I hate to admit things sometimes. Especially when it comes to the utter foolishness and gutter politics practiced by one man: Glen Beck. I think it is pretty much agreed, even in most GOP circles, that this man is a little off his rocker. Sure, the nutbase likes him. But his "pouring gas on america" bit was a bit too much for me. I dont understand how people think its OK to "yell fire in a crowded theatre" as this guy does day after day. You have to look at why Fox...... a network who has been "on message" feels it can now unleash a man who obviously has little regard for rationality. My guess? Keith Olberman. KO.
My guess is that they looked at what Olbermann was doing.....and how he hasnessed his anger into...... ratings!! At the end of the day thats really all that matters.... to them.
Let me start by saying: I love KO. Not as much as I used to..... when the original Countdown resembled more of Jon Stewart's Daily Show. He had a sarcastic, yet accurate and informational view of the news and politics modeled on a sports news show..... his background. There was no anger. When he started doing his "special comments", I at first welcomed them, as I agreed with them. He was indeed preaching to the choir, and was courageous at the time. No one was saying many of those things at the time. HOWEVER, as time went on, and special comments became Special Comments, they took on a more angry, even radical tone. Each comment seemed to grow more angry..... more loud......more yelling. And I wanted to watch less and less. He shot his wad, and each imitation of the first special comment was never as powerful. I wish he would have left well enough alone. It is my opinion we are now seeing an echo of that anger in Glen Beck.
Please do not get me wrong: G.O and K.O are on different planets when it comes to quality, actual reporting ability, knowledge, background and the ability to communicate. However, they incite rage at either ends of the political spectrum. It is my opinion that you cannot condemn Glen Beck and his nonsense without doing the same for K.O's more infamous rages, which in my opinion increasingly embarrassed him and MSNBC. But look at the effect: while Olbermanns rants may incite intense blogging, protest and political activism its anyones guess where Becks may lead on the right, as they have a tendency (as noted by recent events involving politically motivated shootings!!) to react to incitement in a completely different way. I feel that its impossible to condemn one (in style..... NOT substance!!!) without condemning the other as they both as poison to our national conversation, at a time when we need to communicate with rationality. Even to our 2nd and 3rd cousins on the far right.
Olbermann as the potential to be one of the greatest newscasters of his generation. His anger even got him demoted during the election. It was like watching the best quarterback sit on the bench while the back up played. Beck on the other hand is a clown who simply appeals to a tea party loving small minded minority hating minority in this country. These characters have been a part of the fabric of this country since it started. It is my sincere hope that Olbermann continues, as he has been to offer again a rational view of politics as a newscaster. I dont know about anyone else, but there is enough anger in this world already. I dont think anger solves problems. It keeps you from seeing the solutions right before you.
It is sad to see Glen Beck be the freakshow that he is day after day. But its even more sad to think that there are millions of americans interested in watching. But I dont think it can be denied that he is not an action, but a re-action on our side of the coin. I think that this level of anger must stop. If we want a less angry, ugly and intelligent political dialogue, we must not engage in ugly, unintelligent or angry dialogue. You reap what you sow. Rachel Maddow is the first example of this on the left and we should all be proud of her. He show is anger free. I hope K.O is learning from her zen like approach.