Countdown Special Comment on FISA: President Bush Is A Liar And A Fascist
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Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on today's Countdown was a scathing rebuke of President Bush for continuing to play the fear card, trying to scare the hell out of the American people and vowing to veto any FISA legislation that does not contain telecom amnesty.
You are a liar, Mr. Bush, and after showing some skill at it, you have ceased to even be a very good liar.
And your minions like John Boehner -- your Republican congressional crash dummies who just happen to decide to walk out of Congress when a podium-full of microphones await them -- they should just keep walking, out of Congress and if possible, out of the country.
For they -- and you, sir -- have no place in a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
The lot of you, are the symbolic descendants of the despotic middle managers of some banana republic, to whom "Freedom" is an ironic brand name, a word you reach for, when you want to get away with its opposite.
Thus, Mr. Bush, your panoramic invasion of privacy is dressed up as "protecting America."
Full transcripts below the fold:
Democrats in the House of Representatives are closing the shop down tonight, until a week from Monday... leaving President Bush twisting slowly in a wind of his own creation.
Our third story on the Countdown: the FISA bill -- and the retroactive immunity for the telecom giants that helped Mr. Bush illegally eavesdrop on Americans -- will thus just sit there, unacted upon, not even a temporary extension which the Republicans and Mr. Bush refused, despite the President's threats that if the bill isn't passed by Saturday, there'd be a breakdown in counter-terrorism surveillance and plagues of locusts and stuff.
A Special Comment, in a moment.
First the details.
House Democrats, in essence, calling the Republicans' bluff.
They staged a walkout at mid-day... led by John Boehner, who in one act managed the cheesy political theater, and managed to get out just as Representatives were to vote on Contempt of Congress citations against Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten.
That the Republicans just happened to walk to a stand-full of microphones... pure coincidence.
The President had started all this, with his now-daily message of fear, with what he apparently sees as a threat, to postpone his scheduled trip to Africa.
The House should not leave Washington without passing the Senate bill. I am scheduled to leave tomorrow for a long-planned trip to five African nations. Moments ago, my staff informed the House leadership that I'm prepared to delay my departure, and stay in Washington with them, if it will help them complete their work on this critical bill. The lives of countless Americans depend on our ability to monitor terrorist communications.
Having lost, he now says he's going to Africa -- another threat, or promise, unfulfilled.
Now, as promised, a Special Comment.
A part of what I will say, was said here on January 31st.
Unfortunately it is both sadder and truer now, than it was, then.
"Who's to blame?" Mr. Bush also said this afternoon, "Look, these folks in Congress passed a good bill late last summer... The problem is, they let the bill expire. My attitude is: if the bill was good enough then, why not pass the bill again?"
You know, like The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
Or Executive Order 90-66.
Or The Alien and Sedition Acts.
Or Slavery.
Mr. Bush, you say that our ability to track terrorist threats will be weakened and our citizens will be in greater danger.
Yet you have weakened that ability!
You have subjected us, your citizens, to that greater danger!
This, Mr. Bush, is simple enough even for you to understand.
For the moment, at least, thanks to some true patriots in the House, and your own stubbornness, you have tabled telecom immunity, and the FISA act.
You.
By your own terms and your definitions -- you have just sided with the terrorists.
You got to have this law or we're all going to die.
But practically speaking, you vetoed this law.
It is bad enough, sir, that you were demanding an Ex Post Facto law, which could still clear the AT&Ts and the Verizons from responsibility for their systematic, aggressive, and blatant collaboration with your illegal and unjustified spying on Americans under this flimsy guise of looking for any terrorists who are stupid enough to make a collect call or send a mass e-mail.
But when you demanded it again during the State of the Union address, you wouldn't even confirm that they actually did anything for which they deserved to be cleared.
"The Congress must pass liability protection for companies believed to have assisted in the efforts to defend America." Believed?
Don't you know?
Don't you even have the guts Dick Cheney showed in admitting they did collaborate with you?
Does this endless presidency of loopholes and fine print extend even here?
If you believe in the seamless mutuality of government and big business -- come out and say it!
There is a dictionary definition, one word that describes that toxic blend.
You're a fascist -- get them to print you a t-shirt with "fascist" on it!
What else is this but fascism?
Did you see Mark Klein on this newscast last November?
Mark Klein was the AT&T Whistleblower, the one who explained in the placid, dull terms of your local neighborhood I-T desk, how he personally attached all AT&T circuits -- everything -- carrying every one of your phone calls, every one of your e-mails, every bit of your web browsing into a secure room, room number 641-A at the Folsom Street facility in San Francisco, where it was all copied so the government could look at it.
Not some of it, not just the international part of it, certainly not just the stuff some spy -- a spy both patriotic and telepathic -- might able to divine had been sent or spoken by -- or to -- a terrorist.
Everything!
Every time you looked at a naked picture.
Every time you bid on eBay.
Every time you phoned in a donation to a Democrat.
"My thought was," Mr. Klein told us last November, "George Orwell's 1984. And here I am, forced to connect the big brother machine."
And if there's one thing we know about Big Brother, Mr. Bush, is that he is -- you are -- a liar.
"This Saturday at midnight," you said today, "legislation authorizing intelligence professionals to quickly and effectively monitor terrorist communications will expire. If Congress does not act by that time, our ability to find out who the terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and what they are planning, will be compromised...You said that "the lives of countless Americans depend" on you getting your way.
This is crap.
And you sling it, with an audacity and a speed unrivaled even by the greatest political felons of our history.
