Happy Monday to Ya

Reading the paper this morning, I came across an article about a site called Book Mooch where you can exchange books for FREE and get this - if you like the book you can keep it! You can also request books from other countries. All this while helping charities like Library Fund and African Literacy. I feel as though I am the last to find this out but I am glad I know now. I sat there shaking my head thinking why didnt I think of that?....What a great idea. I buy books all the time Abebooks is my current fave for out of date or older books. Amazon is another favorite for obvious reasons. Truthfully, I always feel like a book should be mine. I hate borrowing books from people and more importantly HATE lending. Money has changed a little of the last year so I am definitely going to be checking this out very soon. Any opportunity to save money is most welcomed. Just a quick note if you decide to use the site be sure to first search for your book on Amazon, then follow the link to the site. That's how they are able to offer this type of service.

I also let this go under my radar how I am not sure. It has been a year since NBC Meet the Press Commentator, Tim Russert died. It feels like just yesterday I heard the news and kept logging on to see if it was really true. I really enjoyed watching him. I loved the way he would break down complex political questions for viewers and also get politicians to answers the question asked....You are definitely missed Mr. Russert.

Well that's it for now.....Here's hoping you have a great week...

Taking a back step

So the other day I said that I didn't think Meet the Press host Tim Russert was replaceable. I personally feel like no one is going to be able to break down the complexity that is politics the way he did. Well, its no secret lots of bloggers are debating this very same topic - though some have taken it a step further. Media Bistro's FishbowlDC blogger, Patrick Gavin decided to take a look at possible replacements. See the post here. He went through the pros and cons of some obvious ones like Tom Brokaw and Dick Gregory. As I continued reading. I saw a name on the list that never crossed my mind - Gwen Ifill. Gwen Ifill from the PBS show Gwen Ifill. It never occurred to me. I've seen her show and I have seen her on MTP and always thought how great it was to see a black woman as well versed in politics as she was. But as a replacement for Tim Russert? I have to say, I think she can. She and Russert had a good professional relationship as she recalled in a post she did for The Root on Sunday. His post jogged my memory. See the article here in which she refers to him as a stand up brother. She also talk about their friendship, him hiring her and his sincere interest in finding out about things he didn't know. It was nice to seem him remembered outside of main stream news.

This will sure to play out in the next couple of days and I now can't wait to see who the permanent replacement will be.


Gavin also blogged live from the Russert memorial. Take a look at it here. I guess since its a DC blog it had lots to cover with the passing of Russert. One of his first posts this morning was a graphic from some a T-shirt made in Russert's honor.

Honoring the great Tim Russert...Irreplaceable

If you are into news and journalism like me, then you understand why between emptying boxes this weekend, I was glued to NBC and MSNBC. I watched ALL and I mean ALL  of the coverage on Tim Russert. When I posted news of his sudden death on Friday, it had just reached the internet so there wasn't much written on him. By the time I got home from work though, it was a different story. It was all over both stations as drops here and there on the other news stations. 

Don't ask me why, I have never met the man, but I was truly saddened by this. I did watch his show and I still remember when he wrote Florida Florida Florida on the little white erase board. Someone left a similar one with his name on it outside the studio.  Talk about tugging at the heart. Matt Lauer was part of the saturday edition of the Today Show and when he said, "Pal, go get 'em". I lost it a bit. I did lose it sunday though when Meet the Press started and  Tom Brokaw said this is a celebration". Wow. I repeat I did not know this man. Part of what made his show so interesting to me was the way he approached his interviews and how he always seemed to make sense of politics that didn't. I always came away with a better understanding after seeing a topic discussed on his show.  This year's election coverage will truly be unfamiliar without him. I am thinking Meet the Press should stop here and have another show with a different name. I don't think anyone will be able to Rake 'em over like Russert. Truly Irreplaceable!

My sadness of the situation changed though this morning thought. The Today show had an extensive interview with his son, Luke. He was all smiles and acknowledged all that was great about his Dad. He spoke with grace and elegance and even gave Matt Lauer a laugh or two. See the video below. 

Sad news, Thought Provoking news and just plain old FYI

Happy Friday to you all.... Here's a couple of stories that I found interesting. In addition it allows me to showcase some of my favorite spots for news and the like. Enjoy....

•  Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert has died. He was 58. See early reports here.
  
• In other political news, on a story that broke earlier this week, various bloggers are seething at Fox News for a story they did in which they referred to Michelle Obama as a baby mama. Poor judgement my ass......Check out the coverage of this ignorance as expressed in the opinions of writers at  The Daily Voice, The Huffington Post and Afrobella's . I would place a link to an urban dictionary but I don't to insult meh readers. 
  
• Sharon Tate's killer wants to get out of jail........ so she can die.. It says she is seeking a 'compassionate' release from prision...Wonder where that compassion was when she killed Tate. See the article here (taken from CNN's website). Damn bold if you ask me!
• The people who tied their son to a tree for being disobedient, could be looking at murder charges. See the article here from the Fayetteville Observer
• In sports, I am so feeling the way the Boston Celtics are playing in the NBA finals.They are up 3-1. See ESPN's coverage here in an article titled Into Thin Air. Fitting, don't you think? I don't want to get too excited cuz the fat lady hasn't sung as yet but if you're a fan, you can't help but feel excited about this one....Go Boston!!!!
  
• In Business news, Shaquille O'Neal is trying to make the transition smooth. See this article in the Orlando Sentinel. I always liked him. 
  
• Coming soon (July 11, to be exact) to an AT&T store near you Apple plans to release a new iPhone - at a cheaper rate nonetheless. The iPhone blog recently did posts on why you should and shouldn't upgrade to the new iPhone 3G.  I love a balance. 

And last but not least if you haven't heard this piece of news by now...sit first because you WILL be shocked...R ruh (that's R&B artist, R. Kelly for you non-listeners) has been acquitted of all charges. What did you say, "Blow you over with a feather"? Yea, I was shocked too! I had to check several credible news sources before I shared it with others. I am sure this is not the end of this, but this is where we are today 13 June, 2008. (Article taken from MSNBC)

Have a good weekend!