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Glenn Beck
Good News from Iraq?; Ohio Congressional Candidate Addresses Issues
Aired October 31, 2006 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
GLENN BECK, HOST: Full show tonight. What the media is not telling you about the war in Iraq. And there`s a ton.
Plus, the most outrageous and latest comment from John Kerry. I don`t think I`ve heard anything this outrageous since he was in Vietnam.
Also, when did Halloween costumes get to be so skanky? Next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Tonight`s episode is brought to you by President Tom`s Halloween Emporium, where you can get costumes like Sexy Burka Lady, Sexy Suicide Woman or the brand-new Sexy bin Laden. So, come on down to President Tom`s Halloween Emporium, or we will kill you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECK: Well, here it is, Halloween. I don`t know about you. I`m dressed up as a voter who`s sick and tired of bull crap, but it just doesn`t end.
We`re seven days from this election, and if you would believe everything that you`d see in the media, there`s never any good news coming out of Iraq. No, it`s completely on fire. American soldiers are in the middle of a death trap. We`re all doomed.
Take a look at this Democratic campaign ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRAPHIC: What is the Bush and GOP plan for Iraq?
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will stay the course until the job is done.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Absolutely essential that we stay the course.
TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We`ve got to stay the course.
BUSH: We stay the course.
GRAPHIC: October is the bloodiest month for U.S. troops in Iraq in two years.
BUSH: And the citizens of Iraq need to know we will stay the course.
SNOW: The second thing you do is you stay the course.
CHENEY: But we have to stay the course.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECK: I ought to tell you, with the music, it`s like it`s out of "Star Wars" or something.
Look, I understand there are terrible things happening in Iraq, but you are not getting the whole story. What a surprise.
Here`s the point tonight. I am so fed up with people saying that this election is a referendum on Iraq. No, it`s not. It is an election for people who will lead us into the future.
But if you`re insisting on calling it a referendum on Iraq, at least give us all the facts. They won`t. So tonight, I will.
Again, I know things are not sunshine and lollipops in Iraq. It`s a war zone. It`s bad. But the people who are spreading nothing but bad news are also suggesting that we`re a soft country. Just because things are tough, we shouldn`t stay the course, which means stay in the battle.
You know what it is? We are acting -- not all of us -- are acting like a bunch of Little Leaguers who are losing after the third inning: "I want to go home." You know what? Finish the game. Maybe we need a few more adults at the party that says, "Play the game." And you know what? You might just win.
Should we have pulled out of World War II based on how things were going at Iwo Jima? That was a bloodbath.
We are giving up, and our enemies, not just in Iraq but in Iran and Syria, more importantly, can sense it. Do you honestly think that it`s a good idea to stir the pot in Iraq, arm these people, train them to fight, and then abandon them right in the middle of ancient Babylon? Read the good book. See how that nightmare ends. Give you a hint: it`s at the end of the book.
It`s hard for those of us who are not pro war. I`m not pro war. But I understand the situation. And so many people do. It is so hard for us to continue to make the same argument over and over and over again.
I`m tired of fighting about it. We already had the referendum on Iraq four years ago. We had that argument before we went in. We`re there now. And the same people who didn`t want us to go in the first place are trying to change your mind and wear you down with the same argument that makes you want to put a freaking gun in your mouth.
Nobody in the media is telling you the real story about what`s going on in Iraq. They`re only saying how hopeless it is. Well, here are some facts you`re just not hearing.
Do you realize that a huge chunk of Iraq is still greeting us as liberators? Kurdistan comprises 33 percent of the entire country. They`re now today putting finishing touches on their park system. They are building a university there called the American University of Iraq. Have you ever heard that? Iraq`s deputy prime minister said they`re naming it after us to thank us for liberating them.
A new opera house is being built. Two new international airports. The terminals feature state-of-the-art high-speed interne internet. I`m not sure we even have that in La Guardia. But have you heard any of these? Of course not. Of course not.
Why? Well, the media argues that good news just doesn`t sell. Again, that is a lie. Good news just doesn`t sell some people`s agenda, and that agenda is to say that we`re losing in Iraq. It`s a war not worth fighting. The American University of Iraq? That doesn`t sell that agenda.
Here`s what I know tonight. The reason why Kurdistan is secure is because it`s not controlled by the Sunnis or the Shias. That influence is coming from Iran.
