Proposed Keith Olbermann Group

[Patsy Stone]

So, we're here to create a mission statement to submit to Skinner for a KO Group. Start brainstorming. We all know the post counts are out of control, and the desire to chat during the day and on weekends causes the Friday threads to go until Monday, so let's spread the love around.

Here are the offical rules: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=206x10


From Nothing Without Hope in last night's thread:

1. We can concentrate more on the show during the live-blog time. This would both increase the information content for those of us without cable and also reduce the number of posts, which is what Skinner says is the major slow-down factor for big threads.

2. We can post at other times without dealing with a long thread or a thread that is hard to find. It would be started in our Group Forum, presumbly within the 2004 Elections Forum, so we could check there whenever we wanted and find each other.

3. We can start threads that are not so directly related to only the topics raised on KO's show but are important to us, or expand on subjects that he touches on in one or two shows but are not mentioned otherwise. After all, much of his show is on topics that don't need discussion -- but some of them do beyond the time given on his show.

4. Our live-blog thread could be more accessible and probably shorter (and easier/faster to load as a result), so might be less intimidating for people who would like to join us but get lost in the long thread and many inside jokes.

---

Here's an example of a mission statement that I cribbed from the Groups. This should give us somewhere to start:

The purpose of the African-American Issues Group is to have a place on DU to discuss issues which directly affect the African-American community. Our goal is to reach out beyond the walls of DU and affect the black community with the message of what real moral values are and how those values lead us to liberal causes. DUers from all races are welcome to participate.

--

This thread's address will appear in tonight's KOEB Thread so everyone can participate in the discussion. At the moment, the only drawback seems to be some regulars who are star-less. I've also heard from people who would be more than willing to sponsor some stars -- myself included -- so even that might not be a problem. Besides, if this causes more donations to DU, so much the better.



:loveya:

[patrice]

1. Good job All! We love you. n/t

[Shopaholic]

2. Well count me in, and I've got a Star and would be happy to sponsor a

fellow KOEB'er.

Mission Statement: To support the only MSM guy out there with the balls big enough to cover the stories that no one else is willing to cover!

[Miami Liberal]

3. LOL shop

I 2nd that mission statement. Seriously, this is a great idea. I have dial-up at home and sometimes it takes forever to load. Count me in for anything you need. :thumbsup:

:hi:


:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Patsy Stone]

4. LOL!

And EXCELLENT taste in ties. :)

[Nothing Without Hope]

83. I'll work some more on this later, but for now I'd like to add

that this Group is to help to promote the formation of an activist COMMUNITY around the support of the last consistently truthful TV journalist. Basically the Group will be intended to complement and extend the nightly KOEB liveblog thread. It's not JUST about Keef, as we also cover territory he doesn't. He's the core theme, but the community is the biggest thing IMO. With our community more fully formed, we may be able to address some progressive issues even beyond what Keef says and does.

I can't work on this now, but I'll try to get back to it later this evening and propose my draft version of a KOEB Group Missionn Statement. Maybe we can cut and paste from the various versions, selecting out the key parts.

At least we DO already have an official toast:
To The Ties That Bind!
:toast:

[greenmutha]

90. And don't forget the official mug and the official attire:

ROFLOL!

[Nothing Without Hope]

95. Oh my, now you've got me laughing too!

You are so naughy, Green, you definitely belong in the KOEB!!

To the Ties That Bind!
:toast:

[RevCheesehead]

108. I think you're making "bodice-ripping" a tad too easy.

That's really funny, Greenmutha!!

[greenmutha]

89. I like that mission statement! Short and to the point...

and... accurate! :evilgrin:

[SharonRB]

5. I know there was some concern last night that it

shouldn't be in the 2004 Election Forum.

I'm confused -- aren't the official groups outside the realm of the regular forums? Isn't there a special place for them? Just asking -- Since I've just been "starred," I'm not familiar with exactly how they work.

Edit: Don't be confused by my new look. Not only do I have a star, but since I could now do my own avatar, I changed that, too!

[Patsy Stone]

6. Yep, they are under DU Groups

On the left of the main page, after the list of forums. The Forums don't have groups. Nice avatar, Sharon!

[SharonRB]

7. That's what I thought!

Thanks -- glad you like my new look.

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxmk501YYUS' target='_blank'><img src='' alt='' border=0></a>

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxmk501YYUS' target='_blank'><img src='' alt='Cheerleader Toss' border=0></a>

Okay -- here we go from Photobucket (what a pain to have to save them first. And they lose their animation this way, of course!)

