Keith Olbermann:Check, Please

[cal04]

Daily Kos
Keith Olbermann
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/6/17/876760/-Check,-Please

I was checking in tonight to see what was new, came across a diary trashing first me and my colleague Rachel, and scrolled through it shaking my head, sadly, until I got to one comment that leaped off the page.

can't verify, of course... (2+ / 0-)
but a friend in the news biz tells me he got a damaging e-mail from one of his pals at NBC. something to the effect that their anger was pre-planned because "beating up on the President has been good for ratings."

I haven't checked but I'm hearing that Olbermann slammed the speech on Twitter before it even started.

"Can't verify"... "haven't checked"...It can't be verified because it's nonsense, and it wasn't checked because nobody bothered. Unfortunately there's been a lot of this here lately.

And what's more, I didn't "slam" the speech on Twitter before it even started. I got off the phone with my White House source at about 7:35, and then summarized his description of the speech thusly::

I gather this may not be the big picture broad canvas "never again" speech redefining our nation's energy addiction that many are expecting

Wow. What a slam!

For years, from the Katrina days onward, whenever I stuck my neck out, I usually visited here as the cliched guy in the desert stopping by the oasis. I never got universal support, and never expected it, nor wanted it (who wants an automatic "Yes" machine?). But I used to read a lot about how people here would 'always have my back' and trust me this was of palpable value as I fought opponents external and internal who try to knock me and Rachel off the air, all the time, in ways you can imagine and others you can't.

Now I get to read how we pre-planned our anger because 'beating up on the President has been good for ratings'.

If I can understand people's frustration with seeing a speech by a Democratic president criticized in a venue such as mine, why is it impossible for some people here to accept my frustration about the speech? You don't agree with me, fine. You don't want to watch because you don't agree with me, fine. But to accuse me, after five years of risking what I have to present the truth as I see it, of staging something for effect, is deeply offensive to me and is an indication of what has happened here.

You want Cheerleaders? Hire the Buffalo Jills. You want diaries with conspiracy theories, go nuts. If you want this site the way it was even a year ago, let me know and I'll be back.

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[HipChick]

2. This..

from the comments section....


No, I thought of you and Rachal as being 'different' from the rest of those chattering talking heads.

Now, very sadly, you are sounding just like the rest of them.

It's offensive to me that the media elite acted as if this President should be giving the speech the way THEY wanted to hear it, like the rest of American citizens don't REALLY matter.

All that matters is that the President of the US give a speech the "MEDIA" approves of, else wise, the media will nit pick to death, over and above everything else each and every word he says.

[Donnachaidh]

4. uhh no.

FAIL.

[zeemike]

11. It would not have mattered what speech he gave.

this whole media game is to create outrage because with it there ratings go up and they get more money from the advertisers who also like it that way....Divide and conquer does not have to be logical...what ever works.

[JDPriestly]

51. Sorry, Obama worshipers, but that speech was a dud.

The President used a lot of words to say virtually nothing.

On the other hand, the President should be congratulated for doing a lot, for acting quickly and reacting strongly on the spill. The speech was not very good. Above all, it was much to short on the solutions side. What should have been a loud rallying call to action on the energy/environment front was a muted whimper.

Olbermann and Maddow are right about the speech.

But they need to give Obama credit for the number of times he has gone to the Gulf, for canceling foreign travel to focus on the situation in the Gulf, and for getting the trust fund set up -- also for what appears to be quiet, behind-the-scenes work by the Justice Department which just may (don't know for sure) be the incentive behind BP to cooperate with the clean-up effort, agree to pay for everything and set up the trust fund.

[fascisthunter]

26. FAIL miserably

[lark]

54. How about a speech that says something real

A speech about firing all MMS ee and making each apply for the new jobs - scientists getting top preference, anyone who has worked for oil companies before or for their lobbyists need not apply. Anyone who approved waivers in 10 min. - no job, etc.

How about a speech where all deep water drilling is stopped until each rig installs an acoustic BOP and it and the regular BOP has been tested and working according to specs AND each rig must have sufficient boom, skimmers and people in place on retainer, AND a relief well is dug in case the worst happens. How about shallow water rigs have 60 days to do all the above or they are shut down?

How about ending all tax incentives to oil companies - ALL of them - and using that money to fund intesive alternate enegery research and development. How about major tax credits for start up companies in these fields plus major tax credits for consumers for installing these products?

Once again, real needed change is short changed. Seems to be a recurring theme.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

5. So he's leaving Kos because of what one random poster said?

Really?

