Devil or Angel, Whichever You Are

Shari

Shannon K. Walsh wrote on The Real Mike Rowe Facebook page, ” Mike – How could you associate with such a horrible and psychotic person that is Glen Beck? I wouldn’t accept a dime off that hateful, nasty racist. Very disappointed to see this post.”

Well, hi there, Shannon – and a pleasant good morning to you too!

If you want a detailed answer to your question, please take a moment to read my earlier reply to Bob Reidel, another crestfallen soul who couldn’t reconcile my association with a TV host that he personally despised. As you read it (out loud, if possible, and in a public place), kindly replace the words “Bob Reidel” with “Shannon K. Walsh,” and “Bill Maher” with “Glenn Beck.” But prepare yourself – you might be forced to conclude that my true objective here has little to do with winning or losing your approval.

As for your personal characterization of Glenn Beck, I can only assume you have information not available to me. In my time with him, I saw nothing “horrible, psychotic, hateful, or nasty.” I smelled no burning sulfur, no smoldering brimstone, and saw no sign of cloven hooves.

To the contrary, I found a very passionate guy who employs about 300 people, works his butt off, and puts his money where his mouth is. Do we agree on everything? Of course not. Am I “disappointed” by that fact? Not at all. The real question, Shannon, is … why are you?

To be clear, I’m not here to tell you what to think or whom to hate. Like everyone else, you’re free to pick your devils, choose your angels, and attach the horns and halos accordingly.

But the guts of your question – even without all the name-calling and acrimony – reveal the essence of what’s broken in our country. You want to know “how I can associate” with someone you don’t like? The short answer is, how can I not? How are we ever going to accomplish anything in this incredibly divisive time if we associate only with people that we don’t disagree with?

Mike

PS. Not only did Glenn hand me a check for $25,000 made out to the mikeroweWORKS scholarship fund, he invited me to shoot a few PSAs on his set and offered to air them on his network for free. You know how many other networks have offered to do that? Not one. In addition, his viewers have purchased hundreds and hundreds of Work Smart AND Hard posters. I’m already getting photos of them hanging in high schools across the country. Glenn also signed one, and took some artistic license on my face. Which made me laugh. We’ll auction that off on a future episode of C.R.A.P., and my guess is we’ll raise a pretty penny.

PPS. Penn Jillette is an avowed atheist. Glenn Beck is a deeply religious Christian. They disagree on a lot, but speak often on Glenn’s show, and have some of the most respectful and interesting exchanges on television today. Here’s an example: Penn Jillette and Glenn Beck talk Atheism, Libertarianism, and Church/State

I’ve been on every network over the years, more than once, and I’ll promise you this – if you want the potential for a thoughtful exchange that’s not crammed into a five-minute segment, your options are limited.

Real Time is one possibility. Glenn Beck is another. I’m glad to have done both. – Glenn Beck and Bill Maher

96 thoughts on “Devil or Angel, Whichever You Are”

  1. I consider telling you who you can talk to or not is a form of bullying. People on either side have no right to dictate to you who you can associate with. If they don’t like it, then they can just move along. Personally, I am a Glenn Beck fan and if you had not appeared with him, I never would have heard you because I don’t watch Bill Maher and I am sure that would be true of those who are fans of Bill Maher also. Your job training program is too important to let bullies tell you what to do. I’m glad you are a strong, self assured man, that does not need the approval of every nut case out there to function. I totally agree with your message that not everyone needs to go to college and shouldn’t saddle themselves with tons of debt to obtain something they will never use.

  2. I don’t understand the bile some people feel they should spew when they don’t know anything about a person, and formulate their opinions based solely on what they’ve heard from others. I watched your interview on Glenn Beck, AND I watched you guest on Bill Maher’s show. I like one of those guys significantly more than the other, but I have been so impressed with your efforts that the politics of things don’t really matter. What you’re doing to try to restore honor to good old fashioned work is laudable, and worthy of getting exposure anywhere you can. Keep doing what you do!

  4. Mike, I appreciate the way you handled the adversarial comments about your association with Glenn Beck. I believe you are right when you say that we must have conversations with those we seem to disagree with- education comes in many ways. Personally, I’m not a fan of Bill Maher because I find his humor borders hate speech, but I’m sure he has redeeming qualities and if he can help your education program, it’s all good! Good work ethic is becoming more rare every day. Poor behavior is often reinforced by pay increases and long-term employment. We need skilled labor in this country- it’s what the United States of America was built on! Keep up the good work!

