Olbermann named Allen, Beck "Worst Person" runners-up for blasting Dems' "1984"-like decision
On the April 5 edition of MSNBC's Countdown, host Keith Olbermann awarded Politico chief political correspondent Mike Allen "the bronze" and CNN Headline News' and ABC's Glenn Beck "the silver" in his nightly "Worst Person in the World" segment for their comments on the April 4 edition of Beck's CNN Headline News program. As Media Matters for America documented, Allen claimed that the recent decision by Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee to refrain from using the term "global war on terror" had a "sort of a 1984 quality to it," while Beck said of the Democrats, "Why don't you do some real work instead of all this political garbage?"
From the April 5 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:
OLBERMANN: The bronze to Mike Allen, chief political correspondent at the website Politico.com, responding to the news that the House Armed Services Committee and Democratic Chairman Ike Skelton asking that the phrase "global war on terror" not be used in the 2008 budgeck -- budget, rather -- because it's too generic. "This does have a sort of 1984 quality to it." You bet it does, Mike. But in exactly the opposite way that you're thinking.
The silver, water-carrier Glenn Beck. Same issue. Says he doesn't believe the Democrats want to lose the war on terror, but, since they are arguing this terminology, quote, "Democrats, I'm holding on to a thread here. I mean, everything that they're doing right now is proving me wrong. What are you doing? Why don't you do some real work instead of all this political garbage?" Hold the phone, Glenny. Are you in for a surprise.
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Olbermann the hypocrite.He doesn't call the nappy headed ho imus worst person.
Is he afraid Imus will beat his ass? Guess so.
Not sure he's a hypocrite, he just may be a corporate sell-out. He has become irrelevent with his "reluctance" to take on Imus (and a few others that come to mind).
I do not think Olbermann is irrelevant but he is disapointing in not even mentioning this Imus crap.
"You keep using that word; I do not think it means what you think it means."
Damian I just checked out your blog. It says you support al Jazeera. Guess we know where you're coming from.
Nice try at smearing me, you filthy little troll. Too bad nobody believes you.
I just checked out your blog. I must say I never saw anything like what Taz said. No big surprise there. Don't take anything Taz says seriously. He has been caught misleading and lying before.
PS It is good to see another fellow Hoosier on the boards here. I suppose your left-handed play alludes to basketball then?
Actually, it's a reference to the old theme of my site - cards. And I'm not technically a "Hoosier". I openly reject the term - I'm a Lincolnite, raised in the blood-red conservative strongholds of backwoods Illinois. I'm an adoptive Hoosier if I am one at all.
I'll be an adopted Hoosier in a couple of months as well.
Taz, I just had the misfortune to read another of your substanceless posts, I hear your bridge calling troll.
Actually, we don't.
Why don't you tell us?
What does the fact that someone supports al Jazeera (arguably the most fair and balanced news outlet on the planet if you think about it) tell you about that person?
(Wait for it. This should be priceless.)
Actually, he's just plain lying. I've never said anything like that.
I agree, Olbermann is a disgrace. Imus spews racist and homophobic hate daily on his show and Olbermann never mention sit. Yet Glenn Beck is the "Worst Person in the World" for this? Is that comment worse than Imus and his cronies spewing the hate they do? No, and it is getting so tiring seeing MMFA promote the Olbermann show, the guy is a corporate whore. Call out Imus , Keith!!!!!!!!!! Show some guts!!!!!!!!
Actually, The Beaver is "worser". Dick......Cheney was, and as far as I know still is the worst person in the world. A title he richly deserves.
I don't see The Beaver doing any worse than "worser" because...well, he's The Beaver.
Who is the Beaver? What does this have to do with Imus and Olbermann?
Obviously, Glenn Beck is The Beaver.
Your second question is incoherent.
Have a good one.
Thanks for the clarification, I do not see Beck as the Beaver I see him as just being a fool. I always thought the Beaver was cute. Beck is a hater. Have a good one also.
Doris you are correct , Beck is no Beaver.
Doris, I appreciate your attempt at fairness and integrity. But I think you know how things work in the media world. And those of us who think Keith is one of the very few talking heads that actually give us the facts about the real world would rather have him continue doing so on the tv than going back to reading sports scores and doing interviews with people who eternally "take it one game at a time", just because someone on his network makes stupid and outrageous statements once in awhile.
And besides, that segment is just for fun anyway. It's not like Olberman is keeping something from us that we don't already know, or something that will affect our lives.
But I think you know how things work in the media world.~neondesert~
***
I'm not sure that should excuse Keith Olbermann's repeated glaring omissions of targeting Imus for an award. Couldn't we dismiss all the spin, lies, omissions, and misinformation that MM highlights by saying 'well you know how things work in politics'? Who cares how the media covers it?
I think it does hurt Keith's credibility when he doesn't call out Imus for his wretched behavior, simply because they are both carried by MSNBC.
If the segment is, as you feel, just for fun, then that makes the omission of Imus that more questionable. I'm certain Imus could take it, and MSNBC and Keith should include him.
For me personally it does bring in to play questions about both Keith and MSNBC's integrity.
At this point, I agree with Doris that Olbermann pretty much has to call Imus on this. It needs some sort of mention. The omission is glaring.
BUT, that said, Olbermann is not a disgrace. And what's tiresome is repeatedly hearing from Right Wingers in "moderate" clothing telling MMFA what they should and shouldn't feature on its site. WE HEARD YOU ALREADY.
