So is KO turning into an arrogant asshole?

[originalpckelly]

I used to watch his show, and now I just stay away from it. And what the hell was that with Dana Milbank? Dana used to be on that show all the time, then one day "poof" he was gone.

That arrogant prick needs to get over himself. He is no longer a journalist, he's turned into a left-wing Bill O'Reilly, and he should be ashamed of himself.

And what nerve does this man have to dare pull this Edward R. Murrow bullshit? Let me tell you something, Edward R. Murrow was a damn fine reporter who risked his life to deliver news from the tops of roofs during the Battle of Britain in WWII. He was there when the US Army liberated the Nazi concentration camps. Mr. Olbermann will have the right to put himself on that level when he's risked his life to deliver news.

All of this tension at MSNBC seems to be caused by this big headed loudmouth who thinks he's all that. He should be ashamed of himself. And we his viewers, both former and present, should ask ourselves why MSNBC, a GE owned company, is turning so obviously to the left when they've been RW for so long. It's more than a tad suspicious, don't you think? I will never forget the lovely little series they did on nuclear last year, it was such an obvious conflict of interest, as GE makes nuclear reactors.

[RobertSeattle]

1. Um, No.

[myrna minx]

2. Uh, no.

[Taverner]

3. Uh, no

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

4. Keith is doing fine IMO.

[Mabus]

5. I don't see it the way you do

and that's okay.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

6. I don't mind having a "big headed loudmouth" on our side for once

At least he doesn't spend all his time spinning and lying like Billo and Limbaugh.

[originalpckelly]

11. Someone else should go back and see if his broadcasts have plugged GE products...

deceptively. There is something going on here suspicious, GE is a RW corporation, they've got no reason to hire all this talent from our side.

[atreides1]

21. I watch him every night

I don't recall him ever "plugging" any GE products.

I'm sure most would have noticed a plug for cruise missile guidance systems or nuclear power plant fissional material!!

[originalpckelly]

34. Yeah, it's not always easy to pick up on something like that.

I do know with certainty that MSNBC plugged nuclear energy in an unusual series last year. I could even find it in the internet archive and post it.

IT may take the form of a story about a category of products that GE makes, but done in a subtle way. No one is going to come out and they're biased, it just comes across.

[jhrobbins]

98. I used to think that KO was the 'second coming' - no more though.

[peacetalksforall]

65. He doesn't have to plug products, his check comes from GE/NBC.

The key here is to be wary of GE/NBC - do not trust that they have changed because they have freed up some rein to Olberman and hired Mmaddow. They are as transparent as they come. No matter how Olberman affects some people from night to night - he is very susceptible to going along with an NBC money making plan to get us as viewers and making good for the $$$ sponsors. I would guess that Rachel realizes that, also. In the meantime, some good might come of it no matter how obnoxiuos he becomes to any of us. Let's hope that both of them know how things could end up when and if GE/NBC decides they have made enough money and start failing to convince their $$$ sponsors that some liberalism is good for the P & L. Don't let yourself become deluded about anything from GE/NBC other than the bottom line. They despise us. It's best to know the lay of the land when it's someone who wants to OWN EVERYTHING THAT IS YOU.

[rvarnp]

96. me too

I never miss him

[paulkienitz]

22. they do have a reason -- pre KO, the ratings were essentially zero

[High Plains]

29. I'm sure there's a conspiracy to, er, what?

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

32. Yeah, he's probably a right wing plant, secretly peddling jet engines and lightbulbs to the masses.

:tinfoilhat: much?

[KittyWampus]

someone is off their meds.

[question everything]

135. And you are the OP's personal physican, right?

Why is it so difficult to DUers to engage in a meaningful debate?

Why is it, whenever someone says something that you disagree with you have to resort to offensive comments?

Olbermann is the mirror image of O'Reilly and DUers, too often, are the mirror image of freepers. Throwing insults because it is so much easy then taking a minute to think and to respond intelligently.

[bvar22]

138. Not true.

KO essentially deals with reality, while at FAUX News, they make stuff up.
KO makes no claim to be a "journalist".
He is a commentator with an unashamed anti-establishment point of view.

He is a lonely voice providing valuable counterpoint to the rest of Corporate Owned stenographers.

No one should depend on Olberman for their sole source for NEWS or Commentary.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
One must also watch Jon Stewart for balance. :)




"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[Liberal Dose]

145. Love your Wellstone quote

As I was going through the thread, I saw the picture and burst into tears. Damn, I miss him.

