Olbermann awarded Fox's Gibson "Worst Person" bronze for ordering viewers to "make more babies" in response to Hispanic population growth
MSNBC host Keith Olbermann awarded Fox News' John Gibson third place in Countdown's "Worst Person in the World" competition, for comments Gibson made in response to a Washington Post article that noted that nearly half of all children under the age of five in the United States are minorities. Gibson urged his viewers to "make more babies."
On the May 12 edition of MSNBC's Countdown, host Keith Olbermann awarded Fox News host John Gibson third place for that night's "Worst Person in the World" awards, for comments Gibson made during the May 11 edition of Fox News' The Big Story. Concluding from a May 10 Washington Post article that Hispanics will make up half of the U.S. population in 25 years, Gibson urged his viewers to "make more babies," as Media Matters for America noted. The Post reported that nearly half of all children under the age of five in the United States are minorities. Gibson added: "By far, the greatest number [of children under five] are Hispanic. You know what that means? Twenty-five years, and the majority of the population is Hispanic." Gibson later claimed: "To put it bluntly, we need more babies." Awarding Gibson the "Worst Person" bronze medal, Olbermann noted, "John would have placed higher, but it's become obvious he no longer hears what he's saying, and besides which, the average age of his viewers is about 70, so this is only hypothetical eugenics."
From the May 12 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:
OLBERMANN: That's ahead, but first it's time for Countdown's latest list of nominees for "Worst Person in the World." The bronze to John Gibson of Fox News Channel. He's now encouraged his viewers to quote, "Do your duty. Make more babies" because Hispanics are quote, "having more kids than others. You know what that means, 25 years and the majority of the population is Hispanic," unquote. John would have placed higher, but it's become obvious he no longer hears what he's saying, and besides which, the average age of his viewers is about 70, so this is only hypothetical eugenics.
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these posts basically amount to covering the same incidents twice, so it's redundant.
Unless the goal is to give this person some publicity...
No one ever visits MMFA, right Mr. Right?
Great job putting words in my mouth. You obviously don't know a thing about me, if you think anything even vaguely critical of the site means I'm "Mr. Right".
FYI, I'm neither a "Mr." (Miss or Ms, whichever you prefer) nor am I a righty.
Well your acronymic name left me with the option of guessing.
Take a chill pill, Ms. Left.
basically amount to covering the same incidents twice, so it's redundant.
Just wondering are you talking about MMFA or Fox News?
Let see
liberals progessives democrats free thinkers BAD
neo-cons regressives republicans Dead white blondes GOOD
and I never expressed the opinions you're trying to put in my mouth.
Did I put any words in your mouth
I just asked you a question
Gosh the anti MMFA bloggers working for the RNC are having no fun(and I am not saying that you work for the RNC)
The only way Gibson's comments could be taken out of context is if he preceded them with: "A really racist thing to say would be..." With deference to the legendary Al Franken.
--"Unless the goal is to give this person some publicity.."--
The goal is to publicize Gibson's offensive remarks, which are further illustration of the embarassment and disgrace to journalism that he is.
We can understand how fans of Gibson's attitude toward Hispanics would like to hide it under the rug, however.
Can you show me where I said I was a fan of Gibson?
No, I didn't think so.
---"Can you show me where I said I was a fan of Gibson? No, I didn't think so."---
Show me where I said you were.
He once complained on his show that he didn't like all the talk of employers being prosecuted for hiring illegals. Turns out Gibson hires illegal Hispanics to work on his Texas ranch for piss poor pay. He said he couldn't afford to hire legal workers. In other words, Gibson is all FOR illegal immigrants in the states when they work for HIM! LOL!
Taken in full, John's comments are comical, as intended. Selective choices of sentences makes him look like a bigot.
I think the reason MMFA posts Olbermann's comments is that they are rooting for him. He has had some ratings gains recently, and perhaps MMFA thinks it is due in part to their frequent citations, even though they do not fall under their posted goal of being "dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media."
Olbermann certainly is not generating "conservative misinformation", no matter what you may think of him.
The only way Gibson's comments could be taken out of context is if he preceded them with: "A really racist thing to say would be..." With deference to the legendary Al Franken.
"So far, we are doing our part here in America but Hispanics can't carry the whole load. The rest of you, get busy."