[HipChick]

7. seems a bit thin skinned to me

[SemiCharmedQuark]

10. Yeah...people are assholes on the internet.

If Skinner freaked every time someone accused him of being a closet RWer, or a sellout or whatever, DU would have folded up January 22, 2001.

[saracat]

31. His journalistic integrity has been questioned and slandered. He has the right to be angry and if he

learns the identity of the perpetrator of the lie, he is more than capable, he will prove this was a lie, in fact he has already done so. He should sue. I hope that poster gets their ass kicked.Seriously. To attempt to smear a credible journalist, and possibly adversely effect his career, because you feel a politician hasn't been given the kid glove treatment(and none should), is absolutely revolting and deserves to be categorized as the worst of the Bushbots!

[KonaKane]

32. I like Keith, but he is not a journalist. He is a commentator.

There is a difference, no matter how badly our press has devolved.

[saracat]

35. He is both, which is not uncommon today. Maddow is the same.

He is a reporter.He both reports and investigates stories. He is in fact a journalist as well as commentator. The two are not mutually exclusive any longer.His integrity was questioned, and the perpetrator lied and can be proved to have lied. I hope he sues. A reporters word is his entire reputation.

[Duppers]

40. One? he may have quoted only one, but

there was a group of trash-talkers both at Koz & here. You know that.

[jonnyblitz]

6. Olbermann shouldn't let a bunch of internet personality cult

whackjobs get to him like that. He should look at them as entertainment and laugh at their IDIOT fucking asses like I do.

Jeremy Scahill said the most batshit insane/unhinged hatemail he has gotten has been from Obama supporters and I can believe it.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Well Played, Sir...

In hindsight and in lieu of BP's caving yesterday, when its all said and done this hub bub about the Oval Office speech is turning into a tempest in a tea pot. No, it wasn't his best prose and fire and brimstone...this wasn't a campaign speech, it was one from the Oval Office meant to try to calm down a lot of emotions. It failed cause there are those whose anger and frustration really can't be placatated without some real blood to go with the oil in the water. As others, I was disapointed as the speech was too broad and could have said more (see Rachel Maddow), but in the end, the results are what matter not words.

:patriot:

[LaurenG]

16. +1 nt

[deminks]

9. Looking for an excuse, KO?

I can't believe you would let one random unsubstantiated comment get to you. Unless of course it pushed a particular button. Seriously, you don't get worse than this on Twitter?

Is this more of the MEdia vs pajamas-in-the-basement-eating-Cheetos nonsense?

Enjoy your tweets.

Oh, and don't forget to leave a tip.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. Until M$M changes....

and it's not just another multinational corporation with profit being the be all, end all, there are many of us who will always be skeptical of those employed by them.

We need news-related shows to be separate from the profit-making entertainment divisions.

I really like KO, I love Maddow, I like Big Ed. I don't have a beef with how any of them have handled anything.

Yet in the back of my mind, I'm always skeptical that the corporate "masters" are in control and influence their shows more than we (and, no doubt they) prefer.

[WeDidIt]

13. So that post struck a nerve, eh?

Must be a kernel of truth to it.

[Lost4words]

45. Go to your room!

[Silent3]

66. Ridiculous logic.

Sometimes something strikes a nerve because it's fucking annoying and insulting and completely wrong all at the same time. If you have evidence to argue that Olbermann is in the wrong here, present it. But this reading-the-tea-leaves game of judging something true because someone had a negative reaction to it is asinine.

And don't forget, if this post annoys you, it must have "a kernel of truth to it" too! :eyes:

[LaurenG]

14. I don't blame him. Why should he bother being part of a group that attacks him

for having an opinion some don't agree with. I'm sure he's got better things to do with his time.
As he said no one checked the facts and just threw him to the wolves. I am finding it very interesting that so many people who are democrats are just as bad if not worse than those on the other side.

Indeed Keith and it's not just KOS.

[boston bean]

15. Olbermann, you're such a HATER!

:rofl:

[muffin1]

47. And Rachel!!1!! And Jon Stewart!!111!!

And you!1!! And me!!!!!!11!

[WeDidIt]

17. I just read the diary he was originally pissed about

Keith Olbermann is one THIN SKINNED ASSHOLE!

Don't believe me?

Here's the diary he says first trashes him and then his colleague Rachel:

Dear Rachel Maddow Hotlist
by blackwaterdog

Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 08:50:57 AM PDT

A few words, if i may.

