Lawrence O'Donnell is taking it to the edge.

[Snotcicles]

Offering to cover the legal expenses of the women who wish to come out about Herman Cain.
That is some damn good TV.

[ellisonz]

1. Lawrence doesn't mess around.

He brought Donald Trump to his knees http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/donald-trump-threatens-to_n_1034827.html

[eleny]

2. And it's not in exchange for coming out on his tv program

They can do it wherever and however they wish.

[rustydog]

4. Actually, he said if you come on this show and TELLTHE TRUTH

he will cover any legal costs.
If the Cain Campaign watches this show, they need to be a bit afeared.

[eleny]

5. They don't have to do it on his program - He made that clear

[glinda]

3. I am concerned about that pledge personally.

[Caretha]

19. Well since you are not "personally"

pledging....you have nothing to worry about, huh? ]

Or did I miss you something?

My grandma would have called you a "worry wort".

[Snotcicles]

6. K&R, lets see what happens tonight. nt

[RZM]

7. That's not journalism

Saying you will give money to somebody who backs up a story that you want to run with?

Fuck that.

I don't mind if people want to do that. I do mind if people want to do that under the guise of journalism. You don't pay for stories. Period.

[Cleita]

8. He's not acting as a journalist.

He's the host of a TV program that deals with politics. I don't think Lawrence ever was a journalist but a writer and at one time a staffer in Congress.

[RZM]

11. Of course not. But doesn't MSNBC bill itself as a 'news channel?'

Granted, you get commentary on all of the cable news outlets. But I think this is beyond the pale even for a pundit. If you offer money to a source - even as a commentator - you look bad in my eyes.

[Snotcicles]

9. Did you even see the show? nt

[RZM]

12. No I did not. I don't watch O'Donnell

Frankly I find him the least appealing of all the primetime cable news hosts, save of course Greta van Xenu.

Nonetheless, I find offering money ON AIR to sources to be unseemly. Even Billo the Clown wouldn't do that.

[Evergreen Emerald]

21. He is my favorite

I will never forget the response he had on Morning Joe to GW Bush's speech writer. He was one of the first to call BS while the rest of the media kissed Bush's ass.

He tells the truth.

[H2O Man]

10. legalize lonnie anderson's hair

[RZM]

13. She and I have the same birthday n/t

[H2O Man]

14. More than that.

Lawrence isn't offering these women a penny.

[RZM]

15. OP says he's offering to cover legal expenses. A good lawyer costs more than a penny

Sounds like he's offering something.

[H2O Man]

17. Not what you

are saying, though. It's not uncommon, for example, for a news station to cover travel expenses for guests. And that is a heck of a lot closer to "paying" someone, than what Lawrence is offering.

Attorney's fees can indeed be high. Of course, it is likely that some good firm would take the case for free. If that were the case, Lawrence might have to cover some relatively small court fees. If not, he might need to hire a good firm. But that would be his paying the attorneys and court fees, so that individuals are not forced to remain silent.

The difference between what Lawrence is talking about, and what you are claiming, is the exact difference between sugar and shit.

[RZM]

20. I see, So according to you, he might only be offering a small amount

As if you know what the exact amount is.

Fuck that. He's paying for a story. Plain and simple. He's offering monetary assistance for any woman who will COME ON HIS SHOW and talk about what he wants to talk about.

That's bullshit.

Oh I forgot. Larry O's on the left, so, like, if he wants to pay money to get a story, it's ok.

Please. You either have standards that you hold everybody to, or you have standards that you hold less than everybody to.

[H2O Man]

28. "That's bullshit"

Right.... the part about that he is offering them a financial reward is bullshit. It's different than "journalists" paying Casey Anthony's parents $125,000 for a photograph of their granddaughter, at the same time they happen to be appearing on a show.

In this case, the two women had signed a legal agreement to to disclose details of the case, including the settlement. Herman Cain was a party to that settlement and agreement. He has openly violated that agreement by publicly commenting on the issues involved. Herman does not worry a bit about the financial issues involved -- as he's said, what they were paid were mere crumbs to him; his fear is that the truth will come out.

The women, on the other hand, want the truth to come out. But both are aware that there is a likelihood of retribution, if they speak out. And Lawrence has simply offered to cover any expense for legal fees, to remove that pressure from them. One has apparently indicated that she wants the truth to come out, but doesn't want to become the focus of national attention. I would trust Lawrence 100% to try to assist her with this, too, though it seems near impossible. At least he will pay legal fees.

Obviously, as I stated, Lawrence doesn't know what amount that might be. It would seem curious that you would twist that into my somehow claiming I knew exactly what the legal costs would be. It's that type of nonsense that makes me question if you actually have a value per journalism, which is simply misplaced in this instance, or if you are peddling something else. If you are simply confused, feel free to ask me -- politely -- any question you have about MSNBC. (Not Fox, which you mentioned watching. Nor CNN, CBS, ABC, etc. Just MSNBC.) When people here are polite, I've been generous in sharing information that no one else on this forum has access to.

[Snotcicles]

22. Correct, and he said they didn't need to appear on his show.

He was saying that the issue is now a political one and that the Association would never sue the women for breach of agreement
because they would fear the backlash.

[Motown_Johnny]

23. that isn't what he is doing, he never said he would give money to them

he said he would pay the expenses incurred for telling the story, even if it is not on his show

[RZM]

24. Good for him then. It's still paying a source

Last I checked that was a no no.

[Snotcicles]

25. This person didn't even watch last nights show, and he is arguing about it.nt

[RZM]

26. It's your OP. If you were so concerned that everybody watch you might have given a link n/t

[Snotcicles]

27. All you had to do is read post #2. from yesterday before you jumped to conclusions.

And a link wouldn't have worked with you, because you don't watch Lawrence O'Donnell.

[Cracklin Charlie]

16. Oh, Yeah!

That was beautiful! He walked up to that edge and jumped right over it!

Boycott the National Restaurant Association? Perfect.

[Snotcicles]

18. I'd hate to have to give up my Starbucks, but I will if they don't do the right thing. nt