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

[RJC]

KO is a great and courageous patriot. We need to stay awake from now on. Demand the criminals be tried. The old ruse will be to not seek criminal proceedings so America can " Heal", " Unite", "Look Forward". Don't fall for it!. Not holding our past leaders accountable has directly caused criminal and heinous acts to be repeated throughout or history, on our behalf. If I may add, the downfall of MSM news came about when Murdoch realized higher ratings could be achieved by giving the people the news they wanted, not the news that was. News that pandered to our narcissism and jingoism. This caused others to follow suit. Witness the foxification of CNN as we speak. Corporate ownership of media has chilled the discourse. What news we get to hear is filtered by political and idealogical agendas, with doctrinal discipline imposed from the boardroom to further other financial interests. CNN hiring Tony snow was the last straw, ABC disqualified itself as a news organization with the Pa debate. I can't stand what passes for newsworthy nowadays, nothing but fluff, entertainment, promos. Who is winning on various vapid reality shows, the new sequel to some movie coming out, or the latest x-box. We, as a nation have sadly gotten what we deserved, by abdicating our responsibility to govern, to be informed, to hold our leaders accountable. This vacuum of leadership by the citizens was filled by avaricious, cold, calculating corporations and their profiteers posing as public servants.

[KarenSL]

You are right skahimself, perhaps I am too young. These GREAT newscasters of yesteryear tell me did they degrade their President and his Administration and every branch of the Government during the time of War? Did they call our sitting President names such as dumb, stupid, etc.? OR support or allow other Country Leaders to call our sitting President names during time of war such as "the devil" while on our own soil? Did they repeatedly and continously paint a picture of a non-caring, non-concerning etc. President and his Administration JUST because they were of the opposing side politically - if so, then good riddens to them all and Olbermann should join them.

Keith Olbermann and the likes of him have done absolutely NOTHING except give "the terrorist" and "the terrorist" countries a big boost in their already oversized egos, they have been encouraged by all anti-war Americans to keep going in the quest to destroy the USofA - hell the terrorist probably feel proud to be doing so many Americans a favor by destroying their own Country.

Before President Bush invaded Iraq the majority, if not almost all Americans supported it (Sen. Barack Obama of course being one who did NOT). Did not these (or you'll) same supporters back then think or envision that at least one U.S. Soldier's life was going to be lost - and if not, then what prior War in the history of America was there that did NOT have one human casualty???!!!!!

[robiform]

You are obviously a person who never took any courses in logic, because if you had, you wouldn't have written such a totally illogical comment! Yes, before the Iraq invasion, a sizable portion of the American public supported it--they supported the invasion based on a pack of LIES that were fed to them by BushCo!! And because of these lies, over 4000 Americans have lost their lives, thousands more have suffered permanent physical and mental injuries, and there have been ten times as many casualties among the Iraqis. And in all of this, only a few members of the media had the courage to speak out against the madness that the Iraq mess has become. If Keith Olbermann or any other member of the media refers to the current occupant of the White House as "dumb" or "stupid" or any other such description, that's because he IS dumb, stupid, etc.!!

Keith, thank you for speaking the truth, as always!!

[KGinSanFrancisco]

Karen, you are so wrong! In which planet do you live? The MSM made you believe everybody was supporting this war? No Way! There were demonstrators in SF and all over the country against it and they were not aired on TV. The MSM kept drumming up the war. Nobody could say anything against it and would be called unpatriotic! I was appalled during those horrible times and couldn't believe this is the land of the free! I wish Keith and others would be allowed to speak like this during that time and maybe I could believe this country is free and maybe it would have made a difference if we all could speak up against this tragic war. I felt likeI was living under a russian, chinese or cuban dictarorship with no freedom of expression.
You go Keith, better now than never!

[YellowPanties]

How dare anyone call the worst President in history the worst President in history!

