WE'VE SHAMED THE ANNIVERSARY OF "GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH" - 3.24.25

Mar 24, 2025

The podcast dives into the powerful legacy of Patrick Henry's declaration, linking it to today's political struggles. It critiques modern institutions for their failure to protect liberties during protests and reflects on the ethical dilemmas faced by law firms under political pressure. There's a sharp analysis of the media's role in shaping narratives amidst a climate of authoritarianism. Lastly, it humorously addresses absurdities in current events, reminding listeners of the urgent need to safeguard democracy and free expression.

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INSIGHT

Societal Shortcomings

Modern society is characterized by selfishness and shortsightedness.
This hinders our ability to recognize and address threats to democracy.

ANECDOTE

Columbia University's Capitulation

Columbia University, despite a large endowment, prioritized $400 million in grants over its core values.
They yielded to Trump without significant resistance from the student body.

ANECDOTE

Cornell University's Inaction

Cornell University failed to protect a student facing deportation due to anti-Israel protests.
Olbermann contrasts this with past student activism at Cornell.

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SEASON 3 EPISODE 112: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN

A-Block (1:45) SPECIAL COMMENT: Give me liberty or give me death. Patrick Henry said it 250 years ago yesterday, to galvanize Americans against the tyranny growing around them brought by an insane dictator-king. Not whatever was manifesting near St. John’s Church in Richmond where the Second Virginia Convention was meeting; not what threatened them individually; not what was at their door, but what they knew WOULD be at their door soon or late because it was already inside the homes of their fellow Americans in far off Boston.

Give me liberty or give me death - because whether or not the tyrant is here for US now, he is here for our brothers and sisters. He will be here for us soon enough.

And what would OUR Patrick Henry have said on March 23rd, 2025?

Give me liberty or give me… a free 12-ounce coffee with the purchase of a dozen donuts while supplies last at participating outlets.

Add Columbia University, my alma mater Cornell and a major Democratic-heavy law firm to the list of those who when the chips were down saved themselves and told the rest of us to drop dead. The list already , the American news media, the Republican Party, the Democratic Party (save for AOC and Bernie), the former presidents, the laws, the courts, the Supreme Court, and every supposed guardrail you can think of

It's not just that democracy is being raped by Trump.

It's that we're standing around shrugging.

And as soon as Columbia caved, Trump decided to Disappear a Cornell student. As soon as Paul, Weiss collapsed, Pam Bondi was sicced on all firms supplying lawyers to deportees or suing Trump.

Give me liberty or give me up to 30 percent off on rooms at select Disney Resort Hotels when I stay five nights or longer.

B-Block (33:15) POSTSCRIPTS TO THE NEWS: Trump again threatens MSNBC and NBC, saying MSNBC (and CNN) "will be turned off." A week ago he declared them "illegal." Do not misunderstand him. He means it. And I suspect since it's a month since MSNBC fired Joy Reid and the other anchors of color, NBC is going to through someone or something out the MSNBC window, and that right soon.

C-Block (54:45) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: How unpopular is Wayne Gretzky in Canada? They smeared feces on the statue of him outside the Edmonton hockey arena. New York's Mayor may have Trump but he also has raised $36,000 this year. And while celebrating the demise of the Department of Education, Musk misspelled "Department."

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