ABOUT THE NEWS HOLE

It's the new award-winning blog* from the cast and crew of the award-winning television news hour** "Countdown with Keith Olbermann."

We heard about this whole "blogosphere" business from Tom DeLay, and came to the immediate realization that we too, "needed to become involved" in it.

So here it is. Covering the big news, the small news, medium-sized and irregular, The News Hole strives to bring everything you love or hate about Countdown to the internets.

Your feedback and hate mail is encouraged.

*Countdown's "Best of the Web Awards" 2007
**The News Hole's "Best of the TV Awards" 2006



Vive La France!

Posted: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 7:45 PM by Countdown

In March 2003, Bill O'Reilly called on all Americans to boycott the use of French Products because of France's disagreement with the United States decision to invade Iraq (those French really blew THAT one).

Through the years O'Reilly has claimed his boycott of France has cost the country "billions of dollars" (O'Reilly himself quoted that figure in the non-existent "Paris Business Review").

Now, because the country recently elected a pro-American government, O'Reilly has decided France has suffered enough and has magnamimously lifted his boycott.

From O'Reilly Factor on Monday, May 7, 2007:

The Factor is lifting the boycott of France. However, 'Boycott France' bumper stickers do remain available on BillOReilly.com for nostalgia purposes, and you never know... we may have to re-impose it.

France has a new president, Nicholas Sarkozy. We believe he will be much more fair when dealing with the USA, helping out NATO, and fighting the war on terror.

The fact that thugs took to the streets after Sarkozy won tells you all you need to know about the election. If these animals don't like Sarkozy, then he must be doing something right.

Anyway, many on the Factor staff are very pleased the boycott is lifted so they can eat their little truffles and escargot and drink their overpriced wine.

For me, I like visiting France, but I'm going to wait and see what happens before checking into some chi-chi farmhouse in Provence. To not do so... would be ridiculous.

Funny thing is the United States has increased spending on French Imports during the three years of the boycott (from $29 Billion in 2003 to $37 Billion in 2006), but we're sure the numbers will be much larger next year, oui?  

 

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

God, O'Reilly is really a putz. The vastness of his ego is only matched by the minuteness of his grasp on reality.

Lynn, New Orleans (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 8:01 PM)

Megalomania personified!!! What a jerk!

susan (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 9:09 PM)

Perhaps that hypocritical lying pig O'Reilly will now remove his "Boycott France" banner, which he has had on his website for several years now. If not so sad, it’s hysterical!! It takes up quite a bit of space on his horrid website, filled with bigotry, hate and lies!! I bet it will be down by Friday if not earlier. Keith, you were dead on a couple of months back when you stated, "he needs an intervention, someone please help him." He is the most arrogant and dangerously ill-formed person on TV, radio, print or perhaps anywhere. His incompetence is seriously jeopardizing that of George W. Bush!! Right on Keith....you rock, in addition to being the most awe-inspiring, brilliant and honest newscaster of my generation!! Thank you sir, and GOOD LUCK!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 10:56 PM)

Keith, listen to Pam. The most honest newscaster of her generation , PLEEEEEEZE. PMSNBC gets nothing right. Let's see , 6 terrorist arrested in New Jersey vs plastic bear with erection, you go Keith ,news only you could love ! And what's with your fixation with O'Reilly , if I didn't know better I'd swear you were in love .

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 11:20 PM)

"Anyway, many on the Factor staff are very pleased the boycott is lifted so they can eat their little truffles and escargot and drink their overpriced wine."-- Is that so? Because I'm sure they've been obedient little Factards who hadn't been doing stuff like that all along, at least not front of people who might genuinely give a crap. It's entirely possible that members of his own staff snuck a bonbon now and again when O'Rly was momentarily blinded by his own spittle. At any rate, I guess this means that O'Rly can focus on other, more important things, like saving Christmas or whatever.

Amy C., NC (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 11:42 PM)

Does this mean O'Reilly will start French-Kissing again? And if he does, Ann Coulter can't be far behind, so to speak.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 12:27 AM)

And I'm sure the French are happy to have him back in the fold. His "boycott" was a joke.