[lame54]

7. Is that you Joe?

[OwnedByFerrets]

8. I changed my header to be more civil.....

GO WATCH FAUX THEN IF YOU DONT LIKE KO.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. He'sa cable channel pundit. He can be biased if he wants. If he was a news anchor, he

should not be. (Then again, have you listened to the "news" anchors on FAUX?)

[originalpckelly]

18. Pundits are the problem, why do I need someone to tell me how I should feel about something?

Can't you and I think for ourselves and reach our own conclusions? Should the job of a news network to present the facts of an event and let its viewers analyze that news themselves?

[GreenPartyVoter]

35. Sure we can, but this is no different than a newspaper's editorial and opinion section. If I find

I don't care for a writer, I don't often wander into his column. Ditto for the pundit shows, radio or TV.

I feel the real problem lies in when people allow the pundits to do the thinking for them, when they don't weigh the value or truth of what was said. For that matter, I could just as easily let DU form all of my opinions. I think it is a great source of info and thoughts, but it doesn't have to run my brain for me.

[originalpckelly]

37. Why should this man's thoughts be broadcast across the nation?

It presumes that his opinion is more important than that of us mere mortals.

[GreenPartyVoter]

42. Then perhaps you should suggest a "person on the street" segment to help balance that perception.

[EFerrari]

45. They aren't. n/t

[AlCzervik]

48. his is an "Opinion" show, it's not the nightly news broadcast.

[originalpckelly]

58. The problem is too much opinion and too little fact.

[AlCzervik]

60. according to you, we have like 2 people that are on the left and you want to middle up?

[originalpckelly]

64. The problem is that it shouldn't even be broadcast.

It's just some guys opinion, that's it. Now that's my opinion, but again you don't see that broadcast all over America.

Doesn't the ordaining of certain people in our society to give their opinions set us up for a system where the opinions and judgements of an elite few are thought to be less inherently flawed than others?

Isn't that a model which suggests that some people are better than others? Isn't that at some level against the basic ideas of democracy?

[EFerrari]

67. First, it isn't broadcast and second, his ratings are his report card.

There is nothing keeping you from auditioning for a talk show.

[originalpckelly]

74. I don't want a talkshow, I wouldn't want someone to take what I say and believe it...

without examining it critically.

[EFerrari]

77. You can't control what other people think or believe.

Or how they interact with new information.

[originalpckelly]

87. No, but I can point out when someone is an asshole.

Or when it's very troubling to see people fall for BS so easily. I thought we had a few more bright ones on our side, I'm beginning to wonder about that.

Why not watch C-SPAN? They even used to have a real news service, although because it wasn't full of shit and told people what they wanted to hear, it wasn't nearly as popular as "OMG! How much do we rock and how much are they full of it?"

Sometimes, we need to look in the mirror of criticism to refine our viewpoints, to improve our policies.

[EFerrari]

88. CSPAN is run by rightwing hacks, for one thing, that pretend

to offer no opinion. But Brian Lamb has no problem running Corsi's repulsive racist interview 4 times in twenty-four hours because he can.

If you don't enjoy Olbermann, don't watch him. Or, challenge him. But calling him an arrogant asshole is also only your opinion. It doesn't actually show where Olbermann is falling short or where he could do better.

[AlCzervik]

72. Why do you think he was hired hmm?

[proud2BlibKansan]

86. Then don't watch

Sheesh

[Iggo]

105. Wait. Why shouldn't opinions be broadcast?

Long as they're labeled opinions...or easily recognizable as such...what's wrong with broadcasting opinions?

[dionysus]

54. you're making a fool of yourself in this thread you know.

[libnnc]

57. it isn't broadcast "across the nation"

it's only broadcast to those who pay for cable television.

Cable TV is a different animal.

If you don't like it, don't buy it.

[truebrit71]

120. You have proven beyond doubt they're more important than YOURS...

...

[SammyWinstonJack]

144. I used to watch him, I don't anymore, but then again, I don't watch any corprat media heads/news.

They/it all sickens me. I go for the news on the internets. And get from that what I need to know. :shrug:

[atreides1]

40. How I feel is my choice

So, what you're saying is that we're just like the Ditto Heads who listen to Limpballs, we just automatically swallow without question?