[SharonRB]

8. Okay, how come these didn't work?

[Shopaholic]

9. Ah--the mystery of what will work and what will not when

trying to paste into posts on DU! That's why I stick with the regular ones provided in the lookup table--my skills aren't the greatest in this area!!! Although I finally did learn how to post photos--like this one:

[SharonRB]

10. I've finally got that down, too, as long as there's a URL

in the properties! I went out to Smiley Central, and copied and pasted the HTML, but you see what I got. Just copying and pasting the image itself didn't work. Now I've copied them into Photoshop and am in theprocess of saving them, putting them into Photobucket and doing it that way. What a pain in the A**. Can't do that at home. And constantly looking up URLs in Photobucket takes too much time. Anyone have any hints to make this easier?

[greenmutha]

88. I'm having the same problem with my smiley central, so when you find out

how to do it, will ya teach me too, please?

[SharonRB]

93. I'm still waiting for someone to show me how

I'll let you know if I hear anything.

[Sydnie]

94. I use two programs to hold my smilies

One is called Get Smilie. It's not free, but it has great drag and drop or just double click usability built in. The other one is called EmotiPad. Again, not free, but I got that one as a gift from a friend.

Google for them and check them out. They make it easy to have a smilie at the ready!

[Catchawave]

11. I'm in :)

Can we call the Group:

Countdown with Keith Olbermann (for those who love the show, it's even great when KO has a sub!) Also, estrogen would not be required under that format.

...and, of course, continue the KOEB Love and Floatie Heart Fest Liveblog in a public forum.

I noticed Jon Stewart has a Group, that may be a good mission statement to guide us also.

I'll be happy to sponsor some stars for regulars, but I highly encourage a donor friendly membership. DU is definitely worth it!

I also notice that Group sign-ups are in the most active forums, can we post it in more than one? Thinking GD ?

I'm working on my Quiz question now....later guys....:D

[SharonRB]

12. Okay -- here's where I get confused

I thought Groups were outside of the forums, not under them. Am I just being dense?

[Catchawave]

17. I think a whole new DU world opened up to you after you

got your star :) These groups are little special interest forums under the DU umbrella, and pretty free from hardcore political debate. Have you had a chance to explore them yet? Great fun, every topic from soup to nuts, so to speak.

[SharonRB]

32. You're right -- it did!

I've explored a little -- they seem pretty interesting. But I thought they were sort of freestanding off to the side, not under the forums. That's why I got confused when you said:

"I also notice that Group sign-ups are in the most active forums, can we post it in more than one? Thinking GD ?"

Oh, duh, now I think I get it. This was just referring to the sign-ups, not the groups themselves. Is that what I was missing?


:dunce:

[SharonRB]

13. I went and read their mission statement and

it seems to fit more with what we're trying to get the KOEB to be -- focused pretty much on the show itself -- not what it sounds like we want the group to be, which is broader.

[Miami Liberal]

14. I have a serious question...

Will swooning and floaties galore be allowed in the group? Or will that be strictly contained to the nightly KOEB thread in ERD 04? :evilgrin:

KO ---> <--- KOEB

[Shopaholic]

15. I think we should be able to floaty heart whenever we want to.

Just saying. :evilgrin:

[gkhouston]

16. consider the membership...

how could we keep the :loveya:'s out? And why would we try?

I suppose if there are folks desiring extremely weighty discussion, we could have designated "heart" and "snark" free threads, although we usually mix the serious with the silly in the nightly thread. One of the advantages of a group is that we could have multiple threads side by side without feeling like we're stepping on anyone's toes by taking up too much space. I worry sometimes about wearing out our welcome in ERD.

[Catchawave]

19. I hope so !

I think we can do whatever we want in a group? I'm most active in Veg/Animal Rights group, Elad is our mod, and s/he basically protects us from flame throwers...lol.

Is everyone familiar with the DU Groups? It took me awhile to get used to them, but they're just wonderful little special interest communities.

My reason for wanting a Keef group, is that there's some anti-keef websites I'd like to discuss, but not on a public forum.

Hope that made sense?

[gkhouston]

21. it will still be public...

any Keef-hater who wants to plonk down a small donation will be free to come in and freep, although I can't imagine why he/she/it would bother... although I suppose Ann Coulter does have a lot of spare time on her hands these days...

[Catchawave]

29. Yep, Annie probably does have a spare $5....lol

...but she won't be able to bash Keefer. You can still get tombstoned in a group.

[Miami Liberal]

27. I frequent the Entertainment and Pop Culture group

and was also part of getting the Music Appreciation group but there's not much movement over there. I think the KO group will become one of the largest and fastest moving.

[Catchawave]

30. The Groups do move alot slower,

which is a good thing, right?

I'm surprised that the Jon Stewart Group moves at a snail's pace too ? Even after Peter Jennings was on last night embracing Bloggers as "passionate" and defended our medium.

I'd still like to give a Keef Group a shot, he's more MSM than Jon, and our only hope ?

[gkhouston]

31. I'm trying to imagine a KO group moving at a snail's pace

I think the opposite is likely to happen. All the people who miss the evening blog for one reason or another are going to drop by the group, which will be more of an ongoing discussion. "We never close" will become our motto, right after "To the ties that bind".

