America's Only Openly Socialist Member of Congress Defends Keith Olbermann
The same day an MSNBC host admitted to being a socialist on national television, America's only openly socialist member of Congress came out in defense of Keith Olbermann after the "Countdown" host was suspended indefinitely for violating NBC's campaign finance rules.
If you needed any more proof of just how far to the left this so-called news network is, you should look no further than what Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) published at the Huffington Post Friday:
It is outrageous that General Electric/MSNBC would suspend Keith Olbermann for exercising his constitutional rights to contribute to a candidate of his choice. This is a real threat to political discourse in America and will have a chilling impact on every commentator for MSNBC. [...]
At a time when the ownership of Fox news contributed millions of dollars to the Republican Party, when a number of Fox commentators are using the network as a launching pad for their presidential campaigns and are raising money right off the air, it is absolutely unacceptable that MSNBC suspended one of the most popular progressive commentators in the country.
Of course, that NBC has rules against what Olbermann did is irrelevant. But that's not the biggest hypocrisy here, for Sanders is a devout supporter of strict campaign finance regulation. Last September, he wrote at the Huffington Post:
The reality of Washington, to a very significant degree, is that those people who have the money are able to influence public policy. Big money controls the agenda. If you don't have the money, you get to the end of the line. [...]
This is a huge issue. The antidote, in my view, is public funding of elections so that everybody has the opportunity to run for office without having to be beholden to powerful special interests.
So, the antidote in Sanders' view is public funding. If that's the case, why fight for Olbermann's "constitutional rights to contribute to a candidate of his choice?"
The answer: because folks like Sanders really aren't opposed to candidates raising money. They're opposed to Republicans doing it.
No better example was Barack Obama who pledged during his campaign to exclusively accept public funds only to go back on this promise days after finally winning the Democrat presidential nomination in June 2008.
Now, over two years later, a "newscaster" is suspended for violating his company's campaign finance policy, and a devout campaign finance reform advocate like Sanders is worried about Olbermann's Constitutional rights.
It really takes an astonishing amount of rationalizations to be a liberal, doesn't it?
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Comments
maddow's take
Submitted by krendler on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:00pm.
Here's Maddow's take on the Olby suspension:
"Yeah, Keith's a liberal, and so am I. But we're not a political operation - Fox is. We're a news operation."
Got that everybody? FOX is a political operation. MS-NBC is a news operation. There you have it. Rachel says so.
The stupidity and hypocrisy of these partisans at MS-NBC is astounding. Outside thier protected little bubble of ultra-partisan colleagues and viewers, they're laughingstocks.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/11/06/2010-11-06_rachel_maddow_on_suspended_keith_olbermann_msnbc_should_reinstate_him.html#ixzz14WBdBRIO
Their 11/2 election coverage said it all!
Submitted by merly1 on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:12pm.
They are so far in the Dems pocket, it could be called pocket pool!
krendler.. say one accepts Maddow's premise..
Submitted by Gary Hall on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:26pm.
krendler.. say, for the exercise, one accepts Maddow's premise.. that Fox is a political org and MSNBC is a news org (Yes, I'm gagging - but I'll get thru this); in that case, then it would be absolutely more critical that the "news organization's" journalists, reporters, commentators, anchors, etc., not be making political contributions. Of course, a political org would be making contributions to it's party of choice.
PS - I think it's great that O'Donnell has confirmed that he's a socialist, whacko liberal pundit. For the future, when he is on MSNBC, he sould be introduced as such, especially by the likes of radical lying mushroom food-like smear mongers like Olbermann - who should also be introduced as such.
(;~/ gary
The ONLY??
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:09pm.
Oh, I reread it. Openly admitted Socialist. Never mind.
Phil
Submitted by ricklail on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 6:36pm.
This was the last list that I saw that was endorsed by the Democrat Socialsist of America
Noel.. Fox "ownership" contributes vs MSNBC non-biased
Submitted by Gary Hall on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:20pm.
Noel.. everyone -
Fox's "ownership" contributes vs MSNBC's, so he claimed, "non-biased news commentator."
Q's.
General Electric/NBC's "ownerership" contributes..?