      1. You might consider reading Alexis deTocqueville, who wrote Democracy in America after visiting in the first half of the 1800’s. His description from traveling along the Ohio River which separated the North from the slave-holding South is very incisive. He noted that the freeholders’ farms in the North were vastly more productive and prosperous than in the South. Same quality of land on either side, but in the North, the was no shame in hard labor, but in the South that was slave’s work and as such, beneath a free person. Made all the difference. My point is that this country was built far more by free people than by slaves. It’s why the industrial North beat the South in the Civil War. It’s not as simple as “this country was built by slaves.”
        And I am so grateful to the courageous many who went before us to rid this country of the pernicious evil of slavery. It’s on us now to continue the struggle to increase equality of opportunity. May we have what it takes to persevere.

      3. Actually, the United States was built by hard working paid labor. You act as if slaves were the only people working back then and the rest of the population
        just sat around and whipped slaves all day. Most people worked back then, one way or another. Yes, there were slaves, of many nationalities. They were outnumbered by hard working paid labor. Yes is the answer to your question. We are very interested in facts, but not manipulation of facts, for sure.

  6. I just hope this doesn’t make Shannon a hero for the liberals, all this publicity.. well she may end up a wealthy liberal maybe even a book or movie! Mike, you are an inspiration to all… keep it going.. I know I will do what I can.

  7. loved hearing you on the Glenn Beck show your an amazing man and fighting for an amazing cause may God richly bless you Mike thank you for all you do and for your heart

  8. I too have seen BOTH of these interviews and others you have done. I believe in the cause you have started and have bought a poster for my workplace. As the Branch Manager, I have earned my position by doing exactly what you recommend; work hard, stay late, & volunteer for the crap jobs. Today, I still do it. I’m the first person to walk in the door and the last one out. Anyway, I commend you for putting yourself out there to promote this cause! THANK YOU!! Keep taking every opportunity you get to promote this and people like myself will continue to support it!

  9. Glenn goes off the deep end sometimes .. True .. But he’s not far off from the truth and not a deceiver and pompous arrogant prejudiced man like Maher

  10. Well said, Mr. Rowe. I think you caught the essence of your own likeability with the statement, “I’m not here to tell you what to think or whom to hate.” If only that were true of Glenn Beck — but then, he wouldn’t have a show, would he?

    I’m afraid your response to your critic suffers a bit from false equivalency. Yes, there is something broken in this country, and it seems to me that too many of us have lost all sense of limits to the lies and libels and hatred we inflict on each other. I’m sure that Beck was very gracious to you and appreciative that you came on his show. And while you may not have noticed any “burning sulfur” during your appearance, you may want to consider that your critic does indeed have information you have not received or have chosen to ignore. Because in my opinion, Beck generally traffics in the worst kind of noxious, deceitful defamation and hate mongering that one simply cannot equate with what Bill Mahr or even Bill O’Reilly puts forward.

    Presumably, somewhere there are limits to your even-handed tolerance of all type of “views.” You would not, I am sure, appear on a program hosted by David Duke, no matter how many viewers he had or how much he might contribute to your undeniably worthy cause. By the same token, I believe you have drawn the line too far in this case, providing Beck and his hate-fomenting conspiracy theories with unwarranted credibility, to the detriment of the country whose brokenness you lament.

    1. While this IS a Mike Rowe site (and BTW, bless you, Mr Mike for the program you have started) I have to ask Mr Ostroth if he has ever listen to Glenn Beck? To say Mr Beck …”traffics in the worst kind of noxious, deceitful defamation and hate mongering that one simply cannot equate with what Bill Mahr or even Bill O’Reilly puts forward” doesn’t square with anything I have heard Beck say.

      1. Ms. Stoneking, I’ll admit that since Beck was “resigned” from Fox — and it takes a lot to get “resigned” from “fair and balanced” Fox — I haven’t seen him on his new channel “The Blaze.” I’m not even sure my cable provider carries it; if so, it’s on an obscure channel I don’t flip up to. Nevertheless…

        Perhaps because I’m not a visceral Obama hater, nor a visceral black hater, I may have been more sensitive than some people to his rather baseless conjecture that the President (whose mother was wihite) “has a deep seated hatred of white people” and is a “racist.” Nor was I placated when, backtracking from that scurrilousness, he theorized (baselessly again) that Obama believed in “black liberation theology.” And I particularly wasn’t amused when Beck tried to auction off on e-Bay a mason jar with an Obama figurine submerged in a curiously yellow-orange liquid billed as urine.But, that’s just me. Perhaps for you, it’s not a big deal. I hope that’s not the case for Mr. Rowe.

        I could go on, but here are some interesting and amusing links:

        http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/the-top-9-glenn-beck-cons_b_3361097.html

        http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bl-glenn-beck-quotes.htm?PS=493%3A2 (political humor, but the quotes are real)

        http://mediamatters.org/blog/2011/06/30/glenn-becks-top-5-conspiracy-theories/180582

        Most of what Beck promulgates is designed to sow hatred, regardless of the truth of what he puts out there.