[RevCheesehead]

49. Well, we should probably recruit a few more bartenders.

Because as amazing as Sparky is, I don't think he can tend 24/7.

[AmyJCNJ]

58. and a bouncer!

that reminds me we need a gatekeeper or two to watch out for creepers.

[Nothing Without Hope]

91. ABSOLUTELY floaty hearts and swooning are allowed

Why, without them visitors might think they've accidentally wandered into one of those boring KO threads with no ambiance, no adorable bartender, and no potpourri in the bathroom!:scared:

The rules are: in a Group you have to be a Donating DU Member to post though anyone may read the posts (that's DU's rules, not ours), and (again a general DU rule) no malicious disruption will be tolerated. Freeper nastiness has never been a problem for us -- we only ever had one such visit, which produced the only post ever excised from any of our threads by a mod. I suppose freepers are intimidated by all the estrogen?
:nuke: :nuke: :crazy: :nuke: :nuke:
Hmmm...yet another health benefit of this handy hormone!

[Pussycat Eyes]

18. That's a wonderful idea!

I'm new to DU but not new to hearing about the KOEB. I know a couple of the KOEBers and they've kept me informed of your nightly threads dedicated to COUNTDOWN. I'm a huge KO fan myself and hope to join you soon. You all seem like a great bunch, no wonder he wore your tie!

[Catchawave]

20. Hi pussycat.....

welcome...one post, no star....in a group forum?

Ok, maybe I don't know all the rules here....LOL.

[gkhouston]

22. you have to be a donating member of DU to get a star

but anyone can read a group

on ed: but only members with stars can post to groups

[Shopaholic]

23. Yep--those are the rules alright--

and I think you have to have so many posts before you can either start a new discussion thread and then there is a number of posts you have to reach before you can either send or receive PM's! Of course, I have no idea what the magic number is. .. just saying!

Hi PussycatEyes and fellow KO fan.

[gkhouston]

24. true. I'd forgotten about those restrictions

since the magic numbers were apparently low enough to not be a problem for me. I think they probably exist to discourage the "join today, be a freeping asshole for the next 24 hours" kind of poster.

on ed: can we have a rule that anybody in the group who acts like a jerk doesn't get any drinks from Sparky? }(

[Pussycat Eyes]

26. Hi Shopaholic

Thanks for the welcome and for the info!

[Pussycat Eyes]

25. Hi Catchawave

I have lots of learning to do. I'll donate some $ soon.

[Catchawave]

28. I just realized......

...the Media group isn't a "Group", and is public. My bad. But if KO becomes a Group, you'd probably have to donate ?

I should know better, I lurked here 6 months before I registered/donated, then it took me another 6 months to post my first post !

I meant no offense, please forgive me! And WELCOME to KO=:loveya: =land.

[SharonRB]

33. Welcome, Pussycat!

:hi:

[Shopaholic]

34. I'd still feel more comfortable discussing some issues--

(like the anti-KO website which needs to die ASAP) in a more "private" group forum than in our usual very public KOEB threads.

[AmyJCNJ]

46. I think the groups

can still be viewed by non-star people.

Are we so sure it's "private".

And yes he needs to go.

[Catchawave]

35. Have we started on a Mission Statement yet.....

I did....(in high snark mode too)

1. The Countdown with Keith Olbermann Group will be dedicated to all aspects of the MSNBC program, including when KO is on vacation at an undisclosed location.

2. Liveblogs (floatie hearts and the cyberbar hours) will continue in public forums as is the tradition of the KOEB to comment on news, ties, matching shirts and jackets, not necessarily in that order. Forums will be announced in the Group, well in advance of the live broadcast, and/or whenever Admin wants to change the forum location.

....any more thoughts?

[Shopaholic]

37. I think it's still in the planning stages and we're adding to it as

we go along (see my first post way up on the page).

[AmyJCNJ]

48. also

The mission statement is good.

we should also dedicate a non floaty heart zone or estrogen free zone to promote more men to join the group.

just a thought.

[greenmutha]

36. Count me in, too!

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Patsy Stone]

38. So, here's the Daily Show mission statement

The mission of the DU Daily Show with Jon Stewart Group is to...

1) Promote upcoming topics and guests
2) Link to the latest segments on The Daily Show website
3) Discuss guests, topics and issues covered on The Daily Show
4) Discuss and promote upcoming appearances by Jon Stewart, Lewis Black, and other Daily Show cast in film, on TV, and live performances.
5) Post cute pictures of Jon singing with Elmo (only not so many pictures of Elmo, I guess).

If they can include "cute pictures of Jon Stewart with Elmo" I think we're good to go with:

1) Post floaty hearts for the best MSM news guy out there
2) Buy him nice ties and gifts for all important occasions
3) Discuss Countdown ratings and show ideas
4) Work on Newsquiz questions
5) Raise awareness of Countdown among those outside of DU
6) Discuss our big ol' crush on his snarkiness
7) Drink and hang out after business hours.
8) Discuss the newest blog in depth.