First, please know that yours is really the only political show that i still watch. In a sea of shallowness, mediocrity, ambulance chasing, ignorant and dishonest media, you're a true oasis. You make me think, you keep a proud and stubborn Obama supporter - honest. When you criticize him, which happens a lot, it always gives me a pause. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't – but you always get me to think. Because I know that behind everything you say – even if your agenda is wide open – there's a real work of journalism. Facts, perspective, historical context and admirable integrity.

And you never go with the herd.

When the memo was that president Obama hasn't done anything in his first year, you came back with this winning segment. The day it was announced that he won the Nobel Peace Prize and pundits fought over who will mock him more – you came with this brilliant piece of historical context and reality based commentary. In my eyes, you're a legend in the making, Cronkite caliber potential. When everyone around you turns into nothing more than ratings-chasing-comedians – just look how Keith Olberman transformed from Edward Murrow wannabe to a clown – you actually makes Murrow proud.

That is why I was really disappointed with your reaction to president Obama's address last night. Because you know better. You know history. You know what he's up against – and I'm not even talking about him spending most of his first 18 months only trying to change the Titanic' course – I'm talking about changing decades worth of conservative, corporate corruption, free-market-slavery, government-hating country. You know what he's up against in Congress. You know how powerful the oil industry is. You know what FDR and LBJ had to do in order to pass the greatest legislation – while having a much much easier time with their Congress (and not having to deal with the 24/7 news cycle). You know why it's been 100 years worth of battle, and still there is no universal health care in America. You know all that.

And, you know exactly to whom last night address was directed. It wasn't for you. You don't need to hear any of it. You know that oil addiction is a disaster and that switching to clean energy is crucial. This was for the tens of millions who hardly know anything other than drill baby drill, who were brainwashed for decades that government is the reason for all that is bad. People who became incredibly confused over the past month, when instead of getting the important information from the media, got the stupidest "issue" ever: why isn't the president showing anger???!!!

President Obama spoke for 18 minutes last night. He came to put the chaos in some order, to tell people what happened, what is being done and what should be done in the near future. To explain them – in simple words, as we all know that usually he's too much of a professor, blah, blah, blah.... – why energy reform is so crucial. To show empathy for the people in the Gulf, to reassure them they'll be compensated and generally just to calm everyone down – while not forgetting to point the finger at those who stole the Oval Office for 8 years and caused this whole mess.

Was it a memorable speech? No. was it effective? Well, if you had listen to callers on C-Span last night – people who usually have no better hobby than shredding this president to pieces – you'd say yes, it was. They actually got what he said, many of them said that he was calm and gave them confidence, that they understand now that something must be done. These are the people who needs to be convinced, who needs to call Congress. This is the dirty and ugly face of reality. Jimmy Carter gave a memorable Oval Office address, which was followed by, more or less, nothing palpable over the next 30 years. President Obama gave a very simple address, definitely by his standards, but he may actually get something historically done. That's the true meaning of progress. And you know that too.

Dear Rachel, i don't expect anything anymore from virtually no one in the media. It all became one big circus; But you, you are my shelter. Please don't join the village.

With endless respect.

What

A

Thin-skinned

ASSHOLE!

He wasn't even mentioned in the diary.

[benny05]

18. I think Keith's point is being overlooked

He made it clear he's no politician's mouthpiece--including Obama's. He also said that he still thinks highly of Obama, but this speech was one of not one of his best.

I think his mentioning blackwaterdog's diary was more about Rachel in general. Remember, he and Rachel were accused of deciding to slam the speech ahead of time, and Keith's point is that they did not.

Rachel's response as "Fake President" last night was spot on.

[WeDidIt]

21. Keith's point was he saw a single comment he didn't like

and wrote a GBCW.

He's completely opened himself up to absolute ridicule for that.

[chill_wind]

30. Doubt that.

Doubt very much it was a "single comment", but just a final straw in what he sees as a decline in rational judgment. His last sentence speaks to an ongoing period of it ("what the site was even a year ago"), which seems to finally left a very bad taste in his mouth.

[Bluenorthwest]

33. Yeah, when the hate filled right wing tried to tear down what he

was building by mailing him white powders in an envelope, he just buckled at once. So thin skinned. Geez. Some people.

[Atticus]

39. First of all, blackwaterdog has now left Daily Kos and started his own blog where

he can worship President Obama and deride anyone who dares criticize him without any limitations at all.

And, while this diary you quote may, indeed, have upset KO, where has he said it trashes him?

The language quoted in the OP, which specifically names KO, was plenty to justify his being pissed off. Where are your links to this information; where is the quote where he complained that THIS article, clearly about Rachel, trashed him?

