My sources at the Eagles say that Vick was strongly discouraged from appearing on Oprah because she is such an avid dog lover. Oprah now has a total of five dogs. She recently adopted and brought on her show two new springer spaniel pups.
At first, Vick was flattered that Oprah wanted him on the show. (Piers Morgan of CNN never had a chance.)Traditionally, she is a soft interview. Her rabid love of dogs may have made her growl with displeasure.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Rumsfeld Still Defends Going to War
Donald Rumsfeld, who served as Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006, kicked off the book tour for his memoir, “Known and Unknown,” at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on February 9. Rumsfeld had Michael Beschloss, the author of 8 books on US Presidents, to moderate the discussion.
The title “Known and Unknown” is a wink and nod to Rumsfeld’s much ridiculed answer about Iraqi plans to supply terrorists with weapons of mass destruction. At a press conference in 2002, Rumsfeld said, ““There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”
In a private conversation with Secretary Rumsfeld while he is signing my book, I asked him about his current thoughts about Israel in light of the recent monumental changes in the Middle East. He said, “If I was Israel, I would be worried with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.”
Rumsfeld spent much of the public part of the program defending Bush’s decision to invade Iraq. Curiously, he admitted that Bush never directly asked Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Advisor Condileezza Rice, or himself if he should invade Iraq. “He knew that if we thought he was wrong we would have voiced our objections,” said the former Secretary of Defense.
“The Iraqi army had fired more than 2000 missiles at American and British planes that were patrolling the no fly zone,” said Rumsfeld. “What is they had killed someone?”
Rumsfeld insisted, “Saddam Hussein and his family were offered safe passage out of the country, but Saddam refused. There was no regime change after Bush senior invaded Iraq so I think he did not think that this Bush would force him to go.”
In his list of good results from the Iraq invasion, Rumsfeld revealed for the first time, “Omar Kadafi of Libya told the United States that he abandoned his nuclear program after the United States invaded Iraq.”
He surmised that Kadafi did not want to suffer the same fate as Saddam Hussein. “He even offered us the opportunity to inspect his nuclear arsenal,” stated Rumsfeld.
Bizarrely, Rumsfeld mentioned that the John Hopkins Smallpox Study “Dark Winter” influenced his decision to go to war. This study found “If Smallpox virus was released into three locations that 800,000 would die and many more would be infected.”
An audience member requested that Rumfseld, who also served as Secretary of Defense under President Ford, to explain the difference between the Iraq and Vietnam Wars. Rumsfeld replied, “We never feared that the Vietnamese would attack America.” Rumsfeld ignored my question -What is the role of Intelligence Services now that they have been proven horribly wrong about 9/11, Iraqi WMDs, and the uprising in the Middle East?
When he went to meet Bush, Rumsfeld never expected that Bush would ask him to become Secretary of Defense. He joked, “I was old man. Joyce (his wife) was telling friends at our 50th high school reunion that this was our rural period.”
When asked by Beschloss about Bush’s intelligence, Rumsfeld first went into a long tangent about the fact that the public considers all Republic Presidents from Eisenhower to Bush stupid. He reminded the audience that Ford, possibly the finest athlete to live in the White House, was considered clumsy.
“Bush is intelligent. He asked penetrating questions. He worked his way with foreign leaders so that they would do constructive things for the US,” he finally answered.
He applauded Bush for implementing the surge in Iraq at a time when Congress was ready to vote the war out of existence. “When the rebels saw the additional troops, they knew that Bush meant business and was not going to give up. They fell into line.”
The audience did learn one interesting statistic about the Department of Defense. Rumsfeld disclosed that the department employs 10,000 lawyers. The Defense Authorization Act ballooned to 574 pages in 2006 from 74 pages in 1976, when he was Secretary of Defense the first time.
Rumsfeld surprisingly mentioned only Democrats as political heroes. They were Franklin Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson. He did not list well known Republicans such as Arnold Schwarzenegger or Kelsey Grammer as his friends in the entertainment business, but Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley.
Rumsfeld left the crowd wanting more. Many complained that Beschloss was much too deferential to Rumsfeld. He did not ask questions about Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, or waterboarding.
