Gross Journalism

We are in an era of talking heads. A time when we let far right or far left wing nuts spoon feed us our news, based on our political preference. It is sickening, really. But the least you can do, when you are CLEARLY not a news network, but a thorn in the side of real news journalism, is admit what you truly are.

The New York Times reported that Keith Olbermann would be allowed to return to work. His show "Countdown" is described in the Times as being a "megaphone for Democrats and the most popular program on MSNBC."

What was Olbermann suspended for, you ask? Giving money to three Democratic candidates. Although donating money to candidates is not against MSNBC's policy, potential gifters must first clear it with the network, which Olbermann did not do.

Now, I do not think that it was bad that he have the money to the candidates. I think that he was appropriately punished. I think that he did not deserve to lose his job. My problem lies with another MSNBC network "news" host.

Rachel Maddow had the audacity to say because Olbermann was punished, it "confirmed that that Fox News was a 'political operation' while MSNBC was a 'news operation'." In my humble opinion, Maddow is off her rocker.

Fox News markets itself as being "fair and balanced", even though they are clearly supporters of the Republican/Conservative cause. By my standards, it is not a legitimate way to get 'fair and balanced' news. However, neither is MSNBC. The fact that Maddow felt the need to make a distinction makes no sense to me. Just because the network does not use its name as a fundraising tool does not mean that it is not tainted. The bias-fuled, one sided news that you see on MSNBC is not too different than what is on Fox... it just has a better presentation.

...And that's how I feel about that. It's just gross journalism, plain and simple. Entertainment.