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Countdown Wednesday: Fear and Loathing

Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 8:14 PM by Countdown
Filed Under:

Fear We Go Again: The President has a secret. He claims Osama Bin Laden was setting up a terror cell in Iraq, from which to strike America. Of course this was in 2005, two years after Mr. Bush kindly opened up Iraq so terrorists could go there. Plus, the Democrats reeling after their Congressional leadership gives away the Iraq store to the President. What do the actual anti-war Democrats do now? And why did Senator Clinton remain silent today?

Enter Monica
: Accusations of inaccuracy and a lack of candor in sworn testimony. Admissions of inappropriate political litmus tests for prosecutors, and an unusual qualification to be White House liaison for the Department of Justice... she was class president. Monica Goodling goes to the Hill.

ODDBALL
: An orangutan rampage in Taiwan and the world's oldest wrestler in India, it's a crazy video edition of Oddball tonight.

Operation Provocation
: With all the real war in the mid-east, today war games were added. U.S. policy-makers again struggling to confront and understand yet another mid-east adversary, and one that really does have nuclear material. A show of force off the coast of Iran.

Feud With A View: Rosie O'Donnell and Elizabeth Hasselbeck
finally slug it out live on The View, providing five minutes of the most uncomfortable television in broadcasting history.

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
: A convicted murderer gives a shout-out to his favorite football team -- as his last words before execution... the baseball player who threatened his wife by text-messaging a phyoto of his handgun... and the State of Virginia, which welcomes the grandson of the Vice President of the United States into the world with a big stop sign.

A Special Comment
: The Democrats' Neville Chamberlain Moment, the President's political triumph on the backs of the service men and women in Iraq, and the political earthquake most of the politicians can't even hear, because they are too busy congratulating themselves... too loudly. VIDEO/TRANSCRIPT

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Keith: Once again you are the most articulate and absolutely on the mark with your Special Comment tonight - Wed. 23, 2007 I have made copies of your remarks before and sent them to friends. You are the best commentator in all of the media. I Watch you every day and have told all my friends about your show. PLEASE keep it up. Thank you
Oh my god. Your special comment was right on this evening. You read my mind on the Democrats. They have clearly let us ALL down. Thank you for putting it so clearly.
Hooray!!!!! Finally a special comment from Keith. We were getting so discouraged that we would never hear it again---almost to the point of watching reruns of MASH! Please keep it going as it was so very missed. Thanks/
Loved that special comment. right on! Ketho
Yep. Warner, McConnell, Reid and Pelosi are all aiding and abetting an ongoing unconstitutional criminal action and should be charged as such. And Keith? When you discussed candidate reactions, you were less than through for times sake I am sure, but shame on you for not mentioning the ONLY candidate of either party with a clue about the damage done to OUR government by these fascists and how to fix it. You know who I mean too, Keith. Even if it is rigged against him, HIS IS THE RIGHT MESSAGE. You've read the Constitution. You know he is right. Getting his message out encourages the ideals this country was founded upon. If the people of the MSM keep dismissing him because he doesn't have Mitt's or Obama's movie star looks instead of LISTENING TO WHAT HE IS SAYING, WE THE PEOPLE will be the losers. Otherwise, dead on, brother. Keep speaking truth to power.
Regarding the special comment: There's absolutely nothing I can say that wouldn't sound trite by comparison, so I'll just say that it was a mighty fine transition from Congress to Bush, where the real blame for this tragedy lies. Congress is only complicit. I'm glad Countdown didn't take its eye off the ball.
So... MSNBC follows Countdown with E!Channel programming discussing the View. I thought that I sat on my remote and switched the channel by accident. If you are that desperate for programming why not just have Joan Rivers on after KO & Co. I'm sure you could steal her away from the TV Guide channel for pennies. Personally, I think that you should bring back Phil Donahue. Hell, maybe I'm wrong here, but there seems to be enough actual news out there that FOX Noise and clones (maybe including MSNBC too) are choosing to ignore to provide for several hours of programming. One of my undergraduate degrees (I have two) is in Radio/TV. Do you need help with this MSNBC?
Keith, THANK YOU! I have been seething for the past 48 and I needed to hear it from someone - and like with your excellant 911 anniversary piece - I can count on you to deliver. I watch your show every night. Thanks for making the switch to news! You're the Man! 'Mean it!
Keith:My husband and I stood up and cheered after your special comment tonight. We're sure alot of other people did too. Your the best. You should run for president.
Keith: Your special commentary tonight on how our political leaders have failed us by not heeding the American people's clear mandate to stop the war in Iraq was stellar--I can do without the "cursive pen" poet flourish; you're quickly becoming my Frank Reynolds. Keep it up.
What boggles my mind is that in 10 years Bush will still be getting his Presidential retirement, Cheney will be happily running a company in Dubia and little if anything will be remembered about Monica, Gonzales, etc. When we look back it may be that taking over Iraq and taking their oil was actually a good idea, just a poor implementation! Let's get together then and reminisce.
KO, way to go, youe spoke beautifully and eloquently. This game of chicken needs to stop. Bush isnt a shrub in my eyes anymore, just a broken branch and waiting to fall off the tree. At whose expense do our troops suffer for, let alone their families? Some are on their 2nd tour, just to come home, to go back again and then what, no funding for artillary, supplies and no clue when they will be home again. This is insane and "moronic" as you put it. Is there one person that can go in and stop all this? It could have been the PResident, he could have actually been the hero of the day, maybe for the century. It would cost him to much personally and professionally. Please, those that have not read read "Bushwhacked" do so and see the domino effect on his elitist career. Nice to know who gives you an allowance every year and why your "pawns" ar elined up the way they are. Let the Dems go on holiday and please come back without your tail dragging between your leg, once was enough, twice would be shameful. Peace, Denise
Keith, I think you have lost your marbles. You and all the other liberal commentators always want to blame someone or another party for something that didn't go the way you wished. It's so sad to see you bash the President, and now the Democratic party for letting you down. If you have all the answers why don't you help solve the problem instead being a problem.
Thank you, Keith, once again. I am a loyal Democrat but am SO disappointed. We all should be looking very carefully at the Democratic candidates for President for 2008 and how they vote or speak for or against this "compromise". I, for one, will not forget.
Keith: I can only heartily agree with the two previous comments. You seem to add a bit of calm reasoned sanity to what is otherwise a maelstrom of loud voices and talking heads "full of sound and fury signifying nothing." You make your show; it is not the same when you are absent. One sugestion that I might make is that you might well omit some of the garbage coverage of so-called "celebrities" such as Hilton, O'Donnell, and the lastest ravings of American Idol. Many of us don't care about them any more than we care to see inane videos edited into hour-long filler for a missing Keith Olberman! Please help us retain whats left of our sanity! Keep up the good work.
Another special comment home-run Keith. Keep up the good work.
Your special comment this evening was very moving. I was impressed by your call to remove Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid. As a Democrat, the thought of purging high-profile Democrats (except for Sen. Leiberman, who deserved it) pains me. It's such poor politics. That said, the only thing more offensive than this capitulation was the post-game spin from Rep. Emanuel. Who does he think he is? Karl Rove? I understand the apparently need to "frame" every situation as best you can, but Rahm's being too clever by half. He let us down and his platitudes are shameful.