If you consider Al Franken legendary, maybe it fits that you can take the above couplet as racist rather than humorous.
Regarding the word "legendary": That truly applies to Jonathan Swift, who authored "A Modest Proposal" in 1729, which is available for free by following a link in the Wikipedia.
For a better flavor of the piece, its complete title is: "A Modest Proposal: For Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick". I am primarily of Irish descent, and I find it very funny that at least a few Brits at the time thought it was a serious proposal.
Of course if it came out in our time, MMFA and Olbermann would take a few lines out and run with them, totalling missing what is intended.
So we should take Gibson's racist rant as Swiftian satire? This may be the single most ridiculous defense of a racist comment that I've ever seen here at MMFA. You're saying that Gibson isn't really a racist fearmonger, he's just playing one on tv to illustrate through satire the evil stupidity of genuinely right wing pundits? Sorry, but that's Stephen Colbert you're thinking of; Gibson is the real deal.
Even though we're craving new material here, I like the idea of showing that other outlets are covering the same issues. It helps MMFA's credibility.
I know that olberman is probably in a bit of lock step with MMFA, but I like the idea of MMFA highlighting parallel coverage.
...with those who say these Olberman posts are redundant. On the one hand, yes, it's nice to know that there are broadcasters willing to call people like Gibson to the floor, but it's pretty clear at this point that the research that Olberman does for his "Worst Person in the World" segment consists of logging on to MMFA and simply repeating the most heinous items of the day. He's not contributing any new information. I say, let Olberman do his thing and leave it at that. There's no reason to create this vicious circle of cross-promotion. There are more important things that could be done with this space that's being to used to report on Olberman's use of MMFA items.
For example, how about giving News Hour with Jim Lehrer a closer look? There's a supposedly "liberal" program that gets my blood boiling nearly as often as Fox.
Here's how it works (for example):
O'Reilly, Gibson or (any Conservative) calls a Democrat, Liberal, an organization or "someone" poopie-head or poopie-heads.
MMFA creates a thread about O'Reilly or whomever calling [fill in the blank] poopie-head
101 posts later we learn that 99% of those here THINK O'Reilly (or whichever Conservative) is a vile name-calling stupid liar and in fact is the REAL poopie-head. Mmmmm isn't THAT name calling too? But nevermind...1% suggest that O'Reilly or whomever is entitled to their opinion no matter how wrong or stupid it is.
A day or two later...
MMFA offers this:
Olbermann gives O'Reilly (or whichever Conservative) the *Worst Person In The World Award* for calling [fill in the blank] a poopie-head.
So what's the point of these Olbermann posts?
Since "the OFFENDING Conservative's" poopie-head comment has ALREADY been discussed ad nauseam...there really is none.
So then we all go back&forth about how REDUNTANT these threads are or aren't...which of course is ALSO ...reduntant.
My theory?
Brock is giving Olbermann FREE ADVERTISING. Period. Trying to build the guys reputation. Get him higher ratings.
And MMFA is Brock's website, so of course he can DO as he pleases.
It's just NOT fooling SOME of us ;-)
...if you don't even see the value in the initial posting of items and the discussion that follows, then why are you here reading and posting in the first place?
Nope. Just reporting (and I think fairly accurately) what I read here. Are YOU honestly going to tell me O'Reilly-Gibson-Coulter threads don't turn into name-calling in reverse? Obviously THOSE are the ones Most Likely To....OTHER threads starring DIFFERENT characters are often more serious.
I've no problem with the ORIGINAL threads or posts--no matter WHO they include...just the REDUNDANT Olbermann one that follows.
Sure, there's namecalling in the comments, but it's not really an even playing field is it? I guess it would be namecalling if I came to MMFA and posted, "John Gibson's a racist dick," after Gibson went on national television and called for more white babies. But so what? I'm not the one on Fox News pretending to be a journalist. I'm not the one with an audience of millions.
"I'm not the one on Fox News pretending to be a journalist. I'm not the one with an audience of millions."...by clams casino
=====
Clams, we're heading OFF-topic here, BUT I don't buy THAT as an excuse. IF name-calling OFFENDS you whether spoken by an O'Reilly or Coulter or Gibson or whomever--can't you respond with more CLASS than they have? You or I can ATTACK a Gibson for his IDEAS and STATEMENTS without resorting to making comments about his "looks"...can't we? Or calling him a poopie-head? (yeah I'm resorting to kindergarten "speak"...BUT that's how SOME posts sound at times) Sure you can call him a RACIST...he certainly sounds like one...BUT a "Racist Dick"? Not necessary.
