***Olbermann covers the scripted photo-op & lying press conf TONIGHT***

[Nothing Without Hope]

From today's emailed Countdown newsletter about the show tonight (MSNBC, 8pm and midnight ET). The entire emailed newletter, which is titled ”That ‘Unscripted” TV Moment,” is posted here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=315x22899
(Note that at the end of the email are instructions on how to subscribe to the emailing list.)

Subject: That "Unscripted" TV Moment

Date: October 13, 2005 4:01:08 PM EDT

------------------------------------------------------
Tonight on Countdown
------------------------------------------------------

A handpicked group of U.S. troops told President George W. Bush on Thursday they believed the Iraqi people were eager to vote in a weekend referendum on an Iraqi constitution. In a carefully scripted event, Bush spoke to 10 U.S. troops and an Iraqi soldier in a video teleconference about preparations for the Saturday vote, which is critical to U.S. aims for democracy in Iraq and creating conditions for the ultimate withdrawal of American forces. Bush, suffering job approval ratings below 40 percent, the lowest of his presidency, is eager to show progress in Iraq as the American death toll nears 2,000. A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll last month said only 32 percent of Americans approved of his handling of Iraq. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N13627152.htm

We will have excerpts of this bizarre teleconference.

And Scott McClellan's press briefing today... notable... you won't want to miss this.

Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann broadcasts LIVE at 8 pm et, and the count is never complete without you. Join us.

(snip - for the rest of the Countdown emailed newsletter, see this post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=315x22899)

Don't miss the update at Crooks & Liars - McClellan said Helen Thomas opposes the war on terrorism!!!
It's at this permalink: http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/10/13.html#a5354
Included are a link to the transcripts and more.
"Questions today from longtime White House reporter Helen Thomas caused White Houses Press Secretary Scott McClellan to declare that she opposes the war on terrorism. His response caused one of Thomas's colleagues to leap to her defense."




Current DU threads on the staged photo-op and McClellan's lying performance at the press conference:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1847749
Thread title: AP: Bush Teleconference With Soldiers Staged (Currently on DU's Home Page)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5052177
Thread title: Behind the Scenes of Operation Photo-Op

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5053975
Thread title: VIDEO- Bush's Staged Photo Op today- Compilation (Currently on DU's Home Page)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5053020
Thread title: Scotty's heated Press Conference(crooks and liars) (Currently on DU's Home Page)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5054700
Thread title: MY GAWD!! NBC NIGHTLY NEWS CALLING IT 'TOTALLY SCRIPTED'

Post of entire Oct 13 Countdown newsletter, including the excerpt above:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=315&topic_id=22899&mesg_id=22899
Thread title: October 13 email: "That "Unscripted" TV Moment"

[MelissaB]

1. Thanks for pulling all of this together.

I miss so much becasue I'm blocked at school, and I love your organization.

[highplainsdem]

2. I knew he wouldn't be able to resist this story.

Hope he has Craig Crawford on, too, so they can laugh about it. :)

[Faygo Kid]

3. Olbermann and Frank Rich. These are the very best.

If you don't watch Keith Olbermann, or read Frank Rich in the NYTimes on Sunday, you just don't get the very best. Add Jon Stewart to that list, and you have the best of the best. And thank God for them. Many others - Bob Herbert, Maureen Dowd - are great Americans, too. But, those are my favorites.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

6. I'd add Krugman to that list as well. That's pretty much it... Washington

Post is pretty much a waste, maybe Scheer on the L.A. Times.

[Nothing Without Hope]

7. I agree - the WaPo is pretty much a GOP rag and Scheer is the designated

progressive in the GOP-dominated LAT, though there are occasional articles that do break through with the truth. Scheer's good, though. Here's a post with excerpts of three of his op/eds after Katrina:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x158169
Thread title: LA Times/Robert Scheer: Three weeks of insights on Bush and Katrina

[FreedomAngel82]

23. Oh yes

I really like Dowd, Olbermann and also Greg Palast. I think he and Jon Stewart will always be my favorite's and Olbermann coming in next. :)
I enjoy David Gregory whenever he's on MSNBC.

