It’s been said by those in the church with a more sardonic outlook than usually preferred by the majority thereof to be its public face that only Christians kill their wounded. A straightforward definition of this is when someone stumbles and fails in the faith, particularly in the realm of personal conduct, they are just as likely to be shunned as supported by the church, individually and collectively. Instead of Christ the rock of salvation, it’s grab a rock and heave ho at the ‘ho.
I offer an amendment to the above, that being when it comes to demonizing, ostracizing and the like those of similar ilk conservatives, particularly those active online, are equally inclined to give each other the back of their hand, in lieu of the open hand of compassion and care, whenever disputes arise. Case in point: the lengthy Daily Caller post today slamming Glenn Beck for using source material drawn from conservative blogs and bloggers without always giving them credit for being the source.
Should credit be given when credit is due? Of course. I’ve had several experiences over the years where something I’ve written, or some idea I’ve espoused, has been copied wholesale without the slightest indication given from whence it came. Definitely not cool, and something Beck and associates should eschew going forth.
That said, it’s well nigh impossible to notice the assorted reactions without at least entertaining the notion that in the eyes of many, Beck’s primary sin isn’t failing to properly note what material came from whom. It’s not giving every little everyone the appropriate egostrokes by mentioning their work and/or name on air.
Shall we be honest, fellow bloggers? No one knows who we are. No one. We have zero effect on the political direction of this country, zero effect on the mainstream political discussion, and zero effect on public policy. The politicians who agree with us, people like Michele Bachmann and Allen West? They would be who they are, holding the positions they hold and voting the way they do regardless of whether we approved. We talk a great game, but when it comes down to action we’re too busy stroking our chickens to bring any eggs to market.
Sure, some of us do a better job of grabbing a slice of the pie than others. But we’re all competing for the exact same pie. And so, depending on which way the wind blows we either enter into a circle jerk or a circular firing squad. Whatever will get us the most attention. Not results, mind you. We’re kidding ourselves about that. Just attention from each other.
Bringing this back to Beck, collectively we couldn’t draw fifty people to the Washington Mall for a rally. Beck drew in the range of five hundred thousand last year. People, whether they love him or hate him, know who he is. They’ve most likely heard or read, albeit often in distorted form, his beliefs and teachings. Glenn Beck matters.
And we want to matter too. And it eats us alive when we’re reminded, albeit unintentionally, by a Glenn Beck and others that we aren’t who we think we are. We think we’re the great difference makers, engaged and part of the solution because we blog and tweet and attend conferences. No, no we’re not.
We have forgotten Who made us and His divine right to make some of us into individuals of public importance and others into private individuals. We rail against and scoff at those who remind us of this even as we seek to boast of our great accomplishments and tremendous importance. And then we wonder why the world has yet to come knocking at our door.
As said, using material created by others without giving credit is wrong. However, also as said before we’re floating lollipop dreams in a cotton candy sky if we think there’s a desperate need for our services. Even if Glenn Beck credited every single scrap of anything drawn from anyone, none of those other people would be him, or in his league. It is this fact that ought to be of primary consideration.
Don’t bet on it being so.
ADDENDUM: Thanks to Dan Collins for the link.
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Interesting take Jerry. I’m not sure if Beck was willfully trying to pass the material off as his own, but instead chose not to cite preponderous “right wing” blog sources to bolster his “unaffiliated-neither R or D” schtick; something that drives me nuts.
Indeed, although I share a lot of beliefs with Beck I generally don’t listen nor read his sites, precisely because he is among a number of personalities that insisit on prefacing their rants, or insering the later qualifier at some point, that “Republicans are just as bad as Democrats”. I consider that to be not just erroneous and broad brush, but a contrivance and part of a larger pipe-dream of the ephemeral “third party” that is all sweetness and light, with none of the unfortunate downsides of government by consensus and compromise. That and the reformed addicts zeal and concomitant oversimplifications he brings to bear in his attempts to explain civics to those who have never had to learn it nor previously shown any interest…
That may be my loss, to be sure, and he serves a role, like we all do, in God’s plan. But instead of being critical, as I have been here, I choose instead not to watch/listen/read him.
My Regards
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