Very rare that you hear such an honestly angry voice within the mainstream media. Olbermann is not happy with the direction that his country has gone in while under the Bush Administration (hear, hear) and he is not afraid to voice it. Just listen to this small segment from one of his latest Independence Day eve rant.
Olbermann is asking Bush and Cheney to resign. You can watch the full rant here. He kinda reminds of this fellow, from the 1976 film "Network."
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 15)
16. Post 10, by Wanda Kidd, states that Olermann is "treading on treasonist grounds" in his criticism of the President.
Wanda, have you ever heard of the first amendment? Criticizing the President is not treasonous, it is a right our founding fathers were willing to die for. Wanda is only an example of the Republicans who ignore the Constitution when it suits them. Violating the 4th amendment with their illegal wiretappings? Violating the 8th amendment with their torture? In fact, the only amendment in the Bill of Rights that the necons seem to recognize is the 2nd (right to bear arms). But no, its ok, they do this in order to secure our freedom from terrorists.
As Benjamin Franklin once said, Someone willing to sacrifice liberty in order to secure freedom deserves neither.
I am also tired of the necons tying patriotism with support of the government. I'd like to share a quote by a deputy to Adolph Hitler. The deputy is talking about how to get an entire country to support going to war. How did the Nazi deputy suggest going about this?
"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
Now I am not saying the Republicans are the same as Nazis, but this administration's use of tactics used by Nazi Germany is something that just gets my blood boiling.
Jon at 12:24AM on Jul 5th 2007
17. The Scooter Libby story has become for the ultra left the last straw for all the real and imagined crimes of the Bush/Cheney administration. The poor guy never had a chance.
Steve Bonomo at 12:34AM on Jul 5th 2007
18. Note to Steve (15) above who says:
"The Scooter Libby story has become for the ultra left the last straw for all the real and imagined crimes of the Bush/Cheney administration. The poor guy never had a chance."
The ultra left? So you think only the ultra left are angry about how Bush and this administration are destroying this country from within?
You really "mis-underestimate" the climate out there. Or perhaps a 72% disapproval rating doesn't impress you. Only you and your delusional president and a few hard core supporters (20% of Americans) have to be convinced that the voting public has indeed had enough.
As I posted elsewhere, the drumbeat is just beginning, resign! resign! resign! And it's just gonna get louder. Stay tuned.
Liz at 8:55AM on Jul 5th 2007
19. As usual, Keith is right. This is the last straw. King George IV and his puppet master must go!
tbyg at 9:52AM on Jul 5th 2007
20. Wanda: "treason" is outing a CIA agent for political gain. That is what Libby covered up. That is why Libby's crime is so important. And when Bush interfers in justice to help his friend, it looks like quid-pro-quo. Think Wanda. Stop nodding your head in lemming like fashion in response to what ever Fox News feeds you. Treason is outing a CIA agent.
Emmy at 9:28AM on Jul 5th 2007
21. "Honestly angry" is an appropriate response to the Libby commutation. We are also honestly angry, and Mr. Olbermann is reflecting that public opinion.
Where are the voices of our elected officials consistent with their "outrage" over former President Clinton's actions in which they voted for his impeachment. Guess it wasn't "honestly angry". But then, we knew that all along.
florajane at 10:18AM on Jul 5th 2007
22. Steve Bonomo:
1. "Ultra Left": WTF??? There is no such thing anymore; it went with the SLA in the early 70s. You wouldn't know a Communist if he his you on the head. The people you call "Ultra Left" are considered centrist by the vast majority of the world; your view is so extremely skewed to the right you can't see straight anymore.
2. "Poor Guy"?????????? Libby was Cheney's second in command; sort of like Beelzebub to Satan... I'd pity Eric Rudolph before I'll pity Libby.
3. Libby was convicted of Perjury and Obstruction of justice on what has been correctly described as overwhelming evidence. You keep imagining that the jury was a bunch of pinkos; far from it, the jury was selected by BOTH sides (or have you forgotten how the system works?). His appeal was rejected by 3 of the most conservative judges in the land, who felt that the rule of law should trump the sensibilities of a few Rupublican operatives.
4. Real and "imagined"? My imagination is taxed enough trying to come up with a crime they HAVEN'T committed. They've ripped apart the Constitution (btw, it would be hard to find a more LIBERAL document), but you continue to lick their jackboots.
Denis Robert at 8:50PM on Jul 6th 2007
23. In response to post #13, the Nazi deputy who said that was Herman Goering, Hitler's second in command and commander of the Lutwaffe (German Air Force).
