MSNBC has “MS”, short for Microsoft, in its name. As everyone knows, Microsoft is legend for spreading Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt - lying - about their competition. So Keith is only living up to the standards set by is master’s namesake.

I can only assume you mean through your television system’s on-screen guide, that it classifies it as “News/Business.” What that says to me, is that your provider’s guide only has a few categories, so that is the closest fit. For example, instead of saying “Action Movie” or “Romantic Comedy”… they’re both just “Movies.”

Let’s take a look, however, at TVGuide.com’s description of both shows. You can find this if you search the “What’s on TV” grid, and then click on the program title.

Here’s the description for “The O’Reilly Factor”:
“The bestselling author mixes news, interviews and analyses, and some of his most passionate commentaries, not surprisingly, deal with liberals (such as, to pick one name at random, Al Franken.) The conservative guru’s ‘No Spin Zone’ has been the major factor in Fox News’ climb (past CNN) to the top of the cable-news chart, with some three million viewers nightly.”

Key words: ‘analyses’, ‘passionate commentaries’, ‘deal with liberals’ (mentions Al Franken), ‘conservative guru’.
Seems to me, that it’s pretty clear this is an opinion program, and from what side of the political spectrum O’Reilly is coming from.

Now, let’s look at “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”:
“The nightly news program ranks the day’s top five stories by what will likely be the next morning’s hottest topics for discussion. ‘It’s a hard-news broadcast produced and hosted by people who are uncontrollably silly,’ quips the wry Olbermann, who also conducts newsmaker interviews.”

Key words: ‘news program’, ‘hard-news broadcast’, ‘newsmaker interviews.’
Where does it say it’s an opinion show? Where does it say he’s a “liberal”? Where does it say he spends much of his show “dealing with conservatives like Bill O’Reilly”? The only ‘discussion’ it talks about, is the discussion YOU’LL be doing AFTER watching it!

There is a clear difference in the billing of these two programs… FNC openly advertises this as a “debate/analysis/opinion program”… MSNBC (and Keith, who was quoted in this description) still think it’s a hard news, and do not talk about its opinion or liberal backbone. That’s a huge difference, and there is no denying it.

Here’s what FOXNews.com says about “The O’Reilly Factor”:
“Now in its tenth year on the air, “The O’Reilly Factor” on the FOX News Channel remains the dominant number one cable news program in the USA. …Blending news analysis with investigative reporting, “The Factor” has gained international prominence as well — it is now seen in more than 30 countries.”

VERSUS what MSNBC.com says about “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”:
“Keith Olbermann is host of “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.” “Countdown,” a unique newscast that counts down the day’s top stories with Keith’s particular wit and style, telecasts weeknights, 8-9 p.m. ET on MSNBC.”

They key words in FOX’s description is “news analysis.” In other words: discussion, debate, and opinions about the news. Nothing in “Countdown’s” description says anything about opinion. And now that KO has joined with KOS, it’s obvious what opinion will be presented, so it should say “liberal or Democratic point-of-view.”

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Paco, are you really going to say that MSNBC is “balanced” because they have a “Republican” (and one uses that very loosely in this case) hosting their MORNING SHOW?! It’s the morning show for Pete’s sake… it’s not even in the same caliber as an afternoon talk program, it’s a MORNING SHOW! And, as has been said before, Tucker is not a Republican, he is a libertarian… there’s a difference.

Now, forgetting all that, the difference is that even though FNC has more right leaning hosts, they allow guests with varying opinions on the programs to challenge them. No show is a forum for the hosts personal opinions… ever show offers some sort of counter balance. On Keith’s program, however, there is no counter balance, there is no debate… the program is Keith’s own personal soapbox, where he is allowed to put forth whatever he feels like, unchallenged. That is the number one objection most of us have against him and MSNBC.

“MSNBC doesn’t claim to be fair and balanced…” puh-lease. That’s like saying after you run over a bunch of pedestrians… “Well, I never said I wasn’t going to hit them.” They’re (allegedly) a news organization, they have a responsibility to be “fair and balanced.” And again, FNC uses “f and b” to mean they’ll allow ALL sides of the opinion to be heard… MSNBC can’t say the same thing.

