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Glenn Beck

What Should be Done with Iran?; First Muslim Congressman Speaks Out

Aired November 14, 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: Coming up, I fear the recommendations of the Iraqi Study Group are going to make our enemies squeal with glee.
And I have an interview tonight with the first Muslim-American to ever be elected to Congress. Don`t miss it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Tonight`s episode is brought to you by the Iraq Study Group. Ten people, one mission, no (expletive deleted) clue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BECK: I don`t know about you, but I felt terrific news coming out of the Middle East all day today. In Iraq, terrorists disguised as police killed 20 people and kidnapped 150 others, Sunni and Shia, from a government research institute in Baghdad.

Over in Iran, President Tom, our good friend, announced that his country`s nuclear program will be complete and ready to go by the end of March. And if you don`t believe him, today the International Atomic Energy Agency has found unexplained traces of plutonium and enriched uranium in Iran. This, by the way, is the U.N. group, not our group, that has discovered and announced that. Perfect, huh?

Maybe this is why former Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that Iran was just like Germany in 1938. Hmm. Where have you heard that one before?

In spite of all of the truly disturbing news, Tony Blair and our soon to be defense secretary, Robert Gates, think that it`s a good idea to work together with Iran, one of the founding members of the axis of evil. Go on. Let`s chat. Let`s discuss our future and the future of the Middle East. I`m not joking. That`s what they want.

Here is the point tonight. Even though the war in Iraq, I believe, has been poorly planned out, I have supported it every step of the way, believed it was the right thing to do. However, if we follow the strategies suggested by Tony Blair and Robert Gates and the Iraq Study Group of banding together and making friends with -- with Iran, the situation will be 100 times deadlier than if Saddam Hussein were still in power and had a massive stash of chemical weapons.

Here`s how I got there. Tony Blair said that if Iran stops supporting terrorism and abandoned its nuclear program, there could be a partnership for peace with Syria and Iran. First of all, Tony, those are two pretty big ifs.

Now, Robert Gates has also advocated a more open approach to Iran, saying that our countries have some things in common. And you know, Bob, I think I agree with you. We do have a couple of things in common. Well, for instance, me and President Tom, we both believe in Armageddon. I don`t think we agree on who`s playing for what team, but that`s a different story.

As for that, we kind of differ a bit. I like watching "American Idol". He likes watching women get stoned to death in the public square. You know, those kinds of things.

Oh, and Iran has also been cozying up to al Qaeda, and according to Britain`s "Telegraph", it`s actively grooming a new generation of leaders. Think of it as a congressional page program for lunatics. Iran is part of the axis of evil for a reason.

I`ve got a message for Tony Blair and Bob Gates and the whole Iraqi Study Group. You cannot negotiate with the axis of evil. Did you miss the key word of "evil"? You don`t negotiate with somebody who thinks it`s their mission to bring about the end of days.

On tomorrow, our one-hour special called "Exposed: The Extremist Agenda", we will show you some of the things these people are saying that should shock and terrify you. Like this one.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator: Let the world know, if anyone plans to violate the rights of the Iranian people, the Iranian people will brand its shameful mark of remorse on its forehead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BECK: Look your scriptures up for the context of that one. If you want to fully understand what we are up against and what the stakes are, please, you must tune in tomorrow night and tell all of your friends to do the same. You`re not going to see this anyplace else.

So, here`s what I know tonight. I know that the -- that nature absolutely abhors a vacuum, and we have created one in Iraq. You cannot remove the balance of power in the region, Saddam Hussein, and not expect Iran to lick its chops in anticipation of filling that void. They can and they will. And when that happens, all bets are off.

Here`s what I don`t know. I don`t know if we`re able now to stop all of these many pieces from coming together before it`s too late. Let`s say we do withdraw from Iraq before stabilizing the region. Let`s say Iran does have a nuke by next spring. Well, then what? And it`s not like these are far-fetched, you know, the sky is purple scenarios.

Farid Ghadry, he is from the reform party of Syria.

Farid, can we stop it at this point, or is it too late?

FARID GHADRY, PRESIDENT, REFORM PARTY OF SYRIA: Well, I think we`re heading towards trying to appease Iran instead of trying to help Iran resolve by the international community, by the United States to stop them from what -- what they`re embarking on.

