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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.

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



Terror and The Mayor

Posted: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 12:45 PM by Countdown

First of all, youtube shmootube...you better darn well believe CNN won't allow a question on this story in the Village Voice with any of their fancy interweb questions.  We'll have the article's author, Wayne Barrett, to discuss.

We'll have more on the Blackwater in Iraq fiasco...the story that alleges the FBI used NYC firefighters as spies...and the one and only Joel McHale will break down the news (yeah, we know) that Brit Brit is preggers again!  

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News Hole, again you put up another thread while not upodating the other threads with all comments?

Update first, just a suggestion.

A Fan of Countdown (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 1:09 PM)

"America's Mayor" cozying up to a man whose family helped shelter the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks?! In the words of Gomer Pyle, "Well, goll-lee!" Aren't those good investigative journalists such a royal pain in the arse? Next thing you know, Mayor Rudy will be asking his Enabler-in-Chief to suspend freedom of the press.

So, the Blackwater "boys" are juicing up now, too? I wonder if they're using the cream, the clear, HGH, perhaps a kiddie cocktail of all the above?

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 1:21 PM)

Simple explanation. The Sheik is the "Kerik" of Qatar. Looks like none of the Blackwater guys are going to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame, either. Unnamed sources claim the FBI has also approached New York City Dog Groomers about possibly becoming 'Spies'. Britter's knocked up again? From JR-Ro instead of K-Fed, according to Jo-Mac? Wussup wif dat, Dog? She be flat-back wack!

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 1:35 PM)

Although firefighters don't need warrants to go into buildings, the 4th Amendement protections against unusual search and seizure still apply to them as agents of the local government. Personally, I think firefighters have better and more important things to do with their time than to act as de facto police officers.

And Rudy?  Well in the words of Ricky Riccardo, "he's got some 'splainin' to do"!

Samuel, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 1:45 PM)

WOW!! A new thread yet no update in nearly two hours??!!

And just when I thought the moderation was improving after yesterday, once again, I'm let down!!

WAKE UP NEWS HOLE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 1:47 PM)

HELLO, I'M BACK FROM COURT, UPDATE NEEDED.

O J (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:07 PM)

Waiting for the Blackwater story..always interesting..Britney can't even take care of the kids she's got, now she's knocked up again! This woman needs her tubes tied..and goodie, can't wait to see the tree lighting.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:07 PM)

Off topic, but I'm officially old now. NPR just mentioned that Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is 25 years old.

Krista ("You Kids, Get Off My Lawn!") Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:07 PM)

bad news hole, really bad. boycott is probably needed again.

tired of the horrible moderation (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:13 PM)

Hey Countdown -- youTube, schmootube -- BLUEtube –

If you don’t answer the eye color question pretty soon … well, I won’t be personally responsible for what happens out here.  But, if Steve is right, it may involve Boolean unsatisfiability, popping corks, synaptic gaps, and bruised Cisternae … need I say more?  

Unless you really WERE the one responsible for posting that comment about seeing the soul of the news in your eyes.  In that case, color is totally immaterial and NEVER MIND.  (:

Anomaly (always unsatisfiable after a case of Dr. Laura) (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:13 PM)

"No comments yet." - News Hole

We know, there haven't been any posted in more than two hours?  Why did you bother putting up this thead?  The others are not updated, this one has "zero" comments and the poor moderation continues!!

Were you in court with OJ?

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:21 PM)

By the way, Countdown – the article is too long for me to do it justice before the show tonight.  Like I would anyway, of course.  Being one of those libertarian lefties, I’ll just buy whatever you say about it (right scott?).  

But I did want to say that the Bedouin headdress was an above-average look for Rudy.  Maybe you should try it.  Preferably in blue.  Bring out those eyes, you know?  Like Peter O’Toole.  Really.  (:

Anomaly (loves Lawrence of Arabia) (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:31 PM)

Just like the current republican regime: Take money (or create money taking opportunities) now, worry about facts and intelligence and who you're getting money from later.  Disgraceful

Sarah, Tucson, AZ (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:32 PM)

Well, lookie lookie.  It seems that John Tanner, head of the Department of (in)Justice's Civil Rights Division has been extensively vacationing at taxpayer expense - including 3 Hawaiian get-a-ways - 2 of which were over a week long.  He's been banned from further travel but he's already had 36 such vacations in a little over a year.  Read more here:

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004779.php

If his name rings a bell with you - congrats - yes, he's been in the news before.  He's the guy that claimed that voter ID laws don't discriminate against minority voters "because minorities don't become elderly - they die first".

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:49 PM)

Oh Sammy , still have Clinton's troops in the Balkans. How's that occupation going ????