[bossjimgettys]

KarenSL, it is George Bush who has degraded the office of the presidency, and it is the responsibility of a free press to let the people know when their government lies to them, or when its leaders betray the Constitution they are sworn to uphold. And if nobody in the MSM has told you, we are not "at war," we are occupying a sovereign nation to hold watch over its oil reserves. Look around you; the Republicans in control of he White House and until recently of Congress have done an excellent job of destroying the economy and morale of "the USofA." And yes, there were right-wing commentators such as Drew Pearson who called sitting Presidents like Truman "traitors." Try reading a book sometime. One related to American history would be a good place to start.

[KarenSL]

bossjimgettys you say: "And if nobody in the MSM has told you, we are not "at war," we are occupying a sovereign nation to hold watch over its oil reserves."
If that is all the U.S. is doing over in Iraq then why are our Soldiers being killed and more importantly who is killing them??!!!

Why hasn't the likes of Keith Olbermann given us, the American people both Democrat and Republicans alike and others PROOF that President Bush and V.P. Cheney are just in Iraq for the oil. It is all about the oil. And the other Arab Countries also know this and are letting us get away with it despite how much they HATE the U.S.

The Democratic Congress are really falling asleep on their jobs - no impeachment for President Bush & V.P. Cheney for all their war crimes, pirateering of oil from the Iraqi people, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

Bossjimgettys, my initial question was whether those newscasters of yesteryear ever did all the name calling and accusations of a President while the Country was at War (or like you say: occupying a sovereign nation to hold watch over its oil reserves) while people were losing their lives in the process.

[RJC]

While a slim majority, and a majority in congress did support going into Iraq, it is because they were LIED to by this administration and his neocon handlers. I did not support it, many others also did not. I was all for Afghanistan, but Iraq was a completely different situation. All it took was a little INDEPENDENT research and THOUGHT, not knee jerk manipulated patriotism. This administration should be demonized, the president should also be impeached, many officials within it criminally charged and imprisoned. One reason why in the past you have not seen such strong condemnation of an administration is because the Bush administration has exponentially exceeded the level of malfeasance of any other administration in our history.

[KillTheMessenger]

That is the only way to say it: with rage. There you go America. Finally some are finding their voices.

[HARMONIAMUNDI]

OUTRAGE IS APROPOS. THE WAR IN IRAQ WAS NOT ABOUT OIL PER SE; OIL WAS (IS) IN SECOND PLACE. IT WAS ABOUT PROTECTING THE STATE OF ISRAEL. THE ENTIRE SCENARIO WAS PUSHED BY THE ISRAELIS (ZIONISTS) AND THEIR "BOUGHT AND PAID FOR" NEOCON POLITICIANS. IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY POLITICIANS CAN BE PURCHASED FOR SO LITTLE IN THE WAY OF CASH LEVERAGE. A TRADITION STARTED WITH HARRY TRUMAN ACCEPTING $2 MILLION IN CASH TO FUND HIS 1948 CAMPAIGN...
IT MAY BE TIME TO SERIOUSLY BEGIN A NATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MOVING "ISRAEL" TO SOUTH TEXAS. NO AMOUNT OF LEVERAGE OR PROPAGANDA OR "SPIN" WILL EVER, EVER CHANGE THE FACT THAT ISRAEL IS AN ILLEGIMATE STATE FOUNDED BY STEALING SOMEONE ELSE'S LAND. THE UNSPEAKABLE NAZI HOLOCAUST NEVER, NOT EVER JUSTIFY THE EVIL VISITIED UPON THE PALESTINIANS BY THE ZIONISTS. EVERY HUMAN BEING ON THE PLANET IS PAYING FAR TO HIGH A PRICE FOR THE ILLICIT OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE. PLEASE READ PETER NEUMANN'S "THE CASE AGAINST ISRAEL" FOR BACKGROUND HISTORY. ZIONISM -IN MY VIEW- IS A BLIGHT UPON JUDAISM...

[StevieRae]

YOUR YELLING IS A BORE. turn down the volume and maybe we'll read what you have to say!

[michiganfan]

seriously, the all caps is giving me a headache just looking at it

[UnbiasView]

You're caps lock is on.

