Last updated on August 10th, 2014 at 04:59 pm
On her MSNBC program, Rachel Maddow thoroughly took apart Glenn Beck’s and Sarah Palin’s Great Alaska 9/11 cash grab, by saying, “We like to commercialize and exploit everything. And apparently, there are people shameless enough about this American tragedy to turn it into a $200 a ticket “meet and greet” commercial commemorative beer party.”
Here is the video from MSNBC:
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Maddow described Palin and Beck’s event, “If you are looking for other ways to celebrate—and I do mean to celebrate—the 9/11 anniversary this year, don’t worry. One event that has not canceled or suspended is the planned Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin 9/11 beer bust up in Alaska. Tickets range in price from a low of $73.75 to a high of $225 for a spot in the arena and participation in a “meet and greet”… But organizers are also making clear that if you are 21 years old or over, you can get tickets in the section in which they will be selling booze at this event.”
She pointed to a quote from Palin’s Facebook page to debunk the claims from Glenn Beck’s camp that the scheduling of this event was not a coincidence, “And unless anyone believe it is somehow a coincidence that this event is being held on 9/11, here again from Ms. Palin’s Facebook page. Quote, “I can think of no better way to commemorate 9/11 than to gather with patriots who will never forget.””
Ms. Maddow then blasted Republicans for eagerly profiting from 9/11 but voting against health care for first responders, “OK. How is this for never forgetting? How about us patriots who are dedicated to never forgetting 9/11, we all get together as Americans and agree to get health care for the heroes of 9/11 — the first responders who are sick because of the dust and debris they were exposed to at Ground Zero at the real 9/11? Now, I understand that this is an unstoppable train. We like to commercialize and exploit everything. And apparently, there are people shameless enough about this American tragedy to turn it into a $200 a ticket “meet and greet” commercial commemorative beer party. But here’s the thing, in July of this year, 155 Republicans voted “no” to providing 9/11 first responders with health care. Only 12 Republicans voted for that bill.”
She continued, “It is about to come up for a vote again and I can think of two voices that could be incredibly influential with Republicans who, so far, are refusing to support the heroes of 9/11 to get health care. Two potentially influential conservative figures who will be entertaining their fans at a 4,500-seat convention center in Anchorage on the anniversary of 9/11 because it’s 9/11 — and yes, there will be beer and $200 “meet Glenn Beck in person” tickets.”
Maddow pointed out that Sarah and Beck probably don’t want to be downers by talking about sick 9/11 first responders at their beer bash, “With money to be made and beer to be drunk, I’m sure talk of ailing 9/11 responders would be a real downer, so let’s not get too hopeful that this might be turned into a constructive cause. But, you know, maybe.” Later Maddow moved on to Newt Gingrich’s own 9/11 cash grab DVD, which is even more disgusting than the thought of Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck doing keg stands in an attempt to “remember the fallen of 9/11.”
There is nothing tasteful or respectful about what Palin and Beck are doing. It is a pure and simple straight for profit venture. These two titans of greed and exploitation could care less about the victims of 9/11 or the first responders who are in dire need of health care. If there is a dollar to made, you can count on the crass commercial traveling Beck and Palin circus to find it. Beck and Palin aren’t leaders. They are hucksters, or to put it more politely self interested entrepreneurs.
This event is being held in Alaska, not because Palin has some big 2012 announcement. There is much simpler reason. By holding the event as far away as possible, media attention will be kept to a minimum. Like thieves in the night Beck and Palin thought that they could pillage for cash under the media darkness of Alaska. You see, for the right wing, commercialism and exploitation of 9/11 has become something of a birthright. Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck are more obvious about their desire to make a buck, but they are no different than Rudy Giuliani or any of the other Republicans who see dollar signs in memory of the collapse of the Twin Towers.
Rachel Maddow deserves special credit using the Beck/Palin chug-a-lug to try to turn our attention back to where it really belongs. First responders are still in dire need of health care, and Republicans still don’t care. They will all wrap themselves in the flag tomorrow, but don’t buy their phony act. Republicans will never understand that thousands of people lost their lives nine years ago tomorrow, and the day is about the victims, not personal profit. The best way to remember 9/11 is not by giving your money to Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck, but if you have a dollar to spare, do what Republicans won’t by making a small donation to an organization like 9/11 Health Now. While the souless grifters continue to grift, but at least we real patriots can keep the pressure on Congress do the right thing.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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