Richard Clarke -- you might remember him, sir, he was one of the counter-terror pro's you inherited from President Clinton, before you ran the professionals out of government in favor of your unreality-based reality -- Richard Clarke wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer:
"Let me be clear: Our ability to track and monitor terrorists overseas would not cease should the Protect America Act expire. If this were true, the president would not threaten to terminate any temporary extension with his veto pen. All surveillance currently occurring would continue even after legislative provisions lapsed because authorizations issued under the act are in effect up to a full year."
You are a liar, Mr. Bush, and after showing some skill at it, you have ceased to even be a very good liar.
And your minions like John Boehner -- your Republican congressional crash dummies who just happen to decide to walk out of Congress when a podium-full of microphones await them -- they should just keep walking, out of Congress and if possible, out of the country.
For they -- and you, sir -- have no place in a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
The lot of you, are the symbolic descendants of the despotic middle managers of some banana republic, to whom "Freedom" is an ironic brand name, a word you reach for, when you want to get away with its opposite.
Thus, Mr. Bush, your panoramic invasion of privacy is dressed up as "protecting America."
Thus, Mr. Bush, your indiscriminate domestic spying becomes the focused monitoring, only of "terrorist communications."
Thus, Mr. Bush, what you and the telecom giants have done, isn't unlawful, it's just the kind of perfectly legal, passionately patriotic thing for which you happen to need immunity!
Richard Clarke is on the money, as usual.
That the President was willing to veto this eavesdropping, means there is no threat to the legitimate counter-terror efforts underway.
As Senator Kennedy reminded us in December:
"The President has said that American lives will be sacrificed if Congress does not change FISA. But he has also said that he will veto any FISA bill that does not grant retroactive immunity.
No immunity, no FISA bill. So if we take the President at his word, he's willing to let Americans die to protect the phone companies."
And that literally cannot be.
Even Mr. Bush could not overtly take a step that actually aids the terrorists.
I am not talking about ethics here.
I am talking about blame.
If the President seems to be throwing the baby out with the bathwater, it means we can safely conclude... there is no baby.
Because if there were, sir, now that you have vetoed an extension of this eavesdropping, if some terrorist attack were to follow...
You would not merely be guilty of siding with the terrorists...
You would not merely be guilty of prioritizing the telecoms over the people...
You would not merely be guilty of stupidity...
You would not merely be guilty of treason, sir...
You would be personally, and eternally, responsible.
And if there is one thing we know about you, Mr. Bush, one thing that you have proved time and time again... it is that you are never responsible.
As recently ago as 2006, we spoke words like these with trepidation.
The idea that even the most cynical and untrustworthy of politicians in our history -- George W. Bush -- would use the literal form of terrorism against his own people -- was dangerous territory. It seemed to tempt fate, to heighten fear.
We will not fear any longer.
We will not fear the international terrorists -- we will thwart them.
We will not fear the recognition of the manipulation of our yearning for safety -- we will call it what it is: terrorism.
We will not fear identifying the vulgar hypocrites in our government -- we will name them.
And we will not fear George W. Bush.
Nor will we fear because George W. Bush wants us to fear.
boy howdy,KO went ballistic calling the Preznit a fascist and a liar.He was visibly upset
This coming on the same day that Romney endorses McCain in a speech where they actually implied that if you don't vote for McCain that you'll be bringing an end to "civilization as we know it." The Repubs are really trying to be all big and bad today.
Mr. Olberman let it fly! And said what needs to be said over and over!
Another winner, Olby. Well done; I send your Special Comments to everybody I know.
Well, gee, mudshark. It's kind of upsetting to see a guy tell flat out lies and not get called on it. It creates the impression that reality is optional.
Good for Keith.
Another fine "Olbermann Commentary" to save to disk.
When the 'bushies' are gone I'm going to burn CD of all his commentaries and have my Grandkids give them to their Grandkids!
SteveK @ 6:
I think you can find them all archived on MSNBC
I think that my eyebrows are singed...
Roark77 @ 2:
More of the same from Romney. When he suspended his campaign, he essentially said a vote for Clinton or Obama is a victory for terrorists. Jon Stewart had an appropriate response.
As for Keith, this is great. He remains one of very few who is willing to stand up to this administration on this type of platform. His critics can call him a left wing lunatic, but regardless of his political views, we all know the president and his administration have overstepped their legal boundaries, and almost everyone in a position to stop them have sat on their hands. It is nice to have someone who is willing to say enough is enough.
As usual, Keith hits the nail right on the head!
The truth must be told. Keith Olbermann is a true PATRIOT.
I don't know how Keith gets away with this stuff without a single peep from the other side in response.
What Keith said....
Bangkok Bob @ 7:
I'm sure you're right Bob and I'm not too paranoid but I'll be happier with a 'hard copy' of them all.
And what the hell... they may be worth something on "Antiques Roadshow 2108"!
After Kurt Vonnegut died this spring, it seemed, to paraphrase one of his characters in "Jailbird," that "now there's no one left alive who gives a shit about what happens to America."
But Keith Olbermann still cares.
George W. Bush has nearly murdered everything America used to stand for, and yet there he is, still showing his stupid face and his depraved soul every day as President of this country--still posturing, smirking, lying.
Shame on us all for standing for it.
But at least Keith, on national TV, has the guts to call Bush what he is--a fucking fascist.