And I`m afraid that today, with the atmosphere in Washington, with the ISG, the Iraqi Study Group, and with the talk around town, especially with the new Congress, I`m afraid that they`re sending the wrong message to the Iranians.

BECK: You know, today on my radio program -- and tell me where I went wrong. Today on my radio program, I said that this is like us going in to kick -- to kick Hitler and Germans out of France, halfway through saying, you know what? We got to -- we`ve got to come back home because this is just getting too much.

We`d all be speaking German here in America now. Hitler would have seen this as a giant sign of weakness that we would never fight. Isn`t that the same thing here in the Middle East?

GHADRY: It is very true, Glenn, and especially in the Middle East, because I come from that part of the world. I know that when you start -- your knees start buckling and you show weakness, that it`s not a magnamity in behaving or trying to forgive and forget. The sword will be over your head, and the Iranians will use that sword very, very aptly. So we have to change course here.

BECK: You know, as much as I respect Sandra Day O`Connor, I look at this Iraqi study group and I think, what are these people -- look, I`m a rodeo clown, so what do I know? But even I have some handle.

If you look at the Middle East and the history of the Middle East, all of the great leaders have been washed in blood. They are all warriors. You cannot come to the Middle East and expect people to have respect for you unless they also fear you.

GHADRY: That`s very true. And I also note I would love to see someone on the ISG who has great Middle East expertise or come from the Middle East, like Fawad al-Jouli (ph) or people like that.

Unfortunately, the group is embarking on a new policy, new direction that will only bring about the acceleration of the Iranian goals, which has been in play, Glenn, for the last 27 years.

Remember, this started during the Khomeini era, and Iran has been an enemy of the United States. They have been the enemy of every democracy around the world, and today they`re accomplishing what they`ve embarked on doing, and we`re letting it happen.

BECK: Farid, people will say, as I`ve heard it a million times, "Ahmadinejad, OK, he`s nuts. He`s a religious nut job. We`ve seen these guys come and go."

I think this guy is in a different category of evil that the world has never seen. Right or wrong?

GHADRY: It`s very right, Glenn. He`s extremely dangerous, extremely charismatic, and extremely smart. And this is why we should fear him. He is not a man that minces his words. And we`ve heard these words over and over again.

I`m totally surprised by the reaction of the international community. When a president of a sovereign nation stands on a podium and calls for the destruction of another nation, the reaction to it has been, at best, moot. We live in the 21st Century. We can`t allow for these people to have a podium in the first place, let alone let them speak like this.

So, I truly believe and I truly help that with the new Congress, and there are some conservative Democrats in the new Congress, that they will become like a swing vote and that they will have a determining voice in the direction that will avoid trying to make a deal with the devil and trying to confront the devil here.

BECK: You know, you pray and hope for it, as well as I do. I`ve been trying to figure out why the press is giving this all a pass, why the world when Ahmadinejad said yesterday -- I think it was yesterday. When he said, soon, Israel will disappear off the map.

How people don`t tie that together and why they give a pass. Why is the media not covering this? Why are they are not telling people the truth of who this guy is?

GHADRY: Because I think, you know, traditionally in this country the media has always taken a very passive role in this -- in relationship to confrontational issues and relationship to cultures and traditions with overseas countries.

But I think this is a different -- we are really dealing with a different breed of animals here. We`re really dealing with different breed of terrorists. And I think we need to be -- the media needs to be more understanding of this.

BECK: Yes. Thanks. Farid, I appreciate it.

GHADRY: Thank you.

BECK: We hear a lot in the media about the war in Iraq, about terrorism in general. But you never, never hear the real story. People in this industry are terrified of it. Our enemies have a global agenda that includes the end of the west.

And tomorrow night, we have a special one-hour event. I promise you there`s nobody else exposing this. "Exposed: The Extremist Agenda". If you are concerned about the future of our country and the world and your children`s future, you must watch and tell your friends to do the same. Here`s a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Lies, propaganda, hate.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (speaking foreign language)

GRAPHIC: Basmallah, do you know the Jews?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (speaking foreign language)

GRAPHIC: Yes.

ANNOUNCER: The video you are never supposed to see.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (speaking foreign language)

GRAPHIC: They are apes and pigs.

ANNOUNCER: Glenn Beck presents "Exposed: The Extremist Agenda". November 15.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BECK: There is a lot to show you tomorrow, and I have fought for every image and every word on it. Do not miss our program tomorrow night at this time.

