Really terrific episode of PennSays
I’m not Glenn Beck’s biggest fan, but I do watch the show fairly regularly.
A few weeks ago Beck went on a tear about how “the godless” are destroying America, which I found very offensive. I want more liberty, less government, and agree with many of the same principles and values Beck preaches, yet somehow I am part of the problem because I don’t have an imaginary friend.
But anyway before I digress too far, my friend Penn appears on the Beck show and he recently took some flak for it from one of his heroes. For what it’s worth, Penn is one of my heroes and it’s very easy to imagine how awful it would feel to be yelled at by someone you admire very much. Watch the whole thing:
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October 18th, 2009 at 9:40 am
The upswing of “Godless” is that for a long time Western Culture, which has been so beneficial to humanity, has been rooted in Judeo Christian ethics. Our forefather were rooted in this tradition also. The ruling crowd in Washington rejects those ethics, hence: “Godless”. Unfortunately, this generalization technically describes all atheists, even those who are not part of the problem, but part of the solution.
October 18th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Beck is a chainsaw often wielded without aim. His shoddy research makes him viscerally unpleasant for me to watch or listen to. I don’t see any longterm benefit from Beck. Coulter, by contrast, is a precision laser beam too-often hitting healthy tissue. I could see Coulter and Penn having an intelligent debate. I don’t see Beck as capable of that.
Penn doesn’t bother me, though we disagree on God. In fact, I think his excellent challenges force me to become a better believer.
I don’t see the purpose of life as having signed up for the right team before our plugs are pulled. People do different things for different reasons. We’ll be held accountable for our actions (hard work) far more than our beliefs (cheap effort).
October 19th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I felt like this once when Ronald McDonald snapped at me.
October 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I can’t see the video in Japan… is it available somewhere else (YouTube, et al)?
October 21st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
[…] Moxie, the emotion here is raw enough to make this a surprisingly tough watch — but stick with it, […]
October 21st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Christ (oops…sorry)…man up and grow a pair you whiny little whiny thing. Sounds like you need to find a new kinda idol.
Who gives a crap what Tommy Smothers thinks of you? He’s not a has-been…he’s a never-was.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:32 pm
It’s a crippling psychic burden to worry what a Smothers brother thinks about you. A burden easily shed.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I would imagine that you’re about to receive a huge influx of traffic via an Allahpundit link over at HotAir.
I saw this post over the weekend and realized that where Christian Conservatives go wrong is defining what is wrong with the left as godlessness, instead of immorality, or even ‘antimorality.’ Having read this blog for about nine months now, I know that Moxie has a morality very similar to my own, which are grounded in ‘Judeo Christian’ principles. Because you don’t ‘have an imaginary friend’ does not place you in the same class as those Beck derides as godless. Beck, and most other conservatives, have a real issue with the antimorality that is preached from the left, and it’s daily assault on the moral principles that we on the right ascribe to. It is entirely possible to not believe in god, as Moxie shows, and yet have the same convictions and views on limited government.
Keep it up Moxie, we love your work!
October 21st, 2009 at 9:52 pm
[…] Air: Fiorina: Government has to regulate “wild west” Internet Moxie: Really terrific episode of PennSays D-Vice: Skiing Robot Greg Hendler: Rep. Grayson: FOX & GOP Are Enemies of America, Peace, and […]
October 21st, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I try and go with Buddy Hackett
“I’ve had a few arguments with people, but I never carry a grudge. You know why? While you’re carrying a grudge, they’re out dancing.”
October 21st, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I disagree with Penn when he says “Tommy Smothers is right”. Embracing an echo-chamber mentality and associating with only those with whom you agree makes you a coward. Keith Olbermann is Exhibit A.
October 21st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Tommy Smothers was last relevant, uh, when? 1969? Heck half of the US probably think he’s already dead.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Free Speech is alive & well in America…Ask Tommy Smothers….
October 22nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
Got here from Hot Air.
I disagree with many of the things Penn believes, not the least of which is his atheism, but I respect him immensely and wish more were like him on both sides. He is right that it is the message that counts and that the rational, reasoned, and civil debate of ideas is vital to our society.
As an aside, I don’t watch Beck, not because I don’t agree with him on many things, but because the guy is just annoying. I much prefer Rush who is just as “evil” but at least entertaining.
He’s also right about people writing-in and complaining about shows they never see, although this tends to be a left-wing phenomenon these days. Few of the people who absolutely hate Rush or Beck have ever heard them in person. It’s all rumor for the most part.
I, on the other hand, sit through Olbermann and read the DU and Daily KOS occasionally just to keep up on the other side. It’s painful, but hey, one must be informed.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Great comments Moxie. My first visit here…as you can tell by my handle, I am southern, and conservative…but I don’t dislike or disrespect atheists or agnostics. See, for a little while longer anyway, the US is still a free country. Just because I am a bad Christian, doesn’t mean I can’t get along with folks who do not believe in a higher power (or imaginary friend), that’s their choice…I just ask that people at least find some sort of moral and ethical compass to live by. We all need one - be it religous-based or simply logic based.
