MSNBC statement on Last Word host Lawrence O’Donnell’s accident

[deminks]

http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/statement-lawrence-odonnells-accident



An MSNBC spokesperson released the following statement:

Lawrence O’Donnell and his brother Michael were injured in a taxi accident on Saturday while vacationing out of the country. They were transported back to the US – Lawrence to NYC and Michael to Boston. They are both under the care of doctors and expected to make a full recovery. Lawrence will be off from MSNBC for several weeks as he recuperates. Our thoughts and support are with the O’Donnell family and we look forward to having Lawrence back on the air soon.

Alex Wagner is expected to fill-in for O’Donnell during the 10pm ET time slot Monday and Tuesday of this week with Ari Melber taking Wednesday and Thursday.

(end snip)

I didn't know he was in an accident. I searched but did not see anything posted. Sorry if it is old news. This statement is from this afternoon.

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. Oh no! I hadn't heard about this. Thanks for posting. Alex isn't my favorite host, but Get Well..

soon Lawrence & Michael!

[Auntie Bush]

11. I like alex. Everyone to there own.

[Dustlawyer]

31. Ditto!

[mimi85]

38. Double Ditto!

[AverageJoe90]

48. Triple Ditto. With a side of Aw Yeah. =)

[mimi85]

88. And a big wave back to you!

Aw Yeah - and shucks!

[brush]

66. I like her too

She was on Bill Maher recently and she didn't let the repug panelists get away with their talking point comments at all. She was fierce.

[calimary]

82. Good. We need more of our own like that!

My favorites are Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, and Steve Kornacki with a side of Lawrence, Chris Hayes, Ed Shultz, Krystal Ball, Karen Finney, and Ari Melber. Also like the Rev Al. Chris Matthews - meh - glad he appears to be firmly on our side now, but he's way too swayed by man-crushes on macho CONS. So I frankly would expect him to flip to the slobbering "we're all neocons now!" crap at virtually any moment.

Have NO use whatsoever for david gregory, chuck todd, joe dead-intern, and little Lukie Russert - he MAY wind up being okay but he needs to pay a few more dues before I'll warm up to him. He's there because of his dad. Period. And he got a leg up because of his dad. Period. And in cases like that, I can't help but think of friends of mine in the news biz who toiled in the back of the vineyard for YEARS and deserved but never earned the kind of job he now has, just because he happens to be a member of the "Lucky Sperm Club." You've gotta earn it, Luke my boy.

[brush]

83. You're dead on with your choices

I like them in about the same order you listed as well.

And liked Bashir also — what he said about Palin didn't bother me at all.

[calimary]

91. I liked Martin Bashir A LOT. Thought he had tremendous class and elegance and intellect.

He could shepherd discussions and debate BEAUTIFULLY!!!! And I too was not bothered in the least about what he said regarding sarah palin. It made perfect sense to me. He said what needed to be said, imo.

[mimi85]

85. Just going to point out the Maher show as well.

She WAS fierce, she's smart, attractive and knows what she's talking about - a rare combination. I truly like Alex - one of the good ones.
What I'd like to know (totally OT) is why on earth was Rob Lowe doing on the panel? He contributed nothing. And as much as I root for the Pussy Riot women, I couldn't even understand the translator. Waste of time.

[brush]

94. Yeah, Lowe was a waste too. Pussy Riot's stands against Putin are courageous . . .

but I didn't get that much out of their appearance either.

[stopbush]

104. You don't always hit home runs on live TV.

[alfredo]

89. She kicked ass

[Tarheel_Dem]

75. I don't dislike Alex, I just wouldn't go out of my way to watch her. "Everyone to their own" indeed.

[Peregrine Took]

79. I like what she says but her mannerims - swinging that shiny hair and constantly flashing

those pearly whites drive me crazy. She's a beautiful, lovely girl who's intelligent. Just leave it at that.

