Keith Olbermann faced backlash on Tuesday for his off-key comment on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) decision to lift the state’s mask mandate and end other coronavirus restrictions.
In a tweet, the ex-MSNBC and ESPN journalist asked:
Why are we wasting vaccinations on Texas if Texas has decided to join the side of the virus? https://t.co/Yn2i7zT8KL
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) March 3, 2021
Critics ripped Olbermann, many reminding him that not everyone in the state voted Republican, and urged him to delete the post:
Ah yes millions should be left to suffer and die because their Governor (who they are already trying to oust) is a festering pile of feces...or...or hear me out...we could support the communities he plans to sacrifice https://t.co/BiVz3oKHWd
— Openly Black Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) March 3, 2021
Tell me you're a douchebag, without telling me you're a douchebag. https://t.co/Ic1ZCT1IoV
— Gene Wu (@GeneforTexas) March 3, 2021
Please give this guy an unfollow https://t.co/2YJKrDtJmI
— Jen Rice (@jen_rice_) March 3, 2021
Gee I don’t know Keith, probably because human lives are worth protecting unless you’re a fucking psychopath
— Cam (@cameron_kasky) March 3, 2021
DELETE THIS SHIT. Texas' GOVERNOR made a decision today not every Texan. https://t.co/3ZJgnvQHAu
— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) March 3, 2021
Because Texas is one of these United States. And viruses don’t respect state lines. And Texans have every right to have access to the same protections afforded to the rest of us. https://t.co/Ltq2GvWig5
— G O L D I E. (@goldietaylor) March 3, 2021
Keith, this is a wrong take man. Take it from a former Republican they vote crappy leadership for different reasons, but they are still human beings. They have families, children. I get it, you are angry, but this is not the right message. https://t.co/ieZoDM0VD9
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) March 3, 2021
Texas didn’t decide to join the side of the virus. A cowardly Governor did. https://t.co/AB9O6FwSQn
— Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) March 3, 2021
Because we are all Americans.
— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) March 3, 2021
And by the way, millions of Texans vote for Democrats, science, and vaccines. https://t.co/HzuTgKlpss
“People who live in states with political leadership I oppose deserve to die lonely deaths on ventilators” is absolutely depraved moral logic, even before you get to the tabletop-smooth brained understanding of how disease works. https://t.co/EoH67NuEzZ
— Adam Serwer 🍝 (@AdamSerwer) March 3, 2021
I'm disgusted by the governor's decision...but as a Texan....shut up https://t.co/B1yfRAWLSk
— Richelle Carey (@RichelleCarey) March 3, 2021
good point, my friend who's a pediatric ER doctor in Austin & spent the freeze delivering meals to neighbors after overnight shifts can get fucked I guess
— Rachel Alexander (@rachelwalexande) March 3, 2021
seriously don't they ever get tired of this bit? https://t.co/742m3nNjH1
I understand your frustration, but this is a garbage take. That’s my family you’re talking about. My friends. Everyone I grew up with. Human beings with human rights. They should not be denied a life-saving vaccine because their governor is an idiot.
— David Slack (@slack2thefuture) March 3, 2021
Delete this & apologize.
Health is a human right. Doesn't matter where you live or who you voted for.
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) March 3, 2021
I know we are living in a political hellscape, but please let's keep this fundamental value in tact. https://t.co/qY7W0Jp9x8
...because this Texan + teams of scientists from @BCM_TropMed @bcmhouston @utmbhealth @TXMedCenter shaped coronavirus spike protein science over the last decade that made vaccinations a reality. No question we have issues, but America 🇺🇸 would not have COVID19 vaccines without us https://t.co/UBh4Yipd7J
— Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD (@PeterHotez) March 3, 2021
yea, you’re right, I deserve to die because I live in Texas. thanks for clearing that up, Keith!
— sarah (@slwein) March 3, 2021
Because vaccinating people isn't a waste even if you don't agree with them politically, and because the 29 million people who live in Texas aren't the ones who issued the executive order.
— Cody Johnston (@drmistercody) March 3, 2021
over the last five years or so there have been a lot of people i thought weren’t stupid until they said something exactly like this https://t.co/w6cG6DL7g7
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) March 3, 2021
This is an awful take. By that account, the US overall would have no vaccines because of Trump. Don't be like this, there are tens of millions of Texans who do not agree with Abbott's idiocy. https://t.co/KJGg206JI4
— Mythili Sampathkumar (@MythiliSk) March 3, 2021
Texans are human beings. There are many marginalized people in Texas already vulnerable and desperate from a historic winter storm and near power catastrophe. Compassion is free. https://t.co/H8X4NAlbTJ
— Alexandra Halaby 🌹 (@iskandrah) March 3, 2021
You’re totally right. Let’s just write off MILLIONS of people because of shitty politicians who owe a great deal of their influence to voter suppression. Thank you for your valuable contribution to the discourse. It’s hard to see what went wrong with your career. You’re a gem.
— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) March 3, 2021
People deserve to stay safe and healthy no matter who they voted for.
— Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) March 3, 2021
Keith, I am in Texas, and I really really want my vaccination. Not all of Texas is red.
— Debbie Huggins (@behug) March 3, 2021
Because the people of Texas should not suffer any more than they already have under Abbott’s cruelty https://t.co/HrSSkddX0v
— Robert Cruickshank (@cruickshank) March 3, 2021
Hi, Keith. Friendly reminder that there are 5.2MM Biden voters in Texas—more than in every state except CA and FL
— Daniel Boyd (@dan325) March 3, 2021
What kind of human being would think this is an acceptable tweet? https://t.co/Z2PqQd4QTB
— Dave Hogg (@stareagle) March 3, 2021
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