BREAKING: Garrison Keillor says he's been fired by Minnesota Public Radio

[bucolic_frolic]

Source: Associated Press

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Don't know if it's true yet, but there it is on AP Twitter account

[hlthe2b]

1. sigh... who's next, Santa Claus?

Last edited Wed Nov 29, 2017, 04:56 PM - Edit history (2)

Not meaning to diminish this at all. It is just that, damn....


We really don't KNOW anyone it seems...

[BeyondGeography]

16. Yeah

That whole lap thing.

[Xipe Totec]

24. Brace Yourselves. Winter is Coming

And a lot of celebrities and politicians are going to die of exposure.

[Auggie]

48. LOL

[samnsara]

52. who is next? Stephen Hawkings?

[Snotcicles]

70. LOL nt

[titaniumsalute]

65. I was just asked to play Santa at a local library

I asked if kids were going to be on my lap or if I was just going to walk around passing out stuff. When they said kids were to be on my lap for pics I declined. Not this day in age.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

83. I hear ya... so disappointing. Just wanna see the Pussy-Grabber-in-Chief step down...

it's un-fuckin-believable what he gets away with!! Talk about double standards!!

[RealityChik]

85. Someone has learned how to weaponize the #ME TOO hysteria!

Has anyone noticed that to take the heat off Roy Moore so he wins the Senate seat, almost ALL the accused have either been strong democrats in office (Franken, Conyers), or vocal and clever politically-savvy liberals ( George Takei, Keith Olbermann, Garrison Keillor) who embarrass, annoy and push back against the Right?

The idea that Democrats are willing to "eat their own" without making any effort to get the facts first before throwing other Dems/liberals to the wolves IS MAKING ME CRAZY!

How come nobody is holding Trump accountable? And if people are willing to re-examine the misbehavior of Bill Clinton, then why is no one bringing up the alleged sexual assaults by Ronald Reagan in the 1950s or the questionable behavior of George H W Bush?

If Santa is a liberal, he just may be the next target. The Mercers and the Kochs have billions to buy an endless supply of willing accusers. Where does it end?

[sandensea]

2. Ok. Who in the GOP Dark Money swamp is paying for all this?

The Mercers? Sheldon Adelson? Paul Singer?

[bucolic_frolic]

5. You mean like the timing

to distract/"normalize" Roy Moore or even Twitler himself?

Suspicious. For sure.

[sandensea]

10. Bingo.

Coincidences like that, as our friend Malcolm Nance likes to remind us, take an awful lot of planning.

[brooklynite]

23. OR...they recently found out the details and acted promptly.

Life is not always a conspiracy theory.

[sandensea]

29. The two things are not mutually exclusive, you know.

If GOP dark money is being used to pay these women to come forward, some might be liars just as some might be telling the truth.

The key element here is the financing - or are you going to tell me that no GOP dark money is being used to scout for women who may have been harassed (or can claim to have been) in some way by a Democratic lawmaker or someone closely associated with Democrats like Keillor?

[Judi Lynn]

38. They've been doing it at least since Nixon's Donald Segretti, and that's a long time ago!

He stated his plan to hire women to go after Democrats and compromise them during Nixon's ghastly occupation of the Presidency.

[sandensea]

41. The politics of pettiness

Right-wingers know that, for the most part, they can't win on their ideas - so they resort to character assassination instead (and occasionally, to real assassination).

But I know that one day we'll be more like the French when it comes to politics: they couldn't care less as to what their politicians do behind closed doors.

They care about policy and corruption - which is all that should concern anyone when it comes to lawmakers. We'll get there; I know we will.

[pbmus]

58. From your puter keys to Gods ears, make it so...

[LanternWaste]

45. No one is arguing life is always a conspiracy theory.

No one is arguing life is always a conspiracy theory.

But by all means, if pretending someone actually is arguing as such strengthens your own narrative, please... continue.

[brooklynite]

55. Perhaps it's the fact that EVERY instance of this since Roy Moore has been called a RW leak...

...should I assume that the Harvey Weinstein story was leaked by Republicans in anticipation that something about Roy Moore would come out?

[Snotcicles]

32. Probably the same funders of Project Veritas. nt

[sandensea]

47. +1

And who knows what else lurks behind those damned 403s of theirs (terror-related funds? narcodollars?).

[RealityChik]

86. Either the Mercers or the Kochs, or both!

I'm beyond believing this is all a coincidence. When Roger Stone tweeted about the takedown of Al Franken hours before the first story even broke, I began to suspect the nefarious deeds of one Steve Bannon and cabal, bankrolled by the Mercers.

[Mosby]

3. I thought he was retired?

[lunasun]

7. his longtime radio show, but still produced The Writers Almanac for syndication.