        1. Its amazing how someone’s quotes or FACT BASED theories can be taken out of context to make them seem crazy. Especially when disputed with no facts at all. Take your comments here for example. Beck has NEVER done or said ANYTHING for you to assume he’s a racist. I’m so tired of the perpetuated LIE that because you disagree with Obama, you’re a racist. Thanks Chris Matthews!

          Beck and Maher have OPINION based shows. I’ve watched both because I like to hear both sides, look further into what interests me, and then decide for myself. Which brings me back to Mr. Rowe. It shouldn’t matter if he’s sitting down with Big Bird on PBS to discuss his cause. The point is that his cause is important! He SHOULD get as much of an audience as possible. Unfortunately, people like you and Ms.
          Walsh (above) are brainwashed by outlets like Huffington Post and Media Matters. Which is quite ironic seeing as how you blame Mr. Beck for doing the same.
          Point is… stop being a lemming, put the negativity away, and support Mike’s cause.

          2. Well done, Douglas. Their is so much propaganda out there and people like Jeff Ostroth soak it all in. They are so hateful and condescending, yet they are blind to it. Anyone who disagrees with them is labeled ignorant or racist. Most of us Conservatives are too busy working to bother arguing with these close-minded and truly ignorant people.

        1. Too bad you people are so blind and one sided that you are closed to other peoples opinions. That is not being a Christian. I believe that you, Marie and people like you are fakes.

          1. Who said anything about being closed to others opinions? I have mine and they have theirs nothing to it….God knows the truth and that’s all I know…

          2. Marie, I do apologize for my comment. I can’t excuse my words, but I was letting my anger from a different post bleed over to this one. I am a Thiest and no matter where I’m at in my beliefs, I believe one thing or sure. If your faith in something helps you get through hardships and make life a little better, that is awesome. Once again I do apologize for being a jerk. I’m also sorry to hear about your loss.

    2. that seems so ignorant – I’ve known of many people (news and personally) who believe in ‘God’ who murder, cheat on their wives, molest children, steal etc. This is what Mike seems to be trying to speak out against – don’t like someone just because they are on ‘your side’ / ‘believes in God’.

      3. Mike isn’t saying, “don’t like someone just because they are on ‘your side’/ ‘believes in God'”, Mike is saying don’t hate someone who thinks differently than you, which is what your doing. It is the typical tactic of leftists to call people ignorant because of their faith. I regard people of faith with high esteem. That doesn’t mean I hate people without faith but their vicious attacks toward religion, especially Christians and Jews, makes me regard them as hateful. It’s worth noting that I myself am agnostic. Faith has real value to people, it helps them cope with turmoil, and there is scientific evidence that a positive faith-based attitude can strengthen the immune system to help them survive disease and injury better than someone without faith. You have had negative experiences that have affected your view of faith, Mike Rowe wants you have an open mind and don’t judge all of the faithful based on a few.

        1. I think you are confusing a statement of opinion about a position with hatred.

          Hatred is “because you like someone based on their stated position rather than a pattern of actual behavior, I hate you”.

          An opinion is “I think it is ignorant to automatically like someone based on their stated position, rather than their pattern of behavior.”

          I believe ‘Camille’ was attempting to state a clear opinion in the vein of the latter, not state an irrational hatred on the basis of Marie’s position.

  12. I like Glenn Beck and I love your cause and message. Period.
    I’m in the plumbing/heating trade and my husband is a pipe welder.
    We make great wages and get all of the standard benefits.
    In both of our trades there is a deficit of qualified skilled labor.
    I was raised to believe that college was good but having a trade as a back-up was priceless.
    Fortunately, I never saw the need to incur the expense and go back to school.
    My husband went back to school for his BA and ended up back in his trade to pay for the loan. He’s still in the trade 8 yrs later and has no need to go back for a higher degree.
    Totally behind you Mike!

  13. Pingback: Mike, for pres? | The Facebooks

  14. It amazes me to hear people call others names instead of presenting a valid and logical argument for their disagreement. It is also sad. Disagreeing is okay, but make sure you can support your position. You and Glenn do that very well.

  16. With due respect Mike, I agree with your overall point. However, saying that someone was nice to you and they donated to your cause does not absolve them from past bad behavior. I think the original person you were commenting on went too far with their vitriol. However, I do think that overall, Mr. Beck has had a net-negative effect on the discourse in this country. That being said, I think your message is good and I think it’s fine that you went on his show. My only quibble is the assessment that Mr. Beck must be a good guy because he was generous with your cause and polite in your presence.

    1. You can say the same about our President, a man who works for us, as well as his hench men Reid, Holder, Biden and others. Beck is a private citizen who has a political view that clearly differs from your own. Those who agree with him view his efforts as consistently positive. But whether he is or not, any animosity he may spread is miniscule in comparison to that hate spewed daily by our elected officials. Obama was so punitive as to close parks and monuments during the partial shutdown (where 87% of the government stayed open), something NO OTHER PRESIDENT HAD EVER DONE in more than dozens of prior shutdowns. Calling Republicans rapists, thugs, and terrorists, our leaders should be removed for such irresponsible behavior. BIg fail Joe.

