July 23, 2008
McCain Slanders Obama, Scarborough Slanders Olbermann (Brent Budowsky)
John McCain, presumably advised by Karl Rove and definitely imitating the politics of George Bush, is now saying that Barack Obama would rather lose a war than lose an election.
This is a defamation; this is a slander; this is a lie. McCain should apologize to Obama. This is the latest in a long list of cheap-shot, low-blow politics. McCain has learned nothing about why the American people are rejecting the Republicans and why the Republican brand has been compared to the appeal of defective dog food.
This morning, right-wing former congressman Joe Scarborough essentially said that Keith Olbermann is "too stupid to be on television."
Here is the story, which is much more important than the rantings of former right-wing politicians who become cable television politicians.
The soon-to-be-fired, low-ratings CBS anchor Katie Couric did interviews last night with both McCain and Obama. In her McCain interview, the candidate who makes a growing list of factual errors wrongly said that the Sunni Awakening was a result of the surge. He referred to a conversation between Sunnis and then-Col. (now Gen.) McFarlane that he falsely claimed resulted from the surge.
Problem is, the conversation McCain quoted happened long before the surge. The Sunni Awakening happened many months before the surge. In fact Sunni leaders approached the U.S. military more than a year before the surge, but were rebuffed.
In short, the Sunni Awakening happened well before the surge, had zero to do with the surge, and McCain had his facts (again) completely wrong.
Enter Ms. Couric, who used the interview on air, but edited out the McCain misstatement. Enter Olbermann, who did what is far too rare in cable political news: real reporting. He pointed out and documented the latest McCain mistake.
Of course, this was too much for Scarborough, who foamed at the mouth, did not intelligently discuss the McCain misstatement or the Couric protection of McCain when she kept his mistake out of the broadcast.
No, Scarborough said that the issue had been raised by others on MSNBC, and that anyone who raised it (referring to Olbermann) is too stupid to be on television (his phrase).
Mika Brzezinski, who knows better, made a face but said nothing. Harold Ford, the voice of the Democratic Leadership Council, who never met a camera he didn't like, simply smiled his television smile and smoothly agreed with Scarborough's cheap shot at Olbermann. Ford then, as ever, referred to how close to Obama he wants to appear. (With friends like these …)
For now, two points:
First, McCain repeatedly lowers the quality of discourse in American politics. The man who ran in 2000 has disappeared; the face of Bush 44 has taken his place with these Rove-like low blows. It is McCain who has always been the fair-haired boy of the press.
Second, John McCain has made a long series of substantial factual errors that will become a major issue. Whether the problem is age or sloppiness, partisanship or tiredness, on issue after issue McCain says things that are factually incorrect.
Couric protected McCain by editing out his latest and very substantial factual error, gaffe, falsehood or mistake (call it what you will). Scarborough works to protect McCain by demeaning Olbermann, the messenger, who should be praised for doing real reporting (heaven forbid).
McCain’s Rove-like attacks and his serious and repeated factual errors on major issues will be a major topic in the election and do neither John McCain nor our political discourse any service.
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I have noticed that the entire McCain campaign has been one big Gaff. Look I think McCain served this country and demands the up most respect. He is probably even a patriot. But it is a cold fact of life when you get older you dull intellectually. I think McCain just isnt as sharp as a president needs to be. We cant elect presidents on the mere fact that they are a war hero., They need to be able to function as a president functions. Here is a site that has videos of all of the mccain gaffs. It also has a video of McCain falling asleep on the Conan Obrien show., I cant believe this video isnt being shown on the news more. Wow.! I will leave the link its
http://www.mccanes.com
I would like to take the opportunity to say I would not vote for a McCain Romney ticket, I might a McCain / Huckabee ticket. Here is a link that has all of the Romney attack ad videos, that Romney released against McCain during the primary, along with a video of romney calling McCain dishonest. How could McCain even consider picking Romney. I think the McCain camp is trying to sabotage McCain. The link to the videos is http://www.hotpres.com
You can sign a petition to make Huckabee the VP at http://www.TheVeep.com
Comment by paul — July 23, 2008 @ 10:38 am
Actually, Joe Scarborough and John McCain were right.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — July 23, 2008 @ 10:40 am
Most people would agree that the president of the USA should have a mind like a steel trap - John McCain is ably showing that he doesn't… and if he's befuddled now, what's he going to be like 4 years down the line?
