In yet another in a disgraceful series of indecent journalistic collaborations, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and Hillary Clinton's Think Progress actually quoted al Qaeda's second in command Ayman al-Zawahiri to discredit Republican presidential candidate John McCain (video embedded right, use scrollbars to properly center).
I kid you not.
Our story begins on Thursday when Think Progress managing editor Amanda Terkel posted an article actually entitled "Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri Rebuts McCain: It’s ‘In The Interest’ Of Al Qaeda To See Iran Fail" (emphasis added):
Recently, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has repeatedly claimed that Iran and al Qaeda are working together to defeat the United States in Iraq. During a March 18 press conference, for example, McCain claimed that Iranian operatives were "taking al-Qaeda into Iran, training them and sending them back."
Al Qaeda begs to differ. Danger Room's Noah Shachtman finds that in a new online Q&A session, Ayman al-Zawahiri - the terrorist organization's number two leader - clearly states al Qaeda wants Iran to fail in Iraq:
The dispute between America and Iran is a real dispute based on the struggle over areas of influence, and the possibility of America striking Iran is a real possibility. As for what might happen in the region, I can only say that major changes will occur in the region, and the situation will be in the interest of the Mujahideen if the war saps both of them. If, however, one of them emerges victorious, its influence will intensify and fierce battles will begin between it and the Mujahideen, except that the Jihadi awakening currently under way and the degeneration state of affairs of the invaders in Afghanistan and Iraq will make it impossible for Iran or America to become the sole decision-maker in the region.
Pretty amazing when the words of the enemy are used to discredit those of a sitting member of the Senate, wouldn't you agree? This is especially the case given McCain's acknowledgement during this very interview that he had misspoken and meant to say Iran is training "extremists" that are then being sent back to Iraq:
Yet, always looking to bash on Republicans regardless of the source, Olbermann copied TP's narrative hours later during Thursday's "Countdown," only freshening it up a bit to also point his dirty little finger at George W. Bush (video embedded top right, relevant section begins at minute 1:10):
The administration happily wrings its hands when some announcement out of al Qaeda confirms its worse fears, and by that I mean, what it wants you to fear the worse. When the terrorists say something that contradicts the Bush-McCain world view, it is silence and crickets.
Ayman al-Zawahiri, still the number jackass in al Qaeda, with a statement on the prospect of a conflict between the U.S. and Iran, quote, "The situation will be in the interest of the mujahedeen if the war saps both of them. If however, one of them emerges victorious, its influence will intensify and fierce battles will begin between it and the mujahedeen."
Translation: Al Qaeda hates Iran. Zawahiri has also said that Iran has stabbed the Muslim nation in the back. Al Qaeda thinks we would be doing them a favor if we attacked Iran. And if Iran somehow did well in that fight with us, then, al Qaeda would target Iran.
In other words the drum beat against Iran which General Petraeus will again start next week, the one McCain started again last month is 100 percent crap.
If you`d like this country to go into business with al Qaeda, George Bush and John McCain, they`re your guys.
Much like TP, Olbermann said nothing about McCain acknowledging that he had misspoken concerning this matter.
Honestly, the good folks at General Electric and NBC must be so proud when their employees cite Public Enemy #2 to discredit Americans.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.




















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Comments Policy
Thank God No one ever
April 5, 2008 - 17:38 ET by GeoGolfThank God No one ever watches Bath Tub Boy
Doesn't surprise or shock
April 5, 2008 - 17:52 ET by BlazerDoesn't surprise or shock me a bit Noel, although it does infuriate me. The liberal press and the Democrat's on capitol hill like Al-Q and Iran are invested in America's defeat.
This idiot Olberman with his fragile ego who never has anyone on his show to refute his talking point's or opinion's and goes over to Kos to kiss the butt's of the black helicopter, tin-foil hat crowd and literally beg's them to watch his show, but let's not forget he's a 'real journalist". Mysteriously but not surprisingly absent from his heralded WPITW segment is any number of terrorist's, dictator's or despot's, but a long list of conservative politician's and pundit's. I would love to see him go in front of Hannity, O'Reilly or Limbaugh and see him get his long awaited for much anticipated beotch smacking, although we know this linguini spined, cheese eating surrender monkey would never come within' a 10 mile radius of anyone with an opposing viewpoint.
When you are lower and have less gonad's than even Chris Matthew's you have truly arrived at the zenith of your existence and the pinnacle of your career.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Isn't this kind alike when
April 5, 2008 - 17:55 ET by balboaIsn't this kind alike when people said "Boy, I think Al Quaeda gets their talking points from the Democratic party"?
