From Montel Williams to Rabbi Irwin Kula, Glenn has been meeting with people of varying backgrounds and ideologies over the last several months. Glenn believes we are at a point in which we must focus on the issues that can unite us instead of those that divide us. On radio this morning, Melinda – a self-described “liberal lesbian” from Pennsylvania – called in to explain the personal transformation she has undergone as of late as a result of listening to Glenn’s radio program.
Below is a transcript of the call:
GLENN: Melinda in Pennsylvania. Hello, Melinda, you are on the Glenn Beck Program.
CALLER: Hi, Glenn. I just want to let you know I am a liberal lesbian, not calling to attack you. I started listening to your program about three or four months now. I started listening because I wanted to see what the other side was saying and what lies were coming out.
But I have to tell you: I'm hooked. And have been listening to you faithfully now for about the last month because I have heard something in you change. The message you are putting out for tolerance and love, regardless of color, religion, nationality is impressive. I feel like you are reaching out, just like I tried to reach out to understand the other side, and to bring both sides together, to take this country into a forward progressive state. And I just want you to know, I appreciate it and kudos to you, sir.
GLENN: Melinda, can I say thank you for everything up to the ‘forward progressive state’?
[LAUGHTER]
CALLER: I didn't mean it politically --
GLENN: I understand what you mean. So Melinda, may I ask you – and this is not coming with judgment – have you considered that -- because I have changed over the last five years. I have always been kind of on this path, but something really – a flip switched in me when we went to Washington, D.C. about five years ago --
PAT: By ‘always been on this path,’ you mean always, other than, except for everything leading up to 2000, right?
GLENN: Yes. In my drinking days -- let's forget about those really bad, scumbag days --
[LAUGHTER]
PAT: Let’s forget about those.
GLENN: But anyway, have you considered -- because we have always raised money for charity. We have always tried to do these things – even in my bad drinking days. Have you considered that, while I have changed my language perhaps, you are open-minded enough to take the walk toward me and see something that maybe people didn't want you to see in me. And I wasn't make it easy for you to see.
CALLER: Absolutely. Absolutely. Once I got out of mainstream media and started thinking for myself and started researching for myself, I found that there are so many things that are the same coming from you and from me. While we may disagree on certain points, absolutely, I ever opened myself up and opened my ears to listen. And by doing that, I'm able to better understand where someone is coming from whom I may have thought was my enemy in the past. So absolutely, I have come a long way too.
PAT: That's great.
GLENN: I can't thank you enough for your phone call. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
CALLER: Thank you for what you are doing and keep bringing us together, and keep telling people how we're all the same and we're all on the same side, but we just have to cut down that hateful barrier and open our ears with a loving heart. Thank you so much, sir.
GLENN: Thank you. God bless you, Melinda.