I don't know why so many liberal women feel they have to grin all the time after making a simple declarative sentence of their beliefs. Just say it and keep your mouth closed. You don't have to try to mitigate your comments by implying "aw shucks, I didn't REALLY mean it...."

[northoftheborder]

81. She's smart, beautiful, personable, but her HAIR drives me crazy.

She can't see anything on her right side without peering around that swing of hair, then constantly flips it to keep it back. Please, TV make-up people, give her a barrette or head band.

[mimi85]

86. Yeah, let's judge someone because of their hair - is it the 60s again?

Give me a break.

[northoftheborder]

90. Im not judging her because of her hair, she has beautiful hair, and I wish I had some just like it

But television has it's visual demands, and her producer should not allow something like hair to distract from her excellent presentation and interview skills.

[mimi85]

93. So don't watch her if she bothers you.

There's alway a choice. Especially with a remote.

[MFM008]

2. GET MENDED Lawrence

rest and all that.

[shenmue]

3. Get well soon both of them

[WillyT]

4. Wow... Had No Idea... Thanks For The Heads-Up !!! - K & R !!!

[malaise]

5. Wow

Get well soon brothers O'Donnell

[JI7]

6. anyone know where he was ?

wishing them well

[upaloopa]

76. Virgin Islands I think I heard last night on the show

[okaawhatever]

7. I wasn't aware of it either. Thanks for the post. nt

[DirkGently]

8. Whoa. Get well soon, Lawrence.

[Gothmog]

9. I hope that Lawrence gets well soon

[rhett o rick]

10. k&r thanks for posting. nm

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. glad they survived

[Leith]

13. It's New News

What you posted is all that I've been able to find.

Get well, Lawrence!

[Warren DeMontague]

14. Oh, geez.

I hope he recovers quickly.

[Lifelong Protester]

15. I hope they mend quickly! I had not heard this

I say thanks for the information.

[mountain grammy]

16. Get well soon wishes to them both.

[sheshe2]

17. Thank you for posting the news.

I did not know.

[SunSeeker]

18. Oh no. I'll miss Lawrence while he's gone.

Glad he's expected to make a full recovery!

[MADem]

19. Press release raises more questions than it answers.

What country? "Out of the country" sounds like they're hiding something--even if they are not. They could even say "In Europe" or "In Asia" or "In Africa" and not be too specific, but "out of the country" sounds suspicious in some odd way, even if it isn't meant to.

What sort of injuries? Broken bones or did his face hit the seat or a window, causing unsightly bruising that would make it difficult for him to broadcast on TV?

And then there's the "Was he wearing a seat belt?" question... signs point to NO, I suspect.

Whatever happened, I wish him a speedy recovery. That sucks.

[DRoseDARs]

21. "...while vacationing out of the country."

Seriously. The two words RIGHT before "out of the country."

You read too little of that sentence and read too much into it. Relax.

[MADem]

23. No, I won't "relax" because I am not "upset." I can read without your help, but thanks anyway.

I know how things are perceived, I was born at night but most certainly not last night. Your "nothing to see here, move along" post doesn't cut it--you're making it worse still, not better.

If you think "while vacationing" helps, it doesn't. It has the OPPOSITE effect from helping.

While covering a story? Fine. That works and no one is wondering WTF? They still might want to know WHERE though.

While vacationing? With your brother, and not your girlfriend? Where was that taxi heading? Or leaving from? The Museum of Fine Arts, or a brothel?

When Rush Limbaugh goes on "vacation," he brings viagra prescribed for an alias and comes back with one or two missing from the bottle. When Justin Beiber takes a night off, pictures of him being smuggled out of a Brazilian house of ill repute hit the tabloids.

MSNBC should be a bit more specific if they can--to not so do invites, indeed PLEADS for, speculation. It's only a matter of time before TMZ or one of the other gossip outlets finds out where he was when the car crashed, what he was doing, if there was anyone else besides his sibling in the vehicle, and they report it.

