Blog Assignment #14: Media

Glenn Beck Crosses Line, Teases Malia Obama

Two days after going on record stating that families of political figures are off limits in criticizing their political beliefs, Glenn Beck crossed the line mocking Obama’s 11-year-old daughter Malia. The mocking went on for several minutes on the Glenn Beck radio show, at one point even twisting the story that Obama talked about saying in a mocking tone, “”Daddy, why do you hate black people so much?” Clearly the line was crossed at that point, but Beck continued with a skit that mocked both President Obama and his daughter.

I vaguely know anything about Glenn Beck, but from this topic, I already find myself in the She-Woman-Glenn Beck-Hater-Club. To mock the president is one thing. To mock his 11 year old daughter is a whole different scenario that needs to be treated immediately. She is only 11 years old! Give her a break. To be calling her racy and stereotypical names that I will not repeat here, for her giving a peace sign? Really? This is too far Glenn Beck, and you need to step back and back off.

Reporters Caught on Tape Mocking Palin Speech

Several reporters were caught on an open mike mocking Sarah Palin for delivering a "roller coaster"-type speech after she addressed California State University, Stanislaus. As the former Alaska governor stepped off stage at the sold-out dinner fundraiser and the sound of applause faded away, voices identified as reporters in a viral video could be heard one after another cracking jokes about the speech. 

"Oh my God, I feel like I just got off a roller coaster, going round and round, and up and down. [  ] flying out … everywhere," one said, as someone else made whooshing sounds.

Another one chimed in, comparing the address to the work of a sloppy college student.

"When you’ve got to write a report as a college student and you just try to jam as many quotes in as possible … That’s what I got," he said. Someone else added: "She didn’t finish a statement."

Then another voice could be heard cutting through, saying: "Did she make a statement, because I didn’t catch that either."

Afterward, FOX40 News released a statement saying that the chatter was picked up on its microphone, despite "several warnings" that the station was operating a "hot" mike providing a live signal from the event's sound system. 

Way to go. Caught in the act. Smooth move Spidermans.