The bit at the end starting with "We will not fear any longer" was fantastic. It was inspirational. I couldn't help but make the connection to the campaign Obama has been running. While Obama was not my 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd choice I do welcome a change, even if it's just cosmetic, in the rhetoric. I wonder if Olberman's comment might have been slightly inspired by all this talk of "hope" and all this promise to end the politics of fear. Whether the two are connected or not I welcome something different and more uplifting. I'm tired of fear. I want to embrace optimism again.
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
I know what you mean,it's kinda scary.
It will be interesting to see, if congress actually thwarts these people in charge, whether another major attack against the "homeland" occurs.
Keiths writers went back to work yesterday.
Charles II @ 5:
?
Wow!!! That was a barnburner!!
His best Special Commentary yet!
i thought this was a little too extreme... i get that Bush lies a lot but to use the word "fascist" is a bit bombastic. maybe he should consider less name calling and more substantive disagreements
To Keith Olberman:
Great job on the comment this evening. I am however beginning to fear for your safety - keep the bodyguards close at hand.
Our fascist president, george w bush, is evil incarnate, and I do not put it out of the realm of possibility that he will order retribution for your speaking the truth. I fervently hope that one day this poor excuse for a human being, bush, suffers the same fate as another well known fascist dictator - Benito Mussolini of WW2 Italy. Hope there is an available lamp post in Crawford TX.
I feel like that guy on the old Memorex cassette tape commercials.
By the way, Keith, my wife thinks you're hot.
greg @ 22:
WRONG!
KO gave a clear explanation about the relationship between Busch and the telecoms and made the case for the fascist label. We need more bombast . . we have to wake up the people!!!
KO always has such good ideas...perhaps we should organize a campaign to mail thousands of "I am a fascist" T-shirts to the White House. One for Georgie, Dickie, Condie, Mikey, the lot of them. Hmmmm..."Fascists in da House"...
*sigh* When are we going to see something like a Feingold / Olbermann ticket? Now that's something I could get behind...
Thank you Keith...I have a 3 year old son and cringe at the thought of what his future will be if someone doesn't step up and change our governing by fear. I applaud you for your courage that so many empty suits in congress lack and our chimp.
The temper tantrum thrown by the wing nuts over contempt of the law and FISA has grown tiring and I pray the American people will wake up and see what has happened to our country before it's too late. I don't want to hear it anymore.
Think about it...in order to "win" mcwhackos war against a tactic, you will have to be able to get into the "minds" of billions of muslims who now hate us and be assured they will never think a harmful thought against our country.
We can either choose to fear those thoughts of those who hate us, sacrifice what our founding fathers fought for on the premise of fear, shred the constitution for the phone companies, or choose to say FU to the nut cases and continue to march towards a better world for our children and future generations denying our enemies the satisfaction that "they" changed the way we live our lives or the way our laws were written. Now that is..winning.
Think about it... the enemy has "forced" us into giving up the very freedom's we are supposed to be handing out as a "gift' to those who raised their purple finger.
Our country is too strong and too great to surrender to "fear". KO is a patriot.
Ex-Canuck @ 23:
I'm surprised he hasn't been in an "accident" already.
It's very strange.
Watched Olbermans special note to bush-ola tonight and as always it it made me feel good that somewhere there are members of the media who are doing things the right way and raking the muck.
But I expect that with his program. it is a fine 60min of not only good news to watch but the program is entertaining as all get out.
The man takes his work very seriously.
DaveL @ 18:
They're already starting with the vague threats and rhetoric. You just know that McCain is going to constantly hammer away at Clinton and Obama with that "if you vote for the Dems then the terrorists win" crap. I would love to see Clinton and Obama bring this up at the next debate and try to blunt this rhetoric before it really gets going.
greg @ 22:
You should look up the word 'fascist". It fits the Bush Cabal to a T.
The Democratic candidate for president needs to carry that Special Comment around for quick reference. It contains everything that needs to be said to take the Republican bullshit and throw it right back in McCain's face.
greg @ 22:
Read this then reevaluate your comment:
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm
BWAHAHAHAHAHA. What would be great is if our President faced this kind of talk at his Press Conferences.
Or something similar to Parliament where everyone calls their Prime Minister out on their BS.
L.A. Confidential @ 19:
HA! You are correct.....
Terry @ 355:
Classic. Is there a list of "best" troll comments because this should be on it.
J.O.G. @ 356:
Dems need to wake the fu** up and realize there is a difference between democrat and communist... KO would like it if you were without health insurance or a job for that matter, you could come and sweep the sidewalk in front of your local city hall for rent and food...
Terry @ 361:
Truly, you have a dazzling intellect.
Terry @ 361:
Obviously it's YOU who needs to wake the f*ck up, Terr. Which reichwing site did you get those idiotic talking points from?
Mike Politik @ 35:
Keith writes his own comments, you poor wee mannies. Geez, what a concept--an educated, erudite former sportscaster who writes his own Special Comments! Go ahead, wrap your narrow minds around that.
Presidents used to do the same, back in the day. Would that we could produce a presidential candidate with the writing skills of, say, Lincoln... Oh, but that would mean valuing intellect over such superficial characteristics as looks, or wardrobe, or media presence, or net worth. Again, geez, what a concept!
...I think our species has gotten our priorities misplaced. How else to explain George "Can't think his way out of a paper sack" Bush as president?!
Isn't liar part of the job description and definition of being a politician? Keith Olberman use to be a witty and entertaining personality on ESPN. Now he's a liberal, Rush Limbaugh wannabe. Calling Bush a liar or fascist isn't creative, insightful or even all that shocking, which is all Keith is striving to be.
