Olbermann Special Comment: Obama's Second Chance On FISA

In a "Special Comment" on Countdown WIth Keith Olbermann tonight, the MSNBC host told his audience that Barack Obama has been presented with a second chance to make a first impression in an upcoming vote on the FISA bill:

And he damned well better take it. The Senate vote on this tortured and reckless piece of legislation has now been postponed until after the 4th of July break. The Democrats, completing their FISA experience, a collective impression of Homer Simpson falling off a cliff and hitting every bramble on the way down, didn't exactly plan this fortuitous delay.

Watch the entire Special Comment below:

Comments

[fiona2]

The biggest reason to reject the immunity protion of FISA is that it defaces the Constitution, ..U2's Bono once said , "America is more than just a country...it is an idea.." a model which every country aspires to build and a dream for every oppressed and poverty stricken person around the world.. A place of hope and faith and justice which fortifies the world's belief in the collective good of mankind and opportunity for a better life....I have faith that both Obama and MCain will work to better our security while upholding the Consitution, once they remember that it is more than just a governing document of this country...it is the heart of our Democracy, and apparently the soul of the world...

[flamflurm]

I love that. "U2's Bono once said..." Like it's Voltaire or something.

[fiona2]

It cost nothing to be a cynic....a critic...or a jerk. ..."Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."
Voltaire (1694 - 1778)

[fiona2]

But I thought only athiest quoted Voltaire???? perhapas educated Christian can see the excellence in everyone, even those in whom it may not be obvious at first glance.. See Jesus' teachings for futher examples.

[soonerdru]

Immunity for telecoms? MORE money to faith-based social services? Where did Obama go? Did the Repubs replace him with a fake robot?

[darcy]

No, soonerdru, he was always there, right before people's eyes if they would only have opened them.

[Titonwan]

Thanks Keith. Thanks Arianna. Thanks Russ and Chris. We love you guys and your bravery. Now you apologists- run back into your pens. baaaaaaa baaaaaaa!

[holeybuybull]

Once again we get the "don't worry, things will be fine once _____ is elected". Once again we hear the argument that "the ends justify the means". A candidate who talks the talk, but doesn't walk the walk, is willing to sacrifice their principles to win. In effect, that person has no principles.

[CallMeDeaconBlues]

Sacrifice their principles did you say? I thought championing the cause of the poor was a De--m0cratic right or passage.

[rasthedestroyer]

Your principle were sacrificed way before this guy was ever born , or did you forget something most of the founding father's were SLAVE ONWER'S. Sorry did'nt mean to play the race card.

[dantanna]

bottom line is. if you vote for a president who is for shutting down any piece in our constitution, then you may as well move to china and enjoy what democracy is not. if you really care about a balance between national security and civil liberties, the person who supports retroactive immunity for anyone who is proved to have committed a crime or have violated the people's civil rights; and who believes in allowing more power to the government, that person is not your candidate and you should not vote for him

[sclucie]

that was a brilliant strategy in 2000. it brought us the bush administration, the war, 4000 American deaths hundred of thousands of Iraqi deaths and the atrocities in iraq, gitmo and fisa.

are you willing to lay down your cell phone to stand by your principles?

[rasthedestroyer]

you already voted for a president who shut down the constitution. you already voted for a president who has down more to destroy the idea of freedom, justice and equality than any other president in the country's history. or did you forget.

[JMBrodie]

Keith, luv ya, but you need to chill -- as do many of you who see only their own dreams. Why do some of us keep acting like "loyal opposition," thinking that shouting is the only tool in the box? Shouting suggest you have no control. We play this right, we will. The real question here is, once we have a "progressive" majority, will we make the same mistakes the conservatives made when they took power?

Relax, folks. First, we have an election to win. Then, we have to hold the leaders we elect responsible. Buckle up, chill out, and let's get ready because the future we hav all struggled for is at hand. Are we up to it and can we lead in a way that truly brings out the best or will we be more of the same, only with a left-leaning bent?

[Lemeritus]

"First, we have an election to win. Then, we have to hold the leaders we elect responsible."

Seems to me it should be the other way around. The one thing we should have learned by now is: there's no hold our leaders responsible after they're elected.

Unfortunately, our choices now are limited. And quickly disappearing.

[EdRocktober]

Would that be the same way the democrats in congress that were voted in 2 years ago were held responsible?
So far I haven't seen it,all we got from the Demogaugic Party was lame whining about not having the votes or the super majority,But just like religion,too many people want it to be true.
So they make up reasons for them not keeping the promises they made with their fingers crossed and blame the voters who went for the other side.
However the GOP was able to push their platform with impunity under a almost the same make up of seats when they were the majority
WAKE THE F--K UP
What we have is a one party system with 2 factions that share the benefits of power

[rasthedestroyer]

Now that we actually have someone finally worth voting for all you do is heap crap at him. Why did'nt you do this in 2000 and 2004 or for that matter 1982 Sen. O's jumping thru hoopes trying to please all you unreasonable people. and it seems like you can't wait for the next opportunity to pile on. Give me him any day over the last 6 or 7 guy's who sat in the big chair.

[frustratedinohio]

My, my, my. There is trouble in paradise. Keith may be falling out of love.

[HopeandChange]

Olbermann now thinks Obama is his puppet. He will make "special" commentaries and just expect Obama to carry out his bidding.

[MemphisBuffalo]

I think email or phone would be used don't you agree?

[HopeandChange]

Olbermann sounds like the Master giving orders. Who does he think he is?

[Jason357]

He thinks he's giving me a voice and he is. Nobody else does.

