Glenn Beck

WASHINGTON – Barbara Hovermill boarded one of 12 buses from Hagerstown, determined to be part of the crowd of tens of thousands that rallied Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial at an event organized by conservative commentator Glenn Beck on the 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. "We need to have government hear us," said Hovermill, a 68-year-old retired retail worker from Williamsport whose shirt was adorned with buttons and stickers for her favored candidates in Maryland — including gubernatorial candidate Brian Murphy and U.S. Senate candidate Jim Rutledge, both Republicans.

By writing "Thousands" attended the Glenn Beck rally ("Thousands attend Beck rally," Aug. 29), rather than the hundreds of thousands ( I know it is only a few zeros to you liberals/progressives) as reported on even NBC TV, The Baltimore Sun now ranks right up there with the New York Times and MSNBC in the race for disingenuous reporting honors. Lyle Rescott, Marriottsville

It is sad and somewhat alarming to watch Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin and their tea party followers organizing and marching to "Take back America, restore our honor and return to God" ("Thousands attend Beck rally," Aug. 29). While long on sound bites and flag waving, the group comes up a little short on specifics and real motives. Who are they taking America back from - the African-American community, Latinos, the disadvantaged, immigrants to America over the past 200 years? And what are they taking back - the America of Jim Crow when Blacks had no rights, when Jews faced hostile discrimination in housing and the workplace, when gays and lesbians could not fully participate in our society, when the handicapped had little access to public facilities, or when women had no vote and faced workplace discrimination and harassment?

Talk show host Glenn Beck poked and prodded the Republican hierarchy Saturday night in a raucous address to conservatives, comparing the party to an alcoholic who hasn't hit bottom and golfer Tiger Woods before his public repentance. Beck said he believes in the idea of redemption but that he doesn't think the GOP has taken the first step toward it. "I have not seen a come-to-Jesus meeting," Beck told a packed ballroom in Washington " 'Hello, my name is the Republican Party and I've got a problem.

My heart aches for the victims of the horrible shooting in Arizona, and my prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. However, before we even know the full story of what possessed this young man to do this horrific act, there are those who are pointing their fingers, blaming talk radio, Fox News and people like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. For those of you who think this psycho read the wrong message into what talk radio and Fox report, then you also have to be classified as a psycho.

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation. Articles  • Imagine no possessions : Report says John Lennon was a closet Republican. ( Toronto Sun )  • Pot, meet kettle: Obama scolds Congress for taking too many vacations. ( ABC )  • Somebody get Ban Ki-moon a straitjacket : United Nations appoints North Korea head of conference on disarmament.

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation National • "Days, not weeks": U.S. drones now launching attacks in Libya . (CNN)  • An epic showdown: Jerry Seinfeld vs. Donald Trump . (NY Post)  • An epic showdown, Part II: Mike Huckabee  vs. Glenn Beck . (Mediaite)  • Now that's an interview: Donald Trumps seeks campaign advice during interview with John McCain's daughte r. (Daily Beast)

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation. National • Nice: Republican parody video gets more views than Obama's official announcement of running for reelection . (Politico)  • Enjoying this, but for the wrong reasons: Trump's support surging in New Hampshire . (NY Post) • Spokeswoman Bristol Palin paid seven times more than actual teen pregnancy prevention efforts . (Liberaland)

I am deeply upset from witnessing the demonstration that took place on the anniversary of the Poor People's March on Washington in 1963, when Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. inspired a generation with his famous speech ("Thousands attend Beck rally," Aug. 29). When Dr. King was gunned down, I lost my faith in humanity. I witnessed the riots that followed this abomination without surprise in 1968 from my vantage point in Chicago, where I was engaged in the Southside as a community organizer for VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America)