KO was the only small candle of open resistance to the Bush stormtroopers when everyone out here felt totally alone. He did put his job and rep on the line repeatedly.

If anyone is entitled to some slack, it is KO, but he doesn't need it over this.

DU rules prohibit what I would like to say about YOU calling HIM an "asshole".

[treestar]

19. OMG who cares?

this guy thinks he matters? He's an entertainer! Let him go back to making fun of other entertainers, like Glenn Beck.

[boston bean]

20. Olbermann=Beck??? Did you watch Keith when he was the only person on cable tv

that took Bush and Cheney to task, Monday through Friday? It wasn't all entertainment. He spoke the truth of Bush and Cheney!

Is Olbermann right about everything, NO! Does he think a bit too much of himself sometimes, YES!

If you didn't know or watch him in the past, you don't have any right to make the judgment you are making.

DU might be the wrong place for you, if you believe Olbermann is like Glenn Beck.

[treestar]

22. I've watched him and he makes fun of Limbaugh and Beck

"comedian Rush Limbaugh" well one can recognize another.

Sure he made fun of Bush but any comedian could do that. Heck I could and I'm not a professional comedian.

He's an entertainer. Tweety and Rush stir the shit up and he follows; he's not even an original in the entertainment business.

Yes Olberman and Beck are two sides of the same coin. Beck admits he is not really a conservative, just an entertainer.

[Berry Cool]

23. Olbermann and Beck are NOTHING the same. And you know it.

Olbermann deals in truth; Beck deals in lies.

Enough with this false equivalency bullshit.

[benny05]

24. Amen

Sorry, but I agree with KO that he is not any politician's spokesperson.

[muffin1]

48. Will you be happy when MSNBC becomes Fox?

When bush was in office we bashed the repukes on Fox because they NEVER had a negative thing to say about him. No matter what.

Is that what you - and others around here - want?

[saracat]

34. Some people make me sick. Olberman is a "journalist" when he says what some want.When he deviates

from their personal selfish little perspective he becomes an "entertainer" and is classified with the illiterate Beck. Olberman went out on a limb for Obama and all praised him then. No matter what one thinks of his opinion, and I certainly do not always agree with it, it is disgusting to question his integrity or commitment. I sincerely hope those who do so receive a dose of exactly the same treatment they mete out.

[TheKentuckian]

25. I stand behind Keith. Fuck the zombie sheep's wagon circling bleating

Fuck message control for trying to browbeat and ostracize the universe into unquestioning adulation of a corporate politician.

[theFrankFactor]

59. Well Said!

[frustrated_lefty]

27. 2004 elections, he set his job on the line.

Screw the newbs, Keith, I got yer back

[calimary]

42. Me too!

And many times he's still the only one willing to say the emperor has no clothes. Well, him and Rachel and Ed, that is.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluenorthwest]

36. The right wing nutters mailed him white powerder

And he continued to speak out against Bush. Thin skinned you call that? All those years, there was one TV voice. And always the crude language from the usual suspects. Obama support is always of the lowest form of language. Lots of 'shit' and references to genitals. Goes well with the President's religious calls to prayer.

[chill_wind]

29. Kos intelligentsia

can try to pretend it hasn't lost something very valuable, significant and enviable, but it has.

Good for KO, though. Life is short.

[placton]

37. Kos and DU

home of many blinded by Obama-vision. Let's face it boys and girls: the Prez sold us out. Keith was one of his hugest cheerleaders for a loooong time - 'member how he trashed Hillary for Obama? Sometimes, the scales fall from people's eyes.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ecstatic]

52. KO doesn't vote anyway so who cares what he thinks

In the biggest election in years, he didn't even vote! So his so called cheerleading was meaningless.

[PSzymeczek]

61. And you know this how?

You have first-hand knowledge that he did not vote in 2008?

[MagickMuffin]

63. Keith has admitted that he is not a registered voter

So perhaps that how they knew this. The first-hand knowledge came out of KO's mouth.

[PufPuf23]

41. I support KO and do not expect KO to be perfect.

Neither do I expect POTUS Obama to be perfect.

I have liked KO since he was a mere sports writer. His show has become too formalized and there is only so much outrage one can express in the media.

The Democratic party is fortunate to have the man in media.