Now, coming up, he is the very first Muslim to ever be elected to the United States Congress. Representative Keith Ellison from Minnesota joins me for a candid interview you don`t want to miss. And that`s next.

Also, can the world`s most famous mayor become president? Tonight, the real story behind Rudy Giuliani`s chances of taking the Oval Office.

And the cosmetic surgery craze. Is the growing focus on self-image putting women and our young daughters in danger? Yes. That and more coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECK: Britney Spears and her divorce. How can someone sign 60-page prenup and the guy still get money?

NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": You know, I don`t know. I wonder if it isn`t money to just make him go away. But I predict that Britney will make a comeback, and now she can sing a lot of soul songs about how wrong she`s been done.

BECK: She`s already working on a new CD, and it has "he wronged me" kind of songs in there.

GRACE: She`s going to be a huge hit. And you know what? For everyone cracking jokes about Britney, she`s got a huge, a vast fortune. It was very diversified. I don`t think she`s as dumb as people make her out to be.

BECK: How much money does she get -- or does he get?

GRACE: I don`t think he should get a thin dime. I think he owes her for rent, for room and board.

BECK: Well, you ain`t kidding.

GRACE: That`s where I`m at with K-Fed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BECK: History was made last Tuesday when Democrat Keith Ellison got elected to Congress, representing the great state of Minnesota. Well, not really unusual that Minnesota would elect a Democrat. What is noteworthy is that Keith is the first Muslim in history to be elected to the House of Representatives. He joins us now.

Congratulations, sir.

KEITH ELLISON (D), CONGRESS-MAN ELECT OF MINNESOTA: How you doing, Glenn? Glad to be here.

BECK: Thank you. I will tell you, may I -- may we have five minutes here where we`re just politically incorrect and I play the cards face up on the table?

ELLISON: Go there.

BECK: OK. No offense, and I know Muslims. I like Muslims. I`ve been to mosques. I really don`t believe that Islam is a religion of evil. I -- you know, I think it`s being hijacked, quite frankly.

With that being said, you are a Democrat. You are saying, "Let`s cut and run." And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, "Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies."

And I know you`re not. I`m not accusing you of being an enemy, but that`s the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.

ELLISON: Let me tell you, the people in the Fifth Congressional District know that I have a deep love and affection for my country. There`s no one who`s more patriotic than I am, and so you know, I don`t need to -- need to prove my patriotic stripes.

BECK: And I`m not asking you to. I`m wondering if you see that. You come from a district that is heavily immigrant with Somalians, and I think it`s wonderful, honestly. I think it is really a good sign that you are -- you could be an icon to show Europe, this is the way you integrate into a country. I think the Somalians coming out and voting is a very good thing. With that...

ELLISON: I`d agree with you.

BECK: Yes. With that being said, you see -- I saw a recent poll that showed 25 percent of Muslims in America will not report a terrorist plot if they see it.

ELLISON: Well, I don`t believe that poll. I think that Muslims in America are very loyal, patriotic people. We have over 7,000 Muslims who are in the United States armed forces fighting to defend this great country of ours. So, I just don`t see it that way, and I think that I`ve seen a number of polls that just -- were just flat out wrong about this one.

BECK: OK. Your view of Muslim extremists.

ELLISON: They`re criminals. But I think that people who commit criminal acts should be treated like criminals, regardless of their faith.

BECK: And do you believe -- I agree with you. Do you believe that they are destroying Islam as well as trying to destroy us?

ELLISON: Well, I think that -- I think that there are people -- and let me just say this. You know, Timothy McVeigh, who`s not a Muslim, was a pretty dangerous guy to America, too. I do think that we have to be clear that, you know, Islam and Muslims in America are good, loyal Americans here to make this country a stronger, better place.

But you know, having said that, I think it is important to note that, you know, if you were to gather Muslims up and ask them how they feel about this country, they`ll talk about it being the land of opportunity, the place where they can worship their faith as they choose, a place where they can earn a decent living.

BECK: Yes. I agree with you. We don`t have any argument there. I spoke to somebody on the radio just today that echoed those things.

Now, you want to bring the troops home right now. Tell me how that doesn`t play right into the hands of Ahmadinejad and the Iranians filling that power vacuum that we will leave if we do that.

