Understanding Crooks And Liars: A Progressive Voice In Digital News

Miss Verla Pfannerstill 03 Aug 2025

Finding reliable news sources in today's fast-paced world can feel a bit like searching for a needle in a very large haystack. There's so much information, and, you know, it's sometimes hard to tell what's real and what's not. This is where a place like crooks and liars comes into its own, offering a distinct view on political happenings and how the news covers them. It's a spot that has, for quite some time, provided a particular kind of journalism, focusing on progressive ideas and, well, keeping an eye on things.

This website, crooksandliars.com, has been around for a while, actually since 2004. John Amato, its founder, had a pretty clear idea back then: to be among the very first to put audio and video content online. That was a big deal at the time, really. It made a difference in how people could get their news and see things unfold. So, in a way, it helped shape how we consume political updates today.

You see, when you think about crooks and liars, it’s more than just a place to read articles. It’s a community, a resource, and, you know, a champion for independent voices. It aims to shed light on important political discussions and, quite simply, offer a different perspective than what you might find elsewhere. Its mission has always been about sharing political events and, crucially, how other news outlets talk about them, providing a progressive lens for its readers and viewers.

What is Crooks and Liars?
The Origins of a Digital Pioneer
Content That Informs and Engages
Its Impact and Role in the Media Landscape
Supporting Independent Journalism
Common Questions About Crooks and Liars

What is Crooks and Liars?

Crooks and liars is, at its heart, a progressive news blog. It really focuses on political events. And, you know, it also looks at how the news covers those events. It’s a place for people who want a particular kind of insight. It’s for those who appreciate a progressive viewpoint on current affairs. This website, crooksandliars.com, provides a stream of articles and videos. These pieces often challenge mainstream narratives. They also, quite often, highlight voices that might not get as much attention elsewhere. It's about offering a different angle, a way to see things through a specific political lens. So, it's not just reporting what happened; it's also looking at how it's being talked about, which is a pretty important distinction, really.

The Origins of a Digital Pioneer

The story of crooks and liars begins in 2004. That's when John Amato, a visionary, started the website. It was, quite honestly, a pretty big moment for online news. You see, crooksandliars.com was the first website to feature audio and video online. This was before YouTube became what it is today, you know. This meant people could actually see and hear political speeches and interviews. They could watch news clips right there on the site. This was a really fresh approach back then. It changed how folks could access political information. It made it more immediate, more direct. Amato’s idea was to give people a front-row seat. He wanted them to see the political world as it unfolded. This pioneering spirit is still a part of the site's identity. It continues to be a place where video and audio play a big part in telling stories. This early adoption of multimedia was, in some respects, truly ahead of its time.

Content That Learns and Engages

The kind of content you find on crooks and liars is pretty varied. It's designed to keep you in the know. It aims to get you thinking about political matters. You'll find a mix of written pieces and, you know, a lot of visual content. This approach helps to cover the news from many different angles. It makes sure there's something for everyone, whether you prefer to read or watch. The site, very often, puts a spotlight on issues that matter to its progressive audience. It does this by offering both deep analysis and immediate reactions to breaking news. So, it's quite a comprehensive offering, really.

Articles and Analysis

The latest articles from crooks and liars cover a wide range of political topics. These pieces offer sharp commentary. They give readers a progressive viewpoint on current events. For example, you might find discussions about new legislation. Or, you know, you might read about a politician's actions. The site also features contributions from notable voices. The New Republic's Greg Sargent and award-winning economist Paul Krugman, for instance, have broken down hype over various issues on the site. This shows the quality of analysis you can expect. These articles really dig into the details. They help readers understand the bigger picture. They provide context and, quite frankly, a clear perspective. The writing is meant to be accessible. It still offers a lot of depth. So, it’s not just surface-level news; it’s about getting to the core of things, you know.

Video and Audio Archives

One of the truly unique aspects of crooks and liars is its extensive video archives. Since its start in 2004, it was, as a matter of fact, the first website to feature audio and video online. This means the site has been collecting important political moments for years. You can find breaking political news videos. These come directly from the progressive blog crooksandliars.com. These archives are a valuable resource. They let you look back at past events. You can see how stories developed over time. Preserving these video records is a big part of what the site does. It protects independent journalism. It ensures that these visual records remain available. For instance, you might see a clip about a bill allowing a certain felon to do something. Or, you know, you might watch an old interview. These videos offer a direct look at history as it happened. It's a bit like a living library of political events, actually.

