Olbermann: NRA 'Trying to Increase Deaths,' 2nd Amendment is for Muskets

NewsBusters ^ | July 31, 2008 | Brad Wilmouth

[2ndDivisionVet]

On Wednesday's Countdown show, MSNBC host Keith Olbermann claimed that pro-gun groups like the NRA "are trying to increase deaths by gun," as he used his "Worst Person" segment to attack a gun rights activist who infiltrated gun control groups to spy on them: "Mary Lou Sapone infiltrated the executive boards and learned the plans of organizations trying to decrease deaths by gun in this country, and apparently reported it back to organizations like the NRA, which are trying to increase deaths by gun in this country." A month earlier, on the June 26 show, after the Supreme Court struck down Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban, Olbermann named Justice Antonin Scalia, whom he called a "clown," as "Worst Person" as the Countdown host ridiculously claimed that the Second Amendment only applies to the types of weapons that existed in 1791, like muskets, to be used in a militia.

Olbermann: "You've got around 30,000 gun deaths in this country per year, another 75,000 non-fatal gun wounds, half the suicides are by gun; and this clown and his four colleagues decided that the 32-year-old ban on handguns in Washington, D.C., and the demand that firearms kept in the home be locked or disassembled was unconstitutional based on the Second Amendment." (Transcripts follow)

The Countdown host continued: "Despite years of fog created by the NRA and right-wing organizations, that isn't very complicated: For the purposes of forming a state militia, you're entitled to keep and bear arms. Obviously, those would have to be the kind of arms in use in 1791, when the Bill of Rights was passed -- the musket, the wheel-lock, the flint lock, the 13th century Chinese hand cannon. Stuff like that. Scalia, of course, simply decided that the militia part of the Second Amendment is some sort of quaint anachronism that he could happily ignore. And there's the beautiful thing about our country -- they say anybody can grow up to be a Supreme Court justice. And in Antonin Scalia, there's your proof, and tonight's 'Worst Person in the World'!"

Below are transcripts of relevant portions of the July 30 and the June 26 Countdown show on MSNBC:

#From the July 30 Countdown:

KEITH OLBERMANN: The runnerup, Mary McFate, also known as Mary Lou Sapone. Mother Jones magazine reports this today. Ms. McFate is a 60-something woman, a quirky but constant participant in gun control organizations, like the Brady Campaign. Ms. Sapone is a 60-something woman, a former figure in the National Rifle Association and wealthy pro-gun activist. The magazine says they're the same person. As Mary McFate, Mary Lou Sapone infiltrated the executive boards and learned the plans of organizations trying to decrease deaths by gun in this country, and apparently reported it back to organizations like the NRA, which are trying to increase deaths by gun in this country. In other words, she was a Benedict Arnold for the gun lobby.

#From the June 26 Countdown:

KEITH OLBERMANN: And our winner, Justice Antonin Scalia of the Supreme Court. You've got around 30,000 gun deaths in this country per year, another 75,000 non-fatal gun wounds, half the suicides are by gun; and this clown and his four colleagues decided that the 32-year-old ban on handguns in Washington, D.C., and the demand that firearms kept in the home be locked or disassembled was unconstitutional based on the Second Amendment. You remember the Second Amendment: "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Despite years of fog created by the NRA and right-wing organizations, that isn`t very complicated: For the purposes of forming a state militia, you're entitled to keep and bear arms. Obviously, those would have to be the kind of arms in use in 1791, when the Bill of Rights was passed -- the musket, the wheel-lock, the flint lock, the 13th century Chinese hand canon. Stuff like that. Scalia, of course, simply decided that the militia part of the Second Amendment is some sort of quaint anachronism that he could happily ignore. And there's the beautiful thing about our country -- they say anybody can grow up to be a Supreme Court justice. And in Antonin Scalia, there's your proof, and tonight's "Worst Person in the World"!

[Arrowhead1952]

Memo to the Olbermann. Ted kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns. Shut up now and go back to kissing the BOWEL Movement's butt.

[E.G.C.]

Here are my thoughts on this subject.

This is the very same dickhead who wanted to send the FBI after all 80000 plus of us freepers after he was sent a letter which contained a powdery substance.

There was a reason why the second amendment was established in the first place. It was so people like you and I wouldn't have to worry about having a goverment like what they have in China and Zimbabwe in place.

I also know that the last time I addressed this issue of butthead Olbermann one of his sorry lazy miserable good for nothing butt kissing dickheads came barreling into this place to try and start trouble. Thankfully his account was pulled.

If Olbermann had his way people like myself would be getting visit from the FBI for daring to question the actions of him and his pals in the MSM but also the Dems like strech pelosi and the Harry the body Reid.

The MSM and the Democrat party are both criminal enterprises and they both need to be put out of business. Simple as that.

Regards........

[TwoSue]

Then he should read the 1st amendment is for town criers.

[Republicus2001]

Back in the 2oth century there was a hack Los Angeles TeeVee sports reporter named Keith Olbermann who was actually fired for incompetence, imagine that. I wonder if he’s related? That Keith I recall was really just not very good and terribly unentertaining.