You have to hand it to Glenn Beck. He is a wizard at whipping up controversy and, therefore, publicity. Beck’s latest dangling shiny object comes in the form of an announcement that in order to support the sales of his upcoming book which will outline a 100 year plan for America, he is organizing a gathering on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The date is August 28, 2010; the 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.

At [a] rally and in a letter on his website, Beck said that he planned to organize a series of conventions in seven regions of the country, where his supporters can go to learn about “self-reliance, community organizing, the economy and how to be a political force in your own neighborhood and country.” The conventions will culminate in a new book by Beck called The Plan and a march on Washington to launch it:

– All of the above will culminate in The Plan, a book that will provide specific policies, principles and, most importantly, action steps that each of us can take to play a role in this Refounding.

– On August 28, 2010, I ask you, your family and neighbors to join me at the feet of Abraham Lincoln on the National Mall for the unveiling of The Plan and the birthday of a new national movement to restore our great country. Source: Glenn Beck Has A ‘Plan’ To Sell Books With March On Washington On The Anniversary of MLK Speech, ThinkProgress

I am certainly glad to see conservatives once again embracing “community organizing” as the important component of our democracy that it always has been. When Sarah Palin attempted to insult soon-to-be President Barack Obama with the label of “community organizer” I never understood why so many lapped it up and started repeating it. I incorrectly assumed that those attempting to slime the term “community organizer” were simply ignorant as to the role citizens have played, and must always play, in shaping our great country. Turns out some like Beck weren’t ignorant; just hypocrites.

What do you think a term like “refounding” means to a native American Indian, a citizen of Mexican descent, or a black American? (Not to mention what it should mean to all women.) If you understand anything about history, you know that if you weren’t a wealthy, white man, you had little to celebrate and not a whole lot of “liberty” in those overly romanticized early years of our Republic.

Conservative readers, please help me understand why in the world “refounding” is a good thing?

HAT TIP to my amigo Paul Porter @ Industry Ears for calling this story to my attention.