Olbermann To Bush: "This War Is Not About You...Shut The Hell Up!"

Tonight, Keith Olbermann unleashed what may well have been his angriest, most blistering Special Comment yet, aimed squarely at his favorite target: President Bush. Olbermann was responding to Bush's claim that he had given up golf in honor of the Iraq war — and his assertion that a Democratic president withdrawing from Iraq would "eventually lead to another attack on the United States" — a statement Olbermann called "ludicrous, infuriating, holier-than-thou and most importantly bone-headedly wrong." Olbermann continued in that vein for a full 12 minutes (or 2,000 words), frequently raising his voice and spitting out his words in disgust.

Olbermann turned Bush's reference to "cold-blooded killers who will kill people to achieve their political objectives" around and threw it back at him, saying that such killers were "those in -- or formerly in -- your employ, who may yet be charged some day with war crimes." It didn't get any milder — saying that, to Bush, "freedom is just a brand name," and pointing out that al Qaeda in Iraq was a result of the invasion: "Terrorism inside Iraq is your creation, Mr. Bush!" Olbermann also criticized Bush's statement that he was "told by people" that there were WMDs in Iraq: "People? What people?... Mr. Bush, you destroyed the evidence that contradicted the resolution you jammed down the Congress's throat, the way you jammed it down the nation's throat."

Olbermann saved his most vicious scorn for Bush's no-golf pledge. "Golf, sir? Golf sends the wrong signal to the grieving families of our men and women butchered in Iraq?...You, Mr. Bush, let their sons and daughters be killed. Sir, to show your solidarity with them you gave up golf?" He then went on to lambaste Bush for failing to keep to that pledge — ostensibly made in August 2003 — and showing photos of Bush playing golf in October 2003. "Mr. Bush, I hate to break it to you 6 1/2 years after you yoked this nation and your place in history to the wrong war, in the wrong place, against the wrong people," said Olbermann (using slightly odd math), "But the war in Iraq is not about you....It is not, Mr. Bush, about your grief when American after American comes home in a box." The directive to "Shut the hell up!" came soon after.

Watch the video below; the full transcript is available here.

Mr. President, the war isn't about you -- or golf [MSNBC]

Related:
Bush Warns of Iraq Disaster [Politico]

Comments

[conlawprize]

where does keith olbermann get off saying the war is not about BUsh, when Olberman has led the charge, through mindlessly repeating phrases like "Bush's war", with the express purpose, one largely achieved, of using the iraq war to destroy Bush's reputation, character and legacy.

Keith Olberman is being so hyprocritical, its actually quite scarey that he can do it with such a seeming sense of indignation.

[shades3]

If only all it took to destroy the reputation of Bush and his character and any legacy that he may think he is leaving Olberman will have served his viewers and his country well, unlike President George W. Bush.
Olberman was confronting Bush on his show when all others were hiding, afraid to object to the most disastrous Presidency in recent history.
BRAVO KEITH!!!

[Redrover666]

All others were hiding?
Hiding from what?

Who was hiding?

[PatrickforO]

I watch Olberman every night. I don't always agree with him, but what I always like about him is that he stands up without fear, absolutely without fear, and tells the truth. I especially like the way he cuts through all the fearmongering and lies and holds it up to the light of day.

The sad truth is the the positions of these neoconservatives can't be defended morally, intellectually or economically, so they rely on creating fear, introducing red herrings to cloud the real issues, and spin to make their agenda happen.

Olberman, and many, many others like him, courageous reportser, some of the bloggers here and many people in the street keep the hope and light of this nation alive by standing up and telling the truth in the face of fear and darkness.

[damnadamson]

keith is the only broadcaster with the cahoneys to stand up and say it like it is .... keep it up keith.

[heal57]

Go Keith go. MSNBC is decidedly anti-Obama except for you. Chris Matthews has always been for Hillary, Andrea Mitchell and the big bosses are for McCain. You must be pulling in some high ratings to be able to say what you do. Keep it up, Keith!

[champislove]

Thank you Mr. Olbermann. You talk for me every night. If I had a bull horn I would be saying the same thing you said. Bush has always been a lying snake. I get too mad to talk just see his face. This country made a big mistake when this fool got into office.

[ChristineMarie]

Awesome, right-on "Special Comment" Keith,,,,way to go.....

