Settled! Keith Olbermann Settlment: $50 Million Current Lawsuit Comes to an End

[hlthe2b]

?2

Keith Olbermann and his former employer reportedly settled a $50 million lawsuit out of court on Tuesday, multiple outlets reported.

The broadcaster sued Current TV for $50 million after the progressive network fired him one year ago. Current TV countersued, arguing that Olbermann's lawsuit was "riddled with falsehoods."

Settlement specifics were not disclosed, however a source told Deadline that Olbermann will receive a "a significant payout from Current."
--snip--
As for Olbermann, the broadcaster has been reportedly eyeing a return to the anchor seat at the network that made him famous—ESPN. The New York Times story reported that Olbermann and ESPN president John Skipper had dinner. According to Skipper, there was no role for Olbermann to assume at the time of the meeting. "When somebody leaves, somebody else fills their place," he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/13/keith-olbermann-settlement-50-million-current-tv-lawsuit-end_n_2866427.html?utm_hp_ref=media

[flamingdem]

1. Talk about eligible bachelor

[Buzz Clik]

2. Looks like Keith has become a media pariah. Curious about the pic of Gore...

Shouldn't that be a picture of Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani?

[hlthe2b]

3. Current was the litigant-- So the Sheikh doesn't inherit the lawsuit.

Taking no sides, however, I do believe former VP Al Gore can afford it...

[Buzz Clik]

5. He'd just need to adjust the thermostat in one wing of his house.

Al has definitely fallen from grace, in my opinion.

[sketchy]

13. Gore uses green power

Link:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/government/a/al_gore_energy_2.htm

snip from page 2 of article:

Gore's retort

Through a spokesperson, Gore has responded to criticism of his bloated electric bill by arguing that his lifestyle is actually "carbon neutral" because 1) he purchases all of his power through a special program that supplies "green energy," and 2) he offsets 100% of any remaining environmental impact by investing in projects that promote renewable resources and reduce overall energy consumption. The latter strategy, known as "carbon offsetting," has won acceptance among the environmentally conscious as a way to effectively zero out their "carbon footprint" without living in a grass hut. Some argue that carbon offsets are a cop-out -- the ecological equivalent of expiating one's sins by purchasing indulgences from the church -- but others tout them as a crucial weapon in the longterm fight against global warming. Count Al Gore among the latter.

So, is Al Gore a hypocrite or not? We are urged to view Gore's lifestyle as hypocritical because on the one hand he advocates energy conservation by all, while on the other consuming an "extravagant" amount of energy in his own home. And put in just those terms, it may seem an open and shut case. But how far, really, do Al Gore's deeds differ from his own words? In the book version of An Inconvenient Truth where Gore discusses what ordinary citizens can do to help combat global warming, he stops well short of calling for deep sacrifice or lifestyle change. First, he lists a number of modest steps individuals can take to make their homes and activities more environmentally friendly -- like using energy-efficient appliances, adjusting the thermostat by a couple of degrees, installing solar panels, and using less hot water when possible -- all of which are economically as well as ecologically beneficial, and none of which we have any reason to believe Gore is not taking himself. Second, he preaches activism -- voting for environmentally enlightened measures and candidates and spreading he gospel of global warming. And in these we know Al Gore has played an exemplary role. Third, he argues that everyone ought to try to achieve a "carbon neutral" lifestyle. How? By doing precisely what he does -- offsetting one's environmental impact through investments in projects and enterprises aimed at reducing energy consumption overall.

So, where is the disjunct between what he says and what he does? Unless you put words in his mouth, there isn't one. You might argue that it would be better for the environment if people like Gore lived in smaller houses and modified their lifestyles instead of shelling out bucks for carbon offsets -- and you might even be right -- but that's a policy disagreement, not proof that he's a hypocrite. Folks who dislike his politics will no doubt call him hypocritical just the same, but judged strictly in terms of whether or not Al Gore practices what he preaches, the case against him is a sham.

Update: A Tale of Two Houses - "Companion piece" to this forwarded email compares the eco-friendliness of Al Gore's Nashville mansion to President Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch.

