Glenn Beck to have convention on education at University of Central Florida.

[madfloridian]

In March that university is giving Glenn Beck a credible voice in the field of education.

I don't even know what to say to that. I might have expected it at Southeastern University in Polk County (formerly Southeastern Bible College)...or at the many other religious colleges in Central Florida.

But a state university in Orlando? Oh, my goodness, what a surprise.

Glenn Beck touts book in Tampa


Pundit Glenn Beck drew about 1,000 to the Borders store on Dale Mabry Highway Saturday as he promoted his latest book. MELISSA LYTTLE | Times

TAMPA — About 1,000 people lined up along Dale Mabry Highway for the chance to meet conservative pundit Glenn Beck, who visited a Borders bookstore as part of his whirlwind tour through Florida on Saturday to promote his latest book, Arguing with Idiots.

His tour culminated with a visit to the Villages retirement community in the afternoon, where he had promised to make a big announcement. On his Web site, he shared his plans.

He will hold conventions on education issues, the first at the University of Central Florida in March. He plans to develop a 100-year plan for America, and he will publish a book with action steps called The Plan.

In Tampa, his fans brought signs, American flags and wore "Don't Tread on Me" T-shirts. The first person in line, Martin Smith of Tampa, had waited since 6 a.m. dressed in an Uncle Sam costume. Behind him stood a family from Safety Harbor that arrived at midnight and slept in its car.

I wonder where the other education conventions will be held?

If I were attending that school I would be having something to say about having an education convention featuring Glenn Beck.

[Shagbark Hickory]

1. No disrespect, I know you are a valued member of DU but I don't give a rats ass about Glenn Beck.

The way he is taking over the world is sickening and the govt should shut him up or throw him in jail.

[madfloridian]

6. On edit, never mind.

Doesn't do any good to respond in kind.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. Beck is odious, but there is this First Amendment thing

that prevents the government from shutting him up or throwing him in jail. And that's as it should be.

[Shagbark Hickory]

44. If I was Obama, ammendent #1 would be out the window.

[DIKB]

46. Personally I think they could go after him

for inciting violence, hate-speech, libel/slander etc.

Taking away our rights should NEVER be considered, that is a bush/republican/fascistic response.

Take care to not become the evil you are fighting. beck and his ilk HAPPILY let bush TAKE away their rights, gutting infrastructure funding, national needs etc., and now scream bloody murder about anything Obama tries to GIVE to them.

They lick the hand that beats them, and they bite the hand that feeds. Republicans are DERANGED!!!

[sudopod]

52. That would be...counterproductive. :p

[LWolf]

2. He's not qualified to hold conventions on education issues. nt

[sakabatou]

4. +1

[madfloridian]

59. Not in any way is he qualified.

It is scary to think that he is appearing at a state university.

[LWolf]

61. Yes. Why would a state university invite him? nt

[treestar]

63. Amen, what standard are they using? The Palin Rule of

Qualified because I Say So?

[LWolf]

64. That's the standard for all truth these days.

If I believe it, it's true. If I don't believe it, it's false.

If ________ says so, that makes it true. If __________ says so, that makes it false.


Edited to add: I had an 8th grade student confront me in class last month; we were discussing how to recognize bias. A state standard. Someone brought up radio. I said it was important to recognize bias in the media as well. No names were mentioned.

A Beck follower threw a mild tantrum, said repeatedly "HE TELLS THE TRUTH." Her dad called the office to set up a meeting with the principal and myself. I declined, having already booked the time offered. I told the office to have him call me and I'd consult my schedule. He never called.

[sakabatou]

3. Ugh...

[Davis_X_Machina]

5. They're a public school. If he has the money...

...within reason not only will they rent him the arena, they have to.

[madfloridian]

7. What would you consider "within reason"?

Just wondering.

[Davis_X_Machina]

10. He's not conducting human sacrifice, selling contraband..

...or doing anything else illegal. There are usually pretty stiff first-amendment protections for what you can refuse to rent a state-owned facility for. Content is not grounds for refusing.

[madfloridian]

11. Do you have some background to share on that?

Links or something?

Your reasoning does not make sense to me.

[Davis_X_Machina]

18. 420 US 546 Southeastern Promotions Ltd v. Conrad n/t

[madfloridian]

23. If a state university is the same as a municipal theater, I guess you are right.

in my mind they would be different. But that's just me.

[Davis_X_Machina]

25. Government owned. Prior restraint is verboten...

...doesn't matter if it's applied by local, state or federal government.

Remember, over the long run, we've been on the receiving end of attempts at prior restraint far, far more than the right.

[madfloridian]

27. I mean an educational facility vs a municipal theater.

In my mind they are different.

But then I am not a lawyer.

