Into the Lion's Den

As part of my morning routine, I often flip on the television when I first wake up; not to watch anything in particular, just to have a little company while I get ready.

This morning, however, I was affronted by the verbal onslaught I overhead. With my interest peaked, I stepped away from the sink to see what was causing this lingual tumult. Much to my dismay it was not some heated political commentary over the closing of Gitmo, nor was it an avid PETA supporter up in arms over the release of Michale Vick. No, instead the utterance issued from the mouth of Whoopi Goldberg, one of the many loud mouthed co-hosts of The View.

The View began as a program where empowered women discussed current issues and news items on social and political issues as well as celebrity news and tabloid headlines, listening to each other and discussing opinions. Today the show is little more than an hour long gab fest where the co-hosts openly insult their guests' opinions and often times the guests themselves.

Today's unfortunate victim was Glenn Beck, host of The Glenn Beck Program radio-show as well as his self-titled television show featured on the Fox News Channel. Things began to deteriorate immediately as Joy Behar started off the segment by poking fun at Mr. Beck. While the jest was all in good fun, it simply got worse from there. Mr. Beck openly admitted to being more nervous appearing on the show than he was when appearing before the President in the Oval Office. When asked by Barbara Walters why this was so, Beck pointed out that Whoopi Goldberg was glaring at him. The first thing Goldberg said was, "I'm a little pissed at you," and then continued on to say that Glenn Beck is, "a lying sack of dog mess." Now, I'm not a television personality nor the host of a daytime television talk show, but I would venture a guess that a guest on a show would be entitled to a little more respect.

Many of you who are somewhat unfamiliar with the show may pass this off as an isolated incident, but that is far from the truth. When radio-show host and author Laura Ingraham came on the show as a guest co-host, she was openly ridiculed similarly to Glenn Beck. She was cut off again and again by the other co-hosts. Ingraham's book Power to the People was the topic of conversation which Ingraham claims as a rallying point for "disenfranchised" Americans. Ingraham makes the point that young girls are being brainwashed by a culture that elevates celebrity gossip, idolization, and debauchery. While the co-hosts agree, Joy Behar says, "It's pie in the sky to think that we could actually change; this country voted to get out of the war last year, and still we're still there. So if the vote doesn't even count what makes you think a letter will?" Umm, Ms. Behar, are you aware of the principles that this country was founded upon? Our Federal government is built on the basis of its people having the power, to the right of revolution when we believe change is needed. I mean come on! If everyone had that mentality, Dr. King would have never fought for civil rights, Frederick Douglass wouldn't have taken a stand against slavery, and John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and the other fifty-six delegates of the Continental Congress would have never signed the Declaration of Independence.

Sean Hannity was also a guest on The View at one time. While yes, he is a staunch conservative, he is also a very learned man. He is making accurate points and Rosie O'Donnell repeatedly says to his face, you're wrong, not letting him finish his thought. It amazes me that they are still able to persuade guests to be on the show, knowing the oral detraction that awaits them.

I think the show would more aptly be named, The Retort.