Did I forget anything? :)

[Shopaholic]

39. Post sexy pictures of Mr. KO.

[AmyJCNJ]

43. #5

How about just:
Promote the show to friends, family, coworkers and the world.

Actually it's fine the way it is. I just didn't read it correctly the first time.

Ooo! I'm so excited! This is gonna be great!
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[AmyJCNJ]

40. Great job! I have a few other suggestions too

I find it really difficult to keep up with all the KOEB threads so sorry if somebody already suggested this...

Along with the group mission statement, which should be pinned at the top of the page in the group, we should also have a FAQ (frequently asked questions) pinned that we can add to as new question come up.

For example:

What does EDV mean?
Estrogen Driven Vixens

What's up with all the floaty hearts?
Many of Keith's fans of the estrogen driven persuasion find Keith irresistibly hunky and his snarkiness intensifies the effects.

What does snarky mean?
It's just another way of saying sarcastic.

Why do so many conversations revolve around Keith's wardrobe?
Why not? But seriously, it goes with all the estrogen in the place.

Is this group exclusive to women?
NOOO! While it's true Keith has many female fans and no doubt a few stalkers; many men in the group also appreciate his fine journalistic style and humor. The mixture of sports and politics attracts all kinds of fans. Everyone is welcome to the party. The more the merrier.

[Patsy Stone]

42. Love the FAQ idea... LOL

I think I also forgot to include:

Create poetry and artwork inspired by KO. :)

[AmyJCNJ]

44. And Music!

Theme songs for Keith like this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=331978#331998

[Sydnie]

41. Count me in

I am so there!!! :loveya:

How many stars do we need to get them to approve? I think we have more than enough don't we?

[AmyJCNJ]

45. It's romper room

let's see, I see:
Patsy and Patrice and Shopaholic and MiamiLib.
And Sharon, Catchawave, Gkhouston, Pussycat, Greenmutha and Sydnie and me!

And seito of course!

Yup! That's 10!!!

[seito]

47. Me too

Sound like fun :)

[Gogi]

51. I'm here! I'm here!

I have a star!!!!

[AmyJCNJ]

55. And Gogi and Rev

And I see Steph and Keith!
:hi:

[Patsy Stone]

60. LMAO

So true... :)

[RevCheesehead]

50. Count me in.

Just to clarify:
Forums (forii?) are public. Anyone registered can read and post.

Groups are topic specific, and are for donors. Donations can be as little as $5, according to Skinner. Non-donors can still read the groups, but they cannot post.

The group mods are terrific in policing the place. Disruptors are swiftly dealt with. And a few long-time members have been tombstoned for entering a group with the purpose of disrupting.

I seriously don't think we'll have any problems with disruptors. I mean, a gazillion posts, and only ONE deletion? That's got to be a DU record!

[Gogi]

52. The first time I tried to find the KOEB I thought it would be under

groups. Maybe we can increase our membership by having a dedicated group.

[Patsy Stone]

53. And Games! From Sydnie -- whaddya think?

Need help with the KOEB "shoot your mug" game please
From: Sydnie
Date: Feb 24th 2005

Patsy,

I am never here on Friday nights and I thought that would be the best night to start the post about the game. I was hoping that you would post about it this Friday for me.

I had a few ideas that may or may not be included in the game, depending on what every one wants to do.

For those that don't have a mug, I would be happy to mail one of mine out to them, with the idea that they either mail it to the next person or back to me to mail out again when needed.

I think it would be a good idea if they took a pic somewhere in their town/city that represents where they live, if possible.

I would like it very much if they would send some "token" that represents their city or their feelings about KO and the work he does as a gift for KO when we send him the finished product.

I would volunteer to print out all the pics and place them in an album with a personal note from the person in the picture placed with their picture, if anyone wants to include one.

These are just ideas, nothing is written in stone for sure. What ever everyone wants to do, will be fine with me. I just can't seem to get my schedule to work so that I am here early enough on Fridays lately to begin to arrange to do this.

What do you think? Can we pull this off?

Syd

[AmyJCNJ]

56. I think it's a great idea

Is this too stalkerish?

I live literally 5 minutes from the MSNBC studio. I could take a picture of the mug next to the building from the parking lot across the street. Or I could take a picture of it in Central Park.

I'm really just a fan of Keith's and not a stalker.

[Patsy Stone]

57. If you have a mug now

Go to The Gates!!! LOL :)

[AmyJCNJ]

59. I thought the same thing but

I would want to line up like 5 mugs!

on edit: I think it's over on Monday, so I'd have to get them by Saturday it's not enough time.

[Patsy Stone]

61. LOL

Photoshop, baby! :)

[SharonRB]

80. LOL

I was thinking the same thing!