Beschloss explained, “After he served as Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara never spoke in public again for thirty years. I also wanted to cover different ground than the Diane Sawyer interview.”
There was only one protester outside of the National Constitution Center. She had to stand about 100 feet from the entrance of the building. Maybe, the cold stifled dissent.
The title “Known and Unknown” is a wink and nod to Rumsfeld’s much ridiculed answer about Iraqi plans to supply terrorists with weapons of mass destruction. At a press conference in 2002, Rumsfeld said, ““There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”
In a private conversation with Secretary Rumsfeld while he is signing my book, I asked him about his current thoughts about Israel in light of the recent monumental changes in the Middle East. He said, “If I was Israel, I would be worried with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.”
Rumsfeld spent much of the public part of the program defending Bush’s decision to invade Iraq. Curiously, he admitted that Bush never directly asked Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Advisor Condileezza Rice, or himself if he should invade Iraq. “He knew that if we thought he was wrong we would have voiced our objections,” said the former Secretary of Defense.
“The Iraqi army had fired more than 2000 missiles at American and British planes that were patrolling the no fly zone,” said Rumsfeld. “What is they had killed someone?”
Rumsfeld insisted, “Saddam Hussein and his family were offered safe passage out of the country, but Saddam refused. There was no regime change after Bush senior invaded Iraq so I think he did not think that this Bush would force him to go.”
In his list of good results from the Iraq invasion, Rumsfeld revealed for the first time, “Omar Kadafi of Libya told the United States that he abandoned his nuclear program after the United States invaded Iraq.”
He surmised that Kadafi did not want to suffer the same fate as Saddam Hussein. “He even offered us the opportunity to inspect his nuclear arsenal,” stated Rumsfeld.
Bizarrely, Rumsfeld mentioned that the John Hopkins Smallpox Study “Dark Winter” influenced his decision to go to war. This study found “If Smallpox virus was released into three locations that 800,000 would die and many more would be infected.”
An audience member requested that Rumfseld, who also served as Secretary of Defense under President Ford, to explain the difference between the Iraq and Vietnam Wars. Rumsfeld replied, “We never feared that the Vietnamese would attack America.” Rumsfeld ignored my question -What is the role of Intelligence Services now that they have been proven horribly wrong about 9/11, Iraqi WMDs, and the uprising in the Middle East?
When he went to meet Bush, Rumsfeld never expected that Bush would ask him to become Secretary of Defense. He joked, “I was old man. Joyce (his wife) was telling friends at our 50th high school reunion that this was our rural period.”
When asked by Beschloss about Bush’s intelligence, Rumsfeld first went into a long tangent about the fact that the public considers all Republic Presidents from Eisenhower to Bush stupid. He reminded the audience that Ford, possibly the finest athlete to live in the White House, was considered clumsy.
“Bush is intelligent. He asked penetrating questions. He worked his way with foreign leaders so that they would do constructive things for the US,” he finally answered.
He applauded Bush for implementing the surge in Iraq at a time when Congress was ready to vote the war out of existence. “When the rebels saw the additional troops, they knew that Bush meant business and was not going to give up. They fell into line.”
The audience did learn one interesting statistic about the Department of Defense. Rumsfeld disclosed that the department employs 10,000 lawyers. The Defense Authorization Act ballooned to 574 pages in 2006 from 74 pages in 1976, when he was Secretary of Defense the first time.
Rumsfeld surprisingly mentioned only Democrats as political heroes. They were Franklin Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson. He did not list well known Republicans such as Arnold Schwarzenegger or Kelsey Grammer as his friends in the entertainment business, but Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley.
Rumsfeld left the crowd wanting more. Many complained that Beschloss was much too deferential to Rumsfeld. He did not ask questions about Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, or waterboarding.
Beschloss explained, “After he served as Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara never spoke in public again for thirty years. I also wanted to cover different ground than the Diane Sawyer interview.”
