way to go Glenn.

Your ridiculous “story of stuff” is going to go down like ACORN. The video Beck links to does a great job debunking your entire story. You sound like the typical guilt ridden liberal who forgets that we live in the greatest country in the world! There is a mud brick hut, without any “stuff”, somewhere in Afghanistan that has your name all over it. Do us a favor and find it.

Ten years of studying to come up with a something that was quite a joke. The reason your $4-5 dollar radio cost so little because it’s made by Chinese people who make $0.75 an hour, if they’re lucky. The problem with China is that they have little to no standards when manufacturing. The unsafe child toys with lead based paint, to the 10 million square feet of Chinese Drywall used to build homes in Florida that gave off Sulfur Dioxide.
I have worked for a small manufacturing company and a large manufacturing company. The smaller company bought raw bike frames to be powder coated in the back of their USA Warehouse. They haven’t done a single material composition on anything they have had created in. As far as they know, there could be lead in the frames they are selling every day. The large manufacturing company minimized its SCRAP from production. When we had bad non conforming products, we stripped the whole assembly down and grinded the non-conforming parts to be melted into good parts. We hardly had any waist from manufacturing.
As for the dipping of Toxins in the pillows, half of the toxic material is used for standards that the government enforces.
I would hope that you keep this posted, because your waiting for Mr. Glen Beck to call upon you to defend your video on his show. After all there is free speech and I am looking forward to your commentary in response to what I have written. Thanks.

Doug

You are presenting a one-sided film that leaves out pertinent information for the viewer. If you want to persuade the public to your view, than you need to be honest and present the whole truth. As an example we have planted more trees in the nation than what was there originally….

Socialism or in eco-friendly terminology “Going Green” is a failure!!!!

Why would lead the viewers on to the idea of the government having to take care of us? Nice concept but I prefer to make my decision weather good or bad they are mine. Let the kids learn on their own with planting falsehoods in their minds.

I absolutely agree we should be good stewards of our planet and take every means necessary to reduce the amount of waste we send back into the Earth as well as what we put into the air. The problem is when a video such as yours goes beyond the realm of hyperbole into outright falsehoods for the sake of propagandizing young impressionable school children. I could barely finish the actual video because I was so deeply outraged by the misrepresentations of supply and demand principles, the law of diminishing marginal utility, production and waste cycles, the role of government, the gross misrepresentation of “…of the people, by the people, for the people[,}” the Constitution and the proper role of government in a free society, etc, etc, etc.
So, in closing, your video actually does more harm than good to your cause and essentially destroys the debate (especially your credibility in it). The only way to have a debate is honest discussion of the facts pertaining to a case or study. It is impossible to truly debate the information in your story because of the patently absurd means by which your argument is presented.
PS: I will guarantee this video is extricated from every school in America within two weeks because of how distorted and grossly irresponsible the information is presented and because it will be seen as blatant propaganda. Sorry, but you wasted your time with this one.

Hey Girl thanks for the laugh, I busted a gut, laughed so hard I pooped my pants. Man I wish I had the Weed or LSD or the drugs you was doing back when younger(or still using. My kids even busted a gut laughing at you and your supposed “facts” Man you need to read four little papers I like to call the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and the Paris Treaty. Hey all four of these are less pages combined than the shredding of Health Care Bill HR 3200. Also a few other good reads, Thomas Paine’s COMMON SENSE, any of Thomas Jefferson’s work, other great founding fathers, they weren’t perfect but alot better than the rejects we have today. Also read a bible!
You have NO FOUNDATION for what you preach, you have NO REAL WORLD knowledge. I on the other hand have worked for one of the biggest companies in the US and world, and I have worked for the BIGGEST EMPLOYER IN THE WORLD, the federal Gooberment, I have worked with hospitals, city, county and State government (when I worked for the large company)
Fact checks
US Gooberment is LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE US
The feds threaten companies with taxes, fees and mandates (and counties. cities, and states)
4% of “ORIGINAL TREES” your stretching it. We have more trees in this countries than when we came over. You really need to know how to “Think” we came over on trees, we lived under trees, we surrounded ourselves with trees, we heated and cooked with trees, we traveled in trees, we flew in trees, all the cotton pickin way till the late 1940′s. Now we have more trees than then, also who cares about “OLD GROWTH TREES?” They don’t put out the amount of O2 as new trees do. I am not trying to offend you (don’t really care) but you tell little “Black Lies” (I can’t say little white lies or will be called a racist) and your buddy El Presidenty LIES all the time, he ain’t even consistent in lies from day to day.
Next your Idea of raping the 3rd world? What’s up with that? They have had as much time as we have had to become productive, why aren’t they? Maybe their form of government. Sub Sahara africa for instance, Humm they were colonized after Brazil ended Slavery in 1888. Yes people were looking for resources (by the way GOD gave us resources to use) and teaching these people how to farm more effectually, but alas the people were forced to leave and let the people rule themselves , and now look they killing each other, are communist and socialist government, their supposedly on PEOPLE are Raping the land and stealing any thing not nailed down.
Don’t get me wrong, but you really really really REALLY need to read and research and think a little longer and weigh what you say. If you really want to go and live in the woods naked and eat berries all day, I support your right to do that. I also support your right to say what you say, but I have the right to correct you where you are wrong. When in doubt READ all things pertaining to your topic.
One last item and it goes back to the 4 articles I suggested you read. They are as relevant now as when they were written. Only thing they did not anticipate was idiots changing the meaning of words.
Have a Blessed Day!
Bubba

Please keep up the good work. The educated and open minded are with you in your efforts to make the world a better place. I for one have tried to adhere to simple living as a lifestyle, trying to reduce my consumption all the way around and especially of disposable and toxic products entirely. I am probably on the cusp of generation x and whatever generation follows and know that many of my educated friends are in agreement with what the story of stuff espouses. The future is on your side keep up the good fight.

Wow I just wachted that video. 1) the person who created the crique is not Glenn Beck 2) How about fixing the far to many to count errors that are brought up. To me it looks like you have created the video nd then try your hardest to find information the matches!!!

Glenn Beck was not the only one with a comment on “STUFF” – CNN’s Lou Dobbs also had a few words to say. Guess you missed it, or thought CNN would be on the same page as ABC, NBC, and CBS and neglect to cover this alike they did with Van Jones and ACORN.

This video is a bunch of bullshit. Stop trying to brainwash our children with your lies.

This video is absoutely absurd and I am overjoyed that Glenn Beck is pointing out the problems in this video. You should honestly be ashamed that little children are watching this video and think that this is the truth. It is not the job of the government to take care of us. Take care of yourself. Thanks =]

what I expected. Another liberal education ploy to ‘soften’ the school kids to a more world-wide social agenda. I failed to fall prey to this while I went to school in the 70′s. I will not support this now with my grandkids. So, we have less forests? come on. get real. we have #1 more people in this world. and #2 we have tons of both national and state parks. I can go on. Maybe you should instead focus on government policies, the ones here in the US that once prevented companies from gobbling up a large market share. The oil company, for example. We once had over 50 companies in the USA. Now around of a half dozen control most of the market share. Same for the media. You once were not allowed to own a large market share in one region. No more. You can own everything from the cable to the newspaper, to the movie theater. The thought in the late 70′s going into the 80′s the government mindset was ‘bigger is better, and cheaper for the consumer’. Instead, we have today market manipulation. Global food giants controlling our food costs, what we eat, where we grow, and even the production. Never mind what is ‘environmentally sustainable’ for that region, nor what offers the best nutrition for humans. (government subsidizing of non-nutritive rice vs. no subsidies for growing nutrient rich quinoa, for an example) You agenda would be more palatable if you focused not on the ‘evil companies’ but on the laws that allow this. How about Monsanto? they are gobbling up seed companies in the USA, monopolizing market share. And selling their ‘terminator seeds’ or costly ‘hybrids’, all raising the cost of food for humans and increasing company profit. One example. How about the origin of swine flu? In Mexico, downstream from a factory hog farm. (Smithfield Farms, there in Mexico to avoid US environmental laws). We as consumers are losing our consumer choice. I scream this, yet I feel that my words fall on deaf ears. Either the ‘noise makers’ are too far to the right (Glenn Beck) or too far to the left (like your group). We need to find the middle common ground, and strike back. We as consumers have been ignored by failed governmental policy. We consumers are being consumed by global giants who care about profit 1st, and environment and people last. You and your foundation can be the voice. And what that happens, I will listen, and I will encourage others to listen too. Our children and grandchildren deserve to live in an free world. Not in a world owned by corporations. The time is now……………

You now MY target as well!

Your toast!

People unite! Get active! Stop this kind of propaganda, indoctrination insantity!

Well Annie, I took your advice and I watched your little video. I have decided for myself that it is even worse than was portrayed on Beck. I’m just glad that my 17 year old daughter is old enough and smart enough to recognize when she is being lied to. I had her watch this, she couldn’t believe that someone would create such a piece of garbage and try to ram it down young school kids throats. I am so proud of her for having a brain! You have also bolstered her confidence as she prepares to work and compete in this society. She will surely wipe the floors with people such as you and organizations such as this. I have high hopes for some of our children. They are not as stupid as you are making them out to be! Do you people realize how much this is going to come back and bite you in the end? Prepare yourselves, it’s going to hurt!

Just as in nature, the fittest system dominates. The U.S. is the best country on earth for those who are willing to put an effort in to get something back. Those who are too lazy or weak to achieve their desires tend to blame others or the “system” to preserve their self esteem. The U.S. is as strong as it is globaly because our founding fathers designed the best system for people to achieve without limits. So we have attracted the most ambitious & creative people on the planet. One of the areas of technology you conveniently ommitted are all the agricultural advances the U.S. has made that help feed all those in the third world countries that are unable to feed themselves, because thier natural environment is not productive enough to sustain them. Trying to get children to believe that technology is evil – SHAME ON YOU!

When I received the mail I thought I would find a lot of positive comments in the post. Sadly I was wrong. I can’t believe people say you are just trying to brainwash their children minds.
As they said, more than 6.6 millions of persons watch the videos, I am proud to be one of them.

Thank you ofr trying to make a change that is so needed those who live from their left brain exclusively need to have the facts those of us who live in balance know what is happening is not what we want to leave to our children. So sad is it that people cannot get out of their head long enought to feel how out of balance this all is.
I intend that those who are blinded by ego align their visions and intentions with what is required for us to become a part of the healing of the poisoning of this planet and ourt children. I intend for them that it will not take cancer or their own children going blank from a vaccination for change to be manifest for them? Thanks for your work your intentions are for the highest good for all and that is quite apparent.

Keep up the work Annie.

You have an appreciative global audience.

I am disappointed you have to endure the abuse from fellow Americans on your own blog, but that’s a good summary of what’s so wrong with your poor old country!

I’m not one of “Beck Nazis,” as commenter #28 Dean mentioned above, but I’m disappointed in the SOS response to this issue.

I’ve been on SOS’s email list for a long time, but if there are claims of inaccuracies or misleading the viewer, I would think a line-by-line response by SOS to his claims would be fair. Where is that? I think that’s a fair question.

Do you have a link of what he said since your response does not address any of his points? If what he said was so outrageous, I want to view it myself instead of just believing your statement of standing by the video.

Thanks.

I watched the entire video. Talk about playing fast with the truth! This is ridiculous! But then, if the left can get to the children, they will destroy this country in one generation. Thank goodness for Glen Beck!

Glenn Beck is an embarrasment to the country and a hand puppet to the radical right wing that is destroying the Republican Party. Go away Glenn.

Knock, knock, helloooo. Teachers do not have “academic freedom”. They are the employees of a school district, which has responsibilities to the taxpayers of that district, that is why they have an APPROVED curriculum. This helps prevent people from teaching their opinions and bias. If you want to use materials courting your own agenda, then start your own school. Missoula was on the right track when the teacher was fired. Oh and by the way, if you still believe in “hope and change” after 9 months of Obama’s bull-oney, well, then maybe you should just sit at home and replay your movie, Annie. It suits your mentality.

wow. I am surprised that there are so many comments against the Story of Stuff. Then again, anything with the power to change the way people think can be scary for those who depend upon the status quo. I am grateful that there is such a high quality intro to the problems created by a culture of consumption. I think the people who bash the video are frightened because they know that anyone who watches it is likely to think before they buy…and we can’t have that, can we? The video is brilliant in its balance…the humor is the spoon full of sugar that makes the message go down so easy for adults and teenagers alike.

Come on Annie (and supporters of this video), of course its a great cause. We all need to take better care of our planet! No doubt. But, fact checking this video undoubtedly proves it is not much more than a politically motivated piece of propaganda. Even more shameful is the use of it in our schools. Most intelligent people know we plant more trees than we have logged, and if you would get out of the city dump for a minute and take a drive to the countryside, you would see new trees planted where logging has occured. And we also all know that 1/2 of our taxes does NOT go to the military! Tides Foundation is so one sided, how could you call this an “honest” discussion. Maybe I would’ve agreed with you, but after realizing this video is based on lies, your case went out the window. Way to screw up what could’ve been a very productive debate, and a possible solution. You wanted an honest debate on this subject about as much as Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi want one on healthcare.

I wonder whether any of the negative commenters actually watched the whole video, or do they just know what Mr. Beck wants them to know about it?

Paper is being used to publish this book and TOXIC PLASTIC to manufacture the DVDs. How terrible! What about the children? What will happen to them when this indoctrination material ends up in landfills? Until you use your own two feet to WALK to each school, one by one, I will not support your cause because you are all a bunch of hypocrites. People like Al Gore, Prince Charles and the coastal and Hollywood elites think they can buy their way out of their overconsumption. It’s funny that these are some of the same people that are profiting off of this scam. I believe that people are adaptable and innovative and the mother nature has her own way of settling her problems without government mandate. Everytime I travel abroad I am thankful to come home to my home that has good plumbing and all of the other inventions and products that have made my life comfortable. I thank my forefathers and all of the past innovators and inventors that have made this possible and have made the USA the best country on the planet. I don’t believe I am overconsuming because unlike the government, I am living with in my middle-class means. I am not spending more money than I have. Thank you for making me realize that I need to donate more to conservative causes because liberals are lacking in any resemblance of COMMON SENSE. And believe me, I am tired of the name calling. Anything in my post is very mild compared to what I have been hearing from the left.

How said to watch this “story”, a missed opportunity, the opportunity to be truthful and honest was sold to the “the assumptionists”. To be able to view you must first have already bought into “the assumptionists” theory.
To be an “assumptionists” you must believe several ideas that are grounded in theory and opinion grounded in exploitation. You must first have decided that Government is there to watch over you. That is not true. Simply government isn’t responsible to do anything, except for the things we can not do for ourselves. (Infrastructures, armed forces etc..)Major projects that cross state boundries and require intrastate resources. The idea that the government is a guardian of social equally, has been used to penetrate it’s control into the most personal aspect of individual’s lives, and threatens to become moreso,
You must buy into ideas such as universal healthcare, global warming and gun control. You must be willing to believe in any statistic thrown out there with out validation or scrutiny.
Sad when opportunities are turned into propaganda and exploitation. I will use this sight as an example of the worst and mose vile elements at work in our society today.

Do you even know to check your facts or tell the truth Ms.Leonard? Or Do you merely twist statistics to fit your views? Rather cowardly of you to target grade school children who won’t be inclined to check the facts for themselves(or even know how if they were)instead of high school students who would.Our Military budget is only 20% of the tax revenue Medicade and many other social programs have a much higher percentage.It is ‘NOT’ the government’s job to take care of us,it is’OURS’. Dean,Martin,if you’d actually bothered to check the facts instead of calling us names,you’d see just how misleading this movie is. Oh,and by the way Dean the Nazi Party was the National ‘Socialist’ Party and facism is actually a leftest political philosophy. Greg save your breath these people don’t let little things like truth or fact stand in their way.

Annie Leonard said: “I’m sorry that nearly everything in this video is based on misleading statistics or outright lies. Next time I’ll try not to let my political leanings get in the way of providing actual factual content.”

Are you being truthful with this comment, or sarcastic? I hope truthful. In this country you are free to believe whatever you like; actually, under freedom of speech I suppose a case could be made that a person is free to tell lies. But if you are making a film, writing a book, or creating some other type of work for public distribution, you ought to be sure of the facts and accuracy. Otherwise, you open yourself to arguments and criticism that you really can’t answer without resorting to platitudes and misinformation.

Hello,

I’m operating a new website, glennbeckreport.com. I’m trying to deconstruct Glenn Beck lies, and this looks like a really good story. I’ll start working on a post forthwith.

Unlike Beck, I’d like to have your comments before, during, and after my post, or any combination of those, to make sure I get the story right. I don’t think Glenn is talking to me, but I’ll ask him, too.

Cheers,
Wexler

It’s great to see Glenn Beck trying to manipulate his mostly redneck viewers by taking a legitimate film and twisting truths. This means that The Story of Stuff is becoming a more powerful voice in America. And the Wingnuts are afraid… very afraid!

Way to go Annie, keep up the good work. Someday the Beck crazies, Teabaggers, Birthers, and assorted other wingnuts may eventually get it.

This climate change issue is pure propaganda, proposed by Soros and the far left to accomplish their agenda of global government. Thank God for Glenn Beck for exposing this indoctronation paid for by the Tides Center. The United States of America is the greatest country in this world and free enterprise and capitalism have influnced the most brilliant minds of this country in the medical,scientific, technology, and agricultural industries. By the way this country has done more to help the rest of the world than any other country on this planet!

This video needs to be fact checked. I am so sick of people twisting the facts or outright lying to prove their point and make a buck.

I will be calling the school board in my county to make sure
this crap is not shown to my kids. Stop brainwashing
the children.

Most of the human race has excluded itself from the Natural Cycle by virtue of the waste we create. We are the only species on the planet which creates waste, surely that fact alone would give anyone with a grey cell pause for thought?
Then we realise that a lot of the waste is actually toxic, not just to other species but to ourselves! How many brain cells do you need to figure the stupidity of that?
I’m just amazed that there are people out there who feel they can justify this buy and discard society. I think we should be taking our kids on school trips to the local dump so they can see for themselves where “away” is in reality and that “throw it away” has consequences.
You did good Annie, you and your team deserve a whole bunch of medals. Strength to your arms!

Lie: Linear system? It is NOT a completely linear system. We have recycling (though we could do better). And, we have reforesting.

Lie: 50% of taxpayer funding to military? Try somewhere around 21%. http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/

Lie: “It’s the government’s job to take care of us”. No, it’s not. It’s the government’s job to defend us from enemies, foreign or domestic. Not to “nanny” all our freedoms away, and tell us how to live. The government’s “job” is to protect our freedoms to allow us “Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT of Happiness”. Its job is NOT to MAKE us happy. That’s our job, and if they would get out of the way, maybe we could pursue that again?

Questionable fact: “1/3 of Earth’s total resources are now gone”. Where did you get that piece of information?

Deceptive fact: “Less than 4% of “original” forests left in U.S.” Notice the quotation of “original”. I guess it can be guessed that 96% of trees have been used at one time or another in the past. Most of those in the early pioneering days to use as fuel, to build, and to clear land for farming. Ummm…long before the “evil consumerism” hit. Now, look at this: http://forestry.about.com/library/bl_us_forest_acre_trend.htm. “Our Present Forest
About 30 percent of the 2.3 billion acres of land area (745 million acres) in the U.S. is forest today as compared to about one-half in 1630 (1.0 billion acres). Some 300 million acres of forest land have been converted to other uses since 1630, predominantly because of agricultural uses in the East. The forest resources of the U.S. have continued improving in general condition and quality, as measured by increased average size and volume of trees. This trend has been evident since the 1960s and before. The total forestland acreage has remained stable since 1900.” Chew on THAT one for awhile.

Questionable fact: “80% of planet’s “original” forests gone”. There’s that “original” bugaboo, again. Are they taking too much from rain forests, etc.? No doubt. But, from where did that 80% of “original” number come? Original in what time? Apparently there WAS a lot more vegetation in the prehistoric eras, and some of it may have even got wiped out in the big meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs, perhaps? Cite your sources.

Ignorant partisan attack: “Bush didn’t say pray, grieve or hope after 9-11. He said “shop””. He said ALL those things. What’s Obama saying? “Go shopping. Buy stuff. We’ll help with a clunker of a program called “Cash for Clunkers” that’ll only cost 3 times what we say it will”.

Deceptive claim: “Big business is responsible for B.F.R.s that poison us.” Well, at the insistence of meddling leftists, influencing more government control, that is. Quit using them, and those same leftists will scream about “unsafe products by those evil businesses!” (That’s the job of leftists. They solve problems by creating more problems, and cry about the problems they create, while finding some way to blame it on capitalists. It’s like a religion to them, since they have no other).

Stupid unknowledgeable claim: “Only ONE tiny piece in the corner of a computer gets changed to make the earlier ones obsolete”. Hogwash. Well, they DO change quite often….but it’s more than “one tiny piece”.

Really stupid claim: “Each of us is bombarded with 3000 ads a day!” WOW! Let’s teach the kids some math, shall we? Let’s average out 15 second, 30 second and one minute commercials to just all 30 second ones? 3000 x 30 seconds = 90,000 seconds. 90,000 divided by 60 (minutes) = 1500 minutes. 1500 minutes divided by 60 (hour) = 25 hours solid hours a day?! I guess that’s 8 days a week, too? Man, we DO watch too much TV …and it’s ALL ads! Well, I guess there’s print stuff , too…billboards, etc. But..3000? C’mon.

By the way, Annie, how many DVD’s (made from plastics and metals) and posters (made from trees) that you are trying to sell do you think are going to end up in landfills? Of course, it’s OK for YOU to do that, since it’s getting your environmentalist message out, huh? Oh, and good luck on your upcoming book (made from trees, and possibly using toxic chemicals to print and bind them). OH…and don’t forget to ride your bicycle to ALL of your “Speaking Engagements”, instead of using all the Al Gore methods of transportation (planes, trains and automobiles) to go tell others not to use them.

It’s just too bad some of her more valid points were lost in this sea of deceptive claims, skewed facts, unsubstantiated numbers, stupid statements and outright lies to propagandize the far-left views of the TIDES foundation in an attempt to indoctrinate our nation’s children. Shameful stuff. Unbelievable hypocrisy.

Even a two year old knows that Beck is a clown.

The “You Lie” comment rings true with “The Story of Stuff” video as well. One lie after another. It seems they spent more time manipulating the data to meet their needs than doing honest research and then having the guts to present facts not fiction. Way to go Glenn.

This coverage by Beck is despicably applauding consumerism. Our country too quickly abandon the Jeffersonian agrarian society ideals for capitalist dreams of prosperity. Our founding fathers didn’t want us to prosper without limit John(comment 26). They knew that commerce will take advantage of someone for gain.

“Finally, there seem to be but three Ways for a Nation to acquire Wealth. The first is by War as the Romans did in plundering their conquered Neighbours. This is Robbery. The second by Commerce which is generally Cheating. The third by Agriculture the only honest Way; wherein Man receives a real Increase of the Seed thrown into the Ground, in a kind of continual Miracle wrought by the Hand of God in his favour, as a Reward for his innocent Life, and virtuous Industry.” Benjamin Franklin

It is OK and even a good thing to let children know that there are more important things than making money at the expense of the people and planet that we live with everyday.

Please continue your GREAT work Annie.

You say it is honest but it is not and you cant or dont back this claim. You say our gov’t should take care of us but our founding fathers did NOT want that. You say we take from other countries but you dont prove it. You say many things that aren’t true or honest and our children ARE being brain washed by you. I may not say this if you back yourself, your facts, and what you say but you dont. Where is the other side?? You can NOT give one side to children that think, feel and are told school is good and a must. Impressionable children WILL believe what they get from school. This makes the job of being a parent, which i am, even harder which its hard enough as it is. Or maybe thats the idea? Make the worlds children impossible to be taught history and how “stuff” really is? If you had done your homework you would know Bush said shop! yes!! He did!! But you claim he never said to pray or anything else….Well homework would have shown you he did say that “stuff”. You say half our taxes go to the military? NO MA’AM!!!!! Try about 20%!! Now, i dont disagree there are some things in our country and world that need an adjustment. However, if your gonna make movies about “stuff” try stuffing it with facts that you can site or back up. My country and its children DON’T want our country “fundimentally changed”! We want it back!! I write this as I watch terrorist leaders of other countries at the U.N. praise and demand Obama stays in office for ever because after he leaves office America will be nothing. These leaders run their schools with lies and unproven facts like this video ma’am. You must know this because YOU are tied in to the Tides Foundation yes?? This makes me sick. I continue to do my homework in the hopes i can debunk the crap i keep hearing, reading, and seeing. However i cant find anything that says im wrong. Maybe in the credits you should put the names of the people that helped you with this. That way we can show our children who you ALL really are!! “Fundimental change” is NOT an American value i know! A “Story of Stuff” with no sites or back up is NOT education in America that i know. It will work in Cuba though! I am not a democrat ma’am, nor am i republican. I am an American Constitutionalist. As one, I feel I must inform you of my feelings and thoughts. In closing I’d like you to do some research and put out another story. One about a great country where “We The People” run our own lives. One where “We The People” are in control of our so called public schools. One where “We The People” are told THE TRUTH OF “STUFF”. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I truley hope you have, as I have taken the time to watch your video.

To those opposed:
Now go ahead, take a deep breath, you can call me a “Nazi” all you want, but you know deep in your American heart, “We The People” just want the truth.

To those agreed:
In the words of Fredrick Douglas: “Without struggle, there is no progress.” So please fight through the struggle and never give up!

I thought this was a smart and clever response to Beck’s comments. Nicely done. I can’t say the same for some of the other comments in here. It is just flat out weird to see Americans a)blaming china for low standards b)defending American companies that don’t hire Americans to make the stuff. Anyone who knows anything about manufacturing is aware of the process and the impact. Major corporations like the Home Depot have gone to great lengths to try and change some of their practices, but they run into the wall of the American consumer who when push comes to shove would rather see their job exported, someone exploited, and the environment abused so that they can buy “stuff” for less.
Keep up the great work and the civil conversation!

Nobody is against “sensible” stewardship and conservation of this planet, but the way you denegrate our military and exagerate the percentage of gdp spent on the military, simply exemplifies how you, and your liberal ilk feel that you need to “enlighten” our children. If you are an educator, then educate with the FACTS, and leave your “Green” agenda to be debated with minds of equal or better understanding of ALL of the facts. You can call all those who disagree with you, stupid or nazi’s or whatever you choose, but the publicity you get from this will rank you right up there with ACORN, Van Jones, (probably your hero), and I have this feeling that this list will grow with leaps and bounds. Stay out of our kids heads!

I would like to make a comment on the “stuff” video, writing to you as an informed, college educated, open-minded, socially-aware young person (25 yrs). I think the “Green” movement is an absolute scam. I feel very sorry for people who are convinced by it. People who spend twice as much on their “green” cleansers because they want to help the environment when, in reality, there were more emissions produced to make that cleanser than the other. OR for the person, barely making ends meet, who feels they need to follow Michelle Obama’s example and spend $5 on Certified Organic Kale even though it has no greater nutritional value than your standard, run-of-the-meal kale. Forget the truck emissions produced to ship that vegetable from its Mexican farms all the way to your friendly local whole foods store/organic cash cow. People who promote the Green Movement are becoming millionaires by exploiting genuine concerns for the environment–and you’re right, the government is doing everything they can to help.

I’m right with you, Glenn. My 22 year-old husband and I watch Fox every night because we know it’s the only place where we can find the FACTS. We’re young, but we also care about our future and the future of this county. We’re patriots.

Hmmm, the Nazis were passionate about their country too without an honest perspective on the facts. So Beck, along with the corporate military industrial complex, big pharma and Monsanto, leads people by the nose unthinkingly down the road to fascism.
Brilliant!

You may be able to point to resource material sources that prop-up your eroneous arguement but the facts are being distorted in The Story of Stuff. Numbers can be massaged to provide whatever resulting opinion you wish to portray. I know for a fact, having been a part of the lumber industry for years, that there are more trees today in the US then were here when Columbus landed. True, these are not first growth timbers but that is not what you stated in your scare tactic extravaganza. Like wise, your defence spending numbers are skewed, conveniently leaving out specific segments of government spending for Medicare and Medicaid, in order to boost your resulting figure. This is a shameful assult on the innocent youth of America!

How much misinformation can one person put in a film and get away with it? This is pathetic. 50% to military? Really? How about the $37 TRILLION in unfunded liability for Medicare? Or the $75 Trillion in unfunded liability for Social Security?

You libs are pathetic!

I just sent an e-mail to my kids school district superintendent, asking if this “video” had been shown, used, or is proposed to be shown in any class room in the school district. If so, I demand the time to correct the many truths that have been ommited in your attempted brainwashing of kids.

The job of our government is NOT to take care of us! Your socialistic indoctrination may work in some 3rd world countries, but not in the USA.

Annie,
As unusual I find much of the information you and people who would side with you to be inaccurate. I believe you should have done a better job of getting the facts right.
I’ll address part of the first remark you make against Beck, “…climate change deniers like Beck and his friends…”. No one I know is denying climate change, but you and people like you want to blame man for the problem. So could you tell me how man has caused climate change on other planets in our solar system? This is what you and people like you keep ignoring and don’t or won’t address that to me and many others invalidate your augments. Here is a link, one of many that backup my claim. http://www.livescience.com/environment/070312_solarsys_warming.html
While I do as many others like me see these facts as reason to invalidate people with your beliefs, I will admit and believe others like myself and “Beck and his friends” would also admit man does play a role in climate change all be it a minor role.

Dear Glenn Beck, Lee Doren and friends,

First, I think the segment title “Arguing with Idiots” where Lee Doren appears on Glenn Beck’s show to trash the Story of Stuff is amusingly appropriate.

The Story of Stuff is meant to spark thought and discussion about some systems that are inherently flawed and how they could be changed. Change happens when someone points out a need or a problem. What message do we send to our kids if we continue to squash every person who points out a problem with how we do things or who offers an opportunity to explore ways to improve the quality of life for ourselves and others? “Kids, if you see something wrong taking place or have an idea about how to improve things, don’t say anything unless you’re prepared to be negatively labeled and have tv entertainers attempt to publicly humiliate and discredit you in order to boost their ratings.”

I probably won’t show this film to my 5 year old because a discussion would need to take place during and after the film that is beyond her current level of comprehension. If it scares Glenn Beck, then there’s probably a lot she won’t understand either. I’ll wait a couple years.

If this is being shown in schools to an inappropriate age group and/or without any discussion about the issues presented to provide context and to further expand on the ideas, as with any book, film, etc, parents should talk with teachers/schools on an individual basis.

If there are any inaccurate or bloated facts, they should be addressed and adjusted. If there are questions or further explanation or context required in order for Glenn Beck and friends to understand what is being presented in the film, they should ask the filmmakers directly. But Glenn Beck knows he’ll get higher ratings if he simply barks indoctrination or fear-mongering, and denies that there is any need for change, and suggests that it should not be shown in schools at all.

Thankfully the film is available to watch for free online so if any schools bow to the pressure of censorship from those who would prefer to have their kids remain ignorant, at least parents have the option to show/discuss the film at home.

If you are worried your kids will stumble on this film on the internet without the opportunity for discussion, you might be better to wage a war on internet porn before worrying that your kid will be concerned how his lego collection is contributing to the destruction of the planet.

The Story of Stuff is a great bite-sized nugget of info that simplifies much larger issues that would normally make people glaze over, and offers a perfect starting point for further context, thought and discussion. Sadly it seems it’s not simple enough for the simplest among us.

I’d love to have an open and honest dialogue….Let’s start now. Stop hiding behind the environment and simply admit you are Marxist!

That’s the debate we should be having.

P.S. I drove one of those tanks you are considering to use as the symbol for our country…you’re welcome!

I am glad, so glad that I am NOT a US citizen. It would seem that most of you are unable to see the facts that are before your eyes.

Pearl Harbour had nothing on this…. are you all too blind to see the facts? Do you have any idea what the rest of the world actually thinks of you?

The Story of Stuff is fact, it is just that most of you are too bound up in your own little world to see that.

Never argue with a fool, people may not know the difference…and for the ignoramus who doesn’t know who I’m talking about, thank FOX and Glenn Beck for your naivete- you’re the fool.

Wow! Lots of name calling coming from both sides on this one – does that make everyone feel better?
I got a chuckle out of the opening where the author says “her friends” say to use a tank to represent the US Govt and then shows the govt shining the shoes of the “fat cat industrialist”.

Clearly this is a one sided presentation that makes no effort to hide the agenda – while I do not argue the need for discussion and action – this seems to be like the old “Reefer Madness” films that the govt put out decades ago…

This really has no place in a classroom – unless the opposing side is presented in the same manner.

Hey Fitz,

Wake up my friend! First, the part about the GOP existing soley to protect the interests of corporations…um ok, but why is GE CEO Jeffery Immelt an advisor to the President (who believe is not a Republican)? Um, can you say “Green Jobs” and corporate welfare? Which by the way puts money into someone’s pocket…

Secondly, I do not believe…”Obama’s a Kenyan Muslim, there’s no global warming, the 40 million uninsured in the US don’t really want insurance, Saddam had WMDs, Fox is unbiased, etc.”

However, I do appreciate children in the public schools being taught that the government exists to “take care of them”. This aint the U.S.S.R pal!

Dude, both parties are corrupt and today’s American Marxists won’t simply speak the truth and say that they are Marxists. If it’s such a great philosophy why does hide behind so many names like progressivism, democracy, social justice, economic justice, environmentalism? The answer is simple; marketing! Contemporary American Marxists realize that they cannot win anything if they are straight forward. You can read the words of Van Jones to figure that out.

Let’s have THE REAL debate, shall we? The Constitution vs. Marxism. At least it would be intellectually honest.

I think this video is wonderful. Social education is about knowing both sides of the spectrum, whether you agree with it or not, and having critical thinking be the formulation of your conclusion. I think this should be shown to younger children so they can get a better understanding of what they will soon be thrown face first into when they get slightly older.