[Patsy Stone]

4. Amazing job, Hope!

Thanks and let's all sit back and watch the fall.

:popcorn:

It will be incisive and snark-a-licious!

:loveya:, KO!

[Nothing Without Hope]

5. kick - I'd like to get this to the Greatest before the show starts! n/t

[DemReadingDU]

8. Recommended

[aresef]

9. Countdown will be VERY fun tonight.

Olbermann will rip BushCo a new one as usual.

[Nothing Without Hope]

10. DU thread on McClellan accusing Helen Thomas of opposing war on terrorism

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1848055
Thread title: Scott McClellan Says Helen Thomas Opposes 'War on Terrorism'

It's about the same Editor & Publisher link given at at the Crooks & Liars entry linked to in the opening post of the current thread and includes a transcript in the opening post. Amazing stuff!!! Good that it happened in the same bizarre press conference - people need to SEE what these lying, repressive monsters are really like.

[gauguin57]

46. Helen had the greatest look on her face during the Thurs. press conf.

She had this great little smug smile on her face.

It was a look that said, "I've been in this briefing room a long time. I've been covering the White House for a long time. And in all those decades, I have NEVER seen such a bunch of f*cking idiots as this Bush crew."

Love you, Helen. Keep on truckin', girl!

[paineinthearse]

11. 5th

Great compilation!

[Nothing Without Hope]

14. Thanks, Paine! Now more people will have a headsup about tonight's show

:toast:

[WolverineDG]

12. kickin' for keith n/t

[hiley]

13. excellent post!

thank you so much for putting this all together.
:applause: recommend!

[Nothing Without Hope]

16. YVW and thanks! All the threads have something valuable, and it's

impossible to find them within a day of their posting! I seem to spend a large proportion of my time at DU setting up compilations and cross-posts to try to tie things together so they won't be lost.

I'm hoping that there will be some changes in the future to ameliorate this problem. Note Skinner's encouraging reply to my suggestions to improve this major flaw at DU.

My comments & suggestions:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5032371&mesg_id=5037784

Skinner's response:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5032371&mesg_id=5039877

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

15. Did anyone notice that while the they were talking about the photo-op

debacle on CNN, there was a screen with the shrub's polling numbers??? Hysterical!

[mandyky]

17. Can people post points he makes?

I am watching Survivor - my ONE reality show

[Nothing Without Hope]

18. I'm sure a video clip will be posted, and the full transcript will be up

tomorrow. I'll post links to both here when they become available, as well as another compilation of any other threads on the show segment.

[bluedawg12]

19. Shrub and McBalloon- head melt down

Milbank says it started when the Preznit refused to meet with Cindy.

It seems like the mis-administration is falling apart.

Shrub couldn't focus- Dana is counting the fidgiting- scary times- the shrub leads this nation....thank you red states. geesh.

[Nothing Without Hope]

21. Here's an article & AUDIO of NPR's take on the scripted teleconference:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4957379
Politics & Society

Take One: President Bush via Satellite

by David Greene



All Things Considered, October 13, 2005 · President Bush's administration has been marked by a savvy use of technology and media strategy. From staging optimal photo-ops to conjuring message-appropriate backdrops at speeches, the president's staff has been diligent in its work.

That work has never been more important than now, with the president's polling numbers slipping and an election in Iraq looming. And so it was early Thursday, with President Bush slated to chat with soldiers stationed in Iraq, that his staff ran through his opening remarks -- and some questions -- without the commander-in-chief being present.

While it's common to use a trial run to ensure things go smoothly when the president arrives, the event, recorded by NPR, offered some insights into the meticulous nature of advance work.

Later, the president, speaking from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House, asked members of the 42nd Infantry Division (Mechanized) National Guard unit about their work in Tikrit, and answered questions from the soldiers.

The AUDIO LINK to the NRP piece, which is 4:45 minutes long, is on the NPR page linked to above with the article.

