What if Keith Olbermann was set up?

[redirish28]

My wife brought this up morning.


She said listening and reading all the infomation last night she noticed time and time again Keith needed permission before donating if they are allowed to donate. Now this is Keith. He does thing by the letter of the law/rules.


First of all How is this permission given? Is it verbal or Written?


She wonders if someone gave verbal permission and than when comcast higher ups found out about it said no he can't give (after the fact)giving them a chance to screw Olbermann.


Just a working theory.

[Honeycombe8]

1. The way big corporations work....

The way big corporations work is....there's a policy manual. There's a procedure, and a form, for doing just about anything, and getting permission to do just about anything.

My guess is this matter is addressed in their policy manual...both the substance of the policy, and the procedure for getting approval. My further guess is that the procedure is all in writing.

I work at a small company, and it is that way. When you are ginormous, it just has to be formal and in writing...too many people for it to be otherwise. Plus, there's always the threat of litigation, so companies are always backing themselves up to prove everything in writing.

[BlueCaliDem]

2. My theory is, I don't think he was set up by anyone

Although it's a plausible explanation, I don't think he was railroaded by someone. I think he "railroaded" himself. I think he wanted to put the attention on Jon Stewart's comparison {for which he's gotten a lot of flack} of Fox and MSNBC.

Rachel touched upon it yesterday evening, clearly pointing out the difference between the two cable networks for the easily confused.

Anyway, it's just my theory. Like everybody else here, I don't have any solid proof, but I do find it strange that Rachel was able to talk about it on air, and that she kept showing the donations Fox GOP Channel commentators have made in comparison to what Keith has done.

[handmade34]

4. Rachel was excellent

I will support Keith wherever he goes but have continued to lay low on serious outrage until I know the entire story... Rachel's take seems to imply that it was not an intentional act on Keith's part but...

I must say though... I went to the Sanity Rally, it was awesome and I still think that, but Jon Stewart seems to be giving Fox some credibility these past few days and that troubles me. I am not one to follow celebrity, but the realist in me knows that TV personalities are influencing elections and I will speak out against those who are pushing the republican agenda or giving it any sort of credibility

[pipi_k]

3. If that were the case...

then we could expect to see/hear Keith Olbermann come out and say that ______ gave him verbal permission.

We haven't seen that so far.


Also...as people get older...and, presumably, wiser...they eventually learn that nobody can be trusted. Especially with regards to things of a legal nature.

You want proof you did something? Always...ALWAYS...get it in writing.

Don't give cash to someone without getting a receipt.


Something I learned from a very wise supervisor at a past job I had in human services...her advice was, "Document everything".

Sometimes we can't even trust friends or family members. What makes people think they can fully trust an employer?

[dems_rightnow]

7. But what if....

.... Comcast then tied Keith up and are holding him in a bunker so he can't tell his side? Huh?

[pipi_k]

10. Well that's a possibility, I suppose...

Maybe he's in the same bunker with Dick Cheney and OBL.

And Elvis, who isn't dead anymore.


Who knows...maybe they'll even create a Stepford Olbermann to drag out for purposes of brainwashing the Faithful with subliminal RW messages.

[GoCubsGo]

5. What if Keith set himself up

This has everyone screaming about money in politics, including at least one member of Congress--a lame duck Congress that needs to act on the Citizens United decision before it is too late. Like NOW. Keith is too smart to destroy his own career by making a mistake that would violate his contract. I think Keith is trying to spur people into action.

[murray hill farm]

6. It was the same ole "gotcha"

technique...used all the time in the workplace. It is a control mechanism which sends a strong message to not only to the person who was "got", but even more of a strong message to others in the work place to tow the line or this can...and will happen to you too. It is very, very effective. "Gotcha" has nothing to do with the actual event for which one was "got", it is about control of those who see just what can happen if they do not totally comply to the line and do not stray to far from it. And it will work for MSNBC...those left standing will stand very close to that line now....nervously and with great politeness on the air.

[KharmaTrain]

8. We'll Know When We Know

All the conjecture based on a brief statement. Nothing has been said by either MSNBC or Olbermann...but the speculation and tin foil runs wild.

I'm still waiting to hear from the principals involved. No one here, or on any blog for that matter, is privy to Mr. Olbermann's contract and from face value (that's all we have to go from) he was in violation is that's what his suspension is based on. Unless proven otherwise that's all this is about and I expect will be resolved. There's no public airwaves here...cable is not regulated by the FCC or even first ammendment as he exchanged that right in this case when he accepted the money, the job security and high profile position his contract afforded. With all the shitstorm flying around I expect we'll be hearing from one party and/or the other on Monday. Meanwhile methinks some people need to get out and enjoy the fine Fall weather.

[dems_rightnow]

9. It doesn't have to be in his contract

And likely is not.

I am forbidden from engaging in various and sundry activities by virtue of our corporate policies, none of which are part of my employment contract. My contract does say that I'll abide by our corporate policies.

[KharmaTrain]

11. Not All Contracts Are Alike

Thus unless you know the specifics, all is speculation and nothing more. The rub here is that not all contracts are the same...especially one of such a high profile one. As one who did work in the media in a previous life and had a services contract, these things can be very specific and incorporate company policy into its provisions. I trust Rachel's assessment based on the fact she works in the same building and probably operates under a similar type of contract. Again, if there's more fire here, we'll hear it from the principals involved, not a third party conjecturing.

[baldguy]

12. If you do something against the rules at work, how is it handled?

If the management is mature, responsible & respectful they meet with you privately at the earliest opportunity to discuss it. If it's something that doesn't effect the company, your ability to do your job, or your co-workers, then you apologize - in writing if necessary - and promise never to do it again. Or you don't, and you leave. End of story.

If there are any questions, the answer from both sides should be "This matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. Other than that, I have no comment."

The first thing that doesn't happen is that your boss broadcasts to the entire staff & the world that you've been suspended without pay.

[AngryOldDem]

13. Something Roberts said in passing last night has stuck with me.

I almost posted last night but didn't.

At the end of one of the interviews he said something to the effect that it was uncomfortable to be in the middle of a power play. So I wonder if there isn't some validity to the theory that KO was testing GE-NBC-MSNBC. Roberts meant it as a throwaway comment but it thought it was significant.