Archive thread - not for long discussions - KOEB links starting 3-7-05

[Nothing Without Hope]

In this thread we will add one main post per each Keith Olbermann (or stand-in) show. These will include
1. A link to the liveblog thread in the Elections04 Forum,
2. A link to the show's transcript, with excerpts
3. Excerpts from a blog written the same day, if it exists, and
4. Any comments on the extracurricular activities on the thread or other miscellany that we feel should be preserved for the ages, or at least for us.

We'll have other threads for previous shows that we want to memorialize and for other things. (A KOEB Hall of Fame, Museum & Theme Park thread? Why not?)

Eventually the information from this thread will be transferred to some more permanent place, the identity of which is as yet undecided.

If KOEBers want to add something they feel should be remembered to a day's posting, that's fine, but this thread is not for discussions. That would make it too long too fast.

Something we can discuss elsewhere: while having the messages in regular HTML format allows for formatting and live links, it has the downside that the long DU thread URLs are shown in a truncated form. This means that if you copy and paste into a word processing document, you will lose the link identification. When I post here today, rather than post in plain text format, I'm going to give long URLs in two alternative forms: the original long version and in a TINY-URL VERSION (http://tinyurl.com), which will be short enough not to be truncated. We can decide among ourselves later what should be done as a standing policy.

The first reply to this OP will be my post for last night's show. Thereafter we can decide among ourselves each show day which of us will do this chore for that show. As I said, please keep your comments on this thread to a minimum and focus them on things that we will want to remember, "serious" or not.

Here goes: To the Ties That Bind! :toast:
And for Keef and all KOEBers of whatever estrogen level: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Nothing Without Hope]

1. 03-07-05 Monday - Countdown & KOEB links, excerpts & comments - SAVE

Keith Olbermann is away because he is "under the weather." Host is ALISON STEWART and guest is TOM O‘NEIL, SENIOR EDITOR, “IN TOUCH WEEKLY”.

1. Link to KOEB liveblog thread:

(tinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/3k5ey )
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x339636
Title: KOEB: Alison Stewart in for KO today.

2. Link to show transcript:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7128806
Excerpt from the beginning of the show:
ALISON STEWART, HOST (voice-over):  Which of these stories will you be talking about tomorrow?

Rules of engagement. 

GIULIANA SGRENA, FREED ITALIAN HOSTAGE:  I want from the Americans an explanation on what happened this night.

STEWART:  She was wounded and her rescuer killed.  Why did Americans soldiers open fire on the former hostage?  And what are the implications at home, in Italy, and Iraq?

Extraordinary rendition.  The practice of taking suspected terrorists to countries outside the United States, where rules of interrogation are less stringent than within our borders.  Is it an invaluable tool for fighting terror or a creative way to legally torture suspects?

Back to work.  Her ankles conspicuously bereft of any monitoring device.  Today Martha Stewart rallies her troops in person for the first time in five months. 

And side impact.  Fourteen of 16 small car models tested flunked the side impact test.  (snip)

3. KO Blog excerpt:

This is the first blog from Keith since Feb 22, when he explained why he was pulling back from frequent political blogging. The current blog is not on politics, it is on baseball, a subject which can elicit almost the same level of passion in some people. Excerpt:

March 7, 2005 | 10:05 p.m. ET

Baseball and steroids: Kilroy wasn't here (Keith Olbermann)

NEW YORK— Who holds the record for the most strikeouts by a baseball pitcher in a single season, Sandy Koufax or Nolan Ryan?

This is more than just a baseball trivia question, raised to deflect attention as two separate congressional hearings into steroid use — likely to feature subpoenas and a lot of nervous men invoking of the 5th Amendment — loom. They illustrate a point that is evidently unclear to a lot of today's baseball players, to all those anticipating Barry Bonds' chase of the all-time record for home runs, and to the Commissioner of Baseball himself.

Bud Selig has now decreed that no matter what the results of the investigations into steroids, they will not affect baseball's priceless record book. No matter what is or isn't proven about Bonds or Mark McGwire or anybody else, their records will not be altered, Selig says. “That would be unfair to do that… We can't turn history back… Each era, each decade has had situations where people said there were unfair advantages.”