A lot of people want to talk about one-sidedness and indoctrination (Beck) and the likes. But what the heck do you think you get when you watch and listen to him. That guy is great at presenting half fact in order to be credible enough to be on the air. I think it’s sad that you don’t attack 95% of the crap that comes out of his mouth.

storyofstuff.com…keep on the fight to truly educate or kids and nation. God knows they need it!!

At least Chavez admits he’s indoctrinating the kids of his country. I wish I could say the same about you jokers. Glen Beck seems to be the only public figure speaking out about the atrocious activities you people are committing. Here’s a link to the constitution, you should try reading it sometime: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html

Hey Mike,

You’re not my pal, and it’s not even remotely intellectually honest to equate my belief that our democratically elected government best serves the people by doing the people’s will by regulating corporations, with Soviet Marxism.

But by all means, keep it up. The more you people move right, the closer you get to falling off the stage entirely.

i watched the movie
i consider it indoctrination
one sided global warming anti capitalism propaganda

There is no common sense to your video. It is pure propaganda. You should be ashamed of yourself for trying to force such a biased view on children. Shameful!

Annie – you should be thanking Glenn for giving you more views and the attention of a wider audience. Too bad that you play fast and loose with the facts in your video, and Glenn caught you on that. You’ve got some good ideas in your video, and a fun style, but some political baggage along for the ride that ends up looking like your real agenda. My suggestion – revise the video and take out the junk that just doesn’t match up with the facts. And while you are at it – you could at least give some credit where credit is due and let your viewers know that the US has also done a lot to improve the environment, and that has been with the cooperation of business, government, and individuals. Other growing world economies are doing far less good and far more harm, and could care less about the story of stuff.

Keep your socialist views the **** out of our schools and away from my kids! You’re no better than Hugo Chavez who is knowingly indoctrinating children with your ideals, not facts.

And for the record, Glenn Beck didn’t do the critique, an independent did. In your “rebuttal” you couldn’t even get the facts right!

Among other places, see the critique here:
http://www.theminorityreportblog.com/blog_entry/steve_foley/2009/05/21/howthe_world_works_story_of_stuff_the_critique

I’m sure this message will be moderated (following proper socialist principles of media censorship) in:
3… 2… 1…

Glenn Beck and his followers are little clowns with stolen microphones. They don’t need facts and will beLIEve anything Fox feeds them.

What alternative, after all, really works better than natural freedom (capitalism)? Communism and fascism have even worse environmental records and have also killed many people. All forms of strong government control (socialism and similar systems) restrict human freedom and produce no long term good for the environment. Meanwhile, our current system properly constrained by limited regulation, spurs innovation, greater efficiency, and, due to the economic principles of scarcity, naturally seeks conservation and sustainability when resources become limited. Otherwise businesses no profit can be made and businesses fail. Yes, we should control externalities; but that’s actually required for capitalism to run efficiently. The problem is not our system, as anyone who studies actual amounts of resources available vs. the false claims made in this video will find.

So now Glenn Beck and his knuckle-dragging followers are trying to stamp out a humble effort at environmental education.
That is really sad.
What’s next from Glenn, a film titled “The Earth is Flat?” I’m referring to the planet that Glenn’s followers think was created a few thousand years ago.

I would like Glenn Beck and his followers to stand outside in Sydney, Australia today and take a deep breath or two, eyes wide open.

Just dropping by to tell you thank you so much for this video. I’ve watched it numerous times and shown it to a lot of friends over the past few years. I’m amazed that Beck is going after you .. I guess he’s running out of crazy conspiracy theories? Anyways you’re awesome! Keep up the GREAT work!

of course “the story of stuff” is a simplified view about the resources chain from start to finish, and yes, I would agree there are probably a few factual errors. But in general it shares a very welcome and much-needed criticism of our consumer society and the waste it creates. That alone is worth it. As to showing it in schools, there is no reason it should not be shown as long as the teacher is being responsible and not presenting it as absolute truth. It is definitely an opportunity for enlightened debate. It should not be censored. In order to hold an educated view, you have to know the other side. For this reason there is no reason it shouldn’t be shown in school.

Leni Riefenstahl would be proud of this video and by the way it is not the goverments job to take care of us.

Glenn Beck is a glutton for attention & seeks it by loudly denouncing and smearing anyone with whom he disagrees. Nothing he says is based on fact; he just spews his crazy conspiracies without regard for truth. He and his ilk want to shut down any real thought about how to address the challenges we face by denying that we need to do anything–there are no problems in his fantasy world, except for the troublesome people who insist on speaking out with fact based information. Anyone who would call a woman who just had a miscarriage and make fun of her husband for not even being able to have a baby, as Beck did to a rival DJ, has no honor, no ethics, and no conscience. Anyone who listens to him glorifies ignorance and close-mindedness. Your video, The Story of Stuff, is a great way to get people thinking/talking about solutions for the difficult problems we face when trying to preserve both our environment and a strong economy. If we focus on real solutions, maybe the U.S. company that sells/builds solar panel factories in many other countries will find a market in this country, creating new jobs for Americans.

This is the worst video. I hope my children are never shown this video. It is an hat America video designed to brain wash our children.

And if I may add… You are going to get posts 10 to 1 against you. Don’t let that deter you as you have science, and the truth on your side. By threatening to go to their schools to have this film removed, abusive parents are trying to censor you, and to keep the truth from their children (as well as everyone else’s children) becasue it does not fit into their own person political indoctrination. These are the same people who attack evolution. Make no mistake. The freedom to make up one’s own mind is under assault my these right wing maniacs.

Truth is greater than politics. Though politics is sometimes stronger, truth wins out in the end. They can not stop it.

Can you please direct me to the list of school systems that have requested this video and worksheets?

Thank you.

Well, I”m not surprised to see the ignorant comments attacking you. Glenn Beck seems to bring out all those who would rather scream than think. But your information in STORY OF STUFF is powerful and accurate and people the world over are coming to realize our lifestyle is not sustainable. These Beck supporters are just desperate to prevent their worldview from dying, but the facts and the realities are killing it, not “traitors” or “communists”. You are a true patriot Annie, because you are telling your country what it needs to hear not what the Pistol Packing Patriots (www.PPP.nut) of the Glenn Beck variety want to hear. If the current recession hasn’t wakened them from their stupor, not much will. Keep up your wonderful work to leave a sustainable world for future generations. Our children need this and I hope my son sees this in his classes. You rock!

Annie – you did great work. Thank you. Like some of the others commenting here, I didn’t even know of the existence of your film until I saw it on Glenn Beck’s show.

A small fact that Beck viewers can’t seem to wrap their brains around is that a LOT of liberals watch Beck (mostly for the comedy) – thus the ‘high’ ratings. And Beck spotlighting your excellent work was a nice bonus for me.

Continued success — And, unlike Beck, who won’t even allow the real media into see him get the key to the city of Mt. Vernon, WA, I’m glad you opened your comments section to us ALL.

Wow, absolutely the dumbest, most misleading video I have ever seen. I’m not the least bit surprised that this video is causing controversy.
The producers are clearly WACKO.

