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May 21, 2013
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 Olbermann Comments the Special Out of ObamaPosted on Dec 9, 2010
Maybe he heard that the president called liberals like him “sanctimonious,” but Keith Olbermann is pretty worked up. Watch to the end if you want to see the claws come out.
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Lock Up Washington
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A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
© 2013 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved.
© 2013 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved.
By MarthaA, December 18, 2010 at 5:15 pm Link to this comment
RenZo, December 14 at 10:17 pm ,
Olberman is reprimanding conservative Obama, who is no where near anything like Grayson and Sanders, who really are for the majority population, instead of the corporate fat cats.
Report thisBy RenZo, December 14, 2010 at 5:17 pm Link to this comment
If we were Scandinavians we might be of a mind to offer Grayson, Sanders and Olbermann free b.j.s forever. But we are not and we won’t and I doubt this will even get published here.
Report thisBy JCS, December 13, 2010 at 11:19 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Contact the White House http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact. Ask one question:
“Why is Bernie Sanders doing your job?”
Report thisBy MarthaA, December 13, 2010 at 1:02 am Link to this comment
I agree with Keith Olbermann. I do not think Obama should even be nominated for a 2nd term. It is really plain that he represents the Republicans.
Report thisBy cosmos22, December 12, 2010 at 10:49 pm Link to this comment
If I was a woman I would ask Keith for his hand in holy matrimony! The best comment from KO yet. No wonder the elite despise him and the weak dems are afraid of him. Keep it up Keith. And yes, it would be very prudent for the 99ers and everyone else who feels left out of the democratic process to rally on the streets of D.C. The time is ripe for Patriotism through dissent.
Report thisBy keepyourheaddown, December 12, 2010 at 3:44 am Link to this comment
sorry to say the only thing that will end the insane BS that is america now is “NUCLEAR WAR!
PATHETIC!!!
Report thisBy lorax2, December 11, 2010 at 11:35 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Keith is right of course. The more one gives in to bullies, the more the bullies bully. Obama by demonstrating over and over again that he is a coward who gives up before a fight even begins, he is signaling his weakness. The Republicans will never believe he has a backbone (and neither do I) and will continue to roll him over on every issue.
If liberals, progressives, and yes, Democrats want a president that sticks to his/her promises and principles - we need to get another president. I for one have given up on Obama and will support a primary challanger - if he doesn’t resign and decide not to run, which I believe is a good possibility.
If Obama wants a second term in 2012, he will have to run as a Republican. I don’t know why they wouldn’t accept him, he’s done everything they would have done.
Report thisBy mdgr, December 11, 2010 at 3:27 pm Link to this comment
Bravo for Olbermann.
Let me call your attention to what might become a subject of a new rant—something that Truthdig seems intent on ignoring.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-wolf/post_1394_b_795001.html
From Naomi Wolf of the Huffingon Tabloid. This is chilling, spooky, all too bloody real.
* * * * *
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/the_wikileaks_hacker_war_rages_on_20101209/#371417
Report thisBy ocjim, December 11, 2010 at 2:07 pm Link to this comment
Olbermann knows that the miscreant Republicans have always had the goal of reducing taxes for the rich to not only benefit their contributors but also to starve social programs like Medicare, unemployment compensation, and social security.
Grover Norquest already told us that.
Believe him.
Most Dems are too ignorant to realize this and too self-centered to vote against it with any unity.
Report thisBy J. Mezure Carter, December 11, 2010 at 1:27 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Keith Olbermann, you are a fool just like most people who replied to your rant. I say this because you have no sense of how this government works. The President is a member of the executive branch, HE DOES NOT MAKE LEGISLATION. Let me make that statement again. The president does not make legislation. Now what compromises can a President make that can become legislation. NONE. The President can only “bully,” or suggest, or plead, or recommend, but THE PRESIDENT CAN NOT MAKE LEGISLATION. Don’t vote him in again. Fine. The next President will not be able to MAKE LEGISLATION. Churchill was the head of the party, consequently, when his party was voted in he became Prime Minister in a unitary government system. We have a representative democracy. The President is not our representative. The president carries out what our representatives legislate. Mmm, sounds like our representatives are just as important as the President, or perhaps even more important. Well then Mr. Olbermann and your yelling dissenters on both sides, tell me why the voters who are so bothered by this current or any of the past Presidents, failed miserably to vote for their representative Congress during what is so poorly labeled as “mid-term elections?” Ah, but voting is just a right, just like the right to speak and all the other rights in the Bill of Rights. But where is my duty? I know that duty is spelled out in the Constitution for the three branches of the government. Oh I know that I supposedly have a duty to vote. Oh but do I have a duty to be partisan? Or do I have a duty to argue my beliefs as the moral epitome for the “common good?” Olbermann you are a self-righteous prankster, full of the huff and puff of a Beck, a Limbaugh and all the other talking-heads that are such self indulgent prigs that fill our tax subsidized airwaves with contentious venom. Grow-up and start looking at your own failings as a citizen and stop complaining about a government that you expect to be more responsible than you. And most of all, know that all governments by nature are reactive, therefore, what we can expect form such a lumbering entity should always be circumspect. Being vigilant does not only mean shouting about what your government does and complaining about the individuals who people it. You in the public arena have a responsibility to serve not to self indulge, to explain, not to rant, to moderate not to pontificate.