Understanding your point that Fox and MSNBC indeed may have different company policies on the issue; things to consider: 1.) the hypocricy of Olbermann on this issue alone, is enough to get rid of him, but it's Olbermann's hate and smear mongering that stands as the more unethical violations, and 2.) are Fox's anchors and commentators hiding contributions, if any, and are they out in the open?
(;~> gary
Openly
Submitted by papagiorgio200 on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:23pm.
... hahaha, the only OPENLY socialist.... funny... there are more.
Yes there are many more
Submitted by celator on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 3:59pm.
Yes there are many more socialists in Congress. The Democratic Socialists of America lists 70 current members of Congress who are active, avowed socialists, including one from my state, Chellie Pingree (Maine). (at one point they listed 94, but several were dropped off the list at their request).
The Co-Chair of the Democratic Socialist of America is none other than Rep Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ), one of the recipients of Olbermann's political donations. How 'bout them apples?
Here's the story, and the list of the 70 socialists now serving in congress.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=191605
And here's another background piece on these socialists serving in Congress by Aaron Klein--
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=223701
Public funding of elections?
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:25pm.
Speaking of public funding of elections, General Electric received $25 million in federal stimulus money (i.e. payback for (MS)NBC's pro-Obama campaign coverage). Seriously, why did GE receive any stimulus money? They laid off thousands of employees!
The fall of...
Submitted by AgentAmerican on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:27pm.
The fall of a network has begun. Like I said, this has been a very, very good week!
The Fall?...
Submitted by Francisco on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 7:22pm.
I thought a fall was something that was supposed to happen _before_ you hit the floor...I'm waiting for Al-Quaeda to
Submitted by Thoreau on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:31pm.
I'm waiting for Al-Qaeda to endorse Olbermann next.
Al Qaeda for Olbermann?
Submitted by Jer on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 10:01pm.
Apparently militant Islamists prefer Bush politics.
Jer
Only because---
Submitted by matthewdean on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 10:07pm.
no macho militant would side with a liberal pussy.
MD
The statement said Abu Hafs
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 10:19pm.
The statement said Abu Hafs al-Masri needs what it called Bush's "idiocy and religious fanaticism" because they would "wake up" the Islamic world.
Yeah at least this particular one, but I guess you have great stock in what some group like this wants.
After Bin Laden's latest rant
Submitted by Ashrak on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 10:50pm.
After Bin Laden's latest rant about 'global warming', such a claim is more laughable than it was when his rants followed along with John Kerry's 2004 campaign.
Projection didn't win this election. I't won't win the next one either.
I'm starting to think when
Submitted by Free Stinker on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:33pm.
I'm starting to think when Comcast takes over there's going to be mass firings over at MSLSD
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Contributing to candidates is
Submitted by Mendol on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 12:42pm.
Contributing to candidates is only a constitutional right if Bernie and his ilk says it is our constitutional right. The constitution is a living document and only contains the rights that the leftists need in order to advance their agenda -- don't you all know this??
Tell us something we....
Submitted by dirtydan64 on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 1:40pm.
didn't already know about Bernie, and if you didn't know Bernie was a devote Socialist along with his friends Keith and O'Donnell who announced it on TV yesterday while being embattled by his co-socialist from Salon you've been living under a F@#$ing rock !!!! I can't wait for Com-Cast to take rein of this illiterate bunch of cry babies maybe then we can finally have some real journalism for awhile until Com-Cast becomes corrupt !!!
Next inline for firing is Maddow, surely she's not playing by the rules and I would only imagine it's just a matter of time before someone spills the bean about her Political fund raising and or contributions to the likes of Sanders !!!
Unwad your panties, Bernie
Submitted by Evil Klown on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 1:51pm.
They only suspended him cuz the heat was on. He'll take a little vacation and he'll be back telling us all how great the "Democratics" are in no time.
Note: I always say "Democratic" instead of Democrat because it makes them mad to be called the Democrat party.
Sanders and public funding
Submitted by Galvanic on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 7:32pm.
Sanders:
"The antidote, in my view, is public funding of elections so that everybody has the opportunity to run for office without having to be beholden to powerful special interests."
What I love about Leftwing kooks like Sanders is that they never put a price tag to their wish list items.
Nevermind for a moment the serious First Amendment issues, just how much money does this boob think the government will spend on this? And who sets the threshhold for getting public funds, especially in the Information Age? If I need 100,000 signatures on a petition to get public funding, I can get it.
