Keith Olbermann Suspends His Own Twitter Account
- Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:22pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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(Editor’s note: This story has been updated.)
Keith Olbermann has suspended his Twitter account. The suspension is the result of a Twitter war with followers last night regarding his interview with Julian Assange apologist Michael Moore, and Olbermann’s subsequent cavalier attitude toward the rape allegations against the Wikileaker.
Some background. During his interview with Michael Moore the other night Moore referred to the rape charges against Assange as “hooey.” Mediaite’s Tommy Christopher points out Moore was “clearly referring to Assange’s arrest, not the allegations themselves.”
Nevertheless, the site Tigerbeatdown.com launched a campaign calling for Moore to explain himself and apologize and was subsequently blocked on Twitter by Olbermann. The site also called Olbermann to task for re-Tweeting out a link to an article that contained the names of the women accusing Assange of rape.
Still with me?
Subsequently, Olbermann got into a Twitter firestorm with a number of people last night, which I will not bore you with but suffice to say Olbermann was fairly defiant. And then this afternoon he suspended his Twitter account (and removed his profile pic!).
The story gets even more interesting when you realize that Tommy Christopher, mentioned above, was part of the all-out “Twar” (Twitter+war). Here’s what he’s been writing:
On Tuesday’s Countdown, host Keith Olbermann and guest Michael Moore sparked widespread outrage over their dismissive treatment of rape allegations against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. While some of the segment is open to interpretation, Moore made a clear factual error when he said that Assange only stands accused of having his condom break during consensual sex.
Before we go on to the actual war of words, it’s important to note that Christopher bases his more-than-a-condom-breaking claim on a sketchy story from the site Feministe (at least that’s where he links to):
Well, no, I’m not sure it’s that straightforward. The actual details of what happened are hard to come by, and are largely filtered through tabloid sources that are quick to offer crucial facts like the hair color of the women (blonde) and the clothes they wore (pink, tight), but it sounds like the sex was consensual on the condition that a condom was used. It also sounds like in one case, condom use was negotiated for and Assange agreed to wear a condom but didn’t, and the woman didn’t realize it until after they had sex; in the second case, it sounds like the condom broke and the woman told Assange to stop, which he did not. This is of course speculation based on the bare-bones reported description of events, but it’s at least clear that “this is a case of a broken condom” isn’t close to the whole story. (It’s also worth pointing out that the charge is actually a quite minor one in Sweden, and the punishment is a $700 fine).
Withdrawal of consent should be grounds for a rape charge (and it is, in Sweden) — if you consent to having sex with someone and part of the way through you say to stop and the person you’re having sex with continues to have sex with you against your wishes, that’s rape.
That source even admits that “the actual details of what happened are hard to come by,“ and that those facts ”are largely filtered through tabloid sources.” I’m hoping Christopher reveals more sources as the story unfolds (or clarifies this one), because for now, the one source he is providing is shaky.*
Back to the war. Christopher provides readers with a tweet-by-tweet account of the exchange between he and Olbermann:
chrisatyoursix I cant wait to watch @KeithOlbermann at 8 to see why @MMFlinthelped bail out an accused rapist. 14 Dec
KeithOlbermann @chrisatyoursix you might want to read in on those charges 14 Dec
tommyxtopher @KeithOlbermann @chrisatyoursix Are you saying that holding a woman down after she tells you to stop isn’t rape? (link) Or are u saying that you don’t think Assange has been accused of holding a woman down after she said “stop?” (link)
tommyxtopher Because that’s what he’s accused of: holding a woman down after she said “stop.”http://bit.ly/fMVA7m (link)
tommyxtopher I’m not asking to be a douche, just allowing that maybe you and @mmflint really don’t know what Assange is accused of. (link)
KeithOlbermann @tommyxtopher You’ve already crossed that threshold. Do not contact me again. (link)
The Twar quickly degenerated into name calling:
jsmooth995 @KeithOlbermann Your ad hominem jab, even if true, doesn’t negate the substance of his questions. And he’s hardly the only one asking. (link)