These people have rejected radicalism. They have not been influenced by Iran and Syria. All the violence you`re seeing in the rest of the country is coming directly from Iran and Syria. That`s their end game for the entire region and then the rest of the world: to fall under radical Islamic law. We cannot let that happen.
Here`s what I don`t know. Me, a goofball with a stupid radio show and a pretty rinky-dink cable TV show, why am I the only one in the media that will tell you the complete story?
Meet Nijyar Shemdin. He is the U.S. representative of the Kurdistan regional government.
How come we are not hearing about this progress that`s being made in 33 percent of the country?
NIJYAR SHEMDIN, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, KURDISTAN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: First, thank you for asking me to join this program.
BECK: Sure.
SHEMDIN: And thank you for allowing us to be heard.
Yes, the reason is because good news never travels. You know, good news tend to be forgotten. Bad news tend to be remembered and to be advertised. I believe that`s the reason.
BECK: You know, I remember my wife and I, we went right after September 11, we went to Israel and tried to get a handle on the Middle East. I was trying to bone up on what is happening in the Middle East.
And I remember when I got off the plane, my wife said to me, "I expected tanks. I expected fires everywhere. I expected people running with blood on their faces. And it just wasn`t that." The media had spun it so badly that it really didn`t reflect the same as what you saw on TV in real life.
Tell me about the realities of Kurdistan today.
SHEMDIN: I just came back from a trip to -- to Arbil, the capital of the Kurdistan regional government. And I -- I flew into the airport, and I then took off and flew into Saranir (ph) airport. I went to Baghdad, also, flew into Baghdad and back. Then I visited Kirkuk.
Kurdistan is a safe and sound place. There is not one single American soul wasted there or killed, and we`re proud to say that. And we thank the Americans again, just like as the other Iraq program that you showed, because America and the coalition government are protecting us to get to our mission, which is instill democracy and safety and security.
BECK: Well, we -- I have to tell you, we owe it to you for abandoning you the first time around. What -- go ahead.
SHEMDIN: We -- we do not forget, but we forgive, and we look forward. And we appreciate good things happening to us.
BECK: You have troops amassing on your border in Turkey and Iran. I think you guys are the entranceway. They`re going to blame it on you and say we need to keep the Kurds in line. Do you feel that there is a threat from Turkey and Iran on your border?
SHEMDIN: We, the Kurds of Iraq have followed the policy of good neighborly relationships with Iran, with Turkey, with Syria, in spite of the fact that when there are amassment of troops on our borders, they always say that these are normal training programs and so forth. It has nothing to do with us.
But we -- we are hopeful that the international community and the Americans and the coalition governments will protect us so that we will keep the achievements that we have secured so far.
BECK: America is having a great debate. A lot of people say this war wasn`t worth it. Why -- convince America this was worth it.
SHEMDIN: All I know is that, as far as we Kurds are concerned, America has rescued Iraq from a despot who is Saddam Hussein who was in control for 34 years and who killed a million Iraqis. And to us, that now we`re liberated and we have a full-fledged democracy, elections, a parliament and a -- and a government that is accountable to the parliament. We have a united leadership.
BECK: Right.
SHEMDIN: And we have all these things, so we have nothing but to say thanks.
BECK: Nijyar, thank you so much.
Listen, if you don`t believe that there`s actually some good news coming out of Iraq, I saw this commercial on TV, and it brought me to tears. Watch this actual commercial from Kurdistan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Saddam`s goal was to bury every living Kurd. He failed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, America.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Kurds of Iraqi Kurdistan just want to say thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For helping us win our freedom.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you for democracy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, America.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is GLENN BECK.
BECK: Sometimes those things that are worth doing are hard. Coming up, the next installment in our week-long series "Vote America". Tonight folks from the battleground state of Ohio, one particular race is making headlines.
Also, the fan reviews are in for Barbra Streisand`s concert. Apparently, Diet Coke the new rotten tomato.
And Halloween costumes, gone from scary to sleazy. Our own unscientific survey with Project runway model. Do not miss it, coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Why have Glenn read your e-mail when you can tell him yourself?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Listen, you sick twisted (expletive deleted).
ANNOUNCER: Glenn Beck Video Mail. Turn on your camera and say it like you mean it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECK: Like Charles Barkley said last night on the program, I think we should do away with both political parties and just vote American. It is really not about left versus right; it is right versus wrong.
