Olbermann Hypes Al Qaeda Threat But Scoffed at JFK, Fort Dix, London Plots

Olbermann Hypes Al Qaeda Threat But Scoffed at JFK, Fort Dix, London Plots

By Ken Shepherd (Bio | Archive)
July 18, 2007 - 13:41 ET

If you're Keith Olbermann (file photo at right), these two contradictory notions are equally true.

The terrorist threat against America amounts to a bunch of hopeless nincompoops who are nothing more than armchair wannabe jihadists.

AND

George Bush is a massive failure at protecting this country from terrorist attacks.

Just take a look at items from his "The News Hole" blog from the past few months (emphasis mine).

From July 17's "Blogging the Countdown" entry:

Original Al Qaeda Returns: Nearly six years after the 9-11 attacks...After four long years of war in Iraq...And after the many billions of dollars that have been spent on the war on terror...A new intelligence report, the work of all sixteen U-S spy agencies, warns that Al Qaeda is gaining strength... and is still determined to attack the U-S. Our fifth story on the Countdown: How is that even possible?

Yet back in April, Olbermann said that presidential aspirant Rudy Giuliani (R-N.Y.) was trying to scare the electorate with fears of terrorism:

They Hate Us For Our Freedom : A survivor of 9/11 threatens voters with a new 9/11 if they dare to vote for anyone but him. Why is Giuliani trying to terrorize the electorate?

More from the "oh my God we're all going to die and it's Bush's fault" category:

July 18:
Some excellent day two analysis of the National Intelligence Estimate – a startling look at how thoroughly the Bush administration has failed in its war on terrorism... One that the White House is going to find difficult to sweep under the rug. The New York Times says for all intents and purposes it might as well be the summer of 2001 again (the NIE with the recycled title “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.”).
July 11:
The Unsuccessful War on Terror: If, as the Bush administration claims, we are fighting in Iraq so we do not have to face the threat of another terror attack here in the U-S...Why is it that Al Qaeda has been able to regain its strength to a level it has not enjoyed since just before the 9-11 attacks? Our fifth story on the Countdown: U-S Intelligence analysts... reaching a devastating conclusion about the state of the war on terror. Meanwhile, two more Republican senators reaching a conclusion that it is time to get out of the conflict that many believe is distracting us from that fight... the war in Iraq.

Now for the "I can't believe anyone takes this war on terror stuff seriously" file:

June 29:
Picadilly Bomb Scare: The London bomb scare. The intent was clearly the real thing. But what these people put together and left parked, and, authorities say, twice failed to "go off"...Did it even constitute a bomb or would it have been at worst, a car fire? The former State Department deputy head of counter-terrorism has his doubts...
June 6:
The Plot Continues to Thin: Our third story on the Countdown: Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York astonishing some of his critics and comforting some of his friends, by not only not joining the stampede after the revelation of the technically impossible "JFK Pipeline Plot"... but actually encouraging New Yorkers to remember how unlikely terrorism truly is.
June 4:
The Plot Thins: The JFK Terror plot... heavy on the hysteria... short on the "plot"... We'll ask an expert about the real impact of the possible attack.

I hope the MSNBC health plan covers clinical schizophrenia.

—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters

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I have been a Newsbusters

July 18, 2007 - 14:00 ET by kdoliver

I have been a Newsbusters reader for over a year now, but I finally got off my lazy butt and signed. I really love this site. Now on to the matter at hand.

I served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and I have done some intel/Homeland Security jobs. These experiences have taught me one plain and simple fact. These guys want to kill us and nothing will stop them until they are wiped off the planet. My brother (also an army officer and has served in Iraq but in the medical field) loves Olberman and I think that is from his sports casting days. We recently got into a heated debate over a clip Olberman did on Libby. My brother has always been the book smart member of the family (I only have a Masters LOL), but he still believes everything that the MSM feeds him. So even smart people are easily fooled.

Lets jump in our time machine and go back to--say 9 Sep 01 and let the FBI claim that there is a plot to fly jumbo jets into major buildings. Most people would say that is crazy and would not believe it. If Dix or the JFK plot had succeeded we would not be talking about how crazy the idea is. When this administration (or more likely law enforcement and the local populace) do the right thing and stop these plots the BDS people just jump up and down. I hope we can stop all the plots against us, but the bad guys only have to be successful once.

