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Far-right Extremism

Keyes: "Glenn Beck is an Ignoramus"

A few weeks ago I noted that over the course of nine programs, Faith 2 Action's Janet Porter had had nine different Republican members of Congress on her radio program despite her long history of saying absolutely crazy things.

Lately, she hasn't had any Congressmembers on her program, meaning she's had to go back to her normal guests and topics - like having Alan Keyes on the program to discuss Birtherism.

As one would expect, this led to a rather entertaining discussion, as Porter cites First Lady Michelle Obama referring to Kenya as President Obama's "home country" and then citing Glenn Beck's theory that it was a deliberate attempt by the First Lady to goad the Right into taking the bait in an effort to marginalize them, at which point Keyes goes off and calls Beck an idiot:

Porter: I did not bring it up, but there is still a question about the birth certificate. I would think that if Michelle Obama was going to sensitive to that, she wouldn't have said this in a speech, maybe you didn't hear it, here it is:

[AUDIO of Michelle Obama]: Barack has led by example.  When we took our trip to Africa and visited his home country in Kenya ...

Poter: Did you catch that?  His home country in Kenya. Uh, wow.  That's a pretty strong statement, as she was speaking to the homosexual organizations.

Keyes: I think that's kind of strange . My wife is originally from India, she's a naturalized citizen. And my children have been to India and we try to make sure that they are aware of their heritage and background.  But you know something? I can't imagine, I can't imagine one of them calling India their home country.  It just wouldn't make sense.  And I think things like that are part of what we people who want some clear answers, because you add that to policies that are clearly at odd with the best interests of the country, and especially in national security, really seem to put us in danger. I believe it's beginning to raise some serious issues.

Porter: By the way, people like Glenn Beck say - and he's been pretty forthright and out there on a lot of issues - but he says "ah, she's just doing this to kind of fuel the fire that makes us look like kooks." What do you say to that?

Keyes: Well, I don't take Glenn Beck seriously at all, particularly on this question. People like that are shooting of their mouths. Glenn Beck is an ignoramus on this question, and he has sounded like one in every statement he's ever made. He knows nothing about the Constitution, doesn't understand its requirements, hasn't the faintest regard for the simple logic that is involved in this particular case.  And is basically showing much less common sense than most of the people around the country who understand what's at stake and who realize that if you're going to respect the Constitution, you must respect the words that apply to the most powerful office in the gift of the American people. So I think Glenn Beck has simply been acting foolishly on this issue.