As far as Wanda Kidd's remarks about Olbermann being treasonous, nothing could be further from the truth. I consider Keith Olbermann to be a true patriot of this country. Patriotism does not mean marching "lock step" with the party line and giving blind and unquestioning allegiance to our leaders. Quite the contrary, true patriotism requires from each of us that we love this country enough to question it when we see that things are not right to make this a better country for us and our descendents. True patriotism requires from each of us that we question our government and elected officials from time to time and remind them that yes, “We the People”, the citizens of this country, the employers or our elected officials and the people who actually pay their salaries are doing our jobs as employers and are actually paying attention and keeping an eye on our elected employees, those whom we put into office to represent each and every one of us. They were elected to represent American citizens, or to put it more succinctly, “We the People”!! They were not put in office to represent their own self-centered, narrow-minded interests and enrich themselves at the expense of the citizens that put them there. Is it not too much to ask that we be able to hold our elected employees to a certain level of trust and honesty, especially in matters of the public weal?
I was pretty depressed yesterday (July 4th) thinking about all this and what our country has become, but is is heartening to see people are finally waking up to the nightmare that this Administration has become. Hopefully it is not too late to take back our government. After all isn't this what July 4th is originally all about??
(From the Declaration of Independence)
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security"
I submit that this government HAS become destructive of those ends described above and it is our right to alter or abolish it. Thank God people are finally starting to pay attention. There is hope for us yet.
I end this with the way Ms. Kidd ended her post:
"God help us as a nation if the majority of Americans fall in line with you. I don't believe for a minute that is true."
Yes, Ms. Kidd, thank God that the majority of Americans are not falling in line with your way of thinking. You are a small minority and getting smaller by the day who won't wake up to the truth about what this country is becoming.
GlennT. Mitchell at 2:09PM on Jul 5th 2007
24. The impeachment and removal from office of Bush-Cheney are long overdue. Why are the Democrats in Congress afraid to use their power in this regard?
Mike at 11:11AM on Jul 5th 2007
25. WEBSTERS TWENTIETH CENTURY DICTIONARY--FASCISM : system of government characterized by rigid one-party dictatorship, forcible suppression of the opposition, ( unions, other, especially leftist, parties, minortity, groups, etc.),the retention of private ownership of the means of production under centralized govermental control. BELLIGERENT NATIONALISM AND RACISM, GLORIFICATION OF WAR, ETC. First instituted in Italy in 1922. Mark Twain surely would have been proud of Keith Olbermann.
panderperry at 11:11AM on Jul 5th 2007
26. I guess Bush ordered the 9/11 attacks also. Why is it that the people who have access to an open forum such as television feel obliged to give us their "opinion" because they can. Come into the heartland of America and give us a free 5 minutes to speak on TV and thank the men and women who have given their lives so we can remain free to do and say what we want instead of bad-mouthing our president. Keith, you sucked on ESPN and now....
Daryl at 11:20AM on Jul 5th 2007
27. Keith is an idiot with an agenda. I am gravely disappointed with both parties and feel this country is without leadership. All the major candidates for 2008 are grossly deficient for what we need. But whoever takes the job needs a certain level of respect and support. It is too damn easy to sit back and criticize. In many countries Keith would be executed for treason, and I do believe he is guilty of the crime.
How about addressing the obscene decision by the Supreme Court about pay discrimination? Oh, I forgot, he does not have a vagina, just a multi million dollar contract so he does not give a crap. He should stick to making puppets or go back to sportscasting.
Laine at 11:37AM on Jul 5th 2007
28. If you're going to throw out hyperbole, spell it correctly...."Treasonist"?! Is that even a word?
Lee Britt at 11:58AM on Jul 5th 2007
29. Kieth Olbderman...American Heroe in the footsteps of Edward R. Murrow...Performing a Heimlich on this corrupted dying nation, choking on this malignant administration of criminals. He is the only if not one of the very, very few true journalists left who have their eyes wide open. The only one who gets it....and TO the rest STOP WASTING MY TIME!!!and if you think we cant recognize propaganda when we see it you are a bunch of dangerous fools.
c parker at 12:03PM on Jul 5th 2007
30. #1 PHIL and #2 Patrick, I am with you, Keith Olbermann is in my opinion doing exactly what everyone of us should be doing in this country!!!
WE ALL SHOULD AND MUST LIFT OUR VOICES, AGAINST THIS ADMINISTRATION!!
I wish the so call "LIBERAL MEDIA" would stop giving this administration a free ride, and stand up!!
To #5 Wally Lin, this so call "Tirade" Of Keith Olbermann, only proves that he is a real American, who is sick and tired of having his country taken over by a sick bunch of people who don't give a damn about YOU! They don't give a damn about me, or any other American!!! Unless of course there is something in it ($$$$$$$$$$$) for them!!
NO Wanda, you are very much mistaken!!!! Keith was correct!! He has spoken MANY PATRIOTIC Americans!! For all those of us that can see what HARM this "WAR" time President!!
BUSH, CHENEY, RICE, ROVE, GONZALEZ, GO, LEAVE!!!
YOU HAVE BROUGH NOTHING BUT SHAME!!! LEAVE ALREADY, YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF CRIMINALS!!!
THANK YOU KEITH OLBERMANN!!!
Patty at 12:06PM on Jul 5th 2007