Monthly Archives: April 2008

Protesters want CNN to fire Jack Cafferty

Lots of protests the past few weekends at CNN locations all over the US. Thousands have protested Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta (CNN headquarters) over statements made by Jack Cafferty that were broadcast on “The Situation Room” back on April 9, 2008. Here’s the quote in question:

“We continue to import their junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food and export, you know, jobs to places where you can pay workers a dollar a month to turn out the stuff that we’re buying from Wal-Mart. So I think our relationship with China has certainly changed. I think they’re basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they’ve been for the last 50 years.”

Listen the the controversial statements by Jack Cafferty:

CNN Protest in Atlanta (CNN headquarters)

CNN Protest in San Francisco

CNN Protest in Los Angeles

CNN Protest in Chicago

Although CNN had offered an apology, the Chinese government rejected it as inadequate. CNN Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz was summoned to a meeting at the Chinese Foreign Ministry with with Liu Jianchao, director general of the Foreign Ministry information department. The situation looks bad for CNN and Jack Cafferty. Looks like a lot less coverage for the Beijing Olympics for CNN.

Also a Beijing-based primary school teacher Li Lilan and a New York-based beauty therapist Liang Shubing are filing in a law suit for $1.3 billion against CNN for slander. The $1.3 billion equates to $1 per person in China.

Jon and Kate plus 8 on Oprah

“Jon and Kate plus 8” is an awesome show about the Gosselins, who have a set of twins and a set of sextuplets. That’s 8 kids total. Each kids has their own unique personality and they are all cute. On yesterday’s show, the whole family goes on “Oprah”. The footage was originally taped on February 22. 2008 for “Oprah”.

BTW – Your eyes are not deceiving you, Jon is Asian. Actually, Jon is half Korean, which makes all the kids a quarter Korean. It’s great to see an Asian male as a strong father figure in the family. If you have never seen it, new episodes of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” airs on TLC on Mondays at 9/8c. Check your local listings.

Here’s the promo for their Oprah episode:

Here’s the Oprah promo back in February:

Apparently, the couple will also has a book coming out toward the end of the year. The book is entitled “Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving With Twins and Sextuplets”.

You can buy a copy here.

China vs USA Basketball 2008 Olympics

Over the weekend, lots were drawn in Beijing to determine the preliminary round groupings for basketball tournaments during the Olympics. On the men’s side, Iran, Lithuania, Argentina, Russia, Australia, and one qualifier to be determined from Olympic qualifying tournaments were selected to play in group A; China, Angola, Spain, USA, and two qualifiers from Olympic qualifying tournaments were selected to play in Group B. The Olympic basketball tournament will run from August 9-24. The group matches are in a round robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the knock-out stage.

China will face off with the USA’s NBA stars on August 10. China’s basketball team is expected to be led by Houston Rocket center Yao Ming.

UPDATE:

If you missed USA vs China round 1 Olympic basketball action, go here to watch it.

Part 1 of the 2008 Olympics Basketball Draw




Part 2 of the 2008 Olympics Basketball Draw




Erik Spoelstra named new Miami Heat head coach

Today, Erik Spoelstra was named the successor to Pat Riley as Head Coach of the Miami Heat. Currently, he is the youngest coach in the NBA. Spoelstra also becomes the sixth head coach in the Heat’s franchise.

Spoelstra just completed his 13th season as a member of the HEAT staff and his seventh in the role of Assistant Coach/Director of Scouting where he had the primary role of developing game plans for upcoming opponents. Spoelstra was responsible for coordinating the video staff and advance scouts while also overseeing the development of scouting reports and videos. He has been in charge of the HEAT’s Individual Player Development Program and has served as the head coach of the HEAT’s summer league squad each of the past three summers.

He’s got a lot of work ahead of him. We congratulate Erik on his promotion and wish him success next season.

Great prediction by “Balitang America” a year ago about Erik Spoelstra as head coach:

BTW – Erik Spoelstra is half-Filipino, a quarter Dutch, and a quarter Irish.

Jackie Chan joins WMA and wants Bollywood roles

Jackie Chan had a very busy weekend. On Friday, Jackie Chan fired his agent at CAA and joined the William Morris agency. Hopefully, we will see William Morris get some great roles for Jackie Chan. “Forbidden Kingdom” is still holding strong at the box office.

Also Jackie was in India over the weekend for launch of the soundtrack of Tamil film “Dasavathaaram”. News organizations all over India are also reporting that Jackie Chan is interested in making a Bollywood film. India is the world’s biggest market for movies with about a thousand movies made a year. It would definitely be interesting for Jackie Chan to be in a Bollywood film.

Although the quality is low, here’s a clip of Jackie Chan’s speech in India:

API Smash

API: S.M.A.S.H., which stands for (Supporting Music, Art, Soul, & Heritage) takes place today at:

San Francisco State University

Cesar Chavez Student Center

Jack Adams Hall

1600 Holloway Ave

San Francisco, CA

Doors Open at 5:30pm

This year the event is a collaboration between the San Francisco State University Asian Student Union (SFSU ASU) along with Manalo Movement. It is SFSU ASU’s big event for the Spring semester. The event is filled with performances and artworks by Asian & Pacific Island American. Performers at API: S.M.A.S.H include Passion, Gabe Bondoc, Mud (API Rock band from SF), Disco Dynamic, Jocelyn De Leon of 8th Wonder, Gookstaz, Infinity Funk Project, Rhapsodistas, and much more!! Also, we are also showcasing painting, sculpture and many different kind of visual art by various Asian American artists, such as Mike Luat (from LFS), Leah (Lady Bird SF), Mia, Jason, Viet Thi, and much more! This will be a awesome event which not only about showcasing the amazing talents of many of these up-and-coming Asian American musicians and artists, but also for a good cause for the Asian community.

Pre-sale tickets are $10, At the door $15.

Here’s a little Passion:

Here’s a little Gabe Bondoc: