Today, the CEO of Blinds.com released a lengthy statement detailing the ongoing fiasco caused by Angelo Carusone of @StopBeck.
Before I go on, I’d like to call for civility on both sides of the political spectrum. If you’re a liberal spewing hatred or a conservative flinging bigoted remarks, it discredits you. I have no desire to be associated with anyone, (regardless of political affiliation) who cannot make an intelligent point. You degrade the arguments and yourself by doing so.
That being said, a few things:
If you don’t see this as a free speech issue, please think about this:
- Angelo is using twitter to harass, bully and intimidate sponsors into dropping their advertising from the Glenn Beck program.
- His ultimate goal is to have the Glenn Beck program taken off the air, successfully completing his mission of advertiser intimidation.
- As the ultimate goal is to silence Glenn by taking him off the air using financial intimidation, this is a form censorship and thus a free speech issue.
- Angelo has repeatedly taken quotes out of context, reported inaccurate facts and invented outright lies.
- You may hate Glenn, you may disagree with everything he says/stands for, etc…but do you REALLY want to live in a country where media outlets are shut down because of a dissenting opinion?
From a business perspective, Glenn reaches more than two million people on Fox news. Coddling a small group of people who exaggerate and distort truth does not make sense. Additionally, I find MSNBC irresponsible and distasteful. You know what I do? Turn them off, I choose not to watch them. In America, we get to make that choice. But I would also stand arm in arm with those on MSNBC to protect their ABILITY to say the things I so vehemently disagree with.
Please support Blinds.com and send the CEO a supportive tweet at @BlindscomCEO
Please share this post, follow me on twitter at @StopAngelo or email me at StopAngelo@hotmail.com
Thank you.
Warm Wishes,
Jason Tsumis
In his inaugural “report” for Media Matters, Angelo Carusone inaccurately reported the facts related to the number of affiliates carrying Glenn Beck’s radio program. Angelo reported Glenn has fallen below 400 affiliate radio stations. He forgot to include the 88 stations who PICKED GLENN UP over the last year.
The Business Insider and Mediaite both covered Angelo’s error:
If you’re like us, you’re looking forward to more Cronkite - esque reporting from Angelo.
As many of you know, Glenn Beck has been sounding the alarm for America, achieving tremendous success over the last few years. With that success, detractors have emerged. Those who wish ill will upon Glenn, those who wish to silence him, those who will stop at nothing to make him go away.
They harass his sponsors, spread lies and distort truth to serve their progressive agenda. Below, I’ve outlined why their attacks are about more than just Glenn. They’re attacking Conservative America, our belief system and everything we hold dear. Please share this post with anyone you know interested in supporting freedom of speech, capitalism and truth.
One more thing, there is nothing the left wants more than to paint you as racist, to convey you’re intolerant or bigoted or any number of untruths to discredit you. Don’t fall into this trap. Don’t let your passion and anger turn to cynicism or bitterness. Show your support to Glenn’s sponsors with peace and love, reassure and encourage them, let them know what you really stand for and do it in a civil way.
Because of the reasons outlined below, we will begin fighting back (peacefully) by addressing all of the lies and distortions coming from @StopBeck and his followers. To see how you can help, skip to the end of the post.
1) Support Freedom of Speech
Every time Angelo of @StopBeck harasses Glenn’s sponsors, he erodes a tiny piece of America’s free speech. Under no circumstances should a business be forced to cancel advertising based on a disagreement over one group’s point of view. It’s not only unconstitutional; it undermines the very freedoms our country was founded on. People should be allowed to express varying points of view. I may not agree with everything MSNBC says but I support their ability to say it. It was one thing when freedom of speech was being attacked, it’s quite another when advertisers relent to their attackers.
Being offended is not license to attack free speech. Disagreeing with a viewpoint does not mean that view should be censored. The attacks against free speech, Glenn and his sponsors must stop.
“What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.”
—Salman Rushdie
“Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself.”
—Potter Stewart, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
2) Support Capitalism
Every time Angelo of @StopBeck makes an accusation Glenn is profiting from his own business, (a wild concept to Angelo) he’s attacking capitalism. When you don’t believe in a free market system, these kinds of attacks make sense. While morally reprehensible and inconceivable to us, those against capitalism have traditionally used censorship and propaganda to back up their lies.
Glenn is supported largely by advertisers. While the numbers reported (300) are inaccurate, it does seem like there have been several advertisers who have backed away from the show due to the harassment by @StopBeck. We need to stand up in support of capitalism.
The attacks against capitalism, Glenn and his sponsors must stop.
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” - Thomas Jefferson
3) Stand up for Truth
By radio, Glenn Beck reaches ten million people every day. By television, Glenn reaches over two million people a day. He’s sold over four million books and reaches three million people per month via his website, The Blaze. Via stage and screen, he’s reached countless more.
Make no mistake about it, Glenn is not going away. But, people at @StopBeck hope if they can manipulate stories and make it appear as if Glenn is failing, it will become a self fulfilling prophecy.
Because of you, this will never happen. Because of you, as long as we stand up and support Glenn and his sponsors, the left will never succeed.
There are a variety of other lies this group manufactures on a daily basis, we must address each lie and distortion with truth. We cannot stand idly by any longer.
The attacks against truth, Glenn and his sponsors must stop.
Let’s protect free speech. Let’s Protect capitalism. Let’s stand for truth. Join me in supporting Glenn and his sponsors.
“Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. Our enemies are numerous and powerful; but we have many friends, determining to be free, and heaven and earth will aid the resolution. On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important question, on which rest the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves. “
Joseph Warren, Boston Massacre Oration, March 6, 1775
How to Help
There are a few immediate things you can do to help. They are:
- Email StopAngelo@hotmail.com to join our email list. I’ll get in contact with you this way to discuss supporting Glenn’s sponsors.
- Send an email to five friends you think would support our cause. Have them email StopAngelo@hotmail.com
- Follow us on Twitter @StopAngelo and RT often
- Look up the sponsors that @StopBeck is harassing. Send a supportive tweet or an encouraging email to them with kind words!
- Send this post to anyone you think would support our cause
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” – Edmund Burke
It is my sincere hope that you do something. Thanks for being a part of something extraordinary.
Warm Wishes,
Jason Tsumis
