Olbermann's "Special Comment"

Back in the days when I was a "Special Agent" with DEA, defense attorneys like to play a cheap shot on us when we testified in court. We were always initially asked by the prosecutor who we worked for and what our job title was. The correct answer was "special agent". I was rather uncomfortable with the "special" part of it. I also knew that the defense attorney was likely to open his/her cross-examination with "What makes YOU so special?" Cute little trick. I learned very quickly to describe myself simply as an "agent".

Which brings to mind Keith Olbermann's "Special Comment" segment which he unveiled again last night. What is so special about it-other than it is little more than a Cromwellian rant which adds to his reputation for mad buffoonery?

Last night, the target of Keith's special wrath was Ted Koppel, who had committed the sin of mentioning Keith in this op-ed piece for the Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/12/AR2010111202857.html

Add Ted Koppel to Keith Olbermann's (long)  enemies list. Here is Keith's special  response.



Actually, some criticism of Koppel might be appropriate. After all, he left out some other reasons why network news is dying. Yes, many of us tend to go where our own prejudices and attitudes are confirmed, but don't tell me that network anchors like Dan Rather, Brian Williams, Peter Jennings, Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer never let on what their sentiments were. In addition, major newspapers like the New York Times, LA Times and countless others lost their sense of balance years ago. In short, Koppel's complaints come across as somewhat elitist.

Yet Olbermann once again takes his rants to new levels. Is he really comparing himself to Edward R Murrow and Walter Cronkite? In addition, Olbermann seems to be arguing in favor of opinions (his) over facts. He actually condemns reporters like Koppel for giving us facts over opinions during crucial points in our recent history. Of course, we all know that Olbermann hates no one more than those in his profession who espouse opinions which are counter to his own.

What is important for us as listeners or readers is to be able to distinuguish what is fact and what is opinion. It is amazing how many of us can't.