But, a little off topic....The only time I watch KO show when he isn't on it, is when Rachel Maddow is the host....as she is right now, Friday night! Great job Rachel..your a great substitute host, please come back soon...when Keith isn't available. :)

[terril]

Why must this country be forced to bear an inept , criminal president until his term is up, so that he may continue to fritter away lives and resources and sink us further? If only impeachment proceeding could have been started a long time ago, but there doesn't seem to be the national and political will (and then you'd have to impeach his successor too...)

[rleroygordon]

"If only impeachment proceeding could have been started a long time ago...."

Nonono you don't want to chimpeach the Shrub. Then you'd get eight long years of his Veep.

Dick Cheney: George Bush's defense against impeachment.

[bloodyhands]

come on huffpo, work out the bugs will ya!

[MikeW213]

To filo: Suggest you read all of my comments throughout the length of the discussions. True, this was the first time I’ve written anything on this site, but it isn’t the first time I’ve questioned a lot of things.

To: AnnieChrist: Excuse me, but that name really seems to fit.

To: ProfessorDuh: No excuse for you sir. Your name is also very fitting.

To those who have thanked me and all others for our military service: it was well received and very much appreciated. After all, we have to serve which ever party is in control; whether we like it or not.

I thought I could shed light on what is really happening in Iraq in this forum. Man, what an awakening.

I’ve given you first hand information about the Al-Qaida we captured in Iraq. I’ve also tried to inform everyone that there are many types of WMD; not just Nuclear. Gas grenades Made in Syria, were found in underground bunkers near Basra. One can kill thousands. They too, ARE a WMD. I found them, touched them and our Engineers destroyed them.

I've never felt so pummeled since running over an IED. I just wish Congress had given us the equipment we desperately needed. Who’s been in charge of Congress since 2006? Look at the Change that’s happened since then.

I just fail to understand the hate mongering here. My point from the get-go was that we don't need to hear it over the airwaves on the battlefield!

[ProfessorDuh]

By all means, play the huffy vet with the hurt feelings. That always enables you boys to escape moral responsibility for the unjustified slaughter, maiming and dispossession of the Iraqis, doesn't it? Poor little you.

[Insideout143]

You say: I just wish Congress had given us the equipment we desperately needed.

Well, I just wish they would never have sent you there in the first place!!!

War was not the answer. As for the Al-Quaida, I'm thankful that some were captured in Iraq. However, they would not have been there in the first place if the war didn't happen. Meanwhile, the Al-Qaida is stronger than they've ever been. The war is a disgrace. We're much less safe now as a result. And now they are sending our men back by the thousands, who have been determined to be unfit for war.
As for the change that's happened since the war started, I agree there is much change needed in Washingon, which is why Americans have engaged to flush out the flunkies there.

I appreciate your service, putting yourself in harms way.
However, I detest that you were put in that position!

[pinkyboo]

I agree Insideout143 ,
Why is it wanting the troops out of harms way, wanting them to LIVE is not supporting the troops?

And how about that poor kid (name escapes me) who recently died on his 7th tour - 7 tours- THAT"S REALLY SUPPORTING THE TROOPS!!!!

[LCRover001]

Now if you want to raise hell about money for the war redirect your outrage at the war profiteering contractors, and Iraqi government officials that are not only taking money and not doing anything but are trading arms to the very people that are whizzing bullets by your head.

Take a look at Bushes troop support: he gave yall a raise, then has fought every bill that has come his way in the form of longer time home shorter time in the field, post war health care and now the college learning you guys have been promised from day one. At home the military hospitals are falling apart, you guys/gals are having to fight to get the care you need or suffer in the dilapidated conditions of your place of recovery. You are only valuable when you are theirs and not so much so then 26 water treatment stations of which only 3 worked you all were drinking/bathing/eating food cooked in water that was not being treated. Mom and dad have to send body armor to their kids, we have thrown billions at missile defense but don't have money to armor up Humvees, we go to war with the army we have not the one we want to have. We spend more money on our military than all the world combined and we don't have the army we want, well BS.

You owe this president and his administration nothing you serve yo

[LCRover001]

ur country, not the president of it; he servers this county as well. We the people are this country, all of us.

[Redrover666]

And the one thing every soldier and vet knows, democrats will do even less.

[LCRover001]

Mike

Thank you for your service.

If any true WMDs were found in Iraq I'm sure they would have been plastered all over every TV screen in America, Big Dick and Little George wouldn't have stopped talking about finding them.