B
April 5, 2008 - 18:00 ET by Noel SheppardB,
Well, which is worse: al Qaeda talking like Democrats, or media quoting al Qaeda to discredit Republicans? ns
I think it was also
April 5, 2008 - 18:15 ET by balboaI think it was also conservative pundits' using an obtuse interpretation of democrat talking points to infer some kind of close connection between dems and Al Qaeda, as if they were in cahoots.
It's both ridiculous.
b
April 5, 2008 - 18:22 ET by Noel Sheppardb,
First, are they inferring such or implying? :-)
That asked, that's not what they're doing. Nobody is suggesting that Democrats are in cahoots with al Qaeda. Stop it, for that's silly. ns
Noel: Nobody is suggesting
April 5, 2008 - 18:26 ET by SMGalbraithNoel: Nobody is suggesting that Democrats are in cahoots with al Qaeda. Stop it, for that's silly.
Unfortunately, some people on our side do. The old "treason" nonsense.
I've heard Limbaugh during one of his over-the-top moments make that claim.
It's a smear and it's wrong and Limbaugh should be ashamed of himself.
SMG
April 5, 2008 - 18:29 ET by Noel SheppardSMG,
Wait a minute: you've heard Rush say that Democrats are in cahoots with al Qaeda?
No. What he and others have said is that some statements and legislative proposals by Democrats aid al Qaeda. For instance, the Dems' position on surveillance. However, that's a far cry from being in cahoots with them. ns
It's just as insulting and
April 5, 2008 - 18:41 ET by balboaIt's just as insulting and ridiculous, but it happens ALL the time.
Balboa, Balboa...Where does
April 6, 2008 - 14:06 ET by futbolisgreat1Balboa, Balboa...Where does Liberal hypocrisy end? I find your statement...
"It's just as insulting and ridiculous, but it happens ALL the time."
amusing...
you and the rest of the Liberals that post on Newsbusters.org cry and whine whenever a Conservative dares group ALL Liberals in the same box. But look at you now, you don't have a problem doing to Conservatives what you cry and whine about all the time. You should be ashamed of yourself for fitting so well into the Liberal hypocrisy.
Furthermore, you are obviously NOT a Rush listener, you obviously get your sound bites from Liberal websites that are more than ready to distort Rush's words. Why don't you listen to Rush all 3 hours of him, for a month or so and then talk about him. Once again, stop being the typical Liberal that attacks that which he clearly doesn't know or understand.
Rush has NEVER said that Liberals are in cahoots with Al Qaeda. What he has repeatedly said is that Liberals embolden our enemies, as it has been proven by a Harvard Study. That the words and actions of Liberals in America give our enemies strength and hope. I also find it interesting that you didn't attack Olberman or DailyKos for using the words of Al Qaeda #2. Instead, you are trying to divert attention by attacking Rush and other conservatives.
From what you are saying, you obviously wouldn't have had a problem taking Hitler's words at face value if those words supported your Liberal stances. Only Liberals are dumb enough to believe and then use the words of our enemies to attack their political enemies. Why don't you answer this simple questions...do you agree with Al Qaeda's number #2 words? Do you agree with Olberman and with the DailyKos using Al Qaeda's words to attack McCain and Bush?Try to answer without bringing in Conservatives, without making any moral equivalency. Do you agree, yes or no?
I agree, Noel....I've heard
April 5, 2008 - 18:43 ET by motherbeltI agree, Noel....I've heard him say that al Queda sometimes sounds like the Dem talking points, but he's never said it's a planned coordination.
But isn't it just like the Olbie to offer al Queda equal time to rebut what McCain says? How long before he actually tries to interview one of these guys and asks them what they have to say in rebuttal?
He's done everything BUT say
April 5, 2008 - 18:47 ET by balboaHe's done everything BUT say that.
So what if Rush has stated
April 5, 2008 - 21:06 ET by ConservativeRexBal,
So what if Rush has stated that Al qaeda used Dems words as talking points. ? He's not running for POTUS. You're not so foolish as to think that Al qaeda is not emboldened by what they hear coming from the democrats in congress are you? They are, and continue to be.
These are the same knuckleheads who encouraged the Viet Cong. THEY certainly were emboldened by democrats in congress, and stated as such for public record. Al qaeda is no different.
What Olby and most Libs seem to always forget is Al qaeda is our enemy. Not Bush, not Chaney not Republicans. Are libs as deranged as they come across to be? We are Americans you idiots!
