ANOTHER DISGRACE TO JOURNALISM – AT 9:05 A.M. ET:  Is there really an audience for this?  From Reuters:

After weeks of speculation, MSNBC has made it official -- Al Sharpton will be its new host at 6 p.m.

The well-known civil rights activist and minister has been filling in at the time slot for much of the summer, leading most pundits to assume he would become the full-time host. The rumors have finally been verified, as MSNBC Phil Griffin made the announcement that Sharpton will host “Politics Nation” starting Aug. 29.

"I am very happy and honored to join the MSNBC team as we collectively try to get America to ’Lean Forward,’" Sharpton said in a statement. "It is a natural extension of my life work and growth. We all learn from our pain and stand up from our stumbling and one must either learn to lean forward or fall backwards. I'm glad they have given me the opportunity to continue my forward lean."

The sheer intellect just overwhelms us.  I, too, will now work hard to continue my forward lean.

The show, which will lead-in to MSNBC shows like "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and "The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell," will feature a disucssion of the major headlines. Sharpton's longstanding relationship with Griffin and the network was a factor in the decision.

COMMENT:  I'd say this man is a clown, but at least a clown is intentionally funny.  In truth, he's an old-time race baiter and bigot, who's been responsible for some of the most inflammatory moments in New York in the last 30 years.  I cannot see any contribution he's made, except to himself.

Fortunately, MSNBC has an audience of about 12 people, so Sharpton can't do that much damage.  And the new gig does keep him off the streets and away from megaphones.   But is this what NBC has come to?

August 24, 2011