Keith Olbermann has been providing powerful commentary during many of his nightly broadcasts (8PM edt) on MSNBC. His focus has been on the anti-democratic tendencies of the Bush Administration and its general incompetence.
These commentaries are striking. First, it is a complete sea change that these pointed attacks are allowed at all. You may remember that Donohue was cancelled in late 2002 because he dared to air anti-Iraq war opinions on his show.
It is also interesting that Olbermann on MSNBC (and Cafferty on CNN) are now able to find the anti-Bush voice. Today roughly 65% of Americans disapprove of Bush and 51% want him impeached according to Newsweek. So is this just piling on?
If we are to be a free society in which the empire (see Walter Bruggemann) can be challenged it is important to be able to allow anti-empire voices to be heard even when it is unpopular.
It is good that Olbermann is speaking up. It is remarkable in fact and I fear for his job should the R’s claim victory on November 7.
Perhaps those of us in the peace/justice camp need be more assertive when our views are in the minority. When we are attacked again there will no doubt be another effort to intimidate/mute our voices. Hopefully we will remember Olbermann?
Rev Bev | 26-Oct-06 at 4:26 pm | Permalink
I am concluding that if you want to hear truth you always have to seek out those whose voice is the quietest, those who are being overlooked by the major media. Now why couldn’t I as a Christian have understood that a long time ago? It is those who take unpopular stances who probably have a better, more objective and more accurate view of reality!
If the current war/occupation of Iraq has taught me anything it has been to wean me from the regular, easily accessible media. I now read alternative and international oriented press and there is a world of difference.