Mezure
Report thisBy RayLan, December 11, 2010 at 10:11 am Link to this comment
@s8junkie
Report thisAs a Canadian who’s been naturalized as an American citizen I applaud you for getting it right on both sides. Hatred and xenophobia, although not unique to Americans, is their special gift. The spineless nerd Obama, the white bred Black man, needs to grow a pair.
By photoshock, December 11, 2010 at 1:29 am Link to this comment
The ideal of a progressive president will never
Report thishappen unless and until there is a true progressive
revolution in this country. In point of fact, the
last 2’progressive’ presidents have been nothing but
Repuglicrats. The president will now be known, as the
worst president ever. By capitulating to the
Republicans once again, President Obama, has proven
the old adage, once in office the progressive
presidents deny the true base of their support. True
character stands in the face of opposition. This
president has no spine and no character. I am sorry
that I voted him. Please stand against the power
elite by standing for the principles of true
democracy. The people are the true government, not
the corporations and excessively wealthy. We the
people are not going to stand much longer the
spinelessness of the Democratic Party. If need be we,
the people will stand against the Democrats and vote
for another party president that will keep their
promises and stand for the people. I am utterly and
completely saddened at the lack of character and
spine that has become the Democratic Party. Should
someone stand against them, I will gladly and without
hesitation vote for the new party that will work for
the people. From the mouth of a spineless and weak
president came these words, I will not be bound to
some obscure principle. Mr. President this is not an
obscure principle but the lives of millions of
Americans that you so blithely tossed under the bus
for the chance to say, I got this done with Repug
help. I will not vote any more for party but for
principle and my own interests.
By s8junkie, December 10, 2010 at 8:50 pm Link to this comment
Let me tell you something, Mr. President, about America that you do not
Report thisalready know (I’m in a position to do this because I’m a Canadian). Nobody
cares about reaching across the aisle. The reason there’s an aisle in the first
place is to keep the two sides apart, genius. Americans hate each other’s guts.
That’s why there are 50 states and not 3 provinces. And many of your fellow
Americans hate you, Mr. President, because of things you can’t help. Like the
color of your skin and your Islamic-so unding name. But despite how ignorant
these hillbillie s are, they’d actually respect you if you would only tell them to
go f*ck themselves more often. But instead, you keep compromisi ng and
giving in, over and over. And it’s not helping. In fact, it’s downright un-America
n. It’s Canadian. So unless you’re planning a move North, start giving the
middle-fig ure salute for a change. It’s something every American can
understand . Because the only thing they hate more than progress, or change,
or their own financial and moral poverty… is weakness. You really do have a
good heart, Mr. President. Now you just need the guts.
By RayLan, December 10, 2010 at 9:16 am Link to this comment
Obama’s personal and political insight is either dangerously absent or he is a cold-blooded hypocrite. All his right wing critics of course are appeased, and are no longer calling him a socialist. The Machiavelian bulldogs on the right care for nothing but the advancing of their greedy agenda. So he’s played to his Republican base - maybe they’ll vote for him in the second term. I know I won’t.
Report thisBy RayLan, December 10, 2010 at 8:58 am Link to this comment
Obama’s personal and political insight is either dangerously absent or he is a cold-blooded hypocrite. All his right wing critics of course are appeased, and are no longer calling him a socialist. So he’s played to his Republican base - maybe they’ll vote for him in the second term. I know I won’t.
Report thisBy mdgr, December 10, 2010 at 5:38 am Link to this comment
Thank you, Keith. You’ve usually shown some degree of deference for President Obama. Not anymore.
It wasn’t about “claws,” as Truthdig tells it. It was about honesty, no holds barred, everything out in the open, no going back.
