Anderson, help us understand all this violence

Anderson, Welcome Back! I trust you had a pleasant Christmas holiday?

Hello all. Here we go again.

Tracey, IMO, there's never a good explanation for any kind of violence.

Decades of conflict and no end in sight. What will it take before both sides say enough is enough and really mean it.

Hellooo Anderson, and best bloggers!!!
Happy Monday!!!! Welcome back Anderson......
I was watching on news on CNN TV this afternoon..... there was so bad war in Gaza and Israel between foes in the war..... My hearts goes both countries.

I hope everyone enjoyed their break. Erica Hill did a fantastic job filling in.

You'd think that after thousands of years of war people would begin to realize that it doesn't do any good but to kill innocent civilians.

not so good of an evening all. wish the news wasnt so grim.

This is absolutely disgusting. To those who say the violence is coming from both sides, I say show me the evidence. This conflict is clearly one sided. Rockets versus bombs, United States support versus no support. The poor people in Gaza are absolutely left to die.

Finally – I've been waiting for your broadcast to shed some light on this horrible turn of events.

I have a friend who's currently visiting Israel. I hope she's safe, or changed her plans at the last minute.

Hey Anderson
HappyMonday,hope you enjoy your weekend! Sleepless in Germany.Nice you are back!!Terrible pictures from Gaza on both side. There is nowbody right or wrong,

More devastating news...this has been a holiday of terrible news.

scary stuff going on in the middle east.

Just what Obama needs. Another international conflict.

I agree with all of you..... that is so sad for us to hear going on war..... that is not good to hear....

Good even Anderson and welcome back. Hope you had a great holiday. Good evening Erica and all Bloggers. Lots of news tonight with Israel at war again. I am so sick and tired of war. I don’t care who is at war. I am tired of it. We gotta start talking and listening or this world is going to destroy itself. We need to listen more to A/C 360. The world would be a better place if everyone tuned in to the show.

What a heavy load that the President elect has to bear

@emma, i totally agree, there is no rationalization for this kind of violence. it just shows how insatiable the human appetite is for power.

PLEASE someone stand up for the Palestinians

It's hard to see how this will ever end. Hamas doesn't understand talk.

Anderson, I hope you had a great Christmas! It has been a very busy one for me.

Unfortunately, I think this conflict will go on for decades.

Always great to see Reza Aslan. He knows his stuff.

hi anderson! wow the the begining of the end, this was a war that no one wanted to see. sad that this will bring iran and all the arab nations together against the the united states and the the un and all alliies. this is too scary.

Israel failed 2 years ago in their fight against Hezbollah. They will need to completely destroy Hamas, or else no Israeli will believe in their gov.'s and military's power anymore. Unfortunately finishing off Hamas also means killing innocent civilians...which I don't think is justified.

I have a friend that lives in Eliat, Israel and I haven't talked to her in a week. I hope she's ok, I think Israel needs to do what they have to do to protect themselves.

So, where is George W in all this? Why does he need a vacation before a BIG vacation? Hillary needs to get her game on.

There is never a solution to this problem. It seems eternal and blows up regularly like a volcano.

I keep hearing things from the media like "Maybe this is Obama's big test." AS though he doesn't have 42 million other of the most dire things in world history being deposited at his door already.

Once Gaza's medical supplies run out and the death toll reaches the thousands this will be labeled a genocide.

there is no link to the webcast

Obviously Hamas sending rockets to Israel and killing 5 people is a lot different than Israel bombing the entire Gaza region and killing three hundred, or four hundred, some people. You can't attack a political group, an ideology, and kill innocent civilians. This is why wars on ideas (war on drugs, war on terror, etc) doesn't work. Ideas spread, and Hamas is an idea wrapped in a political party. Killing innocent people won't be effective.

Good eveninf Mr. Cooper and the rest of 360:
Until the Muslim world acknowledges that they would not be muslims without Judism, there can never be peace. Judism is the grandfather, Christianity the father, Islam the child. All under the same God. When will we all understand that and get rid of the hate.

Deserae, why stand up for the Palestininians when they are dedicated to wiping out Israel?

PLEASE someone stand up for the Palestinians
Deserae in Seattle.....
I am standing up for the Palestinians.

Could you please have commentators explain what they think the political advantages are of Hamas ending the cease fire?

@megan dresslar, you are right, its not good news, todays world is so scary lately.

It's time for real actions towards peace to take place in the middle east. We have seen little effort from the Bush administration thus far. I hope that Barack Obama takes serious steps to ensure the safety of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Who cares about Oprah and Bristol Palin? 375 people are dead in Gaza. If 375 Israelis died it would be the ONLY news you would cover. I wonder how much of a place Gaza would have had in Christine

Welcome back Anderson! Hope you enjoyed your break!...Erica did a great job filling in for you!...Please help me understand the war between Gaza and Israel.

Lets be fair, If President elect Obama cannot tolerate bombs falling on his childrens homes if he was to occupy a land like Israel, than How much more can he not and should not tolerate an occupying power besieging his land, bombing his children in their homes and preventing them from their right to food, electricity and water through and illegal siege for the past 6 months.

Situation Room did some excellent background-piece graphics today. Brought all the geography back to me perfectly on the Middle East and the last few day's war.

Hi Anderson,

I hope you had a great holiday and well rested.

Rekha

What the world needs is Shalom, not war!

So, where is George W in all this?

asleep as usual

How about the collective punishment that the children are facing. How does stopping water, electricity and medical supplies for the children count as being "defensive"?

is AC 360 taking sides with Israel? I am so disturbed seeing innocent people die on both sides

Hi Anderson, Randi, everyone. Why is all this fighting going on now?What happened? What caused it? I agree that this is very sad news.

Anderson, I don't want to form a bias opinion about Hamas, until all information is given. Though it seems as if they are at falt, their are many reasons for war.

good evening everyone.. hope you had a great holiday last week, those who were celebrating... a lot going on tonite.. curious to hear your thoughts on gaza, the obama song, and the holocaust author's lie?

Anderson, who's the terrorist, the occupyer when he bombs or the occupied when they resist occupation.

Anderson, please help me understand why the man with so much violence destroys human beings as having good causes for which to fight.
Thanks.
Greetings from Caracas, Venezuela

The media are reporting protests against Israel in numerous countries, but are the protesters citizens of Greece, Spain, Italy, etc. or Arab/Muslim residents in those countries?

When watching the video of Obama in israel and he's talking about what he would do if someone tried to bomb his little girls, look at the look on Yahud Barak's face. He's got a big smile on his face and even raises his eyebrows. He's gesturing to someone, "see, we got this guy in our pocket too!"

I think that there are a lot of Americans who don't know much or anything about the history of the situation between Palestine and Israel. I think it would be a great idea if you and your guests delved into that a little bit so that we can all have a better understanding of this situation. Give us a history lesson, if you will.

How can a country not protect their civillians. The bombardment of rockets should not be tolerated and hamas needs to be eliminated once and for all.

If Israel is terrorized by its occupation of Gaza, then end your occupation of Palestine.

U should check latest MEMRI reports re: HAMAS, PLA, and Fatah dispatches for a more complete perspective on the Gaza conflict.

I see the Israeli condemnation but wheres the Muslim condemnation to the rockets attacks on Israel, the attacks in India, or even the attacks in Afghanistan that left 14 children dead. If real peace is to be achieved all parties should spend less time pointing fingers and change their own habits!

My message to: Mr. President Obama PLEASE – this carnage in Gaza must be stopped. Sure, it is one thing to defend one's home/homeland but Israel is committing genocide on the people in Gaza not all of whom are muslims. Does this not go against the Geneva Conventions?

I understand your reluctance to overstep bush but PLEASE this must be stopped before there are not people left there. Surely the Jews remember what it was like in HItler's Germany and occupied countries – we condemn genocide in Darfur and other regions, this is no different.

We have been an allay so unconditionally it is no wonder the Arab/Muslim countries dislike us. We can still be Israel's allay but you/your team must make them understand this is not acceptable even if it was Gaza who first broke the peace accord. There are responsibilities for both sides...surely there must be some grounds for them to reach peace even after all the destruction caused by Israel.thanks mhh

Anderson, I oppose Israel's use of such mighty force against a densely populated area. There will be a huge loss of innocent lives, Can you please report on why Hamas did not renew the ceasefire as Israel never kept to its original agreement. they have locked down their borders and have starved their people of food, water, medicines, etc. Please report this to your viewers they need to know this truth. Finally, if Israel believes they are being attacked by terrorists why will they not allow international journalists in to report on the truth? Are they afraid of us seeing the real truth?

Why is it Isreal is able to get away with this and we all just look away? I have no issues with Middle easterners or Isrealites/Jews but don't understand why this is so okay for them to get away with their actions.

I think it's about time Israel did something about it.

Radical extremists never say enough is enough. There is no place for this ideology in civilized society. Israel must defend itself. Barak has no option but to defend the interests of other democratic societies.

I have never posted to a blog and as a moderate I do not wish to be extreme. However, does ths cycle of violence ever end.

World opinion takes no stand on daily rocket and mortor attacks into Isreal. They have been given the right to govern themselves. What is the result of Hamas efforts? Death, poverty, stagnation.

