Olbermann

Keith Olbermann was suspended today for making a donation to a Democratic candidate. In 2006, Joe Scarborough was forgiven for the same “infraction” because he isn’t a newscaster… he’s a commentator– or so said MSNBC’s spokesperson.

I miss the days when journalism had integrity and you actually had to treat news as appointment television. Those days are long gone– unless you’re my mother and McNeill Lehrer is on… We are inundated by opinion that is portrayed as fact. We are lied to regularly by the media– who cite each other as the source of their information.  (By the way… the President’s trip to India isn’t costing more than the Afghanistan war… )

MSNBC needs to be consistent. If they had suspended Scarborough for donating to a Republican it would be fair to suspend Olbermann for donating to a Democrat– since they didn’t– they shouldn’t have. This action against Keith reeks of partisanship.

Please sign this petition to get Olbermann back on the air… I don’t think I can take Anderson Cooper’s perfect hair for very long… http://act.boldprogressives.org/sign/petition_olbermann/?source=typ-fb&referring_akid=2630.279311.HsNjil

YouTube is a better source of News than 24 Hour News Networks

I have learned more about the candidates’ views in one hour on YouTube than in months of switching between CNN and MSNBC. I don’t watch Fox Noise and don’t watch enough PBS.

In only one hour I learned the basics of what Ron Paul believes. It’s pretty simple: He believes in the Constitution. He believes in Law. He believes in giving the people the power to define their own destiny.  Not bad.

I don’t really understand yet how this country would continue to improve (repair) roads, fund education and social security without taxes but, I’m willing to bet that another hour on YouTube would give me the answers I seek.

My criticism of the mainstream media comes from both the perspective of a former Newsie, and that of a consumer with education, experience and opinion.

I’m tired of television. Not to the point my brother has reached– he hasn’t even had a TV for the last couple of years– but I think it’s time to reduce my viewing of news channels to debates and breaking news– give me only news, no opinions– that’s for the OP-Ed page and blogs. Funny how between YouTube and The/A Daily Show I can get all the National and International news I need.

I Hate “Spin”– But I Do See It’s Value

I’ve been so distracted by the newsletter stories about Ron Paul that I’m missing his message. Perhaps if his spin doctors were more productive I’d be able to hear what he really has to say.

TV news isn’t, for the most part, news anymore.  I’d really like for them to spend more time telling me what the candidates are promising, what they believe– who they are, rather than who missed what or what McCain’s smirk means.  They don’t give us enough credit.  I know what a smirk is and I know what it means.

Despite being registered with one of the two major parties I’m not committed to voting for either one. I like John Edwards. I like Obama. I wish I liked Clinton (see “I love to hate Hillary Clinton..” from earlier this week). I want to like Ron Paul. I want to like McCain. I want to like Huckabee.

For the most part these are likable people. They are genuine. They are good people. They are also human and make mistakes– miss opportunities– run out of time to read all the newsletters, press releases and so forth. Maybe what they all need– I do mean all– is to surround themselves with people who are meticulous, tireless and faithful to their candidate. They need superior spin doctors and advisers.

Because the mainstream media is so out of control Spin is important .

The Pundits Are Back To Predicting

Didn’t they learn anything from New Hampshire?

Frankly, I (who spent a decade producing TV News) really thought they’d be a little more cautious after the embarrassment of earlier this week– No such luck!  The only thing that’s saving these guys from themselves is a busy news-day.

Before the incident of 24 Hour Cable News Channels there were far less opportunities for embarrassing predictions/declarations… course in those days News meant something.  It was objective– report the facts of a story in 2 minutes or less. Sadly no more… CNN tonight referred to Michigan lawmakers as “fools”… where is the news? Ranting Newscaster is not news.

My mother only watches PBS… maybe she has the right idea…

Fox Noise Says Richardson is Dropping Out

Well… if Fox Noise says it– it must be unconfirmed, slanted to the far right and they’ll never admit they are wrong.

According to the Richardson Camp he’s gone to New Mexico to attend to the job he was elected to do. That doesn’t mean he quit– it just means he’s a responsible person!

Yet another example of how you can’t believe everything you hear…

Obama Blew off O’Reilly– Points for him!

I really enjoyed Olberman’s piece on Obama blowing off Bill O’Reilly– Obama was polite but pointed. As O’Reilly (who is consistently the Worst Person in the World) pushed through the crowd trying to get the Senator to have a few words with him, Obama kept walking and simply said that he would talk to O’Reilly after the Primaries– didn’t say he’d do it after which or how long after them.

O’Reilly is the most egotistical journalist and has a definite John Wayne all guns blazing attitude.  Maybe someday a conscience and need to fact check will overtake him but, I’m not betting on it.  In the meantime, I’ll just watch another channel.