Griffin registers 35-14-7 in loss to Jazz – msnbc.com
TSN |
Griffin registers 35-14-7 in loss to Jazz
msnbc.com Blake Griffin went for 35 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the Clippers' 109-97 loss to the Jazz on Sunday. He went 13-of-21 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line. Another superhuman effort from the super rookie, yet another loss … Recap: LA Clippers vs. Utah Williams leads Jazz to 109-97 win over Clippers Jazz rally once again, erase Griffin-led Clippers 109-97 |
Tweet Of The Day II – Kathy Griffin
Kathy Griffin: Bush is a liar over his fetus in a jar story
Beyond the pale.
Let me first say that this is chocked full of expletives. The hate meter is pegged on this one. Kathy Griffin seems to think former President Bush is lying on what influenced his decision to become pro-life: George W. Bush’s pro-life stance solidified when he was a teenager in Texas — after his mother suffered […]
Phil Griffin, MSNBC Prez, Should Bring Back Olbermann
The electronic media was abuzz on Friday with huge news of MSNBC’s President Phil Griffin and his decision to indefinitely suspend their prime time firebrand Keith Olbermann from the flagging cable news network. This story was so big that CNN (the distant 2nd place for politics) covered it with a front page link to their story.
Allegedly Olbermann’s campaign contributions (reported first by Politico) to at least three Democrats running for office in the recent mid-terms caused the problem. Well, the contributions were not the actual problem, Mr. Olbermann’s lack of disclosure to his employer was at issue. My new hero, Phil Griffin issued the following statement;
“I became aware of Keith’s political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay.”
As stated in a personal email sent to Phil Griffin ([email protected]), I applaud him for showing the American people that rules matter, actions have consequences, and enforcement of the rules must be equal or the rules are meaningless.
A Twitter brush fire was immediately lit on both sides of the Olbermann river. Those in “Team Keith” were calling the MSNBC switchboard and demanding for reinstatement and his immediate return. While those on “Team Griffin” enjoyed a second bite of the schadenfreude apple this week. The elections being bite #1. There really isn’t a Team Griffin, just a large and now satisfied group of MSNBC detractors who are smiling broadly.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, MSNBC still had a show to fill. So who could host to the now benched Olbermann? One report said that Chris Hayes of the Nation would step in… that was until Hayes’ 2008 and 2009 campaign contributions were discussed. MSNBC mentioned these donations when they said Hayes would not be hosting, Hayes took a different route, tweeting the following:
Last night’s edition of “Countdown Without Keith Olberman”n was hosted by MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts who closed with the following:
“Last night, MSNBC management became aware of three political contributions that Keith made to three different candidates last week,” Roberts said. “The contributions are not permitted by NBC News without prior approval. In light of those facts, Keith has been suspended indefinitely. We know all of you are looking forward to Keith’s return, and so are we.”
I agree with Thomas. Keith Olbermann should get his job back soon. In these tough economic times America cannot afford to lose even one job. Perhaps Keith has also learned something from his suspension. Maybe the man who railed against the campaign contributions of others (Fox, Koch brothers, etc.) and then was undone by his own need to feel as if his money could influence an election, has been taught something about seeing a story from both sides. Oh the sweet irony of it all.
Honestly, I for one would love to see Keith Olbermann back on MSNBC as soon as Monday, introduced by his boss, Phil Griffin, and explaining himself to the Progressive people while consuming a large plate of crow followed by a huge slice of humble pie for dessert… and closing by naming himself the Worst Person In The World.
MSNBC President Phil Griffin Laughably Claims Channel Doesn’t Fundraise for Dems
The folks at MSNBC are for some reason still under the impression that they are anything but a far less successful liberal alternative to Fox News.
The former channel's president, Phil Griffin, tried to perpetuate that delusion in a blog post by New York Times media blogger Brian Stelter on Sunday. Griffin claimed that MSNBC, unlike Fox News, does not help guests who are political candidates solicit funds on air.
In fact, MSNBC psychotalker Ed Schultz has done just that on multiple occasions. “Show me an example of us fund-raising,” Stelter quotes Griffin as saying. Perhaps he should have reviewed his own channel's coverage before making that challenge (gladly accepted by cable news blogger Johnny Dollar).
NewsBusters.org – Exposing Liberal Media Bias
Trifecta of Distortion: Kathy Griffin, Wanda Sykes, Lance Bass Blame Conservatives for Gay Teen Suicides
Are religious leaders, conservative activists, and Jim DeMint responsible for the deaths of gay teenagers? That’s the impression left by Kathy Griffin, Wanda Sykes, and Lance Bass, in an extensive interview on the October 4 "Larry King Live."
