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Bozita

(26,955 posts)
Sun Apr 1, 2012, 02:53 PM Apr 2012

Al Gore: Why We Fired Keith Olbermann [View all]

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/276-74/10743-focus-al-gore-why-we-fired-keith-olbermann

Al Gore: Why We Fired Keith Olbermann
By Al Gore, Joel Hyatt, Current TV
01 April 12


We created Current to give voice to those Americans who refuse to rely on corporate-controlled media and are seeking an authentic progressive outlet. We are more committed to those goals today than ever before.

Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it.

We are moving ahead by honoring Current's values. Current has a fundamental obligation to deliver news programming with a progressive perspective that our viewers can count on being available daily - especially now, during the presidential election campaign. Current exists because our audience desires the kind of perspective, insight and commentary that is not easily found elsewhere in this time of big media consolidation.

As we move toward this summer's political conventions and the general election in the fall, Current is making significant new additions to our broadcasts. We have just debuted six hours of new programming each weekday with Bill Press ("Full Court Press" at 6 am ET/3 am PT) and Stephanie Miller ("Talking Liberally" at 9 am ET/6 pm PT).

We're very excited to announce that beginning tonight, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer will host "Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer," at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. Eliot is a veteran public servant and an astute observer of the issues of the day. He has important opinions and insights and he relishes the kind of constructive discourse that our viewers will appreciate this election year. We are confident that our viewers will be able to count on Gov. Spitzer to deliver critical information on a daily basis.

All of these additions to Current's lineup are aimed at achieving one simple goal - the goal that has always been central to Current's mission: To tell stories no one else will tell, to speak truth to power, and to influence the conversation of democracy on behalf of those whose voices are too seldom heard. We, and everyone at Current, want to thank our viewers for their continued steadfast support.


