What the Fazaka?!
June 11, 2012
By now, many of you have heard the news about my departure from MSNBC. Allow me the chance to share with you the context in which this story broke and how quickly and professionally my staff handled having their Sunday encroached upon.
I was invited to deliver my first ever Commencement speech to the graduating class of Union College. (Let me take this opportunity to wish them another congratulations on their successes; onward and upward.) I was honored to receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the school and then do my best to not embarrass myself in front of a talented group of young, eager soon-to-be-graduates.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, Brian Stelter of the New York Times’ Media Decoder blog was hot on the tail of a story. I took my phone out after the ceremony (always a no-no) to discover that Brian wants a statement on me leaving MSNBC. Time to scramble the jets.
After allowing us time to contact my staff and deliver the message myself, I responded to his request for a statement with this: My last day on air at MSNBC will be June 22. My letter of transition, Beyond Talk, only begins to tell the story of my appreciation and debt of gratitude that I hope to pay back as I continue on in my journey.
As I told Brian: “Once you’ve said your piece, you can either keep saying it – or you can decide what you’re going to do about it.” The opportunity to learn from those that are leading us to reveal new ways to resolve the ongoing narrative of my television show is too thrilling to pass up.
I am fortunate to be able to spend the next two months talking to people, listening, and making a plan for whatever is next. To those of you at home, thank you for your ideas, thank you for your passion, thank you for making us so successful, and thank you for your support. To those of you that have been members of my MSNBC family, thank you for your creative energy and, our most precious resource, time over these three years.
As we go into the summer, and we start asking what it’s going to be that shapes the future of this country, think of what the president of Union College, Dr. Stephen Ainlay, asked his students on Sunday at their Commencement: “Why not you?”
I echo that question: Why not you? You are the hero of your own story, and the renewal and resolution of America’s obstacles begins with each individual, with our interactions and connections to the world around us. It’s the culture, and I am going to explore what our heroes have in store for us. Stay tuned.
I will truly miss you as I considered you the ONLY thing worth watching on MSNBC. You projected a clear, independent thought stream utterly lacking on what I considered the most far left leaning commentators on all of TV.
now is the hour support an internet rally for one full hour of meet the press, dylan and agroup of his former guests topics : transparency money lies does anyone really listen ??
Dylan Ratigan and Keith Olbermann!
Dylon, you are a true patriot and the type of citizen democracy demands. You will always have a chair available out here on the veranda…come see me and ol' Jack!!!…it would be an honor. Thank you for your Herculean efforts to educate the masses of zombies in America ( you know the ones I mean ). Hold your head high, Dylon, and let msnbc hang theirs in shame.
DR would make a better POTUS than the choices we have now……..
Ratigan is unusual in recognizing that the classical labels of Left and Right and Democrat-Republican don’t mean squat anymore. All the major political candidates support the serious junk under which we are now operating, such as endless wars, massive lobbying, NAFTA, the stupid and unconstitutional Patriot Act, support for a fascistic Israeli regime, wholesale Wall Street/banking corruption, media monopoly, and treasonous Globalist policies. Any real answer would prescribe the dumping of this stuff and a radical move back to the American republic, and to the real needs of the American people. So far, the best shot seems to lie with Rep. Ron Paul, who refuses to endorse the usual (orthodox) sell-out._As it happens, I changed my party affiliation to Republican during the Calif. Primary, so as to assist in his gaining the Republican Party nomination. __I am hoping we can “raise a bloody stink” to get Ratigan back on the air. I just discovered his show, and was blown away. Neither the Neocons, nor the sell-out, Obama, have any answers for us. Yes, Virginia, Obama is just as bad as Bush, et al, were.
Well Dylan; my friends & I have sadly concluded that "post June 22" we will have lost our connection (in you) to a world, in chaos. Your objective, compassionate approach to problem solving, has been our inspiration. The mega-panels and guests gave us great perspective! It will take "tall shoes" to fill a void that your departure will leave. We all wish you the very best! Most of all; you taught us it's OK to "rant" compassionately, with all that confronts us! "Best Wishes" We hope to see you again, somewhere!
just another one of the truth tellers that the media and government have to get rid of!!!!!!!
Congrats to Dylan for his honorary doctorate in Ranting. There's a reason he keeps getting fired from his various media jobs.
In the quest for an honest man we found Dylan Ratigan …. I am sure he has not abandoned us. He has 'THE VOICE', in these critical times, that others wish to silence, but his messages ring true. Dylan your fans appreciate your honesty and candor. God's speed along the next phase of your journey. Be assured that where ever you lead … we will follow.
I've been missing you since I turned off cable and rely only on internet. Would love to see you document your journey in the form of podcasts to share with your loyal fans. Love you forever!
Dylan, the real deal. They don't last too long, do they? You will be missed, sir. Looking forward to where you resurface and I'll be there.
I just don't understand why Dylan is leaving. You could spend a year just proving the risks of derivative contracts contracts to the world side Ponzi system we now live in.
Wow!!! I'm shocked because I didn't think they had the guts to let go the only news commentator on the station that spoke the truth about both sides of the political spectrum. He introduced positive, hopeful solutions/possibilities that are out there.
I'm so very sad that you are leaving. What a clear voice you have been Mr. Ratigan. I fear they are winning.
Oh man I can't believe it! The last bastion of truth on (somewhat) mainstream tv! Damn! Well I can only hope that Dylan will throw himself into the solution as we now are pretty clear about what the problem is. I'd like to know MSNBC decided at this point to throw him overboard? I guess more will be revealed.
Dylan has been the only mainstream news host that was willing to expose the completely corrupt Corporate Government. I won't be watching MSNBC anymore either. Maybe a move to RT News would be a better fit for Dylan. They are the only news network in America. Thank You Dylan for all that you have done to try to awaken the people. You are an American patriot and I am one of your biggest fans. Best of Luck in the future.
Looks like one of the the last MSM Anchors who is not a puppet with a corporate establishment fist up his ### like the rest of the MSM bobble head puppets, is down the road. The only good thing I can get out of this is, now I don't have to watch any of the MSM propaganda bureaus anymore. Dylan Ratigan on MSNBC was the last one I paid any attention to.
Hey Dylan,
You were totally honest, spoke truth to power, so pure, so needed, we need you as a national voice.
We are saddened by your leaving msnbc, you & Keith O- the only guys who said it as it was. Well msnbc,guess you've lost another viewer. What is behind msnbc -to get rid of the only two guys who spoke truthfully regarding all the political riff-raff and wall street theivery. Might be corporate bullys not wanting any truths out there. Msnbc shame on you, I will shun you forever, you are trash..