Keith Olbermann is opposed to biased graphics. In related news, Donald Trump condemns publicity seekers.

When it comes to Fox haters, it's hard to top Keith Olbermann. His latest attack on FNC reveals not only arrogance, but also rank hypocrisy. In an item lifted as usual from a blue blog, Mr Olbermann condemned a Fox on-screen banner:

But our winner, Sean Hannity over at Fox Noise, well, the production team behind his solo show, which night before last used this graphic: "Democrats are legislating defeat in Iraq."  Not even a question mark, just stated as fact with his channel's brand name next to it, a brand name that for some inexplicable reason contains the word news.  Just how irresponsible is that?  Well, what if another network ran a graphic reading say, "Fox News enabling American deaths in Iraq." How does that work for you?

As is usual with Olbermann's slanders, he's leaving something out. The graphic in question was part of a Sean Hannity commentary. An editorial, not a newscast. Is Keith saying it's wrong for a production team to illustrate a commentary on screen? That would be a curious position for anyone involved in Countdown to take, given that every night they put up graphics that name someone as "worst person in the world". Not even with a question mark, but stated as fact. Just ask Rick Santorum:



But if you think we're going to criticize MSNBC or its crack staff of chryon operators for this, you're wrong. This bit is clearly commentary and opinion (just like Hannity's "State of America" segment) and we have no problem with such views being illustrated on screen. Even with the channel's brand name next to it. So we're not going to ask "just how irresponsible is that?" Not yet.

However, it might be interesting to look at the graphics Mr Olbermann uses in other parts of his show, a program described as a "newscast" hosted by an anchor who claims he is "not politically biased". Say, for example, an image of a gunshot that just happens to hit the head of Rush Limbaugh?



Nah, that's not irresponsible. Let's try another. A banner reads "Bush Family Values", and to make the point crystal-clear, Olbermann's production team superimposes the logo from a famous television show:



Keep in mind these are graphics not from any commentary segments, but from the "newscast" itself. As is this one:



Nah, nothing partisan here. But we don't have to look any further than yesterday for this classic example. Here is how the MSNBC production team headlined John McCain's comments on Iraq:



"Prevarication."

Those horrible Fox graphics. They are so unfair and partisan. Oh and by the way, John McCain is a liar. Not even a question mark, just stated as fact, with MSNBC's brand name next to it.

Just how irresponsible is that?