Let’s bring out that logo 1 last time! :D
It would be an understatement of biblical proportions to say we were shocked & saddened last Friday evening when Keith Olbermann said that this Countdown was going to be his last. I kept waiting for him to say, "Just kidding!", but he never did! Speculation & rumors are rampant concerning the circumstances of his departure from MSNBC, many people vowed to boycott MSNBC, etc., but I really really DO NOT want to get into that tonight; we revisited those issues enough last weekend.
Today is Keith Olbermann’s birthday, so the gist of this diary tonight is to wish him a fan damntastic day, look back on our favorite Countdown moments, and to reassure him that we’re going to be there for him no matter what opportunity might open up to him in the coming months. You can also follow him on teh Twitter here, AND, yes, I submitted to peer pressure; you can follow ME @FOOLeader. :D
Most of you know my story already, but, since we’re looking back, the story bears repeating. I was a faithful Countdown viewer since nearly day one. I’d caught the show rather sporadically at first, but it was this segment that sealed the deal for me!
Soon, a whole lot of us begin to think the world around us was going bat$hit. Our country was (and basically still is) in 2 wars, the war in Iraq was begun under false pretenses (to be charitable), people’s patriotism began to be called into question, and rights that we thought were civil rights suddenly weren’t – at least according to the GWB administration. While Countdown wasn’t overly – political before then, it became "political" after this.
Lordy, I still feel like I can kick a$$ and take names after I watch that! :D
We all went on to share world – wide, national, and personal triumphs, laughs, angers, and losses together; whether Keith wanted to or intended to, he became & still is the voice for so many who don’t have that voice. Through Countdown and response from fans of Countdown, thousands of people – people who we don’t know personally nor will probably ever meet – were overwhelmed with kindnesses, assistance, and the display of what goes on in this country that precious few people know about. We helped the National Association of Free Clinics give healthcare to thousands of our fellow citizens, we donated money & time to citizens who suddenly did not have the means for organ transplants, and too many more that you all can mention in the comments.
I vow to Keith here and now that I will continue to keep track of the issues brought to light through Countdown even after I begin to diary The Rachel Maddow Show here at Daily Kos on Monday evening; this effort will be my "one diary a day" DK3 focus! :D At least at this point, the frame of my diaries for Rachel’s show will be very similar to the Countdown diaries. The main focus will be the topics & guests features on Rachel’s show, but don’t be surprised to see news or bits of Keith & Countdown thrown in every once in awhile; old habits die hard!
When/If we get to DK4, and we’re allowed to have more than 1 diary a day, and Keith is once again blessing the airwaves and/or intertubes, I will find a way to diary both. We even have a Rachel diary logo! No, you don’t get to see it until Monday, but I do want to hear some catchy suggestions for names! I can, however, give you a clue as to the "theme" of the logo; suggest something along the lines of outer space, being smart, planet Earth, etc. :D
Now, for the final time in the strictly - Countdown sense, let’s move onto "this day in history" and SPARK. Most "this day in history" items are kind of downers, but Keith shares a birthday with a whole bunch of people like Mozart, Lewis Carroll, Chief "Justice" John Roberts (*&^%$#@!), and Chris Collinsworth!
SPARK items for today are a hoot! This discovery in the animal kingdom gives whole new meaning to "When ya' gotta go, YA' GOTTA GO!" EEEeeeeWWWWwwww! Staying in the animal kingdom, these robbers left an "interesting" calling card. Does anyone besides me thing that's a little WRONG?! Finally, we just might have a new old weapon in the "war on drugs" & the "war on terror!" Instead of chuckin' pumpkins, we can go back to that lovely tradition to chuckin' decaying animals or something - YUMMY! :D
I now open the Happy Birthday & Thank You Keith floor to you.