can to make things happen in this world that are positive, and all you people do is babble. You just amaze me.....

Anonymous | 6:57 p.m. June 30, 2008

How do you know he didn't get paid?
Are you trying to tell us he even paid his own expenses?
Give me a break!

r u kidding | 7:11 p.m. June 30, 2008

Has America really come down to this as "we the people"??? I am not a huge Beck fan but I do have to say it is really sad when a positive speech gets so much negativity on this blog??
If you dont agree with it move on, and how many of youR negative comments would be negative if Mr. Beck wasn't a MEMBER of the L.D.S. Church???
I find it interesting at how people say the L.D.S. Faith is so judgmental, and yet Anti L.D.S. are twice as bad??? P.S. I am not L.D.S. But dont want to live in a glass house like the rest of you....

Anonymous | 7:19 p.m. June 30, 2008

Great presentation. LDS values will carry the United States and spread the values of Zion throught the world. I am just so sad that so so many people are anti-mormon. I think they are just jealous and spiteful little little people. I hope they realize the bigoted and hateful message they are sending to the world as we will not participate in the bigoted and predjudges that are in this world as we love and accept all. Go away antis!

Liberal thinking | 7:26 p.m. June 30, 2008

People, people, don't you know that if you disagree with the liberal way of thinking, you are just too stupid to think for yourself? Come on, get with it while there is still time. Join the "enlightened" ones and America can be just like the "paradise" of Cuba or China! Hey, they have universal health care don't they?

Re: Anonymous | 7:19 p.m. | 7:34 p.m. June 30, 2008

Please explain the difference between "LDS" values, and the values espoused by the other Christian religions.

Re: RE Anonymous|7:19 p.m. |7:34 | 7:54 p.m. June 30, 2008

You said:

"Please explain the difference between "LDS" values and the values espoused by the other Christian religions."

Restoration and the one true church; that is the difference! Enough said now lets move onto the topic of Mr. Beck.

high standards | 8:06 p.m. June 30, 2008

To "Why": Just because Glen Beck bigmouth makes a lot of money doesn't mean he's successful. Britney Spears makes a lot of money, too. America is full of white trash with money. The Ivy League grads, medical researchers, engineers, teachers, doctors, social workers, peace corp volunteers, and all others who make valid contributions to society are the truly succesful ones. Sounds like you have really low standards on what constitutes success if you're enamored by nouveau riche, unintelligent human garbage. Glen Beck hasn't done one thing to make the world a better place, but Utahns will worship him the way they do anyone with a little cash.

Re: RE Anonymous 7:34 | 8:27 p.m. June 30, 2008

Well, I guess that explains it. With Glenn Beck as patriot exemplar, and "we the people" as the leaders our great nation requires, we should all join forces to outlaw religions that are NOT the restoration of the one true church, in order to ensure LDS values will carry the United States. We need also band against those jealous and spiteful little people who think differently than those of us who are of God's own anointed, and crush ALL BIGOTED and HATEFUL message bearers. Except us of course. We're humble.

Robert Oh | 8:44 p.m. June 30, 2008

OK, but did he do his home teaching this month? It's easy to talk about what should be done. Has he made his families lives any better or is he too busy lecturing to help individuals?

Re: Re: RE Anonymous 7:34 | 9:06 p.m. June 30, 2008

There is a little somthing called the 'White Horse Prophecy'; I would assume you are familiar. God bless the freedom festival in Zion!

wrz | 9:48 p.m. June 30, 2008

Will no longer read the DN | 4:49 p.m. June 30, 2008:

"The DN could do well to eliminate these comment post sections. EVERY section of this paper that allows comments to be posted contains posts that are confrontational/antagonzing/negative/bitter/vengeful/vindictive. There is scant rational thought and discussion. The majority of discussions and comments are prejudiced and are based on little fact and mostly opinion. Please, DN get rid of these comment post sections. Nothing good has come from them."

I disagree with your contention. The comment section is very interesting. And valuable. Gives different perspectives on the each subject. Not to mention freedom to speak. The DN monitor tosses the really bad ones.

However, I've notice they regularity allow posts that rail on the Mormon church. Go figure.

Shalom! | 10:42 p.m. June 30, 2008

Wrong, wrong, wrong! The values and traditions of the Jewish people will carry America through this tulmultuous time!

Leaders 'r us | 10:49 p.m. June 30, 2008

You are the leader = McCain and Obama are not

To Shalom | 10:54 p.m. June 30, 2008

I believe you are being spiteful but just the same you are speaking the truth as the lost tribe(s) will carry us to the truth. Funny but the joke is on you my friend.

