The Commentariat -- January 23

Art by Barry Blitt for the New York Times.Frank Rich: "True Grit' has unalloyed faith in values antithetical to those of the 21st century America so deftly skewered in 'The Social Network.'” Rich was the Times film critic some while back, & in this column he returns to his forte. ...

Keith Olberman. New Yorker artwork.... CW: Rich has put in the mood to take a more cinematic look at the news, & Peter J. Boyer of the New Yorker obliges in his comment on Keith Olbermann's divorce from MSNBC: "His critics (and even some of his friends) had always imagined a Howard Beale ending for Keith Olbermann, and in his MSNBC farewell Olbermann more or less obliged." ...

... Here's Boyer's June 2008 profile of Olbermann, also in the New Yorker. ...

... Paul Farhi of the Washington Post on the difficult Mr. Olbermann.

CW: here's a new low for the odious Mitch McConnell -- on Fox "News," he likens President Obama to communist leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Politico liveblog: "Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says Tuesday's State of the Union will serve as President Barack Obama's 'trust-but-verify' moment on whether he's serious about reducing federal spending." The term "trust but verify" is one that good Republicans know the demigod Ronald Reagan applied to Gorbachev in arms treaty negotiations. There was nothing wrong with the Reagan policy; there's plenty wrong with using the same terminology when referring to the President of the United States.

** Constitutional law scholar Jonathan Turley in a Washington Post op-ed on celebrity justices: "If justices come to personify political movements, the law appears to be merely an extension of the personalities -- and the politics -- on the bench.... Monday's [Michele] Bachmann-convened summit featuring Scalia magnifies this problem.... The principle of judicial neutrality should not be compromised for a legal seminar." This is really a must-read, start to finish.

Spy Story. Mark Mazzetti of the New York Times: "Duane R. Clarridge parted company with the Central Intelligence Agency more than two decades ago, but from poolside at his home near San Diego, he still runs a network of spies.... Over the past two years, he has fielded operatives in ... Pakistan and ... Afghanistan. Since the United States military cut off his funding in May, he has relied on like-minded private donors to pay his agents to continue gathering information about militant fighters, Taliban leaders and the secrets of Kabul’s ruling class.... For all of the can-you-top-this qualities to Mr. Clarridge’s operation, it is a startling demonstration of how private citizens can exploit the chaos of combat zones and rivalries inside the American government to carry out their own agenda."

Glenn Greenwald reports on Amnesty International's efforts to assure better treatment for alleged WikeLeaks leaker Bradley Manning, who is imprisoned in Quantico. Then he adds this: "... the ACLU has obtained new documents which shed more harsh light on the 190 War on Terror detainees who died in American custody. Specifically, many of these documents ... show that at least 25 to 30 of those cases were 'unjustified homicides,' i.e., murder."

Peter Baker has a long, informative article in the New York Times Magazine about President Obama & his economic team's search for jobs. The article includes a lot of insider-bickering dirt, too. Bottom line, tho -- no great ideas. Best quote, among many -- this one about Larry Summers:

He’s much better at telling you why you’re stupid than creating a system that can produce usable policy solutions. -- Anonymous Insider, of course

The President must not be seduced into believing — and must not allow the public to be similarly seduced into thinking — that the well-being of American business is synonymous with the well-being of Americans. -- Robert Reich ...

... Paul Krugman on Obama's "competitiveness" meme (mostly a crock), Jeffrey Immelt (ditto), & Robert Reich (above, gets it right).

Ken Auletta of the New Yorker: "Was Eric Schmidt pushed [out as Google CEO] or did he jump? Both." The backstory -- New York Times, January 21: "Google made the biggest management shake-up in a decade on Thursday, handing the reins of the company to one of its co-founders in an effort to rediscover its start-up roots.... Larry Page, its 38-year-old co-founder, would take over as chief executive from Eric E. Schmidt, a technology industry veteran who was brought in a decade ago to provide adult supervision, as Silicon Valley calls it. Mr. Schmidt, 55, will remain executive chairman of the company...."

CW: if you want to know what life will be like for women seeking abortions after state legislatures -- & likely the Supreme Court -- chip away at abortion rights, here's an example: Sabrina Tavernise of the New York Times reports on an appalling clinic in Philadelphia, run by Dr. Kermit Gosnell, that responsible agencies failed to investigate for more than 16 years despite multiple deaths, lawsuits & complaints. Here's a more detailed report by Marie McCollough of the Philadelphia Inquirer. ...

... A pdf of the complete grand jury report is here. The Inquirer warns that it contains grusome pictures. The pictures aren't nearly as bad as the testimony.

... Philadelphia Inquirer Editors: "Antiabortion forces will likely use this horrific case to call for further restrictions on the medical procedure. But Gosnell is charged with acts that violated abortion laws already on the books. What's needed, beyond prosecuting Gosnell, is to ensure all women have access to safe and high-quality medical care that is regulated diligently."