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 12:40 PM)

Unlike G-Dub, Bill Clinton went into the Balkans with NATO support to stop the genocide of Albanians in Kosovo.  The vast majority of the troops there are NOT American, and they're there to keep the peace.

Unlike Iraq, which is populated with no-bid contract mercenaries that exercise a fire-at-will policy and thousands of troops who can't come home because there's oil to be stolen.

Kevin, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:07 PM)

keith keith keith,there are ove thirty postings on here asking you please to tell us if your eyes are blue or not.Suggestion,when tossing the papers tonight jsut shout out."They are_________________"

Kelly,Ill (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:19 PM)

Brilliant Kevin , maybe you will be considered for Hillary's Sec of State. Our troops are still there , period. We have no interest in the Balkans , We  need to bring our troops home , NOW.

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:25 PM)

Krista ("You Kids, Get Off My Lawn!")Swisher 2:07 PM..
Off topic, but I'm officially old now. NPR just mentioned that Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is 25 years old.

LOL..wow 25 years..hard to believe.

Laura..not always feeling my age..in Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:26 PM)

Krista and Laura...I had no idea that Thriller was 25 years old!  I still listen to it in the car at least once a week...although I am only 1 year older than the song, so I didn't get to jam out when it was new.

Sarah, Tucson, AZ (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:43 PM)

By the way Pam, are you Anonomous ? Krista ? Jen ?
Carol ?  It appears the liberals have cloned an idiot ! Frank, Reno (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:14 PM)

Ah Rarry, you runatic, you no foor no one Your Engrish just as rousy when you try to foor us. You and Mr. Frank same rooney person.  Miss Pam right, you put excramation point one space after rast word every time.  You do same with question mark, why you reave one space, not proper Engrish Rarry. Why you so razy you no use sperring checker? Razy man no use grammar checker either, do same time.  You too busy being mean and nasty so razy arr the time.  When Hirrary move into big White House, I come to Charreston to raugh to you.  Razy, stinking repubrikon.

Larry's Adopted Cousin (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:43 PM)

Keith...please follow Kelly's suggestion so that we can stop spending time on this in here.

And plus, we all really do want to know.  The lighting in the studio makes it pretty difficult to tell what's going on under those naughty spectacles of yours:)

Sarah, Tucson, AZ (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:47 PM)

True Liberal has been outed -- it's Larry, Charleston, SC!!! -- He responded to "Larry's Wife" in the first person.  

Anomoly, you've been verbally jousting with Larry, at least some of the time!!!

Larry's Wife (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 12:39 PM)

I don’t think you have anything to worry about, Pam reminds me of my first wife -  It was her time of month 24/365.  That was the most miserable three years of my life, I’m surprised I survived it.  One of the happiest days of my life was jettisoning her, though it cost me a house, a car, and my dog.

True Liberal (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 2:09 PM)
http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/11/27/483698.aspx?p=1

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:51 PM)

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:07 PM)

You think you have identified me?  Prove it – post my middle name and age.

scott henderson nv (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:58 PM)

Sorry all, will not be there tonight.  Hot date at eight PM with two green men, one hunky and the other chunky.  In any case, the eye color thing is a lost cause--and I do not romanticize the Lost Cause.  However, remember this Redneck Addendum to the Beatitudes:

"Blessed are the rednecks, for they too are children of God."  (Goes for trolls, too.)

Immortal Cougar (the season is making me silly) (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:00 PM)

keith keith keith,there are ove thirty postings on here asking you please to tell us if your eyes are blue or not.Suggestion,when tossing the papers tonight jsut shout out."They are_________________"

Kelly,Ill (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:19 PM)

Seconded, third and fourthed!

Aunt Ornery (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:11 PM)

Brilliant Kevin , maybe you will be considered for Hillary's Sec of State. Our troops are still there , period. We have no interest in the Balkans , We  need to bring our troops home , NOW.
Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:25 PM)

Larry: We don't have that many troops there anymore, and if they need to come home what's stopping George W. from making it happen? Stop blaming Clinton-he's been out of office for 7 years.

Samuel, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:12 PM)

Laura..not always feeling my age..in Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:26 PM) [turning up hearing aid here] Tell me about it, Missy!!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN - going shopping for a walker later (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:14 PM)

The true way to ease one's troubles is to comfort others ...

Chinese Fortune Cookie (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:18 PM)

Brilliant Kevin , maybe you will be considered for Hillary's Sec of State. Our troops are still there , period. We have no interest in the Balkans , We  need to bring our troops home , NOW.

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:25 PM)

So you're saying that because there's no oil in the Balkans for us to steal, we should bring them home?