As often happens with Mr. Selig, his assumption of omnipotence will be disproved. History will be the final judge, and history — as vital to baseball's continuity as today's boxscores — will probably dismiss 1984-2004, and every record set during it, as being as artificial as the drugs with which Jose Canseco said he injected himself and some of his teammates.
(snip)

4. Countdown Newsletter from 3/7/07:

Posted at DU here (with comments): http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=315x29
(TinyURL = http://tinyurl.com/3z6hv )

5. Comments and miscellany:

This is the first full day of having the new KOEB Group (thank you, Admins and Patsy Stone, most especially :loveya:) and there has been much excitement. The feeling is that now we have a club room. Sparky was talking about setting up a new bar in the Group room, but he didn't stint on his bartending nontheless.

There was disappointment, of course, that Keith himself was not on the show tonight, but then that meant a significant savings in the aesthetic energy spent on insightful and tasteful criticism of his tie and his suit. One supposes that wherever he may be, he is NOT convalescing in the dreaded light grey suit.

The consensus was that Alison did well and had genuine snark, though there were a couple of comments that she was perhaps a bit too fluffy and that maybe she tried too hard at the snark at times. I imagine fluff in this context is a bit like baby fat and will mostly be mostly lost with further experience; the same may well go for smoothness of snark. And it is true that she may suffer a bit by comparison with Keith, with his ineffably smooth yet spiky and often subtle snark (snark is much more interesting than most wines, so merits some hyperbole) and his most definitely NON-fluffy self. Even with that grey suit.

Dismay was expressed re the Sgrena scandal, along with hope that it will prove most troublesome to the neocons in general and the blivet**-in-Chief in particular. Giuliana Sgrena is a passionate and popular Italian journalist who hated US Iraq policy already BEFORE she was shot and was shielded to the death by a companion (the slain Italian agent, Nicola Calipari, buried in Rome as a hero today). She believes the shooting was deliberate, a hit attempt that failed, and not without reason. The US military says they "lost" the car, which would provide forensic evidence, and there is stark disagreement between the accounts by Sgrena and the US authorities about what actually happened. She had already published strongly critical articles and was talking about the US using napalm in Fallujah -- a very incendiary subject. If it can be shown that she was targeted for assassination, as has been suggested and vigorously denied for other dead journalists, this would have major consequences.

Martha Stewart's release from prison got some interest, most of which centered on the poncho she was wearing as she was interviewed. She made a point to say that it was given to her by someone at Alderson and that she was going to get the pattern. She also made statements like "Pride in home keeping creates serenity and pleasure and warmth that nourishes and that dignifies family relationships.  I even experienced it hanging around the microwave in the place where I was staying." But it was definitely that poncho that was the star of the interview.

In a less-serious vein, several friends stopped by to congratulate us on the new KOEB Group/Clubhouse, and Seito continued to amaze us all with her endless eerily customized smilies -- she instantly produced on-topic ones for chicken soup and for feet in quick succession. A Seito smilie challenge contest in the DU Lounge was proposed; I have no doubt that this would only spread her fame as a smilie wizard. Botany, asked how his ongoing pursuit of Stephanie Miller was going, said that she seemed a little distant lately and that he wondered, "Maybe the picture I sent her of me just wearing a tie and a doughnut might have scared her off." Sparky replied that the tie was probably OK. Botany also produced more of his KOEB-themed poetry for the occasion, and it was...unique as always. (My own favorites are his near-haikus.) ClassWarrior pondered our official KOEB toast, "To the Ties That Bind," and muttered something about how he didn't want to know. Whereupon Seito helpfully supplied pics of The Tie and our Keef wearing it to clarify matters. CW decided that it was all in how you use it. Obviously thinking along the same lines, Cheese (AKA RevCheesehead) elaborated on the KOEB toast, suggesting a second line:

To the Ties That Bind
(and if the ties don't work, there's always handcuffs)
:toast:

[WhirlyGirl]

2. This is a nice idea - tho it also seems like a lot of work! Hope, are you

... volunteering to do this 5 times a week?-- and don't forget, people keep adding to our nightly blogs up until the next show now; in fact the Friday live blog is turning into a weekend blog... which is fine, but hard to pin down in a summary. Altho maybe we could cut it off arbitrarily at 1:30am (a half-hour after the second show, to give dial-uppers a chance to finish putting in their comments).