[RevCheesehead]

63. Absolutely! I've already got a few shots planned!

1. Lambeau Field. Just because. (and I'm 30 miles away)
2. Algoma lighthouse - where I live now.
3. At my church (probably the outside; definately NOT on the altar!)

All I need now is a digital camera, and some instructions on how to use photobucket (or something better, if you know of any).

[SharonRB]

79. This is a great idea

I would love to have my picture taken at the "Big House" (no, I'm not joining Martha -- it's the UofM stadium), but I won't be in Ann Arbor again until football starts in the fall. If we want to get this to him way earlier than that, maybe I can come up with something else.

Also, I don't have a digital camera, so it will have to be a scan of a photo taken with a real camera on film. I might take Syd up on her offer of mailing the mug, unless I decide to buy one at cafepress.

[Patsy Stone]

54. BTW

Since 1 p.m. EST when I started this thread there are only 53 posts (unbeliveably slow for us :)), but we are already the fourth highest thread in post counts, and the third thread hasn't been posted in since 2/11. I'm just saying...

[AmyJCNJ]

62. Oy! Vey!

Sorry, I'm over posting out of excitement.

I will try to get a picture of the shower curtains this weekend and we'll take it from there.

I just remembered something we should add to the mission statement:

Post Yiddish slang whenever possible.


I'm off to bed now. Goodnight!

:hi:

:grouphug:
:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Shopaholic]

64. We take over any area we post in---

:evilgrin:

The KOEB--you can't stop us- you can only hope to contain us!

[Patsy Stone]

65. Sort of

like nu-cuuuu-lar waste? :)

[seito]

69. lol

:)

[bunny planet]

131. I love you for suggesting this, you little meshugge Jersey girl.

Takes one to know one.
:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[crispini]

66. Hi ladies!

I'm here. :hi: Count me in, I'm looking forward to it.

I did notice the mention about about poetry, songs, artwork etc. That's all faaaabulous. BUT, if fanfic comes into the picture I am soooooooo outta here. Fanfic about a real, live, actual human being is waaaaaay beyond the bounds of good taste. I'm just sayin! :evilgrin:

[Shopaholic]

68. Thank GOD someone said that--

it creeps the hell out of me too Crispini! :scared:

[seito]

70. I must live in a cave

What the **** is fan fic?

[bunny planet]

133. I didn't know either, but now that I do, I'm against it. Sounds altogether

icky.

[gkhouston]

72. ewwww. I didn't think we'd NEED an explicit rule against THAT

but I'm certainly willing to support one. Ick-o-rama.

for whoever asked: fanfic is fan fiction. Usually it's about fictional people, like Captain Kirk (sorry if you thought he was real!). For some reason, the idea of writing fiction about real people is just sooooo creepy... I'm with crispini on this... no no no no NO!!!!

[crispini]

73. The John Stewart Estrogen Brigade does,

that's where I first saw fanfic about a real person. http://jseb.jonstewart.net/fic/index.html

I read one, and it was cute, and quite vanilla, but the whole idea just wigs me beyond belief. (Fanfic about a real person, that is, not fanfic in general. I've read some HP fanfic that was just brilliant.)

[gkhouston]

74. yes, I've seen some HP fanfic that made more sense than the last book.

Although the appeal of slash fic still mystifies me. (Have you been following "Here be Monsters"? It started off well and is chock-full of interesting bits, but is proceeding at a glacial pace.)

I'm just not liking the idea of Keef fic. I guess I'm afraid it would skate too close to the edge of stalker-thinking-out-loud for my personal comfort.

[crispini]

77. No, I'll have to check it out.

I wonder if Viola ever finished "Dreamwalk Blue"? I'll have to go see...

[gkhouston]

78. I'll have to check out "Dreamwalk Blue"

the author for "Here be Monsters" is dzeytoun. There have been times when it got too sentimental or I was afraid he was about to veer off into slash, but he never quite got there and I love what he does with house elves.

on edit: and you get the feeling that you're seeing additional layers of Rowling's world rather than some alternate universe, if you know what I mean.

[Catchawave]

75. Did you read the "Power of the Kiss" ?

Euwwwww....we don't want to GO THERE. I think our love, laughter and lust for Keef is all in good fun, journalizing fantasies would be crossing the line !

However, posting photos that encourage fantasies should still be allowed, like Mr. Dreamy Jeans....lol.

[crispini]

76. No, I read the first one.

Quite harmless, but it just squicked me out. I would SO not want somebody writing fanfic about ME. Brrrr! :scared:

Oh, and :wtf: was up with Jose Canseco's shirt last night? Did he steal it from Victoria's Secret?

[Nothing Without Hope]

92. Indeed. We enjoy the FHs and the swooning, but it is all in good fun

We don't want KO to feel stalked. This is about good feelings, community, and support for the only real journalist, the only consistent truthteller left on TV.