amaditalks @KeithOlbermann Well I’m no one’s hatchet man & I don’t work for any websites. So how about if you answer that question for me? (link)
KeithOlbermann @amaditalks Do you have a copy of the charges? Because until you do, the answer is, “none of us knows.” (link)
tommyxtopher @KeithOlbermann @amaditalks That’s sophistry. The “accusations” (not charges) have been reported extensively.http://bit.ly/fMVA7m(link)
suddenlyjen love @KeithOlbermann freaking the f**k out over someone asking a totally reasonable question. Congrats on being an adult, Keith! (link)
KeithOlbermann @suddenlyjen Next time you get a flock of people lying about what you said or did not say on tv, remember how you phrased that (link)
Olbermann eventually gave a half-hearted apology. You’ll note in that apology (below), he references an accusation made by some that he revealed the identity of one of Assange’s accusers. While he may not have done it intentionally, the identity was included in one of the links (as a “re-tweet”) he sent out. As Christopher notes, the apology is condensed from five tweets:
Rape has touched my family, directly and savagely, and if anybody thinks I have addressed it without full sensitivity, then that assessment is the one that counts, and I apologize. But these accusations that I “revealed” an accuser’s identity by retweeting Bianca Jagger’s link, or that I ’shamed’ an accuser by asking a question about the prosecution of a man governments are trying to bury, or that I do not ‘understand’ charges that have yet to be presented in their final form, reflect exactly the kind of rushing to judgment of which I’m accused, and merit the same kind of apology I have just given.
You know what happened next — Olbermann decided to hold his own Twitter account hostage. In the end, that might be best for everyone.
Author’s note: A final point. Christopher, I think, was right to go after Olbermann and Moore. Christopher is known as a fair reporter, and he saw something that he didn’t agree with and called out those responsible. That’s to be commended.
Read all of Christopher’s thoughts on the issue.
*UPDATE:
In the Feministe story, I missed an update included at the end. The post actually links to a UK Press Association story saying that “the court heard Assange is accused of using his body weight to hold her down in a sexual manner.” That’s a very important point, and I apologize for missing it earlier. Here are the charges as reported by the UKPA:
The court heard Assange is accused of using his body weight to hold her down in a sexual manner.
The second charge alleged Assange “sexually molested” Miss A by having sex with her without a condom when it was her “express wish” one should be used.
The third charge claimed Assange “deliberately molested” Miss A on August 18 “in a way designed to violate her sexual integrity”. The fourth charge accused Assange of having sex with a second woman, Miss W, on August 17 without a condom while she was asleep at her Stockholm home.
This seems to give much more weight to Christopher’s point.
UPDATE II:
Christopher sent an e-mail noting that in his first story on the Olbermann/Moore rape conversation, he linked to the UK Press Association article (the UK’s version of the Associated Press) above, but also linked to a New York Times article saying something similar. In the original story, I wrote that I hoped Christopher would provide more sources. He has. And I think it’s important to read them.
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Comments (144)
Jim in Houston
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:26pmWhat’s the matter Slobberman, can’t take the abuse? You pathetic POS!
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:17pmI’ll tell you what: With your new internet fascism that’s about to be enacted by the FCC, we can petition the FCC for a no-contact order on behalf of the American public against you, keith, and thereby keep you off the air under court order. How’s that sound? I spent 23 years in your world, you punk, I know things you’re about to find out. A broadcaster in a war of words with his own viewers… Well, I can leave this universe, now, I’ve seen everything here.
Report Post »spreadcommonsensenot pc
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:15pmHey keith—suspend your mouth and send your head back to the “insane asylum” for some more “tweeking”——-“lib”otomy
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:15pmI’m still trying to understand “sex by surprise”.
Report Post »Pslam 144 verse 1
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:25pmHe was running in her apartment, tripped on the rug, fell on her , and it kinda just slipped in……..?