Thank you, Keith Olbermann. I have been absolutely spitting mad since the news was announced on this that you so aptly describe as betrayal. I thought the Dems had finally gotten it in November of 2006. How much clearer could the voters be? No clearer! And they and the Republicans can be no clearer now in their messages to us. We don't matter. We, the American people, are of no import on Capitol Hill. We don't have the money (and both parties are making sure of that!). And our power is constrained for four years at a time, unlike our British cousins who can throw the bums out when they fail miserably as in the case of Iraq! I have been a proud liberal Democrat for over 40 years. I've given my sweat, tears and treaure in every Presidential campaign since Bobby Kennedy's, as well as State and local campaigns. And I promise the Democrats (and Republicans!) that I will not ever vote for a Presidential candidate who betrays us on this most vital issue of life and death and the future of our country. My Democratic party has failed me, all of us, miserably -- leaving us at the whim of the most abysmally incompetent and arrogant demagogues in our history. God help us all--and thank you for speaking out so forcefully.
You're the very best Keith Olbermann! We need more brave people to speak the truth in media. The Special Commentary for May 23rd '07 had me on my feet and cheering. Thank You, This is indeed the Democrats Neville Chamberlain moment. I think I'll re-register as an Independent!
A million thanks are not enough to express my gratitude and relief from your special commentary this evening. For some time I have thought that, not only is the Executive corrupt and unengaged, but the Legislative branch is deaf and ineffectual. I hoped I was wrong. But your comments have solidified my opinion. Virtually all of our elected officials have failed us. Laws are not proposed or passed for the good of the country, but merely to gain support from targeted voting blocks or to serve their corporate backers -- whatever it takes to get re-elected. Politics really has become almost all about power and wealth. The voice and the needs of the American people are meaningless to and unheard by them. And finally, finally someone has the courage to speak this truth. I would like to praise every wonderful nuance of your comments that expressed so perfectly my disgust, my rage and my profound disappointment in our government. But I will limit myself to simply: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You....
Keith, you don't need me to tell you, but I will anyway: for a man with supposedly no athletic talent, you sure do hit 'em out of the park with regularity. You did it again tonight. I only hope all the Democrats are listening. Because if they don't, I'm with you: let's throw the bums out. There's too much at stake not to.
As always, the special comment for 5.23.07 managed to summarize and give life to all of my frustrations with the offensive way Congress and the Bush Administration have prosecuted the War in Iraq and the War on the War in Iraq. Neither party, collectively or as individuals, have shown even the most basic grasp of who they work for and are responsible to, nor do they seem to care. Perhaps a purge of their ranks is going to be required in 2008. It appears the only individuals who aren't letting us down are, in fact, the orangutans.
A sad day for whatever democracy is left in this country, the gutless cowardly democrats have let us down again. At least the French would have stormed the gates by now!
You are right Keith 100%. What is our recourse? Can expel members of congress and the pres and VP? We need a clean slate with new people and term limits. Lets put in people who vote for what is bes for America and not their Party.
Keith: We watch you every night, and tonight was one example of why...your comments were right on and placed the responsibility for this quagmire (war)where it belongs, and articulated very clear how ineffective this country's leadership is at stopping the Bush agenda. Thanks for speaking out, and thanks to MSNBC for allowing you to do your job so directly!
“Who among us can stop this war of lies?” Adding insult to injury, Edwards now tries to steal Mike Gravels words that there is “no war on terrorism.” A little late for that isn’t it John? Very much like the FEAR the president uses, “false hopes” are the other political shoe often used in the felonious manipulation of the masses (especially by second tier candidates LOSING). I think I’m a bit too old for that JOHN. Well then, what about Hitlary? NOT! To me, she is just as likely to continue this war at the behest of the Israeli, military, and oil lobbies and just to show how tough she is she'll even throw in A NEW WAR with Iran as if one wasn’t already enough. It’s funny how those who VOTED FOR THE FREEK'EN WAR now have the nerve, the audacity to run against it. The dems and media couldn’t distance themselves fast enough from Kucinich and Gravel and now they are acting as if they alone bore the brunt of fighting this administration all along. Keith, all of this screams that those who voted for the war and who have now “apparently" caved in weren’t just bullied, it screams that they too where IN ON IT. Behind the scenes the Israelis, Saudis, and Evangelicals, quietly and methodically got us to do a little dirty work for them… Some genocide? Not a problem say our government (been there done that)! A little death, destruction, and rampant military spending for oil? So much the better (to them at least)! Unfortunately (to them), this war has only just begun. The Iraqi civil war, which the neocons could only lay awake dreaming about at night, has now methodically worked its magic and has given us all the excuses for us to stay or the excuse we need to now attack Iran and Syria, but to also have a hand in Lebanon’s and the Gaza violence which we are now partly funding on one side or the other… We've become the SPITTING IMAGE of that which we've always said we stood against: IMPERIALISTIC COWARDS who drive our military into the ground because we refuse to give up our SUV and it quite frankly makes me puke! How's that for a "special Commment?"
I'm answering all E-mails, requests for funds, signing petitions and political support groups with an unequivocal NO,NADA, not until you listen to me (through my articulte buddy,Keith Olbermann, May 23,07). Thank you again and again. I am devoted, as always, Jean Sturgeon
The Democrats are WEAK, I am embarrassed to be one. Maybe that's why the other party was in power for so long. I was wondering when you would comment on them. I know that they have only been in power for 5 months and were busy getting the other things in order, but the weren't even things that they promised they would look into when they were running their campaigns. I'm not one to comment on someone inability to multitask, but they are weak. I thought that including other things like raising the minimum wage into the bill, but even that had timetables as to when the working poor would be getting their raises. The Dems are trying to trick the American People by adding the minimum wage thing along with other things they promised during the Nov elections so that they won't get crap for backing down from the President. Don't let them get away with it. For too long our government has treated us like we are ignorant and want us to be dumb to the ways of our government so they can create the laws and not that of the people that put them in office. The Democrats are the ones that are allowing the President to continue using a blank check. If any of you, and I mean people in congress(Senators & Representatives)shame on you, the blood is on your hands you weak pieces of crap.
When you vote for a Republican or a Democrat you vote for a candidate provided by a political machine yes machine not machines. The root is the same Republican or Democrat. That is why the public who votes sees in the end no difference. We have no choice only which politician tells the lies we feel most comfortable with. After elected they may throw a few crumbs to the masses but there is no change in general direction. Why don't men of true conviction run for high office? They are locked out of the two party system.
Keith, speaking of FEAR, have you had a chance to read the new Presidential Directive? http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html Now THAT's scarier than Osama!!
If the war were to end tomorrow, wouldn't we have the $127 billion to spend on domestic issues over the next 4 months, rather than the paltry 'tack on' they are congratulating themselves over?
Keith: Thank you for speaking on behalf of 70% of Americans that want an end to this war. God knows the politicians surely don't.
I'm furious with the Democrats, and now I know why. You have put it into context for all to see and understand fully. Thank you, you're the BEST!! LF, Anaheim, CA
You have spoken tonight for the majority of Americans who no longer have a voice with either political party. The 2006 election was a call for prompt action.....what a disappointment for all Americans after today's sell out!
Thank you,Keith . It's so rare to hear the TRUTH on TV this days.
Keith is too good, too smart and too brave to be a member much longer of the the MSM. If Fred Thompson can seriously ponder a run, why not our Keith?
Just remember that we are exporting democracy to the people of Iraq - because obviously it's working so well here.
we aren't exporting democracy anywhere because we lost the instructions...now where IS that CONSTITUTION thing? dang i hope we didn't lose it...somebody said that thing was the instructions! whaddya mean ya shredded it! well, spring cleaning you know...i asked mr. rove what it was and he said: "it was a useless set of rules that we never played by anyway. prezboy asked unkle dick an the dick dick said to chuck it. haven't needed it sense. making it up as ya go along mostly works, well sometimes anyway.
Keith...I love you. Thank you for giving my pain a voice that will actually be heard, my heart sank when I found out the Dems had given in...it hurt SO MUCH. Your special comment made me feel better - alteast theres SOMEONE out there who understands and feels the same pain - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
"Fear and Loathing" indeed...OK...who's the Hunter S. Thompson fan besides me?! ;) Seriously, though, since others beat me to the baseball analogies, I'll just thank Keith profuesly for another powerful SPECIAL COMMENT. I had a feeling one would be coming after the previous day's events on Capitol Hill. Thank you, thank you, and THANK YOU! Keep up the great work.
Thank you, Keith. I can only say what others have said. You speak the truth. I had hope, just a little, that the new Congress would be different but it's not. It's gotten MORE stupid. I watched the House question Monica (yep, that babe's on Kool Aid, too), then I hear the news of the "compromises" on immigration which belies reason, and then I watch the sad sights of Iraq and just want our kids to come back fast. Thank you. You said how I feel. I so admire you.
Mr. Olberman, I must tell you and the readers of this board that the reason the Dems caved on the financing bill is because they were beginning to look bad in the eyes of the public. Not the public consisting of you and I and other like-minded, open-minded, thinking, logical people with half a brain, but those who get their news, as you said tonight, from places like the View and other 'News Shows', which incidentally, is like saying that people get their comics from your show simply because of the stylish graphics used for the 'Worst Person in the World' segment. The only thing, regrettably, that these people hear over and over again is that the Dems are withholding money for our troops in Iraq. Notice how this capitulation came *after* the so-called White House (it should be called red-house in honor of the blood that our brave armed service men and women have spilled due to the illegal war in Iraq) went on an 8 day campaign of mistruth about how Al-Qaeda was active in Iraq and that they were responsible for the deaths of our troops. While this may be true in the sense that an 8' X 10' area rug is made up of fringe, this mistruth was immediately followed by the story of how the Dems are still 'not budging' on their war funding refusal. Accompanied with the 'terrorism in Iraq' scare was the body-armor issue, which was quickly followed in most media with something along the lines of 'even if the new armor was approved, there would be no money for it because the Dems are still withholding spending on the war'. You are right that the 'president' held his breath to get what he wanted. Isn't it odd how when holding one's breath, so much bull-sh** can come out of it. Well, I guess when you have two faces, that is possible. The fact of the matter is that first and foremost priority of any Commander-in-Chief is to ensure the safety of the Armed Services. This bill contains no