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Keith Olbermann’s Special Comment on today’s Countdown was a scathing rebuke of President Bush for continuing to play the fear card, trying to scare the hell out of the American people and vowing to veto any FISA legislation that does not contain telecom amnesty.
You are a liar, Mr. Bush, and after showing some skill at it, you have ceased to even be a very good liar.
And your minions like John Boehner — your Republican congressional crash dummies who just happen to decide to walk out of Congress when a podium-full of microphones await them — they should just keep walking, out of Congress and if possible, out of the country.
For they — and you, sir — have no place in a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
The lot of you, are the symbolic descendants of the despotic middle managers of some banana republic, to whom “Freedom” is an ironic brand name, a word you reach for, when you want to get away with its opposite.
Thus, Mr. Bush, your panoramic invasion of privacy is dressed up as “protecting America.”
Full transcripts below the fold:
Democrats in the House of Representatives are closing the shop down tonight, until a week from Monday… leaving President Bush twisting slowly in a wind of his own creation.
Our third story on the Countdown: the FISA bill — and the retroactive immunity for the telecom giants that helped Mr. Bush illegally eavesdrop on Americans — will thus just sit there, unacted upon, not even a temporary extension which the Republicans and Mr. Bush refused, despite the President’s threats that if the bill isn’t passed by Saturday, there’d be a breakdown in counter-terrorism surveillance and plagues of locusts and stuff.
A Special Comment, in a moment.
First the details.
House Democrats, in essence, calling the Republicans’ bluff.
They staged a walkout at mid-day… led by John Boehner, who in one act managed the cheesy political theater, and managed to get out just as Representatives were to vote on Contempt of Congress citations against Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten.
That the Republicans just happened to walk to a stand-full of microphones… pure coincidence.
The President had started all this, with his now-daily message of fear, with what he apparently sees as a threat, to postpone his scheduled trip to Africa.
The House should not leave Washington without passing the Senate bill. I am scheduled to leave tomorrow for a long-planned trip to five African nations. Moments ago, my staff informed the House leadership that I’m prepared to delay my departure, and stay in Washington with them, if it will help them complete their work on this critical bill. The lives of countless Americans depend on our ability to monitor terrorist communications.
Having lost, he now says he’s going to Africa — another threat, or promise, unfulfilled.
Now, as promised, a Special Comment.
A part of what I will say, was said here on January 31st.
Unfortunately it is both sadder and truer now, than it was, then.
“Who’s to blame?” Mr. Bush also said this afternoon, “Look, these folks in Congress passed a good bill late last summer… The problem is, they let the bill expire. My attitude is: if the bill was good enough then, why not pass the bill again?”
You know, like The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
Or Executive Order 90-66.
Or The Alien and Sedition Acts.
Or Slavery.
Mr. Bush, you say that our ability to track terrorist threats will be weakened and our citizens will be in greater danger.
Yet you have weakened that ability!
You have subjected us, your citizens, to that greater danger!
This, Mr. Bush, is simple enough even for you to understand.
For the moment, at least, thanks to some true patriots in the House, and your own stubbornness, you have tabled telecom immunity, and the FISA act.
You.
By your own terms and your definitions — you have just sided with the terrorists.
You got to have this law or we’re all going to die.
But practically speaking, you vetoed this law.
It is bad enough, sir, that you were demanding an Ex Post Facto law, which could still clear the AT&Ts and the Verizons from responsibility for their systematic, aggressive, and blatant collaboration with your illegal and unjustified spying on Americans under this flimsy guise of looking for any terrorists who are stupid enough to make a collect call or send a mass e-mail.
But when you demanded it again during the State of the Union address, you wouldn’t even confirm that they actually did anything for which they deserved to be cleared.
“The Congress must pass liability protection for companies believed to have assisted in the efforts to defend America.” Believed?
Don’t you know?
Don’t you even have the guts Dick Cheney showed in admitting they did collaborate with you?
Does this endless presidency of loopholes and fine print extend even here?
If you believe in the seamless mutuality of government and big business — come out and say it!
There is a dictionary definition, one word that describes that toxic blend.
