@MSNBC - You suck. And now your ratings will too.

Holy shit. Alright, look, I'm only here (instead of working on NaNo) because I've seen the most ridiculous fucking thing on the planet. Keith Olbermann was suspended today for making contributions to 3 Democratic campaigns. NBC has stated that this is a violation of their ethics policy - "prohibits political contributions by its journalists without prior approval of the president." (MSNBC.com)

Here is the official statement made by NBC:
"Anyone working for NBC News who takes part in civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest,” it reads. “Such activities may include participation in or contributions to political campaigns or groups that espouse controversial positions.  You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the president of NBC News or his designee."

Ok, wtf. Yes, technically speaking NBC has every right to fire him for violating their ethics policy, just as NPR had a right to fire Juan Williams (as stupid as that was too...) But those rules should be enforced for EVERY employee, not just the ones with whom the network head has a personal problem.

Conflict of interest? "Impartial journalist"?!?!? Have they ever watched his show? He's the most unabashedly biased, smug, snarky, sarcastic bastard on nonfiction TV-- and I LOVE him for it. He's not afraid to say what he wants to. That's why I watch. First of all, Olbermann's show is OPINION & COMMENTARY, not a news broadcast. (Seriously, if you take the "Worst Persons in the World" that literally, you probably should be watching Nick Jr.) MSNBC acknowledges this. My cable company acknowledges this. If journalists are supposed to be unbiased and purely objective, I wouldn't (or couldn't) consider him to be a journalist, but a news commentator. And a fucking good one, at that. By suspending Mr. Olbermann, the NBC network stands to lose a great deal of its primetime viewership. Meaning, - bye bye ratings, MSNBC! (Not to say that Rachel isn't worth watching. Because she totally is. But I won't be watching until Olbermann is reinstated, because this is ridiculous. He is a commentator, a host of a political opinion show, and not a reporter. If Joe Scarborough can donate, why not Keith?) And on the other hand, how many of Fox's staffers-- hell, the NETWORK ITSELF-- how many campaigns have they donated to? Millions of dollars, $500K of which was to the fucking Chamber of Commerce! AFTER Murdoch himself said they should be "non-partisan." (Which, admittedly, does show that NBC clearly values ethics far more than FOX, but for once that's beside the point.) It was also revealed today that a certain Sean Hannity donated $10,000 to Michele Bachmann. (And the maximum is $2400? Even if half of that $10,000 was "from" his wife, that's still over the limit. So... No one's freaking out about that?!?!)"Journalists" have lives outside of their jobs.

Why is it that corporations are allowed to do whatever they want in this country? First Amendment rights don't mean a thing if you have a job-- unless you're a corporation, in which case have at it. (Speaking of which - I did not sign a non-compete-- so why should my boss have the power to fire me for finding a second job wherever I can so that I can actually afford to pay my bills, if it doesn't affect my first job? Just wondering. Because I need to find another job, and now it seems I'm extremely limited in where I can go...) The fact that Mr. Olbermann spent his own money on something he wanted is none of the company's concern. Whatever happened to being more than one's job? I don't need your permission to donate my own money to who I please. If this is really just a feud between Griffin & Mr. Olbermann- Griffin, grow the fuck up and stop acting like a douchebag.

But to be fair, this article does make some valid points.

End angry rant. Though the good news is that, as someone just pointed out, Mr. Olbermann will have a new "Worst Person in the World" for a while once he gets his show back, or a new one (taking his viewership with him.)

Phone number for MSNBC - 212 664-4444 (Extension #6 for Countdown)
Twitter is @MSNBC, @KeithOlbermann
And I'm sure there's a petition floating around here somewhere... The internet has been in a fury over this, and rightfully so. Of all the things that we, and NBC, should be concerned about, political donations from TV show hosts are the least of it. So please-- in light of the recent elections and the deep depression we on the left have found ourselves in now that our hopes for a brighter American future have been dashed-- let us keep the few uplifting moments we have left-- Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Keith Olbermann, & of course, the brilliant Rachel Maddow. Keep Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the air! (Or let the hypocrites over at FOX gloat, as your ratings plummet lower than those of Lone Star. Your choice.)

Final 55 Days...

True Majority wants to know what we progressives think Congress should push for before the TP takes over in 55 days. My response?

repeal dadt! it's now or never! (also, now might be a good time to repeal doma, legalize same-sex marriage, tighten up social security, ban offshore drilling, repeal the tax cuts/let them expire, pass a better healthcare law, pass comprehensive immigration reform, close gitmo, get out of the middle east -- actually, mr. president, you have 55 days to get your entire agenda through. good luck. & don't blame me this time, i remembered to vote.)

I'm off to work on NaNo - making so much progress for one night! Over 2,000 words! (Total is reaching 6,000.) Hit my daily quota and then some, so I'm starting to catch up...

Live Election Night Coverage - The Short Version

It's election night, and I was out cold for the most of it. (I also still have 1200 words to go for NaNo today... not good.) This is the super-short version of some of what's going on locally. (Refresh every 5 minutes for updates.)

Here's what we missed-
Rand Paul won.
Christine O'Donnell didn't. Thankfully.

8:26pm - AAAARRRGGHHH. Sipprelle is beating Holt by what is looking to be a landslide, and Anna Little (a TP candidate) is beating Pallone. Excuse me while I go bawl in a corner...