That’s a happening-meme right now not just with respect to your comments here, but also with respect to WikiLeak & Operation Payback as well. It’s in the air.
Glad you’re inhaling.
Report thisBy Professor Dropout, December 10, 2010 at 2:39 am Link to this comment
From my reply to “Louise” on 2/24/2009
“I have good reason to believe that Obama will not help
the poor in any history-altering way, any more than
Clinton, the Bushes or Reagan did while in office.”
If you’re feelin’ froggy give it a read:
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20090217_scheer_goo
Report thisd_money/#222714
By SteveL, December 10, 2010 at 1:06 am Link to this comment
Strangely I am having the same middle finger spasm when Obama is on T.V. as I
Report thishad when Bush or Cheney showed up on the tube.
By mack894, December 10, 2010 at 12:50 am Link to this comment
Well. Even I got upset.
I wish the president had that kind of passion, kickass when he was accepting
these orders from the Republicans.
I really do not get it. Who can be thrilled with this “deal” except those on one side?
Someone should have told the president that we don’t negotiate with terrorists.
Report thisBy Kath Cantarella, December 9, 2010 at 11:49 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Lately when I’ve watched Obama speak, I’ve noticed that even he doesn’t really seem to believe what he’s saying anymore. What a difference 2 years in office can make to a good man’s ideals.
Still, the world should be a little ashamed we put him there and expected him to do it all himself. What have we done to help him except criticize? Nada.
Report thisBy WriterOnTheStorm, December 9, 2010 at 9:44 pm Link to this comment
Sadly, Olberman’s harangue, impressive as it is, is probably just another tree
falling in the forrest.
One wonders how many more alleged “progressive” presidents will throw the
progressive base under the bus once attaining office before said progressive base
finally understands that most democratic politicians don’t represent the left. They
are Republicans light.
One wonders too, how many will remember this moment when the next
Report thisNader/Green Party debate rolls around.
By timzi, December 9, 2010 at 5:29 pm Link to this comment
I like Keith’s frank openness much more than Rachel’s relative timidity.
Report thisBy zagostino, December 9, 2010 at 5:03 pm Link to this comment
tomack:
Your write “So, what makes those who vote and spend
personal time and money in order to help continue
this madness more involved than those who want REAL
change?”
I was thinking about this during lunch today.
One variable as you suggest is, financial security.
Given that one has some freedom, a bit of
discretionary time available, is certainly key. If
you’re not scrambling to meet your mortgage payment,
gas for the car, food for the family, then you can
better muster your energy.
Another is the circumstances and environment in which
you were raised.
I am glad you tried to instill some of your values of
involvement into your children. I have two teenage
daughters and they completely shut down when I talk
politics. There is no curiosity, no imagination, they
are enthralled (see etymology of word) by the social
culture they live in. I love and accept them and hope
for their future, as hopeless as it looks to me.
The one variable that may distinguish those who
overcome the difficulties of getting involved, is
faith. When you do not believe in the political
process because you know it’s corrupt, when you’ve
given up your traditional Catholic upbringing because
you’ve seen through the hypocrisy of organized
religion and have taken a secular view of things,
their doesn’t seem to be much “Left”.
To willingly throw your body against the immoral
economic/political machine takes courage, a courage
whose well springs seems to have run dry in most
people, myself included.
Maybe those Tea Party activist and those who believe
the earth is 4K years old have the courage of their
convictions that I do not or not in the same degree.
Maybe President Bush for all his misguided/callous,
some would say criminal, actions had what is clearly
lacking in Obama ( as repulsive as his swagger was
and as doubtful as his “youthful” religious
conversion was, he still seemed to have a backbone).
Maybe when it became apparent that Obama is not a
transformational leader, but a key player in the role
of dismembering the traditional Liberal Class (which
Chris Hedges seems to have encapsulated in his new
book) the natural reaction is one of acquiescence.
I also know that Mr.Hedge’s last article on TruthDig
is right to point out the moral implications of such
an acquiescence and how that can not be countenanced.
So back to your question. I do not think their is a
single strand/characteristic that distinguishes an
individual as one who will get involved as opposed to
someone who will not. It’s probably a nuanced/subtle
combination of life’s experiences/education and
upbringing.
Welcome your thoughts….
Report thisBy parviz shafa, December 9, 2010 at 3:55 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Thank you Keith Olbermann for an enlightening commentary. Could you send a copy to the shamelss Lawrence O’Donnell who along with two other embarrassing cohorts who assisting. I was in awe with every word you uttered.