Good night now my brother....

anbo | 11:16 p.m. June 30, 2008

I agree with Glenn. In addition, these comments I have read are for the most part picking sides. Why can't we just be who we really are: Americans? We should work together rather than pull apart. Where do we thinkg our country is going to go if we don't. Certainly not forward and up, but down and out. And that makes me sad. We are not leading a great example of tolerance for our children are we?

uritaata | 11:28 p.m. June 30, 2008

I heard Glenn Beck several time. The only occasion that I felt uplifted is when he talked of his conversion. For the rest I found him very selective in his argumentation. He targets his remarks to fit his audience at the expense of the truth.. Unconvenient truth...
He is disconnected from the reality and see everything in black or white, discarding all shape of greys... Binary approach...and if you disagree you're liberal, a nut.

At least it did the job the organizers were expecting him to do. He told them what they wanted to hear.

Thank you | 11:37 p.m. June 30, 2008

I also enjoy reading and learning from other people's view point. Certainly it helps me see what other people see. Just because I disagree with some of you, it doesn't make he hate or slander. If someone doesn't like these comment sections, certainly they are free to not read them. New ideas, new thoughts expressed on here are great in my opinion. Thank you DN.

Darren | 11:57 p.m. June 30, 2008

I'm glad Beck volunteered to speak at BYU. That was amazing... the message was right on the mark. Amazing guy!

awesomeron | 2:11 a.m. July 1, 2008

Glenn Beck might have a big mouth and be slightly obnoxious. Which is way ahead of the people who criticize him with their little judgmental voices and one time user names. If you have a talk radio show you have to speak out. However the most objection I read and observe is that people object to the fact that he makes a lot of money. Well he is entitled to do that and he pays taxes and has a TR so he must pay at least his 10%. He by his own words is 'A recovering alcoholic DJ Rodeo Clown with a Mic" 20 Million Radio Listeners and 4 Million TV Viewers so he must be doing something right. They do not print enough money to be a conservative if you do not believe it or do not want to be.

Ronald A.Young | 2:15 a.m. July 1, 2008

I love Glenn Beck. He really keeps it real, in a world full of phony and baloney. He has and promotes good values and has the respect of many people. He also has a National Talk Show that reaches Millions, and is not nearly as self serving as many Talk Show Hosts. He also has his TV Show. In Defense of BYU most schools when they have speakers come to campus to speak, the speakers get paid expenses and a fee. There is nothing wrong with that. It is legal and highly acceptable and the norm. This is how speakers make money speaking and why Colleges Teach Public Speaking and Communications. The speaker sometimes adjust his fee depending on how bad he wants to be there. If I was Beck I would have done BYU for Free. Not because they cannot afford it but because its the Y and as a Convert that would be a Mighty Mormon Moment.

Re: Re: RE Anonymous 9:06 | 4:37 a.m. July 1, 2008

I AM familiar with the "White Horse Prophesy." Even though the LDS church's own General Authorities have disavowed this prophesy as doctrine, what do THEY know? If they were so in tune with the Spirit - as are Mitt and Glenn - maybe they would have been more financially successful.

gooma | 5:24 a.m. July 1, 2008

Reading the comments is like going to testimony meeting where different members trash the testimonies of those who stand and bear them! I find it disheartening. Were not as sensitive to each other and gracious in differences. I enjoy Beck sometimes. Hes trying to do the right thing. Some of us have had too many life experiences before we joined the church and started making sense of the purpose of our lives. Be kind. Ive never met anyone who is PERFECT yet.

gary | 6:31 a.m. July 1, 2008

As I have gotten older, I have come to realize that children have it right. They see the world in black and white, and clearly in focus. It is only as we age that gray is introduced. Black and white are still there, but people and values have become saturated with gray. Glenn Beck's comments cut through the gray, and what is left frequently makes us uncomfortable. Remember the Emperor's new clothes? The answer does lie within us, and it means much more than taking sides in a political campaign. It means more than bashing those who disagree with us.

It is time for us(me) to get to work at making lives better. Service to others seems to me to be the antidote to this.

One final comment. Something I heard in a 12-Step meeting: Sweep your own sidewalk. Don't worry about what your neighbor is, or is not doing, take care of your own faults first.

Anonymous | 6:52 a.m. July 1, 2008

Amazing how conservatives are attracted to recovering alcoholics (Bush, Beck) and have made folk heroes out of druggies (Limbaugh).
Birds of a feather?

