Penultimate paragraph, first sentence: change "say" to "stay".

"Olbermann and Matthews will remain as analysts during major political events, and officials at both networks, who declined to be identified discussing personnel moves, said Olbermann had initiated the discussions to clarify his role. They said Olbermann’s influence at MSNBC would in no way be diminished and that the shift would enable him and Matthews to offer more candid analysis during live coverage. Olbermann confirmed yesterday he had initiated the discussions."

http://tinyurl.com/5a25lm

Perhaps you could confim this. If true it would change the discussion.

As I noted earlier, Howard Kurtz reports today in the Wash. Post:

Olbermann and Matthews will remain as analysts during major political events, and officials at both networks, who declined to be identified discussing personnel moves, said Olbermann had initiated the discussions to clarify his role. They said Olbermann's influence at MSNBC would in no way be diminished and that the shift would enable him and Matthews to offer more candid analysis during live coverage. Olbermann confirmed yesterday he had initiated the discussions.

Phil and I have debated this set-up since late winter/early spring (with me saying, 'Are you sure this flies?' and him saying, 'Yes, but let's judge it event by event') and I think we both reached the same point during the RNC," Olbermann said by e-mail.

We need to calm down about this. They have not been fired (although Matthews should be!) and will be reporting during the election. Maybe Keith will feel even freer to express his views. Perhaps Glenn can clarify this in his otherwise excellent post.

There used to be a time when reporters reported just the facts as they uncovered them, usually through following leads, talking to a lot of people, hitting the pavement. Most journalism nowadays consists of simply funneling talking points and opinion, with very little fact-based substance. The reader is never given the chance to make up his or her own mind based on a fair presentation of the facts. So, it's no wonder they don't want to be scrutinized and questioned.

That puts them in the position of having to admit that their role is simply to move an agenda dictated by others for the purpose of shaping, some would say twisting, public perception and opinion.

I will be surpised if you get Raum for an interview and, if you do, I will be equally surprised if he admits to anything.

It's a shame Bill Clinton hasn't expressed his opinion or feelings about Dick Morris. I briefly worked for Dick Morris's father a number of years ago. He was an arrogant, volatile, mysogynistic creep. The apple didn't fall far from that tree.

http://tinyurl.com/6hdzaj

The Rightwing punishment: apologizing!

Bush and Cheney will claim Executive Privilege *after* they leave office. The Dems will not push it to the Supreme Court (too partisan!). They will never be investigated or prosecuted for their crimes.

"WASHINGTON — A federal intelligence court, in a rare public opinion, is expected to issue a major ruling validating the power of the president and Congress to wiretap international phone calls and intercept e-mail messages without a court order, even when Americans’ private communications may be involved."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/washington/16fisa.html?_r=1

"Pat Buchanan recently addressed the moral dilemma re. torture by saying "I don't understand the morals that allow us to kill someone we suspect is a terrorist, but do not permit us to torture them" (paraphrased)."

No surprise there. Using Pat Buchanan as an arbiter of morality? Poor choice. At least he admits that he doesn't understand!

Making the important distinction between defensive survival (killing an enemy on the battlefield) and offensive infliction of cruel punishment is lost on many rightwingers.

These documents should have been released already. Too many Republicans and Democrats were aware of these policies. They will do anything they can to avoid being taken down. That they haven't been released yet means one of two things:

They won't be released and they are trying to figure out, pr-wise, how to best handle that.

They will be released, but so heavily redacted as to be almost meaningless.

We are getting very close to the point where saying Obama has a good reason for doing what he's doing (or *not* doing) is just a transparent excuse for maintaining the decrepit Washington status quo. This will be a sad continuation of what has transpired over the last 8 years.

murder is legal if Republicans do it.