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US CONSERVATIVE PUNDIT Glenn Beck has compared the Norwegian summer camp where 68 people died to Nazi Germany’s Hitler Youth.
The commentator was speaking on his national radio show following Friday’s massacre on Utøya island, where teenagers had gathered for a long-running summer camp run by the country’s Labour party. “There was a shooting at a political camp, which sounds a little like the Hitler youth, or, whatever,” Beck told listeners yesterday. “I mean, who does a camp for kids that’s all about politics. Disturbing.”
Former Norwegian official Torbjørn Eriksen told the Daily Telegraph the comments were “a new low” for Beck. “Young political activists have gathered at Utoya for over 60 years to learn about and be part of democracy, the very opposite of what the Hitler Youth was about,” he said.
Glenn Beck also condemned the massacre, saying it was “the work of a madman”. But he also quoted Dutch right-winger Geert Wilders, saying the politician had said “political correctness and multiculturalism is killing Europe, and he’s right.”
In a lengthy manifesto, attack suspect Anders Behring Breivik makes several admiring references to Wilders, who has campaigned against multiculturalism and perceived Islamic influences. Wilders has condemned the attacks as “violent and sick”.
Meanwhile, Breivik’s father has said his son should have killed himself after carrying out the attacks. Speaking to a Swedish newspaper, he said “I don’t feel like his father,” CBS News reports.
How could he just stand there and kill so many innocent people and just seem to think that what he did was OK? He should have taken his own life, too. That’s what he should have done.
In Ireland, books of condolence for the victims of the attacks will be open for the public to sign at Dublin’s City Hall and the Mansion House, as well as the Norwegian embassy and at Limerick County Hall. In the North, similar books have opened in Belfast and Derry, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Video: Glenn Beck compares Norwegian camp victims to Hitler Youth
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Wow! That’s breathtakingly ignorant, arrogant and hurtful.
A true American!
Patrick, Beck is a True American just as Kevin Meyers and David Quinn are True Irishmen.
^^Brilliant comparison^^
Dont forget a hypocrite – he also has his own political/religious summer camp for kids – http://www.tampa912.org
It actually wasn’t that hurtful a comparison to make if you actually look at the facts. The Hitler Youth was little more than the boy scout organisation of Germany. Why people often make a big deal that the pope was a member is just sheer irrelevant ignorance.
People need to learn the difference between the large amount of different organisations and vague idealogies that existed in WW2 Germany.
Beck is an ignorant mess. It’s hard to tell if he is just ignorant, or if he is smart and knows how to attract attention. Thank God our media has not stooped so low, here’s hoping it never does.
We at Irish Labour Youth run a similar summer school in Kilkenny every year that is organised directly by us and is attended by young and old alike. It is named after Tom Johnson, Labour’s first parliamentary leader and Ireland’s first leader of the opposition, widely accredited for putting the brakes on the blueshirts at the time. We are certainly not Nazi’s and neither are our Norwegian Comrades in the AUF. Shame on Glenn Beck.
Right-wing radio hosts in America today claim that “progressives” like the Labour Party are todays version of the Nazis. No facts will get in the way of their believing that, either. It’s their messed up way of alienating an ideology they do not like.
@Darren Are you sure?
Bear in mind that to right wing extremists like Beck and his viewers / listeners / crazed fanatic supporters, Norway represents a massive threat to their worldview. The idea of uppity Europeans with their education and health and happiness and wealth confirmed time and again in stark violation of Beck-approved socioeconomic ideology must be quite painful.
Worse still, the Norwegians will most likely mount a collective response to this awful horror characterised by rationality and civility rather than hysterical overreaction as typified by the likes of Beck. The surprising thing is that his comments were so tame, relatively speaking.
If America had such camps there’d be no room for this freak in political commentary.
They have worse camps. Check out the documentary “Jesus Camps”. Truly horrifying stuff.
Wow! Some of these conservative shock jocks are breathtaking in the ignorance of anything. It’s hard to know what is more shocking – what they actually utter or their complete ignorance.
Ironically, these guys would probably be on the schedule with Lord Haw Haw if the NAZIs were still around.
This guy might think having a youth wing of a political party out at event like this but so is Palin’s run around the States as well in a campervan.