ELLISON: Well, I mean, I think that recognizing that a military solution in Iraq is probably not going to make America safer is not the same as cutting and running.

I believe that the United States, together with the world community, needs to help reconstruct Iraq and needs to be a part of bringing the fighting factions there to a point where they have peace. But I don`t think that using the military option is the only way to go.

BECK: I can tell that...

ELLISON: Glenn, think about it this way. Look at the National Intelligence Estimate. It was pretty clear that, you know, our presence in Iraq is not contributing to a safer Iraq and, therefore, not diminishing the threat of terrorism.

BECK: But I have to tell you, I mean, to think that we could somehow or another work with the international community and get the Sunnis and the Shias together so they could live in peace is also just as ridiculous on many fronts.

ELLISON: But, Glenn...

BECK: People have been warring against each other forever and on top of it the international community? Come on.

ELLISON: But Glenn, you`re a historian, a very educated and intelligent man, and you know that the Shia and the Sunni in Iraq have really never had a civil war before. You`re aware of that, aren`t you?

BECK: You know what? I have to tell you, if you think that Iraq is put together because everybody is happy as little field mice, you`re kidding yourself.

ELLISON: No.

BECK: That is three separate countries cobbled together through a strong man.

ELLISON: I`ll agree that it is a pluralistic, multiethnic society that has had its difficulties over time, but the Shia and Sunni have never had a civil war, and that`s a historic fact.

BECK: Congressman, thank you very much.

ELLISON: Thank you.

BECK: Back in a minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECK: All right. Every day you can hear my radio program on stations all across the country including 570 KRNS in Salt Lake City. Now if you can`t find an affiliate in your area, sign up and listen online at my web site, GlennBeck.com.

Michael Graham is a host at 96.9 FM talk in Boston.

Hello.

MICHAEL GRAHAM, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Good to see you again, Glenn.

BECK: Good to see you, sir. There is a citizenship test that is now being given, and it`s multiple choice, and it`s kind of trivia.

GRAHAM: It stinks. I mean, really, who cares about the, you know, trivia questions like what do the stars in the flag -- is it really important for immigrants to know that the stars...

BECK: If you don`t know what the stars stand for.

GRAHAM: Do we really care that the stars stand for the first 50 people who were, you know, voted off the island in "American Idol"? I don`t think we care about that.

BECK: I don`t think that`s what they mean.

GRAHAM: In all seriousness, ten cities including Boston were experimenting with the new citizenship test that is purportedly designed to teach immigrants what we in American society truly value.

BECK: OK.

GRAHAM: And so I`m hoping -- they have not revealed the test yes. I don`t know if this is like "Do You Want to Be a Millionaire?"

BECK: Do you have any idea? Do you have any...

GRAHAM: Question one, my question one on 96.9. Here`s question one. Do you speak English? Question No. 2, no kidding, really? Do you speak English like you understand it?

Question No. 3 -- I want to buy a hamburger. It`s $1.97. I gave you a $5 bill. What are you going to give me back in American money?

(CROSSTALK)

GRAHAM: ... machine. This is what we want. These are the values that Americans care about.

BECK: You`re a hate monger.

GRAHAM: No.

BECK: You are a hate monger.

GRAHAM: Here`s my test for everyone who wants to be an American.

BECK: OK.

GRAHAM: I`m going to give you a piece of paper. Draw me a football. If it`s round, you don`t get in.

BECK: Right.

GRAHAM: It`s supposed to be oblong. That`s what we want.

So I`m hoping that they -- in all seriousness, I want these people -- as you know, America is the only country in the world that people get to make. Every single day we`re making America. It didn`t exist, you know, five years ago like Germany, France, et cetera. And so I want to make the best America and I want people of immigrant here to make a good America.

BECK: To be -- to be serious for a second, the things that are important to me is do you believe that this is the land of opportunity?

GRAHAM: Right.

BECK: Do you believe -- this kind of goes into what you were saying, we make America every day. We make it fresh every day.

GRAHAM: We do. If you choose to be a lazy dirt ball, you`re going to make America a little less good.

BECK: Here`s the thing, Michael. I think -- I don`t know if you saw this recent poll that shows that many Americans, in fact, 50 percent of Americans believe that the American dream is done.

GRAHAM: Right.