timetable, no benchmarks, no teeth to end this war. However, this bill also only grants partial funding until the end of July. It was a move that the Dems were pushed into, cornered, bullied into. It was a strategic retreat. While I agree with your broader statement that the mandate in January was not upheld, I think patience is key for everyone. Keep in mind that this administration is unlike any other in the history of our nation. The usual proceedings ordained by the Constitution of the United States on the floor of the congress are not going to work. This administration is underhanded, back handed, untruthful, spiteful and is lead by a man-child who takes nothing seriously. It is easier to deal with a mentally disabled person. That might be an insult to those with mental disabilities of any kind. If it is, I apologize- the actions of this 'president' demanded it. In closing, don't be too hard on the Democratic Leadership. They are our only hope. Can you really point the finger at them and say they are not doing what the voters sent them there to do? They are making progress. If anything, this exercise has shown that the person who holds the office of President of the United States of America is thoroughly callous and incapable of running this country, let alone, managing the war and commanding our amend forces.
Thanks, Keith, for eloquently "telling it like it is"! It is truly a shame that though the majority of Americans favor getting out of Iraq, we seem to be so helpless to do anything about it. Indeed, if our elected leaders & legislators do not pay heed to our wishes, what alternatives do we have?.....& what will be the results of having to wait whatever time is required for the political process to provide those alternatives? Today I see that Bush now has a major task force cruising near Iran! (Isn't that a lovely way to create an atmosphere of productive dialogue for the upcoming diplomatic meetings to be held there!) If Candidate Representative Dr. Ron Paul cannot garner the Republican nomination for President, my only hope is that the American people have the good sense to vote for him as a write-in - although I seriously doubt either the premise that they do, or that it will ever happen. It truly saddens me that voices like yours seem to be the proverbial "cries from the wilderness", but thank you so very much for trying!
Keith, You speak truth to power, I admire you, I respect you, I trust you to tell it like it is. Thanks for saying what I am thinking.
Another stellar moment from you, Keith. Thanks for articulating what so many of us can only translate into sputtering babble. As a loyal (and proud) Democrat, I was appalled by the events of the last 48 hours. To call it a betrayal would be undoubtedly correct. Calling it a gutless betrayal would be even more on the mark, however. And as much as my knee-jerk reaction to hearing you tell it how it is in these situations is to wish that YOU were our President, I realize that you don't need to be corrupted by the political games; being forced to compromise in any fashion would hinder you from doing what you do best, and what this nation so desperately needs in such times: someone with the dignity and honor to stand up and speak the truth. To stand for what is right and true. To be a REAL American, not these cardboard cutouts who drape themselves in the flag and proclaim to be acting in our country's best interest even as they damage it, all the while claiming to be patriots. You, sir, are the true patriot here, and I thank you.
9/11 mentioned 18 times in the speech that Bush gave Wednesday. Fear being served up over and over again in case we forgot to be afraid. I'm more afraid of this administration than I am of any terrorist. Approval ratings for this fool scraping the scum on the bottom and the Democrats still can't find some spine to stand up to him. We're doomed.
I just read about the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive signed by Bush 5/9/07(http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html)which gives the president the powers of a dictator in the event of "catastrophic event". Read more about it at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=CHI20070521&articleId=5720 Considering the pre-Bush document that declared that a "Pearl Harbor type event" would be needed "to get our agenda through", this is incredibly frightening. Why isn't anyone covering this?
thank you Mr. Olbermann, the debacle on the VIEW was indeed uncomfortable to watch and listen to, And the same can be said of your commentary today and the ones in the past. Sometimes, the words of true patriots are uncomfortable to hear. Your reporting of the incident on THE VIEW was the only voice of reason in the vast wasteland of the 24 hour new media. you reported accurately what was said. Why your fellow reporters on this network, the ones that preceded you, couldn't make the simple "link", that Rosie O'Donnell was calling the administration, not the troops,"terrorist" is beyond me. You certainly have said your share of things that could easily be misinterpreted as the ranting of an Anti-patriot. As I'm sure a certain Irish man over at Fox would agree. I for one don't. You are a patriot, of the finest kind. So thank you for getting it right and thank you for your continued comments, they truly are a breath of fresh air in an environment of toxic clap trap. (perhaps Mr. Abrams, Mr Scarborough and oddly and sadly enough Mr. Mattews should be taking notes )
Keith...The Democrats are weak, finally someone has spoken the truth. The democrats and the republicans are spilling the blood of our young service men and women for profits and political gain. Could it be that our elected official are the terroist. Thanks again for speaking the truth.
There are laws in place for people who provide services to the public: how they are to conduct business, ethics they must follow, and when they tell you they will do something-they are required by law to do it. Maybe there should be laws in place for people who run for office, they when they campaign telling people they are going to do this and that when elected that is what they should only be allowed to do, anything things else should be a crime. Checks and Balances people. Our congress sucks and they all are a bunch of liars. They capitalized on our frustration with this president and the last congress, thereby telling us what we wanted to hear. I don't know when Pelosi and Reid and the rest of them are up for re-election but I say get rid of them.


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