Focusing on the slew of gay teens who have committed suicide in the past week as a result of bullying, the panel of gay rights activists spewed offensive bile toward preachers of traditional social values.
"The blood is on their hands," decried Griffin, referring to the bullies who abused the gay teenagers, and religious leaders and political figures who oppose gay marriage and the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
Earlier in the show, Griffin implored viewers to see her ludicrous connection between conservative social policy and gay teen suicide:
Look, let’s cut the crap. I think that the way that we had trickle-down economics in the 80s, this is trickle down homophobia. And I really want people to connect the dots. And that’s why I believe there’s a connection between Prop 8, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and now the string of teen suicides. It’s almost sanctioned to bully gay people and treat them as second-class citizens.
After Griffin claimed that "there’s a lot of very right-wing conservative people that absolutely sanction this behavior," King inquired: "Wait, you’re not saying that this religious person would say it’s okay to bully a gay person?"
"Have you talked to Jim DeMint today?" retorted Griffin.
Griffin’s broad-sweeping denunciation of conservatives was just the beginning. Echoing the Bravo star, Sykes claimed that religious leaders who "preach that homophobia is wrong…cause harm to the gay and lesbian community." In context, it can be assumed Sykes meant that preaching homosexuality is wrong. Later in the show, Sykes lectured religious leaders again: "They don’t teach the love part [of the Bible]. I’ll put it that way. They don’t teach the love part enough. And it’s all driven on by fear."
Rounding out the trifecta of temerity, Bass implied that advancing liberal social causes can stymie bullying: "And it goes back to our leaders, I think. You know, once we finally get rid of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, when everyone is equal and being able to get married, that’s what’s teaching our younger generation, you know, what is right and what is wrong."
King exerted very little effort to defend conservatives against the panel’s barrage of smears and distortion. In fact, the veteran CNN anchor’s mentions of Eddie Long, the Atlanta preacher accused of sexual misconduct with young men, and Boyd Packer, a high-ranking Mormon official who denounced homosexuality, only encouraged the left-wing panel’s relentless vitriol.
Transcripts of the relevant portions of the program can be found below:
CNN
Larry King Live
October 4, 20109:00 p.m. EDT
LARRY KING: Tonight, bullying. It led five young men in the span of one week to commit suicide, because they were taunted and tormented for being gay. Kathy Griffin, Wanda Sykes, Tim Gunn, Lance Bass, and Nate Berkus are here with their stories of personal pain and heartache and the drastic action one of them considered as his only escape. Next on Larry King Live. Good evening. Wanda Sykes is an openly gay comedian. She performs October 15th and 16th at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Kathy Griffin is a gay activist, comedian and actress, the star of Bravo’s "My life on the D-List." Tim Gunn stars in "Project Runway." Tim is gay. And he attempted suicide at age 17. And Lance Bass, openly gay, performer, former performer with N Sync. He says, get this, that in high school he made fun of gay kids to hide his own secret. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual parents — their peers, rather. And the Trevor Project staffs a national 24-hour toll- free confidential suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth. Just remember this. 866-4U-TREVOR. 866-4U-TREVOR. Why are they bullied? Why are gay people bullied? For what purpose?
WANDA SYKES, comedian: For the purpose?
KING: I mean, why would someone bully someone because they’re gay?
SYKES: I think it stems with society. I mean, when society as a whole has told — has basically told the kids that it’s okay, that we’re a group that you can pick on, that you that don’t have to treat as equal. I mean, we see that in, you know, in the laws and everything else that’s out here, in the churches that they preach that homophobia is wrong. You pretty much have given kids permission to disrespect and, you know, and to cause harm to the gay and lesbian community.
KING: Tim, you see that as a good reason?
TIM GUNN, Bravo host: Well, Larry, I think that it’s also fear-related, fear of the unknown. It stems from insecurities. I believe that there are many issues around this. I also want to add when Wanda cites the churches, the human rights campaign has a statistic, which is that there are still 33 states in this nation where one can be fired for being gay. So that puts gay people in the same category as those who are committing heinous crimes. And what does that really mean? It’s a conundrum for me.
KING: Do you think, Kathy, that society, heterosexual society looks the other way?
KATHY GRIFFIN, comedian: Look, let’s cut the crap. I think that the way that we had trickle-down economics in the ’80s, this is trickle down homophobia. And I really want people to connect the dots. And that’s why I believe there’s a connection between Prop 8, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and now the string of teen suicides. It’s almost sanctioned to bully gay people and treat them as second-class citizens. And I get very nervous when the parents of these so-called bullies defend them saying, oh, kids will be kids, when you find out that the teen suicide rate is four times higher for a gay person. Think about how tragic suicide is, period. But why would you want to make it four times higher? And for what? These kids are just being themselves.
KING: Now Lance?
GRIFFIN: So I think a lot of the so-called religious leaders play into it. And the politicians certainly aren’t doing enough. There’s a lot of very right-wing conservative people that absolutely sanction this behavior. And there’s a lot you can do to finally put a stop to it.
KING: Wait, you’re not saying that this religious person would say it’s okay to bully a gay person?
GRIFFIN: Really? Have you talked to Jim DeMint today? I mean, there’s a-
KING: And he would say it’s okay to bully someone?
GRIFFIN: He doesn’t think there should be gay teachers. So yeah, what I’m saying is that — when I say so-called religious leaders, I mean, because not of course all religion is bad, but there are a lot of people under the umbrella of I’m a religious leader or gee, I don’t mind gay people, I just don’t want them in my church, I just don’t think they should marry, I don’t think they should serve openly. I did an episode of "My Life on the D-List," where I talked to a gay serviceman who said he was in the barracks with his pal in Iraq, who said you know what we should do? We should go hang a fag from a tree outside. He thought that was his friend. He was serving in Iraq. So this is all kind of sanctioned quietly at is this point.
[…]
9:12 p.m. EDT
KING: Yes. Lance, I don’t know how to relate — I’ll start with you and then we’ll go around. Boyd Packer, he’s I think the second highest leader in the Mormon church. He delivered a sermon called "Same-sex Attraction," and he called it impure and unnatural and against God’s law and nature. And apparently, he said that after learning of some of these suicides. Now, I know many, many Mormons. I’m married to a Mormon. They’re some of the most wonderful people I know. I’ve never seen them say prejudiced things. Do you think those kind of things spoken from their own bible could lead to violence?
BASS: I mean, it does. You know, it’s very confusing. I grew up in the bible belt, you know, here in America. And you know, I grew up Southern Baptist. And you know, it’s very scary as a kid, because you’re always taught, you know, that oh, gay is wrong, you’re going to hell. So you know, you’re basically scared into believing those thoughts. And it’s all what you’re taught. You know, these kids don’t learn it themselves. It’s all what they’re taught from the older generations, your older brothers, your sisters, your parents. It’s passed down generation to generation. You know, those thoughts.
KING: But they also teach, Wanda, love the sinner, hate the sin.
SYKES: They don’t teach that enough. You know. I mean, and it’s — they don’t teach the love part. I’ll put it that way. They don’t teach the love part enough. And it’s all driven on by fear. You know, it’s — and I believe a lot of people — like if it were my own family. You know, I believe that the big problem that my family had with me is that, you know, it’s the superstition and it’s the fear that if I accept you, then I’m accountable and then I’m going to go to hell, which is — it’s crazy.
[…]
9:24 p.m. EDT
KING: Lance, 9 out of 10 LGBT students, that’s lesbian and gay, bisexual students, experience harassment at school. And over 160,000 kids stay home from school every day, 160,000, for fear of being bullied.
BASS: Yeah.
KING: What kind of existence is that?
BASS: It’s a terrible one, you know. And it goes back to our leaders, I think. You know, once we finally get rid of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, when everyone is equal and being able to get married, that’s what’s teaching our younger generation, you know, what is right and what is wrong. And until that is like — that is done, these kids aren’t going to really, you know, respect their own opinions. They’re going to be thinking, "oh, this is what the government’s telling me to think. And obviously, they’re treating us like second-class citizens. So that’s how they’re going to grow up thinking."
KING: We’ll be right back. Don’t go away.
[…]
9:28 p.m. EDT
King: A memorial was held over the weekend for Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers student. He jumped from the George Washington Bridge after a video of him having sex with another male was put on the Internet.
GRIFFIN: Not a video he made himself. That’s what’s key.
KING: No, of course. Do you think people have any knowledge of what they’re doing, what the harm it causes?
GRIFFIN: I’d like to think that they don’t at the time. I think a lot of bullies do it because it makes them feel bigger. But I can’t imagine someone thinking this person’s going to write a simple line that says "jumping off the GW bridge." how can you live with that? And by the way, I would say that the blood is on the hands of several people who have participated in those kinds of bullyings. The blood’s on their hands, as well as a lot of our leaders, our so-called leaders.
KING: What do you say to someone who bullies, Wanda?
SYKES: What do you say to someone?
KING: Yes, what do you say to someone?
SYKES: Why? What’s the purpose? What do you hope to accomplish? Do you really think that little of yourself that, you know, you need to pump yourself up by being in control trying to ruin someone else? I mean, basically, get a life. Get a life. Try to be, you know — make something of yourself.
NewsBusters.org – Exposing Liberal Media Bias
Fired U.S. Attorney: DOJ Decision Not An Exoneration of Griffin
One of the U.S. Attorneys who was fired in a scandal that lead to the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales during the Bush administration remains critical of the man who replaced him — and who is now running for Congress.
“He had a role [in the attorney firings scandal], and I think its been documented in the investigations,” Bud Cummins said of Tim Griffin, the former Karl Rove aide who replaced Cummins and is now running for Congress in Arkansas 2nd District.
Still, Cummins said he didn’t want to take a position on the race. But he said that just because nobody was ultimately charged doesn’t mean there wasn’t wrongdoing. “I think it would be wrong to take that prosecution decision, which is a declination they declined the prosecution, and over-read into it that it was some kind of exoneration,” Cummins said. “It was clear from all the data and all the analysis that there was some wrongdoing and there was some lies being told.”
Another ousted U.S. Attorney, Paul Charlton, had much more to say.
“Character matters,” Charlton said. “And I don’t think people change over a short period of time. Most people can change their ways over a long period of time and a good bit of reflection, but I think Mr. Griffin is the same person today as he was when he sought the position of U.S. attorney. The true Griffin is the individual we saw reflected in emails he was sending to Karl Rove, for example, saying he would name his first child after Rove if it was a boy, or slandering Bud or crying at the Clinton Library in a talk about Public Service. Those are examples of the individual that now wants to represent Arkansas in Congress.”
Five of the former U.S attorneys — Carol Lam, David Iglesias, John McKay, along with Charlton and Cummins — had gathered at the event sponsored by the Clinton School of Public Service and the University of Arkansas-Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Back in January, the five discussed the scandal at Arizona State University College of Law.
News broke in July that the case against Alberto Gonzales was closed, and no charges would be brought. Gonzales had said he planned to raise money to cover his legal fees and work on his book.
“A lot of people who know me will tell you that I’m probably the least political animal of the Bush administration,” Gonzales said in an interview with The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Be sure to check out TPM’s comprehensive timeline of the U.S. attorney firings.
Video of Cummins below.
Alberto Gonzales – Attorney general – United States – Presidency of George W. Bush – United States Attorney
Shameless: Kathy Griffin Insists Calling Scott Brown’s Daughters ‘Prostitutes’ Was a Fantastic Career Move
Liberal "comedian" Kathy Griffin thinks there is no line of rudeness she can’t cross, including calling the daughters of Sen. Scott Brown "prostitutes." On Monday’s Joy Behar Show on CNN Headline News, Griffin proclaimed "But yes, whenever a statement is issued against me, I`m in heaven. I feel my next special is half written for me. And then I get to read statements allowed in my live shows which you can go to KathyGriffin.net and see the many, many cities I`ve picked up for my current tour."
Not even Rep. Barney Frank could make her feel bad about it:
BEHAR: So you’re really feeling bad about it all? Okay, I mean, when Barney Frank turns on you, one of your gays, you have to start to wonder.
GRIFFIN: Hey, the gays, look, there is — that’s — there is a reason that that flag has colors. There’s many levels and colors. There’s not just — I mean, I make the joke about the gays, but there’s many, many kinds of gay people like there are many, many kinds of straight people. And you know, he’s one of my gays. He just doesn’t know it because he doesn`t know, you know, who I am, as usual.
Behar had the same conversation with liberal "comedian" Margaret Cho on August 25, but Cho had no idea who Scott Brown was. So Behar told her (incorrectly) that Scott Brown posed for Playgirl magazine — when it was really Cosmopolitan.
BEHAR: And he also introduced his daughters in one speech that he gave saying they’re available and he posed for them in bikinis. They were in bikinis. People felt that they were easy targets and available. But she got into trouble because he didn’t like that she called them prostitutes.
CHO: Yes, well, I don’t know. I think she can say whatever she wants. And part of her appeal and her glory is that she does. She doesn`t really care.
BEHAR: She doesn’t care, the more you criticize, the more she loves it.
This logic of Griffin’s doesn’t always work — CNN did bump her off their New Year’s Eve program as she incessantly tried to embarrass Anderson Cooper.