The point isn't that Al-Quaida is in Iraq now. Before the war started Sadam himself was fighting to keep their influences out of his country. When we invaded and crumbled Sadam's Government it opened the door and the war opened the flood gate of new recruits for Al-Quaida and every other terrorist group in the region to flood Iraq. This was not happening before the Iraq War. During the half forgotten War on Terror when we were fighting in Afghanistan, recruitment numbers were dropping.

Well the Dems took over in Spring of 07' The republicans after being voted out of office threw up their hands and didn't do a thing. Now every loan Bush has ask for, for the war has been granted maybe not right the second Little George ask for it but it gets there.

[Redrover666]

I like that...

"Thank you for your service, you're a liar."

[shallyv]

50% brain-damaged by the Bush criminals' brainwashing!

[whitey7]

Clearly the Bush administration has made serious mistakes but Olberman's diatribe was childish and reveals his limitations as a political commentator - he's kinda dumb(yeah, dumber than W). We need serious discussion about where we went wrong and how to fix it,not temper tantrums from entertainers up against a deadline and hurting for material.

[ProfessorDuh]

A handful of us had all those "serious discussions" while you were busy swallowing the obvious lies that led us into this disaster. And for the record, no one is dumber (or more corrupt) than the ape.

[imfedup]

Explain your assessment that KO is dumb.

[ProfessorDuh]

The US should have left Iraq yesterday. After you kick in somebody's door and rape and murder people there, it' s not required that you stay and help clean up. You probably wouldn't be very good at it anyway, and they aren't going to thank you anyway, are they?

[paulhrci]

rape and murder is a bit extreme

[ProfessorDuh]

"Shock and awe" is just a fancy term for civilian mass murder, isn't it?

[racom]

'rape and murder is a bit extreme', not really. Even our lame news media has covered some of these criminal acts. Estimated 70,000 or more civilians rounded up, imprisoned and tortured and even the experts estimate that 95% are not involved in the resistance. There are documented cases of rape and murder, now that's extreme!

[bentenrai]

If Abu Ghraib is possible, that's possible.
If Guantanamo bay is possible, that's possible.

[CrazyDemocrat]

Nice try Keith, but Bush is PRESIDENT and you are NOBODY !!

[bentenrai]

That's funny, more people (including you) probably listen to him more than they listen to Bush these days.

[Redrover666]

neoprimordial:

I see you are just absolutely outraged by a veteran's disgust with these remarks.

However, the contempt, disrespect and vitriol directed towards a combat veteran on this thread, somehow slips under your radar.

Keep your false outrage and pity. Any veteran visiting these threads sees it for what it is.

[ProfessorDuh]

I am truly sick of the "innocent American" crap peddled by jingoistic vets who were somehow so Pollyanna starry-eyed that they thought invading other countries that never attacked or threatened the US and slaughtering the citizens there was a noble cause. Now they are shocked, shocked to find out they were deceived by lies that were obvious even at the time. You're not that stupid, so you keep your mass-murdering "honor," little pal.

[Redrover666]

Thank you for yet another gem.

[paulhrci]

you should be ashamed of your comments

[neoprimordial]

I was absolutely disgusted by a blanket statement that was patently false. You cannot know what people truly feel, even the ones who make ad hominem-like attacks. You obviously don't know how someone feels even if they tell it to you plainly ("keep you false outrage and pity"). You can't even guess at who you're talking to, no matter what's being said. Everything I write is honest and from the heart, whether you or anyone else chooses to believe it. I have no hidden agenda, other than the forthright and civil exchange of opinions and ideas. Your statements, however, have an air of disingenuity to them. I'll leave you to them.

[Redrover666]

Knowing how you feel one way or another is no more difficult than observing what makes you angry and what doesn't.

Insulting the troops gets a pass from you, patriot.

Disingenuity? Indeed.

[Redrover666]

neoprimordial:
For whatever reason, I was unable to respond to your comment directly.

However, I'll respond here. I have read hundreds of comments like this, specifically addressed to a vet or active duty soldier. Not one or two, but hundreds of comments like this on Huffpost.

I quote:

"You think Al Qaida was there before "we" went in, so you are a fool. And thanks for nothing. You have invaded somebody else's country and murdered its citizens for NOTHING. Go to hell and stay there."

You are judged by the company you keep. Enough said.

