Well that’s something to cheer. I guess.

It was boring TV without him..The Dems are going to have to make up their minds to put up a solid gauntlet to stop the GOP from running all over them..and Keith makes a good ‘point man’..

MSNBC, a corporation can usurp constitutional protections designed for individuals? Lets understand this. Corporations can employ policies which essentially prevent the exercise of a constitutional right? States where permitted to usurp constitutional protections of Americans. This is called segregation. What do you call it when a corporation, which cannot discriminate under the color of law, can require employees to clear political campaign donations, with superiors? “A network policy predicate on dung!”

Does a “TV show host” have no private constitutional rights? The First Amendment is the supreme law of the land. Apparently, corporations, like slaveowners, think they are exempt from constitutional law, when it suits them! Reminds one of the disgusting laws and twisted logic which permitted men to own other men while perpetuating the institution of slavery, for the economic benefit of the slave-owners. MSNBC, America at its best? No! A page out of the play book of a well known sociopath? Yes! Can a corporation employ a policy, contractually which requires you to disclose to an employer your donation to a religious organization? Scew MSNBC and their fascist policy!

Putting the coins back into their own pocket seems almost like reasonable action at MSNBC.

Methinks that Phil Griffen started realizing “Oh $#it, they are going to scrutinize my donations and that just cannot happen…”
Keith and Rachel are the only reasons I tune into MSNBC.

I think you are confusing fascist policies with rules and regulations to ensure journalistic integrity.

People on this website go after fox and even Dana Milbank and that English guy who is always on KO for not disclosing their other jobs and fundig sources. We are also always the first to point to Fox giving a million dollars to the republicans.

This is not about silencing dissent. Keith can go on TV everynight and say what ever he would like. Keith, unlike Fox, however backs his opinions up with facts and data. The rule he broke was in place for a reason. He knew about the rule and he contributed anyway. This is a good thing for journalism. To see that some news people are held to a higher standard is even more of a reason to watch MSNBC.

can’t agree with you on this one james

we don’t have a constitutional right to say whatever we want when we’re being employed

I can’t be talking politics during work if I boss wants me to talk contruction

It was the petitions.
Now, we can only hope they’ll have an impact on our government when they try to steal Social Security and the rest of the “entitlement” programs.

don’t get me wrong, I don’t think keith’s suspension was even remotely justified, he’s an opinionated pundit and everyone knows it

also, from what I read, unless there are other adendums, the policy clearly says “should” not “must” tell nbc about political contibutions

I remember saying something like this to my mother once. “You can’t stop me from saying that! I’ve got a constitutional right to freedom of speech.”

Her reply was brief and to the point: “Have you read the First Amendment lately?”

So let’s look at it, shall we?

Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It says Congress shall not restrict speech. Corporations are free to restrict the speech of their employees, and my mother was free to restrict the speech of her minor child.

Funny how when that previously-unreported $5000 contribution of Scarborough’s turned up, MSNBC suddenly changed its tune and announced an end to KO’s suspension. Now correlation doesn’t necessarily imply causation, but still, you gotta wonder.

Kieth might return in time to warn Lawrence to be careful when getting too close to the lawn mower known as Glenn Greenwald.

was Olbermann unaware Gabrielle Giffords slagged Grijalva in mid term ads ? wth ?

So, did you ever get suspended? And, if so, what did you do to get back on her “program?”

Yeah, that was awkward, though Scarborough apparently had received permission from prior management. Which raised another can of worms, a zero tolerance policy makes more sense than saying you may donate only if management approves.

I have to admit, Bill Kristol’s comments (in support of KO) make a lot of sense:

First, he donated money to candidates he liked. He didn’t take money, or favors, in a way that influenced his reporting.

Third, GE, the corporate parent of MSNBC, gives money to political organizations. GE executives and, I’m sure, NBC executives give money. Why can’t Olbermann?

been saying for 2+ years there is some kind of pissing contest amidst the suits at NBC/MSNBC

clearly the Olbermann/Maddow faction took the Gregory/Todd’s lunch money again in this case

meanwhile, Dylan Ratigan continues to speak actual truth to power on a daily basis completely undisturbed by the powers that be – silly suits

Well, given that Olbermann is about 4 times as articulate as Scarborough, and a better prepared, tougher interviewer MSNBC was going to hurt their business model if they kept Olbermann off too long.

