Olbermann on Mrs. Clarence Thomas and the Anita Hill voicemail

Following up on the Mrs. Clarence Thomas apology request — see here and here for Joe's good coverage — comes Keith Olbermann and Countdown with a nice summary of the news plus some needed background for those born later than, say, 1980.

Then he launches a nice set of similar "apology requests" which are only marginally more risible than the real Ginny Thomas one. All in all, a very good segment:



First, enjoy Olbermann's review of the context, Thomas's judicial confirmation hearings in 1991 (1:40 in the clip). The clips from that hearing are another reminder that Movement Conservatives (which Clarence Thomas undeniably is and was) will do anything, at any time, to win. In the clip, he almost certainly commits perjury to gain a lifetime Court seat for his cadre. This should never have been allowed. (It's an added insult that Thomas replaced Thurgood Marshall.)

Second, that's then-Senators Alan Simpson and Arlen Specter going ugly on Ms. Hill in the hearings. (You can donate to Joe Sestak, who defeated Specter in the Dem primary, here. He could use your help.)

Third, the string of comic "apologies" is priceless (4:00 in the clip). Ken Mehlman — great choice, though he asks for the wrong apology. And the Bush II request for an apology from the U.S. economy for not having the decency to collapse after he "skipped town" is nicely done.

And finally, if you know the sordid details of Thomas's harrassment of Hill, Olbermann's comment that Mrs. Thomas maybe wanted to meet Ms. Hill "for a Coke somewhere" is nicely understated (1:30 in the clip).

GP