I do reach my own conclusions based on knowing as many sides of an argument as I can, I watch Countdown and CNN, sometimes I'll even lower my standards and watch Joe"Dead Intern" Scarborough.

[madfloridian]

10. Milbank's column....Olbermann was right.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/29/AR2008072902068.html

He refused to back down and apologize. It is an ugly article about our nominee. Using right wing talking points.

[atreides1]

12. No

Dana Milbank wrote a piece about Senator Obama that was less then factual and KO called him on it. Milbank decided to take his toys and go play elsewhere, CNN is where he ended up.

And we all know how much CNN loves the Democrats and Senator Obama, don't we???

[nels25]

94. is it only journalism if it makes the

us and Obama come off in the most positive light positive??

I see more than a little of the concept of my idea or no idea at all being used more and more.

As progressives we demand free speech et al, but I am coming to believe that we will not let anyone who may disagree with us have the same privilege.

Consider the nonsense about Milt Rosenberg's WGN show last night, I have listened to his show since 1978 (except for the years when the navy had me globe trotting). I have always found him to be even steven. Let him place one guest that our side dislikes (disregard the fact that he has researched some of his opinions) and refuse to furnish a counter point guest, and boom instant bias.

Of course calling his show in order to talk him and his guest down with circulated talking points obtained on the web is fine, after all that is our free speech and the other side should not be allowed the same privilege.

Same thing goes for political ads, if you think for one minute that move on will not air ads that go close to the edge, you have another think coming. Still let a conservative air one and we go nuts.

You know for the most part I am sick of both sides in this tussle.

I know it is naive but I was hoping for better this time around.

We are hypocrites weather we want to acknowledge it or not if we demand free speech and do not let the other side have the same right.

I would like to think I wore a navy uniform for over 17 years to protect that right, sometimes reading what I do by some posters on DU I wonder.

[TreasonousBastard]

123. Pretty much so. Every so often there's an affliction of...

hero worship for someone in braodcast media. Jon Stewart, Mika Brzezinski, Keith Olbermann, Randi Rhodes, and so many others have been heros for a while mainly because they did or said something tht agrees with DU Dogma. There are so few outed liberals in radio or TV that when we find one we build him or her into a giant.

But if once, just once, they stray then it's all over-- they're dead meat rotting down there with NPR, PBS, the NY Times and all the other journalistic enablers of the Evil Bush Cartel.

The definition of "journalist" is weak around here.

[Patiod]

130. But, but, but, CNN is the Clinton News Network!

because they're not as tough on the Clintons (and other Dems) as Faux, I guess

[Cooley Hurd]

13. You're a fan of Milbank?

That's most of your problem right there - your journalistic judgment is clouded...:eyes:

[AlCzervik]

28. he is one of the worst, i cannot stand him, just arrogant and smarmy.

he looks like he'd drop his own momma in the grease if it would advance his career.

[FatDave]

122. Skull and Bones class of 1990

[whathehell]

137. A snide, snarky little man who's always made my skin crawl.

He is definitely not missed by me.

[tabatha]

14. I think you left off the sarcasm smiley.

[paulkienitz]

15. I was just about to post a "honk if you think MSNBC has become an embarrassment" thread

[wtmusic]

16. Have to agree.

Keith has always been very good but very arrogant. IMO the signoff is meant as more of a tribute.

When he really going, though, he is almost insufferable. Venting is not part of a journalist's job description.

[paulkienitz]

38. thank god for Rachel, her civility is a breath of fresh air

[calimary]

132. She wouldn't be on there with her own show warming up in the bullpen if he hadn't been

pushing for her.

As far as I'm concerned, he can be as big a blowhard as he wants. It gets ratings. It helps MSNBC climb - and add ANOTHER left-of-center host to their prime time lineup, thus carving out a niche to serve a huge unserved audience: liberals. We were ignored up til Olbermann. And he got ratings that were unavoidable - PRECISELY because he was saying things nobody else would say, he was covering things nobody else would cover, he was asking questions that nobody else would ask - about scandals nobody else paid any attention to - to a HUGE and previously ignored chunk of audience. And somebody up in the network brass finally NOTICED.

