The Resistance with Keith Olbermann #25: This Man is Dangerous (Conservatives Should Watch This)

It might behoove conservative thinkers--that is, those Trump voters who are more than just knee-jerk, blind faith supporters--to actually watch a few of these videos, starting with this one. That goes for watching Rachel Maddow too, by the way. It's okay, take small doses. But you might just find, especially with Olbermann's new, more level-headed vibe, that while you won't agree 100% (or maybe even 50%), that there is something to what is being said. At the very least, you might get some understanding where liberal thinkers are coming from.

Now, before you revert to calling me a snowflake in search of a safe space, hear me out. A lot of conservatives have complained about the "divisiveness" of the Obama years. We very likely disagree on the reasons for that. But you know what? It is the willingness of extreme partisans on both sides to believe the worst about the other side as the default that keeps that divisiveness alive.

So, do me a favor. Watch this, at least the first 60 seconds. You're going to hear things here that you didn't expect. You're going to hear an argument that comes from actual reasoned thought, not bleating, shouting, crying or whining. As I said, it may not sway you (for sure, I've listened to tons of alt-right programming, and never been swayed an inch), but it might give you some insight to how the other side really ticks, rather than the easy, silly "libtard" insults.

House Republicans Vote Against Raising Debt Limit

Aren't these guys inspiring? Cantor, Boner Boehner and Yertle McConnell.
Image from source, Huffington Post

Yeah, I know this was a "test vote" all for shits and giggles and political posturing. But is this really something we should be playing chicken with? Do all parties involved realize that people can see what they're doing? I'm just wondering, because tampering with world markets just to score points seems to be an incredibly foolhardy game.

[Excerpt]

House Debt Limit Vote: Republicans Vote Against Raising Debt Ceiling

House Republicans dealt defeat to their own proposal for a $2.4 trillion increase in the nation's debt limit Tuesday, a political gambit designed to reinforce a demand for spending cuts to accompany any increase in government borrowing. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Michael Savage: Nasty, Bile-spewing Bigot

I got into something of a tiff with some conservatives over on a right-wing site called Olbermannwatch yesterday and today. I commented that I thought their nightly dissection of Countdown with Keith Olbermann rang a bit hollow, at least the way they were doing it. My opinion is that they focus far more on style than substance.

They criticise the choice of guests, the phraseology of the host, and the minutiae of how the show is presented, and give short shrift to the actual content of the stories they're criticising. Right or wrong, my comments were attacked and reviled. I was called the dumbest guy that ever came by, basically. Trust me, I wasn't crushed or anything.

But the volleying of comments devolved into other areas (which is often what happens in such forums), and somehow we got around to arguing about who had more bile, the left or the right. As a person who too regularly checks in on right-wing world, have personally sampled the vitriol and nastiness coming from the right, particularly radio host Michael Savage. I haven't seen it equaled on the left. They said I only had opinion, and no proof.

So, Olbywatchers, here is a little proof. 'K? And when you're through, try this clip from Air America's Rachel Maddow for comparison. And while I'm sure you'll all want to take me to task for the headline, tell me how it doesn't apply to THIS:

David Gregory Gets Blogs Wrong

I've always really liked David Gregory, and thought he was one of the best of the White House Press Corps. In the last year or so, that opinion has dropped a bit. Particularly when he was on stage, gangsta rappin' with "M.C. Rove," a particularly stomach-churning sight to see.

If you dare, watch:



Now, Gregory's opinion that the Internet and bloggers are responsible for the divisiveness in politics these days, really misses the mark. For a generally astute guy, he just doesn't get it. For the real reason behind the divisiveness, he need look no further than the puffy, porcine, pasty ersatz rapper he was dancing with.

[Excerpt]

Gregory: Blogs are to blame for polarization

When Helen Thomas asked Gregory what was responsible for the polarization, Gregory answered:

"I think it’s because of the internet largely. The polarized atmosphere in the internet and blogs and whatnot have been a major contributor to that."

Read more at: Think Progress