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Great news. Wanted to let everybody know that last week, I began my stint as a guest writer on About.com. I'd like to thank the incredible Heather McDonald for giving me the opportunity and making it possible. You can check out my first article on About.com here.
- Sa'id
By Amir Said
It appears that MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews have finally crossed the line. Throughout this election season, the pair have been challenged to check their liberal bias at the door. Yet, during last week's RNC, the two could not contain their dissatisfaction. At times, both seemingly went too far, injecting their personal thoughts and criticisms rather than objective commentary. And while I agreed mostly with how they conducted themselves during the RNC, I must also concede that at certain spots each let their professionalism go out the window. The top brass at MSNBC and NBC saw it the same way, and over the weekend they removed Ken Olbermann and Chris Mathews from their co-anchor posts of political night coverage.
Apparently, Olbermann and Matthews created tension among other MSNBC/NBC on-air journalists; couple that with the GOP's un-sportsman-like cry of foul against the 'Main Stream Liberal Media", and you could have seen this move coming. But McCain and fellow supporters may not wanna' claim victory just yet. Olbermann and Matthews will be replaced by David Gregory, NBC News Chief White House Correspondent. Gregory's a very sound and thorough journalist who's fair and balanced, but he can be tough and rather direct. Throughout this political season, I've been increasingly impressed with Gregory's coverage, particularly his analysis of presidential politics itself. With David Gregory on watch, the GOP will not have as clear of an opponent as they did with Olbermann and Matthews. Moreover, McCain and the GOP are now going to have to deal with a more seasoned and savvy White House reporter, indeed a journalist who's a bit more subtle at deflecting political spin. Looks like the GOP won't be getting their way after all.
Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews
David Gregory
By Amir Said
It's official, the sequel to the hit movie Inside Man is moving ahead as planned. Only this time around, it appears that Russell Gewirtz (the screenwriter of the original), will not be coming along for the ride. The script for the sequel will most likely be penned by Hotel Rwanda writer Terry George. The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Spike Lee will direct the sequel, with Brian Grazer returning as producer, and Daniel Rosenberg as executive producer. Denzel Washington and Clive Owen are both expected to reprise their roles. However, at this time no word on if Jodie Foster will be involved or not.
By Amir Said
If you watched the 2008 Republican National Convention last night, you had to notice something. O.K., my bad, you had to notice the absence of something. Better still, you had to notice the absence of a substantial black American presence. But if you think the absence of black Americans at Republican conventions is nothing new, you're right. However, attendance at the 2008 Republican National Convention was less than 2%. That's the wost figure in 40 years! And while muse about that fact, consider the hat that was worn by at least one white attendee at the the Republic National Convention. It was an alligator, with a Barack Obama figure enclosed in its jaws. If you know the history surrounding the term, "gator bait", then right now you're probably cringing. If you do not know about the history surrounding this term, I implore you to research it. But here's a hint: Southern racial slur, common in the Jim Crow era South. Hmmm... Think the guy below knew this when he wore it last night at the Republican National Convention?
By Amir Said
Amir, the summer was good. Shit, it was great! In achieving one of your goals, you helped your baseball team achieve one of theirs. As a coach, I was honored to watch you develop into one of the best players in the whole league. As a father, I was happy to see you raise your level of dedication and commitment to the stratosphere. And I was especially pleased that you kept up your "book a week" routine. At the beginning of the year, you outlined your white board with goals, as did I. And somewhere on both of our white boards, our goals merged into one.
Well, throughout your first day back at school, I want you to think about the goals that you achieved throughout the past three months. I want you to imagine those days where you kept on pushing, even when you were exhausted or a bit banged up. I want you to remember "Book Store Tuesday(s)". Remember how the books were outlined in the teen section. Remember the burgers we had at the diner. Remember than two hour practice in the eye of son; remember how you didn't drop, how you wouldn't quit, how you finished up strong. And then tomorrow, on the second day of school, I want you remember all of these moments again. And should you approach the first day back at school the way you went at the past three months, you will continue to check off some goals on your white board. And Insha Allah, so will I. Finally, I want to remind you: "start strong, finish stronger."
- Pop
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