I'm glad he's there. It's about time we had one pugnacious dog to fight on our side, especially since he's about all we have in prime time anyway. He's the one with the biggest platform at the moment. And for heaven's sakes, they've got limbaugh, all the Pox Noise people, and everybody else EVERYWHERE. We have ONE guy. So the louder and more bombastic he is, the better. We've got a LOT of ground to make up.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

17. Millbank Hahahaahhaaa Millb.......hahahaaaa. Did you say Millbank? n/t

[Captain Hilts]

19. Yes, yes he is. I used to be a big fan. nt

[originalpckelly]

25. I'm glad I'm not the only one with the nads (m or f) to post it.

Most of these people appear to have their heads up this guys ass. I call bullshit on him and MSNBS.

[architect359]

50. It doesn't take "nads" to post this or any other post n/t

[truebrit71]

80. You and your nads are dead wrong...

...

[iconicgnom]

91. WOW! I sure admire your nads! What magnificent nads!!

But don't forget your real goal, to poke a hole in that "empty suit" and make sure that a real american hero, an ex-POW who was tortured for his country, a true maverick who talks straight with the little people in town halls from sea to sea, and hero to every bloviating right-wing pundit from Coulter to Limbaugh, to Hannity to Scarborough to Malkin, gets elected.

Was that a run-on sentence or just overly long? Do I care? Do I think these attacks on KO are conveniently timed? Do I think I see a little "op chaos" here? Nah, nothing is connected in this world...

[SammyWinstonJack]

147. Wouldn't that be "MSRNC"?

[glancingthefuture]

49. I used to watch him every night. now no so much. He is too into himself.

[Lucinda]

141. It actually happened a while back.

[AlCzervik]

20. I like KO but i've come to despise all of cable "News", i just stopped all of them including KO.

they've become a satire of themselves.

[Captain Hilts]

106. Same here...

FDR: Man, am I glad we didn't live in the era of 24/7 news coverage.
ER: You can say that again!
FDR: Okay, I will. Man, am I glad we didn't live in the era of 24/7 news coverage. Hop in Old Girl, we're heading to Denver!
ER: Booyeah!

[AlCzervik]

107. Truth.

[SammyWinstonJack]

151. Same here. Truth be told, I am over it all, news/politically speaking. It's all become a parody.

[Vincardog]

23. You forgot the sarcasm thingie. I almost thought your were series

[EFerrari]

24. Isn't that what wingnuts call us when we fight back?

[cliffordu]

26. Forgot your sarcasm tag.

Nice rant, though!

[JTFrog]

27. Somebody sure needs to get over themselves.

:eyes:

[CoffeeCat]

30. It's about time...

...that the Progressives stopped taking it on the chin all of the time--and started speaking
out with a bit of arrogance--and disgust!

We're so used to our politicians and our talking heads being namby-pamby wussies who apologize
before they say something negative about the Republicans. Now, when Olbermann dares to have
the cajones to express some justified outrage and anger--some think it's "arrogance."

I'd say, 'get over it.'

The time for lying down for the neocon Fascists who are destroying our country--IS OVER!!

And another thing, since we're on the subject. Why in the world do the Democrats start
their attacks on McCain with, "He's a good, good man, and a brave man and a great American who..."

Listen. We don't need to be saying anything nice about John McCain. Just tell the truth, lay
it on the line. We don't need to parse the truth with high praise of McCain--a man who is
a warmongering fool who will drive this country further off the cliff.

How many nice things do you think they'll be saying about Obama at the Republican Convention? Will
they worry about what we think and say nice things about him? Heck no!

They're going to rip Obama to shreds, lie about him 100 times a day as they try to convince America
that he's an egomaniac, lunatic Muslim who hates America and only wants to be in the White House so
he can be in People Magazine every week. We'll be positioned as star-struck neophyte sycophants.

Let's stop playing nice. I'm not talking about insulting the Republicans or name calling. I'm talking
about calling a spade a spade and telling the truth--and doing it with vigor and justified emotions.

It's time to stop being political jellyfish.

[lynettebro440]

66. Speak it TwoSparkles

You said it right on.

[La Coliniere]

112. Right On Sparks!

I couldn't have said it better myself. There is nobody who speaks truth to power in the mainstream-corporate-television-media better than KO. He's a necessity.

[soleft]

31. I'm willing to cut him slack since he's in a lot of enemy bullseyes

Did you think someone who's been speaking truth to power would be able to do so without someone calling him an arrogant prick?