There was only one protester outside of the National Constitution Center. She had to stand about 100 feet from the entrance of the building. Maybe, the cold stifled dissent.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Comcast Executive Lets Loose
Metro was able to catch up with an exultant David L. Cohen, the executive vice president of Comcast, by phone from his Philadelphia office hours before the Comcast-NBC deal closed. Comcast now owns 51% of NBCUniversal in a joint venture with General Electric. Comcast assumes management control of the network.
Cohen, along with a team of Comcast employees in Philadelphia and Washington, has spent over a year working on gaining regulatory approval for this deal. “I can not believe that we (Comcast executives) are going to wake up in the morning and be the proud owners of NBCUniversal. Brian Roberts, the CEO of Comcast, is both exhilarated and humbled,” said Cohen.
Comcast headquarters will stay in Philadelphia notwithstanding that NBC is New York City based. Although Brian Roberts recently bought an apartment in Manhattan in the same building as Sting and Denzel Washington, he is not decamping there. Cohen insisted, “Brian and Ralph Roberts and Comcast executives are proud to head a Philadelphia based company. We just opened the center city headquarters in June 2008.”
For the city of Philadelphia, the merger will not mean a gain or loss of any jobs. Cohen stressed, “Comcast employees will not be moving to New York. We do not intend to move NBC, Universal or Telemundo employees here. Maybe, a few additional administrative positions might be needed locally”
Cohen was clearly taking a victory lap. “During the week before the FCC vote, more than 110 Congressman and Senators signed a letter urging approval. Governors, mayors, and City Council members supported the deal. Only two people –Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Senator Al Franken-were against the deal at the end,” said Cohen.
Congresswoman Waters, reached over the weekend, said, “When no African American received an Oscar nomination this year, I am right to be worried about diversity.” Queen Latifah spoofed her outspoken criticism of the merger on “30 Rock.”
Critics charged that the FCC did not extract major concessions from Comcast when they approved the merger. Cohen also downplayed the significance of the conditions that FCC imposed on Comcast to approve the merger. “We voluntarily agreed to most of the conditions because we would have done them anyways. For example, we have agreed to supply an additional 1000 hours of local news and public affairs programming and partner with hyperlocal non- profit news organizations because we believe in local news,” he asserted.
Cohen argued that ceding management control of Hulu, the online video service that is a joint venture between NBC, News Corp, and Disney, was a “nonevent.” “Before the merger, NBC had a minority, non controlling stake that afforded limited governance,” he contended.
Comcast is now required by the FCC to offer stand alone hi speed Internet at the price of $49.95 for the next two years with a cost of living increase only allowed in the third year. Cohen contends, “Comcast was doing this anyways. We currently charge $49.95 -$54.95 for this service.”
Jeff Zucker, previously the CEO of the network; MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann; and Angela Bromsted, the programming executive responsible for “House” and “Heroes” have been recently terminated. One person that does not seem to have to worry about a job is Steve Capus, the head of NBC News.
Cohen said, “NBC News is the crown jewel of the network. We have enormous respect for the people that work there and have made it the leading news network. Steve Capus is staying and will now be reporting directly to Steve Burke, the incoming CEO of NBCUniversal.”
While the acquisition of NBC was Brian Robert’s vision, his 91- year- old father, Comcast founder Ralph Roberts, has reason to be proud. On a video conference for NBCUniversal employees today, the senior Roberts said, “Only in America could a cable company in Tupelo, Mississippi with 1200 customers turn into a company with $50 billion in revenues and 130,000 employees.
NBC and ATT Broadband will probably not be the last purchases of Comcast. Cohen, refusing to comment, said, “I joined Comcast because they are a growing company, not content to stand still.”
I reported part of this for Metro.
http://www.metro.us/philadelphia/local/article/758449--comcast-staying-put-in-philly-after-nbc-merger
--
Cohen, along with a team of Comcast employees in Philadelphia and Washington, has spent over a year working on gaining regulatory approval for this deal. “I can not believe that we (Comcast executives) are going to wake up in the morning and be the proud owners of NBCUniversal. Brian Roberts, the CEO of Comcast, is both exhilarated and humbled,” said Cohen.