I’m with Maddow; this suspension does set MSNBC apart from the propaganda outlet called Fox. But go back even four years, and Olbermann was instrumental in building the media conglomerate known as MSNBC, largely by being smart, articulate, and fed up with political bullshit.

Wouldn’t you have loved to be a fly on the wall in the room where the corporate decision-making about that re-hire took place?

Maybe someone from the Bush/Obama national security apparatus will provide us with a tape.

I’m with Maddow; this suspension does set MSNBC apart from the propaganda outlet called Fox.

I agree but Morning Joe is about as biased as any show on Fox.

304,713 before this post was put up.

Regardless of my First Amendment rights if I give an earful to a customer where I work my ass would be grass.

Ooops, that was meant for JamesJoyce at #3. Sorry.

What was up with Rachel’s comment in support of MSNBC on the suspension, though? Anybody else hear it? I cringed and died a little inside – because I actually like Rachel (most times) even better than Keith. I didn’t expect her to make a fiery speech in support of Keith, but I didn’t expect her to undercut him either – which she definitely did.

been saying for 2+ years there is some kind of pissing contest amidst the suits at NBC/MSNBC

clearly the Olbermann/Maddow faction took the Gregory/Todd’s lunch money again in this case

meanwhile, Dylan Ratigan continues to speak actual truth to power on a daily basis completely undisturbed by the powers that be – silly suits

I think you are probably correct about the pissing match (so glad I don’t have to be within 5 states of it).

As for Ratigan… wow, what a sharp brain that guy has.
His analysis of underlying, structural problems is terrific and he has some outstanding guests.

But IMVHO, he’s on the network that Keith Olbermann built; if Olbermann hadn’t started his analysis about 4 years ago, the viewership of that network probably would not have coalesced the way that it has. MSNBC owes a lot of success to KO and his team.

Yeah, I gotta say, Lawrence thought Greenwald was just one those other people who have never had the good sense to have worked in Congress that he could intimidate with his vast resume but Greenwald wasn’t having it. So might a kid with a pop-gun challenge a squad of SEALs

I’m with Maddow; this suspension does set MSNBC apart from the propaganda outlet called Fox.

Then let them enforce it consistently rather than trying to distinguish Morning Joe as an opinion show while Countdown apparently is not. And that doesn’t remotely address Mrs. Greenspan being on every day or Buchanan’s cot in the green room.

I’ve watched Morning Ho (as Rayne calls it) a fair amount.
I can’t quite tell what it’s about; it’s interesting to see who turns up when. I don’t think the old Pravda operatives could have done a better job of setting up a morning program to push certain themes; watch what happens about 6 – 8 weeks after some of their guests come on. I’ve never graphed it, but there’s definitely an interesting pattern there.
And Joe seems to be jonesing for Petraeus to run in 2012, which – having read a lot of Roman history – gives me the heebie jeebies.

I didn’t think that she undercut KO at all.
I thought she did a terrific job of showing a constant, shameful pattern at Fox of not only giving money to right-wing candidates, but in addition **actually using Fox programs as fundraising entities**.

I thought that she was saying, “At MSNBC we’re tougher, we play by journo rules, and we have consequences — all unlike Fox.”
I happen to agree with her analysis.
Thought she said what needed to be said.

(I missed this whole kerfuffle over the weekend, and am only catching up Monday a.m.)

here’s hoping KO hasn’t been muzzled as the price to return.. i feel a tingle up my leg to coin a phrase ;o)… KEITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And that doesn’t remotely address Mrs. Greenspan being on every day or Buchanan’s cot in the green room.

Ding!

Joe and Mika are very damaging to Obama — to the extent that anyone watches them, that is. They are both sleazeballs.

