Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Truth And Consequences, Keith Olbermann

Keith Olbermann is a former sports anchorman for ESPN hosting the popular news program Sportscenter with Dan Patrick. Probably the most watched sports news program in all of cable thanks for the most part by these two. Sadly he's moved onto other areas of television journalism hosting a political talk show on MSNBC oddly named Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Why the name is odd is that there really is not count-downing of anything despite the frequent show of numbers blinking on the screen in fast succession between breaks. Sad because the format is a series of news stories with Olbermanns views mixed in which are mostly anti-Bush, anti-war or anything bad Republican. We expect talk shows to be opinionated that's not the problem but Olbermann clearly has an axe to grind with Bush and he won't let go. Another reason the program suffers is there are no interviews with anyone who disagrees with him. Bill O'Reilly who hosts the far more successful program The O'Reilly Factor which airs at the same time, at least has guests of differing viewpoints which makes for lively discussion and thus a far more dynamic show. In a display of cheap sour grapes O"Reilly and the network he works for is a frequent target of much of Olbermanns vitriol.

At times Obermann will end his program with "special comments" which he is very proud of. So much so that he's collected them all and put them in book form (Truth and Consequences: Special Comments On The Bush Administrations War On American Values. Random House $24.95). Now just to dispel the appearance of negative critique simply because the author of this review just doesn't like liberal views, Al Frankin who is a liberal writes books of this type and are far more enjoyable funny with cogent analysis and criticism. Al Frankin pulls it off, Olbermann doesn't. Chris Mattews, another liberal, host a program on MSNBC that is very engaging and thoughtful. Olbermann by contrast is an embarrassment.

The sole focus of the book is the deviant or incompetent nature of president Bush ("Mr. Bush" to Olbermann) and the war on Iraq. Olbermann stance is that the war is fought for no good reason by a president who lied to get us into it and in the meantime is taking away the constitiutional rights of American citizens and if you don't agree with this Bush and his minions think you're a traitor. So a war is fought lives are lost all for no good reason what so ever. What's missing here is what is the reason we are in Iraq. Bush lied, but what is the truth Olbermann thinks Bush is trying to hide? It's not enough to say it's all for nothing because at least he must think that Bush doesn't think its for nothing and that in the president's mind there must be some reason to go to war, or is Bush a war monger? The closest he comes to an explanation is when Olbermann rants on about the evils of Republicans:

The protection of the environment is turned over to those of one political party, who will financially benefit from the rape of the environment. The protections of the constitution are turned over to those of one political party, who believe those protections unnecessary and extravagant and quaint.
The enforcement of the laws is turned over to those of one political party, who will swear beforehand that they will not enforce those laws. The choice between war and peace is turned over to those of one political party , who stand to gain vast wealth by ensuring that there is never peace, but only war


Just how Republicans gain vast wealth from the war is not explained. This is a bit over the top and if he really believes any of it its no wonder he's filled with anger. So why no different viewpoints on his show? If Olbermann thinks this is the mindset of Republicans then let him take them on, bring in the guy who says the hell with the forest lets get some shopping malls up or the guy who trashes the constitution and makes money on the war? It could be because these views don't exist and he resorts to knocking down strawman arguments to enhance the sting of his smug moral indignation. The war is all for money, please,

A case could be made against the war in Iraq, it's execution and it could be made from both parties. That Bush is a war monger who lied, who trashes freedom of speech and everyone who doesn't agree are traitors, oh and top of it all Bush and Cheney are cowards and should be impeached is taking a pathetic low road in the debate.

Olbermann didn't put himself on MSNBC NBC did. He wasn't known for politics and now they put him front and center. He is a good broadcaster and anchorman and in his own element can be humorous. This is not his venue. Just what is going on at NBC?