Thanks for serving our

July 18, 2007 - 14:04 ET by Ken Shepherd

Thanks for serving our country, kdoliver, and for sharing your insights.

I think Olbermann, aside from being insanely left-wing, is one of those fellows who confuses glibness and clever wordsmithing with intelligence. In short he's like Jon Stewart with less of a sense of humor.

Olbermann's official job is

July 18, 2007 - 15:47 ET by TruthMonger

Olbermann's official job is to whip up the moonbats and encourage terrorists against all things GOP - nothing more. He knows what he is doing. He's a DNC employee. He is absolutely masterful at his tasks...

And yes thanks a ton for your kickass military service...

Gay haters unite!

Ken, I think you're

July 18, 2007 - 16:15 ET by Chris Norman

Ken,

I think you're explanation of Olberman is spot on. I've been trying to come up with a good description of him and couldn never find the right words. What made for perhaps entertaining commentary in the sports world just doesn't work in the more serious world of news - except for the people who sneer at everything. His words are hardly entertaining on matters of life and death.

The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.

- Arabian Proverb

Both my sons served in Iraq

July 18, 2007 - 14:59 ET by rbosque

Both my sons served in Iraq as well as my brother, they could vouch that those terrorists play hard-ball. But if Olbermann is so confident that terrorists are "nincompoops", he'd have no problem going to Iraq and walking through the bad parts of town. I'm sure he'll be alright, maybe he can wave an American flag while he's at it.

I'm sure he'll be alright,

July 18, 2007 - 15:01 ET by kdoliver

I'm sure he'll be alright, maybe he can wave an American flag while he's at it.

We are the terrorists--Why would he want to wave the symbol of terrorism? :)

Thank you

July 18, 2007 - 15:18 ET by Hoosier Daddy

My heartfelt thanks to you, kd, for your service.

Also to rbosque's sons and brother.

May the Lord bless and keep all of you and all of our fine men and women of the armed forces.

Evolutionists have heard of Darwin; Creationists understand Darwin.

Hoosier Daddy.... I hope

July 18, 2007 - 15:59 ET by bigtimer

Hoosier Daddy....

I hope you do not mind that I would like to say Hear Hear to your post and to add my heartfelt gratitude to all that serve to protect us endlessly...past and present.

Two words....

Thank You!

For a real appreciation of

July 18, 2007 - 15:02 ET by Grammy

For a real appreciation of KO's psychotic manipulation of events to suit his purposes you really do need to check this out about his comments on The Fort Dix Six:

http://www.olbermann...

Although the subject was discussed over days on several threads this one pretty much captures it all. I was very involved because I read the actual indictment several times and I have to disagree with Ken Shepherd's characterization of KO as being an example of 'liberal bias'.

To be biased he would have to have some core belief or value that influences him. I believe the only core belief that influences him is his narcassism and he has no values that he honors other than self aggrandizement.

I have no doubt that MSNBC has stripped away all pretence of objectivity and suffer this fool because he is saying what some/many in management wish they could say openly.

I think George Orwell might have had KO in mind when he wrote 1984. :)

G rammie

Grammy: You might well be

July 18, 2007 - 15:54 ET by Ken Shepherd

Grammy:

You might well be correct on that count.

Thanks for your feedback.

Like a typical Democrat

July 18, 2007 - 15:14 ET by kg

Like a typical Democrat politician, talking out
both sides of his mouth.

Keith

July 18, 2007 - 15:37 ET by PeterD

K K K all the way!

Kucinich, Keith and Kos,

They know things no one knows!

Yay!

I'm all for an honest debate. Too bad no one on The Left is.

He needs to settle down

July 18, 2007 - 15:43 ET by CapitalismRules

The man is clearly all over the map. He needs to focus a little on what his message really is or he can say "the hell with this, listen everyone, vote democrat in 2008, okay? I'm not even sure where I stand on terrorism anymore." That at least would be the simple, honest messge that I expect from MSNBC.

I suppose by six this

July 18, 2007 - 16:04 ET by bigtimer

I suppose by six this evening Ubermann will have a twisted plot by President Bush and this administration for only political purpose and timing why we just captured this creature...you know...the ENEMY Keith.

Ahhhh...but he will...somehow.

