Why I Don't (usually) Watch Olbermann or Maddow

I was repeating the mistake of watching some Olbermann and Maddow tonight (or at least it was on in the background whilst I multitasked), and something David Frum said made me realize why I don't like watching these shows. Frum, who is rarely right about ANYthing, said something to Maddow to the effect that what her show does is similar to what Republicans do when they smear Obama. Maddow (just as most Democrats I know would be) was taken aback by the claim. She demanded that he clarify. She denied that her show is anything like that. Blah blah blah.

Later (I don't necessarily see these things in order) on Olbermann, Keith and Democratic guest were discussing the freefalling McCain campaign, in particular the conclusion of an Alaskan legislative probe that Palin violated state ethics laws while Palin herself was telling the press she was vindicated by the report, claiming it concluded the opposite of what it actually did. Both Olbermann and his guest seemed delighted by this because it's got to be good for the Obama campaign.

That's when it hit me that Frum was right...for once.

If these shows weren't part of the partisan death-spiral, these guys wouldn't be laughing and taking pleasure in this shit. If they cared about something more than winning (or at least beating their opponent, which isn't necessarily the same thing), they would be outraged by the presumption of Palin to think that she can redefine reality with so-called reporters present. If they valued something more meaningful than being aligned with the winning team, they would be demanding to know why reporters didn't correct Palin and say, "actually, Governor, that's not what the report says."

A citizen, in any sense of the word, should expect some accountability from both the political candidates who spread lies through the media and the reporters who act as their grateful enablers.

A journalist who wishes to be worthy of the application of the term 'journalist' should refute any lie, knowingly told or not. If there is to be any accountability for lying politicians, reporters are the ones who must deliver it. They're the last line of defense against fanaticism and the erosion of civilized discourse.

But I digress. My original point was that Olbermann's and Maddow's shows are not news programs any more than O'Reilly's and Hannity's are. They're commentary...partisan commentary. Partisanship is poison because it breeds devotion to a team (or a 'brand') rather than loyalty to an ideal or principle. More partisanship for one side cannot repair an overabundance of it for the other.