Obviously, from this statement, Phil Griffin has a power complex

[chillspike]

"After several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night's program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy,"

It's clear from this above statement, MSNBC president Phil Griffin is playing a power game. Throwing the word "punishment" around in reference to Keith as if he was some unruly little kid. "Punish"??? Really??? Obviously, he's using that word publicly to embarrass Keith. Couldn't this have been settled by just privately reminding Keith of the rule rather than publicly embarrass one of the network's leading contributors? After all, I'm sure Keith didn't deliberately violate the rule. And yet he was treated like he did. I smell a rat. You don't do this to a grown man and leading news analysis anchor with a major following. I think this was all about a guy in a position of power in a bad mood. I think this Phil Griffin is a trouble maker and I don't think this is the last time him and Keith will clash if someone doesn't put this Griffin character in his place. Griffin is giving me strong vibes of the deluded and pompous boss, Michael Scott, from The Office.

I don't feel safe with this narcissist hovering over Keith's show and career. I think it is Griffin that needs to go and a petition should be started for his removal.

You're a prick, Phil.

[pacalo]

1. The classiest boss I had was a Cornell grad, like Keith.

It was a pleasurable & a very educational experience typing his documents & letters. Like Keith, everything he wrote had class.

Griffin's choice of words does reflect a small, pompous mind. Further, it seems to reveal that he's writing this for the benefit, perhaps, of Fixed News. He could have taken a classy route by simply saying after much deliberation & thought, Keith will be back on the air on Tuesday.

Griffin gives a very poor impression.

[chillspike]

2. Yea, I think Keith has an awareness of those professionally

"under" him that this Griffin character seems to be lacking. It's the equal partner approach vs. the "superior and my subordinates" assholery. And that shows in their choice of wording.

[lbrtbell]

3. Phil Griffin was a friend and supporter of Keith's for years

With friends like Griffin, you sure don't need enemies.

[bemildred]

4. Sounds defensive to me.

"Never apologize, never explain" is the true authoritarian style.

But yeah, pompous, and poor language skills.

[chillspike]

5. Ha

Let me guess, you read The Authoritarians too? Am I right?

I'm reading it now.

It seems to me, though, that Griffin is the one acting authoritarian. Trying to show the world his control over Keith by making him apologize publicly.

[bemildred]

6. "Acting" is the key word.

You would never see Murdoch doing any of this. This just makes Griffin look "weak". I considered the possibility that it was a ruse to improve Keith's ratings, or take attention back from Stewart and what's-his-name.

My present reading: "Lit" - Mary Karr, "Mimesis" - Eric Auerbach, "Poor People" - William T. Vollmann

I think I ran into "The Authoritarians" once, but have not read it, unless it's old, then I might have read it and forgotten, the ideas have been around a while.