Countdown Friday: Spies Lies & Videotape

Posted: Friday, December 07, 2007 8:59 PM by Countdown
Filed Under: Blogging the Countdown

Spies Lies & Videotape: It was Richard Nixon's profound -- and prophetic -- observation. It's not the crime that brings you down, it's the cover-up. He left out the corollary... or... maybe... both. Our fifth story on the Countdown: in a page out of Watergate... it now turns out not only were there tapes in "Water-Boarding-Gate"... but just like the 18-and-a-half minute gap from 1973... the tapes were erased. The CIA destroyed at least two video recordings... showing Al Qaeda suspects being subjected to waterboarding and other interrogation techniques... allegedly because of concerns the interrogators could be facing legal consequences for their actions. And the news breaking tonight on this: at least somebody in the White House reportedly knew about the destruction of evidence... in advance.

GOP vs. Intelligence: The President was wrong about Iran. The Vice President was wrong about Iran. John Bolton was wrong about Irahn. Norman Podhoretz was wrong about Iran. So -- naturally -- their supporters in the GOP are demanding Congressional Investigations of the Intel that proved they were wrong. Forgetting that by his actions, the President already admitted he was wrong about Irahn...And that if there are hearings -- the Democrats will also get to ask questions.

ODDBALL: Jesus in an X-ray and some nekkid shoppers caught on tape.

Sex on the City: Soon, Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will be able to fill a bath-tub with the drip drip drip of damaging reports... including those centering on his past private use of public funds. The latest, in our third story on the Countdown: that his then-mistress, now-wife, Judith Nathan was getting police protection -- and the attendant chauffeur services from police personnel -- even before her affair with the then-Mayor had been made public. And earlier than previously disclosed by either the NYPD or Mr. Giuliani's presidential campaign.

Tabby Time: No surprise, and almost no comment, in our number two story. Barry Bonds pleading not guilty today to charges that he lied to a Federal Grand Jury investigating the use of steroids in sports.

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD: Mitch Mcconnell, Billo and Mike Huckabee vie for tonight's top honors.

The Plays of November: Any of the various theatrical versions of "The Mutiny On The Bounty" give you a pretty good idea of what happened to Fletcher Christian and the others who took command of the ill-fated British Naval Vessel in April of 1789. But what happened to Anthony Hopkins -- or Charles Laughton -- or, really, Captain William Bligh? He not only sailed his way home in, essentially, a rowboat...But he lived on for another 28 years -- until this date -- December 7th -- 1817. And in those ensuing decades, he was the victim of... three more mutinies. On that optimistic note -- let's play Oddball's Plays Of The Month.

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Comments

#5 -- Great show tonight, Countdown -- but this whole torture tape thing? Just another day in paradise. Objection of justice? Destroying evidence? Remember the e-mails? Just another day of impeachable offenses that will never be prosecuted. Sigh.

Anyway, before I leave for the weekend, I wanted to say that the whole story begs one big question --

If the administration had to destroy these tapes because it was worried about protecting the confidentiality of the CIA officers who conducted these “interrogations,” or alternatively was worried about protecting national security by concealing the methods that were used, THEN WHY DID THEY MAKE THE TAPES IN THE FIRST PLACE?

To get their jollies?

Oh, and thanks for the reprise of Buzzy and Cookie. Ummmm. Microchip cookies.

Anna Molly (bless you and your wife, Kevin from NJ) (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 9:19 PM)

Keith, you're absolutely right to wonder what else might be on those destroyed videotapes.

In fact, there's a whole other angle on the Zubaydah videotapes no one is yet addressing. According to investigative journalists Gerald Posner and James Risen, during his initial interrogation Zubaydah implicated several members of the Saudi royal family in aiding and abetting Al Qaeda. You can read all the sordid details in "Part 4" here:

http://www.asecondlookatthesaudis.com

And to put that in further context, consider the great lengths to which this President has gone in covering up evidence that might be inconvenient for his bestest oil buddies in the Middle East:

http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/09/08/graham/

We need to find out more about those tapes. Maybe you should have Posner and Risen on the show to talk about this.