I can also make running for office my profession, whether I win or lose. I merely get the public funding, spend a chunk on 'overhead' (my food, transportation, clothing, lodging, etc.) and bounce from one election to the other. It's another welfare gig, another version of the bogus-charity game.Anyone notice how the
Submitted by GregE on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 7:57pm.
Anyone notice how the liberals/Socialists run around whining about "powerful special interests?" How stupid do they think Americans are? Just what is a big fat union if not a "powerful special interest?"
Fools.
Sorry Bernie. Even though I
Submitted by Rusty Shackleford on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 2:28pm.
Sorry Bernie. Even though I agree that firing Olbermann was a bad decision, his 1st Amendment rights were not violated and will not be in violation unless the US congress decides to punish him. Isn't it your job to know the document that provides your job description?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Matthews: The Joy Behar of MSNBC.
Bill Maher: The Joy Behar of HBO.
Paul Krugman: The Joy Behar of The New York Times.
I guess Bernis is like
Submitted by motherbelt on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 4:51pm.
I guess Bernis is like Congressman Phil Hare, who famously said he "doesn't worry a lot about the constitution...."
Exactly. Interesting that
Submitted by GregE on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 7:54pm.
Exactly. Interesting that sitting US Senator would think there's a Constitutional issue here.
Did he not vote to mandate that I spend a portion of my income on healthcare insurance even if I don't want it? Any Constituional issue there, Bernie?
Obermann
Submitted by wdvander on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 6:25pm.
I would be fired for speaking for my employer in the media when I am not designated for that duty in my company, violating a company policy. Keith Obermann violated a company policy that required approval for a given public activity. Do I think he should be fired for that violation, no? Does every American have the right to free political speech, yes?
One thing to remember is that while we have freedom of political speech, we also have to be prepared to accept the results of that speech.
If I signed an employment contract
Submitted by okiehawk44 on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 7:21pm.
If I signed an employment contract ala Olbermann that precluded my wearing a shirt to work advertising our competitors -- let's see like wearing a Ford shirt to my job at GM -- and I was suspended would my constitutional rights have been infringed?
Naw! I'd dare say Keith Olbermann had more than adequate legal advice regarding his employment contract.
There is NO Constitutional
Submitted by GregE on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 7:58pm.
There is NO Constitutional issue here, Bernie.
But let's see.......
Sanders: "It is outrageous that General Electric/MSNBC would suspend Keith Olbermann for exercising his constitutional rights to contribute to a candidate of his choice."
I liked it a couple weeks ago when Sanders said: "It is outrageous that NPR would fire Juan Williams for exercising his constitutional rights to speak his mind."
Oh, wait a minute........
They should all just admit it.
Submitted by Phryj1 on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 8:29pm.
Why don't the rest of them just admit their socialist leanings? Typically, they hide behind the "Progressive" label. They like that because: #1 it sounds good to anyone who doesn't know what it currently stands for, and #2 it implies that moving toward socialism is progress, despite historical evidence to the contrary.
Obviously, they are afraid to admit what they really are, because they know the vast majority of Americans want nothing to do with socialism.
Progressives seem to be completely averse to facts and logic. Apparently, reality has a conservative bias.
Someone, with whom I was
Submitted by GregE on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 8:57pm.
Someone, with whom I was having a political "discussion," used the ever-popular "Progressive.......it denotes 'PROGRESS'". Oh yea, I know exactly what it's intended to denote. Doesn't make it so. It's just a word. For instance, crapping on the Constitution is not progress.
The "Employee Free Choice Act" denotes giving employees free choice.........to choose whether they want a union or not. That's crap because that choice already exists. That Act removes secret ballot, opening up the allowance of further thuggery of union bosses. What that has to do with "free choice," only a progressive could attempt to rationalize.
If they really wanted "Employee Free Choice"...
Submitted by Phryj1 on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 9:46pm.
...they would enact a federal Right-to-Work law. Thay way, anybody who wants to work, anywhere in the country, but doesn't want to join a union and have to pay union dues (and in turn, be forced to fund Democrat campaigns) would have the legally protected right to do so. THAT would be free choice.
