Responding to the Irresponsible -- Beck PT I

The following text appeared on my facebook page today -- Thank you to Joel Wanger for posting it for his friends to see:

Jewish Funds For Justice: Glenn Beck's Apology Is "Not Enough"
February 24, 2011 12:46 pm ET by Media Matters staff

Jewish Funds For Justice today released the following response to Glenn Beck's apology for his attacks on Reform Judaism (I apologize that, as usual, the links did not transfer -- I HIGHLY recommend that you DO follow Beck's advice this far, and "do your own homework" -- go to my facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/steve.weisman1, where this link is now my status; click on the link to the JFJ response, and then click on the links to find the original slur, the responses, and Beck's "apology"):


GLENN BECK'S APOLOGY - NOT ENOUGH

Glenn Beck's apology for comparing Reform Judaism to "Radicalized Islam" is welcome but incomplete. While we are heartened to hear him recognize his ignorance, he still has not acknowledged that the letter signed by 400 rabbis and organized by Jewish Funds for Justice represented a cross-section of denominations, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Renewal rabbis.

Glenn Beck's characterization of Reform Judaism is in keeping with his longstanding hostility toward people who see their faith linked to pursuing the common good. This was made clear in March of 2010, when Mr. Beck advised people to leave their churches if their clergy spoke about social justice.

Mr. Beck's demonization of his political opponents is a regular feature of his radio and television shows. This problem is systemic. His remarks about Reform Jews are only the most recent example of the attacks that occur daily on Beck's show.

We reiterate our call for Rupert Murdoch to end Mr. Beck's tenure at Fox News and for Salem Communications to commit not to add his syndicated radio show to their New York stations. Anything short of this reflects an unwillingness to take seriously the harm Mr. Beck causes to many in our community and beyond.

And they are right -- he KNEW he had to apologize, and as you listen to (or even read the transcript of) his words, it is CLEAR that he is not apologizing for what he said, or slandering people in their beliefs and actions, but making excuses for himself and WHY it happened. He NEVER uses the word Reform, never makes a positive or accurate comment to countermand the lies of the other day. Contrary to his contention, this is the radio equivalent of burying it on page 2 -- if you didn't here the original or know the context, you would have no idea wtf he is apologizing FOR! In the end, he apologized to Abe Foxman!! Who was not slandered in the first place, but provided yet another subtle Beckist jab at his "favorites" if you have followed the story.

To do, accurately, what he did, possibly by mistake the other day, this "apology" is the equivalent to the bad old days when Arafat would mutter the right buzzwords in English, and the Arabic, in context, was clearly inciting his followers to keep up the good fight!