If you didn't plan on always being the daily information compiler, do we need a duty sign-up sheet? Has this already been discussed and I missed it?-- if so, someone please give a link!

-- WhirlyG

[Nothing Without Hope]

3. Hello WG! Yes, I tried to discuss it in the liveblog last night (Tues)

but only Seito (who has signed up for the Friday show entry) and Bleever (who said he seconded Seito's volunteering but would be in Yosemite himself) responded.

No problem. I'm planning to do the one for last night's show - will write it up and post it later today. I'll make it simpler than the first one though. You're right, that was a lot of work. This one will be easier because I'll use a saved copy of the first to make a template, so less work.

I did go overboard on the first show entry bacause, well, it IS the first and also the first full day of having our Group: a time for a bit of celebration.

I'm hoping that by making the new entry a bit simpler (and they can be made simpler still -- just the links if time is really limiting), others won't be put off taking their turn. Because yes, this should be a shared task that we pass around ourselves.

I'm also going to start a thread for people to post their favorites for a "KOEB Hall of Fame, Museum & Theme Park" archive thread. You know, great moments and funniest bits, wonderful pictures, great ideas, some of Botany's poems, the wooly-bear caterpillars, all that.

[Gogi]

4. What, no Hall of Shame?

Hm, perhaps that should be the Hall of (No) Shame. I'd volunteer but, thanks to my wonderful physical condition, typing is difficult for me. Oh yes, :loveya:

[Catchawave]

5. Whoa.....as W would say, this is hard work :)

How about a new thread for each link worthy topic, for instance:

Bloggerman 3/8/05 (+keywords?) and discuss....

KOEB Liveblog* thread 3/8/05 (just the link please...lol)...and discuss

Countdown Transcript (*keywords) 3/8/05...and discuss

Countdown Newsletter (+keywords) 3/8/05...and discuss

===
A simple link post, then the group can discuss (or not)? Especially those who can't make the liveblog meetings?

*just an idea, at the end of Keith's show, the last post should be, ...continued at (group link).

I know I'm crazy, but if I'm looking for a blog or transcript for March in July, it's so much easier just to search by date?

[Catchawave]

6. ...and another thing....

Is it ok to bring DU KO threads to the attention of the group? I know I'd like to know about them so I can contribute KO supportive messages.

IMO, Keith is very fair and balanced in his reporting style, and sometimes he does take a whack at the Dems. It breaks my heart to see some DUers take that personally.

[RevCheesehead]

10. As long as we don't form a posse.

I think Skinner's concern is that some groups form a posse and go after people "en masse" (a/k/a/ "bunny thumping" - no offense, Thumper!). I've seen it in some of the other groups. No "hey, guys, we have to go after this thread/person."

I'm always interested in things Keith-oriented. Good idea. :thumbsup:

[greenmutha]

7. I agree with Catchawave.

The only thing I would add is the actual day, too. (Monday 3/7/05, Tuesday 3/8/05, etc.)

I've been gone for five days and had to search through ER&D for Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday's live blogs so I could catch up on all I'd missed.

It would make it a lot easier to find what you're looking for this way. Good suggestion, Catchawave! :thumbsup:

[Catchawave]

8. Thankee Greenie.....

...I sometimes wonder if I'm being a pest here.

YES...KOBlog/date...Transcript/date..Liveblog/date, etc, etc.

Then again, I'm so ADD, can't read more than two or three lines on DU!

<snark>

[Nothing Without Hope]

9. 03-08-05 Tuesday - Countdown & KOEB links, excerpts & comments - SAVE

Keith Olbermann returned and was in fine full snark form. Guests: Stephen Battaglio, Alex Ben Block, Evan Kohlman.

1. Link to KOEB liveblog thread:

(tinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/6rtxd )
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=340385#340622
Title: KOEB Tuesday

2. Link to show transcript:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7140328
Excerpt from the beginning of the show:
KEITH OLBERMANN, HOST (voice-over): Which of these stories will you be talking about tomorrow?

Steely Dan? The CBS anchor prepares for his final newscast, while the fight over basic control of basic cable continues, with an unexpected ally in favor of decency regulations: the part owners of the network that carries Howard Stern?

