Keith Olbermann Lays it Down on 9/11 (VIDEO)

In this video, Olbermann critically examines the last several years of U.S. history relating to 9/11, President George W. Bush and the war on terror.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Here at Salem-News.com, we have plenty to say about the ineffectiveness of national media, the group that used to always ask the hardest questions of our national leaders.

But every now and then they really seem to lock up and get it right. NBC's Keith Olbermann kicks hard, he is one example of a modern day journalist who stands out among his peers as someone who will not be silenced.

In this video, Olbermann critically examines the last several years of U.S. history relating to 9/11, President George W. Bush and the war on terror. He also goes down the list of each of Bush's top staff and evaluates their performance.

In Olbermann's opinion, Americans have been duped by a presidency and administration that has little adherence to the concept of truth or justice. It is a world where people who we expect would be punished, are rewarded and promoted.

Olbermann's world, the national news media, remains accused of sleeping at the wheel for most of the last eight years. This reporter is unabated though in his remarks and observations about the things that he says are wrong with the United States of America. That critical view of national politics and spending is the job of reporters, at least that is what we are led to believe. Pulling no punches, Olbermann's unceasing commentaries are considered by many to be the best interpretation of modern events on record.

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Cynic September 17, 2007 10:21 pm (Pacific time)

HR: You aske, what if Iran attacks with the "big bad ones." What big bad ones? They don't even have little bad ones. The US is a strange place. They have more military power and nukes than all other countries combined, yet every time they want to invade or topple a government, they put out this propaganda about how dangerous they are. In the name of protecting ourselves from terrorists, we toppled Saddam and caused him to be killed, we killed his sons and other relatives, we killed hundreds of thousands of civilians, we destroyed their country, and we killed and injured thousands of our young people. The big bad ones are all located in Washington, DC.

Cave Man September 17, 2007 10:14 pm (Pacific time)

The magazine in which the author recommended taking to the streets was the latest Harpers. Every issue has numerous negative articles about the Bush Administration.

Cave Man September 17, 2007 7:30 pm (Pacific time)

HR: Please let us all know when and how we can again live by those "founding principles" from which we are moving further and further away from the intentions of our founding fathers. Marxism?

Henry Ruark September 17, 2007 7:17 pm (Pacific time)

C-Man: Is this same c-man ? Yr right on with second comment, but why not name magazine ? Hopefully will not come to that, but if Iran attacked via "big bad ones", as rumored, oneneverknowdoone !! What do you s'pose Founders might do ? This time takes more than tea-into-harbor waters...

Henry Ruark September 17, 2007 6:59 pm (Pacific time)

Cave Man: Yr comments,sir, deserve place in that new tv-show but make little sense here. After 60 wking yrs in jrnlsm I find yr ref.to First Amendment a bit off-mark, as is yrs re Founders and capitalism. In fact Marx theory and early capitalistic principles were known to them, if not under modern labels. Happen to agree that reality today is as described, but do NOT agree re "thatshowitgottabe", which is disproven by more than a century of U.S. open press on record and admired worldwide, even if now denigrated, denied and defeated by corporate greed driven by system. What we can do is again live by Founding principle, which will go long way towards the remediation the system demands.

Cave Man September 17, 2007 6:53 pm (Pacific time)

I just read an article in a quality magazine in which the author says the only way to bring about change is for Americans to take to the streets in a national strike. He points out that while we have been repeatedly lied to and mislead by our leaders, we all just seem to accept it and do nothing. I'm ready for the strike.

Cave Man September 17, 2007 2:15 pm (Pacific time)

Henry: A set of laws that says we will have a free press is no guarantee that we will have one. Most reporting in our country, just like our politicians and corporate leaders, is mostly dedicated to making money because that's the way capitalism works. Rush doesn't preach his hatred all day long because he believes it, but because he loves the millions he earns. Same for the folks at Fox. Now, if the American character could be changed, and Rush wasn't the most popular radio talk show host in the US, the owners would have reason to change. Unfortunately, the founders of our country did not visualize the pitfall of capitalism

Cynic September 17, 2007 2:02 pm (Pacific time)

To Henry Ruark: If the media does provide accurate accounts of issues, such as the national home loan crisis, how are readers supposed to respond? If the media says that Dick Cheney lies every time he talks, how are readers to respond? Regardless of the news, Americans really seem quite helpless.