No concession by Isreal will ever end this. Hamas and others vow only to destroy Jews and Isreal. If the Arab states truly feel for theses people whay is it they never help to raise their quality of life.

Anderson,
Hi! I hope you had a great Christmas.
It's discouraging to see the intensified conflict in Israel–the Middle East– at the start of the New Year–or any time of year.

please be real!!!!!
do you see european chanels with pics of palestinian dead babies and old people and moms screaming!!!!! whos the terrorist here?????

Sue

I am so glad you are showing how Israel is trying to defend itself. The media seems to not emphasize that. I do not understand the non-Muslims who riot against Israel ...why not against Hammas?

Is it true that Israel limits the flow of people and supplies from Gaza to Eqypt? If so why? Shouldn't Israel let people flow freely between Gaza and Eqypt and if Gaza misuses Gaza to fire rockets into Israel then Israel can go to war with Gaza just like any two countries normally do.

My sister is spending time in Jerusalem for the next six months. Even though the conflict is specifically in Gaza is there turmoil all over Israel and cause to worry?

Holiday greets all, from across the pond.

I have a question. How many Palestinian civilian deaths equal one Israeli civilian death. So far, I make it 50+ to 1; 350 Palestinian dead, 6 Israeli dead.

How is this right? How can the USA call this 'self-defence'?

Who is the one being violent, he who puts a gun to your head, or you when you try to knock it away. The palestinians have lived under a siege with guns to their heads for the past 60 years.

Will we soon see action from our current president regarding the Israel-Gaza situation? I know he is a lame duck, but he is still in office and much more can escalate over the next 22 days.

i just wonder why is'nt the UN peace force called in to keep in check the atrocities committed by israel and also hamas.

I understand that Hamas has attacked Israel, and I acknowledge that Israel must defend itself and its residents. No one in the world would mourn the death of a Hamas terrorist. The issue is the collateral damage, the innocent Palestininans caught in the middle of this war. Israel has the means to attack this enemy of the world with more precision. In my opinion the Israelis are walking into brain surgery operation with a chainsaw and it is just not working.

@ "Deserae, Seattle WA" - I completely agree! Why are we hearing nothing but justification on behalf of Israel? Where is the outrage at this violence?

@ashley, I completely agree with you. I am scared for my family in the region and sad that Barack Obama is so far completely supporting Israel.

Why do we feel compelled to interfere in the confrontation between Israel & Hamas? We are not the world's police; let the UN deal with it.
With Israeli supporters. Axelrod & Emanuel, in his cabinet then obama may want to steer clear of any public announcements.

I understand the Israeli need to defend itself against Hamas, but killing more civilians than terrorists doesnt seem like the best way to achieve that goal.

If a terrorist group like Hamas was bombing El Paso, TX, other nations around the world would not be in such uproar.

Why is "unconditional support" for Israel something good? The US has to be fair and not be lead by the huge jewish lobby here.

Hello bloggers! All the conflicts in the world, hate to see another one stirring in the Middle East. Even the oil prices went up just because of this Israel / Hamas conflict.

It seems as if this same conflict happens every 6 months or so.

@ karen,

i think that Pres. Bush doesnt want to add more to Obamas plate, its already full. if he responds and begins the action, then Obama would have to resolve it.

Anderson,
I hope you had good last week christmas vacation and enjoy your day.... Erica Hill was great job anchor fill-in for you, she was amazing anchor...

Hamas should not have fired the initial rockets in provocation. That is true. But like the ME conflict a couple of years ago, Israeli response goes to far in my opinion.

Sealing Gaza borders for many months and preventing food, fuel, and medical supplies from flowing to 1.5 million people has nothing to do with fighting Hamas. It's a war crime!

If Israel as an occupyier has the right to attack Gaza and its population for the actions of Hamas, than how much more do the Palestinians have the right to attack Israel to end this evil occupation.

I hope the rest of the world finds out about the on going massacre of Palestinians by the zionist israel, its funny to see how the media always points fingers towards nations like iran without any clear proof, how many israeli civilians have been killed by hamas in this conflict? and how many by israel? just think about it...

This conflict has been going on for decades and will continue for decades unless Hamas is removed now.

Obama has got to have a mighty big plate because it seems like all the problems of the world are piling up on it now.

Not many Americans know that the U.S. gives 10 billions a year to Israel... since that's the case, U.S. should not be involved, period!

Meh, can't get to the Webcast. Sorry, Randi!

I'm honestly not sure how this problem can ever be solved. Hamas will never accept or tolerate Israel. Israel does need to protect itself.

Where does it end? Wish I knew.

Ashley from NY hit it on the dot.

I'm not sure i understand you though, janine.

This is just another example of Israel's arrogant attempt towards "resolving" crisis between the Israelis and the Palestinians. They know this is not going to solve anything, but just political play carried out during election year in Israel.

In 1948 the UN partitioned then Palestine into a Palistinian and Israeli state. Isreal went along with it, and the Arab League rejected it and attacked. Everything that follows is a direct result. Palestine could have had a state 60 years ago. They wanted it all, and lost big.

Thank you, Deserae. It is not fair that people are not realizing that the Palestinians are the victims. There is no excuse for bombing hundreds of civilians. The fact that Obama rationalized that is appalling. As an Obama supporter, I am very upset.

With Israel at war with Hamas and the Arab world soon, the U.S. On the brink with Iran and their position on Hamas, and India and Pakistan, world war 3 isn't hard to imagine. Our society needs to wake up and look past our religious indifferences.

self-defense. anti-self-defense. aggression. retaliation. how can anyone make it stop when it has been going on for so many years.

i guess it will be important to keep trying. i wonder when both sides will just get sick and tired of killing and dying.

i was just wandering that which rule of security applies to obama's daughters and israel why it is not for palestine. Ain"t it hypocracy?

I don't think PE Obama will do anything different than President Bush.

Such terrible news coming out of the middle east..Can you speak a bit slower?I watch you every night Anderson and
tonight for some reason you are
speaking too quickly!

This is a very tricky time for the President Elect Obama because he's not yet in office and yet the Bush Administration is on its way out and so they are asleep at the wheel...

Janinie, I'm glad someone else recognizes the family tree of the three religions!!

The bottom line is that Israel have a right to defend itself. The government within Palestine needs to change. They support and harbor terrorists. This needs to change, and if Palestinians themselves won't do it, then Israel needs to take matters in its own hands in order to preserve their own safety and well being.

Why are people on here blaming Bush for what is going on in the middle east? If they're so smart then write the POTUS with constructive ideas, if you have any.

@Mike: That is a sweeping generalization.

Oh, and the so-called "satiric" Obama song is repulsive. And this is why they lost all but one seat this election...

Israel's attack on Gaza involving the massacre of hundreds comes as no suprise. It is just one of the ways it uses it's military toward ethnic cleansing – or "transfer" as they term it. Other tactics it uses include the building of the aparteid wall which imprisons Palestinians, blockades of food, water, and medical supplies, demolishing of homes, curfews,illegal land confiscation, and refusal of the right of return for refugees.

Israel does have the right to defend itself from terror attacks but I don’t understand their complete disregard for the lives of innocent civilians.

In watching your show tonight, am I to understand that Obama is being held accountable for the "war" with Gaza? He has maintained a "no public comment" stance. How can we put this on his shoulders when he hasn't even become our president yet. (thank God Jan 20th is coming up!!_

Anderson, every commentator or analyst on your show makes reference to Hamas being the provoker of what is occuring. I understand that Hamas doesn't like or hates Isreal, but what specific actions did Hamas do to provoke this reaction from Isreal?

Is it fare that the world is watching Isreal killing the Palestinian. Isreal had been put the Palastenian in Gaza strip as prisoner for more than 6 months without food, clean water and medicine??????????????

hi randi! that song is not satair it is the republicans letting different ethnic groups know that there is no place for them in their party, they will only rise to be maybe a gov, know folks should understand that a vote for a repulican is a vote against himself. the artist that wrote the song should sue the gop BIG TIME.

When Obama said, he would do everything to protect his family, it was a very dangerous statement. For some people, doing everything, can mean to destroy an entire country.

Mary Helen, I totally agree with you. It is time to stop the genocide in Gaza. This is totally not acceptable.

hey everyone.... good to see you again, hope you all are fine and had nice holidays. Is Israel totally out of mind? I think all countries worldwide should immediately stop their delivery of weapons to Israel. I will never understand why the western states send weapons into the middle east and then discuss what the guys are doing with it. strange

Hamas and the rest of the Palestinians first need to communicate and agree amongst themselves then go forth together to communicate with Israel.

How long will it take until we all understand that the "MIDDLE EAST" nut house is no more than cousins who have been killing, biting, and beating each other up for eons of human history?

The Koran and the Torah are not that different in text other than emphasis on Abraham from the Koran and Moses from the Torah.

I am totally disappointed that the British who in essence started this crap in the early 1900's have not joined with the French, the U.S. and others in telling Israeli leaders to stop the stupidity before we blow ourselves off the earth.

Don't know what else to say, if this continues, forget peace in the world, cause the Eastern Side of the planet is about to explode. Armageddon, WOW, what man conceives he creates.

