So long jerkass

[pavelbure]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11 ... campaigns/

MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was put on indefinite suspension Friday after bosses at the cable news network learned that he had donated to three Democratic candidates, including one who had appeared on his show on the same day, in violation of the network's rules.

"I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay," Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC, said in a statement.

The three candidates who received the maximum legal amount of $2,400 are Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords, both of Arizona and both who won tough re-election bids. Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway was the third recipient. He lost to Republican Rand Paul.

The donations were made on Oct. 28, the same day Grijalva appeared on the MSNBC show "Countdown With Keith Olbermann."

Politico, which was first to report the contributions, published Olbermann's confirmation of the donations.

"I did not privately or publicly encourage anyone else to donate to these campaigns nor to any others in this election or any previous ones, nor have I previously donated to any political campaign at any level," Olbermann said in a statement to the newspaper.

NBC News prohibits its employees from working on, or donating to, political campaigns unless a special exception is granted by the news division president -- effectively a ban. Olbermann's bosses did not find out about the donations until after they were made.

Olbermann was a co-anchor of MSNBC's election coverage this week. The network's performance drew some criticism, particularly with Chris Matthews' contentious interviews with Republican Bachmann and Marsha Blackburn.

Olbermann was seen laughing following Matthews' conversation with Bachmann. Matthews had criticized the congresswoman for failing to answer his questions.

Chris Hayes will fill in for Olbermann on Friday's program, the network said.

[Eviltaco64X]

$5 says that MSNBC will eventually be on his Worst Person list.

[bizzle]

Now they just need to get rid of that butch dyke that he loves so much. Fucking assholes.

[Ex-Cyber]

It seems like kind of a stupid policy to apply such a ban to all employees. Surely if the appearance of neutrality is the issue, it should only apply to actual anchors/reporters, and not to people like Olbermann who are obviously not neutral in the first place. I wouldn't exactly feel like my trust had been betrayed if I found out that Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly donated to Republican candidates. Even if opinionated pundits were exempt, though, I think it's still a very draconian policy.

[Eviltaco64X]

It seems like kind of a stupid policy to apply such a ban to all employees. Surely if the appearance of neutrality is the issue, it should only apply to actual anchors/reporters, and not to people like Olbermann who are obviously not neutral in the first place. I wouldn't exactly feel like my trust had been betrayed if I found out that Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly donated to Republican candidates. Even if opinionated pundits were exempt, though, I think it's still a very draconian policy.

Agreed. He should be able to donate to any politician or campaign if he wishes to. It wasn't even a shady backdoor operation or anything... His donations were perfectly legal!

I think it's kind of ironic that MSNBC would make such a big deal about something like this, though. Considering that the channel has a pretty heavy liberal bias and usually fully backs Democrats, you'd think they'd let their news hosts donate to the people they're talking up.

[pavelbure]

It seems like kind of a stupid policy to apply such a ban to all employees. Surely if the appearance of neutrality is the issue, it should only apply to actual anchors/reporters, and not to people like Olbermann who are obviously not neutral in the first place. I wouldn't exactly feel like my trust had been betrayed if I found out that Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly donated to Republican candidates. Even if opinionated pundits were exempt, though, I think it's still a very draconian policy.

Agreed. He should be able to donate to any politician or campaign if he wishes to. It wasn't even a shady backdoor operation or anything... His donations were perfectly legal!

I think it's kind of ironic that MSNBC would make such a big deal about something like this, though. Considering that the channel has a pretty heavy liberal bias and usually fully backs Democrats, you'd think they'd let their news hosts donate to the people they're talking up.

As much as I can't stand the guy I agree. It is his right to do what he wants with his money. Unfortunately the company he works for does have policies in place.

BTW Fox hosts are allowed to contribute to whomever they want to. Which is the way it should be.

[bizzle]

Fag boy is back.

[pixel]

It seems like kind of a stupid policy to apply such a ban to all employees. Surely if the appearance of neutrality is the issue, it should only apply to actual anchors/reporters, and not to people like Olbermann who are obviously not neutral in the first place. I wouldn't exactly feel like my trust had been betrayed if I found out that Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly donated to Republican candidates. Even if opinionated pundits were exempt, though, I think it's still a very draconian policy.

Agreed. He should be able to donate to any politician or campaign if he wishes to. It wasn't even a shady backdoor operation or anything... His donations were perfectly legal!

I think it's kind of ironic that MSNBC would make such a big deal about something like this, though. Considering that the channel has a pretty heavy liberal bias and usually fully backs Democrats, you'd think they'd let their news hosts donate to the people they're talking up.

As much as I can't stand the guy I agree. It is his right to do what he wants with his money. Unfortunately the company he works for does have policies in place.

BTW Fox hosts are allowed to contribute to whomever they want to. Which is the way it should be.