[TahitiNut]

33. Uhmmm... nope.

:shrug:

[GoneOffShore]

36. No.

[tularetom]

39. For years I wondered why he kept milbank around

snide snotty republicaon ass kisser. If it would've been up to me milbank would have been out the door long ago. I'm just happy to see a left leaning pundit with the balls to be arrogant. What do you want, Alan fucking Colmes?

[City Lights]

41. -1. nt

[MadrasT]

43. I still like him.

[sktmax]

44. You should know better

than to criticize someone in their own home.... Didn't you know? KO lives here

That said, you're entitled to you opinion. I for one think he's a fresh breath of air and not afraid (most pundits are)to rebutt the right wing.......... dems need that.

he's being attacked alot lately. just evidence that he must be doing something right.

You're right, there is alot of humor and sarcasm in his reporting. I like it. It adds reality to some of the idiocrasies of right wing reporting.

[ColbertWatcher]

46. Turned into? That's the reason I've been watching him since his KCBS days.

Where've you been?

[Hubert Flottz]

47. Do you have someone else in mind who you think would do a...

better job in KO's time slot?

[dionysus]

51. EPIC FAIL

:rofl:

[PA Democrat]

52. No, I don't expect him to be in lockstep with MY views. I agree with his viewpoint most

of the time and he covers stories that no one else does. Jeebus, you seem really ANGRY with the guy. If he causes you that much stress, don't watch him.

[originalpckelly]

56. The problem is that a journalist is not supposed to have any viewpoint.

To us, he should have no discernible opinion about anything he reports.

[PA Democrat]

62. I think when he does his special comments, he is openly telling his viewers he DOES have

a viewpoint. That's the entire point of his show. He never claimed to be "fair and balanced". You are basically telling him to change the entire format/ premise of his show. But as I said before, if it causes you that much angst, don't watch.

[originalpckelly]

70. There was a time when there were no special comments.

And you are most incorrect, this man HAS proclaimed himself as non-biased before. He's actually just like O'Reilly in that regard. And I will find quotes from Mr. Olbermann supporting that, if available on the internet if necessary to prove what I'm stating. You shouldn't take what I'm saying at face value, you should make me prove it. And intend to.

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

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

[tavalon]

149. He's not a journalist, he's a pundit

That's something the RRR's* can't parse but our side should be able to. One of our best points is that we're the party of intellectuals. We actually are the smartest kids in the room. How about we act like it?


* RRR (rednecks, racists, and/or retards) was taken from Rude Pundit, stolen in fact, but with this minor attribution, I hope to avoid plagiarism hell.

[lapfog_1]

53. Actually, I think Keith is much more relaxed these days

And don't believe all the stories that the RW press is putting out there about how Keith is demanding this or that.

Yes, he got rid of Milbank... and for good reason. Milbank used PART of an Obama quote, out of context, for a hit job on our nominee for President. Keith called him on it and had Milbank fessed up and apologized to Obama, all would have been forgiven, instead lick spittle Milbank slunk off to another network - CNN... or Faux Faux, if you like.

I think GE has figured out that there are a *lot* of us on the left... and we could use a few hours (OK, 2 hours) of left leaning news (at least left leaning news uses FACTS and not LIES)... hence Countdown and Rachael Maddow's new show. And I'm guessing that they are going to make money off of those two shows. And corporate profits are more important than carrying water for the repukes and neocons.

[CreekDog]

55. So you think the problem at MSNBC is Keith?

i'm speechless.

[monmouth]

59. Sorry, you're wrong. Keith is trying like hell to be a professional,

unfortunately he's stuck with morans like Tweety, Scarborough, Andrea, et al. He researches his work and words, always points out when the left has faltered and is the only breath of Progressive fresh air, other than Rachel that we have on TV. I went to C-SPAN days ago, I miss Keith and will be glad when regular scheduling is back.

[AlCzervik]

61. and he calls them out on their BS which is a good thing. Like i said, i stopped watching

all of it because i got really burnt out but i know KO is not letting the others get by with their douchebaggery.

[paulkienitz]

109. "professional" is not the word I'd use for how they covered the convention

[Eric J in MN]

68. Dana Milbank was hired by CNN.

That's why he's not on MSNBC anymore.

[countingbluecars]

69. Turn him off if you can't stand him.

Why let him get under your skin?

I happen to think he is great.

[FLAprogressive]

71. thank you

this guy is obviously trying to start shit

[IndianaJones]

73. he's the sportscenter guy...everything is scripted, if he has to be spontaneous it fails. nt.