Ed Furey @ 365:
Sorry Ed, not buying your rationale. Keith speaks truth to illegitimate power.
Gotugye @ 119:
I agree so much with where you are coming from. I have studied the Republican mentality and their actions. They are very deceptive and manipulating. I have not found many who are honest in their dealings. If I counted the times I yelled at my TV for the lies these guys generate and the way in which they hide behind those lies, I would be rich. I am not exaggerating.
Thank you for your real comments.
Joseph
translation of Bush's stupid conference: "...booga....boogah booga boogah.....burr...slobber slobber slobber!!!! ....boogah boogah.....ahhhhh ahhhhhh!!!...."
FYI Mr. President: We're not afraid of terrorist nor you nor your administration any longer
Now he's a liberal, Rush Limbaugh wannabe. The Instant I saw that line, I almost lost it! That's a real knee-slapper!
Busholini is an empty head in an empty suit.
.........the difference between KO and Rush Limbaugh is that KO doesn't lie or embellish matters. Who, but a troll, would make such a statement! Shoo, troll!!
to whatever person made the comment about cloture, yeah i know that. wasn't thinking coherantly enough to straighen that out last night.
Terry @ 355:
A mouth-breather is the tragic result of procreation between siblings. Kind of like how you got here.
Normal people breathe through their noses.
Terry @ 357:
Oh, yeah.....sorry.
This is what right-wingers call "humor".
Olbermann is a cowardly idiot.
Seriously, are all Dems and left-wing nuts cowards. Or do you all have some dark secrects you are trying to hide. Hello. Anybody home. Terrorists were not trying to kill all of us when the Constitution was written. We need to protect this country, and I know plenty of couragous Americans that fully support FISA and anything the govt wants to do to protect us. But I guess the key word there was couragous. I have nothing to hide so they can listen to my conversations and search my home anytime they want - especially if it will help stop the Islamic terrorists from killing more innocent Americans. Try to understand this, the Islamic terrorists want to kill all Americans or convert us to Islam - and they will not stop until they have succedded or WE STOP THEM!!!! So please, stop being so weak and let our govt protect us as best they can. I have a 5 year old daughter and all I want is for my govt to protect her - THATS ALL!!!!!!!!
God bless, J
Ed Furey @ 365:
No, just what the reThuglicans and DINO have accepted the description to mean.
There are people who want everyone to do good and the country to prosper,.....few are conservatives....VERY few
Jason Odom @ 375:
More brilliant insight from the "Terry" faction....Destroy the constitution so we can protect it.
I just thought that needed its own quote. Now there is terror, so there can be no more Constitution. I assume Jason Odom will be surrendering his guns and his right to free speech any minute now.
Dear Jason Odom. BOO !!!!!
bush says "BOO" and jason and his ilk make a mess in their drawers.
Van @ 377:
This is truly pathetic.
"OH, PROTECT ME MR.PRESIDENT!! I'LL DO ANYTHING YOU SAY!!!! GO AHEAD AND SEARCH ME WITHOUT A WARRANT, BAN MY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, IMPRISON ME FOR A LIFETIME WITHOUT CHARGES....JUST DON'T LET ME BE KILLED BY THE BIG BAD TERRORISTS."
I got news for you. The US is finally starting to realize what the British and the Spanish and the Italians have known for years. Brute force does not prevent terrorism. It worsens it!
The aforementioned countries have not reverted to totalitarianism to deal with their domestic terror problems. Neither do we if we approach the problem with any degree of courage and justice.
Well let's see... McCain=Bush and Bush = Liar And A Fascist.... therefore McCain = Liar And A Fascist
Simple! Now who to vote for?
Ron Paul or Obama ... you decide.
Bush on subject with China instagating war in Sudan. Doesn't believe boycotting the olympics is good ideal. Bush says he talks to the president of China (Hu) all the time about war in Africa, I'll bet China is doing exactly what they are told, China has an upper class as well, and it is only because everyone else are slaves that they the few at the top get rich. This is how The NWO is modeled.
Jason, ask yourself this: how soon would the war on terror be over if a law was passed making it illegal for companies to make obscene profits from "protecting us"? If it helps you sleep tonight to believe that this is all about having your best interests at heart, then dream on.
Yeah greg, being a pussy and not calling it like it is will really get us where we need to be. I'm sorry, but when I'm lied to enough I get mad and let that person know it. How about take it from Keith and stand the fuck up! We shall NOT take this shit anymore! We have power and fear kills it. Bush and the people he works for knows this. We are awakening, including Keith, and we will have more of this. I am afraid that Bush will cause another terrorist attack to set us all back to where they want us. Dumb and scared.... Maybe this next time, we can be little more aware and a little more prepared for this. Prepare to fight for your mind....
Prepare to fight for your soul...
Choose your side (Good or bad, not Dem or Rep.) and stick to it....
Good luck and stay awake!
The bush/cheney PNAC/carlyle group cabal regime are traitors to the constitution.
They must be held accountable for their crimes!!!! and I mean ALL OF THEM!
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
Because the truth will set you free. There is nothing to contest. Over 300 + lies told to COngress and the people to get us to go on a police action. Ir is not a Congressional Declared War. I will be so glad to be rid of Bush.
Jason Odom @ 375:
First, keep your deity to yourself. Second, you rethug neocon fascists are hellbent on turning this nation into a theocracy full of SUV drivin, WWE watchin, bible thumpin MORONS!
