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Milkman · 18-06-2008, 02:28 PM

What are your opinion on Keith Olbermann? Agree with him for the most part? Or, disagree with his views and style? Do you think he's comprehensive and focuses on substance more than "sensationalism."

Is he better than the rest of the polarized commentators, or just on in the same?

Quote:

One Angry Man

Is Keith Olbermann changing TV news?

by Peter J. Boyer June 23, 2008

Olbermann reveres Murrow, but Murrow never called a President “Idiot-in-Chief.’’

It was nearly midnight before Keith Olbermann left the NBC News election studio on May 13th, having spent five hours on the air, co-anchoring coverage of the West Virginia Democratic primary. Olbermann had a short ride home from Rockefeller Plaza to his condominium on the Upper East Side, and he was in bed by 2 A.M. But he lay ....Olbermann got out of bed, took a pill for the ailment, and, while waiting for the drug to kick in, scrolled through his BlackBerry, scanning recent messages. One arrested his attention. It was a link to the Web site Politico, which featured an interview conducted that day with President Bush. Olbermann was struck by two questions from the interview, and by Bush’s answers to them:

Q: Mr. President, turning to the biggest issue of all, Iraq. Various people and various candidates talk about pulling out next year. If we were to pull out of Iraq next year, what’s the worst that could happen, what’s the doomsday scenario?

BUSH: Doomsday scenario of course is that extremists throughout the Middle East would be emboldened, which would eventually lead to another attack on the United States. The biggest issue we face is—it’s bigger than Iraq—it’s this ideological struggle against cold-blooded killers who will kill people to achieve their political objectives. Iraq just happens to be a part of this global war. . . .

Q: Mr. President, you haven’t been golfing in recent years. Is that related to Iraq?

BUSH: Yes, it really is. I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the Commander-in-Chief playing golf. I feel I owe it to the families to be as—to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal.

Olbermann suddenly had another sensation, unrelated to neurology—a feeling, he later recalled, that was “like being hit by lightning.” He sat down at his computer and began to write. After an hour, he had the first draft of a lacerating indictment of Bush, a twelve-minute-long (eighteen pages in teleprompter script) j ’accuse, addressed personally to the President.

“Mr. Bush, at long last, has it not dawned on you that the America you have now created includes ‘cold-blooded killers who will kill people to achieve their political objectives’?” Olbermann wrote. “They are those in—or formerly in—your employ, who may yet be charged some day with war crimes.”

The denunciation hit the high notes of the most fevered antiwar rhetoric, accusing Bush (he of the “addled brain”), his alleged puppet master (“the American snake-oil salesman Dick Cheney”), and the “tragically know-it-all minions,” “sycophants,” and “mental dwarves” who serve them in the Administration of perpetrating a “panoramic and murderous deceit” on America and the world. Intelligence was faked, W.M.D.s were imagined, Iraq was laid waste, and American freedoms were trashed.

Olbermann turned to Bush’s golf remark, which he called the “final blow to our nation’s solar plexus.” He wrote:

Mr. Bush, I hate to break it to you six and a half years after you yoked this nation and your place in history to the wrong war, in the wrong place, against the wrong people, but the war in Iraq is not about you. . . . It is not, Mr. Bush, about your golf game! And, sir, if you have any hopes that next January 20th will not be celebrated as a day of soul-wrenching, heartfelt thanksgiving, because your faithless stewardship of this presidency will have finally come to a merciful end, this last piece of advice . . . when somebody asks you, sir, about your gallant, noble, self-abnegating sacrifice of your golf game so as to soothe the families of the war dead. This advice, Mr. Bush: Shut the hell up!

Olbermann finished the script shortly after 3 A.M. He e-mailed copies to his producers, and then he went to bed.

The jeremiad against Bush was a signature Olbermann effort, the sort of stylized, mocking tirade that has lately made him a cable-news sensation, the Edward R. Murrow of the Angry Left. Olbermann was pleased with the script, and the next day, before going on the air with it, he posted excerpts on the liberal blog Daily Kos, which is a fairly good representation of the Olbermann fan base. The Kossacks wholly approved. (“You excoriated the bloodyhanded, warmongering imbecile.” “This country cannot survive without you.” “Dude, you’ve got a pair of steel ones!” “I’m gonna print it out, hang it up and memorize it.”)

At MSNBC, the feedback was slightly more cautious. Olbermann’s original script identified the “cold-blooded killers” as everyone at the Pentagon and in the Bush Cabinet; when a colleague noted that that would include such relative moderates as Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Olbermann modified the line. Phil Griffin, the senior vice-president in charge of MSNBC (“Phil thinks he’s my boss,” Olbermann says), raised the matter of tone. Why did Olbermann need to end his commentary by telling the President of the United States to “shut the hell up”?