I am a fan of "get it all out there" and get it over with. Otherwise, the drip, drip, drip of speculation will eat up news cycle after news cycle.

[Raine1967]

28. Jeebus.

speaking of meds -- You seem to have an awful to invested in her opinion, as in you don't seem to like it to the point you want to make this quite personal.

The press release was interesting and lest a lot of questions for myself as well. It's not out of bounds to question reasons, although I think accusing a DU member of being on meds and hysterical is over the top.


maybe you should take your own a advice.

[liberalhistorian]

33. I'm sorry, but I really think

You're making far too much of this, way more than is necessary. Accidents happen, and there's usually no nefarious conspiracy behind them.

[MADem]

39. Why didn't they name the "abroad" country where this taxi accident happened?

Who uses that word anymore? Certainly not a reporter imparting information about a person who possesses a certain degree of fame.

The idea behind reporting is who/what/when/where/why. All we get is who/what/when with this story, and it jumps out.

Here, read about another media celebrity's "vacation," discussed here on DU, too (and he didn't get into any taxi accident, either; he just got his bags tossed at the airport and was later cleared of any wrongdoing)--I didn't see anyone playing the "You're making far too much of this" card with this guy or decrying nefarious conspiracies when it came to him:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1518000

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6396072

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2697629



Notice the fixation on the details in those threads--I guess is it "OK" to want details for some but not others? I don't think hypocrisy plays well on the left; that's my personal view but I don't believe I'm alone in that regard. And that applies even if I like or dislike the person in question.

How hard is it to say what country he was in? That's a simple fact, not one that can be muddied or confused--he got on a plane in Country X and flew home to NYC for treatment. It probably wasn't too far away, he was likely on one of his three-day weekend vacations (he only works a four day week), but how hard is it to just report that simple fact?

It's conspicuous by its absence, is all.

Suggesting that I should just "shush" and not ask this question is rather odd. I'll bet Tamron Hall doesn't feel that way. If she wasn't with him, she'll put on her reporter's cap and get the story toute suite.

[cui bono]

43. You used "abroad". They used "another country". n/t

[MADem]

44. Well, it's solved. "Another country" is odd, too, especially since it was

"another country" that is right next door to US territory.

Look downthread; all is revealed with a bit of digging and one piece of information. He was in BVI, Tortola, enroute to Road Town. Didn't make it, ended up at hospital and was shipped out from there. They are lucky to be alive; they had a head on with a jeep. Everyone was hurt--taxi driver, the "two tourists," and the jeep driver.

[cui bono]

45. Yeah, saw that. Wonder how badly they're hurt.

Glad they are back here to recover.

[flamingdem]

46. Interesting to know it was the BVI

it's so lovely there but the roads are windy and drivers can be reckless.

Whew! He must be very banged up.

[MADem]

50. They're getting ready for elections there next year, I believe.

One of the things some are pissed off about is the government giving what seems to be perceived preferences with regard to land/holiday homes to non-locals with money as a means to bring revenue to the islands. They've got the same gripes/issues as everyone else; health care is a biggie on their plate, too.

[flamingdem]

56. Interesting

I had relatives living there for a while and I visited. It seemed better than other Caribbean islands in terms of education and equality. Looks like there are stresses on that.

There is a story about how the inhabitants ran off the foreigners a couple of centuries ago by driving them into the ocean!

[Scruffy Rumbler]

68. Maybe because he was on a private vacation and we don't need to know the name of the country

he was privately vacationing in to understand this announcement concerning who will be covering him and why. The man was off the clock with family. In other words, his private life".

[Paladin]

72. +1. (nt)

[frazzled]

74. +1 Indeed

It might also be a security issue. Maybe his family has a place down there, and they're not particularly interested in having crazy people know where to bother or threaten or otherwise disturb their private, alone time.

[MADem]

80. He's a public figure. When public figures go on vacation and get hurt, the details are

salient. And they SHOULD be scrutinized.

