JD Johannes highlights that David Bellavia — who was awarded the Silver Star and has been nominated for the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Fallujah in 2004 — has been smeared as a racist by MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann. Bellavia had the temerity to remark that Vietnam POW John McCain might be a more worthy role model than professional golfer Tiger Woods, asking, “When have we ever taken a hero on the battlefield and put them up on a pedastal that we would put an athlete?”
Olbermann probably felt obliged to smear Bellavia. There is the obvious reason of attacking the McCain campaign, but Bellavia’s remark had to rile Olbermann in particular. If America was a society that treated its war heroes as more worthy than its sports figures, Olbermann could not have ascended from his job as pseudo-intellectual jock-sniffer for ESPN to the partisan hack host of the 20th-rated cable news program and been given the opportunity to flop spectacularly on broadcast news. What sort of land of opportunity would this be if the bitter and talentless could not fail upward like that?
Bonus: Olbermann brought on liberal professor Michael Eric Dyson to declare that Bellavia’s intent did not matter — a Leftist trademark all too familiar to regular PW readers.  Tiger Woods has called himself a “cablinasian” in response to the twaddle of this sort of identity politics, but why let that stand in the way of a good rant?
(h/t HotAir headlines.)
This pussy was infamous for trashing atheletes, then when finding him self in the same immediate area, running like the little sissy he is. Again, pussy.
Your description of Dyson as a “liberal” professor is far too kind. He clearly demonstrated through his bi-weekly columns in the “Chicago Sun-Times” that “race-baiting buffoon” is a more appropriate descriptor. Think a fatter, non-Afro’d “Nat X” (the old Chris Rock character on SNL).
Boy, this “nationwide dicussion about race” is opening some eyes out there, isn’t it?
It’s all because he’s so courageous, don. He needs to preserve his courageous voice from the threat of harm so that the plebes will be able to hear his courageous views yet another day.
Also, by “courageous,” of course, we actually mean “retarded.”
Speaking twoof to straw men!
On MSNBC, I have seen the video of Bellavia played several times for discussion. Not once has someone broached the idea that he may have actually been talking about Tiger Woods.
And the sacred conversation about race is what will perpetuate giving hacks like Dyson six figure salaries at the University of Pennsylvania and other Ivies to continue to preach what a raw deal America gives you. Rooms full of trust-funded, entranced pseudo-progressive privileged brats fill the lecture halls in awe.
Olberdouche and Countdown are being run on NBC on the weekend. How long has this been going on?
FWIW – Douchey and Dyson are dickheads.
It’s a good thing he didn’t say Vijay Singh. Cause he is really black. But not really.
The more I think about this, the more pissed I get. The author’s intention isn’t relevant?! How fucking convenient that is for Dyson, and Senor Mendouceous? They just get to make up a position that the author held, and call him a racist. Fuckers.
I’ll tell ya – every time I flick past Olbie’s show and see that BB-style big head filling up the screen and ranting deludedly, it just makes me want to invade Oceania…
It must be some devilish plot by the traitor Goldstein…
That head on Olbernozzle’s head is positively Kennedy-esque. Not as much of an anvil, more of a Mr. Ed type.
Here’s my thought. Recently it seems that we’ve been accumulating instances of people who are not very black having to prove their blackness by being exceptionally douchebaggy in a misguidedly SuperBlack way.
Then there’s Olbermann.
I mean, c’mon: Michael Eric Dyson looks like John Goodman with a tan.
Oh joy. Couple this “vote for McCain is racist” with Elton John’s “lamenting American misogyny” because people don’t want to vote for Hillary.
That Dyson is one heck of a vaccuum.
“…jock-sniffer…”
Keith “Jocksniffer” Olbermann.
Perfect.
There’s only one way out of this: vote for a black woman.
So, does McCain put Condi on the ticket?
These people are idiots. I believe John McCain was a POW in Korea, for over 5 years, being tortured the whole time.