TRY to understand this, if you can, the party which you so blindly follow and defend, would gladly throw you and your child under a bus if it makes them a buck. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT "WE, THE PEOPLE!" They only care about makin cash, big, fat, whoppin stacks of it. And you, your child, and myself are mere cannon fodder to them.
So don't buy into that chest poundin, flag wavin bullshit dude. The sooner you WAKE UP and smell the FASCISM, the better off WE THE PEOPLE, WILL ALL BE!!!
Have a Nice Day.
bush/cheney have killed over one million innocent iraqi's, don't think he'd do the same to one million american's?
Hold these crooked accountable for treason, war crimes, illegal spying, torture, conspiracy and election fraud. No wonder the bushies purchased over 100,000 acres of land in paraguay, safe from extradition for war crimes, and cheney is off to haliburtons new HQ, in dubai.
Oh yeah, Jason is a know it all Bible thumper.... I don't listen to people who do not think for themselves. Sorry Jas, but your church was infiltrated a long time ago. Wake the fuck up.....
Dumb and scared - Jason is a perfect example... Some faith you have.... Faith indeed. For God's sake, think for yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have more Faith in my little toe.
I do not fear the Gov.
I do not fear terror.
I do not fear God
and above all I do not fear you.
Faith empowers me to have no fear because I understand it is all in God's hands. You would think Jason would understand this.... Must be double-thinking are just your average Christian spouting out the fear they hear from the people all around them while not listening to what Jesus, actually said.... Sad, sad, sad... People just cannot think for themselves.... Maybe I should flip on the tube and it can tell me what to think... hell if I don't like that I might see a commercial that can tell me what "legal" drug to buy and how safe it is for me. Mad, Mad world... Rejoice for these days are going to end and better days are just around the corner. Sorry if I have to be mean and insensitive, but enough is enough and I'm not going to just sit by and listen to these know it all people who really do NOT know shit.
liberalNmoderation @ 388:
Theres not polite way around this. Jason, you are an idiot. You are so willing to give up your freedom you say its alright for the authorities to come into you home without provocation and wiretap your phones. It seems like the terrorists have already won.
peaceful easy feeling @ 285:
Simple,"greasy", we haven't let him have any free time to make his move yet. Granted, there are plenty of dumbasses in denial, like yourself, who believe that even though the way has been paved for a fascist state, the present situation of said state not having risen yet, is proof enough that it never will. Because blogs like this exist, too many people have been able to keep an eye on the ball. Do you honestly think if Bush had all the telecoms on his side that this website would still exist!?!?
Thankfully the people in charge are loyal friends of Bush, not competent. If Bush were smart, he would have wiped this website and everyone of us off the pages of history by now. As it stands, he still remains an overconfident, clumsy,drunken fool. That's what I am thankful for. If he had any sort of brains and a goal, his truly evil nature would have done so much more.
375 Jason Odom
Actually I'm an Air Force vet that had a Top Secret Clearance then an Honorable Discharge.
375 Jason Odom
Oh yeah, and
Praise Bob!
I applaud the FISA vote! today is a better day!
Give me liberty or give me death.
it has to be said bush could have and should have been called out years ago.
Here at Crooks and Liars,Keith is basically preaching to the choir.
When is this going to change?When is the rest of America going to wake up from this GD nightmare and HEAR what Keith is spelling out in such uncompromising and powerful terms?
He simply couldn't make it any clearer.America is being held hostage by a gang of shameless criminals.I actually am beginning to fear for Keith's continued freedom,if not life.
Holy shit, Olbermann, that was absolutely awesome.
I'm quivering with delight. A top 5 performance for sure!
greg @ 22:
greg,
He tore him to pieces on all levels: facts, recent history, truth, and what's just plain right. Keith is hitting on all cylinders, including what you consider name-calling. Bush is a fascist, period. More substantive? Man, this special comment was nothing but substance.
greg @ 22:
No way, not at all. We love people like Chris Rock, George Carlin and Lewis Black because they say what people are thinking......I think journalists need to do the same sometimes.
greg @ 22:
"Bombastic"? Just to be sure, I read several definitions of fascism and by God, Olbermann is RIGHT! Bush is a fascist by the most accepted definitions of the word.
greg @ 22:
You obviously don't know what the word "fascist" means. The combination of the government, the corporate media, and the telecoms is fascism, pure and simple.
Mike Politik @ 35:
Haha! Nice, very nice.
Hey, good for the writers, I say.
pinkobait @ 37:
When we start the draft again.....not the Vietnam draft....the WWII draft.
Frat boys have a hard time fukin up political systems when they have to cower in foxholes.
Blue Lensman @ 25:
+1! If anyone's interested, the best book on this topic is "Liberal Fascism" by Jonah Goldberg!
Heh heh...Just kidding.
Seriously, check out "Fascism and Big Business" by Daniel Guerin. Goldberg's "definition" of fascism is total bullshit. Guerin wrote his book in 1936 as the horror of fascism was becoming apparent in Europe.
Olbermann was 100% correct in his definition.
Absolutely spot on, Keith. As usual.
KO: The only media figure who remembers the true creed of what it is to be an American.
Jon Stewart's response to Romney's "terrorists will win if you vote Dem [paraphrase]" was pure poetry. Brilliant.
greg @ 22:
Not as extreme as exhorting that a Democratic president will allow this country to be defeated by "Islamofascists"...
