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What Other Cable Shouters Are Going to Get "Put On Leave Indefinitely"?
So yes, Keith Olbermann is getting an unpaid vacation, for making donations to Democrats. Shocking right? This would have been the first time I ever watched his show, if he was going to go on the air and rip his NBC bosses a new one for being morons. And now there will be an audit of all the world's network employees. (Except at Fox. Which is owned by a political entity.)
Joy Behar. I have absolutely no evidence to support this claim. Just: Joy Behar.
Oops! http://www.eschatonblog.com/2010/11/and-buchanan.html
Anything to get buchanan off the air is AOK by me.
It doesn't count when News Corp itself donates a million dollars directly to the RNC?
Because they did that.
Alton Brown. Totally ate at Chipotle.
As I recall, it's not just that it was a donation – he donated to a dude he'd interviewed mere hours before he sent the donation in. A little conflicty I think.
This was a dumb move on Olbermann's part, and if NBC has policies, then people on NBC need to stick to them. But what exactly is conflicty here? He donated to candidates whose party and policies he openly cheerleads on his opinion show.
“Anyone working for NBC News who takes part in civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest,” it reads. “Such activities may include participation in or contributions to political campaigns or groups that espouse controversial positions. You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the president of NBC News or his designee.”
So I guess the implication is that even an opinion show should have the veneer of journalistic integrity? Yeah I don't know. The idea that anyone thinks that Olbermann is not biased is laughable. It seems like the policy was written for all on-air personalities before on-air personalities became, uh, partisan hacks?
(I have a feeling if he'd asked or planned this, it would've been nothing, so hey)
I would say Joe Scarborough but he probably donates through the spouse like most of them.
Oh, I thought you were accusing Scarborough of donating his spouse. Maybe she was made of ambergris or something.
I think that was the first wife.
well. according to nbc themselves, he hosts an opinion show, so it's ok. wait, what?
"A spokesperson for NBC, Jeremy Gaines, replied to questions sent to Scarborough. 'Yes, he did make a donation to Derrick Kitts. Kitts is an old friend of Joe's. Joe hosts an opinion program and is not a news reporter.'"
Oh…OK….WTF?
Team. Kilborn. How many times. Do I have to say. It? Spare me.
He is an opinionator, not a news reporter! This is such hogwash. But they're going to have to take it back because the Twittering is deafening out there.
cc: Malcolm Gladwell
I am Team Hogwash.
"This is a Puritan folderol."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19113455/
He's already donated his time, and time is money. It can get so very blurry at times.
I'm not sure there are any TV bridges left for him to burn.
The NBC News' policy states that such donations are forbidden because they "jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist."
But Olbermann is not an "impartial journalist," and doesn't pretend to be. He hosts an opinion show that is openly and unabashedly liberal.
So this suspension makes absolutely no sense.
maybe they're trying to have their "we're not a liberal version of fox" cake and eat shit too?
Maybe the Jack Donaghys who, uh, make these decisions aren't actually as unabashedly pro-liberal as Olbermann himself? And, in keeping with the general mindset of American conservatism today, not all that concerned with rigorous and consistent logic?
I feel like that might explain it.
Also, methinks Olbermann is a pain in the ass employee whose bosses have a file on him a mile long and this is just the most recent straw.
Though if they were going to suspend someone, why couldn't it have been Ed Schultz.
Take it from someone who lived in Fargo back when he was just a local sportscaster: Ed Schultz will pull on a pair of boxing gloves and come AFTER your ass. No one wants that.
It's ok to WANT to donate, but it's not ok TO donate? Right? Are you allowed to tell people who you voted for? Are you allowed to vote?
Maybe Moff knows from before when… or maybe he's putting the guy in a Coen Brothers gag.
But some of us remember Olbermann as a dumbf*ck local sports telecaster in Los Angeles in the 80's.
There is Supposed to be a curve, of critical mass, between being some kind of random dweeb who stumbled upon some random opportunity, and, then, becoming a person in the Media that people decide should be taken Seriously?
Well something got left out of the equation here! But, it does seem to be getting more and more that way now.
Sharon Angle and Christine O'Donnell will be up after the break to confirm my suspicions –
That clause inserted into his contract prohibiting him from donating to a politician smacks of stepping on personal rights. No employer should have the right to interfere with your own personal choices. While I can appreciate the corporation wanting to appear impartial about it's leanings, it's obvious that it is a left wing supporter. Just as Fox News is a right wing supporter. But it shouldn't even matter what side a talking head supports. That's their own business, IMO and an employer should not have the legal right to include such a clause/policy in their work contracts. This is a matter that the Supreme Court should settle.
Couldn't get upset about Reid. Also can't get upset about Olbermann.
HE IS OUR MAGNETO YOU GUYS! WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BETTER THAN THEM.