Why would that be a more important test of character than a great sports talent having to be psychologically prepared for “battle”?
The one thing Mcain and Woods have most in common is a penchant for hot blondes.
I note that GE earnings are down 11% for the quarter – I wonder how much of this is due to NBC/MSNBC low ratings? If I was a GE stockholder I would be questioning why the low-rated MSNBC lineup is not changed to be more competitive with FOX and CNN. Keith Olberwoman – loss leader.
JD:
Only if it’s convenient.
When playing the game of “Let’s Find the Racism!” one can use or discard intentionalism at will. Framing the act as “racist” is far more important than intention, substance or, for that matter, truth. The one thing we’ve learned from the likes of Dyson, Wright and Bonds is the “original sin” of slavery, segregation and Jim Crow trump all in 2008. And beyond.
So Dyson was free to argue that Bellavia intentionally chose a mixed race athlete in a traditionally white sport to polish his racist bona fides. However, he couldn’t be bothered to even attempt an intentional argument (no doubt inspired by subterrainian critical thinking skills of the Olberwaffle) and simply passed Go and collected his $200 dollars by calling obvious racism.
And don’t you dare question Teh Oppression Narrative©!
What are we to expect from a race baiting perpetual victimization construct that tried to get a man fired for using the word “niggardly” in a budget discussion? The cause, comrade, is more important than all. Submit or be labeled.
Korea?
Don’t interrupt Kyra, she’s on a roll! :-)
kelly – Don’t stop her. She’s on a roll.
BJ- The only people that could construe that statement as racist are people that intend to construe anything as racist.
Baracky, Hill, and Bill have been all over IN for the last week. Good allah, they are a dishonest lot.
JD: Exactly my point!
They are all over PA as well, supplemented by Chelsea and her college tour. Have the Hill ads been running in which she bashes Barack for his “no money from oil companies” thing? That one was nicely done.
I agree that this is not racism, and I agree that the media is wrong for ignoring war heroes while fawning all over athletes, actors, and society whores. It was a clumsy way of making his point though. I can’t think of an athlete more deserving of the public’s respect than Tiger Woods, so why single him out? If he had to pick one name, I’m sure he could have come up with someone of more questionable character.
But it’s not a zero sum game whereby any press coverage of a heroic athlete has to squeeze out press coverage of a heroic soldier. Lack of space isn’t the reason our soldier heroes aren’t receiving their due from the media. We all know that. Tiger Woods has nothing to do with it, and it was both pointless and counter productive to drag his name into it.
Bellavia doesn’t owe black people or the media an apology, but he might want to consider leaving Tiger out of any future remarks.
Doesn’t Olbermann realize that people like Dyson hate Jews like Olbermann?
If he had to pick one name, I’m sure he could have come up with someone of more questionable character.
But then, what’s the point? Of course McCain is more heroic than Letrell Sprewell.
When you do the “you can have your x, I’ll take y” comparison, isn’t is usually between two good things, the one you’re choosing being the more surprising pick? It’s a pretty common rhetorical device.
I agree with you about how admirable Tiger Woods is, though.
The thing is, Tiger Woods is such a good guy that I bet he’d agree with Bellavia.
#25, well said.
Thanks.
Now to the next outrage, guys…
Exactly because of that, I think. He’s saying that men who risk their lives in combat are more deserving of respect than even the most admirable athlete. how better to say that than to point to a guy who’s at the top of his game and who is squeaky clean and very articulate? (I know, a racist twofer, that.)
He’s smart, he’s classy, and he’s the biggest monster ever on the links. But he’s no David Bellavia and yet you’re not going to see them beating Bellavia’s door down with endorsement contracts. In fact, this Olberdouche smear may be one of the most prominent places you’ll ever hear of Bellavia.
I suspect you’re right, Jeffersonian.
I don’t know if the blurbs make it clear, but what all of MSNBC is saying is that Bellavia is referring to Obama when he says “Tiger Woods”.
