Olbermann's somber opening remarks 12/9/09

"Permit me to begin our fifth story tonight by paraphrasing Churchill. On October 5th, 1938, a week after the Munich Agreement, I hope I'm in error (ph), I hope I am being wildly pessimistic, but I fear, if this is the health insurance reform which you will be required by law to buy into and to buy, that I am neither.

I will begin by saying the most unpopular and most unwelcome thing, that we have sustained a total and unmitigated defeat without a war. The utmost that the Senate majority leader has been able to secure by all his immense exertions, by all the anguish and strain through which we have passed in this country, has been that the insurance industry, instead of snatching its vittles from the table, has been content to have them served to them course by course.

All is over, silent, mournful, abandoned, broken. Health care reform recedes into the darkness.

The people should know that we have passed an awful milestone in our history, when the whole equilibrium of the nation has been deranged and that the terrible words have, for the time being, been pronounced against those who fight against the corporate state. Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting.

I do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of bitter cup, which will be proffered to us year by year, unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and independent vigor, we arise again and take our stand for freedom."

that, while lyrical and insightful, goes WAY over the heads of most, myself included. :)

If he feels the need to indulge in such language when speaking, it would be nice if he would follow up with a "bottom line."

Say all the above then follow up with, "Bottom line, we've been had."

It frustrates me, as so many times in the past I've wanted to share his special comments and other pieces at FB and elsewhere, but people roll their eyes at his way of communicating and miss the gist of his message.

Just my opinion, of course.

80 percent of us think that the HCR effort was, in the end, something that helped out the insurers to the detriment of the rest of us.

His rhetoric is couched in such obscure language and references that you get sort of lost in the maze of it all. You get the general idea that he s angry and disappointed about something, but who he blames is enigmatic.

A blowhard self-impressed with his talent of being able to string obscure references together into his idea of insightful political commentary.

While both think they're being high-minded and literate they actually come off as pompous boors.

Thus, please spare us your rambling ridiculously wordy and overly dramatic rants, sir.

Thank you.

Yiou want it in a more succinct nutshell?

The lily livered Democrats Fucked Up and caved in to the insurance industry. In the process they fucked us all over.


Simple and clear enough for ya?

No one has to wonder what he is saying if he'd end his delivery that way. :)

I appreciate what KO has to say; I just wish he'd say it in a way that got through to more people, that's all.


:hi:

If that makes him unacceptable, well, too bad.

...about the way things are and what the people must do.

Health Care reform was the litmus test to see what this new President and Congress could do. We hoped they would stand for the vast majority of us, yet clearly that have chosen to side with their corporate masters.

There is no ambiguity here people. Their is no argument or lack of information. We have been sold out. The Corporations have put their stamp for all to see.

"We own this place".

Never will we have the majorities we have now. Never again will we have the momentum of a truly disatrous Republican President on which to build concencous on. If health care ever stood any chance it would be now, and yet here is what we have.

For a man that I volunteered for, organized for and donated money too I am left with nothing but disapointment.

Obama and this Congress need to go. This whole bloody system needs an overhaul and it will come.

finding ANY president that will give you what you want. It won't happen. All of you can lay this at the feet of Obama but in the end, Congress is the one not doing it's job. You want to whine about Obama, knock yourself out. But in 2012 when you get a president Palin your whining will be the fault of your own.

President Obama has done lots of good in such a short time. Because he doesn't kiss certain asses, those good things are over looked.

For one, the Republicans know they are cooked if they make her their nominee. That alone will assure it.

Yes, this is as much Congress's fault as it is Obama's. But people don't complain about Obama just because "he doesn't kiss certain asses." They complain because they see the good he's done but also see the good he hasn't done, and they are legitimately upset.

out that obama isn't exactly living up to some of his major promises, we will automatically get that idiot palin, so we need to shut up. wrong, wrong, wrong.

Especially delighted to see Lynn Woolsey, Dem Congress woman from Marin County, on his show. Lynn is a hard working and honest Congress person. I cannot say enough good things about her.

She was one of a small handful to not vote for the Iraq War Resolution. She accomaodates everyone in her district. Should you want to speak with her, you only need to call her office and find out what her schedule is and the office will see you can get in to talk with her.

Also, she was an early on beleiver in the notion that the 2004 electiuon was stolen.

I am not the most literate person here at DU by a long shot.

I do agree that a person has to listen to Keith closely to catch all the nuances he brings to commentary. And some people can discern nuance better in print than in hearing.

I think he is convinced he IS Churchill, giving 'em hell every night for "England, Harry and St. George"