KO's tribute to the pope is

[Gogi]

on his blog.

[WhirlyGirl]

1. The text, as he performed it yesterday, is posted in full on TVNewser --

- - -
TVNewser
April 3, 2005
Back, by popular demand, this is Keith Olbermann's Saturday night introduction on MSNBC.

OLBERMANN'S INTRODUCTION:
"There Will Be Another Brilliant St. Peter's Sunrise"
By Keith Olbermann
April 2, 2005

As Sunday begins in the Eternal City... The last day of Easter Week...

The preparations for his passing have long since been solemnly and mournfully enacted. Transportation increased, and secular activities decreased... Cardinals, heading to Rome.

But he who lived through the Nazi work-camps... And recovered when run down by a truck 62 years ago... Who outlasted the Communists... Who survived an assassin's bullets... Shrugged off a tumor...

A man who did not succumb to Parkinson's disease... And who, when he could no longer get himself down to kiss the ground, simply had them bring the ground up to him. A survivor of ALL -- still survived, even at the end.

We were told he had but hours left. That was one whole day... And one brilliant St. Peter's sunrise ago. Serene and ready he may have been. But he did not -- in the words of the poet -- go gentle into that good night.

The fight is at an end, but its story will be told for centuries. And there will be ANOTHER brilliant St. Peter's sunrise.

This is MSNBC's continuing coverage... Of the death of Pope John Paul the Second.

- - -
~ http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the_pope/default.asp

[WhirlyGirl]

2. From Friday: "Olbermann's Poignant Opening" - also courtesy of TVNewser...

- - -
TVNewser, 4-1-05
OLBERMANN'S POIGNANT OPENING
"A declarative and touching MSNBC introduction by Keith Olbermann at 6p.m. set the network's tone defiantly and left me in tears," an e-mailer says.
Here is the transcript of the opening:

"Not just the leader of the world's Catholics... But its spirit"
By Keith Olbermann
April 1, 2005

Once, he was the ultimate outsider... The second choice... To whom the Chair of Saint Peter came only after the lingering death of a venerable Pope... And the sudden passing of another, only 33 days in the Vatican... Whose election was not just unlikely, but inconceivable.

The last time a non-Italian had become the Vicar of Christ... Michaelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel had been complete for only TWO decades. Yet for 26 and one half years, longer than all those who preceded him save Pius the 5th and Peter himself...

He became not just the leader of the world's Catholics... But its spirit, in a time of near-total transition.

Survivor of an assassin's bullet... Tireless traveler... God's athlete... Author and poet... Politician in papal garments, who helped liberate his native country... And who parlayed with countries foreign to him and even foreign to his church.

A life, fully led, as Pope of one billion, one hundred million Catholics... A life, taken in whole, as varied, and as fulfilling, and as full of wonder as could be imagined...

A life, after years of decline, and two months of constant sickness... That appears to finally be coming to an end.

This is MSNBC's continuing coverage of the illness of Karol Wojtyla... The illness of Pope John Paul the Second.

- - -
-- http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the_pope/pope_olbermanns_poignant_opening_20066.asp

[crispini]

3. You know, I think this pretty much confirms what we knew

all along: KO is a fella of much heart, sincerity, and large spirit. :loveya::loveya: His handling of this weighty affair has been superb.

[WhirlyGirl]

4. MSNBC cld become the next ESPN if they continue to feature Keith this way.

If people are requesting reprints of his words after an important event, seems to me that's pretty significant.

Rarely does it happen that writer and voice combine so perfectly in one person. This was almost mythic television. Did you see this?--
-- http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=315x2122

[WhirlyGirl]

5. Here's high praise from some common folk with uncommonly good taste --

From Countdown's e-mail page ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6241426/ )

- - -
You hit all the right notes in your coverage. Thank you.
—Bob Shepherd, Kenmore, Wash.

Just wanted to thank you, I am a catholic that works with a large group of non-catholics. I was trying to find something to put on my door as a silent way or paying tribute to the pope. Your blog entry about the Pope said everything better then I ever could have. Thank you.
—Eddie Tallant, Schererville Ind.

I must admit, I am not in the habit of responding to the articles I see on the Internet. However, on this occassion, I felt so moved. As a Roman Catholic, I must say I was moved by your kind words about the Holy Father. In these days of church problems and devastating scandals, it was very nice to see something so positive. From the bottom of my heart, I salute you Sir!!
—Howard W.Carter

What kind words. Reading those few paragraphs brought a smile to my face and peace to my heart. Thank you.
—Suzanne Lindall

Well said and beautiful.
—Sheila Stone

Brilliant! The best, most moving epitaph of the Pope I have read all day. Congratulations. We will all mourn a very great influence on the 20th century.
—Rose
- - -

And from Eau Claire, Wisconsin . . . praise for Keith's compassionate recognition of a colleague:

- - -
While reading your blog on Peter Jennings, I got a glimpse of what a true professional you are, even off air. . . . Thank you for your hard work and dedication . . .
—Kevin Pazdernik
- - -