Link: The Political Scene: One Angry Man: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

Bugs · 18-06-2008, 02:35 PM

Same, same.

Norton · 18-06-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

Is he better than the rest of the polarized commentators, or just on in the same?

About the same. A man with an agenda.

obsidian · 18-06-2008, 03:51 PM

the full piece is worth reading. i find him entertaining. but then i agree with his politics. i enjoy imagining a keith olberman type character in thailand and wonder how many days he would live. an aspect of americana that i enjoy is the right/privilige/obligation to call a kunt a kunt -- even if he is the president.

Jet Gorgon · 19-06-2008, 03:31 AM

He's a tad self-centred for my taste. I saw one show where he totally lambasted Hillary. He comes across as a guy who uses vehement rhetoric to slam his victim of the day just so he can be "boss." Better stake-through-the-heart commentary from Jon Stewart and Colbert, IMO.
I reckon Olbermann and a few others are jockeying up to see who takes over Meet the Press. Olbermann would never get guests, IMO. One of the young anchors (sorry, dunno his name) did a round table-type discussion last night -- he was OK, but not nearly as good as Tim, who would never have had Kinky at his table for comments, I'm sure.
I like Chuck Todd's viewpoint. Brian Williams reminds me of that hot journalist who covered the Gulf war and then just kind of faded away.

floorpotato · 20-06-2008, 07:17 PM

Olbermann is the most straightforward, entertaining and intelligent commentator in American's mainstream news media. He's a single, shining exception in an industry that's been taken over by corporate hacks.

Jet Gorgon · 20-06-2008, 10:42 PM

^ ? I watch his show, but take everything he says with a grain of salt. Too opinionated, lacks respect and has little self control, IMO. I view him as a person who easily laughs at others but is unable to laugh with them.

floorpotato · 21-06-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

^ ? I watch his show, but take everything he says with a grain of salt. Too opinionated, lacks respect and has little self control, IMO. I view him as a person who easily laughs at others but is unable to laugh with them.

I like opinionated. I'm starting to think that a truly free media should have lots of opinionated people from the entire political spectrum, as long as they're intelligent and thought provoking. My favorite American news commentators are Olbermann (liberal), George Will (conservative), Pat Buchanan (paleo-conservative) and Phil Maher (seemingly libertarian).

Jet Gorgon · 22-06-2008, 05:16 AM

^ I like ballsy, erudite opinions, too, but Olbermann almost needs a spittoon for the vehemence and rants he spouts and spits out. George and Pat have more class and good views. You forgot Michelle Malkin, FP! I laugh my guts out tho when I listen or read her stuff. Pretty feisty for a Vietnamese. Although I must admit I rarely agree with her. The Politico page commentators are pretty spicey at times, too.
But, we've always had opinions in terms of editorials and columns. Shows a paper's leaning.

Milkman · 22-06-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

^ I like ballsy, erudite opinions, too, but Olbermann almost needs a spittoon for the vehemence and rants he spouts and spits out.

This is all too common in the US by so-called journalist and commentators and info-tainers.

They yes, over-generalize, are sensational, and yes, I agree they do spout vehemence. Very silly political-media culture.

Jet Gorgon · 22-06-2008, 08:34 AM

^ hehe. But it is fun to watch, MM, and it does make one include these views in thoughts. Too bad these folks veer off on their own tangents and only spout things to support their own arguments instead of including all sides of the story. Not like I have ever done that.

Milkman · 23-06-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

^ hehe. But it is fun to watch, MM, and it does make one include these views in thoughts. Too bad these folks veer off on their own tangents and only spout things to support their own arguments instead of including all sides of the story. Not like I have ever done that.

I really notice this when I visit the US.

I turn on the TV, and watch these political shows. Often there'll be this person yelling about some issue, such as North Korea being a threat, for example.

He's a person who know little if anything about from an advocacy group: the Cato institute, Brookings Foundation, or the dozens of others.

They he yells and talks very, very, fast.

"We gotta take them out!" We gotta take them out!

I heard this after Kim Jong Il fired the missles in the Summer of 2006. A couple of Americans in my hometown asked me about the Korean thread and what the Vietnamese thought about it.

I just laughed.

The locals and expats in Seoul don't even care. They've dealt with this for 50 years. The media has enormous influence on what people even discuss over coffee or beer. Issues and crises are often spoon-fed to us.