Kevin, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:21 PM)

AARGH!!! I'm sure this may make me less popular here than larry.  However, demanding, insisting, nagging or even gently repeatedly asking Keith what color his eyes are is offensivly sexist.  If a bunch of men went to Katie Courics blog and repeatedly asked her her cup size we would all be outraged.  Women are just attracted to diffferant physical characteristics like eyes. I'm sure no one here means any harm but you should all know what you are doing is the same as construction workers whistling at the pretty girl walking by.  It is okay to talk about his eyes all you want but when your comments are directed to Keith, it is the same as your boss asking you what kind of panties your wearing or why you didn't wear that extra tight sweater today.  If you really need to know what color his eyes are, splurge and get an HD TV.  Keith does the only decent newscast not on PBS, he should not have to answer innane and demeaning questions from a bunch of horny women.  While most men don't necessarily mind being sexually harrassed, it is still harrassment until you get permission.  

jen,il (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:23 PM)

Can't wait to see the show tonight...Should be another eye-opening one..keep the heat on Rudy....if it wasn't for you , Keith no one would....

cindy, princeton, tx (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:53 PM)

jen'il (4:23 PM Post):

My, my, now there was a post that perked me up out of my stupor while awaiting updates. Be interesting to see the responses you get. I would hope no one takes offense to your thoughts on the matter.  

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:54 PM)

Pulls up a chair next to Krista & Laura, adjusting lap robe.

25 years? Zoikes, back when he was an african-american man.

Then again, it's been 29 years this week the we here in SF went through hell. Firat the Jonestown tragedy, then the assasination of Moscone & Milk. Seems so long ago, yet just like yesterday.

Rory (It's just a hint of rhumatiz), Oakland, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:54 PM)

Jen in Illinois...you do make a good point; however I think that most of the women (or the five or six of us that are joking around about it) are just teasing.  I personally don't expect to ever know what his eye color is, and I don't really care.  I think that asking eye color shouldn't be compared to asking a woman's cup size.  Eyes are out there for all to see and are nothing private.
Yes, Keith does give the only decent newscast on the air and he clearly does not have to answer personal questions-because he doesn't.  I have to believe that he enjoys just a little bit knowing that many women find him attractive because he commented on whether or not Marge Simpson thought he was attractive during his Simpsons appearance.  In fact, his whole appearance on the Simpons hinged on Marge having to watch commercials so that he could maintain his attractiveness.

I do respect your opinion as we are all open minded.  Hope I didn't offend anyone, I guess I just am bored at work and had a lot to say on the matter.

Have a great night everyone!  See you tomorrow.

Sarah, Tucson,AZ (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:03 PM)

Jen-I don't think anyone will take offense (at least I really hope not).  We're all adults here and are all here to share our opinions with eachother.

I respect you for posting your feelings on the matter:)

Sarah (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:05 PM)

I'm starting to notice a pattern.  True Liberal, small caps scotty, and Larry, SC are starting to post the same message back-to back, like Pam does when she's trying to post a single message.

Could it be that small caps scott/Larry/True Liberal are finally revealed as one person, and he's getting his aliases mixed up when he reposts his messages?

YOU be the judge.

Oh Sammy , still have Clinton's troops in the Balkans. How's that occupation going ????

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 12:40 PM)
Samuel, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 11:59 AM)

Oh, little sammy boy...  The thought of success in Iraq scares you to death huh?  lol  
scott henderson nv (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 12:56 PM)

Kevin, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:08 PM)

My, my, now there was a post that perked me up out of my stupor while awaiting updates. Be interesting to see the responses you get. I would hope no one takes offense to your thoughts on the matter.   C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:54 PM)

I commented to you on this yesterday, C A.  My comment stands.  I certainly don’t take any offense at jen’s comment.  The whole thing started out as simple teasing based on something Mr. Olbermann said himself.  It certainly has taken on a life of its own, but like anything else around here (some of which is a lot more offensive than the issue of Mr. Olbermann's eye color), if Mr. Olbermann wants to stop it, he can stop it -- anytime.  (:

Anomaly (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:18 PM)

--"If you really need to know what color his eyes are, splurge and get an HD TV....
jen,il (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:23 PM)"--

Sorry Jen - got one, but you still can't tell - even if you watch in digital or high def rather than analog.

PS - I'm not among those asking.

Carol - nice detective work on your part.  

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:18 PM)

scott henderson nv (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:58 PM)

I tell you what small one; I'm headed up to visit my family in San Francisco soon.  I'll discuss a trip to visit you, accompanied by my sister, a police sergeant; and her husband, (my brother-in-law) who is also a police sergeant and robbery-homicide detective.  Also, give up the house you once owned, you never owned one and you don’t live in one now!!