Comcast headquarters will stay in Philadelphia notwithstanding that NBC is New York City based. Although Brian Roberts recently bought an apartment in Manhattan in the same building as Sting and Denzel Washington, he is not decamping there. Cohen insisted, “Brian and Ralph Roberts and Comcast executives are proud to head a Philadelphia based company. We just opened the center city headquarters in June 2008.”
For the city of Philadelphia, the merger will not mean a gain or loss of any jobs. Cohen stressed, “Comcast employees will not be moving to New York. We do not intend to move NBC, Universal or Telemundo employees here. Maybe, a few additional administrative positions might be needed locally”
Cohen was clearly taking a victory lap. “During the week before the FCC vote, more than 110 Congressman and Senators signed a letter urging approval. Governors, mayors, and City Council members supported the deal. Only two people –Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Senator Al Franken-were against the deal at the end,” said Cohen.
Congresswoman Waters, reached over the weekend, said, “When no African American received an Oscar nomination this year, I am right to be worried about diversity.” Queen Latifah spoofed her outspoken criticism of the merger on “30 Rock.”
Critics charged that the FCC did not extract major concessions from Comcast when they approved the merger. Cohen also downplayed the significance of the conditions that FCC imposed on Comcast to approve the merger. “We voluntarily agreed to most of the conditions because we would have done them anyways. For example, we have agreed to supply an additional 1000 hours of local news and public affairs programming and partner with hyperlocal non- profit news organizations because we believe in local news,” he asserted.
Cohen argued that ceding management control of Hulu, the online video service that is a joint venture between NBC, News Corp, and Disney, was a “nonevent.” “Before the merger, NBC had a minority, non controlling stake that afforded limited governance,” he contended.
Comcast is now required by the FCC to offer stand alone hi speed Internet at the price of $49.95 for the next two years with a cost of living increase only allowed in the third year. Cohen contends, “Comcast was doing this anyways. We currently charge $49.95 -$54.95 for this service.”
Jeff Zucker, previously the CEO of the network; MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann; and Angela Bromsted, the programming executive responsible for “House” and “Heroes” have been recently terminated. One person that does not seem to have to worry about a job is Steve Capus, the head of NBC News.
Cohen said, “NBC News is the crown jewel of the network. We have enormous respect for the people that work there and have made it the leading news network. Steve Capus is staying and will now be reporting directly to Steve Burke, the incoming CEO of NBCUniversal.”
While the acquisition of NBC was Brian Robert’s vision, his 91- year- old father, Comcast founder Ralph Roberts, has reason to be proud. On a video conference for NBCUniversal employees today, the senior Roberts said, “Only in America could a cable company in Tupelo, Mississippi with 1200 customers turn into a company with $50 billion in revenues and 130,000 employees.
NBC and ATT Broadband will probably not be the last purchases of Comcast. Cohen, refusing to comment, said, “I joined Comcast because they are a growing company, not content to stand still.”
I reported part of this for Metro.
http://www.metro.us/philadelphia/local/article/758449--comcast-staying-put-in-philly-after-nbc-merger
--
Monday, January 31, 2011
Academy Ball with Paul Simon and Renee Fleming
Philadelphia high society celebrated the 154th anniversary of the Academy of Music with a Philadelphia Orchestra concert and ball on Saturday, January 29. Renee Fleming, considered by many the world's greatest soprano, and singer Paul Simon starred in the program conducted by Jonathan Nott. The ball, chaired by Tastykake CEO Charles Pizzi, and Sandra Marshall, jointly benefits the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Academy of Music Restoration fund.
The almost sold out crowd of 2100 guests REM's Mike Mills, political luminaries Senator Casey, Congressman Meehan, and Mayor Nutter, old Philadelphia families like (Lenfests, Binswangers, and McNeils), and corporate executives from local companies. The Academy Ball is the longest running and most successful benefit of any American orchestra.
The women were resplendent in long couture gowns, sparkling jewels, and furs. The men wore the Academy Ball uniform of white tie tails.
Fleming, dazzling in a red gown with a silver shawl, showed her range by singing a varied repertoire including arias from “La Boehme,” "I Feel Pretty" from "West Side Story,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” She said, "I am awed to be on a stage where so many great performers have sung."