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:43pmwell sex by surprise to me means if i get any at my age i am surprised i think i said that right
Report Post »sometimes my old timers kicks in
Entwife
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:11pmTwittersnit! Twittersnit!
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:09pmI’m sure the 5 overweight, potato chip eating, Media Matter losers working in their mom’s basement in their underwear will truly miss Keith…. Or maybe he’s closing his Twitter account so he can move over to his Nitwitter account ;-)
Report Post »Capt_Spalding
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:01pmToday: Twitter… tomorrow that lame excuse for a tv program.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 10:55pmfrom your keyboard to God’s monitor – Please God!!!!
Report Post »code green
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:59pmKieth cancelling that account is a pretty decisive decission for a post menopausal , 50s something woman in mens clothing .
Report Post »TrueToTheCoreAmerican
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:55pmAnd so his 15 minutes of self proclaimed fame fades even further. (grin)
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:54pmMoore and Olberman two of the biggest a-holes in the world in the same room must have smelled pretty bad.
Report Post »CaptainSpaulding
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:54pmHa.
Report Post »moonpeace
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:53pmOlbermann has been accused of forcing himself upon two teenage girls that he took into his mother’s basement. Charges were never filed, but just take a good look at Keith and tell me…would you say yes to him if you were a woman?
Report Post »cece959
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:22pmNot if I were the last woman on earth and he promised to use a rented d**k.
Report Post »CNK
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:52pmAre we supposed to care about this? I know he has a very high opinion of himself, but the rest of us don’t.
Report Post »JimOhio
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:51pmWho gives a rats patoot?
Report Post »Resolved
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:48pmThis is about as low as I’ve seen Bathtub Boy go. I expect this kind of trash from Michael Moore, but I was somehow naive enough to believe that there were lines even Bathtub Boy wouldn’t cross. Wow.
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:43pmPerhaps Keithie will post his cell phone number for all of us “followers” to have on hand for 3 AM questions. Better yet, how about an address, big boy?. We can all chip in and send him something “special.” GPS coordinates? OK, too. Let’s roll!
Report Post »ed0315
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:40pmYou mean there are actual people out there that actually reads what he writes? Must be a screw up. This “man” is about as relevant as what I leave in a toilet bowl!
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:43pm4 out of 5 scatologists disagree.
Report Post »Lee Butchee
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 11:18pm@Konservative Punk: Just ew! and lol
Report Post »TRUTHSEEKINGAL
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 8:35amOf all the things olber has lost ,he’ll miss his mind the most>>
Report Post »macwedge
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:33pmTwit is the correct adjective.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:32pmnow, if he would only suspend his breathing…
Report Post »code green
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:40pmYou are reading what is left of my mind .
Report Post »cece959
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:20pmHey, no fair posting something an hour before I thought of it.
Report Post »Big Mickey
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:30pmAw, geez. You Blaze guys are having to scrape the bottom of the barrel for news when you stuff Moore and Olbermann into the same story. And with Twitter, nonetheless. The more time you give these guys the more folks will listen to them. Don‘t give the idiots any time and they’ll fade awaay.
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:46pmAgreed. I could have lived a fuller life without ever having heard about either of them. The attention nitwits get for being nitwits is on par with a Jerry Springer freak show. You want to look away, but just can’t, so STOP advertising for PMSNBC.
Report Post »Mikee T
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:59pmAgreed……Twitter is for twits……and apparently, we have a lot of them out there…….whatever happened to good old fashioned in your face dialogue ?………Puleeeaaaassssseeeeeeeeeee
Report Post »Reagan/Demint.deciple
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:11pmHe never used the site due to so little followers, so twitter was threatening to start charging him for the use of dead space…
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:30pmHe doesn’t really have anything important to say anyway.
Report Post »Probably from lack of followers, like his show.
dinadp
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:29pmGood. One less a-hole on Twitter.
