Jesse Ventura sees 'American Conspiracies' in places Mr. Media only sees incompetence

By BOB ANDELMAN

Jesse Ventura came to national prominence as a wrestler nicknamed “The Body,” took a turn on the silver screen in Predator with Ah-nuld, and even went by “Governor” for a term.

Now he’s bidding for you and me to start thinking of him as “The Brain.”

Don’t get me wrong; Ventura hasn’t asked anyone to call him that—yet. But reading his new book, American Conspiracies, it’s clear he’s given considerable thought to the real story behind some of this country’s most nagging unsolved mysteries.

Whether you believe what he believes or think he’s nuts, a reader of American Conspiracies can’t deny Ventura has thought out his positions on everything from the Kennedy assassinations and 9/11 to the world financial collapse we’re just starting to come out from under.

I should mention this is ground also covered in his new TV show, TruTV’s “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura,” every Wednesday at 10 p.m.

Not that Ventura is all drama and no fun these days. Anyone who’s caught him on the radio with Howard Stern knows he’s just as comfortable talking smack about Hulk Hogan and telling wild stories about his days as a Navy SEAL as he is discussing conspiracies.

GOV. JESSE VENTURA AUDIO EXCERPT: "I took the side of the conspiracy. We brought out the facts; ultimately, it's up to the reader to decide. It's called 'learning the truth.' And if the truth causes panic, we're in big trouble." 

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Copyright 2010 Bob Andelman. Click here for copyright permissions!

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The Beck Factor at Fox: Staffers say comments taint their work (Howard Kurtz)

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By Howard Kurtz

Washington Post Staff Writer
March 15, 2010 


NEW YORK
In just over a year, Glenn Beck's blinding burst of stardom has often seemed to overshadow the rest of Fox News.

And that may not be a good thing for the top-rated cable news channel, as many of its staffers are acutely aware.

With his celebrity fueled by a Time cover story, best-selling books, cheerleading role at protest rallies and steady stream of divisive remarks, Beck is drawing big ratings. But there is a deep split within Fox between those -- led by Chairman Roger Ailes -- who are supportive, and many journalists who are worried about the prospect that Beck is becoming the face of the network.

By calling President Obama a racist and branding progressivism a "cancer," Beck has achieved a lightning-rod status that is unusual even for the network owned by Rupert Murdoch. And that, in turn, has complicated the channel's efforts to neutralize White House criticism that Fox is not really a news organization. Beck has become a constant topic of conversation among Fox journalists, some of whom say they believe he uses distorted or inflammatory rhetoric that undermines their credibility.

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Thank You, Glenn Beck: Now I Can Call You a Nazi (Newser.com)

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by Lewis Grossberger 
Mar 15, 2010

One thing I’ve got to hand Glenn Beck and the Tea Party crowd: They’re making it OK to call someone you disagree with a Nazi.

This is a restriction I’ve chafed under for a long time.

Previously, whenever I felt like yelling “Nazi” (which I frequently do) I’d be stopped short by the realization that a friend or acquaintance would blow the whistle and yell, “Godwin’s Law violation! Ten-yard penalty!”

Godwin’s Law, as you may know, is best misstated as follows: In any political argument, the first person to say “Nazi” loses.

It’s based on the quaint notion that reasonable, civilized people can disagree without resorting to the foulest, most vile imprecations available.

Thank heavens that’s done with.

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