Paul Simon sang old favorites such as "Still Crazy After All These Years' and "Cecilia.” He shared with the audience the melancholy “Love and Hard Times” that will not be released until the spring. The 150 member Philadelphia All City Choir, called "Philadelphia's art treasure by Simon, joined him on stage for a rendition of the gospel tinged, "Loves Me Like a Rock."
Simon introduced his first ever duet with Fleming by declaring “the beginning of the Simon and Fleming era.” After hearing their powerful rendition of “Sounds of Silence,” the audience can only hope so.
Joanna McNeil Lewis, president of the Academy of Music, urged the audience, "To support Philadelphia cultural treasures such as the Orchestra, Academy of Music, and Tastykakes or Philadelphia will lose its uniqueness." MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall, host of the evening, announced that the Academy of Music restoration had just won the prestigious American Institute of Architects 2011 Honor Award for Interior Architecture.
After the concert, patrons marched en masse up Broad Street to the Hyatt at the Bellevue for the ball. The menu was champagne emulsion with caviar, filet of beef, duo of lemon and white chocolate, and an open bar. Guests boogied to the music of eight different bands until 2 am.
The almost sold out crowd of 2100 guests REM's Mike Mills, political luminaries Senator Casey, Congressman Meehan, and Mayor Nutter, old Philadelphia families like (Lenfests, Binswangers, and McNeils), and corporate executives from local companies. The Academy Ball is the longest running and most successful benefit of any American orchestra.
The women were resplendent in long couture gowns, sparkling jewels, and furs. The men wore the Academy Ball uniform of white tie tails.
Fleming, dazzling in a red gown with a silver shawl, showed her range by singing a varied repertoire including arias from “La Boehme,” "I Feel Pretty" from "West Side Story,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” She said, "I am awed to be on a stage where so many great performers have sung."
Paul Simon sang old favorites such as "Still Crazy After All These Years' and "Cecilia.” He shared with the audience the melancholy “Love and Hard Times” that will not be released until the spring. The 150 member Philadelphia All City Choir, called "Philadelphia's art treasure by Simon, joined him on stage for a rendition of the gospel tinged, "Loves Me Like a Rock."
Simon introduced his first ever duet with Fleming by declaring “the beginning of the Simon and Fleming era.” After hearing their powerful rendition of “Sounds of Silence,” the audience can only hope so.
Joanna McNeil Lewis, president of the Academy of Music, urged the audience, "To support Philadelphia cultural treasures such as the Orchestra, Academy of Music, and Tastykakes or Philadelphia will lose its uniqueness." MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall, host of the evening, announced that the Academy of Music restoration had just won the prestigious American Institute of Architects 2011 Honor Award for Interior Architecture.
After the concert, patrons marched en masse up Broad Street to the Hyatt at the Bellevue for the ball. The menu was champagne emulsion with caviar, filet of beef, duo of lemon and white chocolate, and an open bar. Guests boogied to the music of eight different bands until 2 am.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Olbermann's Firing by Comcast
I have talked to executives at Comcast and friends of the Roberts family. While they would not go on the record, they did make these points. Comcast was definitely part of the equation in the firing of MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann, but it was more complicated than that.
Everyone was tired of Olbermann's tantrums. Jeff Zucker was gone so Olbermann did not have a rabbi or booster in the room.
Phil Griffin, the head of MSNBC, was worried about keeping his own job after the takeover. When Olbermann acted up for the hundredth time, Griffin did not hesitate in firing Olbermann. Griffin thought that his firing Olbermann would help him keep his job. He hoped that they would be grateful that he eliminated a problem for Comcast.
Griffin definitely boosted his chances of keeping his job by the efficient way he handled Olbermann's termination. While the Comcast executives did not care for Olbermann, they hated even more the possibility of a repeat of the Conan saga. During the Late Night wars, they were vexed but powerless to do anything. They just shook their head and said, "What a mess."
By the firing, Comcast wanted to send a message that no prima donnas would not be tolerated at NBC and MSNBC. In some ways, this was a repeat of the sacking of Pat Croce as head of the 76ers during a winning streak.