Jet Gorgon · 23-06-2008, 02:23 PM

^ Agree. I watched two poli shows today. Meet the Press (yawn, just not the same without Tim; Keith tried but it was pretty dry and only two senators). Then I watched the ABC press show; man, Sen Hutchinson (R) was on the money but this lib senator (sorry, name escapes me) was just a spout-at-the-mouth jerk. Their whole issue was on oil. I did like the fact the head of the US oil group was there. Not a bad debate but it still came to naught. Reds want nuke power and other energy, blues say not enough going into alt energy and oil cos are hoarding their profits, oil guy says hey, we need rigs and equipment (all hired out now) and the acreage leased in the US needs exploration first and much to date is dry.
I would imagine that both shows' comments were distlled in a couple of soundbites to slide inbetwixt Brangelina and flood info on the nightly news shows.

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18-06-2008, 02:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bugs Akha Last Online: Yesterday 11:01 PM Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: At home Posts: 800	Same, same.

18-06-2008, 03:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
obsidian I am in Jail Last Online: Yesterday 08:29 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,391	the full piece is worth reading. i find him entertaining. but then i agree with his politics. i enjoy imagining a keith olberman type character in thailand and wonder how many days he would live. an aspect of americana that i enjoy is the right/privilige/obligation to call a kunt a kunt -- even if he is the president.

19-06-2008, 03:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jet Gorgon What the Dormouse Said Last Online: Yesterday 05:03 PM Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rabbit Hole Posts: 7,298	He's a tad self-centred for my taste. I saw one show where he totally lambasted Hillary. He comes across as a guy who uses vehement rhetoric to slam his victim of the day just so he can be "boss." Better stake-through-the-heart commentary from Jon Stewart and Colbert, IMO. I reckon Olbermann and a few others are jockeying up to see who takes over Meet the Press. Olbermann would never get guests, IMO. One of the young anchors (sorry, dunno his name) did a round table-type discussion last night -- he was OK, but not nearly as good as Tim, who would never have had Kinky at his table for comments, I'm sure. I like Chuck Todd's viewpoint. Brian Williams reminds me of that hot journalist who covered the Gulf war and then just kind of faded away.

20-06-2008, 07:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
floorpotato Hat Yai Last Online: Today 12:53 AM Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 708	Olbermann is the most straightforward, entertaining and intelligent commentator in American's mainstream news media. He's a single, shining exception in an industry that's been taken over by corporate hacks.

20-06-2008, 10:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jet Gorgon What the Dormouse Said Last Online: Yesterday 05:03 PM Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rabbit Hole Posts: 7,298	^ ? I watch his show, but take everything he says with a grain of salt. Too opinionated, lacks respect and has little self control, IMO. I view him as a person who easily laughs at others but is unable to laugh with them.

22-06-2008, 05:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jet Gorgon What the Dormouse Said Last Online: Yesterday 05:03 PM Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rabbit Hole Posts: 7,298	^ I like ballsy, erudite opinions, too, but Olbermann almost needs a spittoon for the vehemence and rants he spouts and spits out. George and Pat have more class and good views. You forgot Michelle Malkin, FP! I laugh my guts out tho when I listen or read her stuff. Pretty feisty for a Vietnamese. Although I must admit I rarely agree with her. The Politico page commentators are pretty spicey at times, too. But, we've always had opinions in terms of editorials and columns. Shows a paper's leaning.

22-06-2008, 08:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jet Gorgon What the Dormouse Said Last Online: Yesterday 05:03 PM Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rabbit Hole Posts: 7,298	^ hehe. But it is fun to watch, MM, and it does make one include these views in thoughts. Too bad these folks veer off on their own tangents and only spout things to support their own arguments instead of including all sides of the story. Not like I have ever done that.

23-06-2008, 02:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jet Gorgon What the Dormouse Said Last Online: Yesterday 05:03 PM Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rabbit Hole Posts: 7,298	^ Agree. I watched two poli shows today. Meet the Press (yawn, just not the same without Tim; Keith tried but it was pretty dry and only two senators). Then I watched the ABC press show; man, Sen Hutchinson (R) was on the money but this lib senator (sorry, name escapes me) was just a spout-at-the-mouth jerk. Their whole issue was on oil. I did like the fact the head of the US oil group was there. Not a bad debate but it still came to naught. Reds want nuke power and other energy, blues say not enough going into alt energy and oil cos are hoarding their profits, oil guy says hey, we need rigs and equipment (all hired out now) and the acreage leased in the US needs exploration first and much to date is dry. I would imagine that both shows' comments were distlled in a couple of soundbites to slide inbetwixt Brangelina and flood info on the nightly news shows.

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