Bill in Chicago (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 9:27 PM)

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 9:20 AM)

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 10:08 AM)

In less then a day, one can find a good paying job in any of the Major Cities in Mexico. I know this because I've seen it.

There are so many foreign owned plants, hiring so many people a day, paying more then a living wage in Mexico, that the only reason people come here, is that they want more.

On average, in any plant you find, you make around $80 a Week Full Time, more then one needs to live on in Mexico.

My relatives down there never worry about finding work, they can get fired one day, and hired the next. All that they worry about is not losing their job for the party from the night before.

There are two classes of immigrants coming from Mexico, and other countries. Those who are willing to work hard, the ones that we want; so speed up the process and increase the numbers allowed. And the Criminals who either come here to escape prosecution, or to do us harm. Keep these losers out, and kick them out once found. As long as our Borders are open to anyone who strolls across, we will get far too many of the Criminals.

Why do those of you who insist on doing nothing about Illegal Immigration keep on claiming that those of us, who want Secured Borders, and Enforced Immigration Laws are Racist? You think nothing of the long term problems of Illegal Immigration on our Country, and how to come up with solutions to head them off.

David Molinero (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 9:28 PM)

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 4:43 PM)

It is with great honor that you pinch hit for me (sorry K Collins, just not up to it right now. I decided this morning I would read, post a couple of times and relax, I’ll work on it over the weekend when I’m feeling better and up to it; I need a break after the last two days..

In conjunction, I have now learned that someone I respected and trusted here finds it amusing to insult me on another forum; I am certainly not up to it and would only do you a disservice!! I have always respected you K)!!

Thank you C A; and Larry, I have always thought you were at the bottom of the barrel; yet by exposing A. Wrightwing Conspirator (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 2:42 PM) as gnostix1 on a message board of someone I have the utmost respect for, Aunt Ornery, you sunk lower than I ever thought possible.

A. Wrightwing Conspirator, I’ll make sure I don’t bother you any more.

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 9:35 PM)

Regarding the reprehensible comments of Mitch McConnell:

That very same remark has been expressed numerous times from that nitwit Elizabeth Hasselbeck on The View. True, she's not a member of Congress, but she does have a daily, nationally televised forum to try to push her warped agenda, and with no credentials other than having eaten bugs on a reality show. (So I'm not sure who should be he 'worst person' there; her or ABC for insulting their audience by hiring her.)

gothamtomato, nyc (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 9:41 PM)

Anomaly,

I don't know if "Jeepers" is Scout talk or not, but it's an appropriate way to talk to children.

PUD Laguna Niguel CA (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 9:59 PM)

For you blowhards who keep whining that Keith doesn't have opposing views on his show (eg. David Molinero), but Bill O'Lielly does; take a look at what happens when the Opposing View goes on Bill's show:

LT in MD Tired of delusional Wingnuts (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 6:38 PM)

You mean like not allowing Ms. Jacobin from filibuster the segment? Or the fact that Mrs. Ingrahan pointed out that the Far Left doesn’t believe in Free Speech? Or that Loons are being destructive to the Civility in our Country?

BTW: I only point out that Olbermann doesn’t have people on with whom he disagrees with, and maybe it’s because he couldn’t handle a contrary opinion in a debate. O’Reilly (Who’s name you miss-spelt) does have people on all the time for a lively, civil, debate. I don’t whine about a show with failing ratings, and microscopic viewership.

David Molinero (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 10:06 PM)

#1. Bligh was the greatest dead-reckoning sailor since Christobal Colon, and a bit of a pr*ck. #2. See latter half of #1. #3. As the Mayor of NYC in those trying times, he was a target for the Terrorists, as was his wife, and his stable of Bimbi. #4. After redefining everything in the Government, Dubya has put the coupe de gras on the meaning of the word 'Intelligence'. #5. Unnamed sources claim that copies of the tape are available from "Kneel, Beg, and Serve Bondage and Discipline Store" in Georgetown. $24.95 retail.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 10:22 PM)

lary/not lary -- do u hav a life.? y not get 1 n stop b-ng a a-hoel. OJ sad wen he getsout

tEARSFrospears.org (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 10:24 PM)

