Truth and Consequences: Special Comments on the Bush Administration's War on American Values

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Short, sharp, and oftentimes shocking, Keith Olbermann’s “Special Comments” have made his nightly MSNBC program, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, must-see viewing–and the fastest-growing news show on cable TV. In these segments, Olbermann calls out the perpetrators of mismanagement, brutality, cronyism, and the appalling lack of accountability at the highest levels of the Bush administration. In so doing, Olbermann goes where most of the mainstream media fear to tread–and his rapidly expanding audience eagerly follows.

In Truth and Consequences, Olbermann collects the best of his Special Comments, presented here with additional observations and other new material. Whether taking to task the likes of Vice President Dick Cheney and (the thankfully former) Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who compare critics of the Iraq War to Nazi appeasers, or giving his impassioned perspective on why torture is un-American and what it really means to support our troops, or grilling timid lawmakers who fail to rein in presidential overreach and abuses of executive power, Olbermann’s devastatingly blunt (and at times wickedly funny) commentary cuts to the core of the duplicity and cynicism of a government that has lost the ability to distinguish between leading our great nation and ruling it.

Naturally, Keith Olbermann’s candor and razor-sharp polemic have earned him many detractors and enemies. His antagonists in the media, such as Bill O’Reilly, have mocked him and accused him of rank intolerance. Yes, Keith Olbermann is intolerant–of hypocrisy, demagoguery, fear-mongering, and especially the equation of dissent with treason. In Truth and Consequences, he fights to reclaim for himself and all Americans the dignity of speaking one’s mind and acting on one’s conscience.

Praise for Keith Olbermann
“A truth-telling, Bush-bashing accidental liberal hero.”
–New York

“The most honest man in news . . . Olbermann clearly relishes his feuds and doesn’t seem to worry much about sparking new ones.”
–Rolling Stone

“Part Jon Stewart (the funny), Dennis Miller (the erudite and biting sub-references), [and] H. L. Mencken (the skewering of power and stupidity in equal doses) as well as crusading journalist . . . Olbermann has emerged as a kind of force of nature.”
–San Francisco Chronicle

“Intelligent, well-read, forceful and incisive.”
–Rocky Mountain News

Customer Reviews: Read 47 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Mr. Olbermann; You Sir Are a Patriot and Not a Pinhead! December 26, 2007
147 out of 167 found this review helpful

This book is, in essence, a compilation of the "Special Comments" portion of the program he hosts on television. In addition, however, he has added an introduction to each comment so the reader will know what inspired him to write and deliver the comment in the first place. Some of the introductions are very short, while some span several pages and contain a fair amount of information. This would be a wonderful read even without the introductions; however, with them it is fantastic.

The book is well written; Olbermann has an obvious gift for words and the writing is partly amusing, partly sarcastic and always deadly serious. I suppose the comments would be better if they were spoken, however there are some of us who do not get his television station (in my case because the cable company chose that station alone as the only news channel to be made a "premium channel") and these are comments that should be preserved and read again and again.

I doubt Olbermann's critics will take the time to read the book, which is a pity. This book will cause you to think, and whether or not you agree with the author, you will definitely look at the current political situation in a different light.

4 out of 5 stars

Unexpected voice of dissent December 26, 2007
109 out of 125 found this review helpful

In the marketplace of ideas in a free society, compelling voices will ultimately be heard. This dynamic helps explain how a former ESPN commentator, known for tongue-in-cheek delivery, has become heir to the mantle of Murrow and Severeid as well as the often outraged defender of the right to dissent. Citing the comic team of Bob and Ray as inspiration while quoting Murrow's advice that we not confuse dissent with disloyalty, Keith Olberman explains that he wrote his first "Special Comment" because he saw no one else expressing indignation at statements made by then Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld.

Diving into deep waters with some trepidation, Olbermann followed this initial video editorial with a series of comments over the last 3 years which are collected in this book. When read on the air, the pieces are more impacting than on the written page. However, they still are literate and hard-hitting. Olbermann speaks eloquently of the need for freedom of expression to slow the the descent into fear and unreason. He derides the assumption of absolute certainty and the absence of nuance in the statements of public officials, although sometimes accused of the former himself.

He is obviously not a fan of this administration. He asks of Donald Rumsfeld: "With what country has he confused the United tates of America?" He says Vice-President Cheney spreads "darkness, like some contagion of fear." His most pointed remarks, however, are reserved for the President. Negative characterizations by the author aside (and there are many of them), his most telling comments about the President concern the latter's lack of understanding of the need to protect the freedom of citizens to observe, judge and dissent from the government. In addressing the President directly, Olbermann charges: "The distance of history will recognize that the threat this generation of Americans needed to take seriously was you." He argues that the administration's assault on freedoms "can do us as much damage as al-Qaeda." He echoes Attorney Joseph Welch from the Army/McCarthy hearings by asking of the President: "Have you no sense of decency, sir?"

In the end, the listener (or reader) will decide whose version of truth is more accurate in an often polarized political dialogue. Olbermann's Countdown ratings more than doubled in 2007 which shows that his voice is increasingly resonant. Even those who take issue with him, however, should agree that his right to use that voice reflects the most American of freedoms. And for those who have sought a strong alternative voice to that of the administration over the past 7 years, Olbermann certainly provides both a literate approach and a visceral defense of reason: "We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason," he predicts..."We are not descended from fearful men."

4 out of 5 stars

Proof That the Pen is Still Mighty March 26, 2008
86 out of 95 found this review helpful

For those unfamiliar with author, Keith Olberman, he has a highly successful television news program called "Countdown with Keith Olberman" on MSNBC. What keeps many people tuned in to the show is that he will deliver his "Special Comments" about some event that took place that day or recently. These special comments occur only on occasion, which places his loyal fans on a variable response reinforcement schedule. We keep tuning in wondering if this will be the night.

So Olberman has done us the favor compiling twenty-four of these comments in book form. What sets them apart from other editorials is style and duration. He delivers them in the second person as though the subject of his wrath is no more than three feet away. His comments are puncuated with, "You, sir...." These verbal thrashings usually are at least five minutes in length. His style can be described as intense, with a touch of wit, and strangely polite while being blunt and emphatic. (To use the cliche that he pulls no punches would be an understatement).

What makes these comments even more popular is that they are profound, incisive, and perceptive. Olberman has the knack of seeing through hypocrisy, and he displays a memory for facts and events that zeros in on his subject's contradictions e.g. "Mr. Bush claimed, `One hundred seventy-seven of the opposition party said, You know, we don't think we ought to be listening to conversations of terrorists.' The hell they did. One hundred seventy-seven Democrats opposed the president's seizure of another part of the Constitution."

You can imagine what it is like reading one hundred seventy-two pages of irreverance and cynicism.

In case you haven't guessed it, his targets include Cheney, Giuliani, Donald Rumsfeld, in addition to his favorite--George Bush. He strips them of their words, their arguments, and their allegations. Their pronouncements and claims are grist for the Olberman mill.

This book is short in duration but long on insight. It is better suited for the train ride rather than the recliner. (It will be over too fast for the latter). It is also suited for the one who has been the subject of countless conservative finger-pointing.

My only regret about the book is that there wasn't enough of it.

4 out of 5 stars

A textbook on great writing December 30, 2007
60 out of 77 found this review helpful

Whether you agree with his viewpoint or not, you cannot deny Keith's skills as a writer. The most interesting parts of the book to me were his explanations of what he was thinking when he wrote each Special Comment, or to what he was reacting. He gives credit to his high school teachers for the endless writing drills that turned out to be perfect training for broadcast writing!

I will hold on to this book for a long time. I hope in 20 years I can reread this book, remember how bad things got in this country, and breathe a grateful sigh that our civil liberties were restored, and our role in global politics has improved.

5 out of 5 stars

The Voice of Truth in a Twisted Country December 29, 2007
54 out of 61 found this review helpful

Olbermanns now legendary special comments bought to you in a book. A combination of insight, historical perspective and the balls to stand up to a regime that has worked hard to squash free-speech, Olbermann again delivers stinging commentary on bush and his cronies. My only wish is that more commentators had the intelligence and back-bone to speak the truth in these dark days under Bush.
To Daniel Noar, Expressing an opinion does not make someone a Commie or a Socialist it makes them a patriot. Try googling "US Constitution" and looking up freedom of speech. Its something that bush has tried to crush and something Olbermann is utilizing.

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