But that aside, THIS thread is about Olbermann naming Gibson The Worst Person In The World...not going to argue with THAT assessment--he deserves it... Gibson's plea for White Babies was right out of the Neo-Nazi playbook. My OBJECTION to THESE Olbermann threads is that they are REDUNDANT. We've already POSTED on THIS subject.
MMFA is doing FREE ADVERTISING for Olbermann. There's really NO other reason to post THIS thread, IMO.
That was very well put. It is redundant and I can guess what the comments will be before even opening these threads half the time.
"O'Reilly is a liar, he likes falafel, ratings don't mean quality, screw the Bush supporting cronies at FAUX NEWS!...etc..etc"
You're right. When people keep lying, it does get repetitive for right-minded folks to point out the lies. If only those cons would stop lying the whole vicious cycle would end.
What's even more predictable, however, is right-wing apologists posting to point out:
a. was joking
b. has good ratings
c. Both sides do it, so it's a wash.
First there was white racism, then those who criticized it were accused of reverse racism. Now those who criticize white racist name-calling are accused of reverse name-calling.
What we need now is a reverse takeover of the government.
The broader point is that as the overwhelming white baby boom creaks its way to oblivion a younger and more vital demographic force is taking its place. Liberals should be especially concerned not only because culturally conservative hispanics will outpopulate them, but because conservative whites will do so as well. Darwin is right... demography is destiny.
Liberals should be especially concerned not only because culturally conservative hispanics will outpopulate them, but because conservative whites will do so as well.
Liberal ideals always come to pass in the end, and the populace is always ashamed that it didn't enact them earlier, even under conservative leadership
It's been true for the past 500 years; is there any reason to think it will stop now? And yet somehow, generation after generation of conservatives try desperately to cling to the status quo and stop inevitable change.
I remember back in grade school there was this goofy bucked toothed kid who was a real tool. His nane was Timmy, but I think all schools had someone like him. He used to carry all his books in a brief case and "enjoyed" wearing a bow tie. Anyway, one time I had an opportunity to be the first back from lunch or some pep rally or something. I went into our homeroom and stoled ALL the pencils and pens from the students and the teacher and put them in this Timmy's briefcase then went to wait elsewhere as the class returned. After we were all back in class the teacher said, "all-right students take out you paper and pencils". I had everything I could do to keep from laughing as the investigation of the missing pencils and pens pointed in Timmy's direction. Justice was merciless. I think he got dentention and his parents were called. What's the point of this story. Well, one it is kind of funny. And two, I'm betting there were probably kids like myself where little Johnny Gibson went to school. And that may help explain why he is such a tool.
I hope Timmy was a mean-spirited, miserable, bullyish SOB.
Cause if he wasn't I kind of feel sorry for him.
Guess I sound like a bleeding heart liberal...
Or am I missing something? I usually am.
I guess I should have explained better. To paraphrase JL, his name was Tim, and he called himself Timothy, but everyone knew him as Timmy.
Yes, Timmy was a mean spirited little SOB. He used to pick on the smaller kids. He used to cheat at Chess. And he used to LOVE to tattle on everyone. He was the kind of kid that if the boys were pitching pennies out by the steps he would run and tell the principle so they would get caught. He would "volunteer" for hall monitor and that kid let power go to his head. If he could have used deadly force to monitor the halls he would have. THAT is what made the story funny. Or at least I thought so. He got what he deserved. He grew up to manage a movie theater. The last I remember of him was in the eighties he refused to screen the Last Temptation of Christ – not that anyone wanted to see it anyway, but I’m sure that little bit of power over others gave him a woody. The theater went bankrupt. Now I think he lives in a trailer – down by the river….
Are you equating yourself to Gibson (two tools?) or are you saying Timmy was soooo mortified he NOW has BECOME a tool? Please clarify...and by the way...the ancetodal story was not really funny... you come off as an ass- but, then, who hasn't been at some point in their school career?