Not as extreme as stripping our civil liberties and imposing government surveillance without warrants under the cover of "protecting us from the evil doers".
Not as extreme as holding secret meetings with oil companies to determine our nation's energy policy.
Not as extreme as invading a country under false pretenses and causing the deaths and maimings of hundreds of thousands of people.
All of the above are straight out of the Fascist playbook. Olbermann's just calling the play-by-play.
Funny how the Chimpies have gone along ignoring the law for 7 years, wretapping whoever, whenever, wherever they liked in defiance of FISA but now, if Congress doesn't change the law to make legal what was illegal, they're endangering the security and safety of the nation. What a crock.
We need to protect this country, and I know plenty of couragous Americans that fully support FISA and anything the govt wants to do to protect us. But I guess the key word there was couragous. I have nothing to hide so they can listen to my conversations and search my home anytime they want - especially if it will help stop the Islamic terrorists from killing more innocent Americans. Try to understand this, the Islamic terrorists want to kill all Americans or convert us to Islam - and they will not stop until they have succedded or WE STOP THEM!!!! So please, stop being so weak and let our govt protect us as best they can. I have a 5 year old daughter and all I want is for my govt to protect her - THATS ALL!!!!!!!!
God bless, J
God...When did conservatives become such f***ing COWARDS???
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”--Ben Franklin
I wish Keith Olbermann’s Special Comments were included in the Congressional Record. Later when people look back at the history of our nation, they will get to see what kind on people were in charge of our nation. Like the name of this website "Crooks & Liers".
They are also fascist, but that has nothing to do with this website.
Wait.. Is that someone trying to kick my door in?.....brb I hope....
the munz@232
From here in Australia it is hard to understand how the voters do not rally around the the logic of KO’s remarks and do something. The USA has become a scary place.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are too busy with Britney, Grammy awards, Super Bowls, baseball players investigations, university killings, mass muders,
big flat tv's, etc, etc See?
Are we absolutely sure that it's in no way possible to just bind and gag George WTF Bush to his chair in the oval office for the next 10 months, really? Just for confirmation, I looked up the Merriam Webster definition of fascist, and I have to say, Keith has hit the nail on the head! Instead of the bible, maybe some of the right-wingers should read Orwell's novel, 1984.
Because your wife has that job, scumbag. This disrespectful creep attracts losers like you and you can all hide under the bed together when the noise starts. Then YOU can crawl inside Keith's jammies and show him how brave he is. Pathetic.
Funny thing about boosh's "protection" of the US
Schutzstaffel=Protection Squad=SS.
greg @ 22:
He was using it very specifically and educationally - not throwing it around loosely as we sometimes do to reference right-wing tendencies. The fascism Keith refers to is the merger of totalitarianism and big business. Pretty accurate in this regard, don't you think?
Don't forget militaristic nationalism
And the use of propaganda
Keith is the ONLY one in the country saying what our timid (read 'cowardly') Congress should be saying. And to his commentary add: "The American fascist would prefer not to use violence. His method is to poison the channels of public information. With a fascist, the problem is never how best to present the truth to the public, but rather how best to use the news to deceive the public." ~Former Vice President Henry A. Wallace, New York Times. And: "Fascism is capitalism plus murder." ~Upton Sinclair. We have arrived at this most despicable place in our history. We must rise up to this occasion. Heed the poet: "Thank God our time is now when wrong
Comes up to face us everywhere.
Never to leave us till we take
The longest stride of soul we ever took." ~Christopher Fry
greg @ 391:
Thomas Jefferson once said, “Those who would trade safety for freedom deserve neither.”
Jason Odom @ 375:
I can see from Jason's comment that he bought into that fear tactic. People like you actually sound very scared and cowardly. Think what you;re saying. You want our government to do anything necessary via ANY means just so you can feel safe. Who's scared here? Scared of Islamic terrorists?? Come on.. Give me a break. There is more chance for you to get killed if you're going to college (4 shootings n the last week!) now, than from terrorist, so the only coward I see here is you Jason.
I have a new hero in Keith Olbermann. It's time to clean up Washington and throw all these crooks and liars out. I await the day when I can be proud of Texas again, where I live, when this criminal we call President is finally out of office.
gumba @ 400:
fascist,
One entry found.
fascism
Main Entry: fas·cism
Pronunciation: \ˈfa-ˌshi-zəm also ˈfa-ˌsi-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces
Date: 1921
1often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control
— fas·cist \-shist also -sist\ noun or adjective often capitalized
— fas·cis·tic \fa-ˈshis-tik also -ˈsis-\ adjective often capitalized
— fas·cis·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb often capitalized
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascist,
liar
One entry found.
liar
Main Entry: li·ar
Pronunciation: \ˈlī(-ə)r\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lēogere, from lēogan to lie — more at lie
Date: before 12th century
: a person who tells lies
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liar
(newly added - see 935 bush admin lies documented)
Maybe you all should let Keith tell you who to vote for too. Dough headed sheep being led to slaughter by the liberal media. I know it's not possible, but try to think for yourselves.
Whatsa matter Mr. Furey? Hate it when people like Keith Olbermann speak the TRUTH! Oh I guess you'd rather listen to liars like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. FAUX News, yeah like that's the truthful, thinking-for-ourselves media to lead you down the right path. I've said it before and I'll say it again Keith Olbermann for president!! Yeah!!
Ed Furey @ 411:
Bullshit.
Guess what? I agree 100% with what Olbermann said in his Special Comment...but I'm still NOT voting for Clinton under ANY circumstances. If Clinton is the nominee, I'm voting third party (probably the Green Party).
