What a crazy December it's been! It's hard to believe Christmas is upon us, and 2011 is right around the corner (I'm really not used to typing that number yet). The Last Word will be taking a short hiatus for the holidaze (we're back January 3rd).
There may be some blogging done next week as some members of our staff will be around, but for now - we're going to take a break to be with our families and friends, and we sincerely hope you're able to do the same.
We have to say thank you to all of you for helping the show start with such a bang. The response in just the few months we've been on the air so far has been amazing. You all seem to really love the show. We love bringing you the show... so that's definitely a win-win.
We also want to take one last opportunity to remind about our KIND fund with UNICEF. In an incredible display of generosity, as of the time I'm writing this on December 23rd, we've raised $1,011,916. That's right... over $1 million in a week. That is so much more than we could have ever hoped for, so a huge thanks from everyone here at The Last Word for all those donations. We're all really at a loss for words adequate enough to express our gratitude. And please keep those donations coming! You can learn more and find out how to donate by clicking right here (or call 1-800-FOR-KIDS). You can also see Lawrence's initial report about bringing these desks to the schools of Malawi by clicking here. And if you still need a last minute gift for someone who has everything... you can even make a donation to the KIND fund as a gift in someone else's name.
So as we take a break, I leave you with the usual linktastic list for when you need a break from the relatives and the egg nog. Thanks again for watching, we hope you enjoy the holiday season, and wish you all the best for 2011.
- We featured this in Thursday's Rewrite, but it's worth showing again - Conan O'Brien rewrites Rudolph
- Conan also featured a choir singing some almost-familiar Christmas carols
- And in case you were wondering... here's the story behind Conan's Christmas decorations which include a giant inflatable chicken sandwich (OK... enough Conan)
- What does your favorite Christmas movie say about you?
- A look at 20 things that became obsolete in the past decade
- This holiday break considering trying a new recipe... maybe chicken spaghetti!!
- Now we know how Santa's reindeer fly so high
- Is your DVR already set for the Doctor Who Christmas special? Mine is!!
- The evolution of holiday lights over the years
- While it's not as good as that amazing OK GO video... this is a pretty fun way to put marshmallows in your cocoa
- The best new webcomics of 2010
- A holiday classic... This American Life's "Christmas and Commerce" episode that brought us the definitive David Sedaris Christmas story of his time working at Macy's as an elf
- A close second... This American Life's "A Very Special Sedaris Christmas" episode with some other hilarious holiday tales
- I also love comedian Jim Gaffigan's take on Christmas traditions
- It was a good year to eat your way through Los Angeles
- 2010's must-see movies... did you see 'em all?
- Entertainment Weekly ranks the top ten TV shows of the year (what... where's The Last Word?) and then gives us 11-20 just for fun
- Paste Magazine ranks to the top 25 music videos of 2010
- Speaking of music, here's some of your favorite musicians dressed as Santa
- What were your favorite musicians listening to in 2010?
- If you love snark with your egg nog, you'll like Lewis Black's take on Christmas
- How Google can figure out what you want to wear next year
- Time lapse video shows the Milky Way in all its majesty flickering over Lake Tahoe
- So I didn't get in trouble for live-tweeting jury duty... but I'm not Steve Martin
- I don't know who Chris is, but his notes asking New Yorkers for favors are hysterically funny
Again, thanks to everyone for watching. We'll be back on the air January 3rd to cover the new Congress and everything else that 2011 will bring (including the inevitable start of the 2012 presidential race!!). Happy Holidays!
Leave a Comment:
You cannot be serious. Why didn't you contact Madonna or Oprah? Madonna could outfit the entire Continent of Africa with desks. Do you know what is happening in this country? Are you as stupid and ignorant as the jackasses in DC?
A month ago I received my Health Care Bill from Emblem Health. Coverage for my husband and myself will be close to $18,000.00 for 2011. I own a small business on Long Island, New York. We are relatively healthy 62 yr old people. This is an outrage.
We ended the war in Vietnam. We are tired. Many of us work 6 days/week, no vacation, no dinners out, no energy to take to the streets and fight the completely unaware people running (ruining) the country.
Do you really think sending $24 to pay for a desk is going to make me feel good this Season?
You should be be working non-stop to try to correct our situation. Are you really just in it now to be an entertainer?
Shame on you.
I hear what you are saying but I'm also an American. My Dad was a WWII war correspondent (from South New Jersey) and I was born abroad as a U.S. citizen and one thing he taught me is to have a wide-angle view of the world.
We all think life is a us-vs.-them thing. If the kids in Africa get desks, we somehow lose out over here. Not true:
The more kids have some basics abroad and education, the less likely they are to sign up with knucklehead Jihadists or be forced as child soldier is some rape-attack on a village in a neighboring country. The less we have to do to take care of other countries as a nation and a government, the better.