Comment by uk visa — July 23, 2008 @ 10:42 am
Robert on the matter of Sunnis and the surge
McCain was dreadfully wrong. Scarborough was
wrong, and you are wrong. This is not a
matter of opinion, it is a matter of facts.
When McCain said that the Sunni call to
then-colonel Macfarlane resulted from the
surge, that was ridiculous, that call came
the year before the surge. In fact Sunnis
were pleading with American commanders a
full year before the surge, and were turned
down. Sunni Awakening had zero to do with
the surge and the call to Macfarlane was the
year before the surge, not because of the
surge as McCain falsely claimed. Robert
you have the right to your opinion but not
the right to your facts. What McCain said
was factually completely and probably wrong.
He seems to be doing that a lot lately and it
will be a major issue. Brent
Comment by Brent — July 23, 2008 @ 11:23 am
This article is a blatant lie when McCain is mentioned within it. Both Joe Scarborough and John McCain were correct in their observations of obermun (spelling intentional) and Obama.
Comment by Jake — July 23, 2008 @ 11:41 am
If Couric edited out the McCain error it is becsuse she is level headed, and is not taking part in low class 'gotcha' journalism.
Let's face it Olberman makes everybody sick. The guy thrives on hate. He is full of hot air and probably IS the "Worst-Person-in-the-World"
Scarborough happens to be the last 'person' standing on MSNBC that actually has a mind of his own and is not afraid to say-it-like-it-is. I thouroughly respect the guy. I don't always agree with him - but - he tells the truth. On his opinion of Olberman- he couldn't be more correct.
With all the horrible things he says about our President Bush - I can't believe he has not been arrested. He is driven to hurt this country with all his screwed up sound-bites. He completely nauseates me. In any other country in the world - he would have not lasted 5-seconds on the air. He actually gives comfort to the enemy by brainwashing with anti-American rhetoric.
Brent, thank you bringing that creeps name up (Olberman). I feel much better having the platform to vent my opinion on that insect. Yuk !
Comment by JFK-HRC — July 23, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Truth hurts sometimes doesn't it? If Obama had his way, he'd pull troops out tomorrow leaving Iraq in whatever state it found itself in. THAT is losing the war. He's a politician and as such will say anything if it's bring his numbers up in the polls. He straddles both side of the issue rather than taking a principled stand.
He says he's against the war yet votes to fund it every single time.
He says he wants to pull out [of Iraq] but will say in the same sentence he'll listen to the advice of Commanders on the ground.
He doesn't either understand the surge or is getting his data from the DNC: "We saw a spike in the violence, the surge reduced that violence, and we now are, two years later, back where we started two years ago." [There was indeed a spike in the violence in Iraq during the last two years that has been receding as of late. Most recently, nearly all statistical indicators show that violence is sharply lower than it was two years ago, according to the Brookings Institution's Iraq Index]
"I think it's hard to project four years from now, and I think it would be irresponsible. We don't know what contingency will be out there. I believe that we should have all our troops out by 2013, but I don't want to make promises, not knowing what the situation's going to be three or four years out. [26MAR2007]"
Wow, must have gotten some real good data in a year to revise that from 6 years down to 16 months.
The guy is all over the place. Shows his inexperience.
Comment by Wayne Kulick — July 23, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
Olbermann is a true moron. What does he ever contribute to any discussion other than his venom.He reminds me of a guy we caught masturbating in high school and he just stood there grinning.Nothing to say!
Comment by Teerry Gee — July 23, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
Jake and Robert, Do you have ANY support for your claims? If not you can stop talking now, it is a waste of time. We are all capable of making unsupported claims. For Example: John McCain has the mental sharpness to be President.
