Interesting post at DailyKos

[MelissaB]

What really happened at Countdown.

by AWhitneyBrown
Fri Jun 16, 2006 at 06:45:46 PM PDT

I commented on this in an earlier diary, but it was pretty late, so I thought I'd make it a diary. This is rumor, but I totally trust the source, and I can't see why he/she would make it up.
KO does answer some of his e-mail, but not a lot. It's a pretty funny picture thinking of him sitting at his keyboard banging out flame letters to all the assholes who e-mail him, but it's kind of a stretch when you actually think about it. The way it actually works is that interns, AP's, and assistants read and answer the e-mail.
MSNBC, like all companies, is very sensitive about their employees being courteous to viewer complaints, no matter how profane they are.
So here's what I heard happened. Take it or leave it.

Those e-mails (and a bunch more besides) were actually written by a low-level AP, Intern, WA, assistant, I won't say which. That person (I heard there was more than one, on top of everything else) would be fired instantly for doing that.
So Keith stepped up and took responsibility himself so no one would get fired. I also heard that absolutely no one in management believes him, and they know it had to have been one of three people, but they can't fire them all without knowing which one it was.
For anyone that low on the food chain, it's a firing offense - but being above the line does have privileges!

I still think it's a funny image of Keith banging out flame letters to Jethro out in Bumfuck, Idaho, but like management, I'm sorry to say it's pretty unlikely.
So that's what I heard, make of it what you will.

also by the OP downthread:

Something like this happened at the Daily Show (17+ / 0-)
Recommended by:trifecta, RonV, bliss149, Gram E, dmsilev, wader, CanYouBeAngryAndStillDream, historys mysteries, boofdah, JoeOhioan, Buffalo Girl, FrankFrink, dannyinla, trashablanca, greenearth, vome minnesota, Dreaming of Better Days
And someone there saved my ass when I would have been fired. Hell, it's been long enough. The president of Comedy Central at the time called a big meeting and told everyone NOT to talk to the press. There was some big controversy at the time, I forget exactly the details; I think it had something to do with Jon Stewart being rumored to replace Craig Kilborne.
So of course I immediately went into my office and called the Daily News. An item appeared the next day, and a couple hours later a bunch of guys with lumps under their jackets came in and printed out all the phone records. I was busted, and it was like the third time I had done something that pissed off management, so I was on 'probation'. I would have gotten canned that day, but someone who had a 'clean record' stepped up and took the flak for me. It was Brian Unger. True story.

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. Aesop (620 - 560 BC)

by AWhitneyBrown on Fri Jun 16, 2006 at 07:04:33 PM PDT

Link: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/16/214546/113

[MelissaB]

1. Already in GD

here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1446955

[Patsy Stone]

2. Thanks for this, Melissa!

Hey, nice to see you over here. :hi:

[MelissaB]

3. You're welcome.

I thought of this group immediately. I really miss the thread in ER&D where it was for so long...

[Patsy Stone]

5. Me too.

That was our first real home. Once he stopped talking about the election, it didn't make much sense to stay, and GD wasn't right. But now we have these fancy new digs. With a bar! :) Come by anytime.

[RevCheesehead]

4. Well, that makes a hell of a lot more sense.

And KO comes out like the gentleman we know he is! :loveya:

[SharonRB]

6. Thanks for posting, Melissa

Shows KO to be the class act we all know he is.

:hi: