Keith Olbermann Out, MSNBC Changed Forever

Renowned News Anchor Ousted After Comcast-NBC Deal Inked By FCC

By AMIR ALI SAID

Last Friday, Keith Olbermann announced that it would be his last episode of Countdown: With Keith Olbermann. At the time of the on air resignation or firing, I wasn't aware of this surprise. In fact, I was doing research on a film. But when I checked my e-mail and saw a news alert that said Olbermann would be leaving MSNBC I was shocked. After a couple minutes, and a discussion with Pop I realized MSNBC would be changed forever.

The Comcast-NBC deal had long been in the works. In fact, in 2009 the floating news about Comcast possibly buying NBC first came about. The percentages and numbers of the deal were announced and everyone got a glimpse into the new NBC. GE (General Electric) would own 49% of NBC, while Comcast, the buyer, would own 51% of NBC. On January 18th the FCC finally got around to approving the deal by a vote of 4 to 1. Quickly news spread and questions were raised. But none of which surrounding Keith Olbermann. But it turns out Comcast were planning airing their last episode of Countdown: With Keith Olbermann for about a week. The wrong move in my opinion, an interesting one to most.

Keith Olbermann is a household name. An anchor who spoke to many Americans and spoke outright for eight years on his show. The last four being probably the most notable. The Iraq War, Bush leaving the Presidential office and President Barack Obama being elected. Over the years he's had numerous inspiring interviews and shows that've sharpened the minds of Americans across the country. The network he did it on is MSNBC. Lead by Olbermann, the network became the leader in Politics, surpassing CNN. Now that the Comcast-NBC deal is complete, seems like all has been lost and MSNBC will be going into a different direction. One which, I don't agree with.

King Out, Morgan Jumps In Head On

CNN Battles to Stay Afloat With Time Slot Moves

By Amir Ali Said

Earlier this year, long-time talk show host, Larry King, announced he would step down from his show on CNN. CNN has found their replacement. Months after CNN started searching, word surfaced that CNN was looking into "America's Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan, Wednesday, CNN confirmed such a deal. Starting in January, the move will be official and Morgan will replace King's time slot. CNN has yet to release details on Morgan's unnamed interview show. However, Morgan will earn about $5 million with CNN for the next three years.

CNN has been in the rear-view mirror since MSNBC came along. There shows, contributors, and hosts have all had their differences. However, MSNBC is just the better cable channel. CNN had it's chance to take over and get there spot back during the 08' Election. CNN squandered that opportunity, so MSNBC is still the leader. CNN may try to attempt to appear like the number one cable channel in politics, but its MSNBC. MSNBC is coming off a two month streak of topping CNN in total day viewing.

I don't like CNN. I watch MSNBC for practically the whole day, well at least I leave the channel on MSNBC for the whole day. I've watched and still watch the "Dylan Ratigan Show," "HardBall," and even the "Ed Show." Prime-time comes around and I'm right by the tube watching "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," and the "Rachel Maddow Show." I couldn't tell you what comes on at that time, on CNN. Campbell Brown is leaving town at the 8PM slot. Her replacement will be former governor Eliot Spitzer, and Columnist, Katheleen Parker. CNN isn't capable of rivaling MSNBC with this sort of show movement.

House Passes Historic Health Care Bill

By Amir Ali Said

The House has passed Health care in America. President Barack Obama has completed his promise for health care reform. Yesterday, President Obama signed the bill into law.Two days ago the bill was passed by a vote of 219-212, surpassing 216 for passage of health care reform. Now that health care reform is passed, I think President Obama's plan is in motion and in it's 3rd stage, to have Universal Health Care for all Americans.

With this health care reform bill passing, health care for Americans is forever changed. Now, all that has to be done is a couple changes to the current bill and Universal Health Care will come to fruition. This bill is historic and significant, for two reasons, there has been no health reform for sixty years and this is the first attempt at reform for sixty years.