You’re a fascist — get them to print you a t-shirt with “fascist” on it!
What else is this but fascism?
Did you see Mark Klein on this newscast last November?
Mark Klein was the AT&T Whistleblower, the one who explained in the placid, dull terms of your local neighborhood I-T desk, how he personally attached all AT&T circuits — everything — carrying every one of your phone calls, every one of your e-mails, every bit of your web browsing into a secure room, room number 641-A at the Folsom Street facility in San Francisco, where it was all copied so the government could look at it.
Not some of it, not just the international part of it, certainly not just the stuff some spy — a spy both patriotic and telepathic — might able to divine had been sent or spoken by — or to — a terrorist.
Everything!
Every time you looked at a naked picture.
Every time you bid on eBay.
Every time you phoned in a donation to a Democrat.
“My thought was,” Mr. Klein told us last November, “George Orwell’s 1984. And here I am, forced to connect the big brother machine.”
And if there’s one thing we know about Big Brother, Mr. Bush, is that he is — you are — a liar.
“This Saturday at midnight,” you said today, “legislation authorizing intelligence professionals to quickly and effectively monitor terrorist communications will expire. If Congress does not act by that time, our ability to find out who the terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and what they are planning, will be compromised…You said that “the lives of countless Americans depend” on you getting your way.
This is crap.
And you sling it, with an audacity and a speed unrivaled even by the greatest political felons of our history.
Richard Clarke — you might remember him, sir, he was one of the counter-terror pro’s you inherited from President Clinton, before you ran the professionals out of government in favor of your unreality-based reality — Richard Clarke wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer:
“Let me be clear: Our ability to track and monitor terrorists overseas would not cease should the Protect America Act expire. If this were true, the president would not threaten to terminate any temporary extension with his veto pen. All surveillance currently occurring would continue even after legislative provisions lapsed because authorizations issued under the act are in effect up to a full year.”
You are a liar, Mr. Bush, and after showing some skill at it, you have ceased to even be a very good liar.
And your minions like John Boehner — your Republican congressional crash dummies who just happen to decide to walk out of Congress when a podium-full of microphones await them — they should just keep walking, out of Congress and if possible, out of the country.
For they — and you, sir — have no place in a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
The lot of you, are the symbolic descendants of the despotic middle managers of some banana republic, to whom “Freedom” is an ironic brand name, a word you reach for, when you want to get away with its opposite.
Thus, Mr. Bush, your panoramic invasion of privacy is dressed up as “protecting America.”
Thus, Mr. Bush, your indiscriminate domestic spying becomes the focused monitoring, only of “terrorist communications.”
Thus, Mr. Bush, what you and the telecom giants have done, isn’t unlawful, it’s just the kind of perfectly legal, passionately patriotic thing for which you happen to need immunity!
Richard Clarke is on the money, as usual.
That the President was willing to veto this eavesdropping, means there is no threat to the legitimate counter-terror efforts underway.
As Senator Kennedy reminded us in December:
“The President has said that American lives will be sacrificed if Congress does not change FISA. But he has also said that he will veto any FISA bill that does not grant retroactive immunity.
No immunity, no FISA bill. So if we take the President at his word, he’s willing to let Americans die to protect the phone companies.”
And that literally cannot be.
Even Mr. Bush could not overtly take a step that actually aids the terrorists.
I am not talking about ethics here.
I am talking about blame.
If the President seems to be throwing the baby out with the bathwater, it means we can safely conclude… there is no baby.
Because if there were, sir, now that you have vetoed an extension of this eavesdropping, if some terrorist attack were to follow…
You would not merely be guilty of siding with the terrorists…
You would not merely be guilty of prioritizing the telecoms over the people…
You would not merely be guilty of stupidity…
You would not merely be guilty of treason, sir…
You would be personally, and eternally, responsible.
And if there is one thing we know about you, Mr. Bush, one thing that you have proved time and time again… it is that you are never responsible.
As recently ago as 2006, we spoke words like these with trepidation.
The idea that even the most cynical and untrustworthy of politicians in our history — George W. Bush — would use the literal form of terrorism against his own people — was dangerous territory. It seemed to tempt fate, to heighten fear.
