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



Yo Quiero World Series

Posted: Friday, October 26, 2007 2:33 PM by Countdown

Keith is back, and we have a great show on tap for tonight.  We'll have the latest on the tough talk on Iran, including Vladimir Putin's escalating language and references to the Cuban Missile Crisis as the Sec. of State says the US and Russia are on the same page.  We'll have a report on the Washington Post story detailing the FEMA press conference in SoCal where FEMA workers pretended to be reporters, asking FEMA officials questions (calling Jeff Gannon), and this story that isn't that surprising anymore, it's just sad.

Finally, for those of you who didn't see the Taco Bell commercial/World Series game last night...make sure you save room for tacos on Oct. 30.  Not everyone is happy.

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Ain't watchin' the Series.  I'm still pissed off
that my Braves didn't even get to the playoffs.

And Pam, glad to hear you're feeling better and
hope you're safe.  Hadn't had a chance to check
in in the last day or two and only just learned
that you were in the hot zone.  Prayers and peace.
gal.

Allspice (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 2:55 PM)

Welcome back, Keith!! Let's see if I can wrap my brain around this. Mr. ex-KGB Soviet Putin is calling the United States and/or GWB "Soviets" or "communists"?? I can't see GWB backing down A LA Kruschev during the crisis.

As far as I can tell, Condi's always been on a different page.

Someone else will have to eat my free taco on the 30th; I'll be stuck in my office all day, so have at it!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 2:56 PM)

You have to feel sorry for Billo and the folks who follow him.  In my world, misogyny, intolerance and bigotry are not family values.  

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 3:04 PM)

To whoever wanted to know the short cut for navigating multipage blogs.  Copy the url of the last page and put it in a notepad, wordpad, word file.  The next time that you want to check the blog, use your saved url.  At the moment, these are accurate:

http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/26/433321.aspx
Yo Quiero World Series

http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/25/432101.aspx?p=1  
Countdown Thursday: Showdown Iran

http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/24/429796.aspx?p=4
Countdown Wednesday: Socal Burning

http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/23/427718.aspx?p=3  
Countdown Tuesday: Plame & Carlin

http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/23/426814.aspx?p=4  
Plame, Carlin Tonight

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 3:23 PM)

"We'll have a report on the Washington Post story detailing the FEMA press conference in SoCal where FEMA workers pretended to be reporters, asking FEMA officials questions (calling Jeff Gannon)"

You librul people and the democrat congress just don't understand our plan. Letting FEMA ask FEMA questions,and letting FEMA tell FEMA that it's doing a heckuva job, is part of our vital national security interest.In the bidness world, it's known as "streamlining. Later on, FEMA will evaluate FEMA, and rate what a good job FEMA did, in a classified report to FEMA.

A Cowboy from Yale,Washington DC (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 3:35 PM)

Hey, don't trash Taco Bell. My favorite tacos..or as we call them in Spanish "Chihuahua S**t Tacos"..an endearing reference to these goodies. Those commercials were some of the best ones made with that little cutie  pup and his girlfriend.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 3:46 PM)

UPDATE THE BLOG.

www.NOW.com (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 3:46 PM)

cannot stand mccarver. worst baseball announcer, even worse than those two who do baseball on espn, i cant watch them at all, but mccarver. annoying. i turn the sound down. but since i dont have a dog in this fight, i'm not watching. i hate boston, and who cares about the rockies. so, i'll check the scores, but i dont want to watch all that mess. its a long 5 months until baseball begins again.

barb the bureaucrat, albany (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 3:46 PM)

Damn, I was afraid of this. Putin is no dummy and knows the Russian people want some status back as a world power after the dissolvement of the USSR. But they have bided their time to wait for an oportunity to start flexing their muscle again. And now under this administration, under this incompetent President, with a country seriously divided politically, a military stretched thin and an increase in aggressive rhetoric that has put us at odds with many other nations, Putin sees the opportunity he has been waiting for. The crack in the ole USA wall. Russia is ready to make a move back on to the international scene as a big player. Bush is giving them the opportunity. Stay tuned.  

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 3:50 PM)

I love Mexican Cuisine, so I'll just pass on the Taco Bell taco.  Thanks anyway.

Rocky Mountain Guy, Colorado (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 3:59 PM)

Here is an interesting statement from Ms. Rice’s remarks, linked above:

“I know what I'm doing and I know what this Administration has done to liberate millions of people from the tyranny and the grip of Saddam Hussein and to give them a chance for a better, more democratic future. I know that it's hard for Iraq.”

Hard for Iraq?  Giving them a chance for a better, more democratic future is HARD FOR IRAQ?   Oh. My. God.  What an amazing lack of empathy for the devastation these people have suffered AT OUR HANDS.  

And a chance for a MORE DEMOCRATIC FUTURE?  Under which alternative despots?  The Shiites or the Sunnis?  Or is that really her idea of a “two party” system?

But really?   I’d like to spend five minutes alone in a room with anyone who says she “knows what she’s doing,” including her.  I’ll bet I could convince her otherwise.

Anomaly (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:09 PM)

I followed the link and read the transcript. Condi Rice never said "the US and Russia are on the same page."   It was "Matt Lauer" who questioned whether they were on the same page and Condi Rice gave a weasel answer that never addressed the issue that Matt raised about Putin saying Iran did not intend to develop nuclear weapons.

nuanced (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:18 PM)

Dear Mr. Gaines, VP of Communications, MSNBC, Countdown Producers & Keith Olbermann:

I have written to you many times about the horrible and inconsistent moderating of the News Hole Blog.  

It looks as though we have lost Sue, one of the best bloggers on this site.  I ask, is this what your station wants, to lose loyal viewers and bloggers?  Is this what Keith Olbermann wants, to lose loyal viewers and bloggers?

If this is your goal, you are doing a superb job!!

Sincerely Disgusted,

Pam Bignardi
San Pedro, California

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:23 PM)

Please comment on Dana Perino saying the White House would never do a presser with fake reporters like FEMA did,and use Jeff Gannon as example.Keep up the great work Keith!

Vance Flint,MI (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:28 PM)

What's the problem with Taco Bell handing out free tacos?

To me, this is a non-issue issue set-up to make a buck at the expence of Taco Bell. I wish that there was a Taco Bell where I lived, though I prefure their soft tacos over the crunchy ones.

Is this one of those things started-up by someone who just sits around looking for a reason to be offended? If so, then I'm offended that someone of hispanic background would get upset over such a thing.

And do note my last name; Molinero.

David Molinero (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:28 PM)

You idiots really think the world would be safer if Sadaam and his sons were still alive and in power.
Mark, AZ (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 12:29 AM)

-- I don't like being called an idiot. Just for that whenever I read "Mark, AZ"  I will pronounce it with a soft Z.

nuanced (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:31 PM)

I wonder who got offended by Taco Bell doing well enough to hand out free food.

Del Taco maybe?

Though I wish that there was a Del Taco, or a Taco Bell where I live.

David Molinero (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:41 PM)

So what is new with the decider and FEMA setup questioning?  Is anyone surprised?  The "card house" in which dubya lives will tumble down soon.  Our (lower case "p") president is delusional but his underlings work with passion to keep his profile up to 24 %.  Mr. Olbermann will put this story to "bed" and with his customary zeal.  He IS the only one at this network who is unafraid to take on "idiots."
The Perino factor, Sleepy Boy Darth Vader, and Joe Lieberman will leap to the defense of "mission accomplished."  

So happy Mel Gibson's home may have been spared.  Fire insurance saves the day...quote Mighty Mouse...as he roars away.

Lord almight above...why do I go on so?
The Founding Fathers told me so. :)

Joan O'Connor (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:43 PM)

NEWS HOLE - HAVE YOU NO SHAME? UPDATE THE DAMN BLOG.

DISGUSTED (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 4:55 PM)

God bless America! An athlete does all the work, and I get free junk food for his efforts. Now if they only delivered, I'd be set.

HM, in an ivory tower somewhere (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 5:00 PM)

Do O'Reilly's latest  comments surprise anyone? They shouldn't.

