"Indefinitely suspended without pay" for not telling the boss?

[moondust]

Isn't that a bit draconian?

It might be more fitting if the rule forbids donations altogether but...for not telling the boss? What's the difference if the boss knows how you spend your money? Authoritarianism gone wild!

I call bullshit political purge. I'm boycotting.

[mzmolly]

1. For not getting "permission" which is worse.

:(

[Egnever]

2. loony tunes!

I think I am going to boycott my local grocery store cause they don't allow the check out bagger to fling buggers while he packs my groceries.

[HereSince1628]

3. Yes, a bit. Considering the money involved

It's not like it violated Olbermann's on air personality or behavior. He's been pushing democratic candidates for years.

[moondust]

4. I'd say not so much pushing Democratic candidates as

exposing bad right wing candidates and their propagandists. I suppose that implies favoring Democratic candidates.

Whatever...

[HereSince1628]

7. You're right, the end of "Worst Persons" was prob. a predicate

to this

[moondust]

9. Very interesting suggestion.

[digitaln3rd]

5. Yeah, you're right.

You shouldn't have to disclose to your boss when a journalist is donating to political candidates while going on the air and delivering the news about an election that involves that candidate.

Riiiight.

If this was Hannity or Beck who got suspended for donating to a candidate and not disclosing it, you'd all be cheering.

[moondust]

8. Then why aren't donations by reporters and commentators banned altogether?

If they're such a bad idea?

[Spike89]

10. Depends on the contract

They can't be "banned" by law, that crosses into constitutional freedom of speech. That said, any news organization has every right to set their own ethical standards for the reporters, commentators, etc. that they hire. Just like each of those journalists can decide whether to sign the contract.

[moondust]

11. That may be.

But it looks to me like such a policy is saying that it's okay to shoot the sheriff as long as you tell the mayor. The big crime is not the shooting but in not telling the mayor. It's absurd policy and it looks like a bullshit excuse to can him for political reasons.

[KharmaTrain]

6. It's Called Honoring A Contract...

I'm waiting to hear or read Keith's side of this situation before jumping up and down. Many high profile news people are prohibited in their oontracts from having any financial ties, including contributions, to politicians or to disclose such possible conflicts. IF Keith did contribute without disclosing and this provision is in his deal his employer has the right to suspend or even terminate.

Ironically, Keith banished Richard Wolfe for a while when his conflicts of interest came to light but once things cooled down he's returned to the show. From what I'm reading...and it's preliminary at best...this is a suspension, not some massive conspiracy. Let's get more information before getting out the torches and pitchforks (and the cynic in me says most will piss and moan on a message board but do little else).

[Igel]

12. "Indefinite" does not mean "long-term."

It means "indefinite." Nobody's defined it yet.

KO could probably show sufficient remorse by Monday to be on-air then.

I think it likely that his lawyers are talking to their lawyers about how to make it happen.

First, of course, the laywers must determine the precise wording necessary to present exactly the proper degree of deeply felt, genuine, heart-felt remorse necessary and to work out exactly the time, place, and modality in which to spontaneously express the agreed upon deeply felt remorse.

[Justitia]

13. David Shuster is also on "indefinite" suspension. Seen him lately? -eom

[stray cat]

14. Mother may I or simon says

[Naturyl]

15. This is typical of tyrannical American employement.

Even many DUers agree that almighty employers have an absolute right to control your personal life.

This isn't new. I mean, they've been confiscating your frigging *bodily fluids* for years and few of you felt it was a problem.

Land of the free? Haha, don't make me bust a kidney. Not much of a "land of the free" when the majority of waking life is spent under the total control of autocratic leaders in the workplace.