About Keith...

[bluedigger]

Now that the GREAT KO Suspension Brouhaha has been favorably resolved, I have a question. Keith has gone on record as stating he doesn't vote "to preserve journalistic integrity".http://www.mediaite.com/tv/flashback-olbermann-told-the-view-he-maintains-journalistic-objectivity-by-not-voting/

How does he reconcile this with making contributions to political campaigns? Has his position and reasoning changed, and if so, why?

I think he owes us an explanation.:shrug:

[glen123098]

1. I perfer journalists don't donate to political campaigns.

I know MSNBC was entirely hypocritical in regards to Scarborough's donations, but I really wish Keith did not donate. I guess his definition of integrity has changed.

[bluedigger]

9. Contributions don't bother me that much.

I suspect journalists are every bit as subject to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle as anthropologists are, in that it is impossible to observe without becoming part of the observation. Better journalists are more self aware and attempt to self-impose limits on that influence, but I don't think there are any that are completely immune. The ethical question is, "where do we set the limits"?

[WillyT]

2. Welcome To The Brave New World...

And the new normal.

:shrug:

[pettypace]

3. You've got to be kidding

Journalistic integrity? Keith Olbermann?

Has he ever said a kind word of any Republican or conservative on his show?

He's our version of Hannity: his show is entertaining when a hot button issue is in the news, but watching it on a daily basis is like getting propoganda.

I think 3 or 4 years ago he was sort of not terribly partial, but now not so much.

[bluedigger]

5. This isn't about your opinion of KO.

And I believe that was in his own words, not mine. Which is why I would like further clarification, so that I might understand his reasoning.

[jaxx]

4. Why would he owe you an explanation?

People change their minds, he's no different than anyone else. Really, either you watch him or you don't.

[bluedigger]

7. I suppose I could take everything he says at face value without reflection.

But I don't. As a public figure who professes to have informed opinion on the body politic, he should be consistent in his reasoning, or explain what has led him to change his views. It is possible to watch him without mindlessly drinking the kool aid constantly, you know. He ain't omnipotent. I'm perfectly OK with him changing his mind, too. I do it all the time.

[pacalo]

6. After the Citizens United SCOTUS decision, after learning about the outrageous amounts of

money spent (but kept hush-hush) by corporations, & after Fixed News spent millions on their choice of candidates...

I just can't criticize Keith's relatively modest contributions. That he changed his mind is more indicative of our changing times. All that I've listed above was against the law back in the days of Edward R. Murrow, as well as those of Walter Cronkite.

[bluedigger]

8. I am not criticizing!

I simply seek to understand.