[shallyv]

I previously supported the Palestinians because their land was taken from them. However, I've long since changed my mind. Why don't you and the Palestinians just forget about it and move on with their lives. The other Arabs don't want them in their countries even though there's plenty of room for them. They just want the harassment of the Jews in Israel to continue forevermore. By your thinking, all those Americans who weren't descended from the aboriginals of the American continents should pack up and leave the lands to the descendants of the aboriginals.

In any society. there are only two factors, people and land. There can be no land without people for there must be at least one person, at some time, to recognize the existence of the land. There can be no people without land. Where would they live? On houseboats? The houseboats would be on water which is supported by the submerged land. Who can own land? Does someone born 100 years ago have more right to land than someone just born? Or vice versa? Ownership of land can only be maintained by superior force or the threat of its use! More people than the land can support? Misery! More land than is needed for the support of a people. Happiness! But you'd better be prepared to defend the land from those who haven't enough. (Of course, people without enough fertile land to support them could offer their labour in exchange for the necessities for their survival).

[stonepier]

Stop shouting.

[senorplaid]

KA-BOOM!!

[Moochild]

As citizen's of the world we all have an obligation to get more people to see this, as for too long we have all been kept in fear to speak our minds and see the truth. The more our liberties are stolen from us we deserve it if we take no action against these war mongers. Bravo Keith.

[stevi]

I'm absolutely sure that the things Keith said needed to be heard and that he has the voice and he has the ability to say this stuff without being fired I find amazing and encouraging. It is impossible to know if any of the things said by any of the MSM are the speakers true feelings or not, I happen to believe that Keith really feels this way and I am with him and I stand and applaud.

[fignozzle]

as do i.
i am thankful for keith olberman like no other msm person i can think of.
and i am thankful that msnbc appreciates his truth.

[dajay]

The only people finding Keith Olbermann significant at this point has to be the Obama supporters.

The rest of the Democratic party that he has chosen to trample on and treat like crap, I am sure don't watch him anymore.

He could rant all he wants about dopey Bush and call Bush out on everything, it will have no affect on me anymore.

His show is a circus act and the MSNBC network is nothing but the surrogate headquarters for the Obama campaign.

Keith, get real. Your career will go nowhere after this.

[proudloudlib]

"...it will have no affect on me anymore." I think the "effect" that it is having on you now is you have forgotten middle-school vocabulary, spelling, and/or grammar. "Affect" is a verb, "effect" is a noun. And Keith is the best on the air right now. You are one of those sneaky Republicans stirring the pot, aren't you?

[hayesserves]

Actually they're BOTH a noun and a verb. In this case "effect" would've been the correct usage. But "affect" and "effect" can serve as both a noun or a verb. But I appreciate the condemnation.

[dajay]

Keith, it is nice to see you going back to bashing Bush. I guess you are trying hard to lay off HIllary, now that you know your guy needs her supporters' votes.

But really. Your special comment came off as just plain silly now and pompous now, and I only caught the last line when you said Shut up to Georgie, and even that didn't affect me for some reason now.

By the way, do you really think you have any credibility left after what the circus act your show has become on the Obama Network, this past Primary season.

You should have really thought twice, before you turned into the Bill O'Reilly of the liberals and the butt kissing surrogate of the Obama Campaign.

Also, why is your face getting huger and huger? Just wondering.

[KGinSanFrancisco]

You are just jealous that Hillary doesn't have this superstar as her ally. She has Wolf Blitzer! Keith is adored by millions of democrats and is a brilliant light in journalism today. He speaks what he believes, without anybody else's agenda.We are very fortunate to have Keith on our side.

[dajay]

Superstar? lol. Jealous? I would rather have Wolf Blitzer and CNN. At least they presented both sides in this primary season and didn't make fools of themselves like MSNBC network.

[demdan07]

If he is adored by millions of democrats, why do less than a million people watch him every night? While I agree with this particular special comment, I would not have caught it if it had not been here as I am one of them that no longer watch his show. I used to watch every night - sometimes twice a night - and it is not because he is an Obama supporter. It is because of the hate he ha shown for HRC. I happen to be a democrat that thinks we need to take back the white house. Now until fairly recently we didn't know for sure who that democrat would be, so why would someone who professes to want a democrat this year denegrate the person that could have possibly ended up being that candidate? He has let his own publicity go to his head and I for one (and I am not alone) will not watch him again. However, even the old proverbial broken clock is right twice a day, and I give him credit for this special comment.