See above for clarification of why story was ironic and funny. Kind of like Rush saying all drug users should be in jail when he is in fact an addict. Or Bill O constantly championing stiffer (so to speak) rules for sex offenders when he himself is one. Or Ricky Sanatorium getting the medical malpractice limits lowered when his wife took advantage of the higher limits. Or Tom Delay trying to make Terri Shivo linger for years when his family pulled the plug on his father when he was in a similar situation. Hypocrisy is what I’m talking about. Timmy had it coming. I could have just hit him I guess, but I thought what I did was more peaceful and just. And if you don’t understand how it dovetail’s into the Gibson story well, I can’t help you.
If I impregnate Salma Hayek does that count? What about Halle Berry? She is half white and half black so what would her children be if the father was white? If the father was black? What if the mostly white children looked black or vice versa? Where is Reinhard Heydrich when you need him? Its hard to live in a meritocracy. Why cant everyone know their place?
I will hunt you down and buy you a beer.
I'm white and my wife is Chinese. We have one son.
Should I impregnate two white women to atone for my sin?
I loathe Gibson as a commentator and although I don't support his remarks, Olbermann's constant claim that the average age of a Fox News viewer is 70 is ridiculous (not to mention almost impossible.) Fox kicks the crap out of MSNBC in all age brackets.
I always laugh when I see Olbermann has the highest rated show on MSNBC with a WHOPPING 0.4!!
Actually Fox new's ratings are much lower. Scientists believe that old people fall asleep in front of the TV and leave it on. Age brackets, that is why you see the Viagra or Cialis commercials mostly on Fox and never on the Daily Show.
...Olberman is "worse than Gibson" because his ratings are lower? And Olberman claiming that the average Fox viewer is 70 is somehow worse than Gibson's racist rantings?
--"Fox kicks the crap out of MSNBC in all age brackets."--
That there are so many gullible people attracted to the lying, spinning, Bush administration propaganda machine known as Fox "News" is cause for deep concern and remorse, not joy.
What does popularity have to do with truth? I'm sure Hitler was more popular than Einstein in at least one nation. Does that mean E=mc2 should have been dismissed in favor of the wildly popular Final Solution?
Suggestion: Instead of complaining repeatedly about how Olbermann and MM are both saying the same thing (my, my: as if Fox and, say, the Bush administration never do THAT), giving Gibson free publicity, etc., the complainers can use the time they complain here to send off a letter to Fox and to Gibson. Cut off the sewage at its source. Be a part of the solution. That might actually help stop the flow of garbage that spews forth from Gibson, Beck & Co. in the first place.
Well, I sent my letter to Gibson the first time MMFA posted this story, so I figure I can spend my time commenting in this thread as I see fit. Anyway, it's not an issue of how well my time is being spent; I'm more interested in how Media Matters is devoting its time. That's really all that matters. If eliminating the Olberman repetition would make time for a fresh item, then I say do away with the repetition. That's all.
I, for one, appreciate the fact that OTHER news venues are calling out all the bigotry, racism, homophobes, lies, distortions, and just general HATRED that comes out of others mouths...I've said it before- what IF it was ONLY MMFA that outed these bad people? How much LESS would we know...? Kudos to others that expose others lies, etc.
I think ol' Gibby ought to start with Ann Coulter (if she can) and Laura Ingraham (if she could) and just see if popping 'em out with white Blonde Conservative Teutonic types will ease his concerns.....
I think ol' Gibby ought to start with Ann Coulter (if she can) and Laura Ingraham (if she could) and just see if popping 'em out with white Blonde Conservative Teutonic types will ease his concerns.....
No need to worry - Coulter, Ingraham, Limbaugh et al are either physically or emotionally unable to bring children into the world. They are nothing but narcissists whose greatest committments are bourbon, oxy, & the next speaking engagement. But turning the question back to the liberals... how do you guys win the battle without enough troops ?
Luckily for us, power from the barrel of a gun cannot defeat an idea whose time has come.
But turning the question back to the liberals... how do you guys win the battle without enough troops ?
Very simple, anti-war conservative...put George W. Bush in charge of the whole operation. Then people have no alternative but to come running to us screaming for help.
was only number three?
if mmfa gives olbermann publicity or whatever. if he helps mmfa, they help him, i say, for the hundredth time, good for both of them. there's plenty of right wing opinion to be found all over the airways.