MSNBC Fires Keith Olbermann

Delighting the far right, Fixed News and Bob Cox of Olbermann Watch, Keith Olbermann signed off for the last time on Friday, January 21st, making a heartfelt statement about his tenure, thanking a list of people, and reading a James Thurber short story. Video of Olbermann signoff. Lest you think he was a raving lunatic, and only those who never watched him did so, I urge to you view this classy goodbye.

On the very day it was announced that Comcast had acquired NBC, the network announced its contract with the liberal, outspoken commentator had ended. MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines insisted Comcast's acquisition had nothing to do with it, one executive calling it a "mutual parting of the ways." But Olberman's statement that he "been told" that Friday was his last show suggested otherwise. Neither side is really talking, Olbermann because of the buyout terms of his departure, which will limit his TV appearances and public comments on the deal, and the network because, well, what can they possibly say but that truth and justice is just not important to them.

Olbermann was opinionated but always truthful, admitting when he was wrong. He didn't let either side of the political spectrum get away with anything. While I didn't agree with him on all issues, immigration, for one, I found him to support the values of those of us who know the government needs to be solvent, but also know that the U.S. is second only to Switzerland in having the lowest tax rates in the world, and that health care in this country should be more important than a CEO receiving a bonus for opening a new shop in a foreign country that steals jobs from Americans.

David Brock, founder and CEO of the left-wing media watchdog Media Matters for America, said Olberman's Countdown was an "incubator" for left-wing talent on the air. Lawrence O'Donnell, his successor, and Rachel Maddow got their start after subbing for Olbermann.

After the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords, Olberman gave an emotional editorial excoriating politicians and talk-show personalities, himself included, to swear off any kind of violent imagery so as not to incite nutjobs. He did not blame Gifford's shooting on the rhetoric, he only said that the vitriol should end on the chance it COULD set someone off. Olbermann detractors didn't hear that part, however. On January 10th, he ended his "Worst Person in the World" feature because some viewers didn't realize the segment was "born in humor." My initial feeling when this occurred was that those people must be either really stupid, or have absolutely no sense of humor. That was confirmed when I read a comment last night on an Olbermann story, chastising him for not highlighting the muslims who throw acid in little girls faces as "worst persons." Of course that's a worse person than Glenn Beck, but that wasn't the point of the segment. The show was never really the same after that, and I had a bad feeling. (I think the real problem was that some detractors needed a dictionary to understand him.)

Brent Bozell, founder of conservative watchdog Media Research Center, called Olbermann's successor Lawrence O'Donnell "every bit as mean-spirited (as Olbermann), but not as creative." Personally, I don't think Olbermann was ever "mean spirited," I don't particularly like O'Donnell, and I don't think he can be called anywhere near as liberal as Olbermann.

Olbermann was suspended for two days in November after he donated to three political campaigns, including Gabrielle Giffords, allegedly violating network standards. It was never clarified exactly what standards were violated, and Olbermann returned after a two-day suspension, apologizing to his fans, but not to the network. Personally, why was this even a rule, was my first question.

Olbermann has been on MSNBC for eight years, his show originally beginning as a humorous rundown of daily news stories. In August of 2006, he delivered his first "special comment," attacking Donald Rumsfeld's criticism of Iraq War opponents, and continued to deliver blistering anti-Bush administration commentary. His show then morphed into a half-hour of insightful political discussion without the screaming matches that so delight Fox Viewers, and a second half hour of light-hearted segments liked Oddball, Worst Persons and a non-political issue of the day. He became a champion of liberals who were sick of Fox News' transformation into Bush's personal cheerleaders, especially after it was revealed that Bill O'Reilly often chose his "Talking Points" stories from a list of White House provided subjects. He and his fans took glee in calling it "Fixed News," and Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck were frequent targets of his "worst persons in the world."

To me, this is a tragedy, a good man has been pilloried. For telling the truth. But I have faith - the Phoenix will return. Take the fascists' money and run, Keith. And I will not say goodbye -- but only, until we meet again.

Sources: Yahoo News; NY Times; MSNBC-TV; My Broken Heart