Sincerely,

Al Gore & Joel Hyatt

Current's Founders

86 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Now THAT is how you make a classy statement. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #1
I Love Olbermann liberalmike27 Apr 2012 #14
Agreed. Myrina Apr 2012 #49
Agreed, and sorry to see KO go. But he didn't do the GOP coverage, so when Current TV says: freshwest Apr 2012 #62
I think he was expecting to be the "big cheese" center of the universe CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #75
that's really weak bigtree Apr 2012 #2
If only Keith had some sort of past we could learn from. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #3
Olbermann has lawyered up tularetom Apr 2012 #6
Gore still has his network bigtree Apr 2012 #13
...and millions of dollars. XemaSab Apr 2012 #18
Yeah, and what a reputation it is tularetom Apr 2012 #19
at least three of those networks don't deserve defending against Keith bigtree Apr 2012 #21
he quit NBC, according to Rachel Maddow and it;s reported that he was negotiating to be released bettyellen Apr 2012 #24
He's got a great reputation with me. A problem with authority? Hissyspit Apr 2012 #25
Perhaps he could obliviously Apr 2012 #47
Maybe a Web Video Blog liberalmike27 Apr 2012 #53
wish he'd take this change with more dignity. Voice for Peace Apr 2012 #28
and many millions of dollars... dionysus Apr 2012 #61
I think the operative sentence is this one: Warpy Apr 2012 #20
I figured his absenses played a big part in the firing bigtree Apr 2012 #23
Yes, it was pure corporate obfuscation Warpy Apr 2012 #41
Petulance is not an attractive quality for an adult. SoCalDem Apr 2012 #50
I think that is where it is at also. There have been many absenses. We were told jwirr Apr 2012 #45
exactly. the letter says absolutely nthing. a tiny press release. robinlynne Apr 2012 #26
Actually, Gore was careful not to say that. snot Apr 2012 #66
In an integrity pissing match, Gore has a water cannon and Olbermann can't even carry a water pistol CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #76
This doesn't really tell me much at all. Not sure what to think. nt Quixote1818 Apr 2012 #4
I wonder, too. CTyankee Apr 2012 #11
Same here...says nothing,really, about the split. dixiegrrrrl Apr 2012 #12
Same here - leaves me saying "huh?" polichick Apr 2012 #17
Keith is clearly a pill to work with as echoed by many of his former colleagues. AtomicKitten Apr 2012 #5
true mdmc Apr 2012 #9
... Exen Trik Apr 2012 #7
Too late. Google is watching you... freshwest Apr 2012 #60
People will read into this whatever they want aint_no_life_nowhere Apr 2012 #8
It boils down to this quaker bill Apr 2012 #10
KO may be a prima donna and a PITA... Deep13 Apr 2012 #15
Deep 13 LoisB Apr 2012 #30
Translation: Nevernose Apr 2012 #16
I think KO is looking for a bigger spotlight for his ego Life Long Dem Apr 2012 #22
I'm shocked that Keith Olbermann is difficult to work with. He always seems so mellow and laid-back. Ian David Apr 2012 #27
Hang on a second. Bladian Apr 2012 #63
They knew what they were getting when they hired him. Ian David Apr 2012 #65
Which is why SATIRical Apr 2012 #77
Unfortunately, you may be correct. n/t Ian David Apr 2012 #79
They'll love Spitzer. He won't rock the boat too much Justice4allofus Apr 2012 #29
Considering Spitzer's past... regnaD kciN Apr 2012 #35
Spitzer did far more about reining in corporate power cali Apr 2012 #38
A spot on post that bolsters your credibility! JNelson6563 Apr 2012 #52
it has nothing to do with rocking the boat, Current's problem was Keith not showing upfor Work JI7 Apr 2012 #55
I'm afraid much of the rest of the Current line-up is a snooze. Vinca Apr 2012 #31
One thing youse seem to have forgotten about Olbermann meow2u3 Apr 2012 #32
"Philosophical Differences"... KharmaTrain Apr 2012 #33
It's like Keith has been in a slow motion nervous breakdown. SunSeeker Apr 2012 #34
If only Gore had put as much effort into contesting the Supreme Court's decision re: Gore v Bush nt Cheap_Trick Apr 2012 #36
like fucking what exactly? Do tell. cali Apr 2012 #39
Gore fought it all the way to the Supreme Court Canuckistanian Apr 2012 #43
Yeah, he should have called for armed revolution! Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #64
Um, how do you propose he should have contested a SCOTUS decision? NYC Liberal Apr 2012 #68
Being fired means he can land somewhere else besides the top guest on .... marble falls Apr 2012 #37
I don't get it - the title of this piece doesn't correspond to its content at all. Fool Count Apr 2012 #40
"As we move toward this summer's political conventions and the general election in the fall,... Hatchling Apr 2012 #42
I don't think we have heard the last of Keith. He will surface somewhere. totodeinhere Apr 2012 #44
"Speak truth to power." originalpckelly Apr 2012 #46
classy statement. reading between the lines, Al was saying... IamK Apr 2012 #48
Nice statement pretty much says it all ... KO doesn't "play well with others". Raine Apr 2012 #51
That really doesn't explain anything JonLP24 Apr 2012 #54
Explains every thing. Tripod Apr 2012 #59
I'm guessing "respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty" are not K.O.'s strong points... Amerigo Vespucci Apr 2012 #56
They're not Joel Hyatt's strong suits, either, Amerigo. Hyatt is a co-signer of Gore's letter. pacalo Apr 2012 #70
Didn't know that... Amerigo Vespucci Apr 2012 #71
Joel Hyatt has much history with really ugly terminations, including one of the landmark Bluenorthwest Apr 2012 #57
I am done with current newfie11 Apr 2012 #58
Another possible explanation... rwsanders Apr 2012 #67
"Respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers." Frankly, I want to gag pacalo Apr 2012 #69
Love KO and will always repect him... tex-wyo-dem Apr 2012 #72
It's very obvious what happened... dsharp88 Apr 2012 #73
I have a feeling that it is not that Current is a "smaller" operation. I have a feeling that they Hissyspit Apr 2012 #80
And the hate radio kings A wise Man Apr 2012 #74
Look for Olbermann To Be on Russia Today or Al Jazeera Yavin4 Apr 2012 #78
This really says very little... Spazito Apr 2012 #81
Olbermann will lose to Al in a public opinion poll every day of the week. His history Pisces Apr 2012 #82
I am really disappointed in Keith. Flame away - I don't care. But the truth is jillan Apr 2012 #83
A have to agree. Ganja Ninja Apr 2012 #85
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Apr 2012 #84
Aw kctim Apr 2012 #86
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