Complaint Letter to Olbermann RE: "Special" Comment

Dear Mr. Olbermann:

Your program has always been interesting and entertaining, and I have enjoyed your intelligence, wit and humor. I look forward to hearing about the latest “worst persons” and “Oddball”. Your special comments are incisive and insightful: you speak for many of us.

As one of your most loyal fans, it pains me to write this, but it needs to be written.

I am not a thin-skinned wussy. I am tough feminist immigrant who is proud of becoming a citizen. I served in the USAF during the Viet Nam era, worked my way through college with a 3.8, struggled with bigotry and prejudice, worked as a network engineer for 25 years….you get the picture. I think I turned out okay.

Voting is precious to me, and I have been active in local and national politics. This year, however, is painful. I shrug most of it off; but when I listen to you; your constant criticism of Senator Clinton is too much. It is “Fox Newsing” & “Roving” every Clinton-related sound bite or news item; “I call this “gotcha trolling.”

I’ve tried to remain objective, and I think I have. Oddly enough, it was Kevin Spacey who bared the simple truth on your program. When you played one of Senator Clinton’s sound bites, you asked him what he thought. He replied, to paraphrase, “it’s just what it appears to be.” He did not read any more into it; he did not twist or mischaracterize the words; he refused to play.

Your recent special comment on the “assassination” remark was cruel and unwarranted. It wasn’t “special” at all. Bobby Kennedy’s assassination is a clear and sad memory for me, and I never thought for one minute Senator Clinton meant it in a nasty, political way. RFK was an inspiration to her, so it doesn’t make sense. Yes, it was a dumb remark, but she does not deserve this treatment. By the way, those wonderful Obama campaign members forwarded the video to most of the known world -- this ugly, over-the-top piece is now viral, and most people will never know the truth.

Why you hate Senator Clinton so much is a mystery to me. Her current struggle is a testament to the ubiquitous daily attacks (not just yours, Keith). Remember, she does have almost 50% of the Democratic primary votes, most of us the “invisible women”, you disparage. We’re just quieter than the other campaign’s supporters.

I’m not asking that you treat her any differently than other Democrats. Think about what she is saying and interpret it properly. When she makes a mistake, pretend she is Barack Obama. She is not Dick Cheney, the Bushes, or Karl Rove. You don’t have to like her. Please – just be fair.

I hope this is read in the spirit in which it is written. I wouldn’t even bother if I didn’t think you are great. Please think about what I have written with an open mind. This disrespect serves no useful purpose, and if she is on the ticket it could be even more harmful. This primary is only made more divisive by yellow journalism.