Report thisYou should be consider running with Russ Feingold in 2012. I am sure many will support your courage stand and appreciate what you have uttered about the bullying tactic by the Recpublcans.
By Eric L. Prentis, December 9, 2010 at 3:32 pm Link to this comment
Keith Olbermann, you are the man, love what you say and how you say it. Please continue your important work.
Report thisBy Jimnp72, December 9, 2010 at 3:16 pm Link to this comment
Excellent commentary. He seems to have the courage needed to run for pres.
Report thisespecially like the “insatiable maw of capitalism’ phrase.
never said it before now, Obama sucks republican ass.
By reynolds, December 9, 2010 at 2:34 pm Link to this comment
what a blow hard. he’s right, but i could feel the
Report thisspray from here. what point in the febrile, foaming
denouncement? until he runs for office, he’s no less a
paid flack than the rest of them. the outriders of
whatever affiliation are more alike than not, uniformly
over the top.
By lasmog, December 9, 2010 at 2:19 pm Link to this comment
I agree with Olbermann. Obama is a weak sellout who does not deserve to be renominated. I hope Russ Feingold runs in 2012.
Report thisBy Julio, December 9, 2010 at 2:18 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Join Democrats who Won’t Vote For Obama Again—
http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1765466616960&sk=messages#!/group.php?gid=242597275641
Report thisBy john P., December 9, 2010 at 1:42 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Why is it that Olbermann is the only accessible Media commentary that gets it?
How is it, that for the real figure of around the current 17% unemployed, we
only have this one guy out there screaming at the top of his lungs for the rest
of us?
These statements regarding our government’s operations are obviously true;
“...Plans which assist authoritarian rule, once discovered, induce resistance.
Hence these plans are concealed by successful authoritarian powers. This is
enough to define their behavior as conspiratorial.”
Julian Assange of Wikileaks
Which brings us to this comment;
“That is why you have a Freedom of Information Act. Assange is only reminding
you of it.”
Besides Anonymous and 4chan where are the other organizations to oppose their operations?
I would like to know. I want to take action. Thank you fellow humans with empathy.
Report thisBy Universal Truth, December 9, 2010 at 1:12 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Bravo Kieth,
This has been my sentiment almost from the start and I voted for BO.
I had the great misfortune of seeing first hand the corruption of the body politic many years ago when I was 17 years old in Las Vegas, Nev. and helped start the 18 year old right to vote referendum which eventually swept the nation and became law.
This idea was hatched at a meeting of student body reps and attempted to self fund when out of no where a benefactor appeared albeit a slimy one.
This so called benefactor was the Las Vegas property tax commish and corrupt as hell, his name, James Bilbray Sr.
Hell, he oozed corruption by his looks alone. He had died black hair and a pencil thin mustache, big cigar with garish polyester Sansabelt slacks and white shoes, oh yeah, anyway he got us an office, walking money, cards, cars, etc. and what, you might ask did he want in return?
Our deal with the devil was simple, if he funded us and we won we would bring our machine to his sons future campaign, James Bilbray Jr.
Well we won and we brought our machine to heel for his equally corrupt son.
Needless to say, i saw enough of that world to last me a lifetime and since then i never voted again, until…
Until Barrack Obama…
All I can say is we believed you dear brother and you failed us all, not much else to say about it other than it appears to have happened almost as soon as he got in office. Was he ever who he said he was or campaigned on? Rhetorical question of course since the answer is clear.
Report thisBy samosamo, December 9, 2010 at 11:49 am Link to this comment
****************
Report thisOnce again, thanks keith for venting my rage.
What to do, what to do? According to some, and I
would assume that indicates the failings of the
educational system, giving up and pursuing the
‘good life’, then it is shutting down eternal
vigilance as it just isn’t fun anymore. And care,
who cares if eternal vigilance doesn’t exist.
By Arabian Sinbad, December 9, 2010 at 11:45 am Link to this comment
Well said Keith Olbermann!
And great disappointment in Obama for his shameful succumbing to the dirty-rich, wall Street and the heartless, soulless Republicans! And, putting false rhetoric aside, for being similar if not worse than the previous devil Bush!
Report thisBy blueworld, December 9, 2010 at 11:43 am Link to this comment
One of Keith’s all-time best comments.
Report thisBy tomack, December 9, 2010 at 10:45 am Link to this comment
Indifference is the plague we face; as long as it doesn’t happen to me I’m not going to get involved.