[originalpckelly]

81. And that's another thing, how does interviewing jocks...

qualify him to report on national issues of real importance?

[IndianaJones]

82. he was great on sportscenter...he is able to crank out highlights like a champ. nt.

[originalpckelly]

89. Oh that's good to know. In a way our political system is sort of a game...

I mean if people really gave a shit about any of the issues they claim to care about, this nation wouldn't be in half as bad a shape. I tell you, this week of living in Denver with the DNC has really changed my mind.

Why not donate the money these fatcats are spending on literal parties to a charitiy if we care so much? How much better could all the money wasted on anti-Democrat attack ads in the primary been spent? How many people who have cancer could have received treatment? How many hungry families fed for how long? How many homeless housed?

Even if you consider it necessary to have spent money on those ads and this convention to win so we can do good, what about all the little side parties for the celebrities and top party members? Why can't they just forgo the partying and donate the money to charity?

God forbid they live a week or two without some overpriced dinner at a fancy hotel.

[FLAprogressive]

75. No but you are n/t

[NorthCarolina]

76. Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow would be amongst the last

that I would "turn off". We are pretty damn lucky to have folks like them representing the side of truth for a change. To me they are a breath of fresh air.

[muffin1]

78. Keith is absolutely arrogant...and a little in love with himself,

though I'm willing to put up with it, as he is the only one on tv (and now Rachel), who calls these morans out on a nightly basis.
And, unlike Bill Orally, he tells the truth. Orally makes it up as he goes along.
Also, I couldn't get by without the occasional "Special Comment". Also, he's hot, and I'm a little in love with him, too.

[truebrit71]

79. What a steaming pile of horseshit...

Don't like him, don't watch him, but to the vast majority he is the LONE voice in the M$M that dares speak truth to power..

Perhaps you would be more comfortable in the "No spin zone" because you sure seem to be out of place here...

[originalpckelly]

84. Aaw, yes, the obligatory "you're a freeper" when someone dares to speak up...

against a beloved hero. Holy mother of God, you have no clue who you are talking to, and I find it fucking funny. I've spent the last few years decrying this son of a bitch in the white house, I've spent hours thinking about our system of laws, writing about how many of them this asshole broke, but that doesn't get me shit does it? :rofl:

[iconicgnom]

93. So, are you an arrogant asshole, or does it just seem that way?

[originalpckelly]

100. Are you talking to me...

or the asshole behind me? :P

[truebrit71]

119. Wrong asshole...

...

[Faygo Kid]

150. OK, I will, Travis Bickle.

And the fact you posted this crap with zero knowledge of the Dana Milbank situation shows what a pantload it is.

Keith often deserves criticism, but your wholesale rejection betrays another agenda. Train your fire elsewhere. There are plenty of targets.

Or keep it up, as you wish. Your choice as to priorities. Don't expect a free ride on this one, however.

[backwoodsbob]

104. I like him

To each his own I guess

[HarveyBrooks]

83. I agree...

with most of what he says but...yes - he IS an arrogant asshole.

[proud2BlibKansan]

85. No

I think you are posting on the wrong site, Dude.

[jemsan]

92. Milbank Leaving Countdown Reprinted from Huffington Post

Dana Milbank Leaving Countdown With Keith Olbermann

| August 5, 2008 09:51 AM




Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank will no longer appear on MSNBC's Countdown. Keith Olbermann posted the announcement on Daily Kos:

Dana Milbank of The Washington Post, who notified us today that after four years appearing with us, he had accepted another television offer.
This saved your crack Countdown staff an increasingly difficult decision.

For nearly a week we'd been waiting for him to offer a correction or an explanation for his column from last week in which he apparently reported an Obama quote without a full context turned the meaning of the quote inside-out.

Then he called criticisms of his column "whines" even though the dispute was over whether Obama said the self-deprecating: "It has become increasingly clear in my travel, the campaign -- that the crowds, the enthusiasm, 200,000 people in Berlin, is not about me at all. It's about America. I have just become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions" -- or only the part about "I have just become a symbol..."

We had decided not to have Dana on this news-hour again until this was cleared up, and, sadly after some very happy years, he's apparently chosen to make that cloud permanent.

As the Huffington Post reported last week, Milbank took a quote from Barack Obama out of context, using it to label the Democrat "presumptuous."