This points up the importance of a carefully written Mission Statement. It needs to be nonexclusive and flexible to capture the community and fun aspects but make it clear that this is not really a KO fan club. Indeed, we will often be discussing things that are only peripherally touched or not mentioned at all in his shows -- he's wonderful and he tries hard, but there is only so much space in his show and only so much permissiveness by his medium and his bosses.

[gkhouston]

97. I agree that the mission statement needs to be carefully written

and I also agree that it isn't really a KO fan club, although there are certainly some fan club aspects to it. To me, the KOEB seems to be a group of people who admire and enjoy KO's work and everything it represents. Some of us float for him and some don't, and even the floaty-heart crowd worships at varying altitudes and attitudes. So there's the "we like Keef" aspect of the KOEB that falls under the aegis of a traditional fan club, and that's fine, but even at our floatiest we occasionally spin off into some serious discussion about what's happening in Iraq and the mission statement needs to let us do that, too.

I was catching up on this week and saw a few posts from a new voice, Rhiannon, who's been holding back on joining the fray because she didn't really know anyone in the KOEB yet, even though our nightly threads have always been extremely welcoming to newcomers. We cut up a lot, and really enjoy doing it (especially on Fridays -- it really killed me to miss last Friday... the things I would have said to Clark about that halo!!), and I think she was afraid that her more sober offerings might get booed off the stage. Perhaps with a clearly written mission statement, new folk wouldn't be so hesitant about adding their voices to the chord. We have fun, we love our fun, we need our fun, but we're about a lot more than that, and the mission statement should give us enough room to be about more than that.

And Patsy -- how you escaped corner time for making a certain observation on Thursday night I will never know!

[Patsy Stone]

109. I just saw this post. :)

Um, was that the "dresses left" line? O8)

[Patsy Stone]

67. I gotta add one more to the mission statement

Gently encouraging the correct spelling of Olbermann.
"No, dear, that's with one L, and two Ns." :)

[seito]

71. ...and help with pronunciation

since it is even harder to pronounce :eyes:

[Patsy Stone]

81. Just because I can post this and not kick that thread :)

See you all later... What's everybody drinkin' this evening? :)


------------------------------------------------------
Tonight on Countdown
------------------------------------------------------

President Bush's European Vacation... The special wrap-up as only Countdown can...

Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann broadcasts LIVE at 8 pm et, and the count is never complete without you. Join us.

Keith blogs. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

* Pope John Paul II is breathing on his own, but his doctors have advised him not to speak for a few days, the Vatican said Friday, a day after he was rushed to a hospital and underwent surgery to ease another breathing crisis. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7022618/

* An attorney for the parents of Terri Schiavo say Florida's social services agency is seeking a 60-day delay in the removal of the woman's feeding tube while it investigates new allegations of her abuse and neglect. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6081359/

* A roadside bomb killed three U.S. soldiers and wounded eight others north of Baghdad on Friday, the U.S. military said, while the Iraqi government announced the capture of three figures associated with Iraq's bloody insurgency. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6913272/

* Fort Worth woman says her new husband is incapable of murder -- even though police say he's confessed to killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and her son, Dallas television station KXAS reported. Trish Barbee says "it's impossible" that Stephen Dale Barbee, 37, could have killed 34-year-old Lisa Underwood and her 7-year-old son, Jayden Underwood. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7024203/

* The police car chase -- fun to watch, but is it necessary?

And Friday's Favorite, the NEWSQUIZ.

That's some of what we're working on for tonight's show.

Finally,
Animal rights activists are disgusted by a new candy from Kraft Foods Inc. that's shaped like critters run over by cars - complete with tire treads. The fruity-flavored Trolli Road Kill Gummi Candy - in shapes of partly flattened snakes, chickens and squirrels - fosters cruelty toward animals, according to the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/ROAD_KILL_CANDY?SITE=NWCN&TEMPLATE=STRANGEHEADS.html&SECTION=HOME
Oh good grief... lighten up!

-- Carey Fox

Countdown Home: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

More:
The family of a missing 9-year-old girl who disappeared from her bedroom pleaded for her return Friday, calling her an "angel" who needs to be home. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7030409/

The world's population will increase by 40 percent to 9.1 billion in 2050 but virtually all the growth will be in the developing world, especially in the 50 poorest countries, the U.N. Population Division said. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7030046/

Unlike last year's utterly predictable ceremony, when clear front-runners took all the acting awards and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" left precious few trophies for anyone else, these Oscars are anyone's guess in most categories. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7025331/

[greenmutha]

82. Too late! WhirlyGirl just posted and kicked it up.

Hi Patsy :hi:

Have we got enough stars yet? I donated during the fund drive and gave the star to a KOEB member, but I noticed in last night's thread that they haven't received it yet. I will check with Skinner today to see what happened to it.

