Headlines, Videos, Previews and Birthday Wishes!!

Today’s Buzz (Part 1) ...

I wasn’t going to blog until after tonight’s program, but there’s so much to cover, I’ll get to a bit of it now ...

In last night’s entry, I really wanted to focus on politics, but I also don’t want to fall short on letting a couple of other very important headlines get mentioned:

Castro resigns – Cuba is “quiet”

This was probably the BIG news of the day and came through early – the ‘resignation’ of Fidel Castro, and subsequent transfer of power to his brother. Call me a hard-core cynic, but I find it difficult to envision that much will really change – let’s hope that I’m totally wrong on that point.

Musharraf ousted as Pakistan holds elections

Again, I doubt that any kind of true “power-sharing” agreement can be reached – in this nuclear armed nation. Just a reminder about the stakes involved ...

To follow up further on Anderson’s appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, there’s a YouTube video now available (see below), and I imagine that Conan’s site will have a video available later today as well.



I know I’ve made fun of Wolf Blitzer with my “Wolfbot” nickname on occasion, and I do it only because I know there's a great sense of humor under that beard - but honestly and with all due respect, there aren’t all that many other political commentators that I’d rather hear from – his blog on the Political Ticker site is a definite daily “must-read”!

Photo courtesy of CNN

Viewing Reminder # 1: Jon Stewart will be Larry King’s guest tonight – I think (or hope) that Jon won’t be quite as nervous as he seemed the last time he did a “pre-Oscar” interview with LKL!! Send in a question via this link, or a v-mail via this link. I’m looking forward to a solid hour of laughter!!! :-)



Viewing Reminder # 2: I know that everyone was anticipating a ‘slugfest’ at the Los Angeles Democratic Debate that was held just before Super Tuesday, and it turned out to be almost a ‘lovefest’. But January 31st seems like it was a lifetime ago, in political terms, and I would be in some state of “shock and awe” if there weren’t some definitive jabs leveled – on both sides – tomorrow night.





tonight on Anderson Cooper 360°:


Anderson to speak at the University of Arkansas ...

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, February 20, 2008

CNN Anchor to Speak in University of Arkansas Distinguished Lecture Series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Anderson Cooper, one of the most highly regarded television journalists in America, will speak at the University of Arkansas at 8 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Barnhill Arena as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Anderson anchors the CNN primetime weeknight newscast Anderson Cooper 360o and is probably best known for his reporting from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Cooper anchored CNN's overnight coverage of the war in Iraq, much of the network's live coverage of the Washington, D.C., area sniper story and coverage of the space shuttle Columbia explosion.

Cooper joined CNN in Dec. 2001, and soon after was sent to Afghanistan to report on the U.S. military's Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cooper worked as a correspondent for ABC News and Channel One News before moving to CNN. In 2003, he completed the memoir, Dispatches from the Edge, which is now available at the University Bookstore located in the Student Union. (Copies of Anderson's book will also be available for purchase before and during the event). Cooper graduated from Yale University with a bachelor's degree in political science.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is supported by student activity fees, the Associated Student Government and the University of Arkansas. Past lecturers have included Benazir Bhutto, Ehud Barak, Robert Redford, James Carville and Mary Matalin.

The Value of "lunching" with Anderson Cooper? Priceless, of course ...

At least according to The Bailey House 20th Annual Charity Auction web site:

One of the items up for 'auction' at their auction web site is: "Lunch with Anderson Cooper"

"Dine with CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper at media hot spot, Gabriel's."
"Lunch is courtesy of Gabriel Aiello."
"Value: Priceless"

(If you remember, last year's winning bid was $21,000 - good luck!!)



And most important of all:

Happy 84th Birthday to Gloria Vanderbilt!!
Yes, Anderson's Mom (aka - Gloria Vanderbilt) is turning 84 years old today! Which is truly fantastic in and of itself - but especially in light of the challenges she's faced and overcome with a tremendous amount of optimism and grace - so here's to a terrific and memorable celebration!! :-)






Thanks for visiting - updates posted as needed - have a terrific Wednesday!