      1. Sorry Paulii, the fact that you think no other president had shut down the national parks during a shutdown (and you believe strongly enough to use all caps) tells me you are immersed in rhetoric and not fact. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/10/how-the-national-parks-became-the-biggest-battleground-in-the-shutdown/280439/ My objections to Mr. Beck have to do with his propaganda having a negative effect on intelligent and rational discourse. You have proven my point in a way.

          2. Paulii is correct. You cite a left-wing media source that doesn’t tell you the whole story. The 1996 shutdown under the rapist Clinton didn’t actually close all parks. Places that didn’t require Park Rangers didn’t place barricades on the road to prevent people from viewing Mount Rushmore, or to hire security guards to keep Veterans out while hosting illegal aliens. Mr Beck has a positive effect on intelligent and rational discourse. You are a condescending prick.

          3. Sorry, he is not correct. The National Parks were shut down in 1995 http://parkadvocate.org/how-would-a-government-shutdown-affect-national-parks/ or http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/10/131003-national-park-closures-government-shutdown/. I was correcting Paulii who said “something NO OTHER PRESIDENT HAD EVER DONE”. If the parks were more closed than in 95, as you say without sourcing, it may have been because of post 911 security measures.
            You know who agrees with my opinion on Glen Beck? Glen Beck http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/22/glenn-beck-regrets-helping-tear-country-apart/ It is refreshing to see Mr. Beck show some retrospect, by the way. I’ll tell you one thing, I never called anyone a name here. When you have facts and reason on your side, it’s not necessary.

          4. I’m not going to give citations for a comment. Are you some dumb college student who thinks they know it all? That’s a rhetorical que

  17. Mike Lowe you are an intelligent sexy man and I admire you! First because you are right on the money about the student loan debt situation and second because your answer to Shannon K. Walsh was amazing. I am saddened by how many people in this world cant wait to jump on the hater band wagon. Every human being on this earth has good in them and each one of them possess some gift that is beneficial to our universe, they just don’t all know that yet. If we would spend our time and money helping each other and helping a neighbor discover the good he/she possesses, half of our problems would solve themselves. Please people, stop hating those that you don’t agree with and learn to love everyone in spite of your differences. You just might learn some things. I have been looking to find a worthwhile charity to support in order to give back and show gratitude for my blessings in life. I think I just found it. Thanks!

  19. Mr. Rowe,

    I would like to thank you for advocating the ‘basics’ that our country desperately needs. I am a college educated farm girl working in the private sector. Neither my husband or brother-in-law attended college but together they manage a successful first generation dairy farm that they started building in their mid-teens. By working both smart and hard we have all seen success. Our operation, like many others, is a testament about the need for hard working, skilled labor with good ethics. I commend you for using your ‘celebrity’ to promote values that can benefit all Americans.

  20. Thank you, Mike, for all your hard work in getting people into jobs that are needed. A friend & I were talking the other day about kids going to college & not having the skills for the hands-on things. I once could change the oil in my car myself, but not now. Can’t even find the stupid stick to check it with. What a lot of people haven’t faced yet is if we don’t have folks who can farm, weld, put on a roof, fix plumbing & any number of “mundane, dirty” jobs, pretty soon we won’t be able to use those fancy phones, computers, refrigerators, etc. because we’ll have no one to build or repair them. I’m proud to say that my son CHOSE to become a diesel mechanic. He may never be rich, but he keeps farmers & truckers going! The Trades rock!

    1. Kat, the reason you cannot find the ‘stupid stick’ to check the oil is b/c it is no longer there and was replaced with a electronic device and a oil gauge display or electronic voice warning. Much of what Mike addresses is just the willingness to learn and solve problems. I never fixed a laptop screen but chose to try after my son broke his when exasperated with a computer game. (That is another story) I googled ‘fix laptop screen’ and found a few online reference and examples. I tracked down the exact screen type according to the computer make and model (they are all made by Samsung), bought it on eBay and replaced the screen according to the video and printed instructions from YouTube. It cost me about $80 which was far less than the quoted hundreds for repair elsewhere. Getting your hands ‘dirty’ is simply taking control of your own circumstances and working out a solution.