[neoprimordial]

I'm not so sure what you mean by that last two-sentence paragraph, but you have to realize that there are plenty of Democrats who care that Americans are dying over there, more than the possibly hundreds of people who post disparaging remarks to soldiers. What you said just got under my skin, because I really do care. It upset me when they bulldozed those measures through to authorize a war that, in hindsight, shouldn't have been waged when it was, if ever. When the chaos ensued thanks to Rumsfeld and company, it only made it that much worse. Then 100, then 1,000, then 2,000, and now over 4,000 Americans (not counting the military contractor deaths) have lost their lives, with no clear or easy end in sight. Tens of thousands maimed and countless others affected by it all. And how many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have lost their lives?

I'm not one for calling people names and I don't mean to be belligerent. Olbermann was talking sense, in my opinion. The passion he evoked was akin to mine much earlier on, and he brought it to mind vividly once again. Not one American life should have been sacrificed, and the sooner we can put an end to the loss is the sooner we can close this tragic chapter in our history.

[Redrover666]

At this very moment active duty soldiers and Marines are reading these posts.

That good soldiers and vets are vilified on these threads by people who call themselves democrats, is not lost on them. Neither does it escape our attention that comments like ... "so you keep your mass-murdering "honor," little pal.". go unchallenged, by good democrats.

Someone here, a little earlier described a soldier who dedicated his entire life to his country as going "from adolescence to retirement without ever having to have an original thought". Then followed it up with "I salute your service and admire your courage".

That is why the vast majority of vets and active duty personnel do not vote for democrats. There is underlying contempt for your warriors and false admiration and gratitude during election cycles.

[Redrover666]

The last two-sentence paragraph was a direct quote of one of your fellow democrats on this thread. It was a comment directed at a retired, combat veteran.

[ProfessorDuh]

Tacitus could have been describing Bush and Cheney when he said, "A rich enemy excites their cupidity; a poor one, their lust for power.... To robbery, butchery and rapine, they give the lying name of 'government;' they create a desolation and call it peace."

[neoprimordial]

I love Keith Olbermann! He is blisteringly good. And it's not just the passion of his commentaries, but his turns of phrase that just utterly apply the smackdown:

"And as a final crash of self-indulgent nonsense, when the incontrovertible truth of your panoramic and murderous deceit has even begun to cost your political party...

"...this [administration's] nightmarish blight on our lives as Americans, on our history....

"...your pursuit of this insurance-scam, profiteering, morally and financially bankrupting war...

"The war in Iraq--your war, Mr. Bush--is how you accomplished the derangement of two nations and how you helped funnel billions of taxpayer dollars to lascivious and perennially thirsty corporations like Haliburton and Blackwater, and how you sent 4,000 Americans to their deaths, FOR NOTHING! It is not, Mr. Bush, about your golf game!"

I remember the feeling of disgust at the rush to war, and when the death count was over just 1,000. I remember thinking that these... "people" were causing American soldiers and untold numbers of Iraqis to die FOR NOTHING. It's too late for Bush, to the great and ongoing shame of his father. We will be cheering in the streets once this administration is history, no matter what he says or does now.

[realpolitic]

I read your comments and largely agree. You are writing about the senselessness of the war in Iraq. The senselessness of the war itself makes the loss of life almost meaningless on our behalf and that of the Iraqis. Why are we fighting in Iraq? For some neoconservative vision of the Middle East that is largely a view based on the premise that everyong wants to be little Americans. It is not true and they have drained all the complexity from the world.

I do not agree at all with Redrover666 comments that you are somehow attacking our troops. You are speaking of the senselessness and futulity of the war. Small distinctions like that are lost on a reactionary like Redrover666, who takes every swipe at Bush as an insult to our troops. He is sadly, uninformedly, and uneducatedly mistaken. (Of course, he will say I have insulted the troops.)

[neoprimordial]

I'm not quite sure what the problem is. I guess when you take a stand about an issue or respond to someone's blanket attacks, but don't respond to someone else's attacks on a third party (i.e., play policeman, or try to do the job of the Huffpost moderators), people want to hold it against you. Nonetheless, I did try to address the error of disparaging the "messengers" and the not the "message." The text didn't go through, and I've thought better of it and decided not to send it. As I mentioned, there's no telling who's who here, and I don't feel it should be necessary to try to lend oneself credibility by stating one's bona fides (which would be tough to prove in this environment anyway). It's enough to take your stand, defend it if necessary, and move on. Let's say we move on from this.