Glenn Beck writes open letter to Muse

Glenn Beck has responded to an interview with Muse in the Observer, in which Matt Bellamy criticised rightwing America, by writing an open letter to the singer.

In the interview, published on Sunday, Bellamy discussed the way in which the talk-radio host embraced their 2009 album The Resistance and the use of their hit single Uprising in rightwing conspiracy videos on YouTube.

"In the US the conspiracy theory subculture has been hijacked by the right to try to take down people like Obama and put forward rightwing libertarianism," Bellamy told Dorian Lynskey. Defining himself as "a left-leaning libertarian – more in the realm of Noam Chomsky", he added: "Uprising was requested by so many politicians in America for use in their rallies and we turned them down on a regular basis."

Conservative pundit Beck has long been a fan of the band from Devon, even though they once called him "a crazy rightwinger".

The former Fox News presenter has now written to Bellamy – calling him Matthew – to say: "As uncomfortable as it might be for you, I will still play your songs loudly.

"To me your songs are anthems that beg for choruses of unity and pose the fundamental question facing the world today – can man rule himself?" he continued.

The full text of Beck's letter is below.

"Dear Matthew,

I read your comments in the Guardian [the Observer's sister paper] via Rolling Stone last week and feel like with a little work we could better understand each other.

As uncomfortable as it might be for you, I will still play your songs loudly. To me your songs are anthems that beg for choruses of unity and pose the fundamental question facing the world today – can man rule himself?

In the Venn diagram of American politics, where the circles of crimson and blue overlap, there's a place where you and I meet. It's a place where guys who cling to their religion, rights and guns connect with godless, clinched-fist-tattoo guys [sic].

You seem to have a pretty good grasp of comparative US and European politics, but maybe there's a pattern that you're underestimating. Throughout history, leaders have used music to lull young people into a sense of security and euphoria. They've used artists to create the illusion that they can run a country that keeps all the good and wipes out all the bad. Think Zurich 1916. Think artists getting behind guys like Lenin and Trotsky. Think of pop culture's role in the Arab spring. The youth rises up, power structures crumble, and worse leaders are inserted.

America, on the other hand, does not rely on leaders – we rely on the individual. Our country was built on the principles of mercy, justice, and charity – we ultimately believe that man left alone is good. That is a primary reason I disagree with Chomsky and others that you've touted.

American libertarians understand that smaller government gives people freedom – the freedom to earn or lose, eat or starve, own or sell. The potential for wild success and happiness is tempered by an equal chance of failure. And it is all up to the individual to take control of their destiny.

This has been a debate since the founding of America, one that has often gotten confused. Even during the revolution – a period filled with the greatest minds to ever discuss the idea of freedom – there were the divisions that continue today. Robespierre or George Washington. OWS or the Tea Party.

Thomas Paine didn't see the difference at first either – sometimes the difference is too subtle.

Yet the question is an easy one: do you believe man can rule himself? Or does he need someone ruling over him to force him to be good and charitable?

That is the fundamental divide and everything else follows. Even though faith was important to our American patriots none of them forced Paine to believe. He chose his course and in the end is remembered as a critical patriot in establishing man's first real freedom.

They understood that we don't all have to be in the same boat. But rather, focused on the star chart: are you headed toward freedom or despotism?

The power that American libertarians like me want to pull down is power that limits the individual's right to roam and create.

Matthew, I realise that converts are pretty hard to come by when the stakes are so high and the spotlight so bright, but I thank you for singing words that resonate with man in his struggle to be free.

I wish I could leave well enough alone and just be quiet …

… but I've had recurring nightmares that I was loved for who I am and missed the opportunity to be a better man.

Good luck on the new record.

Glenn"