For our "Vote American" series, we`re inviting candidates on the show to come on and talk about the issues, not politics, not to bash the opponent.
Tonight, Democratic congressional candidate from Ohio, Victoria Wulsin, joins us.
Doctor, how are you?
VICTORIA WULSIN (D), OHIO CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: Great. Thanks for having me on.
BECK: I have to start with the news of the day with -- with John Kerry, and he said that if you try to be smart and educated, you have a future. If not, you get stuck in Iraq. Your comment on that, not about him, but your personal view on how -- how do you take that?
WULSIN: I believe that the best and brightest of our youth and of our adults should be in the military. There`s nothing more important to all of us than national defense, and it should include our best and brightest.
BECK: OK. You know, I hear great things. I don`t know anything about you, but I hear great things about you. That you are...
WULSIN: Thanks.
BECK: You`re a doctor, and you said, you know, "I`m sick of it. I think we should be regular shmoes and just regular people and Americans first." And congratulations on that. If you win, I hope you don`t change.
WULSIN: I hope I don`t change either.
BECK: OK. I wanted to go through some yes-or-no questions because a lot of people don`t know who you are.
WULSIN: Sure.
BECK: Yes or no on these, and if you want to come back to one of them, just let me know and we`ll come back to it.
WULSIN: Sure.
BECK: Yes or no: Islamic extremists are probably the biggest threat this world has faced at least since World War II?
WULSIN: Yes.
BECK: We could be in what`s called World War III now if we don`t win this war. Globally speaking, it could be the end of the west as we know it.
WULSIN: I need to know what you mean by "this war."
BECK: The global war, the global war of Islamic extremists. And, you know, that whole storm that`s coming our way.
WULSIN: Yes.
BECK: OK. Illegal immigration is a huge threat to our nation.
WULSIN: Yes.
BECK: Spending is out of control, and politicians need to cut programs, and some of them are going to be good.
WULSIN: Absolutely.
BECK: We must rid ourselves of foreign reliance on oil.
WULSIN: Absolutely.
BECK: My kids attend public schools.
WULSIN: Yes. Well, they used to.
BECK: They used to.
WULSIN: They`re graduates.
BECK: OK. Teachers` unions are a large obstacle in the way of fixing our schools.
WULSIN: No.
BECK: I will vote against my party if I believe my party is wrong.
WULSIN: Absolutely.
BECK: My party is wrong on? Blank. This is the Charles Nelson Reilly part.
WULSIN: I`d be -- I think it`s wrong when it`s overly partisan. I`m going to Congress to represent the people of the Second District, Republican, independent, Democrat.
BECK: Kind of -- God bless you on that, and I notice you say wit a smile.
WULSIN: Thanks.
BECK: But it`s -- it`s kind of -- I`m looking for an issue. Where are -- where do you believe they`re wrong? You got to be like an average American that watches TV and says, `Oh, come on, guys. This isn`t it." Is there one thing?
WULSIN: Attacking -- attacking the Republicans.
BECK: OK.
WULSIN: I think -- I think that that`s wrong.
BECK: OK. Then let`s -- let`s flip this around. I have heard very few Republican -- or Democrats say anything good about the president. Where`s the president right?
WULSIN: Good question. He`s right in that -- I believe he sincerely wants to listen to the people of our country. I think that that`s a good and right thing to do. The trouble is he`s being advised by people who do not have the best interests of our people at heart.
BECK: Who would that -- who would that be?
WULSIN: I would start with Karl Rove, and I`d move to Dick Cheney and add Donald Rumsfeld.
BECK: OK. So all right. But I understand the Donald Rumsfeld, and I think that Karl Rove, you mean that he`s just partisan.
WULSIN: I think he`s partisan and limited.
BECK: How do you mean by -- what do you mean by that? He`s an awfully bright man.
WULSIN: Wait. Are we talking about the president or Karl Rove?
BECK: Karl Rove.
WULSIN: Oh, he`s a very bright man. However, I don`t think that his interests are based on justice, on liberty, and on equality, which is what our very country is based on.
BECK: Holy cow. Quite a statement. Go ahead.
WULSIN: Well, it`s true. I`ve been reading "The Architect," which is a biography of him, and it`s just astounding to me that someone who is advising our president has the attitude that he has that`s for just a few of our people instead of the majority.
