9-12 Project

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.
Due to technical limitations, this article uses an unusual title. It should be called  9/12 Project.
For more information, see: Restructuring of the U.S. political right.
Announced by political opinion broadcasting|political opinion broadcaster Glenn Beck, the 9/12 Project is described as a populist effort to save the United States. The name invokes U.S. response to the 9/11 attack,

On 9/10 we were burying our heads in the sand or we were playing politics. It was about Republicans or Democrats. On 9/11 we were freaking out and no one knew who attacked us, where did this come from, what is this. On 9/12 no one in the government had to tell us what to do. We just did it.[1]

The project has no explicit funding, but its website content is produced by Beck's production company, Mercury Radio Arts, and hosted on Fox News' servers. [2]There is considerable synergy between this and the Tea Party Movement. [3] The project website, indeed, quotes analysis of an upcoming Republican senatorial primary as a confrontation between the Republican establishment and the tea party.[4]

Critics have called it an inappropriate play on 9/11, "...an attempt at making crazy mainstream, an invitation to treason and civil war. Beck, the Fox News on-air personality, is exploiting 9-11 for his own self aggrandizement. Beck, Fox News, right wing extremists and corporate-backed groups are sponsoring the Barack Obama|anti-Obama march."[5]

MediaMatters calls it a part of overall Fox News strategy. There is much mutual linking among 9-12 sites and Fox News sites.[6]

According to his open letter of November 2009, Beck said, [7] "Today, I have stopped looking for a leader to show us the way out because I have come to realize that the only one who can truly save our country… is us." Speaking on Fox, he also said "Coming this January, my whole approach changes on this program “This next year is going to be critical, and I think it's going to change and I think we are going to set it right, at least set our course right. And if that means the Democrats or the Republicans are destroyed along the way, well, good. Good.” "[2]

Principles and values

The group states nine principles and twelve values, but does not appear to have programs, other than a generic message of self-help and opposition to government.

Principles
  1. America Is Good.
  2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
  3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
  4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
  5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
  6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
  7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
  8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
  9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
Values
  1. Honesty
  2. Reverence
  3. Hope
  4. Thrift
  5. Humility
  6. Charity
  7. Sincerity
  8. Moderation
  9. Hard Work
  10. Courage
  11. Personal Responsibility
  12. Gratitude

Criticism of the project

Some of Beck's announcements also tie with tours publicizing his book, Arguing with Idiots.[8] Critics have said that Beck's change in direction, from general encouragement of his listeners to organize to active participation in action, tie to publicity for his book. Beck's direct participation in political activities may put the project under the jurisdiction of campaign finance law. [2] Further complicating the political finance situation are campaigns for office by people associated with the project., such as Dan Eichenbaum in North Carolina (U.S. state)'s 11th Congressional District[9] running against incumbent Democrat Heath Shuler.[10]

Other comment considers Beck personally, or the movement, is exploiting generic fear and distrust. In July, Beck called Barack Obama a racist over the Henry Louis Gates, Jr. arrest. [11] In the opinion of Slate (website)|Slate writer Timothy Noah, mentioned signs at the 9/12/2009 protest in Washington, not limited to the 9/12 project, reading "Obama: More Dangerous Than Al-Qaida and "Diversity Is A Disease." He concluded "The 9/12-ers are white separatists."[12]

References

  1. Glenn Beck (17 March 2009), "Glenn Beck: The 9/12 Project", The Glenn Beck Program
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kenneth P. Vogel (21 November 2009), "Beck's plan: Rally followers, sell books", Politico
  3. "Tea Party Washington D.C. PHOTOS: Conservative Protesters Rally Against Big Government", Associated Press, 12 September 2009
  4. Aaron Blake (11 November 2009), "Republican's exit could clear the way for Tea Party vs. GOP incumbent Bennett", The Hill
  5. Michael Stone (12 September 2009), "Beck's 9-12 Project: Making crazy mainstream", Portland Progressive Examiner
  6. "FoxPAC: Network Again Engaging in Political Advocacy with "9-12 Project"", MediaMatters, 11 September 2009
  7. Glenn Beck (23 November 2009), 11/23: Glenn Beck Reveals The Plan in Open Letter, 9-12 Project
  8. Kenneth P. Vogel (20 November 2009), "Beck to announce 'big plan' for 2010", Politico
  9. , "Founding Member of 9-12 Project Stands for Election to Congress", PR.com, 9 December 2009
  10. About, Dr. Dan for Congress
  11. Michael Calderone (28 July 2009), "Fox's Beck: Obama is 'a racist'", Politico
  12. Timothy Noah (12 September 2009), ""Diversity Is A Disease": What the 9/12 project is all about.", Slate