      1. The “stupid stick” has been made even more so, just FYI. Even if you don’t know what it’s for, or where it might be, you CAN find it under your hood, and rather rapidly at that. Next time you pop the hood open, just look for the color yellow. All the stuff you need to check has been color-coded for that very reason. So finding the “stupid stick,” as you guys have so eloquently described it, is easier nowadays than it ever has been… Happy hunting! 🙂

  21. This is the kind of vitriol and venom we’ve seen all too often from elitist progressives, the supposed open-minded and tolerant group. I agree with Mike, “How are we ever going to accomplish anything in this incredibly divisive time if we associate only with people that we don’t disagree with?” People need to get off their high horses and let’s get back to all being Americans and working together.

  23. I AM A THIRD GENERATION TOOL & DIE MAKER . I HAVE TWO JOURNEYMAN DEGREES

    FROM THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA . ARE THEY COLLEGE DEGREES ? NO , NOT REALLY . MOST PEOPLE THESE DAYS DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE !

    THE TOOL MAKING TRADE HAS BEEN DYING FOR SOME TIME . NC NO LONGER SPONSORS A TOLL & DIE PROGRAM . THIS TO ME IS SAD BEYOND WORDS .

    A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT KIDS HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE NOTHING WITHOUT A COLLEGE DEGREE . I FOUND A GREAT CAREER AND AFTER 5 YEARS OF

    FULL TIME WORK & SCHOOL HAVE A “DEGREE” AND NO DEBT !

    HOW MANY GO THROUGH 4 YEARS OF COLLEGE ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY

    ARE NOTHING WITH THE DEGREE & ARE NOW STRAPPED WITH YEARS OF DEBT ?

    IT IS TRAGIC THE WAY TRADES HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED IN THIS COUNTRY AND

    SOMEHOW THOUGH OF AS LESS THAN A CAREER .

    I LOVE WHAT MIKE IS DOING TO TRY & SET THAT RECORD STRAIGHT .
    IT IS LONG OVERDUE .

    TRADES ARE THE VERY FOUNDATION OF THE JOB MARKET .
    THE BOTTOM GUYS ON THE TOTEM POLE ARE THE ONES HOLDING IT UP !

    TRADES ARE NOT ONLY RESPECTABLE , THEY ARE ESSENTIAL .

    1. Could you please do us a favor and not have your Cap Lock on? What you are saying is so true and interesting I am sure to us all, but it would be easier to read with the Caps off. Big thanks.

        1. Astonishing that is the only thing that commentator took away from your comment, is typing in caps. What you said is very true and sad. Who knows if it will ever turn around?

          1. In support of trish, and hopefully to influence the caps writer; I did not read the post because of the all caps. It IS distracting and akin to chewing with your mouth open and smacking. I think she was just offering a helpful tip, just as I am. People take you more seriously when you communicate in accepted protocol.

        2. You may have always kept your Cap Lock on, but does it matter to you if
          it is annoying and rude to others? We can always do something but what
          if you find that others don’t like it? Aren’t you open to change if it
          is better for others?

          I am trying to tell you that it is hard to
          read something with all caps and I am sure many feel this way. Wouldn’t
          you want us to be able to read your comment better?

          I don’t know
          why you would want the Cap Lock on, but would you please type without
          it on so we can read what you have to say better?

          I did say that agree with all you said and it is interesting. What is so wrong with me asking (so nicely) if you can type with the Cap Lock off so we can read this better. Again all you say is so very true. Thank you.

          2. All CAPS just makes it easier for old eyes to read… We (OLDER PERSONS) print in CAPS, and those who write in micro should restrain themselves to bathrooms and join the group who write on the spaces between the tiles. [OFFICIALLY KNOWN AS “GROUT WRITERS”]. As for older Patriots, Americans, and those who read the posts for information, (myself)… I never noticed his post was in ALL CAPS, as it was very clear and understandable and a clear message that I agree with completely… The rest of the nay sayers miss the point that us old guys (dinosaurs) or “age eyesight challenged” got the message and never noticed the ALL CAPS… SHAME ON YOU FOR BEING ELITIST IDIOTS AND COMPLAINERS!!! GET A LIFE.

          4. YES, REALLY! Most people don’t like it. She is not alone. I also did not read the man’s post because I believe posting in all caps is rude and akin to YELLING IN YOUR POST!

          5. I agree. Actually didn’t even read the comment because of the cap locks. I did read the poster say he always types in caps lock which is a shame cause I am sure there are many people like me who refuse to read such egoistic posting.

        3. Typing in ALL CAPS is rude and not really acceptable on these boards. It’s taken by others as if the person who types in all caps believes what he has to say is more important and valid than other people’s views therefore it should be presented and highlighted in a more special way than others. This is and has always been an unwritten rule on message boards for as long as I can remember. I doubt very seriously that this is the first time anyone has called you out on your all caps message posting. You obviously know that it irritates people but that doesn’t seem to matter to you in the least. You also must know by now that typing in lower case letters with only first words in sentences capitalized does NOT irritate anyone yet you still choose the method that causes others to be annoyed. I submit to you that you are either a self centered jerk who has no regard for other people’s feelings or you are a self centered jerk who is purposely trying to annoy other people. Your choice.

