Thank you Tim for calling it what it is: "extraordinarily sober." Daou Report labels Keith's excoriation a "rant," and while that might be modish on DU and other sites, it's not commonly considered anything but pejorative.

Thank you, it is indeed a rebuttal that should be required viewing in all "Red States."

P

I am an avid viewer of Countdown, primarily because of the way Keith approaches the news. He jokes around and is snide, but there are times when you can tell that a news item has upset him.

This was one of those times.

As far as I remember, there has only been one time that Olbermann has ever been this angry. That was the Malmady incident involving Bill O'Reilly. But one could tell from the tone in his voice yesterday that Rumsfeld's speech made Keith even angrier than that.

The quoting Murrow was both fitting and ironic. The same challenges Ed Murrow faced during the McCarthy era are happening now to the news media. And it is a rare thing to see someone quoting this journalistic great.

Both Olbermann and Murrow are right. We will not be driven into an age of fear. Not by this administration, or by anyone else.

THIS is how you speak truth to power.

THIS is how you make the case against not just your Republican opponent, but the party for which he (and occasionally she -- hello, Ms. Harris!) stands.

THIS is why anyone with enough civic sense to actually vote anymore MUST NOT allow this administration to dictate every action -- and non-action -- of the U.S. Congress, and MUST seek to return its control not just to Democrats, but Democrats who will stand up to this immoral and undemocratic Administration (hello, Ned Lamont!).

Olberman managed something we don't get very much of anymore - eloquence.

I note we haven't had a comment from Joe on this one.

proved very eloquently that the basis of his argument is wrong. In no other country, certainly not WWII Germany, could someone go on the public airwaves and speak dissent and insults to the power base without fear of persecution, imprisonment or death.

The worst that can happen to him is that people who don't agree don't watch his show. That is their right of course.

And the best part is that come November of this year and 2008 if the people wish they can vote out the power.

I don't agree with the bulk of his statements, the Chamberlin thing was a big stretch, but he has every right and freedom to say them.

I won't pretend to be eloquent. I'll simply say thank you for that commentary.

Part of the condemnation here is comparing Rumsfeld and the Bush crew to Joseph McCarthy. In the recent past, that was a self-evident criticism. But now, many right-wingers have begun to reassess McCarthy and McCarthyism. Listen to the right wing and Christianist voices. They are beginning to try to rehabilitate McCarthy. Many of them see him as a martyred hero. Barf!!!

Olbermann merely proved what a fatuous boob he is. See, like so many moonbats, he thinks he is free to criticize all he wants (sorry, the ever-fatuous "speak truth to power"), but when someone actually responds to his criticisms, it somehow equals a "crushing of dissent," a "questioning of patriotism," etc. ad nauseam.

Wah! Wah! I criticized someone, and he criticized me back! Wah! Wah! He hurt my feelings!

I am 58 years old. In my entire life I have never heard a more poignant and clearly articulated rebuttal laid to the feet of those who profess intelligence when, in reality, they lack it. Truth to power. Mr. Olbermann I commend you.

The Olbermann speech was very eloquent but I fear it was preaching to the choir and won't have much of an impact. I have lost count of how many times a great speech or event that should of galvaized the american public by demonstarting the ineptitude/corruption/cynical manipulation of the current US government just disappear with out a ripple.

i agree with olbermann whole heartedly and appreciate the passion and intellect on display here. but i disagree that editorials like these are the way to tell truth to power in these times. why? honestly? it's too smart and way too long.

don't get me wrong. i love complexity. i love historical context. i love four-syllable words. i love that john steward and stephen colbert used the word "pablum" in their emmy presentation sketch. and i believe that plenty of other people - red voters and blue - do too. but i don't think this style of communication wins the dems any elections.

for a couple of decades now republicans have been committed to teaching "average" Americans that anyone who sounds like Olbermann is elitist/hates Christmas/wants to ship your job overseas/loves terrorists. and sadly, we have to face the fact that this republican strategy for winning elections has worked!

so how will democrats effectively counter this strategy? surely not with tales of neville chamberlaine!

i'm not saying don't be smart. but 10 word answers can be powerful. be clear, be concise. hit hard, hit fast. be funny, be scathing. offer hope, offer common sense.

democratic/progressive candidates have got to define and condense their messages, and they've got to get themselves out of the box that republicans have stuck them in. if they can do that, we've got a chance in november and in '08.

It really important that the newtork gets positive responses to Keith's tell-it-like-it-really-is reposne to the Sec. of Dumbfoundedness.

Here are tall the emails I sent my letter too at MSNBC & NBC - just coyt and past it into you email. Also, send it form every email account you have:

viewerservices@msnbc.com, letters@msnbc.com, countdown@msnbc.com, KOlbermann@msnbc.com, dabrams@msnbc.com, mtp@nbc.com, hardball@msnbc.com, dateline@nbc.com, emailnews@wnbc.com, TodayShowViewerMail@nbc.com, Nightly@nbc.com

This was my letter:

I wanted MSNBC and NBC to know how much I truly appreciated Keith Olbermann's Commentary on Donald Rumsfeld (last night).

I want to thank him for standing up to these anti-social, psychopaths that are running our country!

Thank you, Keith!

J.E.

New York, New York 10011

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