Brian Roberts overlooked Olbermann's political donations that broke NBC rules, but he could not forgive the theatrics around the event. He was livid at Olbermann's attempt to blackmail him by threatening to appear on rival networks' shows such as "Good Morning America" to discuss the donations.
It might have helped to soothe things over if Olbermann had made a courtesy trip to Philadelphia like David Gregory and many others did to kiss the pope's ie Brian Roberts ring, but he could not be bothered.
Olbermann was riled up because Comcast had made it clear that MSNBC would no longer lean as liberal in the future. He would no longer be allowed to anchor election night coverage. Comcast insists that this was a business decision not a political one. My source said, "There are just not as many as left wing listeners as right wing."
Although I think changing the political branding of MSNBC is misguided, I do not think the decision is political based. Comcast executives say that the decision is more headline based. Comcast likes to fly under the radar. They did not like the complaints about MSNBC bias.
Unlike Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News, Burke and Roberts are not former political operatives so they do not relish the political debate. While Steve Burke is an avid Republican supporter and fundraiser, he is not dogmatic. The traditionally conservative Roberts family tend to be pragmatic and are definitely liberals on social issues. They have donated to both Democrats and Republicans.They hired David Cohen, Democratic Mayor Rendell's chief of staff, as an executive vice president.
Olbermann, like many other broadcasters, was told to tone down the rhetoric. He resisted and resented their interference. Even though Olbermann does not advocate violence in any way, Comcast had even less interest in bombastic speech of any kind after the Gifford's assassination. The decision to let Olbermann go was already in the works but the tragedy just reinforced that it was the right one.
Personal prejudices entered the picture. Ralph Roberts, the founder of Comcast and the current CEO's father, hated "The Worst Person in the world" segment as many people did.
Olbermann should be back on the air in September. He probably will not be able to tell us what really happened because he signed a confidentiality agreement.
Everyone was tired of Olbermann's tantrums. Jeff Zucker was gone so Olbermann did not have a rabbi or booster in the room.
Phil Griffin, the head of MSNBC, was worried about keeping his own job after the takeover. When Olbermann acted up for the hundredth time, Griffin did not hesitate in firing Olbermann. Griffin thought that his firing Olbermann would help him keep his job. He hoped that they would be grateful that he eliminated a problem for Comcast.
Griffin definitely boosted his chances of keeping his job by the efficient way he handled Olbermann's termination. While the Comcast executives did not care for Olbermann, they hated even more the possibility of a repeat of the Conan saga. During the Late Night wars, they were vexed but powerless to do anything. They just shook their head and said, "What a mess."
By the firing, Comcast wanted to send a message that no prima donnas would not be tolerated at NBC and MSNBC. In some ways, this was a repeat of the sacking of Pat Croce as head of the 76ers during a winning streak.
Brian Roberts overlooked Olbermann's political donations that broke NBC rules, but he could not forgive the theatrics around the event. He was livid at Olbermann's attempt to blackmail him by threatening to appear on rival networks' shows such as "Good Morning America" to discuss the donations.
It might have helped to soothe things over if Olbermann had made a courtesy trip to Philadelphia like David Gregory and many others did to kiss the pope's ie Brian Roberts ring, but he could not be bothered.
Olbermann was riled up because Comcast had made it clear that MSNBC would no longer lean as liberal in the future. He would no longer be allowed to anchor election night coverage. Comcast insists that this was a business decision not a political one. My source said, "There are just not as many as left wing listeners as right wing."
Although I think changing the political branding of MSNBC is misguided, I do not think the decision is political based. Comcast executives say that the decision is more headline based. Comcast likes to fly under the radar. They did not like the complaints about MSNBC bias.
Unlike Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News, Burke and Roberts are not former political operatives so they do not relish the political debate. While Steve Burke is an avid Republican supporter and fundraiser, he is not dogmatic. The traditionally conservative Roberts family tend to be pragmatic and are definitely liberals on social issues. They have donated to both Democrats and Republicans.They hired David Cohen, Democratic Mayor Rendell's chief of staff, as an executive vice president.