Report Post »Adam
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:29pmIf a tree falls in a forrest…
Report Post »Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 6:05pmthank you!
Report Post »jettson
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 10:27amI hope this jerk Keith Olbermann is under it
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:26pmtwit…errr
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:51pmIf a twitterer has left tweeting in twiiterville and is no longer a twit, then when a twit is left a twittering for the lost twitterer, is there anyone who honestly would care where Olbermann went?
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 5:21pmthats the err part. twitting has become an ism.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:24pmA twit suspending his own twitter account….what will the world do with itself.
Twitter is for twits.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:41pmWhat will the world do? Simple, we will continue on without people like Olbermann.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
guyperram
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 3:51pmAnd I thought I might sign up in the next century or so.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:21pmOlbermann is such a baby!! He is infatuated with Assange, thus he sees no wrongdoing on Assange’s part. If Assange turned out to be a mass murderer (and you may argue that point depending on how many lives may be lost due to these ‘leaks”), Olbermann and Moore would still consider him a hero because they all hate America equally. This is really what it’s about: The America Haters Club cannot abide with any criticism of it’s members. I’m sure that Olbermann is hurt most of all because it was his own followers who called him out. At least Maddow still understands….she(?) NEVER wears a condom.
Report Post »UMMAH GUMMAH
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:40pm.
This snowleopard TWIT with his CRAP “art” should STOP SPAMMING!! He is ripping off the regular advertisers who PAY to advertise here.
Typical lib attitude trying to get something for nothing.
Report Post ».
Cobra Blue
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:42pmHey Keith..while your at it how about going ahead and suspending your TV broadcast. Your numbers are so low no one will ever notice. .
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 4:46pmI thought Moore went to fat-camp.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 5:14pmOlbermann utilized a rare procedural point in his little Twitter war……its called the “Cartman”…….”Screw you guys….I’m going home!!!”
What a big, Marxist baby…..
Report Post »23
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 5:27pmwarm quiver
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 5:36pmUMMAH GUMMAH, why don’t you shut your cake hole and leave SHOWLEOPARD alone? Free market. Ever heard of, you commie ********?
What the hell kind of name is UMMAH GUMMAH, anyway? Sounds like ********** name. My family’s been on the North American continent for over 300 years. Can you say the same?
Probably not!
Report Post »Happy Killmore
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 6:48pmSo… When you sign up for a Twitter account do you, like, get a tampon and a training bra? Seriously, this whole thing reads like angry notes passed between twin angry seventh grade girls.
Report Post »Happy Killmore
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 6:59pmI think “Ummagumma” is a Pink Floyd album.
Report Post »Luckywon
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 8:04pmThe real story here is that people actually follow Keith Olbermann on Twitter.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 9:53pmKeith who?
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 12:38amWhat will Keith do all alone in his mom’s basement without being able to twitter.
Twitter is for twits is right! Let me be a little more blunt, twiiter is gay!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8DnA4Ro9tQ
Report Post »*************************
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:48amSo, was that some kind of “brave” thing to do?
And what’s up with the “kiddie glasses”?
“Excuse me while I whip this out.” -sheriff Bart, Blazing Saddles
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:21amOlbermann can’t take the heat that he dishes out – that’s classic.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:58amWell the first part of that I can agree with.
If you actually got ON twitter rather than attacking it, you’d find you have many people that would agree with you on there, myself included.
Michio Kaku is also on there. He’s one of the smartest men on the planet and agruably the smartest American in history. You think HE’S a “twit?”
Report Post »GdHUs
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:54pmUMMAH GUMMAH is 100% right. SNOWLEOPARD comments on just about every story. She‘s using this post as a private billboard and I really don’t condemn her for that. What I’m concerned about is her sincerety and credibility. If one believes that she doesn‘t mean what she says then there’s a tendency to automatically disregard her comments. In essence, SNOW, we don’t appreciate your insincerety, so knock it off.
Report Post »