Why has it taken four years for the US intelligence community to determine that Iran stopped pursuing nuclear weapons? (2007 - 2003 = 4)

Ron Simner, Saratoga, CA (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 10:41 PM)

Go Senator Durbin! I wish my senators had the cojones he does. Yes, Senator Lugar is a nice respectable man, and Senator Bayh, I think, is gunning to be Senator Clinton's VP candidate should she get the nomination. But, times like this call for more cojones. Do you think, that by some miracle, some CIA tape butchering “obstruction of justice” poop may hit the fan – or at least a big ‘ol juicy fart?!

Whomever is responsible for “The GOP VS. Intelligence” deserves a medal, a blue ribbon, a hearty handshake, a pat on the back, and the warm glow of victory! PRICELESS!!

Let us all observe a few moments of silence for Cookie's crumbling...

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 10:50 PM)

Regarding Senator McConnell for WPITW, yep it was vile, but I think Rep. John “Small Price to Pay” Boehner’s comment was worse. Of course, we need to remember that it was Senator McConnell’s minions responsible for the publication of the info about Graehm Frost and his family that resulted in threats against them.

Thank you, Keith, for the resulting giggles for your “Special Come On!” for an ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT movie!

And, finally, to again attempt to link my weekly "words of wisdom and inspiration" with an actual news story, I will paraphrase one of the more famous "suggestions" by the late Lenny Bruce. If the "fortunes" of Mayor Rudy and Mrs. Mayor Rudy continue to decline, we may have to hold a "clap-a-thon" for them. NO ONE can tell me that there's never been a concern in that area for the "good" mayor if he's "been around" half as much as I imagine he has!

To my fellow Newsholers, the Newshole moderators, the staff and contributors to COUNTDOWN, and to Keith Olbermann (yes, I will see you Sunday night - I believe the Colts are featured again?), ready the clap-a-thon details and have a faboo weekend!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 10:59 PM)

The tapes weren't destroyed to protect the torturers. They were destroyed to cover the Saudi and Pakistani connection to 9/11.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gerald-posner/the-cias-destroyed-inter_b_75850.html

J.F., Managua, Nicaragua (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 11:16 PM)

Everyone just keep your panties on. Biden said he would not move for impeachment unless Bush attacked Iran, so nothing is going to happen with this latest round of lies, either, like all the others before them.

R. NorCal (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 11:32 PM)

Dear Keith,

Thank you so much for telling it like it is. I have another story for you. Wait until you read this one, this story should keep you going for a WEEK! I hope you invite John Dean to discuss this new finding, and how we go about impeaching the war criminals that inhabit our beautiful White House.

Sen. Whitehouse Reveals Secret DoJ Legal Memos: Bush Determines What Is Constitutional
This morning, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) delivered an impassioned floor speech to help frame the debate over FISA reform. Using his privilege as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Whitehouse said he has “spent hours poring over” secret opinions issued by the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) — and he took notes.

Whitehouse is a lawyer, a former U.S. Attorney, a former legal counsel to Rhode Island’s Governor, and a former State Attorney General. He said he sought and received permission to have his notes declassified because he wanted to show the public “what the Bush administration does behind our backs when they think no one is looking.”

“To give you an example of what I read,” Whitehouse said on the Senate floor, “I have gotten three legal propositions from these secret OLC opinions declassified. Here they are, as accurately as my note-taking could reproduce them from the classified documents”:

1. An executive order cannot limit a President. There is no constitutional requirement for a President to issue a new executive order whenever he wishes to depart from the terms of a previous executive order. Rather than violate an executive order, the President has instead modified or waived it.

2. The President, exercising his constitutional authority under Article II, can determine whether an action is a lawful exercise of the President’s authority under Article II.