BECK: OK. Dr. Wulsin, thank you very much. And best of luck to you next week.
WULSIN: Thanks a lot.
BECK: You bet. Bye-bye.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BECK: My wife for, I believe -- for reasons that can only be rooted in cruelty, shops for candy days and days in advance, weeks in advance. "Let`s get the candy!" And then she hides it. There are literally bags and bags and bags of fun-size candy bars in the house for days. Every year this pisses me off.
The fun size. The freaking fun size. They`re a third of the size, a third of the size of regular candy bars. What`s fun about that? You know what? You ask me, fun size, fun size candy bars should be the size of a loaf of bread. That`s fun!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECK: Every day you can hear my radio program on stations all across the country, including that one right there in Pittsburgh, 104.7 FM, and 570 KLIF in Dallas-Ft. Worth.
If you can`t find an affiliate in your area, you can sign up and listen online at my web site, GlennBeck.com.
Now, Dave Glover on our affiliate in St. Louis, KFTK 97.1 FM.
Dave, how does it feel to be living in the most dangerous city in America?
DAVE GLOVER, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Yes, I had to kick a couple asses on that last commercial break.
BECK: Really? Did you? You look like -- you know what? With the most dangerous city in America now being St. Louis, you look like you should be -- I mean, you look like you could just take us all down.
GLOVER: I`m 34 percent more intimidating today.
BECK: Yes.
GLOVER: Yes, we win the World Series over Detroit, and we beat Detroit, who`s now No. 2 in the -- in the most dangerous city. So come for the baseball, stay for the rapes.
BECK: Right. Right. You say, actually, that this is not true.
GLOVER: Oh, no. Well, here`s the deal. As you know, St. Louis one of your bigger affiliates, 2.5 million people in the metropolitan area.
BECK: yes.
GLOVER: But the actual city of St. Louis, curiously, keeps shrinking. It`s now down to about 300,000 people, evidently about half of which are felons, and so that`s where the big statistics come from.
BECK: Right.
GLOVER: So, north of the arch, not so much, but everywhere else it`s perfectly lovely. Come on down and see us.
BECK: That`s like any city.
GLOVER: Absolutely.
BECK: I mean, there are cities you go into, Camden. You go into Camden, New Jersey, oh, good God in heaven, you pray.
GLOVER: Yes.
BECK: The whole time you`re driving, you`re like, "Please, dear Jesus, let me get out of here before I`m dead." I mean, you really think it`s bad.
GLOVER: Yes. I would much rather make this about Camden if we could.
BECK: Right.
GLOVER: That`s why I`m here.
BECK: Right.
GLOVER: But still, nothing compared to Miami.
BECK: Really? Miami -- at least Miami has sunshine, most of the...
GLOVER: Did you hear this about Streisand being pelted with beverages in Miami over the weekend?
BECK: That is not a dangerous city. That`s a right-thinking city.
GLOVER: I think when Streisand is pelted with caffeinated beverages - - I believe that`s in Ezekiel -- in Miami. Then you also have the Miami Zoo -- have you heard this one?
BECK: No.
GLOVER: With the poop exhibit, a 5,000-square-foot poop exhibit called "The Scoop on Poop". I`m not making it up.
BECK: And you have a problem with that?
GLOVER: No, personally, I don`t. They have a game there -- this is true -- called Who Dung It, which disturbingly is also the first adult film I saw. So when you put together Streisand...
BECK: Wait a minute, wait a minute. First of all, let me tell you something.
GLOVER: Go ahead.
BECK: You`re making fun of Miami for this, and yet you`re the city that`s shrinking?
GLOVER: This is a good point. I don`t have any -- I don`t have any retort to that.
BECK: You really don`t.
GLOVER: Let`s talk about Amendment Two real quick.
BECK: Real quick. Michael J. Fox, do you think that`s going to help or hurt? What`s the buzz in Missouri?
GLOVER: You know, it`s interesting. I think when it first aired, is helped. And then when it came out the guy hasn`t even read it, it hurt. Now I think it`s neutral. I think very few minds -- very few minds are being changed. You literally, every commercial break, radio and television, have an ad for each side of Amendment Two. It`s just that noisy here.