Comment by Simon — July 23, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
John McCain is not the man he was in 2000. Then he was a man of integrity; now he will say anything to get elected. He may be having trouble keeping track of all the stories he has been making up in the meantime.
To say that the surge produced less violence is the same as saying that falling leaves cause winter. Many other factors are going on, including HUGE PAYOFFS to the Sunnis, which we could continue after we leave. As we have found with the decrease in violence, paying people to put down their guns is much cheaper than waging war. WE WIN!!!
Comment by babaloo — July 23, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Robert Rosecrans & Jake: it's called cognitive dissonance, and you should look into it before it completely fractures your sanity (if it hasn't already). McCain and Scarborough were, and are, WRONG. Your opinions don't count as independently verifiable fact.
Comment by terry — July 23, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
To Simon #9
I caught your agism cut on Sen McCain.
Well, you must be still in high schol yourself…
Let me tell you little fella… Wisdom comes with age. It is a great asset and a virtue to be able to take a question and to answer it honestly and carefully. It is a man of youth and inexperience that will not 'answer' a question, but REACT to it as though his entire legacy pivots on the reply. So far Obama has REACTED to everything that passes his way with no basic phylosophy in which he adheres. So this is why he is "all-over-the-place" as another blogger mentioned above.
McCain replies with a fitting response to questions posed to him by not trying to prove he is the smartest guy in the classroom. He has been out of school a long enough time to realize that the smartest guy is not necessarily the most grounded, practical, and logical. Does McCain mis-speak ? Absolutely, because he is not a computer. Does Obama mis-speak yes, as you know we have around 57 to 59 United States according to that young fella…
But that isn't such a big deal.
They both get tired and confused once in a while on the facts..
Sen Obama deserves respect but he has not yet gotten down in the trenches, he has not carried other lives on his shoulders, he lacks the life experience to have aligned himself to a phylosophy that will support his plans and opinions for running the country and effecting the world like Sen McCain will do and with great honor and priceless experience.
Perhaps Obama's disjointed life history, religious affiliations, and lack of real world successes outside running a campaigns is the reason for his confusion. I don't see any sharpness (successes)when it comes to resolving problem of poverty, homelessness, educational disparities in the hometown/state he ran politically for many years.
Comment by JFK-HRC — July 23, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
Sorry Brent. Those aren't facts. They aren't even close to facts. They are simply opinions and I never stated I was stating a fact. I simply stated that John McCain was right when he said he would rather lose an election than a war. It's a good solid political statement that makes sense. As far as Keith Olbermann he is not even worth listening to when he goes in to his hate filled monologues. So, I think it was a rather well reasoned statement on Joe Scarborough's parts to state that Keith Olbermann is the dumbest man in America. That's not a fact, but it's a factual statement.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — July 23, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
Hey JFK-HRC, Yes wisdom comes with age but so does dementia and McCain seems to be showing signs of the latter. I know that this makes him Reaganesque but it doesn't make him correct.
Undisputed Fact, McCain got the timeline and cause wrong. Now this either makes him either uninformed, extremely forgetful, or a liar.
Another fact using CBS transcripts, the response to Katie's question was deleted and a different response was put in. My opinion about this fact is that it is an attempt by the MSM to protect their candidate of choice, John McCain.
Question, how did Joe Scarborough escape scrutiny when his young, attractive assistant turned up dead in his locked office? Shouldn't that have affected his credibility enough to have kept him off of TV?
Comment by Progressive Patriot — July 23, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
Our guys get 6 weeks basic training & are sent to Iraq-how many years now? Each year it costs US more to occupy Iraq, not less, if we were making any real progress there the costs would be going down. Neocon DUMBOS will never get it, they are proudly not part of the reality-based community & as such go by how they feel not facts. We could temporarily bomb the UK to its knees-so? The live-fire training ground in Iraq, teaching them how US & UK forces react should be shut down, but the Neocons want to keep it running, until the US Treasury is bankrupted. True "patriots" indeed.
Comment by Ruby G — July 23, 2008 @ 4:38 pm
Brent, must I remind you again that there never was a "surge", only an "escalation of an illegal occupation".