Olbermann, like many other broadcasters, was told to tone down the rhetoric. He resisted and resented their interference. Even though Olbermann does not advocate violence in any way, Comcast had even less interest in bombastic speech of any kind after the Gifford's assassination. The decision to let Olbermann go was already in the works but the tragedy just reinforced that it was the right one.
Personal prejudices entered the picture. Ralph Roberts, the founder of Comcast and the current CEO's father, hated "The Worst Person in the world" segment as many people did.
Olbermann should be back on the air in September. He probably will not be able to tell us what really happened because he signed a confidentiality agreement.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Comcast Speaks about the Olympics
NBC started airing the Olympics when Richard Nixon was President. The broadcasting tradition of a generation will mostly like end after the Comcast takeover of NBC is completed.
With NBC losing a reported $223 million on the 2010 Vancouver games and standing to lose even more on the 2012 London games, bidding for the broadcasting rights to the Olympic Games at the current prices that the Olympic Committee is asking may no longer make economic sense. While Comcast CEO Brian Roberts medaled in squash at the Maccabiah Games, that will probably not be a compelling enough reason for Comcast to take the financial losses. By all accounts, the Roberts family bought NBC to make money not for the prestige.
David L. Cohen, the Executive Vice President of Comcast, said, "We have to finish the acquisition and then look at the books." When pressed, he added, "I know that there is no way that we are going to pay $2.5 billion for the rights like the Olympic Committee currently wants." Cohen doubted that the NBC would prevail in the auction next spring of the broadcasting rights for the games in 2014 and 2016.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts was one of twenty CEOs that recently met with Obama during the CEO summit in December at Blair House. Cohen discussed that visit, "Published reports are accurate."
Accounts of the meeting said that Roberts voiced his support directly to the President for the then pending net neutrality proposal at the FCC because of the importance of regulatory certainty for Comcast." John Doerr, the venture capitalist behind Google and Amazon, voiced similar sentiment at the summit.
With NBC losing a reported $223 million on the 2010 Vancouver games and standing to lose even more on the 2012 London games, bidding for the broadcasting rights to the Olympic Games at the current prices that the Olympic Committee is asking may no longer make economic sense. While Comcast CEO Brian Roberts medaled in squash at the Maccabiah Games, that will probably not be a compelling enough reason for Comcast to take the financial losses. By all accounts, the Roberts family bought NBC to make money not for the prestige.
David L. Cohen, the Executive Vice President of Comcast, said, "We have to finish the acquisition and then look at the books." When pressed, he added, "I know that there is no way that we are going to pay $2.5 billion for the rights like the Olympic Committee currently wants." Cohen doubted that the NBC would prevail in the auction next spring of the broadcasting rights for the games in 2014 and 2016.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts was one of twenty CEOs that recently met with Obama during the CEO summit in December at Blair House. Cohen discussed that visit, "Published reports are accurate."
Accounts of the meeting said that Roberts voiced his support directly to the President for the then pending net neutrality proposal at the FCC because of the importance of regulatory certainty for Comcast." John Doerr, the venture capitalist behind Google and Amazon, voiced similar sentiment at the summit.
Rendell's Beach Boy's concert
Last night, I was rocking at the Beach Boys concert that outgoing Governor Rendell sponsored at the Electric Factory to thank all the people that have supported him through out the years. What a great concert!!!
There were campaign workers, volunteers, and staffers at the event from all over Pennsylvania- Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Lebanon County, and Moosic. Rendell said, "Anyone that had ever worked, volunteered, or donated more than $5 to my campaign was invited." To go along with the Beach Boy theme, the invitations had a beach chair, ball, and umbrella on them.
When the Beach Boys started playing, the pin stripe crowd of bankers and lawyers immediately started dancing. Among those getting down were the Governor, Jesse Rendell, David Cohen, Mayor Nutter, former State Treasurer Robin Weissman, her husband Ken Jarin from the law firm Ballard Spahr, and Duane Morris attorney Alan Kessler. Weissman does a mean funky chicken. Rendell boogied sans jacket, but surrounded by pretty women. Nutter bopped to the music.
