Give it up to Keith Olbermann

[Botany]

Keith is very much of the old school of journalism and that is a good thing.
Just like Ted Koppel, Bill Moyers, Eric Sevareid, Ed Murrow, and David Brinkley
he lets his guests speak and gives them the time & space to do so. Tonight
he had on John Ashcroft and although I sensed that Ashcroft was lying and
spinning his version of the truth, Keith let him talk.

2 or 3 people yelling @ each other might be entertainment but it is not
journalism or a service to anybody who wants to form their own opinions
based on what they can gather on or through different sources.

Compare what KO does to Fox who "frames questions," plants ideas, and
talks over the top of any person they think is harming their agenda.

Just my thoughts. GRR!

[OwnedByFerrets]

1. Agree 100%!!!

As I said in another post, I am so proud of KO for not sinking to their level of non-journalism. It was professional.

[Botany]

2. thanx for the update

I did not know that another thread was started.

"It was professional." very nice!

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

8. Sure, It Was Professional....

But was it really up to Keith's high standards?

Would we be saying the same thing if this had been the same interview with someone like Russert or Larry King doing the questioning? I think we'd be hammering on them for being too soft.

I'm not saying Keith shouldn't have been professional. But clearly this was someone with a direct line to this WH that Keith has so abused the past couple of months.

If someone like Keith is not going to go hard after ashcroft, then who will? Jon Stewart? Right! He's obviously got a free pass to publicize his book. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a decision made by someone other than Keith. Maybe he did want the interview, but I can't believe after his recent commentaries, that he would feel comfortable playing it safe with an "architect" of the numerous crimes envisioned and carried out by this administration.

This doesn't change my opinion of Mr. Olbermann. It does reinforce my opinion of the Corporate Media as basically a photo-op, medium of propaganda, and even a show like Countdown is not immune.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

3. He Needs To Do A Rebuttal To His Interview Tomorrow!

Tomorrow he needs to come back and point out what he should have said tonight. He should tell us any pre-conditions he was under to get this interview, and perhaps even justify Countdown's reasons for pursuing it. Assuming it wasn't an order from above.

Maybe Ashcroft actually wanted Olbermann, because he feared a one on one with Tweety might have been more combative than he wanted, and he realized Keith would be above board and non confrontational. Especially if Keith had direct orders from above to let Ashole speak.

Anyways, it appears clear he gave too much space to John, and given his recent remarks, we felt it warranted a lot more hard hitting journalism.

[brook]

9. I don't think Keith

takes orders and I doubt, in light of his ratings, that MSNBC is giving any. Second guessing Keith - and turning negative when he 'doesn't meet expectations' accomplishes what?

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

10. Life Is About Expectations....

Sorry, but Alex Rodriguez is supposed to hit it out of the ballpark in the playoffs. That's why the Yankees pay him Millions and Millions of $$,$$$,$$$ Every Year.

I'm not saying Keith struck out. But he certainly didn't hit it out of the park either. I still want him on my team, but if his commentaries these past weeks are Homers, tonight was more like a single or a walk.

[OwnedByFerrets]

11. Your expectations and my expections are

obviously extremely different. He gives one professional (in some people view, soft)interview and ya'll are ready to throw him under the bus. Sheesh, hes the only voice we have on this media. Give the man a break already.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

16. Throw Him Under The Bus?

How did I throw him under the bus?

You people who think just because someone is on our side, they cannot get ANY criticism, are hard to understand.

Like I said before, I WOULD WANT HIM ON MY TEAM. I still like Keith Olbermann, and he's the best newscaster out there. Tonight was not a Homer though. Accept it. He was somehow restrained, I guarantee it.

Geez....why don't you go watch his 5 Special Comments, then watch this interview, and tell me it wasn't passive.

[brook]

13. Well

not being a sports fan - more importantly, not wanting to get into an argument over one opinion vs. another - I guess I'll leave it at "To each his own". ok?

[OwnedByFerrets]

14. Thank you for your civility.

:toast:

[brook]

19. Appreciated.

It's not my strong suit.

[Eric J in MN]

4. It was a disappointing interview.

It's fine that Olbermann didn't shout at John Ashcroft.

But Olbermann should have asked tough follow-up questions, and he didn't.

[gully]

15. I wonder if he was taking Clinton's advice?

He said something to him about being polite to the so called opposition.

I too would have loved a MTP type questioning. But, I do like the fact that KO allows his guests to speak, and is so very different than "Bill-O" and FAUX when it comes to interviews.

[MrSlayer]

5. That is an awesome picture.

And yes, I agree with you on Keith.

[theguvnorgc]

6. He is the Best....

and the Brightest that we have today. I have followed his career since he was a sportscaster here in LA on KTLA News at 10. He has become a vital force for responsible journalism, a voice of conscience and a tremendously entertaining social commentator. His show is about the best thing on television - apologies to Jon and Steven...of course. Keiths' bravery, night after night, his fundamental understanding of the dangers our Nation truly faces at this point, and his uncompromising determination to get the truth out marks him as one of our real leaders in this crucial, crucial time.

gc

[brook]

7. Keith has class...

which combined with his intelligence gives him his rock-solid credibility. Hate him though they might - the wingers can't catch him spinning, lying or doing a falafel on his guests. He's one of the best things that has happened to the cause of Democracy and a free thought in ages.

[Swamp Rat]

12. What a beautiful photo of the bear!

:loveya:

[Berry Cool]

17. I'd be happy to give it up to Keith Olbermann.

I only wish he'd let me. :shrug:

[Ksec]

18. I emailed him last night and told him good job

KO's program is refreshing. I only hope the asswipe corporate powers lay off .

[lildreamer316]

20. Yes..look at it as letting him hang himselft (Ashcroft).

Keith is smart..I trust that he understands what he' s doing. And yes, it's so refreshing not to have the yelling.

[w8liftinglady]

21. Keith is great!

I have nothing but respect for his reporting.I'm grateful to MSNBC for keeping him.

[Singular73]

22. Screw that...Keith makes me proud to be a liberal.

Absolutely professional.

I cringed at what I thought he WOULD do, and was shocked at his professionalism, to be honest.

[aikoaiko]

23. What's with the wet bear?

:shrug:

[moondust]

24. Should have asked Frank Rich's question.

Basically: "Why did you take time out one day while you were in Moscow to announce the capture of Jose Padilla even though he had actually been captured a month earlier?"

Apparently Padilla has still not been charged with anything.