[Shopaholic]

84. Hey Greenie--

Check you out--You got a Star! :toast:

[greenmutha]

85. Hey Shop...

:hi: I've had a star since the day I joined DU. (Color me very confused...???) :shrug:

[Shopaholic]

86. DUH--

Totally misread your post! Total Lack of reading comprehension on my part. See what happens when I try to do 10 things at once? Color me embarassed!

[greenmutha]

87. No prob, sweetie...

:hug: I've done the same thing myself a time or two (or three or four or...!) :crazy:

[Rhiannon12866]

96. The stars are now supposed to happen immediately

There used to be a lead time, but not anymore.:shrug:

[WhirlyGirl]

98. HI, guys! Count me in, w/ regard to the GROUP!

:hi:

BTW, could someone please explain the frequently-occurring term "kick," as in, "Too late! WhirlyGirl just posted and kicked it up." ~~~ I always like to know what I've done!

[gkhouston]

99. if you sort the threads in a forum by "last updated date"

as many of us do and a special lil' KOEBer named WhirlyGirl comes in and posts to a thread that's down at the bottom of the second page in the forum, that thread will then become the most recently updated thread and get "kicked" up to the top of the first page. I usually sort by "last updated date" unless I'm trying to find KOEB threads I've missed. Then all I have to do is sort by the number of replies, 'cause I know those threads always have plenty of them!

[WhirlyGirl]

105. Ah, thanks, gk! I confess I sometimes reply to KO threads partly because..

I like to see them pop up to the top of the forum!

So THAT's kicking!-- good word to know! :-)

[crispini]

100. Bwahahahah! Have you guys read the Letters section on Countdown's website

lately?

Did one of ya'll write this?

Keith, last two or so blogs you've done, I've noticed that you have commented on sending reply e-mails to some of your critics. Is that what I have to do to get a reply to an e-mail, because I can pretend to be angry about SpongeBob, Dobson, or your Ohio election fraud reporting? I'm feeling neglected because I've been watching you since before you got so popular...

Tee hee! Don't we always complain about the same thing? :silly:

[gkhouston]

101. not guilty

My genuine thoughts are inane enough without inventing contrary opinions. 'Sides, I couldn't keep a straight face while emailing negative stuff about SpongeBob, although I suppose a "straight" face would be more appropriate for homophobic spew.

Bought a SpongeBob birthday card for one of the neighbor's kids Saturday night and part of the card is a "make your own SpongeBob kit": all you have to do is buy a generic yellow kitchen sponge. So hubby and I dutifully go off to find said sponge and the only one we can locate is in a two-pack that also contains a blue sponge. So the neighbor's kid will have a choice of whether to make SpongeBob or his ethic cousin... :D

[Catchawave]

103. Not mine!

But I did send a "gentle" correction to the last newsletter blaming animal rights activists (which was incorrect on the AP wire) for the Roadkill gummi candy protest. It was indeed an animal welfare organization. Wasn't sure if they were going to use it on Oddball and asked them to please verify with the NJSPCA that it was a humane education concern, rather than "those whacky PETAs". Such a label can affect donations to their shelter, since the media's always connecting PETA to terrorism....lol.

I signed it with my full name and address and A Whacky Peta Fan :)

Sidebar: Kraft did pull the candy off the market!

[crispini]

102. Aren't we done with the mission statement yet?

C'mon, slackers! :) Here's what Hope wrote, only neatened up.

The Countdown / Keith Olbermann Group will promote the formation of an activist COMMUNITY around the support of Keith Olbermann and the show.

Basically, ya'll, we just want a place to talk that's not the nightly live thread. C'mon, admit it. :evilgrin:

Revisions? :7

[gkhouston]

104. I'll admit it. Hope? What else were you wanting to see

written down in a mission statement, since this seems to be your baby? I'm just bopping over here during compiles and not applying concentrated thought to the task, although I liked the idea of having some non-floaty threads for anyone so inclined -- there will be plenty of room in the group for us to cater to a variety of tastes, so why not?

Seems to me the things that we want are:

1) to continue live-blogging Countdown in ERD

2) to be able to talk freely at other times without feeling like we're taking over the planet with our chatter

3) to find each other at the non-live-blogging times and continue/broaden/initiate new discussion, not necessarily limited to the last/next Countdown or Keith blog

[WhirlyGirl]

106. Cute PHOTO ALERT!!! -- featuring the Beautiful Hands...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

[Nothing Without Hope]

107. kick! n/t

[Patsy Stone]

110. So, whaddya all think? Have I found all of the ideas. Corrections?

This Group is to help to promote the formation of an activist community around the support of the last consistently truthful TV journalist. Basically the Group will be intended to complement and extend the nightly KOEB liveblog thread. It's not JUST about Keith Olbermann, as we also cover territory he doesn't. He's the core theme, but a fully-formed community may be able to address some progressive issues even beyond what Keith says and does.

