From Glenn Beck to John Fetterman: Why Integrity is Still the Ultimate Metric

1. Media Credibility and Glenn Beck

The hosts begin by discussing their changing views on media personalities, specifically Glenn Beck.

Mike’s Skepticism: Mike explains why he stopped listening to Beck years ago, citing failed predictions and a loss of credibility. He follows the rule: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”
The “Outrage Machine”: Mike recently gave Beck another chance after seeing a video where Beck apologized for the “outrage machine” in podcasting—where creators say provocative things just for clicks and money.
Forgiveness: As a Christian, Mike felt compelled to accept the apology and give Beck another opportunity. Mac agrees that “fomenting outrage” is a negative trend across the political spectrum.

The hosts pivot to the dangers of misinformation on social platforms like Facebook.

The Validation Rush: Mac shares a story about a famous baseball player replying to his post. He admits there is a “rush” in being validated by famous people, though he realizes he shouldn’t need it.
Fact-Checking with AI: Mike discusses using AI tools (like Gemini and Grok) to verify images. He mentions a fake photo of Hillary Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein that was circulating.
The Responsibility of Truth: Mike, who ran a Veterans for Trump website, emphasizes being “hyper-vigilant” about accuracy. He argues that sharing fake news (even as a joke) harms one’s credibility and plays into “traps” set by political opponents.

The conversation moves to the recent State of the Union address and the behavior of Congress.

John Fetterman: They discuss Senator John Fetterman. Despite policy differences, they express respect for his integrity and his comment that one must “respect the office” of the President, regardless of the person holding it.
The “Stand Up” Moment: Mac highlights a moment where the President asked those who believe the government’s primary duty is to protect citizens over illegal immigrants to stand. He notes that Republicans stood while Democrats remained seated—a visual he believes will be used effectively in future campaign ads.
Protests in the Chamber: They criticize Representatives like Ilhan Omar for shouting during the speech, arguing that such outbursts disrespect the office and the individuals themselves.

A significant portion of the talk covers the dangers faced by law enforcement and the ethics of protest.

Information Overload: Mac references the book Thinking Fast and Slow, explaining that when protesters scream and blow whistles, they create “chaos” that makes it harder for officers to make prudent, split-second decisions.
Personal Responsibility: Mike argues that while people have a right to carry firearms and protest, they also have a responsibility to avoid physical altercations with law enforcement.
The Human Cost: Mac reflects on the psychological weight of taking a life, even if justified, noting that most officers do not go to work wanting to kill anyone.

The hosts wrap up by discussing the conflict in the Middle East and media coverage of it.

Tucker Carlson: Mac expresses disappointment in Tucker Carlson’s recent stance on Israel, labeling it “unhealthy” and “anti-Semitic.”
Hamas vs. Civilians: They discuss the difficulty of urban warfare, noting that Hamas hides among civilians. They compare the situation to the firebombing of Dresden or the atomic bombs in WWII—tragic events that leaders felt were necessary to end a larger slaughter.
Coexistence: Mike points out that many Arabs and Muslims live as peaceful citizens within Israel and serve in the Knesset (Parliament), countering the narrative of total ostracization.

The hosts touched on several figures regarding political engagement and demographics:

Subject	Statistic/Context
Media Reach	CNN averages ~300,000 nightly viewers; Glenn Beck’s radio show often exceeds this.
Approval Polls	~39% approval for certain border/ICE policies.
Immigration	Discussion of ~15 million illegal immigrants and the associated crime rate debates.