The Night the Lights Went Out at NBC

[coolhip33]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-simmons/they-night-the-lights-wen_b_812750.html

Russell Simmons.Founder of GlobalGrind.com
Posted: January 23, 2011 12:16 PM

NBC is a great institution based in the landmark Rockefeller Plaza, where TV and radio began in this country. On Friday night, a bright light was dimmed for no explicable reason, when Keith Olbermann delivered his final show of Countdown on MSNBC. It is being reported that the deal for his removal from the network has been in the works for weeks. Maybe it was someone's ego; maybe he was too honest and forthright. But I can't help but feel that the less honest the extreme right-wing is, the more heavily they get promoted; the more honest the progressive voices are, the more they get silenced. This is where Edward R. Murrow's American media is at today.

Sure, Keith will be just fine. In the case that he is not, I invite him right now to have his own video nightly session on my online platform, GlobalGrind.com. But the web still hasn't overtaken the reach and power of the cable networks. That's why my friend (and political opponent) Roger Ailes is so successful. I may not like his politics but he sticks with and supports his team no matter how outrageous they get. Olbermann was only "outrageous" in spitting truth to power. I only wish the other side was so honest. I only wish my friend, Sean Hannity, didn't repeat false talking points like the "two hundred million dollar" Obama trip to the far east, or the lies murders by immigrants in Arizona. I only wish guys like Beck, O'Reilly and Limbaugh didn't give a moment of airtime to people who question the president's citizenship. I only wish that all of the networks didn't promote a preacher with a couple of dozen parishioners who wanted to burn the holy Koran, when there was a lot more important news to report those nights.

Keith wasn't strong on opinion (ones I happen to share), he was strong on the FACTS. He corrected every mistake. This was a rarity on cable news. How MSNBC thinks it can just move on and remain credible is beyond my comprehension. Would Roger Ailes ever think of firing Bill O'Reilly? Advertisers boycott Glenn Beck, but no one touches him. Sarah Palin, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich and their friends spin a "Mad Hatter" view of the Alice In Wonderland America they have created in their own minds. But who gets dumped? Keith. The honest, powerful advocate who created critical care clinics with donations from his viewers. Who helped Haiti, New Orleans, fought tirelessly against two unjust wars and who made the cause of humanity and honest truth, his cause. That's the guy who gets thrown overboard.

Let me suggest this: Keith, don't be concerned by Air America's lack of success. They didn't have the forum or the real financial support. Let's start a new channel together and make it stick and become a beacon to all Americans.

Keith's is a voice that can't be silenced. The truth can never be silenced.

[hlthe2b]

1. Good on Russell Simmons... ++++++

[aquart]

2. Russell Simmons is also fine with paying more taxes.

He has the brains to know he'll still be rich. I'm coming to like the guy.

[davidwparker]

3. Agree with him about KO. But, his friend Shawn knows

the "'two hundred million dollar' Obama trip to the far east" is incorrect each time he says it.

His friend Roger sticks by his staff because they run the RNC and and will do WHATEVER it takes to win and country to a feudal system. He/they have the backing of the United Corporations of America.

KO did not. Rachel will not. And, Lord help Cenk. These 3 do not back down.

[joentokyo]

23. Rachel Maddow

has already backed down, as she said nothing to defend Keith and had almost no other comment when Bill Maher mentioned this to her on Real Time.

[davidwparker]

26. For right now, I was just taking that as being stunned

to hear the news. She was on the west coast at the time and who knows when KO himself got word.

All that is known for now is that he tweeted a change to Furber 30 minutes before the broadcast.

I DO believe she won't change. And, she will have the same fate as KO at some point.

[Cleita]

31. Perhaps she didn't want to offer

an opinion on another show. Maybe she wants to talk to Keith first. Maybe she wants to do it on her own show. Tomorrow we will know what she thinks.

[LoisB]

49. Rachel Maddow

I totally agree. I expected her to defend him. I won't know what she says on her show because I will no longer watch any show on MSNBC.

[SoCalDem]

50. In the final analysis, she has her own welfare to consider

Keith may have tipped her off but not told her the when & where, and she may have plans with him beyond her own contract.

getting herself fired & muted serves no purpose.

[justiceischeap]

53. And one never knows what KO advised RM to do

You could tell that KO was mentoring Rachel. So, we're not privy to their private conversations or the advice he may have given her. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that KO has asked her to stay mute on the subject.

