Anderson Cooper was back in Louisiana to report on the horrible news from the Gulf Coast. AC360 broadcast the events of the last few days from a city park in NOLA. Most of the crew didn't arrive in NOLA until today so there were few field reports, except for one by Gary Tuchman.
Tuchman took a powerboat tour of some of the wetlands with the Coast Guard. He came across a few crews (10 boats with crews of 3) who were hired by BP to wipe down the blades of grass in the marshes. They also were charged with cleaning and replacing the oil soaked booms. I'm no expert but I just can't imagine that there isn't a more efficient way to do this clean up.
Billy Nungesser again joined Anderson and topic number one was BP's Tony Hayward, who said he wants his life back. Nungesser said basically that Hayword is an idiot and if he's running BP it's not a stretch to see why the company has screwed things up.
Nungesser also talked of his disgust with the panel discussion he attended with government officials today, at least until the end when Parish Presidents and Gov. Jindal were allowed to speak. He has hope that his plan to save the marshes might be adopted.
Raw Politics with Ed Henry was next up. He reported that the POTUS is enraged by BP's failure to plug the link and has named an investigative panel. Also AG Eric Holder told the press he is looking into filing charges against BP. It was also announced that BP will no longer be involved with government briefings to the press.
Jeff Toobin and Doug Brinkley joined Cooper to discuss further the developments of the day including the criminal investigation. Toobin said it would be hard to prove intentional negligence by BP partly because MMS was supposed to be overseeing.
Brinkley said it is odd that while we are investigating BP we also are trusting them to plug the hole and clean up the mess. He also registered surprise that BP has not fired Tony Hayword.
Ben Wedeman reported on the skirmish between Israeli and Turkish activists and commandos. Both sides said the others were the instigators. Each side has their own narrative and their own videos as Wedeman reported.
Spike Lee joined Anderson to talk about his new HBO documentary, 'If God is Willing and the Creek Don't Rise', coming out in August. He thought the filming was done until the BP oil spill happened and he felt he needed to refilm the ending. Lee feels that MMS and the oil industry are in cahoots and that alliance has caused so much pain for the people of NOLA.
Spike Lee said exactly what I said last week, the POTUS needs to appoint General Russel L. Honoré to supervise the clean up and deal with BP. He feels, and I agree, that the man would get things done and not put up with any of BP's BS.
David Mattingly talked with AC about the latest BP attempt to cap the leak. He thought we would see some results, if there are going to be any, by late tomorrow afternoon. Mattingly said he has stopped being surprised by any of this because surprise leads to nothing but disappointment. He also said the relief well will not be finished until August, so if this current action doesn't work it is going to be a long summer.
Joe Johns did a Keeping Them Honest about the events that led up to the failure of the well and what was done and what should have been done. AC added that they would continue to follow the paper trail in the weeks and months to come.
Joe Johns was also in for the 360 Bulletin. Seems he's becoming a regular.
•Al Qaeda's 3rd in command was killed this weekend
•Japan's PM has resigned after only 8 months in office
•Ford Fusions have a floor mat issue
•Former VP Al Gore and his wife Tipper are separating after 40 years of marriage
Just one extra for you tonight:
So what are you doing Sunday, Feb. 13 of next year? Mark the date if you live in the Naples, Florida area. Anderson Cooper has just been booked to their Town Hall series held at the Ritz-Carlton. For more information just follow the link.
All in all a pretty good AC360. I was not expecting to enjoy the Spike Lee interview as much as I did. It's obvious that the man loves NOLA and he wants to help tell the city's story and solve their problems. ~Phebe
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
BP Oil Spill Day 43
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19 comments:
360 was really good last nite. I think it was one of the better shows from NOLA.
The audacity of the head of BP to say he wants his life back! What about the people who live on the gulf coast? I think they want their life back too. The head of BP is arrogant and ridiculous for making that stupid comment.
I didn't think I would like the interview with Spike Lee, but it was a good interview and he seems genuinely concerned about the area
Gloria must tell AC to wear sun screen and a hat. He was as red as a beet and as we all know he did have a brush with skin cancer.
I agree, Haywood the so called executive with all the wrong answers, has a swagger about him and IS arrogant...to Americans. He wants his life back...interesting. How about we let his BP's stock slide a bit further. I believe it fell about 16
points. Let's see if we can manage another 16. Would that give him his life back? How dare he! Who's giving the fisherman back their livelihoods and all the sea creatures their lives, Mr.Haywood? Yes, let's hit you wear it hurts. Right in the pocketbook. I know I'm looking forward to it after that remark and so is AC.