[lupinella]

43. K&R

Thank you and Dr. Maddow for giving the intelligence and passion that these stories deserve. I your work and am pleased to see professional journalism being done on one American news channel. Congrats on the Murrow award. Cheers to doing a great job no matter what the popular choice would be.
And, thank you again for helping me get out of the malaise towards politics that engulfed me for so long after W.'s coup. Thank you for getting justifiably angry at the rampant stupidity that is our political system so often.:applause:

[stuart68]

44. me thinks he doth protest too much...

I think he is a cry baby, or worse, someone expert at manipulating emotion.

What better way to rally support than conflate some disagreement into the crucifixion.

[dotymed]

46. I will always have the back

of anyone who speaks truth to power. As for Keith and Rachel, I appreciate them immensely. I wish they were harder on this administration. Not to just "diss" them, but to get them to be aware of how great the need is for average Americans.
Sadly, our Democratic party has taken a hard "right" for decades. We must return to the platforms of FDR and even many Republican presidents, pre-Reagan. People before profits. If it takes a viable third party to restore those goals, let's do it, please.

[DirkGently]

49. Damned if he does ...

Right. How dare he react like a person instead of a PR robot, and actually take offense to a dishonest attack?

Olbermann's only sin here is crediting the Internet moron-scenti with resembling human beings who can be reasoned with. Sorry to see this thread is replete with the precise type of partisan bleating and casual slander he's complaining about.

While I think Keith's blown out his tone and occasionally become too shrill (Maddow's pinpoint control of tone seems the perfect complement to this) he has tried to clarify and elevate the discussion on critical issues when others declined. I have rarely, if ever, sensed that his reaction to something is manufactured for ratings. Even Keith's much and sometimes justifiably mocked ranting has spoken, more than not, with a genuine, rather than manipulative vehemence that deserves recognition and appreciation. He said things during the Bush administration that no one else would say.

And he's for Christ's nothing remotely like the deranged, bloodthirsty carnival barker-cum-crazed mob instigator Glenn Beck.

As for Keith's occasional thin skin and the hints of a well-developed ego that sometimes make their way to the surface, I'd rather see our heroes be human, and occaionally trip over their own emotions, than yawn at another of these tightly sealed, souless message machines that typifies public comment recently, even when I might agree with the pre-packaged message more than Keith's off-the-cuff response.

Good night, Keith, and good luck.

[ecstatic]

50. So... he can dish it, but he can't take it

Unfounded rumors and accusations--if he can do that to others, he shouldn't be so upset when it's done to him.

[DirkGently]

55. Bad logic, but I'll bite

what "unfounded rumors and accusations" has Olbermann indulged?

[Jakes Progress]

56. Stop being rational. It offends the choir.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

53. C'mon guy, lay off KO.

He's just being fair and balanced.

[clarence swinney]

57. Lawrence O'donnell

BP CEO Hayward 77 "I don't remember" disgraceful and worst in hisory of Senate.

77 is not more than 130
77 is not more than 128

In Iran Contra Senate Hearings:
Reagan: "I don't remember" 130 times
Admiral John Poindeter 128 times.

Reagan had excuse in Alzi
Poindexter photographic memory short circuited

olduglymeanhobnest

[awoke_in_2003]

58. damn, too late to rec...

giving a kick, though

[Hekate]

60. DU has been known to turn on their "heroes" like a pack of dogs. I like Keith & adore Rachel, but...

... I am not going to speak for DU "having their backs" because of what I have seen over the past 8 years.

Whatever happened to Aaron Brown?

Hekate

[Bluebear]

65. I miss Aaron!

[Major Hogwash]

62. But, Keith Olbermann does not post at Democratic Underground!!

But, I wish he did.
He's pretty cool, but, more than that, he's fair - which is more than I can say about over half of the asshats that have programs on the radio or on tv!!

And even though I know that Rachel Maddow is gay, or more properly, she's a lesbian, I think that she is cuter than shit.
And smart as a whip.
Therefore, I have a HUGH crush on Rachel, after all, I am no MORAN!

And while it is true that while I am a red-blooded, American male (straight, shaken not stirred), I know it may not be proper for some to learn that I have fantasies about Rachel, I do anyway.
In my dreams.
Just like I did when I first saw Marilyn Monroe. And that's pretty good company.
In my head.
It's a small room, standing room only.
Rickles does 2 shows a week in the main ballroom plus a matinee on Saturdays.

Bada-bing!

And another worthless observation I have made over the years is that when other people tell you on the internet "I've got your back" what they really mean to say is that they "are holding your shoulder to keep you still long enough to draw a bull's eye target on your back."

I'm jus saying . .

[austin78704]

64. Sounds like he's talking about DU

We have plenty around here who'll stab backs.