In principle, the rule is logical. If you're a member of a news organization, you shouldn't make donations towards the people you're suppose to cover. In practice, it seems a little overbearing. But then again, MSNBC is a private company. If a company makes a rule, the employee shouldn't act all butthurt if the company doles out a punishment. Granted, I don't watch/support CNN, MSNBC, Fox News or any 24 hour news channel. I can't stand Keith Olbermann, Wolf Blitzer, Glenn Beck, Nancy Grace, Greta VanSusteren and all of the other craptastic TV news program hosts. IMO, they all gave up on their journalistic careers long, long ago.

[DanteJay]

Granted, I don't watch/support CNN, MSNBC, Fox News or any 24 hour news channel. I can't stand Keith Olbermann, Wolf Blitzer, Glenn Beck, Nancy Grace, Greta VanSusteren and all of the other craptastic TV news program hosts. IMO, they all gave up on their journalistic careers long, long ago.

Hmm...Brandon, how do you know all these peoples names if you don't watch these programs?

[pixel]

Granted, I don't watch/support CNN, MSNBC, Fox News or any 24 hour news channel. I can't stand Keith Olbermann, Wolf Blitzer, Glenn Beck, Nancy Grace, Greta VanSusteren and all of the other craptastic TV news program hosts. IMO, they all gave up on their journalistic careers long, long ago.

Hmm...Brandon, how do you know all these peoples names if you don't watch these programs?

Typically, I watch something before I decide to stop watching it. Plus, after a hefty dose of edumacations in journalism school, I've grown to know the stylings of many journalists, TV and otherwise.

In all seriousness, I disabled all the 24 hour news channels on my old analog TV in my bedroom. Unfortunately, the digital guide in the living room won't let me erase the channels I don't like.

[DanteJay]

Typically, I watch something before I decide to stop watching it. Plus, after a hefty dose of edumacations in journalism school, I've grown to know the stylings of many journalists, TV and otherwise.

In all seriousness, I disabled all the 24 hour news channels on my old analog TV in my bedroom. Unfortunately, the digital guide in the living room won't let me erase the channels I don't like.

I had to look up what edumacation means, but now that I know I can appreciate where you are coming from. My feelings are a bit similar, however a bit at odds with one another. I have always had a great deal of respect for professional journalism, but I have always hated the news, including the 24hr stations, and the in-depth news programs such as W5 or even 20/20.

[Jeeba Jabba]

I used to love 20/20, Dateline and 60 Minutes when I was younger. Are they all still on?

[|darc|]

Now they just need to get rid of that butch dyke that he loves so much. Fucking assholes.

Olbermann is obnoxious but I like Rachel Maddow.

[pixel]

Now they just need to get rid of that butch dyke that he loves so much. Fucking assholes.

Olbermann is obnoxious but I like Rachel Maddow.

When I saw her interview on the Daily Show, she seemed alright. I don't know if I'd like her show or not.

I used to love 20/20, Dateline and 60 Minutes when I was younger. Are they all still on?

AFAIK, all three are still on the air. Dateline and 20/20 devolved into drivel. I remember when Dateline was on like four days a week and watching Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters at the end of TGIF. 60 Minutes is still good, although Andy Rooney is slipping into a drug-crazed dementia.

The one show I always liked is Sunday Morning on CBS. Unfortunately, I'm never up at 8 a.m. to watch. But as a kid, I always watched it with my dad before church.

[Stryfe]

Granted, I don't watch/support CNN, MSNBC, Fox News or any 24 hour news channel.

Fox News isn't news, it's a tabloid entertainment station. I personally prefer the MHz Internationally routed news broadcasts, "if" I'm going to watch news on TV. Who does that anymore?

I can't stand Keith Olbermann, Wolf Blitzer, Glenn Beck, Nancy Grace, Greta VanSusteren and all of the other craptastic TV news program hosts.

All of these people mentioned are political commentators, not news reporters. Their shows are 'entertainment' for like-minded people, and don't even pretend to be a source of accurate news broadcasting.

[pixel]

I can't stand Keith Olbermann, Wolf Blitzer, Glenn Beck, Nancy Grace, Greta VanSusteren and all of the other craptastic TV news program hosts.

All of these people mentioned are political commentators, not news reporters. Their shows are 'entertainment' for like-minded people, and don't even pretend to be a source of accurate news broadcasting.

Sure. But that doesn't stop people from watching them. Ideally, they should be treated as sideshow freaks, but plenty of people view these shows, craft an opinion and rebroadcast it to others.

Personally, I read the statewide and local newspaper.* I like to listen to some NPR programs (All Things Considered, This American Life) and the state news. Then I troll my blogroll of sites for niche news and interests. For me, it's gotten to the point where I barely watch the local affiliates' news programs because of inane coverage.

*I'm paid to read the local newspaper, since it's my job.