And what is the 'Gay Agenda'?? Um, human rights. G-d forbid we should be for that. Why is it these faux-patriots are so gung-ho about the Pledge of Alliegence, but conveniently forget the part about, 'with liberty and justice for all'?

But O'Reilly, and all of Fox News, are about nothing but the whoring of divisiveness. They have found that there is money to be made in  validating the prejudices of their sad, ignorant viewers, rather than enlightening them with the truth. So validating prejudice it is.

But dumb O'Reilly--I'm surprised he didn't say he went to Lucky Cheng's with Ru Paul, and he was surprised that it was like any other restaurant; everyone was eating with utensils and no one was wearing a leather thong & no one sodomized him in the bathroom.

GothamTomatoNYC (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 5:08 PM)

NEWS HOLE THIS IS HORRIBLE. UPDATE THE BLOG. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER LEAVE YOU ALONE.

OJ (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 5:16 PM)

If Keith is back will you please update the blog?

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 5:33 PM)

really a disgrace news hole.

boycotter (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 5:49 PM)

Has anyone else seen this? I was visiting my dad in the Poconos in PA watching Countdown and an ad for McDonalds comes up. Only it isn't an ad for McDonalds, it's McDonalds telling you to watch Fox and Friends in the Morning. It's a comercial in a commercial being shown during Countdown. Is this just Blue Ridge Cable shoving their opinion down my throat or has anyone else have this happen. Just wondering, Thanks

Karen C. Phila. NY (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 6:07 PM)

THIS IS THE LAST DAY I WILL BLOG HERE OR READ HERE. WHILE YOU GIVE YOURSELVES KUDOS ON COUNTDOWN, YOU DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT US HERE.  

YOU SHOULD ALL THE THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD, KEITH FIRST.

OJ (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 6:23 PM)

Full Moon (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:06 PM)

Moonie, now who ya calling Godzilla? Look in a mirror beast. I don't know what blogger you are referring to but I sure thought you were talking about yourself.  Now what other things do I have to say to make your mean, un-Christain a$$ go away?

ECLIPSE (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 6:52 PM)

"Not everyone is happy."

Well you got one thing right today with your quote above.  Boycott Countdown and News Hole until this mess of a blog is given attention.

Too bad Keith, you don't give a damn about us so I'm not going to give a damn about you or your ratings anymore either.

A former Countdown fan (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 7:03 PM)

This is probably a waste of my time as absolutely NONE of my submissions have been posted.  Newshole bloggers, go over the "clicked" blog today and scroll down to an article written by John Dean.  You'll find it, it's called "Why, even if you have nothing to hide, government surveillance threatens your freedoms".  I've tried to argue this before but Mr. Dean is far more more eloquant than I am.  Well worth the time.

Rocky Mountain Guy, Colorado (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 7:05 PM)

Vladimir senses his Soul Brother is on the sniff for more OIL! First Iraq, now Iran,    then comes Vietnam, Venezuala, Libya, Scotland, and finally...The Dad Gum Rooskies! Better make copies of your Doug Clark and His Hot Nuts albums, Vlad. Dubya the Impaler isn't far behind!

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 7:19 PM)

Well guys it's another Friday night and soon curfew will be rung it reminds me of a song from the 1950's by the late great Charlie Rich : "Well I make it all right/from Monday morning til Friday night,/but OOOOOHHHHHH those lonely weekends"
If the whippersnapper lets this one go through I'll miss you guys all weekend and I'll check in Monday to see if the whippersnapper removed the board's chastity belt.  If not I wish MSNBC would hire a locksmith.