Revelations be damned, we (US) are creating this crap on our own without anyone’s help and have enabled both sides to keep on with its stupidity. CUT OFF FUNDS to ALL SIDES and see how long it takes for them to come to their senses.

JIM

There will never be peace if people are under occupation,
It's time for Israel to leave the occupied Palestinian land, and let the Palestinian people determine what kind of government they want. The US should respect the peoples choice, and deal with that choice in away where it's best for all parties in that area.

Everytime there is an election in this country, our politicians prostitute themselves before the AIPAC and the Israel lobby to see who can be a stronger supporter of Israel and its the Paletinians, the chances for Peace that lose every time. And in the end, we lose out because we stand by this evil occupation.

A proportional Israeli response would be to specifically target the Palestinian people, something Israel has never done yet continually gets blamed for. Hiroshima was ok; so should Gaza be targetted.

Anderson, how come you're not over there?

Thank you Anderson for noting the Bush administration's complete and utter failure to address this issue.

Hamas was democratically elected, yes and has been around for over twenty years. They've been fighting with Fatah ever since winning over the seats.

I think it's ridiculous that we are constantly expected to stand behind Israel – especially when they're not always in the right.

And thank you Cooper, for speaking up and saying that the Bush administration hasn't done more to enforce or encourage talks to bring an end to all this pointless killing.

This is why I still have hope in actual journalism...

@akbar,

unfortunately, i have heard a firsthand account of a 7 year old boy with a grenade running towards our troops as his father sat back with the pin in his hand. this is the most horrifying aspect of the fighting, the children are weapons themselves and are so young they dont realize it.

Anderson you mentioned Hamas is considered a terrorist group by the U.S. and EU. So why does CNN International continue to show the minor damage the homemade missiles Hamas militants have made? Internationally is Hamas actually a "terrorist group." How can the U.S. justify Hamas as a terrorist group if their death tolls on Israeli's is so low in comparison to those in the Gaza strip in the past 3 days?

Its fine to demand that Palestine needs to recognize Israel's existence but this must be reciprocated by the Israelis. This is a problem of trust with neither side willing to concede on the big issues such as recognition because they are unable to move beyond the internecine violence.

Luis F. I've yet to ever see 'moderate' Muslims condemn any violence from extremists. They didn't after 9/11, or Mumbai or now.

a lot going on tonite.. curious to hear your thoughts on gaza, the obama song, and the holocaust author’s lie?

Anderson, I'd like to hear your thoughts on these same issues.

Let's see, 6,000 missiles have been fired into Israel in the past 3 years, and CNN has largely not covered the story.

And now you're trying to blame the Bush administration? How about Hamas?

Giving the Palis hope? Stop, you're breaking my heart.

Peace will break out when Hamas is defeated

Hi AC, welcome back. I can't believe we are watching hamas and Israel bomb each other again.

@ Deserae in Seattle, WA

Right with you, sister! First Israel and Egypt collude to blockade the Gaza Strip, and close the roads at will, so no food, medical supplies, etc, get in. Now they fly over them, and drop bombs on a closed ghetto.

I have called it 'ethnic cleansing' for a decade. The USA's policy of unblinking support for Israel makes this possible.

Lets not forget that Hamas was elected in a democratic election. It's a sticky situation as neither President is going to say that America only supports democracy when the US approves of the leaders elected.

I hope Obama and Clinton will be fair to the Palestinians as well

How about to also include Israel facts as you put Hamas facts in your show Andersoon coopert?

How abou including in the israely facts:
They are setllers that took land that doesnt belong to them at all?
that hamas is throwing roquets to the settlers IN PALESTINE and not to israel?
How about mentioning that the israelies supply the gaza population only 3 hours of electricity and water every day?
How about mentioning the diference bewteen a rocket and an ARMY????
And israeli masacre is not a terrorist attack????????????

It will be nice that the media shows both sides and how obvious is it that israel does not allow media in gaza, why is that??? maybe so people cannot see what they are doing???

And instead of bringing this lame guests that know nothing about the middle east, you bring someone form israel and Gaza to talk...

I am a Canadian and feel that Isreal is sending too much force also Hamas only exists because of the walls surronding Gaza kind of like the Sovit Union and NAZI Germany(Gettos) so tell me what else is Hamas to do if they have limited resources and are blocaded which is supposed to be an act of war.

I do not speack for all Canadians but I agree with Deserae

What is an honest broker if there is a side that is a terrorist and one that is a democracy?

Anderson
The number that is most important to remember is the number 5,000. This represents the combined number of rockets and mortar shells launched from Gaza into Israel since August, 2005 when Israel totally withdrew from Gaza.
The 5,000 rockets and mortars that have been fired into Israel over the past three and a half years have made life intolerable for the citizens of southern Israel. The children of the Israeli towns and farming communities near Gaza like Sderot, Netivot, and Kibbutz Nir Am go to sleep in fear, wake up with fear and go to school with fear. No country can tolerate this situation.
The media must ask why Hamas is firing these rockets. Hamas can no longer claim its about the occupation of Gaza that ended over three years ago. The truth is that these 5,000 represent the goal of Hamas: the destruction of Israel.
That means this is not a "cycle of violence" as many in the media claim but rather an existential struggle for Israel's right to exist.

Lori, I agree, from what he has said, it seems his policy will no different than that of Bush's, a clear siding with Israel. I think the only President in history to ever take a neutral position on the Palestinian conflict was Jimmy Carter

It will be interesting to see if Obama is willing to take a more aggressive approach to this problem or if he will do much the same as what the Bush administration has been doing.

Tell me a war between two nations that has not had collateral damage? Fire rockets from areas populated with civilians is cowardly and should be considered crimes against humatity and punished as such.

The media always leaves out the most important: ISRAEL IS AN OCCUPIER of the Palestinians land. Israel on a daily basis humiliates Palestinians at checkpoints and deprive them of their basic human needs (food, medicine...)

Why is it that we give Israel unconditional support? What makes them so untouchable that we unconditionally support them, at a time when we question every US policy, and politician? What are we afraid of?

@megan dresslar, you are right, its not good news, todays world is so scary lately.
Brandi,
Yes, I agree with you..... that is very serious scary thought my mind.... they were on the war many years now..... they disagree to stop peace.

Israel should have retaliated after the first rocket attack a year ago. It took 3000 rockets landing on her citizens for her to wake up and fight back. Where are the Muslims cries when Muslims kill Muslims? Where are the Muslims cries when Muslims kill just to kill? Where are the Muslims cries when Hamas rockets rain daily on innocent citizens of Israel? Hamas wanted this and they got it. Israel needs to finish this to the end in order to achieve a final peace. Stop blaming Israel for simply defending herself. Stop it!

Goodevening all,

What is going is red card for peace talk, action and reaction stuff will never solve the problem, it might ease the Iranian message in the region.

Anderson Cooper, to all those 3 stories you want to hear comments on I say SHALOM!

Who is the victim here??? Obama is right by saying he will protect his family if harm comes that way...this is EXACTLY what the Palestinian people have been doing from day 1...decades ago. Israel is the one that is imposing and starting.... who died and put Israel in charge of imposing oppression on Gaza, or Palestine for that matter. The trueth will prevail, God will not allow injustice to continue.

Why is our government allowing this? If it were England and France bombing each other certainly our government would not tolerate this.

Of course, anyone would agree that if someone's firing on my home, I have the right – and indeed obligation – to protect my family and myself. But let's be even-handed here. The reason the Palestinians are firing goes way back...and continues to this day. The Israelis persist in raising settlements on Palestinian land. What red-blooded American would accept someone else building a home in your yard? (And I note that I'm a fervent Obama supporter!)

It's truly amazing that a people that claimed to be exterminated by the masses at the hand of the Nazis would go so far as to inflict this inhumane treatment on another people. I guess the Jews have picked up right where Hitler left off!

An objective analysis would have to admit Israel's attacks are exceptionally focused rather than blunt.

There is no way that Obama or future secretary of state Clinton can completely go against Israel. They have made too many promises to supporters of Israel who happen to have funded their campaigns. So sad that morality won't win.

It is my opinion that Israel has gone too far in retaliation, killing too many Palestinians for the missile attacks from Humas. We shd not be backing up Israel unconditionally. Israel is too aggressive in killing.

The Obama song IS offensive to me, as a white woman. I can't agree that it's legitimate political satire, just in extremely poor taste.

What's worse, it tears down the RNC and reinforces the idea that it's a bunch of old, white men. Another song in that collection was named 'The Star Spanglish Banner', so it's not just our African-American president being mocked.

If the RNC ever wants to be taken seriously again, they need to repudiate this kind of 'satire', strongly. It's not funny, it's not clever, it's lowest common denominator, ignorant humor

As much as I support Isreal's right do defend itself, I wanna hear the media question Isreal's excess use of force. All I hear so far is Hamas but no one is talkin about palestinian civilian casualties.

Anderson, please question the disparity between the deaths of Israelis and Palestinians in the last four days. Please address why Palestinians fire rockets from Gaza into Israel. No one is really talking about how Israel has been suffocating Gaza. The Bush administration says the rockets have to stop. Why is no one calling on the blockade to stop as well? Hamas receives aid from Iran? Really, and all they can come up with are these rockets? We keep hearing about how the ceasefire was broken by Hamas. Why are we not talking about breaking the blockade of Gaza by Israel? Why not?

