American Morning

American Morning

Tune in at 6am Eastern for all the news you need to start your day.
October 1st, 2010
10:35 AM ET

Brothers on idea being stolen: 'Facebook played dirty with us'


Filed under: Controversy
September 30th, 2010
11:49 AM ET

CNN's John Roberts jams with Rush

I’ve always wanted – but never had the chance – to attend Rock and Roll Fantasy camp. That’s where my buddies from Rush came to the rescue. For the very first time, they allowed a guest – I won’t even use the word ‘artist’ – to join them on stage.

For four minutes, I lived the dream so many Rush fans have had – to play with three guys consistently rated among the top purveyors of their craft the world over.

I’ve received notes today from many guitarists who shuttered themselves in their room for days learning parts to 2112, La Villa Strangiato, Red Barchetta, Closer to the Heart and other Rush classics.

To the men and women out there who are undoubtedly far more proficient on guitar than this humble correspondent, I wish you the opportunity to one day join your heroes in song.

We played all of Limelight together, but for purposes of morning TV, we had to narrow it down to :45 seconds. Three-quarters of a minute I will never forget!


Filed under: Entertainment
September 30th, 2010
08:49 AM ET

Cyclist Alberto Contador blames food contamination for failed steroid test

Alberto Contador tested positive for a banned substance in July. He has been suspended by the governing body pending an investigation. Contador's spokesman blames the failed test on food contamination. Contador is expected to speak later today. Peter Flax, editor-in-chief of "Bicycling" magazine spoke to John Roberts on American Morning:

Peter Flax: Yes, it was 1/400th of the normal limit they test for. They're talking about a trace amount of a 20-year-old asthma drug. It's a really shocking piece of news.

John Roberts: So Alberto Contador claims that it was food contamination that led to this. Are they offering any further explanation of how this food might have gotten contaminated?

Flax: No, my desk will be buzzing with all sorts of statements and press releases. I think they're holding off on that piece until the press conference in a little while. In the present anti-doping system the way its written, athletes have to take responsibility for what goes into their body. He's on the hook in that way. I have to admit like a lot of observers seeing a trace amount of such an easily detectable drug that stays so long in your system that's so old, it does make you think there's a high likelihood that there's some explanation other than a deliberate amendment for performance enhancing.

Roberts: Now, because he was in the yellow jersey for so long during this year's tour he was heavily tested. All of the other tests have come back, as far as we know, negative. Isn't unusual that there would be, among all of these negative tests, one test that's positive with this tiny trace amount?

Flax: Yeah, it's definitely suspect from everyone I've talked to that clenbuterol stays in your system for such a long time. So to be such a trace amount that only showed up on one day, it's consistent with that kind of explanation. I certainly will be waiting like a lot of other observers to see what Alberto has to say and see how this all plays out. But it's really shocking to see a grand champion at the top of his game like Alberto Contador facing this kind of charge right now.

Roberts: In the meantime, until all of this is either cleared up or confirmed, his tour title certainly at risk. Peter Flax, we like you will be eagerly anticipating the press conference.


Filed under: Sports
September 30th, 2010
08:33 AM ET

Rush keeps rocking after 40 years

It was 30 years ago – as a young journalist – that I had a chance to sit down with Rush to talk about their new album (yes, remember those?) Permanent Waves. It was the breakout album for the band as far as commercial success went, spinning off the hit song The Spirit of Radio. A year later, Rush released the follow up LP (yes, still talking vinyl here) Moving Pictures, which became their biggest selling album ever.

Now, three decades of recording and touring later, Rush is still as vital as ever – selling out their cross-country Time Machine tour and interestingly, playing the classic Moving Pictures album in its entirety during the show.

Not bad for three soft-spoken Canadians who are pushing ever-closer to that significant milestone of 60 years old and show no signs of slowing down.

So – what’s the magic that has held them together for so long? I had an exclusive opportunity to sit down and talk with them in Atlanta, and in a rock and roll fantasy come true, join them on stage during sound check for a rendition of Limelight.

Wow – what a moment for a frustrated guitar player..!


Filed under: You Have to See This
September 23rd, 2010
08:24 AM ET

Professor to create consumer agency: Fix credit system

President Obama handpicked Harvard professor Elizabeth Warren to create a new federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The two have known each other for years, the president said. Obama didn't nominate her, a move he said was calculated because many of his nominees have struggled for approval in the Senate. Warren doesn't have to get Senate approval because she is a special adviser. She spoke with Kiran Chetry and John Roberts on CNN's American Morning.

Chetry: What is your vision for the consumer protection agency? What do you want it to be and to do?

Warren:
We have a consumer credit market. It's broken in the sense [that] unlike most markets, when consumers go out to shop [and] decide to take out a credit card or take out a mortgage or car loan, you can't really compare the products because they've gotten long, they've gotten complicated.

They're full of fine print. Here's the bad thing: they've got a bunch of tricks and traps in them. What appears to be the price, low, low, 7 percent financing is really zero percent financing. It's the case [with] some of these lender[s] [that] they're getting a lottery ticket. They're hoping you'll take their low, low price because buried back in the fine print, they intend to make a lot of money.

Chetry:
Now, I'm sure it doesn't come as a surprise to you that you have critics in the financial world. Some of them are saying the problem is you're coming from an anti-business point of view and you're not really giving them a chance. And some come from the academic world so you don't really understand the intricacies of how these financial institutions work. How do you respond to those critics?
FULL POST


Filed under: American Morning
September 21st, 2010
10:00 AM ET

Alzheimer’s CEO: Disease as an epidemic, financial burden

A report out this morning calls Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia an epidemic and the financial burden is nothing short of crushing.

The costs associated will total well over $600 billion this year – one percent of the World’s gross domestic product. By 2030, those costs are projected to increase by 85 percent. Harry Johns, President & CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, joined Tuesday's American Morning to discuss the implications of the report and the growing difficulties in dealing with this disease.

Harry Johns: It's only going to increase [with] the aging of America and worldwide. Alzheimer's is not normal aging. As I know you realize, John, but it is the biggest risk factor of Alzheimer’s and going to drive the numbers substantially. Today, in America, we have an estimated 5.3 million people with the disease and that's going to go as high as 16 million by the middle of the century if we can't change the course of the disease.

FULL POST


Filed under: Alzheimer's
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