[Alethea]

Yeah me too bud.

If anything I was a little relieved by what Kieth revealed last night. I mean, I was upset with Obama for caving on this and in the back of my mind I was hoping he had a plan.

Leaving room for criminal prosecution would be it.

I'm glad Keith revealed this. Otherwise I was begining to wonder about Obama. And I don't mind Keith prodding Obama to do the right thing. I wish people had the guts to have done the same to Bush in the run up to the war. If we had, who knows what would (or wouldn't) have happened.

[enoughalready13]

I agree. Everyone is talking about Obama's flip-flop - ONE OF MANY RECENTLY - but no one will call him on it. Keith will! Obama is nothing more than ANOTHER shameless politician. I saw this coming, I was afraid of this, and now it is here.

[WRPrintz]

This kind of comment has to end (from those who are not trolls, at the very least). Casting Obama in the slave role, ever, for any reason, is BS.

Keith is doing what Keith does, and he talks this way to anyone in power.

[tracylouise]

Telling people that they should not post their opinion is repugnant. Just because someone disagrees with you is NOT a valid reason to tell them not to post.

[indrakaran]

How sad that the ruling elite of this country don’t believe in the constitution which has privileged them in the first place.
Why can not they have the justice department or a congressional commission to look in to the grievances of FISA violations and accordingly settle with the concerned parties or leave it the good courts to see whether there has been any constitutional violation and abuse of individual rights.
Why Barak Obama, who himself is a former professor of constitution has not taken a proper stand in upholding the constitution is something to be worried about. Secrecy and subversion of power is anathema to democracy, which ultimately cripples the best of the minds, undermining the very identity of a nation. Where as democracy is about building trust among the constituent population in nation building.

[UpstateNY]

Immunizing the telecoms for the illegal things they did is just plain WRONG on so many levels. Not the least is the fact that it would mean that future presidents could go to other entities and say - "This may look illegal but you can do it because I, the President, says you can!"

This is not how we are supposed to run this country - this administration has tried to institute a unitary presidency but it cannot be allowed to stand! They have tried to grab more and more power and make the position the most powerful and least answerable - we have to reverse this.

I'm ashamed of the members of Congress who let this pass. It is now up to the Senate. Please don't let us and the Republic down. Don't give the telecoms immunity - let them bring their case to the courts. They have plenty of lawyers and money to defend themselves!

I'm watching Obama and he will disappoint me (and milliions of other supporters) if he votes for this flawed and dangerous bill!

[Alethea]

If you read the Constitution closely, you'll notice that there is nothing in it saying what the Civilians of the USA can or can't do. It's all about the Government. and if you'll notice, it never says anything about what the Government can do, it's all about what they CAN'T do (like infringe on our privacy without reasonable cause).

In other words, the Constitution is the law that the Government abides by.

No wonder Bush hates it so badly.

[OutsourcedAgain]

As I recall, the Democrats were in power during Nixon (Watergate) and Reagan-Bush (Iran- Contra) and did nothing. What makes anyone think they would do anything to Bush 2 once leaves office and they take control. I mean it's like, once they get these guys removed they just forget about holding them accountable for their crimes. Which just leaves the Republicans feeling like they can do it again next time.

[vippy]

Obama cannot do it alone. He has inherited this crooked congress and senate and we have to
step up and throw the bums out of office come re-election time. But we keep voting for the same old crooks and then we complain while they laugh in our faces and stuff their own pockets having
no regards for the middle class. When has congress/senate ever done anything that furthered
the agenda of the middle class?

[Bulbul]

"Obama, damn well better " ?
Keith , you need to polish that language skill of yours, not becoming of a self proclaimed analyst.
Or, perhaps mention it to your writers, you read , they write, know that..
A little polish, is not gonna hurt you..this redneck attitude gotta go..

[texanna]

Oh, Keith, did you really think you were a factor in our national politics? You poor, deluded sportscaster, you. Well, wail on, my friend, but don't think for a second that anyone who matters is listening to you. You are about as pathetic as the person you revile regularly -- Bill O.

[soundfury]

Don't pick on the guy who tries to wake people up. Pick on the one who tries to put them to sleep. Equating Bill O with KO is like equating a horse's ass with a horse.

[misanthropexlife]

Thank you. You just said what I'd been thinking for months.

[soundfury]

Do not confuse the horse's ass with the horse as in Bull O with KO respectively.

[Bulbul]

Two peas from the same pod ?

[TruthHasSpoken]

Good point..You liberals need to learn to compromise some of your positions if you ever want anything to be done.

[LAJonathan]

Who are you Keith Olbermann to assume Obama does not know this? Oh I see, YOU KNOW. Okay, it seems like everyone thinks they do, but I have a question - do they? NO ONE DOES. All of this me, me, me, why didn't he vote my way, even though I have no claim to any actual real information, is going to be the reason we lose in the fall...if this nonsense should continue.

[djyman]

exactly. Obama practiced and taught civil rights law. That's what FISA is all about. And of sudden the former Sportscenter anchor needs to educate Obama?

[soundfury]

As much as I appreciate O's predicament, and that is exactly what it is, I think you should think twice before you knock KO. He has described the sharks in the shark-infested pool that O has decided to swim in. In doing so, he is giving O a hand. Not because O didn't already know this...this is where you are simply not getting it. He knows O knows all this, but he wants everyone who's been put to sleep to know. His message is not really for O, it's for all those people who are trying to split the baby in half. If you don't get this, you don't get anything. Stop attacking the messenger. He is the best we got.