To the point, I contend/think that Beck’s (and others in showbiz and politics) comments about “godlessness” has less to do with actual religous beliefs and more about having the aforementioned moral or etihcal compass to point them the “right” way - not meaning “Right” as in Conservative or (dare I say it?) Republican (ewww!). But the right way, as in, the Golden Rule - actually treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve as people, or ‘treating people the way in which you yourself want to be treated’.
I hate that Penn had to deal with such a narrow-minded person that was, maybe still is, his idol. Atheist or not, Libertarian or not, Penn has the right to think however he wishes IMO. But this is the culture of hate that we live in…it is so popular (and has been for about 15-20 years) to simply “hate” or hate on those with whom you simply don’t agree with. And that’s a cryin’ shame. Unfortunately, the current ruling party has absolutely perfected that mindset, and not only encourages it, it practices it in the wide-open day in and day out (WH attacks on individuals, companies, or anyone that dares disagree with them? Man…how low we’ve fallen). And that, IMO, is a bigger shame.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Something like this happened to me once, and i was given some great advice that I try to follow with more or les success. Put your faith in ideas, not men.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:01 am
I find it fascinating that so many Christians cast the atheists as the evil ones. I personally believe that it takes just as much faith not to believe in God than it does to believe in the concept of a ultimate higher Power. I, like, Glenn Beck, a member of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) and some of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met and talked to are atheist. After a million questions, hours of pondering and prayer and 4 sets of Mormon missionaries I joined the faith at 24 years old. Years later I stand firm in my faith knowing that whom ever I speak to about religion they are not going to rock my foundation. With no offense intended I wonder of others find atheists as a threat because they ask well though out hard questions. There are people who ask the hard questions with a sincere heart. Then there are those who ask simply to antagonize. I’ll become fast friends of those who ask sincerely. Those who’s goal is to antagonize can go find the nearest fire and die in it. I have no respect for them, let a lone the time.
I figure no matter what religion you are… or aren’t… if you are doing your best to become a better person every day, doing your best to do good for others, moving forward on your life every day then you will be blessed… as it were. Weather you call it The spirit of God or karma, the more you do for others the more it comes back to you. You don’t have to be christian or Mormon or Jewish to be a good upstanding person. Serve the ones you love and you will be good. Love the ones you don’t know and you will become great.
I had no idea that Penn is an atheist. Then again, I’m not a huge fan of his either. I’ve seen him here and there but never really thought about it. I would have loved to see him on Glenn’s show. Penn appearing on Beck really shows how open minded the “evil” conservatives are. I can hardly say that turning the tables the openly Christian would be treated with as much respect and and kindness as Glenn did with Penn as well as all of his other guests. Even though in the religion department they are radically different.
I found this video very moving. Glenn Beck is one of my biggest heroes. I too would be crushed had I finally gotten the opportunity to meet Glenn face to face only to be scream at and demeaned by him. I’d be heart broken.
For what’s it worth Penn, you just gained +50 point of respect in my book.
From my adhd riddled mind,
God Bless you and all your good efforts.
November 28th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
The contradiction is that those who are trying to tear down the country claim to be christians, too. Who will cast the first stone by saying they’re not? On what basis?
Seems the late, great United States of America is drowning in an icky, sticky sea of religion, and its attendant altruism.
Conservatism will never become a force for liberty and capitalism as long as its adherents embrace such drivel. We can see proof of that by simply looking at those elected officials who profess to be conservatives and look at how the country is left devastated in their wake.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:48 am
I have always liked Beck, Teller and Smothers, and I don’t agree with any one of them in all they say. The central problem I have with Christians are those who attempt to impose their values upon non-Christians. The New Testament doesn’t tell them to do so yet they want to have laws passed to enforce their beliefs on people who do not have citizenship in their commonwealth. They are to judge one another, not non-believers. I think they should study the book long enough to come to understand it and busy themselves with abiding by it, rather than telling others to obey it.
Teller is hurt that his stand for what he believes has resulted in an irrational, stone cold attack against his values by someone he idolized in his youth. His reaction suggests he was not prepared to come face to face with the psychotic side of the politically self-righteous comedian, a person whom he had felt he was aligned with ideologically.
Let us all learn not to behave like Smothers, and also be prepared to meet up with someone who does. It really can have a powerful emotional and psychological impact.
November 29th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Teller! I’m an idiot.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:01 am
Never mind.
December 20th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I watch Glenn Beck regularly (4 nights) and find it very hard to believe that Tommy Smothers does, because I used to watch him in the mid-60s. What a cranky old man. Beck is a performer even if you don’t like what he says, as was Tommy.