Go Israel! May G-d help Israel be victorious over it's enemies quickly and effectively. The terrorist animals need to be gone. I think the fact that Obama has won the presidential election is giving the terrorists worldwide hope that the naive left will be dominating the US now and that is why all these terrorists are currently escalating their violence all over the world. Israel should keep pounding away until every last terrorist is gone from the Gaza strip. Gaza terrorists need to surrender and stop bombing Israel.

The Palestinians are the only people in the world who for now three generations have been born and enslaved under occupation, when will they be given the right to resist. I gaurantee you that Palestinians would exchange the occupation, the siege, deadly Israeli missles and refugee camps for life as an Israeli occupier, and to deal with the random qassam rockets and occasional sucide bombings.

Wouldn't an honest broker be the entity that can differentiate between a terrorist organization and a democracy?

And, one more thing. Given all the events going on in the world, after your coverage of Israel, the next most important thing is Barack the magic negro, followed by a cruise ship incident. Nothing going on in China, Russia, Korea, Iran, or all those other countries that you claim Americans know nothing about?

I wonder if an Obama admin will make the two state plan more of a priority. Reza Aslan has a point about the extended honeymoon, and Hillary Rosen is right about Obama and Sec. of State nominee Clinton getting on the overall situation as soon as possible.

Hi Anderson and the crew.

Exactly EJ, just one more issue for P-E Barack Obama, I mean his administration will face various issues at the bad timing, the economy meltdown, middle east situation. God bless him for another agenda oh his list.

By the by, Does anyone know how to tip a barber graciously over the holiday season? i'm not sure what to bring him, a gift voucher or a gift or tip abundently.

@Stacy. The official policy of Hamas, their elected government, is the destruction of Israel. How is that a generalization?

i havent heard the song, but just the title makes me cringe, i definitely think it is out of line. PE Obama should not be distinguished due to his race.

It's time for Israel to counter strike. If America had been attacked as our homeland...America would have destroyed the enemy.
We pray that this time it is done completly of Hamas in Gaza

Hamas should be ashamed and the world should be outraged at the disgracefulness of Hamas authorities holding there children so close to the cage that houses the Lion of Juda that they are prodding with Qassam missles...but terrorists are a stupid breed!!!

Nobody disputes that Israel should have the right to defend themselves. But, Israel does not have the right to commit war crimes and use such a disproportionate force against a densely populated area. Who does Israel think they are? I have an idea, why don't we supply Hammas and Palestine with F14's and let the 2 of them duke it out. Its not just Hammas that wants to wipe Israel off the map, many years ago there was a country on the map called "Palestine" and to the best of my knowledge Israel wiped that country off the map. Why does nobody mention this irony? My heart and prayers are for the Palestinian people – god bless you all and hang in there. At least your friends in Europe support you.

Show the map of the entire arab nations, the economic power and the resources and compare that with Israel. Then ask the question, why should israel supply the land, and why should Israel take care of the palestinians. Why doesnt anyone ask why all the arab nations do not house and feed the palestinians

Hopefully Obama will be a fair moderator – after killing so many Palestinians how does anyone believe there will be any peace – 9 Isralies compared to around 400 Palestinians dead with little access for humanitarian relief into Gaza.

Tali, I doubt we'd see an honest comparison of recent actions good and bad from both sides on a News Channel cable or not.

@EJ: Haha. Keep dreamin. That's never going to happen.

US Government is supporting the attack against the palestenian civilians by not asking the israel to stop its boming. Lets not forget that those are our tax money and our plains that are killing these civilians.

Anderson, I know you've been to Israel. I lived there for 18 months from 1999 to 2000. So you understand their sense of pride and relationship they have with their country. Their security systems put us to shame, and their IDF has trained many of our armed service personel. Israel does not mess around with any terroist attempts or attacks, if invoked they have the right to defend themselfs and country at any cost. If you have been to ANY palistinian occupied territories as I have, you still see the remnants of Israels power. The hamas and palistinian need to stop all attacks as they have no way possible to win against such a power without loss of many more men women and sadly children...

If you really want to solve the Palestinian Issue, go to the root cause and have Israel honor the BALFOUR DECLARATIONS , only then will the world understand the reason for this conflict.

The Common Sense Crusader

It is very sad to see the carnage that has resulted from our government supporting Israel unconditionally for so many administrations, no matter what their actions may be. We continue to see how this encourages Israel overreact and kill indiscriminately.

What would the American People and President elect Barak Obama do, if they lived under occupation?

Unconditional support of Isreal is a contradiction to the principles that make us Americans. by the way Anderson, whatever happened to Sharon? Propaganda at its best.

Anderson, 360 Crew and Fellow Bloggers –

Hope everyone had a good Christmas/Holiday celebration last week. (My home was chaotic on Christmas, but I enjoyed every minute of it.)

The news today is sad - but as much as we may want it, I"m not sure peace in the Gaza is possible.

I find the Obama song totally distasteful.

And the holocaust story/lie is so sad. Not sure why the man felt the need to "embellish" his story - he survived the holocaust and has been married to the same woman for 50 years. Two truly remarkable "accomplishments" in themselves.

I side with Israel because Hamas just wants to wipe Israelis off the map. They are fighting over something that happened years ago and Israel doesn't want the Gaza Strip. As for the lie from that author, that disgusts me. My favorite author, Elie Wiesel, is a Holocaust survivor and I've read tons of his books, some are fictional but he doesn't try to say they are true. What this author did was just wrong. Yeah some REAL people did fall in love during that horrible time and did get married after they were liberated....like Elie Wiesel's sister.

it's even stranger that he turned himself in I think

Anderson I thought that when a baby is born the last name given the child is that of the mother. If that is true then why does Palin's grand baby have Johnston for a last name if Bristol is not yet married to the babys father?

People seem to be forgetting that days ago there was a cease fire in place which Hamas decided to discontinue (debatable whether it was kept to begin with). The UN and nations continue to call for a cease fire but it is unreasonable to expect for Israel to stand there while Hamas outwardly does not want peace. I wish that all these individuals picketing, etc would help the Palestinians with food, aid, and education.

We Americans need to ask a few questions...What is the basis for "our special relationship"? What do we get out if this relationship? Why does the rest of the world see "excessive use of force" when 375 Palentians are killed vs. 6 Israelis, but we show "unconditional support",

Hamas is a threat to the modern world. They don't want peace and their target is to have Islam as the religion to all. They must be destroyed for good. They tens of rockets a day, to Israel even when they were are at "cease fire". The numbers of dead at Gaza are mostly terrorists. I do want the world to think Israel has killed 300 innocent people. They target the terrorists. Any other country would do the same thing. It's the same as if NY was bombed from NJ every other day.

they never stop war between Israel and Gaza..... I think Obama will step up to both of them need peace before too late.

Obama, r u sure you want the job. Still have time to back out.

What do you guys think Ron Paul would do if he was President? Why is it we (United States) always have to have a solution to other nations conflicts?

To all those who "can't see innocent people dying"
Israel HAS THE right to protect it self... Funny how everyone is Pro palastinias and anti Israel just for basic knowledge Israel has been under attack for over 8 years!! Enough is Enough! if someone would throw missiles into the state of ISRAEL, for all those smart ass people who are so "disturb" over the poor Palastinias, what would you have done if someone would throw a bomb into your own home?
Hamas is a terrorist group, and we so tend to forget Sept 11 and suicide bombers in Spain and England.. Only the Isralies know who they are dealing with! ! Extreme Muslims are ruining the world, when will we wake up ? when?

Barack the Magic Negro is incredibly racist a a bunch of reason. 1) its supposed to be Al Sharpton singing, white's using blacks against each other is a trick that goes back to slavery. 2) He says barack isnt authentic black because he's not from the hood, as if blackness is simply defined and all black people from the hood. 3) This shouldnt be a newsflash but the term negro can be offensive unless you're speaking spanish. I love satire but this is just sad

No one will ever understand the nature and the outcome of this conflict without bringing the perspective of the Bible into the matter.

To understand the hatred, look into the link between Esau/Edom/Idumeans and the supposed Palestinians.

To see why Israel will succeed, apply the foreign policy detailed in the Bible: I will bless those that bless you, and curse those that curse you. Add to that, the principle of sowing and reaping.

In 1967 when Israel was attacked by the first Arab confederacy, they gained land. Same during the Yom Kippur war, and they captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and the Temple Mount.

Should they make the mistake of doing that again, watch what will happen. They might just get the original land promised to them in Genesis 15:18.

@ Uma, thanks love! And I completely agree with you! People demand that the Palestinians consider Israel as legitimate, but the Israelis fail to do the same for Palestine. There will never be peace because Israelis seem to think that kicking native people off of their land, sticking them in a blocked ghetto, and then bombing them is perfectly fine.

I haven't heard this "song" and I am not sure I want to.

hello cooper this Zaid from Saudi. I think this time the Arab world is not supporting Hamas like they used to do. people know that Hamas wont go for peace-talk, and they hope Hamas will be finished after this conflict then we can talk about peace. this idea is going around the in middle east. the problem western channels believe that Aljazera's opinion is the majority of middle east thinking which is
totally wrong.