MayBee – anyone that compares El Tigre Woods to Baracky should be immediately institutionalized, or should have to rent oxygen from the rest of us.
I don’t know if Tiger is necessarily all that. He’s a NOTORIOUSLY bad tipper which I think is a no-no especially if you have shitloads of cash like he does.
MayBee,
It would be interesting to see a comparison drawn between what can be achieved in terms of actual accomplishment when a dad sticks around versus the inchoate ramblings backing the lack of any identifiable achievement when a dad chucks it in early.
I feel that Woods would agree with Belgravia, mostly because I doubt that golf was Earl’s sole focus. Buon sangue non mente.
Exactly because of that, I think. He’s saying that men who risk their lives in combat are more deserving of respect than even the most admirable athlete. how better to say that than to point to a guy who’s at the top of his game and who is squeaky clean and very articulate? (I know, a racist twofer, that.)
What you’re saying is fine, as long as he makes it clear that he’s not trying to push Tiger away from the table, but just asking the media to set a place for men like him. We need all our heroes. Maybe he developed his point better than I know. I’d like to see the full transcript. Does anyone have a link to it?
I don’t know if the blurbs make it clear, but what all of MSNBC is saying is that Bellavia is referring to Obama when he says “Tiger Woodsâ€Â.
If true, that would be even more clumsy. Must find full transcript…
#7 Why exactly would he be talking about Tiger Woods when introducing John McCain? Is John McCain known for his golf swing? What exactly did he mean by it?
as long as he makes it clear that he’s not trying to push Tiger away from the table,
Oh good heavens.
As soon as Lindsey Graham stepped up to the mike at the event, he gave a message to Tiger that if he would play even one round of golf with him, Lindsey would ditch John McCain forever.
Ardsgaine, you can see it in the clip on Newsbusters. the guest says soemthing like, “it’s sad that one black man can be substituted for another” or as I would put it, “Republicans think we all look alike!”
Here’s your video.
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/04/whats_with_the.html
Mention of Obama’s book at the end and in the piece there is mention of previous comparisons between Senator Obama and Tiger Woods.
Ards – I tend to agree with you AND Pablo. From what we know of El Tigre, he would likely agree with this soldier. Though a clumsy construction. I did not see that in any way as an attempt to push Tiger away from the table.
He is one of a handful of people, especially athletes, worthy of our respect and admiration. That they would attempt to compare baracky, he of NO accomplishments, to Tiger, is ludicrous.
Keyser – Not sure why you addressed that to me. However, your question has been answered by Pablo and Ards quite nicely above. It is clear that the introduction was a not-so-thinly veiled racist position, because those Cablanasians are a tricky lot.
No transcript, but there’s video of his McCain introduction here.
The Tiger line is really a throwaway in a discussion focused on American heroes and, especially in context, jumping to cries of racism seems cynical, mendacious and stupid. Hence, Olbermann.
Still no mention of Bilal Hussein’s exoneration? Instead of moving onto the next outrage, can’t we resolve an older one?
No. Next!
Tiger’s given some big dough to organizations which help kids of Special Forces guys killed in the line of duty. (Believe it or not, so has John McEnroe). Earl’s service as a Green Beret probably has something to do with it.
Apu,
Bilal Hussein was granted amnesty under a recent Iraqi law — which is not “exoneration.” You might want to look up the defintion of amnesty if you have any doubts on the matter. Plus, he may still end up detained by the US. The situation is in flux, which is why I haven’t posted on it. But thanks for trolling.
That word does not mean what you think it means, as Hussein has not been exonorated.
There. It’s been mentioned. Thanks for shopping protein wisdom. Do come again soon.
Oh, Apu? Exoneration doesn’t mean what you think it does:
From The American Heritage Dictionary:
Exonerate: “To free from blame.”
Amnesty: “A general pardon granted by a government, especially for political offenses.”
But, hey! Thanks for playing “Crises in Reading Comprehension.”