Nut

July 18, 2007 - 16:10 ET by Richard Romano

This Olberman dude is a freak -- the man has to be joking, or otherwise he is slowly sliding into a clinical state of insanity.

Come on Keith, please tell us you're kidding...you are, right?

You, I don't think Keith is

July 18, 2007 - 16:18 ET by Challenger Grim

You, I don't think Keith is serious, I think it's all an act.

Much like Michael Savage.

Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!

Perhaps, but considering his

July 18, 2007 - 17:30 ET by Ruths husband Ben

Perhaps, but considering his ratings, he needs new writers.

I think I know where KO and

July 18, 2007 - 16:31 ET by mrsimele

I think I know where KO and other liberals are coming from. You know how blacks such as Al Sharpton always use "racism" and point to "slavery" to get what they want? The impression is that Conservatives and the G.O.P. use "terrorism" and "9-11" to get what they want.

I'm with you, those nasty

July 18, 2007 - 16:38 ET by MightyMouth

I'm with you and KO, those nasty conservs and GOPers want to protect their citizens by using the myth of terrorism and 9/11 (which really didn't happen btw) to further the goal of national security...those bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...

I agree that terrorism is a

July 18, 2007 - 16:52 ET by mrsimele

I agree that terrorism is a serious problem. Very serious, indeed. The point is that some politicians might abuse the general publics fear of death and destruction like 9-11. Afterall, why didn't the Government do more on the actual day of the tradgedy, you know, on 9-11? It wasn't just one incident, but 3 different incidences in the same day. Surely the Government was aware that airplaines would eventually be used as fuel-filled weapons. Nobody seemed to care then, and the G.O.P. was in charge. To be more specific, Rudolph Giulliani should know better than ANYONE the target New York City must have been for terrorist acts. Afterall, this wasn't the first time New York or the WTC were attacked. One more thing, why are the true HEROES of 9-11, the firemen, reluctant to support Giuliani?? Are they all just a bunch of deceitful, hateful Democrats???

I can't believe you are

July 18, 2007 - 16:55 ET by bigtimer

I can't believe you are still allowed to post here mrs

I for one sure haven't missed your rabid spewing insanity.

Btw....

Ever heard of the leftist UNIONS? Think Unions...they really helped Kerry out.

LMAO!

Giulliani

July 18, 2007 - 16:57 ET by Free Stinker

You obviously don't live anywhere near NYC.

Giulliani went to a larger % of firemans' funerals, than any other mayor - even excluding 9/11. He supported them, and the rank and file supported him.

It's the Left-leaning Union *leaders* that don't support him.

Hi Free.... Thanks for

July 18, 2007 - 17:00 ET by bigtimer

Hi Free....

Thanks for inserting Union Leaders in...as you can see in my above post we are on the same wavelength.

Union "Leaders"

July 18, 2007 - 17:03 ET by Free Stinker

You type faster than me! ;-)

And yes, that point of ours seems to be lost on the Puveyors Of Talking Points

_______
Fred Thompson and Ann Coulter walk into a bar. The bar is instantly destroyed because that much awesome cannot be contained in one build

Well I hope Rudy G. gets to

July 18, 2007 - 17:09 ET by mrsimele

Well I hope Rudy G. gets to run against Clinton and Obama then. Basically, when the brain-dead dolts that don't pay much attention to politics find out he was married and divorced to his COUSIN, the only people who will vote for him are the Southerners. We would expect it from Romney, since he is mormon and all, but for a New Yorker to marry the cousin, that is just wrong! :0\

You seem to be very

July 18, 2007 - 17:17 ET by Free Stinker

You seem to be very obsessed with this "Marrying your Cousin" thing. Hmmmn.

Anyway, I'm guessing you haven't heard of Mitt Romney or Fred Thompson? It's no sure thing, and supposing Rudy does get the nomination, do you think people will vote for him or for a women who enabled the Adulatary & Drug Use of her husband? I know you Liberals like to bring up Bush(43)'s drug use, but when you do, you also skip the fact that his wife gave him an ultimatum rather than enabling his drug use. Real impressive Hillary.

