The Glenn Beck Archive

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we're able to catch a rare glimpse of Glenn Beck in his earlier days.

October 17th, 1939

After November 9th, I think we had a lot in common. I had the same initial feeling of fear about Nazism. I think most Americans did. We didn't really understand it at all.

But instead of caving into that fear, I took about a year to truly investigate Nazism. I read Mein Kampf. I met with Party members. I went to Germany. And I came away from the experience with the understanding that, like it or not, Nazism is a peaceful ideology and that the vast majority of its practitioners are good and decent people.

I also came away with the understanding that there are groups of people that want to pervert the message of true Nazism. These people believe that their leader is telling them to kill all non-Aryans, and those are the people I refer to as Nazi extremists.

Again, Nazism is an ideology peacefully practiced by the vast majority of Nazis. And you know, I don't know very many people who have had the time or the energy to research Nazism as I have, because it's my job.

And I also think that fear and ignorance due to the constraints of getting through everyday life for the average American prevent those people from being able to tell the difference between the good, peace-loving Nazis and the bad radical Nazis.

Perhaps Glenn, if more people like Anton Drexler had been able to stand up and defend true Nazism, things would have never gotten out of hand.

Ahmadinejad Misunderstood Again

In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country.

This quote by President Ahmadinejad brought laughter when he spoke to students at Columbia University, but the atmosphere in Iran must be properly understood to see the truth in his statement.

This was not a declaration that homosexuals do not exist in Iran, it was a comparison between the two cultures. Homosexuals in Iran are not like those in America.

In America, gay and lesbian proponents are up front, outspoken, and declare their preferences to the entire world. They are constantly protesting, lobbying, and demanding the right to be who they are in public. In contrast, the homosexual community in Iran is much more tolerant of the greater society in which they live. They understand that sexual preference is an individual choice, and value their right to privacy in such personal matters. Ahmadinejad has created an harmonious world for gay and lesbian couples to live and work side by side with heterosexuals without the need to declare themselves 'out'.

Recently, one of our own outspoken Americans publically declared her affection for President Ahmadinejad.

"Okay, I admit it. Part of it is that he just looks cuddly. Possibly cuddly enough to turn me straight. I think he kind of looks like Kermit the Frog."

While I'm sure Mahmood would be flattered Sally, I understand he's already married. It may be in everyone's best interest to keep that one to yourself.

Finally, Some New Laws

On September 20th, a whole host of new laws will kick off for the state of Maine. It's a wonderful variety of ways to protect us from laziness, as well as provide for our future.

Among some of my favorites..

"Impostor" musical groups face fines of $5,000 to $15,000 plus restitution for advertising or performing under false or misleading connections with other musical groups.

Copyright and trademark laws are entirely outdated. It's much easier if Gov decides for us who's trying to play off someone else's name for publicity.

More Maine high school students will at least have to think about college. A new law encourages secondary school students to complete at least one application to a college, university or other postsecondary school.

Nearly everyone agrees that going to college is in a person's best interest. Thankfully the first step in that decision can be enforced. Perhaps someday, Gov can legislate passing grades as well.

As of Thursday, a new Maine law will prohibit anyone less than 18 years old from driving while using a mobile phone or handheld electronic device.

No more kids flipping through Ipod folders while driving, but groping around to find a cd on the back seat floor still appears to be ok.

A new law takes aim at the recreational drug salvia divinorum, prohibiting its transfer or possession by anyone under 18 years of age.

18 years old to take a hallucinogenic, disassociative drug? Sweet!

Overall, I'm impressed. Some of these are even beyond what I've dreamed.

The New Math

Q. What do you do when you're a county commissioner, and you want to raise taxes by 30%?

A. You tell the people you're only raising them 2%.

"Cook County is a destination place," said Murphy. "We have great conventions and conferences here. The sales tax is going up 2 ¾ percent. That's not a back-breaking increase."

Naturally, the only people against this insignificant increase are the ones it's going to affect. Fearing that people may look for other places to shop, retailers are saying the county should look elsewhere for money. County Board President Todd Stroger seems open to compromise.

"If they support some other revenue increase, then, that could help fill the gap. But maybe we still would need a sales tax, but as stated maybe not two percent, maybe 2.5 percent. We need to make sure we keep the system going."

Stroger has truly embraced the philosophy of 'less is more'. I suspect that Gov has great plans for him.

Wild Oats Settles Down

WASHINGTON - A federal judge Thursday gave the go-ahead for grocer Whole Foods Market Inc. to buy rival Wild Oats Markets Inc., rejecting government arguments the deal would stifle competition and lead to higher prices.

U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman's reasoning was based on the California Senate's newly passed Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act [AB 43]. The bill defines marriage as "a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between two persons". Judge Friedman cited the Supreme Court's ruling of Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Company as granting the full rights of living persons to corporations and added, "I can not in good conscience deny the rights of the involved parties to be joined together, whether it be for better or worse."

A Gov finds God

Sioux City, Ia. - God's will is for Iowa to have the first-in-the-nation caucus, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson told a crowd here Monday.

"Iowa, for good reason, for constitutional reasons, for reasons related to the Lord, should be the first caucus and primary," Richardson, New Mexico's governor, said at the Northwest Iowa Labor Council Picnic. "And I want you to know who was the first candidate to sign a pledge not to campaign anywhere if they got ahead of Iowa. It was Bill Richardson."

The crowd of farmers cheered wildly as Richardson continued, "Our Lord also knows of the need for US energy independence, which is why he has chosen ethanol, an important staple in the history of Iowa, to lead the way."

Governor Richardson then turned his attention towards the potato salad platter, and appeared to address Mrs. Henderson's bridge club directly when he stated, "And God knows how expensive your damn pills are, which is why He has asked me to lower the age for Medicare eligibility from 65 to 55."

The campaign stop turned revival concluded on an even higher note as Richardson declared Jesus to be the original proponent of universal health care, and led the crowd in a fired up rendition of Amazing Grace.