          1. GENO ,

            I HAVE NO INTENTION TO BE RUDE OR LOUD AND DO NOT TAKE MYSELF TOO SERIOUSLY .
            I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD MORE COMPLIMENTS THAN COMPLAINTS !

            I DO HOWEVER THINK IT IS RUDE TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE WHAT TO SAY OR HOW TO TYPE .

            THAT BEING SAID , I ENJOY READING WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY & DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THEM ON ANY PRESUPPOSED ETIQUETTE , HECK , I EVEN LET MISSPELLED WORDS GO BY .

            IN SHORT , I PREFER TO LET YOU BE YOU AND EXPECT NOTHING LESS IN RETURN .

            PLEASE DON’T BE A CAPS COP . CAPS ARE ONLY RUDE IF YOU MAKE THEM RUDE . IN SHORT , LIGHTEN UP & LIVE A LITTLE .

          2. Actually, what all these kind, thoughtful people are trying to do is educate you. If they were the elitist, arrogant jerks they’ve been mistaken for, they probably wouldn’t have wasted their time. The fact that they did should demonstrate to you not that they’re trying to humiliate you, but that they care. They’re trying to HELP you.
            The reason they’re doing that is because the accepted convention is that writing in all capital letters is the equivalent of yelling at the top of your lungs. It’s referred to as “FLAMING” someone, in ‘internet-speak,’ and it’s considered obtrusive and rude.
            This is what all people learning to type and use the internet are taught these days, so the longer you continue to ignore the accepted standards, the more likely your time and energy spent typing will be wasted. Even if people do read your message, your credibility will suffer, and most folks who see your posts will think “Why does this person always ‘scream’ his messages?” Do you see? That convention causes people to think “Who does this person think he is?”
            Why would you want the important message you spent time putting together to be buried under that distraction?

            Then again, if you’re just on here to vent your spleen, and you don’t care whether anyone gets what you’re saying, then by all means, just continue as you have been.

          3. WHo the fuck says it isn’t acceptable on this board? YOU? THE REASON THAT IT BOTHERS ANY OF YOU ISN’T BECAUSE YOU CAN’T READ IT, IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL PERSONALITIES THAT SEEK OUT CHAOS AND DRAMA. YOU ARE SELF-IMPORTANT AND YOU SEEK ANOTHER WAY TO TEAR SOMEONE DOWN TO BUILD YOURSELVES UP. YOU DON’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE CAPS LOCK – YOU HATE NOT BEING IN CONTROL. YOU HATE YOURSELVES AND YOUR UNIMPORTANT LIVES. YOU ARE A BUNCH OF MISERABLE, ANGRY AND VINDICTFUL CONTROL-FREAKS THAT WANT TO FORCE YOUR LIBERALISM DOWN OUR THROATS AS WELL. FUCK THE LOT OF YOU. YOU AREN’T IN CONTROL OF JACK SHIT – NOT EVEN YOUR OWN HAPPINESS, YOU DONKEYS.

          4. Tony, I don’t think that’s the case, any more than someone who noted that yelling at someone in person could cause people to disregard the larger point and concentrate on the, well, yelling. That’s just the way it is. Typing in all caps is considered online “yelling.” When I read things typed in all caps I read it as if I’m being yelled at. So it takes something away from whatever the person is trying to say. Some people won’t read it at all.

            Of course we all still CAN read it, but it’s important for Rimspoke to realize how his “all caps” typing is interpreted by his readers. I think sharing this kind of information is a good thing. If you were committing some sort of social faux pas, wouldn’t you want to know? I certainly would.

          6. Come on, Anthony, quit holding back. Tell us how you REALLY feel, and quit hiding your true feelings inside that shell, with your feelings and anger all bottled up like that. Come on… EXPRESS yourself! You don’t have to sugar-coat everything and beat around the bush like that. Don’t be a sissy! Open up! No one knows what the heck you’re thinking if you clam up and refuse to let other people know what’s bothering you.

  25. The bottom line is that the current Republican Party, policy-wise, is no friend of the working class. Certainly, most Republicans are decent people, but the Republican Party has consistently opposed a living wage, minimum wage increases, funding for education, opposes organized labor, etc. These a Republican Party positions run counter to Mr. Rowe’s efforts to help the common worker.

    1. Utter nonsense. Have not read a more partisan/delusional post in many months. First, all Republicans do not agree on any of the issues you raise. Not all Tea Party members are Republicans. Certainly not all Republicans are not Tea Party people. So literally nothing you said is accurate. Grow up.