Olbermann himself writes of Milbank's departure:

It was quite a surprise conclusion, obviously, and I'll take it (before anybody tries to take it back).

I'm sure that wasn't his intention, but often one's best work is inadvertent. I'm just as sure his version of the provenance of the original version of the quote the Post's source provided was accurate. What happened thereafter was the problem.

[apocalypsehow]

90. I respectfully disagree with your analysis. n/t.

[9119495]

95. Are you that guy Bill O'Reilly has ambush people at their homes?

No. You could not be more wrong.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

97. Dana Milbank fan, eh?

:rofl:

[originalpckelly]

99. Actually, no, I don't really like any of these opinionated pundits.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

101. Uh huh. Sure.

That's why you're so concerned that Countdown got rid of the prick.

[fascisthunter]

102. yawn

[Z_I_Peevey]

103. No. You mistake erudition for arrogance. Sometimes people

just combine good writing with a well-developed conscience. Sometimes those people care deeply about the Constitution and the principles on which this country was supposedly founded. And sometimes, not often, these same people have a sense of humor as well as a sense of patriotism. Rarer still, people like this are allowed on corporate television.

I rather like Keith--striped suits, well-coiffed hair, obscure references, correct pronunciations and all--so I might suggest that if you do indeed see some resemblance between Mr. Olbermann and that O'Lielly creature, you should back up, rub your eyes with both fists, and look again.

Good night and good luck!

[quickesst]

108. I stopped watching Olberman.....

when he became addicted to hating anything Clinton. I realize how difficult it is to shake an addiction like that, but was surprised to see Olberman succumb so easily to it in the first place. Has nothing to do with the current situation(I'm firmly on the Obama bandwagon), suffice it to say, I believe I was and remain right to call horse-shit, horse-shit, especially after the last couple of nights. Maybe Olberman's snapped out of it, and returned to the newsman he once was. I should tune in and find out because I really enjoyed segments of his show. Thanks.
quickesst

[Peregrine Took]

110. I was always suspicious of him and his "progressive" credentials. My

"phony-dar" goes off the chart with that guy.

[frogmarch]

111. Bite your tongue.

KO is the strongest voice we Democrats have in the media, and I thank our lucky stars we have him.

[jane_pippin]

113. Turning into? Hahaah. I love the guy, but he seems to have had an ego

the size of sputnik for some time.

Part of me agrees with you that his bluster and "You sirs!" in his special comments, his dripping earnestness and his righteousness can be a little much and part of me wants him to just chill out already.

But then there's this other part of me that finds it endlessly entertaining, so in the end I don't care. He's no objective journalist, that's for sure--not these days--but I don't mind that we have a liberal blowhard on the air. It's about time, and he makes me laugh while he informs, and he's generally not wrong.

I'll agree that he's no Murrow, though. A good guy who means well, definitely, but no Murrow.

[question everything]

114. Turning? Has been like that since the beginning of the year

when trashing Hillary gave sent all the young males - whom advertisers and network love - his way.

He is the left side of O'Reiley. Predictable and arrogant.

[azmouse]

115. Nothing wrong with KO.

His show is a breath of fresh air.

[crimsonblue]

116. Good riddance to you, then..

are you hanging up your DU shoes, too? Give me a break. Milbanks was a lying asshole who refused to correct his erroneous story. Stop listening to NY Post's take on MSNBC. There are no problems going on at MSNBC, except for the expulsion of the radical right (i.e. Scarborough).

[Greyskye]

117. I try never to miss KO, BUT...

...I've turned off MSNBC during the convention in favor of CSPAN. The first night royally pissed me off, as they missed more speeches then they showed while the talking heads blathered on and on and on. And I didn't have any recourse that night, as I had paused the playback, and only came back to it later.

But I'll be back after the convention is over for Keith, and for Rachel's new show.

[AmyCamus]

118. "turning into"? No.

He's Ted Baxter with an Edward R. Murrow complex.

[williesgirl]

121. Strongly disagree

[ProgressiveFool]

124. What a stupid thread

The show has an obvious opinionated flavor to it, yes, but Olbermann still highlights stories the rest of the media often decide to sweep under the rug, like NSA spying, torture, USAttorney scandal, etc. We would be stuck living in the Potemkin news world built by FAUX and its imitators. In fact, in large part because of finally being challenged and called on their shit, FAUX is now openly a laughingstock to any thinking person.

