Bush cant stop, he lives in a bubble created for him by karl Rove. history will judge him, but he will always think he was right and that he told the truth. And this is not Star Wars, allthough Chaney is as close as we can get to darth vader in real life, we all know that real bad guys never think of themselves as bad. Im sure Bin Laden if he is still alive thinks of himself as a liberator and freedomfighter. So too the Bush administration will consider themselves right and good until the very end.

And Keith had better watch his back. Like it or not, we live in a police state of sorts. The only thing that preventing an all out police state in this country is that we still have a semblence of state control, and that combined with State constutions protects most of us, but I think its increasingly becomming apparent that our federal government is becomming increasingly totalitarian.

I think Keith found a sweet spot. A refreshing change from the O'Reilly (worst person in the world emeritus). Of course, you can almost make out the sound of a thousand knee jerks spasming in the background. "Oh he's just pontificating again!"

I appreciate and am grateful for Keith's intelligence.

Funny how one can confuse pontificating with expounding so often.

I see not the rantings of someone who merely disagrees with the current administration but the barely-checked frustration from someone who can see what's wrong and can do nothing to stop it in time, save for pleading with Mr. Bush and the rest of his staff to wake up from whatever dreamworld into which they have locked themselves.

Olbermann for president, or at least presidential candidate speechwriter.

James

I am so glad Keith Olbermann does these. I am so glad Norm Jenson puts these up in QuickTime.

I agree...Olberman is the only talking head worth watching to me. He is quite a gifted speaker and writer. He is the only one not afraid to show his passion and frustration. And they match mine. These are critical times. And we need more forceful voices such as his. While Jon Stewart is fun and has his merits...I sure do wish we had people like Olberman in our goverment.

I've never seen Keith so angry and intent...

The thing with Olberman is that even if you disagree with his thesis (I don't) his tone and manner are so measured, thoughtful, and calm that one has to respect him. It's what sets him apart from a mere "talking head" or entertainer.

Imagine if one of the right-wing television journalists attempted discourse in this style. What a different world (and discussion) this would be. Maybe our media would examine actual substance.

Hacbarton, you must have not seen him destroy Bill O Riley after the whole Haditha thing.

I pretty much agree with everything Olberman says, but I have to say his style is erudite verging on condescention sometimes. As much as I pride myself a progressive, the sterotype of the "liberal snob" does not need any help. However, I do appreciate that someone in the main stream media has the guts for decent, and I applaud Olberman for that.

During the Israel/Hezbollah war, a New York Times article appeared from a US Congressman, which stated "whether from the left or the right, all Israelis support this war."

Not only was that untrue, but 3000 Israeli soldiers refused to fight in the war, and over 1000 of them were jailed for it. The reason so few were jailed: the commanding officers themselves were not sure it was the right fight to be had.

I think it important to question our own beliefs all of the time. We live in a world of dialectical discourse. When the discourse, however, favors a thesis full of fabrication, then it is up to you, the citizen, to question the dominant position; even if you have lived and breathed it yourself for a lifetime. It is only through the arena of open and honest debate can thesis and antithesis come together to form an authentic synthesis.

It too is important to not accept the popular line, the major media line, the non-commerical/alternative media line, the left line, the right line. If the topic is important to you, then it is important to view all avenues and arguments, and to appreciate the dialectics that exist today.

We do not live in a vacuum; nor will our children, or our children's children. Therefore, we must entrust to them a world where you and I can say that we did our absolute best to take care with their world. Just as we can look back and judge our parents on the world they gave to us, our children will do the same.

How will you answer, when your child asks you: "where did you stand on the issues of 2006?"

I agree with everything Olberman says except that he misses something: he thinks the problem is the Republicans, but he doesn't understand that this is about corporate control of both parties.

"And Keith had better watch his back. Like it or not, we live in a police state of sorts. The only thing that preventing an all out police state in this country is that we still have a semblence of state control"

If only there were a way to sum up the derisive laughter that popped out of my mouth upon reading this paranoid delusion. "Watch his back?" What fantasy world do you live in where our government is assassinating talking heads?

Paranoia. It's not just a river in Egypt.

"Paranoia. It's not just a river in Egypt"

No, it sure the hell isn't. This quip might be amusing if contrasting the Nile and denial, but, ... oh never mind.

