We cannot restrict the donations of corporations because they are people and have rights. But corporations can restrict contributions from people. Do you get the sense that George Orwell is somewhere laughing over us?
MSNBC has suspended Oberman under the guise of protecting journalistic integrity. As if Oberman is a journalist. Journalists attempt to be objective and unbiased. Who would suggest that Oberman makes any attempt to be unbiased?
Rachel Maddow, last night, tried to make the claim that MSNBC was different than Fox because MSNBC has the sort of rules that got Oberman suspended. Seldom have I been so disappointed in Rachel. Her point about Fox news may have been correct but it ignored, and even masked, the fact that her boss has gone after Oberman to cut payroll. Attacking Fox for being even more biased than MSNBC is a conversation about the kettle and the pot and not terribly relevant to the issue at hand. This sort of conflation is what we have come to expect of Fox more so than Rachel Maddow.
Many think that when one of our own is attacked we should circle the wagons and take a stand. But I have a hard time seeing Oberman as one of my own. I generally agree with the points that he seeks to make. I do not relate to the hyperbole, the uber-ego, the over stated and false humility. I am generally uncomfortable that he is presenting opinions, that I basically agree with, in such pretentious ways.
Rachel Maddow’s approach is much more emotionally and intellectually satisfying. Without a loss of passion, she replaces Oberman’s bluster with supportive information. Where Oberman blows spittle on the dots, Maddow actually does a good job of connecting them.
Okay, while we are thinking critically about MSNBC, who, besides me, cannot stand Chris Mathews' rude and arrogant interrupting and talking over his guest. You would think that if a host were going to do this, he would at least have something other than the predictable and banal to say. Seldom is that the case. Mathews adds insult to injury by repeating himself while he interrupts. I cannot bring myself to watch the guy.
It disappoints me that Oberman and Mathews have become the face and voice of progressives. We deserve better and luckily Maddow provides better. Let’s hope that the new MSNBC will provide a more dignified less white reflection of alternative views. Give us the Cornel West Show.