BECK: Ten seconds left. Give me your prediction. We`ll follow up next week. Predication: Democrat or Republican, who`s going to win?
GLOVER: Overall or in Missouri?
BECK: In Missouri.
GLOVER: In Missouri, I think Jim Talent will pull it out by a squeaker, and I think that Amendment Two will pass by about the same margin.
BECK: OK. Dave, thanks.
GLOVER: OK.
BECK: Back in a minute with "The Real Story".
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECK: All right. Welcome to "The Real Story". This is where we try to cut through the media spin and find out why a story is actually important to you.
The war in this country that we are fighting right now in Iraq, in Afghanistan, affects all of us. I don`t care if you`re a Democrat or a Republican, conservative or a liberal, we are Americans first. When one of us falls, we all feel it, or at least we should.
It is always -- man, it just grinds me, regardless how some people feel about the United States fighting in the Middle East, it amazes me the people that can`t understand the simple fact that the military is vitally necessary. No matter how distasteful Tim Robbins, Michael Moore, or Senator John Kerry might find that fact, it is true.
I want you to buckle up and take a look at a comment made by Senator Kerry yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: You know, education, if you make the most of it, and you study hard, and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don`t, you get stuck in Iraq.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECK: Make an effort to be smart, otherwise you join the military? Is that what you`re saying, Senator Kerry, that you`re somehow or another stupid if you`re in the military? Today, after the world blew up at him, Kerry had this to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KERRY: I apologize to no one for my criticism of the president and of his broken policy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECK: This guy is the worst of the elite. This guy hasn`t changed. In the 1960s, he was calling our military rapists and killers. Today, well, now somehow or other they`re educationally retarded. Hey, thanks for supporting our troops, Senator Kerry.
Here`s the real story tonight: Our nation`s best and brightest used to choose military service. Sadly, that is less and less the case. In 1957, 750 in Princeton`s graduating class, 400 of them went into the military. In 2004, you know what that number was? Nine. Nine went into the service. And Princeton led the Ivy League in that regard.
Quite simply, that terrifies me, and it should terrify you. A recent Duke University study found that military experience is crucial to making prudent political decisions when it comes to war. The Duke study showed that the lower number of veterans in leadership increased the likelihood that the U.S. would engage in aggressive -- not defensive -- war and would most likely pull out of these conflicts early.
Senator Kerry, it didn`t work in Vietnam, and it certainly won`t work today.
Another study by the Triangle Institute of Security Studies shows that social and political elites -- hmm, which group of people does that sound like? These people are six times more likely than the general population to say that they would be disappointed if their child decided to serve.
Disappointed? It used to be that having a child serving their country was a source of pride for a family, not a source of embarrassment.
Senator Kerry`s claim that the military is a place where the dumb get stuck is insulting, not just to those of us who are deeply proud of our family`s service -- like I am -- but to each and every American, Democrat and Republican alike. If the value of fighting for truth and justice and, dare I say it, God forbid, the American way is an ideal that only lives in comic books and not in our hearts, then shame on us, and heaven help us all.
Now, one thing that both Democrats and Republicans do agree on is using ballot initiatives to boost voter turnout. It seems that sometimes it`s easier to get us excited about issues than it is about candidates, but with candidates like that, I wonder why.
Now, the problem is there is a -- the real story is that both parties know that they are running weak candidates. They`ve got a better chance at getting us excited about issues than a bunch of empty suits. Ballot initiatives are a way to lure you to the poll; they play to your passion about cultural issues, the things that determine the way we live together as a society.
Given the questionable character of a lot of our political candidates, it`s no wonder the parties have looked elsewhere to inspire us. When we show up at the polls, we weigh in on these issues, you know, by flipping a lever or checking a box.
The real story is that the good news is we`re doing far more. We are sending a message to our elected officials -- the ones who are hoping that we`ll also be flipping a lever for them, as well -- that, once they`re in office, this is the way we feel. When we speak out on an issue like gay marriage or the minimum wage, the politicians know exactly how we feel.
The more we think for ourselves, the less these clowns have to think for us. And that`s what participating in the political process next week is really all about: engage and participate.
Joining me now is Larry Sabato. He`s the director for the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
Larry, if I`m wrong, how come we only hear about gay marriage and stem cell research at election time?