3. The Department of Justice is bound by the President’s legal determinations.

Watch it:

Pamela Morgan, Mission Viejo, California (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 11:44 PM)

Lots of talk right now about the NIE. Some have said (mainly cheese eating surrender monkey types) that this is proof we've got it wrong. It's time for deplomats and happy UN type vibes. WRONG

When they stopped trying to build bombs, we had invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, and had made if very clear if you cross us, we will *$&( you up. But let it be noted, they are still moving forward with uranium enrichment, and testing new, longer range missiles. Why bother sitting around with the weapon when you have no effective means of delivering it? The government of durkadurkastan still is very intent on have the islamic bomb, but sees no need to call in our (and quiet oddly, France's) wrath. We, allow with Europe, (and FRANCE??? Strange days indeed) have made it clear them with a nuke would piss the western world off.

Except the fact we've not bombed every oil pump, refinary, pipeline, dam, bridge, power plant, or military instillation, and armed every Kurd in Iran in response for them providing the weapons that have killed people I deployed with this past year, I completely agree with the Presidents policy.

Where do we go from here? The countiued economic and isolation we've been inflicting on the islamodurka republic. I have no doubt that once they have a means of delivery, that they will finish a weapon, and use it. Any time a nation has believed that they have a God given right to conquor with the sword, they have. And with a set of individuals hell bent on forcing the events that will hasten the return of the Hidden Imam will not be stopped by outsiders, or even their own.

Either the people of Iran will blink and remove their government, or a coalition of the west, Israel, and the Arab states will do it for them. (Very Very Strange Days) Either or, Iran's leaders will be defeated. It's all a matter of how many Iranians will be left when it's over. Very Sad, and Very Real.

Iraqi Warrior (Click Name) (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 1:24 AM)

Over these last weeks I have monitored this blog simply for curiousity's sake-what I was most interested in was what keeps Olbermann ticking, and that's you folks. You are an army of discontents suffering from nearly eight years of leadership you self-righteously believe was stolen from you. And so you have turned to a pretentious and patronizing fool as your "what's the color of his eyes" standard bearer. Notice I didn't call him ignorant-far from it as he and his progressive minions cherry pick obscure historic events,name drop equally obscure 19th century presidents to bring you to an almost orgasmic froth in your all encompassig passion to bring George Bush to his knees. What a sad lot all of you.
Even Keith knows he walks a thin line as he casts his invectives before History has time to digest whether or not a war time presidency is successful. All of his (and your) comments will live eternally in computer heaven (or hell?) for all future generations to judge.

My point is simple, and I won't try to snow you with references to Garfield or Cleveland. Instead let's us the guys on Rushmore- war time presidents all. Washington led a rag time bunch of confederates whose colonial support amounted to less than one in five and we ended up with a country (although it took over seven years between battles end and a constitution-- hmmm.. fast forward to Iraq).
A year after Jefferson dropped 15 mil for the rest of America he made our nations first international statement on "....the shores of Tripoli". How popular was that? Check "Countdown" circa 1804. As you know "Old Abe" gave his life to preserve what we have now but back in 1864 even some of the Northern presses were shut down for near sedition- Don't worry Keith, George thinks a blog is a bunch of land around Pennsylvania Ave. Finally, Teddy made a name for himself in Cuba with "...remember the Gulf of Tonkin-oops I meant the Maine. I hope you guys and gals get my drift, and if not keep drifting as your rantings at least serve the purpose of humerous escape for the rest of us!!

Mark Mendonsa Alaska (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 1:28 AM)

A touching story from Iraq that never saw press here in the U.S.

http://op-for.com/2007/10/what_goes_around_comes_around.html

David Molinero (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 1:42 AM)

Where can I view the "Special Come On!"? I tried msnbc.com but its not there with the rest of your segments. I only got to hear the last 2 sentences of it. Where can I find it?

Justin, Santa Barbara, California (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 2:02 AM)

The NIE report tells us just how wrong the President is, and how much he has lied and exaggerated. The only reason this report has come out now, is because there was going to be a mini coup in the intelligence community. Several intelligence experts were going to break this report that is really four years old. And came out again last year. These people were willing to go to jail rather than allow this criminal regime to lie us into another war. And this is the only reason it came out.

And if there is anyone who does not understand why this administration and it's neocon supporters want continual war, just follow the money. The military industrial complex makes the money. The chaos that is war allows us to take advantage of other country's that have oil. Everything is linked to everything else. Bush's family is part of the Caryle Group, which are arms manufacturers, they are in business with the Saudi's since the 60's, that is oil. It is corruption on an unbelievable scale.

We have spent six years being mis-directed by the President and the media. Media, what do they gain? Power by unrestricted monopoly. There are now a half dozen companies that own everything we see, hear and read. And they want more. Our objective sources have almost dried up.

We are occupiers of another country. We gave a pre-emptive strike in Iraq on a lie. So tell me, what is so different on this December 7th anniversary of the pre-emptive strike of Japan on Pearl Harbor? We called it infamy. I guess the righteousness depends on who is doing the strike.

As long as there are liars, and people unwilling to believe they made a mistake in the man they elected President, we can only expect more of the same. And no report by any agency that does not say what the Whitehouse wants it to say, will be sabotaged by the Republicans right away. In fact they already doing it. They want a commission to investigate the NIE. This must be the first time in years the Republicans have wanted to investigate anything except Bill Clinton.

carol h. San Francisco,CA (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 2:50 AM)

Mark Mendonsa Alaska (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 3:13 AM)

The Republiklan party continues their disintegration on foreign policy. Thank you Keith for speaking out and exposing Bush as a pathological liar.

The Liberal Democratic Party now has a television channel you can view at

http://www.dmocrats.org

The Liberal Democratic Party of the United States (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 7:40 AM)

Now I wonder who might of known about the destruction of those tapes? Hit it Church lady! Could it be Satan?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcjZtsFU5Z4
Now where what did they do those tapes?Click the link?
Congress what is it going to take?Is Cheney going to have to neon light Autograph Washington Monument,the Nations Phallic Symbol named after him.Is he going to have to accidental have to shoot Barney while using him as a hunting dog?Or will some sexual thing come up
that seem to be the deal back there,hmmm him and CoulterVader?,The Dark Side!No Tapes,No Country,No Congress,No Speaker,no runs,no,strikes,no balls,no errors.Impotent!Isn't that Special?Gitmo Prisoners Guys Look Out the next shower may be your last.I hear they brought some guys up from Argentina that have waterless showers that have a weird oder and they are building furnaces out back.I guess they are going to have some sort of barabeque?Right Forrest?

B. A. Buddusky (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 8:35 AM)

B. A. Buddusky (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 8:51 AM)

Any American who doesn't feel an inescapable urge to toss their cookies under the barrage of obfuscating subterfuge emanating in staccato rapid & rabid fire from the Republicans over the last 8 years must be made of concrete. Lies espoused and propounded amid religious calls to glory. Truth overturned and labeled lies. Counter-statements have become the rule of the day, all to the nauseating effect of a confused and hopeless public. Unchristian acts committed in the name of God & Christ, effecting some pseudo national religious heretic. As an elderly Christian, I cannot find God or Christ in any of this political vomitus emanating from our leaders, their speechwriters & being spread over the pages of our newspapers and across the airways of radio & TV news programs. Inundated by this dangerous "new-speaking" psychological babble, America lies stripped bare & exhausted of her constitution, bill of rights, normal militia, self respect & future income, walking confusedly in the dust of her former glory. What happened? America believed a flotilla of liars & their lies, accepting them without question, and is now awash in the sea of their littering, lingering aftermath. Ask not, who will rebuild Iraq. Ask, who will rebuild America? Vote better next time.

Mom for Truth, Downeast, Maine (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 9:51 AM)

David Molinero (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 1:42 AM)

It was a very touching story, can we leave now?

Carol, Long Valley, NJ (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 10:47 AM)

I just love when they talk about Huckabee being a "compassionate conservative".

Here's proof (once a gain) that there is no such thing:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120800713.html

Old Nick, Chicago, IL (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 11:42 AM)

Generally I don't take much notice of anything they say at Wikipedia about people, but I was curious about Capt. Bligh, so I looked him up. His trouble seems, according to the historian J.C. Beaglehole (and what a joke one could make of that) to have been, "(He) never learned you do not make friends of men by insulting them."