Allspice (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 7:20 PM)

Batter Up It's Cheney at the plate with Condi Grits on deck.Swing and a miss.Iran is safe for another second.Keith O. at the plate looks like he's got that sneaky slider working for him today ladies and gentlemen as well as his usual MPH fast ball over the plate and in the zone.Cheney never saw that one and takes it for strike one.He took that sinker like a sucker from Halliburton. Pam on first cheering Keith on,hey batter,batter,Steve's at short stop,and CA at center field.Carlin is at left feild.KO winds up wish another swing and a miss.And Pam is waving and singing nah nah nah hey hey good bye. CA about to fall over laughing in the outfield.The crowd roars.
Condi is at the plate and bam Keith beaned her whooo.
Colbert is playing catcher don't  even try it Grits.It looks like Keith he wants to get at the next batter the big guy himself none other than Dubya.Keith winds up and whooo wee a little chin music Drysdale style for ball one clocked at 101 MPH.I think he is trying to send a message today.Dubya just gives him that dumb grin. Keith winds up and throws that tricky slider Dubya swings so hard he falls down.Out off the dug out roar the Secret Service Agents. You okay? Yeah. Putin is the stands busting up laughing what an idiot to his new best friend from Iran.Back to the game.Keith winds and is distracted by an ABM flying overhead just as he throws his "curve ball" missing the plate by inches.Ball 2.A big argument starts about the cheating and they start lying to cover it up loosing their memories they have alreadly lost their minds.
Keith winds up fires one across there at 103 MPH,Dubya,Mr.Lucky,gets a small piece of but CA in the Outfield at Center retreats makes the catch as the crowd roars and cheers the team as the come off the field.
Everyone waves good bye as Dubya side is out and the side is retired,impeached,and nah nah nah hey hey good bye is playing one the stadium speakers here a Yankee Stadium.Everyone is dancing in the stands. I see a lot of vets up there Dizzy.How bout you Pee Wee.
The crowd roars!
 

B.A. Buddusky (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 8:15 PM)

Anomaly.  Condoleeza is just another Neocon with a Boolean Unsatisfiability Problem.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 8:15 PM)

Hi Kieth,

I'm no analysts but I see the recent condemnation of Turkey's WWI action with the withdrawal of their ambassador as a prelude for a case for war. This could be followed by a Curd incursion (maybe US incited) into Turkey which would be followed by Iran sending forces into Iraq. Iran could say that to protect their interests in the area (pre-emptive action) that they invade Iraq to drive Turkey out and (very nicely) we are at war with Iran.
This would seem quite improbable except that we have Bush as our leader and Iraq as an example.

Seems like more attention would be given to Turkey (our ally) and their concerns by both the media and the administration.

Paul Kelley, Kailua-Kona, Hi. (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 8:20 PM)

The FEMA reporters are just following the path of their Gurus, Baba Dubya and Baba Dicki. Never let non-believers put words in your mouth, when you can put your words in a believers' mouth.

Steve Turnr Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 8:34 PM)

Ok, I found another thing I don't like about your new graphics.  The status bar filling up used to say 'completed sequence'.  Now it says 'transition load' then 'purge'.  The association with "purging a load" is not a good one.  

R. NorCal (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 8:51 PM)

7:50pm. Friday
Thanks for the warning Keith. I'm going to walk my dog.
He's so happy and I'm thrilled I don't have to tolerate Musto.

Nanalinda, san Antonio, TX (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 8:54 PM)

Will you please stop ragging on Bill O'Reilly?  Every night you are either criticizing him or the Republican party.   I don't always agree him, and often turn his show off because of his confrontational manners, but for gosh sakes, he can't be wrong about everything.  I use to watch your show on a daily basis, but it has gotten so repetitive every night as well as negative, I turn you off.  My sister who came upon your show a few times, also said the same thing.  Is it because he out-rates you?  Come on, your background if I remember right, you once were a sportscaster, so where do you come off so high and mighty.  I find MSNBC very offensive as of late and find myself wanting to watch, but don't like your negative reporting.  Come on, give yourself and viewers a break!!  I'm sure there is someone else besides O'Reilly that you can harangue on. I tried to watch your show tonight, but found O'Reilly your main subject again.

Evelyn Darr, Reynoldsburg, OH (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 9:06 PM)

So when do ya'll think Osama, John Cuey, or Hugo will ever make the worst person segment? I mean I know Glenn Beck rapes women, Bill O'Reilly rapes children, and Sean Hannity rapes himself, but you'd think others would get mentioned beyond, I don't know, Republicans and conservatives?