8:31pm - CNN predicts that the GOP will only need 8 more wins to gain control of the Senate.
8: 45pm - It's only getting worse. So I'm watching Glee. Democrats- looks like you're screwed.
8:50pm - As much as I dislike Rachel, Jesse sucks. Oh, elections? Uh... Really hoping the Monmouth Country results aren't a reflection of the entire district...
9:00pm - Chuck Shumer in NY, Blanche Lincoln lost. (Can she take Landrieu with her? Please? Buh-bye.) Still no news on NJ House results.
9:05pm - I take that back- NJ News 12 has FINALLY started posting election results. We're waiting on Districts 3, 6, & 12 (the closest, most competitive races. 2 of which are in my own township...) Little & Sipprelle are still in the lead :-(
9:10 pm - Busy flipping through all of the news channels, & on CNN is Rand Paul babbling about something or other... [sigh] I usually somewhat like libertarians... This guy... I like his father well enough, but... just NO.
9:15pm - GRAYSON LOST?!?! NOOO!!!! Grayson, Perriello-- not a good night for progressives...
9:20pm -  CNN projects that GOP will take control of the house.
9:25pm -  Sestak (D) leading in PA. Holt is starting to do somewhat better... Still not enough :-(
9:30pm -You can see NJ results here. Marco Rubio is on, speaking about a "second chance." To do what? Failed Bush policy on crack, part 3?
9:35pm - Pallone (NJ-6) is tied!!! (Technically he has about 500 more votes than Little, but percentage-wise, it's a tie...) It's not over yet! I might to keep at least one of my guys! ^^" Good news indeed. (Tonight is so depressing...) More good news - Holt is gaining now that the Middlesex County votes are coming in!
9:40pm -  So why does Little get better party music? Sadly, NJ News 12 has announced that Little is taking over my township. (At least, the 6th district part of it...) Just switched to CNN - looked like O'Donnell was celebrating for a sec. Good, she knows she lost... Alright then.
9:45pm - It's official. Republicans have won the House. and in NJ- PALLONE IS LEADING!!!
9:50pm - Ah! 1994 & 1996 mentioned on NJ News 12! Everyone take 2 shots!! HuffPost Drinking Game. In other news, guy who dressed up like a Nazi failed. That's good... There's too much crazy in the government already. Bring on the sanity...?
9:55pm - Yea, CNN is totally failing tonight. Anti-Tea Party tweets aren't news. In fact, that's old news. Get on with real results! ...Wisconsin - Feingold losing to Johnson, with only 10% of the vote counted. Joe Wilson ("You lie!!!" dude) tied in South Carolina. Arizona polls closing soon. Can't wait to see how that turns out... In NJ, Holt is still gaining. Pallone still in the lead.
10:00pm - This battle is over healthcare, according to CNN. Check out Mother Jones election coverage for some of the latest headlines. Polls have closed in Nevada, Arizona, Iowa Montana, Utah... Waiting on news of Reid vs. Angle.
10:05pm -  Less than half of the votes are in for Middlesex County, with Sipprelle and Holt holding steady... McCain & Grassley were reelected. PA gov looks to be Dem.
10:10pm - lots of cheering at Pallone party... Win??? They'll be making an announcement soon... And it gets better - HOLT IS LEADING!!! By 1%, but as more of the votes come in... There is hope!! (Tight race, for sure...) South Dakota votes against legalizing marijuana for medical use.
10:15pm - Sharron Angle & Harry Reid, close race according to CNN. Pallone & Lautenberg prepare for speech... Acceptance speech? Yes? (Little is also preparing her speech. But numbers say it's Pallone!!) Haha, I sense TP criticism coming up... (Did he just say MANN-tra? Isn't it more like Mahn-tra? Hmm... Am I wrong here?) Yup, there it is, anti-tea party comments. Don't disagree with him though ^^" That's why I like him!
10:20pm -  So... Pallone claims victory, Little isn't conceding yet. And Holt is still pulling ahead! YAY! Still waiting on numbers from Nevada & Arizona.
10:25pm - State Senate? Huh. Projected Dem win. Pallone becomes official projected win. Way to go!
10:30pm - I'm tired again. Pallone win should have national recognition? (News 12- He was directly up against high profile TP candidate & won.) Holt is officially the projected winner!!
10:35pm - Ye-a, I'm gonna call Runyan. But YES!!! Both Holt & Pallone have been (unofficially) announced as winners! Greenstein wins State Senate.
10:40pm - NJ has overwhelmingly (81%) voted YES on the state question - state amendment to ensure that all benefits money goes to benefits. Sadly, Old Bridge voted NO on tiny tax levy for land conservation :-( Also, in PA, DADT repeal leader Patrick Murphy lost to Michael Fitzpatrick (R)
10:45pm -  PA race is insanely close. Still waiting... Nikki Haley won in South Carolina.
10:50pm - Holt & Pallone have officially won! YES! Congrats!! (And this 22 yr old Independent opposes the Tea Party & can't stand the GOP. So take THAT, CNN!) I will sleep well tonight. Until I remember that the GOP took over the house [facepalm]
10:55pm - Anna Little is giving her concession speech. (Just waiting for her to announce a Stewart... No?)  CNN is babbling on about the Tea Party & Rand Paul. [yawn] Oh dear. Anna Little is ooh-ing and aww-ing over a signed card. Isn't this all so thrilling... Oh! District 3- Runyan defeated Adler.
11:00pm - Time for the Daily Show - Live!!. So... Yea, I'm done tonight XD. Polls closing on the west coast. GOP needs 6 more wins to be majority in the Senate. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Obama's going to have to be pretty badass (in the words of STK) to put up with this & get anything done.