And Joe seems to be jonesing for Petraeus to run in 2012, which – having read a lot of Roman history – gives me the heebie jeebies.

Personally I think Patreus is about the only Republican that Obama could beat. Talk about holding your news. Given the choice between Pharmobama and Destructive Dave, I think I’d choose Australia.

Joe will want Jeb Bush and Petraeus.

And I don’t think Obama can beat that pair.

If true, that is good news. The Gregory/Todd faction is propping up illegal wars, torture and all kinds of abuse. It is nice to hear the faction against them is growing in political clout, this might be just what we need.

When are they going to add Cenk full time? With all the Isamophobia going around, I think it is very grounding to hear what he has to say.

Progressive buzzsaw meet Phil G.

And, BTW, Keith, If you or any of your staffers read this, please bring back “Worst Person.” Ending it smacks of unilateral disarmament, the rightwingnoisemachine ain’t changin’ and it’s my favorite part of the show.

Oh I’m sure the two dozen people who watch morning Joe already hate Obama. And mindlessly so, not for cause.

Maybe they realized if they let him go, it would be the beginning of a viable alternative TV, and with that horrifying thought, they felt it safer to have him back in the fold.

Yep. Phil Griffin and Mike Allen can share top “honors” on it’s first night back. (hey, a girl can dream)

I too had fantasies of an upstart little network centered around KO and possibly a few others who have run into the incestuous DC controlled media establishment for speaking the truth. Phil Donohue anyone? Or Sam Seder?

When are they going to add Cenk full time?

While Griffin is in charge? Hey, pass me some of what you’re smokin’ over there. ;)

I share the dream – and the awareness that Keith ain’t stupid enough to make it happen. He’d be more likely to make himself “Worst Person.”

Man! I really like your dreams, lady.

I think what happened to Ratigan is I wrote to the station about how they were discriminating against me for my religion and they put him on doing research. I told them I blog in the comments of AlterNet. This was years ago.

At AlterNet we got a new poster who I eventually decided was him.

I’m sure Joe S and others have chatted with us there from time to time too. (I recognize people’s style and opinions if I know them well enough.) After a while, Ratigan started saying stuff on TV he could have only learned at AlterNet, that cinched it for me.

I thought he started out as a complete dufus, and has only gotten smarter and smarter. So hooking up with AlterNet seems to be really a good thing. I wish more of them would do it.

I could be wrong. That is just how it looks to me.

Mika’s daddy wrote the book for the new world order and she is best buddies with the Cheneys. What more do you need to know? That her family pretends bi-partisanship by having her brothers take jobs in both D and R campaigns?

I think she is a part of the problem, and she loves to book for the show.

The whole Olbermann affair was just a publicity stunt that amounted to a dump truck full of free advertising for the ruminations of a mental paraplegic. Two days off of work? Wouldn’t even have time to go on a good bender. Big deal.

Me too. And we were talking about it. I do think they listen to us and will do just about anything to stop us.

For more news and Commentary, check out The Bond Project at http://thebondproject.blogspot.com/

See, I’ve got to say that the more that came about Scarborough, the more that got permission story was undercut. I think it did have an effect as it made clear the policy was just window dressing and that permission was either automatic or no one was seeking it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was equally parts fan rally, the advertisers hearing ‘boycott’, AND all the stuff about Joe which pretty much killed any chance that Olbermann was going to go away quietly and instead actually ended up strengthening his position.

And here’s to ya, Keith.

I really admire the way you have consistently pushed the envelope, knowing you were likely to get fired dozens of times and that eventually our corporate masters will likely find an excuse and make it stick despite the PR hit, like with Donahue.

You haven’t been timid, when caution seemed prudent. No! In fact, you have pushed boldly forward, showing real courage, IMHO, astutely discerning that you are at least as likely to be hanged as a sheep as a wolf. And with every bold move, you have made it that much more expensive a proposition to push you aside.

I have never seen a tightrope walked with more courage or skill. I think we all know you will eventually go down in flames, but you are sure as hell gonna make it hard for them – and not by cringing into a defensive crouch, either. The corporate suits are definitely out for your hide; doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. Especially now that you have publicly humiliated them – again. But I already think I know how you will rise to the challenge.