As for the TV Guide part… well, this post is getting long, so I’ll break it into two, and begin with that below…

Scarborough has all but abandoned the GOP, and routinely is as harsh as Olby when it comes to his treatment of Bush and the Republicans. He started this in order to keep his job at a leftist network.

And if/when Tucker is shown the door, Joe will be the only “Conservative” left there.

“Well, Cory!! (why so enthusiastic after the first name, but not the last?)”

In the late 80’s, I wrote for comic books, where the printing was so bad, you had to add an exclamation point at the end of every sentance. I kept it as part of my name because I just got so used to adding them.

” most of those guys don’t consider or call themselves journalists.”

I disagree. Limbaugh ROUTINELY says he is the only source of news for his listeners, O’Reilly often touts his journalism (most recently over the Obama kerfluffle), Lou Dobbs is referred to as a “newsman” and “journalist”, Larry King did as well on his old radio show.

I think it is vital that cable news channels define what is news and what is not. It’s why fewer people trust news sources here in the US.

Kos wrote this about his blog: “This is a Democratic blog, a partisan blog…. It’s a Democratic blog with one goal in mind: electoral victory.”

Olbermann is a liberal pundit, which is fine (even if I don’t agree with anything he says). But there’s always been a rule that the press does not team up with political parties, and Olbermann has completely crossed that line.

So, now that I’ve explained things to you. I thought the “DUH” was really funny. Oh and I could care less if anyone rolls their eyes or a joint when reading my posts, eh.

Looks like Keith’s intern can’t keep up with the “trolls”.

I’m sorry, my glasses may be a little dirty… but where does it say “OPINION”… I see that it says “NEWSCAST”, but not “OPINION.” Oooh, maybe they mean “OPINION” when they say “WIT AND STYLE”… but a political opinion or bias isn’t really much of a style. Hmmm, interesting how they left the part out.

And Paco, I don’t understand how you can say: “And I don’t think MSNBC has a liberal bias. I think they tell the truth.“ and then contradict yourself by going on to say: “and ImNotBlue… Olbermann’s program IS an opinion program… they admit that. Just like Bill O’Reilly. Just Hannity & Colmes. Opinion. Get it.”

I get it… do you?

Finally, people are starting to realize that the Navy or Pentagon spokespeople are either deliberately trying to fool us or they are so stupid they believed this “heckler” was for real. If you still believe that threat was real then you are a fool.

If your gonna be that picky, it has to work for both sides.

The thing is that the public knows Olbermann’s show is an opinion program, just like they know BillO’s and H&C’s is.

Kind of like making a “left to power” turn on red.

Rush, Savage, and Hannity… I don’t believe have ever called themselves journalists. They are commentators… pundits… but certainly not journalists. Plus, only Hannity has a television program.

O’Reilly does opinion journalism, which means he gives his opinion, as well as does journalistic investigations. He frequently refers to his show as a “discussion program” and it is called as such by the FOX News channel.

Dobbs (although I don’t watch much of his program at all) is pretty similar to O’Reilly. Larry King is the only one on the list who is somewhat of a journalist. I don’t recall hearing many people complain about him giving his opinion. I wouldn’t call him a journalist, though… in my book, he’s just a host. He has a program that talks about current events topics, but isn’t really intended to be a hard news or serious debate program.

I agree all the networks could do a better job of drawing the line… but KO joining with an outside advocacy group, throws up red flags to me. But bottom line, there is no way his show should be, or can be, called a “news” program. It is opinion… and MSNBC needs to come to terms with that.

Imagine being able to banish anyone who disagrees with you. It would be like having a show on MSNBC.

Are you just as upset that Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, Bill O, Lou Dobbs, Larry King and Sean Hannity call themselves journalists?

I wish ALL Cable “news” channels would draw a line between their talk radio shows and news programs, but no one seems to be demanding it of the right, so why not allow the left to do it as well?