Do we have any evidence that Lawrence O'Donnell had anything to do with the travesty?

[tavalon]

I like L. O'Donnell, but I won't have anything to do with him if he had anything to do with Olbermann's firing. He is benefiting greatly from this change. Anybody know anything that might shed light on his guilt or innocence?

[regnaD kciN]

1. If you mean was he behind some sinister plot to oust KO, I'd bet "no"...

Of course, there are those who will think that just "being in the right place at the right time," or even not quitting MSNBC in protest, constitutes collaboration. In which case, I suppose, you have to take the same position with Rachel and Ed and shun them as well.

[tavalon]

2. I just noticed he wasn't listed in Keith's list of people he thanked

And it made me wonder. It reminded me of Tweety and the maneuvers he pulled to get rid of Donohue. Like an elephant, I don't forget. It doesn't mean this is the same thing but humans, myself included, tend to look for patterns. I have mixed emotions, for I want badly to shun MSNBC, but I love Rachel and Cenk is now going to be in the lineup. It's hard.

[WinkyDink]

3. Well, Lo'D didn't exactly pull an Elliott Richardson.

[tavalon]

4. Elliot Richardson?

I don't think I know what you're talking about.

[PCIntern]

5. Ah...the past....

Look him up re: Watergate and Archibald Cox...

I heard Richardson speak once about it at an ADL meeting years ago...he was GREAT. What a class act...

[tavalon]

8. I see what you mean and it certainly wasn't necessary

Thanks for the quick history lesson. I was very young then and didn't know the behind the scenes machinations.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Let The Tin Foil Flow...

This is the corporate media...there really are not hidden secrets. Whatever happened will come out in the days to come. From the surface this looks like the contuation of the bad blood that erupted that precipitated KO's suspension several months ago and probably festering wounds and egos that go beyond that.

For those who've worked with him (and I've know a few), while KO's a solid reporter and talent, he's a bear to work with or for. He's always had a way to get under management skin and this appears to be what is happening. A term I used to hear was "philosophical differences"...and that this was probably more about what happened behind the scenes than any political vendetta...at least outside politics.

I'm sorry to see Keith go in this fashion but "it's showbiz". He'll get a nice two year paid vacation with enough money to last him the rest of hsis life. I see him heading back to his alma mater or some educational institution and finding a nice safe haven there.

[tavalon]

7. Agree with all

The only confusing parts for me were the abruptness and the omissions. He left out his boss, Phil too, but I knew there was bad blood there. I also know that he was difficult-as is said elsewhere, he wasn't one to suffer fools gladly and showbiz is full of such fools. Olbermann, himself played one a time or two or three. I thought Lawrence was one of his protege's like Rachel, so his omission was surprising to me.

I'm hardly tin foiling. I'm asking a legitimate question that may or may not have an answer. Doesn't mean I can't ask it.

[KharmaTrain]

9. Just An Overall Observation...

Nothing personal...far from it. You ask a very legit question that the best and honest answer is "we don't know". I suspect that we'll get plenty of details in the days and weeks ahead. The abruptness of this is what creates the void...and opens the door to a lot of spinning and weaving that tends to turn into lynch mobs and feeding frenzies around here based on speculation built on speculation.

From all appearances KO may have not been given the word until just prior to airtime or after most of his show had already been planned. He didn't have much time to say the little he did and thus I can understand people wondering about the names he ommitted as much as those he included. I think it was Keith's own shock at work here as how does one wrap up 8 years of hard work in 5 minutes? Especially if he had to whip out his farewell in a short period of time. Now here I go speculating...

Again...the rumors run around the world while the truth is getting its pants on. Having been around media shuffles sometimes its difficult to separate the personal from the professional. My bets are Rachel and Larry didn't get any prior warning about this and that they used discretion in saying anything until they got more details. There's a lot of confusion still flying around...and those most confused are usually at the center of the action.

Cheers...