In my mind if UCF gives Beck a venue for education, they are condoning his philosophies.

[Davis_X_Machina]

29. It's a basketball arena...

...believe me, having taught at an ACC school (whose hoop teams wear powder blue), that's the opposite of an educational venue. It's not an activity put on by the UCF school of education, no matter how much Beck's PR makes it sound.

[madfloridian]

30. They are giving him credibility in education.

[Davis_X_Machina]

32. That's not a justiciable issue. n/t

[madfloridian]

34. Then they are giving him credibility. Bottom line.

And once again there is not a damn thing anyone can do if you are correct.

Why have university staffs if they have no power?

Hell, why have public education at all for that matter.

Oh, wait....we almost don't have it anymore.

[Davis_X_Machina]

35. Free speech for me, but not for thee, huh? Go picket -- it's your right. n/t

[madfloridian]

40. I don't think educational institutions are required to let idiots speak.

I am thinking your comparing the two...Hair the musical...and Glenn Beck.

One was a good musical, one is a fool.

[Davis_X_Machina]

41. It's a free country....

...pressure the school to break the rental contract on the basis of the content of Beck's speech, he litigates, he's a victim, UCF is out the legal expenses at a minimum.

The antidote for bad speech is more speech. Go picket. Picket sponsors.

But being a fool is constitutionally protected speech.

[madfloridian]

43. Then let him define education at a state university.

I still think there is a difference in the two situations.

You seem rather delighted.

I find it outrageous.

[tosh]

8. This really smells.

From The Beck's own website:

"- Education is key, and not just for our children. To that end, we will be conducting a series of conventions. These will be full-day experiences where you will be immersed in learning about topics ranging from self-reliance, community organizing, the economy and how to be a political force in your own neighborhood and country. The first one will be in Orlando at UCF Arena on March 27th. You will also be able to vote to have a convention in your region by clicking here. "

As a Florida taxpayer, I might have objections to such use of that facility.

I wonder if this can be confirmed with UCF. Hmmm.

edit sp.

[madfloridian]

9. Yes, it really does have a bad odor.

I am trying to find out which state universities are hosting him next.

[tosh]

13. What smells a lot better to me,

if this is true (and it may not be) is a fun and peaceful BFH-style protest.

[Lifelong Protester]

12. What's with this "100 Year Plan"?

That sounds rather Nazi-like to me, as does the goofy uniform he is wearing on that book cover.

[tosh]

14. Well, since I already need to shower

from looking at his site,

"- I have begun meeting with some of the best minds in the country that believe in limited government, maximum freedom and the values of our Founders. I am developing a 100 year plan. I know that the bipartisan corruption in Washington that has brought us to this brink and it will not be defeated easily. It will require unconventional thinking and a radical plan to restore our nation to the maximum freedoms we were supposed to have been protecting, using only the battlefield of ideas.

- All of the above will culminate in The Plan, a book that will provide specific policies, principles and, most importantly, action steps that each of us can take to play a role in this Refounding.

- On August 28, 2010, I ask you, your family and neighbors to join me at the feet of Abraham Lincoln on the National Mall for the unveiling of The Plan and the birthday of a new national movement to restore our great country. "

Off to shower now. Yechh!


Edited to add: Looks a lot like nothing more than a money scheme - sell more books to the witless.

[Bozita]

16. He knows all about education. He has a high school diploma.

:sarcasm:

[madfloridian]

17. Here's the UCF contact page for the College of Education

http://education.ucf.edu/contact.cfm

[malaise]

19. Isn't that like me being invited to deliver a lecture

on nuclear physics?

[Davis_X_Machina]

21. He's renting their basketaball arena....

...it's his gig, not UCF's.

[madfloridian]

24. Then it is all just fine and dandy.

:eyes:

[Davis_X_Machina]

26. Stop him...

...and watch him win the resulting lawsuit.

[madfloridian]

28. Oh good grief.....no one can stop the Beckster!!!!

No one can stop anyone from anything anymore.

Guess where I learned to accept my uselessness? At DU.

[Davis_X_Machina]

31. The ACLU will take his case, too, and win it.

Free speech for me but not for thee -- aren't we usually on the receiving end of that deal?

[madfloridian]

38. We are on different wave lengths with Beck.

AND with education.

Beck is an idiot, the play you mentioned was not the same category as idiot. It was about morality of a town vs a play.

[tosh]

36. Broken link and now you've got my curiosity tickled.

What lawsuit was that thread about?

[madfloridian]

37. It was about a play and the town's morality issues.

I think a college might be different, but I am not a lawyer.

Here is the link:

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=420&invol=546

[tosh]

45. Thanks.

LOL @ Hair.

[Davis_X_Machina]

42. 420 US 546 Southeastern Promotions Ltd v. Conrad

And the courts are more, not less, inclined to protect political speech than artistic expression.

