Quote:
Originally Posted by Wes Mantooth
What annoys me about people like Beck though is the hyperbole he uses the process. Look at the story above. Somebody probably could build a reasonable argument that universities are too liberal and not doing enough to craft conservative thinkers (sounds like a bunch of hooey to me but whatever). But not Beck and his peers, instead he throws around terms like "re-education camps" and "indoctrinating our children" to sensationalize what should be nothing more then a trivial discussion about politics. Keep 'em angry and separate 'em over every issue and they'll keep tuning in in droves.
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This is a good point, but you don't go far enough in your criticism. Beck isn't merely glossing over potential problems with the university system, and he isn't merely using terms normally associated with the practices of authoritarian regimes. No...he's comparing universities directly with terrorist groups and Iran and North Korea. It's a blatant and psychotic attack on universities and the ideas encapsulated in intellectualism.
It's bullshit, and likely a knee-jerk reaction to a comment regarding the public education surrounding health care, but that doesn't matter. When all is said and done, many of his viewers will accept his arguments that universities are evil entities that seek to destroy the free and righteous minds of their children. I guess it's an argument for home-schooling and special universities set up by Christian ministries.
On the surface, it's fear mongering. Its net effect is fear mongering.
The universities in America are just as bad as terrorists groups! Wake up, America! Your freedom is at risk! The Marxists in power are destroying the republic!
How long before he starts broadcasting an actual call to action?