LARRY SABATO, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Well, Glenn, I think you`re right about it. And, remember, ballot issues don`t have sex scandals. They tend to be -- they tend to have led very clean lives.
So you have the pro side and the con side, and I think it`s refreshing to a lot of people because you actually get to argue things out on the merits of the issues rather than learning about somebody`s messy divorce or somebody`s mashing in a parking lot or whatever the case may be.
BECK: Let me -- I mean, that`s a great way to say it, because part of me says, "Well, jeez, well, even this is about politics. They`re only talking about these things because they`re hoping that they`ll get me all excited to go vote for or against something," that even the issue is all about politics.
SABATO: Well, it is. It is all about politics. But it`s also about the substance of the issue.
So if you`re a Republican and you care about gay marriage or taxes and spending, those propositions may well get you to vote. If you`re a Democrat and you care about the minimum wage or stem cell research, those propositions may get you to vote. I guess it may be a tiny bit of evil, but I think it`s wrapped in a great, big package of good. I have no problem with ballot issues.
BECK: I`ve heard -- if I hear one more person say, "Well, the Republicans did this with gay marriage, that`s what really -- that`s what everybody went out and voted for last time, was the ballots on gay marriage." I really think the issue last time was the conservatives against Hollywood and Hollywood against the conservatives.
I think that`s what drove a lot of people -- there were -- I`ve got to tell you, I said Election Day last time, I would drive through a wall of fire to get to a ballot box to be able to vote just to rub it in Michael Moore`s face, you know what I mean? That`s horrible to say, but that`s the way I felt.
SABATO: Well, you know, the great thing about America is that, just as we have the right to vote, we have the right to cast the vote for any reason we choose. You can like the looks of a candidate or dislike the looks of another, and that`s OK.
BECK: Right.
SABATO: It`s permitted under our system.
BECK: Most people, I think, when they get into the ballot box, the problem is, you close that curtain and, you know, so many people just -- "Yes, I know him. I know him." And I know I`ve done this before. I get to a name, and I`m like, "I don`t even know who that is." And you read these complex issues.
It`s like Missouri. I mean, Michael J. Fox, he cuts a commercial, hadn`t even read the initiative. How many times do we really have a clue onto what we`re really voting for?
SABATO: That`s the aspect of referenda and initiative that really does bother me, because many of these subjects are incredibly complex. And if you even read the wording of the referendum, you get confused. Imagine how difficult it is to actually put these things into practice.
And that`s where the judiciary comes in. Often, these initiatives end up empowering the judiciary, and they have even more authority as a referee to order this, and to order that, and to overthrow a popular vote. So there are unintended consequences of initiative and referenda that most of us don`t consider.
BECK: Real quick, Larry, because we`ve got to run here, but we were just talking a minute ago on whether this Michael J. Fox commercial is actually going to help the Democrat or hurt. Is that playing any role, as you see it? Is that going to -- how is that shaping up?
SABATO: Here`s why it is going to be important. That race is -- if I had to pick a Senate race right now that`s the closest in the country, it probably would be Missouri`s. And Missouri has a history of deciding these close Senate races by 25,000 votes one way or the other, which is nothing. So, yes, this proposition could end up tipping the Senate race one way or the other.
BECK: OK, thanks, Larry. That is "The Real Story" tonight.
Now, it has been said that voting isn`t a right; it`s a privilege. Now, wait, I think that that might be driving. Anyway, since the election is really only a week away, I thought the least we could do -- and I do mean the least -- is provide you with this public service announcement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On November 7th, please remember to vote responsibly. Don`t drink and vote. On the other hand, take a look at these guys running. Wow, maybe that`s not such a bad idea after all. Yeah, forget what I just said. This message brought to you by the Wine, Beer, and Liquor Council of America.
(BURP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECK: Oh, that`s classy, isn`t it? Wolf Blitzer is glad that I`m an employee with him here at the plant. All right, time to go "Straight to Hill" with Erica Hill, the anchor of "PRIME NEWS" on Headline News.
Hi, Erica.
ERICA HILL, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: Hello there, Glenn. Happy Halloween.
BECK: You too.
HILL: And this is -- this story a little Halloween-related. It`s a little wacky, it`s downright sad at the same time.
BECK: OK.
HILL: I don`t know if you heard about this. Animal shelters across the country either banning or really tightening restrictions when it comes to black cat adoption.
