I think the conflation of what the commentators at MSNBC and those at Fox do is not a fair one. Yes, the opinions are strong on each side, and there is a lot of snarkiness to go around. But tonight Rachel Maddow hit the nail on the head when she talked about the difference. Here is some of what she said:

You can see it all here: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_new...cable-not-news

I did see a podcast of this and I do think she got the differences out there. My prior post had really to do with having a hard time with so much loud point making. I think it is just a personal thing- I like quiet and compative language and voice timbre and pacing gets to me.

I am kind of liking the newer show on MSNBC with Lawrence O'Donnell and I think it is because he doesn't yell. rachaelmaddow is one sharp woman, but, i admit, sometimes her silliness is over the top for me. I certainly think she has great perspective and insight, however.

Fox News is a GOP electing machine! Maddow's coverage of not only the contributions, but also all of the appearances of Fox hosts at GOP and Tea Party events and fund raisers in this piece was right on the money (pun intended!).

I just feel that the format of "news" shows are all the same these days and sometimes I feel like I am being shot with a machine gun even when the content makes sense to me. It could be an age thing, LOL, I am from the first generation of TV watchers! Hell, back then, there certainly wasn't something on 24/7! Which brings me to the news show "loops" like AC 360. Although, I like AC! I take in Charlie Rose when he is interviewing political guests, often.

I want some news reporting without the glitz, not opinion all of the time! Or, a mix of styles in these shows.

I like both the BBC News and the Public TV News Hour and really like to watch Washington Week with Gwen Eiffle (sp?). Democracy Now with Amy Goodman fits for me as well. I don't have all the bells and whistles with my satellite carrier- just the basics, so I could be missing out on other programs tha are worthwhile.

have to mention that some of the specials maddow has put together have been quite good- I actually prefer those over her daily show.

I don't think that MSNBC e anything like Fox, just that sometimes they go too far for me and I wish they would not leave out pertinent details nor put together little skits easily taken out of context.

I love Ketih too and hope he is back soon.

Oh and yes, I miss Cronkite too!

Usually when we want to know what is actually going on we watch BBC.

He'll be back!

I'm pretty much with Rachel, that okay he did something wrong, can we haz him back now? Yes, sometimes he tends to opine just as much as those on Faux do...but hell I can't stomach that channel without some pepto. And as much as we wish that news in America could be neutral, I think those days are just too far gone by now.
I had another train of thought on this but I think I lost it.
~SAB

Olbermann finally speaks after his suspension from Countdown


Today, Olbermann tweeted on his official Twitter account:
Greetings From Exile! A quick, overwhelmed, stunned THANK YOU for support that feels like a global hug & obviously left me tweetless XO

My train often leaves the station before I'm ready :|

That didn't last long, but it did start a much-needed conversation. Too bad that the conversation happened after the election and not a few weeks before. Not that the folks most in need of hearing the conversation - Faux viewers - would have paid attention.

WOOT! His ears were boxed well enough!

Katie, Love, now...you and I both know you will not wait for her to pop the question...if the moment ever arrives that you find yourself in the company of one Ms. Maddow (So formal, aren't we??) that you will pop the question within minutes ;) Well. That's my prediction anyway! :D