Monday, June 10, 2013

Great Communicators Speechless?


On the eve of the launch of his new novel The Eye of Moloch (the follow-up to The Overton Window), Glenn Beck has lost his voice.  But that does not mean that Glenn Beck lost his ability to communicate and to move with his words.




It is particularly laudable that Glenn Beck used his physical challenge as an opportunity for introspection and acting upon what he perceives is of great value nowadays. 

The weak vocal cords are most likely a temporary ailment, which is a great relief to the radio and television personality. 

 But Glenn Beck's tenacity to get the good word out serves as a reminder of how great communicators will overcome adversity to have their voices heard.  

NPR talker Diane Rehm kept a loyal audience despite her spasmodic dysphonia giving her a what could be described as a rickety voice. 

It is amazing how Rush Limbaugh conducts his widely popular conservative noontime talk show with cochlear implants which make electronic sounds (like television or telephone voices) nearly impossible to decipher.  

And Roger Ebert refused to be taken off the air after complications from cancer of the jaw took away his voice and his chin. 




Personally, I'm hoping the Beck is back in good vocal form for his Sirius/XM in-studio interview in the District of Calamity (sic).   As Beck's silent BlazeTV monologue  reminded us of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's words, "Not to speech is to speak. Not to act is to act." 

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