BECK: You know, I think -- honestly, I thought of this during the election. With Vermont -- is it Vermont? Which is the one that just elected the first socialist...

GRAHAM: Vermont. Vermont. Right up the road here, yes.

BECK: I believe we should take the ice cream factory without the two fat guys, and we should vote them out of the union. I think you should have a renewal period on every state. I think the rest of the country should vote whether you`re a state or not anymore.

GRAHAM: There are plenty -- they are plenty of Americans who, I think, don`t qualify as citizens from the standpoint of knowledge, et cetera.

BECK: Exactly.

GRAHAM: I mean, I think I heard it on your show the other day they were polling people about future presidents. Ten percent of American adults don`t know who Rudy Giuliani is. How do you not know that? Where have you been hiding?

BECK: I don`t know who that is myself.

GRAHAM: Like you, exactly. That`s the problem.

BECK: Michael, thanks a lot. We`ll listen to you in Boston.

GRAHAM: Thanks so much.

BECK: Back in a minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECK: All right. Welcome to "The Real Story." This is where we try to cut through the media spin to figure out why a story is actually important to you.

Yesterday, Rudy Giuliani made it official, well, kind of. The former mayor of New York quietly created an exploratory committee. That is the first step for the run for the presidency in 2008. Oh, can we stop, have a few days off from an election?

Here is the real story tonight. While Rudy is currently leading national opinion polls when it comes to potential presidential candidates, he`s going to have trouble with the conservative voters who were none-too- thrilled with his messy divorce, or his occasional left leanings and social connections.

However, Giuliani did show himself to be a tremendous leader during the 9/11 crisis. Should our national security take a turn for the worse and not the better -- which I can`t imagine happening -- people will not be looking for the moderates, you know, that we`re talking about today, you know, like Al Gore and John Kerry, that moderate. They`re a bunch of ninnies and nincompoops. Please have a seat.

Remember: 2008 is two years away, and the entire world could change in that span of time. And if you want to see just how much it could change, make sure you tune into this program tomorrow night for a glimpse into your possible future that could shake you to your very core.

Now, before I start the next story, I want to tell you something in the interest of full disclosure. I come to this next story with personal feelings. I have a daughter that was born with cerebral palsy, and I know firsthand raising a child with special needs is the greatest blessing anyone could have. It is also tough, tough on everybody.

However, watching my daughter meet and overcome the challenges in her life has been a constant source of joy and inspiration to me, my whole family, everybody that knows my daughter. I cannot imagine our lives without her.

I tell you this because the news today that has come out from the Anglican Church of England, they have reversed their stance that all life should be preserved at all costs. It is now calling for doctors to let seriously ill newborn babies die.

And if that wasn`t evil enough, a top bishop of the church is also arguing that the high financial cost of keeping severely disabled children alive should be a factor in making life-or-death decisions. Cash? I hope that the 73 million worldwide members of the Anglican Church will remind their leaders that the whole "thou shalt not kill" thing kind of nonnegotiable, I`m thinking.

The real story is that the decision isn`t about compassion. It`s not about divine motivation. It is about the almighty dollar. And it is a very slippery slope that has led to some pretty diabolical medical practices not so long ago.

Now, look, as I said, I know it takes tremendous commitment of time, of resources, of love and compassion to care for a physically challenged child. But here`s the thing: It doesn`t matter what god you pray to or what party you vote for. Don`t you think we, as human beings, as Americans, we should draw the line at making life-and-death decisions based on money, especially for the weakest and most fragile among us? In the name of all that is good and holy, I ask you, what kind of monsters are we prepared to become in the name of a buck?

We need to just look back, just not too far in our distant future, and the future -- or the not-too-distant past on this planet to see some pretty dark deeds that have been done. You know, I want to share a story with you about a baby that was born -- baby Knauer -- born blind, missing an arm and a leg. The parents were just beside themselves.

The dad decided he`s going to write and ask for some help because all the doctors weren`t helping. They wrote somebody who is pretty powerful, and they trusted him. And they said, "Please, can you help us put our child into a better place? Please remove the burden on us."

Well, he saw the pictures. He read the letter, talked to the parents, flew out to meet with them, just filled with compassion, tears filling his eyes. He said, "I will personally give you my personal doctor to review the case." The doctor came back and said absolutely no justification for keeping this child alive. The baby was allowed to die.

