Olbermann raises $250,000 for Sioux

Pundit sounds off, ice-hit tribe thrives

$240,000 raised after Olbermann rant

By Steve YoungA national commentator's rant about federal inaction on the storm-ravaged Cheyenne River reservation has turned into a fundraising bonanza for the tribe in north-central South Dakota.

As of Tuesday afternoon, an online fund established through the South Dakota Community Foundation had raised about $8,000 for the reservation, which had been paralyzed by a late January ice storm and blizzard that knocked out power and water to thousands.

That was before MSNBC commentator Keith Olbermann got on his soapbox Tuesday evening.And:"Within the first 20 minutes, I had hundreds of e-mails on my Blackberry," he said. "It was unbelievable. I had to go out in the lobby and check it; I thought something was wrong because it just kept buzzing."

At the start of the day Thursday, the fund had grown to $220,000. By Thursday night, it was more than $250,000. In the 15 minutes he spent talking to a reporter, Sutton said 16 contributions came in, ranging from $10 to $500, from all over the country.'Countdown' Viewers Raise $185,000 For South Dakota Ice Storm Victims

Comment:  This is a great example of how 1) the public ignores Indian issues, and 2) the media can make a difference. In particular, how criticizing the status quo in the media can make a difference. Which is a good reason to continue criticizing racism and stereotyping. If I had the same platform Olbermann did, we'd be having a national debate on these issues rather than ignoring them.

For more on the subject, see Olbermann Seeks Aid for Reservation and Senate Committee is Olbermann's "Worst Person."