[Tunkamerica]

59. this happened friday. it's now monday.

[grasswire]

4. "spitting truth to power." -- I like that

Nice phrase.

[emsimon33]

5. As long as corporations rule our country

the voices of truth will be silenced. At least they didn't take Keith out on a small plane as they have so many others.

[Gregorian]

6. A new network with Amy Goodman, Noam Chomsky, Keith Olbermann

And make it non-commercial, or partially funded by Soros, Gates, or anyone else who isn't a Replicant. It can be done.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. Hard to make that a self sustaining business model

[Gregorian]

14. That would be a large series of salaries, now that I think of it.

One can dream.

[eridani]

17. Why should that be an aim? The righties put propaganda first and profits second

Fox lost money from 1996 to 2001.

[cognoscere]

62. You got that right. How many of those right wing turds actually

show a profit? I'd like to see the balance sheet that proves that paying Limba 250 million brings in that much, not to mention even more to make a profit. Does he really sell that much more Damp Rid? And let's face it, any backyard mechanic could build a machine that would spew crap and it certainly wouldn't cost millions to construct and operate it.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

69. At some point it has to at least break even. Lots of ways to get there, but in the end the numbers

must add up.

Air America died because the numbers did not work

[eridani]

70. Fox was far less profitable from 1996 to 2001 n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

71. But there was a plan to get it there and the funding to see it through

I have no doubt those that footed the bill have been fully repaid with interest.

[eridani]

73. Funding is what we need, for sure

Paging Mr. Soros..........

[Cleita]

32. News shouldn't be about business but about

disseminating information to the public as factually and thoroughly as it can be done. It never should be about profit and at one time it wasn't. Then some smart ass CEO or CFO back in the seventies killed the news divisions on the networks and threw the news under entertainment with a mandate to make a profit from it. This is one of the reasons Ted Turner founded CNN so there would be a reliable news outlet for the country. But that was bastardized too and now look at the results of for profit news.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

67. So who should foot the bill for this?

[Cleita]

74. The networks used to consider it their civic duty

to foot the bill. Then mergers and takeovers by large corporations that had nothing to do with television, for instance GE buying out NBC, changed that. The large corporations don't feel any need for civic duty.

[SemperEadem]

39. no it's not.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

68. So describe how such a channel would we self supporting. What would the business model be?

[mzmolly]

10. I'd rather a network ultimately support viable political candidates

vs. work indirectly for Faux.

Simmons and Olbermann would be great as a team!

[Raine]

11. I wish some of the Hollywood liberals would

go in together and start a network to promote the liberal agenda.

[calimary]

29. I wish ANY wealthy liberals would do that.

Hell, start by buying up EVERY radio station that comes up for sale or looks like it's hovering on the brink. Cobble together a liberal network that MEANS SOMETHING and actually REACHES PEOPLE because there are more than 60 stations in it. Several hundred would be more like it. And from there, you have the makings of a farm team for TV, plus you have several marquee names in progressive on-air talent who could anchor it.

[Recursion]

30. The left is too parochial

We can't even have a thread on DU without somebody asking why we're talking about the subject of the thread rather than racism / poverty / drug legalization / homelessness / domestic violence / Mumia / etc. whatever their particular issue of choice is. That's why it would be hard to have liberals come together and make a network.

[Enthusiast]

36. The left can do anything.

Our side has the creativity if not the money.

[SOS]

46. The problem is distribution

Surely people on the Democratic/liberal/left side of the spectrum could launch a cable network.
The problem lies in distribution.
The top cable companies are all in the hands of right-wingers.
Time Warner - Republican
Comcast - Republican
Charter - Republican
Cox -Republican
Our side could put together a great network lineup, but the reactionaries who control the distribution would refuse to carry it.

[Lost-in-FL]

61. You forgot Liberty Media...

owners of DirecTV, Sirus XM, TVo, etc. - Republicans

[Raine]

66. Yup you're right. I wasn't thinking, I had forgotten that

now they have control of the method to put all the messages out.

[quakerboy]

72. I believe you are right

There is already Free Speech TV, and Current TV to prove your point.