We will not fear any longer.
We will not fear the international terrorists — we will thwart them.
We will not fear the recognition of the manipulation of our yearning for safety — we will call it what it is: terrorism.
We will not fear identifying the vulgar hypocrites in our government — we will name them.
And we will not fear George W. Bush.
Nor will we fear because George W. Bush wants us to fear.
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boy howdy,KO went ballistic calling the Preznit a fascist and a liar.He was visibly upset
This coming on the same day that Romney endorses McCain in a speech where they actually implied that if you don’t vote for McCain that you’ll be bringing an end to “civilization as we know it.” The Repubs are really trying to be all big and bad today.
Mr. Olberman let it fly! And said what needs to be said over and over!
Another winner, Olby. Well done; I send your Special Comments to everybody I know.
Well, gee, mudshark. It’s kind of upsetting to see a guy tell flat out lies and not get called on it. It creates the impression that reality is optional.
Good for Keith.
Another fine “Olbermann Commentary” to save to disk.
When the ‘bushies’ are gone I’m going to burn CD of all his commentaries and have my Grandkids give them to their Grandkids!
SteveK @ 6:
I think you can find them all archived on MSNBC
I think that my eyebrows are singed…
Roark77 @ 2:
More of the same from Romney. When he suspended his campaign, he essentially said a vote for Clinton or Obama is a victory for terrorists. Jon Stewart had an appropriate response.
As for Keith, this is great. He remains one of very few who is willing to stand up to this administration on this type of platform. His critics can call him a left wing lunatic, but regardless of his political views, we all know the president and his administration have overstepped their legal boundaries, and almost everyone in a position to stop them have sat on their hands. It is nice to have someone who is willing to say enough is enough.
As usual, Keith hits the nail right on the head!
The truth must be told. Keith Olbermann is a true PATRIOT.
I don’t know how Keith gets away with this stuff without a single peep from the other side in response.
What Keith said….
Bangkok Bob @ 7:
I’m sure you’re right Bob and I’m not too paranoid but I’ll be happier with a ‘hard copy’ of them all.
And what the hell… they may be worth something on “Antiques Roadshow 2108″!
After Kurt Vonnegut died this spring, it seemed, to paraphrase one of his characters in “Jailbird,” that “now there’s no one left alive who gives a shit about what happens to America.”
But Keith Olbermann still cares.
George W. Bush has nearly murdered everything America used to stand for, and yet there he is, still showing his stupid face and his depraved soul every day as President of this country–still posturing, smirking, lying.
Shame on us all for standing for it.
But at least Keith, on national TV, has the guts to call Bush what he is–a fucking fascist.
The bit at the end starting with “We will not fear any longer” was fantastic. It was inspirational. I couldn’t help but make the connection to the campaign Obama has been running. While Obama was not my 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd choice I do welcome a change, even if it’s just cosmetic, in the rhetoric. I wonder if Olberman’s comment might have been slightly inspired by all this talk of “hope” and all this promise to end the politics of fear. Whether the two are connected or not I welcome something different and more uplifting. I’m tired of fear. I want to embrace optimism again.
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
I know what you mean,it’s kinda scary.
It will be interesting to see, if congress actually thwarts these people in charge, whether another major attack against the “homeland” occurs.
Keiths writers went back to work yesterday.
Charles II @ 5:
?
Wow!!! That was a barnburner!!
His best Special Commentary yet!
i thought this was a little too extreme… i get that Bush lies a lot but to use the word “fascist” is a bit bombastic. maybe he should consider less name calling and more substantive disagreements
To Keith Olberman:
Great job on the comment this evening. I am however beginning to fear for your safety - keep the bodyguards close at hand.
Our fascist president, george w bush, is evil incarnate, and I do not put it out of the realm of possibility that he will order retribution for your speaking the truth. I fervently hope that one day this poor excuse for a human being, bush, suffers the same fate as another well known fascist dictator - Benito Mussolini of WW2 Italy. Hope there is an available lamp post in Crawford TX.
I feel like that guy on the old Memorex cassette tape commercials.
By the way, Keith, my wife thinks you’re hot.
greg @ 22:
WRONG!
KO gave a clear explanation about the relationship between Busch and the telecoms and made the case for the fascist label. We need more bombast . . we have to wake up the people!!!
KO always has such good ideas…perhaps we should organize a campaign to mail thousands of “I am a fascist” T-shirts to the White House. One for Georgie, Dickie, Condie, Mikey, the lot of them. Hmmmm…”Fascists in da House”…
*sigh* When are we going to see something like a Feingold / Olbermann ticket? Now that’s something I could get behind…
Thank you Keith…I have a 3 year old son and cringe at the thought of what his future will be if someone doesn’t step up and change our governing by fear. I applaud you for your courage that so many empty suits in congress lack and our chimp.
The temper tantrum thrown by the wing nuts over contempt of the law and FISA has grown tiring and I pray the American people will wake up and see what has happened to our country before it’s too late. I don’t want to hear it anymore.
Think about it…in order to “win” mcwhackos war against a tactic, you will have to be able to get into the “minds” of billions of muslims who now hate us and be assured they will never think a harmful thought against our country.
We can either choose to fear those thoughts of those who hate us, sacrifice what our founding fathers fought for on the premise of fear, shred the constitution for the phone companies, or choose to say FU to the nut cases and continue to march towards a better world for our children and future generations denying our enemies the satisfaction that “they” changed the way we live our lives or the way our laws were written. Now that is..winning.
Think about it… the enemy has “forced” us into giving up the very freedom’s we are supposed to be handing out as a “gift’ to those who raised their purple finger.
Our country is too strong and too great to surrender to “fear”. KO is a patriot.
Ex-Canuck @ 23:
I’m surprised he hasn’t been in an “accident” already.
It’s very strange.
Watched Olbermans special note to bush-ola tonight and as always it it made me feel good that somewhere there are members of the media who are doing things the right way and raking the muck.
But I expect that with his program. it is a fine 60min of not only good news to watch but the program is entertaining as all get out.
The man takes his work very seriously.
DaveL @ 18:
They’re already starting with the vague threats and rhetoric. You just know that McCain is going to constantly hammer away at Clinton and Obama with that “if you vote for the Dems then the terrorists win” crap. I would love to see Clinton and Obama bring this up at the next debate and try to blunt this rhetoric before it really gets going.
greg @ 22:
You should look up the word ‘fascist”. It fits the Bush Cabal to a T.
The Democratic candidate for president needs to carry that Special Comment around for quick reference. It contains everything that needs to be said to take the Republican bullshit and throw it right back in McCain’s face.
greg @ 22:
Read this then reevaluate your comment:
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm
BWAHAHAHAHAHA. What would be great is if our President faced this kind of talk at his Press Conferences.
Or something similar to Parliament where everyone calls their Prime Minister out on their BS.
L.A. Confidential @ 19:
HA! You are correct…..
it has to be said bush could have and should have been called out years ago.
Here at Crooks and Liars,Keith is basically preaching to the choir.
When is this going to change?When is the rest of America going to wake up from this GD nightmare and HEAR what Keith is spelling out in such uncompromising and powerful terms?
He simply couldn’t make it any clearer.America is being held hostage by a gang of shameless criminals.I actually am beginning to fear for Keith’s continued freedom,if not life.
Holy shit, Olbermann, that was absolutely awesome.
I’m quivering with delight. A top 5 performance for sure!
greg @ 22:
greg,
He tore him to pieces on all levels: facts, recent history, truth, and what’s just plain right. Keith is hitting on all cylinders, including what you consider name-calling. Bush is a fascist, period. More substantive? Man, this special comment was nothing but substance.
greg @ 22:
No way, not at all. We love people like Chris Rock, George Carlin and Lewis Black because they say what people are thinking……I think journalists need to do the same sometimes.
greg @ 22:
“Bombastic”? Just to be sure, I read several definitions of fascism and by God, Olbermann is RIGHT! Bush is a fascist by the most accepted definitions of the word.
greg @ 22:
You obviously don’t know what the word “fascist” means. The combination of the government, the corporate media, and the telecoms is fascism, pure and simple.