Oddly, he seems to forget that Norway is a long time NATO member and one of the strongest supporters the US in it’s “war against terror”. The current PM and his party were in power 2000-01 and since 2005.
What an idiot!
Religious camps run by the senior republicans were they preach no same sex marriages, interracial marriages, purity laws, homophobia. Mr. Beck your the Nazi.
What a scumbag.
It shows the difference between the two countries
George Bush after 9/11: “We will hunt them down.”
Jens Stoltenberg: “We will counter with Democracy.”
Glenn Beck is just an idiot looking for some attention.
Glenn beck is an idiot, full stop, but a dangerous one unfortunately.
The millions in the US that listen and agree with his every word is frightening. Along with Limbaugh, FOX news, and other wackjobs they’re tearing America apart. These are disgusting comments. He should apologise immediately but of course he wont because he’s an arrogant POS.
Chan,
They do have such camps… but they are organised by religious groups.
Well- one of the original Hitler youth is now is the Pope- go figure-
Go figure what? That doesn’t mean anything. It was just the German boy scouts organisation.
Chan, I give to you the 9-12 project Liberty School: http://tampalibertyschool.eventbrite.com/
Wait a second, a “political commentator” (in the loosest possible definition of the term) is complaining about youths who actually take an interest in politics? I mean, apart from the fact of it being a Beck comment, which to me is synonymous with American facist idiocy, that’s a pretty moronic comment for anyone involved in politics to make.
Ironic that Beck should liken a left wing youth camp to Hitler Youth. The guy is one step away from being a card carrying Nazi himself. He’s an extreme right wing fascist conservative.
Also he’s a member of a religion which hold regular religious camps for youth, to which he probably happily sends his kids. I guess developing a thoughful political ideology in your youth is a no-no in his book, but religious indoctrination is perfectly okay.
What an redneck.
Glenn Beck is… and always will be an idiot. No two ways about it. I’ve watched his show a good bit, mainly for the comedy value. Funny thing is though, he thinks he is right in everything that he says… It’s quite scary that he does actually carry some influence in the US, mainly among the ultra conservative population with his whole tea party movement. Most of the stuff that he comes out with is based on half-truths and assumptions, particularly when he was ranting at his blackboard on his show drawing arrows and making tenuous links… (http://youtu.be/uLs4bcjkwfg funny stuff)
He started out as a comedian if i remember correctly, and he has carried on as far as I am concerned with that career. He is clearly an attention seeker and the more his influence diminishes the better….
Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.
Back in the primary school playground with some people, and we wonder why there are so many problems in the world? When people make remarks like that of course they are looking for a reaction, there`s not much else that will satisfy their egos
Now see he works for Fox news and after this will still work for them on his primetime show its amazing how murdoch and fox news are giving him a platform for his views! however a presenter for CNN last year expressed similer comments on a topic on his radio show but not even half as bad. He was out of a job the next day
As an American who has lived in various parts of the world and who is the son of an Irish immigrant, I’d like to offer my perspective. Glenn Beck most certainly is a shock jock, and his view does not represent all of us here. But I think the US gets the short end of the stick when it comes to public opinion, which I do not feel is deserved.
In response to an earlier comment: While I’m certain we have political camps, much like the one in Norway, and that there are parties who are against same sex marriages (a topic of much debate here), I am just as certain they do not preach against mixed race marriages…certainly not any government sponsored groups.
This is my first comment on this site and I hope I was able to contribute to the discussion in a constructive manner.
@Stephen – “I am just as certain they do not preach against mixed race marriagesâ¦certainly not any government sponsored groups.”
OOps, sorry its my first day
I wondered who would be the first self-publicist to try to capitalise on this tragedy. If I’d had a book on it, Beck and the like would have been at short odds.
In most cases one should just ignore a bigot, but it would be a betrayal of the poor souls that lost their lives to let this “human being” go unchallanged! Ironically its no secret where Beck used to work, you guessed it! Fox News, aka Ruperts Media Machine! If anyone has any doubt about how the media in general has become mouth-pieces for elites, here is your prime example. Also if any one has any doubts as to the potential harm of such organisations check out “Fox America” on twitter, no prizes for guessing where they got their name! also interesting is their followers such as one Sarah Palin, not to hard to see where all this inhumane behaviour comes from ???Ironically most of the comment from the right wing “Christians” has been to distance themselves from Brevick, (he is just one rogue christian! just like the recession was caused by a few rogue bankers!!!