[snooper2]

4. never heard of this guy

[Stonepounder]

6. Prairie Home Companion. n/t

[snooper2]

11. Never heard of that either, I'm GenX though so maybe that has something to do with it

[Blue_Tires]

73. I'm GenX and love the hokeyness of APHC every weekend...

Even saw that godawful movie...

[Mosby]

9. He was part of a great NPR radio show called A Prairie Home Companion

Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average

[question everything]

68. Lost my respect when he published a detailed story

on how he, ahen, generated the sperm for in vitro fertilization of his wife.

Also, after his anti-Semitic remarks about Jews writing Christmas songs.

http://lidblog.com/garrison-keillor-jews-have-screwed-up/

[Mosby]

82. I didn't know any of that, thx

Hard to see how it was an attempt at humor when none of it was funny.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. Staunch liberal, too.

Gotta wonder what's going on.

[LittleGirl]

26. +1 eom

[Codeine]

71. He's basically everything that is cringe-worthy

about the aging NPR audience boiled down into its twee, cornball, dad-joke essence.

[hunter]

75. Yep.

Like Dilbert on the comic pages.

Generally regarded as harmless social commentary by the people who actually own us.

[tomp]

77. Wow, what a fucking ignorant and shameful statement!

Grow the fuck up.

[crim son]

79. Thanks for posting what I was thinking. n/t

[Codeine]

80. Lol!! What a silly overreaction

to someone disliking painfully hokey media.

[Stonepounder]

8. And there hasn't been a single trial or formal investigation.

Boys and Girls, this is the Salem Witch Trials all over again. There is a presumption that you are innocent until proven guilty. Unless the powers that be decide otherwise.

[oberliner]

30. MPR retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations.

Last month, MPR was notified of the allegations which relate to Mr. Keillor's conduct while he was responsible for the production of A Prairie Home Companion (APHC). MPR President Jon McTaggart immediately informed the MPR Board Chair, and a special Board committee was appointed to provide oversight and ongoing counsel. In addition, MPR retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations. Based on what we currently know, there are no similar allegations involving other staff. The attorney leading the independent investigation has been conducting interviews and reviewing documents, and the investigation is still ongoing. We encourage anyone with additional information to call our confidential hotline [phone].

MPR takes these allegations seriously and we are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive work environment for all employees and everyone associated with MPR. We want a workplace where anyone who experiences unwanted behavior feels comfortable in reporting concerns to MPR. Discrimination, harassment, retaliation or other inappropriate behaviors will not be tolerated.

MPR will end its business relationships with Mr. Keillor's media companies effective immediately.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/11/29/garrison-keillor-says-mpr-fired-over-alleged-improper-behavior

[Stonepounder]

44. OK, now I am really confused.

Based on what we currently know, there are no similar allegations involving other staff. The attorney leading the independent investigation has been conducting interviews and reviewing documents, and the investigation is still ongoing.

So, the law firm hasn't completed their investigation. MPR hasn't completed their investigation.

But, Your Fired

I see nothing here to make me revisit my original comment.

[oberliner]

54. Here's more from their statement

"While we appreciate the contributions Garrison has made to MPR and to all of public radio, we believe this decision is the right thing to do and is necessary to continue to earn the trust of our audiences, employees and supporters of our public service." "Over the last several weeks, the special Board Committee has worked closely with MPR President Jon McTaggart and legal counsel to review the facts as we know them and carefully consider the implications of the various options," said David Murphy, Chair of the MPR Board of Trustees. "The Board Committee concluded that terminating the Keillor relationships was the appropriate decision and the Board and Jon are aligned in this action.

[Kimchijeon]

67. Funny how that works, isn't it.

Liberal or Progressive? Slightest whiff, you're fired and shunned

Reichwinger? Even with mountains of damning evidence or charges, still get off scot free.

[barbtries]

13. i'm on overload here.

can't take any more.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. WTF? There's a new accusation every day. I'm ready for Trump's accusers to come

forward again. Why are they remaining silent? Have they all been bought off?

[bucolic_frolic]

15. It takes money to make anything happen

you have Bingo!

[ehrnst]

21. The rape victim stated that she was getting death threats.

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/donald-trump-rape-lawsuit-dropped-230770

[Judi Lynn]

33. That seems to fit his malignant personality perfectly, doesn't it?

As he loves to brag, he punches back even harder.

[jalan48]

17. Is this about inappropriate by Keillor or because of the column he wrote saying Franken shouldn't

resign?

[ehrnst]

25. Inappropriate behavior.

People who have worked with him on his cruises have noticed this.

[jalan48]

46. Thanks-I don't follow or know much about him.

[hadEnuf]

18. This is the RW version of the Night of the Long Knives.

Can a Reichstag fire be too far off?