Relatives in high places and their superiors come in handy, especially when those family members became concerned after I told them about your many personal threats to me last year!! I think they will be up for the trip!!

Also, they just might be in the market to purchase a used car for a cousin of ours, any suggestions??!! While I know you never "smelled" the military, at 35 years old (or is it still 34), you do know about used cars, right small scottie??!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:22 PM)

CA- Happy to entertain.  And just because I'm occasionally painfully honest, I was the person yesterday who posted as Keith saying his eyes are the color of the lost soul of news.  I was quite surprised it made it on the blog.  

jen,il (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:33 PM)

So, if a Firefighter or a Paramedic sees evidence of a crime in the offing, they shouldn't tell the appropriate authorities?

If they enter a house to treat a heart attack victim and see a rocket launcher, or a .50 cal sub-machine gun they should ignore it?

It's not as if they'd be opening doors, drawers, and looking under beds and such beyond what they have to do to fight fires and help accident victims. All that they could do afterwards is give information for probable cause which would be reviewed by a judge either for a search warrant, or at an evidence hearing.

What if a paramedic treated someone inside a drug lab? Would you have him be blind to what's around him?

Sometimes privacy activist can get a bit silly over what they worry over.

David Molinero (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:37 PM)

David Molinero (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:37 PM)

The problem is what's in plain sight.

Kevin, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:41 PM)

jen,il (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:23 PM)

Jen - I respect you for posting this!! You spoke your mind and that's what you should do friend!! Whether anyone disagrees or not, you have every right to your opinion; again, my hats off to you, you have guts, which is more than I can say for many here who post as multiple people!! (Hi Larry and small scottie)!!

C A - Your comment, as usual, was PERFICT!!

KUDOS & PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:43 PM)

Jen-HAHA!  I loved that post yesterday:)  Made me smile!

OK-enough about his eyes...back to politics and the state of the nation.

Sarah, Tucson, AZ (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:45 PM)

Sarah, Tucson, AZ (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:43 PM) Well, gee, thanks for providing THAT little tidbit of information; I better get my eyes examined, too, while I'm shopping for that hearing aid battery.

Rory (It's just a hint of rhumatiz), Oakland, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:54 PM) Thanks for "adjusting the lap robe"!! ;D

Krista "I Remember When This Was All Farm Land" Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:47 PM)

jen'il (5:33 PM Post):

See there. No offense taken by the folks here for expressing your thoughts jen'il. And you thought they might think as badly of you as they do Larry. No jen'il, you have already proven and shared your ability to comment with decency even though agreeing or disagreeing with others from time to time. That makes you one of the good ones, smiling.

By the way, no offense taken here with the questions about Keith's eye color. Although I understand what you are saying jen'il I found it rather refreshing from all the serious stuff we discuss here most days. By the way, just out of curiosity, does anyone in here really know the cup size of Katie Couric...just kidding...just kidding! I have nothing but respect for all the females in here as I'm sure most of the  other male bloogers do, believe me. You are good people.  

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:51 PM)

Sometimes privacy activist can get a bit silly over what they worry over.
David Molinero (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:37 PM)

I think in this case I side with the privacy activists. Although I certainly agree with you that firefighters certainly shouldn't be expected to ignore obvious evidence of criminality in plain view (i.e., your .50 caliber sub-machine gun), their primary mission is firefighting and saving lives, not criminal investigation. Instructing them to look for particular items that may be evidence of terrorist activities, but which also have perfectly legitimate uses, distracts them from the focus of their duties. When those firefighters start opening doors and drawers and looking under beds, they need to be looking for people in danger, not something to be used as evidence of a crime. That's why we have the police.  

Samuel, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:53 PM)

The mayor has another BIGGER problem . . . he was apparently paying for his little extramarital and antemarital trysts with Judith with NYC taxpayer's money.  If I lived in NYC, I'd be really PO'd and would be demanding full restitution for the unbelievable amount of money the man stole.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/7073.html

junebug (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:56 PM)

David Molinero (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:37 PM)

Would you want the fire department to be laughing about the quality of the videos that they saw on your bedside table?  

Us privacy activists are already having a hissy fit about the illegal wiretapping -- don't get us started on yet another invasion of privacy.  

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:06 PM)

 
jen,il (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:23 PM)

Jen-- dear child-- we may be like children begging for a sweet but there is nothing sexist in this.  It is no more than the people who read People or
Entertainment Weekly to find out what their favorite actor war to what award.  I don't see KO griping about this interest in his eye color  although --if she is even aware of it-- his young lady may be jealous that he has a fanclub.
It rather reminds me of the nieces and nephews when they ask what I looked like as a child-- pure curiosity.

Aunt Ornery (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:27 PM)



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