Charles M. Madigan, a self-described centrist writing in the Chicago Tribune, describes a thought he had while watching Glenn Beck the other day: “the thought came to me that we are in a very dangerous space where ideology, expression and rights are headed for a collision.”

To Madigan — as to many others — “The problem with Beck… is the size of the audience in the United States that actually knows nothing about nothing. This mass (my guess, about 12 percent of the electorate) is easily moved, the past summer and its continuing silly rhetoric on all kinds of issues indicate. They wear know-nothingness like a badge.”

Curiously, however, Madigan goes on to suggest that we “should not overreact” and instead “should actually turn up the volume so everyone can hear them better,” then concludes, “I know that makes me sound old-fashioned and silly, but there you are.”

Yes it does, Mr. Madigan — and there YOU are!