[whatsmyname]

KG in"Frisco"....TOTALLY CORRECT.....Great to see some viewers do get "it." Thank you and we are fortunate (a year ago I was his biggest critic). Salute 21 times to ya.

[YellowPanties]

Wow, you really devastated poor Mr Olbermann with your rapier wit.

I'm trying to figure out if you're some lost "ditto head" or a Bill O'Reilly avenging angel, or just an out and out moron. Which is it?

[BigLib]

What a gasbag.

[pablito]

YES! Olbermann, you rock harder than Neil Young, and that is a huge compliment. What you left out however was just a simple:

"Mr. Bush, sir, you are a lying, hateful, decrepit, and morally void little man."

[ChiMan1]

Keith, yeah we know it's ALL ABOUT YOU? . . right?

[tschlak]

Such a tiny mind...

[KOisGod]

Projecting much?

If you're not angry, you are either

1- not paying attention
2- too stupid to see what bushcon is doing to this country
3- getting paid to post GOP-Drudge talking points
4- and enemy of America

I'm leaning toward #4

[LiberalBuzz]

KOisGod, you should have added

#5 ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Because that is pretty much what the trolls on this site are. 1,2, 3, and 4, THUS the need for a number 5

[kappa08]

I'll take #2...Stupidity seems to be a core trait of those that "still believe"...

[Redrover666]

It seems that this "either/or" list applies more to it's author than the the individual willing to look at a one-track, mediocre, liberal icon, critically.

Though, I'll bet you learned your liberal talking points by memorizing lists just like this.

[sufi66]

I appreciate Olbermann's remarks about our clueless president, but last night I had to sit through too many commercials to hear his remarks.

Countdown is really a half hour show. It's needs more substance and less filler. It's beginning to seem like the useless TODAY show.

Keith, we need you to do better.

[claytongrayum]

Its called TIVO. and yes, the TODAY show is for people who still want their mothers to dress them.

[mfsomom]

My son, a soldier who has been to Iraq twice, and living thousands of miles from me, called the instant Keith's comment aired. He couldn't believe what he had just heard...the true, honest, gut wrenching horror of the reality that has plagued our nation over the past years. My son and I together, applauded and applaud Mr. Olbermann for his willingness to speak out, where for too long silence, or apathy or what ever it has been, and tragically continues to be, our inability to hold this administration culpable for this nightmare. May we all please join Mr. Olbermann in a chorus too loud to be ignored. PLEASE!! Our son's and daughters lives are on the line...as well as our collective conscience. We are a better people than this. However, we will only achieve that which we are willing to strive for, demand, and expect. This election year offers the opportunity to turn the page from this horrific path. Thank you Keith, hopefully your sentiment will spill onto every street across America. For all our sakes, it needs to.

[KOisGod]

Thanks Mom!

[EyeWantOneNation]

mfsomom...Your son, you, and your family will be in my prayers....I pray he returns home safely...and soon !!!

Stay strong !!!

[txgal44]

You are in my prayers.

[afgail]

Keith gives voice to our collective rage at our impotence in holding this administration accountable for anything.

[Redrover666]

I can't imagine, but the rage you must be feeling at your impotence is certainly understandable. I suppose.

[Redrover666]

That was terrific! I am so glad to finally find a liberal Democrat willing to do something about this war.

How about you copy and past one or two of the letters you have sent to congressman so that the rest of us can use it for a model to send to our congressman.

Eagerly waiting.

[Redrover666]

Some people here talk about the disgrace Bush brought on America's reputation and others say how happy they are that they have Olbermann to voice their frustration and anger.