You blame grandpa McCain for using a Rovian tactic, yet you continue to use Rovian language.
Shame.
Comment by wewillnotbeneoconned — July 23, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
If I remember correctly Dan Rather was forced out of the CBS anchor because he didn't authenticate one document in a story that nevertheless proved Bush went AWOL from the Texas Air National Guard.
I assume that Katie Couric will also be asked to resign in shame for intentionally trying to deceive CBS viewers.
I'd also assume a massive multi-million dollar fine will be issued by the FCC against CBS for abusing their license to broadcast on the publicly owned airwaves.
Comment by wewillnotbeneoconned — July 23, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
I look at the election from what's good for Viacom. I vote for what's good for Viacom. I vote, today, Viacom…I don't want to denigrate Kerry,…but from a Viacom standpoint, the election of a Republican administration is a better deal. Because the Republican administration has stood for many things we believe in, deregulation and so on. The Democrats are not bad people. . . . But from a Viacom standpoint, we believe the election of a Republican administration is better for our company."
- Sumner Redstone, Chairman of Viacom, owner of CBS television, Sept. 2004.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110005669
*** Now you know why Katie Couric won't be fired and this issue will quickly dissolve away.
Comment by wewillnotbeneoconned — July 23, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
The use of advertising terminology in politics is inherently corrupting. We should stop it.
Comment by Barry Schwartz — July 23, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Very strange, almost befuddled responses from the McCain supporters around here. Sorry guys, but Sunnis decided to start killing al Qaeda members on their own in early 2006, long before anyone ever mentioned a "surge."
And anyone who thinks it's appropriate for a presidential candidate to personally accuse his opponent of sedition or treason should take a look at what Time Magazine's Joe Klein (a long-time McCain admirer) thinks about it. He calls it desperate and un-presidential. He thinks it's the lowest blow he's ever seen a candidate deliver.
Comment by Bill Batten — July 23, 2008 @ 6:02 pm
Most of the regular posters are either on vacation or are ashamed to defend the Gaffe machine..McCain is going senile, that's the only explanation for the constant Gaffe–the alternate is too scary to imagine.
Wait…senility is bad too..sigh! its embarrassing to watch and the MSM is desperately trying to keep the race close by ignoring his misscues that would have ended Obama's candidacy
Comment by Theard — July 23, 2008 @ 6:31 pm
A Death in the Congressman's Office
Does Anybody in the Press Care About Lori Klausutis?
By Denis Wright and Chris George
August 8, 2001 (APJP)
Once upon a time, the phrase "investigative reporter" actually meant something. It usually involved hard work, possibly even mentation. Now, it seems, they just make stuff up. Especially on the Fox News Channel, where an uninitiated viewer could easily think she/he had tuned in Comedy Central. It's "Chandra-Chandra-Chandra" with the occasional "Condit is just like Clinton" thrown in. Given our media's 24/7 obsession with the Gary Condit "scandal", you might assume that there is a real dearth of hard news to pursue.
In reality, there is indeed a news story percolating out there. The story bears remarkable and ironic similarities to the Condit/Levy story. Both involve Congressmen, rumors of infidelity, and the fate of a younger female subordinate. The details are so similar as to remind one of two alternate universes. The difference between the two stories? First, in the Klausutis case as not in the Levy case, there is a real body, very dead. Second, the Klausutis case involves a Republican.
The story had a brief flutter in the Northwest Florida press, which ran a few very short stories on Lori's death. With the exception of the Northwest Florida Daily News, they were of the "Aw-what-a-shame/ nothing-to-see-here-move-along-now-folks" variety. But nationally, this mysterious death earned a mere one paragraph mention in The Washington Post's NATION IN BRIEF column:
"FORT WALTON BEACH, FL. - Lori Klausutis, a 28-year-old office worker for Rep. Joe Scarborough (R-Fl), was found dead in the congressman's district office. Police said preliminary findings from the medical examiner's office showed no foul play or any outward indication of suicide."