Popular Podcasts

Beyond articles and videos, crooks and liars is also home to some very popular podcasts. Everyone should, of course, listen to crooks and liars' own Bluegal & Driftglass. Their podcast, "The Professional Left Podcast," just celebrated their 900th episode. That's a huge milestone, really. It shows how long they've been at it. It also shows how dedicated their listeners are. There's also "The Momocrats," another show that adds to the site's audio offerings. These podcasts provide a different way to engage with the site's content. They offer discussions, insights, and, you know, a bit of humor. They let you listen on the go. The owner and publisher, John Amato, has even sat down with "The Professional Left Podcast" to talk about big topics. These included the infrastructure deal, liberal websites, and Facebook. So, the podcasts are a vital part of the crooks and liars experience, offering a more conversational way to get informed.

Its Impact and Role in the Media Landscape

Crooks and liars has, over the years, made a real mark on the media landscape. It has been a consistent voice for progressive views. It provides a platform for stories that might not get wide coverage elsewhere. A 2017 study by Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center, for example, found something interesting. It showed that crooks and liars was among the 50 websites whose content was most frequently shared on Twitter by supporters of Hillary. This suggests its reach and influence within a particular audience. The website has, in some respects, been described as hyperpartisan. This label, you know, points to its clear progressive leanings. But for its audience, this is precisely its strength. It offers a consistent perspective. It serves as a counterpoint to other news sources. It plays a role in shaping discussions among progressive circles. It’s a bit of a touchstone for many, actually, seeking news that aligns with their values.

The site's dedication to independent journalism is, arguably, one of its most important contributions. In a world where media outlets are often owned by large corporations, crooks and liars stands out. It's owned by John Amato. This means it can, more or less, set its own agenda. It doesn't have to answer to big advertisers or corporate boards. This freedom allows it to pursue stories. It can also, quite simply, offer opinions without outside pressure. This kind of independence is, in fact, pretty rare these days. It means the site can focus on what it believes is important. It can highlight issues that might be overlooked by others. So, it's a vital part of a diverse media ecosystem, really, providing a distinct voice that resonates with many people.

Supporting Independent Journalism

When you contribute to crooks and liars, you're not just supporting a website. You're doing something more. You're preserving their video archives. These archives are, you know, a historical record of political events. You're also protecting independent journalism. This is a crucial thing in today's world. It helps ensure that diverse voices can continue to share their stories. It means that there's a place where political events are discussed from a progressive angle. This kind of support helps the site continue its work. It allows them to keep providing breaking political news videos. It helps them publish the latest articles. And, you know, it lets them keep their popular podcasts going. It's about keeping a unique and valuable resource alive. So, contributing is a way to invest in a specific kind of news coverage. It’s about helping a mission that many find very important. Learn more about on our site, and if you want to see how we tackle specific topics, link to this page for a closer look at our content offerings.

Common Questions About Crooks and Liars

People often have questions about crooks and liars. Here are a few common ones, you know, to help you understand it better.

What is crooks and liars?

Crooks and liars is a progressive news blog. It focuses on political events. It also covers how other news outlets report on those events. It was, as a matter of fact, one of the first sites to feature audio and video online. It offers articles, videos, and podcasts. It provides a distinct progressive perspective on current affairs. So, it’s a specific kind of news source, really.

Who founded crooks and liars and when?

Crooks and liars was started and owned by John Amato. He launched the website in 2004. He had the idea to be a pioneer in online video and audio content. This made the site quite unique at its beginning. It has been under his ownership since then. So, it’s been around for quite a while, you know, with the same person at the helm.

What kind of content does crooks and liars provide?

The site offers a wide array of content. You'll find the latest articles from crooks and liars. These cover political news and analysis. There are also many videos, including breaking political news clips. And, you know, it’s home to popular podcasts. These include "The Professional Left Podcast" and "The Momocrats." So, there's quite a bit to explore, really, across different formats.

crooks-blue

Schnooks, Crooks, Liars & Scoundrels: A Field Guide to Identifying

Aunty Harper Graphics by mikey: Liars, Crooks & CONS

Ironclad News