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Olbermann Responds to Rumsfeld's Rhetoric

POSTED BY: MISBEHAVEN
UPDATED: Friday, September 1, 2006 03:38
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Wednesday, August 30, 2006 3:01 PM

MISBEHAVEN


This is only a portion of the article. Here's the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12131617/

Edit: Glueman posted a link below, so you can watch Olbermann giving his commentary on Rumsfeld.





Feeling morally, intellectually confused?
by Keith Olbermann

The man who sees absolutes, where all other men see nuances and shades of meaning, is either a prophet, or a quack.

Donald H. Rumsfeld is not a prophet.

Mr. Rumsfeld’s remarkable speech to the American Legion yesterday demands the deep analysis—and the sober contemplation—of every American.

For it did not merely serve to impugn the morality or intelligence -- indeed, the loyalty -- of the majority of Americans who oppose the transient occupants of the highest offices in the land. Worse, still, it credits those same transient occupants -- our employees -- with a total omniscience; a total omniscience which neither common sense, nor this administration’s track record at home or abroad, suggests they deserve.

Dissent and disagreement with government is the life’s blood of human freedom; and not merely because it is the first roadblock against the kind of tyranny the men Mr. Rumsfeld likes to think of as “his” troops still fight, this very evening, in Iraq.

It is also essential. Because just every once in awhile it is right and the power to which it speaks, is wrong.

That, about which Mr. Rumsfeld is confused is simply this: This is a Democracy. Still. Sometimes just barely.

And, as such, all voices count -- not just his.

Had he or his president perhaps proven any of their prior claims of omniscience — about Osama Bin Laden’s plans five years ago, about Saddam Hussein’s weapons four years ago, about Hurricane Katrina’s impact one year ago — we all might be able to swallow hard, and accept their “omniscience” as a bearable, even useful recipe, of fact, plus ego.

But, to date, this government has proved little besides its own arrogance, and its own hubris.

Mr. Rumsfeld is also personally confused, morally or intellectually, about his own standing in this matter. From Iraq to Katrina, to the entire “Fog of Fear” which continues to envelope this nation, he, Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney, and their cronies have — inadvertently or intentionally — profited and benefited, both personally, and politically.

And yet he can stand up, in public, and question the morality and the intellect of those of us who dare ask just for the receipt for the Emporer’s New Clothes?

In what country was Mr. Rumsfeld raised? As a child, of whose heroism did he read? On what side of the battle for freedom did he dream one day to fight? With what country has he confused the United States of America?

The confusion we -- as its citizens— must now address, is stark and forbidding.

But variations of it have faced our forefathers, when men like Nixon and McCarthy and Curtis LeMay have darkened our skies and obscured our flag. Note -- with hope in your heart — that those earlier Americans always found their way to the light, and we can, too.

The confusion is about whether this Secretary of Defense, and this administration, are in fact now accomplishing what they claim the terrorists seek: The destruction of our freedoms, the very ones for which the same veterans Mr. Rumsfeld addressed yesterday in Salt Lake City, so valiantly fought.

And about Mr. Rumsfeld’s other main assertion, that this country faces a “new type of fascism.”

As he was correct to remind us how a government that knew everything could get everything wrong, so too was he right when he said that -- though probably not in the way he thought he meant it.

This country faces a new type of fascism - indeed.

Although I presumptuously use his sign-off each night, in feeble tribute, I have utterly no claim to the words of the exemplary journalist Edward R. Murrow.

But never in the trial of a thousand years of writing could I come close to matching how he phrased a warning to an earlier generation of us, at a time when other politicians thought they (and they alone) knew everything, and branded those who disagreed: “confused” or “immoral.”

Thus, forgive me, for reading Murrow, in full:

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty,” he said, in 1954. “We must remember always that accusation is not proof, and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.

“We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular.”

And so good night, and good luck.





"The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation."
-Bertrand Russell

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Wednesday, August 30, 2006 4:03 PM

CHRISISALL


Way to go, Keith!!!!!

What he said Chrisisall

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Wednesday, August 30, 2006 4:23 PM

GLUEMAN


This is a "must read" and Watch for every American.

Here's a Link to Video

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/08/30/keith-olbermann-delivers-one-
hell-of-a-commentary-on-rumsfeld/

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Wednesday, August 30, 2006 4:31 PM

MISBEHAVEN



Thanks for the video link.

