Living away from the US has allowed me to drop my addiction to watching hours of news pundits arguing about the stupidest topics under the sun while I sit with clenched fists swearing at anything that crosses my path. No more Scarborough Country, or Chris Mathews, no more watching Ann Cloture for the pure sadistic pleasure of hating another human being beyond physical tolerance. I have left the lunatic asylum behind.
Here in Asia, I watch about 30 minutes of useless propaganda a week on international CNN and BCC and spend countless hours scouring the web for anything resembling the truth. The paradox of the 21st century is that we’re inundated with information, but unaware of its authenticity.
It has become my pleasure to read Keith Olbermann’s weekly tirades. I find myself wanting to share his words so often and with so many people that I have assigned him his own category on my blog. It says a lot about the state of the US when comedians (Steven Colbert and Jon Stewart) and an ex-sports anchor are the only voices of truth in a sea of lies and fear mongering propaganda.
I am not sure how poplar Olbermann is, on the nightly news channels or what time these speeches are made or how many people are listening, but know this: one American exile living in Asia waits patiently for any news from Mr. Olbermann on a weekly basis. Thank you sir. Thank you for your words. Thank you for courage. Thank you for being the only American journalist doing his job. We will write to you and support you when you are soon placed in a detention center, labeled as an enemy combatant.
Here is his latest:
'Beginning of the End of America'
And if you somehow think habeas corpus has not been suspended for American citizens but only for everybody else, ask yourself this: If you are pulled off the street tomorrow, and they call you an alien or an undocumented immigrant or an “unlawful enemy combatant”—exactly how are you going to convince them to give you a court hearing to prove you are not? Do you think this attorney general is going to help you?
I like Olbermann too, but I think he could stand a little editing. A lot of the op-ed pieces drag on after they've already made an effective point.
ReplyDeleteAlso--it scares me to say this, but it's interesting to see certain conservative anchors (Scarborough especially) gradually start to change their tune, as if they've finally joined the rest of us in realizing that the ship is sinking and the captain's drunk, ignorant and belligerent behind the wheel.
i will give you a hint- folks here in the states want olbermann's head on mount rushmore :) at least the dems do. i know what you mean. love stewart and colbert- as does american dems. i don't follow much news. i read the paper and yahoo news and leave it at that. i already think the worst of the current gov't- both sides.
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