[UndertheOcean]

20. OMG , I feel queasy

[LostInAnomie]

22. The conservative plan for education has always been the same.

Further the fields business wants furthered. Pay lip service to the Bible when science contradicts it (but continue with your research after kissing the church's ass). To force social sciences to stop taking critical looks at conservative heroes, US actions, capitalism, etc.

It's the exact thing they accuse "liberal educators" of doing. They want indoctrination.

[madfloridian]

51. Indoctrination.

Yes, you are right.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[immoderate]

39. Who will benefit the most from Glenn Beck and his Educational Convention?

--imm

[madfloridian]

47. Beck has formed a "shadow cabinet" to help him defense, education, et al

I wonder who the heck is on that committee.

http://mediamatters.org/blog/200911220010

"Next, Beck explained the first step of his plan. He has formed a shadow cabinet to advise him on various issues including health care, defense, energy, education, and others, just like a political figure. Beck then astonishingly declared that "we need to start thinking like the Chinese", and announcing he would spend the next year with his shadow cabinet to create "a 100-year plan for America."

Beck then spent a few moments engaging in his famous emotional side, promising the crowd that if they followed him, they would be able to tell their children they did all they could for America. To do this, they could go to any of Beck's seven "education conventions" to learn "everything we need to know" such as an alternative history of the Statue of Liberty, and even community organizing, and of course Beck will "teach you how to be a politician" if you really want to run for office. (Will Beck train attendees how to quit before your first term as governor has expired, and improperly use your taxpayer-funded resources to put on a partisan political event, just like two of his favorite politicians?) Beck finished this plan up by taking an unsurprising potshot at ACORN, and announcing that he will organize voter registration drives, stating that "two can play at this game." Does that mean he will fire anyone who fills out voter registration forms fraudulently, yet turn in all voter registration forms as required by law in many states? Only time will tell."

Glenn Beck in all his wisdom...coming next to your university. :eyes:

[Lorien]

56. He continues to top himself as a professional delusional nutcase

"shadow cabinet?" It's probably made up of several well worn socks in his dresser drawer.

[madfloridian]

65. And he drew a crowd of 1000 in Central Florida.

So what does that tell us?

I wonder who is in his cabinet?

[RavensChick]

48. Are you serious?

Pray tell me just what will an "education convention" accomplish with this douche running the show?!?!? There isn't one person at that school who's gonna take Bleck seriously. Gracious! My heart goes out to the fine people of Florida who have to put up with this nonsense.

[madfloridian]

50. Very serious. And I wonder who is funding all of this.

How to find who is backing him. Maybe Dick Armey's group? I would love to know.

[madfloridian]

49. He told local Fox station he is using Florida to kick off his initiatives....

The announcer obviously adores him. Video at the Raw Story link.

It is disturbing.

http://rawstory.com/2009/11/throngs-glenn-beck-fans-greet-savior-tampa/

[Ichingcarpenter]

53. Richard Nixon spoke at FCU graduation ceremony right before he resigned

It was an area his advisors thought he wouldn't get flack. We held a 30 foot banner that said "We don't believe you' across from where he spoke. Back then it was called Florida Technological University.

I hope the students will carry on the tradition exposing crooks and liars.

[name not needed]

54. Coming soon: Pat Robertson on the dangers of religious intolerance!

[madfloridian]

60. Just about the truth. It's scary.

:hi:

[Matariki]

55. Education - it's only for the wealthy

everyone else can join the Army National Guard or go to prison.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

57. Shouldn't these beck events fall under FEC regulation?

Despite his sudden claims to be a "libertarian,' Beck is a longtime Republican. This is party advocacy and his show should qualify as an in-kind contribution to the RNC.

[madfloridian]

58. I wonder who funds him?

That is the question. Who is paying for all this?

[rvablue]

62. Just because he holds the convention doesn't mean they will come.

And he will most likely CHARGE for his great public effort (NOT!) to educate the masses. :puke:

Just another ploy to take more coin from the few idiots who worship him.

While you might find a few Central Florida University students attending, most likely it will be the usual suspects who are forking over part of their fixed incomes for another round of CryBaby Beck's worthless manifestos.

Not really frightened by this. Just makes me feel so sad that these fools are so easily parted with their money. This nutbag is now on, what, his 5th book and has he really said anything new? I don't know, but I'd venture to guess that CryBaby Beck is going to fizzle soon as his followers are going to get bored and fed up soon enough that he never really delivers on his "something really big is coming" mumbo-jumbo.

[waiting for hope]

66. His main topics will be -

1) How to Cry on Command
2) Spelling, is it really needed?
3) Bat Shit Crazy Mania - what you can accomplish when not taking medication.

K&R