Perhaps Viacom has been hoarding these freelancers' paychecks so they can manipulate their quarterly reports with the illusion of more cash assets on hand or less debt owed (our last round of back pay seemed to be mailed exactly one day after the third quarter ended.)]]> Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:10:15 -0800 http://virb.com/spokefilms/posts/text/993888 http://virb.com/spokefilms/posts/text/946729 The video below is an overview of the past year I spent reporting for MTV News' Choose or Lose campaign.]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:50:12 -0800 http://virb.com/spokefilms/posts/text/946729 http://virb.com/spokefilms/posts/text/884263 Jon Burge, the ringleader of the Chicago Police Department's history of Abu-Ghraib sytle torture from the 1970's to the 1990's, has been arrested and charged with perjury and obstruction of justice.]]> Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:14:39 -0700 http://virb.com/spokefilms/posts/text/884263 http://virb.com/spokefilms/posts/text/833753 (The following video was produced for MTV News where I contribute as an independent journalist.]]> Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:03:29 -0700 http://virb.com/spokefilms/posts/text/833753 http://virb.com/spokefilms/posts/text/828776
On a depressing news day, this is the best thing I've heard. People like Sam Zell have ruined America, weakened the role of a free press, and destroyed journalism all in the name of adding to their already embarrassing riches. I pray this goes to trial and Zell goes down hard. Every L.A. Times employee should sign on (can all Tribune employees get on board, or just those at the L.A. Times?)
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't realize until reading the Boston Globe article linked below that Maddow was "Dr. Maddow" and a Rhodes Scholar to boot. We desperately more credentials like that in broadcast media, as opposed to former politicians and party hacks (see Pat Buchanan Paul Begala, etc.)

Olbermann, for all of his faults, has proven that a leftward point of view can succeed in the commercial marketplace. I'm hoping that Maddow can prove that reasoned, intelligent analysis and debate from the left can also compete. Frankly, it's an open question. I just pray that she doesn't succumb to "Oddball" type fluff and self-serving, over the top "Special Comments" to generate ratings. If what she has to offer (intelligence and thoughtfulness) doesn't generate the numbers that MSNBC needs, maybe she can shift to PBS or, better yet, help generate a new home altogether for intelligent analysis from ALL points of view.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Progressives defending Olbermann should consider that he is doing as much to harm what they advocate as he is helping. His pompous, smug, and hair-trigger manner ensures that those who don't agree with him have no reason to take him seriously. I appreciate that Countdown occasionally covers stories not found elsewhere in the MSM, but Olbermann gets in the way of them with his ego. His co-opting of Edward R. Murrow's "Good night, and good luck" is blasphemous. You're no Morrow, Olbermann. Shoot for Moyers or maybe Amy Goodman as a model. MSNBC should keep him in the analyst chair, rather than the anchor chair until he matures as a journalist.
More on MSNBC
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

In Nashville, a small but dedicated group of anti-war activists took to the streets in downtown's honky tonk district (and there was plenty of honking going on not related to the traditional country music nightclubs). Along with other protests organized around the country, this demonstration served as a warning that a military conflict with Iran could be on the horizon.

In the second part of this story, two Iraq veterans from Tennessee discuss their frustration with the lack of coverage the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are getting. They are both members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, but show strong support for their colleagues still fighting overseas (as well as the innocent civilians caught in the struggle).

-Dustin Ogdin

I recently spoke with two young veterans from the Iraq war. In this piece, they discuss their disillusionment with the war and their reasons for becoming involved with Iraq Veterans Against the War. This is the first of a two part series.

-Dustin Ogdin

Over the past few election cycles, numerous allegations have surfaced regarding hacked, stolen, or otherwise unreliable voting systems. Electronic voting machines with no paper trail have been a big part of the problem. I caught up with a father/daughter activist team in Nashville who are working to ensure that Tennessee elections are safe, fair, and reliable. They are members of a group, Gathering To Save Our Democracy, who have finally gotten the attention of Tennessee legislators