You might want to refer to a river in Argentina in the future. :)

Elizabeth: "I pretty much agree with everything Olberman says, but I have to say his style is erudite verging on condescention sometimes"

Gimme a break. We seem to be slipping into a relm of "dumb it down so we can understand more better". Keep watching Olberman - have your dictionary handy if need be - but PLEASE don't ask him to talk to us like Bush does.

OLBERMAN FOR PRESIDENT! Why can't Democratic politicians be so outspoken? Oh yeah, I forgot; Howard Dean got railroaded by the press for being so outspoken.

"I pretty much agree with everything Olberman says, but I have to say his style is erudite verging on condescention sometimes"

I can't stand that view of things. Why must people sound dumb to be listened to? I am much more likely to listen to and be persuaded by someone who sounds intelligent than someone who sounds like they were drunk during the majority of their "education." I love listening to Olbermann's special comments, because he sounds like he really and truly knows what he is talking about!

"Keep watching Olberman - have your dictionary handy if need be... "

Olbermann's approach through sophisticated English is most refreshing. Hopefully, it will incite those with a lesser command to do what they can to understand him a little better.

"Hopefully, it will incite those with a lesser command to do what they can to understand him a little better."

Sadly though it won't, they will tune him out and look for someone emotional and outrageous.

Mark, Thanks for implying that I am unable to understand the language Olberman uses, you made my point. Insulting people is not going to encourage them to listen to your arguments. When was the last time you were swayed by a "holier than thou" attitude? I'm not in favor of "talking dumb", but it is possible to use a style of language that is accessible to everyone. I believe one Edward R. Murrow was adept at that.

Edward R Murrow:

http://www.rtnda.org/resources/speeches/murrow.shtml

This just might do nobody any good. At the end of this discourse a few people may accuse this reporter of fouling his own comfortable nest, and your organization may be accused of having given hospitality to heretical and even dangerous thoughts. But the elaborate structure of networks, advertising agencies and sponsors will not be shaken or altered. It is my desire, if not my duty, to try to talk to you journeymen with some candor about what is happening to radio and television.

I have no technical advice or counsel to offer those of you who labor in this vineyard that produces words and pictures. You will forgive me for not telling you that instruments with which you work are miraculous, that your responsibility is unprecedented or that your aspirations are frequently frustrated. It is not necessary to remind you that the fact that your voice is amplified to the degree where it reaches from one end of the country to the other does not confer upon you greater wisdom or understanding than you possessed when your voice reached only from one end of the bar to the other. All of these things you know.

[]

This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.

Stonewall Jackson, who knew something about the use of weapons, is reported to have said, "When war comes, you must draw the sword and throw away the scabbard." The trouble with television is that it is rusting in the scabbard during a battle for survival.

Elizabeth: I wasn't implying that YOU were unable to understand Olberman. Quite the opposite as evidenced with your use of language like "erudite". My appologies if you were insulted. However, the point I'm making is the "liberal snobbery" you're asking us to be wary of is just political correctness rearing it's sun-shinny face - and quite frankly, in these times when most people i know are trying to find deeper meaning in the issues that affect us all, I'm done with playing nice.

Elizabeth: I wasn't implying that YOU were unable to understand Olberman. Quite the opposite as evidenced with your use of language like "erudite". My appologies if you were insulted. However, the point I'm making is the "liberal snobbery" you're asking us to be wary of is just political correctness rearing it's sun-shinny face - and quite frankly, in these times when most people i know are trying to find deeper meaning in the issues that affect us all, I'm done with playing nice.

Mark, I appreciate your anger with apathy and ignorance, and I too enjoy a good rant. Also, thanks for your apology. I misunderstood you. I don't think my issue with "liberal sobbery" has to do with political correctness as much as practicality. I can rail all I like, but if I really want to change someone's mind I have to engagage him. Why perpetuate the stereotype of "elitest" when we have an opportunity to actually smack someone awake? Echo chambers serve a very, very few.

Elizabeth, Consider me engaged. Practicallity is something I'll work on, work on, work on... Cheers.

Olberman is great. and with all of the constant material this president gives him, i have to wonder when the 911 truth movement will get some serious investigative airtime. Keith, you've got some real cohones to be able to say what you do, and I agree "Enough is enough!!!" , but you stop short of connecting all of these dots together and ask the really tough questions about the one event that gave this f__ker the same support that Hitler gained.