Men or women either. To anyone I have may have offended here, my deepest apologies (you know who you may be). And I'm taking that lesson to heart.

Allspice (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 12:01 PM)

WHY DON'T WE DEVELOP "CALL FOR JUSTICE" RIBBONS!
IS ANYONE INTERESTED AND ABLE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN?
DURING THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION, IT WAS A YELLOW RIBBON FOR THE HOSTAGES. THEY WERE EVERY WEHRE.

COULDN'T WE DO A RED,WHITE AND BLUE RIBBON WITH THE WORDS " CALL FOR JUSTICE" OR MAYBE A DIFFERENT COLOR?

We need to do something. We need to speak up loud enough that Congress and the Justice Department will listen.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN EASILY JOIN IN ON.
WE NEED TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD.

This administration has one deception after another. Now CIA tapes have been destroyed. The list of lies from President Bush is so long. He has done his best to destroy the constitution and our rights.
Please let's find a way to truly speak up!!

Cherrie Schilling (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 12:38 PM)

JUSTIFIED BEHAVIOR:

No matter what Bushie Boy & Darth Vader do or say, they will be defended by Neo-Cons, Conservs & Publicans. These defenders will only let someone talk who shares the same opinion, and demonize ALL who do not.

BB & DV know this and use it against their minions in the same way they use it against ALL who dare to think as dissenters and/or evil doers.

They have a vote of Senate approval in their mind to attack Iran, who started WWIII. The next step in 1/08 is to make the drums of WAR louder and louder. In their mind the intel on Iran is FRAUDULENT, and the threat to our way of life is beyond diplomacy or debate w/ dissenters. Short of forces but not NUKES. There is no stopping them, because nobody believes that they will nuke another country. And they know it.

Iran must stop or face what Iraq got, when they failed to turn over WMD on OUR terms.

No one, not even a Neo-Con, wants to believe this; however, I want this to be the first place to expose the extremes of 2008.

Talvenada, Phila., Penna. (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 12:50 PM)

The Republicans Party is bent on destroying American Democracy as we know it. Can you believe this right wing lunatic Republicans Congressman from Nevada is planning on introducing legislation to disprove the NIE reports stating that Iran does not have an active nuclear weapons program. So suddenly the right distrusts the CIA and all our other intelligence agencies and are even trumping an Israeli Intelligence report which is to be released over ours, talk about anti-Americanism. Thanks for calling these right wing lunes on this Keith. At least there is an American Patriot still left in the media.

Ash Clarke, New York, New York (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 1:45 PM)

Hey Keith,

Why don't you take a look at why Oprah is considered a voice for Obama, considering SHE did an entire show before the Iraq war... beating the drums for war, fully supporting Bush.

Oprah is a star of talk television and I respect some of her good works but her political opinion means NOTHING to me, not after seeing that show where she adamantly told her audience again and again we needed to go into Iraq.

I wonder if Obama saw that show? It certainly made me lose respect for Oprah, using her show to beat the drums for war, made me sick.

TJ, Bellingham, WA (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 2:29 PM)

Note: I apologize if this comes through 3 times. I keep hitting 'send' before my address is finished.

"Where can I view the "Special Come On!"? I tried msnbc.com but its not there with the rest of your segments. I only got to hear the last 2 sentences of it. Where can I find it? Justin

Justin, I realize this may not get to you in time, but it's at the end of the Keeping Tabs" segment, which on my page is labeled " Spears Shames Hilton". The last minute or so is the 'Come-On'

linda, centerville (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 3:09 PM)

Sorry, Pam but please explain how I outed a Writewing consipritor on anotrher thread ? I've been nowhere else, too much fun here!

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 3:48 PM)

Iraqi Warrior,

Well put Sir, you are a patriot. We need more real Americans like you on this blog as a counterpoint to the Dumboc-rats, Dimmocrats, and Liarbals, who are the usual inhabitants.