Henry Ruark September 17, 2007 10:21 am (Pacific time)

Please note Optimist never returned to report whether or when he actually reviewed early Olberman-content. Re "it is what it is" --same words used for British early monopoly historically upset by impromptu "tea party", in the harbor at my old home town, Boston...starting revolution which we need to keep going via same demands for "equality and level playing field" for each and every one of us. For that, Founders wisely gave us sharp, potent weapon: the FIRST Amendment, with the added responsibility for media to act in the public interest, which in and of itself is top ticket for profit, but cannot be properly used without what Founders built-in: demand for responsible public service via privileged position thus accorded to such enterprises.

Henry Ruark September 15, 2007 7:59 am (Pacific time)

Optimist et al: U are absolutely correct to accept malign image of "free press" NOW --but there's no solid reason to accept that denigration EVER !~! "First Amendment" principle by Founders clearly proclaims --and many believe demands-- responsible role by ALL media. "On Air" formats operate ONLY on physical channels clearly owned-by-all as commonweal, privileged to do so (very profitably !!) ONLY as they "serve the public interest"...now long neglected in mad pursuit of dollars via ANY kind of content the "free market" will allow. Press-side for years took off 20-30% annually; now Wall St. greed-getters demand even more...which is why great and damaging denigration continues across the board in all media. We CAN and MUST recapture control from corporations here, as in all-else in both economy and governance. First step is to restore both state and national governance groups who not only profess Constitutional allegiance but will act with courage and determination to LIVE that profession.

Optimist September 15, 2007 4:31 am (Pacific time)

All the criticism about media, implies that it should not be what it is. It is what it is, and I have been relying on the alternative news media for years.

Henry Ruark September 14, 2007 1:41 pm (Pacific time)

BS: Did you check Olberman's stuff then ? When you do, you will find some very similar content to what you may not have seen-and-heard, just above. For others "in the media" this statement from Robert Parry makes very good sense: "The public intuitively understands that national level journalists are looking out for their careers first, way more than the public’s right to know. "With a few exceptions, these well-paid media stars fear that their livelihoods would be endangered if they got on the wrong side of the administration and its brass-knuckled allies." Danger to careers is now even stronger, as many recent events will show you on your own examination, via current retaliation underway from the Bush neocons vs several. Parry broke many big stories over past 30 years, so tend to believe his view rather than unrealistic Comments from one probably well outside the profession. His w/site is consortium at www.consortiumnews.com. Thus I suggest you go "see with own eyes", then return and report. ARE you "outside the profession ?" IF not, ID self with "right to speak", already on record here for me. Will look fwd to dialog via direct e-mail, from 60 working years "in the media" and education.

tired of the BS September 14, 2007 11:55 am (Pacific time)

Olbermann was around in 2003, on MS-NBC, but couldn't manage a "special comment" BEFORE the war. Just like all the rest of pathetic "journalists" and news media that were part of the Bush propaganda machine. Thanks, Olbermann, for showing up late to the "party" I'm sure it's good for ratings now...

Henry Ruark September 14, 2007 11:28 am (Pacific time)

Thank you, Tim, for this one. It proves that jrnslm principles, as for Holy Bible and all-similar, must depend on dedicated, determined, honest and unafraid humans to put those principles into full action. Despite widespread facts and realities obviously forcing some "in the media" into fully irrevocable actions on the record denigrating the profession, demanded for any democracy to survive, open and honest public dialog can aid and buttress those channels still operating as they should and with community service as deep dedication. Video-format provides "see with own eyes" and hear-with own ears unmistakable in impact and as documentation.

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Keith Olbermann Lays it Down on 9/11 (VIDEO)

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