Beck is and always has been a shock jock. He doesn’t represent anyone but his own hypocritical, twisted self. Obviously he doesn’t remember history and the fact that the Nazis blew up the Norwegian coast. My mother’s family is Norwegian, better believe those who still live there remember it. It disgusts me that he gains attention from the deaths of children. I don’t dare if he’s from the right or left. I happen to be conservative, but an atrocity like the murder of innocents should be beyond petty politics; we should all condemn it, no matter what our political beliefs are. A terrorist is a terrorist.
But Beck has never been about what really matters, he is about Beck, nothing more. He doesn’t care what is right or wrong, he cares what gets him attention and what draws people to his website. He lost his miserable TV show due to lack of ratings. I hope his website also fades into the woodwork; he’s certainly not scoring points with the Big Guy Upstairs with this kind of talk.
@Michael: last I heard, Beck was leaving Fox News. I am not sure when or if that is still going to happen. I believe it was his own decision and not a matter of him being terminated.
Unfortunately Stephen most public opinion here is formed by what we see and hear!!! Perhaps you could explain to me the big problem that exists over gay marriage etc, recently have passed legislation here re- same sex unions…. not a bother …live n let live!! But perhaps the minority control too much wealth, media etc in America ???
@Gerard – Most religions, especially Judeo-Christian religions preach that homosexuality is an abomination in the sight of God. Most American Republicans think of themselves as God-fearing Christians/Jews/Muslims etc. and have very conservative beliefs. Ergo, they prefer to keep their homosexual tendencies closeted as much as possible and dogmatically rail against others who do not share their opinions/beliefs.
In the interest of fairness, most Democrats do the same thing but from the opposite end of the spectrum.
@Oisin …. point taken and well argued but…..I think there is more than that at play here, perhaps many “christian” Americans hold that view on a religious basis, but I think that powerful people use it to gain political advantage! just like Aparthied was never about the colour of skin ….it was about power and wealth????
@Gerard – Of course they do, but its not uniquely American, as you pointed out. In the US there are tons of examples of politicians using beliefs and demographics to help sway votes. In the last election Mitt Romney play down his Mormonism, even though its a hugely conservative religion and he’s a Republican, which meant its should have been a bonus. But a lot of Republicans in powerful states such as the South and Texas are Baptists and Baptists despise Mormons. So Romney chose power over faith and played down his Mormon ties for votes.
Look at the current VP in the US. Joe Biden. He’s the Democrats answer to Dubya Bush. He can’t open his mouth without screwing something up. Not exactly a great candidate for the White House. Until you consider Obama is way more intelligent than the entire population of any given State, which as a Democrat should play to his favour. But it can also be used to hurt him as it did for John Kerry. He’s also more secular which alienates religious Democrats, conservative Democrats, and swing voters. Biden is a down home folksy religious guy who can carry family values and the blue collar workers, while Obama concentrates on the white collars.
Of course each party also plays to lobbies in the attainment of power. The GOP favours the Jewish lobby, Conservative Christian lobbies, Pro-Life lobbies. The Democrats favour womens lobbies, minority lobbies, and racial lobbies. Its how the two parties carve up the US demographics and psychographics to attain power. And with power comes money and pork barrel politics that make Lowry and Healy-Rae look almost noble and patriotic.
The way he said it was horrible but it is ridiculous to have children at a political camp when they are at age where they are just figuring out who they are. Its highly manipulative
Michael could u pls explain WTF my previous comment was removed !!!!!!
So, what happened to my comment then????
@Oisin: looking at that link (I appreciate that you posted it), those are citizens who say they are republicans. But that is not an endorsed or supported view of the republican party. You’re talking about Mississippi, which is deep south & has been always been behind the times when it comes to equality.
@Gerard: I have to tell you, I can’t tell you what the problem is with gay marriage. I haven’t heard it adequately explained outside of it being an ideological view. I personally am not against gay marriage. If I am to be completely honest, I probably lean more towards being indifferent to it either way, since it does not concern me directly.
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