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Keith Olbermann criticized for flip-flopping on FISA
Salon's top progressive blogger Glen Greenwald reminds us that back on January 31st, Keith Olbermann had this to say about FISA and telecom immunity:
There is not a choice of protecting the telecoms from prosecution or protecting the people from terrorism, Sir. This is a choice of protecting the telecoms from prosecution or pretending to protect the people from terrorists. Sorry, Mr. Bush, the eavesdropping provisions of FISA have obviously had no impact on counter-terrorism, and there is no current or perceived terrorist threat the thwarting of which could hinge on an email or phone call that is going through Room 641 of AT&T in San Francisco.
Olbermann went on to call telecoms immunity "fascist", and compare the practice to Nazi Germany's policies.
But now that Barack Obama--Olbermann's candidate--has supported a compromise that all but grants telecomnunication companies imunity for having spied on Americans without a warrant, Keith Olbermann has suddenly praised the compromise, noting that Obama "didn't cower to the left". That's right. Taking Olbermann's January position would have been tantamount to "cowering".
That makes soo much sense, doesn't it?
Read Greenwald's piece.
There is not a choice of protecting the telecoms from prosecution or protecting the people from terrorism, Sir. This is a choice of protecting the telecoms from prosecution or pretending to protect the people from terrorists. Sorry, Mr. Bush, the eavesdropping provisions of FISA have obviously had no impact on counter-terrorism, and there is no current or perceived terrorist threat the thwarting of which could hinge on an email or phone call that is going through Room 641 of AT&T in San Francisco.
Olbermann went on to call telecoms immunity "fascist", and compare the practice to Nazi Germany's policies.
But now that Barack Obama--Olbermann's candidate--has supported a compromise that all but grants telecomnunication companies imunity for having spied on Americans without a warrant, Keith Olbermann has suddenly praised the compromise, noting that Obama "didn't cower to the left". That's right. Taking Olbermann's January position would have been tantamount to "cowering".
That makes soo much sense, doesn't it?
Read Greenwald's piece.
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I am reasonably confident that KO will address this tomorrow, he has not been afraid to apologize/explain when he is wrong. I'll be interested to hear what he says on this one.
June 26, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe compromise is the key word in both Obama's and Olbermann's statement. It's a key word for me.
June 26, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just because something is a compromise between two parties, doesn't mean it's a good thing.
The USA Toda said a couple of days ago about this compromise:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-06-19-surveillancebill_N.htm
June 26, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
whoopeeeeeee!!!!
June 26, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greenwald like all pundits can choose or not to be a progressive absolutist. Greenwald has chosen one course and Keith has chosen another. Large f'ing deal.
June 26, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
In fact, Olbermann has chosen TWO courses, each carefully crafted so as not to contradict Barack Obama. Greenwald is consistent.
June 26, 2008 11:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, this is fuckin news worthy.
June 26, 2008 11:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL! Now we've gone from accusing the candidates of flip-flopping to accusing the pundits of flip-flopping. Am I the only one who sees humor here?
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." -- RWE
So the question becomes--at what point does the consistency become foolish?
June 27, 2008 6:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Olbermann said last night on Countdown that for someone as "hot under the collar about this as I am" it's hard to prefer a Senate Obama casting his vote to stop criminal offenses over a President Obama prosecuting the offenders for their criminal activity.
June 27, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Olbermann has posted his position in detail on Daily Kos: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/26/222646/124/440/542648
June 27, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
No Yvaughn! I see it the humor as well.
June 27, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink