07/20/2007
Keith Olbermann Special Comment: Bush's Scapegoats
Another brilliant commentary from Mr. Olbermann:
"It is one of the great, dark, evil lessons of history that a country, a government, a military machine can screw up a war seven ways to Sunday; it can get thousands of its people killed; it can risk the safety of its own citizens; it can destroy the fabric of its nation; but as long as it can identify a scapegoat, it can regain, or even gain, power...A scapegoat, sir, might be forgivable, if you had not just happened to choose a prospective presidential nominee from the opposition party."
Olbermann's anger here is inspired by a letter written to Senator Hillary Clinton after she "asked the Pentagon to detail how it is planning for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq." according to the Associated Press.
The AP reports: "Eric Edelman, the Defense Department's undersecretary for policy, offered a sharply-worded response, saying such discussions boost the enemy. 'Premature and public discussion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda that the United States will abandon its allies in Iraq, much as we are perceived to have done in Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia.'"
Clinton fired back with another letter to Secretary of Defense Gates.
Wrote Clinton: "I request that you describe whether Under Secretary Edelman's letter accurately characterizes your views as Secretary of Defense...Rather than offer to brief the congressional oversight committees on this critical issue, Under Secretary Edelman – writing on your behalf – instead claims that congressional oversight emboldens our enemies," Clinton wrote. "Under Secretary Edelman has his priorities backward. Open and honest debate and congressional oversight strengthens our nation and supports our military. His suggestion to the contrary is outrageous and dangerous." (full letter here)
In related news, Think Progress reports on a new Congressional Research Service report that says the Iraq war has cost $450 billion to date: "Further, if Congress approves the Bush administration’s latest supplemental funding request, the total cost of the war will exceed $550 billion by October 1 of this year — fully ten times greater than the Bush administration naively predicted in February 2003."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 2:45 PM EST by Andy in George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, Iraq, Keith Olbermann, News | Permalink
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Damn!
I love him. That was amazing.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 20, 2007 3:04:43 PM
Glimmer of Hope, thy name is Olbermann.
Posted by: Acolyte | Jul 20, 2007 3:10:40 PM
Would Rome have fallen had they had widely-heard voices of reason such as Olbermann?
One wonders.
Posted by: Brian | Jul 20, 2007 3:13:45 PM
This is probably the best thing that could have happened to Hillary Clinton's campaign. (She's right, of course.)
Posted by: peterparker | Jul 20, 2007 4:02:09 PM
Amen, Acolyte, amen.
Posted by: Rad | Jul 20, 2007 4:05:55 PM
I think that this has to be the most fantastic political commentary I've heard in some time.
I'm excited to see that a responsible member of the media had the initiative to stand up and speak out, with such intensity at that, against a political machine that is spinning out of control.
Maybe this can start some discussion about the issue at hand and not simply pit the American peoples opinions against each other. No more stalling and contorting responsible political discourse.
I'm amazed.
Posted by: Tyler | Jul 20, 2007 4:15:16 PM
but rome didn't fall. it became the church.
Posted by: lazybythelake | Jul 20, 2007 4:15:23 PM
Keith Oberman is 100% correct.
Posted by: Robert In WeHo | Jul 20, 2007 4:17:23 PM
Thank GOD someone said it. Someone had too.
That is, someone who can make a difference.
Posted by: journeybrasil | Jul 20, 2007 4:19:37 PM
anyone who is not yet as appalled and outraged as mr. olbermann is, is a complete right-wing ideologue or, worse, simply has not been paying attention.
Posted by: nic | Jul 20, 2007 4:57:42 PM
Here Here. Impeach the fucker. I hope that someone in congress grows soome balls and starts it soon.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jul 20, 2007 6:04:33 PM
Wouldn't it be fab if Hillary turns out to be a trojan liberal? Every reich-wing troglodyte's worse nightmare: after she's safely elected into office, she climbs out of her centrist trojan horse and turns out to be a full-fledged liberal after all.
Posted by: Johnny | Jul 21, 2007 12:46:20 AM
YOUR COMMENTS REALLY EXPRESS THE CORRUPTNESS OF THIS DISASTROUS ADMINISTRATION. THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING SO ARTICULATELY WHAT SO MANY OF US THINK.
Posted by: ruth bowman | Jul 21, 2007 11:47:51 AM
Reality check, liberals,
Even if the House impeaches Bush-Cheney, it won't change anything. It's a bi-cameral legislature, and the Senate has always been the proverbial "dead horse" that you can't kick into action.
To date, the House of Representatives has passed legislation to expand hate crimes to include sexual orientation, implement the 9-11 commission's recommendations, withdraw from Iraq, increase the grants/loans students are allowed to have, extend whistleblower protections, cut corporate welfare, subsidize alternative energy research, and increase the minimum wage.
In contrast, the Senate has done absolutely nothing (except agree to the minimum wage hike, after some lengthy wrangling).
The senators can't even agree to consider...CONSIDER...the idea that the War in Iraq needs to end. What chance do you think the impeachment of their lord and master in the White House have?
Posted by: John | Jul 21, 2007 12:29:05 PM
"JOHN," you don't really have a clue, do you?
Posted by: nic | Jul 21, 2007 1:21:51 PM
Ruth,
Please turn off the 'caps lock' key on your keyboard. Thanks, hon!
xo,
peterparker
Posted by: peterparker | Jul 21, 2007 2:34:28 PM
I am a Canadian and regular reader of this blog and other U.S. media. Of course Mr. Olbermann is correct. The scary thing for me is no other media will carry this fantastic editorial. The major news networks ought to be airing editorials like this.
Please impeach him.
Posted by: Michael | Jul 21, 2007 10:19:08 PM
reading from australia here and seeing media commentators like mr. olbermann is such a wonderful thing, more power to you sir.
Posted by: fucko inc | Jul 22, 2007 12:16:53 AM
I'm so tired of the argument. We can't impeach because it would never pass. Thanks to the many John's here in the Untied States of Amnesia, it may not happen. I don't care if it passes or if nobody votes to impeach (of which I doubt)... BUT the articles of impeachment must be brought fourth. After EVERYTHING this administration has done or lack there of, our elected representatives have the responsibility to fully investigate all the illegal activities and lies of this administration. What kind of precedence will this sit for presidents to come? Least I suspect King George will rein in an new executive form of government that is above the law and certainly far above the people it's suppose to serve!
Posted by: Vinny | Jul 22, 2007 2:17:08 AM
IMPEACH THE FUCKER! Why are we as Americans letting him continue to get our young men and women killed needlessly on a daily basis? I don't believe her cares at all!!! Off with his head. He is delusional. Anyone agree?
Posted by: Bev | Jul 23, 2007 2:22:05 AM
"Bev," of course this cretin should be impeached, not only for his high crimes, but also to reaffirm the concept of checks and balances. never in our country's history has any administration played so fast and loose with our Constitution. under the guidance of the spawn of satan (cheney), our moron-in-chief has given himself more and more dictatorial powers. americans and congress must reassert their control over this run-amuck executive branch if this republic is to endure.
Posted by: nic | Jul 23, 2007 3:13:34 AM