We all have our own opinion. I do find the MMFA and Olbermann connection concerning. I however am not a "right winger". Just because someone has a different view than you on a few subjects does not make one a "Right Winger" , its weak. I as a proud financial donator of MMFA have a right to question and post what they cite on this web site. As you have a right to question things also.
Gee, thank you for acknowledging the painfully obvious point that we all have our own opinions and can post them. So you'll understand when I repeatedly follow up your annoying hair-up-your-butt comments about Olbermann with a differing point of view. It's MY OPINION that these comments of yours became boring a long time ago.
I also think your a right leaning if not right wing person pretending to be otherwise -- a concern troll as some have called it. Again, my opinion. Thanks for granting me the right to post it. You sure do post like 'em often. ("
Finally, until you give us some reason to be "concerned" about this supposed "connection" beyond shared interests and goals between Olbermann and MMFA, It's my opinion to think that's an utterly idiotic thing to be concerned about. Olbermann has people from a variety of media sources (WashPo, Newsweek, etc.) on his program. MMFA links to a variety of sites. MMFA people used to appear on Franken's program, if I recall correctly. So what if MMFA not only shares opinions with Olbermann but wants to give birth to the demonic spawn of their unholy union? So what? GET. OVER. IT.
Hey, it's just my opinion. Nyeah. Sheesh.
As long as you state that is your opinion, I say please speak. You are one who is an asset to the board, I disagree with your personal opinion of me (of course) but that being said, you at least are honest and bring valid criticism to the board.
Doris I agree with you 100%, some on here would rather engage in personal dialogue , and make accusations against others as being a "Right Winger" because of a different view. I do not feel you are a "Right Winger" as I have read your posts calling Bush a "War Criminal" however why do you have so much hate toward Olbermann? Am I wrong to say you hate Olbermann?
Peg, yes you are wrong to say you "hate" Olbermann. Hate is a strong word, I do not even dislike Olbermann. I only dislike the war mongers in this country who have invaded Iraq. That being said, I like Countdown and watch Olbermann. I wish he would as I have said for a long time put Imus on his Worst Persons list. I am glad that Imus is now being exposed, it was sad that he used the Rutgers girls as the target of his hate but that may have hopefully been what was needed to get Imus and his hate off a main stream media outlet. Again I like Olbermann and would only wish he would call out Imus.
Bitter, you are way out of line. Grow up. Calling Doris a Right Winger is like calling Bush a Liberal Democrat. Get Real
Evil, Bitter has a right to his opinion. I know what I am and will never change my views, I appreciate your support.
But aren't Olbermann and Imus on the same network? Guess the bosses upstairs don't want him bashing the house bigots. Corporate TV, what a waste of air time.
Big Whi-9132, there's an old saying about picking your battles. If you've goy umbrage against KO, you should find a better time and circumstance to vent it. What you said makes no sense and, frankly, makes you seem like an ass.
So if BOR or any rightwinger said what Imus said KO would not call them worst person?
Why does it seem everyones scared of Imus??[Besides MSNBC folks]
He's nothing more than a old fart but people act like he's still relevent.Am i missing something??
Am i missing something??
Yes. Not the least of which is your understanding of the media business.
They work for the same network. That's why Olbermann won't touch him, or any other MSNBC hireling. It's not fear, it's corporate kiss-up. It's like CNN giving a Time-Warner movie a bad review....it ain't gonna happen.
Wait! Whats this.
Thursday evening, MSNBC released the following statement:
"While simulcast by MSNBC, 'Imus in the Morning' is not a production of the cable network and is produced by WFAN Radio. As Imus makes clear every day, his views are not those of MSNBC. We regret that his remarks were aired on MSNBC and apologize for these offensive comments."
Meanwhile in 2005 MSNBC built him his set at the MSNBC studios to try and get him branded into MSNBC. They are more at fault than WFAN( a Sports station in NY). MSNBC is broadcast all over the world. When will they realize they enable Imus and his racist crew?
The same day they apologize for selling the Iraq war crime to the voters and loads of high fructose corn syrup to the children....never.
I may not know much about the media but i know KO is a hypocrite , and this is just another example .
But why hypocrite? I don't notice his words being contrary to his deeds. I think you need to visit www.dictionary.com, you could find a more accurate word to describe more precisely what you think KO is for selectively choosing "the worlds worst".
Imus is poo poo... We all now he's a racist, like most of the republicans that are loud mouth politicos... And we all know Imus is the worst in the world, but there's no sense on beating up on that old "has been" when you have GOP T.V. (FOXNEWS), Gleen Beck, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, Neal Boortz and the rest of the conservative racist right out there spreading their propaganda so the base of the republican party can feel comfortable about the deaths of thousands of brown and black people around the world so they can feel safe...
Go Olbermann, give 'em hell!!!!
I'm surprised nobody is commenting on the substance of this story, namely the co-opting of the allusion to 1984. After all, it's the term "global war on terror" that is Orwellian, not cessation of its use. It's like criticizing an announcement that hence forth we will no longer refer to the over-reaching micromanaging arms of government as "Big Brother".
The Bush crew has built the closest thing to Orwell's fiction in my lifetime. Most striking is the protracted war on a distant, abstract enemy whose embodiment shifts with political necessity. First it was OBL, then Saddam, then various "insurgency" leaders. These days it appears to be the Democrats.
To my mind this sort of story is far more interesting than racially inflamatory remarks by some blowhard, regardless of which network carries either.
Also, the worst person in the world award isn't supposed to be the last word on the world's most important news. Lighten up!