Edited to add: the linked page ALSO has an audio link for the rehearsal of the teleconference.

[Nothing Without Hope]

29. Here's a DU THREAD on NPR's recording of the REHEARSAL:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5053451
Thread title: NPR has audio of the * teleconference REHEARSAL -- link:

[Greylyn58]

28. You're right

Let's hope someone has a weed-whacker ready to take the Shrub and his whole crummy admin down together.

[Nothing Without Hope]

20. VIDEO FILES of the PHOTO-OP teleconference and McClellan's PRESS CONF:

From Can-o-Fun:

Bush's bizarre staged teleconference with the troops (Windows Media):



http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/bushphotoopoct1305.wmv

*************************************

McClellan's bizarre 10/13 Press Conference (Windows Media):



http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/whpressconfoct1305.wmv

[Miss Chybil]

27. Incredible. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" LOL! nt

[Nothing Without Hope]

22. Olberman video not up yet, but HERE's a thread talking about the show:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5055608
Thread title: Scotty's press conference on Olbermann

Apparently it's absolutely devastating, just as we hoped. I have to wait for the posted video - I don't have cable. I'll put up a link here as soon as I see it.

[Miss Chybil]

24. Anderson Cooper did a piece on it, as well. nt

[Nothing Without Hope]

25. ***OLBERMANN VIDEO CLIPS ARE UP at Can-o-Fun!!!:***

Olbermann- President Unplugged - Oct 13 05 (5:29 - the teleconference - Keith's comment: "Like watching the Jesse Ventura Show." Keith says little, just lets the bumbling idiocy unfold.)
http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/presidentunpluggedoct1305.wmv

****************************



Olbermann- President Staged and Confused Oct 13 05 (2:22 - McClellan denying scripting of soldiers, followed by video tape from the rehearsal, which was VERY detailed, even to where the speaker should take a breath!):
http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/PreparationStagedandConfusedoct1305.wmv

*****************************



Olbermann-Post Mortem Oct 13 05 - Bush Fake Photo op (about 5/12 min) Dana Millbank of the Wash Post is the guest, and they talk about it all. Interestingly, Millbank says he thinks this is part of a coming-apart that started when Bush refused to talk to Cindy Sheehan. They cover the photo-op, the McClellan press conference, and more.
http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/whitehousewoesoct1305.wmv

*****************************



Olbermann- Flak Attack - Oct 13 05 (This is from the same press conference and is about the Harriet Miers nomination - McClellan was attacking the reporters for daring to suggest that her religion had been a concern - what a farce! Again, Keith says little - he just lets it unfold)
http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/flakattackoct1305.wmv

[Nothing Without Hope]

26. Another DU thread with links to the videos - more will be posted:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5055964
Thread title: VIDEOS- Olbermann bits in 4 sections on the SCRIPTED Press Conf today

[Nothing Without Hope]

30. Kick - I'll update with the show transcript when it appears Friday n/t

[Independent_Liberal]

31. Kick!

[gristy]

32. warp speed response

My gawd, this scripted event with the soldiers was just TODAY and this fact is not only on Olberman and all over the blogs, it's on NBC nightly news?

That is the big development here, folks. Not that he scripted the damn thing - we know he does that all the time - but the immediate and overwhelming response to the fact.

More evidence that the rapture is indeed coming for the cabal. Coming to take them away, ha-ha.

[Nothing Without Hope]

33. Very true. At last we have some encouraging signs! Be sure to watch

the segment with Dana Millbank and Keith, linked to in one of the replies above with the other video clips. It discusses all sorts of bad news for Bush. And there is the statement "Now NO ONE is rallying behind Bush." I feared I'd never see the day!

Just below, I'll post another reply with another HUGE indication that the tide is turning at last: Reuters printed a story on how the Iraq's Al Qaeda say that a story ascribed to them by the Admnistration is a lie. Never would have seen that not so long ago...