When you put news presenters or opinion spouters on pedestals, even if you happen to like or approve of them, you lose all hope of objectivity.

I'm quite sure if this happened to anyone at Faux, no one would tolerate a "Never mind where he was when it happened" excuse.

He's a public figure involved in a serious automobile accident on a public road in "another country," the details of which can be found below in post 42.

Auto accidents where police respond and victims are transported to hospital aren't "private life" in any event -- that's the bottom line.

[SMC22307]

84. Agreed. Those salivating for details...

are rather disturbing.

[MADem]

95. I could say the same about the uncurious.

I won't, though, because it's a rude thing to say.

They are television presenters, not demi-gods, you know. When they shop opinion, their private life does become salient.

In any event, the mystery, as I've said elsewhere in this thread, is solved.

But real smooth move, calling people "disturbing."

[SMC22307]

98. Right-o.

So, super-sleuth, the mystery is solved. Bra-vo! How salient are those accident details to O'Donnell's opinion, on say, the Supreme Court's decision on Affirmative Action?

Considering I don't have cable and have tuned out most talking heads, I'm the *last* person who needs a lecture on demi-god television presenters. But thanks anyway!

[MADem]

99. Gee, let's take a couple of completely unrelated things, and compare them like they're equivalent,

and then get all smug and wave!

What does the racist owner of the Clippers' rant have to do with the stock market's performance this week?

How does climate change affect Putin's ex-Olympian girlfriend?

Since you don't have cable, and you've tuned out most talking heads, why even comment, unless you just like snarking and waving long after a story has dropped off the front pages? Now that's odd, certainly.

And I certainly wasn't "lecturing" you, I don't even KNOW you--you might not take things you read on the internet quite so personally.

[SMC22307]

100. Are they shopping opinion? If so, according to you, "their private life does become salient."

Again, how do the details of that unfortunate accident factor into the salience of O'Donnell's opinion on... this time, let's say the Keystone pipeline?

That my posting frequency doesn't meet with your approval doesn't interest me. But I am amused that you seem to think you understand how I feel.

[MADem]

105. Their private life becomes salient because if they behave intemperately, the

QUALITY of their opining--not the opinions they reach, necessarily, but the process by which they arrive at those opinions--becomes open to scrutiny.

For example, his opinion on the Keystone Pipeline would become salient if he were vacationing with a Keystone champion when he had that accident. Otherwise, there's no obvious nexus.

If he were a habitual drunkard, one would wonder about how reliable his work was.

It's not for me to "approve" of your posting frequency, but some people like to toss stuff in old threads for odd reasons. They often hope they won't get any response.

But why do you care? You don't even have cable "sniff!"

[Logical]

35. LOL, do you suspect.............MURDER???? nt

[MADem]

41. No, but as I said elsewhere, if Tamron wasn't with him, I'll bet she's got the story. nt

[Renew Deal]

55. _

[davidpdx]

61. That would be a damn annoying ring tone

Oh, forget I even put out that idea. (I'm sure it's already out somewhere)

[Control-Z]

51. Alex named the location on his show tonight.

I don't recall where, though.

[MADem]

52. Look downthread--I did some digging. She said VI, it was Tortola BVI and he was enroute to Road

Town and his taxi hit a jeep.

[Renew Deal]

54. It's strange, but they have a right to privacy

It sounds serious and I sure thought about the seat belt question. I hope they get better fast.

[MADem]

58. Public figures have to realize that this kind of scrutiny goes with the territory.

It doesn't matter who it is. People who don't want the scrutiny need to get out of public life.

They don't need to be followed at two paces and be photographed constantly, or badgered constantly with questions, or bugged by "fans" either. I don't approve of the Princess Di treatment at all, but if they are part of an incident that makes the news, like this one did in the papers and the local tv down in BVI, they can't expect people to pretend that it didn't happen or to report it in a half-assed fashion and be vague about simple details that would be part and parcel of any typical report. Just because he's a cable personality doesn't give him additional cover--if it were Scott Pelley, or Charlie Rose, or Diane Sawyer, in the very same circumstance, there'd be full reports AND video on all networks.