Bush didn't disgrace America. People like you did that. Democrats have had two presidents in the white house in forty years. Instead of figuring out what's wrong with you and why your message doesn't resonate with the American people... you've just gotten even freakin weirder. Liberal Democrats in their angst, will go anywhere, anytime to condemn and ridicule their own country out of anger over losing election after election. Liberal entertainers and movie makers will churn out hateful garbage knowing that it will fail here but be a big hit overseas.

People all over the world can come here to read the puke that you folks think passes for open minded liberal dialog.

So, anyway... try not to blame others for the shit you heaped upon the reputation of your own homeland.

[olephart]

Just a reminder:

Nuremberg Charter:

ARTICLE 6
The Tribunal established by the Agreement referred to in Article 1 hereof for the trial and punishment of the major war criminals of the European Axis countries shall have the power to try and punish persons who, acting in the interests of the European Axis countries, whether as individuals or as members of organizations, committed any of the following crimes.
The following acts, or any of them, are crimes coming within the jurisdiction of the Tribunal for which there shall be individual responsibility:
(a) Crimes against Peace: namely, planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression, or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances, or participation in a Common Plan or Conspiracy for the accomplishment of any of the foregoing;
(b) War Crimes: namely, violations of the laws or customs of war. Such violations shall include, but not be limited to, murder, ill-treatment or deportation to slave labor or for any other purpose of civilian population of or in occupied territory, murder or ill-treatment of prisoners of war or persons on the seas, killing of hostages, plunder of public or private property, wanton destruction of cities, towns, or villages, or devastation not justified by military necessity;

[Redrover666]

OK. Thanks.

[WAstateliberal]

Uh, what? I didn't vote for him. I have voted for, in order: Clinton, Clinton, Gore, Kerry, and now Obama. Why the fuck are you blaming me?

[KarenSL]

Hey WAstateliberal, how in the world did you get that F-word to get past the moderators. I post nice simple cheery comments and for some reason they get flushed.

Is it that obvious from my comments that I am a President Bush and John McCain supporter. WOW the F-word spelled out in full no *** or --- or ...

[olephart]

Continued:

(c) Crimes against Humanity: namely, murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, and other inhumane acts committed against any civilian population, before or during the war,14 or persecutions on political, racial, or religious grounds in execution of or in connection with any crime within the jurisdiction of the Tribunal, whether or not in violation of domestic law of the country where perpetrated.
Leaders, organizers, instigators, and accomplices participating in the formulation or execution
of a Common Plan or Conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing crimes are responsible for all acts performed by any persons in execution of such plan.


Your disgrace is ignorance. And yes, we Liberals do strongly object to our country devolving into a pit of shit. You on the other hand seem to revel in it. It is your total lack of cognitive reasoning that belies your insatiable appetite for malfeasance.

[Redrover666]

Oooh goodness me!!

Now, go give Chavez and Imadinajacket and big warm hug.

[Liberal2]

Yeah, right. Bush's war and corruption are someone else's fault. "You didn't stop me, it's all your fault."

People all over the world can come here to read the puke that you kkkonservative folks think passes for logic

Just recall which candidate said foreigners had reason to hate America and promised a more humble foreign policy. After the attack on the WTC, in fact..........

[Redrover666]

It's your fault, sport.

It's not his country or his government it's yours.

What have you done?

[ptobe]

You clearly don't understand the international community. Perhaps you, like President Bush, have never been interested in learning.

Whatever the case, you are dead wrong.

Yes, Mr. Bush did disgrace America. Your country had universal support after 9/11. America's standing had never been better. Then the unholy cabal of Cheney/Rummy/Wolfey&Bush started talk of invading Iraq, while everyone else in the world sat stunned at the idiocy of it all. Everyone except, of course, Bush's lackey Tony Blair.

No, no, sir - it was indeed this false justification for destroying a sovereign nation that disgraced America.

[Redrover666]

Have you had a lot of contact with your congressman?

I'm referring to the democratic congressman that keeps voting to support and pay for the war.

I don't like the war either. However, if you want to know who's to blame for it, it's not the bogeyman. It's individual voters who haven't done a damned thing to stop it. Accept bitch about Bush.