Lydia | 7:42 a.m. July 1, 2008

What I don't get about some of these comments is that the committee for this is run through PROVO city. Not BYU--they just had a facility large enough.

If you've ever been to these speeches, you know that it is NOT religious in nature. It is pure and simple American patriotism.

Glenn Beck added to that feeling of individual patriotism. These events that Provo puts on are known nation-wide for being some of the most patriotic events in the nation. It's something, EVERYONE in America should be proud--and especially everyone in Utah!

Marylander | 8:18 a.m. July 1, 2008

I was reading yesterday's remarks from Virginian who stated that our founding fathers were not very religious; I would like to refute those statements. My husband is spending this summer in Washington DC and Philadelphia studying our founding fathers. Just last night he said that in going to the "source" and learning for himself that it is an absolute myth that the founders were not particularly religious. In fact, it is just the opposite. In learning of their truly heroic lives, my husband found that they were very spiritual, inspired men and it is only in our modern times that so called "educated" people have tried to refute that fact.

By the way, Virginian, my son is a BYU graduate student and is being recruited by some of the top firms in the country...I don't think they hire morons.

Thanks, Glenn, for studying the lives of the founders as you have and sharing it with us. By the way, it isn't just in Utah that Glenn's events are sold out. Here in Maryland and throughout the East, it's difficult to get tickets to any Glenn Beck events. They are always sold out. You might want to find out why.

Born in bondage | 8:19 a.m. July 1, 2008

I'm old. The most extraordinary thing I have seen from the Supreme Court in my lifetime is the recent ruling on the Second Amendment. The BEST thing Bush has done was choose Judge Roberts for the Supreme Court. The next BEST thing Bush could do is abolish the Federal Reserve Bank.

This privately-owned, never audited, central bank has been controlling the economy and the government for almost 100 years now, and has been the single biggest parasite to our nation and threat to our national security than any foreign power. They have created so many corporate monopolies, hidden behind fronts, by strict laws eliminating competition, that free enterprise is all but extinct. They have also made public education virtually worthless. Do you know how to create wealth? Do you know and understand your history and what preserves freedom? Does your vote change things? Why is it that as soon as someone is elected to public office, they forget they are one of us?

Here's what you can do: Vote, get out of debt, never borrow money again, get a year's supply of food and heating fuel, keep the commandments, pray always, and MAKE all your own goods you possibly can.

saddens me | 9:08 a.m. July 1, 2008

It saddens me to see how easily some people are duped by pundits such as Beck, Limbaugh, Coulter, etc.
And all you have to to is play the "L" card (liberal) in every sentence and presto!
More angry, hyper-nationalistic dancing clowns.

Even? | 10:16 a.m. July 1, 2008

If it's perfectly appropriate to have Beck come speak, then I'm sure you would all be perfectly comfortable with Michael Moore coming as well, right? Yeah, I bet. The problem with most people is they choose to attack the character of a person instead of their views or arguments. It is the lazy way to debate and I, personally, have no respect for that sort of dialogue. The problem with Beck is not what HE does, but what the people who listen to him choose to do. Instead of understanding rhetoric for what it is, people from both sides of the argument take conjectural thoughts as "gospel," rather than putting in the time to read the facts and the reports. Listen, whether Olbermann is your kind of reporter or Beck is - you need to remember it's entertainment. Granted, it is destructive and misleading entertainment. Many of the things we claim to believe are not what we actually DO believe. We get caught up in bumper-sticker politics and puff ourselves up with anger and pride. People need to relax with the whole Bible thumping business. THINK FOR YOURSELF! Then do what you can to find guidance.

Anonymous | 11:20 a.m. July 1, 2008

Beck is just another political pundit who has made a good living by demonizing liberals and creating a we vs them mentality and writing books that pander to the far-right.

jay July 1, 2008 | 12:37 p.m. July 1, 2008

if there is anything lovely praiseworthy or of good report...these hateful shallow worms will rush out from under their rocks to attack it. Any thing good or righteous makes them uncomfortable.

Glen Beck is a good, brave and honest man!
He understands what is right and good and he is not afraid to take a stand If our great country is to be saved at all, it will be because of men like Glen Beck.

Beck another racist propagandist | 1:18 p.m. July 1, 2008

February 12, Glen Beck said: "Barack Obama is acting white."
Beck is just one more racist propagandist for the far-right.
A Rush Limbaugh Jr. who is getting rich with such divisiveness and the far-right people-haters adore him for this.

mollie | 2:23 p.m. July 1, 2008

I am glad he is trying to open the eyes of the people so they can see what we are headed for. This country is in great need to have a leader that is for the people the ones we have had have put us into bondage.If noone says anything they will be like the people in new orleans thy didn take the warrning are we going to take the warning or sit on our duffs and complain when we are in more bondage. I am thankful that he has the guts to stand up and cry with a loud voice the warnning.