Everyone is complaining about the Israeli air strikes in Gaza, but nobody said anything about the Hamas rocket when they started firing at Israel few days ago.
The entire world knew Israel will retaliate, why the world did not protest against hamas firing rockets into Israel. I think its unfair to judge Isreal and not Hamas, they started this problem.

The thing about satire is it's supposed to be funny or at least make some sort of point that really makes you think. The song completely fails at everything except being offensive. But am I outraged? Meh. There are bigger things in the world to be mad about.

Hamas was elected by the Palestinian peoples.
Why Israel do not allow any journalists inside Gaza?
Becouse do not want American Peoples to See what's going on.
I am from Europe, and All International Channels (Like Euronews) shows the masacre is going on except USA.
When Russia Ocupied Georgia, India's terror, was Breaking News.
When Over 300 palestinians dies, No Problem, it's just warr on Hamas.
So, if everything is ok, Why no Jurnalists allowed?

Hey Anderson, What about the siege on Gaza which they had after occupation. U didnt talk about that. I think israle killed more people with siege then bombing.

For all those who worry about a proportional response: I'm just wondering if when the Allies landed at Normandy, the referees came out to count the dead to see if the number of casualites were equivalent. Or for that matter, should we have allowed Sadam's troops to kill an equivalent number of American soldiers just to make it even.

@mike, i have 'moderate' muslim friends who spoke out tremendously after 9/11, they simply could not understand it.

I think Oprah needs a team like Obama had/ has that can sniff out crap from a mile away. obviously she can afford this, I am surprised that she does not have a group of people investigating this stuff ahead of time...

How can you NOT know that someone in living in your attic for so long? Doesn't anybody have the urge to look under their beds and in their closets before sleeping tonight?

how come there is not a single u.s. president who has the balls to stand up to israel ? or yeah maybe because the jews have ,and will always continue fund your elections.

Israel defenately has a right to defend herself. Why do the other countries in the mideast not condem and put pressure on hamas to stop firing rockets into Israeli. If other countries cut trade and put diplomatic pressure on hamas they might wake up to the fact that you cannot keep going down this well worn road of violence. Peace must come to the mideast and if the "LEADERS" of these countries would just grow up and get it done then everyone can finnally live in the peace they deserve. NO more killing !! just get along , please.

Barack the Magic Negro is an insult to the President Elect and is definitely a racist song. Enough already! I find this song very offensive!!

Shame on Hamas for using innocent civilians as shield. Why do radical Muslims have no regards for Muslim or non Muslim life?

Sometimes I really think there needs to be a new look at what is considered to be terrorism. If any other middle eastern country were to do what Isreal is doing, the united nations would act begging the US and Europe to take charge in trying to remedy the situation. I dont believe there should be any favortism toward how this is resolved.

I like a good joke, but that song was kind of creepy.

"Barack the magic negro" is racist sentiment that is offensive, insensitive rhetoric from a bygone era. It is representative of a political party (i.e. Republican) that is becoming more regional and insignificant by the day. Apparently, they didn't get the memo on election day, "A Change Has Come!"

James :{)
A Southern white man

What do you guys think Ron Paul would do if he was President?

I'm glad we'll never find out.

that stupid song is not really the issue...it should have never left Rush's studio....ggod job RNC

Mr. Saltsman is an idiot. Plain and simple. SNL, Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Colbert Report, DL Hughley...THAT'S satire. Mr. Saltsman needs to take a class to learn the difference.

racist
insensitive
plain dumb

hmmm, I'd say all of the above.

the song is rediculous...but so are a lot of other songs the left and right deem as art...Chip you are an idiot none the less!!!

Very classy repulsivecans,...Political satire my A$$..Funny how white folks are trying to expalin how this should be taken as a simple joke. Why is Limbaugh still on the air?

I'm not sure that he was trying to be racist but he is definitely coming off that way he was definitely being stupid...its a terrible song and he should have known that this would have become an issue

If the Republican Party wants to get more minority voters they sure aren't doing a good job.

This song is extremely offensive. However, I am saddened that this is being portrayed as being THIS important.

I love humor as much as anyone, but a lot of the satire done lately is offensive. Whether it's about Obama or McCain, Palin or President Bush. Sometimes, somethings are just in bad taste.

WHAT? this song singer is a republican political? Oh folks if we dont stop guys like him immediately I have to much phantasy of what else men like him could do to the Obama family

To see the bias, just imagine the reverse – that Israel were lobbing rockets daily aimed directly at the Palestinian population. All hell would come down on Israel. Now do you see things more objectively?

PLEASE civilized world how can u sit and watch the destruction that Israel is causing on the pleople of Gaza. University, Mosque, home of five young girls blown up. Bull when they say they are not targetting civilians. They are overusing the word terrorist, more then 350 dead over 1500 injured to 4 israelis dead. Who is the terrorist

Saltsman is an idiot...how is this song from his 'Christmas CD' okay on any level.

Ken Blackwell should be ashamed of himself.

In fairness, I have not nor do I want to hear the whole Chip Saltsman's CD, however, if it's okay for Kathy Griffin to be outrageous than so can Chip Saltsman.....people can just choose not to listen to it!

I find it disguisting and a hugh step backwards (like 2 generations)

ANDERSON _ I hope you will have some well respected black republicans on your show to discuss this issue

This news about the song just made me think "Wow, the Republicans really have a suicide pact going on."

WAKE. UP.

I think since Huckabee himself has kind of distanced himself from the CD the answer (at the very least) is .. it was not the right Christmas gift to give at this time. Or any other time for that matter.

ahem...anderson, in response to your post...

hope you had a great holiday last week, those who were celebrating…

does this mean you hope those of us who werent celebrating had a horrible time?? lol j/k, hope yours was good, some of us just have a harder time than others.

Anderson
Shalom for peace till 2009

Saltsman's christmas gift "Magic Negro CD" to his fellow GOP leaders is not funny or political satire. It is simply divisive and outrageous to all Americans at a time when we as a great nation came together by putting the evils of racism and bigotry behind us. We strongly condemn this racially charged charged rhetoric of Chip Saltsman. I hope the GOP's RNC will eject Saltsman from the party affiliation immediately.

Ken Blackwell is playing politics. I know he doesn't agree with his own statement.

I can't believe how juvenile that "song" is! What does race have to do with political satire?

Ken Blackwell needs to know that he is a token...Larry Elder is another token

When a people are miserable, they tend to vote for extremists. That's why Hamas won the election, not because all Palestinians are blood-thirsty. They're miserable.

Anderson, when will we all wake up and realize that the policies of Washington have never worked when it comes to peace and politics, the way i see it is when some one occupy your home you defend your self and family and in this case your home, we call it the occupied land why not get the occupier out of that are and see if we all have peace

I think BOTH sides, Israel and Palestine, are wrong – simply put.

black jokes are just jokes. whats not funny is black crime, poor blacks in the richest land in world 100 years later, thats not the work of the magic man or dragon . ha ha ha

Everyone heard Isrealis side of the story.... Lets hear the palestinians side of the story!! I know you traveled to that part of the world and you seen everything for urself! Until the Isrealis Give the poor palestinians the rght to live free without wrongful occupation in their own land, then the fighting will never stop!!!

so – the promoter(s) and distributor(s) of the "obama song" are grownups – or so we assume. they are making a statement, and should be old enough to know what that statement is.

it's not a statement i would make, personally.

Yep, blame Bush for Oprah's last screwup.

Anderson, does political satire have to be associated with a person's race. Couldn't it have been, Barack the magic senator or whatever? Did it have to give reconition to the color of his skin. If senators want to crack bad jokes, why don't they be a stand up comic.

Mr. Saltsman is an idiot.

Please can someone educate me what was going on with this author story? I missed that, please tell the whole story Anderson....

Kris, FL- We have always stayed out of other affairs as requested by George Washington in his farewell address. It wasn't until WWI when the British and French begged Wilson to help. WWII of course we became involved. Because of our previous keep out away this is why the UN is in New York.

Larry Elder is just rambling and rambling.

If he has to go to that length to explain something that is "supposed" to be a joke, you know you're wrong. His rant almost sounded as dumb as the song.

...And this is the RNC Chairman? No wonder the GOP is quickly going down the toilet.

I'm kind of disappointed that AC 360 is even giving this piece about Barack the magic Negro air time. This guy doesn't deserve the waste of air time or breath to talk about

Political satire is Tina Fey as Palin, John Stewart and Stephen Colbert, this is not satire, it is not funny period.
But this is America and Chip the Magic Douchebag has the right to do it.

We, equally, have the right to shame him with it.

I hate to say...... I don't want to hear his song..... he made lot of mistake...... that is so outrage for him put his music CD!!! I am not happy what he want.... I hope he will remove his power!

The point is, whether or not the song is offensive is that image wins. It looks bad. It's bad branding. It doesn't work. It doesn't sell the party to make it look like the party thinks this is FUNNY. They look like dolts every time this kind of thing happens.

EJ, Ron Paul does have some extreme views. With that said, We need to retool our policies for how we react to others problems....

the song should not be dignified by giving it this much air-time!

What kind of jerk tries to pass off a racist song as "political satire"? How low will the Republican Party go? What is funny about that? Mr. Elder is more sophisticated, but still defending garbage. The Republicans are trying very hard to alienate everyone but their core, which is shrinking. To have Rush Limbaugh as a hero is the worst joke of all. How stupid can you get?

Ken Blackwell is playing politics. I know he doesn’t agree with his own statement.

His politics haven't served him well over the past few years.

Mohamed Abid, to top that off, Israrel prime minister quoted Obama as if the P-E appoved the attack whereas I think the P-E Obama was just expressing his feelings comparatively to his daughters.

I thought N-word was eradicated off English ages ago, wooh it made a comeback..Ed Henry could not be more correct!!

Let's not forget that Gaza is an occupied land, and the Palestinians are under occupation which under UN laws makes Israel responsible for the safety of the Palestinians. Instead the Palestinians have been living under siege with all borders closed, no fuel for electricity, no medicine...the rockets fired are outrageous, but they are fired from occupied land. To end them, the occupation must end.

Shame on you Larry Elder!!

Dear Anderson,

I feel that giving media attention to the Barack the negro dragon song is wrong. If the media would just not talk about this song, it would not get the recognition it is receiving. It would die out. This song is a pathetic display of political satire

The answer to whether the "Barack the Magic Negro" song is racist or pure satire depends on the motive and the intent of the person producing it. That's why we have to take each incident on its own merit (or lack thereof). With that said, there are and always will be certain jokes that won't be well received by those who are not part of the culture. Ethnic groups have an inherent license to joke about their racial stereotypes. When others outside the ethnic groups make racial jokes, they take a risk. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't

Larry is truly an embarassment.

I can't believe this black man is saying this, he agrees with this song, utter crap, I agree with Hillary.

There is absolutely a double standard regarding this song. Where was the liberal outrage when Palin was getting sexist comments made about her, or the 'old' jokes with McCain?

I agree with Hilary, if you are a politian you should not get your hands into politcal satire. Sure, opintionated pundits and other talk show people are going to see this and find it funny, but as a serious politician running in the RNC ... you shouldn't be associated with this

Offensiveness aside, can we talk about copyright infringement? I'm willing to bet Pete Yarrow and Lenny Lipton didn't give Saltsman the right to use Puff the Magic Dragon, and the law sees precious little (if any) difference between taking something that doesn't belong to you and selling it, and taking something that doesn't belong to you and giving it away. Theft is theft.

A song about Bush or Palin or McCain would be hilarious tho.

You would think that leadership in the GOP would condem Saltsman for putting out such an idiotic CD with song about Obama. At least the current RNC chairman spoke out against it but where are the rest. No wonder the GOP are a shrinking party fed similar trash by the likes of Rush Limbaugh.

Okay, I'm not a fan of Larry. Someone needs to take it down a notch.

AC,

Larry Elder has never related to African American causes , not sure if he knows he is black.

Anderson, their are a lot of serious issues to be discussed. I believe in all of those things Larry are talking about, but he is totally off message and he is not answering the question.

Sorry Larry Elder – you lost the argument. You lost it big time. Just move on so you don't embarrass yourself anymore.

I can't see how you can call this anything but insulting. As a Black American I am deeply affended by it.

.....And the Republican Party wonders why they have a hard time attracting minorities!!!

Jamie I agree, the song does not deserve this much air time. It was wrong what else can you say about it?

I think that all politicians need to stop and think before they speak, wow, what a concept. The smartest man in the RNC is the current chairman who understands the need to reach out to others, kind of hard to do when a fellow member insults a race.

Mr. Elder, get a grip.

why are you giving the magic song so much airtime? your making it the most famous satire on the planet. let the idiots fade off into the sunset and drop the garbage.

OY, please make this man stop yelling, Anderson. Please?

Thank you...

It is very smart of the Obama Transition team not to dignify the song with a response...though I am enjoying the argument going on between the panel...though Ed Henry was a little left out...

It was STUPID and RACIST.

I think "the song" is offensive and agree with Powell when he asked if this was the kind of message that the party t(Republicans) want to project.......

Israel has plenty of terrorists in their history, try Ariel Sharon's carnage in a Palestinian refugee Camp in Lebanon.

If I am correct, Israel has been blockading Gaza for some time. Usually, a blockade is considered to be an act of war.

But instead of going back and pointing fingers, we all should listen to Merle Haggard sing "America First."

"There's things to be done all over the world, but let's rebuild America first."

Good morning from Finland, Anderson - it's 5.30 a.m here. Thank you for the great coverage on Gaza, there was a lot of that background information we need, so to be able to understand the current situation there. Good work! Have a nice day there, you and the rest of the team!

as a white person I am surprised to here Larry Elder's point of view but I am not judging just surpised

@ Zaid,
It seems to be Hamastan is a nightmare for Israeal and Saudi

@Presley: Thank you, you rock. I bow down to you.

@H. Rosen: "Politically stupid" is putting it lightly.

@AC: Nice "Million little pieces" reference.

I think people just need to realize that the "Barack the Magic Negro"is just a part of political satire and not take these things to heavy and notice it's all satire!

"Negro" is not the "N" word. Political personal parody is fair game. This pales in comparison to the SNL slashing of Sarah Palin. What is it with liberal Dems? They can dish it out but can't take it? Pulease!

This song, the little bit I've heard of it, and what I understand of it from Larry Elder's explanation sounds kind of dumb. I have to say though, it's hard to discuss as satire or parody or prejudice without hearing the whole song. But I'm not rushing out to buy the CD. Stick to the issues.

At this point, this song is offensive, but it doesn't even matter anymore. If they want to insult the President-Elect with racial slurs, and then try to blame "double-standard" Democrats, then fine. It won't change that Obama is our soon-to-be President.

If it was just this song on the CD it may be written off...but the entire CD is offensive. It is like 41 Tracks of garbage. The title is even offensive. So why not start there??

Anderson, "A Million Little Pieces" indeed! How do these people get duped by these stories? Who researches this stuff?

Is the satire CD offensive? You betcha!!!

Small mindness to the max. The GOP is beyond understanding the majority of Americans... and it's a shame. Just because there are a couple of exceptions to the "white man club" doesn't make it inclusive... grow up old men!

It's looking like I may have to make my switch to the Dems permanent.

I am so tired of all the jokes at our new Presidents expence. Those jokes are outdated and show the tellers ignorance in 2008. What helped make Obama so popular with such a variety of people is what most people forgot, .... he is as much a white man as he is a black man. Get off his case and give him a chance to help this terrible mess our wonderful country is in !!!

Sommething about this Isreal & Palistian crisis is not complete.

1. Wasn't it our government who push for an election, and when Hamas won we objected to the results.

2. What is the range of those missiles that the Palistanian is firing into Isreal? (My understanding they hardly can reach the general population)

3. If they are Jews and abiding by the Old Testament writing which states "an eye for an eye...", if so, they seem to be using the moto of "an eye for a town.

Something just do not feel right with damage being done by Isreal vs the damage being done by the Palistinian. and the coverage by the media

I thought Larry Elder was going to pop a blood vessel.

The open support by bush admin will add more to terrorism. Thank you Mr Bush for messing up this world.

Elder is an idiot!. Not once did he address a question, rather he took the time on the show as an opp to preach more hatred and big up his party. Clearly he reflects views of the RNC and thus I don't expect seeing any significant changes in the RNC anytime soon.....what an idiot!

I do not think that Israel has the right to "defend" it frontiers in this case.we have to tell the complete story that begins in this fight with this building homes right in area of the palestians along their inner frontier and a provocated battle with the excuse to defend these homes where noone lived so far. that was such a provocation already several years ago and now israel started it again or continued building up there. and as far as I understood it the palestians had a right to defend themselves

Please drop "Barack the Magic Negro" from the news. It's been one for three days and nights - think you've milked what little interest there was in it for all it's worth. It was dumb. We get that.

Anderson, people need to look at the overall picture of the conflict. The Arab world isextremely sympethetic toward the plight of the Palestanians, with justifiable reasons. They are poor, over a million of people on a small area of land, and they feel that Palestine(Isreal) was stolen from them with the help of the US. The US cannot find fault with Isreal since it is a democratic state in the middle of the Arab world, and there are more jewish voters in the US than arab voters. 5 Isreali death compared to over 300 dead in Palestine becomes justified in the eyes of America. We give Isreal weapons and complain if anyone give Palestine weapons. In reality, it's like David and Goliath, but Palestine is throwing rocks at tanks, and Isreal call it a war.

The election is over, finally, the song is a satire. End of subject. Is it really necessary to have to relive all the hate between the Dems and Reps?? Is it really necessary to have the media continue harboring the racism that the rest of us would like to see laid to rest???
No wonder I choose to vote No Party Affiliation. The rest act like spoiled children that should be sent to a corner until they learn how to play with others.

I find is sad that larry elder, who I grew up admiring on radio in Los Angeles does not find it racist when some calls our next U.S. president a " Magic Negro". Does he not see the color of his own skin and is he not proud of it

Hi Anderson welcome back! Hi bloggers. Yep another crisis – it just nevers stops does it? However, until Israel and Palestinians come to an agreement about land settlement and the Arab World (including Iran) acknowledges Israel's right to sovereign state (historically their land), no-one will be able to negotiate peace there no matter how great he/she is!!