    2. You are so far off the mark that I’m stunned anyone could be so misinformed. I guess it’s par for the course in this day and age of leftist propaganda. Conservatives (Tea Party) are fighting for control of the Republican party against the liberal establishment. Minimum wage increases do not help the working class. If you only have so much to pay employees and are then forced to increase their pay, you must let go of some employees. So forced wage increases contribute only to more unemployment, which results in a lower tax base, which results in borrowing to maintain spending, which results in increased debt.

      Mr. Rowe’s “apparent embracing” is simply marketing his concept to as many people as possible.

      You don’t seriously believe that the Democrat party is pro-working class do you? Unions, environmentalists, and radical left-wing groups who have all been responsible for killing jobs across the country for 50+ years support the Democrat Party. Republicans support free markets, capitalism and energy independence, all of which create jobs.

  26. A great response to a potentially touchy subject. One additional point that can be made:

    Your goal with both appearances was not to reach people who already know about your cause, but to bring your message to a new and diverse audience. The only way to appear in a forum that every Mike Rowe Facebook fan would 100% agree on is to just post information to your Mike Rowe Facebook page. But that’s not how education works. Your stated goal practically requires you to meet and talk with people that not everyone will agree with. My answer to Shannon would be that if you share the same goals of educating students about the real world, she should be just as happy about your appearance with Glenn Beck as you are.

  27. Rock on, Mike. I’m working on opening my own business, but if that fails… well, I know about high voltage and I understand there’s a dearth of wiremen these days, so I’m sure I can find … productive work. 🙂

  28. Wow… It seems the divisions between disliking paticular TV perosnalities continues throughout the comments of a letter dismissing these simply trivial differences. As Mike pointed out at SkillsUSA earlier this year, you take from these shows what speaks to how you already view the world. Very few people are willing to listen to somebody whose ideals or beliefs are different to their own, let alone talk to them about their differences.

    That is the basis of nearly every social issue in this country, including the skills gap addressed by this forum.

    I will continue to watch Beck, Maher, and the like. If for no other reason, I want to understand the perspectives both sides represent. I encourage everybody do the same.

    Then watch the news about this country from a source outside the US to help discern what really is BS. They aren’t worried about our politics….

  29. Hi Mike, I just ran across this because I am a Glen Beck fan. Bill M. is not my cup of tea. That being said all I can say is I respect what it you are doing and all the avenues you are using to get this information out. I am a widow of six years and have home schooled the younger 3 children from the beginning, the two older kids attended public school. The home school courses are college prep courses. Do I expect them to attend college no, not unless it will advance their life pursuit, but I do expect them to have the best education I can provide. My eldest (31) is a pipe fitter (Add/Adhd) He loves his work. My next oldest (29) has a BA and is now attending Nursing School for her life dream, the next (20) Just finished Paul Mitchell Hair school left the school with great skills and a direction she is still seeking. My 17 year old is on chapter 13 of her book (1 of 4 she is writting) She is a word smith and fears that not attending College, like her friends, could be a draw back. We have discussions about that and she is coming around to the determination that her friends have degrees and no desire to go into there fields. My youngest 15 is becoming a Luthier and a musician. He wants to attend a music trade school. I myself am part owner of a business and have no college degree. I tried and could not stand or should I sit in that learning environment. We all have talents, as Rush would say “on loan from God” as a parent it is my job to guide my children into their God given gifts to benefit them and the world. Thank you for providing an alternative to those of us not fit for college but fit for life.

  31. I always seem to come a bit late to the discussions, but probably better late than never. My views may be different than others as I am Canadian, and damn proud of it, but we here are having the same problems in Skilled Trades as our friends south of our border.
    Why does it matter who associates with who, what matters is getting the message out to EVERYONE, if you don’t then the message will be seen as either a right or left wing message and this message is neither. When I was in high school, and it was roughly the same time as Mike Rowe, I was told the same message he was. I chose to take a year off from school and never went back. I was lucky, or so I thought at the time, as my father owned a company and eventually started working there. After 22 years passed and my father passed on I became 1/3 owner and hated the job and left. I had no idea what I wanted to do and on a whim thought driving truck would be, if not a decent job, would at least cover my bills. 10 years later I realized I truly enjoy my job and work harder than I ever have. Between Canada and the US there is a deficit of drivers of approximately 100,000 and they pay anywhere up to 50-75,000 dollars a year. It’s a skilled job and no we’re not cowboys or bigots and tattooed weirdos. We’re hard working individuals who get the products you need to market, the things the countries “would fall apart if they didn’t get there kinda stuff”.
    So…..please stop putting politics into the discussion, it muddies the waters for no reason and makes as much sense as asking what the price of tea is in China when discussing under arm deodorant!