Tyler D., Denver CO (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 12:53 AM)

Gerard Depardue, Catherine Denueve, Francois Miteran, Mimes, Winemakers, Trufflefarmers, and actor Jean Reno can sleep soundly once again... Thanks Bill-o... "Once again Billman, America and France can rest soundly... thanks to you" - butchered quote from Superman I. WJ

Walter J. Murdock, Cincinnati, OH (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 1:01 AM)

Hopefully we now won't have a French poodle. How the British ever followed us into war was bad enough. I was very much hoping for Royal in this election. The consumerism that this new guy is promoting may be great for the economy but it is absolute hell on the environment.

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 1:58 AM)

Pam Pam Pam, relax. You already have 4 networks, including PBS. Why all the rage and anger directed at FOX and Bill O, do they really scare you that much?

Mike P, Richmond, VA (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 7:15 AM)

News flash: France cowers in fear at the possibility of its first Bill O'Reilly visit in years. No doubt when he returns, it will be to pick up a "Special Award" with which someone is presenting him to put on the shelf next to his nonexistent Peabody. Ireland offers its full and deepest sympathies.

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 7:28 AM)

From where I'm sitting, it appears Bill O'Reilly could definitely be in need of a FAIR and BALANCED fizzy-kie-a-tryst.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 8:55 AM)

Hey, the French are cool. Just because they don't agree with us on everything is no reason to stop eating french fries. I mean they gave us Napoleon (great historical reading), and one of their finest Lafayette helped us to whip British a-- in our bid for independence. Their language sounds neat too. As for O'Reilly, there really is something mentally wrong with this guy and he should really seek some help.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 10:17 AM)

good goin. the new french pres is of course, a fascist. yeah bill. lets produce 'boycott o'reilly' bumperstickers.

Barb G. Albany NY (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 10:22 AM)

Wait until Billo finds out Sarkozy wants to tax the exports of countries that don't adhere to the Kyoto protoccols. Me thinks those bumberstickers won't be collecting dust for long.

LK, Saratoga Springs, NY (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 11:41 AM)

Well I am originally a frog, and since having lived in California for the last twenty eight years, frankly, I feel deep shame to be un-boycotted by O'Reilly now. Keep on Keith.... and I sure hope my mother country will do something in the next few weeks to have O' Reilly exclude us again. And Bill, all our farm houses are very chichi, we do not take in gross people. :))

flo chapgier, Los Angeles, Calif. (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 12:24 PM)

O'Reilly is responsible for my consumption of French wine. When he announced the boycott in '03, I reacted by buying only French wine and then going to Paris. It was the most enjoyable protest of my life. I'd say that about one-third to one-half of my wine consumption remains French. Thanks, Bill! Oh, and Paris was fantastic, even in the heat wave.

Charles Wilson, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 1:15 PM)

Moet-Hennessy was doing just fine and so were its stock prices. Guess O'Really doesn't read. Neither does Colbert...

Bill - NY, NY (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 1:57 PM)

Yes Fox scares me that much. The next round of domestic terrorists are going to be the angry right. And all FOX does is stoke the flames of hatred that jumps off the screen when you watch Fox. Name any show on Fox that does not agree with the president. Fox is just a propaganda machine for the rich angry right. Fox only cares about the republican party. Fox puts the party above the country just like all you boot licking Bush bots. They will blindly defend the president no matter how much the facts suggest otherwise. So FOX to me is a glorified Herman Goebbels propaganda machine that the Nazi's used during WW 2. So be very afraid of Fox because they will say and do anything to protect and promote their party and president. They will lie, which they know if they repeat it 3 times, the ignorant masses that follow Fox will treat like the truth. Fox is using the same tactics of german propaganda machine. You idiots that follow fox and treat it like a legitimate news station. You all need to get your jack boots and swastika's off and start listening to what is said instead of being an idiot follower. Any idiot can watch Fox, smart people blog or gather their facts from other sources.

bobf (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 2:14 PM)

"Heeeells yeah! Mayleen! You hear that?! Bill said we don't gotta boycott France no more! Get your ass to Wal-Mart and pick up some French dressing, bonbons, and a big ol' box of our favorite French wine! Hurry, woman!"

Billy (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 2:16 PM)

He is a base individual who appeals to the lowest form of human. All these TV and radio pundits seem to be opportunistic liars in their quest for ratings...no matter what their political leanings are. Is there a mean-spirited and dishonest 'liberal' counterpart to Bill?