Finally, Saltman's CD gift with the offensive song is in bad taste and yes, sattire belongs to artists not to politicians. Shows how dumb he is!!

Let's hope and pray for sanity to return to the Middle East situation.

As someone that is half African American, I found Larry Elder's comments about the "the magical negro" song that has sprung up from the RNC, non-sensical and embarrasssing. It was additionally embarassing that Hillary Rosen (a caucasian woman) tried in vain to point out that his arguments lacked merit or validity. It'd be nice if you just didn't have him on anymore.

The Rush Limbaugh parody about "Barack the Magic Negro" is much ado about nothing. Democrats say far worse, and they are not joking nor making a parody. However, for some odd reason, the media gives the Democrats a pass and rarely make an issue of their racially insensitive comments. Howard Dean, as DNC chairman, has made many more inflammatory comments with little comment from CNN or other networks.
The Limbaugh parody was triggered by an LA Times article of the same name. I noticed your reporter who talked about the parody neglected to make any mention of the original piece in the newspaper.

I totally agree with Diana in Chicago.....if the media, like CNN, would make a statement that this song will not be talked about on their network or blogs (showing support to the new President), then I think the negative-attention this Senator is getting will die out. That's who is getting the "Lime-Light" out of this.....it's the Senator, not Barack Obama. I hope Chip realizes what an embarassment he is to his State and our Senate.

@Christina. You won't find 2 people on here to agree with you; unless there were similar songs that politically satirize Bush, Palin & McCain.

Israel wont stop the attacks as long as the world does not react. maybe they feel safe because Mr Bush is still there and wont react during his last days of administration

There is absolutely a double standard regarding this song. Where was the liberal outrage when Palin was getting sexist comments made about her, or the ‘old’ jokes with McCain?

Old jokes compare to singing "magic negro" songs?

Relating to any sexism charges, do you remember a particular woman who ran for the Presidency named Hillary Clinton?

IT is sad to see old folks like the two that written that book couldnt have just made the book fiction instead of saying it was real life story, they should have been thinking about being old and having their house in order for when they get ready to meet their maker. not for fame or fortune.

Violence breeds hate, hate breeds more violence, etc. It is a viscous cycle. Gazans are already miserable as it is from the blockade, this is just another reason for them to hate Israel. The more Israel bombs, the less secure Israeli's will be.

Yikes AC, we're going on a cruise next week and now I'm going to worry that one of the kids will go overboard.

hello Anderson–love your program. I think that the rnc song is extremely offensive and inappropriate. the republican party is no longer the party of abe lincoln. the rns rhetoric does not represent their members' behavior/belief.

Larry Elder hit it right on the head. And the other panalist tried to side-step the real issue. Yes this was stupid for this candidate to do, but was it not stupid when Hillary made a coment about seeing Ghandi, or Joe Biden talking about how you can't go into a 7/11 unless you an Indian? Why is it only an outrage when it's a Republican involved? And might I reiterate what Elder said that it was a columnist from the LA Times, no fan of the Republican Party, who started this "Barack the Magic Negro" fanfare. Why aren't they excorieated?

Brian I agree with you.

I think that the problem is that neither the news media and Repubs
are clueless to how PE Obama started a movement and that the
American public is sick of both of them.

Regarding ,Obama The Magic Negro is insensitive to the history of an oppressed group. On a mental health note. there is a covert aggressive connotation. Jokes are often times covered in a way so as to cause pain and anguish .When called out, the person can always feign innocents. This is a new day, our great country stands on greatness to the heigths. unknowb before where each human can be respected and propelled into peace This kind of remark drags everyone down.

@Mike: C'mon, this issue is so much more complicated than that. Hamas has won over many Palestinians by providing social services. You can't just assume they're all about the destruction of Israel. Many of them are just trying to survive.

what ever happened to the times when our President deserved and received the upmost respect. It is unbelievable how much people want to put down a man who has taken the challenge of leading our country. If all who speak so negativly want the job, please run for election. The only person who has any room to talk is the man who was defeated in the election because he was willing to try.

It's sad that a person fell off the balcony of that Norwegian Pearl cruise ship. Something tells me we will never get the whole story especially when the husband didn't report her missing for hours...

Shouldn't the book and the song segment be part of the bulletin instead of having full air-time?

Why do we have a Federal Communications Commission?

Don't they have control over hate speech? If this song doesn't qualify as hate speech, what does?

The FCC should have yanked Limbaugh off the air the first time he played that song.

AC, Miley IS Hannuh Montana only without the blond wig! Yep that had me wondering for a while too until I googled her. In fact she and her dad don't even live on that beach.

Anderson,

Rarely does anything make me get up out of bed at 10:39pm, but omg!!!
Where did you find Larry Elder??? Completely out of touch with reality. Wake up my brother, its ok to be Black in America in 2009!!! It's ok to be a democrat, its ok to be an activist. Stop being afraid to be "black and proud"!!!

@ Anderson: Update on pop culture. Miley Cyrus is the singer/actress who plays Hanna Montana on the Disney Channel. You would have to spend time in retail stores to see she is on almost every product a young girl desires. Oh yes finally, she is 16 dating a 20 year old.

Oprah always gets duped cause she wants to be the first to have something touching or just amazing on her show....try some research first....which you would think she would have done after the first time...

Woman overboard on cruise ship is scary. I have been on several cruises and love to stroll on deck. However, being in the middle of the ocean totally surrounded by water is a pretty awesome feeling. I could see how easy is would be to "go overboard" – wether willingly, unwillingly or accidentally. How terrible for this woman's family.

I hope you have a good "shot" tonight - I think we could all use a good laugh at the end of this show.

It's amazing how the media always shows the damage in Gaza but not in cities in Israel that were targeted by the rockets that Hamas sends almost daily. Don't forget who started it. Israel never attacked anyone. It's defending it's citizens. Stop comparing the death toll of Gaza and Israel. These are terrorists who were killed while trying to launch a rocket, or on their way to attack. Of course, there will be some civilian causalities, but that's what happens at war. If the Arab world is so concerned about Gaza they should of used their power to kick out Hamas because they know Hamas is destroying any chance for peace.

so sad I am surprised that her family already suspects suicide but perhaps it is easier to think that your loved one took her own life then think that someone she loved and trusted murdered her

Ha! I have a 7 yr old. I have no choice but to be well acquainted with Miley and Hannah! And the Jonas Brothers and on and on...

Disney owns me!

Not sure who is the one responsible for vetting authors of memoirs but I would have expected the publisher to do it over Oprah. My guess is that since this has happened to Oprah twice now, there won't be a third time...she will make sure of that!

oh my anderson, so out of touch with todays youth! lol

Hannah Montana is the TV show character that plays the secretive Miley Cyrus. They are one in the same, just listen to her song, 'the best of both worlds.' perhaps it would help you understand her. lol

Hannah Montana is fiction, like the holocaust memoir, while Miley Cyrus is the real deal.

I too believe that the song was a joke.. I also believe that if the RNC believes that this is the type of satire that their members and leaders should be sharing then they too are a joke and deserve the stomping they have recieved in recent elections. Republicans complain about being called racist and non-inclusive, but this song is evidence to the fact.

Gaza conflict is very complicated. On the one hand you have Hamaz hating every israelian, who are supported by iran. You have the surrounding countries Jordan and syria in favor of fata government in the west bank. You have the citizens in the surrounding countries of syria and jordan for hamaz. to which there government doesnt want to act on hamaz. Now you have the bush goverment in support of israel ( not bad) and basically being a lame duck and not acting at all. You figure that out and you can find a way out of this mess

I tend to agree with Hilary.

Professional comedians are frequently offensive and occasionally racist in their humor. We don't have to like them. They're frequently partisan and poke fun at all of us.

For a professional politician to put something out like this is just extremely stupid. It's divisive and doesn't encourage intelligent dialog.

I agree Anette, the whole CD is garbage and yes, who will buy a CD with such a title anyhow?

Saltsman needs his head examined. He needs to go into hiding or an asylum. I do not think he has helped the Republican Party by doing this distasteful deed. He is just another fear mongering trouble maker like Rush. They make a lot of sense when we should be the United States not the Divided States.

Oprah fooled again, maybe she should stop putting these people on without checking them out.

The publisher should have seen the signs....a story is a story..you call it a memoir, you better have some real memories in there.

Is this guy going to go on Oprah and get eviscerated too? Because I'd watch that. Just saying.

Greettings All!

"Why is it that we give Israel unconditional support? What makes them so untouchable that we unconditionally support them, at a time when we question every US policy, and politician? What are we afraid of?"

Jinan,
I have been wondering the same thing since my youth. I used to believe that it was a spiritual thing, but that would be outright hypocrisy on the side of America, especially now since almost NOTHING is considered sacred and morality is out the window when it comes to America; it seems more like a misnomer or oxymoron or something. Yet, still I wonder.

oh come on.... is it for sure that these couple ever lived in germany?

save palestine from Ethnic cleansing

Rick,
The reason you don't know why Israel has been forced to defend itself once again is that the American media does not report on the thousands of bombs terrorists from Gaza have been sending over to Israel indescriminately at civilians for no reason at all. The same reason Osama Bin Ladin killed here in the US. It's the same baseless insanity. The American media only starts reporting about Israel when it bombs the terrorists–then it's suddenly somehow more newsworthy. They confuse you because they do not report accurately or fairly. Sorry for that. I wish it was different. Perhaps then the media can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

No disrespect...apples were a luxury if given at all.