The band, which included Mike Love and Bruce Johnston from the original Beach Boys, played all the old favorites such as “Help me, Rhonda and “I Get Around” for almost two hours. The actor John Stamos, currently appearing in the hit television show “Glee,” joined the band on the guitar and drums. For this night only, the Beach Boys sang, “I wish they could all be Pennsylvania Girls.”
Bruce Johnston spoke about meeting then Mayor Rendell when the Beach Boys played a Fourth of July concert on the Parkway. He said, “We were impressed with him then. We are honored to continue to be friends.”
Midway through their performance, Governor Rendell came on stage. He thanked the Beach Boys profusely for tonight and other night 9 years ago. He recalled, “When I was running in the primary for governor, the Beach Boys gave a free concert for the workers in my campaign right here at the Electric Factory a week before the primary. I was down in the polls, but the workers came way from that concert so energized that I won by 12 points.”
He expressed his biggest gratitude for the assembled crowd. “Every politician requires a team. I could not have done it with out you.”
Always the politician, the Governor had to recount his accomplishments. He said, “Pennsylvania is one of only two states that provide health insurance for all their children. 300,000 more seniors have prescription drug coverage than when I took office. Pennsylvania is leading the country in eighth grade reading levels. The EPA rates us the greenest state in the nation.”
The refreshments were a caloric combination of Krispy Kremes and soft pretzels.
Mayor Nutter led the call for an encore. The band obliged with Governor Rendell joining them for the last song, “Fun, Fun, Fun,” with the band.
In case you are wondering, the Governor's favorite Beach Boy hits include "Kokomo" and "Fun, Fun, Fun.”
There were campaign workers, volunteers, and staffers at the event from all over Pennsylvania- Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Lebanon County, and Moosic. Rendell said, "Anyone that had ever worked, volunteered, or donated more than $5 to my campaign was invited." To go along with the Beach Boy theme, the invitations had a beach chair, ball, and umbrella on them.
When the Beach Boys started playing, the pin stripe crowd of bankers and lawyers immediately started dancing. Among those getting down were the Governor, Jesse Rendell, David Cohen, Mayor Nutter, former State Treasurer Robin Weissman, her husband Ken Jarin from the law firm Ballard Spahr, and Duane Morris attorney Alan Kessler. Weissman does a mean funky chicken. Rendell boogied sans jacket, but surrounded by pretty women. Nutter bopped to the music.
The band, which included Mike Love and Bruce Johnston from the original Beach Boys, played all the old favorites such as “Help me, Rhonda and “I Get Around” for almost two hours. The actor John Stamos, currently appearing in the hit television show “Glee,” joined the band on the guitar and drums. For this night only, the Beach Boys sang, “I wish they could all be Pennsylvania Girls.”
Bruce Johnston spoke about meeting then Mayor Rendell when the Beach Boys played a Fourth of July concert on the Parkway. He said, “We were impressed with him then. We are honored to continue to be friends.”
Midway through their performance, Governor Rendell came on stage. He thanked the Beach Boys profusely for tonight and other night 9 years ago. He recalled, “When I was running in the primary for governor, the Beach Boys gave a free concert for the workers in my campaign right here at the Electric Factory a week before the primary. I was down in the polls, but the workers came way from that concert so energized that I won by 12 points.”
He expressed his biggest gratitude for the assembled crowd. “Every politician requires a team. I could not have done it with out you.”
Always the politician, the Governor had to recount his accomplishments. He said, “Pennsylvania is one of only two states that provide health insurance for all their children. 300,000 more seniors have prescription drug coverage than when I took office. Pennsylvania is leading the country in eighth grade reading levels. The EPA rates us the greenest state in the nation.”
The refreshments were a caloric combination of Krispy Kremes and soft pretzels.
Mayor Nutter led the call for an encore. The band obliged with Governor Rendell joining them for the last song, “Fun, Fun, Fun,” with the band.
In case you are wondering, the Governor's favorite Beach Boy hits include "Kokomo" and "Fun, Fun, Fun.”
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