“I can’t think of an athlete more deserving of the public’s respect than Tiger Woods, so why single him out?”
Let’s see, a guy who risks his life facing terrorists bullets and bombs while defending freedom for a pittance, versus a guy who risks carpal tunnel syndrome while making millions.
Yeah, I guess they ARE the same.
Douchebag.
NO RETROACTIVE IMMUNITY FOR BILAL HUSSEIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There’s your post Karl. I’ll call you later with the wiring instructions! :-)
Hell, as long as I’m logged on and it’s close to the anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre, let me tell you how I came to know of Tiger’s contributions to Special Forces memorial organizations. My apologies to Karl, but this is related to the topic inasmuch as it concerns how we value or devalue the sacrifices of our military folk.
I worked at Tech during the massacre. I was never in any danger and stayed locked in my office during the Monday morning massacre. My next paycheck was unusually large and when I asked why, I was told I had received hazard pay because I came to work the remaining days of the week, instead of staying home.
That very night, I got an e-mail from a soldier-buddy in Afghanistan. He wrote a long and moving account of the death and memorial service that day for a fellow soldier. At the end, he wrote something like. “But we know why we’re here. And tomorrow, we will suit up and go out and do it again.”
So he’s going out to face death the next day, at no additional pay, and a bunch of government employees who sat locked in their offices get extra pay for just showing up to work the rest of the week. The year before, Virginia Tech’s administration refused to issue a campus-wide notification of a memorial ceremony for one of our ROTC fellows killed in Iraq. A pitiful few of us gathered with the Corps at the flagpole. But after the Monday morning massacre, Tech held a huge pep-rally which Nikki Giovanni led like a pep-rally (I think that’s where Obama got the “Yes we can” thing).
Fuck them. I gave my extra pay to the SF organization I mentioned, and that’s where I saw Tiger and McEnroe’s names.
Here, Ardsgaine, I’ll make it as plain as I can for you.
Tiger Woods is an admirable fellow, one of the finest athletes of his generation, kind, a good guy, charitable. He’s an athlete.
David Bellavia is a warrior and a hero.
Hope that helps.
Remember when Nixon was exonerated? That was awesome!
Preemptively pardoned, Pablo. Still another definition to wrestle with.
Dang, thinkin’s HARD!
I guess that means Scooter Libby was exonerated too!
I love America!
Olberman should just ask Tiger who is the bigger hero, himself or his old man. Should clear everything up nicely. I am sure he will any minute now….
Damn, why is this even an issue? The reason he used Tiger as an example is because Tiger IS the single biggest sports star in the US, if not the world. His color is incredibly immaterial. Olberman is a complete dumbfuck. We all know that. And Dyson is a race pimp. Shocka! Nothing to see here.
#60
Exactly.
Let’s see, a guy who risks his life facing terrorists bullets and bombs while defending freedom for a pittance, versus a guy who risks carpal tunnel syndrome while making millions.
Yeah, I guess they ARE the same.
Where did I say they were the same?
What I object to is the “versus”. There is no versus. Nobody has to choose between Bellavia and Tiger Woods–or between McCain and Tiger Woods. Why set them in opposition to one another? It makes no sense, and it is not good politics.
Douchebag.
I know you thought this added a lot to your point, but I actually read comments like that as, “Oh, and btw… I’m an idiot.” If you want to punctuate your posts with them, go ahead, but I just thought you should know.
The reason he used Tiger as an example is because Tiger IS the single biggest sports star in the US, if not the world.
And he’s also big in the news right now. I don’t doubt that was Bellavia’s motivation. The problem with it as a political move is that Tiger has no negatives. He’s a popular guy with middle America, and you don’t want to suggest to people that there’s any sort of opposition or conflict between admiring McCain and admiring Tiger. By all means hammer the media for not giving props to war heroes, but don’t try to set up a false opposition between war heroes and sports heroes. There’s no benefit in it.