On a related note, Right-to-Work states are doing much better economically than non-RTW states. So, it would benefit the whole country if RTW was federal, AND it would put a screeching halt to a lot of union thug tactics and sweetheart deals.
Progressives seem to be completely averse to facts and logic. Apparently, reality has a conservative bias.
Yep, I'm in Virginia, a Right
Submitted by GregE on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 11:21pm.
Yep, I'm in Virginia, a Right to Work state, and years ago I worked in a place that was partial union. I was not in the union.
This map is interesting........(note the northeast and left coast)
http://www.nrtw.org/rtws.htm
Fox is a news
Submitted by kangaroo on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 9:37pm.
Fox is a news organization.
The rest a smear organization
"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on"--Thomas Jefferson
You know
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 9:42pm.
because they're not benign, we need to round up ALL the socialists and give them one way tickets out of this country and revoke their citizenships and take their passports and don't let the doors hit them in the butt as they go.
Pity the Vermonters...
Submitted by jimbo297 on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 10:51pm.
...that actually have this moonbat in their DC delegation, alongside the ancient dinosaur Leaky Leahy and the trial lawyer scum Welch. There are like-minded conservatives here, rejoicing in private over this latest national turn of events, who are literally surrounded by militant progressives. Bernie may be openly socialist, but being so just isn't taboo in this state==it merely means that you vote democrat,
Resume
Submitted by JPP on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 12:55am.
I would bet there are a great number of resumes on the printers at MSNBC, each containing some poorly written fiction.
Defending Mr. Olbermann
Submitted by chuckk on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 4:42am.
As odious as I find his snarky, condescending and sarcastic over-the-top "commentaries," I have to absolutely support his right to contribute to his choice of candidates. First, because, it is not a secret, it's a matter of public record, and he freely admitted it. Second, because MSNBC does not even pretend to be the network of Brinkley/Huntley and Brokaw anymore. They've given up the pretense of being an honest arbiter of the news and are basically an extension of the White House Press Secretary's office.
The American people are no longer tethered to a choice of 3 "nightly news casts," and we all know the score.
The ratings of the various networks tell the rest of the story.
Yes, but
Submitted by Model850 on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 4:13pm.
Putting aside for the moment the possibility that he was suspended for refusing to apologize, his suspension was not predicated on his making the donations, which I agree he has every right to do. He was suspended based on his apparently not disclosing his intentions to management prior to making the donations. An entirely different issue.
Agree or disagree with the policy, it is/was MSNBC's policy, and he allegedly violated it. Violating company policy is grounds for suspension/termination practically anywhere one works. MSNBC's bias isn't relevant in my opinion. The only relevant thing (again, IMO) is the violation of company policy. Change the infraction to another policy besides political donations (sexual harrassment, so-called "hate" speech, unauthorized leave time, whatever) and would this discussion even be happening?
Remember Those Who Have served and are Serving
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Starting Today November 7, 2010 the TH Patriots Website will begin a special series of Articles and Videos 'Saluting and Giving Tribute' to the men and women of the United States Military, both past and present.
November 11 is Veterans Day - Thanks to the United States Military we are able to post our Opinions and Thoughts on this Website and elsewhere.
Each day - through Veterans Day - various Branches of the United States Military will be Honored - Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Starting Today and throughout the Days until Veterans Day - 'Those Who Gave All' and their Families will be Honored and given Tribute.
Monday will feature Green Berets, SOCON, Army Rangers, Navy Seals and the Coast Guard Swat Team.
Regardless of your position on War or on any War - these men and women have served Valiantly and they HAVE NEVER LET US DOWN.
Don't let them Down!
Thank Veterans and Current Military and their Families - attend Parades and remember them in your thoughts and Prayers, display your Flag.
Liberal Progressives in Several States 'Made Sure' that many of our active Military did NOT get to Vote in the 2010 Election.
When I cast my Vote Tuesday - I loudly announced to everyone in the Polling Station - "It is a disgrace that you and I were able to Vote Today and many in Harm's Way in our Military were Denied that Right."
Many of those who access http://thpatriots.blogspot.com/ on a daily basis - do so from US Military Accounts all over the World.
http://thpatriots.blogspot.com/
God Bless and Protect Our Veterans and the United States Military.
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