Letters to the Editor
orbitboy
Published Letters: 1215 Editor's Choice: 100
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Is Olbermann really a liberal?
[Read the article: Brit Hume is a "journalist"; Keith Olbermann is "partisan"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Could someone identify any specific views that Keith Olbermann has that demonstrates he is a "liberal" in the sense that it's meant (i.e., in the left-wing Democratic Party sense, rather than the classical 18th Century sense Paul Rosenberg described earlier)? I'm not saying he has none, but I honestly don't know of any.
--GlennGreenwald
I think people call Olbermann a "liberal" because a disproportionate amount of his criticism falls upon Republicans and those who carry their water. Which begs the question "Is Olbermann fair?' I think so, conservatives do not.
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Satire
[Read the article: Brit Hume is a "journalist"; Keith Olbermann is "partisan"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I was going to write a satirical post criticizing Olbermann's background at ESPN being "indicative" of his lack of journalistic credentials, but it looks like CB beat me to it. That's one less thing for me to do today.
So when is anyone going to bring up Hume's favorite analogy that Iraq is safer than California because more people were murdered in California than soldiers in Iraq since the Iraq War started?
It just doesn't get any more dishonest--or retarded--than that. Hume's reply when called on it was, "Well, it may not be accurate, but it's indicative of something."
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@Paul R
[Read the article: Brit Hume is a "journalist"; Keith Olbermann is "partisan"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Yeah, I caught that comment, too. I wonder if the "73" on "Debonaire73"
signifies the poster's year of birth, or IQ?
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Iraq War supporter = Contempt for the troops
[Read the article: Time to think]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]They say they "support the troops," but this "let's give it six more months" attitude speaks volumes. They are in no hurry to end this thing, and it shows just how much they don't care about our soldiers fighting in Iraq. The Republicans have been dawdling for years now, and what do we have to show for it, other than a moot election, a deposed dictator, and thousands of lost lives? Heck of a job, Georgie!
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The Neocon Manichean worldview
[Read the article: Neocons' rejection of the rule of law extends to the personal level]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Glenn's post is an excellent illustration of the Neocon Manichean--and authoritarian--worldview. Since the Neocons are "the good guys," that means anyone critical of them, or who stands in their way, must be "the bad guys" and "the enemy." The Neocons always act in unison, because there can be no dissent among the ranks. Dissent means you're the enemy. There can be no substantive disagreement in their view. One is either fully on board with their aganda, or one is aiding the enemy. It's authoritaraianism to the nth degree, it's childish, and it's thoroughly manichean. No nuance, just blunt black and white fantasy.
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Oh, man!!?
[Read the article: Neocons' rejection of the rule of law extends to the personal level]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Why'd you have to remind me of Ken Lay's tragic passing? Now I'm going to get all weepy and sad again. Sniff....
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@zack
[Read the article: Neocons' rejection of the rule of law extends to the personal level]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You're right. It's too easy to paint conservatives and neocons with the same broad brush. To do so makes us guilty of doing what we accuse them of doing. It's really a matter of degree, and it's very important for us to keep that in mind.
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"I think we believe it went very well"
[Read the article: Dick Cheney's surprise]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]That's beaustiful. I'm going to remember that one.
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@Michael Harold
[Read the article: Democrats bear responsibility for restoring habeas corpus]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I agree with you. I was about to type pretty much the same thing you wrote.
I think if the American people actually understood what habeas corpus meant, they never would have let that bill go through. But the American people certainly can't care about something they don't understand. For too many people in this country, the "freedom" that we are fighting for in Iraq, is the freedom to consume at will. The freedom to choose which big-screen tv is going to max-out our credit cards: Zenith, or Samsung?
The Bush initiative to do away with Social Security went nowhere because the American people properly understood what was going on. They effectively stopped what the Bush administration was trying to do. Each person felt like he or she had a personal stake in that issue, which is key. Of course, each person has a personal stake in habeas corpus, too, but not enough people understand that.
I realize I may get slammed for being overly cynical and pessimistic, but I talk to way too many people who rationalize things like shopping at Wal-Mart like this: "Why should everyone else enjoy low prices but me? I'm gonna shop where the prices are lowest, and that place is Wal-Mart. Why should I punish myself by boycotting Wal-Mart and let everyone else enjoy those low prices?" THAT is the mentality we are dealing with in this country.
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@L.W.M.
[Read the article: Democrats bear responsibility for restoring habeas corpus]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Dem partisanship is the only thing that kills the GOP beast. Green party only lets it live longer.
I came to that realization shortly after the 2000 election. I voted Green, and shortly thereafter became a Democrat once I saw the pointlessness of my "protest vote." Granted, I was not living in a swing state, and would not have voted how I did had I been living in a swing state, but I did a stupid thing nevertheless.
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Here's what I'd like to see
[Read the article: Democrats bear responsibility for restoring habeas corpus]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Early in the morning after some Democrat is inaugurated as president, have a handful of FBI agents show up at Bush and Cheney's houses.
"What are you doing here? This is an outrage!"
"No big deal, Mr. ex-President. We're just here for a little look-see. If you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about..... right?"
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Wow, Elephantman, don't be shy!
[Read the article: Why it matters]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Looks like you're no slouch at name-calling and bomb-throwing yourself. But as we see time and again with Repubilicans, when they have no case, they always revert to character assasination. And also as in this case, racist character assisantion. Bravo!
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The thing is...
[Read the article: Answers for Joe Klein]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Reporters like Sy Hersh and David Halberstam earned their reputations, for better or worse, by practising adversarial journalism. They are/were smart, creative, driven, and talented. I think many of the beltway journalists lack the talent, drive, and intellect to go about their "craft" the same way Hersh and Halberstam did.
So, the beltway guys "got to the top" using the other tried and true method: good old-fashioned sucking up. It's easier, more comfortable, and really not so bad once you get used to it--and remember not to use your teeth so much.
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@bamage
[Read the article: Answers for Joe Klein]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]All right, I give. Who was it? I got here late, and can't find the original reference. I HAVE to attach a name with that comment! Comedy gold for sure!!