It’s hard to claim foul play by the right for using something so personal in Olbermann’s life when he himself has been using it for the crux of his argument.

Wait… what?

It’s not hard to cry foul… especially with all the attacks on Palin for having a family, and bringing them to events (*gasp* a mom who wants to spend time with her children… the horrors!). If we played by those rules (*gasp* no double standards… why not?), one could ask: Is KO using his father for ratings? Is he using his father like a prop to push his left-wing agenda?

Not sure what you’re trying to say here, Drew ol’ bean… not sure how you’ve arrived at that conclusion.

I think you’re reading it differently than I am (but I agree, I did have to do a double and triple take at that sentence structure). Overall the whole sentence should have been reworked. What I think was intended is something like this:

Olbermann will find it hard to claim the right is out of line discussing his life when he himself has been using it for the crux of his argument.

He looks terrible.

Olbermann is obviously close to his father, deeply moved, even shaken by what is happening. I don’t think I would play things out this way. Indeed, I went through a similar situation of similar nature, beginning after Labor Day and not ending until a week prior to Christmas. Even most of my co-workers and colleagues didn’t know what was happening, other than I was coming in a bit late, running out during the day, leaving early. People handle matters in different ways, and we need to be tolerant of that. Even if I would not be doing as Olbermann is doing, even if you would not, I see no reason for the ugly callousness, the utter pettiness evident in the 00:56 post. I think it might be better if we simply added the Olbermanns to our prayers.

As someone who’s lost someone very dear to them, I would never use it for political reasons. Then again, everyone has their own way of dealing with things.

Then again, everyone has their own way of dealing with things.

—

That’s really the key, isn’t it? I think we just have to respect that. Having said that, Olbermann’s catharsis is unsettling for me. That’s my problem, however.

Wait, did we finally agree on something, King? Could this be the start of a beautiful Con/Lib friendship? Ok, that could be the cold meds talking.

Am I reading this correctly? Is Royal saying that it’s possible for a celebrity to bring a family member into the public arena without said family member being a prop?

MichelleF says:
March 2, 2010 at 10:00 am

Wait, did we finally agree on something, King? Could this be the start of a beautiful Con/Lib friendship? Ok, that could be the cold meds talking.

—

You often say things which are sensible, and, frankly, Michelle F, despite the apparent terrible divide the media tells us we have, most Americans have a pretty wide intersection of basic beliefs. Hope you get better. I battled a cold from mid-January until a couple of weeks ago. The only thing that seemed to help me is deep-breathing Olbas oil and Olbas showers.

writer says:
March 2, 2010 at 10:19 am

Am I reading this correctly? Is Royal saying that it’s possible for a celebrity to bring a family member into the public arena without said family member being a prop?

—

If you see no difference between literally bring a family member (school age and pre-school age children) into a public arena and metaphorically doing so (an aged adult), then I suppose that is exactly what I am saying.I note that in one instance we were speaking of a candidate for elective office, and in another a media personality (David Vitter v. Tiger Woods) which enjoy different standards. I also note you conveniently glossed over my remark about being uncomfortable (even when it is a media personality). Well, nuance can be disconcerting on a blog.

(White) Royal “K”ing, perhaps you should write Palin a letter, denoting the times you deem it proper for her to be seen with her children. And if Keith’s dad wasn’t in the hospital, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him wheel the old man’s bed into the studio. Your “K”ro”K” odile tears are touching. Your abject hatred of Palin, not so much.

ImNotSmart, you really are dumb, aren’t you. There is a huge difference between a “mom wanting to spend time with their child” and hilding them on a stage as you campaign. Yeah, my mom wanted to spend time with me as a child so she brought me to work and sat me in a corner. It was quality time.

I wish you well in your quest to try and “take down” this web-site. You are a better man than most — just not a smarter man (or a man, for that matter). I look forward to your response in which you say “all you do is personally attack people because you have no valid argument.” Booooring.