Unbelievably, that was it. The story was simply dropped. A young female employee of one of Florida's Congressmen had died unexpectedly in the Congressman's office. There were no witnesses to her death and the cause of death was not apparent. Klausutis' boss, Joe Scarborough had recently resigned from Congress prematurely and unexpectedly, amid rumors about his marital fidelity and soon after a divorce. He had also abruptly resigned as publisher of the Independent Florida Sun, claiming that resigning from Congress and as publisher was necessary to spend more time with his sons.
Such circumstances make one pause. Sick to death of the clear bias of the corporate owned media, and suspicious of the odd nature of this death, we began to dig for answers. The more information we discovered, the more unlikely, and the more newsworthy the story became.
Here are the facts. Lori Klausutis had a seemingly happy life. A devoted husband who listed on his online homepage "being married to Lori" as one of the honors he enjoyed, a new home in Niceville and a Catholic congregation where she was a cantor and in whose choir she sang, were some of the elements of the Good Life she enjoyed. Her husband, Dr. Timothy Klausutis, did research and development for the munitions group at nearby Eglin Air Force Base, where he presumably made a good livelihood. Although Lori hailed from the Atlanta, Georgia area where she had attended school, there were numerous family members in the area. According to her obituary in the Fort Walton Daily News, Lori had served as President and, later, Treasurer, for the Emerald Coast Young Republicans and as a aide to Congressman Scarborough, she was active during the Florida recounts. A former neighbor, Barbara Cromer, said "Every morning, I would see her run while I walked. We'd wave to each other as we passed. I loved Lori so much. She was wonderful. She was a kind, generous person, so sweet.
Then, on Friday, July 20th, the body of Lori Klausutis, 28, was found slumped next to a desk on the floor of Florida Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough's Fort Walton Beach office where Lori had served as a constituent services coordinator since May, 1999. Her body was found around 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning by a couple arriving for an appointment. She had been dead for some time. A second employee, who would have normally arrived for work at around the same time, was away on vacation. Police cordoned off the area for investigation, later announcing that there was no reason to suspect foul play, nor were there signs of suicide.
Scarborough's office released a statement several hours after the discovery:
"My staff and family are greatly saddened by the loss of Lori Klausutis. I know Lori will be missed by the thousands of citizens who regularly contact my office to seek assistance with a variety of problems. May God grant Lori's family the grace, comfort and hope that will get them through this difficult time."
The Congressman returned to Florida that same day, and his office was quick to point out that it was not unusual for him to fly home for the weekend.
There was a great deal of ambiguity over whether Lori had suffered past medical problems. Scarborough's press secretary, Miguel Serrano, made mention of health problems in Lori's past, but could not be more specific. In response, Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Steve Hogue is quoted as saying "That's part of our investigation, checking into her medical history." Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Berkland said "She had a past medical history that was significant, but it remains to be seen whether that played a role in her death". Soon after a member of the immediate family rejected out of hand that Lori had any significant medical problems. She was, in fact, quite an athlete, having recently run an 8K with a very respectable time and she belonged to the Northwest Florida Track Club.
The results of the mandated autopsy, however, were deemed "inconclusive" by Dr. Berkland, who ordered more specific toxicology tests. These results were expected by the middle of the following week, around the first or second day of August. Dr. Berkland commented at the time "This turns over several puzzle pieces in the case of her death and reveals more of the picture".
Welcome to the Wheel of Fortune.
Michael Berkland, it turns out, has a very interesting background himself. Recently relocated to Florida, it is a matter of public record that Dr. Berkland's medical license in the state of Missouri was revoked in 1998 as a result of Berkland reporting false information regarding brain tissue samples in a 1996 autopsy report. Berkland does not deny the charges.
It's also a matter of public record that he was suspended from his position as Medical Examiner in the State of Florida in July, 1999.
Quincy, he's not.
Repeated requests to Dr. Stephen Nelson, Chairman of the Medical Examiners Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, have failed to verify that Dr. Berkland's suspension was lifted and that his licensure and disciplinary record are clear at the present time. Dr. Nelson was appointed Chairman of the Commission by Governor Jeb Bush.