I know that's going to piss off a lot of Democrats on this forum, but I don't give a damn. My point is that you're an ***hole for assuming that just because we agree with Olbermann on this issue, we're going to let him (or anyone else) tell us whom to vote for.
There is also a term for this which rivals Facism: The bush gang are practicing Munchausen by Proxy on the american people. He tells us we have all of these ilnesses and then pretends to be treating us while actually hurting us. Look up the definition...
Ed Furey @ 411:
Where is this "liberal media" of which you speak? I would like to be informed by it rather than the Propagandist Media that I see all around.
Can we impeach cheney and bush NOW?!!?
Nice going, Olbermann!
Ed Furey @ 411:
Billo,Is that you?
it's funny,
when KO does his special comment,
the trolls come out of the woodwork.
They can't stand to see and hear someone tell it like it is.
Oh,And to you trolls out there,KO does tell the truth.
That's what piss's you off so much.Your problem is,that you don't want to accept the truth.
Because you'd have to admit to yourself you've been wrong all along..
tell me trolls, how does it feel to be such an ignorant fool?
Olbermann is the bravest man in America.
Think carefully about the monumental courage required to do what he did in that one segment. "Mr. Bush you're a liar... Mr. Bush you're Fascist... we will not fear you Mr. Bush." Literally, unbelievable.
No one in the media speaks like that, nobody even comes close. We've never heard anything like it. No one has ever done what he's doing right now. It's historic.
We should all salute him as the single most Patriotic American in decades, and then fall to our knees in gratitude.
FEAR!FEAR!AND MORE FEAR!! That's all the current administration has been pushing for almost 8 very long years. Most people on here are sick of it and they are rightly encouraged by KO's powerful, truthful, insightful analysis. As he has demonstrated, we should follow the Constitution above "Fear" at all times. It is our moral compass. We should not chip away at it; it is to be revered and faithfully executed, ensuring that our forefathers wishes are followed. May we all strive to defend it, at all costs!!!
"We need to protect this country, and I know plenty of couragous Americans that fully support FISA and anything the govt wants to do to protect us. But I guess the key word there was couragous."
It's ironic that "couragous" is your key word, given it's not even a word at all. Secondly, there are plenty of Americans who support FISA, but don't support what the Bush administration has been doing: ignoring FISA. You're unable to detect the not-so-subtle difference between following FISA and trampling FISA.
Seriously, what's with the 5-6 clueless commenters coming out of the blue? Were wingnuts and scared soccer mommies reading Digg headlines, and decided to stand up for their preznit?
Dan Stewart: you wouldn't even need to fall to your knees, given you already spend so much time in that position servicing telecom executives.
songtraveler @ 15:
Keith Olbermann couldn't have said it better ;)
Jason Odom @ 375:
I can smell your fear all the way over here. Why so afraid?? When you call people who want to be free of fear and terror "weak" you don't realize that you're the only one who's being really weak.
I dare you to live your life without fear. What, you don't like freedom? Or do you prefer a false sense of temporary security over a lifetime of freedom?
Nobody is gonna convert you to anything you don't want to be if you're truly free in mind and soul. And when you rely on a government to protect you and your loved ones, then I'm afraid to tell you... you're not truly free.
Sorry, Jason, it's time to man up. For yourself and your daughter.
Seriously, Keith Olberman -- go back to ESPN and don't pretend to speak about things you don't understand. I have no respect for your credentials! Give me a break!
it's one thing to bark, it is quite another to take action.
if you want to show your colors and your patriotism, stop yelling and typing and do something about it. otherwise you are no better than a co-conspirator.
there was an 80s slogan that seems very appropriate now.
Silence = Death.
The life you save may be your own.
KevDog @ 425:
Ah, yes. Credentials are required to have an opinion. And they must be approved credentials, as well! Because Keith Olbermann has a Bachelors of Science in Communications Arts, he can't have any sort of respected opinion. Get real. I require you to hand over all your breaks, immediately.
Keith O. has no need to "pretend to speak about things [he] don't understand." He understands just fine. And he's not pretending. He's the only MSM voice who is willing/able to talk openly about the truth. Besides, the facts are obvious, and reported frequently, sometimes even on FnC.
It's for people who don't know the facts, and the people who don't understand them, for which Keith has his special reports. Give him a listen. He may be speaking to Bush, but he's speaking for all Americans. Because so few have a voice in this system, anymore. Especially the ones who are willing to give up their right to have a voice out of fear.
****
On an unrelated note:
napu @ 326:
A true Patriot. I'm glad there are still people in the media who speak the truth.
Here's a question: Why the F*CK is George W. Bush still the President?
And Bill Clinton gets impeached for lying about a blow job. How f'ed up is that!
Well spoken Keith! History will validate our opinion of Mr. G.W.Bush!
KevDog @ 425:
STFU! He's got tons more credentials than ANY reichwing nutjob "reporter" you can name.
And evidently, you don't, can't or won't understand what he's saying, because you're obviously a brainwashed jingoist who can't stand the fact that your fearless leader is a fucking fascist.
Anyone else notice that Keith did his "Commentary" at the half-way point instead of at the end of the show?
But then I guess anyone would be a little awkward being passed the "ball" ten seconds after a KO Commentary and then try to generate interest in a Britney Spears Story! :)
Mike Politik @ 35:
Its even weirder that General Electric would permit this kind of message on one of their programs.
