From the Huffington Post:
A STATEMENT TO THE VIEWERS OF COUNTDOWN
by Keith Olbermann
I want to sincerely thank you for the honor of your extraordinary and ground-rattling support. Your efforts have been integral to the remedying of these recent events, and the results should remind us of the power of individuals spontaneously acting together to correct injustices great or small. I would also like to acknowledge with respect the many commentators and reporters, including those with whom my politics do not overlap, for their support.
also wish to apologize to you viewers for having precipitated such anxiety and unnecessary drama. You should know that I mistakenly violated an inconsistently applied rule – which I previously knew nothing about – that pertains to the process by which such political contributions are approved by NBC. Certainly this mistake merited a form of public acknowledgment and/or internal warning, and an on-air discussion about the merits of limitations on such campaign contributions by all employees of news organizations. Instead, after my representative was assured that no suspension was contemplated, I was suspended without a hearing, and learned of that suspension through the media.
You should also know that I did not attempt to keep any of these political contributions secret; I knew they would be known to you and the rest of the public. I did not make them through a relative, friend, corporation, PAC, or any other intermediary, and I did not blame them on some kind of convenient 'mistake' by their recipients. When a website contacted NBC about one of the donations, I immediately volunteered that there were in fact three of them; and contrary to much of the subsequent reporting, I immediately volunteered to explain all this, on-air and off, in the fashion MSNBC desired.
I genuinely look forward to rejoining you on Countdown on Tuesday, to begin the repayment of your latest display of support and loyalty - support and loyalty that is truly mutual.
--K.O.
I have heard some media outlets are pondering whether or not this was just a publicity stunt by NBC, but I am not sure Olberman would go for such cheap theatrics especially considering the fact that they either would have had to leave Rachel Maddow out of the loop. or ask her to fake the sense of outrage that she expressed last week.
I just don't see Maddow agreeing to pull the wool over the eyes of her viewers, it does not seem like a Rachel thing to do. Nor do I think she would be happy to know that she was fooled right along with the rest of America.
Well the important thing is that Keith will be back on Countdown tonight, where he belongs.
I don't think Keith would go along with deceiving the public.
ReplyDeleteBesides, Phil Griffin has a history of being antagonistic with the progressive hosts. He also is known for wanting to be "more like Fox" in that seems to agree more with conservatives. Keith and Phil have had run-ins before.
My money is on Phil Griffin doing a power trip, trying to exert his "I am your boss" attitude. He's been doing that a lot lately - from ousting Shuster to chastising Ed Shultz.
That Griffin would discover info about the contributions "late at night," speaks more to someone trying to under-cut Keith. Glad everyone stood up against that.
Now, if only moderates and progressives would have come out in force on Nov. 2nd, we'd not be as screwed as we are. At least we have Keith back to help us cut through the crap the Republicans are dishing out.
This swift resolution does my heart good. I admire his honesty and willingness to take responsibility for his actions. How refreshing! (And what a contrast to how certain other people conduct themselves under pressure.)
ReplyDeleteThank you Keith, for demonstrating how a gentleman conducts himself in a difficult situation!
I think if they thought this would make a larger point--"we're not Fox News--they absolutely would create the drama. You must disabuse yourself of the idea that these people aren't interested in self-promotion. They are TV stars. Maybe stars you like or respect, but they have a vested interest in being talked about.
ReplyDeleteNow Keith returns to an even larger audience and MSNBC has displayed its superior ethics to the nation. Does anyone actually believe MSNBC was really going to keep Keith off the air "indefinitely"? I didn't think so.
I love Keith as much as I love President Obama, so that's saying a lot. I guess I took Keith for granted, and after almost losing him, I've learned what a blessing he is to us all.
ReplyDeleteGryphen, I can't believe you would even entertain the idea that Keith would do that anymore than Rachell would.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't think it was a stunt. I think it was the boss flexing his power and looking to put Keith in his place and show him who is really in charge.
ReplyDeleteI guess he found out.
Several people who have been on Keith Olberman's show have because of his adherence to particular routines, his huge sense of justice, his truth oriented style and his refusal to back down from what he thinks is right may very well be an Aspie, a person with Aspergers Syndrome. He certainly does have subjects he is obsessed with and certainly is blunt.
ReplyDeleteAnother aspect of Aspie-ism is we have all the characteristcs that make people with low self esteem want to bully us. Clearly this was an incident of workplace bullying as others have donated to candidates at MSNBC and the rule was unclear and selectively enforced. I believe Keith Olberman would resign rather than say something he felt was untrue.
I have already persuaded my friends who subscribe to Comcast to find another server.
ReplyDeleteIt was a waring to all NBC employees from Comcast.
ReplyDeleteExercise your constitutional freedoms at risk of you job.
There is no other logic that makes sense. NBC has ended up hurting itself, that was predictable. So what would they gain? Future intimidation.
This is a choreographed spin against the Juan Williams scandal. Step one- Olbermann does a 'naughty'. Step two- 'suspend' Olbermann for doing the 'naughty'; slap back of hand. Step three- reinstate Olbermann. Step Four- Olbermann resumes as usual; goes on "Countdown to Nothingness" and does a classic Marxist self-recrimination (perhaps with tears); business continues as usual on MiserableNBC.
ReplyDeleteThe 'lesson': "See Juan, all you had to do was crawl back to NPR (preferably on stomach but hands and knees will do) and ask for divine forgiveness and we would give you back your old (no...make that a lesser job) and you will be back in our wonderful divine graces....Wait? Oh, s**t.... you already have a better contract with........
Oberman is a disgrace to media he should be removed. foxnews never or ever have bad statements toward nbc they are classy bunch of indivivduals not like your group who constantly redicule other networks.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely miss Keith Olbermann. He is an honest man with integrity and insightfulness. Please return him to the MSNBC line-up with Chris Matthews, Ed Shultz, Lawrence O'Donnell and Rachel Maddow. I intensely dislike FOX "News" and would not continue to watch MSNBC if it became more of the same right and far right "news" with scare tactics and misinformation in abundance.
ReplyDelete