As for Lori Klausutis, rumors began to swirl as time passed with no resolution to the case, rumors that included whispers of suicide, some emanating from inside the Beltway. Family members, angered at what they considered unfair and exploitive coverage wrote the editor of the Northwest Florida Daily News, Ralph Routon, saying "For those who knew Lori, the thought of suicide, as your published reports suggested, is absolutely unthinkable. Suicide was contrary to her faith and being. She did not suffer from seizures, nor did she have a history of medical problems." Meanwhile, the final report has been issued that Lori died as a result of a blow to the head because an undiagnosed heart condition caused her to collapse and fall, hitting her head on the desk.
The initial reports from the Medical Examiner's office denied any trauma to the body that would indicate cause of death. But Berkland acknowledged on Monday, August 6th, that Lori had sustained a "scratch and a bruise" on her head and that his original denials were to prevent undue speculation about the cause of death. "The last thing we wanted was 40 questions about a head injury", he said.
And so, what we have here is the death of a healthy young woman who died of a blow to the head and a lie from the Medical Director's office about this blow which was quite obvious to the naked eye. They then had to go search for some reason why she might have "fallen" and hit her head. And they have found an "undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia". But a number of questions remain to be answered, and we have requested opinions from Dr. Nelson, the Chairman of the Medical Examiners Commission.
The questions are:
- Were Lori's medical records thoroughly examined for any evidence of the pre-existing heart condition? It would seem that someone must have examined her heart if she ran 8Ks.
- Did Dr. Berkland personally examine the site of death in undisturbed condition in order to support his later conclusion that the physical evidence was compatible with his later conclusions?
Presumably the heart valve condition alluded to is Mitral Valve Prolapse. This may be associated with arrhythmias, but rarely with VTach (ventricular tachycardia) or VFib (ventricular fibrillation), the only arrhythmias which would stop the flow of blood to the brain.
Generally, with syncope of whatever cause the "guarding reflex", wherein one raises a hand to protect the head, is preserved.
There are several problems with the head injury. Generally, for a closed head injury to cause bleeding inside the skull, there is a much more severe injury on the outside of the skull. Do the autopsy notes, indeed, describe such a severe injury on the outside of the skull? In fact, the only closed head injury which usually may cause bleeding inside the skull involves a fracture of the temporal bone, with rupture of the underlying artery. The most important discrepancy that should be answered is how intracranial bleeding could continue if the cardiac arrhythmia had caused a cessation of blood flow to the brain!
- Were the toxicology studies entirely negative? Was there evidence of any legal or illegal substance in the blood stream which could have caused her to lose consciousness?
- Was she pregnant? If so, were fetal blood specimens obtained to determine paternity?
These are the questions being asked by some in the medical community of Dr. Stephen Nelson and Dr. Michael Berkland, and they continue to go unanswered.
Why is there a complete media blackout on this story? Why the complete preoccupation with the similar but largely speculative Condit/Levy story? What does this say about the state of our press? What does corporate ownership of the press do to what gets to be news? How much of what we think we know as fact is actually based on selective and distorted reporting? How does that "fair and balanced" cable network explain the complete hypocrisy and contempt for truth in their handling of these two similar tales? Will we ever know the truth of how Lori Klausutis died?
Three Pivotal Questions
by the Editors
September 1, 2001 (APJP) — Over at The American Prospect's message board thread concerning this very article, Phoenix Woman has asked a trolling Scarborough "defender" three pivotal questions. We'd love to know the answers ourselves:
1) If Lori's death was just a simple accident, then why did Rep. Scarborough and his spokesman Miguel Serrano feel the need to go to two different local TV stations within three hours of her body's being found and invent a nonexistent history of chronic medical conditions for
her — in other words, why did they feel the need to lie about Lori's health?
2) Would you trust without question the word of a Medical Examiner who lost his ME license in two separate states (Missouri and Florida) because he LIED about his autopsy work (for instance, saying he had autopsied some brains when he hadn't)?
3) Why should whoever wrote Ms. Klausutis's obituary feel it was appropriate to mention nearly everything about her life — EXCEPT where she'd been working since 1999?
