Glenn Beck Addresses Ad Boycott: "They Can Take My Job!"; Channels Howard Beale From "Network"

Fox News Channel's Glenn Beck staged a semi-religious rant Wednesday in which he appeared to address the boycott that has cost him dozens of advertisers, claiming that even if his enemies win, "I will only be stronger for it."

The style of the speech was reminiscent of Howard Beale's "I'm as mad as hell!" scene from the movie Network, including the economic and political problems (banks, recession) that beset both the audience in the movie and America today. (Compare videos of Beck and Beale below.)

Advertisers have pulled their spots from the Beck show because the host claimed President Obama has a "hatred for white people" and is "a racist." Over a banner that said "Speak Without Fear," Beck on Wednesday began a soliloquy which started with his alcoholism:

After I sobered up I admitted I was a dirtbag, man I was a dirtbag! ... I have tried my hardest not to be a dirtbag any more. I still make mistakes ...

But just as it seemed that he was about to say that calling the president a racist was one of those mistakes, Beck waded further into the river:

They can take my job and they can take my wealth but that's okay. ... even if the powers to be, right now, succeed in making me poor, drum me out, and I'm just a worthless loser ... which I'm just about that much above that now ... I will only be stronger for it.

He didn't mention the boycott or his advertisers specifically, but the reference to "they" taking his job doesn't make sense unless you already know that his show is being drained of revenue. Then Beck became an old-school tent preacher:

I will use American ingenuity and my ingenuity to pull myself up, and I will find another way to get my message out on a platform that will be a thousand times more powerful! Because of my faith, I know how this story ends. The truth will set you free! America, you prepare to witness mighty and powerful miracles in your lifetime!

The only thing missing was a demand to stick your head out of the window and yell "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

Hat tip to Gawker.

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