Sean, Torrington CT (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 2:20 PM)

Does O'Reilly's stamp of approval mean the French just elected a fascist no-nothing? I haven't been following their election. Will they now join the coalition of the swilling and be paid off with contracts and aid to send a handfull of troops to Iraq?

Russell in Maryland (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 2:34 PM)

You know what was so stupid about this whole boycott thing-regardless of which dimwitted American participated-is the Statue of Liberty. Yes, that great symbol of America was given to us by the French-how come people didn't boycott the Statue of Liberty????? Dumb people pouring out their wine (like they didn't already pay for it); not eating french fries (as if that's what fried potatoes are called in France); not eating french 'sounding' cheese. These people probably didn't even look at the labels of cheese to understand that it could have a French name, but be from the state of California. I'm sure the French are so relieved to have the blessings of that knucklehead O'Reilly-I think I heard that sigh of relief (serious eye rolling here). Well, off to eat my 'freedom fries.'

Jamie, Chula Vista, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 2:42 PM)

What a pompous jackass. He doesn't have the power to stop water from running uphill!

D. Buccini, Virginia Beach, VA (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 4:16 PM)

Bill, We don't want you in Provence, nor any other region of France. I'm one of what you call "animals" and "thugs", I would have come down in the street to show my anger that a man who is such a threat to democracy got elected. These "animals" have been made "animals" by bigots such as you are, who think they are righteous because they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth and a broomstick up their arse. And for 4 bucks you can get a very decent wine in France, we only overprice it for morons who can't make a difference between good wine and fermented grape juice. Thanks anyway, and go on with your war on free-thinking, it seems to have good effects on US-EU business relationships.

Charlemagne, FL (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 1:41 AM)

Congrats Keith. In honor of your Molly Ivins award, why not create an annual Joseph Raymond McCarthy award? O'Lielly would be the obvious front runner.

Michael McCarrell, Seattle, WA (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 8:42 AM)

France: RIGHT about Iraq

OH, Seattle, WA (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 10:48 AM)

Bill, Bill. Colbert is INTENTIONALLY a comedy show, unlike the factor that, like a really awful movie, is very, very funny.

Pedro, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 11:37 AM)

I do not know who is dumber, O'Reilly or the people that actually listen to this fool.

Jim H, Minneapolis (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 12:43 PM)

Just another example of O'Reilly's idiocy. He's actually been "hired" by the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce (in PA) to speak at their annual dinner this weekend. Myself and others in a group called Democracy In Action have contacted the Chamber and those sponsoring this dinner to protest. The Chamber's position has been that ticket sales are set to reach an all-time record. Woo Hoo! So on goes Mr. O'Reilly's appearance and on goes our protest. We will be there outside the Expo Center with Keith Olbermann masks, Rosie O'Donnell masks and giant pink pigs labeled "racist", "sexist", "homophobic" to make our point. O'Reilly has his own TV show - isn't that enough of a podium for him to spout his ridiculous rants? Why does an organization whose mission is to support and help grow business in Reading PA hire someone like him to speak? The almighty dollar. Keith, we'd love for you to join us!!!

Sherry Christman (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 2:10 PM)

Mike P, Richmond, VA - Scare me? HAH!! They are a joke. The "News" should be taken out of Fox "News Channel" immediately, again FCC, where are you? The man is a self-absorbed moron who wouldn't know where France was if he was looking at a map!! His boycott was hysterical, and I, like Jamie, continued to appreciate the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France!! Fox "scare me" - quite the opposite, it is a "comedy channel"!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 6:02 PM)

Let's get serious. Who really cares about what O'Reilly boycots? We need to pay less attention to ignorant and hateful people like O'Reilly. It does nothing for intelligent, useful discourse in this country. He is living proof that if you make outragous statements people will listen to you.

Kevin V, San Francisco, CA (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 7:54 PM)

All will be better when America put a little water in it's wine!  America the radical!  Please, watch some internal news, read something none partisan, learn geography (World Geography), wanting so much, will give you the opposite. I can't be radical Anti-American writing this! It's just common sense. America should be about that, if nothing. Stop the auto-destruction process.

Charles, The Pas, Manitoba (Sent Thursday, November 08, 2007 12:43 AM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=185756