Glenn Beck Understands Addiction

Glenn Beck is the host of CNN's “Glenn Beck” show – that is available in 85 million households... Although in my household, I usually change the channel whenever he's on. I'm convinced far too much of what he says is either distraction or propaganda. But, for a change, I decided to see what he's up to.

Glenn Beck “reported” that an article was published online by BBC that told that global temperatures have been falling since 1998. This report was simply wrong. Most of the mainstream press (legitimate) journalists haven't reported it. In fact, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann named Glenn Beck as his runner-up for the “worst person in the world” after Beck made the claim that the hottest year in global history was 1934. (That was actually the hottest year in the United States.)

But that hasn't stopped Glenn Beck. He continues to quote US temperatures as global temperatures – in a round about way. The BBC article was online for all of 16 minutes, and then modified. Glenn Beck “reported” it as environmentalist “McCarthyism.” Apparently, an irate individual emailed the BBC reporter and threatened to send the article to other global warming activists. That's right; she threatened to promote his article – and he immediately backed down... No way! Now if this were a small rural newspaper and giant corporation threatened to sue, I might believe it. But an email from essentially unknown person intimidating the BBC... Not!

Let's consider what really must have happened. The reporter published an article that was wrong. As soon as someone from the BBC realized it, the article was fixed. How embarrassing. No wonder they don't want to talk about it.

However, Glenn Beck fabricated this elaborate story about how one global warming activist could stifle the truth. Being a global warming activist, I know how much even a small rural newspaper listens... they don't. They can easily ignore us. They almost have to, or otherwise nothing would get published. Let's face it; somebody always gets aggravated when enough people pay attention. And a lot of people pay attention to BBC.

So, why would Glenn Beck essentially make up this implausible story about environmentalist “McCarthyism?” More importantly, why would people believe him? And how did a top 40 DJ rocket past thousands and thousands of degreed journalists to become a host on CNN (Cable News Network)? ...Maybe because that's what people want to hear – even if it's not the truth.

People don't like change if it means doing without. And Glenn Beck is telling us what we want to hear; that we can keep our keep our gas hog cars, and we don't have to pay attention to what the power companies are doing. The uncomfortable truth is that the world needs to change, or face an environmental catastrophe. Yes, I realize conservatives don't like change. But extreme climate change is not what conservatives should stand for.

It isn't any surprise that the coal industry has been running a number of expensive ads on CNN. What is surprising is that one ad shows FutureGen, a canceled clean coal power plant, as an example of where coal is headed. This was the only coal-fired power plant to utilize carbon sequestration on the drawing boards. And the last time I checked, the Federal Government won't pay for it. In other words, forget clean coal.

Even George W. Bush has admitted that “America is addicted to oil.” Here's our proof that America is living up to the accusation. Addicts lie to themselves to keep being addicts. Addicts believe lies to keep being addicts. These lies would be self-evident if the addicts really cared to check. Unfortunately, many Americans won't change until they hit rock bottom, and our climate changes horrifically – which, of course, will be too late.

Considering his addictive past, you'd think Glenn Beck would know better. Then again, maybe he just has an addictive personality. Maybe all he cares about is getting what he wants; money and fame now, instead of drugs.