Basic geopolitical realities.
And hey, I'm no elitist rich guy. I live on a limited Social Security income with about $2000 to my name. But I still believe and trust in the premise that the more good goes around, the more it benefits all in the end.
E pluribus Unum is a universal principle that the Founders incorporated. American exceptional-ism is of the past. But American excellence isn't: one facet of it is that we are the most generous nation per capita in the world.
Be proud of that for it's your country and mine.
______________________
Happy Holidays and I wish you and your husband a financially more comfortable/de-stressed road ahead.
~ PK
Christine, we all have difficulties throughout our lives. Taking a moment to look at those less fortunate than ourselves is what the holidays are all about. These children are not looking for a dinner out or a vacation or a computer or even toys. A desk. A simple desk is what they need. No child should be forced to sit on a dirt floor all day while they learn to read & write. So yes, if $24 or $48 can make a difference in their day, then we're happy to help.
It's not about you or I feeling good. It's about wanting these children to feel worthwhile. That their educations matter.
Happy Holidays,
I'm a big fan of your show...
MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Click on Christmas Card ---> Christmas Card -
All apologizes the link didn't work.... Smile :-)
RE: The Facebook K.I.N.D. Community Awareness Page
Hello Lawrence and The Last Word Staff:
As I notified you a day after the first show on the K.I.N.D. project, I launched an FB page and due to my former background in design, also spruced it up with a decent logo. I also donated for one-desk-for-two-kids (I live on a limited Social Security disability income, so I do what I can within reason).
The Social Media Manager of UNICEF USA who runs their FB page has been in contact with me and they are supportive--though she pointed out I had misspelled "Lawrence" in the Info - lol.
Granted, this page doesn't get the mega visits like an MSNBC Blog, etc. and its donations impact may pale compared to some of the stories known and unknown about this record-breaking fund-raising.
But as its page administrator, I do know that it's helped get the word out. I.e. from a gay minister to a teacher with students, and even a NGO CEO guy* who wants to go to Malawi and do some on-the-ground work for K.I.N.D.
(* Frankly he's a bit frustrated that he can't find contacts to do so, but perhaps it's because this is such a new project and the on-the-ground staff isn't there yet. If you have any reliable info for such, please feel free to email me).
_____________________
Bottom line: Every bit helps and it has been fulfilling to frisbee in one small contribution as said page. (And, hey, just because one lives a solitary life doesn't mean one can't join the party :o)
All the best and Happy Holidays,
Sincerely,
~ Philip S. Knight - Woodland Hills, CA
K.I.N.D. Community Awareness Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/KIND-Kids-In-Need-of-Desks/177706035581776
Just watched tonights show and don't know where to post this. Anyways, can senate and house rules be ruled unconstitutional? The VP has a role in the senate. If 60 votes is required to even vote then that usurps the VP's constitutional right to cast a vote.
They are taking away a constitutional right by a VP to cast a vote.
I say that to say this. What would happen if Reid called for a vote without the 60 vote minimum? What would happen? The GOP would do what? File a lawsuit? Not vote? Is there a quorum in the Senate? Is the 60 vote thing the quorum? Does that mean they will filibuster? Okay, force them to filibuster. They won't do it! Those glutton's will never give up their tea time to filibluster.
What would happen if Reid ordered the vote without the 60 vote minimum?
Sam,
It wouldn't be unconstitutional as the Constitution allows the chambers to create their own operating rules. I believe on Rachel's show she said that they can vote on the rules for the new Congress term on January 5th (the first day). On that day only, they only have to have a simple majority. The could choose to lower the threshold for a filibuster, or they could force the Senators wishing to filibuster to actually do it (Jimmy Stewart style). From the way I hear it, the burden is on the opposite side to break the filibuster - not the filibustering side to maintain it, which is just logically wrong IMHO.
Also, the VP only has the constitutional right to vote to break a tie.
I guess that's the point I'm trying to make. There can never be a tie if they can never vote without some 60 vote requirement. But I guess the VP can break the tie on ONE day.
One additional clarification - In theory, the 60-vote filibuster is the number of votes needed to end debate and move to a vote on the bill or resolution. At that point, they really only need 51 votes to pass it - and that is where the VP would step in if there was a 50-50 tie. The problem is that in actuality it has become a need to have 60 votes for everything, because the minority is filibustering everything, just because they can.
I also believe in the past, the threshold was 2/3's of the Senate, which is in line with Robert's Rules of Order for moving to the previous question. We use Robert's Rules in High School Student Congress, but that is meant to give student's an opportunity to speak in competition.