I guess a con man, can con just about anyone, including Oprah. When people lie they seem to go all out and even believe their own lies.

The Holocaust has such amazing stories. Tragic and yet surprisingly filled with humanity.

At the Boston Holocaust Memorial there is a plaque that says that one woman was rescued from the concentration camp by a US soldier – she ended up marrying that soldier. That's a true love story.

They fell in love. He went through a tragic ordeal. Move on.

It was still a nice story, allbeit from dreams – I don't know why he did'nt tell the story that way, as fiction, as a dream, mixed with reality – he did stay in the camps of evil – give him a break.

so he just wanted to make money...

It is about time Israel defends itself against the constant bombardments by Hamas. They are doing the right thing and quite frankly should step it up.

I can't wait see the shot end the show!!! my favorite is Tina Fay the shot best in the year!

All the revenue Oprah generates and she doesn't have a research team!

I LOVE Larry Elder and think he makes so much sense it blows my mind. I think anyone who thinks he is totally off the mark is in denial about the real world.

And on the little diddy song about Barrack, dare we count the way WE all laughed at all the Bushims and public humiliation Bush recieved?
Unfortunately, if you're in the public eye these days of supermedia, you're gonna be fair game. I think the song is cute and I believe there is MUCH TRUTH TO IT.

Happy Holidays to all of our CNN friends. Gosh, I guess
we couldn't get to the end of this year without saddness
in the middle east. These countries have been at war for
centuries they will never get along. Too bad kids are caught
in this crossfire. Just don't let "our kids" have to deal with this
in the military.

Rush Lindbaugh, shame on you for all of your horrible comments.

Anderson I want to respond about Larry Elder commenting on Obama about that song and the Republican Party. As a Black man I am very offended about this guy every time I see him on television, It seems to me anything that is negative against black folks he is for it. Why would you call a book "Stupid Black man"? He is so quick to defend the Repiblican Party and that they are righteous for america. Does he realises that he is also Black. I think elder thinks because he used to be Judge he is above Black folks. In my opinion he is a want to be. The same people that he is embracing (republicans) are the same people who are calling him the N word behind closed door. Its a fact and I see it everyday. Larry Elder needs to wake up and smell the coffee. If he said the person who should be upset is Mr. Sharpton he just proved that to America how shallow is his thinking. Larry Elder needs to look in the mirror and ask himself what color is he?

This israeli violence... seems like once again they'[re the bully on the block. Why???? This has been for decades. Why cannot we diffuse this. What a mess.

Anderson,
I gather you're not a pop fan. I have a 10 year old daughter so I know who Miley Cyrus is! She plays a character on tv show called Hannah Montana. The great Annie Lebowitz took some controversial pictures in Vanity Fair of Miley. You must have heard that story! Maybe you heard of her father, Billy Ray Cyrus!

anderson-
you're confusion about teenage pop culture cracks me up! though miley cyrus/hanna montana confuses the best of us can't wait for your new
years eve special! you and kathy can straighten out that pop culture.

I love your show Anderson. Great in depth stories, along with an impressive host. A plus!

Way to go Madonna! I saw Madge live and thorougly enjoyed that show!!

Blaine was definitely lame

my Bubbie and Zaddie (both my cousins grandparents) they are both holocaust survivors I think they met in a concentration camp but my Zada died and lately Bubbie has perhaps been suffering from some psychological issues due to age and reflecting (as I have never seen her do before) on her families suffering in the camp so I don't want to ask any ?'s

Why are people so surprised that the Rosenblats lied and used that lie to sell a book? Haven't some celebrities published autobiographies with questionable tales and no one batted an eye? Haven't some biographers been doing that for decades? Do people really believe everything they read?

I love the music they played at the end of the show with the entertainment section. Did anyone else picture Cooper busting a move? (We all know you've got it in ya...)

I am so sick of hearing about Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana. We're giving kudos to a 15 year old who has multiple personalities!

Tina Fey is awesome!!

I completely agree...the best moments on TV this year were Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin!

Tom Foreman's "2008 All the best/worst" special looks like it will be good to watch. Thanks for the preview.....

I'll be in Times Square looking for CNN

I thought that Jon Stewart's piece on obama's goat story was demeaning but not as bad as the Japanese commercial where there were many apes, behind another ape at the podium, holding up signs with 'Change' on them: EMOBILE's Racist Commercial Depicts Obama as a Monkey

So the Lil' Wayne rumors are true.

Faking a Holocaust tale???? Shame on that author. Well beyond faking a drug addiction.

Why do so many people blame the media for reporting the news? The media isn't responsible for the latest proof that the republican party still doesn't get it. The media isn't responsible for idioitic mistakes people make, the media reports the news period.

Thank you Jacqueline, NY and Cliff McWhorter for using common sense...something politics seems to be missing

A point missed, is that Hamas and Fatah have to reconcile, that would help negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians go forward. Reza Aslan mentioned this.

It seems like the border dispute around gaza could be worked out. More effort needs to be put into avoiding these conflicts. Paying a little bit more attention to this could be very helpful.

Anderson did you really say she tries something new??? LOL
be serious.
and I would love to see your new years eve show... please make it possible for cnni-viewers !

Well there is a lot going on tonight. I have to say who was the Africa American Guy commenting on the Obama song? I am African American and I was offended as well as all of my family and friends. Thats a lot of people. I am number 10 of 10 children. Is this was the republican party will be focusing on color when so much is going on...like Israel, Iraq, etc.?

This is why most African Americans would not come near the republican party. Who wants to be a part of something that makes a joke out of your suffering...or did they forget about all the free labor the US got from African Americans, or all the lynchings, etc. I would say that makes me very sensitive.

Ashley: can you say Syble ?

I believe that Larry was incorrect with his judgment in regards to his fellow Republican. The song is racist and proves that society still has a long road to journey in regards to racism. For him not to notice this, this proves that his book is based on him.

All right all you hard workers at CNN – thanks for another interesting night. Hope for peace, as always.

Goodnight bloggers and CNN crew.

Good to have you back Cooper.

Anderson,
the show is over already! Glad to have you back! Looking forward to spending New Year's Eve with you...and, oh yeah, Kathy Griffin!

Good show tonight Anderson. See you all tomorrow night

I though it was funny when Larry Elder tried to defend the CD, but it was even funnier when he started to tout the virtues of the Republican Party. Smaller Government? Conservative ideals? exactly which Republican party is he speaking of? Certainly not this modern party.

I agree Tina Fey is amazing
this is the first I heard about Rosie O'Donnel bombing but this coud be because I hate celebrity gossip and I can say PROUDLY that I NEVER read or watch thoose tabloid gossip shows or mags...

I'm not too big on these animal videos.

I am 60 years old and the Israel-Palestine conflict has been going on as long as I can remember. God only knows how many people have been killed. There has been no progress in all that time, just more killing. Each side pointing the finger at the other, propagating this war-to-nowhere. It is time to wake up and see the truth. They are both wrong and both right. Stop the killing, try really talking and cooperating before you turn off everyone.

what a great job tonite anderson, randi, and crew.

anderson, im sorry i wont be able to tune in for the NYE special, as im sure you will be crushed, but i plan on quietly drowning more of my brain cells with a variety of alcoholic beverages and shots while watching ANYTHING that isnt about NYE.

awww, puppy on a sled! how cute!

goodnite all.

This Holocaust survivor did con his readers but how many people have endured the Hell he probably experienced. Maybe he just wanted to believe this fantasy to make his experience more tolerable. Try visiting a death camp in Poland.

Good Night Anderson, Randi and bloggers...The creepy cat graphic still makes me laugh every time! That was an adorable shot of the day! Have a good evening!

@ Daisy: I think I am surprised because if you ever knew a Holocaust survivor you would know what special,special people they are. They have a special determination and drive and a special spirit.

@ Jacqui: I hope Bubbie had a good holiday. Shalom!

Love the "sleigh-riding" lab -

Good show tonight, Anderson -

Good night, all.

Monday's Shot! Animals gone Wild..The lab forgot to take the sled back up the hill? Now that would be a Shot and a half..night all

I can't wait see Anderson best moment year before Happy New Year Eve party with Anderson and Kathy...... am so exciting for that event!
I am ready for new year whoooohooo!!!!
Good night Anderson, Randi and best bloggers!!!!!!!!
Have a great night and sleep tight!!!
See you tomorrow night!!!
Day of the shot my favorite best year dog rode on sled going down!!! Awwww!!! that is so great shot!!!!! LOL!

Nighty night Anderson.

Too cute. Love the sleding lab! We needed some cuteness to end the show! Loved the 2008 Dramatic Animal Video review...hope you continue with them in 2009!

Nite all!

good nigh Anderson. Randi 360 staff and bloggers GN take care

Not tough sledding for that dog.

Good night everyone.

G'nite folk that don't hate:)