"The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation."
-Bertrand Russell

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Wednesday, August 30, 2006 5:32 PM

SERGEANTX


Brilliantly stated. Facism is a powerful meme. It looks as though it will be stalking us humans as long as it has the power to move us swiftly to an ill considered goal.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Wednesday, August 30, 2006 6:26 PM

PHOENIXSHIP


I am totally on board with that.

I admit this is a bit of a thread-jack, but what do y'all think of LT Ehren Watada? He's the one refusing a direct order to go on what he sees as an illegal mission.

www.thankyoult.org

Is he legit? I think so.

"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 12:24 AM

SHADYGLEN


I think Watada is brave as hell to do what he is doing. If you have a chance, everyone should check out his site and his speech last week. It was heartbreaking in a way, but beautifully said.

The time comes when silence is a betrayal. MLK,Jr.

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 2:42 AM

HERO


Quote:
Originally posted by misbehaven:

Thanks for the video link.

Perhaps they should consider this guy for some sort of TV show. Perhaps on a two-bit cable outlet with no audience...

H

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 3:03 AM

MISBEHAVEN


Quote:
Originally posted by Hero:

Perhaps they should consider this guy for some sort of TV show. Perhaps on a two-bit cable outlet with no audience...

H


Perhaps you're unaware that O'Reilly is already taking care of that over at Fox. Please allow me to provide you with some of the recent ratings, so that you don't continue to make ridiculously uniformed remarks.

"Keith Olbermann's show Countdown has been increasing steadily in ratings for over a year. He slowly sneaked past Paula Zahn on CNN and now regularly surpasses her ratings. Guess who Olbermann recently surpassed in the key demographics on Friday? Bill O'Reilly.


Olbermann's Countdown on MSNBC had 244,000 viewers age 25-54 from while Bill O'Reilly's show had only 240,000. O'Reilly's ratings steadily dropped thoughout his Friday show while Keith's increased every 15 minutes.


It isn't only the ratings of O'Reilly that have taken a hit. Ratings at Fox News have dropped so much that Roger Ailes took out a 'help wanted' ad in a trade magazine that many think is a call for new talent.

I guess neither Ailes or O'Reilly realize that when you tie your entire show and network to a president, you become as popular or unpopular as the president."




"The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation."
-Bertrand Russell

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 3:52 AM

DAYVE


Olbermann was right on with his remarks about the Rumsfeld speech.

Quote:
That, about which Mr. Rumsfeld is confused is simply this: This is a Democracy. Still. Sometimes just barely.

And, as such, all voices count -- not just his.


President Bush and his surrogates are launching a new campaign intended to rebuild support for the war in Iraq. Not by stressing the positives of the war (if there were any), but instead by accusing the opposition of aiming to appease the terrorists. Charges that many Democrats say distort their stated positions. They will use tactics that won them the White House in previous elections. By appealing to the fear and, unfortunately, the ignorance of many in this country, they will make claims that Democrats are promising voters to block additional money for continuing the war. The strategy of equating Democratic dissent with defeatism worked in ’02 and ’04 but should prove more difficult now since some Republicans are lining up with Dems to seek a timetable for a withdrawal from Iraq.

Get ready for the Swift Boat Patrol to launch a full-scale attack on reason and sanity. Hopefully, this time around the public will not be so gullible.

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 4:17 AM

CHRISISALL


Hey, look what I found:

"As far as the internet goes, Bush and Co. have an elite team spreading disinformation and propaganda to help support the war in Iraq and militarism in general.... in the mid-west there's Jimmy "Plays cards with wolves" O'Shaunacy, known on the internet as "Hero". He can be seen plaguing SaveTheWhales.com, Feedourkids.net, Victimsofabuse.org, Fireflyfans.net, and Manimalfans.com, among many others.
His vicious attacks on freedom issues using the cover of security is widely respected within the Virtual Hallowed Halls of internet insidiousness.
Being a self-proclaimed long time fan of the Perry Mason TV series, he uses his vast 'knowlege' of legal interpretation to bolster his 'opinions'.

In the east there's a "

The entire article can be read here:
http://www.goofonthepsudeocon.com

Or not Chrisisall

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 4:32 AM

MISBEHAVEN


That link isn't working.

"The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation."
-Bertrand Russell

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 4:36 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:
Originally posted by misbehaven:
That link isn't working.