To zagostino’s point, it isn’t just the young professionals 20-30 that spend long hours at work and succumb to the, partially needed mind you, wiles of relaxation, “culture”, consumerism, and media bombardment during weeknights and weekends. It also effects any hard working individual in any job or repetitive life necessity.
So, what makes those who vote and spend personal time and money in order to help continue this madness more involved than those who want REAL change?
Are they more dedicated? Is there something at the end of their personal rainbow that isn’t there for others? Are there more of them? Are they better motivated with better leadership?
Maybe, maybe not. Maybe it’s just that they are more financially comfortable and easier to manipulate—despite evidence to the contrary.
It’s hard work taking time from “life” to write letters, attend the occasional protest, and continually walk the walk and talk the talk. We have three “adult children” and one of the most difficult things to do while raising them was to instill a reasonably strong sense of involvement to the world around them and the affairs that govern that world’s future.
When enough people start to go hungry—both literally and figuratively, there will be blood in the streets. Let’s hope all those hard working, uninvolved, and indifferent people out there join the VOICE OF REASON before it happens.
Report thisBy dcrimso, December 9, 2010 at 10:44 am Link to this comment
Only an economic crisis that severely disrupts American society, will create an opening to start talking about the real problems that face us a country. We live in a morally and corrupt society. Millions of hypocritical Americans go to church on Sunday to worship their God. Then the rest of the week, they work for mammon. Toiling at meaningless jobs we are merely “pawns in their game”. I suppose we’ll have to go thru needless suffering before the pain gives birth to a new arrangement. In the meantime, as Joe Bageant suggests, help those who are worse off than we are. That was the real immorality of Obama’s capitulation to the Rich. No help for the 99ers.
Report thisBy thebeerdoctor, December 9, 2010 at 10:12 am Link to this comment
zagostino’s comments get to the heart of the apathy created by the overt cultural oppression imposed by the corporate mindset which has concluded that “the bottom line” takes precedent over all other considerations. The younger generation born and raised during the Reagan era and beyond, have no reference points historically to gauge whether much of what is assumed has any actual basis in reality.
Report thisIt is not surprising that so many folks simply do not care much about political machinations: the orders are carried out despite any democratic wishes to the contrary. On the local level, the economic betrayal is overwhelming, but like many other distasteful truths, is swept under the rug.
Joe Bageant in a recent article pointed out the moral equivocations used in this society. Thus, something like the hideous use of tasers is deemed allowable, even against children, as long as the ‘perp’ doesn’t die in the electrocution process.
Mr. Bageant also points out what kind of morality does a society operate on that deems it quite appropriate to make profits from human suffering. Have money or die, is the ultimate message. But who is even questioning this?
By zagostino, December 9, 2010 at 9:04 am Link to this comment
Problem with this wonderfully truthful and well
articulated outrage is that most everyone that I at
least come into contact with, are politically jaded.
They’ve already internalized how corrupt and false
politics are and have retreated into popular culture
and sports.
The young professionals, 20 to 30 year olds, that I
work with are not “into” politics. They would not
discuss politics anymore than they would religion at
work. And since most of our long days are spent at
work, with the weekends a brief respite from the
grind, little will change.
The treadmill of long hours at work and a mind
numbing popular media distractions conspire to
disable any organized response to Olbermann’s spot on
outrage.
We type these words on the keyboard in solitude and
Report thisshare the experience via electronic forms, i.e.,
social media, etc…but as long as there is no
organizing, collective movement, the Power Elite have
little to fear, and as Chris Hedges has pointed out,
it is fear that needs to be brought into the
consciousness of the oligarchy that now controls the
levers of power. If they do not fear the people, then
the people can be left to stew in there outrage.
By thebeerdoctor, December 9, 2010 at 8:43 am Link to this comment
Keith Olbermann’s comments reveal that even the Obama apologists can no longer bear the craven cynical weakness being offered up by President Obama and his minions, with its snide take-it-or leave-it, as good-as-it-gets rationale, which is politically craven and utterly meaningless.
Report thisFor those who think the President is doing a good job, consider that he refuses to do anything about torture, and has escalated the Afghanistan hell hole, where gasoline costs $400 a gallon, spending $ billions on a weekly basis.
When asked about prosecuting the Bush administration for its criminal activities, Barack Obama said he was more interested in moving forward. Should he be the last to know that moving forward might also mean his complete electoral defeat?
Historically, I have always felt that President Carter’s executive incompetence ushered in the ownership mythology of President Reagan. I wonder what will President Obama’s failures usher in… the caribou killing dingbat from Alaska?