BECK: Black cats, yes.
HILL: It`s awful. And it`s not because, you know, the Humane Society is superstitious but because the animals they fear could be mistreated as part of a Halloween prank.
BECK: You know, they do this in Easter, too. You can`t...
HILL: With bunny rabbits, yes.
BECK: Yes, with bunny rabbits, you can`t do it, because people get them -- and black cats, it`s because of torture and sadistic, Satanist stuff, right?
HILL: Awful. Poor kitty.
BECK: Yes.
HILL: Hmm.
BECK: OK, well, that`s happy. That`s happy.
HILL: On an uplifting night, have a great night.
BECK: You, too.
HILL: OK.
BECK: Thanks, Erica.
HILL: Good night.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BECK: Stu is out now in midtown Manhattan with a model from "Project Runway," who is dressed as what exactly, Stu?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A firefighter, Glenn.
BECK: Is that the model next to you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. You want to talk to her?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, Glenn.
BECK: Hi, Rebecca, how are you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m good. How are you?
BECK: Good. I hear you look very nice in the -- whatever it is you`re wearing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My firefighter outfit? Yes.
BECK: Your firefighter -- yes. Do you know anybody that`s wearing anything scary, really?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
BECK: Really? What? Who is it? How fat are they? And what are they wearing? Are there any guys there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Peter and Glen.
BECK: The firefighter that you see before you...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ah, yes, the firefighter, the only thing I can see before me.
BECK: Would you feel comfortable with your girlfriend wearing that in public?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would feel very comfortable with my girlfriend wearing that in public.
BECK: Really?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I`d be proud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECK: Yes, he`d be very proud. Let me tell you, if that were my daughter or wife dressed like that, I`d have kind of a problem with it. Maybe it`s just me. I`m probably alone. Why is it that women feel the need to dress up like everything is, you know, pornographic, everything -- just for Halloween? Sexy firewoman? Come on. Surely there are others who feel the same way, right? We asked Stu to find out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STU BURGUIERE, "GLENN BECK" CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): All right, we`re here with Jeremy right now. Jeremy, you know it`s a holiday, it`s Halloween.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
BURGUIERE: I feel like on holidays we should give each other things. So what I`m going to do is give you a little present, and you tell me what your reaction to it is, OK?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.
BURGUIERE: This is Rebecca. Rebecca, please.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. My reaction is, I`m too old for this.
(LAUGHTER)
I may have a heart attack.
BURGUIERE: So you`re not offended by it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Offended from -- why would I be -- I`m not wearing it.
BURGUIERE: React honestly, let it all go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right.
BURGUIERE: OK, Rebecca.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s very nice.
(LAUGHTER)
BURGUIERE: Now, a lot of people are complaining, namely someone like Glenn Beck, who is saying that this is a little bit too much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it works.
BURGUIERE: What would you say to Glenn Beck directly about his opinion on this?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You must be crazy. This is a perfect outfit, actually.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow. I`m married.
BURGUIERE: Reveal the scare.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nice.
BURGUIERE: Wait a minute. You`re not offended by this? I thought this was...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m a fashion photographer.
BURGUIERE: You are?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, so I`m used to this and more.
BURGUIERE: You are?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like it.
BURGUIERE: You do?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You betcha.
BURGUIERE: But this doesn`t offend you, this is OK? It`s not Halloween gone too far?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What`s to be offended about? You look terrific.
BURGUIERE: And that`s her job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes, come to my house anytime.
BURGUIERE: OK. Cut. Cut.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BECK: Look, here`s the thing. I`m a guy. I get it. I mean, you know, I think it was very nice, too. The sexy pharmacist that we couldn`t show on the air and, my favorite, the Canadian Mountie that is for sale in the costume stores right next to the costumes that you buy for, you know, your 10-year-old, is it a problem or is it just me? Trying to explain why women are dressing less hokey and more whorey, if you will, is Sharon Lamb. She is the author of "Packaging Girlhood."
Sharon, what is going on with women in our society now?
SHARON LAMB, AUTHOR: Well, what`s going on is they`re being bombarded with messages from about age 5 through their early 20s that says that being a girl or being a woman means looking sexy and looking hot and that that`s the way to empowerment for them.