_______
Fred Thompson and Ann Coulter walk into a bar. The bar is instantly destroyed because that much awesome cannot be contained in one build

You're still talking about

July 18, 2007 - 17:29 ET by mrsimele

You're still talking about Clinton ??? Everybody knows he obtained some "action" in the Oval office. They also know he liked to have a good time, and they respect that. The more serious question is what Laura Bush does all day. Is she on Valium? The woman is a helpless mute.

You keep talking about Clinton all you want. Atleast he was getting some good ol' fashioned action from a woman. As for G.W. Bush, what is the deal with Jeff Gannon??? Why would he give this guy 82 press passes (you know, the male/stripper/prostitute???) Need I refresh you memory???

http://www.americabl...

http://www.washingto...

Hmmmm...I will take a heterosexual nymphomaniac like Clinton any day over the opposite.

action...

July 18, 2007 - 17:34 ET by LionKing

"Atleast he [Clinton] was getting some good ol' fashioned action from a woman. "

I guess liberals consider raping minors as getting action from a woman.

Who said anything about

July 18, 2007 - 18:00 ET by mrsimele

Who said anything about Catholics? Did I say something about Catholics. Wrong group Merlin.

mrsimele...

July 18, 2007 - 18:05 ET by LionKing

Denial doesn't change the facts that your hero is a rapist and SHillary stands by her man.

You must of accidentally

July 18, 2007 - 17:35 ET by bigtimer

You must of accidentally been let back in here mrs...

Unfortunately.

Oh well we need the idiot for the night...you fit the bill perfectly.

Libnatics like Olbermental

July 18, 2007 - 16:45 ET by mattm

Libnatics like Olbermental have it soooo easy. All they have to do is scoff at terrorist threats that don't come to fruition, and blame Bush for any that do... It's the wonderful land of make-believe the Libnatics frolic around in...la di da....

Olberman isn't about Facts

July 18, 2007 - 16:58 ET by Lame Cherry

You have to understand what a Keith Olberman is.....

Keith Olbreman is Ed Schultz is Al Franken is Al Sharpton etc.. etc.. etc...

These leftists pop up like the Soviet Union did as the counter to a superpower because they are the only loosers on the block and like leeches attach themselves for a fame and fortune ride.

Ed Schultz was supposed to be the liberal Rush Limbaugh after Al Franken rode Limbaugh with his big fat book bought by liberal morons panting for someone to save them from the Truth.

Franken is now trying to ride Limbaugh to the Senate.

Olberman got the nod to attach to Bill O'Reilly. These creatures are allot like Hillary Clinton in being the shrew wife attached to the successful male and making enough noise so they look important too.

Olberman doesn't believe the nonsense he spews as his shifts to the right and left on issues as he can't keep things straight. He is a sideshow of bigotry whose main scream for the day always must reflect like Harry Reid, "What do my nutty viewers want to hear and just like Bill Maher goes on a vocabulary rape of an issue so the hate filled liberals can vent for the day".

I really don't know how Olberman does it and not go insane as normal people just can not get up every day and figure out how to sucker idiots so they get ratings saying the most asinine things that embarass them.

Olberman must really have an uneasy frown when he knows his work helps create insane people like Rosie O'Donnell and Cindy Sheehan and Olberman is now listed with the kooks.

*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS

Pres. Bush's fault....

July 18, 2007 - 18:22 ET by bigtimer

Wonder how long it will take Olbermann to use this tonight to say Pres. Bush and Gang planned this for whatever reason he sees fit in all of his rose-colored glasses scenario?

The nutcase that he is.

mean ol Bush

July 18, 2007 - 18:35 ET by

Rather the uberdoof can use these pictures as most are before Bush was president as compared to today that Bush is just plain mean, mean i tell ya

"The more I study science, the more I believe in God." Einstein

Olberman seems like the

July 18, 2007 - 19:09 ET by radiofitz34

Olberman seems like the kind of guy who might end up re-creating the scenes from the movie "Network", where the looney anchorman says "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore"....come to think of it, Keith's already done that.

Why doesn't Move On just admit it and advertise KO's show?

If you're Keith Olbermann

July 18, 2007 - 19:21 ET by Jack Bauer

If you're Keith Olbermann these two contradictory notions are equally true.

The terrorist threat against America amounts to a bunch of hopeless nincompoops who are nothing more than armchair wannabe jihadists.

It's called Doublethink...

Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.
George Orwell/Nineteen Eighty-Four