A recent check of the Young Republican's web site found no mention of Lori or her contributions, nor any tribute to her memory nor comments about her passing. In fact, you will find no mention of her at all. If you go to The Pensacola News Journal's online pages, one of the few papers that actually covered the story, and search the site for "Klausutis" you will come up empty, even though the same search will pull up numerous stories matching "Scarborough". It seems as though someone wants to erase all traces of Lori Klausutis from the record and bury the story with her.
It's an increasingly puzzling case. We are reminded of the famous Kitty Genovese case, in New York, in 1964, where a young woman pleaded for her life over the period of 30 minutes, while neighbors ignored her cries. The assailant returned three times to stab her. With Lori Klausutis, it seems possible that a corrupt North Florida establishment is determined to keep the lid on the case, even if that means silencing the news. And our esteemed news media, from the supposed mainstream liberal press stalwarts to the near delusional on air shouters of the channel that just reports so that you can decide, willingly turn the other way and ignore Lori Klausutis. But they continue to chatter endlessly in speculation over Chandra Levy. In so doing, they ignore the cries of truth, they deny their viewers access to the truth and they utterly, once and for all, betray our faith and trust in the media.
Comment by Michael — July 23, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
By their refusal to cover either Cynthia McKinney, Ralph Nader or Bob Barr the Networks reveal their real bias.
Brent, I bet your positions line up better with these third party candidates than Obama.
Be honest admit it.
Comment by wewillnotbeneoconned — July 23, 2008 @ 7:13 pm
For those of you who want to see the whole slanderous 14 minutes of interview, without the Couric edit (or whoever) here's the link to CBS where the full interview is available:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4284432n
I can't imagine that McCain is not going to heve to apologize to Obama for his remarks. That was a dishonorable statement from one US Senator to another.
Comment by smilinjack — July 23, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
To # 14 Progressive Putz
# 22 Michael
You are both extremely irresponsible to make such ugly and disgraceful implications about an innocent and highly respected person.
Comment by JFK-HRC — July 24, 2008 @ 9:50 am
Both Presidential hopefuls have made mistakes. The difference is Obama habit is to say when caught,"That's not what I mean or meant." MSNBC , espically Mika is very bias. It's like she is running to be White House press sect. under Obama. One can see through the media an its extended coverage of Obama compared to McCain. I am glad Joe said something. Keith should be taken off cable.
Comment by jp,michigan — July 24, 2008 @ 10:04 am
Scarboro picked on the wrong dude when he called Keith Olberman out with that cowardly comment. Keith won't let this slide. I would hate to have K.O. as an enemy. Watch his show tonight and see if he doesn't eviscerate Joe S.
Comment by ganana — July 24, 2008 @ 10:31 am
Comment by #6, (jake) if Scarbough is so honest ask him about, the secrectary who was found dead in his office? when he was A congressman. The truth will come to light.
Comment by henry — July 24, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Olbermann and Budowsky liberal enemies of the United States. That is called an OPINION, not slander (which is saying something about another person that the speaker knows isn't true).
Comment by John Simmons — July 24, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Hey Simmons, you are a neocon, you voted for Bushy Retard Boy twice, and you think Saddam was flying the plane into the Trade Towers; now keep your crazed neocon rants to your self and let the adults get this country back in order. Or you could join the good fight and help us elect President Obama.
Comment by Lester — July 24, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
Lester Molester — how do you know what I think or who I voted for? You don't, you're just a misguided liberal loon, probably still living in your Mama's basement. Too lazy or stupid to get a real job.
Comment by John Simmons — July 24, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
"Enter Olbermann, who did what is far too rare in cable political news: real reporting."
Someone forgot their Razadyne this morning.
Comment by Henry — July 24, 2008 @ 10:33 pm
I like Keith Olberman, he makes me laugh. Pointing out blatant hypocracy should be the norm but I guess people just can't handle the truth.
Comment by Mary — July 25, 2008 @ 7:22 am
JFK/HRC, here's some age-old "wisdom" for you: "Philosophy" has only one Y and it's at the end of the word. It might be your opinion that there are actually 2 y's, as in "phylosophy" but a quick spell check on your computer will rid you of that delusion.