Link to A Tale of Two Houses:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_tale_two_houses.htm

[Buzz Clik]

16. His house is immense and far larger than any human needs.

He buys offsets for his gluttonous use of energy.

Sorry, there is nothing "green" about that house or Al Gore these days.

[sketchy]

18. The Presidential Election Campaign of 2000 was riddled with baseless charges

against Gore.

Have we learned nothing since then? When a charge is made, facts supporting that charge should be provided. I believe some people just want to hurl things at Gore to disarm him as a credible public voice because they know some things will eventually stick to him regardless of how false they are.

[Buzz Clik]

22. Meh. I don't worship Gore. He doesn't deserve it.

He's done some good things, and he's been embarrassing at times. I'm just being realistic.

And speaking of facts, I would urge you to dispute my comments about his home. I'd love to be wrong.

[Frustratedlady]

4. This is disappointing on both sides.

I liked Olbermann's news spot. I liked Gore's last significant speech.

Too bad it had to end this way. Olbermann should be set for life. I haven't figured out Gore and his present mental state.

So long to both.

[Buzz Clik]

6. "I haven't figured out Gore and his present mental state. " That says it all for me.

[hfojvt]

8. I wish I could get fired

and then collect a "significant settlement" and this after getting paid millions.

[SoCalDem]

19. Well, he DID have a contract

I suspect that each gave some, and he probably ended up having his contract "paid out".

It's possible that Current did not deliver on their promises when it came to production values, and we all know how volatile KO can be. In the end it probably came out about right for both sides..

Keith overplayed his hand once again (as he usually does), and has been paid off ...

Current never ended up being what it could have been had it started up 10 years sooner. It limped along, lurching from one "good-idea" to another without ever really being much competition to anyone.

Keith is radioactive, and no longer the brash young broadcaster.. He's actually a better fit for radio, but liberal/left radio is not the mecca that is right wing radio, so I too hope that Keith has saved his money.. It might be a long dry spell..

[Cary]

7. In terms of his broadcasting career I would think the man is damaged merchandise

I really don't know the issues and frankly at this point I don't care. I liked watching Keith, a lot back in the day, but on the other hand I can sense aspects of his personality that may be less than pleasant. Again, I don't really know. Everyone may in fact be out to screw him? Anything is possible. However I when you work for other people there is some burden on you to get along with them and to be part of the team.

I was kind of annoyed, too, at how he tried to set himself up as Edward R. Morrow's heir.

And too when you're talking this much money and huge egos, I rapidly lose interest. This has nothing to do with us ordinary folk. This is the rarefied world of show business. I kind of dabbled in something that had to do with show business and I have to say that every single person I ran into was out of their minds batshit crazy and drama queens the likes of which I have never encountered before.

No sympathy here.

[HappyMe]

9. Big ego and big money.

[Puzzledtraveller]

11. I'd like to see how it is spent

[HappyMe]

14. Meh, I don't care.

I honestly don't think of him of a philanthropist kind of guy. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.

[tularetom]

10. Much as I like the guy, I'd never hire him

I don't think ESPN would touch him with a 10 ft pole. He's left his last three employers on unfriendly terms and then sued one of them.

Sports announcers are a dime a dozen. ESPN doesn't need the headaches they would get from hiring a temperamental nutcase.

A lot of people admire somebody who stands up to authority and this was always a big part of Olbermann's appeal. Unfortunately he didn't know when to stop and his rebellion ultimately became self destructive.

He was the best. Too bad his emotional stability didn't match his talent.

[bluedigger]

12. I have to agree.

Keith has the resources to do his own thing now and should. At this point in his career, both his brilliance and his poor record as a team player are known. There is no point in his trying to be a good employee for someone else - he needs to fly alone, or start his own enterprise. I would look forward to that.

[hlthe2b]

17. Yes... I agree

He has the resources, talent, and experience to run the show... Time for him to learn what it means to be on that side of the table.

[lonestarnot]

15. I would! In a heartbeat!

[hlthe2b]

20. kicking mainly because I've seen several ask about KO's current status ....

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Ah, no more from Keith, good.

My view of sports is bread and circus.

So off he goes to bread and circus...and I doubt any serious news channel would hire him at this point.