In this case MSNBC did not deny Olbermann the opportunity to donate to a candidate because he did not follow procedure. Your argument is speculative. We do not know what decision MSNBC would have made had he asked because he skirted the policy that he (as an employee) either implicitly or explicitly agreed to.
RIP Olby. <object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yvVJTaRw6aQ&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yvVJTaRw6aQ&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>
This is just a pretext, Comcast is taking over and they want heads to roll since ratings suck, that's how they operate (see David Zucker). What a cowardly way to fire someone, almost as bad as Juan Williams.
I think the "indefinitely and without pay" part doesn't help. Probably telegraphs to other companies that he's available; unless mgmt discreetly gave him a timeline and it's just for show.
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You are only the 3nd person in 12 years of posting here that I have reported. What's shocking is why you're allowed to keep posting here.
To follow up on this I think the situation is that while Olbermann has free speech rights MSNBC as a private business also has a right to control what it sees as the message getting out. Olbermann has a prominent figure at MSNBC in many ways represents them and even more if he agreed to these terms when he was hired then it is certainly within MSNBC's rights to suspend him for violating those terms.
Ah! Now it makes sense -- Before Bush Donor Takeover Of MSNBC, Network Selectively Applies Rules To Suspend Olbermann Comcast is in line to acquire control of NBC Universal, once regulators sign off on the $30 billion deal. Mr. Chernin asked Mr. Roberts how he planned to handle daily editorial control of such an immense news operation. “Are you saying that you’ll never interfere?” he asked. Mr. Roberts blanched slightly at the question, which included a hypothetical situation that had Keith Olbermann, an MSNBC host, attacking a couple of Republican congressmen just as the approvals were being finished. “Let’s have that conversation in six months or 12 months,” Mr. Roberts said.
I did wonder if the Comcast takeover had anything to do with this. I think it was generally assumed that MSNBC and NBC News ran at a loss as a division, but as long as they promoted GE's legislative agenda they helped the profits of the corporation as a whole. With a new boss coming town, they may have a different outlook.
I don't think any of them make nearly what Olbermann did. In fact, I think Ed works for knowing smiles and pats on the back.
