It’s Wonz subbing for Julie tonight –
Ft. Hood shooting suspect Major Nadil Hasan was charged with 13 counts of pre-meditated murder today and could face the death penalty if convicted. Brian Todd had the Keeping Them Honest Report covering the widespread concerns by his contemporaries about his competence as a psychiatrist and why the reluctance of his superiors to discipline him. Was it because they didn’t want to alienate a Muslim soldier? President Obama has ordered a full review of intelligence related to the shooting.
Thomas Kenniff, a former military prosecutor, joined Anderson in the studio to further discuss the “political correctness” issue. Anderson pointed out that there is a fine line and there is a good side to “political correctness.” The fact that he was an MD may have played a part as well.
Next up Tom Foreman had the “Raw Politics” of the Health Care Abortion Battle. The Catholic Church is injecting itself into the debate. There is an amendment in the House bill that bans almost all abortions for women who enroll in the public option. Both sides are lining up for the fight.
Candy Crowley and David Gergen joined Anderson for the discussion. Seems like the Democrats went along with the amendment to keep the Health Care Bill moving forward. It’s likely that the Senate Bill will contain similar language. But we must remember that the bills that go into committee and the bill that comes out are often completely different. David Gergen pointed out that it’s the conservative Democrats and it’s the pro-life Democrats that are now causing problems in the party. But, Candy reminded us that passing a Health Care Bill is the overriding factor.
Gary Tuchman had a two-segment story on “A Priest’s Secret Son.” Patricia Bond had a child with Father Henry Willenborg and 22 years ago signed a confidential agreement with the church that in exchange for her silence they would support the child. The bigger question is why wasn’t Father Willenborg asked to leave the priesthood at the time and told to take care of his child? After five years the relationship ended and now the child of Pat Bond and Father Willenborg was diagnosed with brain cancer and may now only have a few weeks to live. The church has not been helping with his medical expenses, despite several requests from Patricia Bond and that is why she is now speaking out. Barbara Blaine from the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) explained how keeping secrets has allowed such abuse to continue. Turns out Father Willenborg has now been suspended from the priesthood for having relations with a minor (at the same time he was having relations with Pat Bond) but not fathering a child!
William Donohue, Catholic League President and Barbara Blaine joined Anderson for discussion. There was a somewhat heated discussion of the woman’s part in this matter, unethical Priests being allowed to continue in the Priesthood and Priests using their position of power and authority.
I followed Phebe’s lead and hit fast forward when it came to the segment on Sarah Pallin, Oprah and Levi Johnson.
Erica Hill was in for the 360 Bulletins.
•7 people are dead and 30 injured in a car bomb explosion in Pakistan
•The swine flu epidemic has killed nearly 3,900 people including 540 children
•Cindy Crawford and her husband are the latest targets of an alleged extortion scheme
•Balloon Boy’s parents were officially charged today; the dad with attempting to influence a public servant ( a felony), and the mom with false reporting to authorities (a misdemeanor)
•The CA man, Steve Burton, in the Stolen Valor segment last night pleaded not guilty to the unauthorized wearing of military medals and his trial will begin in January
•New rules have been passed regarding overdraft fees taking effect in July
•The Coach of the Louisiana Ice Gators hockey team threw a tantrum
Beat 360 was back and Oscar the Grouch stopped by the set of 360 in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street -- and stuck around to help with "The Shot" -- Enjoy!
All Things Anderson is a blog dedicated to CNN's AC360 and its host Anderson Cooper.
7 comments:
Finally some real news... Oscar the Grouch! LOL How cute!
I have a feeling the story of the Fort Hood shooter is going to be one of the ones that 360 doesn't know when to move on from. Nite after nite they seem to be rehashing the same thing, that red flags were missed.
I really enjoyed Gary Tuchman's piece about the priest who fathered the young man who now has cancer. The church should have let the priest go. He didn't do what a priest is supposed to do. He had a couple of affairs and I think he should have stepped down and took care of his son. Anderson's discussion with William Donahue and Barbara Blane was very interesting too.
When is 360 going to stop talking about Palin??? Most people are sick of her and just want her to go away. Surely there is some other news story they could talk about other than Palin or Prejean or whatever other celebrity they want to talk to.
LOVED Anderson talking to Oscar the Grouch. It was cute and funny and brought out the Andergiggles. Oscar should be on more often. He's amusing and entertaining. I thought it was funny when he called Anderson, Coop. And I liked when AC asked Oscar if he uses a BlackBerry. Anderson is way to addicted to his BlackBerry...LOL!!!
Great post Wonz and welcome to the ATA/ATC team.
Loved Oscar talking with Erica and Anderson. It is always nice to end the night on a lighter note.
@ACAnderFan, I have heard enough about Hasin too. I wouldn't mind more interviews and stories on the injured but 360 needs to stop the jihadist stuff. Local morning news is saying Hasin is paralyzed so expect to hear more on him tonight. Ugh.
Great post Wonz, welcome aboard!
They do seem to be playing the same footage on Fort Hood over and over. Most of you know I have a real soft spot for our military. While I think a tragedy of this magnitude is newsworthy, I would love to see them focus on those amazing men and women and not on all these _____'s (a non profane word fails me) shouting their jihadist rhetoric. One of the young men killed (only 19 yrs old) was from here. In fact, the family lives very close to my son. Every day this week I have looked at his picture in the local obituaries and cried. Honestly, he was just a boy, hardly looked like he would shave. The world should know more about him and less about the guys outside the mosque in NYC. He is worthy of our time. The only story I feel has shown adequate respect for those killed and injured was Sanjay's. In fact, I was really surprised Anderson didn't go there himself as he has always been fairly supportive of our soldiers. This is very sarcastic of me and maybe I should not say it but I guess he was too busy with Oprah. The end result to me has been that the coverage lacked the heart and soul I had come to expect from AC. In case you were wondering, this is major criticism from me as the troubles in Africa have been a huge concern of mine for almost 30 years.
As usual, Gary Tuchman is one of my favorites. I have wondered why he wasn't covering the sentencing in the FLDS case in Texas. BTW, they gave the guy 10 years (right on!). Guess Gary has been busy taking on another religious institution. As a woman and a Catholic, I am really struggling with my leaders this week. I am heart sick over the story of yet another priest being exposed as a predator and by the statements made by clergy that those of us (like Sen Kennedy)who do not condemn people who have different needs than ours need to seek another religion. I was raised to love and respect my church but also with a wonderful priest who really taught us not to cast stones and that it was not our place to judge. Guess I was fortunate to live for many years in a parish where our god was a just, loving and forgiving god. As I grew up, it came as quite a shock to find out that it wasn't that way in many, many parishes. So sad when those we trust and are taught to love have nothing to give back but their rigid ideaology.
So happy Oscar came to see Anderson and what an "in your face" to all of those who are trying to politize Anderson's last visit to Sesame Street. As for me, I love Walter Cranky and Dan Rathernot! Oh and AC was no slouch in that gargage can either!
Enjoyed the recap Wonz, good job!
Anderson is on CNN now. Guess he's filling in for Campbell Brown.
@EM: I for one, don't find your remark about AC being "too busy being on Oprah," at all sarcastic. Now remember, he's on on Monday, on R@K as well!! Maybe he'll get to the military base after that.
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