Glenn Beck: Media Matters’ 2009 Misinformer of the Year

Media Matters has a well-reported account of Glenn’s misdeeds.

Sarah Palin BANS bloggers

Remember all the flap about the so-called ‘war on Fox News”?  President Obama was called all the ‘ism’ words, and worse, without any evidence to back any of the complaints.  Along comes the GOP’s darling Palin — Sarah Palin banned four local bloggers from attending her Going Rogue signing in Wasilla, according to one blogger who was apparently on the list. The Immoral Minority’s Gryphen and blogger-friend Dennis Zaki found themselves escorted off the premises of the Wasilla Sports Center by a police officer who informed them that they were on the “banned list.” Gryphen says that, in addition to him and Zaki, Alaska radio-host Shannon Moore and an unknown fourth person were also banned from the event. About 1,000 people turned up for the Wasilla event.

That she would ban them from her book signing indicates a person who has no intention of being open-minded and inclusive of those who do not agree with her. This bodes badly for her image if she honestly thinks that she can have any political clout.

Now that the shoe is on the other foot, the GOP is sure to defend Palin.

Wednesday, 12/23/09, Public Square

The Crisis

by Thomas Paine

The Crisis is a collection of articles written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolutionary War. In 1776 Paine wrote Common Sense, an extremely popular and successful pamphlet arguing for Independence from England. The essays collected here constitute Paine’s ongoing support for an independent and self-governing America through the many severe crises of the Revolutionary War. General Washington found the first essay so inspiring, he ordered that it be read to the troops at Valley Forge.

December 23, 1776

THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER” and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.