Ah what the hell, when we get attacked here again I know who'll be the first in line to offer their services to Al qaeda. It's not like it isn't without president. I just wish the libs would come out with it right now that THEY hate America and everything it stands for, because that would sure clear things up as to who the real enemy is. Because they think that Republicans are the enemy as it stands. Let's just have it out and whoever is left standing makes the rules. I am tired of the whole damn mess and would just as soon get it on and over with.
Olbermann isn't running for
April 5, 2008 - 21:14 ET by balboaOlbermann isn't running for POTUS, either.
Noel: you've heard Rush
April 5, 2008 - 22:25 ET by SMGalbraithNoel: you've heard Rush say that Democrats are in cahoots with al Qaeda
No, not literally in cahoots with them. As in they're meeting with agents of AQ and coordinating their actions.
But cahoots (which is the wrong word; it wasn't mine) in that, Rush thinks, liberals hope they win in Iraq and elsewhere because they (the liberals) hate Bush. Or because we're at fault for angering them. Not because of any ideological sympathy.
No, I've never heard Limbaugh claim that Democrats/liberals are actively working with the terrorists. But he's said some pretty nasty stuff that is simply not responsible.
As you can tell, I'm not that big of a fan of his.
SMG, I don't care if Rush did say some libs are in cahoots
April 5, 2008 - 22:41 ET by R D HelmI don't care if Rush did say some libs are in cahoots with Osama's goons.
As far as I am concerned, Jim McDermott, David Bonier, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi may as well be in bed with Osama.
To me, giving aid and comfort to the enemy, which each of them has done multiple times, is every bit as bad as being in cahoots with them.
I see absolutely no distinction between the two.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
ME TOO...
April 6, 2008 - 05:42 ET by danybhoyI'm with you RDHelm, giving aid & comfort is treason in my eyes, too bad it's been a while since the Rosenberg's were exicuted for treason back in the day.
The only problem with your post is you did'nt name nearly enough people in bed with Bin Laden, there are many more to be named. Most of em' have a label of (D) next to their name.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Noel...Obviously there
April 5, 2008 - 22:50 ET by JerNoel...Obviously there haven't been accusations of an active, strategic alliance, but there have been plenty of irresponsible insinuations and outright assertions about the Democrats favoring the terrorists, tacitly supporting bin Laden, hoping for a U.S. defeat, etc.
Two things that really bother me: Democrats playing the race card, and Republicans playing the patriot card.
Jer
outright assertions about
April 6, 2008 - 05:50 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsoutright assertions about the Democrats favoring the terrorists, tacitly supporting bin Laden, hoping for a U.S. defeat, etc.
The democrats aren't 'hoping' for a US defeat, they (both Presidential candidates) are 'promising' a US defeat, guaranteed, if elected.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Yep, the Dem's in
April 5, 2008 - 19:52 ET by BlazerYep, the Dem's in Congress and the lib's in the MSM hope for America's surrender or defeat, never report on the succeses and good new's in the WOT and on a daily basis are a scoreboard for the terrorist's, but whatever you do, never ever question thier patriotism.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Olbermann
April 5, 2008 - 18:18 ET by SMGalbraithOlbermann doesn't, interestingly, quote Zawahiri when that terrorist leader states (repeatedly) that Iraq is the key battleground for al-Qaeda's war against the West. Just an oversight on his part, I'm sure.
Olbermann's a news reporter like I'm Tinker Bell. He's a complete hack and fraud.
I think it is time for a
April 5, 2008 - 18:36 ET by kgI think it is time for a national movement to get this jerk fired so he can
go crawl back into the hole he crawled out of. He does untold amount of damage
to the U.S. He is a traitorous idiot. A good look into his and NBC's sponsors
is in order.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
We're in a sorry state
April 5, 2008 - 18:39 ET by HumblepieThe zeal of individuals who continue to spew disinformation in an attempt to satisfy whatever warped logic they believe is one thing. We should treat them, how did Obambi say it, "like an uncle," ... Yea right, treat them like the disturbed individual they are.
But when the masses buy into it just because it fits their agenda. Then we must treat them like the idiots they are.
McCain was simply wrong to
April 5, 2008 - 18:47 ET by Jack BauerMcCain was simply wrong to apologize for pointing out that SHIA Musim Iran helps, trains and supports SUNNI Muslim al-Qaeda.
Remember the 2004 Democrat Bible? When it was politically expedient to complain that Bush hadn't INSTANTLY implemented every last proposal which was the equivalent of the word of God.
No one mentions it these days. McCain should start by reading the following pages...
9/11 COMMISSION REPORT
PAGE 60.