Wow, You really think it is the governments job to take care of you? Then you should go live in Venenzeula! Say hello to Chavez for me!

Keep up the GOOD WORK GLENN!

Anne Leonard LIES when she says in the video “Corporations are bigger than the government”.

That is a lie- the government is bigger than corporations.

I am a former Federal Employee and none of these dishonest people involved in the video “Story of Stuff let you know that the government is the biggest “corporation” of all! No corporation, multi-national or no, has the amount of money or power than the government.

What a big, misleading video this is!

He is soooo right honey!!!!!!

Hey, you semi-literate hippies, “toxic” is an adjective, not a noun. It cannot be magically transformed into a noun by adding an ‘s’ to the end. The word you’re looking for is “toxin.” But isn’t it funny how, despite having released all these “toxics” and “super-toxics” into the atmosphere, the average human life expectancy keeps rising, particularly when you compare the industrialized world with less-developed countries?

Also, if you think the BIOS chip is the only part of a computer that becomes obsolete, then you know as little about computers as you do about economics.

Speaking of economics, you should really examine the ridiculous labor theory of value that underlies your assertion about the price of radios.

This is seriously the most intellectually dishonest, inane, and just downright stupid propaganda piece I’ve seen in years.

Jan baxter, most of us “Tea Baggers” believe in American values, like Freedom, Personal choice and responsibity. Government is not the problem, the problem is people believing that it is the governments job to protect them from themselves!

We also had a major problem with intrusion from the Bush Admin.

Why mention Cesar Chavez? Are you a Marxist too?

Since when is it the governments job to take care of us. Thank you kindly, but I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. The fact that a bunch intellectuals, and I use that term loosely, who can’t get a real job in the private sector would rather sit around and cry about how unfair their plight is while they wait for the government to change their diapers for them couldn’t interest me less. This communist “wingnut” Jan Baxter and all of these other lazy leftists need to realize that while the government is here to serve the people, it’s not here to serve you your dinner! If you would read the Constitution it might become clear that the role of the government is to “establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, provide for the common defense and secure the blessings of liberty”, it isn’t here to make everything fair, stifle free thought, hand out welfare checks, read Miranda rights to enemy combatants and treat them to a nice meal,and secure the blessings of Marxism. Jan Baxter and those like her just go to show that our government provided education system failed long before it began playing this ridiculous and blatantly inaccurate video in our schools. How appropriate that just below the submit button is a link to visit the dump, I can only assume that is a reference to the storage place for the rest of this organizations materials.

I am disappointed and quite disgusted that you find it acceptable to put down this great country over and over in this film. We can always improve, but you make our country look STUPID!

Critical thinking??? Are you kidding me? This is indoctrination into liberalism and environmental bias.

I have a recommendation for you, ask for your money back from your post secondary education. It was obviously a joke. I question your economics professors.

Its factless, scewed, blunt over exaggerations like this that won Bush his second term. Little do people know how much they damage worthy issues by becoming too over zealous and not having the platform of facts to stand on.
From my perspective this video made me laugh, but thinking that this could be integrated into a school ciriculum is unbelievable. IF theres one thing Annie has accomplished is to make me worry about my childs education.
The cause is noteworthy, I recycle and fully acknowledge the threat that faces my childs future, but on the topic of “toxins” and “poisons” THIS is a “toxin” that has no place in a k-12 institution, this is something I’d expect in a community college class where the teachers preach their agendas . . .this is sad

While some good can be taken from this video (we need to be good stewards of the land, earth and its resources… The idea that all large corporations are bad is nuts. The government’s power has been out of control for a long time and there is most certainly corruption within capitalism/free-enterprise as well as the government as well as with the “green” crew. Our household recycles everything we can fit in the dumpster and I would agree that it seems there could be less packaging and waste. Capitalism can find solutions that people will go for if they are creative enough to make it worthwhile. If not capitalism, then what? Look at what Hugo Chavez and crazy dictators like him are pushing in their countries (socialism) and then take measure of not only their motives (more power OVER the people) but the results as well.

ok im not saying that i know about everything that is going on here. im only 21 and i just really got into politics in the last year. I have been watching Glenn Beck with my parents on a regular basis and watched as he ask questions upon questions about acorn, tides, apollo, and many other organizations linked with the president and yet none of them get answered. Then you have this liberal bias video talking about how terrible capitalism is. If you really dont like capitalism then leave go to freakin russia we dont need you here. we will continue to be consumers cause that is what makes the US great. the fact that i can go buy my 60 inch tv and play my video games when ever the hell i want. You cant do that in many other countries the government wont let you. So all you democrats out there who think that this brain washing video isnt wrong and that Obama was completely ignorant to all the connections the people around have to communism can just pack up your s*** and get the f*** out of this country. OH and dont forget the fat A** Michael Moore!!!

It took me two minutes to count more inaccuracies than I could handle. If you would try to make your point with unadulterated facts maybe you would gain some credibility. Do you create drivel like this in the hopes that “We the people” are either too mindless to check your information out or too apathetic to care? Anyone that can listen to this, take it at face value and not question, verify and consider what is being said is “part of the problem… not the solution”

I forwarded this video to the Principal at my kids’ school hoping they will consider showing it. I am stunned at the vitriol in some of the comments here, but I shouldn’t be. These are Glenn Beck followers, and they are really good at social media, and getting their message out in mass. Better than we, the progressives somehow. We need to change that! The extremist who don’t believe in Global Warming, or Immigrant Rights, or (gasp) Recycling etc… are not going quietly.

BTW I have a song on my blog (which is all in song) called ‘Glenn Beck Please Don’t Cry’ and its pretty damn funny! http://bloginsong.com/?p=10

Greg Richardson mentioned, “we have planted more trees in the nation than what was there originally…” As far as I understand, this is a half-truth often perpetuated by timber and forestry product companies that clear-cut.

“Originally” must be defined. When, in this statement, did “originally” occur? Is the comparison being drawn between the present and before European settlement, or between now and the early 1900s, when deforestation in the US was at its peak? The distinction is significant.

More importantly, the number of trees that have been planted (over an unspecified time period) does not equate the amount of legitimate forest cover present. Clearcuts are often replanted with vast numbers of a single tree species, in uniform lines, to be reharvested in a few decades. These tree plantations are managed using toxic pesticide applications to inhibit the native vegetation, and have no likeness to actual forest habitat.

Any number of trees can be planted, but this does not mean that forests, and the vital functions they provide for us, are preserved.

One other thing…

I’m going to Costco tonight and buy alot of STUFF!
Maybe I’ll take my kids and educate them on our great country and the joys of CAPITALISM!

The producers of this video should be ashamed. Five minutes with google has shown nearly every claim you make in your “straightforward, honest discussion of our environmental future” is either hotly contested or flat our wrong. You are using cheap tricks to spread lies!

For those of you who keep saying that we consume too much….you don’t understand economics! And, I’m not going to waste my time trying to explain it to you, becasue I have the sneaking suspicion that you still won’t get it. The fact that Annie Leonard doesn’t undestand how a $4.99 radio can be sitting on the shelf at radio shack after being assembled from 4 different places in the world, should be enough to disqualify her from teaching anything to our kids.

