The woman who got her big break on network TV thanks to the firing of Don Imus now apparently wants another host to lose his job over some tasteless remarks.
Morning Joe is the show that took over MSNBC's early-morning time slot after Imus was bounced for his offensive observations about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Mika Brzezinski, a regular member of the Morning Joe crew, has now left little doubt she would like to see John Gibson fired for the callous comments about the death of actor Heath Ledger the Fox News host made on his radio show.
View video.
While there was consensus among the Morning Joe crew that Gibson's comments were out of line, Brzezinski was alone in suggesting that Gibson should pay for his remarks with his job.
WILLIE GEIST: I don't know; is he trying to be funny? That's not funny.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: I don't know, but I don't know how you stay on the air after doing something like that, quite frankly.
Mika returned to her Gibson-must-go theme a bit later . . .
JOE SCARBOROUGH: This is about as callous and harsh as anything I've heard. It is unspeakably rude.BRZEZINSKI: I also just don't see how you get away with something like that -- I just don't. I mean not that, I don't know, I don't know how you stay on the air. I don't know who would listen to you. Maybe I'm not edgy enough.
Gibson's remarks were in unquestionably poor taste. But how consistent is Mika in her call for Gibson to go? Does she believe, for example, that Randi Rhodes should have been fired when the Air America host "imitated the sound of gunfire while saying somebody ought to take the president fishing and then shoot him"?
Just wondering.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.




















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It's simple, really.
January 24, 2008 - 10:38 ET by c5thenMika - conservatives who make mistakes on the air should be fired, liberals who make mistakes on the air were just fooling around and got carried away.
I watched the segment and must say that Gibson's remarks were callous and unfeeling. I bet he's hearing about it from his audience right now too.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
hypocrites!
January 24, 2008 - 14:03 ET by dronetekYou can falsely accuse troops of being cold blooded murderers or compare our president to hitler, but making fun of a druggie movie star just crosses the line!
I'm so sick of these people and their warped principles.
GIBBY SHOULD BE SACKED???
January 25, 2008 - 07:56 ET by danybhoyc5then,
I listen to Gibson's radio gig regularly, I heard the segment that has idiots like Mika Brzezinski wanting him sacked. I don't even think he said anything that comes close to a firing offence, unlike several MSNBC on air "talents" do on a daily/nightly basis, & I don't have to mention any names. We know who those people are.
I know that Mika is married to some guy at WABC, I know they have 2 kids. I'm sure that changed their lives, it gave them a new perspective on things. Everyone I know who has kids says this, everyone. I have yet to hear any of those people, or anybody else say they have a new perspective on death, & would have no trouble with it because they would be alive in their kids. That is a creepy comment that Ledger made. Gibson said what more then a few people were thinking. That said, I do see where Ledger is coming from, & he had the right to think/say that. Gibson had the right to speak his mind on the subject. He should'nt lose his job because Mika says so.
Mika is probably closer to Gibson to losing her job. Look at the ratings, having dozens of viewers is a bigger sin then saying a drug abusing entertainer was a weirdo. Gibson has gotten to where he is over 30 plus years in the news biz. Mika is where she is because she is a good looking blonde with a very well connected father. Don't say your sorry Mika, whatever works...
There is no justification for Brzezinski-or anybody else on the #3 network in a 3 horse race(for years)to be calling for Gibson's-or anybody else's head for almost no reason. Look at the behavior of your primetime lineup & tell me if any of those media-backbenchers have done anything that should have people calling for their heads.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
→ Gibson
January 25, 2008 - 07:59 ET by Cool ArrowIt will blow over.
Remember Howard Stern after Selena died, with "I could fall in love" and gunshots in the background?
♣ a seal
I am so sick of this "selective sanctimony"
January 24, 2008 - 10:58 ET by drillanwrI am going to repeat what I wrote in a comment on milblogger Matt Sanchez's blog site this a.m. in regards to this story:
The guy was 28. He had the whole world within reach of his finger grasp. And he did this ... whether accidental or suicide.
And then you have troops, younger than this bloke, who put their lives on the line everyday who don't have the world within their finger grasp(s) back home. Hell, many of them are just hoping their girl/wife is burning the candle and waiting faithfully and prayerfully for them to return safely.
What a blinding contrast, eh?
Mika, you want blathering pity for this "promising" actor who had it ALL and crapped it ALL away ... to the bitter [pill] end ? Do it yourself and STFU.