Thought Jeff Toobin's discussion about criminal charges was interesting if only because their questionable. If MMS was "in bed" with BP who is really to blame? The government actually looked the other way. So the question is "What did the Federal government know about the safety precautions on the rig and when did they know it?"
Spike Lee seemed quite mellow for Spike Lee and I will forgive him for being a celeb and just say his motives are good.
How about that...Al Gore and the love of his life, Tipper, are splitting. Hope it isn't an environmental issue.
Joe Johns is a good investigative reporter and I like is candor and demeanor when doing reports. He's really good at it.
All in all, a good 360. AC wear a hat!
I was distracted by Andy's new shirt throughout the programme (yes, I know that's freaky).
I was hoping someone could answer this random question for me. I was wondering how come AC doesn't participate in the live blog chats anymore? What happened that made him stop? Just genuinely curious! (I am guessing it has to do with his stalkers?)
Anderson's haircut is horrible. Shallow but true!
Unfortunately I didn't get to see the entire 360 last night, but what I did see I thought was great. If you've ever seen Spike Lee's documentary on Hurricane Katrina you can see what a great film maker he is.
And Phebe I couldn't agree with you more General Honore needs to come out of retirement and take command. He is the only person who could take charge and get things moving. He was on with Stephanie Miller yesterday morning and was truly the voice of reason among the other voices(BP) stuck on stupid - I'm paraphrasing the General from his days in NOLA.
I know the oil disaster is an important issue, but should 360 spend so much time on it at the expense of other significant news? I'm saturated (no pun intended) with the coverage. Are we hearing much new information? Coverage is very limited; 360 needs more wide-ranging investigation--covering all aspects of the issue. More in-depth reporting. Hopefully they'll have a full crew today, and we'll see more field reporting.
Expected to see the same few guests; I wasn't able to absorb the discussion. They seem to be covering basically the same ground, only phrasing their opinions differently. The story as 360 is reporting it isn't progressing much. I really like Spike Lee and think he directs good movies, but he wasn't able to contribute much of note on the spill.
If CNN's aim is solely to inform without attempting to interest the mainstream audience, how many will the network reach? Aren't they defeating their purpose? I admit in ways I think like the mainstream. If I'm bored, I can't absorb the content.
For some reason AC looked especially handsome Tuesday in spite of his weathered complexion. I think his hair was styled a bit different, and his face looked more angular. Hope though he's not losing weight as he can't afford it.
To call Tony Hayward a disgusting, despicable excuse for a human being would be an understatement. I can forsee BP managing to slip out of criminal prosecution and that's sickening. I love Spike Lee's movies and his Katrina documentary so I was happy to see Anderson interviewing him - I know he has this rep as some sort of "militant", but he's simply a very intelligent and talented man with strong opinions - I'm looking forward to his next project.
Well, I for one am not saturated with information from the disaster area and I really don't think many people are. This disaster isn't a world away, it's only an hour or two plane ride away from NYC and CNN and is WITHIN OUR borders. Maybe people don't realize how bad it is, but wait until the price of seafood goes up and then what will you say.
I may not watch the reports 24/7 as I did with those from Katrina, but I WANT to know what is going on and Anderson seems to talk to people who open up to him, they trust him and want him to get the facts out there.
It's just too bad people don't realize that this disaster will eventually affect all of us in some way, shape or forms.
@Anon 6/2/10 5:04 PM
Are you really surprised? People feel it doesn't affect them so why bother. They see it as "their" problem.
I was watching a news broadcast where a reporter was talking to people getting gas from BP. I heard two of those people say, "Shame on BP for what is happening in the gulf". But when they were asked why they felt that way but were at a BP station, they said, because it's the closest gas station to their homes.
I believe there are people who genuinely care. And there are many who don't. I don't fault the people that could care less. Their perogative. I don't like what I see in the Gulf but I'm not down there reporting or helping clean up oil or animals. So I won't play the hypocrite role. What I hate is this mentality of blame BP and blame the government so I have to take no responsiblity for my part in this. I'll pump their gas in my car and shame them at the same time. Really? Just get your gas and save you faux disapproval!
@5:04PM I absolutely agree with you. When it comes to the Gulf situation and the environment, it should take precedent over everthing else. Just wait until the cruise ship industry can't dock at certain ports of call and they lose business. This spread could go as far west as Florida's west coast and further. 5 Gulf states are involved now.
The NYPost is reporting that Obama is now consulting with director James Cameron of Titanic fame, because of his under water knowledge. What lack of foresight that BP and the Gov't had NO CONTINGENCY PLAN!
OK AC fans. Are you ready for this?