Not sure what you’re trying to say here, NotSmart ol’ bean… but your cry for help is ringing in my ears. I’m just not going to answer the call.

You really don’t have anything to offer except bitterness, do you, Writer? And, what might I ask, was so offensive? That it seems that sports figures and media personalities are held to a different standard than elected officials and those seeking elective office? Isn’t that how it ought to be? That it is different in kind to yank young children from their home and their schools and trot them around a stage than to discuss a parent’s circumstances? That I noted that I was uncomfortable with Olbermann’s too public catharsis? Ought I have called for Olbermann to be crucified during Fox & Friends? Really. Your recrimination, your frustration, your bitterness, your picayune obsessions are more than I care to deal with. Your mean-spirited, pettiness and general snarkiness will from henceforth be ignored by me.

marcus.lewis says:
March 2, 2010 at 1:07 am

Well, that does change things quite a bit! Your sentence makes a lot more sense. Nice job.

The Real Royal King says:
March 2, 2010 at 7:44 am

Even if I would not be doing as Olbermann is doing, even if you would not, I see no reason for the ugly callousness, the utter pettiness evident in the 00:56 post. I think it might be better if we simply added the Olbermanns to our prayers.

Yes, how callous of me. I said something 1/10 as bad as things said by your compatriots daily, and yet you never complain. I guess there’s an unwritten rule that criticizing Olbermann… no matter the situation, is “mean.”

As for your final statement… I’ll agree with that. I hope that Mr. Olbermann senior is comfortable, no matter how the rest of his unfortunate situation plays out, and I hope that Keith has the personal strength to get through what is undoubtedly a very trying and difficult time.

writer says:
March 2, 2010 at 10:19 am

Well… it really depends on their politics. ;)

tjl says:
March 2, 2010 at 11:59 am

ImNotSmart, you really are dumb, aren’t you.

Yup. Why you’re wasting your time with someone so clearly dumb, I don’t understand. I wonder what that says about you… and your emails to me?

There is a huge difference between a “mom wanting to spend time with their child” and hilding them on a stage as you campaign. Yeah, my mom wanted to spend time with me as a child so she brought me to work and sat me in a corner. It was quality time.

Yes, because all she did all day was that presentation… I’m sure there was no down time, no quality time before that, no quality time after that… yup, it’s a good thing you know the inner-workings and the behind the scene stuff! Perhaps, being from Alaska, her kids were able to take a tour of the city (wherever she was speaking that night), and finish the evening at the event with their mother… you know, running for office is a whole family deal.

Nah… I’m sure she’s just awful. But then again, you knew that before you made up a reason why.

I wish you well in your quest to try and “take down” this web-site.

Don’t want to take it down… I think I’ve made that pretty clear. I would like a little more intellectual diversity, and less lying (see the Bernie Goldberg story for more on that) from the staff.

You are a better man than most — just not a smarter man (or a man, for that matter).

Ouch… your insults… they sting… okay, I’m over it.

I look forward to your response in which you say “all you do is personally attack people because you have no valid argument.” Booooring.

Well, as long as you know it.

Not sure what you’re trying to say here, NotSmart ol’ bean… but your cry for help is ringing in my ears. I’m just not going to answer the call.

Oh, pick up tjl… I’m so obsessed with your approval. That’s why whenever I post, I look forward to your snarky response, and wonder when you’ll muster up the courage to email me again. Wait… when you put it that way, it seems like YOU’RE the one interested in ME… ah well, there I go again… exposing the painfully obvious.

Until next time…

The Real Royal King says:
March 2, 2010 at 12:21 pm

Your mean-spirited, pettiness and general snarkiness will from henceforth be ignored by me.

When Roxy, just yesterday, again wished death upon a political opponent, I’m not sure you responded by saying it was “mean-spirited” etc. etc. Can you tell me why what “Writer” has said is so much worse than that… and why Roxy’s comments don’t raise your ire?

