American Morning
New book: 'Obama's BlackBerry'
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/09/obama.bb.gi.art.jpg caption="President Barack Obama uses a BlackBerry or similar device as he walks to the Oval Office after returning to the White House in Washington, DC, January 29, 2009."]
It's no secret President Obama uses a BlackBerry. In fact, you might say he's even addicted to his.
"Obama's BlackBerry" is a new book that includes dozens of phony texts and emails that poke fun at the nation's first BlackBerry-toting president.
Rob Baedeker, the book’s co-author and a member of the San Francisco-based comedy troupe Kasper Hauser, joins “American Morning” today.
Read excerpts of the book:
Page 14 (PDF)
Page 15 (PDF)
Page 25 (PDF)
Page 28 (PDF)
Page 65 (PDF)
Pregnant with girl or boy? At-home test may tell you
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/09/art.gender.test.cnn.jpg caption="IntelliGender makes a gender prediction test. If a urine specimen turns orange, it's a girl. Green is for boys."]
By Danielle Dellorto
(CNN) - Expecting moms can determine whether they're carrying a boy or a girl as early as 10 weeks after conception, according to an over-the-counter gender prediction test by a Plano, Texas, company.
IntelliGender, the creator of the "Boy or Girl Gender Prediction Test," say scientists isolated certain hormones that when combined with a "proprietary mix of chemicals" react differently if a women is carrying a boy or a girl.
It claims that within 10 minutes of taking the urine test, a mother will be able to tell her baby's gender. The specimen will turn green if it's a boy, and orange if it's a girl.
IntelliGender would not say what hormones or chemicals it uses it in its test because of a pending patent.
"Most parents have a great degree of curiosity to find out if they're having a boy or a girl, and it can be so excruciating to wait until the 20-week sonogram to find out," IntelliGender co-founder Rebecca Griffin said. "But the test was never meant to be a diagnostic tool. We don't claim 100 percent accuracy."
In fact, the company's Web site specifically says to not "paint the room pink or blue" until an expectant mom confirms results with her doctor.
"We specifically state to all our consumers that they shouldn't make any emotional or financial steps until the results are confirmed via sonogram," the company says.
The gender predictor test boasts a 78 to 80 percent accuracy rate, according to the latest IntelliGender report.
Guitarist sues Coldplay, YouTubers compare songs
From CNN's Carol Costello and Ronni Berke
Coldplay's “Viva La Vida” is more than just their biggest hit – it's a phenomenon – selling a whopping 6.8 million copies, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Guitarist Joe Satriani has filed a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement, saying the mega-band copied his song “If I Could Fly,” from 2004, to create their mega-hit. In court documents, Coldplay has denied those allegations.
Satriani, famous himself in the world of rock – now plays in the band, Chickenfoot, with Sammy Hagar. Hagar lays on the sarcasm in support of Satriani. “I was shocked to that Joe would steal that song from those guys,” Hagar said. “Joe you just took and erased the singing and the lyrics and made an instrumental out of it.” “And somehow, I did it four years earlier,” Satriani quipped.
The case has captured the imagination of YouTubers all over the world – most of whom are more than eager to prove Satriani right. One posting, a note-by-note analysis, by a Canadian guitar teacher has gotten nearly 700,000 hits. Then there are the “mash-ups,” where YouTubers put Coldplay's lyrics over Joe Satriani's guitar riff. Some of this stuff is so cleverly done it's gotten the attention of Satriani's attorney.
“What is fascinating about YouTube is you get 1,000 good ideas as a lawyer you could adopt and use in court,” attorney Howard King says.
But, musicologists, like Prince Charles Alexander, who's produced records for Mary J. Blige and Usher, say mash-ups can be deceiving. “You don’t pick up the guitar and invent music. You actually are inspired by someone else that played,” says Alexander, who teaches at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. “So you as an outsider who are mashing these two records up and saying "Wow look how similar they are," are actually looking at a process that's been going on for a very long time.” Alexander says you can mash-up many well known and make them sound the same.
Coldplay’s lawyer told us the band can’t comment on pending litigation. However, Coldplay front man Chris Martin wrote on the band's website, it was, "initially a bit depressing" but now it’s “inspiring." And he adds: “Now we've got more to prove than ever before.”
What’s on Tap – Tuesday June 9, 2009
Here are the big stories on the agenda today:
- A huge chunk of the tail section of Air France Flight 447 has been recovered from the Atlantic. the discovery could be crucial for investigators who are hoping to learn why the jetliner crashed – killing all 228 people on board.
- The Obama Administration is ramping up efforts to reform health care in this country. Nothing is final yet, but some lawmakers are considering a fine for any American who chooses not to buy into the plan.
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is calling on North Korea to free two American journalists who've been sentenced to 12 years in a labor camp. Our Jason Carroll has reaction from the families of Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who are asking for the north to show “compassion.” They're speaking for the first time since their loved ones were convicted.
- The power of Youtube may help decide an alleged case of music plagiarism. Guitarist Joe Satriani has filed a lawsuit, claiming the band Coldplay ripped him off with the Grammy-winning hit, Viva la Vida. Coldplay denies it. All you have to do is hit up Google to hear comparisons for yourself. So who needs experts anymore??
We Listen!
American Morning email feedback was mostly focused on ever-increasing gas prices. Many blamed greed and price gouging by the oil companies, and others asked about big oils’ profits. Viewers recalled the gas crisis in 1972 and suggested that prices be frozen, while others wanted President Obama to consider regulating the oil industry to prevent price increases.
- Bob/ Iowa: Does anyone remember the gas crisis of 1975? Then president Richard Nixon froze gas prices to protect the economy. What is different today?
- Bob/ Virginia: AM Crew – With all of Christine’s good words about our gas prices, it's still the greed inherent in our free enterprise system that keeps pushing those prices higher and higher.
- Bob/Ohio: You have not told us any reason why gas prices should be going up. You have never told us what the price of a barrel of crude is at the well head. You have not told us if you and your friends have stock in the oil companies, and therefore are delighted that the price is climbing.
- Dan: It's just mind-blowing that Romans, and CNN, can report on rising gas prices without mentioning the record profits that the big oil companies continue to bring in. How many quarters does Exxon-Mobil have to report record-breaking profits before you put two and two together, and recognize price-gouging when you see it? I guess that's too much to ask from a "news" outlet whose main purpose seems to be to prop up big corporate power.
- Gordon: John, really like your show. You know the government took over control of the big banks and the auto industry. I think they should take Exxon over also. Maybe we would have a little more stability in gas prices.
How are gas prices in your area? What do you think is the reason prices are increasing so rapidly right now?
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