Well said
January 24, 2008 - 11:11 ET by Mike HammerWell said.
False Pedestal?
January 24, 2008 - 11:51 ET by bfrankMika acts as if Gibson committed sacrilege? Offending a 'Hollyweird' idol? These people who recite prewritten lines and stand on predetermined spots expressing prepared facial expressions are treated as couragous heroes. Perverted priorites considering the brave men and women serving in our military, fire and police departments. Her phony outrage is laughable, but the libs seriously use this manufactured ploy to censor, silent, defame and ostracize those they do not like.
Celebrity
January 24, 2008 - 12:05 ET by MCPO AirdaleCelebrities are the saints and icons of the secular left. Therefore, Gibson has committed a sacrilege and deserves excommunication (firing) in Mika's world.
The Church of Liberalism
January 24, 2008 - 12:30 ET by lotrEspecially those celebrities who promulgate a liberal, politically correct social agenda -- they are the "apostles," with Ledger now being one of the "martyrs."
Mika on John Gibson
January 25, 2008 - 00:51 ET by merlin61He apologized today on his show to anyone
offended by his remarks. That should end
any other calls for his demise. Watch out,
the thought and word police are out there
monitoring anything they feel is politically
incorrect, but can bash Bush like nobody's
business.
You must remember that to a
January 24, 2008 - 12:08 ET by BDYou must remember that to a member of the cultural elite like Mika, certain portions of society do not count. I will leave it to you to guess which portion of society does.
Patricians like her simply
January 24, 2008 - 11:12 ET by PeskyDanePatricians like her simply don't understand the impact of cutting off someone else's income.
The callous disregard for calling for someone else's termination is lost on her.
As for her, when its time to move on from Morning Joe, then there will always be something else thanks to Daddy's connections. Throughout her entire pampered existence, I doubt she has ever had to worry about forgoing some trinket in favor of paying this month's rent.
All these calls for people
January 24, 2008 - 11:14 ET by Chris NormanAll these calls for people to be fired is dangerous. Political correctness is imbedding itself deeper.
Really scary
January 24, 2008 - 14:28 ET by seldumondeIt is scary how it seems like a natural reaction to liberals that if someone says something politically incorrect, they should be fired. The immediate thought to them is "I don't like what he said, so he needs to go." Of course saying something terrible about conservatives or troops is fine. These people are full-blown Stalinists as far as I'm concerned.
Fire Everyone
January 24, 2008 - 11:18 ET by American TaxpayerI could not agree more we should all strive to become a hyper sensitive society where everyone is fired for anything that offends anyone at all. I do not watch crap like MSNBC but I think everyone should be fired and recieve life in front of a firing squad....
Nonsense
January 24, 2008 - 11:40 ET by connmanIf it weren't for the FNC connection, I doubt she would even mention it. As far as his comments, its his show isn't he entitled to his opinion? Insensitive, perhaps but the way the MSM has been playing this story the past couple of days its nothing short of ridiculous! They are actually hanging "Superstar" and "Legend" status upon him. Before his death who the hell was talking about this guy anyway?
"F" Jesus
January 24, 2008 - 12:10 ET by iveseenitallThese secularist "liberals" can absolutely make you sick to your stomach. That Jacobs jerk on ESPN says "F" Jesus and not a word from the likes of Mika. Gibson "insults" a 28 year old "movie star" and she wants him fired? Astounding!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Mika is selective, and John
January 24, 2008 - 12:17 ET by balboaMika is selective, and John Gibson, what a douche.
Jacobs?
January 24, 2008 - 14:46 ET by iveseenitallSo Gibson is a "douche" and Mika is "selective". Noticed you didn't mention Jacobs...huummm
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
She's not part of this
January 24, 2008 - 15:19 ET by balboaShe's not part of this thread, is she?
That's the coward's way
January 24, 2008 - 16:30 ET by PeskyDaneThat's the coward's way out. You continue to live down to all expectations.
Who yanked your chain? Are
January 24, 2008 - 18:38 ET by balboaWho yanked your chain?
Are you trying to equate a drunken tirade at a roast with a guy making fun of someone's suicide on a political show?
ummmm, hmmmmm, "yeah right"...