PUD Laguna Niguel CA (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 4:40 PM)

David Molinero..I don't know if you've ever posted where you were from, I don't recall if you did, but would you tell me where? CA?
Would appreciate it.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 4:54 PM)

Mark Mendonsa Alaska Saturday, December 8, 2007 3:13 AM.."Over these last weeks I have monitored his blog simply for curiosity's sake-what I was most interested in was what keeps Olbermann ticking, and that's you folks. You are an army of discontents suffering nearly eight years of leadership you self-righteously believe was stolen from you".

Well, Mr. Mendonsa, them are pretty fancy words, but if you have truly read this blog, you will see that most of don't give a fig about what whether the election was stolen from us or not. That is for another forum. It is what has happened in the last 7 years, particularly after 9/11 that makes us "an army of discontents". I originally was not going to answer your post, but being a regular blogger here, I will speak for myself, thank you very much. I won't go into ALL of what this Administration has done, for I would need too much space and my answer would be lost and if you have access to the broadcast media, print media, radio, whatever, you must be aware of what has been said. I will say the lies and manipulation are enough to open a can of worms. I don't like to be taken advantage of, I don't like being lied to, I don't like my birthright of freedoms manipulated to serve this Administration's agenda. This Administration has done it's deeds without any regard WHATSOEVER as to what it is doing to it's citizens. So if we on Countdown's blog believe that Mr. Olbermann speaks truth, most of the time our truth, and we seem like an "army of discontents", that's because we are and we are not alone, try over 70% of the United States population. Let's not go into the history books to even try and compare this Administation with others, it can't be done. This Administration has made a name for itself that is the worst in history..period. So, if you get my drift Mr. Mendonsa, I have tried explaining why I am included in "an army of discontents"..have a good day.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 5:33 PM)

If this comes through 3 times, it's because my computer spit it out 3 times, I pressed submit only once.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 5:35 PM)

Krista Friday, December 7, 2007 10:50 PM.."Let us all observe a moment of silence for Cookie's crumbling..."

another good one gal..LOL!

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 5:42 PM)

Bill in Chicago Friday December 7, 2007 9:27PM.."We need to find out more about these tapes. Maybe you should have Posner and Risen on the show to talk about this". EXCELLENT idea Bill!

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 6:01 PM)

To: Mom for Truth, Downeast

"As an elderly Christian, I cannot find God or Christ in any of this political vomitus emanating from our leaders, their speechwriters & being spread over the pages of our newspapers and across the airways of radio & TV news programs".

I agree with you 100%...Remember, Christ said to pray for "God's Kingdom (government)to come"

1John 5:19b "the whole world is in the power of the wicked one". (key words "whole world")

Now you know why !!!

goodspeed (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 6:27 PM)

except for Armitage, of course.
Anomaly (Sent Friday, December 07, 2007 4:21 PM)

Awww, are you thinking of the former deputy SoS? 'Cause I'm thinking of the star of Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South" -- who is not funky in the least! ;)

Ok, if you have the Witch King stand in for Mr. Collins, you need to send Mr. Collins to Mordor -- perhaps as a spy disguised as Gollum. When he comes back, he could provide precise intelligence as to the number of Orcs and WMDs at Sauron's disposal.

To segue, did you see Gandalf's crossover performance as Amos in "Cold Comfort Farm?" How about if we kidnap Flora Poste and Gandalf-as-Amos for our use in the next administration? Flora could send out Gandalf-Amos to the masses as the new Pat Robertson/Jerry Falwell type--while reminding them that "there will be no butter in h*ll" he could entertain them with spectacular fireworks. Flora could then send the remaining Bush supporters who see "something nasty in the woodshed" off on a nice long vacation. Then she could have those who messed with "our rights" put away. Thus, she would be free to tidy up the country's infrastrucure. Finally, to segue back to more appropriate topics for "keeping tabs" than the bimbo brigade, there is Flora's cousin (Rufus Sewell) and his career in the talkies.

Sorry to those who find these references obscure, but this is the way my mind works, particularly when it is too cold to go outstide. Now I'll go back to lurking for a while.

ek, mpls mn (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 7:53 PM)

gothamtomato, nyc Friday December 7, 2007 9:41 PM..I am happy to report that we may not have to listen or see Elisabeth Hasselbeck on the View anymore. Rumor has it she is pursuing a talk show of her own and Barbara Walters is searching for her replacement. I assume that will keep her in Arizona. I can't say I'll miss her, as she got on my nerves. Sherri Shepherd is a comedian, but a bit of nitwit. I DVD everyday to view at night, but I skip pretty much after host chat. I only watch because of Whoopi and Joy Behar.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 8:09 PM)

#1 Fact checking is a good thing on occasion, and easy enough to do....

"Captain William Bligh? He not only sailed his way home in, essentially, a rowboat..."

He did not sail home in a rowboat, or even row home in a rowboat. He and what was left of his crew made it to Timor, a Dutch colony - a prodigious accomplishment. From there, they made it home to England in a British transport ship.

Pud - Laguna Niguel CA (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 8:18 PM)

All good Libs take the NIE at face value, right? (Unless it talked about WMDs in Iraq, Bush cooked the NIE back then as some would claim. But why confuse the matter)

Well, the New York Times has taken a second look at it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/opinion/06milhollin.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast&oref=slogin

David Molinero (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 9:17 PM)

Hi Everyone..hope you all had a great weekend.

#5..those tapes were erased for only one reason, IMHO, to cover their a**es, collectively. El Presidente didn't know about them? Isn't privy to everything the CIA does? the leader of this nation? "This government does not torture", so they were kept from him?..knowing this statment was a lie? Mentiroso (liar)..how does he live with himself? how does Laura? There are copies of these tapes somewhere, and sometime they will come out. Not all White House staffers are on this Administration's side, you can bet on it.

Oddball: I'd like to have seen the face of that checker at the convenience store when these two nekked yahoos (buff they looked to be!) walked in. They were ready to be off and play nekked in the bushes.

WPitW..Mitch McConnell. About the Iraq war "nobody is happy about losing lives, but remember, these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers"..and um, so they die differently, they don't bleed the same, they're bionic and indestructible? Just what did you mean Mitch? Maybe that brain scan ought to be done on Mitch, so we can see if maybe he's suffering the first signs of dementia. I'm sure the families of these soldiers loved hearing his comment..Geez! what a thing to say.

Thank you Keith for resurrecting the story of Cookie and his bro Buzzy..good for a laugh.

and I always love Oddball's Plays of the Month, particularly for those new viewers. We all need to be reminded laughter is good medicine..thanks again Keith.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 9:47 PM)

From what I've heard (Don't know yet if it applies to this case) The C.I.A. Distroys things all the time when there's nothing more to be learned from the matiral, and holding it takes up too much space, fear of what could happen if leaked, or is just too out-dated. Everything distroyed is logged, and after a time, the logs are distroyed; which is logged as well.

What if after all this hoopla, it is found out that these tapes were distroyed following procedures practiced long before Bush came to office? Would Olbermann back-track all the things said? (I doubt it)

I'll wait till after the investigation before I start cutting the limb I'm on, or else I may find myself on the wrong side of the saw.

David Molinero (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 11:18 PM)

carol h. San Francisco,CA (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 2:50 AM)

Can you name one war (Or conflict) where information hasn't change mid-stream? Hell, even during the Cold War, Intel was always changing and often wrong.

The NIE is nothing more then the best educated guess by our intelligence community; nothing more. And if they got WMDs in Iraq wrong, could they be wrong on this as well?

Hind-sight is always 20/20, foresight is always a bit muddled. Think of what all would be said if a year from now, Iran set off a test bomb.
"How could our Intel got it wrong?"
"Why didn't we see this coming?"
So on and so forth with-out end.

Not saying that it will happen, but that it's not a good ideal to put too much faith in even the best educated guess made on something that the other side is working hard to keep as secret as possible.

David Molinero (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:06 AM)

Cherrie Schilling - Great idea!! Any suggestions on how we go about doing this. I, along with many people would put them on trees, poles, houses, wherever. Writing emails to congress, state reps - so far has done nothing! Maybe something like this will get peoples' attention and can spread nationwide. I'm in!!!

Kathy, Chicago (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:12 AM)

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