You won’t confront those particular drones directly; you aren’t suicidal or stupid. You know that nothing will make them madder than your continued success in doing what you do. And you will push that envelope again, just as soon as you can get away with it. Some will be disappointed at first by your mild response to this brouhaha; not me. I know what is coming.

I don’t suppose anyone on MSNBC will mention that CNBC’s Larry Kudlow, David Faber, and Gary Kaminsky all donated to Republican candidates and PACs, and apparently did so without prior approval, in 2009. I wonder if they will face suspension for having violated the same rule Olbermann allegedly did. My guess would be no, because it’s apparently fine for NBC employees to donate freely to right-wing candidates without permission (General Electric, NBC’s parent company, has given millions to Republican candidates this year).

Phil Griffin’s nonsense aside, Olbermann needs to get back to his thing calling out the bs and telling truth to power.

In the 2009 health care debate, he spoke out loudly against an individual mandate w/o a public option. Then it seemed that the Griffinite assholes at MSNBC forced him to back off.

Keith, please get back to doing what you do best. Obama and the sellouts and enablers currently infesting the Democratic Party don’t deserve any cover from the media.

You are 100 percent right. I think MSNBC suspending Olbermann was not only the right thing to do, it was visibly the smart thing to do……..

CNBC personnel do not fall under this rule. Rachel Maddow made this clear when when she commented on Keith Olbermann’s suspension and the lack of journalistic standars/integrity over at Faux News.

I wish he would… but then again I doubt he has the balls for it. Since is 180 on HCR, I really don’t give a crap what he does, nor whether or not he was off the air.

He goes on and on about his father and his fight, and then just does a 180 on the whole thing. Gutless.

My best guess is that they would have pulled the plug on him had he not done the 180. Of course, assuming that this whole recent thing wasn’t just some publicity stunt, we can only hope 1) that Keith spent the weekend realizing that he has alternatives to MSNBC, and 2) that the MSNBC executives spent the weekend realizing that they need Keith – AND US – more than any of us needs them. He should just start saying what he really thinks.

Hey, that’s about enough blogwhoring for one day, please.

One per blog permitted per day is the limit, as I understand it. You’ve exceeded that, I think.

CNBC, for what it’s worth, isn’t under the NBC News umbrella. It’s part of the entertainment division. And rightly so.

Tomorrow, we will get to see what, if anything happened behind the scenes. Meaning, when Keith Olbermann comes back, we will know was it just a one time thing for a one time offense or did MSNBC executives take away Olbermann’s teeth. I want to see Keith Olbermann come out firing away at the far right as he usually does. But we will see if he has been de-fanged……………

But I’ll be sorely pissed if that same construction company tells me what I can and can’t time on my private time.
Correct if I’m wrong, anybody, but I’m guessing this came out when the campaigns KO donated to disclosed.
I think these disclosure laws should be examined in the context of our civil rights and changed to protect small private donors, like KO was. As opposed to Hannity who made his usual circus from his support for candidates and causes.

Imagine if MSNBC was owned by WellPoint or some other health insurance giant? Would Keith’s support of free clinics have been tolerated do you think?

So corporations can support who they want as much as they want at their whim, but their lackies can’t in their own private free time?
I can understand corporations controlling their employees in order to protect an honest brand name and products, but I do think it is a serious business when they attempt to to do so when it’s the employees political rights involved.
No matter the company.

.

sheesh!

“can’t do on my private time”

We need to continue to push this. MSNBC is clearly being tinkered with. Griffin is a GOP stooge who’s best pal is Joe Freaking Scarbarough — and he needs to go. We need someone in charge of MSNBC who’s a staunch liberal and truly believes in the vision of the network that Kieth has bestowed on it, and we need assurances that neither GE in the interim, nor Comcast in the long run, will screw with MSNBC. This whole GE-Comcast deal smells, and I very much fear that the progressive primetime block on MSNBC is at risk.

At least someone who’s fair and balanced, yes?

:)