McCain's explanation about the surge before the surge, or the "secret surge" was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. It might be his opinion that the "Sunni Awakening" was the result of the surge even though it proceeded it, but a quick fact check simply contradicts this. Olbermann called a spade a spade. To the poster who thinks our newsmedia should be cheerleaders for the government, move to a police state please.
The whole surge debate seems silly to me. Of course deploying more troops will decrease violence. We could put thousands of soldiers or policemen in Compton and it would decrease violence there, until we pulled them out. Duh…that's what a quagmire is. Say it with me now..Q-U-A-G-M-I-R-E. I thought we figured out a long time ago that we dint' have the resources to police the world. The bottom line is the Iraqi government and its people want us out and we should have never been there to begin with. IMPERIALISM ISN'T JUST WRONG…IT'S COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.
Comment by Brad Burklow — July 25, 2008 @ 11:10 am
Don't feed the trolls! These Rovebots just post their nonsense 'cause they have nothing to do. They sit on their asses all day collecting a government paycheck for doing nothing in some patronage position awarded them by the criminal Bush gang as part of their ongoing campaign to destroy America and enrich themselves. If you ever see that cheap lying fraud Scarborough, mention Lori Klausutis and watch him poop his pants. Her murder needs to be reinvestigated.
Comment by Dana Hatch — July 25, 2008 @ 11:42 am
The main point on John McCain is being completely missed. John McCain is not a war hero. War heroes do something, uh, heroic, in the line of duty and sacrifice themselves for others. This is not to demean him, but in the best estimation, John McCain is a war survivor, as much as the thousands of other service members who fell in the enemy's hands as POWs are. The quicker this depiction begins to be the manner in which we factually describe Senator McCain, the quicker we will bestow the fitting title of hero on those who have earned it.
Comment by Sam — July 25, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Rethugs cannot bear the truth, they thrive on lies and accusations…like little boys. None seem to ever grow up, just grow old and senile, like McBush….. who is crying about the lack of Press coverage as he slogs thru the grocery store (that he has probably never been in before) and the German Joint. It probably is big news that he went in a grocery store !!! SAD, ISN'T IT ?????
Comment by ratface — July 25, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
Wisdom does not always come with age. Anybody that believes that is a moron, HI JFK-HRC!!! "Innocent and highly respected", huh? You are a moron JFK-HRC!!!Olberman rules!!!! How did Scarborough the clown escape scrutiny you ask??? Well a Democratic "gentleman" named Gary Condit and another dead girl named Chandra Levy happened.
Comment by Craig R. Lane — July 25, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Hey Y'all
So if you think what Olberman say's has any true value then you must be on Cloud 9. If you are so consumed by a person like Olberman, go ahead and then sit in front of the TV every night and worship him and while you brainwash yourselves to sleep. At least you'll be off the streets and away from most normal people.
So much anger in some of your answers, …I havn't seen in a long time. Perhaps Keith has 10 computers and he is hammering my opinion over and over again. If so, then Keith you need a vaccine to protect you from yourself…
Again Folks - forget The Olberman message. He is not important, at all. If he impresses you, then you need a night out on the town, or a climb up a mountain, or on to your own roof. Check out the vast night sky and stars, then you may come to the conclusion. He is just one guy who gets paid to be negative. Sober-up peeps. Some of you are drunk on his negativity. Hava a little fun. Clear the head, throw cold water on the face…
Vote for Sen McCain. He will get us out of this mess. When he does, Olberman will hopefully be off the air, too late to hear his apology.
WARNING: Turn off MSNBC… and become educated on varied opinions. If you listen too much to people like that fella, you'll develop a uni-brow and a cone-head.
Comment by JFK-HRC — July 26, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
To # 34 Brad
Yes I was remiss in not using spell check. …So little time…
However, you may want to practice what you preach…
The word is spelled "didn't" not "Dint" …
(Check your 3rd paragraph, 6th line, ooops).
Comment by JFK-HRC — July 26, 2008 @ 6:37 pm