Maybe they think everyones just completely brainwashed now on either side so just give them what they want no one will do anything but sit around twiddling their cheese doodles.
Wow you don't see that on CNN or Fox that's for sure!!!
KO wins by KO! Keith knocked Bush, Boehner (I don't care who you are that's pronounced boner), and the senate who caved in to the corporate powers out!
I can't wait to see Bill'O-job's head explode over this!
Don't get me wrong, I agree with everything KO said but it seems he is starting to repeat himself. “it is that you are never responsible” or “You are a liar, Mr. Bush, and after showing some skill at it, you have ceased to even be a very good liar.” I guess once you say it all everything after that is a re-do!
Damn- Amen ! Amen !! The only thing we have to fear Punks acting as fear mongers.
Keith is a patriot of the highest order.
Greg@22
The Republican party are fascists. Pick up a book and see how close we are coming to Fascism.
This is my first glimmer of hope in 7 years, I hope the Democrats stick to their guns.
Look what the Republicans did when they didn't get their way. Walked right out like a bunch of pouting babies. The President always threatens and the Democrats give in. The President is a spoiled brat and if you know anything about Fascism, you should know we are almost there. We are no longer a Democracy. Wake up and smell the coffee, Greg. At best we are a Plutocracy.
He's always eloquent, never crass and he writes those suckers all by himself. Oh, Olbermann - thank goodness you switched allegiances from sports to your country. You may save it.
SteveK @ 48:
He had to leave some time for "Worst Persons" and the comedian, Richard Lewis (who has seen better days IMHO)
Awesome Awesome Awesome
Why can't all the MSM losers call it like it is.
Mike Politik @ 44:
Sadly,you are probably right.
There's a lot of talk about patriotism and "sacrifice" by the war groupies,but little genuine effort.If any.
Yes, indeedy, KO tells it like it is. George Bush - fascist, liar, and fear mongerer. Unfortunately, Georgie Boy stills sits in the Oval Office, not taking responsibility for anything (as KO pointed out), while the Rethugs in Congress continue to cover his ass and play their little games.
pinkobait @ 37:
I've heard of some repugs calling fo his head for sedition....
I wonder how may death threats he's gotten?
Amen.
mudshark @ 60:
He has mentioned death threats before.
Didn't he also get some suspicious "white powder" in the mail?
SteveK @ 48:
Oh it was worse then a Britney story, Dan Abrams had 3 people on to discuss how unfairly Hillary is being treated by the media and when they didn't agree with his empty point he started kicking his feet "no! you must say Hillary is getting different treatment then the Huck-ster!" it was sad to watch really, I had to change the channel.
Roark77 @ 30:
This is easy to rebut, Bush et. al. have enabled victory for the terrorists in the areas where it counts. Simply cite the diminution of Americans' civil rights, the unjustified and poorly waged war of occupation, America's increased reliance on external sources of energy, the corrupt entanglement of American Government, religion and corporations, the neglect and exacerbation of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, and soiled reputation of America in the rest of the world. Bush clearly lost the war against terror.
mudshark @ 60:
I'd be willing to bet his email box gets filled with half-literate hate mails written in all caps and at the 2nd grade level.
MSNBC is NBC so why is he left only on cable? Make the point of telling this to the New York offices for rebroadcast over the weekend regular tv shows
Keith Olbermann is a true patriot. We need more people like him.
pinkobait @ 62:
yeah,you're right.I'd forgotten about that one(white powder).
Some lunatic will surely try to do him harm.I hope he has protection ,cause I certainly wouldn't put it past a rabid repug to go after him.
Congress ‘Cells Out’ on Telecom Immunity
Olbermann hit another one out of the park!
And he did it without steroids.
His talented journalism makes him a All-Star in my book.
Keith has established himself as one of the most informed and straight-talking commentators we have. I marvel at how well he can appear to be ranting, yet constantly remain within within the boundaries of truth. I have noted how reluctant the 'side opposite' is to come out to challenge him.
Ed Furey @ 411:
Wow...how simple are the minds of the rightwing trolls...just because the talkin heads they watch on tv tell THEM who they will vote for...they automatically assume that we are as gullible as they...I say let them continue thinking that, let them keep underestimating us...our day will come.
I do not understand, why arn't Americans DOING something about all this mess. Oh,...that's right...too afraid to lose our jobs and our health insurance coverage, no one to look after little Johnny, too many irons in the fire....too tired to...to ENSLAVED to. People, please, pick up and let's stop these people. Those congressman that walked out of congress upset that our civil rights actually DO mean something, GIVE THEM THEIR WALKING PAPERS, democrats. Send a list around to all americans and ASK US FOR OUR VOTE. It has actually come down to this. TOO sad.
woot woot!!!!
last?
Who's kieth olberman????
Hey Jill, what has president Bush done to be impeached??? Has he ever lied under oath?? ummm, no... has any democrat ever proven that Bush has lied?? noo!!!! I believe that we caught Clinton in lie, and he was under oath. but let me guess, that was all just a "vast right wing conspiracy"? you democrats need to come up with something other than "impeach bush for war crimes". He has not committed any war crimes, and why dont you tell me one that has been PROVEN. you have nothing, that is why you cannot impeach Bush. you cannot impeach a president just because you dont like his policies. You democrats need to grow up and stop trying to be anti war hippy wanna-b's.
Little Bush, our postmodern Caligula, vigorously catalyzes the rot of Empire.
This is not necessarily a bad thing.
"Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make demented."
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