[Nothing Without Hope]

34. Now we see the LIES!!! Reuters reports that Iraq's Al Qaeda denounces

a letter hyped by the Administration as a FAKE. This is news both for the letter and the denunciation and also for the fact that a major news service is daring to report an Iraqi insurgent statement that the Bush Administration is LYING. Like the scripted teleconference with the soldiers today, the purpose of the lie would seem to be to promote the Bushies' version of the truth about Iraq War and its "importance."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1846852
Thread title: CNN/HLN/Reuters: Iraq's al Qaeda denounces Zawahri letter as fake-Web
Up2Late LBN Thu Oct-13-05 11:54 AM

Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:29 AM ET9

DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's wing in Iraq on Thursday rejected as a fake a letter by top group leader Ayman al-Zawahri which was issued by U.S. officials this week, according to an Internet posting.

"We in Al Qaeda Organization announce that there is no truth to these claims, which are only based on the imagination of the politicians of the Black (White) House and their slaves," the group said in a statement posted on an Islamist Web site about the letter.

According to the letter released this week by U.S. intelligence officials, al Qaeda's second in command Zawahri urged the group's leader in Iraq to prepare for an Islamic government to take over the country when U.S. forces leave. He also said brutal tactics risked alienating Muslims.

[Nothing Without Hope]

35. The BBC is on this story too -"Al-Qaeda disowns 'fake letter'" The wording

in this article is priceless! Read this while thinking about the Olbermann shows tonight and also the one on the "Nexus of Terror and Politics" last night (which you MUST SEE if you haven't already - here's a thread with the story and links to video and audio files in the replies:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5033592
Thread title: FAKE TERROR ALERTS - Olbermann will report on latest and THIRTEEN times

And now the BBC story on the fake letter - I had to laugh at the wording, which makes it clear that the article author thinks the Americans behind this farce are total fools:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4339912.stm
Last Updated: Thursday, 13 October 2005, 17:31 GMT 18:31 UK

Al-Qaeda disowns 'fake letter'

A statement claiming to be by al-Qaeda in Iraq has rejected as a fake a letter allegedly written by Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden's second-in-command.

(snip)

After leaking a short extract, the new director of US intelligence has now published it in full on his website in English and Arabic.

The Americans will not say exactly when or how they intercepted it, except that it was during operations in Iraq.

The letter is not directly addressed to Zarqawi - although there is a cryptic reference to him.

But US officials say it is clear he is the intended recipient. It certainly heaps praise on whoever it was meant for.

(snip)

[Nothing Without Hope]

36. The PERFECT TOLES CARTOON for this moment - we have to savor while

we can, because there's a huge fight ahead:

[Nothing Without Hope]

37. by the way - if you have not yet seen "The Nexus of Terror and Politics,"

Keith's special report from October 12, you MUST MUST MUST!!! This thread has the back story and, later in the replies, links to video and audio clips and transcripts:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5033592
Thread title: FAKE TERROR ALERTS - Olbermann will report on latest and THIRTEEN times

[sepia_steel]

38. JEEEEBUS

watching him posturing so repetitively is nauseating...

[Nothing Without Hope]

39. Sure is - here's another video clip from today's staged teleconference

that's dedicated to showcasing exactly that:



Jerks and Smirks # 6- Bush's Staged Photo Op With MIlitary Oct 13 05
VIDEO CLIP (Windows Media): http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/jerksandsmirksoct1305.wmv

And if you've not yet seen it, be sure to check out this presentation comparing Bush's speaking ability 10 years ago with the pitiful incoherent wreck he is today:
http://www.adbuzz.com/bushbuzz.htm
As is mentioned in the presentation, it does look like some form of presenile dementia, which is progressive. That would affect his body movements too. The man is not only insane, he is deteriorating rapidly.

[Nothing Without Hope]

40. Kick for the night n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

41. Crooks & Liars has the VIDEO of Bush up in QuickTime as well as Windows

Media, regular as well as BitTorrent. here's the permalink to the entry with the video links:



http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/10/13.html#a5359

[JNelson6563]

42. Incredible

The house of cards falling apart before our very eyes. :toast:

Thanks for posting all this great stuff!