Who was that compassionate, powerful man who so graciously put that baby boy to sleep? You probably guessed by now it was Adolf Hitler. Baby Knauer was the first victim of the Holocaust. Hitler later signed a decree permitting the euthanasia of disabled infants based on this case and creating a panel of expert referees which judged the infants and found out which ones were eligible for death.

Once he was through with the babies, the elderly were next. As it has been said over and over again with tragedies regarding the Holocaust: Never again. So when you see politicians making statements like this one yesterday...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: But the whole issue of health care is coming back. That may be a bad dream for some, but for others, it`s a very welcome possibility, because we are on an unsustainable course. I think that we have to come up with a uniquely American solution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BECK: OK. When you see statements like that, be afraid. Be very, very afraid! It`s not a bad dream for me; it is a nightmare. Hillary, thanks, but no thanks. 1993 wasn`t that long ago. I remember all too well that confused, nonsensical mess you tried to make of the greatest health care system in the world.

Your universal health care is only universal in one way: It stinks for everybody. Imagine getting your healthcare from the DMV. I don`t think so. It will also, more importantly -- and here`s how it ties into the real story -- will cripple us financially.

Those who are the biggest financial burden, the severely ill, the disabled, the elderly, those in society without power or influence will be the last to get the services and the first to have them taken away. Ask people in Europe. It`s already happening.

It is not an exaggeration that this universal health care system is failing all over Europe. It will fail here, and it will put doctors in a position to make the choices on who lives and who dies.

Joining me now with more on the potential ramifications of the Anglican Church`s reversal is Bob Moffit. He is the director for health policy studies at the Heritage Foundation.

Bob, first, the Anglican Church, now Hillary. To me it says slippery slope. Tell me I`m wrong.

ROBERT MOFFIT, THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION: No, you`re not wrong, Glenn. When you talk about the danger of the government controlling the health care system, you`ve got to recognize that he who has the gold makes the rules. That`s the golden rule. And in this case, if you have the government controlling the health care system, the government`s going to make fundamental decisions about who gets care, when they get care, how they get care, and under what circumstances they get care.

BECK: On my radio program today, I had a woman who called me from London. She was listening online. And she called me from London, and she said, "Glenn, you are not exaggerating this. This is exactly what is going on." But here in America, people will tell you, "Oh, please, we`re not like that. That will never happen." Correct me if I`m wrong. The Hippocratic Oath really isn`t being taken by a lot of doctors now.

MOFFIT: No. The bad news is ordinary American, patients, can`t depend upon their doctors to protect traditional medical efforts. You mentioned the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath was the governing oath, the thing that governed the ethical delivery of medical services for over 2,000 years.

It was very, very specific: It forbade abortion. It forbade euthanasia, the killing of people, mercy killing. It protected the confidentiality of patients.

But as of 1977, only 6 percent of American medical schools required students to take the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath has kind of quietly sunk beneath the waves, and without a whimper, so a lot of Americans are not even aware that traditional medical ethics as they understood them have...

(CROSSTALK)

BECK: And the Hippocratic Oath was, first, do no harm.

MOFFIT: First, do no harm.

BECK: Right.

MOFFIT: That`s right.

BECK: And I guess, in today`s world, where everything is upside down and, you know, left is right and right is left, I guess people, doctors could say, even if they had the Hippocratic Oath, they could say, "Well, I`m doing more good because I`m ending this person`s suffering. This child will have such a horrible life that we should end the life."

MOFFIT: Well, I mean, unfortunately, as I said, what`s happening today is we`re governed by utilitarian ethic, and you mentioned, you know, the financial considerations. I mean, the stunning fact is that the Church of England is taking a position that the British National Health Service takes, which is financial considerations can come before the patient.

BECK: Well, we have a situation in Europe -- and we will see it here -- where Europe cannot afford -- there`s not enough young people working to be able to afford everything promised to the elderly.

MOFFIT: Right.

BECK: So you`re going to have a situation where you have an elderly person in the hospital and a younger person coming in. They`re going to give it to the younger person because they need that worker, right?

MOFFIT: Well, oftentimes, what happens is it`s a very utilitarian decision. You have an overwhelming demand for medical services. And in the United States, we`re going to face that, too. Pretty soon, we`re going to have 77 million Baby Boomers who are going to start to retire in about five years. It is going to be the largest wave of people to hit the Medicare and the Medicaid programs in the history of Medicare and Medicaid.