In June 1996, an enormous truck bomb detonated in the Khobar Towers residential complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, that housed U.S.Air Force personnel. Nineteen Americans were killed, and 372 were wounded. The operation was carried out principally, perhaps exclusively, by Saudi Hezbollah, an organization that had received support from the government of Iran (SHIA). While the evidence of Iranian involvement is strong there are also signs that al Qaeda (SUNNI) played some role, as yet unknown.
PAGE 61
Sudan’s Islamist leader,Turabi, who convened a series of meetings under the label Popular Arab and Islamic Conference around the time of Bin Ladin’s arrival in that country. Delegations of violent Islamist extremists came from all the groups represented in Bin Ladin’s Islamic Army Shura. Representatives also came from organizations such as the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
Turabi sought to persuade Shiites and Sunnis to put aside their divisions and join against the common enemy. In late 1991 or 1992, discussions in Sudan between al Qaeda and Iranian operatives led to an informal agreement to cooperate in providing support—even if only training—for actions carried out primarily against Israel and the United States.
Not long afterward, senior al Qaeda operatives and trainers traveled to Iran to receive training in explosives. In the fall of 1993, another such delegation went to the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon for further training in explosives as well as in intelligence and security. Bin Ladin reportedly showed particular interest in learning how to use truck bombs such as the one that had killed 241 U.S. Marines in Lebanon in 1983. The relationship between al Qaeda and Iran demonstrated that Sunni-Shia divisions did not necessarily pose an insurmountable barrier to cooperation in terrorist operations. As will be described in chapter 7, al Qaeda contacts with Iran continued in ensuing years.
PAGE 128.
Though intelligence gave no clear indication of what might be afoot, some intelligence reports mentioned chemical weapons, pointing toward work at a camp in southern Afghanistan called Derunta.On November 4, 1998, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York unsealed its indictment of Bin Ladin, charging him with conspiracy to attack U.S. defense installations.
The indictment also charged that al Qaeda (SUNNI) had allied itself with Sudan, Iran, and Hezbollah (SHIA) .
I can see it now
April 5, 2008 - 19:03 ET by drillanwrMSNBC holds one of the `08 Presidential debates, and on the question panal: Olberman, Matthews ... and Mookie al-Sadr ...
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
So it's ok if the Iranians
April 5, 2008 - 20:04 ET by RainsfordSo it's ok if the Iranians kill all the Americans they want (since, hey, they are the freedom fighters after all) as long as they aren't inviting Al-Qaeda over for tea? Makes sense to me.
Keith Olbermann - Hypocrite
April 5, 2008 - 20:28 ET by SupermanKeith Olbermann has called people "Worst Person in the World" for quoting Al Qaeda. Now, when it suits his left wing water carrying interests, he does it himself.
Actually
April 5, 2008 - 22:40 ET by well99Olberman what he lacks in intelligence he makes up for it in stupidity.The wantabe human being distorts everything.I have sympathy for Keith because he suffers from a rare disease called Iamastupidass.He has suffered the dreaded disease for years.Every show he has proves they havent cured him yet.Add that to his addiction to bathtubs he is pretty pathetic.A mind is a terrible thing to waste.Keith proves that everytime he opens his mouth.
NOEL...
April 6, 2008 - 05:50 ET by danybhoyThe headline of the peice says "Olbermann & Think Progress Quote Al-Queda #2 To Discredit McCain". Here is the problem, BathTubBoy writes very little of what he spews on his nightly show, MediaMatter, Kos, & ThinkProgress more or less give him his talking points, if not write his scripts & e-mail them DIRECTLY into his telepromter. One only really needs to follow those website to know what he's been talking about without watching his show.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
So, Uh, Who believes Hillary or Olbermaniac anymore ?
April 6, 2008 - 08:45 ET by JayTeeIs anyone Listening to what they have to say ? And upon hearing it, does anyone believe the Lies coming forth from those two ?
A reporter better watch what he repeats if it comes from Hillary and company.
The Crises
April 6, 2008 - 11:06 ET by iveseenitall"There are persons too who see not the full extent of the evil which threatens them, they solice themselves with the hopes that the enemy, if they succeed,will be merciful. It is the madness of folly to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war.The cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf; and we ought to guard equally against both." The Crises--Thomas Paine, 1776.
Hey Olbermann, et. al.-- HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
iveseenmostall Thanks for the Quote from TP
April 6, 2008 - 11:18 ET by JayTeeI'll pass that along, to the Youngsters . . before History rewrites erase it.
Well...we talked to the foxes and they say....
April 6, 2008 - 20:38 ET by Army Brat"Them chickens are lying through their beaks."
Happy Trails...