Ed | 2:43 p.m. July 1, 2008

I just wish that we could convince Mr. Beck to run for president or the next time jump hard and heavy in the wagon with Mitt ! Thanks Glen for all you do! It is always a pleasure to listen to you during your show or at BYU.

Elna | 2:54 p.m. July 1, 2008

WOW!I've never gone thru & read a comment site before.As a descendant of pilgrim stock,I love all that America stands for! It is sad that I feel so much hate in so many comments...So I'd like to "comment on the comments" a little. To Anon.@4:18 on6/30:THANK YOU...To Virginian@5:43on6/30:WRONG!!America was founded as a choice land WITH the HELP of God...BYU IS a prestigious school whose good light shines like a beacon in the dark!....To Anon.@6:57 on 6/30 & others:I feel this gathering would have been "pro bono" as a patriotic gift...to Gary@6:31a.m. on7/1:thank you: sidewalks & "beams" are good places to begin!!....& finally,to Marylander@8:18 a.m. on 7/1:Cudos to you for the info on our founding fathers!!It goes back to the beginning & the Mayflower Compact, which I'm proud to say one of my ancestors signed!It's our heritage,as Americans of EVERY BACKGROUND! The Lord will con't. to bless us all as we live by His Laws. Remember:He loves us no matter what!!We are his children.

MoJules | 2:59 p.m. July 1, 2008

My daughter told me that I need to watch a news channel or stations that talk about politics other than the FOX news network, so last night when I was doing a nebulizer treatment, I watched Glenn Beck, so I am going to start to listen to him. One thing that annoys me about Fox, or should I say O'Riley and Ingram, they both talk so much about being Catholic, Laura is the worse, I watched her new program a couple of times and it is more like a pro-Catholic show. As for Beck being paid expenses, that may be so, but that is also so with people who travel to do talks and firesides. And honestly, do you really think he needs the money? Not like the people that had him come have a large amount in their budget, have you had the refreshments at a fireside?

re: MoJules | 3:31 p.m. July 1, 2008

It appears MoJules has a severe problem with Catholics.
Don't worry Mo, Catholics are not going away or are going to be run out of any town.

Ernest T. Bass | 3:38 p.m. July 1, 2008

If Beck's (and those like him) constant griping and negativity ever provided a solution to our problems then we would have no problems.
All those guys want to do is increase their wealth at the expense of the middle clas.
Notice that none of them ever served in the military, and more to the point, none of them send their children to fight, yet they constantly "support" the war in Iraq.
Notice that what they never tell you is that the cost projections for the war come to $3 TRILLION dollars. With roughly 300,000,000 people in the U.S. that comes to $1,000,000 for every man, woman and child in the U.S.
How on earth will that EVER be paid for?

Anonymous | 3:56 p.m. July 1, 2008

Beck (like his hero, Rush Limbaugh) is just doing what he does best. Trying to divide the country with hyper-nationalistic claptrap.

I love the USA | 4:05 p.m. July 1, 2008

I wonder if you went to the patriotic program when he spoke. I did, and I came away feeling more optimistic than I have for a while. You know, one thing I love about this country is that we can have our own opinions and we can express them. Freedom is a great thing. If we have different opinions than someone else, that is great. But lets not be derogatory to each other. The Pres. candidates are not good examples of this. We should all try and be more understanding and positive toward each other, even if we don't agree. Stand up for what you believe, but be positive about it.

Annie | 4:05 p.m. July 1, 2008

I feel that Mr. Becks comments on America gives me hope in its people and future. He makes me laugh and cry as well. I am an emigrant and so proud to be here in America. Thank you Mr. Beck for your comments and feelings on this Great Country that I love. keep up the good work Mr. Beck.

clearly racist | 4:06 p.m. July 1, 2008

Didn't anybody hear Beck slam Obama and his wife with a "Honkey Whitesville" character on his show?
Clearly a racist.
But this seems to endear him all the more to some Utahns.

Hey VIrginian | 4:19 p.m. July 1, 2008

Glad you are such an informed historian. Thanks for setting "Utah Mormons" straight. It's amazing how well you know our founding father's religious beliefs. It sounds more like you are trying to define them to fit your idea of America and to support your anti-Mormon leanings.

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