Story of the Day: Olbermann Hammers Bush on Thought Policing

Editor's Note: Though Keith Olbermann gave his commentary, "Bush Owes Us an Apology," on Monday, I felt compelled to respond to it before it became really old news. My words immediately follow. But do yourself a favor: click on the link to the full transcript of Keith's statement at the end of this post.

Keith Olbermann is fast becoming a true American hero. His commentaries at the close of his show Countdown legend. Let's just hope Keith's ratings continue to rise; I have a feeling it's the only thing keeping him on the air. For we shouldn't fool ourselves that, in the executives' eyes it has much, or anything whatsoever, to do with his searing, brilliant words, the likes of which, it is safe to say at this point, have not graced our televisions on a news program since the days of the man he so obviously emulates in his commentaries: Edward R. Murrow. Who, like Olbermann, was forced by his bosses to also report on the trivial in return for the freedom to bring substantive news analysis to his audience.

The other night, a friend of mine said that he thinks the reason why people on network and cable news fail to do their jobs as journalists is because they make too much money to jeopardize their positions. Of course, this is true on some level and I acknowledged as much. Then I replied, "But look at Olbermann. It doesn't have to be this way." Keith is living proof of that.

Courage. Responsibility to your viewers. Adherence to reality, facts and justice. It's the way it's supposed to be. Mr. Olbermann, in just a couple of months, during which his commentaries have grown in precision, depth and moral authority, has kicked some light into the darkness that is television news. In the coming months, it will be interesting to see whether his bosses, peers and other news executives spread this light, or envelop Mr. Olbermann in that still pervading darkness.

Bush Owes Us an Apology, by Keith Olbermann
Countdown with Keith Olbermann

Comments

[Kat]

i really want to bang keith olbermann. really.

[MediaBloodhound]

Yes, Kat. Keith is fast becoming the Tom Jones of cable news.