[Voltaire2]

76. um, uh, wait one second.

The "night of the long knives" was an internal purge within the NSDAP, eliminating the SA as a faction within the party. It also followed, rather than preceded, the reichstag fire.

Other than you got everything wrong, you have made a compelling argument.

[hadEnuf]

78. I know, but the point is that it's a purge of sorts. The overall game plan of the right

seems to loosely follow many events of the past. Trump is bobbing in the water and there is trouble on the horizon.

Is it not too much of a stretch to think that the people who have most likely worked with the former Soviet Union to hack our elections would not also resort to allowing an "event" in order to hang on to their power.

[sarisataka]

19. MPR has confirmed this

https://www.mpr.org/press/2017/11/29/statement-from-minnesota-public-radio-regarding-garrison-keillor-and-a-prairie-home-compa

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is terminating its contracts with Garrison Keillor and his private media companies after recently learning of allegations of his inappropriate behavior with an individual who worked with him.

Last month, MPR was notified of the allegations which relate to Mr. Keillor's conduct while he was responsible for the production of A Prairie Home Companion (APHC). MPR President Jon McTaggart immediately informed the MPR Board Chair, and a special Board committee was appointed to provide oversight and ongoing counsel. In addition, MPR retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations. Based on what we currently know, there are no similar allegations involving other staff. The attorney leading the independent investigation has been conducting interviews and reviewing documents, and the investigation is still ongoing. We encourage anyone with additional information to call our confidential hotline [phone].

[CanonRay]

20. I just officially burned out.

[Jimbo101]

22. The statement came shortly after Keillor, an avowed Democrat, wrote a column that ridiculed,...

the idea that Sen. Al Franken should resign over allegations of sexual harassment.

Bloomberg

[rsong71]

72. EXACTLY! This is very suspicious

[rtracey]

27. so

So most of this post is say what, where who, why... I'm burned out enough of this....etc, etc, etc, ok so Don't we as democrats want this. Are we not for equal rights for women and minorities? We must all agree that these actions against women of all ages and races must stop. Whos to say this didnt happen? Matt Laurer? who's to say. Yes the justice system says innocent until proven guilty, but there is a lot to say about calling someone in the office and asking did you do this.... some seem to be saying yes I did.

[greatauntoftriplets]

28. Here's Keillor's reaction.

https://apnews.com/a471efc6700f406c9d8ac2e5037cfe9b

[packman]

31. That's a shame - Heartbreaking news

I loved Prairie Home Companion. I got my father-in-law tapes of his show. Now my FIL was a staunch, no-nonsense, practical man raised with a stoic outlook on life. NEVER had I seen him smile or laugh or tell a joke. He thought my gift was excessive and extravagant, he would have preferred a new hammer or set of screwdrivers. Anyway, so they wouldn't go to waste, he listened to them.

Years later at his funeral, his wife thanked me profusely for the tapes. She said he listened to them over and over and laughed out loud. Said it was the only thing he asked for later was more tapes of his show.

Saddest news for the day, I hope.

[Paladin]

34. When are some prominent RIGHT-WINGERS going to start paying for their sins?

Guys like Keillor get shot down, but degenerates like Roy Moore have a better-than average shot at the U.S. Senate? Not to mention the piece of trash occupant in the White House. I'm all for a reckoning, but I want it to be across the board.

[Rabrrrrrr]

42. I think the people on the left to be better at taking sexual misconduct seriously

Unless the sexual "misconduct" is related to gay sex, then the rightwing will throw 'em under the bus immediately. But harassing women at work or dating teenagers? That's perfectly fine, until it gets too expensive to keep paying off the victims.

[Lifelong Protester]

50. I'm with you. I can't keep up.

Why is Moore still viable? Why is that garbage in the White House?

[TexasBushwhacker]

51. Maybe because the women see how badly the GOP

treats accusers, they are afraid to speak out. Either that or the GOP is quietly paying off victims and making them sign nondisclosure agreements.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

35. I am zero percent surprised by this.

[Honeycombe8]

39. Why? He was single for a while, so I'm sure did some flirting.

Why would you think he'd molest someone, if that's what he did?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

40. His marital status has nothing to do with it.

His later writings relied on cantankerous annoyance about women (except sexy Scandinavian ones, like his younger wife) and minorities and the crazy things they do. He became a parody of himself and used his privilege poorly. Nothing concrete, no smoking gun, but people use writing to tell others who they are, and he was loud and clear about it.

[Honeycombe8]

56. Is THIS who you are referring to as his "sexy Scandinavian younger wife"?

LOL. She's almost 20 years younger, it's true. But she's an accomplished musician, and hardly can be called a babe or sexy.

His show hearkens back to the old days, like the skits with Dusty. They are not going to be modern day skits. So you have to realize where a program is coming from.