It's nice though when Olby makes the sheep comment, or the water carrier comment. Does he really not see himself as just that but for the left? I know his glasses make him look smarter then he really is, but if he can find a crack staff to write his show (along with moveon) you'd think he'd see his own hypocrisy.

But please, don't address the issue. Bring up Fox Noise, get it, noise instead of news? Bring up Bill-o and George Bush eating puppies and causing depression and stubbed toes... Just don't, Allah forbid, address the hero of the left and his foibles.

I mean if his shit doesn't smell like a mocha chi latte, whose can? Can't wait till he devotes his time to a worthy cause like that Bastard Hannity claims too... Let other 49 year old men MC Harry Potter night  Keith, leave the serious stuff to your own devices.

Tom, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 9:07 PM)

Anomaly.....Tu-shea  (sp?)!!!

wow from nowhere,KY (Sent Friday, October 26, 2007 10:59 PM)

Always be wary of the following phrases:
1) "Trust me" and 2) "I know what I'm doing".  

Anomaly     I agree with you -- the liberation of Iraq has killed thousands and thousands of Iraqis.  And did they ask to be liberated?  Did they ask to have a democratic form of government?  No. The Liberation of Iraq was a rationalization by bushCo when they could find no justification for the invasion.  Nothing that comes from the offWhiteHouse can be believed.  

Texashogfan (Sent Saturday, October 27, 2007 12:01 AM)

ANOMALY,

A woman rarely admits being wrong, and a Neo-Con even less!!!  You included DR. Rice as one of your selections, no?

Talvenada, Phila., Penna. (Sent Saturday, October 27, 2007 1:26 AM)

Anomaly 4:09 post. I will not take that bet sir. Condi Rice is an absolute disgrace. If she "knows what she's doing" we are all in a world of trouble.
I can't help but wonder how the hell she ever got to be Provost of Stanford University ? her Ignorance and dishonesty is patently obvious to anyone with two ears and eyes.

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Saturday, October 27, 2007 1:05 PM)

Anomaly 4:09 post. I will not take that bet sir. Condi Rice is an absolute disgrace. If she "knows what she's doing" we are all in a world of trouble.
I can't help but wonder how the hell she ever got to be Provost of Stanford University ? her Ignorance and dishonesty is patently obvious to anyone with two ears and eyes.

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Saturday, October 27, 2007 1:05 PM)

EVERY DAY

O J (Sent Saturday, October 27, 2007 3:40 PM)

You see it's people like you don't understand the diplomacy. Some things must be said.

You support our troops? Devastation at our hands? LIAR!

And what lack of empathy you have for the people of Iraq!! The paople just so happen to be Shiite or Sunni. What should we do. Tax their religons away?

J,Holcomb (Sent Saturday, October 27, 2007 10:07 PM)

Oh what a day

O J (Sent Sunday, October 28, 2007 1:41 PM)

Anomaly (4:09 PM Post): Do you believe that Rice is smart enough to know she and this administration have really gotten themselves into a mess here and will say and do anything to try and maintain just the least bit of legitimacy, or is she really as incompetent as Bush? I thought she was suppose to be an expert on international affairs and would have had an understanding of the religious and cultural differences of this region. Anyone with a brain could have told you these folks are not prepared culturally or religiously to enter into a democracy. They will be ruled by religious leaders for years to come. Or is she really part of a grand scheme by this Presdient and VP to change the map of the world and of world governments by force?  

Let's forego placing you in a room with Rice Anomaly. How about we just fire her and give you the job. The only problem would be your boss.  

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 9:01 AM)

To the Colorado Rockies - You won 21 out of 22 games and swept the first 7 games of the play-offs, then you have an 8 day lay-off waiting to see who you will play in the World Series. Then the Red Sox embarrass you with their own 4-game sweep. Even the media tried to make excuses for you because of the lay-off.
That's lame . I saw every one of you swinging from your heels trying to jack the ball out of the park.
I've like your teams since the birth of Coors Field
but this was a pathetic performance.

Full Moon (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 9:45 AM)

No Tacos for the Rockies, but a pretty good season. To quote five billion Cub Fans, both living and deceased, "Wait'll Next Year!".

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 11:47 AM)



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