The Morning Blog

I really have to say that I support MSNBC totally over it's decision to suspend Keith Olberman indefinitely. For those of you who haven't been following this, Olberman made cash contributions to democratic candidates running in the mid-term while not just doing his commentary show, "Countdown", but also while anchoring the elections. To further complicate matters, Olberman had recently attacked Fox News for making contributions to campaigns. And why had he attacked them? Because it's unethical. That's why.

Campaign contributions are a form of activism, said Bob Steele, the director of the Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University. “When a journalist becomes an activist, the principle of independence is not just eroding, it’s corroding from within,” he said.

If you're a journalist, you report the news. You don't get to help make it.

Speaking of journalism, another reporter has been savagely attacked in Russia. This happens with alarming frequency. In this case, the journalist was reporting on youth political movements and protests. For a good look at press freedoms not just in Russia but around the world, I would encourage you to visit Reporters Without Borders.

Kacee bait.

Well, the Republicans won the House with the support of the lunatic Tea Partiers. Good luck figuring out what to do with them now, guys.

Hey guys! Don't forget! You're welcome!

It's open enrollment season and here's a handy breakdown of what people can expect to look forward to in terms of health care costs following reform.

George W. Bush offers this glowing endorsement of Sarah Palin:

"Naming Palin makes Bush think less of McCain as a man," a Republican official close to Mr Bush told the New York Daily News.

"He thinks McCain ran a lousy campaign with an unqualified running mate and destroyed any chance of winning by picking Palin."

Here is another reason why America should consider a monarchy. Kings and Sultans and Emirs and High Muckety-Mucks really do make for wonderful headlines.

Finally...

The Supreme Court is currently weighing a first amendment case: Schwarzenegger vs. Entertainment Merchants Association. Essentially, they're deciding whether or not the state can apply prohibitions upon the sale of games deemed 'violent'. I generally don't agree with Antonin Scalia but...

"You are asking us to create a whole new prohibition which the American people never ratified when they ratified the First Amendment," Scalia said. "What's next after violence? Drinking? Smoking? Movies that show smoking can't be shown to children?"

Anyways, here's a good article and gallery of nine very violent video game moments along with commentary on their redeeming social, artistic and political value.