January 24, 2008 - 12:29 ET by marpelIf I hear Mika do the "ummmm, hmmmmmm, yeah right" thing one more time, I'm going to scream. Now that Imus is gone, and I don't get his show on our local radio stations, I'm limited to local morning shows (which suck), Morning Joe (Mika and David Shuster make my blood boil), CNN or the "fluff" of Fox and Friends. Because Steve Doucy makes me sick, I have tried to warm up to Morning Joe. At least Joe Scarborough will sometimes stand up for conservatives. But, Mika is so annoying....also, I want to say, "Hey Mika! Sit up straight and stop posing when you ask those 'deep' questions!! And, for the love of God, STOP HMMMMMMMing and sighing!!"
Even though I don't agree with what John Gibson said, his radio show is not a news show. It's an opinion show. He has the right to express his opinion; good, bad or indifferent.
He has that right, just as
January 24, 2008 - 12:46 ET by balboaHe has that right, just as I have a right and will exercise it to proclaim him an assbag. :-)
only when
January 24, 2008 - 12:48 ET by seanieponly when I hear a complaint for heath himself about how his feelings were hurt . . . then I don't think we need to worry about it all
what is an
January 24, 2008 - 12:55 ET by contrarywhat is an "assbag?"
Another Chris Farley moment as I hit my head, "stupid, stupid,..."
-- Syrius
Only if all self-annointed speakers of truth were so honest.
I believe it's an ass****
January 24, 2008 - 12:59 ET by balboaI believe it's an ass**** crossed with a douchebag.
It coordinates well with an
January 24, 2008 - 13:25 ET by Hero SquadIt coordinates well with an asshat.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
That was the best line I've
January 24, 2008 - 14:04 ET by Darth DutchThat was the best line I've read all day. I literally laughed outloud at my desk at work and made my co-worker look at my funny.
Very good...
Darth Dutch
Those shoes
January 24, 2008 - 18:34 ET by nkviking75Now if someone invents ass-shoes they'll have quite an ensemble.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
→ ass-shoes?
January 24, 2008 - 18:41 ET by Cool ArrowGezundheidt!
D'OH!
January 25, 2008 - 14:50 ET by MassConservLOL
I agree with Drillanwr
January 24, 2008 - 13:06 ET by DelsaI am so sick and tired of the constant blather over people who seemingly have everything going for them and then they check out early. Who's decision is it to take the drugs or drink the alcohal??? I am sad for their parents and others left behind. Someone suggested how much this guy loved his daughter? WHAT? He loved his daughter so he took himself out either intentionally or unintentionally. What a wonderful LOVING parting GIFT.
Let this blonde idiot and all like her get over it. She should spend time trying to get her father to change his strips when it comes to our jewish friends.
see http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/01/barack_obamas_middle_east_expe.html
That's it. Now that
January 24, 2008 - 13:46 ET by fitzfongThat's it. Now that Bubbles has called for his termination, John Gibson better get ready to negotiate his severance package. Because everyone tunes in to MSDNC to hear the "wisdom" of Bubbles Brzezinski. And if Bubbles says he has to go, he's got to go.
thinkprogress?
January 24, 2008 - 14:19 ET by oregon_jiimI just got done reading some of the comments about this "issue" from the thinkprogress link that was provided above.
I'm pretty sure no one on that site is old enough to buy their own beer. Reading those comments stirred up memories of my high school civics class when we would have open discussions about current events. They are all offended by Gibson for making fun of a dead actor, but there are many posts wishing Gibson would die. They accuse Gibson of being a gay basher and at the same time some are calling Gibson gay as if they themselves believe being gay is wrong.
I'm not defending Gibson. What he said was stupid and offensive but definitely not a fireable offense. Liberal and conservative talk show host say things that offend people all of the time. Liberals, however, always get the benefit of the doubt and a free pass.
I used to be a liberal sympathizer in college. Then I got a real job, a house, and a family and all of the sudden, I couldn't stand that attitude anymore. It is pretty clear that all that is needed to become a conservative is a little maturity.
"an endorsement of communism is an endorsement of slavery"
I heard this early
January 24, 2008 - 14:43 ET by bigtimerI heard this early here...first thing that came to my mind it is a radio show Mika...are you dense...the second thing that came to my mind was what Mark already stated was Airdead Amerika and the tripe and trash they get away with....the third thing that came to my mind was have you listened to your mindless hate-filled leftists boss Olbermann lately Mika?
She is really dense at times.
As an aside about this show...later on I think it was they were on a different topic, wished I could remember what it was, may have been Romney but anyway she was really getting a dig into Joe and said something to him and he said to her... "that's why this show isn't called Morning Mika...baby!" (It was a good one and funny, and a slam IMO) they went directly to a commercial...lol.
bt -
January 24, 2008 - 14:57 ET by drillanwrShe is really dense at times.
***WARNING!: A GIVING TOO MUCH CREDIT ALERT!!***
; ^)
LOL drill... You are
January 24, 2008 - 15:00 ET by bigtimerLOL drill...
You are correct, but she has moved up from just making sound affects or effects...whichever works.
Heh!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 24, 2008 - 15:04 ET by drillanwrHeh!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mika MySpace List
January 24, 2008 - 15:02 ET by The_PumpcropMy son showed me the other day a list going around MySpace that want Mika canned. It really calls her out for what an irrigating puppet she is. There was already over 150 names on it. I told him to send it to MSNBC. Maybe to Gibson too?
Gibson made a mistake in
January 24, 2008 - 19:22 ET by mostlymoderateGibson made a mistake in saying the things that "alot of people" were thinking. Really...Boo Hoo...another spoiled, young Hollyweirdish "BRAT" that seems to have EVERYTHING ups and kills himself. I mean really, I get sick and tired of hearing about overprivileged Hollywood types that are unhappy with life. Try working an 18 hour shift in a factory. And I am sorry, but this Morning Joe crowd were obviously in "vulture-mode". Yes, Gibson made a mistake of showing his true thoughts. Remember, in America you only have freedom of speech if you are a liberal.
First of all, we don't know
January 24, 2008 - 19:24 ET by balboaFirst of all, we don't know what happened yet. Second, money doesn't necessarily mean happy.
And how do you know he was a brat? Ridiculous celebs bother me, too, but we don't know much about this yet. Little early to be so callous.
How can I not be callous
January 24, 2008 - 19:29 ET by mostlymoderateHow can I not be callous after watching the "Morning Joe" clip?
Why should Mika lead you to
January 24, 2008 - 19:33 ET by balboaWhy should Mika lead you to be callous about the premature death of Heath Ledger?
Because I wrote my comment
January 24, 2008 - 19:41 ET by mostlymoderateBecause I wrote my comment immediately after watching the video :) I should have cooled off first. You're right, I focused my energy on Heath when I should have attacked Mika.
I do not care how offensive John Gibson's comments were....
January 24, 2008 - 21:45 ET by R D HelmHe had every right to say what he did. I may not agree with it, but I will defend his right to express his opinion, no matter how "offended" some may be.
The last time I checked, this was still the United States of America, not Canada or North Korea.
Political correctness, in any form, has no place in a truly free society.
None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe
I Thought It Was Clever Radio....
January 25, 2008 - 10:47 ET by awesumHeath became an inernational and hollywood icon from his portrayal as a gay(sic) cowboy....and his infamous line "I don't know how to quit you..."
As such, it probobly made him lose alot of that sleep when in public people would yell "hey, your that gay cowboy"...and people associated him with that character......
When Jack Nicholson dies.......they will play an audio clip from his signature movie line "Heeeeres Johnny!"....From "the Shining"....
Once again, a role that created his public image as psychotic....
Life Lesson For Actors:
CHOOSE YOUR ROLES VERY CAREFULLY...THEY LABEL WHO YOU ARE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
Also, didn't every liberal media make Uber-Fun of Anna Nicole's death?
Ugly is Ugly, Left or Right
January 25, 2008 - 14:38 ET by L.N. SmitheeI am going to swim against the stream and agree with balboa. Gibson was WAY out of line.
Was the coverage of his death over the top? Absolutely. But it WAS news. Young Oscar-nominated actors not known for being hard-partying jerks don't die like that every day. I don't have any particular affection for Ledger. I have never seen any of his work. But that didn't make him any less of a human being. Am I supposed to think LESS of him as an individual just because OTHERS have inflated his importance?
What Gibson said was just as egregious as what Howard Stern clones did after Columbine and 9/11, and what left-leaning people did when Reagan passed away and when Tony Snow and Laura Ingraham announced they had cancer. I don't give people a pass on being ugly, petty, insensitive jackasses just because I agree with them ideologically (hello, Ann Coulter). And shame on those of you who do.
"Well, I've got nothing against the press...they wouldn't print it if it wasn't true..." -- Joe Jackson, "Sunday Papers"