According to TVN ratings and data for Tuesday, LKL is replacing AC360
at the 11PM hour with a repeat of his show, not AC's. And it looks like Larry's repeat demos are stronger against O'Relly.
Don't throw rocks. I'm just the messenger.
I liked Anderson's new blue shirt. I liked seeing Gary Tuchman do his stuff (he's one of my favorites). I don't like Anderson's new haircut, it's way too close-cropped on the sides.
As for actual news, it was a very good show last night. BP and all of it's tangents are still very big news and I understand why they are spending so much time on it. The only other big news is the skirmish between Israel and the boats, whether they were aid ships or not, trying to get to Gaza.
Anderson's interview with Spike Lee was great. They are both New Yorkers with an affinity for NOLA and the Gulf.
Some people may be burned out on the BP news but besides Israel, what is going on ? The stock market has been pretty much okay, there aren't any controversial bills being talked about by Congress and there haven't been any other huge disasters.
Anderson is where he needs to be.
@5:53pm: As an environmentalist, interested in animals I resent your
implication that our outrage is faux. Yes, I put oil in my gas tank, but I don't want oil in my water, whether it is down in the Gulf or out of my faucet...and I don't want to bathe in it either.
I don't know, maybe I'm weird, but I *DO* watch the oil tv coverage, read the papers and tune into the live feed a lot.
I've donated to these people: http://www.tristatebird.org/ who are leading the waterfowl cleanup.
I look for a way to volunteer time (but haven't been able to find one). I don't live in the Gulf, so I would have to travel down. But how many states does it have to affect because it becomes OUR problem an not THEIR problem?
I hope that the people who are bored will be more engaged by the field reporting from AC, Sanjay Gupta and Gary Tuchman tonight. I think they are doing an amazing job.
And there seemed to be a pretty good overview of the other key news from Joe Johns last night. I don't feel like I'm missing anything at all.
The photo of Anderson under "...calls in to Situation Room" is HOT! Have to download that one. My heart actually skipped a bit when I saw it. Love seeing him in that kind of setting.
@EmmKay I'm looking forward to the field reports with AC, Sanjay, and Gary. Hope we see a lot of "hands-on" and new video.
@anon 6:31 PM Perhaps LKL replacing 360 at 11:00 will be a wake-up call to 360, a motivation to excellence. Will 360 repeat at 12:00 AM now?
@6/2/10 6:45 PM
WOW! You felt resentment in my comment? Are you @Anon 6/2/10 5:04 PM? Or are you one of the people who were interviewed while pumping gas at BP? As I read my comment, I see I only addressed those people. As there were alot of "I"'s in my comment, why "you" felt resentment, I don't know. But if you took it personally, OK then.
I too enjoy gas in my car and not in water. But "I" (do you see that, meaning ME, myself) won't slight BP then drive to their gas station to pump what they are UNREGRETTABLY spilling into the Gulf into my tank.
But to each their own.
And I agree with Michelle in covering all aspects of what's going on down there. As much as I'm enjoying the coverage and as important as it is, I too would like to see Anderson present both sides. Believe it or not, there are some (yes from Louisiana) who still believe in "Drill baby drill". I would like to hear their perspective (minus the politics) on what's happening in the Gulf. Maybe tonight. Who knows?
Thanks for allowing my response Phebe.
@MichellenLomita most people stop watching television after the 11 PM news so I don't think it will be a wake up call. LKL was on at Midnight so they just moved it an hour earlier. AC360 does replay at 5 AM, I know this because I sometimes catch it then.
@Emmkay a lot of people have been asking how they can help and Facebook had a thread going about it. Try Googling a site called Matter of Trust. I hope Phebe lets this go thru the site has an interesting perspective on how to sop up the oil.
Every environmental act I studied in law school seems to have been violated because of this oil spill. This is a big issue,our environment is disturbed, ecological balance disrupted seriously and it needs maximum coverage. No other way.. Anderson is where he needs to be and 360 crew are doing an awesome job. We all need to know what's happening in our own backyard, (even if I am a few hundred miles away) and no one else sticks around the way AC does in these situations and continue to bring us news long after other networks and anchors have moved on...it might look repetitive and boring sometimes but we all still need to pay attention..
Aside from that, we need to thank you ladies at ATA for doing such an amazing job in keeping us posted of all the new developments. A big thank you for that...
AC definitely needs to use some sunscreen. His face looks burnt and he sounds like he's having allergies or sinus issues.. He looked great in the blue shirt and he does look like he's losing weight again..A handsome man with his heart in the right place :)Hope he takes care of himself.
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