But then I wonder how much of a cost it would be to change this. To either build or buy a large enough portion of one of these companies to alter the balance. I guess, If I were in the ranks of the uber rich, I would have been buying what I could of the appropriate stocks every time they took a serious dip. How could owning them hurt your ability to message what you want?

[Plucketeer]

22. I'm ready to pledge

a modest monthly amount for such an outlet. I KNOW I'm not alone in that sort of thinking!



GOP JOBS PLAN

[Enthusiast]

35. We have to.

We know what the media status quo is doing to the nation.

[deutsey]

41. Been saying for years that we need a major, independent progressive media outlet

I just can't believe that "our side" doesn't have the talent and financial backing to put something like that together.

[liberalmike27]

47. It won't air on Comcast

There is FSTV, free speech, but I think it's on DISH. It has Hartmann, who really is a guy who deserves his own national show. People might not like it, as they will learn too much. He's on from 11-2 on the streaming 1090 Seattle radio, much worth listening.

I use an old computer as my radio.

[aquart]

54. Gates? Seriously? GATES?

[Overseas]

7. K&R ! Yes Please !! //nt

[mzmolly]

9. I can't help ... but agree.

"I can't help but feel that the less honest the extreme right-wing is, the more heavily they get promoted; the more honest the progressive voices are, the more they get silenced. This is where Edward R. Murrow's American media is at today."

Man, I love this suggestion!

"Let me suggest this: Keith, don't be concerned by Air America's lack of success. They didn't have the forum or the real financial support. Let's start a new channel together and make it stick and become a beacon to all Americans."

Imagine Simmons and Olbermann really going up against Limabaugh, Beck and others?

[B Calm]

12. K&R

[Raine]

13. GOOD for Simmons and THANK YOU for posting this! nt

:thumbsup:

[Poboy]

15. Recommend

[BrklynLiberal]

16. Very eloquent.

[myrna minx]

18. K&R n/t

[WinkyDink]

19. But the truth CAN be, and has been frequently, silenced.

[me b zola]

20. K&R

[Marie Marie]

21. The Night the Lights Went Out...

I know that my own week nights at 8:00 pm just got dark. I will miss his humor, his honesty, his integrity and most of all, his passion. Lawrence O'Donnell just can't fill those shoes.

[joentokyo]

24. I second that!

[pacalo]

25. Russell speaks for me!

When the theme music started playing on "Real Time" Friday night, with a full camera view of the panel, I noticed Russell Simmons in thought mode, glancing over at Rachel across the table. Then he leaned toward her, she to him, & they started talking animatedly. I wondered if he were asking her about Keith; he had a concerned expression. I've seen Russell on "Countdown" several times, so I knew he knows Keith. Now that I read how he feels about Keith, I think my hunches were right about what I sensed when watching "Real Time".

[defendandprotect]

27. k/r

[brettdale]

28. Good Post

Although I dont think you can fight faux.

[TicketyBoo]

33. I'm not so sure about that,

but it would take a lot of doing.

First of all, Microsoft needs to demand that its affiliation (and name connection) to MSNBC be severed.

Next, Bill and Melinda Gates need to throw the weight of the Gates Foundation into the political works of this country before (or alongside) trying to save the world. After all, if they don't save this country, the world is not going to be in very good shape, either.

It's going to take deep pockets to match Murdoch's in order to combat Fox. As Walter Cronkite used to say, "And that's the way it is."

[WinkyDink]

42. Good luck with that Gates thing. Let me know when they stop their Charter movement.

[TicketyBoo]

65. I know.

I HATE the whole concept of charter schools. Charter schools spell the death of public education.

Public schools should be the best schools in town, the ones that parents want their children to attend.

The Gates Foundation has contributed computers to public institutions, though.

[info being]

34. Can we all start ignoring commercial media now, please?

[The Wizard]