I am a feminist and never took offense at any of his shows or skits. I even saw the movie with Meryl Streep (not a good movie).

There's nothing I've ever heard of his past, or current life, that would have led me to think he'd ever molested anyone. Quite the contrary. And we don't know if he did that. He's 75 and has twice announced he was leaving int he past, but didn't. So it may be that he simply didn't want to fool with it.

As for being single, yes...that does have an impact on a man's behavior with women. When you're single, you are more likely to flirt and to ask women out and such, some of which may be misconstrued at work. So marital status IS relevant.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

60. Pretty sure that's the first time I've seen her.

Too bad his writing about her discounted her as a person with accomplishments and left the reader with a different impression.

[Honeycombe8]

61. That's when she's dressed to the Nines, so you can imagine what she looked like in other pics. nt

[Honeycombe8]

36. Oh, no. I have a hard time believing he did anything really bad. Oh, no. nt

[still_one]

37. If only these folks had followed the example of fearless leader in the WH...........

[sadiegirl]

43. More information at this link

https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2017-11-29/garrison-keillor-says-fired-over-alleged-improper-behavior?src=usn_rd

[roomtomove]

49. His show was anachronism....

from the 50's.....REALLY BORING........

[ProfessorPlum]

57. your mileage may vary, of course

but many many people loved both its tone and texture.

[kwassa]

90. That was the point.

It was a send-up. You didn't get the humor.

[Plucketeer]

53. All these high profile folks getting the heave ho

Is there any evidence of this wave sweeping into the realm of plumbers, Electricians, meat plant workers, cab drivers, bakers, convenience store clerks, auto mechanics, and so on and so forth? Having worn a blue collar for all my working years, I saw shit like this everywhere. If this purge goes into the lower rungs of labor, there's gonna be a real shortage of workers in just about every trade one can think of!

[Kimchijeon]

66. I think it's just limited to the influential

...well for now. They don't care if us peons give a co-worker googly eyes or "uncomfy hugs" or whatever... We shall see, I think we are OK until robots phase us out, lol

[alarimer]

88. I don't think firing everyone is necessarily the solution for minor things.

I think training in awareness and empathy and maybe docking pay or bad performance reviews should be options though.

Maybe if people suffered actual, real-time consequences to their actions, they might become more enlightened, even if it's purely out of self-interest. Or maybe not. But it's worth a shot.

The problem is all those guys you are talking about come from a society where behavior like this is entirely normal. Whether you are at work or not, it should not be normal to treat anyone this way.

And parents need to teach their boys not to be complete shits. How about respecting women as PEOPLE, with minds of their own and not just as bodies to be used. Ultimately this all goes back to the baked-in misogyny of our fucked-up society.

[TDale313]

59. Sigh.

I’m a longtime fan. He has always come across as an incredibly decent and kind man. Dunno the details, but this makes me sad.

[Kali]

62. fuck!

if all these icons are falling why the fuck is that lying orange menace still there?

[FreeStateDemocrat]

63. I'm worried that the horror of a tax bill that will do damaged to the working class and Medicare.

Fuck the millionaires' sexual behavior, tomorrow it will be another fucking distraction by M$M from reporting on the harm this tax bill will cause while the pukes sneak it into becoming law. We're being played for fools.

[Kimchijeon]

64. Glad I am just a lowly peasant... Anyone in the

Public eye (male, progressive/liberal leaning) seems fair game for this - careful, don't fart in public, some Nazi sycophant might pretend to be harrased and bam, you're fired without any further question. Really fucked up.

[DeminPennswoods]

69. Never liked PHC because Keillor's voice just grated on my

last nerve. His advice column, "Mr Blue" that ran in Slate or Salon, otoh, was hilarious.

[GeorgeGist]

74. He also said ...

But I’m 75 and don’t have any interest in arguing about this. And I cannot in conscience bring danger to a great organization I’ve worked hard for since 1969.

[al bupp]

81. BBC: Garrison Keillor: 'I put my hand on a woman's bare back'

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42174257

[TexasBushwhacker]

89. So what he did was "accidentally" put his hand up her shirt

I don't know how one does that accidentally, but he says he apologized and she accepted it.

[dflprincess]

84. From what the public has been told so far

it sounds like MPR has gone off the deep end over this. I take that to mean that they've either (a) been covering a lot up over the years because Keillor made Minnesota Public Radio or (b) been looking for a way to cut him loose for a long time and just see this as their chance.

[RealityChik]

87. It's another Al Frankenesque scenario...

Only his wasn't a photo op, he was trying to console a colleague and put his hand on her bare back. Removed it immediately, and apologized profusely. Thought all was forgiven, until some time later, he was contacted by the woman's attorney.