Republicans Should Stop Delaying Reform

By Amir Ali Said

I’m frustrated with the Republican leadership. They keep trying to stop any and every thing that President Obama tries to improve. Republican leadership continues to delay bill after bill. They should start helping Americans and stop delaying reform.

Health care is a perfect example of Republican leadership delaying reform. They are getting in the way! There are even some Republicans admitting that they’re going to delay reform up until November. Why? Reason being, they don't want the health care industry to change, since there making money. Plus, as long as they stall, the more Republicans they can try to recruit through elections. Thanks to the super-majority rule Republicans could do that. But Majority should win! Thus, this is why health care reform may take a while. Thanks to Republicans delaying reform.

Historic Health Care Bill Passes

By Amir Ali Said

I stayed up this morning to watch the Senate vote on the historic health care bill. The bill was voted on at 7:30 in the morning on Christmas Eve! That's unheard of. However, the bill needed to be voted on. This health bill is historic for two reasons, there has been no health reform for sixty years and this is the first attempt at reform for sixty years. Now that this bill has been passed, I think only good will come out of this.

This was a great experience, watching the Senate vote on a historic bill. It felt good to watch history in the making. Its the first attempt at health care reform for sixty years. Since this bill has been passed, I believe more reforms are yet to come as a result of this health care reform.

1st Latina, 3rd Woman

Yesterday Sonia Sotomayor was approved by the Senate to the US Supreme Court. Sotomayor is the first latina appointed to the US Supreme court and only the third woman confirmed. Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate, 68-31, including 9 republicans.

I'm happy for Sotomayor. In fact, I share the same happiness for her victory that I had with Obama's victory. It just goes to show that a lot of things are going to change in America over the course of Obama's administration, and after Obama's administration. Also, it shows that more intelligent people are beginning to hold high positions, instead of posers. Sotomayor's victory is very important to America's progress, just like Obama's win.

Summit and Its Protesters Can't Stop The Market

Today the G20 Summit took place in London, along with Barack Obama and other leaders around the world. The purpose of the Summit was to discuss the current economic crisis around the world. However, throughout the Summit, and before, protesters gathered outside. But the stock market still managed to gain 100+ points. Incredible! I really expected the stock market to plunge, but it seems like more and more Americans believe in Barack Obama. They believe that he's doing his job and what's right for all Americans.

Be Consistent Already, Conference Went Well

Once again the stock market was inconsistent. The stock market gave back about a 5th of its gains from yesterday. And what do you know, who got blamed? Let's not go into that again. But today President Obama had a news conference. And I think he was as annoyed as Pop and I with the follow-up questions. To the point where a CNN correspondent got the bad side of President Obama. President Obama told him, "It took a couple days for me to respond to the AIG situation because I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak"! And I missed that, I didn't get to see it live. However, it still had the same impact. I expect the market to go up tomorrow because President Obama looked sharp and spoke intelligently, like he always does.

Who's Responsible Now?

The stock market went up 500 points today (497.48) if you want to be exact. Now who's responsible for these gains? I mean every other day there're losses the media blames President Obama. Yesterday President Obama was on 60 minutes, I missed the interview myself, but I highly doubt that didn't have anything to do with the stock market gains. Every time the stock market went way up, who was responsible? Why don't you ask the media, they don't know either, but they sure know that it wasn't President Obama. And when the stock market declined, who did they blame? You guessed it, President Obama. So I ask, why is it that when there are gains President Obama isn't responsible, but when there are losses the media is quick to blame President Obama? Better yet why is the media doing a better, more extreme job than the republican party?

Re: Barack Obama

Barack Obama just had a press conference. From Arizona he signed off on the economic stimulus bill. In regards to the mortgage market he came up with a plan that is in the stimulus plan. I never saw a president get hand claps like Barack Obama. Its like he's still on the campaign trail. People are clapping and screaming every sentence. With Bush you never would get that type of vibe. You always got a dull vibe and you laughed at him. Now with Barack people listen and applaud his intelligence.