More specifically, the mission of the Countdown/Keith Olbermann Group is to:

1) Discuss the newsletter, upcoming topics and guests.
2) Promote stories in DU Forums where applicable.
3) Link to, and discussion of, KO's latest blog.
4) Discuss and plan action strategies on Countdown/blog topics where appropriate.
5) Discuss plan of countering false impressions and anti-Olbermann web sites.
6) Discuss and promote appearances by Keith Olbermann.
7) Discuss Countdown ratings and show ideas.
8) Work on NewsQuiz questions.
9) Raise awareness of Countdown among those outside of DU.
10) Gently encourage the correct spelling of Olbermann.

On the lighter side, this Group will also serve as the best basement Rec Room ever, where these activities are smiled upon:

1) Create a KOEB FAQ
2) Post pictures of KO.
3) Show appreciation with floaty hearts for the best Corporate Media news guy out there whenever.
4) Buy him nice ties and gifts for all important occasions.
5) Discuss our big ol' crush on his snarkiness.
6) Hang out after business hours.
7) Music, poetry, artwork and games -- and NO Fan Fiction EVER!
8) Archives of the poetry, artwork and other aesthetic endeavors.
9) Post Yiddish slang whenever possible.

[RevCheesehead]

111. Wonnerful!

Thanks, Patsy! Looks good. :thumbsup:

[Patsy Stone]

113. Thanks, Rev.

Be sure to add anything you may think of. I'm sure it's still a work in progress. :)

[RevCheesehead]

115. Aren't we all? eom.

[Patsy Stone]

116. When you're right, you're right. :) n/t

[understandinglife]

112. You've got my 'star' for support. (nt)

Peace.

[Patsy Stone]

114. Thanks, ul. :) n/t

[crispini]

117. Most. Comprehensive. Mission. Statement. Evah.

seriously, have you seen the other mission statements? they're like a sentence.

take it and run with it, go go go! :thumbsup:

[seito]

119. Looks Grrrreat

:thumbsup:

[Catchawave]

120. Absolutely Fabulous!

You most certainly captured the spirit of this fine group, let's go with it :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[SharonRB]

121. Mazel Tov -- Looks good, Pats!

[gkhouston]

122. Looks good to me.

You've got my star, and I'm willing to sponsor a star-less KOEB regular .

[greenmutha]

123. Patsy, I think this is Purr...fect!

It appears as though you have covered all the bases. Three cheers! :toast:

[Clark2008]

124. Sounds good to me, but didn't you leave out the imbibing of

several alcoholic beverages, potpourri in the bathrooms and studley male bartenders.
;)

[Patsy Stone]

126. I felt it was subtly implied

in the phrases "best basement rec room ever" and "hang out after business hours." One doesn't like to be too obvious. :)

:party:

[Sydnie]

125. It looks very comprehensive to me

I say "Let's get this party started!"

You have my star in support of this most awesome mission!

[bunny planet]

128. I LOVE IT!!!!!! and you included posting Yiddish slang whenever possible.

I'm kvelling bubby.
:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:
Sounds like you've covered all the important Keef stuff it is our dedicated job to oversee.

His royal snarkiness approves.

[Patsy Stone]

130. I can't take credit for that, shana maydela.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=109&topic_id=18925&mesg_id=19010&page=

:)

[Miami Liberal]

135. Sounds great, Pats!

I will happily give my star for a KO group. I'm taking a mini-break from DU, but I'll pop in from time to time. Post extra floaties for our man to make-up for my absence.

Love you all:loveya:

For KO :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[zippy890]

136. Looks great to me

Count me in-- I love Keith

a question on the last- #9 - Yiddish slang,
I've never heard Keith use Yiddish phrases--does he?

and a stupid newbie question-- what does the EB stand for in
KOEB?

:loveya:

[crispini]

137. Estrogen Brigade.

But estrogen is not required to post in the group. :7

The Yiddish thing is kind of a group joke, not a Keef :loveya: joke.

Welcome to the group! C'mon in, the water's fine. :hi:

[crispini]

118. Ok, somebody pop over to ATA and post it, eh?

:hi: They're all good. The zillion liner and the one-liners.

I'm off to PPNT lobby day. See you kids later. YAWN. I can't believe I'm up this early.

[noamnety]

127. I missed this thread

another missiony thing might be to organize letters in support of KO to the station periodically, to pen some LTTE about topics he raises, and to direct stories that we would like to see him cover to the countdown team. and maybe to lobby for less Michael Jackson coverage. :)

[Patsy Stone]

129. Excellent suggestions

Thanks, and it's nice to see you. :)

[bunny planet]

132. and suggest some better guests. Sibel Edmunds, Arundhati Roy, Howard Dean,

Bill Moyers, Joe Conasen, Katrina Van Den Heuvel (however the hell she spells her name) etc etc. I know Keith would dig it, wonder if I'm asking too much of MSNBC.

[noamnety]

134. Great suggestion!

(Although I read Sibel's name and immediately thought, oh, they're gonna fall in love with each other.)