Peter Who?

A student at Indiana University gives a presentation during an entry-level Peter Frampton course.

Study: Most Americans Can Only Name One Peter Frampton Album

INDIANAPOLIS (CAP)(CNN)(PETIN) - Hello, this is Anderson Cooper reporting from Indianapolis [(whispering): and I can't wait to get outta here] After more than ten albums with Humble Pie, another dozen as a solo artist, and a Grammy back in 2006, nearly two-thirds of Americans aged 18-24 still cannot name more than one Peter Frampton album, a study released yesterday showed. I'm 43 and all I can say is Peter who?

The National Geographic-Roper Public Affairs Annual Musical Literacy Study paints a dismal picture of the musical knowledge of the most recent graduates of the U.S. education system, although the study did find steadily improving results as respondents approached the age of 49. That's what the study said; but as a 43 year old, I can tell you that they were lying. Between 24 and 43 the knowledge line dips tremendously, I cannot name a single album by Peter Who?

However, an overwhelming 80% of all respondents in the study did try to pass off Frampton Comes Alive! as two albums. What were they thinking? Frampton Comes Alive! is only one album -- they said. I was under the understanding that they were three CDs. Go figure.

"Far too many young people lack even the most basic skills for navigating our musical history or understanding how rock and roll has evolved into what it is today," Somebody told me that, but I forgot who.

Scholars and musicologists who have analyzed the results of the study say Americans' woeful level of musical illiteracy damages more than Arbitron ratings for "classic rock" radio stations -- who's Arbitron? And that this illiteracy damages democracy. Who is Arbitron?

"You're going to make assumptions about people out of ignorance, and they're going to make assumptions about you," said Geoff Phillips of the Center for the Study of Music in American Culture at Indiana University in Indianapolis. I asked him to please cut his title.

"Our memories of our musical heritage are like Peter Frampton's hair," said Phillips. "Once long and flowing, and now - hardly anything to speak of." Really!

The release of the study coincides with the launch of the National Geographic-led campaign called My Wonderful Peter (giggle). A statement on the program said it was designed to "inspire parents and educators to give their kids the power of global knowledge through Peter Frampton's music." I didn't have the heart to ask him, Who is Peter Frampton?

So, instead I said, thank you Geooffy. That's all the time we have for now.

Next, please stay tuned for Larry King Live.

Gen. Petraeus

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TPM LiveWire
Petraeus: 2011 Troop Drawdown Date Doesn't Mean We'll Be 'Racing For The Exits'

Versha Sharma | December 3, 2009, 9:42AM

Gen. David Petraeus appeared on CNN last night to discuss President Obama's new Afghanistan strategy -- announced in a speech Tuesday night -- and called it "realistic" and "reassuring." Watch the video below.

CNN's Anderson Cooper asked "what kind of message is sent to our enemy" by the 2011 drawdown date for U.S. troops in Afghanistan and what to say to those who believe the Taliban will simply wait the American presence out.

"If you go back to the words of the speech -- what that said is that's when you start to transition," Petraeus responded. "And I think that's a realistic goal to have out there, with 18 months more of quite substantial forces on the ground...that's when we begin to transition to Afghan security forces. It doesn't mean that's when we head for the door."

Watch the video after the jump.


He went on to explain that the 2011 date is not meant to imply the U.S. will be racing for the exits, and emphasized that troop withdrawal will be "responsible."

The general made the rounds on television yesterday, and said on MSNBC that the U.S. "isn't trying to make Sweden in Afghanistan" (video here).

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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December 3, 2009

Video: General Petreaus interview


Posted: 11:03 AM ET

Tomorrow at 9 AM ET

Set your watches and clocks for tomorrow morning at enough minutes before 9:00 AM New York time and laugh your head off with Anderson and Kelly's antics.

What Color Is His Tie?

Scott Cooper

Scott Wolf (Anderson Cooper)/Morena Baccarin (Anna)

(02:04 min.)

Thank Goodness for far away Parallel Universes

In a Parallel Universe

Anderson Cooper is Straight!
Even if he doesn't look too happy about it...(You should have seen my face while posting this... barbarity! The tears just wouldn't stop.)
But, of course, that other Universe is far, far, far, far, far, far away from ours... Phew!

Afgha according to Kucinich

Anderson Cooper 1 DEC 2009.wmv

(04:21 min.)

From: electdennis

Added: December 2, 2009

Description: Anderson Cooper Interviews Rep. Dennis Kucinich About Afghanistan

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLybNjKSCfg

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Heroes Backstage

Efren Peñaflorida - With Anderson Cooper and Backstage Scenes "CNN Hero of the Year 2009"

(10:59 min.)

From: Pinaswatcher1

Added: December 1, 2009

Description: Efren Peñaflorida - Interview With Anderson Cooper and Backstage Scenes "CNN Hero of the Year 2009"

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdOqwDzFMgI
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Afghanistan Surge

December 2, 2009

Video: Obama's Afghanistan Plan

Posted: 11:14 AM ET

Women and Guns

December 2, 2009

Video: Women in the military

Posted: 11:06 AM ET

Anderson Guest-Host Regis & Kelly

Afghanistan Troops Surge Coverage

[Anderson Cooper on the TV coutesy of Moi! Hal had Simon Cowell -- Booo!]

How President Obama's speech will rearrange tonight's schedule
posted by halboedeker on Dec 1, 2009 -- 10:04:43 AM

President Barack Obama explains his Afghanistan strategy tonight.

The speech at West Point starts at 8 p.m. Some channels estimate the speech will run an hour; others are saying a half-hour. Here's what you can expect to see after Obama talks:

Fox presents a two-hour performance show of "So You Think You Can Dance."

NBC will offer a two-hour episode of "The Biggest Loser."

CBS airs "NCIS" and "Two and a Half Men" reruns. The network's prime time ends with "The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show," a special hosted by Heidi Klum.

ABC starts the new season of "Scrubs" and follows with a second episode of the medical comedy. A new episode of "the forgotten" completes prime time.

Fox News Channel starts "The O'Reilly Factor" at 9, "Hannity" at 10 and "On the Record With Greta Van Susteren" at 11.

MSNBC will offer this live schedule: "Hardball With Chris Matthews" at 5, "The Ed Show" at 6, "Hardball" at 7, the speech at 8, "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" at 9, "The Rachel Maddow Show" at 10, "Hardball" at 11, "The Ed Show" at midnight.

CNN starts its coverage at 7 p.m. and follows the speech with another hour. Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brown and Anderson Cooper anchor. "Anderson Cooper 360" begins at 10; "Larry King Live" starts at midnight. [My emphasis for you]

CNBC and Fox Business Network will cover the speech as well.