I'm usually a fan of Greenwald. When he writes about constitutional issues such as warrantless wiretapping and telecom immunity, he's among the best, carefully documenting his claims and writing clearly and passionately. Media criticism he's not as good at. He tends to be a bit overwrought and less eloquent and fact-based. While he raises valid points about hate-mongering, his conclusion about Politico, which has shortcomings, but produces some good pieces, seems over-the top. "I once thought that Politico would be a pernicious new addition to our rotted media culture. Instead, it actually provides a valuable service by packing every destructive and corrupt journalistic attribute, in its most vivid form, into one single cesspool." Ouch.

Greenwald makes an ironic point about the value of Politico.com, stating that it helpfully brings together every vivid example of toxic journalism that can be collected in a single cesspool. Politico reporter Mike Allen had appeared on air with radio host Mike Gallagher and referred to Bush administration critics as "left wing haters." When asked by Greenwald about the characterization, Allen suggested that he just meant skeptics or opponents. The Salon opinion columnist also noted Gallagher's suggestion that all administration critics should be imprisoned in detention camps as traitors. Allen responded weakly to Greenwald's "gotcha" but seemed oblivious to his odious participation in totalitarian thought. Glenn Greenwald is a ... More »

While perhaps Greenwald is making more out of Allen's comment than is warranted, I found this an interesting, thought-provoking read. Greenwald doesn't disclose his long-standing arguments with The Politico, but his point rings true regardless. I would hope that if Allen were to respond, Greenwald would link to it.

Vintage Greenwald. I often dislike his nasty over-the-top verbage even when I agree with his points.

No. This is a one-sided column and is not good reporting. Thought it includes comments from the target of the column, those are placed in a biased context. The idea that "independent" media can be reduced to merely expressing opinions is a disservice to independent reporters who strive for good journalism.

The story is a good primer on propaganda. Short of giving an effective counter the will work on right wing haters, it's informative.

Actually, this was an almost decent piece of writing, despite the lack of sources. It does prove essentially that in trying to cover up the right wing's propagandistic brand of journalism it reveals it even more transparently. The airwaves are seemingly engulfed by the likes of the see-no-evil-hear-no-evil (unless one is speaking of Democrats) Limbaugh, Allen, Elder, et al. The other day I almost got through 15 minutes of Elder , the former Libertarian who swore he was a no-party guy until the Republicans lobotomized him and made him their shill. He even went so far as to give a wrong definition of cognitive dissonance in order to color his opinion that the book penned by the former Press Secretary had to be a lie. (Had my ... More »