  32. Mike, I love you and Fred. I for one appreciate the work you do and am glad someone out there is doing it. I have felt for along time that too many people have the wrong job or work ethics. I have heard so many of this new young generation talk about how minimum wage is beneath them, and flipping burgers is beneath them. God forbid should they be asked to take a job cleaning porta potties or worse. I guess i just grew up in a time around people who worked at any job they could get, for any pay they could get because they had bills to pay and a family to support. They took pride in their work and how they did their job. One of america’s problems and causes for the current economy is too many people that were among the i won’t work for minimum wage or even 4 times that amount. Economics is more than supply and demand. Simply put, if you have to pay your employees that are too good to work for less more, then you have to jack up the prices of what you’re selling or making. Which then leads to people having to make more, and then another cost increase. There are people out there that want to work and need to work, some willing to work 3 or 4 jobs if they have too so they can support their family and pay their bills. There are those out there that do want to learn a trade and aren’t to good to work the dirty jobs. Those are the ones you are trying to help and have helped. Take pride in what you do, and take advantage of resources given to you to get your word out there, it’s the only way people are gonna hear it. As for those that have opinions on people you should or shouldn’t deal with, don’t even sweat ’em. Those people are a part of what’s wrong with the world! Thank’s for being out there Mike.

  35. Mike, I personally have never seen your show, I don’t know why! But I’m a big fan of Glenn Beck
    I’ve watched him on Fox, now his own show, I agree a more decent , caring, giving man I’ve seen
    In a long time, I admire those who like you and Glenn,who make it big but give and spend your time and wealth for others, for those of us who cannot do what you do , thank you so much.
    To those who oppose, let them watch other shows they admire,
    Life gives us all the same amount of minutes each day, I choose to use mine being kind,sharing,
    Giving to my fellow man,
    To those who don’t, I feel very sorry for you, you miss so much. Blessings.

  36. Glenn did a lot of damage to whatever reputation he had being a Faux pundit. But to be object there is a HUGE difference between Glenn and Maher. I Maher isn’t everyones cup of tea and he’s very smug which turns MANY people off…but I have yet to (on average) here him lie to make a point…rewrite history or use poor logic skills. I’m not saying that someone cannot find a few as he has a huge catalog of media. But this is Glenn ‘s (and Rush too) on a daily basis. I have listened to Glenn because all my ill informed friends misquote him a lot…and I listen…and boy does he get history and facts wrong, daily.

    I don’t mind Mike is on any of those shows for his cause and I agree there is a difference between the ideas and the person but keep in mind although they are ALL entertainers the Becks and Rushs of the world are bad for society. They play to the lowest denominate and base their thread conspiracy thru people who have trouble thinking for themselves.

    Does Glenn have good ideas…of course he does. Does he hit the nail on the head often…of course he does. Does he use misleading information to support the angry white guy theories of his audience…regularly when on Faux news.

    I’m with those that say Mike shouldn’t buy into the BS of these guys but can still have a good conversation with guys who don’t use logic to make their points. The Becks know they need to align with the Mikes of the world because mike has a blue collar populist appeal that important to the credibility of Beck with this audience.

    Sorry for the writing style/grammer…doing this from a small phone.

    1. Love your name/avatar! Very creative! And I agree with you on most of your points. I’m surprised by some people who claim we are deeply divided and yet feed the dividers!

  37. To Mike: I think it’s worth keeping in mind that a lot of people don’t like beck primarily because he is a Mormon. Mormon teaching is that God is nothing more than a man who “grew up” and “learned, through trial and error, how to be God”. And that if he follows temple teachings and rituals, he too will one day be god of his own planet.

    It’s a nutcase religion, and that may be part of the reason why people are upset to see you on his show.

  38. I love you Mike Rowe. I love what you are doing. You are a terrific AMERICAN who cuts through the bull and gets to the point, eloquently. Keep doing what you are doing. I’m not a fan of most of the host you interview with (because frankly I gave up TV a long time ago and don’t know who they are) but I am a fan of YOURS! Keep up the good work! My oldest kid (24) worked and earned more than enough money to pay her own way without grants or scholarships or loans (including from her parents). she wanted to do it herself. And she is doing it. She is in the x-ray tech program at a local community college, paying her own way. I couldn’t be prouder of her. What you are doing is great! These kids need to be deprogrammed that they will not succeed if they do not attend a major university and get a BS degree in underwater keyboarding science. There are other ways to go.

  39. Here’s my two cents; I do not like the fact that you publicly shame people who criticize you to make your point. I do like your shows, I think you’re funny and smart, however it really is a turn off to see you make these people who voice their opinions marginally infamous! While claiming to be politically neutral, you do pick the most politically charged outlets to spread your word – I find that curious, maybe you do like this sort of negative reaction. Either way, I do hope that while you try to help connect our youth who may not have the resources for formal higher education with job opportunities, that you do not advocate for academic complacency in the mean time. In this competitive globalization, we need engineers and scientists more than ever. Instead of advertising against higher education because it costs too much, we should find ways to make it more affordable.

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