That MSNBC press release simply sucked. They should have done much better. It had the who, the what, and an approximation of the when (though not precisely pinned down) but no where and very little why (a taxi accident is one thing, a taxi colliding with a jeep is much more serious, I'd say).

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. Ouch! Hope he didn't break any bones....

Alex is a good choice to fill in.

[Laffy Kat]

57. She is sharp as a tack and lovely.

I like her mucho. Hope Lawrence is OK, though. Another self-professed socialist. He will be missed while mending.

[Ilsa]

22. Get well soon, Lawrence! nt

[zentrum]

24. Be well soon, Lawrence and brother n/t

[irisblue]

26. Lawrence, Michael

get well soon.

[Whisp]

27. All the best to Lawrence and his brother.

O'Donnell can always be trusted to tell it like it is. He doesn't go with the flow like his colleagues do, all day long same story same angle, peat peat and repeat.

O'Donnell is real news. I will miss him - weeks away! (I don't have cable but catch some of his recordings on Roku/NowhereTV/MSNBC)

[liberal from boston]

34. Lawrence & Michael O'Donnell

Exactly Whisp--Lawrence's program is different & covers stories that others don't. Good news that both are expected to fully recover. Lawrence will be missed. Best wishes to Lawrence & his brother for a speedy recovery.

[elleng]

29. Thanks for the info,

and best wishes to them both.

[agbdf]

30. Get well soon!

[Cha]

32. I didn't know it, either.. thanks deminks!

[elzenmahn]

36. Best wishes to Lawrence and his family...

...may he and his brother have speedy recoveries.

[csziggy]

37. I wonder if he was in Malawi to deliver desks for K.I.N.D.?

https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=9040&9040.donation=form1

[elleng]

40. Alex Wagner just said,

they were vacationing in the Virgin Islands.

[MADem]

42. It was probably this accident in Tortola on the 12th of this month.

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/four-injured-in-head-on-collision-

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI – Four persons, including two tourists, were injured following a head-on collision earlier this evening, April 12, 2014 when two vehicles collided in the vicinity of Sensus Gym in Sea Cows Bay.
The accident occurred at approximately 7:30 PM.

Details are sketchy at this time but reports reaching Virgin Islands News Online indicate that two tourists were being driven in a taxi heading towards Road Town when their vehicle collided with a Dodge jeep.

The driver of the taxi as well as the passengers and driver of the other vehicle all suffered injuries as a result of the collision.

Paramedics were called to the scene and the injured were rushed to the Peebles Hospital for emergency treatment. The full extent of the victims’ injuries is unclear at this time.

Virgin Islands News Online will provide more details as they become available.

[bluedigger]

60. There's no such thing as a Dodge jeep.

Dodge and Jeep are both Chrysler brands. Clearly a coverup is afoot.



I hope all the injured parties recover well.

[AverageJoe90]

47. Damn, man. Hope ya get better soon, Larry.

In the meantime, though, I'm sure Alex Wagner will do a fine job filling in for Larry. She's one of the best.

[pacalo]

49. I'm sorry to hear this. Lawrence is a favorite of mine.

I hope his injuries weren't severe & that he'll recover very soon.

[DFW]

53. I heard it from Krystal

We were supposed to have dinner this evening in NYC, and she had to cancel because she had to do some fill-in for Lawrence, too, and had to go back to the studio. She didn't know where he was hurt, but that he had to be brought back to the States.

I'll see her tomorrow for breakfast (we think!), and if she knows anything more that she says I can post, I will.

[2naSalit]

59. Thanks

curious to know more. Hoping for a speedy recovery for them both.