Yawn. ImNotSmart, why don’t you come work for me. Or at least let me pay for some sort of dating site for you. Hey, make another joke about me being gay or something like that. “Hey, some lonely douchebag on the Internet thinks I’m gay!” Awesome! You’re a real Jay Leno, my friend. And as for my approval, you do look for it. You break down my comments like John Maddon breaks down a MNF game. Each sentence, each word. It’s flattering, actually. Thanks!
Love,
Your liberal elitist friend

p.s. I love it when you whine! I’m beginning to think that this world has touched a nerve with you, my friend. It must be tough being a young conservative. Ross Douthat seems nice!

(White) Royal “K”ing, did I mention sports figures? Anyway, just holding up a mirror to your bitterness and hatred towards Palin. Not to mention the way you always single out (White) people. Don’t see you using the old ( ) for other races. And if you’d ever be honest with yourself, which you won’t, you know that if Palin had left the kids home, you’d also be bitching about that, saying she was a terrible mother for abandoning her kids. Just admit that like most on the far left, you have no tolerance for other opinions and are always going to be bitter and angry. Some jokingly asked Olbermann what he’d complain about now that Bush is no longer in office. Turns out Obama’s election didn’t make any difference. Keith’s as bitter and angry as ever. A heart attack waiting to happen. It’s not good enough to simply disagree with someone, the far left has to hate the person and go out of the way to nit pick every move.

tjl says:
March 2, 2010 at 2:12 pm

Yawn. ImNotSmart, why don’t you come work for me.

Because I refuse to be sexually harassed by my boss at a “non-job.”

Or at least let me pay for some sort of dating site for you.

How about this, I’ll set up a PO box, and you can just mail me checks.

Hey, make another joke about me being gay or something like that. “Hey, some lonely douchebag on the Internet thinks I’m gay!” Awesome!

Yeah… see, I didn’t make a joke about you being gay. Only pointed out that you appear to have a real crush on me, and frequently imagine and visualize things you perhaps shouldn’t. I don’t know if that makes you gay… that’s for you to figure out… just that you have a real serious man-crush.

You’re a real Jay Leno, my friend.

Thank you?

And as for my approval, you do look for it.

Oh, this will be good.

You break down my comments like John Maddon breaks down a MNF game.

Aw, that’s because there’s a gem in each sentence! You get angrier, nastier, and over all crazier in every line! It’s fun to refute you… because I know how agitated you get. Poor guy… all upset because I’m reading what he writes.

Each sentence, each word. It’s flattering, actually. Thanks!

You’re welcome! I wonder, though… what does this say about you. After all, YOU’RE the one who initiates comments with ME… not the other way around.

Love,
Your liberal elitist friend

Come on, that’s not true at all… we’re not friends…. but I guess you can pretend!
p.s. I love it when you whine!

Yeah, you love a lot of things about me. I’m starting to think you’re “wife” must be jealous.

I’m beginning to think that this world has touched a nerve with you, my friend. It must be tough being a young conservative. Ross Douthat seems nice!

It is tough being young and right-of-center (still not a Republican or a Conservative… but you can imagine as you see fit). But what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger. I like being a little different than most of my friends… why would that be a bad thing?

And who’s Ross Douthat?

Hey, just what is going on here?

tjl has been sending me smooches and kisses too!

Straight or gay anyone who takes that kind of line with strangers is a creepy sicko in my book.

“Poor guy… all upset because I’m reading what he writes.”

I thought he is a she. Hey, tjl, did you ever play Pat on SNL?

Grammie says:
March 2, 2010 at 7:25 pm

I thought he is a she.

I’m pretty sure tjl is a “he.” I remember on Valentine’s Day, he attacked me for posting on Valentine’s day (if that seems ironic or hypocritical, you’re right). He said he was home with his wife for the holiday… of course, if he were really home with his wife, why was he talking to me. But then again, it’s tjl… logic, reasons, and decency need not apply.