What Could Possibly Be Wrong with This? Tim Hoover of the Denver Post: "Less than two weeks on the job, Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler says the $68,500 a year salary doesn't pay enough. That's why Gessler, a Republican, says he is going to be moonlighting as a lawyer for his old law firm -- a firm known for representing clients on elections and campaign law issues, the very areas Gessler is now charged with policing as secretary of state." CW: glaring conflict-of-interest aside, didn't the little snake check on what the AG's salary was before he ran for office? ...

... BUT, local politics being what it is, Ben Smith finds a story to top Gessler's crassness: Gabrielle Giffords' 2010 general election challenger, Republican Tea Party candidate Jesse Kelly -- you know, the guy who ran a campaign event in which he invited supporters to join him in shooting a "fully automatic M-16" to "Get on target for November. Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office" -- is working behind the scenes to "find out how the seat would be filled if Giffords couldn’t serve."

Adios, Olbermann

CW Note: below are links to stories about Keith Olbermann's parting of the ways with NBC. The articles cover several days' reporting & commentary & appear in descending date order. There are a few more stories in The Commentariat for January 24 above.

New York Times: "Keith Olbermann, the highest-rated host on MSNBC, announced abruptly on the air Friday night that he is leaving 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' immediately. The host, who has had a stormy relationship with the management of the network for some time, especially since he was suspended for two days last November, came to an agreement with NBC’s corporate management late this week to settle his contract and step down. In a closing statement on his show, Mr. Olbermann said simply that it would be the last edition of the program. He offered no explanation other than on occasion, the show had become too much for him." Here's the video:

Politico: "The departure was a stealth move, MSNBC insiders told Politico, with many top executives and on-air talent kept out of the loop as the decision was made. It came, one insider said, 'Out of the ... blue!'”

Take Howard Kurtz's analysis for what it's worth, but he does sort of give a good, quick rundown of Olbermann's highs & lows with NBC.

Colby Hall of Mediaite doesn't think it's a coincidence that Olbermann was pushed out the day after the FCC approved Comcast's takeover of NBC. "Today was Jeff Zucker’s last day at the helm, having sent a memo bidding adieu to his staff. Sources close to the situation have told Mediaite that there is no question that Comcast had expressed concerns about Olbermann."

As the New York Post headline has it, "MSNBC Pulls Plug on Gasbag Olbermann."

Here's the MSNBC story, which is pretty plain-vanilla. The story has been updated: "Starting Monday, 'The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell' will move to 8 p.m. ET/PT and 'The Ed Show,' hosted by Ed Schultz, will move to 10 p.m. ET/PT on msnbc, [MSNBC President Phil] Griffin said. 'The Rachel Maddow Show' will continue to air live at 9 p.m. ET/PT."

According to TheWrap, "It was Keith Olbermann's decision to leave his high-profile perch at MSNBC, TheWrap has learned.... But the sudden departure has a history, and the timing does not rule out a preemptive MSNBC move."

Bill Carter of the New York Times: "For the last several weeks, Mr. Olbermann and the network have been in negotiations to end his successful run on MSNBC, according to executives involved in the talks.... The deal was completed on Friday, and Mr. Olbermann made the announcement on his final 'Countdown' hours later. Friday’s separation agreement between MSNBC and Mr. Olbermann includes restrictions on when he can next lead a television show and when he can give interviews about the decision to end his association with the news channel.... The decision was completed a year to the day from the last time NBC decided to end a relationship with an on-air star: Conan O’Brien. Mr. O’Brien’s settlement had similar restrictions."

Prima Donna, Exit Left. Bill Carter & Brian Stelter of the New York Times: "MSNBC never had any doubt about what it was getting when it made Keith Olbermann the face of the network in 2003: a highly talented broadcaster, a distinctive and outspoken voice and a mercurial personality with a track record of attacking his superiors and making early exits." CW: I suppose we shall have to consider this the definitive word on the breakup of MSNBC & Olbermann; it is the New York Times, after all. ...

CW: Niall Stanage, writing in Salon, expresses my sentiments exactly: "The smugness, the narcissism, the never-ending parade of yes-man guests: Goodnight and good riddance!" A number of my friends were totally bummed by Olbermann's exit, & I think they were a little mad at me for kissing him good-bye without a tear. But they're coming around.

The Commentariat -- January 22

Dan Eggen & T. W. Farnam of the Washington Post: "The new Republican leaders in the House have received millions of dollars in contributions from banks, health insurers and other major business interests, which are pressing for broad reversals of Democratic policies that affect corporations, according to disclosure records and interviews. Much of that money flowed to the GOP chairmen overseeing banking, energy and other key committees - leaders who will play a central role in setting the House agenda over the next two years." ...

... Chris Hayes does a really good job of explaining Republican fiscal policy:

... Dana Milbank: Republicans' "fiscal responsibility" is a cover for reinstituting Newt Gingrich's culture war. "Americans said they want economic recovery. Instead, you're talking about finding Jesus and losing Big Bird." ...