BECK: There`s a story that I shared with the audience on the radio show a couple of days ago. A toy store pulled from its shelves a stripper pole for kids. There are French maid outfits -- I mean, ask any guy what a French maid outfit means -- for 10-year-olds for sale.
LAMB: Yes, Glenn, let me intelligent you this. We`re the ones who discovered that French maid outfit. It`s in our book.
BECK: Are you really?
LAMB: We`re the ones who went to this educational toy catalog and looked in the section for "When I Grow Up," and under "When I Grow Up For Girls" was French maid. Now, how many mothers do you know who want their girls to grow up to be a French maid?
BECK: OK, now, tell me the effects, because I hear this from everybody. Everybody says, "Oh, there`s nothing wrong with it." As a dad, I`ve got a real problem with this. I don`t understand how people can say, "I`m against pedophiles, but yet they are OK" -- I had a lady call me up on the radio program today and said her 13-year-old was going out as a Hooters girl. Well, you`re sexualizing your 13-year-old, and then you have a problem with guys who find your 13-year-old hot.
LAMB: Yes, that`s exactly the problem. It`s sexualizing. And I am all for great sex education, and I think our country does a really poor job of that so far, but what we want to teach girls is that they need to invest in becoming a sexual person.
It`s understandable when teenagers want to look sexy, but that can`t be the be-all and end-all of what it means to be a sexual person.
BECK: By the way, that is -- go ahead.
LAMB: Yes, it just can`t be -- it has to be something from the inside out, and they`re being told over and over again that sexual actually means sexy.
BECK: It`s unbelievable. Sharon, thank you very much for your time. By the way, that picture that we just showed you a minute ago, that was the naughty pharmacist. What is that saying? What is that saying?
Sharon, thanks.
And I have to say, this is -- I told Kevin, our floor director, last week that we were all coming in costume today. What a dope. He believed me. He`s the only one in a costume, and -- you`re looking good. Disturbing, disturbing, but good. Thanks, Kevin. We`ll see you in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECK: All right, welcome to the Halloween edition of e-mail, where I can guarantee there will be absolutely no sighting of me in a skimpy firefighter uniform. I mean, I`m really more the naughty pharmacist type anyway.
But our first e-mail comes in from Steve in Philly. He says, "Glenn, have you seen the new skyscraper they`re building in Dubai? Am I the only one who thinks building a giant skyscraper in the Middle East is a bad idea?"
Yes, apparently so. Here`s a picture of the tower that`s currently being built. Now, sure, I know that Dubai is supposedly as safe as it gets in the Middle East, but this is one region of the world where my dream house is a nice nondescript two-bedroom ranch. I don`t really want to live thousands of feet in the air.
Right now, 79 stories. And as far as total height, it might not even be one quarter of the way done. In fact, they won`t even say how tall it`s going to be, just that it will be over 160 stories and 2,296 feet tall. That is about 1,000 feet higher than the top of the Empire State Building.
It is the centerpiece to an area that will hold the biggest mall in the world, 30,000 apartments, with Michael Jackson living in the general area, probably lots of secret rooms and toddler-sized passageways.
But that`s not the only thing going on Dubai. They`re also building a man-made island in the shape of the world map. Look at that. Also in the shape of a palm tree, but, you know, why just build above the water? They also have an underwater hotel in development.
And, of course, they have already finished an indoor ski slope sensibly located in the Middle East -- in the middle of the desert in the Middle East. Luckily for them, Islamic extremists don`t really seem to have a problem with larger grand symbols of wealth, so I`m sure they won`t have any problem with the other tower in Dubai that is planned which is rumored to be even bigger than the last one. What could possibly go wrong?
Next up is James in Dallas. "Glenn, I heard your version of the `Tell Tale Heart` today on the radio and would love to play it for my kids for Halloween. Can I get it?"
Actually, yes. It`s up on the Web site at glennbeck.com if you want to download it. It`s also, you know, up there for free for glennbeck.com insiders to stream. It is a Halloween tradition that I started with my girls years ago. We do it every year, turn off all the lights, and just have a flashlight or some candles and listen to it. You can find it right on the front page tonight. Do it with your kids; start a new tradition.
You can e-mail me at GlennBeck@CNN.com with complaints, comments, credit cards, Social Security numbers, you know, whatever. Really that more than anything grabs my attention. We will see you tomorrow on the radio program and back here tomorrow night, you sick, twisted freak.
END
