I do think this propaganda is dangerous, though, whatever Beck’s level of viewership, because it preys on the fearful and ignorant to serve the short-term needs of the ownership class at the expense of everyone else on the planet. I don’t think it will affect his existing viewership or status, but Beck needs to be called out as a propagandist because that’s what he is. When he misrepresents facts or makes thing up, it’s important to debunk them. So, even though I need another shower this morning, I’m thankful Joe posted this and is responding to Beck in this manner.

Keep in mind the main goal is to phase out about half of our nation’s grid electricity (the coal part) and replace it with effciency and renewables. We also should upgrade our buildings to use less on site fuels, and make sure everyone’s next vehicle purchase reflects the many high costs of petroleum.

Where is any of this costly?

With Beck followers, we have “those watching are disaffected middle aged and senior white guys who believe the America they grew up in is going away” Beckians are ready to believe in “paranoid fantasy in which Democratic members of Congress are either puppets of — or conspirators with…”. If they have heard of the IPCC or Mann, it is only in terms of conspiracy. Call them Beckiners, they are anti science. Why is it so hard to find demographics for Rush and Beck watchers?

I see a different type over at Watt’s or Climate Audit. They sometimes talk like engineers or middle level management. They embrace graphs and statistics (or try)–their reasoning is often faulty, their facts cherry picked, but at least they are trying. Call these Wattsonians. They have definitely discussed the IPCC and Mann.

Another possible type would include industry flacks. They are less about having a personal following and more about exerting force on public opinion through the media. The comment “This use of paid propaganda by the financial elite class of Americans” applies. Not only have they heard of the IPCC and Mann, they are likely guilty of putting forward mutliple outright lies about these topics.

Don’t know if this helps.

I get hammered almost daily on ACORN, Obama’s “lies”, health care reform problems real and imagined, union giveaways, socialst conspiracies… by talk radio and Fox fans. These guys make a lot of noise, they vote and write their congressmen, and they will follow the right wing radio and Fox lead on climate change legislation.

Granted, Beck is nuts, but 44 cents a day? really – and with that you are going to re engineer the oil economy that we know today? You are going to develop a meaningful amount of csp? you are going to turn the transportation industry around and it’s all going to work for 44 cents.

you know what – that seems crazier than Beck on his worst day.

Oh sure you do, Glenn, you liar.

Obama: “In a decade, the price to the average American will be about the same as a postage stamp per day.”

Beck: “[Obama] didn’t mention that today that stamp would cost $1,671! I’m just saying. He’s very accurate, because that’s the new stamp.”

That’s 3 million out of approximately 245 million people over the age of 14 in the US. On his very best days just over 1% of adults watch. Generally less than 1 out of every adult watches Beck on a given day.

I have a strong feeling that we, those concerned about climate change, are spending too much time on Beck and his ilk. By paying so much attention to these people we are building them into something that they aren’t.

Beck, Limbaugh, and others speak to a very small portion of the population and their positions are not supported by the large majority of citizens. Global climate change denial has fallen to a very small percentage of the population, as little as 5% on one poll.

I think we’d be better off if the replies to their crap took the form of short, quick slap-downs which were largely a statement of fact.

Quit giving Beck et al. so much free publicity and quit portraying them as “leaders” when they are really nothing but minor sideshows.