The problem is using rules meant to give the minority a voice in the debate to give the minority the upper hand - and both sides have used it, it's a double-edged sword.
Dear Mr. O'Donnell:
I write you for two reasons.
A couple of nights ago my wife and I were watching a rerun of The West Wing on videotape. We noted that you wrote that episode, titled "Full Disclosure." Unfortunately, as you well know, the abusive "fictional" Taylor Reid character you created (played by Jay Mohr) is too close to reality. Thank you for bringing us your new television show--The Last Word--that champions rational discourse, not the kind of witless "Taylor Reid" bullying that only sullies the idea of dialogue and muddies what could be and should be a rich and necessary public debate; thank you for a TV program where the host wants to learn something himself or provide an atmosphere where his audience can learn something, rather than trying to score cheap points at the expense of others.
Tomorrow my wife can read her email and find that I have honored her--a hard-working, dedicated music specialist, a public school teacher here in Oregon--by purchasing, in her name, a desk and bench for two students in Malawi. Thanks to your initiative, this program to provide desks for students in one country of Africa, I can not only help students (not to mention their local economy in Malawi) but give my wife a gift worthy of her. She's the kind of professional educator, and she's the kind of woman, who will appreciate that gesture far more than she would a string of pearls.
Thanks again to you (and to your staff, too). In the ways I've outlined above, you're doing quality work that is needed and appreciated.
Doyle Walls (Professor of English, Pacific University Oregon)
Beautiful story on desks for kids. Just beautiful. Thank you, Lawrence. Thank you, viewers!
Dear Mr. O'Donnell and The Last Word Crew,
I wanted to report a few of the comments I've received in response to the email I sent to my students' families the night you first aired the story about Malawi school children and the need to send them desks:
"My son watched the video and of course had to ask why I was crying! He just said, THANK YOU MS. CLARK FOR BUYING THESE KIDS A DESK IN MY NAME! We are going to buy one too. Thanks so much for sending!! Merry Christmas."
"Thanks for the Lawrence O'Donnell piece about the school desks in Africa. How moving. isn't it amazing what we take for granted? We have already budgeted a "desk contribution" for January!"
"Just had the time to watch this...tears for me in the end. I loved it!"
"I just watched the video and then watched it with both of my boys. We are going to buy some desks too! Thanks so much for sending!"
I am grateful to you, Mr. O'Donnell, for delivering to me and to my families of young children a tangible, meaningful, and indelible way to make a real difference in the world! Your reporting, I believe, has brought two continents together in a way I have never experienced before. Rather than feeling worlds apart, Malawi now feels like a neighbor, and a fine neighbor, indeed!
Sincerely
Stacy Clark, Dallas, TX
www.twitter.com/Stacy__Clark
I'm 80 and all I want to say is THANKS.
Lawrence O'Donnell - Your story on the children in Africa touched all of us deeply. May you and your staff have a wonderful holiday season. You have already made this season happy for thousands of children. And after all, isn't that what Christmas is all about? Smiles on the faces of little children.
Thank you. These children will be in our thoughts for a very long time, and we look forward to your continued reporting on this very moving story.
I have been watching The Last Word since Day 1 and never miss it. Thank you to Lawrence O'Donnell and all The Last Word staff for an excellent job. In this holiday season, those of us who are more fortunate most give to local, national or global charities. Your partnership with UNICEF is inspiring and I hope all your viewers follow your lead. Happy Holidays and enjoy your break!
Lawrence,
Education is the key and the only solution, both here at home as well as around the world. I applaud your efforts and wrote a blog about it. I also donated two desks as a Christmas gift to friends and was delighted to hear that they are paying it forward.
Keep up the good work
Tsach
www.conversationswithamadman.com
Lawrence O'Donnell is the one show i cant stand on MSNBC. Keith,Ed, Chris, Joe, are on my schedule nearly every day. But this guy is more then terrible. Has the idea he is a tough guy and know it all. The look on his face when he talks about the DESKS is so sweet n wonderful. Dont go to this channel to see n hear how wonderful all this desk thing is. The way he treated Rep Grayson a week or two was absolutely rotten. Get rid of this guy!!!!
Keith Ober adds some class to the political debate. Compared to CNN and FOX anchors he is in front by himself.
Love the show... Big fan, even when Lawrence appeared on "Big Love" ! My comment or actually question; I'm following the Unicef drive, have info about how to donate on my Facebook page, but is there a link or "like" page to encourage my family and friends to donate?
Nice retort, Larry..... Just because you made a plea to your audience and they responded does not mean that liberals as a whole donate as much as conservatives. Libs are no good with actual data, it confuses them and makes them post moronic articles to their blogs.