Gore Urges Kids To Act On Climate Change, Glenn Beck Compares Them To ‘Hitler Youth’

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by Michael dEstries February 6, 2009
Categories: .

beckgore

Glenn Beck is one of those people who flippantly uses Nazi, Germany as a comparison to current events. Just like FOX’s Greg Gutfeld, the horrific events of World War II are now punch lines — dramatic analogies that not only make little sense, but are casually used to sensationalize stories and somehow justify arguments.

Take for instance Beck’s latest comments over Al Gore’s recent speech to some children on the eve of Obama’s inauguration. The former V.P. told the kids there to question their parents on conventional wisdom in order to overcome the challenges of modern America, one of them being global warming. “The entire North Polar Ice Cap is melting,” Gore said. “The sea level is rising, the storms are getting stronger. You know the story. It has to be dealt with and you have to help us deal with it because you – you’re not encumbered with these old assumptions that it’s OK to put all the pollution up there. (Read Gore’s full comments here.)

On his radio show, Glenn Beck offered the following:

“I’m trying to think where else this has been done – Soviet Russia, Nazi, Germany, Mussolini’s Italy,” Beck said. “In fact, the Nazis took an extra step. Not only did they indoctrinate the kids and tell them you’re probably right, you know but your parents don’t; in fact, here’s the next step: Why don’t you tell us what your parents are telling you. Are we having the new Hitler youth? Is that what this is? The new Hitler youth? I’m sorry, that’s so politically incorrect – the new green guard. Man your station, 12-year-olds, your parents just don’t know.”

Yea — because kids concerned about energy independence, the 3 Rs, environmental stewardship, and a more efficient nation are something to be concerned about. I love how right-wing conservatives — so hungry for something to compare to Nazi, Germany — so frequently go after the green scene as the next violent chapter in human history. Amazing.

Listen to the full audio here.

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

View all posts by Michael dEstries →
  • http://www.nosferatofu.blogspot.com Eric

    I still don’t understand how Al Gore can preach so much about environmentalism and continue to eat meat. Does he drive an SUV as well, and chop down trees in the rainforest?

    I’m a total fan of Al Gore, but still, I don’t get it.

    And I really don’t understand how “conservatives” can be against cleaning the world up? Isn’t that what they want? But I guess these are the same people who are opposed to yoga being part of the physical education program in schools.

  • JL

    Eric – FYI, from what I’ve seen and heard, Conservatives aren’t against cleaning the world up – they’re against the government stealing more taxes by labeling CO2 a pollutant, and crippling the energy fields that exist in favor of fields that may never really work (they take issue with wind and ethanol, in particular).

    I’m not for all that, but I have seen and heard it.

    On the other hand, yoga should NOT be a part of phys ed – too many provocative positions in the stretching. Even the sun salutation is more sexy than any stretch should be. I’d hate to see my old gym teachers doing a downward dog in front of the class.

  • http://RawfoodsRetreat.com Erin Raw Foods

    Dear Eric,

    Republicans (who like to call themselves conservatives but aren’t really) don’t want to clean up the world because sadly they are more pro corporation than they are pro people. Kind of like George W Bush. He was all about makin money for himself his dick cheney… I mean VP Dick Cheney ;) and his scary family.

    They also would rather those tax dollars be spent on wars that make them even more money (and all of us and the economy poor not to mention the soldiers and many civilians DEAD)

    You see, it isn’t a big enough money maker for the Republicans plus then their dirty business would have to clean up their act and they cannot have that. They are not conservative (and certainly not CONSERVATIONists) they are liars. and big government… That’s what they are.

    Also the reason they don’t have Yoga in the school systems in the US (they are incorporated into many other schools in other cultures) is because people are afraid it might go against Jesus because the majority of those big government Republicans are also hypocritical Christians. They are afraid Jesus wouldn’t like it. Jesus Christ. The one they say if you don’t believe in you’re going to go to HELL.

    Also, as as JL said they’re too sexy a stretches. You see in Europe and Asia they can do these but since America is so hung up on sex we can’t do it here because Americans aren’t mature enough to see it as a disciplined art. Even the mature old JL says the stretch is too sexy. HE SHE (don’t know since they only give their initials and won’t tell their name) can’t get past that part.

    I hope that helps clarify some things for you ERic. Because that’s how it is in this country ;) And I say it like it is ;)

    Erin

  • http://www.veganjapan.net herwin

    yeah absolutely right. just as Palin calling wildlife defenders “extremist” and pretending they are only after the money of “hardworking americans”, as if wildlife defenders and anyone caring for the environment arent americans but illegale imigrants or something.

  • steph

    Nsil right on the head Erin.

    Anyone who thinks we should all follow blindly and not question athority is an ass.

    That is how the world is changed, that is how women got the right to vote and african americans the right to marry ect.

    People and children alike SHOULD stop and go “wait…this doesn’t make sense, why doesn’t it and how can it be changed.”

  • VeggieTart

    Bringing up Nazis/Hitler is indicative that you know you’re losing the argument, so you’re blindly throwing this weapon to shut the opposition up. Glenn Beck and his ilk are in the wrong and can’t face it.

    And when it comes to accusing someone of Hitler Youth, he should talk. He looks like he could be a recruiter for them.

  • Matt

    Here’s a better Nazi analogy for you – the Neo-Con Party (they are not Republicans or conservatives) are Fascists. I don’t mean they want to kills Jews, although some may want to do that. I mean they are Fascists in a very literal sense. Fascism is when corporate power controls the government. The Neo-Cons are very pro-corporate power. They start wars to make their corporate friends more money. They pass laws making it easier for their corporate friends to pollute, pillage and rape the planet. They support the WTO and the World Bank to keep a cheap foreign labor (more like slave) force. They have allies in the media who help distort their true agenda with double speak, misrepresentation of the issues and outright lies. They’ve turned the word liberal (which actually means pro-freedom) into a dirty word. They’ve taken the word conservative as their own even though they don’t want to conserve anything but corporate power and wealth. They’ve taken the Republican banner, which used to be about representing the people’s interests, and turned it into a party that represents corporate interest. They call anyone who objects to the way that the Neo-Cons do business as unpatriotic. Yes, they are Fascists in the truest sense of the world.

    Now don’t get me wrong. Corporations in and of themselves aren’t the problem. The problem is that the Neo-Cons have sold out the country, it’s people, it’s land, it’s interests, to the corporate elites.

  • http://RawfoodsRetreat.com Erin Raw Foods

    Matt

    I don’t know who you are but you put it way better than I ever could. Thank you. Sometimes when I say Neocons my liberal friends somehow think I am referring to them (my friend said it’s about conservatives who have gone “liberal” but really it’s about Republicans who have gone big government or just as you described above. You said it so well. My hat off to you. I am going to take your post and send it a to a few friends if you don’t mind to clarify some things.

    thanks!

    Erin :)

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  • http://www.remyc.com RemyC

    “Everybody wants a new world order. It’s just nobody wants it controlled by a bunch of corporate fascists!”
    ~ Paul Krasner

    “I love a man in a uniform”
    ~ Gang of Four

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