... AND Milbank has a welcome plan: "I hereby pledge that, beginning on Feb. 1, 2011, I will not mention Sarah Palin -- in print, online or on television -- for one month. Furthermore, I call on others in the news media to join me in this pledge of a Palin-free February." He invites you on the linked page to join him & pledge not to read or watch anything about Palin during the month of February. ...

... CW: I'm with Jim Newell of Gawker on the Palin hiatus: "Don't write about her if she does nothing worth writing about; do write about her if she does something worth writing about." It's what I've been doing for some while.

Kate Pickert of Time ticks off "The Five Most Outrageous Health Care Claims of the Week." The first four belong to Republicans; the 5th to the Obama Administration.

Michael Cooper of the New York Times: "These are hard times for cities, and the mood was grim as more than 200 mayors gathered here this week for the winter meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors. Many mayors have already raised taxes, cut services and laid off workers, even police and firefighters. Now they are girding themselves for more tough times, as falling home values are belatedly showing up in property tax assessments, and struggling states are threatening to cut aid to cities."

Perry Bacon, Jr., of the Washington Post: "Gun control advocates are urging the White House to embrace stricter gun laws in the wake of the shooting in Tucson, calling for President Obama to talk about the issue in next week's State of the Union address." ...

... BUT. Jim White of Firedoglake: "Palmetto State Armory in South Carolina is 'honoring' Joe Wilson for his disruption of Obama’s health care address to a Joint Session of Congress in September, 2009 ... 'with the release of [a] new “You Lie” AR-15 lower receiver....' What is a 'lower reciever'? It’s a key component in assembling your own AR-15, one of the most popular semiautomatic rifles around." White posts a screenshot of Palmetto State's Website, featuring "Wilson endorsing the assault rifle component made in honor of his outburst." CW: the Website ad includes a shot of the Congressional seal, & Reader B.W., who directed me to the Firedoglake post, asks, "Is this legal?" Update: turns out Jim White has more on this. 18 U.S.C. §713 says, in part,

Whoever knowingly displays any printed or other likeness of the ... seal of the United States Congress, or any facsimile thereof, in, or in connection with, any advertisement, poster, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, public meeting, play, motion picture, telecast, or other production, or on any building, monument, or stationery, for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States or by any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both."

     ... CW: Palmetto State Armory has pulled down the page, but yeah, I'd say it was "calculated to convey the impression of sponsorship or approval," wouldn't you?

Erik Eckholm of the New York Times: "Newly energized by their success in November’s midterm elections, conservative legislators in dozens of states are mounting aggressive campaigns to limit abortions. The lawmakers are drafting, and some have already introduced, bills that would ban most abortions at 20 weeks after conception, push women considering abortions to view a live ultrasound of the fetus, or curb insurance coverage, among other proposals." With state-by-state map.

Kareem Fahim of the New York Times: how the martyrdom of a Sidi Bouzid fruit vendor led to the Tunisian revolution, & perhaps to more unrest beyond the country's borders. ...

... Here's a related story by Robert Worth in the Times' "Week in Review."

Ben Klayman of Reuters: "The National Football League prodded Toyota Motor Corp to edit a television commercial, removing an image of a helmet-to-helmet tackle at a time when the effects of concussions have come under heavy scrutiny, representatives of both sides said. The Japanese automaker, one of the largest corporate advertisers, changed the TV ad after the U.S. sports league complained and warned that the spot would not be allowed to air during its highly watched games." ...

... Here's a related story by Alan Schwarz of the New York Times. Here's the ad before the edit (not sure how long it will stay up):

News Items

Los Angeles Times: "Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to report his wife's income from a conservative think tank on financial disclosure forms for at least five years, the watchdog group Common Cause said Friday. Between 2003 and 2007, Virginia Thomas, a longtime conservative activist, earned $686,589 from the Heritage Foundation, according to a Common Cause review of the foundation's IRS records. Thomas failed to note the income in his Supreme Court financial disclosure forms for those years, instead checking a box labeled 'none' where 'spousal noninvestment income' would be disclosed."

New York Times: "Frances Fox Piven, a City University of New York professor, has been a primary character in [Glenn] Beck’s warnings about a progressive take-down of America. Ms. Piven, Mr. Beck says, is responsible for a plan to 'intentionally collapse our economic system.' ... Some say [Beck] is endangering her life."

AP: "The U.S. government awarded a no-bid, $266 million contract for a lucrative electricity project in southern Afghanistan despite promising last year to seek competitive bids from other companies...."

New York Times: "The natural gas pipe that burst in San Bruno, Calif., on Sept. 9, killing nine people and destroying nearly 40 houses, had numerous flaws in its welds, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report released Friday."

New York Times: "Facebook announced on Friday that it had raised $1.5 billion in new financing led by Goldman Sachs. The investments include $500 million from Goldman Sachs and the Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies, as well as $1 billion from wealthy Goldman clients based overseas."