Yeah...they must have closed it down or sumthin'

Chris"Pets wolves"isall

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:01 AM

PHOENIXSHIP


Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

in the mid-west there's Jimmy "Plays cards with wolves" O'Shaunacy, known on the internet as "Hero".


Hero, is this true?

"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:04 AM

CHRISISALL


LOLROTF!
Guys!

Manimalfans.com????

Chrisisall

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:17 AM

DAYVE


but, but.... those poor, defenseless manimals... they're just so damn cute... and the clubbing and the wearing of the fur... where is the outrage… where is the justice??
oh, the humanity...

chris you ‘lil devil

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:18 AM

PHOENIXSHIP


ha ha


"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:24 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:
Originally posted by Phoenixship:
ha ha


You played me.

*smirks*Chrisisall

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 10:34 AM

PHOENIXSHIP


Nope, I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't read your whole message. Thank you for the manimal reference. I can't even calculate how many bonus points you get for slipping that in.

omg...


http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/8516/

"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 10:41 AM

CHRISISALL


Except for the Manimal ref, and the goofy http, it sounded pretty good, huh?

No comment from the man hisself, Hero?

So Chrisisall

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 2:04 PM

DREAMTROVE


I thought olbermanm was under the top. Churchill was a warmonger, and neville wasn't satan, and Rumsfeld is much more like the nazis than he is like neville chamberlain.

If you want to make that comparison, just say that the nazis did the exact same fearmongering against the jews that rummy and dick are now doing against the arabs.

Godwin be damned, that it what's going on here. Just say it. Bushitler.

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 3:07 PM

MISBEHAVEN



Tzao gao! I should've known that was to good to be true.

Morbid and creepifying I got no problem with, so long as you do it quiet like.

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:11 PM

DREAMTROVE


Just tellin' like it is.

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:49 PM

ERIC


As rousing and heartening as Olbermann's speech was, I would submit that the one today by Rocky Anderson, mayor of Salt Lake City was at least as good, and covered a wide variety of topics, though focusing on the lies surrounding the invasion of Iraq. It reads like a manifesto, clearly laying out the major felonies and treasons by the Bush regime. And the fact that it was said without fear or equivocation by an elected official makes it all the more poignant.

It's long, but worth reading:

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4263654

"Give us the truth! Give us the truth! Give us the truth!"

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Friday, September 1, 2006 1:59 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!


If someone, anyone , could simply state where the 'lies' were concerning Iraq, I'd SURE love to read them.

To date, no one has.

Does that seem right to you?



People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Friday, September 1, 2006 2:07 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!


Quote:
Get ready for the Swift Boat Patrol to launch a full-scale attack on reason and sanity. Hopefully, this time around the public will not be so gullible.



The Swift Boat Vets you speak of were right. It's amazing to see those on the Left try to use TSBV to refer to getting cheap shotted. They told the truth, and that's what got Kerry so pissed.

But there's no need for any 'attack' here. The Left hasn't done anything worthy of responding, but simply yelled their rhetoric, once again, into the echo chamber that is their own camp. It may sound loud, but only to those inside the echo chamber. Everyone else has heard this nonsense before, and isn't swayed by thses tired , old , worn out chants.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Friday, September 1, 2006 3:19 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
If someone, anyone , could simply state where the 'lies' were concerning Iraq, I'd SURE love to read them.

What? AGAIN??
WMD's, imminent threat, later- we're there to liberate. yadda yadda...
If ya didn't get it before what makes ya think you will ever see the painful truth, you comfort addict?

Callin' it Chrisisall

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Friday, September 1, 2006 3:21 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:



But there's no need for any 'attack' here. The Left hasn't done anything worthy of responding, but simply yelled-

Quiet now.

That's better Chrisisall

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Friday, September 1, 2006 3:23 AM

SERGEANTX


Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
If someone, anyone , could simply state where the 'lies' were concerning Iraq, I'd SURE love to read them.


Then do so. There've been scores of posts on the topic, but your only reaction is to stick your head in the sand. It's a tiresome game AU.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Friday, September 1, 2006 3:38 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:
Originally posted by Eric:
As rousing and heartening as Olbermann's speech was, I would submit that the one today by Rocky Anderson, mayor of Salt Lake City was at least as good, and covered a wide variety of topics, though focusing on the lies surrounding the invasion of Iraq.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4263654

Excellent read, excellent points.
"Blind faith in bad leaders is not patriotism."
He's right. A lot of fear out there. To exploit or embrace.

Utah Chrisisall

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