It`s going to be an unprecedented demand for medical services. The costs are going to be enormous. And people are going to start asking questions about, what is the quality of life at the end of life? What should we do, for example, to keep very old, sick people alive? And so that kind of a problem is facing us in the United States just like the British.

BECK: Bob, thank you very much.

On a personal note, I will tell you that my doctor that helped with the health care of my daughter when she was first born said, "You know, hey, we don`t know, but she made not feed herself or walk again." She`s in college tonight. Doctors are wrong; I certainly do not want them making these kinds of decisions on the quality of life. That is the real story tonight.

Remember, tomorrow night, we have a special one-hour event called "Exposed: The Extremist Agenda." If you`re at all concerned with the future of our country and the world, you must watch this show tomorrow and tell your friends to watch, as well. That is tomorrow night, 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECK: Don`t hate me because I`m beautiful. Yes, a line that`s been said by everybody from supermodels to actresses to -- well, quite honestly, me. But not everybody these days has such a healthy self-image.

With plastic surgeons promising to make us look like your, you know, star of your choice, it shouldn`t really be surprising somehow or another we`ve gotten away from the concept of enhancing our appearance to compensating for our appearance, and you have to wonder, which is first? Is the nip-and-tuck industry responding to this need or are they creating this need?

Joining me now with her insight is Alex Kuczynski. She is "The New York Times" columnist and author of the new book, "Beauty Junkies: Inside Our $15 Billion Obsession with Cosmetic Surgery."

We were just talking during the break that the guy we were talking to just a second about health care...

ALEX KUCZYNSKI, AUTHOR, "BEAUTY JUNKIES": Yes.

BECK: ... and how the Hippocratic Oath has fallen by the way side...

KUCZYNSKI: Disappeared. I mean, the first part of it, as you said, is "do no harm."

BECK: Right.

KUCZYNSKI: And now we have -- I think it`s eight states in the entire nation whose legislatures have allowed dentists, medical professionals with DDS degrees, to practice cosmetic surgery and call themselves cosmetic surgeons.

BECK: Beautiful. But it`s not just that the dentists are doing it. It`s also -- I was at an airport in Los Angeles, and you go to Los Angeles, and it`s a freak zone.

KUCZYNSKI: Yes, it is.

BECK: And I was in the airport of Los Angeles, and this woman turned around -- and I swear to you, she was standing right in front of me. She turned around and my wife and I both went, "Gasp." She must have been -- I don`t know -- 70, but she was pulled so tight, and it was so horrifying. Isn`t that doing harm?

KUCZYNSKI: Yes, well, it is doing harm. And I think that we`re in a difficult situation right now, because I can`t tell if it`s a chicken-and- egg thing. You know, is it our vanity that is feeding this, or is it the fact that there are so many doctors rushing to leave their specialties, to leave gastroenterology, dermatology, et cetera, and hang out a shingle saying, "Cosmetic surgeon," which, by the way, is not a recognized specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialists.

BECK: I mean, do you really think -- I mean, I think it is -- I don`t know where it started, but I think it`s our vanity. I think it`s our media that is -- I mean, you are ugly, you don`t make it. You are ugly, and you are made to feel ugly every step of the way.

KUCZYNSKI: Right.

BECK: I mean, I will not let my daughters read beauty magazines. They`re not going to be in the house.

KUCZYNSKI: I think that`s a great idea, and I totally support that.

BECK: Yes.

KUCZYNSKI: I mean, I find it truly amazing how often young girls respond to images in the media. And I think that certainly plays a large part of it. But I think that the medical community, as well, has created this untethered economic monster that is just growing and growing and growing.

BECK: So you`re looking here at a $15 billion industry.

KUCZYNSKI: Yes.

BECK: What`s the most shocking thing you found?

KUCZYNSKI: I found it shocking that -- I found it shocking actually how much the culture of pornography has saturated our daily lives. I mean, you have breast augmentation. And now you have housewives in Los Angeles who have their nether regions, their external nether reproductive regions, sculpted to look like they`re 12 years old. You know, that I find shocking.

BECK: Holy cow.

KUCZYNSKI: You know, but it`s along the same lines with, you know, Abercrombie and Fitch selling thong underwear to sixth-graders, which they did, you know, five years ago.

