When Pundits Attack
Eric Alterman on why political pundits (like Time's Joe Klein) seem to like to dish it out, but can't take it:
I've always wondered why political pundits thought they had an authority that the average man or women didn't. Anyway, I find Alterman's story interesting mainly because it's really funny that Klein would be so upset that someone would "dare" call him on some of his proclamations and statements. He should realize that the internet has given everyone the ability to be more critical, and to have the means to back up what they say. And he should also lighten up.
Have you noticed that every time Klein is asked to defend something he has written, he responds with a personal attack against the person making the charge? It's not just me; it's anyone. Look at the names he calls Media Matters and the bloggers generally. Note that Tom Friedman and Howard Kurtz, among others, react similarly. Pundits are used to making Olympian pronouncements and then having everyone praise their wisdom and courage, the way Walter Lippmann defined the job. Asking people whatever happened to the last 10 times you said Iraq has only six more months, or that Bush is sure to be a centrist, and they flip out and call you an ideologue or an "obsessive."
I've always wondered why political pundits thought they had an authority that the average man or women didn't. Anyway, I find Alterman's story interesting mainly because it's really funny that Klein would be so upset that someone would "dare" call him on some of his proclamations and statements. He should realize that the internet has given everyone the ability to be more critical, and to have the means to back up what they say. And he should also lighten up.
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