Love Olbermann, Love Stewart, But...

[Anser]

I'm surprised and a bit disappointed to see so much about them on the eve of the midterm election. (The irony of my adding another is not lost on me.)

As someone who watches both Jon and Keith, and attended the Rally, I thought I'd share a couple things.

First, with all the talk about Jon's false equivalency, there's been none about the many false dichotomies I've noticed over the last couple days. Whether it is Jon vs. Keith, or Code Pink (also at the rally) vs. Jon or even Chris Matthews vs. Arriana Huffington. In all three cases I've seen inflamatory topics about one "mocking" the other, or "shouting" the other down. And in all three cases the disagreement has been nuanced, relatively minor, and overall quite civil.

Second, Crossfire often made liberals look as bad as the conservative blowhards they were pitted against. Keith's "Worst person in the world," (When taken out of its tongue-in-cheek context) did the same. I am glad to see both of them go. That being said, I personally enjoyed the bit myself, however, I always noticed that when I wathed it with someone else, many times I'd cringe. Specifically, the segment is the reason that my wife, a hard working school teacher, and proud "bleeding heart" liberal through and through loves Rachel Maddow but has a hard time watching Keith.
I also want to add that I understand where Keith is coming from. I went to a private southern law school where my views were very much in the minority. I played the role of the one person on the left that would stand up and speak out, equally as loudly, or louder then my classmates when they'd speak of sterilizing the poor, and re-instituting debtors prison (Or any other insane right wing idea). I love what primetime MSNBC has done in providing something of a counterbalance to Fox.

Finally, Jon and his team did put clips of Ed and Keith in the insanity montage along with Fox's talking heads. However, for those of us who watch the Daily Show, we know that MSNBC and FOX are not portrayed as equal (See, for example, Jon "yelling" at MSNBC to be like Fox and if "the news doesn't fit your narrative, change the F'ing news" video: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-september-9-2010/are-you-ready-for-some-midterms----msnbc-s-political-narrative). Also, keep in mind that Keith and Ed are responding to Fox as a counterbalane. In a "Sane" media world like the one Jon calls for, there would be no Fox, but Keith and Ed would be just fine. (though, perhaps, with slightly lower blood pressure)

So, in closing, Thank you Jon for an amazing rally with a great message. Also, Thank you Keith for your tireless work and your decision to discontinue "Worst Person...", who knows, maybe now I can get my wife to watch with me. :)

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Very well put - I completely agree with you. n/t

[Anser]

2. Thanks...

and :hi: from another NC liberal :)

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. Yay! I do wish more money was pumped into the Burr/Marshall race.

I guess it was decided to be a long shot early on....but Burr is just horrible!

Off to vote....have a great day

[madmax]

3. Bravo, Anser nt

[K8-EEE]

4. + 10000000

Ridiculous. I like them both too. Let them both say their opinions and let's get on with the election!

[pacalo]

5. Very well said.

:hi:

[Anser]

6. divisiveness...

I have to wonder who is labeling the minor disagreements between our vocal leaders on the left (and middle left) with such inflammatory language.

For instance, it was from Fox that we got the headline "Chris Matthews snaps at Huffington" to describe the Hardball interview.

I guess what I am saying is, let's be careful not to let the right define the size of our tent.

[JonLP24]

8. He is going to discontinue "Worst Person..."?

Ah, that was my favorite segment. I guess it doesn't matter since I don't have cable but that was the main reason I watched his show.