Confessions from a Keith Olbermann neophyte

[LynneSin]

I'll be honest, that comment made about me from the USAToday columnist was pretty damn accurate - I don't watch Cable News. I gave up on it sometime a few months after 9/11 when I realized that there was no hope for the news being reported fair and unbiased.

My 8 o'clock TV watching pretty much amounted to reruns of "Friends" - hey, don't mock me, I genuinely love the show and enjoyed watching the repeats in the evening while I busied myself around the house. I knew Olbermann had a great show respected by so many here at DU and progressives across the land, but I just had that disgusting taste in my mouth that it was still cable news.

But after the speech that Olbermann made about 9/11 and the empty hole, I started tuning in and I enjoyed what I was watching. Sure sometimes some of the stuff is trivia (Like seriously, do we need to keep reporting on Anna Nicole Smith's son - I'm sorry he died but geez!), but the bulk of it was damn informative even if I had to look at that idiot Bush and listen to him speak (btw - horrible speaker, it's like Bush reads a sentences, pauses and reads the next sentence).

So I'm now hooked. I realize that Keith Olbermann isn't quite that 'fair & balanced' himself, but I'm grateful that we have someone out there reporting our side (and what I believe is the truth).

And if the powers of NBC happen to be reading this - perhaps I might start watching cable news other than just Olbermann's show. I know that if a major event (ie 9/11, Katrina, Tsunami, etc) were to happen I would choose MSNBC first before any of the other channels. And since CBS is no longer an option for me with the evening news (I need insulin before I watch Couric - I'd love to see a female anchoring the nightly news but not something that perky) and ABC is blocked because of that docudrama, perhaps I'll start watching NBC when I tune in to the network news.

Thanks for the Keith Olbermann show - it's great programing and a chance to show you do try and reach out to both sides and NOT with some moderate doofus playing underdog to a right-ring screed (ie: Hannity & Colmes)

[meegbear]

1. What comment made about you from the USAToday columnist?

:shrug:

[LynneSin]

3. If you google LynneSin you'll easily find it

It was also syndicated to several papers

[Buzz Clik]

10. She's right: here's the link --

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/columnist/raasch/2006-08-10-raasch_x.htm

A national columnist who spends any time critiquing comments on a bulletin board is a bullshit journalist.

[LynneSin]

11. Um, I was really hoping to not post the link

Oh well

It was discussed ad nauseum and I still stand by my comment about overcharging us for drinks on planes. I hold a grudge for a long time!!

[Buzz Clik]

13. Well, LynneSin, you often irritate me with your comments...

... but the discussion stays here where it belongs. You're passionate about many things and have no trouble voicing your opinion.

That dipstick on USA Today has real issues -- negative issues, mind you. Although I disagree with your analysis about drink prices, I think this guy deserves a kick in the nads.

Keep it coming, Lynne.

(I missed the prior discussion about the column. Sorry 'bout that...)

[LynneSin]

14. My grudge with the airlines

I had a cross-country flight (Philly to SD) that was non-stop. No meals were included but they made available an overpriced snack box for those requiring food. And they ran out of them the row after mine. And for me, I normally drink 1-2 liters of water on flights so I'm really dreading the two upcoming flights I have (one to Canada and the other to Florida). When I get dehydrated I get really bad headaches.

Yeah, I know we bump heads but it's good practice. I like that progressives don't have to be lock-step in line with their beliefs like neo-cons are although mind you, my opinion is always right :eyes:

[Buzz Clik]

15. great post.

airlines: :thumbsdown:

LynneSin: :thumbsup:

[Skidmore]

2. I used to watch Fox just to watch KO when he was on there.

Then he disappeared and so did my Fox viewership. This man is very bright and talented. He also has integrity and great wit. I've been a KO fan for a long time and was just thrilled to see him on the tube in a current events program again.

[Minimus]

4. I just have to say

I need more cow bell. Where can I get the photo in your sig line? I love it!

Oh, and agree with you about KO. I was doing Seinfeld and Friends re-runs but now I too can watch a cable news program.

[LynneSin]

7. Just right click on my picture and get the location there

It's on my photobucket account so it should be around for awhile

[pooja]

5. How is it that he's not fair and balanced? He's dead on.

Journalists needed to ask questions. They gave the President way to much partiality. And still 9/11 is in serious doubt. If a real investigation had transpired, then you would have put any questions to bed. But now there are so many questions. There are so many people wondering how much involvment the govt had in bringing down the towers. So much secrecy and covering up. Why?

What has 9/11 brought us? Where are we now? Are we safer? Media is not liberal. Its mainstreamed. Gutted. Edited on the news floor. Monitored. They aren't telling the real stories regarding Iraq, Afghanistan, or much of the ME conflicts. Why? Because they are owned by the elite. Keith gets away with it because his ratings are high, and because he is known for "liberal bias". But really, the talking heads bringing you the news might as well be called President's aids because they aren't doing their jobs.

[kiki]

6. Was going to post the same thing...

This "moral equivalency", "both sides are equally biased" bullshit is the cornerstone of all RW scumfuckery. Keith Olbermann tells the truth and follows it with his opinion, which is based on the truth; Bill O'Reilly knowingly tells blatant lies and then follows them with his opinion, which is based on the lies he just told. Keith's truths are backed up by documented evidence and testimony from experts in the field; O'Reilly's lies are backed up with idiotic conjecture, testimony from unqualified cronies and known bigots, and the words 'shut up'. Only in the minds of the most hopeless 'good German' could these two possibly be considered equivalent.

[LynneSin]

8. Well to us he seems fair & balanced

but there are still people out there who would think otherwise. Of course they're probably watching Billo on FOx

[applegrove]

9. I don't have that cable either but appreciated his words last week too.

[Buzz Clik]

12. Olbermann is an interesting phenomenon...

I watch his show on the second showing (midnight in our time zone). It's entertaining and fun, and I like how he zings the administration on many issues.

LynnSin is right in that Olbermann is neither fair nor balanced. In my time watching him, he has never presented the rightwing viewpoint on anything. But that's okay, because we can get that just about anywhere else.

My biggest problem with Olbermann, and it keeps me from fully trusting his opinions or deeply embracing his rants, is his penchant for self-possession. I loved him on ESPN but was puzzled (to say the least) when he announced that he went to Cornell and that folks at other schools basically sucked. His Cornell education served him well, but that comment and his attitudes still makes me examine every thing he says very carefully.

Nevertheless, hats off to Keith. In a world where having a both a brain and a spine is seldom rewarded, he's pulling it off. I love what he has to say.