And that's the trick right there: thinking person. Most of those I count on the liberal side of the spectrum do their own thinking after taking in diverse pieces of information. If you think what Olbermann is doing is brainwashing, the problem is you, not him.

[TreasonousBastard]

125. He always was, but gets a pass because he's a...

left-wing arrogant asshole.

[gateley]

126. I hope he keeps his ego in check, that's all. It's too easy to believe the press--

and the ratings.

But I like him and feel he brings a LOT to the table.

[maryallen]

127. Absolutely NOT!

And I don't appreciate your characterizing him as such.

Keith is the best commentator/newsman on television, bar none. His writing is superb, very inciteful.

We are so lucky to have a man of his caliber. He is fearless; confronts anyone and everyone to get to the truth; and is intuitive enough to recognize the talent and brilliance of Rachel Maddow.

Rock on, Keith!

[TheWraith]

128. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN TROLLING.

Because God forbid that we should have somebody who's outspoken in their advocacy of issues. And seriously, I would like to request that you perform a sex act on yourself: Keith has never compared himself to Edward R. Murrow, only said that Murrow was his role model.

For whatever idiotic reason, you've had a grudge against all things NBC going back a long way, to when you claimed that they were campaigning for Hillary for president. Your opinions aren't based on fact.

[mistertrickster]

157. Hehehe, "concern troll" -- that perfectly nails it. Thank you. nt

[Dukkha]

129. Get A Shovel n/t

[smoogatz]

131. You're just not used to seeing liberals on your TV.

It freaks some people out a little bit, until they get used to it.

[silverweb]

133. NO.

:eyes:

[marmar]

134. Oh yeah, let's attack Keith now....There are SO many other lefties on TV.

:eyes:

[endthewar]

136. Dana Milbank was disinvited after he refused to correct his Obama smear

Keith did the right thing.

[XOKCowboy]

139. I've got no problem with Keith. He's great.

[Neecy]

140. good god....

Say what you will about anyone, but to refer to him as a 'prick' discredits you far more than Keith.

This is something I'd expect to read at FR....sick and hateful.

[burythehatchet]

142. switch to Fox. You might prefer Bill ORiley

[bvar22]

143. Is this just....

...left over sour grapes from the Hillary thing?

[Buns_of_Fire]

146. Perhaps...

But dammit, he's OUR arrogant asshole! :-)

[tavalon]

148. Turning into? No

Been one since he was kneehigh to a grasshopper? Yes.

I adore the way Olbermann has been eviscerating the bad guys in the last couple of years but it was obvious to anyone who observes, that he is and always has been, an arrogant asshole. He is currently our arrogant asshole. May it stay that way.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

152. Yes ... he bought into his celebrity and lost any objectivity

he may once have had.

[many a good man]

153. You can't be serious!

Millbank? :rofl:

"No longer a journalist" ? :rofl:

Thinks he's ER Murrow? :rofl:

"responsible for tension at MSNBC"? :rofl:

I think you need a vacation, pc. There hasn't been any "news" or journalism on cable since Ted Turner sold out. KO may be all that you say, but he fills an important void on MSM. He's an important outlet for liberal rage and he shines a light on important stories completely ignored in all other visual media.

You're a good and smart dude so I'll forget you ever posted this.

[neverforget]

154. Why do you care? It's not like you watch it or anything.....

[NM Independent]

155. Shove it, jerkhole...

Obviously you haven't been watching, so STFU.

[mistertrickster]

156. FreeRepublic called. They're missing one of their idiot posters. nt

[Tesibria]

158. No, he always was one ... but he's still makes a great show. eom

[VOX]

159. "Arrogant"? Progressives desperately need a 1,000 voices in the media equally as "arrogant."

Taking the high road and acting with humility -- for decades -- has gained no ground for Democrats / liberals / progressives.

Looking at the past 40 years, 28 of those have been under Republican administrations, and a mere 12 years have been spent under Democratic administrations.

Being polite and humble is no longer an option. KO has been the only progressive, let's-do-what's right cable voice in a sea of lunatic right-wing water-carriers.

Why you would take issue with this seems highly suspect. The malfeasances of the * administration have been massive in number, depth and magnitude, and yet you characterize as "arrogant" the single voice that's pushed back against this high-stakes folly?

[MrMickeysMom]

160. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Norwood]

161. Nope, still a great journalist

[goodhue]

162. No, but Dana Milbank is . . .