I watched Glen Beck’s review. I watched that — somewhat horrified father from Sarasota, Fl. I then watched the full version of Stuff. Thank God someone brougt it to our attention, albeit to late.
While I have absolutely no problem with a college age young person being subjected to such a viewpoint; I find it appalling that any of our children are being brain washed with such a one sided view of a capitalistic sociitey.
It is very clear what is being promoted here to innocent children who aren’t mature enough to handle such material.
I intend to make sure my Superintendent keeps this material out of our schools.

I love how just about everything in this was just made up and substanciated with completly bogous facts point case 50% going to fund military yeah 50% is actualy more goin toward Medicare medicade social security… But puting that aside who in their right mind would show this to CHILDREN it’s insanity. And I love how everyone attacks Glenn beck when he’s usualy the only one that actualy gets his numbers right and fixes them when their wrong… I mean numbers don’t lie atleast when they’re from VALID sources…

Wow .. the Glenn Beck drones really came out in full force here. Glenn, his far right wing loon fans and Fox News in general are the worst thing going today.

I find it disappointing that you can not or choose not to respond to the questions being asked. I understand that some people posting are nasty and resorting to name calling instead of talking. But, I had hoped that you would be willing to talk about your own work. I guess your silence tells me what I need to know about you and your work. really, it is too bad. I had wanted to discuss this with my children, but I guess you do not want to reach out, you just want to preach.

It would be unwise for them to participate in the conversation further, at least here. It would most likely be counter productive for this meme.
A better lesson might be to teach when to speak and when to be silent, and why people chose to do either. I speak, because I want to listen, perhaps that is what they intended.

well, it was supposed to be for open and frank discussion. To do this, all sides need to have their say; whether each of you agree or not. Free speech is still allowed last I checked…though so much going on right now that perhaps I missed that change.

This film makes a number of assertions to support the point of their story line. Time to check the assertions as accurate or not.

The film’s sources of information should be clearly made available and validated. As many here point out, there are some differences between opinions and facts. There also needs to be validation that the sources are accurate. After all, quoting a fact does not make it accurate just because it is in print or recorded else where.

I would think Annie and the film’s makers would be willing to provide their sources with validity. Should not be too difficult…. at least I assume.

So here’s to the open and honest discussion when Annie provides her fact sources and those sources are validated.

We have staked the whole of all our political
Institutions upon the capacity of mankind for
Self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control
Ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to
The Ten Commandments of God.’
James Madison 4th president
Strange he dose not say anything about the goverment taking care of use.

Obama is looking for a Propoganda Czar. You could be to Obama what Gerbils was to Hitler. You would go down in (as) anals of history.

Glenn sends his thanks for the free advertising..Tards.

It ceases to amaze me how successfully the right wing, corporate propaganda machine is at mobilizing people, who have nothing to gain by their policies, to action. The listeners (“cool aid drinkers”) to Faux News, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbau, Mark Levine, Etc. are in large part, hard working, middle-class Americans. These same people have seen their jobs shipped overseas, their salaries shrink, benefits disappear, college and medical care become unaffordable…and their environment destroyed. All the while the .5% at the top have seen their salaries, benefits and power increase tenfold. All that wealth has allowed them to control a lot of media and government to their benefit. Yet, all they have to do is wrap their propaganda in God, freedom and the flag, and they’ve got soldiers on the ground ready to fight against their own self interests.

Wake-up! The Republican Party, as it exists today, has one agenda: To consolidate wealth and power in the hands of a few. Their objections to anything “Green” or “Sustainable” is based purely on their desire to continue their exploitation of the worlds resources (and people) for their own profit, and then dump the clean-up cost on the rest of us.
Corporations don’t want free markets or a level playing field. They want to make the rules to benefit themselves, and limit competition from small businesses.

Glenn Beck is nothing but a corporate propagandist. He doesn’t care about you, America, freedom or The Constitution. You are simply a means to an end.

Since when is it the governments job to take care of us. Thank you kindly, but I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. The fact that a bunch intellectuals, and I use that term loosely, who can’t get a real job in the private sector would rather sit around and cry about how unfair their plight is while they wait for the government to change their diapers for them couldn’t interest me less. This communist “wingnut” Jan Baxter and all of these other lazy leftists need to realize that while the government is here to serve the people, it’s not here to serve you your dinner! If you would read the Constitution it might become clear that the role of the government is to “establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, provide for the common defense and secure the blessings of liberty”, it doesn’t say the government is here to make everything fair, stifle thought determined to not be PC, hand out welfare checks, read Miranda rights to enemy combatants and treat them to a nice meal, and secure the blessings of Marxism. Jan Baxter and those like her just go to show that our government provided education system failed long before it began playing this ridiculous and blatantly inaccurate video in our schools. How appropriate that just below the submit button is a link to visit the dump, I can only assume that is a reference to the storage place for the rest of this organizations materials.

Mitch, I appreciate your passion and at least I understand where you are coming from even though I completely disagree with you. What you may not understand about the middle class that works so hard is that we realize the opportunity that exists in this country to become wealthy. That is not a benefit we could enjoy in any other country on this planet (at least to the extent that it is possible here).

What you may not get either is that we don’t need Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh to tell us how to think. We just need them to continue to find these atrocities when they exist. We don’t have time to look these things up and they certainly won’t be reported on any other news station.

You can’t possibly watch this video and think it is a good thing to show to a nine year-old. We used to teach our kids that communism/marxism was a bad thing. Now, we are teaching them that capitalism is bad? Capitalism may not be perfect, but it is still the best way to ensure freedom of choice.

Take cutting down the trees as an example. In the Amazon, where the resources are controlled by the government, the trees are chopped down and never replaced. Here in the US, our timber companies realize that they will no longer have a business if they don’t replant the trees that they chop down. That’s why we have more forest now than we did a century ago. That’s common sense to a capitalist.

What is the alternative that you would prefer to capitalism?

I can’t believe that you would even consider showing kids this film full of rhetorical lies. The elementary school that my children attend have already been warned. If they show this garbage (which belongs in a landfill itself) to either of my children, I will pursue the matter civilly.

If any of your Left-Wingers haven’t watched the segment yet (which I believe NONE of you have, therefore have no right to comment on what Beck said), watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX7ceL5rgrY&feature=channel

So, anyone with a dissenting opinion is now a teabagger, birther, redneck, nazi, coming up with any smear attacks we can think of?? All of your ignorance is purely pitiful.

Glenn Beck was putting this on the air to show what is/could be going on in our schools. He didn’t call Annie any obscenities or slurs. He purely stated where her background comes from, where she got her “fact”, and who funded the video.

How about obtaining facts from more well-rounded sources than your far-Left counterparts. 50% goes to our military?? GIVE ME A BREAK. If you think our country will reject capitalism as a primary economic engine, you’re all hugging the wrong tree.

Way to go, Glenn Beck.

im so upset with your video