37. KO had the nuts

to stand in the face of convention and call the dictator/terrorist Bush on his Bullshit when no one else would try. All the voices on all the media fell in line to spout the official Bush cartel propaganda.
Someone realized that over half the country didn't like the cartel's blatant seizure of power and constant lies, thus giving the voice of reason a platform.
For one hour every night we got information straight, without the cartel's spin. Just think, one hour on one channel was enough to start the ball rolling in the other direction. That's real power. Soon others would join Keith on MSNBC, and the normal people in this country had a place to feel comfortable and not feel as if their sanity was in question because of the dictator's propaganda and brain washing on every other information outlet.
The right wing has control of nearly all media, and the firing of Keith Olbermann sends a signal that they won't be satisfied until the control is 100%.
Granted, we still have other venues that don't toe the corporate line, but in the face of the fascist monsters our voices are limited.
I know we're supposed to tone it down, but Pox News is a terrorist network that encourages its viewers to commit mayhem and violence against their fellow citizens, which wouldn't be so dangerous if a large segment of the Pox audience wasn't heavily armed and short on intelligence and human values.
I, for one, am tired of worrying about what vandals and mental defectives, encouraged by right wing propaganda, will do when the likes of Glenn bek Laden gives them the order to "shoot them in the head."
That the guy who shined the light of day on the "worst persons in the world" is shown the gate and the propaganda mills go unfettered is real reason for concern.
We can only hope that Keith leads the way in another media outlet and takes MSNBC's voices of reason with him.
Comcast needs an ass kicking from here to Kingdom Come. Their overreach in the media will hopefully be punished by natural selection.

[Major Hogwash]

38. Well, one thing's for sure, MSNBC don't know much about philosophy, don't know much about economy,

But when they go to check their books at the end of the 2nd quarter, let me know how much profit they lost by making this boneheaded decision.

[stevenleser]

52. And that is what confuses me the most. At any company for which I have worked, the big earner(s)

held somewhat protected status. Keith was the biggest one at MSNBC. That is the guy you dont fire unless you have no other choice because they have done something so incredibly eggregious.

This really does not make sense from a business perspective. The only perspective that makes sense is that the person in power above him hated his guts.

[coolhip33]

58. keith wanted to leave.... that's the only thing that makes sense

from a business perspective...

[stevenleser]

60. Except he himself indicated that is not what happened. "I was told today that this is the last

episode" or something extremely similar.

That isnt "I decided to leave".

[deacon]

40. Keith + Recommend. n/t

[SaveAmerica]

43. New channel together, beacon - TRUTH!! Yes, please

[CLANG]

56. Let's call it :"The Patriot Channel" just to fuck with the tebaggers

[nolabear]

44. What a brilliant idea. Imagine a great liberal radio network!

Air America worked hard but it didn't know what to be, nor did it have the money to break all the ice it had to. Now there are a few serious heavy hitters who might become a new progressive voice.

Must admit I don't know if coming down from TVto radio would appeal.

[Disintermedia8]

45. The problem is now

and always has been size, i.e., consolidation.

Like every problem America faces, the most direct solution is always ignored in favor of new regulations that are designed only to create or protect a loophole for a crony. Return to ownership regulations that were in effect before Clinton gutted them and you will return to a more sane media environment.

[Raffi Ella]

48. Wow, Yes!

I clapped when I finished reading that- Thank You Mr. Simmons.


T4P! K&R

[EmeraldCityGrl]

51. I'm going through MSNBC withdrawal.

Yes, it will take time but I will never turn that station on again.
Today we are getting an estimate for the dish and a new internet
provider. Comcast is not a pleasant company to do business with
so no loss there.

I hope those boycotting MSNBC stick with it. Ratings make a huge
difference and they should be able to see the trends as early as
the next couple weeks.

[CLANG]

57. I won't watch it anymore. I get all my news from DU anyway.

I refuse to participate in COMPOST's ..er COMCAST's vision for MSNBC.

[Saxon]

55. Here's the message to all the other msnbc takers.

We fired Keith so we can sure as hell fire your ass.

By firing Keith they can bring everyone else to heel.

[SpankMe]

63. The NYT had a good piece on the KO/MSNBC deal

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/business/media/24olbermann.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all

This really does look mutual and like it was in the works for several weeks. It looks like Keith is pretty much a dick to a lot of people, and his ADHD personality doesn't allow him to stay in the same place for too long. It appears to be a miracle that he lasted there for 8 years.

I still think he's the best spokesman ever for progressive calling-out of the right wing, America-killing crap machine. I want him to find a new home so bad that my depression will last as long as his absence. I hope he doesn't wait the full duration of his 6 to 8 month TV ban to publish, somewhere-somehow.

Come back, Keith! And when you do, be kinder and gentler to your staff and bosses, and be the same as always to Republicans and Fox!

[lordsummerisle]

64. K&R n/t