Juile

[soup]

43. Wave bye-bye George.

US President George W. Bush(L) waves goodbye after speaking to soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division, a National Guard Unit out of New York stationed in Tekrit, Iraq, during a teleconference from the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, DC(AFP/Jim Watson)
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/sm/1479/p:25;_ylt=Avz29h7BVsJ5Hk.sj2iRqjViWscF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGcyMWMzBHNlYwNzc25hdg--

[Nothing Without Hope]

44. kick n/t

[tk2kewl]

45. I thought this would be an appropriate addition to this thread ...

Mothers' Day Proclamation: Julia Ward Howe, Boston, 1870

Mother's Day was originally started after the Civil War, as a protest to the carnage of that war, by women who had lost their
sons. Here is the original Mother's Day Proclamation from 1870, followed by a bit of history (or should I say "herstory"):

......................................

Arise, then, women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts,
whether our baptism be that of water or of fears!

Say firmly: "We will not have great questions decided by
irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking
with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be
taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach
them of charity, mercy and patience.

We women of one country will be too tender of those of another
country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. From
the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own.
It says "Disarm, Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance
of justice."

Blood does not wipe our dishonor nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons
of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a
great and earnest day of counsel. Let them meet first, as women,
to bewail and commemorate the dead.

Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the
means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each
bearing after their own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
but of God.

In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I earnestly ask that a
general congress of women without limit of nationality may be
appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at
the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the
alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement
of international questions, the great and general interests of
peace.

Julia Ward Howe
Boston
1870

[tk2kewl]

47. oops... i meant to make the above post in this thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x24366

[Nothing Without Hope]

48. ***TRANSCRIPT of the October 13 Olbermann show is up***

Here's the permalink for this Countdown transcript:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9695509

[_dynamicdems]

49. The Last Journalist Standing!

KO is my hero!:loveya:

[Nothing Without Hope]

52. Yes, he's a courageous man of integrity. Given today's Poodle Press, that

makes him a hero.

[WolverineDG]

53. come on over to the countdown forum

:) we post there nightly during the show.

dg

[Nothing Without Hope]

50. **ALERT! The woman in the front left of the group of soldiers is a FLACK!*

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5065908
Thread title: FLACK ALERT....FLACK ALERT...staged propaganda info



edited to add: This thread is currently on the DU home page

[Nothing Without Hope]

51. NYT - Maureen Dowd is on the clumsy, scripted Bush teleconference:

The article is about how Bush is making a total fool of himself on so many fronts, perhaps in part because Rove is distracted by his kidney stones and legal issues. The title comes from a statement by Lyndon Johnson that the two things that make politicians behave like total fools are sex and envy. Dowd herself adds "proximity" to explain, for example, Harriet Miers.

http://select.nytimes.com/2005/10/15/opinion/15dowd.html?th&emc=th
Op-Ed Columnist

Sex, Envy Proximity

By MAUREEN DOWD
Published: October 15, 2005

(snip)

On Thursday, again with weird and stilted body language, and an earpiece that kept falling out, W. held a teleconference and tried to use 10 American soldiers from the Army's 42nd Infantry Division in Tikrit and one Iraqi soldier as props to offer a more upbeat assessment of the security preparations for the weekend vote.

The surprise wasn't that it turned out to be rehearsed, although that angered some uniformed officers at the Pentagon who felt the troops were being politicized and used as military wallpaper. If these brave young men and women can be trusted to carry guns and kill insurgents, these officers reasoned, why can't they be trusted to speak into a microphone without stage-managing and a rehearsal from a civilian Pentagon spin doctor?

The surprise was how inept the event was. The White House was always able to pull off these stagey, scripted events during the campaign and when selling the Iraq war.

(snip)

It was hard to tell whom that teleconference was aimed at impressing - unless it was just meant to cheer up the edgy W. Instead, it just made him seem more lost than ever.