[DFW]

63. OK, we just met with Krystal

Lawrence and his brother were in the Virgin Islands (don't know if British or US). I haven't been there in over 30 years, but when I was there, they drove on the left, which is confusing if you're not used to it. It's VERY easy to forget, and I had more near-collisions than I like to remember the only time I drove in a place where they drove on the left.

Krystal will fill in some parts, but Ari and Alex will do most of the time slot until Lawrence is restored. He's got nothing that can't be healed, but some broken bones and some ugly contusions need immediate care, and he won't be back on the air for several weeks at least. The good news is that he WILL be back.

[2naSalit]

64. Thank you for the follow-up.

I do hope that the healing process goes easily.

I'll have to keep and eye/ear open for more news as they are comfortable with releasing it. I like that discretion is in play here... they do have enemies out there.

[Hekate]

67. Thanks a bunch, DFW. Appreciate the factual update from you and Krystal...

All the best to the O'Donnell Brothers.

[Blue Diadem]

69. Thank you DFW!

And a big thanks to Krystal too! Sounds like a terrible accident, just so glad that Lawrence is on his way to getting better. I hope the same for his brother.

[mimi85]

87. Now can we put silly conspiracy theories to rest?

Yes, thanks for the info someone wants gossip, buy the STAR magazine. Sheesh. Sending the brothers and their families the best. LO is one of the best things to happen to MSNBC - or TV for that matter.

[MADem]

96. See post 42--he was in Tortola on his way to Road Town.

His taxi collided with a jeep.

They drive on left in USVI and BVI as well. They took everyone to hospital initially (four people, total, the two "tourists" and the drivers of the two vehicles). The O'Donnells flew out quickly to recover in USA.

[The Wizard]

62. Rove and the Kochs

must be disappointed that he wasn't killed according to their plan. They're the ones who stand to lose if O'Donnell is successful at shining the light of day on the 501C4 law.
Election rigging is what they do, by any means necessary. If this were another country they'd be food for the vultures.

[PatrynXX]

65. He's one of those I don't care people like Keith and I love those. wish him well

mom's going thru back surgery supposed to come home today but 3-4 months recovery . But he's one of those I don't care if I get fired guys. who's willing to push the envelope. cool guy. wish him well

[lonestarnot]

70. Damn! Poor LO. Hope he's going to be ok.

[yellowcanine]

71. I have always thought that the biggest danger while traveling to many countries is a vehicle

accident. Much more danger than being mugged, for example. But yet many people think a lot about the possibility of getting mugged and ignore the possibility of getting into an unsafe taxi.

[DFW]

97. I'm in Germany and driving there ALWAYS terrifies me

Many drivers there drive like they prefer risking death than pass up an opportunity to pass someone at 130 MPH.

German TV has had many documentaries interviewing people who miraculously crawled out of self-caused wrecks alive, and asked them if they planned to drive more cautiously in the future. More often than not, the response was, "why should I do that? I'm OK."

[Duval]

73. Our favorite. We

hope Lawrence O'Donnell, and his brother, Michael, will fully recover soon. This is sad news.

[yuiyoshida]

77. On Twitter you can follow

Lawrence O'Donnell @Lawrence. There are no new updates from him.. I am glad he is recovering, that's good news.

[Peacetrain]

78. I do not have expanded cable anymore...BUT

Lawrence O'Donnell was a favorite of mine when we did have that option.. Get well soon..

[left on green only]

92. Does This Mean That Rachel Maddow Can Stop Wasting The End Of Her Internet Show Every Night Now? n/t

[chillfactor]

101. This is old news as terrible as it is...

The accident happened before LAST Monday as his show was covered by other journalists all last week....

[John1956PA]

103. This thread popped up again because the 100th-post milestone occurred this evening.

Milestones are great, but their appearance might sometimes mislead one into thinking that the thread is a new one.

[ellenfl]

102. ari mentioned the accident a couple of nights into lo's absence. eom