How to stop al Qaeda operatives applying for jobs at the CIA. Has anybody considered not hiring them?

When is it skiing and when is it just falling? A Utah avalanche and the man who outraced it without injury.

And if it's another day of the Michael Jackson trial, then it's also another day of Michael Jackson Puppet Theater.

Yes, Mr. Mesereau.

All that and more now on COUNTDOWN.
(snip)

3. KO Blog excerpt:

No new blog entry - there was one 3/7.

4. Countdown Newsletter from 3/8/07:

Posted at DU here (with comments): http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=315x234
(TinyURL = http://tinyurl.com/4ze25 )

5. KOEB comments and miscellany:

Tonight Keith was back in fully snarkified form, so maybe the day he took off for being “under the weather” did him some good. There was much KOEB speculation that his “weather” problem has to do with his back - hence the many references to Keith “leaning” don't refer to his political bent. We were very glad to see him back.

Much KOEB disgust was expressed with the continuing Michael Jackson circus, and the unique KO puppet theater, with KO said to be producing all the voices, was admired as an appropriate approach to the subject. Dan Rather's retirement and its relation to the Killian memos were discussed and KO's take on it was judged to be pretty much on target. The veracity of those memos was never proved or disproved, and the scandal was mostly whipped up by media figures. Rather would have retired soon anyway; the freepers did not drive him from his job. Not such a big transition from these topics, especially the MJ stories, to more discussion on the sexual orientations and escapades of cartoon characters. How about Mickey and Goofy, and where does Minnie fit in? What's truly cartoonish about this is that people like the self-appointed moralist Dr. Dobson should be making serious pronouncements about it. Also cartoonish is the fact that an AMERICAN general will be managing an investigation of the Sgrena shooting - how many would believe a US-produced report that the shooters followed established protocol and it was all the Italians' fault? On another somber note was Bill Clinton's surgery -he is badly needed now and the KOEB wished him a very speedy recovery.

On a lighter note, tonight there was a howling snowstorm in the Boston area and it was darned cold in a lot of other KOEB member locations as well. This set a tone of a fireplace-and-hot chocolate sort of an evening, and of course Seito produced the perfect smilie for this, as for every conceivable occasion. Sparky had to spend some time outside in the cold moving snow, but he responded to expressions of concern by explaining that he would wear gear that totally covered him from head to foot: “There isn't one inch of exposed skin. Last year the local newspaper reporter had a color picture of me in the newspaper, people kept calling telling me I never looked so good. At first I was flattered.” New KOEBer CC provided some wonderful KO/KOEB artwork, for example:
(Note the many fine touches, such as his wearing The Tie and the writing matching its pattern!)

A high point in the evening was the reposting by Clark2008 of the wonderful photo sequence of Wes Clark showing her little son how to salute.

Clark2008 also reported another major event: “My 5-year-old son just read a WHOLE 12-page book TO ME for the FIRST TIME EVER tonight at story time!!” Now that's something to celebrate!
:toast:
To the Ties That Bind!

[seito]

11. 3/9/05

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=341130&mesg_id=341130

[seito]

12. 3/10/05

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=341732&mesg_id=341732

[seito]

13. 3/11/05

Friday night, the KOEB was a bit itchy at the trigger finger.

1. Link to KOEB liveblog thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x342437

and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x342449

and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x342467

and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x342438

and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x342439


2. Link to show transcript:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6873319/


3. KO Blog excerpt:
There is a new blog, something about baseball...:boring:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/


4. Highlights

Once we finally found a comfy spot, the party started. Somebody tried to start some s**t, but we will not mention her name, nor anything about God or cheese, to protect the innocent. Sparky was quick on the scene his calm presence several nearly naked men seemed to do the diffuse the situation quite handedly :loveya:

Link to video of Keef on Carson Daily

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x342437#342474

Congratulations to greenmutha who turned 1000 tonight :party:

Patsy nearly found herself in an episode of COPS on her way home :scared:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x342437#342548

Keef got 10/11 on the quiz and wont jammies and slipper just a tad too small.

KOEB hits the big time,http://tinypic.com/235if7

That's all for now kids. I am heading back to the party.

edit: Pool Pics