BECK: Well, how do you feel about the 16-year-old girls that are, for their sweet 16, are given by their fathers, which those fathers need to be choked to death, you know, cosmetic surgery or breast enhancement?

KUCZYNSKI: Well, I definitely did interview a couple of girls whose parents have given them, for high school graduation presents, a pair of new breasts. And this is actually...

BECK: "What did you get for graduation?" "I got the boobs."

KUCZYNSKI: I got a pen. I got a Schaeffer pen.

(CROSSTALK)

KUCZYNSKI: And I think I`ve got an OED with the magnifier glass.

BECK: Gosh. So what did they say?

KUCZYNSKI: They were really happy with them. And I think the parents were crazy, because what most people don`t know is that, when you sign up for breast implants at 18, you`re signing up for a lifetime of surgery. Breast implants don`t just happen and then you`re done. I mean, they collapse, they deflate, they cause infections. One breast implant specialist told me that, you know, he has patients he sees every two years and has been for 20 years.

BECK: I mean, I have to tell you, I think -- if my daughter needed a breast reduction because of something physical...

KUCZYNSKI: Right.

BECK: ... or, you know, had some weird deformity that was just really debilitating, you know, I could go there.

KUCZYNSKI: Right.

BECK: But I don`t understand what we`re teaching our kids and our daughters.

KUCZYNSKI: Right. Well, it`s not only daughters, but it`s boys, as well. I mean, MTV`s "I Want a Famous Face" featured these young teenage boys who underwent multiple cosmetic surgeries to look like Brad Pitt.

BECK: OK, that`s just -- I mean, that`s...

KUCZYNSKI: In the end, they looked like Halloween masks.

BECK: Unbelievable.

KUCZYNSKI: It`s bizarre.

BECK: OK, name of the book is "Beauty Junkies." It`s available now. And thank you so much. I`d love to spend some more time with you. Thank you.

KUCZYNSKI: Anytime.

BECK: God bless you.

KUCZYNSKI: Thanks.

BECK: All right. Back in a second.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECK: All right. Here we are on the eve of the special "Exposed: The Extremist Agenda," and we`re getting lots of e-mails, like this one from Drew in Columbus, Ohio. "Glenn, I have hit a point of frustration. I really you`re your show. I truly believe what you`re saying about the threats that are coming our way. Tomorrow night, I`m going to watch your special, but then what? Having me in front of the TV does nothing to stop these people. What can I do?"

You know, Drew, this is probably the question I get more than any other question. "What can I do?" Let me level with you: I`m a rodeo clown, but I`m an honest rodeo clown. When I come to you every night and tell you that these people are -- what they`re saying, when they`re not under the microscope of the American media, I do it because I believe you need to know.

Sure, occasionally, someone like Hugo Chavez is dumb enough to blurt something out in the wrong venue and it reaches your radar screen, but for the most part, you never see what you`re going to see tomorrow. You never see this video that was aired on mainstream television in some cases and happily cleared for air by the state-controlled media in the Middle East.

Why don`t you see it? Well, I believe it`s one part fear; it`s one part political correctness, mixed with a complete mess of ideology, and, I believe, a misguided belief in your apathy. That`s where I believe you can do something about it, just like your job.

This industry, the news industry, it is driven by giant corporations. And like it or not, these people watch the ratings. And enough of you watch this special tomorrow, they will notice. They`re going to look at it and somewhere in a conference room they`re going to go, "Hey, Bill, look at that. People actually watch this stuff. Maybe we should start looking into that."

The floodgates will open. That is a legitimate first step in changing the focus in this country from insignificant nonsense, like partisan politics, to seeing this threat for what it really is: a legitimate struggle for our survival.

I have been in radio now, coming up this spring, for 30 years. I have been in TV for just over 30 minutes. Yet here I am, standing in front of you with every chip I have sitting on the table tomorrow night. I ask you to watch this special tomorrow night. Please, tell everyone you know to do the same.

If this special doesn`t bring eyeballs to the TV, it is going to get much more difficult to do the work necessary to bring you that truth that many people do not want you to hear or are afraid to say. People will say it`s not worth the time, not worth the resources or the money, it`s too dangerous.

I believe, with every fiber in my being, that it is worth it. Please. I ask you not to prove me wrong. Tomorrow night, do not miss the special.

END